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Changing Expectations | 94- Anubis | Before long, the pyramid- and the statue above it- started to loom over us as we drew closer. If the pyramid was close to four hundred hooves tall, then the statue stretched up to five hundred fifty hooves, easily. That meant the entire thing was roughly the size of the biggest pyramid at Giza.
The statue was so.... Sad. Decrepit. Rotten. I had seen it in its true splendor in the vision; the royal was a faded maroon king. Where once swirling lines of gold, silver, and copper flowed around each other like waves across the statue's surface, only small glittering specks remained. They used to form intricate shapes across the changeling royal, especially around his face. The only way I could have described it was something like ritual face paint, only painted in the finest of metals and encrusted with hundreds of jewels.
There were still hints of the green, especially on the slopes of the pyramid. As we drew closer, I wondered what material the green metal was. It couldn't be Adamantium, there was simply too much of it. What else was there?
The rubble around us suddenly gave way to a wide open area that surrounded the pyramid complex. What was once the beating heart of an entire civilization now lay dead and cold, an artery that circled an unbeating heart.
In its heyday, it was the central plaza of the Third Hive. If there was commerce, then it would have taken place here. If there were gatherings, rituals, ceremonies, or even recreational activities, this would have been the prime place for them. It was the center of ancient changeling society, quite literally so.
We found it to not be empty. We immediately wished it was.
"Red flag after red flag," I whispered, trying to understand what I was looking at.
Daring Do was at a loss for words, "That's... uh... those are changelings, alright. But... what..."
"Hey boss," One said, "I think we found the bodies."
Thousands of changeling skeletons circled the pyramid on the open plaza. Some were little more than loosely arranged bones, with the majority of the skeleton missing. Many were completely intact. I even spied more than a fair share of what had to be some sort of elite guard, maybe beyond that of the Royal Guards that Officer Mosquito was part of. They wore crumbling armor, their helmets fashioned like the faces of wolves.
All of the skeletons were facing the pyramid, laying down on what once was their stomachs. They formed five concentric circles, each equally spaced from the next. From the size of the plaza alone, that meant there were thousands of skeletons here.
The group stopped before the skeletons. None of us dared to even cast detection spells; we just simply kept back and talked quietly.
"They were placed here after they died," I noted. "Underneath those few over there, the material that covers the stone seems to have been violently stripped away, like a fireball hit that spot. However, only some of those skeletons are charred. All over the place, I see skeletons that are missing the majority of their body. They would not have been able to come here by themselves."
"Somepony moved them?" Daring asked. "Who? Why? Do... do you know anything about this?"
"Sickness of the mind," I wondered. "Something happened with an Ascension ritual. The former ruler looked... corrupted." Daring looked at me strangely, "Visions, Daring Do. Visions. The ruler of this place got corrupted by something, and he- it brought the whole place down with it."
'I probably shouldn't tell her this, but if this knowledge stops her from escaping then going around pressing buttons and poking dead bodies, the less problems she can create for me. She needs to understand just how out of her depth she is.'
"Visions? Do you... normally receive visions? Like when you eat dinner, do you suddenly see dead cities or something?"
I glared at her.
"... I'll take that as a no, then. Well, I have to say, I did not expect a dead temple-city of changelings. Are you some kind of... changeling king?"
"Do I look like a changeling king to you?"
"No? Isn't that their whole shtick? You know, not looking like themselves?"
I shrugged, "If you say so."
Something pulled my attention back to the pyramid, "Something's inside there. What we're after... and more."
"How can you tell?" She asked me, also looking at the pyramid.
"... Some things can't be explained."
"If you're not a changeling, then how are you so connected to this place? I just don't see any other reason. It makes sense that only a changeling could open this place- especially if you're one of their kings or queens."
"You think if somepony's acting strange, then they can only be a changeling? Have you ever even seen any other species other than ponies? There's a whole world beyond Equestria, Daring Do. Though a pony I may be, I have seen things you wouldn't believe. Now, I don't have the patience nor inclination to keep answering your questions. So unless you have something useful to say- like pointing out a trap or strange sound, then be quiet."
"... What exactly are you looking for?"
Daring Do was certainly puzzled. She wasn't really afraid of us. Nor angry. Just.... Confused.
"Something particularly shiny. And, if I'm feeling particularly foolish, the answer to the question we're all asking ourselves."
I tasted a sliver of fear as it worked its way into Daring's mind, "What happened here?"
'I don't like this. Not one bit. I need to free up resources. I need everyone as focused on our surroundings as possible. I need Daring Do to not do something stupid. Better yet, I need the changelings keeping an eye on her...'
I stepped over to Daring Do and stared her in the eyes, "Daring Do. The last thing I need right now is dead weight that we have to keep an eye on. You seem to be smarter than most ponies, so I'm going to cut you a deal. I cut you loose, and you stay close and don't do anything stupid. I don't want you running off and awakening some ancient evil- that's my job. I don't want you backstabbing us at the worst time to get an opportunity to escape. I'm going to remove the bindings on your wings. You get a much better chance at surviving if we are attacked, and we don't have to worry about watching over you. Deal?"
Her eyes flicked to the rope on her wings for just an instant, "... Deal." Daring Do flexed her wings and the rope binding her fell off her back and flopped to the ground. "Ah, that's better.... What? Of course I was trying to escape. You think I'm some kind of amateur who waits till the last moment to break free?"
I sighed, "Smarter than most ponies. Still, we have a deal."
She smiled, "Glad to hear you're a stallion of your word. Speaking of stallion, we skip ahead to my, or your, inevitable betrayal. If you are a changeling, then I can't let you leave with magical artifacts. My boss would have my flank if I let that happen! And believe me, they always know. If you aren't a changeling, then I can't let you leave with magical artifacts. This is without a doubt the biggest archeological find in the history of... archeology! I can't allow strange cultists to make off with pieces of ancient magic!"
'I could just mind control you to force you to allow me to walk away with whatever I want. Better to keep that as plan B, though.'
I sighed, "You really want to do this?"
"No, I really don't want to be doing this. The whole back and forth monologuing and backstabbing can be added in post, if I decide I want to keep that detail. I'm bringing it up now because that's an issue that stops this whole temporary alliance thing. I can't let you leave with artifacts, full stop."
'Why does she need monologing in her reports? What- nevermind, that's not important.'
"You can't let me leave, because either I'm robbing a cultural site of its important pieces of history..." Daring nodded. "... Or because I'm a changeling, and letting me have these items is aiding the war enemy." She nodded again. "What if you just don't tell your bosses?"
"As I said, they find out these things! There's no way I could get away with it, even if I wanted to."
"What if... I said I have backing within Division-P myself?"
Daring froze, "Division.... I'd say that's a load of horseapples."
"Backing from way high up...."
She shook her head, "Lying to me is pointless. I know you can't have approval, because if you did, I would know!"
"Unless there are internal disputes within Division-P..."
"What are you talking about?"
I rolled a hoof, "Listen. You're reporting to Division-P, right? Whether by choice or otherwise, you have to report to them. What if you give your report not to your direct supervisor or handler, but instead to my backer?"
"Shadiness aside, how would that even work? Unless your backer is Princess Daybreaker herself- in which case, we wouldn't even be having this argument, then there's no way I would walk away from this with my hide intact- again, if I wanted to let you go. Which I don't."
'Mind control is looking more and more tempting.'
"And if I did have the Princess's backing?"
"You don't."
"I do, actually."
She rolled her eyes and huffed, "I would have been notified that somepony with clearance higher than mine would be in the area."
"I don't exactly work in the open, you know. More of a... contractor."
"P doesn't do contractors. They're not S.M.I.L.E. anymore. So again, you're clearly lying to me."
"You're thinking about this all wrong, Daring Do. After all, there's more than one hoof involved in the leadership of Division-P."
Daring blinked, "The director- no, you said a princess. Princess Cadence? Ha! You, you really think I'll believe that? Princess Cadence has absolutely nothing to do with the day to day runnings of P, much less handle agents."
I looked around us. Our quiet conversation did not wake the dead, thankfully. There really wasn't a better place to have this argument, and unless we backtracked a ways, there was no point in moving elsewhere.
'Arguing politics in a graveyard in a dead city, ain't this just dandy.'
I sighed, "I know. In fact, she is looking to change that. She's no longer content with being shoved into an office, and she's taking a more hooves-on approach. That means she's looking into just what exactly is going on in Division-P. You think pissing off your supervisors is bad? Do you really want to try to go up against a Princess of Equestria?"
Daring scoffed, "The blood cultist is telling me, halfway across Equestria, down in the middle of an underground city, that he actually works for one of the Princesses. You expect me to believe you?"
"I expect you to watch your own back and cover your own flank. You do not want to be on Princess Cadence's bad side right now."
"It's Princess Cadence, she doesn't have a bad side."
"She does when she discovers the manufacture and use of bomb collars right under her nose. She does when she learns about torturing prisoners and threatening to kill them. She does when everypony makes a mockery of her and her authority, right in front of her."
Daring Do blinked, "Bomb collars? Torture? What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about an internal shakedown. Every level of Division-P is being looked at. Every action is under scrutiny. You think the Princess of Love doesn't have a bad side? What reaction do you think she had when she learned about all this? You think she just shrugged it off? Forgot about it? Asked politely for Division-P to stop? She's in charge of Division-P, and she's the Princess of Love. She might not have had a bad side before all of this, but war brings out the worst in ponies. I'll say it again, you do not want to be on the wrong side of things here."
Daring thought about that for a moment. She frowned, rubbed the back of her neck, grunted quietly,
"How am I supposed to believe any of this?"
"I don't have any proof, any identification, if that's what you're asking. You'll just have to trust me."
"Trust you.... Fine, let's pretend you do work for Princess Cadence. Why would you be unsealing a temple in the middle of the jungle using blood magic? Why would you be here, looting a sealed, ancient city?"
"The war's not over, Daring Do. For it to end, we need everything we can get our hooves on."
"Why do you think they press-ganged me? Now you're claiming to be my role!"
"Except I work directly for Princess Cadence. She doesn't trust the Division anymore. You shouldn't either."
".... No."
"No?"
"No. I don't buy it. It's one lie after another, all hinging on me trusting you. I don't. I saw what you did to my actual colleagues. You're not somepony Princess Cadence would hire, let alone trust. You hurt ponies, just because you can. You're involved with this," she waved a hoof around, "creepy city and its magic and its death. You almost had me fooled, but I know Princess Cadence would never associate with somepony like you."
I worked my jaw, suppressing a sneer.
'So much for the truth. As much of it as I'm willing to say, at least.'
"I can see there's no convincing you."
"That's right, I don't believe you. Besides, I work alone. Don't trust you. Don't trust anypony, really."
"... Now what?" I growled.
"Now we decide how we want to fight."
It was my turn to scoff, "How about five on one, with us having ranged attacks on you, and you not even having your pack?"
"I've survived worse. Easy odds, I'd say."
I glared at her, and she glared right back.
'Wasting my time. All she did was waste my time and make me reveal information. I was so close to getting a potential ally, maybe even one that I could use after Daybreaker is ousted. Now we have to do things the hard way.'
"On my mark," I commanded through the Weave, "get ready to attack."
"Smart pony. Too smart for your own good, as it turns out. You're really overthinking this, and now things are going to get ugly."
"Is that so, King Ouroboros? I have to say, I don't think changelings do all that well in the beauty department, so I'd say this was all ugly to begin with."
'Time for plan B.'
"Sir?" One whispered.
I bared my teeth, "If that's really how you want to play this, then this is how we'll fight. I attack. You lose. I then decide whether or not you die here. Is that what you want?"
"You head honchos all think you're hot horseapples, you know that? I've been kicking flank like yours for decades, buddy. Four unicorns and one earth pony? I can take you all with my eyes closed! But really though, I'm up against five changelings. Considering the E.U.P. has been kicking your flanks all the way out of Equestria and out into some barren desert, I think I can handle five of ya on my own juuuust fine."
"I'll be a distraction. You all cast stun spells, be sure to watch your aim and make sure you're not hitting friendlies."
"Sir!" One begged.
"Pride comes before the fall, pony. You think-."
"Sir!" One yelled.
"What is it, One? Kinda in the middle of something here!"
"Look around you, sir!"
I broke away from Daring Do to look at what One was freaking out about. Thirty of the closest skeletons had turned their skulls and were now facing us. Inky black liquid was slowly dripping from their mouths, and some tinted red liquid was pooled into orbs in their eye sockets. We all turned away from Daring Do to face the skeletons, who were now starting to awaken fully. The black liquid oozing from their jaws began to seep backwards, down their spines- if they still possessed them- and into the rest of their skeletal bodies.
"Your Weave, sir," One whispered harshly. "They started awakening when you spoke over it!"
"... She started it." |
Changing Expectations | 95- Dagda | A gust of wind made us all stumble back as Daring Do practically vanished with a single powerful flap of her wings.
I bit back a curse at the fact that she slipped away while we were distracted by the awakening horde, and instead briefly watched her flight path. It became immediately clear that Daring Do was heading towards the pyramid, not the exit.
"We have to follow her!"
"Uh, the skeletons are that way?" Two pointed out, literally pointing at the skeletons. More were beginning to awaken. Those closest to us were also starting to rise up to their hooves.
"It's forward or backwards, and we still haven't gotten what we came here for. Move! Move!"
At my urging, we started to gallop through the ranks of rising undead and towards the temple proper. By now, half of the skeletons in view were beginning to awaken, the dark black substance rapidly materializing in their forms.
"Maybe they're nice skeletons?" Four suggested.
"You wanna find out?" One asked. "Go ahead and hug one. We won't be waiting for you!"
I kept my eye on Daring Do. She was soaring lazily, clearly content with her own safety far above the undead horde. I was half tempted to send some spells her way, but I decided to keep her not paralyzed. She could potentially lead us to a way inside, as long as we kept her in our sight.
Quickly, we cleared the ranks of skeletons without issue and arrived at the base of the pyramid. For all their doom and gloom, the undead constructs were slow to reanimate. That was a fact that I intended to use to the fullest extent.
"Up!" I yelled, and began scaling the pyramid.
Thankfully, in the center of the side of the monument facing us was a set of uncased stairs. On either side, the pyramid was covered in smooth bricks, whereas this section was uncovered. I didn't question why a race of flying buggos left stairs in their city. Aesthetics, visitors (or captives), transportation of goods on carts, it didn't matter to me.
I was beginning to consider ordering the shedding of our disguises when the stairs ended abruptly, leveling off at an opened doorway. The twin stone doors were pushed inward, their once beautiful decorative coverings now rotted away and the plain stone facade underneath revealed. I casted a detection spell for anything in particular but got no results. I then dashed inside, spun around, and motioned the other lings to follow.
"They're climbing!" Three yelled, peering over the edge.
I grabbed him with my magic and pulled him back, "Get inside, we'll bar the door!"
Just as I pulled Three back from the ledge- and the others joined me on the other side of the doorway, two skeletons shot up into the air and hovered in front of the pyramid, level with the door. There were two massive jets of the black ink jutting out from their shoulders blades, forming liquid wings which beat rapidly. The oval liquid wings fragmented as I watched, but always reformed and kept the skeletons somehow in the air.
Then, they lunged at the door.
I blasted them with a concussion wave, intending on shattering their skeletal bodies. However, the wave of compressed magic dissipated when it reached their forms, and fragmented into small ripples of energy.
One yelled from right next to me, "Shut the door!"
I then summoned an ice spear and hurled it at the skeleton on the left. It began to melt as it got close, but the majority of the spear impacted the changeling skeleton in the chest. Bone was shattered and a spray of black ichor coated the ground beneath its halted form.
But it stayed airborne.
The massive hole in its chest was slowly covered up by black liquid as the changeling recorrected it course and restarted its dive towards us. I began to summon a similar spear of ice to impale the other skeleton but stopped when its horn became coated in the black liquid and spewed forth a jet of black fire. I dropped the spell matrix and switched to a shield one. Two and Three also brought up shields, while One and Four were busy pushing the stone doors shut.
When the stream of black fire impacted my shield, it bounced off and spewed downwards onto the ground, but not before making me gasp in pain. Normally, it would take quite a lot to directly hurt the caster, to the point where either the shield would collapse or the caster would. However, despite being well within limits that I could maintain for potentially days on end, the spellfire felt like shards of glass being scraped against my horn. It hurt.
The doors were slammed shut and I dropped the shield, my right leg falling to the knee and my head bowed. Three and Four immediately began melting the stone, sealing the door shut.
"Zero- Oro- oh fuck it, are you alright Your Majesty?" One asked me.
"Pain," I wheezed.
Two rushed over to my side and tried to help me up.
"I can walk, damn it! Give me a moment!"
The doors buckled and thin cracks began appearing. The changelings paused, looking at the door.
"We might not have a moment, Your Majesty," One pointed out.
"Gah! Fine!"
I accepted two's help, putting my right leg over his withers and leaned partially into him. Despite the fact that my right leg wasn't injured, I had felt fatigued from the pain. It was like I ran a marathon; I was panting heavily, sweating, and limping from my still recovering leg. The thin line of formerly-cracked chitin was flaring up in pain.
"The door won't hold them for long. Maybe five minutes at most," Two analyzed.
"Then we'd better be long gone by then. Come on, the only way is further deeper into the temple. Everyone, stay close."
We began to trot down the hallway, which was eerily similar to the entrance to the city. Perhaps once it was different, with paintings and other decorations, but anything organic had rotten away centuries ago. As we left the entrance behind, the loud thuds of the skeletons slamming whatever foul magic they were using against the door faded into distant echoes. I calmed down and recovered enough to walk by myself, as well as think about what just happened.
"Those undead, they really packed a punch. A single spell brought me to my knees, Panar dammit!"
"If those things are what killed the city, then nothing less would suffice. Changelings are quite capable of offensive magic, after all. You'd need to be something strong or nasty to turn that against us," One said.
Four nodded, "I think we're really in it now. Those skeletons will be crawling all over the temple, looking for ways in, I bet. The only way out will be fighting."
I sighed, "Drop the disguises- remember to take off your bags- and get ready, then. We're going to need every advantage we can get if two of them can do so much damage. Flight, magic, everything. Daring Do is already convinced we're changelings anyways. If she sees me, fine, I'll just erase her memories. If not, then her window of opportunity to report my survival is rapidly closing. I can just tell Princess Cadence to block or bury her report, anyways."
We each took off our saddlebags, dropped our disguises, and then put the bags back on.
"There's something else," I muttered, "The changeling royals. The ones that survived and fought, probably only Prince Carotid, would have to have died somehow. Someone with decades of experience, geared to the nines, and willing to die for their cause. If I had God-Splitter, then I'd be making short work of those monstrosities. That Prince had a much better chance against them than I do right now, yet he still had to have died. There must be something else. Maybe the Prophet himself came down and killed the Prince."
"What are you saying, sir?" Two asked.
"I'm saying there's going to be a boss fight. There just has to be. Something killed the Prince, and there's no doubt that it's going to wake up, if it hasn't already."
We came upon a three way intersection, with the left going down in a staircase, the middle going straight, and the right going up in a staircase. There was no sign of which direction Daring Do chose. The changelings looked to me, and I began to feel out each direction.
"The left," I said immediately. There was something there, something bright.
We descended the staircase and ended up in a large room with many passageways leading out of it. Many of the passageways were blocked by doors, though many doors were blown to bits. The contents of the room had long since been destroyed, either by time or by whatever went rampaging through this place. A hanging chain on the ceiling and pile of unidentifiable scrap on the ground indicated that there once was a chandelier. A miserable pile of stone bricks at the far wall suggested the presence of a grand fireplace.
But no changeling Prince, nor escaped pegasus.
"Uh... There! That far door!" I pointed to one in the corner.
The pull was stronger now. So strong that it almost hid the fact that I was feeling two pulls. One led to that doorway, and the other led straight above me. The one ahead was stronger, and somehow was more trustworthy. The second one felt quiet and... poisoned.
I flew over the rubble-strewn room and through the doorway. Instead of another hallway, the doorway led to a large room that was actually intact enough to identify what it was once used for. That wasn't to say that it was in any good condition at all. No, it was the epicenter of what was the final death throes of the Third Hive.
In what was once the Hive's armory, Prince Carotid lay crumpled at the far end of the room. The metal bars that separated the armory from its entrance were mostly torn off, as were the metal racks that still held rusted and dented weapons. In a straight line from the door to Carotid's armored skeleton was a path of destruction; the stone tiles were ripped up and ripped out, the weapon racks were wrecked and thrown to the side, and fragments of metal and bone littered the ground.
'Prince Carotid did not die without a fight.'
There were two more details that failed to escape my notice. First, corruption. In a circle around the Prince's skeleton, the tiles shone in a clean tone, likely as clean as they were when the Hive was still occupied. It made me wonder just how deteriorated the building was, or if the corruption that leaked from the skeletons had also done something to weather the structure of the Hive itself. What was more curious was the fact that the destruction that led up to the Prince halted suddenly at the edge of the circle.
'Evidence that he had a shield up?'
Second, there were whispers coming from Prince Carotid.
"Another vision," I whispered.
I flew over the trail of destruction that led to the Prince's corpse, and I admired the armor. After all this time, it still shone in the soft blue light of the enchanted gems that lit up the room. It was far from the smooth armor that equestrians used, instead calling to the art of insect-like jagged pieces that changelings preferred. The jagged pieces looked almost like they were harvested from some great metal dragon. An empty gem slot sat on the front of the helmet.
And it sang. The enchantments not only still persisted after all this time, like whatever kept the lights on, but held their original strength. I wasn't nearly skilled enough in enchantment to understand just what was held within the adamantium armor, but I knew it was powerful. So powerful that it made my peytral look like a tin can, haphazardly and amateurishly hammered into shape. It was far closer to God-Splitter than my peytral in terms of power and importance.
"Seal the door, and blockade it as much as possible. I'm going into the vision."
I reached out and brushed the lower jaw of Carotid's skeleton.
The world faded away.
Prince Carotid and I watched Queen Millipede vanish into the crowd. Once more, I was watching everything from a first person perspective, the lines between me and the owner of the body being blurred. Some of his thoughts leaked into my own, from suspicion, to thoughts, to bits of knowledge.
"Valkyries!" I yelled out.
Ahead, from the entrance to the city, four changelings in silver armor and wielding extremely long spears flew out and hovered above the crowd. Their two-piece, long red capes that draped off their back fluttered in the wind their wings produced as they hovered, nearly half of the length of their elongated spears.
"Begin your scans from here! We must buy as much time as possible!"
"At once, Your Holiness!" All four said simultaneously. Then, they spaced out and began projecting green beams down into the crowd, locking onto changelings at random, staying for a second, then flicking to another changeling.
'They were looking for signs of infection.'
I turned away from the Valkyries and scanned the crowd myself. The first signs of the crowd thinning were beginning to show. Whether that was the fact that all changelings that could escape already had or if there was something now cutting off the escape, it was impossible to tell.
I gave a glance back at the Valkyries. Carotid clearly wanted to leave, to go to the front lines and fight the infection himself.
One of the green beams the Valkyries was projecting suddenly turned red, and the Valkyrie immediately thrust the extremely long spear into the light. A changeling was hoisted out, impaled on the spear. As red blood dripped from the impalement, a bit of black mixed into the blood.
The changeling was screaming.
"Infection!" The Valkyrie called out.
A second Valkyrie came over and with a massive exhale, scorched the still-living impaled changeling in an intense beam of superheated fire. The screams died away, and eventually the Valkyrie stopped burning the corpse. With a flick, the first Valkyrie hurled the burnt carcass into the pit behind her, where the water was flowing into.
"Well in hoof," I muttered.
I turned back to the city. Somehow, it seemed like the half of the city behind the pyramid was somehow... darker.
The distant screams that permeated throughout the air were growing louder. The infection proper was getting closer. The front line was getting closer.
Death was coming.
"Something must be done. Valkyries! Stall the infection as long as you can! May Panar welcome you upon your deaths!"
Without waiting for a reply, Prince Carotid and I took off from above the fleeing changelings.
"Panar guide my aim," I said as I began to fly to the pyramid. "Let your will be my own. Let your desires guide my mind. Panar, lend me your strength, so that I might seal this infection, and save our species."
As Carotid flew, I grabbed onto his train of thought and held tight as it sped on at breakneck speeds.
'The infection must be stopped. The Prophet is lost. The Hive is lost. The infection must be stopped. How? A spell. Something to cleanse the infection. Sparing the survivors or not, it didn't matter. The infection must be stopped. Something went wrong with the last Ascension ritual. The Prophet has fallen. I must cleanse this city in holy fire. That is the only way.'
I briefly glanced up at the sun which hung in its suspension and containment rings above the statue of the Prophet.
'The sun. A perfect catalyst for the cleansing spell. Panar's Fury has shown effectiveness against the disease. Faith, as always, is the perfect weapon against taint. I must retrieve Moth's Illumination and use it to channel the spell into the sun. Moth's Illumination... should still be in the armory.'
I narrowed my body as I rapidly approached the entrance to the temple-pyramid, flattening myself out as much as possible. Carotid had no intention of slowing down.
'The Prophet is lost. The Hive is lost. I am lost. Hope is not lost. Panar guide me, and I will repay your trust a thousand fold. The ancient infection shall at last be sealed. No more Hives shall fall.'
I blasted open the twin doors to the temple, stripping away their painted facade before I could even really see it, and zipped through the hallway at impossible speeds. If Carotid had not memorized every single bend, every single straightaway, and every single intersection, he would have ended up as a bloodstain on a wall or ceiling or floor along the way.
Instead, he tore through hallways and through the third Divine Acquiescence room in a blur of speed. The room, which already was in a chaotic state, had its chairs, sofas, and tables thrown up into the air in the wake of the Prince's speed. It was only once he blasted open the final door did Prince Carotid finally let his speed bleed away.
The armory still possessed most of its weapons. The Valkyries' racks on the left wall being the most empty out of all. Yet it was the Valkyries' weapons out of all that would see the least use. Four survivors. The rest were with the Prophet, curse his lack of vigilance. The Royal Guard were holding the line as best as they could, but they would die soon enough, if they still lived.
My eyes rested on the weapon racks on the far back wall. Each one contained slots for only one weapon each, and each rack was custom built for said weapon. Each rack was empty, as their designated Prince or Princess almost always kept said weapon with them at all times. The only rack that was occupied was Prince Carotid's. The Staff of Moth's Illumination lay bound up in an adamantium chain, the hexagonal lock emblazoned with a glowing red rune.
Prince Carotid sent a silent prayer of thanks to Panar that he was chosen to be the Illuminator of the Hive, and had been bestowed both The Staff of Moth's Illumination as well as Unbroken Radiance. It was thanks to his armor, Unbroken Radiance, that he has lived long enough to carry out his duty. It was thanks to The Staff that he could carry out his duty in the first place.
With an unlocking spell taught to him by The Prophet himself, he undid the adamantium lock and pulled Moth's Illumination from its socket. As he did so, he felt a low rumble shack the entirety of the Temple.
'Ah. The Prophet has noticed my arrival. It matters not. It will take him moments to travel down from the High Alter to here. Moments that will be his end.'
I placed the staff in front of me, tip pointing up. It was a gnarled wooden branch, utterly simple in its design. It needed no jewels, no gold linings, no adamantium plating carved every inch in runes and blessings and prayers.
It was Moth's Illumination, and it would burn away the darkness.
Carotid began casting a spell that I did not recognize. It was complex, like a picture created from two dozen circles and lines entwined with each other. However, since I was also casting it, the spell's form itself was being practically burned into my memory.
'Huh. That's extremely useful. Like, ridiculously so. I have immediately gained a spell that is effective against those infected skeletons, and against whatever else is thrown my way. Knock on wood....'
Something tore through the room beyond the armory. Something big, mad, evil, and mad. Twice mad, that's how mad it was. A black blur then ripped through the armory, slamming into an invisible bubble around me. Moth's Illumination briefly glowed brighter, but held strong. My mouth began moving, quietly making words to what I assumed to be a prayer that Carotid was saying wordlessly, as he concentrated on this Panar's Fury spell.
The black blur, now a black cloud of vapor, enveloped the shield. I felt and heard it tearing at the invisible bubble, straining Carotid's mind. But for every minuscule, equally invisible tear the black amorphous mass made, glowing yellow light from the staff shot out, burning the cloud and forcing it to retreat from the invisible shield long enough for the staff to repair the shield.
Carotid coughed, splattering blood onto Moth's Illumination. Whatever spell he was casting, multicasting it along with holding the shield was far more than what he was actually capable of. Carotid was dying, rapidly burning through his own body as he worked to repair the shield, cast the spell, and pray to Panar.
"My Prince, lower the barrier," the black cloud whispered. "This is foolish. You do not need to burn up here. Join me, Ascend. True immortality is within reach. If. You'd. Just. Surrender!" The monster accompanied each last word with a gouge into the shield.
With one final effort of will, Carotid lifted the staff off the ground and slammed it back down. The darkness was chased away for a brief moment, long enough for Carotid to aim the staff at the ceiling and shoot out a thick beam of light red energy through the stone roof.
'The sun shall channel Panar's Fury, and burn away the darkness. If it cannot, then at least it shall seal this city as its final tomb.'
The black cloud hissed in pain, condensing itself into a single shape outside of my view. I collapsed onto the ground, my back against the wall, my eyes glued to the ground. Blood freely flowed from my muzzle, pooling onto the stone ground between my legs.
The condensed form approached, stopped just out of my view. It stood there, silently looking at me. I could feel its gaze boring into me.
I weakly coughed, "It's over. This place shall be our tomb, together."
A jet black hoof, wreathed in smoke came into view and lifted my head up. The changeling it was connected to was mostly obscured by smoke, but I knew it was the Prophet.
"My Prince, this is your tomb, not mine. You throw your life away for nothing. I have Ascended beyond Ascension. No death is absolute for me, anymore. I am finally the apex predator we always claimed to be. Die now, my son. Everything you have fought for is lost."
The hoof retreated from its position beneath my muzzle, letting my head drop. But not before I spied two dark green slitted eyes staring back. As the puddle of blood grew in size, I chuckled weakly.
"No. It is you who are lost. Fear not, My Prophet. I have cleansed your sins, despite your failings. This nightmare ends here, in the Third Hive. No more changelings shall fall to the Scourge. No more royals shall have to Ascend to keep the plague at bay. No more shall we fear the night and the darkness it brings. The chain is broken. The Fourth Hive will be pure."
The Prophet growled, "I will hunt the survivors, just as we always have. There is no escape. That should have been obvious by now."
"You have seconds at most. This place shall become your tomb. Panar's Fury will cleanse you. Embrace... the... light." I wheezed the last words, my voice growing weaker as the blood pouring from my mouth and nostrils intensified.
"No! You have failed! I can undo the spell! I am the one who shall consume the sun!" The Prophet declared, far more to himself than to his dying son. I watched the staff of Moth's Illumination vanish from sight as The Prophet left the room.
"Goodbye... father...." |
Changing Expectations | 96- In The Hall Of The Mountain King | "- up now! Your Majesty, please! If you were hoping to wake up at the last second, now is the time!"
One's voice slowly rose from the blackness. I blinked my eyes open and looked up at One. He was very afraid, looking down at me as I lay on the floor.
"One?"
"Finally! Come on sir, we need you!"
The room shook.
"Ugh... what?"
He pulled me up to my hooves and steadied myself against him.
"The door, sir! They're breaking through!"
"Ah. The door. Okay, I can... ergh. I can put the armor on after. The door..."
"This way, sir!" He yelled over a violent thud that shook the room, and started walking forward. Since I was still leaning on him and waking up, I was more or less pulled along with him.
The other three changelings were rapidly throwing the remains of the armory against the door and melting the thin metal to form a makeshift barrier. Just as quickly, two black-covered shapes beyond were tearing through the door and barricade.
"Alright, alright. 'M awake... Let's kill these fools. I've got a new spell just for the job. Good thing, too. I don't think any written form of it would have survived after all these-"
"Sir! Just kill them!"
"Okay!"
The changelings backed up as one of the monsters ripped off a chunk of the door. The remaining structure collapsed under the intensity of the attack. I recalled the spell that was burned into my memory, Panar's Fury, and began to compile its thaumic components through my horn.
"They're breaking through!" Two yelled, pointing out the obvious.
"One moment..."
The monsters were now ripping apart the makeshift barricade that the changelings had hastily constructed out of the racks. The monsters, two changeling skeletons in stained-black silver armor, were splattering black goo on the walls, ceiling, and floor around them as they ripped out pieces using their goo-covered hooves.
Then they got the bright idea of stopping using their hooves, and instead switching back to spells. I watched their boney, curved horns glow black as they charged a spell. Before they could release whatever fresh hell they were stewing in their misbegotten manapools, I unleashed my own spell.
Panar's Fury blasted out from my horn with an electronic-sounding CLASH. The red bolt of energy tore through the left skeleton, violently ripping apart its skull head and dissolving all of the black matter that covered the skeleton, from its horn to his hooves. The skeleton collapsed quietly into a pile of bones.
"That's not what happened in the-"
A green shield fizzled into life in front of me, just in time to take a bolt of black plasma fired from the surviving skeleton. I heard a changeling scream out in pain as the shield immediately dropped. Wasting no time, I fired another bolt using the spell matrix I had already mentally constructed. The surviving skeleton survived no more, and I put two extra shots into each skeleton for good measure. The black goo residue left on the wall slowly began to shrink and burn away in an invisible fire.
I turned my attention to the injured changeling. One was on the ground, clutching his horn and writhing in pain. Two and Three were looking over him, taking turns casting magical detection spells and scanning arrays. Four kept his eyes on the door.
"Aorta, are you alright?"
"By the Nine, it hurts!" He groaned.
"You'll be fine. I promise. The pain lets you know that you're not dead. Help him to his hooves, and keep watching the door while I put on Unbroken Radiance, the armor we came here for."
I did not actually know if he would be fine in the end. I was a royal, and this infection seemed to treat me specially. Whether that meant I was more resistant to it, or less, I couldn't tell. All I could hope- could pray- was that One would be alright, and that this infection wasn't spread by magic.
I retreated to the back of the room and carefully extracted Unbroken Radiance from Prince Carotid's body. His remains tumbled out of the adamantium carapace, like two skeletons dancing on a tin roof.
'Dancing? Or was it- ah, nevermind.'
I flipped the helmet around and put it on first. Then the barrel piece, and finally the boots. Overall, the armor was a size and a half too large for me. The helmet sagged lower on my head, stopped only by my horn.
Then the entire armor set glowed orange- my orange, and shrunk down to fit me perfectly.
"Oh. That's... useful. Before I forget, I need you four to take the contents of my saddlebags. They won't fit over or under my armor, and I'd rather not leave my new spooky tomes behind."
I walked over and levitated my saddlebags over to the rest of the changelings and looked One over.
"How are you feeling, Aorta?"
"Ugh... Like someling just smacked me in the horn and dunked my head in slimy oil. Sir. Ow..."
"No infection, we think," Two said, preempting my question.
"That's right, because you'll be fine. Just stay close to me, and I'll get us all out of this place alive."
"We're leaving, sir?" Four asked. "I think I might hear some movement from the main room, but so far nothing has come our way. Are we going to fight our way out?"
"Y- hmmm.... I think we need to retrieve one more artifact, a branch-stave called Moth's Illumination. If the infection gets out, or if we ever run into it again, we're going to need it."
"Any idea where it is, sir?" Four asked, still looking through the remains of the barricade.
"Wherever the Prophet took it in his final moments."
"The boss of these monsters, right?" One said between deep breaths. "Are we going towards danger, or away from it?"
"... Probably towards it," I answered.
One sighed, "You royals always love diving headfirst into action."
"Panar wouldn't have given us such thick skulls if we weren't meant to. Come on, we've got a stick to fetch."
I pulled apart the remains of the barricade while I got used to the armor. My time with the Hooferville Guard had meant that I had some experience with platemail. However, that armor was far more limited in size and protection compared to Unbroken Radiance. This new set of armor was heavier, more magical, and somewhat restrictive in movement. The magic detail was important, as I could feel its enchantments if I concentrated hard enough.
That meant that it could potentially throw me off if I ever tried to cast complex and precise spells, such as teleportation. Not that I would be doing that anyways. Teleportation was hard to master, and usually it left behind anything both magical and nonsapient. There were versions of the teleport spell that could bring everything along, but I suspected from my lack of adamantium peytral that the version I knew, unique in its fiery properties, tended to not play well with adamantium.
With the path cleared, I took my time, shaking each hoof in their guards, rolling my head around in the armor. Sitting in the far end of the exterior room, the Divine Acqui something or other, was a corrupted Valkyrie.
The two skeletons that I had blasted apart must have been their recruit rank, as they bore striking resemblance to the Valkyrie. The main difference being that the now smoking piles of metal and bone were changeling in size, and their armor was simple and sparse.
This Valkyrie was big. It clawed its way across the room slowly, two forward limbs that ended in claws reached out and pulled it forward toward us. The entire thing consisted mostly of the inky black liquid that had flowed around and through all the skeletons we had seen so far. However, whereas with other skeletons we could actually see the skeletons, all that was visible of this one was mere suggestions of changeling anatomy, and pieces of silver armor sticking out of the monster. Its head, three times larger than that of a normal drone, had a hint of silver on the top- the Valkyrie's helmet. An elongated muzzle of ink opened and closed as it pulled itself closer, dripping buckets of the infection onto the ground beneath its hunched form. Its horn, elongated to three feet long, dragged against the ceiling, ripping out a path of stone as it went.
When I stepped into the room, the ink monster raised its equine-shaped head at me and blinked two glowing red eyes. Then it smiled, showing off teeth that never stayed still and a tongue that lolled out of its mouth- before entirely falling out and being replaced by more of the black goo.
I heard the changelings shuffle up behind me and then immediately run back into the safety of the armory.
"You are one ugly motherfucker, aren't you? Proper nightmare fuel." I backed up a pace as a clawed limb landed next to me. "Straight to business, then?"
With a snarl of my own, I summoned the spell matrix of Panar's Fury, and rained hell on the giant. Scores of its liquid flesh were burned and exploded away as bolts ripped through its body. The giant monster roared in pain as its massive sabre-like horn glowed pitch black, sucking the light from the entire room. I directed a shot at the horn directly, blowing the thing to smithereens, along with the top half of its head.
However, instead of collapsing dead, the monster lifted one of its clawed limbs and smashed it down where I was standing. I lived only thanks to a last second sideways hop, throwing myself onto the ground. As it lifted its ink paw up and back to its side, I saw the head beginning to reform itself.
"Sir! It's not dead!" Four yelled from behind me.
"I can see that, Four! For some reason, it's not taking its beating sitting down!"
Three more Panar's Fury bolts ripped into its chest, spraying a waterfall of goo onto the ceiling and wall behind it. The corrupted Valkyrie collapsed onto the ground. However, the head was still reforming. It swiped its closest arm at me, not even lifting it off of the ground as it did so. Half of the room was ripped apart and consumed into the wall of pitch black liquid as it swept forth. I didn't dare shield or fire at the arm, instead taking to the air.
I was not accustomed to the weight of the armor and as a result, my right hindleg hoof was hit by what would normally be the limb's wrist. Jet black liquid stained the adamantium boot. The armor glowed orange as the liquid coalesced into veins of the black substance, and the veins immediately started thrashing about.
Hoping that whatever ancient enchantments still in the armor were capable of fighting off the literal infection, I sent forth eight more bolts of holy light into the beast, violently blowing apart the two arms and much of the chest. The Valkyrie finally went limp.
For a moment. Then, the ink that was sprayed across the walls, floor, and ceiling, began to flow back towards the giant's prone form.
"Boys! Get out of the armory! We need to get to The Prophet, and quick! I don't think I can keep this thing dead!"
The changelings stepped out from the armory and took to the air immediately, as to not step on the liquid infection that was sprayed all over the room.
I heard One's voice, "I'm fine! I can fly. Argh, Your Majesty! Where are we supposed to go now?! We don't even know where the Prophet is!"
"He's... uh..."
I quickly felt around with my Weave. The primary pull was gone. It had been missing since I had woken up. The secondary pull emanated from the path that ascended upwards.
"The High Altar. It's literally high up, isn't it?" I mused aloud. "The Prophet retreated to his throne room, above us. We need to get higher! The right path, go!"
"What about that thing?!" Two asked.
The Valkyrie had begun to reform its chest and arms, the black ink rapidly coarsening into its shape.
"... Bring the ceiling down onto it!" I commanded, but not daring to use the Weave.
As one, all five of us changelings targeted the ceiling of the room with a wide array of spells. Focused Will, various superheated jetstreams of fire, acid, and a fireball tore through the old stonework. The stone had been made soft over the years of carrying the weight of the pyramid above, and was quickly obliterated. Entire sections came crashing down around us, and I retreated to the tunnel that led upwards. The changelings followed me, retreating backwards as they still laid waste to the unfortunate ceiling, which had committed no crime but paid the price all the same.
The black goo was splashed across the room even more now that huge sections of stone were falling inwards. If we had not retreated so early, some of that substance would have landed on us. The last ling was in the hallway out by the time the room caved in completely.
As the dust settled, all that remained of both the corrupted Valkyrie and our only way out was a pile of stone rubble, completely sealing this end of the hallway. Only minute traces of the black corruption was visible in the pile.
'No time for Ghostbusters quotes, we have a stick to get. And an annoying pony pegasus, if she's still alive.'
I turned and made my way up the stairs of the passageway, the changelings falling in line behind me. We were heading up the pyramid now, up to the top. As the stairway turned in on itself, cracks became noticeable, and eventually we had to fly above the ground in the relatively confined stairway, as the entire ground had fallen out several hooves and ended in a mass of churned stone.
'Oops.'
The stairwell eventually ended at what I presumed to be the top of the pyramid. The room was pyramidal shaped, much like the exterior structure, with a raised circular section in the middle. It was not that big for a throne room, maybe thirty hooves wide and long. I imagined that in its heyday, decorative banners and murals hung on the walls such as they do in the Fourth Hive. As it was, the walls were bare except for lines of carved runes. They circled the room in neat bordered lines, mostly limited to the parts of the walls close to the floor. The runes were marred by the large cracks that had defaced the walls, likely my own fault.
Then there was the High Altar itself. I assumed that it was in the center of the raised platform in the room, but I couldn't tell. Instead, a massive hexagonal crystal that was mostly tinted black occupied the center of the room. It stretched up high, nearly brushing against the ceiling. What was brushing against the ceiling was a crystal extension, this one tinted slightly red. It was clear enough that I could have probably seen Moth's Illumination inside of it, if not for the fact that Daring Do had just finished chipping away at the crystal and dislodged the staff- still in a thin coating of crystal- and held it triumphantly in the air with a cheer.
"Ha HAA!"
She brandished it upwards, raising it like a sword to the sky. She failed to hear us enter, our wings quietly buzzing, and only noticed our presence when the sharp crack of an electric stunning spell flew from my horn and impacted her in one of her outstretched wings.
Daring Do seized up with a gasp and slowly teetered off the top of the black crystal. Moth's Illumination fell from her grasp, bounced off the large crystal and fell to the ground. I reached out with my telekinesis as I flew over personally to grab it. My magic bounced off the crystal, and the Moth's Illumination hit the ground inches in front of my outstretched hooves.
"No!"
Moth's Illumination shattered into a million pieces, chips of crystal and wood spreading out over the smooth stone floor.
Moments later, Daring Do landed on the ground with a heavy thud, groaning quietly in pain. I sat still on the ground, rewatching the events in my mind. It was like an avalanche of bad decisions, more than half of them mine. I decided to see if I could trust Daring Do. I went with telling the truth. I chose to zap her instead of ordering her to surrender. I caused the staff to be shattered.
I... fucked up.
"Sir?" One asked tentatively.
"It's gone," I whispered.
I got up off the ground and looked down at the shattered pieces. Ignoring the twitching pegasus, I brushed together some of the pieces into a small pile. There was no use. The staff was gone. The MacGuffin had been completely obliterated through my own carelessness and idiocy.
"I..."
Three whispered, "That's not a good sign."
I looked up and immediately wished I hadn't. The massive black crystal was beginning to melt like candle wax. It bubbled away and flowed down the semi-transparent surface in rivets of black liquid.
"Grab the pegasus. Get close. Shields at the ready," I quietly ordered. Half of my mind was still gawking at my own stupidity.
'I fucked up. I fucked up big time. Oh Panar, I have to make sure we all make it out of here alive. The fancy magic stick is gone. The big bad is waking up. Running is probably pointless and suicidal. Staying is even more suicidal. We don't even have a good way out, if we wanted to leave.'
"Uh... any ideas?" I asked as I backed up to the group. One of the changelings had levitated Daring Do over and threw her over their back.
"Run?" Two suggested.
"No exit."
"Make one?"
"That crystal would be melted before then."
"Shoot the crystal?" Three this time suggested.
"I couldn't grip the staff using TK. I don't think our magic will work on the crystals."
"Nnnngruuuh," Daring Do moaned.
"Good idea. Let's save that for plan B, though."
'I could teleport out. Leave my men to die, and likely leave the armor behind. Leave my men behind.... No. I don't think I'm even capable of that. Even now, a moment where if I suggested such an idea, my changelings would all support it, the idiots. They would probably try to prioritize my life.'
I snarled.
'No. No running. I refuse to leave anyone behind. I refuse to let this place be the death of me.'
"If we have no good ideas," I began, "then let's start with the bad ones. Blast out the ceiling; we're making our own exit. Drink your rations, we're going to need every bit of power we can get our hooves on."
As we all retrieved our small love ration containers from the packs- each of them handing me back the ones I had distributed from my bags, I contemplated the best course of action.
'Spells? That could work. Transformation? Also a potential. I don't know any species well enough that can quickly dig through this structure, though I'm certain there are more than one candidate. That just leaves spells.'
The crystal was half melted. Black liquid corruption was pooling around it on the raised pedestal. Some of it slowly leaked down onto the lower section, where we stood. I chugged the four love rations and threw the empty bottles onto the ground.
"We blast our way through. Bring the entire room down and stay alive using a shield. Then, we... uh. Damn it. That won't work. Alright, blast a hole through the right wall, over there, Then we use that to get out into the open and... get swarmed by the corrupted changelings. Damn it, we've got a better chance against them than we do against whatever's in there! Go!"
The four changelings began cutting through the right wall as I kept an eye on the melting crystal. Like a cursed candle, the crystal's melting was like our time running out. The Prophet, without Moth's Illumination or the shield spell that Prince Carotid knew, would likely tear us to shreds. Or worse. There was always something worse.
Especially when Ascension was factored in.
'Oh Panar. Please not that! I can't- no! Get a hold of yourself! Your lings are counting on you! No fear! No hesitation! For them, get through this!'
Keeping my eyes on the crystal, I could not see how much progress we were making. I could, however, see the changeling within slowly emerge. It was the horn first. Tall and smooth, like my own. Only, this was twice the length. Then came the rest of the head. His muzzle was freed rapidly, though it remained in place until the rest of his head was freed.
His eyes, two dark green slitted ovals that sat in fields of pure black, stared right at me as they were uncovered. His shade of green was far darker than Chrysalis's neon green. It was closer to black than anything else.
The bastard was smiling as he blinked slowly. He had smaller fangs, like Chrysalis, but no less menacing.
Dark green strands of hair slowly freed themselves from their crystalline prison, still pulled taught from the rest of it still stuck in crystal. He seemingly had a long hairstyle not dissimilar to Chrysalis's, only his was shorter and more intact. He cracked his neck as it became free, and sighed contently.
"Progress?" I whispered.
"Some," one of the changelings whispered back.
As The Prophet's shoulders started to free themselves, he spoke.
"King Phasmatodea. How good of you to come here. I've been waiting for you."
The black goo stopped its slow progress towards us as it pooled on the lower platform. In fact, it seemed to avoid us, circling around and leaving a large swathe of floor around us clear.
With his head open and clear, I put a substantial amount of power behind a Panar's Fury bolt and unleashed it in The Prophet's direction. However, when it got close to his face, it simply fizzled out of existence. The Prophet didn't even blink.
"What... the hell are you talking about?" I asked, not sure if I even should.
"You. I am talking about you, Crier of The Damned," his deep voice echoed throughout the room. "Phasmatodea. Prince of the Fourth Hive. King of the Fifth Hive. Current slave of the Hive Eternal. And finally, a former human."
I involuntarily stepped back, "W-what?!"
He chuckled and popped his forehooves out from the crystal. His rear half of his barrel and his hindlegs were still encased in black crystal. His legs were smooth like mine. No holes in sight, just perfect chitin covering.
"We've been watching you, ever since your arrival. No prophecy predicted you. No portent revealed your upcoming existence. Yet we saw our chance, and we took it. Phasma.... We have been waiting so long for a chance. Thank you for coming to us willingly."
"What's he-" a changeling began to ask.
"Quiet! Keep working!" I ordered. "I'm not helping you in any way, Prophet."
"Ha ha ha haa! You have, and you will, my young monarch. It simply is so. Our time is nigh, and you will be the one to bring us into this world once again."
'Stall him.'
"How do you know so much about me? And who are you talking about?"
"We know so much because we have been watching. There is little more we could do while trapped. With only one of our number actively manifested at any point in time, our influence has been oh so limited. But now that comes to an end. I am free, and I am more than a mere piece of prey graced with greatness."
The realization dawned on me as a chill went up my spine.
"You're a Nightmare possessed royal."
"I have achieved true immortality. Not some facade or attempt at greatness that Avatars could only hope to achieve. True. Immortality. Even if my body was destroyed now, I would return from the Otherworld. I am not possessed. I am one with my other half. Such an Ascension is possible for you too, kin of kin and Crier of The Damned. Thousands of years have we waited for our return to the waking world, and you have brought us that opportunity. Lámhmarbh marking you was no coincidence. You are... perfect. Fate has decreed that the age of prey and false-predators has come to an end. Now, the true apex species shall rise. Panar has deemed it so. Epitaph has deemed it so. You alone have the potential to join me in final Ascension."
"You... what? You think I want to become an infected monster like you?"
The Prophet pulled his rear hindlegs free from the crystal and shook the black liquid off of them.
'How fucking long does it take to cut through potentially tens of hooves thick stone?!'
"Monster? Lost Child, you cannot fathom the heights I have achieved. I am beyond death. I am beyond mortal restrictions. I am beyond you. I offer you this one chance, since you have done me the service of awakening me, and shattered that accursed trinket that sealed me away."
I winced at the staff's mention, however my mind was working overtime to connect the pieces. What the corrupted zealot had said so far was connecting back to the cryptic things he had said in the vision.
"Hunt... The Nightmares are hunting Changelings?"
"Nightmares." He shook his head, "So pervasive has the hunt been that even the original name for our kind has been lost. There is no fighting it; this is how the changeling species will end. This is how every species will end. The age of prey is over. The Age of Darkness has begun. One final offer. Join me, and we can rise to heights even greater than Epitaph could."
"Epitaph?"
The Prophet smiled and began to float above the melting crystal. His wings were stationary, and his horn was unlit.
"He is not important. What is important is your next words. Will you join me, kin of kin, and accept this one offer to greatness?"
"We're through, Your Majesty!" A voice called out from behind me as the sound of stone grinding on stone nearly drowned out the voice. Then, a loud thud accompanied the temple shaking briefly as whatever piece of wall they carved out fell from the hole and onto the side of the pyramid.
'Stall. Him.'
"Go. I have... further business here."
"S-sir?"
That was One. Aorta. He was afraid.
'Stall. Him.'
"Are you disobeying me?" I sternly asked.
I dared not take my eyes off the levitating changeling king, smirking before me. This was beyond Chrysalis. Realms beyond Daybreaker. This was... final. Absolute. If this thing was the melding of a royal and a destroyer of civilizations, then what happened here could doom the world.
'The changelings can't even block a single hit. If a minion of this monster brings us to our knees, blocking a spell from him could easily kill us. I also doubt that they can even fight this monster, as not even I have a good chance at killing him. The only thing they can do is escape with their lives. I have to stall The Prophet.'
"Go!" I barked.
The pegasus's confusion and hints of pain that wafted lazily through the air began to withdraw. The changelings, with Daring Do in tow, had left me.
"Your former subjects will not leave this place, regardless of your choice. In fact, you yourself will be the one to feast on them. And my kin of kin, you will thank me for the opportunity. One final chance. You are afraid of death, after tasting it once. Truly tasting it. None alive understand just how final and absolute it is, save us. We know what it's like to die. To have everything taken away from us. One final chance to make sure that can never happen again. Together, we can ascend above and usurp the Pantheon. No aspects. No kings. No gods. Only us."
"... Who are you?"
The Prophet raised his hooves, "I am The Prophet. Once, I was the changeling King Sulcus. Once, I was the Nightmare Gluttony. Together, I am the one that shall consume the sun. I have feasted on this kill, just as the Third Hive feasted on devotion and ignorance. Once, I was nothing, doomed to die. Now, I am inevitable."
"And if I say no?"
The changeling did not lower its raised limbs, instead grinning further.
"The mark of Lámhmarbh has done its work. The second I was free from this prison, I broke the final seal on Epitaph. Even if somehow you prevailed and destroyed this form and escaped, Epitaph would still awaken. The final die has already been cast. The question is, are you too foolish to accept that?"
'He keeps talking about this mark. Did that Nightmare that tried to possess me leave something on me? Did he mark my soul or something creepy like that? Do I have a sign on my ass that says kick-me? As much as I want to know, there's more important things to consider.'
"Even if I did want to join you and your creepy death cult and brain-slug worship, you'd just betray me in the end."
The Prophet smiled and nodded, "Of course I would! And if you are unable to stop me, then you would deserve your fate! Just as Epitaph deserves his fate if we were to join together."
"Epitaph is your leader? You Nightmares go after each other just as much as your 'prey,' it seems."
"Any who are not strong enough, deserve to perish. This has always been the creed of the hunt."
'I need to stall him and get information. If I somehow live, then that information can be put to use stopping this Epitaph.'
"This all started with the Ascension Ritual. What does possession have to do with Ascension?"
"Lost Child," He says like he is disappointed, "I am stalling you just as much as you are stalling me. Each moment our conversation drags on is another moment the barrier holding Epitaph weakens."
"That... doesn't make sense. Either I was doomed from the start, or you need to stall me. Which is it? And what does this have to do with Ascension?"
The Prophet paused and decided to continue stalling me, "The Nightmares, as you call them, let changelings discern that process. It allowed our manifestation, once the Ascended were possessed. As a changeling, I foolishly reversed this process, slowing our rise. Now that I have ascended beyond life and death, I will correct this error."
In an instant, my mind went to the nightmare and Nightmare that had plagued me after The Promised Day. The scalpels, ripping into my mind. The tearing. The helplessness. The pain. Oh Panar, the pain! Dulled, yet worse than anything else I had ever felt.
There were fates worse than death, and I knew that personally.
I fired another Panar's Fury at him. This time, the bolt froze in front of his face. He leaned to the side of it and shook his head slowly. The bolt dissipated into the air.
"Crier of the Damned. You have made the wrong decision."
"Who says I made a decision? Maybe I was just testing you. Trying to kill allies, as you said your kind does all the time."
"Your heart declares your decision for you. It beats so loudly, it echoes your very thoughts. The time has come to silence both."
"Well, I can't exactly argue with one of my most important internal organs. You and your edgy boy band end here, Prophet."
The crystal had finished melting. The black pool beneath him seemed to drip upwards in defiance of gravity. The rivulets shrank and vaporized in the air as they flew towards the ceiling. Two black wings made of the same substance began to materialize on the Prophet's back.
"Confidence born of ignorance. I shall kill you, Lost Child, and I will pluck your soul from your corpse and use it to fuel the death of this world. Come, find your path to the next world."
The whole temple shook slightly as I heard a distant rumbling from the stairs that led to the room.
'The Valkyrie I buried must not have taken the hint and stayed buried. It doesn't matter anymore. The changelings have escaped. Whatever trouble the swarm of undead could have given them, they must have survived. They had to. They... had to. This all has to be for something.'
"You know something, old man?" I began quietly. "I'm not afraid of dying. Not anymore. There are so many worse things that I'm afraid of. Eternal torment. Making professional phone calls. A meaningless death. That last one stung the worst, let me tell you."
I buzzed my wings and lifted myself off the ground, bringing me to eye level with the dark green royal.
"There's something so enlightening about death. It puts a new light on everything. Makes you value strange things, and care less about others. Mercy? Why would I give that out, when it was denied to me? Revenge? Far more important than anyone realizes. I think you could really benefit from dying, Prophet. But don't take my word for it, instead let me show you just how life-changing an experience death is. I'm going to kill you, Nightmare! Then I'm going to find this Epitaph before he awakens, and I'm going to kill him too!"
With a dramatic flick of my head, I summoned forth a bright fireball and hurled it at the Prophet. As I predicted, he easily drained the spell of its magical power, dissolving it before it even crossed the distance between us. However, it did buy me a few seconds of time, enough to dash to the side and unleash three Panar's Fury bolts at his exposed flank.
A black bubble half-appeared around him moments before the bolts would have hit him. The bolts then impacted the shield, causing it to warble and darken, before the shield dissipated safely. Prophet retaliated with a Focused Will blast of pure black energy, nearly cutting me in two as I dropped low to the ground. I popped a quick succession of bright stunning flashes towards the Nightmare and flew towards him, just above the ground.
Suddenly, three spikes jutted up from the black pool which had covered much of the room. The spikes, made of the same corruption-like goo, blocked my advance and nearly impaled me. I rolled to the side and turned my rush into another flanking maneuver while firing off two Panar's Fury Bolts through the corrupted spikes. The bolts bisected the black protrusions and caught Prophet off guard. He brought his shield back up in time to only block one of the bolts, and the other hit him in his shoulder, drawing out a cry of pain and sending him tumbling back through the air.
Pressing the advantage, I aimed a Focused Will blast directly for his head. In the corner of my eye, I spotted movement in the black pool and rose up higher quickly enough to avoid two more black spikes extending out from the pool, impaling the air where I just was about to be. Out of reflex, I brought up a shield as a lance of black fire from the Prophet hurled right towards my head.
I expected to be utterly wracked by pain once again but I breathed a sigh of relief when Unbroken Radiance glowed slightly and the most I felt was a slight stinging sensation. Dropping the shield, I cut the room in half with a scythe of condensed acid. The Prophet dropped to the ground to avoid it, and when he reached the ground, he continued dropping, vanishing into the inch-deep black pool.
Panicking, I dodged wildly and without pattern across the room while I fired Panar's Fury into the corrupted liquid. With each impact, a swathe of the vile substance was removed from the world. A blast of a spell from behind threw me into the wall ahead of me, driving the air out of my lungs. Once again, Unbroken Radiance took the brunt of the hit. That still left the concussive blunt force trauma, though. As much as Unbroken Radiance protected me from the corrupted miasma and tainted spells, its tight fit meant that blunt force attacks would be painful, and its magical nature meant that teleporting was pretty much out of the picture. Not unless I wanted to leave behind said layer of protection.
My knowledge of spellcraft was utterly amateurish in nature. I could identify the most common components of spells, but their interactions, histories and origins, and combinations were far beyond my slapdash-education. However, my knowledge was just sufficient enough that I could roughly guess which parts of Panar's Fury lend it that pure nature that it effectively levied against the Nightmare and its corrupt forces.
Building on this educated guess, I decided in the span of a second to put to the test just how well the anti-Nightmare component could play with fire spells.
I fell off the wall with a groan, my buzzing wings catching me mid-fall and turning my downwards dive into a forward lunge towards the Prophet. Speaking of the bastard, he was half-submerged in the floor, and immediately began retreating back into the pool as I approached.
'Eat this, you overgrown piece of shit!'
With a napalm-like spray of blessed fire, I coated the entire ground beneath me, up to the Prophet, and well beyond him like a firebombing run. The fire had taken on a greenish-white tinge to it, and where it touched, the corruption retreated. It burned across the room with a literal scream as the black goo was immolated. Though it did not burn long on the ground, it still pushed back the tide of darkness that had enveloped the entirety of the floor of the High Altar.
Whipping my head around, I coated the entirety of the floor with fire. The Prophet shot up out of one of the last sections of the pool and immediately launched himself towards me. I pulled my head and horn upwards, directing the spray to him. He vanished behind the plume of discolored fire.
Unseen to me, he had exchanged his mortal flesh and blood form for a black vapor, akin to the one he had assumed in the vision. The first hint of this I saw was when black smoke with two green eyes surged up and out of my fire spray. I tried pulling the spray up higher in an attempt to continue hitting him with it, but he continued towards me faster than I could react.
He reached me and continued past just for a moment before materializing. He was almost entirely behind me now, save for a foreleg which he had wrapped around my neck. With a roar, he pressed forward, throwing me backwards. He slammed me into the ground hard.
My head, neck, and back flared in pain as I was too stunned from the hit to even breathe. I stared up at him as he conjured a whip of black flame, reared it back, and swung it downwards.
'Again with the fire whip?' I asked through a muddled mind.
With a gasp, I forced myself to breathe at the same time I shielded myself. Though I had attuned it to protect against fire, I was not knowledgeable enough to fix what had to be the 'blessed' portion of the Panar's Fury spell. As such, when the whip was brought down and cracked against my shield, I hissed in pain as the stinging sensation grew.
Then he brought it down again.
And again.
And again.
The pain in my mind only grew in intensity. I had to do something. Staying in the shield would result in my death. Dropping it to fire spells at him would just result in a redirection of the whip, and my death.
The whip came down and wrapped itself around my lower right arm, where a gap between my boot and barrel plate was. Unbroken Radiance glowed brightly as the black-fire rope burned brightly my body. However, I was uninjured.
So I dropped the shield and stayed still, while enacting part two of a haphazard, Hail Mary plan. Now that I knew the holy spell's components would work well with fire, I combined it with something I had to do some homework on while building my mafia.
"You're gonna have to be quicker than that, Nightmare!"
When I had dropped the shield, I also took the time to transform from a changeling royal to a small dragon. I had not the time, space, energy, nor practice to assume the form of a fully grown dragon, instead having to go for a black scaled orange-frilled one that was the same size I normally was. Now the whip of stone-melting hot fire burned harmlessly- aside from a growing stinging sensation in my mind- on my black scales.
I got a good look at the Prophet's stunned face when I pushed up off the ground with a strong flap of my wings. I was tempted to roar at him for the fun of it, but instead opted to bathe him in magical dragonfire. Panar's Fury blessed dragonfire, to be exact. I could hear hints of a scream above the intensely loud crackling of the fire and exhale.
Then the floor exploded upwards in a spray of corruption, tinges of Panar's Fury touched napalm, bricks, stone, and other dust. A massive black fist rammed through the room and grabbed the burning Prophet out from my fire. The Corrupted Valkyrie, previously buried far below, pulled itself further out of its newly created hole with the far clawed-arm as the closest one, still gripping the Prophet despite the black goo appendage burning away, slammed the closed fist into its own chest.
The Prophet was buried into the liquid monster as it roared angrily at me.
"Time to go!"
I darted for the hole which the changelings had excavated out of the temple's wall. Lines of the black liquid raced ahead of me and formed a net at the entrance to my only exit out of here. With no time to stop, let alone come up with a backup plan, all I could do was breathe fire once more and hope that the liquid net would be vaporized.
Vaporized it was; I safely launched myself through the makeshift tunnel and out into the open air of the Third Hive. I pumped energy into the Thread of Change and undid my dragon shapeshift as I turned to glance at the temple I was leaving behind. The undead had swarmed all over the surface of the pyramid, with a number flying around outside. Several flying nightmare-minions immediately began their pursuit of me while behind them, the tunnel exploded outwards into a huge dust cloud as the corrupted Valkyrie/Prophet ripped apart the entire wall of the temple in its chase after me.
The statue of the Prophet, which had its hindlegs on the sides of the now crumbling pyramid, began to slowly list to the side, growing in size as it began to lean towards me. Beneath its gargantuan collapsing body, the Valkyrie/Prophet roared in anger and began firing massive beams of black-energy Focused Will laser beams at me.
"You won't leave well enough alone, will you Nightmare?!" I yelled as I desperately dodged to the side to avoid the tracking laser beam.
With no other option and a horrible plan beginning to form in my head, I flew towards the falling statue. Trying to keep it between the Prophet and I, I closed the distance between myself and the artificial sun.
The gargantuan plasma ball and its concentric containment rings dwarfed me completely in size. Trying to keep my gaze off the sun so I could actually retain my eyesight, I watched a lance of hellfire shoot up towards me, only to burn away as it came close to the sun.
'The Prince's spell must still be kicking around in the big fireball!'
"I told you I was going to kill you, Prophet! It seems I'm going to have to drill that message into your damned skull!" I yelled out, despite the Prophet being nowhere near enough to hear me.
There was also the fact that the massive statue was crashing into the ground with a boom, the loud sound loudly echoing off the massive cavern's walls. Couldn't exactly yell over that.
Putting nearly half of all of the power I had left stored within my manapool into my next spell, I cut through the containment rings with a laser. The sheer power overwhelmed what protective shield enchantments the rings had, and the entire structure violently ripped itself apart, sending fragments of metal and glass down like a torrent of rain.
I spun around and flew towards the exit as fast as I could. Already, the cool blue light of the artificial sun was growing brighter and more white. I prayed to Panar that the sun would simply explode, and not expand infinitely like some magical black hole. I didn't have time for assurances. I didn't have time to think of a better plan, or even a good one. I just had to hope the massive fireball would burn away the entirety of the corruption in the city, and bury the city with an explosion.
I glanced over my shoulder and nearly blinded myself. However, I did see the Nightmare corrupted changelings literally burn away. My gambit was at the very least, partially successful. As I flew over the remains of the dead city, and then the bottomless pit in front of the exit, I spied the changelings on the ground in front of the exit. There were three of them.
Three.
And no pegasus.
"Where?!" I demanded over the Weave, all but screaming at them as I got close. One of them pointed back towards the temple. I turned to look and saw two shapes, one black and one tan, desperately trying to fly away from the corrupted horde around them. It took all of their effort to avoid corrupted spells thrown their way. They were not making enough progress forwards.
Not enough at all.
"Go to the surface! Evacuate everyone up there! Get everyone, ponies included, into the air!" I loudly commanded the changelings, before heading back into the dead and dying city once more.
The sun was so bright now. I could feel its heat start to heat up my carapace and armor. The distant shapes of the changeling, pony, and evil skeleton army came closer and closer as I closed the distance. At the back of the horde, pushing its way to the front, was the crawling form of the Valkyrie and Prophet. It was smoking under the intensity of the sun, yet it continued forward. When it lifted its head, now shaped like the Prophet's, and saw me, it roared, making my teeth rattle and ears ring from the volume.
I was getting close. I was about to make it to the changeling and pegasus. They had, at the last second after looking at what the giant monster was roaring at, saw me coming, and desperately flew towards me.
But the sun was going supernova.
I could see it happening in my mind's eye before I saw it happening for real.
The sun had stopped growing in intensity, and as the seconds slowed, I could barely see it shrink in size. My eyesight was nearly completely gone from looking at the intense glare, but the one second warning I had gotten let me bring up a shield strongly attuned to block out fire. The pegasus and changeling had managed to meet me mid-air, both slamming into me as they desperately attempted to avoid the literal nightmarish horde of undead that were right on their heels.
I shut my eyes, clenched my teeth, and wrapped my forelegs around them both as I braced for impact. I turned away from the sun and put myself between the dying god and the two smaller forms I still held against my chest. Even through my clenched eyes, all I could see was a bright white light.
The whole world exploded.
I felt the force hit my shield like a freight train. And once it hit, it kept pressing. I cried out in shock and pain from the force, but I couldn't even hear myself scream. It was so loud, even through the thick layer of shielding. The last of my energy was burnt up in a single instant and the shield collapsed.
It fizzled out of existence as the white light faded and the pressure lifted. I had held the shield long enough to survive the supernova. Unfortunately for us, that did not mean that we had survived the blast. Heat wasn't an issue, though I was sweating hard. Pressure wasn't a problem, as the explosion had found an outlet other than the single tiny exit ahead of us. It was that new exit itself that became the problem.
The entirety of the ceiling above the Third Hive was collapsing inwards, after having been blown partially outwards from the supernova. My gambit was entirely correct. Only, we were caught in both halves of the destruction of the den of evil. The death of the sun, and the collapse of the city.
My suicidal plan had worked, much to my own horror.
I buzzed my wings as fast I could and lifted myself off of the ground. The changeling and pony moved around in my grip but halted when their own eyes opened and saw the massive sections of stone now falling around us. Some were bigger than city blocks in size.
"Must. Get. To. Exit!" I panted through the Weave, rapidly becoming too tired to speak aloud.
I had no idea if such a thing was even possible. But I did not come all this way to be buried alive. I had no energy left for a teleport, so flying was the only way out. Rock pummeled my back and occasionally my fragile wings as I began to fly to the one way out of the city.
I felt the two curled up shapes wiggle more suddenly, before a sharp pain embedded itself in my left flank, just beneath the armor plating.
I screamed.
'Something jumped up a-and bit-'
The sharp pain faded, only to be replaced by a quickly growing burning sensation. It cut off my own thoughts as it grew. My wings froze along with the rest of my body as we began to plummet through the air.
Before we hit the ground, hooves wrapped around my forelegs and I was dragged violently upwards, only adding to the pain as my forelegs were nearly wrenched from their sockets. I screamed again. I still couldn't hear.
Small black spots appeared in my vision as I craned my neck around. I saw the changeling I was clutching in my left foreleg now dragging me by it, flying upwards. Further back, I saw a spear of tainted hellfire dissolving away as Unbroken Radiance glowed. I saw a stream of blood fall from where the spear must have hit, flying backwards through the air as we continued forward.
And all the way back, on the ground and some distance away, I saw the dissolving body of the corrupted Valkyrie and Prophet, arm outstretched as if it had thrown something.
'Th-the spear!'
The giant was smiling as the last of its body was vaporized.
The pain was spreading from my leg rapidly. My teeth were clattering from the pain. I was beginning to feel both too cold and too hot. And the sky was still falling down onto us. We began to jerk violently to the sides as the two flyers fought at different flying speeds and mental plans to avoid the falling rock.
The pain increased until my eyes rolled into the back of my head and I passed out. As I faded, I could have sworn I saw hints of black in my blood. But so much of my vision was black at that point, I couldn't be certain.
'I'm so fucking retiring!' Daring Do thought as she dodged a piece of stone the size of a five story building.
The exit was close now. It was nearly blocked up by a massive fallen boulder, but Daring could spy an opening large enough for all three of them to fit through.
'So fucking retiring! I'm too old for this! Oh Celestia, this is so different from a dart trap or rolling boulder! Wh-'
"Up!" She yelled. Her voice was muffled, but she could still hear herself through the ringing.
She abruptly swerved upwards as a falling rock cut off her flight-path, the changeling mimicking her action. Every one of her muscles were screaming their hatred towards her as she pumped her wings again and again. Through deep gasps, she forcibly dragged cold air into her burning lungs.
'Undead horde! Evil magic! Dead city! Changeling king! So many royalties! I just have to survive!'
"Left" The changeling she was flying with cried out.
Daring banked left hard without hesitation.
They flew through the increasingly cluttered sky of the dead, undying, and dying city. They had seconds at most to reach the exit tunnel. Seconds of life. Seconds till death.
"Right!" She yelled out.
They barrel rolled to the right, swerving around a rock the size of a pony that slammed down into the ground in front of them.
"Tuck in!" She screamed, and then repositioned herself to do just that against the armored changeling they were carrying.
She came eye to eye with the changeling as they started to drop. It was impossible to read its expression, but she just knew it was just as afraid of dying as she was. And, like her, it was equally unwilling to let go of the thing that had saved them both.
'Flew back into Tartarus!'
The King Orobouros had passed out halfway through their mad dash towards the exit, which was probably fine. On one hoof, that meant his weak struggles stopped. On the other hoof, he could be dead.
Daring Do felt stone slam into her right hindleg as they slammed through the opening still left. She screamed in pain as they tumbled and rolled through the air before slamming into the stone ramp. They slid up its length a whole twenty hooves in length before slowing to a stop.
With a loud boom and rush of air, the hole they just flew in from was plugged up with a crash of stone.
The stone piled into the tunnel, covering up half of the length from them to what once was the opening. Though she still felt the ground rumbling, the ceiling above her was no longer threatening to turn her into a pancake.
She sighed and went limp, letting go of the hopefully-unconscious changeling king. As she laid on the cold stone floor, she heard the changeling on her right panting just as much. She tried to laugh, both from shock and sheer relief, but found that she just couldn't. It took all she had to just breathe.
'In and out. In and out. Breathe. We've survived another one, Daring. Another day... saved? Whatever happens, I don't think I can do another one of these...'
The ground continued to shake underneath her. Daring Do considered the idea that they were still in danger. The sheer amount of shifting stone could send the tunnel's ceiling crashing down upon them.
'If that happens, it happens.'
She was too bone-tired to move. If she was exhausted from dodging left, right, up, and down from the skeletons and their black magic, then she was completely dead tired from their escape. Her heart pounded painfully in her chest as she breathed in and out. Really, she was thankful she still had the energy to do just that.
'King Ouroboros... '
She flopped her head to the side to look at him. The changeling in the green armor was prone right next to her. He was scrunched up, face down ass up, with said face lodged open and tongue laying on the ground. She would have laughed at the sight, if she could.
'Why did you come back to save me? You held onto us both. The fact that you even came back for us is one thing, but you actively protected us both. You could have let go of me... Ugh. This is too much thinking. Why couldn't you be a simple cloak-and-dagger villain, like everypony else I run into like this?'
After what seemed like minutes, the intense shaking and distance rumbling faded.
'That last spell hit you good, didn't it? Bet it hurts, being zapped from the air. I totally wouldn't know anything about that, would I? What comes around, goes around, big guy... Which means I totally have to save your life. You'd better not be dead, Orobouros. We've got a lot to talk about!'
Beyond the king's embarrassingly posed form, she saw the changeling minion slowly rise to their hooves.
"Keep going," he panted.
Daring quietly noted and appreciated the fact that her hearing was returning. There was still some ringing, though.
"Nuh," she panted.
'Eloquent as ever, Daring.'
"Yuh," the minion answered back.
The changeling tried to pick up the King, but just stumbled forward and fell onto its face. Daring managed the strength to weakly snort in laughter. Then, she heard distant voices grow louder over the ringing.
Daring tried to make out the specific words, but she gave up and focused on trying to breathe normally. Her chest hurt badly, but she was beginning to feel her hooves again. The rest of her body, too.
'Covered in sweat and dirt. And a hundred miles away from the nearest shower, too.'
"There they are!" She heard somepony yell.
'No wait, that wasn't a pony's voice. More changelings.'
Suddenly, changelings appeared in her vision. There were three of them, looking down at her, King Orobouros, and the other changeling.
"Is he alive?"
One of the changeling's horn lit up in a green spell, which washed over the King's body.
"... Yes."
"Bring them up to the surface! We need to get out of here before the E.U.P. come, and that's going to be very soon!"
Daring felt herself be picked up by one of the changeling's magic and placed over one of their backs. She tried to protest, but was too tired to do anything other than groan. Daring accepted her new ride up as she was settled between the changeling's neck and extended wing covering thingies.
The ringing faded further over time, and she could make out the sounds of them grunting with effort. Rolling her head to the side, she watched them position themselves underneath the King's shoulders and began to fly him upwards. Her own ride took to the air, and they began their journey back to the surface.
Belatedly, Daring Do realized that somewhere along the way, her hat had fallen off her head. In all likelihood, it was back when she was zapped inside the temple.
Everypony else was alright.
For that, Daring Do thanked Celestia. They had been rushed into the carts that the changelings had arrived on shortly after the earthquake started. How they knew to get all the way to the carts and in the air, Daring didn't know. But she was thankful.
Because half of the camp was gone, including the main tent.
From a hundred hooves beyond the base of the surface temple, the ground simply vanished. She could see for miles and miles ahead. A massive section of the rainforest had simply fallen downwards, something like five hundred hooves or so. The city had been buried, and an impression of its size had been left on the surface. The sheer amount of destruction was on a level that Daring couldn't comprehend. She stood there, looking out over the square pit. Just staring.
"You. Pegasus."
She turned to see a changeling approaching her from one of the carts, which had landed and disembarked the archeology team.
"You were down there," the changeling stated, not asked.
Daring Do decided to nod.
"You're coming with us. From what I've been told, you've seen more than the others. You even helped save His Majesty's life."
"Yeah," Daring said.
"... Thank you, pony. That is a debt that cannot be repaid. But you have to come with us."
"Why?"
"You know too much, and I don't think he wanted us to pod you."
Just before the changelings and her resurfaced, they had put on disguises, and told her to hold her tongue, or else.
"Pod me?"
The changeling half nodded, "Standard procedure for those who know too much. Anyways, he wouldn't have wanted that. Or maybe he does. Point is, he's not in a good condition, and One says you're coming with us. Anything you can tell us will help save him, and I don't think I need to remind you that he did save your life. Apparently."
"... Where we goin'?"
"Manehattan."
Daring was still too tired to try to escape. Besides, if the changelings were playing nice, so would she. There was still a chance to find out just what exactly was all that down there. That was not something she could pass up.
Once again, her thirst for knowledge was leading her into the manticore's den.
The disguised changeling escorted her onto one of the carts. She passed by the archeology team. One of them, Director Trowel, called out to her.
"Dazzle! There you are! We were worried sick! Where w- no, where are they taking you!"
"To get answers. Don't worry, I'll be fine," Daring managed to answer, waving him off.
She pulled herself up onto the pegasus-pulled cart and sat down.
"Stay back, and stay close to the structure, ponies. The Guard will come to your rescue soon enough," a changeling ordered her coworkers.
"You can't leave us here!" Somepony cried out.
"Depart!" The same changeling yelled.
With a lurch, her cart, as well as the other landed ones, set off from the ground. She turned around in her seat and watched her colleagues immediately go to the base of the pyramid on the surface, putting as much distance between them and the start of the ginormous pit.
'... Eh. They'll be fine.'
From the air, Daring Do got a good look at the dead city's last mark on the world. Stretching for miles and miles around, from the bottom of the pit to the sloped sides, the E.U.P. would see it during their routine patrols for sure. They'd sooner miss the sun in the sky before missing that brand new canyon for even a single day.
The sun was just beginning to rise over the rainforest's new grave, the flying convoy putting as much distance between themselves and it as possible, when they suddenly changed their direction.
After a moment, Daring Do moved to the front of the cart and called out to the disguised changeling pulling the cart, "Hey! Where are we going?! Manehattan is East, not West!"
One of the changelings landed behind her, and she totally didn't jump out of fright.
'Those damned skeletons will be giving me nightmares for months!'
She turned to address the new changeling, "Where are-?"
"We're not going to Manehattan, Daring Do. We've got a new destination, straight from the boss himself."
"King Orobouros is awake?!"
"No. But he did tell us where to go."
"How? Why? Where?"
The changeling thought for a moment, before deciding to humor her questions. One of them, at least.
"We're going to Trotsylvania." |
Changing Expectations | 97- Shezmu | Arc 8: Broken Masquerade
"Tourniquet!"
"What in Panar's name is a tourn-"
"For fuck's sake Web, if you're not going to help then go be stupid somewhere else!"
The changeling pushed the other aside and pulled close the medical kit that was tucked away under the side seat. Flinging the top open on the unlatched kit, Aorta pulled out the tourniquet, flinging other pieces of first aid equipment onto the cart's floor as he did so. Then, he wrapped it above the King's wound and tightened it.
Web leered over Aorta's shoulders.
"Already need new gauze..." Aorta muttered as he worked.
"Is blood supposed to be black? I don't think it's supposed to be black."
'King Phasma was right in keeping Web on the surface. Though he should have been put on cart duty. Something to keep in mind for the future.'
"No Web, it's not," Aorta answered through gritted teeth.
"Is... is His Majesty going to be okay?"
Aorta paused briefly before resuming, "I... don't know."
"... That was the part where you were supposed to lie to me and say yes, Aorta."
"Shut up, Web. That's His Majesty's duty, not mine."
"What happened down there? Did you see how he got hurt? Why is-"
"Go bother someling else! I'm trying to save his life here! Go.... Go ask Swallowtail what happened! Yeah, if you want to actually be useful, get out of my fin and go find out yourself!"
"Aye aye, sir!"
Aorta heard the flapping of pegasus wings that signalled the disguised changeling's exit from the flying cart. Aorta shook his head slowly and went back to worrying about his boss's health.
"Please survive this, sir. I don't want to be left in charge of these idiots.... I suppose authority would transfer to Coxa, now that I think about it." Aorta paused long enough to tap his chin in thought before glaring at Phasma's unconscious body, "But don't think that gets you off the hook!"
King Phasma groaned and twitched on the ground.
"My King?" Aorta pressed up against the royal, putting his ear to King Phasma's muzzle. This was the first sign of life he had besides breathing. If he was waking up, Aorta needed to know.
He had heard the tales of many medically trained changelings being blown to bits after getting on Chrysalis's bad side during various medical procedures- and she often wasn't even the patient, given the fact that the healing pods were a miracle cure. Though Phasma was far from having Chrysalis's hot wrath, he deserved every bit of extra attention possible for what he had done for the common drone.
"Trotsylvania," the King whispered through the Weave.
Aorta pulled away, "Sir? Can you hear me?"
The changeling royal didn't respond.
"What was that?" Their pegasus-disguised changeling pulling the cart called back.
"The King! He just whispered that word. Mean anything to you?"
The white pegasus yelled back, "Yeah! It's the capital of Vallachia! Why did he say the name of a city in the opposite direction of where we're going?!"
That was a question that Aorta didn't have an answer to. He prodded King Phasma and asked him, "Sir? Can you hear me....? What's this about Trotsylvania?"
King Phasma twitched, but otherwise had no response.
"Aorta! Aorta! The King, he- oof!"
Web flung himself onto the flying cart's open deck. While it was easy to take off from a moving cart, landing was always the hard part. Web decided to opt for slamming himself into the wooden board floor of the cart. A surefire way to land, but one that lacked any grace and was sure to hurt his fur-covered pegasus body.
"The King!" Web gasped as he slowly rose up to his hooves. "As soon as I mentioned the black in his blood, Swallowtail said that it was probably a sign of corruption! He said King Phasma was attacked by one of the monsters!"
Aorta's blood ran cold.
'Corruption?! Is he going to turn into something like that Prophet monster? How the hell could they fix him now?! If King Phasma turns, then the whole Fifth Hive could be dragged down, too! From what Aorta saw, if the Prophet had been the downfall of the sealed city, then a corrupted King Phasma could be the downfall of Eq-'
A hoof wrapped around one of Aorta's fetlocks. He looked down in surprise and saw King Phasma grimacing, looking up at him.
"Trotsylvania," he groaned. "Vallachia. Thestrals. Help. Now."
With a gasp, King Phasma went slack on the floor, clenching his eyes shut.
"Did the King just wake up? What did he say?" Web asked from behind Aorta.
'If King Phasma is being corrupted, then anyling near him would be doomed. But... no one will leave his side. Not Web, not Swallowtail, and most certainly not me. He's done so much for us all. What kind of King goes back into certain death to save a single drone?! The smart thing would be to isolate King Phasma. But damn the smart thing, if he would throw his life away for one of us, then how could we not do the same?!'
"Change course, we need to go to Trotsylvania! Web, spread the word!"
'This could be the corruption speaking. Going in the opposite direction of any possible help could just as easily doom the King. But... what help could we even offer back at the Fifth Hive's base? Pray for a miracle? Vallachia may be in the opposite direction from Manehattan, but if there's even a hope of saving him there, then that's what we'll do!'
Web nodded and took off, shaking the cart when he pushed off.
"Trotsylvania? Is that what the King said?" The changeling puller asked.
"Trotsylvania! Do you know the way there?"
The changeling banked to the left slowly, changing their course.
"Yes, I do! Make sure everyone stays in formation behind us, it's a long way to Thestral country! But I have to ask, how much food do we have for the journey?"
Aorta moved away from the prone King and started to open the secret compartment at the front of the cart. Removing a few pieces of wood, he looked into the stash.
"If the other carts are as filled as this one, then I think we might have enough for five days."
"It'll take a day of flying to reach there, and one and a half to get back to Manehattan from Vallachia!"
"Two and a half days, plus another day and a half to get back..." Aorta murmured to himself. "We'll need someone to go to Manehattan and have them send supplies over to Trotsylvania. Hopefully they will be able to find us in that city using the King's Weave... Yeah, that's the plan."
"Well don't tell me! Go get a spare changeling to go! I'm a bit busy up here! Unless you want to take over?"
"No thanks! You keep doing what you're doing!" Aorta nodded to himself at the plan he was putting together. Then, he recalled a detail that the Prophet had said back in the pyramid. "Hey Hopper! You ever heard of a 'human' before?"
The changelings had some items in the cart that Daring Do was in that she helped herself to. It was only fair, really.
They didn't exactly give her a choice in whether or not she wanted to come with. Though to be fair, if she was given a choice, she would have said yes, and if they left her behind, she would have followed. They also couldn't provide her a sleeping bag, meaning when Daring Do decided to sleep for a few hours, she had to sleep on the wooden floor of the cart. From what she could tell after a brief stop onto the ground around midday, the changelings were taking shifts pulling the carts and resting. She could have really used a blanket; it was cold up in the sky and in the wind.
So Daring Do didn't feel guilty when she found a box that was tucked away underneath one of the bench-seats that ran along the edge of the flying cart. There was another box, but that one was clearly marked with a red cross. She didn't really need any medical attention, so she left that one where it was.
The box she did open almost blended in with the corner it was stuffed into. It wasn't even related to the false panel she had spotted during the long hours of nothing to do but stare at the landscape they were flying over. That panel she was tempted to open, but decided instead not to piss off her faux-captors. They can keep whatever secrets they were carrying, as long as they didn't hurt anypony. Daring lifted the lid on the small wooden box. Her lips parted into a smile that widened by the second.
"Oh baby! Jackpot!"
Daring pulled one of the notebooks from the box. Thankfully, there were a few pencils within the box that she could use to write with. She closed the box and took out a small pocket knife from one of her shirt's pockets, and began whittling away the wood around the new pencil. Without a pencil sharpener, this was going to take a while
Daring looked out over the cart's edge. Equestria stretched out before her, going on and on for miles. Far in the distance, she could even see Canterhorn mountain. Between her and the heart of equestria lay tracts of farmland, woods, winding rivers, and mountains that grew in size as they got closer. Daring guessed that Vallachia would be mountainous and not at all like Equestria proper. She'd never been there. Nopony really has. A few traders make their livelihood bringing goods to and from the reclusive bat-pony nation, but for the most part everypony steers clear of the thestrals. They're just too creepy.
Daring sighed and continued to whittle away. Her mood turned sour when she saw the distant clouds of Las Pegasus. The city had stayed roughly where it was for the past few months now, close to the ground. Rapid response ability from the E.U.P. was prioritized over the grand sweeping views the city normally possessed. The thought angered Daring Do. The pegasus city of Las Pegasus was grounded. The unicorn city of Canterlot was burned to the ground. The earth pony city of Manehattan had its southern boroughs and neighborhoods sweeped of life, like locusts devouring an entire farm.
And now she was willingly following the changelings as they took her to a nation few ponies have ever ventured to.
'Are these different changelings, unrelated to the invaders? King Orobouros.... Is a fake name he gave me. The only ruler changeling that we know about is Queen Chrysalis, and her lackey Prince Phantom, who... was presumed to be dead, but no body was found. Hmmm. That really gets your noggin' joggin'.'
She looked down at the pencil. It had been sharp for some time now, and she was cutting into its soft graphite. Putting the pocket knife away, Daring Do started on writing brief notes of what just happened. It was important to her that she got things down quickly. The quicker she wrote, the fresher the memory was. The fresher the memory was, the better story it could be.
But before she got into the meat of the notes, she quickly jotted down some questions to ask later, as well as some theories she was brewing up. At the end, she had made a note to herself to find a picture of the dead Prince. Daring regretted not being on top of the whole war, but it had all happened so far away from her home in Vanhoover that she just kept focused on her work and let the Royal Guards handle it all. Now her inattentiveness has come to bite her in her flank.
Daring Do spent the rest of the afternoon writing. It was only when the sun began to set again that she closed the journal and placed it within one of her shirt's pockets. The terrain had finished its transition by then. What were once grand views of sweeping plains, distant cloud banks, and islands of civilization, were now jagged peaks that jutted up into the sky, like the claws of some buried behemoth dragon.
The unexplored West in its infancy. Further West, Daring knew from reading, was a sea of grass that stretched to the horizon. There wasn't a demand for settlements far away from Canterlot, all the way on the plains, so there were no expeditions out that way. A few went, but nopony could find the limit of the plains. They stretched for hundreds of miles. The great plains at the edge of the known world weren't visible at the moment. The white-stone peaks of... some-cool-sounding-name commandeered respect as they tore jagged figures into the sky. Blanketing the spaces beneath the exposed stone peaks was a lush green forest of coniferous pines, as dense as a thick carpeting.
Then, the cart rounded a bend slowly and something grand came into view. In the light of the dimming sun, a castle and its surrounding town. If one could even call it a town; the white stone, dark-blue roof castle stood tall on the mountainside, lording over an expanse of half-timbered buildings that stretched from one end of a valley to another. Right through the center, a river wound its way through, cutting the town-slash-city in half.
"Wow," Daring breathed.
The castle was about half the size of Canterlot Castle. Meaning, it was quite sizable. What might have once been a block-shaped fortress of thick stone was now a small village in and of itself, its homes being the towers and extensions that fought for air above the shingle sea beneath. Tall arched windows dotted the magnificent structure frequently. One of the previously mentioned extensions had a massive circular, divided window of stained glass that caught the setting sun and shone like a portal of stars. The huge window and the gothic architecture that surrounded it suggested that the extension served as some sort of cathedral. The castle seemed to have not been intended to see much war in its time. Instead, like a portly count dressed in fine silks and jewelry, it stood proud above the mountain rustic city.
As she was taking in the view, and as the cart was slowly banking around and making its way to the massive castle, Daring picked up the fact that their convoy was no longer alone in the sky. Flying shapes- thestrals, no doubt- had joined them and began closing in on the carts. They acted as the guides for the changelings pulling the cart. Black-metal plates formed pauldrons, while countless lames lay over each other, forming leg-armor, barrel plates, and neck plating. Only the helmet, boots, and peytrals were solid pieces of forged metal. Between the black plating, what seemed to be red cloth draped over the thestral's forms. Only their wings lay open and exposed to open air.
Unless you counted the dull silver blades that edged the back of the thestral's wings. A few had claws of similar dull metal at the end of their forehooves' boots. One or two instead carried lances of polished wood and more dull silver.
'The lack of shine has to be intentional.'
How anypony could fly in such heavy gear was beyond Daring Do. No normal metal could be light enough for a flying warrior of any level of experience to use for any extended period. The Royal Guard had its own special issue of Imperial Gold, forged and enchanted by the greatest line of smiths and arcane artisans that the crown could afford to keep on payroll. All the way out here, hundreds of miles from Canterlot, the thestral's armor had to be unenchanted. That meant that whatever metal it was made of, was light enough to be flown in.
Daring was in the middle of hastily scribbling this conjecture down in her retrieved-notebook when a loud thud nearly made her throw the notebook out of her hooves and off the cart's edge. Gripping it tightly to her chest and scowling, Daring Do sent the changeling who had not-scared her a death glare.
"Pony. We will be staying here, in Trotsylvania, for the time being. Speaking at all about our nature will lead to your.... I dunno, death I guess?"
"If you want to sound intimidating, not being sure of yourself will defeat any attempts at that."
"Listen pegasus, you know what's going to happen. You're going to stay quiet. You're going to do as we say. And we won't hurt you. In fact, we'll make sure you're protected. A fair trade. As fair as you're going to get, at least."
Daring sneered, "I'll comply. But not because you can threaten me, I'm not scared. I'm only here for answers. And I will get those answers."
The pegasus-disguised changeling blinked slowly.
".... Whatever you say."
The flying carts had closed in tight enough that Daring Do could see the occupants of the other carts and hear them, too. One of the changelings yelled over to her.
"Web! Get back over here, I'm going to need you to help me lift His Majesty when we arrive!"
The changeling in front of her yelled back, "Coming, sir!" Then he shot a glance back at Daring, "Don't do anything stupid. From what I've heard, you like doing that. So don't."
'I'm not the one who shattered the ancient staff artifact or awoke the dead. That was your king and his angry yelling, I was nice and calm,' Daring thought to herself but bit down the comment.
"I'll behave," She replied instead.
The changeling took off and landed in the other cart. Daring then went over to the cart's edge and peered down below. The rustic city was rushing up to meet them as they came in for a landing at the castle. The designated landing zone, a massive strip of white-brick road flanked by fields of grass, had been cleared for them.
'Nopony training? Nopony running? Nopony running drills, or practicing? How long ago did they spot us coming? Did they even, or did they somehow know we were coming?'
The convoy set down, jostling Daring as the wooden wheels clattered against the stone brick road. They came to a halt at the center of the path. Craning her neck around, Daring could see that this was some sort of receiving entrance for the castle. Ahead, two massive doors of dark wood and silver bracing slowly opened. Behind, the path ended in a semi-circle.
Around them, the thestral escorts set down. Some stayed in the air, but most had set down facing the carts and their inhabitants. From the doors ahead, eleven more bat ponies marched out. Ten were equipped with long spears with red ribbons that fluttered in the wind tied at the spearhead's base, and their armor was a shining silver color, rather than the matte-black or dull silver of the flyers. Ten moved to flank the convoy on each side, and the eleventh stopped before the lead cart. A changeling dismounted to greet the thestral. From her position in the second cart, Daring overheard their conversation.
The eleventh thestral did not wear armor. Instead, she wore a slim-fitting full black suit with red interior. At her cuffs, more red fabric was embroidered in a repeating cross fashion. At her neck, her suit jacket opened up to a white frilled shirt underneath, pressed down by a necklace of gold in the shape of a tailed comet. Horseshoes of silver gave her trot a sound not dissimilar to the armored troops that escorted her arrival.
The guards halted, and she spoke softly with a measured voice.
"Good evening, travelers. I am Elder Sanguine, and I welcome you to Vallachia. We have been expecting you, and understand the necessity for discretion."
'So they did know we were coming.'
The changeling did not introduce themself, "You were expecting us?"
"Of course. Now, I do believe that time is of the essence, and-"
"If you do not mind me asking, how?"
If she was annoyed at being interrupted, the bat pony did not show it, "The Night Mistress herself appeared before our seers to speak of your dire need. She has informed us of the developing situation. Somepony dear to her is dying, are they not?"
'Night Mistress? Is this another big bad villain, or something more? King Orobouros was more than what he first seemed, so perhaps this Night Mistress may become important very soon.
"... Yes."
"You are no ponies, also correct?"
"For the most part. We brought with us one pony. But that doesn't matter."
"Indeed. What matters is seeing to the aid of this very important pony. If you would entrust him to our care, we may yet save his life."
"How? We don't even understand what's happening to him."
"Unfortunately, we believe we know. No cases have happened in centuries, let alone recent history, but the techniques for curing it have been passed down all the same. This ailed changeling- who we would very much like to meet properly and be introduced to once they are saved- will be cleansed of the taint of darkness. Now, if I may be so bold as to give you orders, I suggest that you heed my instructions and hoof him over, before he dies. Or worse. There's always worse."
".... Web."
The mentioned changeling disembarked from the lead cart, levitating the unconscious form of King Orobouros with him. His left haunch had been bandaged and attended to, and he was twitching slowly in the magical grip.
The female thestral appraised the changeling royal, drinking in the details before giving out an order, "This is the one! Fetch a stretcher, and prepare the anointing oils! We must begin immediately!"
Behind her, three thestrals glided out from the ajar doors. Two carried a stretcher between them and did not wear garments, but the third was clad in a black robe. A mask of flat silver covered her face, leaving only her mouth, nostrils, and ears exposed. She carried with her an incense censer that leaked red vapor as she flew. Daring watched as the King was set down on the stretcher, and the censor was shaken over his prone form. Her mouth moved in silent prayers as she did so.
"Bring him to the chambers and begin posthaste!"
The thestrals lifted up off the ground silently and began to glide back into the castle.
"Web, go with them. You will be relieved four hours from now, but stay with the King."
"Yes, sir."
"Web. I'm entrusting the King's safety to you. Do you understand?"
"Of course, sir!"
"Good. Now go."
The changeling took off after the retreating forms of the thestrals.
Elder snorted softly, "Now, may I have the pleasure to actually be introduced?"
"... I am Aorta, designated second-in-command of this expedition. King Phasmatodea is the rightful leader, as you no doubt understand."
'Aha! I was right! Who was right?! ME!'
Daring grinned and rocked on her hooves.
"King Phasmatodea... Thank you for the name. We shall have need of it soon. As for you all, quarters will be provided. You are honored guests of the Night Mistress herself, and will be granted the honor that deserves."
"Night Mistress... Is she coming here herself?"
Elder Sanguine smiled, "She has yet to reveal that to us. Now, let us take leave of this cold. Warm food, cold drinks, and nice beds are inside. There, we may talk at great lengths. I would be lying if I said that I did not thirst for knowledge about the Night Mistress's suddenly important friend."
'Oh yeah? Get in line, I was here first. |
Changing Expectations | 98- Hecate | Web trailed behind his king and the three thestrals carrying him as they wound through the halls of the castle. Plush red carpet, smooth plastering, paintings of landscapes and beasts, fanciful sconces and torches, the occasional chandelier in the larger rooms, and more all passed by with little attention paid to by Web. What mattered most to him was lying on a simple cloth stretcher ahead.
They also passed by a few staff members of the castle. Maids and butlers in simple black uniforms. Guards in their shiny armor. Guards in their dull armor. Guards without any armor. It made Web wonder for a second if the maids and butlers were also guards in some capacity.
Eventually, they came upon a large circular staircase that wound downwards. The thestrals slowly glided down its tall spiraling form, taking care to bleed off speed when needed. Without pause, Web continued to follow. Eventually, the thestrals stopped at one landing of the staircase and turned off, down a hallway. The staircase continued down, but as usual, Web stuck close to the ponies.
'Why does anyone need this many rooms? They do not house their entire hive in this structure, so what purpose does this hold?'
Finally, the thestrals set down on the ground, at the base of a pair of double doors that were solid black metal, and inscribed with mirrored reliefs of an alicorn reared up on hind legs, one forehoof point up and holding a telescope, and the the other straight ahead, pressing against the other mirrored image's hoof.
The thestrals pushed the doors open on swinging hinges and entered. The doors swung closed behind them for just a moment before Web followed. Beyond was a large hexagonal chamber, with a section in the middle that was a few steps lower than the rest of the room, and the ceiling was an arched dome. At the absolute top of the dome, an opening sucked away the smoke from the room.
The walls, floors, and ceiling were made of a grey stone that was completely different from the bright white walls of the rest of the castle. The brickwork was faded and crumbling, as if the chamber existed centuries before the castle itself. All around the room, piles of candles burned, washing the room in a dim yellow glow. Wax pooled around their collective wixs. Some of it dripped down the steps into the lower section, where it collected in small puddles against the steps. The ceiling above was painted with a faded and chipped mural, its original contents almost indecipherable. It might have depicted ferocious battles, just as much as it might have depicted ancient ceremonies and rituals. At the far end, a black alicorn in possibly blue armor rose above, towards the apex of the dome. In two outstretched hooves, she held decapitated unicorn heads. The head of the alicorn itself had completely chipped away.
Web looked away when he swore he saw two red eyes staring back at him, despite the destroyed portion of the mural where the head was supposed to be.
The walls were barren, save for the spaced out pillars at each of the vertices. The three far walls had wooden, deteriorated doors were closed firmly shut. At each of their sides, censors poured the same red vapor that slithered along the ground. The thin fog collected around the lower section, giving it a red misty layer just above the grey stonework.
Then, at the very center of the room, was a stretched pentagonal altar, low to the ground. It was about twice as long as a pony, with two of the lower sides stretched out to encompass nearly the entirety of the lower section. A few stone tables orbited the altar along the steps like moons. On their smooth surfaces, a scattering of papers, candles, books, and metal tools lay haphazardly.
As the two thestrals set King Phasmatodea on the coffin-shaped altar and backed off, the third thestral also retreated, slowly swinging the chained censer back and forth as they did so..
Web took in all of this in just a few seconds as he entered the room. But what caught his attention was not the occult ambience of the chamber, it was the ponies within it. Four female thestrals in black leather and cloth garments stood around, arranging tools, books, papers, bottles, pipettes, and devices of complicated make on the tables.
'Leather? Ponies, wearing actual leather?'
From what Web could tell in the dim lighting, the female thestrals were old. Old, and scarred. In fact, Web could only tell that they were thestrals from their yellowed eyes, fangs, ear shape, and fur coloring, for all four of them had no wings at all. Not the leather wings of the bat pony physiology, or even the feathered wings of a pegasus. Their backs were completely bare save for the clothes they wore.
They spoke with voices that brought a chill forward through Web's spine. Harsh whispers and breathless tones that seemed to make sound through the air not like vibrating as everyone else's, but by carving their own territory through the atmosphere. They verbally sparred with each other as Web and the other thestrals entered, and to Web, it sounded like they were actually crossing blades.
"Essence of Bloodvale? We might as well open our hearts to the damp and get it over with!" One screeched, leaning towards a second as she spoke.
"Safety was left at the door. A case as advanced as this requires measures just as advanced!" The second sneered back.
A third's voice thrust forth into the conversation, "Bone is right. Take leave of Master Whistle's teachings, they will do us no good here. The Path of the Waning Crescent is the only procedure that can work!"
The third thestral retrieved a box from the table she was closest to, and set it on the altar, next to King Phasmatodea's head.
"Waning Crescent?! That is.... Yes, you are correct, Soul," the first nodded in a flip of attitude and demeanor.
The third, who had to be named Soul, snorted, "As always!"
"As a broken clock."
Soul flipped open the lid on the box and said, "Now, Totem of the Eclipse, or Icon of Apocalypse?"
"Eclipse," the fourth and final thestral crone spoke, back turned against them all. "I had told you to dispose of the Icon, hadn't I?"
Soul nodded, "Yes, you did. I ignored you, and I will continue to."
".... Totem of the Eclipse."
"Very well, Mind," Soul said quietly as she retrieved a golden sculpture from the box and set it at the end of the altar, right in front of the King's muzzle. The sculpture was an empty circle surrounded by golden lines, which Web guessed were rays of light from the eclipse in the center. The stand and base were also made of solid gold, with the exception of four rubies at equal length along the stem of the stand.
"This doesn't sound like a medical procedure," Web grumbled to himself.
'I don't think any of these ponies have ever been to medical school!'
The second witch laughed. At least, Web thought that she was laughing. She also could have been dying of a collapsed lung.
"Young worm, leave. Your presence here is not needed," she pointed a hoof at the door behind Web as she spoke.
"I am to stay with the King."
"You will die as a fool," the fourth, Mind, said.
Mind turned around and appraised Web. Unlike the others, she wore a two-pronged golden cone on her head, the metal twisting around each other and meeting at the tip like the curves of a unicorn's horn. Come to think of it, it was basically a hollow unicorn's horn.
Mind spoke again, "You were told to leave. Your presence here will do more harm than good. The next time I speak, you will wish you were not in the room anymore."
Web swallowed nervously. He was as calm as a soldier normally is. Meaning, he felt totally out of his depth and freaked out at all the occult stuff. The medics back in the Legions didn't take you to ancient chambers for arcane rituals for a cut, they just covered your injury in goo. Or if it was really bad, they stuffed you into a pod and you went to sleep for a bit.
Under any other circumstances, he would have made himself scarce and slipped away. However, this was not normal circumstances. That was his king lying on what was potentially a sacrificial altar. A king that needed Web to watch over him. Web didn't trust these creepy bat ponies at all, which meant he had no choice but to stay.
"It doesn't matter what I wish. My duty is my duty. I stay with my king."
The second crone spoke up, "Enough prattling! We must commence!"
Mind grimaced, "Stay away from the red fog, skin-walker. In fact, pick a spot and don't move. And for moon's sake, stay away from the shadows. Don't even look into them!"
Not finding a reason to argue, Web sat down right behind a clump of candles at the edge of the outer ring of the room.
"Now," Mind turned to face King Phasma, "are we ready? Elder Blood? Elder Bone? Elder Soul?"
The second crone nodded, then the first, then the third.
"Then we begin. May the moonlight watch us. May the Night Mother guide us. And let the Blight fear us!"
The four thestrals began to hum and the light was slowly drained from the room. The candles began to burn red.
'... I should ask for a pay raise,' Web thought. 'Err, maybe I should ask for a pay to begin with.'
Aorta watched Elder Sanguine as she slowly sipped from her chalice.
The changelings, thestrals, and pegasus had been brought to a large dining hall. The long, ornately carved wooden table stretched across the lavish room. On one side, tall vaulted windows let in the last dancing rays of the setting sun, shining them up onto the ceiling. On the other wall, several paintings of what Aorta assumed to be Luna standing triumphantly stared at the changelings.
Aorta could swear that the alicorn's eyes tracked her as he entered the room and sat down at the table.
Elder Sanguine was lounging in a red felt upholstered wooden chair, spying the changelings and pegasus with one eye as she tipped her silver jeweled chalice upwards. The rest of the chairs were lined with a black fabric instead. If that meant something, then the meaning was beyond Aorta's limited understanding of equestrian social structures.
The pegasus, Daring Do, was sitting at the opposite end of the table, near the door which they had all entered from. Unlike literally everyone else in the room, she actually had food before her. That was something she was taking advantage of, and was wolfing down several servings of some sort of... fruit and vegetables.
Aorta was not an expert on equestrian foods, either.
The dining hall was silent except for Daring Do's fork and knife scraping against her porcelain plates, as well as the sound of her chewing. Eight changelings, one thestral lady, and two thestral guards who stood by the doors, all watched her scarf down food like she was a starving Tizheruk.
Eventually, Aorta managed to tear his gaze away from the living abyss consuming everything at the end of the table and directed his attention back where he needed to. Elder Sanguine smiled at him
"Are you certain that there is nothing I can provide you, Aorta?"
"I ate on the way."
Sanguine lowered her chalice to the table, "And just what is it that you eat?"
Aorta worked his jaw in thought before remembering that the Masquerade Protocol was already broken.
"Changelings feed off emotions."
Sanguine raised an eyebrow, "Emotions?"
Aorta glanced back and saw Daring stuffing half of a baked potato down her muzzle in a single bite.
"Emotions," he confirmed, not looking away from the sight.
"How exotic. We thestrals enjoy the usual equestrian diet, albeit with some more... seldom seen inclusions and inclinations. However, I cannot for the life of me fathom what consuming emotions is like. I would be delighted if you could elaborate."
Daring started chugging a tankard, slowly raising the bottom to the ceiling.
"Uh.... We eat love mostly. We can eat some other emotions, but it's mostly love."
"What does love even taste like?"
".... King Phasma said it's like the first meth high, whatever that meant."
The tankard's bottom had pointed straight up before Daring slammed the tankard down.
"I do not know what that means, Aorta."
"No one I asked did, either."
Daring pressed a hoof to her mouth to cover up a belch. It was like putting up a screen door to a hurricane; the oppressively loud burp stopped any conversation the lings might have struck up. For a solid five seconds, Daring cleared the air from her stomach. Once it was over, she had the dignity to look embarrassed.
"Ahem. Excuse me, it's been a while since I ate, and I worked up an appetite... My compliments to the chef?"
"I'll pass them along," Elder Sanguine mumbled.
Daring looked between the changelings and thestral staring at her.
"Don't pretend that you're not contributing to the awkwardness. You could at least nibble on something? Talk? Stop staring at me? I mean, I hadn't eaten in almost two days, no thanks to you."
"Speaking of food," Sanguine switched topics, "I'm afraid we are all out of... love. I can recommend a nice Nebbiolo and complimentary dishes, but as far as emotions go..."
Finally, Aorta returned his full concentration to the conversation at hoof. Though, a part of him would always be sitting there, watching the devouring at the end of the table.
"You needn't worry about that, Elder Sanguine. We brought provisions with us."
"Ah, in your saddlebags? That is good to hear, though I feel as if I am failing in my duty to make your stay as pleasant as possible..."
'Heheh, yeah. In our saddlebags...'
"Saving the King is all we ask. Which brings us to the main topic at hoof; your supposed duty to save the king. Who told you we were coming? How? Why?"
As much as Aorta didn't want to look a gifted nymph in the mouth, there were simply too many questions to ignore.
Sanguine frowned, "Are you sure I cannot interest you in something to drink or eat? Such a long conversation is hard on a dry throat or empty stomach."
Aorta suppressed a sigh. It was becoming increasingly apparent that ponies loved to talk while eating, and eat while talking. To get more progress on acquiring answers, he would have to play their little game.
"Very well, I will take this... Nebbiolo, as well as what you recommend with it."
The corner of Sanguine's mouth twitched upwards in a smile, "At last, progress. Will your friends be eating as well?"
Aorta glanced back at the other drones. They were trying their hardest to not look bored.
"No, they will secure our things, check on the carts, and make sure we are settled in our rooms," Aorta replied, not necessarily to Sanguine.
Getting the hint, the other drones rose from their seats, nodded to Aorta, and began to leave the room. One of them tried to motion to Daring Do to follow, but she ignored them and instead maneuvered herself into a seat across from Aorta, at Elder Sanguine left-hoof side.
"Thank you for the meal, Elder Sanguine, was it? I do not believe we have had the chance to speak. My name is Daring Do, and I am an explorer of sorts" Daring said with a smile.
Any sincerity Daring had was self-defeating by the fact that she kept glancing at Sanguine's fangs, and rarely the leather wings on her back which protruded from her clothing.
"A pleasure to meet you, Daring Do," Sanguine said before turning to Aorta, "Why did you bring a pegasus with you? Is she a member of your king's troupe?"
Aorta scoffed, "No. She made a nuisance of herself and nearly got us all killed. Were it not for the fact that the King had risked so much to save her life, I would not have brought her all this way."
"I understand. The mysterious wisdom or eccentric foolishness of the higher ups, no? In that case, a guard will help you find your room, Ms. Daring Do."
Daring smile had slowly fallen off her face, "I am here for answers-"
Sanguine cut her off, "You are here only due to the generosity of myself and the changeling King, daywalker. The forthcoming Aorta here has made it clear that your wellbeing is needed, but your comfort is not. I will pass your thanks off to the chef, and ask you to retire to your room without protest."
Daring tried to protest, "I was dragged here against my will. I am grateful for your hospitality, but I wish to receive answers that you no doubt seek yourself. I... ask to stay here and listen."
Even if Aorta could not taste the pegasus's frustration and muted anger, the struggle to finish her 'request' would have made it clear just what the pegasus was feeling. Sanguine, on the other hoof, was merely annoyed. She sent a look of deference Aorta's way.
'Best case scenario is that I spare King Phasma a barrage of annoying questions from this damned pegasus. Worst case scenario, the King erases her memory, or we slit her throat. What does His Majesty see in keeping her alive, I'll never know.'
"I will allow you to stay, Daring Do. But do not get on my bad side. If I'm feeling generous, I will ask Elder Sanguine to house you within the dungeons. If I'm not feeling generous...:"
Aorta let the threat hang. Daring sighed softly and nodded. Funnily enough, she wasn't afraid, merely relieved.
'Stupid pony, you think I'm bluffing?'
"Now then, Aorta, I assume you are capable of consuming pony foods?"
"We are."
"Are you capable of consuming... non-pony foods?"
"We... are?"
Sanguine smiled, "Perfect. I am certain you will enjoy what we have to offer, then. Attendant! A bottle of Nebbiolo and two specialty plates!" She chuckled quietly, "I hope you don't mind that I eat as well. Like the feathered one here, I am myself rather peckish."
"Just what exactly am I about to eat, Elder Sanguine?"
Elder Sanguine rolled a hoof, "Nebbiolo is a fine red wine, a favorite vintage of the Elders. Truly, it is a treat. The specialty dish is designed to compliment this rare and holy vintage: fine cheeses, buttered vegetables, and braised duck."
"Duck?" Daring asked, and Aorta detected a bit of.. Sickness? It was a tricky skill to read the more complex emotions, and far from an exact science.
"I see what you mean by seldom seen inclusions. I can't say I've tasted many foods, but I look forward to these... new experiences."
Sanguine gave a half-nod, "I am pleased to hear that. Now, I would like to exchange questions. If you would prefer to start, I would be delighted to answer whatever questions you may have."
'Finally.'
"Yes. I have one question above all others that need to be asked. How are you going to save King Phasma?"
"From the Blight? Yes, we know about it. Unfortunately, in a case as advanced as your King's, there is one but one solution. We must lure the Blight into a position of weakness. It will not be removed otherwise. At least, I suspect that is the process the Elders will pursue."
"Lure? How is that accomplished?"
"We must let the Blight take hold weakly in the right and prepared parts. A trap, one that the Blight is utterly blind to."
Aorta balked, "You're going to WHAT?!" |
Changing Expectations | 99- Orpheus | 'Oh crud, are these the bad guys of the adventure?' Daring thought to herself as she shared in Aorta's confusion.
Sanguine dismissed Aorta's worry, "Oh relax, it's just a minor case of demonic possession."
Daring piped up, "Does this happen... often?"
Sanguine shook her head, "Oh goodness no, not in living memory. Or most of dead memory, for that matter."
Aorta's short-circuited mind reset itself after a few tries, "You are planning on having the King be possessed?! Wh... What?!"
The doors opened and two tuxedo-wearing thestrals entered, carrying trays on their backs. One carried a bottle of red wine under a curled wing. When they approached the table, they unloaded the plates that the trays held, and placed the bottle as well as two wine glasses next to the Elder.
Sanguine uncorked the bottle of wine, "Ah, Here we are. Do tell me what you think of the meal. It's so rare that we can entertain guests, let alone those capable of enjoying our cuisine."
Aorta's muzzle twitched, "Now, Elder Sanguine, I'm trying to remain as calm as I can possibly be, so forgive my bluntness; what the fuck did you mean when you said you are going to let King Phasma be possessed?! Do you have any idea what we just went through to make sure that didn't happen?!"
Daring just looked between the two as they talked, not wanting to butt into the conversation too much. Not while it was getting her the answers she wanted, at least.
Sanguine poured two glasses and chuckled, "Not the faintest clue, no. But we have all night to speak, as I'm certain you won't be able to rest while you believe the life of your king is in danger. So, do share."
"You just said you were going to have him possessed! That's not a belief that he's in danger, it's a fact!" Aorta yelled while standing up and pushing himself away from the table.
Sanguine merely placed a filled wine glass next to Aorta and spoke quietly and calmly, "I assure you that your monarch is in good hooves. We can help him far better than anypony else alive, you know. Besides, we gave our assurances to the Night Mistress that we would save him. We have not broken faith before, and we never shall."
'Again with this Night Mistress? Come on Aorta, tell me who she is...'
Aorta nearly growled as his features pulled back into a snarl, "Never? Just where were you when the alliance was forged between King Phasma and Nightmare Moon?"
Sanguine's features had tightened into a controlled neutral expression.
'Right on schedule! So, the Night Mistress was Nightmare Moon. An obvious choice, in hindsight-'
"Our seers did not receive visions for quite some time. The prophecies were ambiguous. We were blind, deaf, and without guidance. By the time we realized that we were being called upon, we rushed to the Night Mistress's aid. But the war had moved on by then, and the only thing we could do was cover up the fact that we had mobilized for war. Now we stand at the Night Mistress's beck and call, ready to make up for our failure. From what has been passed to me, she is rather happy with our lack of response. A miracle which we have not earned, and are eager to make up for. The Night Mistress was not clear on just what King Phasma was to her, but they must be somepony important to make Princess Luna panic like that."
"Princess Luna?"
Aorta and Sanguine turned to face Daring Do.
'Oh. I said that out loud...'
"What does King Phasma have to do with Princess Luna?" Daring pressed further. There was no point in trying to take back her question. It was better to press forward.
Sanguine looked angry for a split second before she turned her gaze towards Aorta, "I was hoping to learn that myself."
'Huh? Wait, is the Night Mistress Nightmare Moon, or is it Princess Luna? Now I'm confused.'
Daring decided to voice her question out loud, "Is-"
"Don't think you can slip the possession thing by me that easily, Elder Sanguine," Aorta spoke in a deep voice.
'Damn it, changeling! I'm trying to do some detective work here!'
"My dear Aorta, as I said, this is our chance to prove to the Night Mistress that we are willing to help. This is our chance to redeem our sins. We will not mess this up."
Daring grimaced, "You shouldn't have said that."
Aorta attempted to rein in his anger, "Sanguine. We had risked a lot to escape the clutches of the Nightmares. Rushing right back into their fangs is the last thing we want to do right now. I need to know that the King will be alright. You're not doing a good job of convincing me of that."
"The ritual chamber is completely sealed. The four wisest Elders are tending to him as we speak. Centuries of knowledge, decades of experience and training, and the finest quality artifacts and materials that can be acquired are all dedicated to saving the young King Phasma's life. There is no chance that he will die tonight. There's plenty chance of you wishing he died tonight, but that simply won't happen. We will not allow it. Even if we have to resort to the most drastic measures, the King will survive this ordeal. It was ordered by the Princess, so it shall be carried out."
"As it is woven," Aorta mumbled to himself, but loud enough for Daring to catch.
"Now please, enjoy your meal before it gets cold, I would hate to ask the chefs to prepare another dish," Sanguine said as she started to help herself to her own food.
Daring leaned away as Sanguine ate meat.
'... If the Night Mistress is Nightmare Moon, then that means the changelings are in league with monsters that could try to destroy the world, or whatever. If the Night Mistress is Princess Luna, then... King Phasma- why is he a King and not a prince?- might have been telling the truth about Division-P... I need more information. I need answers.'
Scrunching her nose and swallowing her disgust, she was about to try to start a new line of conversation about the Night Mistress when Aorta suddenly froze.
"Completely sealed?"
Sanguine swallowed before speaking, "What was that?"
"You said the chamber was completely sealed?"
"It is."
"Then why can I still feel the Weave? Why am I still connected to the King?"
'Feel the what-now?'
Sanguine's wings slowly stretched out.
"Connected?" She asked. "You are connected? The chamber is unsealed?! Oh stars, we have to tell the Elders to fix that open connection! How are you connected?"
"Through the Weave!"
"What's the Weave?" Sanguine and Daring asked at the same time.
Aorta's wings began to buzz and he lifted out of his chair.
"The hivemind! It was probably how the Nightmares spread back in the Third Hive! We- we have to get out of here, now! Get the other changelings out of the King's Weave, before it's too late!"
'Hive-?'
Aorta shot towards the doors, the guards reacting only just barely in time to open it ahead of him.
"... Not sticking around to see his kin evacuated, huh?" Daring wondered out loud.
Sanguine yelled to the guards by the door, "Alert our new guests! Tell them to get out of this 'Weave' at once!"
The guards saluted then practically vanished in a blur as they shot through the doors. Sanguine then got up and made for the door in a dash that was nearly as fast as Aorta's sudden escape.
"Hey! Where are you going!" Daring yelled as she stumbled away from the table and after the thestral.
"I have to warn the other Elders! Stay here, pegasus!" Sanguine called out over her shoulder, not even stopping for a second.
"Not a chance!" Daring yelled as she followed Elder Sanguine out the doors. Her heart rate was skyrocketing again. Panic was more infectious than most diseases, and just as deadly at times. Daring breathed deeply as she beat her wings to take off from the ground and keep up with the blur of a thestral ahead.
'I knew she shouldn't have jinxed it!'
Web and the Elders were no longer alone in the room. He could tell, though he dare not look away to check. The witches had warned him not to, but even without the warning he would have been too terrified to look anyways.
He squinted and tried to focus as much as he could on the silhouetted figures in front of him, as well as his armored King on the stone slab. Web tried as best as he could to ignore the things standing around him, gently tapping on his pegasus-disguise. Like knives on a chalkboard, they practically reached through him to tap on his insides. Web shivered involuntarily as one felt like it touched his very mind
Web fought to remain focused on the candles. There was a small group of five, sitting at the base of the altar. King Phasma's tail fin was draped over the edge, and the smoke from the candle wafted up and brushed against the fin. It parted like waves of water against a share.
Web stared at the candles, the smoke, and the fin for what felt like hours. He was prodded for what had to be lifetimes. Then the thestrals suddenly quieted, and at last the unwelcome sensations ceased.
Elder Mind cleared the silence, "Sisters, the rites have been consecrated. Let us begin our work."
'Begin? What do you mean, begin?!'
Web held his tongue, too afraid to break whatever concentration they were holding. Elder Blood retrieved a vial of red substance, Elder Bone brought forth a mechanical device that looked more like a sextant than anything that would be found in an operating room, Elder Soul placed a brown pot smudged with black paint on the table next to the King's head, and Elder Mind flipped open an oversized tome on top of a lectern. In the dim candle light, Web could see various ribbons of paper and cloth fluttering down from the thick book like... Well, Web didn't know of anything that he could compare it to.
Elder Soul opened the pot and began smearing a white chalk on the royal's face. Elder Blood hoofed over the vial to Elder Bone who placed it within her device, and placed it on the King's withers, right above where it heart was.
Elder Mind began to recite from her book. As she hummed the words, the metal spiral on her head began to grow dimmer and dimmer, as if absence of light was collecting within the metal's confines.
"Thrice, with mercury I purify and spit upon the twelve tables..."
Elder Mind then made a spitting motion to her right and then her left. The prodding then returned, ten times as strong as it once was. Web felt a four-clawed appendage reach through him from behind. As if that wasn't enough, Web began to hear whispers. They were quiet, just barely audible above the pony's chanting and reciting.
Web couldn't make out the words. He didn't try to, either. Some things were best left to the imagination, as counterproductive as that sounded.
The ritual only got more elaborate from there. Web went back to trying to focus on the candles near King Phasma's tail, but was distracted by something else behind him. The black metal doors behind him had shut themselves at some point. Web thought back and tried to remember where the other three ponies he had entered with had gone to, but he couldn't quite remember. As he stared at the candles, Web heard a peculiar set of noises coming from behind him. Remembering the witch's words, he ignored them.
A breeze started to flow past him, whisking candle smoke towards the lowered section in front of him. The awful feeling of being poked and prodded receded and as the breeze grew into a quiet wind. The smoke in the room was pulled up above the ritual, twisting into an upside down cyclone above them as it was sucked into the hole at the top of the room.
The noises grew louder. It was someone shouting. Web was shaken by an intense feeling of sickness. He dry heaved as a wave of nausea literally went through him. The voice grew louder. Distracted, he unconsciously focused on the voice to make out its strange, distorted words...
"Stop the ritual! The chamber isn't fully sealed!"
The voice, which bounced between high and low pitches, was accompanied by a soft banging on the metal doors behind Web. Curiosity killed the cat, and Web turned to look at the doors. There were no candles behind him, or any in his field of view anymore. The world had already faded to black before this, but now almost nothing was visible. There was only one single thing Web could see anymore.
Just the door.
It had slowly swung ajar on a loud, creaking hinge. Web saw black smoke slowly creep out from underneath and between the two metal vertical slabs. As he continued to stare, the doors swung backwards more, the black fog turning maroon, then blood red.
"Stop! The! Ritual! C'mon, open, you rusty piece of...!"
The creaking grew louder and louder as the red fog turned brighter and brighter.
Web was confused. Web was scared. Web had no idea what was happening anymore. There was no possible frame of reference for what was going on, what he was seeing, or what he was hearing.
He saw something snake out from between the doors, something beyond description. It made him shiver at the sight, but he dared not look away. It was too late for that.
'I have to protect the King! I have to protect the King!'
Web's orders rang through his mind as all other thoughts cleared away. A voice from behind him nearly swept him off its hooves. However, the voice was calm, collected, and assuring.
"Shut the door."
Shut the door.
'Shut the door.'
Web grunted with effort as he obeyed his King. The metal door screamed in protest while Web sealed the doors shut in his black magic grip.
Just before it went out, Web had made out a mural on the backs of the doors. They were painted in beautiful vibrant colors as well as being carved right into the door. The mural on the left door was a male thestral in a blood red suit, a similar shade of crimson dripping from his fangs. The door on the right was a female alicorn with fur as black as night, wearing a blue armor that gave her an almost purple tinge. Her fangs dripped a black liquid.
'Was that always there?' Web asked himself as the red light from the door was extinguished. The sound faded away, and Web was left in a sea of black. No sound. No sight. Alone.
At least the voices gave him company. |
Changing Expectations | 100- Ọya | I was drowning.
A vast expanse of water and ice slurry nearly claimed me as I struggled to stay afloat. Like in the river months before, my lack of experience with this new body was damning me. I kicked, thrashed, and gasped for air each time I pushed through the surface layer of ice slush.
Each struggle was awarded with a glimpse of the star above. They felt right. Natural. Familiar. The Equus night sky always felt a bit alien and unfamiliar. This night sky was a familiar sea, sitting above this frigid one that was killing me.
My limbs were going numb and my efforts less successful with each lungful of air. I clenched my eyes shut as I went under again.
However, the cold faded away, and the pull of the waves against me had vanished altogether. Furthermore, I could no longer hear the crash of waves and the grinding of ice chunks against each other.
With a gasp of warm, pleasant air, I opened my eyes and found myself lying prone on the stone tiles within that damned pyramid of the Third Hive.
'Ugh. That sucked. Note to self, never drown.'
After coughing out water for half a minute, I finished catching my breath and drip-drying as I studied the throne room in its former glory. This time, instead of a bleak and ruined chamber, the High Altar was anything but bleak. Where the central pedestal was once empty, a tall throne of gold, lapis lazuli, silver, and other metals dominated the room. At the top of its high back, a statue of a spider with nine legs on each side lay perched. It's front two pairs of legs were outstretched, forming two parts of two circles.
The walls around the throne were covered with banners, tapestries, murals, paintings, and stories in general. One section was dedicated to the depiction of a changeling royal in armor slaying an Eastern Dragon of some sort. Another section showed a city burning. A third yet depicted an age where the trees were rainbows and the sky a strange shade of pink.
'Who let their nymph doodle on the... Oh wait a second, that's the Age of Discord, isn't it?'
When I turned away from the terrifying implications of letting a child's drawing become the template for the world, I jumped back in surprise when I saw that the throne was no longer unoccupied. As I turned, I swore I saw my own reflection sitting on the throne, but when my head stopped it was Luna sitting there.
She waved. I waved back and moved closer.
"What is this place?"
"It's... uh. No, wait, something happened..."
Luna frowned, "Is that why you are moving right now?"
"Oh! Luna! I... I was attacked by a Nightmare! How could I have forgotten...?"
Luna hopped off the chair and inspected me closely. Her horn glowed when she began to scan me.
"When? How much pain are you in? What do you last remember?"
The details were hazy.
"I... it happened just now. I got hit by something, something bad. It hurt, too. Then I... I was here. Dreaming, this is. I was drowning. Then I wasn't."
"I'm not detecting anything. That is bad, just so you know. You're too far for me to help, not to mention the predicament of staying hidden from Daybreaker. Head to Vallachia, where my loyal thestrals can help you."
"Vallachia? How... do I tell my people to go there?"
"Concentrate on the message you want to send. Focus on speaking the words. I will guide you the rest of the way. We must be quick, Phasma! If your memory is already being altered, then the Rot is already taking root! The city of Trotsylvania, Phasma, send them there!"
I swayed on my hooves, "Rot. Right, yeah. Ahem. We have to go to Trotsylvania, the thestrals will help us."
I pictured myself saying the words: the shape my mouth would make, the movements of my tongue, the exhale that formed each word.
"Again!" Luna yelled, her horn glowing again.
"Go to Trotsylvania, the thestrals will help-" I said before breaking off into a cough.
Luna leaned in close, "Again!"
I shivered as I felt her body warmth when she leaned close. The ice-dip didn't exactly leave me feeling very well. I managed to resist the growing urge to hug the warm, fluffy pony and continued trying to make sure that I didn't die. Though it was a close call.
"Trotsylvania, Vallachi! Thestrals! Help! Now!"
Luna sighed as her horn dimmed, "The message has been sent. Fear not, my acolytes shall aid thee- shall aid you. They are experienced in the matter of removing Nightmares."
"That's... good?"
"For you."
"Hey, Luna?"
"Yes?"
"You came at the right time. Thanks. I, uh, don't know what would have happened without you."
She smiled, "Don't thank me yet, young Phasma."
It must have happened a number of times before I caught it. In my addled state, it was hard at times to think straight: like being shoved into a box and thrown off a cliff, I still felt woozy and dizzy from my efforts to not drown in my own dream. My chest still stung in fact. So when I finally caught the little detail, I realized just how much I fucked up.
"You know something? I've noticed that Luna avoids contractions. Even with my grammar lessons, she avoids them like the plague. I'll admit, you've done a better job this time. Took me longer to catch it, but I'm sure a lot of that can be blamed on the whole drowning thing."
The thing which looked like Luna stiffened for a moment before smiling.
"The specifics of you lesser beings always tends to escape our notice, it's true. But the deed is done. You won't be getting a second message through, Crier of the Damned. You have discovered the truth far, far too late. As entertaining as it would be to see you try to send another, don't waste your breath. This is not anything like when Sloth attempted to dig its claws into you."
I gave up halfway through the message I was trying to will into existence. The Nightmare smiled. Then, the fake Luna vanished.
".... Hello?"
I spun around. With the alicorn gone, I was alone in the room.
"Hello? This was supposed to be the part where you monologue and gloat, giving Luna enough time to appear and actually save me. Hello? C'mon, this wasn't part of the script."
I huffed and sat down on the dazzling throne, lounging lazily as I thought.
'So. I was just tricked into sending us to the opposite end of the continent. What's waiting there? A trap. Another Nightmare, clearly not Gluttony-slash-Prophet. The one wants to possess me, apparently. But Luna described actually doing her actions as Nightmare Moon, so I'm not being completely possessed. I suppose it takes time for the Nightmare mambo-jumbo stuff to set in... Why did it hurt so much last time? Is this Nightmare taking its time, waiting before trying to attack? Or do they do their darkness stuff differently?'
I raised a foreleg to my head, "Oh, woe is me! I am being attacked by a Nightmare... again! I could surely use a beautiful princess who can save me! A big strong princess who will defy gender norms and be the hero of the story! Heroine! Gender norms... that might not apply to Equestria. I mean, I am... uh.... A helpless Prince! I need.... Oh fuck it, Luna, can you come save me? Luna?"
'Aw hell, she's not coming, is she? I need to find a way to escape on my own. How did Luna even blast it away last time?'
"Luna?" I asked again, keeping up appearances. "Lunaaaaa?"
I dropped my foreleg and sighed, coughing slightly.
'Magical powers that I haven't been taught, probably.'
"Say, Mr. Nightmare? Just what is it about me that makes me so alluring to your kind? I know I'm kind of a lightning rod for bad luck, but this is ridiculous. Is it that mark of... lamb-something? You could at least acknowledge that I'm still here. I swear, if you're trying to kill me with boredom, I'll-"
The ground suddenly became slick with water. On top of the lower section that surrounded the throne, a layer of water appeared and started to rise.
"You know what! Nevermind! I'm good with boredom! Boredom's good! Great! Ten outta ten stars! There's no need for- Panar damnit!"
The water showed no sign of slowing its rise. Slowly, the chamber became more and more filled. Worse yet, the spot on the wall straight ahead where the door was supposed to be was instead completely smooth and covered up by a tapestry of a changeling royal drowning to death.
"Haha, you sure got me! Now, why don't we talk about this like civilized adults- oh it's cold!"
I couldn't will the water away. I couldn't use my magic to blast out, or even do anything. I couldn't change the dream at all. Once again, I was a prisoner within my own mind.
'Ngh! No! P-poor choice of words! I'm not... No! Fear is what it wants! I am not afraid! I am King Phasma! I will get out of here and bludgeon it to death, with my own ego if I have to!'
I tried buzzing my wings to fly above the water, but I couldn't get myself free from the freezing cold water.
"Cold! Cold cold cold!" I yelled as I began to thrash.
Noticing my own panic, I tried calming myself down.
'Happy thoughts. Happy thoughts. Luna's smiles and jokes. Thorax's a- err, personality. Coxa's humor. Sense of purpose with the hive! The strange kindness of ponies! Sleeping past noon!'
My efforts were dashing the moment I looked up and saw the ceiling fast approaching. Soon enough, there would be no air to fight for.
'Not here! Don't want to be here! Anywhere but here! Get me out! Out out out out!'
Up and up I went. My limbs were going numb. My mind was racing. I felt my horn scrape against the ceiling. I clenched my eyes shut and once again, I felt nothing.
The feeling of the freezing water had vanished,, just like it did when I appeared in the temple room.. I opened my eyes. I think I did, at least. All I could see was black. I lifted a hoof and waved it in front of my face. For better or for worse, I could see myself.
That meant I was suspended in some great black expanse. A sky without stars. A sea without waves. A... something without something. My mind was still whirling from the whiplash of going from a heart-racing situation, to a calm one, then back to a heart-racing one in just a few minutes. It was hard to come up with analogies when you were remembering to breathe in and out.
"Lovely darkness," I said aloud. "Great stuff. Totally not bored at all. I'm actually happy to unwind. Yep. Thanks for this."
Doing my best to not lie, I tried to relax as much as possible. It was relatively easy as there was no life-threatening situation or room filled to the brim with distractions. Aside from the fact that I was still very cold and had become tired, the void was almost... relaxing. It was peaceful, quiet, and had a distinct lack of Nightmares. Ones that I could see, at the very least. There was always the chance that I was completely surrounded and was on their equivalent of a banquet table.
'Relax, Phasma. Think of a way out. The Nightmare is keeping me on my hooves, stopping me from thinking of a way out. Maybe it can only affect the world in bursts as it gains energy from my fear? Yeah, that makes sense. So it gathers energy, possibly from my fear, and it uses that to make more fear. If I can stay calm during one of those... episodes, then maybe I can starve it to death. I should try to find a way out, too. If I can outwit it, or I guess defeat it in some way, maybe an exit will present itself. Not like I can make it any more mad at me, considering it wants to basically kill me.'
"I see a light, below!" A breathless whisper echoed from above me.
"Here we go again," I muttered and looked up.
"Aha! There he is! There he is! Found him at last!" Another voice whispered.
Above me, a massive spider was lowering itself towards me on its web-string. As if that wasn't nerve-wracking enough, the spider seemed to have its eight eyes where it's mouth and mandibles would normally be, and four sets of said mandibles on its head, on the top, bottom, and two sides of it.
The body of the spider was made of black chitin with some sort of white substances painted on in swirling patterns. Here and there, crimson streaks of fog darted around its body.
"King Phasma!" The spider called out as it approached. The set of mandibles on the right sides clacked as it spoke.
'Stay calm.'
"What now?" I demanded sternly.
The spider pirouetted on its string, pulling itself up on its string as it spun a web harness around itself. Despite the void having no gravity pulling in any direction, the massive arachnid moved as if the void beneath me was terra firma and that gravity pulled in that direction. It stopped its ministrations of weaving as it finished lowering itself, ending its descent right in front of me. Eight eyes blinked unsynchronized as it nearly bumped my muzzle.
I tried to lean back, but it followed my movement. The chill I felt started to dull as they spoke. Like an ember of warmth within me, I felt heat growing within myself once again.
"You are a hard soul to find, Tainted One."
"Not hard enough, apparently. Go away, I was enjoying the silence."
The top mandibles clicked together as it hissed a laugh. Or it was emptying helium out of a balloon.
"We were sent here by the Night Mistress herself," the top mouth spoke, louder than a whisper this time.
"She was adamant about saving you," the left mouth added.
"We wonder just what spurs her to action, but that may be learned after our work is finished," the bottom mouth finishes their spiel.
I grimaced for a moment before clamping down on my emotions, "That's... lovely. Now go away."
"We are here to save you, strange being," the top mouth hissed at me.
"You're not the first to try to 'save me,' strange being," I spat back. "One of your brothers- two of them already tried that. One of 'em is still trying, I think."
"There are no thestrals here," the right mouth pointed out.
"Thes- you are ponies?"
"Yes," all four mouths intoned at the same time.
'Why do I feel like eating hard candies when they speak? They feel like old people. Heh, I bet they are, and it's some weird dream nonsense telling me that they are."
"Eugh. We have already fallen into the trap, then?" One of the legs reached out to touch me before I batted it away. "Don't touch me, hags!'
The giant arachnid reared back as the top mouth spoke, "Hags? Sisters, did you hear what he called you?! King Phasma, we are the wise Elder Aspects of Vallachia! We are here to save your life, now comply before the last dregs of who you are are subsumed by Rot!"
"I'm not too big of a fan of the demons, so I don't think I'll do what the demon-worshippers ask me to do. Especially if they look like giant spiders."
"Spiders?" The bottom mouth asked.
"Hush," the top whispered, "King, you see us how you wish to see us. But we are genuine in our attempts to help."
I laughed out of disbelief, "The Nightmare wanted me to send us to Vallachia. This is a trap. I will not actively embrace my death."
"The Nightmare sent you to us?" Left asked.
"We assumed it was the Night Mistress..." The top said.
"Night Mistress, Nightmare, whatever. Look, I don't want you here, so just go. I'll save myself, thank you very much."
"How?" All four asked in synch, again.
"By.... figuring it out. I'll be fine."
"The only way you survive this, whelp, is by trusting us," the top said in restrained frustration. "You will not be saving yourself. You need help."
"I'm not-"
"We serve Princess Luna," the bottom mouth cut me off. "We always have. Well, for a time we served Nightmare Moon, but our loyalties have always been to the Princess, no matter her leanings. She wants us to save you.... Please, let us help you."
'I can't believe I'm even going to listen to what they have to say...'
"Why should I believe you?"
The top hissed in laughter, "You have no reason to. Only a fool would. But a fool will be the only one who can survive this trial. It will be painful, but we can exorcise the Rot from your soul. You should not trust voices in your head, such as ours, but you must. There is simply no other choice."
"... Prove to me that you are actually loyal to Princess Luna."
"She came to us in a vision," the left hummed quietly. "For so long she was silent to us. But we saw her come to ask and beseech us to save you. You have a very special connection to her."
I sighed, "You were deceived by a Nightmare if you are telling me the truth. The Nightmare wanted me to go to Vallachia, to the thestrals. If you truly serve Princess Luna, then you're, ah, how should I put it? Also in deep shit?"
The mouths whispered to each other too quiet for me to hear. It almost seemed like they weren't speaking Equuish, their words were so strange and muted.
Then, I gasped as I felt a sucking sensation against my mind. The last of the cold that lingered within me vanished as I felt part of me be ripped out from my own body.
"King Phasma?" One of the mouths asked.
I was slowly drifting backwards in the void, trying to hold my own mind together. Different emotions surged through me. Confusion. Pain. Anger. Frustration. Fear. So much fear. It was like someone was stretching me out, pulling at me like a rubber band. Then all at once, I snapped back together, the feeling gone and replaced a sense of calm and warmth.
Either something very bad had just happened, or judging by the spider's confusion, something extremely bad just happened.
"What...." I gasped.
"Did you feel that?" The top mouth asked.
"Y-" I began to answer, but was interrupted.
"Yes, Mind! The Rot moved! We haven't even laid the trap yet!" Right spoke rapidly.
"The King was right, it was not the Night Mistress who spoke to us! A trap! A Trap!" Bottom yelled.
"We must leave!" Top commanded. "Hold on to yourself, King Phasma! We will return for you!"
For a moment, the massive spider hung before me in silence. Then another moment. And another. And another. And... the spider continued to hang there in front of me, silently.
"Uh... Are you going to leave, or...?"
The mouths hissed in pain as the spider began to coil up on itself, tearing away at the web around its body that it used to suspend itself from the string holding it up. The spider began to smoke, then smolder, then massive red flames suddenly engulfed its whole body.
"That's... not normal," I summarized my thoughts before a sudden pain invaded my mind again.
The pulling sensation was back, only reversed this time. Instead of being ripped apart, it felt like something was being thrust into my mind. My head felt like it was overflowing with something. It wasn't another being, like I imagined possession would be like. It was.... Like memories. Memories that I never had.
I had no idea what was- ...
Reaching the arm took seconds and years, minutes and decades, hours and epochs. It stood before me, stretching out indefinitely to either side. I could not see its ends, nor could I see through it anymore.
It was composed of more specks of light than I could fathom. Just in the section in front of me were white, red, blue, and yellow specks that numbered more than the grains of sand on any beach.
I reached out a glowing orange arm, and touched it.
At once, I could feel the thrum of each of the galaxies up above. They beat like a heart, like a pulse was traveling through them, its source beyond one of the horizons.
Then, I heard a whisper from below call out to me.
"Damned Soul."
I felt my very being be ripped into as the thing spoke. No, spoke was not the right word. It willed the words into being from the parts of a thousand and one screams of pain.
"You will suffice."
I grunted in pain and felt blood drizzle down my nose.
"I name you Crier of the Damned."
I hissed in pain at the force of its voice. As I tried to unclench my jaw, I felt a burning sensation on the back of my head. I could feel the thing as it seared something onto me, burning my very soul with its horrible touch.
'Horrible! Please... stop! Please! Please! Oh god! Stop! Noooooo!'
I cried as it dug further into my mind, tracing out its unholy symbol. I just knew it was unholy. My sanity recoiled from the touch and my heart beat rapidly. The agony spread throughout the rest of my body as it worked on carving the symbol.
After an eternity of burning, the jagged blade pulled itself free of my head and left me floating there, dazed and half conscious from the pain.
"Free King Epitaph."
I recoiled, not in pain, but in remembrance of the pain.
"Luna! Agh! P-Please! I... I need help! Please!" I begged.
I gave up on trying to control my emotions or plotting an escape. If the Nightmare wanted to possess me, there was nothing I could do. Alone, there was nothing anyone could do against such a monster. That was the truth of it, I realized. Alone, you are nothing to them.
'They will destroy us all unless we fight together. All this war against each other is pointless. None of it matters,' I thought as I clutched my head between my hooves.
Phantom pains, real to nothing but my imagination and memory, traced the brand that the thing placed on me.
"I'm out of my depth... I need you..." I whispered.
For a moment I was thankful that there was no one here to catch me cry. I was supposed to be a king. I was supposed to be a leader. Quickly, I switched to wishing that literally anyone friendly was here. Someone I could actually trust.
"Apologies for being tardy. Cadence has some... interesting news to share."
I didn't dare look up. It was just another facade. Another trap set by the Nightmare.
"Phasma? Are you well? No, forget the question, the answer is obvious."
'Daybreaker. Nightmare Moon. The Prophet. King Phasma. How many of us will be claimed by these monsters? Is that our fate, doomed to die? Are the immortals of this world doomed to be ring-wraiths, or something similar? Why is it that we must suffer the most?'
I felt a hoof hook under my chin and raise it, forcing me to look Luna in the eyes.
"Phasma. You have been crying. What happened?"
I didn't feel cold. I wasn't in pain. I was not being stretched, compressed, drowned, interrogated, tortured, or anything else. I was tired. Tired and near my breaking point.
"Is this our burden?" I whispered to the Nightmare.
"What are you talking about?" It whispered back.
"Why are we here? Just to suffer?"
"Phasma?"
The way it spoke my name called to me. It was warm. The voice was like an antithesis to the amalgamation of horror that wrenched into my soul.
"Luna?" I asked, afraid.
She hugged me. I melted into her embrace, sagging heavily. We were still in the black abyss, but at last I was no longer alone.
"What happened, Phasma?"
"It's you," I whispered as I buried my face into her neck.
"Yes. I am me. I can not recall a time where I was not me, save for the time when I was not me and was instead Nightmare Moon. And that one time I was Celestia, but that 'twas only for an afternoon."
Luna managed to get me to chuckle.
"There is your smile," she smiled back. "Now tell me, what happened?"
"They had me from the beginning, Luna. The damned Nightmares, they had their sights on me since I arrived. I was attacked again."
"Those wrights came back for a second time?!"
"A third, Luna. Three times they have tortured me. When will the pain end?"
Luna held me tight, "Three? Now you know why I dedicate almost every night to rooting out their scourge. They inflict such pain and horror that not even our worst foes deserve to be at their mercy. As if the Nightmares have such a word in their lexicon. Now, my Phasma, I am here now. The hour of Daybreaker's end draws near, and the culmination of our plans comes to fruition. We may be together more often, if you-"
"Please."
"Very well. I am sure I can fit you into my schedule somewhere. Let us say... after the moon rises, and before it sets? It is not a large time slot, but I think we can find days open for meetings."
"I'm tired, Luna. I'm tired of all of this. I really need a vacation or twelve."
Luna pulled away from the hug and grinned, "Once Celestia has returned and negotiations of peace are had, I am certain we can secure time for ourselves. You, me, copious amounts of liquor, and nothing but time."
"That sounds like a honeymoon."
"I do not know what that is... but I like that name. Honeymoon."
I chuckled, "It's what newly wed couples go on. An outing of love making and... no, that's pretty much it."
Luna laughed, "It is a bit early for marriage! We have not even kissed yet!"
'Maybe it's time to change that.'
"Luna... I love you."
"I love you, Phasma."
We leaned towards each other. I felt her hot breath on my muzzle; it smelled of flowers. I had to suppress a laugh when I remembered that ponies eat those. Luna raised her muzzle to meet mine as I met her gaze. I took in a deep breath and closed the distance between our lips.
Then someone woke me up. I.
Was.
Pissed. |
Changing Expectations | 101- Furies | The world was unfocused and spinning. I grunted in nausea as my head started to settle, eyes no longer darting around the blur and trying to make sense of it. It felt like I was lying on something cold. I could also feel the tight compression of Unbroken Radiance on me. For some reason, the Nightmare- or thestrals, whatever- did not remove the armor. As the room came into focus, the heavy stench of smoke and something metallic sent me into a weak coughing fit. Occasionally, phantom pains from the nightmares sent imaginary stabs into my chest, but those quickly subsided.
I was sitting on some sort of large stone altar slab. Around me were upturned tables, candles half burned to the ground, and of course blood. A heavy sigh and the sound of hooves on stone caught my attention, and my ears automatically swiveled around to find the source. I lifted my head up from the rock and scanned the dim room.
"Even," someone grunted just to my right.
I had to look down to see them. It was Daring Do, sitting down next to the altar. There was blood on her, and it looked like some of it was coming from her right forehoof. She was... exhausted. Her emotions were muted, her breathing labored, and her eyes struggled to open.
"What?" I asked.
"Even. We're even now. Ugh....monster... go kill it..."
She lifted a hoof and weakly pointed behind me, where a doorway spilled warm light into the cold, smoky chamber. For a half moment, I wondered why there were no doors when there were door hinges, but then I saw the doors. They were halfway down the hall, embedded into the ceiling.
I sent Daring the best death glare I could manage.
"What happened, Daring? Why did you wake me up?"
To my credit, I covered up the daggers in my voice exceptionally well, and by exceptionally well, I mean that Daring somehow missed the obvious signs that I wasn't all too pleased with her.
'Stupid sunk cost fallacy. Maybe I should have left you for dead.'
"Ngh.... Yeah. We saved you. Monster attacked from.... from within the chamber. Couldn't get in. It came out. The.... the thestrals pulled its attention.... I finished the magic cleaning ritual... ceremony... whatever."
I slowly got to my hooves ontop of the altar and asked, "You just- damnit. How did you know what to do?"
"Not alone.... Elder Bone helped. Told me what to do."
I didn't hear or see any other pony around.
"Where is she now?"
In response, Daring grunted and nodded with her head towards an upturned table ahead of me. I climbed off the altar to walk over to the table. My metal boots clanged loudly on the ground, making me flinch slightly. Behind the table, an earth pony that was wearing black, slim fitting outfit. Her most striking feature was that she was cut in half midway down her barrel. The dead pony was staring up at the ceiling with unblinking yellow slitted eyes.
'So this is what a thestral looks like. And what their insides look like. Fantastic, now this soon-to-be-former Nightmare has blood on its fangs.'
I swallowed the trace of bile that rose up from the sight. Daring was watching me from her spot next to the altar.
"She's dead."
"What...? She was... talking to me moments ago."
"With an injury like that? There's no way she could have lasted more than a minute. Two, maybe."
"Ritual took ten..."
"I'm not sure who you were talking to... You'll live, right, Daring?"
Daring nodded slowly.
"Not hurt badly... just... very tired... sleepy."
"Good."
'If there does wind up being some sort of tribunal after the war between our races is over, I'm going to need a whole bunch of character witnesses. The more, the better. Plus, I've already put in too much effort for her to keel over when I'm not looking.'
I walked past her and examined the doorway.
"Help them..."
"I'm going to. I'll be back, Daring. Don't die yet."
"You better... Taking a nap now."
The soft sound of fur scraping against stone behind me told me that she must have slumped over. I began to walk forward, following a trail of destruction through castle corridors. The hallways became more decorated and lavish the further I got. My pace increased, too, as I warmed up.
'So. A Nightmare infected someone, made a mess of the chamber, and left.... All without killing me? If I was right there, why...? Did my armor protect me? Did they need to leave me alive? Who was infected? A pony? One of these... thestrals?'
Here and there, the trail led on. A blood stain. Ripped up carpets. Torn stones and paintings. Burn marks. More blood stains. I didn't see anyone injured or dead, strangely enough. Either these thestrals were quick to retrieve their wounded, they somehow never went down, or... they did die, and the Nightmare was gaining allies.
The first sign of life I saw was a silver-armored, winged thestral. She was lying on the ground with an opened medical kit in front of her. She was in the middle of wrapping a foreleg in gauze, just above her metal boot.
'Do they have subspecies, too?'
I trotted up towards her. Her tufted ears perked up and she rolled onto her back. While rolling, her wings snatched a crossbow from somewhere I didn't see and pointed it in my direction. The pony smelled faintly of fear and misery, but was comparatively calm for someone who just drew a weapon in an instant.
When she took a moment to look over me, she lowered her crossbow.
"You.... you're the guests' VIP? Their... King?"
"Where is it?"
"Left the castle, I think. Alpha-Squad is... Don't worry about me! I'll be fine!" She yelled at me as I ran past her and down the hall.
As my trot picked up into a run, I extended my elytra and tested my wings. They seemed mostly undamaged from the explosion I had survived, and the short escape I made afterwards. A small tear here and there, but otherwise serviceable. There was the matter of energy, however.
I was out of it. I had no idea just how much juice I had left in me. Granted, spell strength could only decrease so much, but half-strength spells might not even be enough to take down one of these Nightmares. If pressed, I could scrounge up enough energy for maybe one transformation. Maintaining it would be easy enough in terms of energy cost, but I would not have enough energy for a second transformation.
Suddenly, the trail of destruction veered off into a side room. The door was almost completely obliterated. The room beyond, some sort of guest room, was torn up into shreds of fabric, wood, and stone chips. The far wall had a great big hole blasted into it, beyond which the night sky of Equus lay.
I hovered above the wreckage of the room and stopped at the hole in the masonry to look out. A massive town of old Germanic houses gathered around the banks of a deep river beneath the castle I was apparently taken to.
"Ready or not, here I come."
I jumped off the ledge and glided into town.
Five shadows darted across the night sky. Unseen save for the dimming of the stars as they passed beneath them, Alpha-Squad flew across the Market District on completely silent wings. At the front of the V formation, Sulfur Drip suddenly started banking to the right. The formation followed her as she bled altitude and set down upon The Creaking Cauldron's roof. The large tavern's shingles clacked quietly as the five sets of hooves set down upon it.
"Fish in the water. Newly spawned. Two hooves cast out nets and draw them close. Two hooves walk silently."
The squad listened to Sulfur's whisper, and acted upon her orders. Two thestrals quietly took off from the roof and began circling the section of the town they had landed in. Two more thestrals glided down from the roof and landed on the cobblestone street below. Their hooves, padded with thick fabric beneath their horseshoes, were nearly silent on the stone road.
Sulfur observed the ground team from her perch against a smokestack on the tavern's roof. Her Cutie Mark had told her that her prey was somewhere nearby, so she ordered the squad to spread out in their two respective teams. The ground team acted as a bait and distraction. The Blighted One would see the two guards in their dull metal armor and would either see them as easy prey, or would be afraid and would bide their time while the patrol moved on. Then, it would emerge from its hiding hole, when it thought it was safe.
The real hunters, two in the sky and one on the roof, would be watching the entire time. This was an ancient tactic, but one that played to the thestrals' strengths better than most others. Their enhanced night vision, their honed skills, and their dedication to the protection of the night against the Rot had struck down its surges in ancient lore. If Sulfur was an amatuer, she would have been giddy at the thought of continuing her ancestors' holy hunt. Instead, she kept her eyes out for any movement in the shadows that clung to the streets and alleyways of Trotsylvania like its outer garments. She focused on the areas closest to the ground team. Their safety was in her hooves. The rest of the District had to be left to the two flying thestrals.
Somewhere back in the Old Quarter, an angry screech echoed softly in the night. The Elders were beyond furious at the breach in their most holy sanctum, and were now out for blood. So long as they kept their violently loud anger away from Sulfur's stalking grounds, she was content to let them scream into the night.
A rogue breeze swept through the town, picking up leaves, litter, dust, and pebbles and shuffling them across the streets. The muted rustling of trees shaking in the wind came from beyond a building to the east. Dondarrion Park, one of Sulfur's favorite places to ice skate in the winter, was in that direction, and had to be the source of the pleasant sound.
A glint above snatched Sulfur's attention. One of the airborne thestrals was flashing a shined dagger in her direction using a hoof. In the moonlight, only a thestral's eyes could notice the small change in light in the night sky. At least, that was the hope.
The airborne team was signalling that they might have something. To pass the signal on to the ground team, Sulfur made two owl hoots from her hiding spot. The thestrals below her, still walking down the street slowly, made no motion of acknowledgement.
Old poetry wormed its way into Sulfur's mind as she kept watch for further signals. Long Fang described his hunt against the Rot as a silent dance, which had to be kept hidden from the audience, lest the hunters turn into the hunted. Silently, Sulfur wished that she could remember better poetry than that.
'It's almost never the good stuff that sticks in your head.'
Sulfur Drip let her thoughts quiet and leave her in silence as she focused on her duty. Distantly, the clang of a metal trash can being knocked over cut through the silent night. It was too distant to be relevant. So, she continued to watch the ground crew. Eventually, the thestrals in the air- both of them, flashed daggers towards her. Their prey was spotted, and was in fact moving to intercept the ground crew.
'Gotcha.'
Sulfur hooted once and spread her wings, lowering herself to her belly on the slate roof. She contained herself to the smokestack's shadow as she got in a pouncing position. She tensed her muscles, checked her blades, and sat and waited. Sitting in such a strenuous position would tire out anypony that hadn't trained physically for such a painful position, but Sulfur was squad leader of Alpha-Squad, which had earned more marks and awards than any single pony could possibly hope to achieve in a single lifetime. Four centuries of training resulted in the best night time hunters to have ever stalked the sky.
A wavering shadow drew Sulfur's attention to a particular alleyway ahead of the grounded thestrals. There, their prey had paused in the dark, believing itself to be hidden. The trap was already closing around the vile monster as it gathered its unholy strength. The thestrals would have to act fast; the Nightmares all had access to powerful, deadly magics, so it was best to close the distance immediately.
Lieutenant Sulfur Drip kicked hard off the roof, springing into the cold night air and soaring above the rooftops. She was so low that she could easily stretch out a hoof and scrape it against the fired clay shingles that passed in a blur beneath her. Angling her wings back, she suddenly shot upwards into the sky, transforming her forward momentum into a climb. With a slow, lazy spin, Sulfur reorientated herself at the apex of her arc, and began her hell-dive.
Her hoof-claws whistled in the wind as she dive bombed for the alleyway. They were the noisiest piece of equipment she had on her, even noisier than the metal plate armor, but by the time the Blighted One even noticed the sound, the most it would be able to do would be to look up. Sulfur continued to pick up speed as she stretched her forehooves out in front of her. Slowly angling her wings back up, she turned her downward dive into a swoop from the far end of the alley.
Sulfur could see it now. Shadow clung to the beast like fog to a morning's sky. It cascaded from its body, melting into the darkness around it. Its form was jagged, possessing suggestions of thin wings, and one large, curved unicorn's horn. Its back was to her. Sulfur could imagine the thing salivating as it watched the grounded thestrals ahead of her.
Then the Elders arrived.
With as much grace as a cat being thrown out a third floor window, five large bats flapped their way up to the alley from the front of it. Sulfur was forced to pull up and rise out of the alley before it was too late. As important as purging the Rot was, the last thing she wanted was to clip one of the bats that practically clogged up the alley's exit.
She hooked a wing on the eaves of one of the alley's buildings and flipped herself around, spinning several times before managing to come to a stop. Now, she was hanging from the building's gutters, upside down. She kept her eyes on her prey beneath her. It hadn't noticed its close encounter with death, instead it was preoccupied with the Elders.
With soft thuds, each of the bats exploded into bursts of smoke, which immediately coalesced into the thestral's forms. The five Elders which had taken to the streets did so with the intent of bloodying their blades before their return. Where normally they wore slim fitting coats, capes, cowls, robes, and so on, now they wore the segmented black plating of the Great Claws. They were all former members, and thus had the equipment and training of Alpha-Squad's more brutish cousin.
Elder Sanguine let her double bladed battleaxe drop blade down onto the ground. At her sides, Elder "Mind," stood with her metallic horn alit in red energy, Elder "Blood" hovered an inch above the ground, twelve daggers holding absolutely still in the air around her, Elder "Soul" clutched a double bladed glaive polearm in her muzzle, and Elder Bulwark stood silently, his signature twin upsidedown kite shields fixed to his forelegs.
Elders "Bone," Eclipse, Vigilance, and Serene were all missing. Though to be fair, nopony expected the last three to ever pick their weapons up again for use in battle. Especially since Elder Vigilance's hoof-claws were currently on Sulfur's own hooves.
"Die now, vermin!" Elder Mind yelled as she summoned a sword blade of purple energy and thrust it towards the Nightmare.
In response, the monster screeched and sent forth several spikes of shadow towards the Elders. The old ponies had to dodge out of their paths, with the exception of Elder Stalwart who parried the spike that lunged for his throat.
'So much for the element of surprise,' Sulfur lamented.
The Elders then ran into the alleyway, where the confined space made combat difficult at best and impossible at all other times. The monster, alone, was finding itself able to match blow for blow and parry for parry against the waraxe, dual shields, spellfire, and double glaive. Only Elder Blood found success with her attacks, since she had no need to move around in order to attack. The thestrals found that their numbers were working against them. Their advanced age certainly wasn't helping, either.
Still, Lieutenant Sulfur knew better than to try to argue with a superior, let alone an Elder, especially on the battlefield. That didn't mean that she couldn't help, though.
"Lure it into the open!" She called out to the ponies fighting below her.
Sulfur let go of the roof she was holding onto and glided into the open street outside of the alleyway. When she landed, four more ponies joined her at her sides. Alpha-Squad, with no ambush left to lay in, rejoined their leader.
"What are the Elders doing?" Corporal Wing whispered.
"What they darn well please," Sulfur answered her subordinate. "Now, get ready to draw it out!"
But the Elders were not retreating. Sulfur and her squad watched the thestrals they called leaders dive further into the alley, further hiding themselves from their sight. It was only due to Elder Mind's continued illumination of her faux-horn that they could even still see the rapid-pace battle still taking place. A flash of sparks from Sanguine's axe scraping against Bulwark's massive shields put the fear in Sulfur's mind that even the Elders were struggling to see in the near pitch black darkness of the fight. Out of sight of the moon, there was no natural light for them to fight by.
An ill omen, obvious to anypony who stopped to think for even a moment.
"Elders! Let the fish swim!" Sulfur called out once more, this time in Battle Cant.
Once more, the Elders ignored her completely. They did not even deign to respond to her plan, instead yelling out their battle cries as they hacked, slashed, stabbed, smashed, and casted at the Nightmare. Sulfur picked out the occasional cry of pain and scent of blood that accompanied a weapon finding its mark. But considering the fact that the fight was still going on, it must be the monster finding purchase against the Elder's flurry of blows and landing hits, and not the other way around.
The squad stood around awkwardly and looked to Sulfur for guidance.
"If we go in, we're useless. If we stay out here, we're useless. The Elders won't listen to us, for better or for worse. We need..." She thought aloud. "We need to lure it out-"
The Nightmare leaped from the alleyway and into the street. Sulfur raised her bladed boots just in time to deflect the monster away from her, jabbing into its form. The monster, now out of the shadow and into the light, looked like something right out of a horror novel. Like a scorpion molded into the shape of a pony, the thing had a maw full of teeth so sharp and large that its lower jaw was practically dislocated. Its eyes were two pits of darkness. At the back of its head, a jagged grey fin dripped blood slowly from a deep cut in it. The rest of it was obscured by a cloak of shadow that twisted around and squirmed in the moonlight.
Then, its horn, a long, jagged thing, started glowing black. Sulfur immediately dove to the side, but Corporal Wing was not so lucky. Transfixed by its alien appearance, he realized too late that he should have dodged. Sulfur gagged on the stench of burning flesh, shut out the screams of the dying pony, and went in for her own attacks against the Rot.
The sounds of battle were easy enough to find.
It wasn't like this was a bustling town in the dead of night. I saw and tasted the emotions of a few ponies wandering in the night, but by and large the town was mostly empty. Most ponies who were still awake, were conglomerated in the usual spots; taverns, clubs, homes, and so forth. The city wasn't asleep, but outside of the occasional walking thestral or flying one, everyone was indoors.
'One would think that there would be more people outside in a town of this size. Were the citizens warned to stay indoors?'
The sound of yelling, clashing weapons, and screams of pain came from a section of buildings closest to the river. There, larger buildings overlooked an empty marketplace. I landed on the eaves of one such four story building. I peered over the edge and saw a cluster of thestrals chasing after a fleeing smear of black against the grey cobblestones. Some ponies were lagging behind, dripping blood as they followed.
"I found you!"
At my call, the black thing stopped and a head appeared, no longer hidden by its moving cloak. It was a changeling. Or... it was one. Their features were warped, twisted, broken and reformed. It no longer had smooth black chitin, instead its surface was an amalgamation of uneven shards of blackish green fragments. The changeling's teeth were changed into pairs of matching fangs that didn't quite set right. Its eyes....
The changeling resumed its escape from the ponies after fending off a few attacks sent its way.
That was someone who looked up to me. Someone who I was supposed to protect. I didn't know their name. It could have been any of the other changelings I brought here. The changelings I brought here...
I experienced so much pain at the behest of those damned Nightmares. Now, I doomed someone else to such a fate. I had to fix this. By crook or by hook, I would free the changeling and destroy the Nightmare for good.
The lost changeling hissed in pain as three daggers cut through its body, and it zig zagged into a nearby alley.
I pushed off the roof and began to fly towards it when three thestrals in segmented black armor and red cloth appeared from nowhere to surround me, forcing me to halt midair. Now that they were close, I could taste their emotions.
Fury. Red, hot fury. As much flowed in their veins as my own. That was when I noticed that each of them were brandishing weapons, all pointing towards me.
"Out of my way, ponies."
I could only watch as the monster got further and further away.
"You dare speak, Blighted One?!" One thestral yelled at me.
"You dare stand in my way, foolish one? I'm not in the mood to talk, so step aside and let me do my job."
"You will die here, monst-"
"Oh Panar damnit." I cut him off as I facehooved, "You think I'm a Nightmare, don't you? I'm not. See my shiny green armor? Nightmares don't have shiny green armor. Nor, I suppose, the patience to deal with morons, or even the wit to try to avoid fights. Let me pass."
"What are you, then?" Another thestral demanded.
"A King. Let me pass!"
"Do you think we'll believe your words so quickly, strange thing?"
"Err, ma'am?" One thestral asked the other that was speaking.
"What is it, Private?"
"We received a Very Important Pony last night. A VIP whose identity was classified? What if, you know, they weren't actually a pony?"
The thestral who seemed to be in charge blinked in surprise.
"... Come on ponies, reach your epiphanies quicker. The Nightmare is getting away!"
"The Rot will be cleansed by the Elders. If you are the VIP, then you need to be at the castle right now, where it is safest."
"Damn safety, that's one of my subjects that got infected by a Nightmare! I should be the one to put him down! Not you ponies!"
"Sir, please leave it to us," the pony said, apparently deciding to believe that I was the VIP mentioned.
A surge of anger flowed through me.
"Step out of my way, before I rip you to shreds!"
The thestrals all flew back a hoof's length from me before the lead thestral spoke softly.
"Uh... sir? I think you really need to get back to the castle. I think you're in desperate need of help."
"What the hell are you going on about?!"
"Your eyes glowed green for a second, sir. Please sir, I fear the Rot is affecting you."
I sighed, "The... Oh hell. Nothing's ever simple, is it?"
I felt the anger slowly slip away as frustration and confusion replaced the emotion.
"Cleansing at this early stage is a simple process, actually, but you need to go now."
".... And if I was already possessed, and maybe partially cleansed?"
"Oh buck- I mean, you'll be fine. Sir. You're in the best place for care for such things, after all. The Elders will help you out..."
"The Elders...?"
The thestral looked around, "Yes. They are pursuing a breach in the castle's containment... That would be related to you, I would assume. Come with us, sir, we'll get you back to the castle in one piece. And try your best to not get angry at anything, please. You will need to watch your emotions for the time being."
"Because being partially possessed has long term consequences? Great. Just.... Great."
The sounds of battle were distant again. I focused on not grinding my teeth and instead, tried to calm down. It was to little effect. The monster was gone. The Nightmare wouldn't be dying by my hooves. The changeling would die, out of sight of any of our kin, no memory of their death. The grand fight would happen without me to even witness it.
'Just who was it that I let die?'
The thestrals had led me back to the castle and to a small sitting room. It was about half the size of the parlor Luna and I usually used when dreaming, but it was quite cozy. A few chairs, a fireplace, and some paintings of green rolling hills. Shame the color scheme was black and gold. That doesn't quite go well enough together to theme an entire room after it.
"There's a pony that needs aid in the... whatever room I woke up in. She passed out, so make sure she doesn't die."
The thestrals had all stayed, and stood silently near the doors. Though they treated me like a VIP, they didn't know that for sure and were keeping an eye on me. I would have called them morons if they didn't.
"What room would that be, sir?" The leader asked. He stood across from me on the other side of the fireplace. I had dragged a chair over and collapsed into it. I still wore the Adamantium armor. It was tough to get comfortable in it, but if I was even slightly in danger of corruption, I figured that removing it could actually put me in more danger.
"Somewhere with candles, stones, and a spooky atmosphere.... You know, this place is giving me strange vibes."
"Given the situation at hoof, I think I know the chamber you are speaking of, sir. You said you woke up there? And somepony is in trouble there?"
"Yeah, go check up on them. I don't want them to die, as I said. There's also another dead pony in there, a... Elder Bone?"
The thestral had pointed a hoof to one of the other armored ones and was quietly giving them an order when I said the name. Upon hearing it, she gasped.
"Elder Bone?! Private Serenity, go! Private Cherry, go get backup and medical to the ritual chamber, now! And get me an update on Wing, Shade should have news from the infirmary by now!"
The two winged thestrals saluted and then ran out the door.
"You! What is your name, sir?!"
"I am King... King Phasma."
"King Phasma. You said you woke up in the ritual chamber, yes?'
"I guess..."
The anger had left me completely. Not only did the hot rage leave me, but it left me in a state of cold tiredness. Despite my apparent several-day-long nap, I was tired. I was hungry, frustrated, and mentally exhausted.
"-cleansing ritual. That would explain... everything. Not to worry, sir, we'll get this all fixed up."
"Hmm? I must've zoned out. What did you say?"
"I said... I said you'll be fine, sir. From what I can tell, you were either the subject of or adjacent to a cleansing ritual? Do you remember anything?"
"I was fighting Nightmares and got hit."
"Then you were the subject of one. The ritual must've been interrupted, and an Elder was killed.... Harrow's beard! Can this night get any worse?!"
"It always can," I said as I began to melt into the chair.
'Mmm.... chair.'
"Are you feeling okay, sir?"
"Tired. Hungry. Drained. Daring felt this way, too. I think. Maybe."
"Is that the pony's name? The pony that is in the chamber?" I nodded. "Don't worry, sir, we'll get her medical aid as soon as possible. We have the finest medical staff in Vallachia. I'm sure she'll live. Her and... and Wing."
"Cool. I like her idea, though. A nap.... Wake me up when this Nightmare has been taken care of. I will need to speak with my people about this failure of mine. About... lots of stuff."
"The cleansing ritual will need to be finished, sir."
"I think Daring already did that."
"Nopony outside of an Elder can properly finish one. Just relax, sir, and keep an eye on your emotional state."
"I can do that," I muttered as I closed my eyes.
'Tomorrow's problems for tomorrow me. Fuck that guy, I do all the work and he reaps all the benefits.'
I stayed awake for just a bit longer, long enough to sense the thestral's impenetrable anger start to give way to sadness. When she thought I was asleep, she began to sag and stare at the floor. Just as it had left me, the adrenaline fueled anger had left her. But whereas I was exhausted, she was lost to sadness.
"Pony... what happened?"
She jerked up and resumed her soldier's posture.
"What? Nothing, sir."
"... Fine," I gave up.
'Probably not my business.' |
Changing Expectations | 102- Dakshinamurthy | The Nightmare had been across the entire town, until they finally trapped it within a dilapidated home on the outskirts. The old timber frame was rotting away and had begun to lean to the side. The plaster walls had cracked nearly everywhere, and at other places holes let the elements into the interior.
Said interior was filled with rotten furniture, wood splinters, broken glass, and other refuse. The Nightmare was currently fighting off the thestrals in what was once a respectable kitchen. Now, all it prepared for dinner was its own wooden components for the termites that had infested the doomed structure.
Elder Mind twisted a piece of scrap metal that was once part of a sink into a spear. Then, she channeled Essence of Sulking into the metal, causing it to faintly glow blue.
'Let's see you shrug this off, vermin!'
Elder Mind propelled the piece of metal forward, faster than an arrow. The metal impacted the wall next to the cornered shadow's head. The sudden impact stunned the creature and despite the Elder's miss, it created an opening for Elder Sanguine. She swung her double-bladed axe, cleaving off a portion of the amorphous creature. It screeched in pain as the shadows evaporated from the severed portion, revealing an insectoid leg. Its screech continued into a hiss as a sickly green beam exploded from its horn. Elder Bulwark shoved Sanguine to the side and held one of his two shields up, intercepting the beam. Elder Mind could feel the ancient shield's enchantments protests as it redirected the energy away from the shield.
The rays from the beam scattered around the room. Where it hit, the wood and plaster discolored, fractured, then collapsed under its own rotting weight. Elder Mind even saw a beam hit the stone remains of the kitchen's fireplace, and watched for a moment as the stone discolored and weathered away.
When the screaming Nightmare passed in front of the kitchen's broken window, Elder Blood embedded two daggers into its back from her position just outside. It let out a pitiful wail as it staggered and fell to the ground. It thrashed as it fell, rending gouges around it into the soft wood and splintered kitchen counters.
Focusing on ancient spells, Elder Mind entrapped the Nightmare's fleeting essence before it could cast any spells or other Rot trickery. It would not do well to let the hunt go this far, only for the monster to get away, or worse, jump ship and find a new target for possession. But without those mythical Elements of Harmony, there was only one way to remove a Nightmare infestation that had reached this level of corruption and manifestation.
"The time is now!" She yelled to her tiring comrades. "Destroy it while it is weak!"
Elder Blood's remaining daggers smashed into the floor around the Nightmare. Elder Bulwark pressed his two shields against two of the daggers, creating a yellow spark between his front legs. The spark vanished, but the light it made did not. The yellow glow then suddenly exploded in size, creating a ring of light around the Nightmares, above the embedded daggers in the ground.
Waiting a few moments for safety, Elder Mind let go of her efforts to keep the Blighted One trapped and still and instead prepared herself for the banishment ceremony.
"As Two became One, the night's darkness was cast away," She hummed.
"As Dark became Light, the hunters became the prey," Bulwark joined in.
"What was given to us, we pass to you!" Elder Soul muttered through a full mouth.
She flicked her head to the side and drove her glaive through the yellow glowing barrier, stabbing the Nightmare through it. Mind felt the ground vibrate as it screamed, but no noise escaped the amber glow.
"Upon our oaths, we once more renew," Elder Sanguine panted as she shoved her own weapon through the barrier, causing the Nightmare to contort inside and bleed black blood.
All Elders sung the final line together, "As long as one thestral stands, to the last shadow we shall pursue!"
With a thundering boom, the ponies were all thrown back- and in Blood's case, into the neighboring building outside- from the Nightmare. Elder Mind crashed violently into a wooden cabinet. The old furniture collapsed entirely upon her, though there wasn't much left of it to bury her at all.
Mind coughed as dust, rot, and who-knows-what-else filled the room in a hazy cloud. She pushed the debris off of her and slowly got up to her hooves.
"Did we get it?" Somepony said.
"I don't feel it's cursed presence," Mind announced after clearing her lungs as best as she could.
She stumbled forward, pulling herself clear from the remains of the cabinet. She bumped into the kitchen counter and slowly walked forward. The dust was settling when Elder Mind came across the black burn mark that now covered half of the kitchen.
"Hahahaaa! That really gets your blood flowing!" Elder Blood yelled from outside. "I feel like I'm forty years younger!" Her scarred muzzle appeared in the remains of the windowframe, a grin plastered on her face. "I can't believe we missed out on this! Pah, who needs peace and quiet when we be badflanks!"
"Bulwark could have," Sanguine spoke softly from behind them.
Mind turned away from the window and saw Elder Sanguine standing next to Elder Bulwark. The old stallion was leaning back against the far wall of the kitchen and holding a shield in front of his face, but the jagged piece of metal that pierced through the shield and went through his skull drained much of the joy Mind had felt at the fulfillment of their holy duties.
It was the remains of the spear that Mind had stabbed the Nightmare with. In its death throes, the Rot had claimed one more life.
"What a way to go," Elder Soul whispered jealously.
I spat out the remains of bile from my mouth and leaned away from the toilet. My helmet lay on the ground next to me, as well as a glass that now held only ice.
"Sir, scouts have found your missing... subjects," the pony standing guard at the door announced.
"They were missing?" I asked after spitting once more. My voice was a harsh whisper since my throat was so dry it was nearly closed up.
"Yes. They all evacuated right before the, uh, incident occurred."
I wiped the sweat from my forehead with the back of a hoof and stared at the pony. He was not the same one that had brought me to the sitting room, nor was he the thestral that brought the horrible medicine that made me vomit.
'Purging ritual, what a fucking joke. The only thing they purged was yesterday's dinner!'
"And the-" I paused to cough and continued in a quieter voice, "-the changeling that got possessed?"
"No news, sir. The hunt was successful and the Nightmare was banished."
I sighed and leaned my head back against the wall.
"Anything else?"
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty?"
"Why are you still here?"
"After what has happened, the Elders- the ones who still live, that is- have ordered that your protection is paramount. Sir."
"The ones that still live?"
"There were some casualties last night, sir."
"Oh yeah. The Elder that died in the spooky cult chamber."
"Elder Bulwark also died in the line of duty as the Nightmare was being banished. There was also a Corporal who died, Sir."
"All that death for a single minion? That Nightmare didn't even have a name, how could it do so much damage?"
The thestral frowned, "Sir? They have names?"
"The big ones do."
"Uh...."
I picked myself up from the ground, gathered my helmet with a hoof, and pushed past the guard at the bathroom's door.
"Alright," I whispered, "I'm done with this place. Done with Nightmares. Done with death. Where's the way out?"
"Sir, I do not think you should-"
"Do you have any idea what I've been through?" I hissed as I spun on my hooves and got in his face. "I've had the longest damned day of my life, and that's not even including the time I was murdered. I need to find out which of my subjects was killed. I need to get back to the rest of my people. I need to figure out a solution to this whole Nightmare thing, and how they have been hunting my kind to extinction for the past... who knows how many thousands of years! I've been-" I broke off into a painful coughing fit.
The thestral stood there awkwardly, tasting of frustration.
'Don't like being yelled at? Maybe you shouldn't reach above the chain of command!'
"Sir, you need to calm down! The treatment is still working on you, and there are still vestiges of the Rot in your system. It preys on powerful anger, sir!"
I opened my mouth to cuss him out when I tasted amusement from behind me, further down the hall.
"You should listen to the doctor's orders, Your Majesty. Your life was bought with the blood of many. To throw away their sacrifice is to kill them yourself."
I rolled my eyes as I turned to address the pony who was interrupting me. It was another thestral. She was dressed in a fancy outfit that would look alien on anything but a vampire. Black suit, red lining, the whole deal. The only thing she was missing was a pair of fangs- no wait, she had those too.
"Your Majesty, I am Elder Sanguine. You may consider me one of the rulers of this Province. I have been dying to meet with you since your arrival. It is unfortunate that said arrival heralded so much death, but that is the way the Corrupted Darkness does its work."
Taking deep breaths to control my anger and get my emotions back in check, I gave her a blank face.
"Elder Sanguine, I am King Phasma. It is... a pleasure to meet you. I am sorry to hear about the deaths of your ponies, but I am leaving."
"Leaving? I cannot stop you, Your Majesty, but I would so dearly hope you could stay and chat for a bit. Vallachia offers its finest hospitality to you and your troop, as well as dying for your own protection. I will not be so crass as to hold the deaths of our own over your head, but I should hope you realize the extent we have gone to ensure your safety, and would be willing to at least reciprocate our kindness. I have many questions, Your Majesty, and you have many answers."
"... Fine. I am sorry for not being the most understanding individual, but as you overheard, I've not been having a good day myself."
Sanguine nodded, "Quite understandable. One does not escape the clutches of a Nightmare unscathed. Now, if you would follow me, I would like to hold our conversation in a locale more pleasant to the eye."
I followed her as she led the way down the hall she came from. We passed through the lavish halls of the castle, and I noticed a theme in many of the paintings I saw. The portraits of thestrals all seemed rather familiar.
"Alright, I get it, you're vampires," I muttered as I passed the twelfth painting of a thestral in a high necked black suit with red lining, drinking blood from a cup.
"Excuse me, Your Majesty? What did you say?"
"I said your portraits are all rather similar."
"Oh yes, well, Vallachia is rather insulated. With so little contact with the outside world, we had to look inwards for inspiration. Countless generations of struggling to appear normal, with no identity except one that others gave us. After fleeing to this mountain range and calling it our own, we no longer feared retribution and suspicion. As it turns out, the stereotype the daywalkers assigned to us is rather... intoxicating. It is so exotic and inspired that we more or less adopted it."
"So you got so tired of being called vampires that you started dressing and acting like them?"
"Vampires? Do you mean vamponies? If so, then... yes. The idea of how they act, at least."
"That seems kinda weird, don't you think?"
The thestral stopped at a pair of glass double doors that light poured through and pushed them open with her wings. She stepped into the room beyond; an open air garden courtyard. The garden was circular, with a large walkway underneath a roof held by chiseled pillars acting as the far wall. The close half of the garden was made up of the castle itself, with stairs descending along its circumference and ending at the opposite end of the circle. The garden itself was a small collection of short green bushes, purple and red flowers, and small trees on the outside of the path around the garden.
Elder Sanguine made for a pair of chairs situated at the side of the garden and sat down on one of them. At my silence, she gestured to the opposite chair with a wing.
"Please, sit."
I followed her request and sat down on the chair across from her. It was a wicker chair with a red fabric cushion. Sitting in the pleasant shade of a large-ish tree, the spot was very comfortable. All in all, it was not what I expected.
"I was thinking you were going to bring me to some dark catacomb to speak..."
Sanguine laughed, "You'll find that we are normal ponies, King Phasma. Not bats who sulk in the dark and consort with entombed corpses."
"You don't exactly work hard to make that difference known."
She smiled, "That is a fair observation. We simply don't care about what outsiders think of us. Now, before I begin asking about you, I believe there was a pegasus who was very interested in learning about you too?"
"That would be Daring Do."
"Yes, that's the one. Would you like for me to send for her?"
I sat back in the chair and admired the greenery around us.
"Yeah. Given her line of work, I think I might be running into her more than once. Best get this out of the way and her out of my way. She'll never stop asking annoying questions otherwise."
The pony tapped an arm of her chair twice and another thestral silently swooped down from an unseen vantage point, landing next to her.
"Your command, Elder?"
"Fetch the pony."
"At once," the armored mare saluted before flying off.
"... So, if you Elders rule this place, then two rulers died last night?"
"That's right," she answered, "An unparalleled tragedy. So much wisdom and leadership lost..."
"I am sorry to hear that."
"Every cloud has its silver lining. To die in such a glorious fashion is quite honestly the best way to die for us. Giving your life in the greatest hunt of a generation is something that all of us who still live are just a bit jealous of. Elders Bulwark and Bone will be missed dearly, but their deeds will be sung about for years to come."
"Did they have, I suppose you would call them, apprentices?"
"Yes. Unfortunately, Bulwark outlived all five of his own. His teachings are written down, and his apprentices' apprentices yet live, so his school of fighting may continue. Elder Bone had two of her own. Quiet Cross is likely to be her successor of the two. Though that remains to be proven. To take the mantle of Elder Bone is not an easy feat, and at times the title has gone without a holder due to a lack of candidates skilled enough to earn it."
"Your name is a title?"
"Not all Elders. Just the four Aspects: Bone, Blood, Soul, and Mind. They abscond their true names and identities to become the most important and wisest of us all."
"That's... quite something."
"Quite something indeed. Here comes your pony," she lifted a hoof and pointed towards the doors we had come from.
Daring Do immediately began strutting towards us, stopping right in front of me.
She pointed a wing at me, "You!"
"Me."
"You! I've got a lot of questions for you!"
"Okay."
"I... You're going to answer them?"
"Sure."
"Not going to argue? Put it off for later? Monologue?"
"Oh just shut up and pull up a damned chair. I think we all have questions for each other, and while I wait for my minions to return, I've got nothing better to do than to answer and ask them."
A thestral without clothing- 'A servant no doubt,'- pulled up a third chair for Daring Do, who took it without taking her eyes off of me.
"Daring Do has been waiting the longest to ask her questions, Elder Sanguine, so I think she should start. She's been brewing the longest."
"Very well. You may ask your questions, Daring Do. I will be patient."
Daring settled into her chair, and her wings settled onto her back.
"Yes. I... uh... yes. I've been waiting to ask you about a lot of things, King Phasma!"
I nodded, "I figured."
"... I never really expected to get this far. First, what business do you have with these thestrals' Night Mistress?"
"Night Mistress?" I asked.
"Princess Luna," Sanguine offered.
"Ah, her. Luna and I.... We first met while she was still Nightmare Moon. She wanted me to help dethrone Princess Celestia at the time. I accepted her offer, and marched on Canterlot. Turns out that Nightmare Moon is all bark and no bite, as her promised army was nowhere to be seen."
I directed a stare at Sanguine.
"Interesting," she murmured. "I was not aware that the Night Mistress brokered other allies. As for our absence, we- we would never serve a monster as cruel as Nightmare Moon."
"Answer truthfully, Elder Sanguine," I told her.
Daring was silent, merely looking between us as we talked.
"... Very well. We received Nightmare Moon's message too late, and failed to aid her. Harmony must have intervened directly, as having Princess Luna back is a blessing we did not think possible. So we do what she asks of us without question, to make up for the shame of both working for Nightmare Moon and failing to help Nightmare Moon."
I nodded, "Which brings it back to me. After meeting Luna in person in Canterlot, I was not impressed with my promised ally. I... more or less left her for dead, and moved on with conquering Equestria. Then came my plot to kill my mother, Queen Chrysalis. That... didn't work."
"You tried to kill the Queen?" Daring asked.
"Yes. Didn't work. I nearly died, and only got away thanks to a last second teleport spell. That left behind my destroyed peytral, and created the assumption of my death."
"Why did you rebel?"
"Well Daring, it's quite simple. I like living. However, there are fates worse than death."
Sanguine nodded, "Fates worse than most realize."
"Yeah. I came quite close on several occasions. Queen Chrysalis was not planning on letting me live peacefully after taking down Equestria. She was going to lobotomize me. So I moved against her in advance. Only, I was betrayed. My betrayal against a future betrayal was betrayed... It makes sense in context."
I noticed that Daring was writing all of this down, "And Princess Luna?"
"She saved my life. After I teleported away, a Nightmare attacked me. It... It was bad. I... I nearly became something just like the Prophet. Or, as you both are aware, something like Nightmare Moon or Daybreaker. A possessed being of unfathomable power and potential for evil. But Luna saved me. After I broke her and left her for dead, she saved me. Since then I have... We have talked a lot. I don't know what she sees in me, but she refuses to let me die. So we have joined forces against both Queen Chrysalis and Princess Daybreaker."
"Against Princess Daybreaker?"
"A Nightmare possessed Princess Celestia."
Daring blinked. She stared at me as I tasted fear slowly filling every inch of her being.
"No. That's... No. No! No!"
"Unfortunately yes," Sanguine sighed, answering for me. "The Night Mistress is working hard to get her sister back, with our aid. It seems that the Rot is making a great return to the world."
Daring shook her head, "No. I was there! I saw what a Nightmare does! That's' not what Princess C- Daybreaker does! She's not evil!"
I shook my head in turn, "It's the truth, Daring. Daybreaker is a possessed Celestia. Luna, Cadence, and I are working to free her from the monster that holds her captive. She may be slow to show her real self, but that is not Princess Celestia."
"So all that talk about Division-P and Princess Cadence is true?"
"That's right. Now that you've seen just what a Nightmare is capable of, you understand why Luna and Cadence are willing to work with me. The lesser of two evils, I suppose. Though Luna doesn't see me as evil, just... I dunno, something sappy like someone in need of a friend. Or rather, somepony. Eugh."
"So you and the Night Mistress are close allies," Sanguine summarized.
"Actually, we're more than that. I've only known her for a few months, yet now I can't really imagine what life would be like without her."
"Wait," Daring gasped. "You're not saying..."
"I am. We're dating."
Daring froze, no longer writing notes down in that journal of hers.
"The Night Mistress has a courtier?!" Sanguine exclaimed out loud.
"She chased after me. First it was Nightmare Moon who wanted to secure... uh, myself, for a political marriage. Then it was Luna who saw herself in me and my struggles. And she has strange tastes in what she considers handsome. Thousands of years of life will do that to you. You either become completely asexual or you open your tastes up to every sapient. That's my guess, at least."
"What wonderful news!" Sanguine clapped her hooves in excitement, "Oh, by the stars! Our Mistress deserves the happiness and companionship a courtship offers!"
"Hmm, I might have broken Daring," I pointed out as I waved a hoof in her face.
She didn't blink. Instead, Daring fainted, slumping into her chair.
"... So, what questions did you have for me, Elder Sanguine?" |
Changing Expectations | 103- Hermes | Elder Sanguine sighed, "Daring Do already covered the most interesting topic, namely yourself... Where were you when you came into contact with this Nightmare?"
I chuckled, "In a city that no longer exists. One filled to the brim with Nightmares."
"I... I am not sure how to react to that," Sanguine said.
"With fear?"
"That's a good reaction. How? Where? Why? How?!"
"It was a changeling city. The Nightmares, they are an old enemies of ours apparently. Brought the entire civilization to its end. It was our only city at the time... Further, it seems that the previous two civilizations could have been ended by these Nightmares."
"How long ago did this happen?"
"Little over two thousands years ago."
She blinked, "You have been fighting the Rot longer than even us?"
"Potentially much, much longer."
"By the moon. Just how much devastation have they brought upon this world?"
"Quite a bit. They're not even done yet."
Sanguine stared at me, "What do you mean?"
"I mean that the monster that was unleashed upon Vallachia was just a grunt. A minion. A nobody. The real big bads have names. I had to detonate a star to bury one."
"... Buck."
I prodded Daring. She grunted in response and slowly began to wake up.
"Buck is right, Elder Sanguine. I know of... five or so named Nightmares. Nightmare Moon's, Daybreaker's, and then three more: Sloth, Gluttony, and Epitaph. This Epitaph fellow seems to be the Nightmare's king, though a more apt description would probably be warlord. Might makes right in their society, and betrayal amongst their own kind is expected. Sloth tried to possess me in the same fashion that Princesses Luna and Celestia were and are, and Gluttony possessed an ancient changeling king. He's the one I blew up. I don't think it survived that, but the Nightmare part of it probably did, at the very least."
"This is most troubling," Sanguine stammered, "most troubling! We have no records of the Nightmares possessing names outside of the ones we assigned to them after each hunt! You say these named ones are the powerful generals that have possessed the alicorns?"
"And more, yes."
Sanguine gave a half bow from her seated position, "Thank you for this information, King Phasma, this is of the utmost importance-"
"Their king, this Epitaph? He's apparently sealed away, but not for much longer. The Nightmares are freeing him. Or have freed him. Or will. They weren't exactly clear."
"... I see. I will inform the rest of this, too. Do you have any... good news?"
I shrugged, "Aside from the fact that Gluttony is either dead or dispelled or whatever? No? I don't think so."
"This is a most dire development. To think that those corrupted spawn have monsters of their own that can match an alicorn in power, let alone possess them... It would explain much. It was previously thought that anypony could be ensnared and feasted upon by these monsters, alicorns included. A hierarchy and difference in power would explain why the Nightmares do not all go for the alicorns, instead of going for us lowly thestrals. Or, other ponies, I suppose."
"Hmm? Whaa? What did I miss?" Daring mumbled.
She rubbed her face and then stretched, giving out a big yawn.
"What was... talking?"
I rolled my eyes, "Welcome back to the waking world, Daring Do."
"Pri- King Phasma! I had the strangest dream. I dreamt that you said that-"
"No, that wasn't a dream."
Sanguine chuckled as Daring became extremely confused.
"No, it had to. You said that Princess Celestia was evil, and that Princess Luna was with you. Like, with you with you. You know, like, likes you."
"You're confusing me, Daring."
"See!" She yelled.
"... You were saying, Sanguine?"
"I had finished my question," She answered. "It is only fair that you ask one in turn."
"Yeah alright- where the hell are my people?"
"They had fled the city. I sent for them to be retrieved, as you wished."
"Why did they flee?"
"One of them sensed the cleansing ritual was going to fail. He attempted to evacuate the others. By attempted to, I mean he fled and left the safety of the others to us."
I facehooved, "Who?"
"His name is Aorta."
"Aorta? Really? I expected better from him. Oh well, progress is progress. Many changelings are still extremely self-centered, but that is changing over time."
"That is unfortunate to hear. Not to change the topic at hoof, but about the Nightmares...?"
"Yes?"
"Is there any more information you can give us? This seems to be much bigger than anypony realizes."
"You're right in that regard. No pony realizes just how big of a problem the Nightmares will become. I can teach you guys a spell- and point out its most important part- that was quite effective against the Nightmares. Long lost ancient lore and all that."
"That sounds like it could have useful applications. Sadly, we have only a hooffull of ponies capable of casting magic. But those that can are quite capable of enchanting, so any magical countermeasure could still be of use."
"That's good to hear. I'll be sure to write it down and pass it along. Do you know who died? Which changeling, I mean?"
"No. I'm afraid the identities of your changelings beyond the one introduced to me are a mystery."
"Suppose I'll find out when they arrive, then."
"I have a question," Daring said with her notebook at the ready.
"Go ahead," I shrugged.
"Why are you a king? Last I checked, you were a prince."
"Oh that. As part of the whole rebelling against my mother thing, the survivors declared their own hive. Think of each hive like a kingdom, and the race as a whole as an... empire. They declared me to be their king, and that I was the true champion of the hive eternal- emperor of the changeling race. Now, we have myself as King of the Fifth Hive, Champion of the Hive Eternal, and we have Queen Chrysalis of the Fourth Hive, Champion of the Hive Eternal. At least, I'm pretty sure she's considered the Champion of the Hive Eternal."
"That's going to end in blood," Daring pointed out.
"Not my blood. I've bled enough. Now I've got friends who can bleed for me, and with me if need be."
"Friends? Like who?"
"My Hive, Luna, and.... Well that might be it."
"I do not think Vallachia can come to your aid in this civil war," Sanguine announced, "But in this eon-long war against the Nightmares, you have our blades."
"That's the important war," I sighed.
"I can't exactly write this into my series," Daring muttered.
"What? What series?" I asked.
"Hmm? Oh, I... do some writing on the side. Most of my income in fact comes from writing about my adventures. I see no harm in telling you two because I think you're both too preoccupied to try to track down my public persona. Not to mention the fact that you're both not villains. Somehow. Still coming to terms with that if I'm being honest."
"We're all the heroes of our own story, Daring Do."
"Oh that's good, I'm writing that down. Mind if I change your dialogue around? That's a great ender for a villainous monologue."
"As long as you don't explicitly make changelings the villains. In fact, I would prefer it if you depicted us as... at the very least neutral. The more benevolent, the better."
"Thanks! Don't expect royalties for this, though."
"That's acceptable," I began to say until I got a bright idea, "but I do want a cut from merchandising."
Daring shrugged, "I can do that. Only for the books in which you appear, however."
"Deal."
"Not the conversation I imagined I would have hosted," Sanguine interrupted, "but I am glad that we are all allies here. Thank you for the information and warning, King Phasma. Vallachia will begin preparing for this war against the Nightmares."
"I'm going to need to tell Division-P about this. All this talk of Nightmares and war is far above my paygrade, and though I don't exactly have a choice in working for them, I do understand that the Crown needs to know about this."
I frowned, "Daring, that's not acceptable. Telling them would require you to divulge information about my survival."
"I can leave details out, make up others-"
"No. Lying to an organization like that not only could easily fail, but it could even jeopardize your own life. Just... Damn it, you were at the Third, there's no way you won't get interrogated about this all." Daring nodded. "Just... Tell them the truth, I guess. Try to leave out who King Orobouros is as long as you can. I'll warn Princess Cadence that she needs to censor your report and debriefing."
"She can do that?"
"I sure hope so. If not... it's on my head. I'm the one who went loud, and if my survival is revealed, then it's a damn good thing that the Fourth Hive is completely surrounded by the Equestrian Royal Guard. Survivors might even flock to the Fifth upon hearing the news."
"Mind if I ask you some questions about the invasion of Canterlot?" Elder Sanguine asked me with a smile. "News travels slowly over the mountains, and we are rather behind on specifics."
"I would also appreciate hearing about it from your point of view," Daring said. "Every story has two sides to it. If Princess Daybreaker is what you say she is, then there's surely no small amount of misinformation about your role in the war."
"Maybe not," I began.
I answered questions about me that they both asked, as well as asking a few of my own. I learned about what exactly happened after I passed out, and the specifics behind getting to Trotsylvania.
Sanguine was enthusiastic to learn about myself and the changelings in general, probably due in equal parts to my involvement in killing Nightmares and my involvement with Luna. Daring was less enthusiastic; she was probably still stewing over everything that was revealed and deciding whether or not she believed it all.
I made a mental note to talk with Princess Cadence as soon as possible. I would need to suppress Daring's report as soon as possible.
'It's getting riskier and riskier having her around, but it's far too late to do anything else but keep doubling down.'
The two ponies were enthusiastic about learning about changeling transformative abilities. However, since I was pretty much out of energy, I didn't want to be expending what little I had on transformations. So they had to settle with just descriptions of the process, which I happily supplied them with.
I also tried to buy armor for my changelings from the thestrals. Elder Sanguine had to excuse herself for a moment to speak momentarily with the castle's armorer to get an estimate for prices. She came back with the figures written down on a piece of paper, and hooved it over to me before retaking her seat.
I looked the number over. It was large. Very large. I had never handled that much money as a human, but with the financial backing of the Fifth Hive, it was absolutely within the realm of possibilities.
"One million bits," I whistled. "That's quite the sum of money. As much as I want to put every spare bit we get into growing the business more, I think we can spare this much.... Over time. Does a few months sound good?"
"That should suffice. We would require a sizable upfront payment as proof of your potential to pay it back, but we are happy to arm our allies. If you get caught, however, that armor did not come from Vallachia."
"Of course, of course. One million.... That's quite a lot for a hundred sets of armor."
"A hundred?" Sanguine asked in disbelief. "You are mistaken. That's the price for ten sets."
I blinked. Then, I slowly folded the piece of paper up and levitated it back over to Sanguine.
"Thank you for the offer, Elder, but, uhhh... Let's keep that on the table for now."
As our conversation was wrapping up, a thestral in the dull metal armor swooped down and landed next to the relaxing Elder. The guard bent low and whispered into Sanguine's ear. She nodded once, and the newcomer took off almost completely silently. As I concentrated on listening for his takeoff, I heard a distant hum.
"Did your soldiers call for backup, King Phasma?"
"How should I know? I imagine they would have sent a messenger, why?"
"Because there's an airship approaching the city."
'The distant hum.'
"Next time I see them, I'll ask them, shall I?"
"You can't ask them through your hivemind thingy?" Daring asked.
"No. Now I suggest you prepare for the worst and hope for the best."
Sanguine scowled, "What would be the worst?"
"E.U.P., Division-P, the tax collectors. You know, the Equestrians?"
"What could they do to Vallachia? We're a peaceful sovereign nation.... For now, at the very least. We have made no secrets of our eagerness to rejoin Princess Luna's kingdom."
"Not much. But, you're working with Luna to get rid of Daybreaker, right?"
"Cleanse Daybreaker."
"Yeah, that. The last thing you want is their eyes on you before you can make your move."
"That would make things uncomfortable. Yes, I see the point you're making. Let's put on a nice face for these ponies, gentlemares."
"I'll stay here," Daring declared, "They might be looking for me. Hiding would look very bad."
I disguised myself as Expected Value, the blue unicorn, and began to make my way into the castle when Sanguine called out to me.
"King Phasma?"
"Yes?"
"Stay close by, if you'd please. The best and worst case scenarios would require a quick response from you."
"I'll stand by the doors."
I did just that. Standing next to the glass bay doors, I watched the airship approach. It started as a distant dot, growing in size as it approached. The hum grew into a buzz as it did so.
It was a small, squashed thing, that airship. The airships that had been docked at Canterlot during the invasion, and the few I had seen flying overhead in the metropolis of Manehattan had varied in size, yes, but by far the majority were gargantuan freight haulers. They were galleons of huge proportions, lifted from their places in water and hung from a balloon that was as large as the wooden boat itself was, usually bigger. This airship was more akin to a double deck schooner than those behemoths that ruled the sky. It was no wonder that the thestrals had fought to keep up with it; the sleek white ship was built for speed first and foremost, with cargo space being an afterthought.
When the airship finally arrived above the city, I could see thestral patrols flying around the ship. It was only once the airship had begun to slow down that the thestrals could finally maneuver around the ship.
'Oh right, the default reaction for the thestrals would be to panic and swarm the strange outsiders, not act like everything is normal and be calm. This reaction is their normal reaction.'
The airship turned to the side as it slowed above Trotsylvania, revealing the words Clear Skies painted on its flank, with two stylized clouds flanking the name. As the ship drifted, I saw the blurs of pegasi launching themselves from the top deck of the airship. They swooped down low and fast, coming straight for the castle. The thestrals moved to intercept, but the pegasi swiftly outmaneuvered them and leveraged their sheer speed to propel themselves past any attempts to stop them. The airship finished its drift and halted in place above the city.
The pegasi, twelve of them, hurled themselves towards the open air garden in a V-formation. At the very last possible second, they tilted their wings back and halted themselves above the garden. I could see no armor on any of them, but each one was coiled up and ready to spring into a fight.
I couldn't taste any emotion from them, either.
Elder Sanguine had risen from her chair and was suddenly flanked by two armored guards, with more thestrals with armor and weapons materializing into the courtyard silently. Landing from the sky, slinking in through side entrances, or otherwise seemingly appearing out of thin air, the garden went from being empty to having around thirty souls in it within ten seconds flat.
"Identify yourself!" Elder Sanguine barked.
Two of the pegasi leaned in to talk to each other. One pointed a hoof at the main doors to the garden. At me. I was barely visible from my spot to the side of the doors, but they knew where I was immediately.
'Reinforcements have arrived.'
I stepped out from beside the door and dramatically pushed them open. I strutted out into the courtyard, keeping my eyes on the changelings. When I emerged from the building, the changelings all landed on the ground in front of me. Several thestrals moved to interpose themselves between me and the fake-pegasi, but I brushed past them.
The disguised changeling at the front looked me over. I smiled as I recognized his presence in my Weave, despite his disguise.
"Sir?! Are you well?"
"I will live," I briskly responded.
"You've got some nerve dropping into Vallachia like that!" Elder Sanguine yelled as she came over to us.
"Introduce yourselves. They know who I am and who we are, so speak honestly," I ordered over the weave.
The lead pegasi nodded to me before turning to address the thestral who stepped up to us.
"Hello, pony. I am Captain Katydid. I am here to ensure the safety of King Phasmatodea."
Elder Sanguine huffed but got her anger and frustration into control with the quick expertise of a diplomat and leader.
"There are proper procedures to follow, you know."
"I had guessed as much, yes. However, there are calls to service higher than protocol," the changeling responded.
I interrupted, "Before we continue this, did you bring any ponies with you?"
Katydid nodded, "The Captain of the airship. None of us know how to fly yet. We told him we needed to pick up somepony very important, very quickly."
"Then we'll have to keep our disguises on..." I muttered. Then, I smiled and embraced Katydid. He was shocked and only hesitantly returned the embrace after a few moments. "It's good to see you again, Katydid. I didn't think it would be anytime soon."
"You have no idea how glad I am to see that you're alive, My King. King... You've been busy, haven't you?"
I ended the hug and nodded, "Always have been. Elder Sanguine, this is Katydid. He trained me how to fight back in the Fourth Hive. Last I checked, he was a Colonel in the Fifth Legion. What happened Katydid? Las Pegasus was too boring for you?"
"My brigade was one of a few that were pulled away to help the retreating Swarm Group Center, Your Majesty. During our operations against the E.U.P., our brigade was cut off from the retreat, and we had a bad ambush that turned into a complete rout. Many died, a few were captured, and those of us who escaped hid around here, actually. Not this far out west, though. We keep in touch, as contingency orders, and suddenly word filters back of a certain changeling Prince not being dead. We make contact, get brought all the way over to the Big Apple, and wouldn't you know it, the certain dead Prince who wasn't actually dead set up a kingdom within Equestria."
"You introduced yourself as Captain?"
"You needed someling to train the others. Thorax recognized me and voluntold me for the position. I am happy to be of service, Your Majesty."
I laughed, "I'm glad you're here, Captain Katydid."
"Yes well not to interrupt your reunion," Elder Sanguine interrupted our reunion, "but you have parked your airship in restricted airspace. If you would kindly dock it in the proper location immediately, I won't bury you in fines or ground your ship. I understand your expedience, but now that it is assuaged, move your ship. Do you have any idea how loud it is to our sensitive ears?!"
Katydid looked to me for orders.
"Do it. I'll be aboard shortly."
Katydid nodded to one of the disguised changelings at his side, who saluted and then flew up to the airship.
"Hey Captain Katydid, did you pick up the survivors from outside the city? Apparently the changelings all fled when shit hit the fan here..."
"I did, Your Majesty. We only approached because a scout reported that everything seemed normal. We sent her after Aorta was debriefed on what happened. He, and everyone else, are waiting on board the ship, Your Majesty."
"Fantastic. Did he say who died?"
"Died, sir?"
"... I have a lot I need to tell the Hive. Our species has been at war for survival longer than this pitched-war with the ponies, Katydid. And we have been losing." |
Changing Expectations | 104- Scylla and Charybdis | "You're leaving?" Daring asked, setting her notebook down.
"I am. I have business to attend. There is much work to be done between now and the end of the war between our kinds, if you can call it that."
Daring looked me over, opening up her book and writing a few lines down as she did. That was quite the skill, writing so much without looking at her notebook once. I was able to do that with a keyboard, but writing with a pencil? That's a horse- pony of a different color.
"This won't be the last time we talk," I told her.
"No? Are you planning on delving into more ancient ruins?"
"Potentially. Mostly it's the fact that I might need you as a character witness should I be put on trial by Equestria."
"Ha! Is that all I am to you, a character witness?"
"No. You're also an annoyance. A future source of income, as well."
"I can't imagine you would willingly be put on trial by the Equestrian Crown, King Phasma."
"We don't get everything we want. We all need to be prepared to compromise in life; I may need to trade immunity for something like residing within Equestria's borders. I doubt the Princesses would be happy with me and my changelings running around, breaking laws with impunity."
Elder Sanguine nodded, but continued to silently watch our goodbye.
"Oof, I'm glad I'm no politician. That level of forward thinking is beyond me. I'll stand up for you in front of everypony else on one condition, though."
"I saved your life, Daring."
"And I saved yours, we're even on that. I have some colleagues who will be captivated, completely captivated, by the chance to learn about another sapient species, especially one as enigmatic and reclusive as the changelings. You're like a foalhood tale come to life, you know? They would really appreciate it if you gave them a chance to do their work, or whatever. What? Don't look at me for specifics, I study how old bricks are in the dirt. Point is, I have wracked up a few owed favors to a number of friends over the years as a spelunker, and directing you to them is a great way of wiping away the debt, not to mention the advancement of sciences that would come from it."
I nodded slowly, "I can do that. I imagine that kind of cooperation would basically be a requirement between our species eventually. Give me a way of contacting you, and I'll see what I can do once the war is over."
Daring wrote something down on a new piece of paper and tore it out of her journal, hoofing it to me. I took it and looked it over. It was a PO box for an address in Hooferville, Equestria.
"This will do," I said. I turned to Elder Sanguine and spoke to her, "Thank you for hosting us, Elder Sanguine. I will not forget the effort and loss your people have gone through to help us."
"I would say think nothing of it, King Phasma, but I require a promise as payment. Two, actually. One, I want you to promise to bring us with you when you root out the Nightmares from this world. We have been training for this all our lives, I think. Two, keep the Night Mistress content. She is not as strong as the mask she puts on, and as her consort, we will be keeping an eye on you. Her Highness deserves more than anypony can give her, but the best we can do is try our best. I am certain your company has already aided her greatly, if her haste to inform us of your arrival says anything about her feelings for you."
'I can't imagine what a thousand years of isolation would do to someone. I would most certainly go insane. Luna... Throw in the fact that her sister is suffering a similar fate, and the sooner I get with her in person, the better. For the both of us. I already can't wait until tonight to speak with her again, but now that I think about it, didn't the Nightmare say...?'
"That was the Nightmare speaking to you. Princess Luna was not aware of my predicament."
Sanguine was taken aback, "That's not good. Our seers were deceived?"
"Yes, they were. I'll tell Luna you have been dying for some secret dream messages, though. Just be careful in the future to not take orders from Nightmares."
"We shall confer with the Mistress on that matter, and seek out her wisdom. Thank you for the warning and awareness, distant King. Our paths will cross again in the future; until then, may the moon guide you."
"Changelings don't have any special sayings like that, so I'll just say don't die."
"An admirable goal for all to follow," Sanguine smirked.
"Are you ready to depart, My King?" Captain Katydid asked.
"I am. 'Till we meet again, Elder Sanguine. You too, Daring Do."
"Seeya, chump," Daring waved.
I rolled my eyes and opened a bottle of love energy that one of Katydid's privates had fetched for me. I tilted the bottle up and downed the semi-liquid concoction. The diluted ration was improved greatly now that we had more than just water to add to it.
'Thank Panar for this shit. So damned good... Mmm.... What was I doing?'
"Your Majesty, we're leaving," Katydid reminded me after a few moments of awkward silence.
"Ah! That's what was going on. Thank you, Katydid. We'll talk more once we're on the ship."
Quickly before I forgot, I borrowed Daring Do's journal and pencil, jotted down the written form of the spell I had used to fight Nightmares, and circled the portion I used in the dragon fire.
With that done, I channeled energy into the Thread of Change, changed my disguise to Al-Capony the pegasus, and took off from the ground. The ponies covered their faces from the upturn of dust and wind as the rest of the changelings and I took off and headed up towards the Clear Skies. Captain Katydid slowly maneuvered around to fly in front of me, in order to guide me to the planned landing spot on the ship's upper and exposed deck.
We set down and immediately several changelings nearly swarmed me.
"Sir! Are you okay?!" One yelled in my face.
"What happened, sir?!"
"Who were those ponies?"
"What's a Nightmare?"
"Alright, alright!" I yelled. "Give me some space. I'm fine. I need to speak with Aorta. Where is he?"
A changeling pushed to the front of the gathering, "Right here, sir."
"Come with me. Captain Katydid, lead the way to a private room where we can talk."
Katydid countered, "Actually sir, it's customary to meet with the Captain of the ship once you come aboard..."
"Customs can wait. Someone's dead and I need to know who. You may tell the Captain that I will dine with him or her tonight, but right now I have business to attend to."
"As you order, sir," Katydid bowed his head.
Katydid led the way past the gathered changelings and to a pair of doors at the back of the ship, beneath the raised part where the helm was. He opened the doors and we walked down a dimly lit corridor, taking a staircase down to the lower level. We walked around the center of the ship, which was open on both decks and taken up by crates of cargo below. At the far end of the ship, Katydid opened a door at the end of the hallway. Beyond, a small room with a desk and cot took up the curved front of the ship.
"This is your room for the trip," Katydid announced and shut the door behind us three, "My King."
"It will do," I said as I walked around and took a seat behind the small desk. The other two changelings sat down in chairs across from me after I motioned for them to do so.
"Aorta. Brief me on exactly what happened. The thestrals said they didn't even have a body to give to us, so I need to know who died, why they were in the ritual chamber, and why you left without trying to evacuate the others."
Aorta to his credit looked ashamed at the mention of his flight.
"You have to understand Your Majesty, it was important to get out as soon as possible!"
"Why?"
Aorta swallowed, "My King, the Nightmare was spreading its infection through your Weave. Any changeling within it was at risk! That was how I knew the ritual would fail. I warned the ponies when I figured that out, and I told them to evacuate the other changelings. But I didn't stay to oversee the evacuation myself, it was too dangerous. The longer anyone stayed, the more danger they were in. If we all got corrupted, there would have been no survivors..."
I sighed and rubbed my face with a hoof.
'He's got a point. If everyone died, there's no telling just what information could have been lost. The reinforcements could have come in guns blazing for all we know.'
"Who was it that died, and how did they get infected?"
"That was Web, sir. I... I ordered him to stay with you, sir. I told him he would be relieved, but everything went wrong before I could arrange a replacement. He was in the chamber when it was sealed, but his presence made the seal imperfect. I was too focused with your safety to consider anyling's presence near you to be a danger, Your Majesty."
'That lines up with Elder Sanguine's story. So Aorta ordered someone to stay with me, and when things started to go bad, Aorta jumped ship without even trying to warn the others. That's not acceptable. Damn it Aorta, you were doing well up till now!'
"Web," I murmured.
'Not the sharpest tool in the shed, but one of the most dependable. No doubt he followed Aorta's orders to the letter. Even when things started getting dicey, I'm sure he just stuck his head in the sand and stood by my side. And now he's dead. No one even tried to save him. No one fucking tried.'
I sighed once more, collected my thoughts, and prepared my words.
"I don't expect anyone to dive head-first into a dying city, in defiance of all logic. I don't expect anyone to be a miracle worker, everyone makes mistakes sometimes. But I do expect the changelings under my rule to follow orders when appropriate, and to watch the backs of your comrades. Your dereliction of duty put the rest of the team in danger. It got Web killed. However, I understand that circumstances demanded risk and priority of focus. Web's death was a horrible outcome, and one that might only be predicted in hindsight. On that charge, your actions are excusable.
"However, you left the rest of your team. There is no conceivable notion that they were in any more danger than you at that moment, and your carelessness could have delayed their evacuation long enough to doom them. Aorta, I find you innocent on the account of Web's death. On the account of dereliction of duty, I have no choice but to find you guilty. In the Fourth Hive, the punishment for dereliction would be severe, as you no doubt know."
Aorta stiffened. Katydid was almost equally stiffened, and was no doubt wondering if he should even be here.
"This is not the Fourth Hive. I am not Queen Chrysalis. You will not be receiving forty lashes. Instead, I burden you with the Mark of Repentance. You will never hold a leadership position, nor a position of comfort. When you leave this room, you will immediately seek out the other seven from the expedition who still live. You will tell each one what you did. You will apologize, and seek their forgiveness. Until all seven forgive you, you will be marked. Should one die, be it in the line of duty or through natural causes, before they forgive you, then you will live the rest of your days marked. When we arrive at Manehattan, you will arrange to have the Mark crafted yourself. You will display it on your person at all times. It will not be a branding as tradition of the Hives dictates, but it is a Mark nonetheless. You are dismissed."
Aorta rose from his chair slowly, bowed to me, and backed up out of the small room, never rising from his bow. When he bumped into the closed door, he reached out with his telekinesis, opened it, and closed it behind him after he left.
I did not tell him the consequences of failing to follow my orders. There simply was no need. He wouldn't break them, not before exhausting all options beforehand. And if he did, he would come to me willingly and explain his second failure.
'I hope he appreciates my leniency. The Fifth Hive has little room for such painful physical punishments. We have no jail, so we must do something else. A melding of the old with something new, just like the Fifth in its entirety.'
"That was kind of you, My King," Katydid broke the silence.
"I imagine so."
"Your mother would have issued a harsher punishment, to make no mention of the verdict."
"She would have blamed him for Web's death and given him forty, you mean. I know. The punishment of drones was one lesson she made sure I knew damn well."
"Yes, My King.... Was it necessary for me to be here for that?"
"No, Captain Katydid- that's wonderful alliteration. Your presence here didn't matter for that. All of the Fifth will know what happened eventually. I wanted to talk to you. Last we spoke, you were to be an officer on a distant front of the war. You had no knowledge of what was to happen in Canterlot."
"So it was planned."
I drummed a hoof on the desk, "Of sorts."
Katydid was silent for a moment, ".... Why?"
"She was planning to have me mutilated and imprisoned forever. I was a threat to her, and that was that. So I moved against her. I didn't include you in the plans because you were too loyal to her."
"I do my duty, My King. It's not my place to decide who's in the right or in the wrong. If she was going to hurt you, then... what am I to say about that? Do about that? If I stay out of the way, I will have committed treason against the victor. If I interfere, I will have committed treason against whomever was in the right, as well as the reigning Queen."
"A Catch-22," I agreed.
"My King?"
"Damned if you do, damned if you don't."
"Ah, yes, My King." He looked around the cramped cabin room, "Um... I am not sure if I should thank you for leaving me out of this. Frankly, I'm not sure how I feel about this at all. When Praetorian Thorax told me about what happened, I... I was simply glad that you were alive, Your Majesty."
"I had guessed that this was beyond your station, Katydid. You're here now, though. You're under my command. That means that in the future, there will be conflict between me and Chrysalis, and you need to know where you stand."
"Sir?"
"I need you behind me, Captain. If you are going to be the Captain of the Red Right Hoof, then you need to be loyal to me, not Queen Chrysalis."
"What are you going to do, My King?"
"I'm going to kill her."
Katydid was stunned, "S-Sir? She's your mother! You would kill her despite that?"
"You should have seen what she did to her sons and daughters, Katydid. The sight sticks with you like a worm. The image never leaves your head..." I took a deep breath. Slowly, I let it out. "She's a monster, Katydid. There's no trusting her. Not after all the things she's done. Talk with Coxa, he knows what she did. He can tell it to you best. Just make a decision soon. I approve of your appointment to the position of Captain. We could really use someone like you. If you're not up to the job, then let Coxa or me know."
"Okay, King Phasma. I'll do that."
I smiled, "Thank you for your time, Katydid. Again, it's nice to see you."
"You too, My King. Oh, one last thing before I go. The Praetorian that was your shadow, Oestridae I believe. I haven't seen him. Is he around somewhere?"
I gently scraped the desk with a booted hoof.
"... No."
"Oh. I'm sorry, My King. I didn't know."
I waved at him with a hoof, "Have a good day, Katydid."
"Good day, My King," he said as he rose from his stiff, simple wooden chair, bowed to me, then made his exit, shutting the door on the way out.
When he closed the door behind him, I took off Unbroken Radiance's helmet and held it before me. My reflection in the ancient helm was distorted and hazy. I tried not to think about how relevant that was. Especially not the fact that it wasn't even my new changeling face, it was Al-Capony's.
'I spared Aorta. That's a good thing, right? I'm not letting someone off the hook for a horrible crime, right? It was just a few mistakes. Web's death was tragic, but... it wasn't anyone's fault, was it?'
I quietly tapped the helmet against the desk as I stared at myself through it.
"... I wish Luna was here. She'd have something stupid to say. Something stupid that was correct for some reason. She'd understand... blah blah blah, something about opening up and not hurting people. Keeping everything to yourself is bad for you; it'll go straight to your thighs. And then you'll blow up. Talk to your friends before I have to scrape you off the walls, Phasma."
I glanced wistfully at the cot at the back of the room. It looked much softer than the chair I was sitting in. As much as I wanted to try to see if Luna was available to talk with right now, there was at least one more thing I had to do before going to bed. Two, if I counted trying to snag another bottle of love rations to eat. One bottle barely took away the hunger pains I had felt from being so thoroughly drained.
I still needed to talk with Clear Sky's captain.
So, I slowly took off the rest of Unbroken Radiance, piled it neatly beneath the cot, and then set off to find the mysterious pony that was brokered to come across the continent to Vallachia.
'I just hope this private trip wasn't too expensive- oh who am I kidding, we're rich now. With Dealing's assets and the income from the burgeoning alcohol empire, I could buy a ship or three if needed. So much easier to make money when your workers require little pay, though that will change eventually. Maybe that's a hobby I can pick up, though. I can fly an airship, right after I actually go skiing for once...' |
Changing Expectations | 105- Laʻa Maomao | I found the captain on the bottom deck, at the bow of the ship.
The prow of the ship, that being the carriage suspended from the airship's balloon, was made of glass. The keel of the ship was a steel beam that stretched up across the far wall, directly opposite from the door. On either side, two massive glass panes offered a view of the mountains below us. The center of the room was taken up by a long table that was covered inch to inch in various papers, diagrams, wayfinding tools, and other miscellanea.
The pony I had come looking for was standing beside one of the windows, holding out an extended spyglass in his magical grip. The pony in question was a white unicorn with a light grey slicked back mane, dressed in a fine captain's coat. When he heard me enter, he turned, smiled, and placed his spyglass on the table.
"Good evening. You are the noble I have been contracted to ferry, I presume?" He asked.
'There's issue number one with the current cover story. I'm not a noble, guys. That's a lie that's easy to disprove, too.'
"Pretty much."
He walked closer, "In that case, it is nice to meet you. I am Captain Silver Sky, owner of this vessel," he introduced himself.
"Nice to meet you too, Captain Silver Sky. I am Al-Capony, owner of Happy Trails Shipping Company."
The pony paused, tasting of mild confusion, "I was under the impression that you were a noble. No offense or anything, that is just what your ponies told me."
"Ah," I nodded, "well that's an understandable misconception that they've made. I'm not of the noble peerage, with special titles and whats-its from the crown. No sir, I'm a noble of Manehattan; the only thing special about me is the size of my coin purse, and how much I spend and how much I make. You understand how it is, of course."
Silver Sky's posture visibly laxened, "Of course. New Money and all that, right?"
"That's right. Manehattan is a very different place compared to somewhere like Canterlot."
"Of course, of course. Anyhow, we are on our way back to the Big Apple. We should be there by three tomorrow afternoon."
'No mention of payment, which means that Coxa or whoever sent them handled that already.'
"Sounds good. Before I leave you to your work, I do have a question to ask."
"I'm all ears, sir."
"I haven't seen any crew," I pointed out. "How does this vessel fly without... tending?"
Sky smirked, "I have one crewmate. She's up at the wheel, making sure we're on course and that Clear Skies is as right as rain. Crescent Blade is a dependable mare, and together we fulfill all the necessary roles for keeping Clear Skies up in the air, with as little weight as possible. All of that means that Clear Skies here is the fastest girl in the seven skies."
'Seven skies? That like the seven seas or something? I'd better not ask, it might be commonplace knowledge that would make me look too strange for asking. Stupid ponies and their alien terminology...'
"The fastest ship? How could you know that?"
"Because I've never seen a ship that's faster. Not in my nine years of flying has any ship outran me. If I do find one, I'll let you know."
I chuckled, "As good of a reason as any to make that claim..... Fastest ship, you say?"
"Fastest ship," Sky repeated.
"That's very interesting. I assume you're into more than just bringing ponies around Equestria?"
"I follow the bits," the Captain said coyly.
"Well then, from one business pony to another, I think there is a lucrative opportunity here."
"Is that so?" Silver Sky asked, straightening some papers on the table, looking only partially interested.
"I assume to get you here on such quick notice, my ponies had to pay a substantial sum of money?"
It was a rhetorical question, but his answer would interest me nonetheless.
In response, he raised an eyebrow, "I charge fair prices. A ship on short notice proceeding at full speed for a day is not a cheap venture. The fact that they hired the fastest one in Equestria only adds to the bill."
"I'd imagine so. And you know what? I don't even have to look at the invoice to know that it's an expense we can easily eat," I bragged.
"There isn't an invoice for this trip. We set sail before I could process the paperwork. Your ponies paid for expediency, after all."
'No paper trail. Alright, here we go...'
"You know, the nation is in such a pressed state. With the war taking up so much focus, small things like invoices can get buried under bureaucracy and urgency..."
Silver Sky nodded, "The Principality is at war. Even under the best circumstances, proper paperwork can easily be mixed up or otherwise lost."
"No pony would miss the invoice if it should never be filed."
"Nopony would," Sky agreed, "except for the Equestrian Revenue Bureau. Money doesn't come from nowhere, Mr. Capony."
"No, it doesn't. So if instead an invoice for a trip to Vanhoover at one and a quarter times the originally agreed upon price for this trip was to be filed..."
"Well, business has been picking up," he finished.
"And it might continue to pick up."
"I follow the bits, just as I always have."
I smiled, "Don't we all? Do you have outstanding contracts that would keep you busy?"
Silver Sky picked up a few pieces of paper, read through them, and then placed them back onto the table.
"I have several deliveries to make next week. After that, the contract is up for renewal."
"So if a more lucrative opportunity were to arise, then you would be willing to take it? Say, to transport crates from a warehouse in Manehattan to warehouses and delivery sites across Equestria?"
"Clear Skies is more than capable of such jobs, so long as you hold her attention."
"I think I can manage that."
"In that case, perhaps we should discuss this further. Tomorrow, over dinner or lunch? I would like to work out the fine details of such an arrangement with you."
"Sounds good. One more thing, why are you down here and not behind the wheel or something?"
"Same reason why I could choose the room with the best view as my workroom. Flying in a straight line is easy. In fact, the airship does most of the small corrections itself. It's the landing, taking off, maintenance, complicated maneuvers, and so on that require years of practice to learn."
'Years?! Eh, maybe I won't buy an airship in that case.'
Since I had gone back to sleep hours early, Luna was not asleep. I moaned and groaned over her absence, but found someone else to be asleep. Someone I wanted to talk to.
Cadence was sitting in front of an easel, looking like a giant on the small stool she rested her flanks on. Her glossy pink coat was marred with splotches of red, blue, and yellow paint. She was holding a large paintbrush with her right wing, slowly moving it around on the painting she was working on.
Only, the easel held a mirror and not a canvas. Where the tip of the paintbrush met the mirror- or more specifically, her reflection in the mirror, her coat became more and more covered in paint.
"Uh.... Okay, I'll admit it. I've nothing... Something something postmodern expressionism? Nevermind, Cadence, this is just weird."
My sudden appearance startled her, causing her to drop the brush and turn around, which in turn caused her to fall off the tiny wooden stool.
"Agh! What?!"
"Good evening Cadence."
"Phasma? Why are you in the P- oh I'm asleep, aren't I?"
"Yep," I said while offering a hoof to help her up.
She took it and I pulled her up to all fours.
"Thanks. I wasn't planning on taking a nap, but here I am..."
"Fell asleep at work or something?"
"Mhmm," she nodded. "I was reading a casefile and I must have dozed off."
"Working late nights, too?"
Cadence glanced at her reflection in the mirror and grimaced at the sight, "I am, yes. This whole Division-P thing is... Auntie Celestia never said I would be doing anything like this when she stapled a horn to my head, you know. I was under the impression I would be helping ponies and providing guidance, and begrudgingly lending a hoof to Auntie when she needed me. These piles of paperwork, illegal operations, and outright nastiness is... is... I hate it, Phasma. I don't think I could ever get used to it. I don't think I want to get used to it, either. But I am doing it. I won't let this all happen under my watch."
She clenched her eyes shut, breathed out hard, and the paint vanished from her coat in an instant. When she opened her eyes back up, Cadence relaxed a bit.
"It'll all be worth it in the end, won't it, Phasma?"
"It will, Cadence. But before things get better, they might get a little worse."
She groaned, "Celestia, what now?"
"I need you to censor a report that will come up. A Division-P agent learned my identity."
"You know, for the King of a species that has hidden from ponies' sight for thousands of years, I don't think you're very good at this whole staying hidden thing."
I rolled my eyes and tried not to laugh, "Hey, it was a good thing. She's going to try to not report me for as long as possible, but I don't trust Division-P enough to not get the information out of her in some way. I know from experience that they can be quite... persistent."
Cadence's face darkened, "That they can. Wait a moment, how do you know her personally?"
"An agent was sent to investigate me a while back. I took care of that situation though."
The Princess facehoofed, "Please don't tell me that I was reading a report on something you did. A mare's memory was found to be tampered with. Phasma? Tell me you're not messing around with mind magic. That's forbidden, you know!"
"She had a hostage. Besides, forbidden to whom? I'll do what it takes to survive, even if that means breaking your laws."
"Our laws- oh you dense brute! Do you have any idea of what you did?"
I shrugged, "I ordered her to forget that I existed."
"You ord- this just gets worse and worse! Hasn't anypony taught you how damaging messing with the mind is?! It's bad news, Phasma! You might have permanently hurt this poor mare!"
"No," I glared, "no pony told me. No changeling, either. They were all too busy training me to zap things until they stopped moving."
Cadence groaned and shook her head.
"You... You're smart, Phasma. I know you are. Am I to believe that you honestly thought that doing magic like that wouldn't have permanent consequences?"
"I didn't have the luxury to contemplate long term consequences, Cadence. My life was at risk."
"That's what separates a Prince and Princess from everypony else. Even when things are bad, we never stop trying to be good. The right path is rarely the easy one."
I snorted softly and scuffed the ground with a hoof, "Those are nice words. Reality works a bit differently, though. Sometimes we have to do things that aren't all nice in order to make sure that the right people survive till tomorrow."
"Everypony can survive till tomorrow, Phasma. You just don't want to see a path that isn't through violence. You hurt that mare. Even if it's just a little bit, it's something that she will live with for the rest of her life."
I sneered, "I sent people to their deaths, Cadence. Do you think you can guilt trip me with the wellbeing of my enemies? If she reported my survival to Daybreaker, I can guarantee that the changelings that have found me since the encounter would be dead now if Daybreaker learned the truth."
"A lot of good your cruel efforts did you. Daybreaker knows something is up, and she has begun to suspect that you are alive."
"What?!"
Cadence shook her head slowly in disapproval, "Mind magic is not something any unicorn can accomplish. The list of ponies who can is a short. If you don't count the alicorns, it's even shorter. Take into account that it was a changeling-hunting organization that got targeted, and then two plus two equals four. Either Queen Chrysalis has suddenly escaped the encirclement in the Badlands, or the missing-in-action Prince isn't quite as dead as everypony thinks."
I hissed in frustration and started pacing.
"So to sum it up; you hurt a pony badly, tried to get away, and only stalled the inevitable. You know, if you just tried talking to ponies, they might listen."
"I know, I know. Though it took some time, I did manage to convince the agent who learned of me that I wasn't a bad guy. Took some convincing, though. Took a lot. I didn't exactly have the time nor resources at the time when this first unicorn found me out, though."
Cadence looked me over for a moment before sighing, "At least you're making progress. But I want your word that you won't use mind magic anymore."
"Once I'm no longer struggling to survive another day, then sure, I'll make that concession."
"Don't be so dramatic, Phasma. Daybreaker thinks you might be alive, but she has no idea where or how to find you. You're not struggling to survive another day, especially with Auntie Luna working on saving Celestia, and myself starting to gum up the works of Division-P."
"There's more going on than just that, Princess. A lot more."
"What could possibly warrant such horrible actions from you? What could possibly justify the hurt you refuse to stop inflicting?"
'Do I tell her? If she's already stressed with Division-P, then the knowledge about the whole Nightmare situation might make her mental state worse.... Yes, I should. She's a grown adult. There's no need for me to baby her.'
"It may be an alicorn's duty to stay good, or whatever that means in your moral code, but it's a changeling royal's duty to ensure the survival and future prosperity of the race. For the past I don't know how many thousands of years, that's a duty that we've all been failing."
Cadence interrupted my monologue, "That's not your fault. You broke this downward spiral and started trusting us and helping out your changelings. That's a huge leap forward."
"But it's not enough. Not nearly. There's a storm on the horizon, Cadence. One we've been running from longer than anyone can remember."
"What are you talking about?" She asked slowly.
"Nightmares. Everything circles back to them. The war, the possession, the starvation..."
"The monsters that possessed the Princesses, and tried to possess you?"
"Yeah. Them. They've been hunting changelings for so long, Cadence. So long. Just a few days ago, I was in an ancient dead changeling city. Dead for two thousand years or so. Only, it wasn't so dead. They were waiting. Waiting for me. I may have put something in motion that cannot be stopped. They are coming." I stared at her in the eyes, "We need to wrap up this war between our species. You don't want to know what happens if they make their return and we're still at each other's throats."
Cadence took a step towards me but I immediately stepped back.
"Phasma-"
"Just focus on Division-P, Cadence. There'll be more talk about this than any of us can stomach in the future. For now, that's the best we can do. I'll keep investigating them and find out what I can, since I'm sitting on the sidelines for this mess in Equestria."
"... You're like the harbinger of bad news, you know that...? How are you doing, Phasma? Are you okay?"
"I'm overdue for a vacation."
She chuckled, "Ha! Aren't we all. Just stay strong, okay? You're capable of doing good. I believe in you."
I shuffled on my hooves uncomfortably, "Uh. Thanks. I'll... try not to hurt anyone else outside of self-defense. Unless they're a Nightmare, in which case I'm gonna kill them."
Cadence opened her mouth to say something but slowly closed it.
"I won't claim to be an expert in that matter. Point in case, Auntie Luna implied she hunts them down, too. I guess they are a pest- or worse, if what you're saying is true- and need to be removed for everypony's safety... have you spoken with Luna about all this?"
"A little bit, but our conversation was interrupted. I was hoping to speak with her tonight, but I think I will be awake by the time she's asleep and in the Dreamscape."
Cadence didn't have anything more to say, so instead she rolled the giant paintbrush on the ground using one of her hooves.
"I saved a life," I broke the small silence.
Cadence visibly brightened, "You did? Altruistically?"
"More or less. It was the agent who was going to report to the Division. So I guess I would gain more if she died, but..."
"But you saved her instead," Cadence said, grinning. "That's good. You did good."
"Thanks mom," I rolled my eyes, "I'm sure you're proud that I didn't let someone die today."
"Going from being a brutal Warlord to a hero is not something anypony should ever diminish, Phasma. Even if such lengths are expected of normally adjusted ponies- people, you are not well adjusted. Not yet. But you are making progress, and for that I am happy and proud. You should mention this to Luna, you know. She often wonders about just what you're up to without her. She doesn't say as much to me, but I know enough from watching her sister to know what's going on in their heads when they stare off into space."
'Uh oh. How am I going to let her know that I killed someone, then? I mean, it was pretty much in self-defense, but considering I could have just picked up Count Double Dealings and just suspended him in the air, that might not fly.'
"So, you want to tell me the full story of what happened?" Cadence asked me.
"I've got nothing better to do. Conjure up some chairs, we'll be here for a bit. I suppose you and Luna will want to hear this from me first, before you read it in Daring Do's report."
"Daring Do? Like, the fictional book character? That Daring Do?"
"No, the other Daring Do, the one that's also an explorer, archeologist, and adventurer. Yes, her." |
Changing Expectations | 106- Hesperides | We arrived in Manehattan without any further fanfare. The meeting with the pony Captain went well, with a deal ironed out for him to smuggle crates to wherever the Fifth Hive needed. Now we could get love rations or high quality alcohol anywhere we needed, with no worry of it being caught by inspections. The ponies that inspected cargo on airships were practically absent in the nation as a whole. The... whatever acronym bureau that handled inspections was horribly underfunded and understaffed.
Why did a perfect society need to look out for illicit goods? Or so the line of thinking went under Princess Celestia's rule. Smuggling. Smuggling was why. Granted, crime seemed to have been quite low while the Sun Alicorn sat on the throne, but there was the fact that ponies like Count Double Dealings didn't suddenly appear in her absence.
When I stepped off the airship via its fancy gangplank, the changelings escorted me across a busy dockyard that lacked any water. We passed airships of all sizes, from large, to larger, to massive. Some were utilitarian in design and coloring, whereas a select few were like rococo paintings come to life. Maybe that was too generous of a comparison, but the vessels were more of a piece of art than a vehicle. I imagined that the dockyards at Canterlot had a lot more of the richly decorated ones, given the average wealth of the unicorn city.
We ended our sight-seeing tour of the skydocks at a simple black closed carriage, hooked up to two changelings disguised as nondescript earth ponies. I was surprised to find someone else in the carriage waiting for me.
"I've been told you enjoyed your vacation in the usual fashion, Phasma."
"Hello Coxa," I greeted the disguised changeling.
As I got comfortable in the seat, the carriage rocked slightly when the changelings placed a heavy trunk on top. That chest had my armor in it, as I was loath to be far away from the suit.
"The Hive has been briefed on what happened thanks to the messenger you guys sent. But I think we all want to hear what happened from you."
The carriage lurched forwards as the pullers began their journey through the city.
"The Third Hive was felled by Nightmares. The same monsters that possessed Luna, are possessing Celestia, and tried possessing me. We explored the city, met an annoying fictional pegasus, and then killed the city's ruler. The Prophet was a changeling royal that got possessed in ages past, and was the reason why the Third Hive is referred to in the past tense. I killed him by exploding a sun, though I doubt that he will decide to stay dead."
"Wait! Wait wait wait wait! Wait! Wait. Explode a sun?"
"Yeah. You know that great big ball of plasma up in the sky that Daybreaker raises each day? That's a sun. It provides light for-"
"I know what a sun is, Phasma! What do you mean, explode a sun?"
"There was a sun, then I blew it up. It's easier than you would think. Really makes me wonder what would have happened if there was a particularly suicidal changeling..."
"Fine, I guess I'll get more details when you tell the story properly to us all. Did anything happen after the Third Hive stuff?"
"Some things did happen: vampires, possessions, Web died, brokering treaties between nations. You know, the usual stuff."
Coxa blinked and shook his head, "Web died? How?"
"Possession by a Nightmare."
"Jeez. That sounds like a bad way to go."
"I know from experience that it isn't. From what I've been told, he was ordered to stay by my side, and did so even during the ritual required to remove the Nightmare that was possessing me- oh by the way there was a Nightmare trying to possess me."
"Phasma you're shit at telling stories. Or a genius, I can't tell." He sighed, "Continue."
"So the changelings brought me to Vallachia because I told them to. The thestrals cured me, because Luna told them to. Only, we were both deceived by the Nightmare. The ritual failed, Web got possessed, and killed one of their leaders before running off into the night. The ponies hunted him down, and... killed him. That was that."
Coxa shifted uncomfortably, "Do we have a body?"
"No."
"... Are you alright?"
"We'll see. Thankfully I see the world's leading demonologist every other night, so if something goes wrong Princess Luna will rescue me."
"That's a relief.... Changing the subject, how is your marefriend?"
"My- she's fine. I think. We haven't had many chances to hang out recently, but hopefully that will change. To be honest, I don't know how she's doing. I'd like to know, but things like life-or-death situations make you forget about the important stuff. As far as I'm aware, things are steadily moving on her end. So the move against Daybreaker is going well, but as for how Luna is herself...?"
'The thestrals said that Luna might not be as stable as she outwardly appears. I've been so focused on the whole not-dying thing that I've been neglecting her, I think.'
Coxa interrupted my thoughts, "I think your lack of attention is excusable, considering someone died and apparently you exploded a sun."
"You might be right. Considering everything that's happened, expecting me to be so on top of, well, everything is unfair. Everything is fine with Luna at the moment, and soon enough will be better. But I can't remember if I've ever asked how she's been. I'll just have to have a long chat with her next time I see her. Does Web have anyone that would like to perform a funeral ceremony?"
"Like what we did with Oest and Lace? I don't think so, no. Then again, I don't exactly know everything about everyone in the Fifth. Maybe someone will come forward and say they do."
I stroked my non-existent beard, "Do we have medals or something to give out?"
"Uhhh, no?"
"I'll have to come up with something then. Were you the one who appointed Katydid as the Captain of the Red Right Hoof?"
"Temporary Captain, pending your approval. Thorax approved and in fact was the one who recommended him, citing the fact that he trained both of you. We didn't exactly have many officers lying around, so I took Thorax's recommendation. Do you approve?"
"That depends on his loyalty," I answered.
"He's a Chrysalis loyalist?" Coxa asked.
"He might be. I told him that I needed to know who he was loyal to, and to speak with you about the Ascension Chamber and its contents. I... I'd rather not think hard about that stuff at this moment, with everything else going on."
Coxa stretched out and relaxed on the carriage's opposite bench
"Not much news on our end," he announced. "Oh! Thalamus has a location for the first speakeasy. Several scouts have reported similar venues in other cities, so if this one gets your approval, we can immediately move to sweep up those properties and begin converting them to clubs."
"We'll visit it tomorrow, or this afternoon if we have time. I have an idea as to what I want the Manehattan one to look like. Art Deco is going to be the next big thing, I tell ya. Anything else?"
Coxa pulled out a notepad from I-don't-know-where, and began flipping through it.
"Hmmm.... The Count's assets have finally been catalogued, moved, and organized. That, combined with the latest profits, means that we are officially rich. Not stupid rich, but with the way that things are going that's going to change soon. What else, what else.... Living quarters have been expanded for the Fifth. We've got spare room now, and the apartments we have are turning up nicely, if mostly useless. I know only a few changelings that actively like to eat, so kitchens being in each unit seems kinda opulent to me."
"Make note of those changelings. We're going to need dependable and trustworthy staff for the speakeasies, and having some changelings be the cooks isn't a bad idea."
Coxa wrote some notes using a pencil that was conjured from a similarly mysterious location, "Sure. I mean, we'll probably end up hiring ponies since they're the ones who actually know about pony food, but having a pair of eyes or two in each kitchen is a good idea. The only changelings that actually do know how to cook are the Infiltrators, and those guys are about as rare as an Uttu's fang."
"Do we even have any in the Fifth?"
"Maybe one of the new recruits is one. I'll get about cataloging everyone's skills so we know what we're working with, but we should assume that we have no Infiltrators."
I swiped at the air with a hoof, "Eh, they're all probably Chrysalis loyalists anyways. We'll make do without them. It's not like there's a pressing need to keep the Masquerade Protocol in place, anyways. We can afford to make mistakes. So we got housing in good order, speakeasies on their way, what else?"
"Sales and inventory are good. Cricket wanted to talk to you, something about accidentally running into one of the Elements of Harmony bearers. Didn't seem scared, so it must not be urgent. That should be all. The last order of business is the Red Right Hoof, which I think we covered already."
'Speaking of which, there's something I've been meaning to do...'
"The Reds are on an urban fighting and guerilla tactic regimen, correct?"
"Uh... yes."
"Good," I nodded, "because I'll be joining them on their training."
"You will?" Coxa asked, surprised.
"I've been letting my training go. My time in Hooferville kept me physically in shape, but they didn't exactly run combat exercises. I need to practice fighting, and get better at it. Sheer brute force and overwhelming firepower doesn't work against foes of equal power level, and the Nightmares have plenty of those. I need to stop being so shit at dueling. I need to actually train. Katydid being back only reminded me of the need. After all, Oest wouldn't have died for nothing if I was better at fighting."
Coxa frowned at me, "He didn't die for nothing. I'm telling Thorax you said that, you know. You're going to wish it was me berating you; he gets scary when it comes to mental health and the wellbeing of his lovers. You're literally going to be smothered with kindness."
I sent my best deathglare his way. Unfortunately, I think it lost most of its effect due to the fact that I was struggling to not break out into a fit of laughter, "I'm not his lover!"
Coxa chuckled, "Could'a fooled me. Seriously though, Oestridae didn't die for nothing, and I'm sure he'd be happy that you're committed to getting better in his name. You don't exactly have a lot of time to train, especially with the business and running the Fifth Hive, but I'm sure we'll work something out."
"Somethings better than nothing," I agreed. "Any other business?"
He flipped through several pages of notes, "No? No. That's all."
I looked up from the dry report I was reading.
'Emotion? Why am I tasting fear, in my own office? This had better not be some police ponies barging in and doing something stupid.'
Hastily, I assumed the disguise of Expected Value, the blue unicorn. Moments later, the door to my office opened and two ponies stepped through. Well, one pony and a changeling disguised as a pony. I breathed a sigh of relief.
"Phas!" Thorax greeted me.
Behind him, Double Diamond walked slowly in Thorax's hoofsteps, casting nervous glances about the place. After taking in the sight of my office, his eyes settled on my own.
"Hello Thorax, hello Double Diamond. I didn't expect to see either of you here," I returned the greeting.
"I came as soon as I heard you were back!" Thorax said as he stopped in front of my desk.
"You brought Diamond, too?"
Diamond rubbed the back of his neck, "I told him I was fine waiting at home, but-"
"But I decided to show him around your evil laaaair!" Thorax beamed.
I shook my head slightly before putting on a smile, "And how are you finding my 'evil lair,' Double Diamond?"
"I was expecting, you know... skulls 'n stuff? Like proper Ogres & Oubliettes dungeons. This is just Corporate Equestria." He shivered, "This kind of evil is too realistic for me."
"Are you afraid of TPS reports?"
"Hehe, no, no... just, uh..."
"Afraid of me?" I asked.
Diamond quickly shook his head, "No, no! It's just, everytime we pass somepony- someone, they always stare at me. I feel out of place here."
"Hmm..." I hmm'ed.
"They'll get used to you in time, DD!" Thorax tried to cheer up his coltfriend.
I helped Thorax, "That's true. The changelings are still rather reclusive and a bit xenophobic. It takes time for those biases to go away. We aren't as quick to forgive or befriend as ponies."
'Still don't understand that alien mindset. If someone tries to kill, you kill them back! It's just that simple... I'd better not look the gifted pony in the mouth and just take this new beginning to our species' relationship that the Princesses are offering.'
"Anyways, how are you, Phas?" Thorax asked me.
"I've been better. I'm busy catching up and planning ahead right now."
Thorax put his forehooves on my desk, raising himself above my paperwork and putting himself at eye-level with me.
"Sounds boring. But I asked, how are you, Phas? I want a straight answer."
"... Someone died, Thorax. What's worse, I now know that there's a war coming in the future. One so bad, it'll make this spat between our species look like a warmup game to the real deal. I'll feel better after tonight, when I speak with Luna next."
"Good," he smiled, "I think you should be spending time with your friends. Which is why I think we should all go on a vacation together..."
I blinked, "Now?"
"Yeah!"
Behind Thorax, Diamond nodded slowly, showing his support for the idea.
"The Grand Galloping Gala is in three weeks, Thorax. I need to be ready to deal with the events that will come in its fallout."
Thorax gasped, "Then let's go after! You, me, Double Diamond, and Princess Luna! All four of us can go!"
"... Go where?"
"There's a place up north, in the mountains," Diamond spoke up. "A town called Shimmervale. I was looking at moving there. I probably won't now since I've got Thorax here to keep me rooted in Manehattan, but I still want to at least visit it."
"A skiing town?" I asked.
"Yeah!" They both cheered.
I sat back in my chair, "That could work. I don't know how Luna feels about that hobby, but we could rent two rooms up there and spend some time unwinding. Then again, I don't know if Luna will be able to extricate herself from the mess following Daybreaker's cleansing. She might want to stay with her sister for a bit, seeing as they would finally be reunited...."
Thorax gave me two big puppy eyes.
'I could really use a vacation..'
"... We'll see." I told him.
"It'll do you good," Thorax pleaded.
"Being with Luna will do me good. If she stays in Canterlot, then I'll be in Canterlot. If she can come, then we'll go to this Shimmervale."
"Yes!" Thorax cheered, pumping a hoof into the air. Diamond looked pleased.
"Alright alright, can I get back to work now?"
Thorax hopped back from my desk, "First you have to tell us what happened. From what I've heard, it was quite an adventure!"
"Adventure?" Diamond asked. "Thorax, didn't somepony die?"
Thorax turned to Diamond, "Yeah, but, umm... Changelings aren't like ponies. Your legends are all 'Princess defeats this,' and 'pony out-clever that person.' Changeling legends are... monster slaying. Adventuring in deep, underground caves, doing heroic things. People die on those expeditions, it's true, but that just makes the triumphs all the more meaningful. Look, if you're too uncomfortable listening to it, we can leave and I can get the full story later from Phas, okay?"
"Okay," Diamond agreed, though we could both tell he wasn't quite convinced.
Thorax reached out and grasped Diamond's hoof with his own, "Hey. If you're not comfortable, just tell me. I promise I won't be upset if we leave early."
"Alright," Diamond said more surely. "It's important for me to learn about your culture, anyways, just like you've been learning about pony culture."
"That's the spirit!" Thorax grinned.
'Is Thorax's enthusiasm a contagious disease or something?'
Thorax sat down in one of the two chairs across from my desk, pulling it up close. Diamond hesitantly followed suit, sitting himself down in the other chair.
"Okay Phas, go!"
'If every changeling was as adorable as Thorax, this whole interspecies-war would have been resolved a lot quicker.'
I began recalling the tale, "Alright. So no shit, there I was, in the middle of the jungle..." |
Changing Expectations | 107- Gratuitous Beach Episode | The horseshoe bounced across the sand, missing the peg entirely.
"Nice hit!"
"I missed, Luna."
"Nice miss!"
"Uh huh, thanks."
I looked over at the mare who wasn't paying attention in the slightest. Luna was lying down on a beach towel, with a big pair of shades on, happily relaxing just two hooves length away from me. She had a slight smile on her face as she soaked up the sun's rays. The fact that we were in a dream made no difference to the moon alicorn.
"I can hear you staring at me, Phasma."
"I didn't hear a 'stop staring, Phasma.'"
".... A lady likes to be admired."
"Well you're not getting any compliments just yet. Not while I still have the taste of iron in my mouth. We have telekinesis, you know. Why anyone would ever throw these horseshoes with their mouths is beyond me."
Luna didn't move an inch, "Because that's the sport. Everypony has mouths, and not everypony has horns. You throw them with your mouth."
"I've also got working hooves."
"Yes, but have you ever tried throwing something with your hooves?"
I looked down at one of my forehooves and rolled it around, "Uh.... no."
"It is not an easy task. A pony's- a quadruped's range of motion is somewhat limited. You can try to throw things with your hooves, and with enough time, you can get good at it. But by and large, most ponies chuck things long-distance using their mouths. One can rotate and angle the throwing-object more using their mouth than their hoof. And for the last time, this is a dream! Just will the taste away!"
I picked up another metal horseshoe using my mouth, and tried throwing it. Again, it missed the peg entirely, even going so far as rolling down the small incline and dropping on its side in the shallow waves that lapped against the beach.
"Nice hit! See, you are getting the hang of it!"
"I missed again, Luna."
Finally, the lounging princess turned to look at me, lifting her sunglasses with a hoof to look at me. I expected her to say something, but she just sat there, eyeing me up and down. A smile slowly crept onto her face.
"I can see you staring at me, Luna."
"I did not hear a 'stop staring at me, Luna.'"
"... You're just making me throw them using my mouth because I look stupid doing it, aren't you?"
She snorted, "That is just a side benefit. No, everypony really does throw things using their mouths."
"Really?" I asked incredulously.
Luna nodded and turned away, resuming her sunbathing, "Yes. The small things that can be, at least. Overhead throws while on hind legs is one thing, and side-tosses using a hoof is another. But for the most part, if you can throw using your mouth, it is more accurate to."
"Even though it's extremely unsanitary?"
"Oh you will be fine. If ponies have survived by throwing things with their mouths for thousands of years, I think you will survive make-believe sports in a dream. To emphasize the point; we learned to clean things very early on, compared to what you told me about your old species."
"I imagine discovering germ theory was a lot more pressing for you, and a lot more possible using magic," I said while idly kicking a spare horseshoe across the sand.
"That is right."
I picked up the horseshoe, rolled my neck around to loosen it up, twisted to the side, then chucked the horseshoe across the beach, at the peg stuck in the ground.
Luna cheered, "Ha, see! All you had to do was believe-"
"I missed again, Luna."
"... Not my fault you are so bad at this," she said under her breath.
I gave up trying to play horseshoes and instead plopped down on the warm sand next to Luna. When she didn't react, I rolled over and snuggled up close to her. Luna grunted in annoyance when sand got rubbed into her fur, but moments later she dug her right foreleg underneath me and pulled me into a hug, grinning all the while.
"So, winter vacation. Yay or nay?" I asked.
"You said it was right after the Gala?"
"Yeah."
Luna pushed her sunglasses up to the base of her horn so that she could look me in the eyes.
"You know that is unrealistic, Phasma. We both will be very busy dealing with the aftermath of the Gala."
I groaned, "But we're both due for a vacation! Especially one we can go on together. We haven't been together in the real world outside of that one time that I smashed your face into the ground. This will be like an actual date!"
"As nice as that sounds, we have duties to our subjects. You think rebuilding Celestia's court can be done in an afternoon? Or concisely mending the gap between the Principality of Equestria and the Fifth Hive can be done overnight?"
".... Yes."
"These things will take time. Both of us will be needed in Canterlot if we want the war to end and for stability to be brought to both of our kingdoms."
I threw my hooves up in the air out of frustration, which was a difficult task considering Luna was squishing me up against her side.
"Okay, fine! How much time?"
"As long as it takes. The Gala takes place during the fall anyways. How would we have a winter vacation during the fall?"
"It's up north, in the mountains. There's snow up there year round."
"Very little, I would imagine."
"You ponies control the weather, don't you?"
"Trying to force radical changes upon the Pegasi Union's weather schedule is like trying to tame a twister. Not only would it be a gross misuse of power, it would also be painful."
'That's probably fair. I'd be pissed if someone was just up and deciding all of the weather.'
Luna continued, "Do you also have reservations? I doubt that you could secure lodgings just one month in advance. If this place is as good as you promise, then one would suspect that all available hostings are booked in advance."
I scratched my head, "We'll figure it out."
"Look. How about this; you help my sister and I, and then we will go on this vacation. All three of us work together, my sister and I will finally get to spend some time together, and to wrap it all up, you and I will get to spend time together. Does that sound fair?"
'Luna hasn't actually seen her sister outside of a single conversation in a thousand years. And here I am, trying to- oh just say yes.'
I nodded, "Yeah, that sounds good."
'I could stay here for hours... But there's always business to worry about. Wars to plan.'
I cleared my throat, "Luna... What are we going to do about the Nightmares? You know now that they are probably one of the biggest threats to Equus in history. I'm trying to do what I can, but honestly? There's nothing I can really do to prepare other than to teach everyone in my Hive the spell that worked against them. But they have the upper hoof; they've been fighting this from the start, and apparently used me to awaken their King. Or will use me, they weren't exactly clear on that. If it took such overwhelming firepower to destroy one general that it completely evaporated a city, how are we supposed to fight the biggest and baddest of them all?
"They had their claws in me from the fucking beginning!" I continued, "We've got practically nothing, whereas they somehow know everything about us, and appear out of nowhere. What if they ambush one of us while we are sleeping? I'm not strong enough or even trained at all in fighting them outside of the material realm, Luna. What if that mark that they branded me with does more than simply ring the dinner bell for them? What if it makes me a sleeper agent, like some sort of inactive mind control rune?"
"I inspected the mark when you first showed it to me. From what I understand, it can not interact with the rest of your mind at all. It is like a stowaway on a ship: unable to affect its course at all, but not a benevolent presence at all. How about this; once you may enter the palace without fear for your own life, we shall inspect this mark further. Myself, Celestia, and perhaps even Tia's personal student, Twilight Sparkle, shall study it in depth. If possible, we will place protections around it, as to limit any possible control it may have. As a warning, you will be quite vulnerable during this, since we will have almost full access to your mind, but if you trust me, then I promise you will not regret it."
"I trust you. I would like that very much, thank you Luna."
Luna smiled, "Then we have a plan. As for the war, we will handle that together," she reassured me. "During the aftermath of getting Equestria back in the right hooves, we will prepare. This is not a battle you shall fight alone, nor should either of us ever fight alone ever again. Against these spawns of darkness, Equestria, the Fifth Hive, Vallachia, and potentially more in the future are united by one cause. Together, across three nations and many tribes and species, we can beat back the Nightmares, wherever they rear their ugly heads. But that means no dying of stupid reason, like poking ancient artifacts or skeletons in dead cities!"
"My method gets results, moonbutt."
"Your method is going to get you killed, bugbutt."
I admitted after a moment of trying to get comfortable, "There are some points being brought up that are worth considering."
"You ought to listen to your elders more often, Phasma."
"Oooh, so you can pull the age card, but I can't?"
"Not if you wish to ever sleep in the same room as I."
"I... How are you doing, Luna?"
"Pardon?"
"A lot has been happening for you, right? You were trapped on the moon for a thousand years, then you were dropped down on Equus for a war, then your sister immediately became possessed after you were cured, and it just keeps going on. How are you doing?"
Luna squeezed me close to her, "In times such as these, I look to good company. I am blessed to have you, Princess Cadence, and Twilight Sparkle. In times past, there were droughts of such pleasures. Ruling is often a lonely business, but it is when the long night draws near that the absence of friends makes its pain known the most. That is to say, I am doing much better than I would be if I did not have all of you. Where did this question come from?"
"Well, you always ask how I'm doing, but I don't think I reciprocate. You're going through as much as I am, and... I want to be worried about you."
Luna sighed softly and rested her head against my neck. Since our bodies were based off of how they were in the real world, I was actually taller than Luna now. That seemed to matter little to Luna, who just treated me like a big teddy bear.
She spoke quietly, "It is unfortunate to say that I have experience in dealing with matters such as these, but I simply do. There were times where I would find myself distanced from Celestia, alone dealing with grief or anything Harmony threw my way. That does not mean that today's pains are any less due to yesterday's. I simply know what to focus on, and when. If you wish to help me, then continue being so adorable."
"I'm not adorable, I'm handsome," I protested.
"You keep telling yourself that, and one day your wish may come true."
"Oh yeah? Well, you're cute, too!"
"I am offended," Luna said in a sarcastic tone.
"But are you really okay? I can only help you if you want help, Luna. Don't suffer in silence; that's my job."
Luna didn't respond. Seconds dragged on, making me wonder if I said something wrong. Or if she decided to ignore me. Either way, it was looking like another dead end in the conversation. Just before I opened my mouth to try again to ask her about how she's doing, she finally began to talk again. Luna's voice was quiet, making me lean my head closer to her to hear her.
"The world is so different. It moves much quicker than it used to. During Daybreaker's absence, I had at least the comfort of duty, since she was away at war. But now, everypony goes to her and has once more forgotten about me. It is like a horrible case of dejà vu; my age-old pangs of jealousy, now only embers, begin to smolder once more. While the absence of ponies hurts me during what few public hours Daybreaker allows, I at least have the benefits that come with being forgotten. Coordinating against the Nightmare is suspiciously easy. I believe I have fully goaded it into bringing the Elements out during the Gala, as to ease our subject's worry and as a show of power.
"However, each conversation gets harder and harder to endure. That thing is a monument to everything I had thrown away, and it is twisted into a form that hurts the most. As I count the hours till Celestia's fateful return, I keep thinking what I am to say to her. How can I ever mend the gap, now that I am responsible for her fall, as well as my own?"
"What happened in Canterlot was none of your fault. You tried doing the best you could to stop anything bad from happening. Okay, Luna?"
"Yes, I hear the words and understand them. Yet I do not know if I can accept them. Emotion and logic stand opposite from each other. I let go of one long ago, and I am still paying the price. So if my heart says that I have failed, would I not be a fool for ignoring it? Then there is you, Phasma. At nights, we are so close to each other, yet so far. I fear for you. I fear what you may do. I know what I did when I was pushed, and I had the luxury of family with me at the time."
I hugged her tightly as I thought of how I could respond to that. I couldn't deny it. Saying yes would be damning her, which is something I didn't really want to do.
"Luna, I have a confession to make. I've done some questionable things. Since my... death," the word put a pain in my chest, "I've found it harder and harder to be nice to others. Being thrown into the beginnings of a war for survival only made it worse, I think. There was a moment in Manehattan, one where my life was in danger, where I let go of logic. Some pony ordered his cronies to mutilate me right in front of him, in a public restaurant. I understand that empirically, I wasn't in too much danger, and that I could handle the situation without bloodshed. But I didn't care. I wanted to hurt him. I wanted to kill him. He reminded me of that bastard that... that took everything away from me.
"So I hurt him. So I killed him. He was an Equestrian noble, and I watched as he bled out slowly. It was completely within my power to spare his life. If someone like Cadence ever found out, I don't think they would ever forgive me. Especially not after she freaked out that I mind-wiped someone who would have gotten me killed otherwise. I'm not making this conversation about me, I'm just... I... You're a better person than me, Luna. I took pleasure in repaying the pain people like him have given to me. You worry that you didn't work hard enough to save your enemies, and of course your own family. I don't think I can ever come back to anything close to that mindset. I'm sorry I don't have the right words to explain this, or make it make sense, or make you feel better. What's happening to Celestia is not your fault, nor are any of my actions. I don't know what I can tell you other than I want to be here for you. I haven't told you about this until now because I'm afraid of disappointing you. If you turn your back on me, then..."
"I could never do that. I understand what you are trying to tell me. Though it pains me to hear that you have been... I am not happy with the fact that you have killed somepony. You say it was at least in self-defense?"
I tried to shrug but the motion was stifled thanks to our closeness, "As much in self-defense as it can be."
She exhaled slowly, breathing warm air against my neck.
"We will have to discuss this far more in depth in the future. For now, let us simply be miserable together, and leave the duty of wise and kind words to our betters. Once Celestia returns, I am certain she will try her best to help both of us. She is cursed to care for everypony she meets, after all."
Instead of quietly watching the waves wash up against the beach, we decided to talk idly about what was going on in each of our lives, and just nonsense topics. It turns out her favorite food was pancakes. Less so for the taste, and more so for the fact that it was Celestia who made them for her in the mornings. |
Changing Expectations | 108- Tezcatlipoca | There was a knock on my office's door. A moment later, it opened slowly, and a black muzzle peeked through.
"My King? May I come in?"
"You may," I answered.
The door opened, and Cricket stepped through. As she walked up to my desk, I closed the ancient tome I had been hesitantly poking. The other ones I had stolen from the Third Hive were sitting in a pile on my desk. While they were intact, they were not in a language I knew. I was examining them to see if I could identify the language, but I would probably have to pass them off to experts within the Fifth Hive to be studied. That was if anyone knew the language they were written in.
"My King," the familiar changeling bowed when she came to a halt in front of my desk.
'There's that bowing again. Considering every ling has a bed and bathroom to themselves, the average quality of life here is much higher than back in the Fourth. So in your face mom, I'll begin taking the praise now.'
"Hello, Cricket. You had something you wished to speak to me about?"
"Yes, My King," she said as she rose from the bow. "A few days ago, while scouting the countryside for liquor producers, we came across one famed one that might bring great fortunes to the Fifth Hive. However, it was only until we met this famed pony did we realize that they was one of the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony."
"Who and what happened?"
"The Element of Honesty, Applejack... Apple? Do they always have two names?"
"No. What happened?"
"I was chasing down rumors of one of the best ciders in Equestria, one named Zap Apple Cider. Found out the producer was working out of Ponyville. I was already aware that the Elements of Harmony were living in that town, but I figured it was worth the risk. This wasn't just any cider, this was the cider that every single pony I talked to claimed was the best. No contest."
"Alright, that sounds like it was worth the risk. So the producer turns out to be the Element of Honesty?"
"Yeah. Pretty obvious in hindsight that the pony named after apples grows apples. I arrived at their family's farm after being pointed in its direction by a local. Disguised, of course. Found said Element of Harmony working in the orchard outside and figured that I came this far, might as well see what can happen."
"Questionable logic."
"... As you say, My King, but I kept in mind the fact that these mares are actively planning high treason, or rather regicide, against Princess Daybreaker. What's breaking a law to continue what was presumably a family business compared to that?"
"I see your point. How did this meeting go?"
"I introduced myself as a pony, an earth pony to further endear myself, who had heard of the famous Zap Apple Cider, and was worried that I would miss out on the opportunity to try out the Cider. Break out the tear works, the never-going-to-try-it-with-the-ban-in-place, and the usual works on the soft ponies. It was working, but then she... she said... agh, let me just-"
Cricket transformed into the orange earth pony with a burst of green flames.
"Ah right," she said with a country twang, "She said somethin' along the lines of... 'ah understand yer predic-a-ment, but ah'm an honest mare. If 'n Apple don't believe the sanctity of the law, something something being honest, then an Apple follows tha law but tries to get it changed through the system. Or somethin'. Ah'mma be honest, ah was too busy being enthralled by her accent tuh pay close attention to whut she was sayin'.'"
I sighed and put my head in my hooves.
"Ah luuve apples!" The fake-Applejack beamed. "Stick up mah plot! Followin' tha law! Ah-"
"Is that all, Cricket?"
"Err... yes, My King?" Cricket said, still with Applejack's voice but without her accent.
"She didn't think you were a changeling?"
"Nope?"
".... Have a good afternoon, Cricket."
The changeling bowed, "Of cou-" her disguise vanished with a burst of flames, "I mean, of course, My King. I am sorry for wasting your time, My King."
"Yeah, just... keep up the good work or whatever, and stay out of the way of the Elements. And send in Coxa on your way out."
Cricket was doing well at her job of finding and lining up buyers, it was true. However, trying to learn anything from those dusty old books had left me in not the greatest mood to have my time wasted. Cricket bowed one last time before making a hasty retreat from the office. A short while later, Coxa appeared, practically shoved through the doorway.
"Uh... hey Phasma. You wanted to see me?"
I motioned for him to come closer. When he approached my desk, I lifted up one of the books, flipped it open, and showed it to him.
"Have you ever seen this language before, Coxa?"
"N... no. That language looks old. Older than anything that was in the Third Hive. Maybe even the Second."
I groaned and dropped the book onto the desk, "So then how the hell am I going to read it?"
"Either find someone who knows the language, or get a team together to start deciphering the language. That second one should be possible, considering I see a few similarities between it and Old Ling."
"You think there's someone alive who knows this language?"
"I do think that. I mean, it's Queen Chrysalis, so I don't know how you're going to convince her to give you some friendly language lessons, what with her trying to kill you and all."
"Son of a.... alright, thank you for the information, Coxa. If I see Queen Chrysalis and she's in a chatting mood, I'll just ask her about her knowledge on dead changeling languages."
"Sounds like a plan," he grinned.
"Who else can I speak to?"
He shrugged, "Plenty of changelings around that know the current changeling written language, that rune one. I don't know how much good it'll do you, but it seems like something you should know. You know, being King and whatnot."
"I'll throw it on the pile of shit-to-do-later. Speaking of which, are you fine with heading to that speakeasy location right now? I'm not exactly in the middle of something, so I'd rather get it out of the way while we can."
Coxa nodded, "I've got a thing at six, so we should go before then. Follow me, I know the way there."
"Good. While we're out, I also want to look for a bigger chair." I rose from the office chair to prove my point. I was beginning to dwarf the pony/drone-sized piece of furniture. In fact, I had to remove the armrests just so I wouldn't get stuck if I sat in it undisguised. "Do you happen to know where Princess Celestia bought her chairs? I think she's the only other being in Equestria bigger than me. But give me a few more months, and I might be at eye level with her."
Much like the original warehouse that the Fifth Hive had grown out of, the club had seen better days. Even calling it a club in its current state was a very generous overstatement. The place had been thoroughly trashed. It had holes in the floors and walls, wallpaper peeling off, and even the crappy magical light fixtures had begun to decay away.
I kicked over a dilapidated wooden chair that was left standing up in the middle of the main room. There were a few other rooms that together made up the Last Chance Club, but by and large this main room constituted over half of the building's floor space. The other rooms were a large kitchen area, two store rooms, and some small offices.
I had glanced at the blueprint of the building before we headed over here. Thalamus had acquired a copy from Manehattan's town hall, using a fake identity as an architect. Or maybe it was a building code inspector. Either way, he had gotten a few copies of the plans for several prime real estates around the city. From the looks of it, we could tear down a few walls and combine the side offices into one large backroom area if we desired.
And I was desiring that very much.
"Picture this, Coxa," I announced, sitting on the overturned chair so I could gesture with both my forehooves. "That area over there is the stage. Takes up a large part of the place, yes, but with it we bring in live bands, dancers, and whatever else entertains ponies. This area right here, this can be the majority of the seating. Around it in a circle, we'll have a raised section, with booths. In the back over there, will be the bar and kitchen. Waiters and waitresses cater to the tables while they're all watching the show. Throw in new furniture, wallpaper, lights, and other decor and we got ourselves one of the hottest places in Manehattan."
"... Kinda just looks like an empty room to me," Coxa said, brushing his hoof along the ground and kicking up a dust cloud.
"Then just take my word on it... Yes, this place will do just nicely."
"Why do we need to do this, Phasma?"
"What?"
Coxa pointed to us both, "We're pretty mobile and elusive as is. Getting a brick and mortar place like this would tie us down and make us... public. It's going to be hard to hide doing that. No pony interacts with any of our main locations, so we can choose neutral or even favoring locations for us to meet at and make deals. What benefits are we getting from places like this?"
'Oh come on Coxa. Don't poke holes in my dreams like this....'
"We, uh... aside from the additional income, we- oh! Of course! Love!"
"Love?" He asked, confused.
"Love! We may have all the bits we want, but we still struggle with getting ample enough love to go around. That will hopefully change with the ceasefire between our species after the Gala, but I want to stack the odds as much in our favor as possible. Look, what do ponies do at bars and clubs?"
"They... hook up?"
"They hook up! Flirting, spending money, and whatever! That ambient mood should be positively charged enough to feed off of for the average drone, right?"
Coxa nodded, starting to understand, "Yeah... yeah! Then in addition to love collectors, or just drones in interspecies relationships if you'd want to be less sterile, we would have this fallback. But uh... won't Princess Celestia lift the Prohibition once she's returned? What's the point in investing so much of our funds in these places if they are going to be facing competition so soon?"
I gestured to the place, "One, we'll have a massive head start on the competition and that means a lot in a business that relies on regulars. Two, having our own places ensures that if ponies react... less friendly than desired to our reveal, then we will have locations we can still be in without fear of a hostile welcome. We'll keep their ownership a secret."
"Think you can get away with that? I'd imagine that the Princesses would want to know the true depth of our presence within their own kingdom."
"Eh, worst case scenario the Equestrian government will have it filed as classified information. I'll try to get away with what I can, but if they demand to know the extent of the Fifth Hive, I don't think lying or refusing will be the smartest move."
Coxa grunted an acknowledgement before looking around the empty room.
"So when Thalamus reports that the sale has been finalized and the paperwork properly taken care of, I'll see to getting crews into here to get it refurbished. I... don't know anything about kitchen equipment." Coxa scratched the back of his neck, "Guess I'll have to find that out, or find someling who does."
"Sounds good, Coxa. When we finish here and we're satisfied, we'll use it as a rough template for alternate locations. Nothing too similar, but... eh, maybe we'll just entrust that to whoever runs each of those locations, if they have a good head on their shoulders."
'Make it their problem. Look mom, I'm delegating again! It's so easy to make other people do the hard work for you!'
I yawned, "Oookay. So that's everything out of the way for today, I think."
"Have you spoken with Katydid?"
"So that's almost everything out of the way for today. Ugh, we just left the office, now we have to go back?"
Coxa shook his head, "Actually I think he's hanging out over in the living quarters. I mean, I am guessing he is. I don't actually spy on everyling's whereabouts, and you definitely shouldn't think I am. Not for a moment. Wouldn't do it. Seriously, stop thinking that."
"Oh my dear Coxa, spying on my changelings is perfectly fine as long as you give me the information. I might even let you spy on myself, in exchange for something of equal value."
Coxa stared at me, "... A few bottle caps? Some lint? A spare bit that I've fished out from the sofa cushion?"
"Oh come on, I'm worth at least three- no, four bits! Changing the topic, it might be better to give him more time to think, and have him find me. Takes time to find your heart, or whatever sappy nonsense makes the most sense. I don't want to rush him into making the wrong decision; we have a noticeable lack of officers from the Legions. Pile this on with the fact that the vast majority of Praetorians and Infiltrators are staunch loyalists, and you get quite the imbalance of power. If Chrysalis was to show up and knock on our doors, superior numbers aside, I don't think we would win. Unbroken Radiance gives me an advantage against her, but even with that I don't think I can take her one-on-one."
'Maybe if I had my bullshit-powered hammer things would be different. I could rely on Radiance to protect me and focus completely on offensive spells. Coupled with God-Splitter, even a half-wit at combat like me could kill a demi-god like Bug Mom. But no hammer means no victory.'
The doors to the rundown speakeasy burst open, and a frantic disguised changeling flew into the room. He stopped before me, bowing and panting.
"My King! My King!"
"... What happened?" I growled.
"It's Division-P, Your Majesty! They've begun their attacks against the Fifth Hive!"
We had taken an office meeting room back at our headquarters to hold our... war council.
Where once discussion of mergers, profit projections, and company policy violations were held, now the top changelings of the Fifth Hive were gathered to discuss waging an urban, secret war. At the head of the table, I sat facing everyone. Starting on my left was Coxa, Thalamus, Thrips, and Cricket. On my right was Thorax, Katydid, Froghopper, and the newly promoted First Officer of the Red Right Hoof, Silverfish. The last four seats on either side of the table were taken up by the last eight officers of the Red Right Hoof. Though they were still retraining, I needed every leader present.
On the table lay a map of Equestria, with three markers knocked over on the west side of the country.
"Convoys to Vanhoover, Las Pegasus, and Cloudsdale were all hit yesterday," Thrips announced, being the changeling in charge of deliveries to buyers. "All in full view of the ponies in the cities. Newspapers are already printing stories of ponies being arrested under suspicions of being changelings. The estimated loss of materials and goods is, well, irrelevant. Division-P has captured all twelve changelings in these convoys. How Division-P knew about their identities is unknown; our current suspicions, given that the convoys are all unconnected, are that Happy Trails Shipping Company is compromised."
"Can we hit Division-P on their way back to Canterlot?" I asked.
Froghopper spoke up, "By the time we get a force ready and in position, they will have already arrived at the unicorn city."
I grunted in annoyance.
"The changelings all know the location of the dormitory buildings, the main warehouses, and this office building," Thalamus announced. "If they are forced to reveal that information, the entire Fifth Hive could be jeopardized."
"So we need to strike first, keep the pressure away from the Fifth Hive," I told everyone.
There were some nods as the changelings considered my idea.
'We are so close to the Gala and the ostracizing of Division-P from Equestria. Damn it all, we were so close to getting away with minimal contact with this secret police.'
"Bastards," I muttered under my breath.
"If Happy Trails is compromised, will they know to come here?" Thorax asked.
"No, I put the company's place of work as a dummy location elsewhere," I said.
"But your disguise that is in charge of it, Al-Capony, could be compromised?"
I nodded.
"If we are striking against Division-P, we need to do it soon," Katydid added.
I levitated several markers onto the map, placing them on cities, "I'm thinking multiple strikes against patrols across the kingdom. Hammer them quickly and suddenly."
'Like the Tet Offensive, only this time the guerilla fighters are going to win.'
"That's going to expose our presence to Equestria," Coxa pointed out.
Thorax asked, "If we're already losing changelings to Division-P, what's the point in hiding?"
"Hiding from the general populace?"Coxa offered.
"That is something I would prefer," I said, "but we can't let Division-P have every advantage and let them win every battle. We need to keep the pressure on them to respond across the country. If we keep them too busy to properly interrogate their captives, we can buy enough time to make it to the Gala. I'd prefer to hit their headquarters directly, but that's not a battle we can win. Not until Red Right Hoof is ready to go," I looked at Katydid.
Katydid grimaced, "I can get them all ready in two weeks. More, if we're being pulled away to fight these Division-P patrols. The experience that these battles will give us will be very good, however."
"We don't have a choice," I declared. "We have to bring the fight to them. If they get the chance to find our base here in Manehattan, then surviving until Princess Celestia is cleansed will be extremely painful. Maybe if we can keep them under pressure, we could even draw enough elements away from their headquarters to attack it directly. After the Thirteenth Legion is ready, of course. I will speak with Princess Cadence as soon as possible, and gather as much information as we can. Maybe she can help and start mucking up Division-P from within. Hell, maybe she can just hoof us their patrol routes directly."
"We need to engage them nonlethally and disguised," Thorax interrupted. "If ponies are going to know about our presence here in Equestria, then it's important that we show them that we don't want to kill. Also being disguised will help slow the realization that we're here."
"Can we do that?" I asked the gathered changelings.
"It's going to make things much harder, especially if those bomb collars are real," Froghopper pointed out. "We would have to stun them immediately and hope that there isn't an automatic activation."
I sighed, "I'll find that out, too. I'll light a fire under Cadence's ass and force her to find out, regardless of the consequences. Even if she gets locked out of Division-P under suspicion of treason or whatever, that little bit of information would be worth it. We would be able to attack their patrols and rescue their hostages-slash-POW-slaves."
"Good, because I don't want changelings to die from this," Thorax said, voicing what we were all obviously wanting.
"Is that all?" I asked the gathered changelings. They looked around, whispered to each other, but no one spoke up. "Good. You all know the plan, then. Prepare accordingly within your duties. I want the Red Right Hoof to keep training immediately while we pick out targets. It's going to be exhausting and stressful, but now everything is at stake. All we have worked for in the past few months, potentially more. We cannot let the Fifth Hive fall. We cannot let this attack against us go unpunished. Once I give the word, we will strike at Division-P and begin the liberation of our brothers and sisters. These dogs of Daybreaker won't know what hit them. You all have your orders. Dismissed. Katydid, I need to speak with you for a moment."
The changelings all rose, bowed, and exited the room. Katydid stayed seated, as I asked.
"Yes, King Phasma?"
"I'm sorry to press you so soon for a decision, but as you can see, this is out of my hooves. Are you staying with the Fifth Hive?"
"... I cannot abandon this fight before it is over. Also, I spoke with Coxa and a changeling by the name of Auratus. Coxa told me about the Ascension Chamber... It was... I cannot conceive of any justification for its existence. Auratus told me about the Third Hive. He said you flew back into it to save him and a pony. You flew back into near-certain death to save a single drone and a stranger. I... I don't like the saving the pony part, but the drone? If that's what you'll do for a single lowly changeling drone, then I don't think there's anything that can stop you from saving our species. Not even Chrysalis dedicates herself so fully... I will stand with you, King Phasma. I will die for you, if Panar wills it."
"Let's hope she doesn't. Welcome to the Fifth Hive, Captain Katydid. Now, let's go kick some ass." |
Changing Expectations | 109- Fahrenheit 451 | Cadence rose from her seat at the head of a dinner table that stretched far past the horizon.
"Hello Phasma, I wasn't expecting to see you so soon. Welcome to, uh... a very long dining room? Why are all my dreams so weird?"
"Luna and I avoid you like the plague when you're having more personal dreams. Besides, better dreams than Nightmares, Cadence. Yes, the pun is intended. I didn't come here just to chat, however. Time's up. I need to know about the bomb collars, and I need to know now. Whether they are a fake or not, and if they are real, a way to safely deactivate and remove them."
"I haven't found anything.... which actually means a lot." I raised an eyebrow, so Cadence continued, "Something like... bomb collars... would take a lot of resources to make, right? Since I've been more or less locked out of the most important files that the Division keeps, I had to look around their secrets to feel out their shape. The collars seem magical, but there are no records suggesting that they are explosive. No large purchases of volatile materials, no building of safe storage areas, no training to handle explosives, no direct lines of cooperation with the E.U.P. to suggest any sort of militarized tactics or equipment, and so on.
"So it makes sense that these collars are not explosive. From what I can tell, there's a lot of material being purchased that would go into enchanted and anti-magical equipment. And these are predominantly unicorns being employed, so enchanting skills would be comparatively cheap, in large quantities, and highly valued within the Division, what with the tribalism and all."
"That's good. Thank you, Cadence. Do you have anything more on the collars?"
Cadence frowned, "No, sorry."
I nodded, "Then what you have is enough. Have you discovered anything about the treatment of their captured changelings?"
"Nothing on that. They keep their prisoners locked up in a secure location in Canterlot. Their treatment is a closely guarded secret, as it's not even public knowledge that changeling prisoners are even being kept inside Canterlot."
"They're not prisoners," I nearly hissed, "not anymore. The way the changelings are being treated, they are slaves. Slaves, Cadence." She cringed at my wording, but offered no protest. "I have been patient up till now, but they are forcing my hoof."
"What? What's happened? What are you going to do?"
"I had hoped to just let you deal with Division-P. If they stayed a boogeyman that never actually hurt the Fifth Hive, I would have been happy. But they are finally moving against us. Three delivery teams were foalnapped yesterday. We don't know how Division-P knows about our movements, but they do. So before they can do any more damage, we're taking the fight to them."
"And just what would that entail?" Cadence asked skeptically.
"Non-lethal attacks if possible, freeing their enslaved captives at all costs, and kicking their plots from this side of the continent to the other. I tried to sit quietly and bide our time until Celestia is returned and the Division dismantled, but it looks like that's no longer an option."
Cadence groaned and slowly pushed her porcelain plate to the edge of the table.
"I swear, it's like everypony is trying to get underneath my skin and make things worse. I lend a hoof to Auntie Luna and help your... recovery and now a group of ponies come marching along just to ruin everything!" Cadence yelled as she pushed the plate off the table.
It fell to the ground behind the table and out of view. Cadence watched it fall, and I heard it shatter onto the ground. She stared at the obscured ground for a few moments.
"Things are going to get worse before they get better, aren't they? That was fun though, maybe I should try some stress relieving practices in real life..."
"I'd hardly say bashing a few skulls together is worse, but yes, things are going to definitely get more complicated and active."
"What am I supposed to say, Phasma? These brutes clearly make it hard to sympathize with them. Just... no hurting them permanently, and no hurting anypony else. No collateral. Ugh, I can't believe I even know that word."
I shrugged, "I want it handled as cleanly as possible, too. Learned that lesson the hard way. You have no id- nevermind."
But Cadence had straightened up and bore a hard stare into me, "What do you mean, you learned that lesson the hard way?' I know you're not talking about the Invasion of Equestria, not with the way you shut up afterwards. What did you do?"
I quickly looked around the room before gazing down at my bare fetlock, "Oh heavens, look at the time! I really need to get going!"
"Phasma! If you ever want my help or friendship then you will sit down and tell me what the Tartarus you did!"
I lifted a hoof in a 'stop' gesture, "It's okay, Luna knows all about it. The important bits, at least. There'll be more discussion of it in the future, so there's no need to talk about-"
"SIT! DOWN!"
Groaning and cursing, I pulled a chair out and sat down. Thankfully, the dream was based on Canterlot's dining room or whatever, so the chair was at least sized up enough for an alicorn or royal.
"Now!" Cadence growled, the anger slowly leaving her voice, "I can clearly tell you did something bad. When?"
'How long ago did I murder that bastard? It was before the Third Hive, but how many days before?'
"... Like two weeks ago? Less? It's hard to keep track of the days sometimes."
"Okay! Two weeks ago! What did you do?"
I cleared my throat and rubbed my mouth with the back of a hoof, ".... What?"
"Oh no, you are not stalling for time. You will tell me what you did by the time this dream ends, or I swear I will start feeding information to Division-P!"
"You wouldn't!"
'She wouldn't! There's no way! Not when knowing what they did!'
She grunted, "Maybe not, but I can make your life difficult in other ways. Phasma, how am I to believe that you want to be better when you're hiding things from me?"
"I told Luna! She said we'd discuss it later!"
"We're discussing it now, Phasma! What did you do!"
I sighed, "Okay, fine. I may have murdered a noble."
"You....."
"It was in self-defense! He ordered his hench...mares? To mutilate me in the middle of a restaurant. He told his henchmares to cut off one of my legs."
This actually stunned Cadence, "He... wha.... what was his name?"
"Count Double Dealings."
"That's not any Count I know the name of." She scrunched her eyes closed and tapped her head with her hooves, "Okay, okay. So a noble pony ordered you to be mutilated. Why?"
"I tried to sell him booze. Apparently, he didn't want competition."
"And?"
"And what?"
"Why else did he order this... act?"
"I dunno. He wanted to make an example out of me, I guess."
"So this noble, who would have been in Celestia' court frequently, just straight up ordered you to be ripped apart?"
"Yes. I wasn't too keen on the idea, as I already have had the experience of having a leg ripped off. It's not fun, Cadence. In fact, you might say it's one of the most painful experiences you could possibly have in your life. I may have not been conscious for the act, but your leg doesn't stop being gone when you wake up, nor does the pain go away."
Cadence was visibly trying to keep calm. Frequently, she muttered things to herself that I couldn't hear.
'She can't relate. Pony princess, sitting up in a castle, what does she know? The worst she has seen of this world is the fact that the Captain of the Guard saw me hurt a foal. As if that matters!'
"Okay... so you were afraid, your PTSD was triggered, and you stopped him from hurting you. Why did you kill him? Couldn't you have zapped him and thrown him into one of your cocoons?"
"Pods, and yes.... But..."
'He just made me so fucking angry!' I yelled in my head.
"But what, Phasma?" Cadence pressed.
"I... "
'He deserved it! He betrayed me! He tried to-'
Seeing my hesitation, Cadence doubled down, "What could he possibly have done that made you so afraid that you resorted to murder before anything else?!"
"He tried to kill me!" I screamed into her face.
Blinking, I realized that I had slammed onto the table and thrown all of its contents into the air. I lifted my hooves and brought them close to my chest. The action made me realize just how much I was shaking. Cadence had jumped back against her chair at my outburst, but now leaned towards me. She didn't speak, clearly wanting me to continue.
"You don't understand, Cadence. What was the worst thing you've seen? What was the most afraid you've been? What have you even lost? I- I can't even remember the bastard's face. Just a blur of shapes and color. I can't remember the man who took everything from me. Just the ones who try to do it again. I did everything this pony asked me to do. I tried to be calm. I tried to handle it bloodlessly. But he just betrayed me and- and I... I just wanted him dead. I'm trying to be good, Cadence. I am. But he just..." I trailed off. "When it was over, it was just like the last time this happened."
I looked down at my hooves. In my mind's eye, I saw them covered in Chamberlain Eucharis's blood.
'The man with the gun. Chrysalis. Eucharis. Double Dealings. It always ends with death, doesn't it? The only thing that has changed is that I'm strong enough to make sure that it's not my death.'
"He shot me, Cadence," I whispered. "Give them an inch and they'll take a mile."
Cadence scooted her chair close and extended one of her small wings to wrap around my back.
Chrysalis's unbidden voice rang loudly in my mind, 'You'll see the truth. I will make this right, even if I have to tear you down and rebuild you from the pieces.'
I recoiled as if struck. With a snarl, I pushed away from the table, throwing my chair backwards and clattering onto the ground. Cadence quickly retracted her wing.
"Better them than me! This world wants to throw everything at me, from tyrants to nightmares? Go ahead! I'll take what I can, and give nothing back! I killed Count Double Dealings, and I'll do it again! Anyone who threatens me, I will show no mercy!"
Cadence's eyes widened and she reached out a hoof, "Phasma, your-"
"Judge me all you want, pink pony princess, but I need to secure the safety of my species, which is still very much in doubt! I've been ripped apart, possessed, tortured, and murdered! I will not let that happen again! And now, the ones who look to me for safety and guidance have been taken to be tortured and used against their own kind. If I have to decapitate a few zealots to get me the goddamn rest and safety I so desire, then I'll sharpen my blade and get swinging! Oh I'll spare them if I can, but I'm not going to promise anything!"
"Please Phasma! Just sit down and listen to me!" Cadence pleaded. The sense of authority and anger seen earlier was completely absent from her voice. She was desperate.
But I was angry.
"Since you couldn't grind Division-P to a halt all by yourself, I have to take matters into my own hooves. Goodbye Cadence," I spat as I began to leave the dream. She was saying something as I ripped myself out from her Dreamscape, but I didn't bother to listen.
Cadence raised a hoof to cover her eyes from the unexpected ball of orange fire that materialized around the angry changeling. The brightness dimmed, revealing an empty space where Phasma last stood.
"Grrr.... Son of a nutcracker!" Cadence cursed as she kicked her own chair back. She waved her hooves in the air, imagining throttling the now missing changeling.
'He's gone! Like a stupid stallion, he couldn't just wait a single moment to listen! He just has to run off and swing his sword around!'
Cadence's frustration quickly melted away to fear. Cadence slumped down to the floor, idly running a hoof through the carpet's fabric. She felt a little guilty for blaming him so quickly, in fact.
'Oh Celestia, he needs help, and he needs it soon. Professional help. It's not fair for me to judge him when he's so sick. Normal ponies' eyes don't glow green, for Luna's sake! This might be related to that Nightmare stuff!'
"I need to talk to Luna," Cadence summarized her thoughts out loud.
She spent the rest of her dream pacing about, thinking of what to say to the reclusive alicorn.
When she awoke in her bed chambers, she quickly pulled herself away from the bed and onto her hooves. She yawned and stretched, but wasted no time in shambling over to the door. Her shamble became a limp, and then a walk, and then finally a graceful canter as she shook off the last bits of sleep. Having a lucid dream meant that the transition was far quicker than normal.
The door creaked open, eliciting a stir from her bed behind her.
"Honey...?" Her stallion mumbled, still mostly asleep.
"Just getting some tea, Muffin. Go back to sleep," Cadence reassured Shining Armor, before leaving the room and quietly closing the door behind her. The guards on either side of her door saluted as she exited.
Deciding to forgo the grace, Cadence trotted down the palace's long hallways, making her way across the maze of intersections to her destination. Being in the same wing as the other two alicorns had its perks, and Cadence arrived at Luna's bed chambers in short order.
The Night Guards glanced at her briefly, and saluted her arrival.
'Nothing strange about going to see Auntie Luna, right? I'm not giving anything away... I just had a bad dream! Yes, a bad dream! I saw the Prince- no, best leave that detail out if asked.'
She raised a hoof and knocked three times on the door.
Clearing her throat, she swung back and forth on her hooves as she waited.
'Maybe she's still asleep.'
Cadence knocked three more times.
'She's a heavy sleeper at times, I might need to put a little more effort into knocking.'
She lifted her hoof, and with considerably more effort, knocked three more times. Her third knock met open air when the door was swung open. Luna stood in the doorway, blinking some sleep from her eyes, and not entirely happy.
".... Cadence?"
"Auntie Luna! Sorry if I woke you up, I just wanted to speak with you."
"... I am already awake. I have lowered the moon," Luna mumbled.
Cadence glanced down the hall and saw sunlight streaming in from the large windows on one side, the one facing a courtyard.
"Ah, of course. May I come in?" Cadence asked.
Luna blinked, surprised, but stepped aside to let Cadence in.
Unlike Cadence's chambers, Luna's possessed a large sitting room. Cadence's doors just went directly into the bedroom. Luna's sitting chamber was a large, cozy room, themed in a dark blue and black night. Honestly, the moon motif was too drawn out for Cadence's taste but she kept quiet out of politeness, and instead sat down on a chair by a fireplace.
Then she remembered that she wasn't invited to sit, and she quickly rose from the seat. Then Cadence remembered that Luna wouldn't actually mind if she sat, so she sat back down. Luna watched all this with a confused stare.
"Luna, I... we need to talk about Phasma."
Luna's eyes widened and she quickly looked around her own empty room, "Such an act is not wise in the waking world. You know this. What could possibly be cause to warrant such a breach of... secrecy?"
"It couldn't wait for a nightly chat, as I don't know when the next one would be."
Luna sat down across from her, "Whatever happened must really worry you, then. Speak. Please," she added as an afterthought.
"Phasma killed somepony. Recently. A noble, right here in Equestria."
".... Yes?"
"Right, you know. He said that. But, it's really affecting him. He's not in a healthy state."
"That much should be obvious."
"Y- his eyes glowed green, Luna! He yelled at me and I swear his eyes flashed green!"
Luna scowled, ".... Shit."
"Huh?" Cadence stammered.
"Ahem. Apologizes, Phasma's swears are often much shorter and more fun to use. This is bad news you bring. Not entirely unexpected, but bad news nonetheless."
"What's happening to him?"
Luna looked at the empty fireplace, "He is suffering from lingering, let's call it taint, left over from his last near-possession by a Nightmare. He's not being possessed again, though he does seem to be a magnet to those misbegotten vermin, but he will be affected in other ways. His negative emotions may be heightened, and they will make a feedback loop."
"Can you help him before he does something rash, like killing tribalist unicorns for example?"
"Killing tribalist- Division-P? Well, if those scum-suckers are the target of his rage, I would say that this is a healthy avenue for him to work out his anger."
"Luna!" Cadence groaned. "You can't go around killing ponies!"
"Why not? From what I've heard, they work against Harmony without remorse. Torturing changelings and strapping them with bomb collars, it is unheard of!"
'Thousand years on the moon after being Equestria's warlord has not done Luna many favors...'
"Okay Luna... Let's say we killed everypony who deserved death. That would make Phasma....?"
"That does not count. He is different."
"His mother?"
"Deserves death."
"But he doesn't? Hypothetically, that is?"
"No! He was simply following orders. He also tried working with Nightmare Moon, and though that sounds counterintuitive to testifying for his virtues, it shows that he did not necessarily want to end pony civilization."
"And you know all of this because..."
"He said so."
"When?"
"While I was possessed, and during our conversations afterwards."
"Nightmare Moon tried to end all life in the world, right?"
"No, merely bring about eternal night."
"Whatever. My point is, would you have learned any of this if we did not forgive you- not that it's your fault for being possessed! I mean... agh! Phasma tried to conquer Equestria and put everypony in pods, right?" Luna nodded slowly, "So going by your logic, that would make him a very bad guy, right? So that means we should kill him, right?"
"He is different."
"Forget it!" Cadence yelled, throwing her hooves into the air. "This doesn't even... what was my original point? Oh right, Division-P. Evil is a slippery slope, Luna. Justifying small evils will make large evils seem less and less horrible as you go on. This is no small evil, this is the permanent end to lives that can be rehabilitated. Phasma is clearly being hurt by this taint, so it needs to be cured. He also is going to do something evil, so he needs to be stopped. Can you put a halt to..." Cadence trailed off.
'If nothing is done to Division-P then they will continue targeting changelings, which will only make the situation worse. Can I tell the rightful leader of the changelings to simply stop fighting back and trying to protect his ponies? I will have to do whatever I can to destroy Division-P from within, to save them.''
"Cadence? Are you alright?" Luna asked, looking a bit worried.
"I'm a bit stressed out, okay?! Luna, can you just help Phasma out?"
"I shall visit him tonight and attempt to purge the lingering miasma from his mind. This is far more effective when it is done in person, so it will be hard to tell if the treatment will be successful."
"Then can you at least convince him to be as non-lethal as possible? Please?"
Luna nodded, "I can do that. There are scant few things he would argue with me on, and this should not be one of them."
"That.... sounds like a lot of trust," Cadence said, a bit confused. "You saving his life really meant a lot to him, huh?"
"Yes. Though it seems being his caretaker will become one of my main responsibilities, judging by how often he runs into Nightmares. Honestly, what does he do to attr- right, the brand in his mind."
"The what now?"
"Has he spoken with you about the Third Hive? About Trotsylvania?"
Cadence shook her head.
Luna glanced at the window. The curtains had been drawn closed, but Luna seemed to ascertain the time of day regardless.
"We will be missing breakfast, but I believe you should be made aware of the Nightmares' current activities, as well as their past ones..." |
Changing Expectations | 110- Thánh Gióng | I lowered the binoculars and ducked down as the four targets emerged from the store after an hour of waiting.
I didn't know what Assured Accounting did to deserve a personal visit from three Division-P inquisitors and a changeling captive, but I could hardly care. What mattered is that the patrol was now out in the open, and moving once again.
"All lings in position?" I asked quietly.
Next to me, Froghopper gave an affirmative. We were sitting on top of a roof across the street and down a number of buildings from the targets. Behind us, more buildings down, several changelings waited in alleyways to spring the trap. Past the inquisitors, changelings waited in more alleyways in case the patrol headed away from us instead of towards.
Peeking up, I saw that the inquisitors stopped to chat with one another for a few minutes. In this quiet backroads street in the outskirts of Fillydelphia, there would be no spectators to the ambush. None on the street or sidewalks, at least. That was as clear as we were going to get.
Finally, the three unicorns set off, coming our way. The changeling fell in line behind two and in front of the third. No doubt he felt my presence the moment I came within a several-mile radius of the city. From the looks of it, he did not tip off the unicorns. When I spied on her using the binoculars, I caught her looking in my direction a few times. He refrained from giving anything away, and threw out looks around the street to not tip off the inquisitors that something was up.
"Get ready, they're coming our way" I commanded.
Froghopper nodded and waved a hoof behind us. A messenger passed the signal on to the team below and past us. When the ponies were across the street, I gave the command.
"Havok!" I whisper-yelled before teleporting away.
The changeling yelped in surprise when I appeared next to her and tackled her to the ground. Relying on my changelings to protect me if any of the inquisitors tried anything, I began to teleport once again.
Sure enough, after a yell of surprise, they quickly reacted to the armored unicorn who teleported in on their patrol. Three stunning spells were absorbed quite spectacularly into a green bubble shield that appeared around us. That was all the inquisitors had time for before I pulled us away in a blaze of orange flames, very similar to the flames that appear when I disguise myself.
We appeared back on the rooftop, but without the changeling's collar. My teleport spell was bright, flashy, and very recognizable. Further, it left any enchanted objects behind when it was used. That last fact was normally completely restrictive when I had Unbroken Radiance on, but in this instance it became the lynchpin of this ambush.
In the street, the inquisitors were furious. Angry yelling, pointing, and quick-thinking led them to the conclusion of using a tracking spell on the changeling I had in my forehooves. Unfortunately for them, that was when the changelings launched their attack.
The sounds of spellfire and surprised screams and yelling were accompanied by the sudden wave of fear that the inquisitors and hidden onlookers felt. Even in the building right below me, I was sure ponies rushed up to the windows to see the sudden fight taking place.
I slumped down and looked over the changeling. She had curled up in my forelegs, covering herself as much as possible.
"Hey, what's your name?"
"Hallux, Your H-Highness," she whimpered.
I refrained from hissing in anger when I saw that her carapace was marred with different scars. It takes a lot more force to puncture chitin than it does skin, but that doesn't seem to deter the Division in any way.
"Are you well, Hallux?"
"N-no, Y-Your Highness."
"You're shivering."
"J-just starving, Your Highness."
I frowned, "They don't feed their captives?"
"Not m-much, Your Highness."
I patted her on the back, eliciting another whimper.
"There there, Hallux. You're back in good hooves. We'll get you-"
A pegasus-disguised changeling flew up and landed on the roof behind me, above the street.
"We have them, Sir. No injuries on our side."
"Understood. Let's clear out before the fuzz arrives. Even if they're on my payroll, it's best to avoid unwanted attention."
The changeling saluted and flew off to pass on the message.
"Come, Hallux. It's time to leave."
"Where are we going, Your Highness?" She asked as she rose to unsteady hooves.
"To the Fifth Hive."
The carts unloaded the last of the bound inquisitors, hauling them quickly to the designated pods. The warehouse that stored these ponies was dark and completely sealed up. My airlock design ensured that the light of day never reached the interior, and more importantly, no pony could ever get a glimpse of the inside.
We had several locations such as this across Manehattan's outlying manufacturing and commercial districts. Similar locations in other cities were used for storage and distribution of alcohol and on occasion love. These fortresses were special, more secure and closely guarded than those.
Within the select few reinforced warehouses, the podded ponies were kept. Most were from Count Double Dealing's doom. A few were from other instances of discovering changelings. But now, with the addition of no less than fifteen Division-P inquisitors hauled in from across the country, this particular warehouse was now a quarter full. With the Gala approaching, I wondered if it would get any fuller before I would be forced to release the ponies.
For a concession, of course. I wasn't about to give up something for nothing. But I left that kind of thinking for the future, and instead focused on the present. Five changelings had been rescued from the patrols today, the first day of action. One unicorn had died in a battle in Baltimare. The zealot refused to be captured, and once she realized the inevitable, she tried to take as many changelings with her as possible. Admirable, but a wasted effort. Two changelings received burns, but were otherwise unharmed.
'I imagine that Cadence will blame me.'
The changeling teams had all reported back with their captives in tow, so I ordered a round of extra rations to be given to them all. The support staff for the operation also got a round; just because they were not in the line of fire didn't mean that their duties were any less important.
I chuckled to myself as I left the warehouse, satisfied with today's efforts.
'Tomorrow's papers are going to be very, very interesting.'
"I feel fine, Luna."
She rolled her eyes as she continued monitoring me with... magic, I guess. Dream magic was still a complicated subject that I knew only the basics of. I didn't need to be an expert to know that whatever it took to scan my mind, it didn't require her to be snuggling up against me in the dream parlor.
But I wasn't about to complain.
"That is good to hear, but Cadence reports otherwise. You had a conversation with her last night?"
I grunted in response, "She told me what she learned about Division-P."
"And?"
"And... what?"
"What other topics did you two speak of?"
'Oh great, here we go.'
"Count Double Dealings," I mumbled.
"Cadence was very concerned for you, Phasma. You scared her."
"I did? I guess I did."
"You had an outburst. A moment of intense anger. Cadence said your eyes glowed green. I doubt that that was an intentional manipulation of your form in her dream."
'They did what?'
"They did what?"
Luna's horn dimmed as her spell finished, "You need to avoid strong triggers of anger for the next... until I get a chance to help you in person. Understood?"
"I mean, I'll try," I offered her.
"That is the most I can hope for. Now, what is this about Division-P?"
"They're moving against the Fifth Hive. As of yesterday, the Fifth Hive has unwillingly joined the War for the Sun. The E.U.P. may be focused on quarantining the Fourth Hive and finding a way to break in, but Daybreaker's Division-P is now focused on tracking us down and capturing us."
Luna tapped my chest, "You have managed to make it this far without joining the conflict. If you can end it quickly and without bloodshed, then do so. The sooner you withdraw from it, the better. For more than one reason. Otherwise, try to bide your time until the Gala. Use whatever delaying tactics you can think of."
"Already on it, Luna."
"I trust that you are not going on a maddened spree, letting your emotions and spells run wild?"
"Only one pony died yesterday, during a suicidal gambit to kill as many changelings as they could. They didn't get any."
"Unfortunate but unavoidable," she buried her head underneath mine.
'Ah, the pros of having an outdated marefriend. Or at least a ruler who actually has experience ruling. Her views on war are a bit closer to humanity's than Cadence's.'
"This was just the first day of fighting, however," I reminded her. "Time will tell just how bloody this conflict turns out to be."
I waved her billowing mane out of my face, and then pressed it down against her as I lay a hoof across her neck. Taming the lavender beast was a daily challenge for me.
'Soon, we'll be doing this in the real world. Me, Luna, a big bed, and the ability to sleep in without receiving a report that our kingdoms are in danger somehow.'
"Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum," Luna voiced my rapid heartbeat. "What has gotten you so excited?"
"Thinking about you," I said as I nuzzled her.
Luna chuckled, "There will be plenty of time for excitement like that later."
"Not like that," I said quickly, my face feeling a lot hotter, "I meant actually being together. No, I said not like that!" Luna just batted her eyelashes at me. "Luna... what am I going to do with you?"
"Oh, I suppose we'll find out. I have a lot of ideas, though."
"You are insufferable!" I chuckled.
I watched Luna rise and fall on my chest, her blissfully relaxed and sprawled across me.
"Do you think Celestia will like me, Luna?"
"Mmm. You make me happy, Phasma. That is enough for her. Beyond that... I believe so. So long as you keep that sense of humor, I think you two will get along well. Also, as long as you both work together on your duties as rulers. You two could very easily clash on how you plan to go about merging our kingdoms."
"Merging? I don't plan on doing that. Not exactly."
"Exactly. You two will possess opposing desires of sorts. I digress, I do believe you will like her, and that she will like you." Luna hummed, "I have to say, being the smaller pony in a relationship is a new experience for me."
"Always the big spoon?"
"More often than not. This is new and not unwelcome."
"Hmmm.... So, doctor's orders are that I have to watch my anger?"
"Yes, dear," Luna insisted.
"While I am at war?"
"Yes, dear."
"And fighting for my life?"
"Yes, dear."
"... That's not going to be easy."
"Ruling is never easy," Luna mumbled, dozing off. "Besides, you have your friends and I. What is the worst that could happen?"
I gasped and lurched upwards, "Don't-!"
Daybreaker slammed the folder onto her desk. Even turned away from her own mane, she could see it's flaring and sparking from the light it cast onto her study. That fact alone signaled to all who could see that Daybreaker was not in a conversational mood.
"When I desired results, this is not what I had in mind, Lord Artful. One of my little ponies is dead. On your orders, no less."
Lord Artful Acumen bowed slightly, not acknowledging the fact that they were actually Daybreaker's orders.
"A thousand apologies, Your Highness. This operation came with risks, we knew this. The results obtained were worth the price paid," the unicorn claimed.
"Is this so?" Daybreaker voiced her doubts.
"It is, Your Highness. The final piece of the puzzle has been revealed. Lone Wanderer's report suggested the presence of Hydra plus level threat operating within Equestria. Then came Rocky Mountain's picture and Rogue Hurricane's report, and well, it is quite obvious just who this threat is. With Team Harmony's reconnaissance, we traced three shell company's presence within the alcohol blackmarket, and that they were likely operated by changelings. With Operation Beehive, we know that Prince Phasmatodea is not only alive and operating within Equestria, but that he has implanted agents all across the Principality. Finally, thanks to the heroic sacrifice of Inquisitor Counter Position and the rest of the teams, we have an idea of this rogue changeling's ability to mobilize. Now we can start constricting his area of operations, slowly narrowing down his nest's location."
"And with it, acquire the means to win the war, once and for all," Daybreaker smiled.
"As you say, Your Highness. Inquisitor Counter Position might have saved Equestria."
Daybreaker flicked a hoof. Lord Artful Acumen took the signal to leave, and bowed as he did so. With him gone, the burning alicorn was left alone in her office. She looked down at the grainy, black and white photo and the attached report.
Prince Phasmatodea was relaxing socially with the thestral elders, within their keep's walled garden. But Daybreaker had inherited Celestia's spy network, and had no intention of disbanding it. With eyes everywhere, she had finally found proof that the mysterious royal was alive.
But of course he lived. Epitaph needs him to.
"You will have a different purpose for me, little Prince. I will find you. And you will bow to Equus's rightful ruler."
I groaned and cursed as I laid back down on the sofa. Luna stayed upright, glaring at me.
"Why are you so superstitious?"
"You realize that it's me who's going to have to pay for that remark, right Luna? You just made my life more miserable in some unseen way. Panar damnit, it's not going to be pleasant."
She batted my chest before lying back down on top of it.
"I am sorry if I freaked you out. Now apologize for flinging me into the air."
I rolled my eyes, "I'm sorry for sending you flying. Even though you deserved it."
"I deserved it?" She asked as she tried getting comfortable again.
"Yeah. Besides, you landed back on me, so I would be the one who's bruised. If I decided I wanted to hurt within my own dream. Which I don't, so there's no hurt feelings. I forgive you, Luna."
"Hahaha! Glad that will not weigh on my conscience!"
"So, we've concluded that I'm still suffering from minor possession. How are you doing?"
"Mmmmmmuch better now, Phasma, much better. I look forward to the days where I am able to unwind with you properly, and when of course I will have my sister back. These nightly sessions tide me over in the meantime."
"I enjoy them, too. I love you, Luna."
"I love you too, Phasma." |
Changing Expectations | 111- Laverna | The changeling guard saluted from his station by the door as I approached. Nodding to him, I entered the room he stood watch over.
The small room felt crowded with four of us in there. With myself, two changeling guards, and a pony tied up, the former storage closet was packed like a can of sardines. The room itself was in a sorry state, being part of a rundown building on the bad side of town where no pony walks without a purpose.
"Anything?" I asked as I entered.
The changeling stepped back from the hunched over pony, "No, sir."
The unicorn looked up, her mane, wet with sweat, drooped over half of her face. The eye that was uncovered stared at me with malice. Though for all her hard looks, we all could taste the fear that lurked underneath that loathsome desire to... kill us, I suppose.
She was a dark orange pony, with a mud-brown hairdo that had seen better days. Her Mark was a sunrise. If I cared, I could probably guess her name from that.
"Take a break," I told the changeling.
He bowed and left the room. The changeling sitting in the back was still there, and just as silent as she always was. I stood before the unicorn, looking down on her. She craned her head up to stare right back at me.
"You know who I am," I stated, not asked.
"Prince Phasmatodea," she said with a low voice.
'Prince. Interesting... At least that means that Daring Do's report has been covered up. Or, worst case, its spread is delayed. Good.'
"You know what I want."
She snarled, "I'll never betray my sisters!"
I smiled, "You will. By crook or by hook, there is only one way this ends. I will get the patrol routes for Manehattan. You will be placed back into a pod. Then, once the war is over, you will be let free... Probably. We'll see how negotiations pan out."
"Lies from the Prince of Dread! I was there in Canterlot, I saw your work. If you win the war, Equestria will cease to exist. I won't give you anything!"
"What you believe is irrelevant. I am giving you the chance to spare yourself from being potentially crippled for life. Take it and spare me your pride, pony. I said there was only one way that this meeting of ours ends, and I meant it.
"The only way this ends," she mocked me, "is with my hoof up your plot!"
I raised my eyebrows. The unicorn struggled briefly with her bindings, but slumped with an angry snort.
"Tell me pony, are you familiar with Mind Magic?"
Her spike in fear was the answer to that question.
I continued, "You know what happens next. You will tell me the patrol route, willingly or not. Now, I have been informed that mind magic carries its risks. If you wish to avoid permanent damage, you will come forth with the routes. Otherwise...."
The pony snarled, putting her anger above all other emotions.
"I'll never betray Equestria! You vermin will end everything if we don't stop you!"
"The hard way it is, then. Just remember, I asked you to avoid this."
The unicorn sneered at me, baring her teeth. I was about to start casting the mind control spell when I... didn't.
'... Is this action excusable? Cadence, if she found out, would never approve. But despite that, do I need this information? Well, no. We've done well enough with our own scouting. This will just make my life easier, and safer. It isn't a necessary move. If I desire to keep the ponies' trust, then I should work to do just that.'
As much as I thought it would be better to do otherwise, I turned away from the unicorn and made my way to the door.
"What's the matter, insect? All bark and no bite?" The pony spat at me.
'... But there's nothing wrong with fucking with them and freaking them around, right?'
"It's already over, pony. Do not worry, I'll put that information to good use. You can throw her back in with the others. We're done here."
The anger I felt behind me was satisfying, "You little rat!" She screamed, "Get back here so I can squish you like the bug you are! You'll never win, you hear me? Never! The Princesses will defeat you! Harmony always wins out in the end!"
I snorted, "I suppose it does."
'But don't expect me to understand it.'
I shut the door behind me. The changeling who had just left was staring at me, confused.
"Your Majesty? That was... quick?"
I shook my head, "No mind control. And we're not torturing them, so put her back where you got her."
"Your Majesty? Don't we need this information?"
"No. We want it. That's the difference that matters in the end. Just... put her back. I'll figure something out, don't worry. Worst case scenario, we create fallback complexes to evacuate to if our main places are compromised."
He bowed, "As you command, My King."
"We have to fight as bloodless as possible," I told him as I walked away, heading for this dump's exit.
'You happy, Cadence? I shot myself in the hoof for you. No mind control, just like you wanted. But I swear, if this costs lives in the end, then I'm taking the gloves off.'
Once out in the street of the rundown industrial neighborhood our little hidey-hole was in, I walked in the rough direction of the main offices. I would have to make a couple of detours and stops first, but I needed to talk to Coxa as soon as possible.
Coxa placed this week's report before me.
"As you can see, even with the loss of the convoys, we're still making more bits than we know what to do with. We've been funneling the bits through Count Double Dealing's accounts, laundering them as much as possible. Even so, we're quickly blowing past our ability to launder them that way. We've started investing in business opportunities across the East Coast to get rid of as many bits as possible while still putting them towards generating a profit. I've had to pull more and more changelings to assist me in putting everything down on paper. Our network of assets has grown to a ridiculous level-"
"Forget cleaning the money," I ordered him while knife-handing. Knife-hoofing. Close enough.
"Uh, what? Won't that send the Equestrian Tax Agency after us?"
"They don't matter. What matters is Division-P and their ability to nail us to the fucking wall. We need to be mobile. We need to spend bits on getting alternate fallback locations for the Fifth Hive. As much as I hate to admit it, getting caught here is a death sentence. We need somewhere where we can defend- against a siege, if the worst comes to pass. Somewhere with a number of secret exits we can use to evacuate if needed. We'll have to keep its location a secret from the majority of the Fifth Hive; Daybreaker has captives already. We have to operate under the assumption that all information they held is now in Division-P's hooves. We should also prepare for more changelings to be captured. We need fallback locations, safe houses, contingencies, and plans."
"I'll get Thalamus to find some."
"As soon as possible, Coxa. And remind him to keep his lid shut about it. When he has the locations picked out, get as small of a team that we can get away with for setting them up. Mark them down somewhere, and make sure none of them are ever sent out of the Fifth Hive. They will be unexpendable, in every meaning of the word."
Coxa wrote down some notes on a notepad, "Sure thing, boss. What do we do about deliveries?"
"Hmm?"
"Deliveries. I imagine that if we're doing this, you'll want to change how those are handled, too, right?"
"Oh. Yes, great thinking Coxa. We'll need more security on them. A shadow team for each convoy. If the carts get hit, then the shadow team can counter ambush."
"That's going to slow them down considerably. Moving stealthily through any terrain at all is slow, and we've relied on expediency to get out of any suspicious circumstances so far."
I tapped my chin, "Where have all the teams been ambushed so far?"
"Uh... From the reports we've seen the ponies print in the papers, it's right at the edge of town usually."
"You think we can keep the team with the carts in between civilization, but have them disembark when they get close to towns?"
"That should speed it up more than just having them shadowed all the time."
"Alright, do that. Sacrifice a bit of safety for speed. Worst case scenario, order them to ditch the carts and hoof it. A ling is worth more than any bit can buy. These are our people, I do not want them risking their life more than they have to. That doesn't mean getting out of Dodge whenever they get a bad feeling, though."
Coxa waved me away, "Yeah, yeah. I got it. Don't worry Phasma, I'll make sure they've got a good plan in place for when shit goes south."
"Thank you. Any reports concerning Division-P?"
Coxa hesitated, "That depends. Are you in a good mood?"
'This can't be good.'
"Not really?"
Coxa nervously shuffled, "Okay, then. Best get this over with. Another group got hit. This time, it was right here, in Manehattan."
I glanced behind me and out the window. The city loomed, a distant concrete jungle.
"Why didn't you lead with this?"
"I wanted to give the good news first. The changelings... two of them died. Took out an Inquisitor, but three more were captured."
I rose from my chair, "We need to ambush their captors before they leave the city!"
"Captain Katydid is already on the job, boss. Given what you did back in the Third Hive, I also wanted to delay you as much as possible. I wanted to keep you here, so you don't go charging out there and doing something stupid like revealing yourself."
"Two changelings are dead, Coxa! That can't go unanswered!" I hissed.
Coxa walked up to my desk and reached over, tapping my hoof with one of his one, "And it won't, Phasma. We're handling it, trust us. Look, the ponies don't know about your survival, so it's important to keep that ace up our sleeve as long as possible, right? Plus, if you go gallivanting about, eventually you're going to attract attention. Very bad attention. The kind of attention that has both a horn and wings, you know?"
"We have two weeks until the Grand Galloping Gala. How many changelings will die before then, Coxa?"
He cringed, "We'll be rescuing more than we lose, but... it's not looking good."
'Maybe I do need to get those patrol routes. It wouldn't have been in time to save the changelings today, but next time...'
"Coxa, you will also have to warn Thorax and Double Diamond. Diamond has visited the Hive a few times, so his identity is known to us. He might not be safe anymore. Get him somewhere else to stay in Manehattan, or if needed, out of the city."
He wrote down more notes, "I'll get it handled. Okay, that should be everything. I'll go speak with Thalamus right now."
"Thank you, Coxa."
"I'm just doing my duty," he shrugged. "You should take the rest of the day off, Phasma. I'll handle the aftermath of Katydid's strike against Division-P. Just take a walk, or whatever ponies do when they are not working. Visit a museum, maybe? I think I remember you mentioning visiting one recently..."
I rubbed my eyes, "You want me to visit a museum? Right now?"
"Just go take the day off. Please?"
'Jeez, Coxa never says please. He really wants me out for the day.'
"You're not doing something stupid like planning a surprise party, are you?"
"What? No. You're just taking this really hard, and you told us that you need to watch your emotions and make sure you don't get too frustrated. So go and take the day off. Besides, I don't know when your birthday is."
I sighed, "Alright, fine. I'll try to take my mind off this, I guess."
"That's the spirit! Go get drunk or something. Oh! One last bit of good news, Phasma. Aprocrita, Tegmen, and Apidae all revealed themselves to their pony companions. Apidae had to... leave town, but the other two were accepted! With three interspecies relationships, we might just bring in enough love to stop harvesting from the podded ponies!"
"Wow, they really bring in that much?"
"Based on how many lings Thorax feeds with his relationship, yes. The logistics look very good for this solution that he found. It would be unfeasible if a significant portion were required to be in an interspecies relationship, after all. We would basically start dying out."
'That's no small miracle. Great, now I have to find something I enjoy to spend the rest of the day doing. No videogames, but maybe I should pay Double Diamond a visit. I should find out more about his engineer family and their electronics business, or whatever it was. The sooner videogames get invented, the better.'
Princess Cadence checked that the coast was clear before returning her attention to the pegasus before her.
"Okay Nimble Hoof, you know what to do?"
The stallion nodded, "Yes, Princess. Keep Pencil Push distracted for as long as possible."
Cadence grinned, then frowned. "I am sorry to ask this of you. Nopony should abuse their feelings for one another. And for the last time, please, call me Cadence."
Nimble smiled, "It's okay, Princess. To be honest, I'm just shocked Push is even interested in a guy like me..."
"Chin up, Nimble. You're a cute stallion; any mare worth her salt would be at least interested in getting to know you better. So try to make the most of this for me, okay?"
"Okay, Princess! But, uh..." He trailed off.
"Yes?"
Nimble looked down, "Lunch or dinner?"
"Hmm," Cadence tapped her chin, though she already knew the answer. "Lunch. It's more casual and feels less confrontational. Push will like that more than a dinner date immediately."
Nimble smiled again, "Thank you, Princess, for the advice and even telling me about how she feels..."
'Such a cute smile. It makes me wish Shiny were here right now. Alas, it's time to get to work.'
"Just keep smiling for me, Nimble? You have such a wonderful smile, it's a shame it's not on display more often. And of course, keep her with you and distracted. If you can sneak off and find a closet-"
"Princess! We're not high schoolers!" Nimble yelled, face and ears growing more and more red by the second.
Cadence giggled, "I know dear, I'm just teasing. Now go! I'll send Pencil your way!"
Nimble Hoof nodded again and sauntered off down the hallway, with a spring in his step. The sight made Cadence snort softly. Then, she went down the other way, toward Lord Artful Acumen's office.
Sitting behind her desk in front of the Lord's office, his secretary Pencil Push was filling out a crossword puzzle on today's paper. When she heard Cadence approaching, Push set the papers down and smiled.
"Good afternoon, Princess. I'm afraid if you're looking for Lord Acumen, he's out for the day."
Cadence shook her head, "Oh no, I just bought donuts for everypony. They're in the break room. I figured I should tell you before everypony else gets to them first."
"Oh! Thanks for the heads up, Princess! Don't mind if I do!" Pencil said as she left her desk and headed towards the break room.
"Enjoy!" Cadence called out after her, before turning her attention to Acumen's door.
'Let's see what we're dealing with,' Cadence thought to herself as she scanned the ornate wooden door. She had to mentally refrain from whistling when her scan returned 11 instances of security spells layered over each other across the door.
Producing her set of lockpicks and rakes, she positioned them within the door's keyhole. Once in place, she magically disabled the security spells over the lock and began picking it, carefully and slowly raising each tumbler.
'You may have hired an expert to secure your office, Acumen, but I have a rather embarrassing hobby. One that Auntie Celestia found so humorous that she made me take seriously.'
With a click, the lock turned and the door cracked open.
"Yes!" Cadence whispered as she slipped inside and closed the door behind her.
'Oh Celestia, thank you for your mandatory lock-picking lessons! I promise I will use them for good from now on! Especially since I don't have to break into the Principal's office anymore to change my grades.'
With only the light from the door's window illuminating the room, Cadence had to wait a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dark office. It seemed standard enough, with a desk, chairs, filing cabinets, and of course a fully stocked minifridge, likely filled with bottles of wine or something equally bad. Cadence slinked around the room and sat down on Acumen's chair. The drawers of his desk were locked as well. This time, with different security spells, ones that Cadence didn't recognize and therefore couldn't break into.
Cadence felt around the underside of the desk as she scanned the rest of the drawers. If the lock was protected, then she might just have to rip the entire drawer out to get inside. It wasn't like her intrusion wouldn't have been detected in some way. She always had to account for some undetectable alarm or security spell that logged access, or a clue she left behind, or the fact that she was planning on stealing reams of classified folders with no intention of replacing them.
Being honest, it was probably that last fact that would clue Acumen in on the fact that somepony had broken into his office.
Just when she was about to give up and break open the drawers, her right forehoof found a metal key, tucked up and behind a support beam on the underside of the desk. Doing a little jig in the seat, Cadence unlocked the set of drawers on the right side and began rifling through them.
'Battle reports, no... R&D reports- definitely taking that one... personal schedule, no... bottle of whiskey, no... report from Locksdale Prison? Phasma will want that one. Missive from Daybreaker? Yoink!'
Finished with the right drawers, she moved on to the left ones.
'Special spells against changelings? Yep, that's coming with me. Budget reports, no longer needed... Autopsy reports? I... no, I don't want to look at that. Last files are unlabeled.'
Cadence put the unlabeled folders on top of the desk, next to her pile that she was taking with her. She opened the first and quickly scanned through it.
'So they did try to make explosive collars! Those no-good, rotten, horseapple eaters!'
With little time wasted, she closed the folder and put it back in the drawer she got it from, and began skimming the next.
'Dead Hoof Protocol? Sounds important enough.'
Placing it on the to-take pile, Cadence moved onto the last folder from the drawer. Seeing that it was plans, schematics, and proofs-of-concepts for some sort of defensive enchanted necklace, she placed it back in the drawer and began covering her tracks. That being, closing the drawers, returning the key, and getting out before Pencil Push had a chance to return.
Levitating her pile of folders next to her as she made her escape, Cadence wondered what the consequences for this would be. Odds are that they would guess that she was involved, so she'd better get rid of these as soon as possible. She had already planned to hoof a few of them off to news agencies that would be very interested in learning that Division-P was evil. The rest...
'The thestrals are loyal to Luna, right? Maybe these are better served in their hooves than anypony else's.'
Returning the smiles and greetings of ponies that she passed by, Cadence decided to drop off the folders somewhere secret first before trying to meet the thestrals. The quicker they left view, the better |
Changing Expectations | 112- Dian Masalanta | A flash of orange heralded our arrival in the palace's corridor.
"You are getting better at translation between dreams," Luna said as she stepped away from me.
"It's 'cuz I'm awesome," I said, pretending to dust off my shoulders.
Luna reached over and knocked loudly on Princess Cadence's door. We had entered her dream to speak with her immediately, as she requested last time she spoke to Luna.
'I hope it's good news. But with her stated urgency, I know it can't be good.'
Luna's ear flicked towards the door, picking up something I couldn't hear, "Cadence should now know of our arrival. It will take some time for her to get ready, I suspect. I have made her aware that she can simply will her looks and the world around her to suit her, yet she prefers the old fashion way. She will want to brush herself, clean, and make the bed by hoof."
"Sounds like fun," I rolled my eyes. "How often does she have these dreams? You know, the ones with her, her coltfriend, and a locked bedroom?"
"I would say too often, however she is the Princess of Love."
"Yeah but you don't dream that you're on the moon," I muttered.
Luna frowned, "You know very well why I do not dream of that."
'Shit, she wasn't meant to hear that.'
"Yes, I, uh, sorry Luna. I didn't mean it like that. Sorry, I'm just a bit tense right now. The battles against Division-P are starting to pick up steam. People are dying..."
Luna gave me a small nuzzle, "Let us hope that changes soon. It helps to focus on the good. Although I know you will want to comment on myself and my-" Luna dramatically whipped her mane back, "-awe inspiring presence and appearance, I would like to hear about your friends. There are so few friendly and trustworthy faces within Canterlot Castle that I would like to hear about those who are still on our side."
I chuckled at her posing, "Just today I spent some time with Thorax and his coltfriend, Double Diamond. I brought them bad news but it's hard to make Thorax upset, and Diamond took it in stride, I believe. With the afternoon open, Diamond took us to a gym he's a member of to play some sports. Let's just say that I'm not the most coordinated quadruped, and... yeah. At least Thorax 'n Diamond got a ton of laughs out of it."
"That sounds entertaining! Pray tell me, what is a gym?"
"A gymnasium is a large, spacious building where people go to exercise and play sports."
"Ah! I presume the lack of open spaces in the city of Manehattan puts a premium on room to enjoy oneself?"
I shrugged, "There are parks to play sports in and run around, but the two biggest advantages of gyms are the exercise equipment they contain, and the fact that you can use the facility during any weather. I think. I'm not exactly an expert on modern amenities."
Luna nodded slowly, "I see. I think I would enjoy a visit to the big cities. All our lives, Celestia and I have lived in distant, small villages, or large castles. Though Celestia most likely has enjoyed the comforts of Canterlot, I have not visited a city since..."
I wrapped a leg around her withers and gave her a hug, "We'll visit Manehattan together. How's that sound?"
"I would like that, Phasma," Luna smiled.
"Coming, coming!" Cadence's voice came muffled through the door.
"I'm surprised the door isn't soundproof. Why isn't that the case, Luna? I imagine guard duty on her door isn't very comfortable, with that in mind."
Luna facehoofed, "It is soundproof when the occupant desires it to be. It would be a massive security flaw otherwise; how could a Princess yell for the guards when no sound passes through?"
The door opened, and Cadence beckoned us in, still curling her hair with an iron.
'Ponies have those? I guess magic really can outcompete most electronics... for now. I'm so investing in all that stuff.'
"You can make yourself presentable in an instant, Cadence," Luna reminded her once again.
Cadence nodded for a moment before remembering she was in the process of curling her hair, "I know that, but I wouldn't feel clean. You can't just... stop being in that mindset, Luna."
"Changing the subject," I hurriedly said, "You had something important to tell us?"
Cadence levitated the curling iron back into the bathroom attached to her bedroom, "A lot of somethings... I went snooping around, so I should start with the fact that Daybreaker will probably know that I'm up to something. I certainly will be known to not be on friendly terms with the organization I'm supposed to be running. Past that, well you know how paranoid she is, Luna."
Luna nodded, "It can not be understated. Did revealing your disloyalties reap benefits more than the cost?"
"I think so. I retrieved many files from Lord Acumen's personal office. I haven't read them all yet, so we'll talk again once I have. But for now, I have read some distressing things. I've passed off most of this to the thestrals, so they can provide copies to you two if you wish to read them yourselves. First was a report from Locksdale Prison, where they are keeping the changelings. It isn't good, but it could be worse. A little bit worse. They're uh, they're using ponies to feed the changelings, and they are not treating the changelings well. There have been a few deaths, but for the most part they are working to keep their captives alive. They've gotten a decent amount of information about the Fourth Hive apparently. Changeling loyalty matters only so much, and things change when it's their necks on the line. Most are loyal, but there are enough leaks to break the dam."
I snorted, "Ain't that the truth."
Luna and Cadence looked at me with a puzzled look, but Cadence continued, "There was also some schematics. I couldn't make heads or tails of it so you'll have to wait on the Vallachians to break it down for us. It seemed at a glance to be some sort of necklace that protected the user."
"Learning our enemies' capabilities is always helpful," Luna said.
"I'll keep an eye out for these myself and see if we can learn about them out in the field," I added.
Cadence continued, "There were also schematics for an explosive version of the collar. Turns out they did try to make it, but it was deemed unfeasible and unnecessary. At least, that's what the closing notes say."
'Figures. They tried to be horrible pieces of shit, but the day was saved by fucking budget constraints.'
"... There were also some spells being developed to be used against changelings. Again, I'm no expert, so you'll have to wait to hear what comes of that. There was also a missive directly from Daybreaker herself."
Luna leaned towards her, "What did the Nightmare say?"
Cadence gulped, "The Division apparently took a photo of you in Vallachia."
"Oh fuck," I cursed.
"And, they are trying to hunt you down. I think it was implied that this whole fight against Division-P is to discover your location."
"Oh fuck," I cursed, a bit louder.
"And it was stressed to bring you in alive,," Cadence finished.
"Oh fuck!" I yelled.
'No no no no no! Not this alive shit again! Now another demi-goddess wants to turn me into a living popsicle! I just know it!'
"-down, okay Phasma? There you go. Just breathe. Like that, in and out. You're okay, Phasma."
I realized that Luna was not only talking, but that I was suddenly sitting down. Unconsciously, I was following her orders and trying to breathe deeply.
'She must have realized that I'm having a panic attack- oh Panar I'm having a panic attack! Damnit, why can't people just stick with trying to kill me! That's bad, but far better than ascending or whatever Daybreaker has planned! Probably some Nightmare possession stuff again, or, or...'
I blinked and realized that I was staring Luna in the eyes. She was pressed up to me, nose to nose.
"There you are, Phasma. When I said to watch your anger, I did not mean to replace it with fear."
I was at a loss for words, "I... I... uh, hi Luna?"
Luna giggled, "Hello, Phasma."
Which in turn caused me to chuckle, "Heh, did I ever tell you that hearing you laugh is the highlight of my day? Er, night? It's probably the closest thing to the taste of love there is..."
"Did I ever tell you that your nervousness is so adorable? The way you glance about when I cuddle up to you- I know you would be blushing if you could, or how you are a big tough looking stallion, but actually you're just a big softie?"
"Wuh- buh- tch! I'm not a softie!"
Luna started chuckling again, but was interrupted by a loud gasp. We turned and saw Cadence with her jaw dropped.
She slowly backpedaled, "Wait a minute! Hold just a second! Time out! YOU TWO ARE IN LOVE?!"
'She didn't know?'
I looked to Luna for answers, but she looked just as confused as I was.
"I thought you told her," Luna whispered.
"Me? You see her every day in the palace!"
"You told her your new life's story! Did I not come up-"
"Of course you did! I just, uh, f-focused on other things..."
"What does that mean?!"
"It means I had to cut details out for brevity's sake- and how the hell did the Princess of Love not figure it out?! It's not like we never hugged, held hooves, or said we love each other, or.... did anything in front of her. Oh fuck, did we do none of those things?"
Both our heads snapped to Cadence, who had suddenly summoned a chalkboard wall, with a table full of clutter in front of it. She gripped one of the small sides of it and dramatically flipped it away with a loud, echoing crash. Then, picking up six different pieces of chalk, she quickly filled out the entire chalkboard wall with notation.
Luna and I shared a worried look. We had clung to each other, both out of surprise at the sudden crash and out of the need for protection.
"This changes EVERYTHING!" Cadence yelled, mid-scribbling.
I whispered, "Luna. If she kills me, then know that I'm sorry that I ever let this misunderstanding happen. If the Princess of Love didn't know that we were together, then clearly I wasn't doing a good job of, uh, doting on you."
"OF COURSE Luna constantly defends Phasma's actions! She's too close to him to have an unbiased opinion on his problems! That's why she couldn't understand the hypocrisy!" Cadence yelled out, now moving to another wall. It wasn't even made of chalkboard, just marble and plaster.
Luna whispered back, "Phasma. It is equally my fault. I should have told my niece about something so important, especially as it relates to her domain. I just figured that you told her. Her silence on the subject should have tipped me off that all was not right, but I believe we are all quite worn out and distracted these days. And our professional distance during our meetings with her must also equally be my fault, by their nature."
I shifted uncomfortably in her grip, "Yeah but I'm the one who told her about our interactions. Granted, Cadence and I talked before you and I started hanging out a lot, but still..."
Suddenly, my vision went Pink with a capital P.
"You never told me, Phasma!"
'Oh Panar, this is how I really die! Unless-'
I shifted and held Luna out between us.
"Take her instead! I'm too young to die again!"
Cadence paused, "Y-"
I pulled Luna back in close to me, "Okay but don't actually do that. She's my golden ticket out of being hung at the pony Hague."
Luna deadpanned, "Is that all I am to you?"
"No, don't discredit yourself. You're also my future meal ticket. A two-for-one deal."
Luna and I tried to maintain straight faces, but I broke first. I started laughing until I was picked up by Cadence's magic and torn from Luna's grip.
Cadence made me face her, like she was grabbing me by the scruff of my neck, "I am blaming you for this, Phasma, since you were the one who told me about your history with her. Now, Start from the beginning again, and this time focus on Luna. I want to- no, I need to know everything about you and her. Luna, stay here and give me your point of view when you see fit. And do not think for a moment that you will be getting away from this scot-free!"
I tried to protest, "Uh, isn't there more you need to tell us about-"
Cadence dropped me onto my haunches and sat down in front of me.
"No."
I flinched, "A-alright then. You promise you're not going to hurt me?"
"Why would I- yes! Of course! I'm not going to hurt you, Phasma." The anger slowly seeped out of Cadence, fatigue replacing she-hulk-ness, "Look, I somehow missed it too. So really, it's all three of our faults. Mostly you two, though. I am elated- no, beyond the moon, all puns intended- that you two are together. I really do think you are good for each other. Both taken from your old worlds like fish out of water, both probably really messed up in the head but find solace in each other's company, both insufferably DENSE AT TIMES! But! I can be calm, I just need to know everything!"
Cadence leaned uncomfortably close towards me. I glanced at Luna, hoping for support, but she was acting like we never knew each other.
"Traitor," I cursed under my breath. "Okay. I better start from the important part. So no shit, there I was, speaking with Nightmare Moon just a day before I basically consigned the entire pony race to near-extinction..." |
Changing Expectations | 113- Kane-huna-moku | King Phasmatodea was speaking. Patella was listening, but not paying attention. Sure, she probably should be, but it became quickly apparent that she just couldn't appreciate his speech. All the same, she was mentally writing down the important bits in her mind.
Mostly, she was just fascinated with both the King's appearance and the occult themes that ran through the collective funeral being held. As an Infiltrator, she had visited faraway lands that had similar practices. Several Ram conclaves for example had the brutal practice of sky burials. A reclusive Zebra tribe painted their fallen in magnificent gold paint, like they were fallen angels or gods.
Then there was King Phasma. The alicorn-tier being was throwing himself into the ritual; waving his hooves, gesturing dramatically, and all around seemingly being as involved as possible with this ceremony-
'Oh, he just cut himself with a knife.'
Patella had never been to a funeral like this. As an Infiltrator, she was separated from the rest of her peers early on, with Her Highness picking her out for her skills while still in education. The royal attention had been greatly beneficial to her growth as an operator, however it left her feeling somewhat detached from everyone around her.
Even now, she watched the changelings all gathered in this warehouse by the docks. There were one hundred and sixty-three changelings in this building alone. That was a staggering number, one that Patella had not expected. She also knew that King Phasma's Hive was bigger than this, too. The gathered changelings watched the King with unmatched reverence. Even the most boot-licking Equestrian nobles did not pay this unmatched level of attention to Princess Celestia when she spoke.
The crowd chanted something, prompting Patella to mumble along. Then, they began turning away from the center of the room where the tall changeling was presiding over the closed wooden caskets. Patella turned and left the building with the crowd, though in truth she did not want to leave. She wanted to get a closer look at King Phasma. She had not seen him until today, and seeing a being that powerful in person was an awfully rare event, even in her line of work. Especially in her line of work.
The changelings all took disguises before leaving, and so Patella did too. She decided to change into a dark brown unicorn with a black, curly mane. The Cutie Mark was not important, so she just decided to make it a wooden box. Judging from the changelings around her, even that detailed of a Mark was going above and beyond.
'How do any of these bozos not get discovered by the Royal Guards? Are the Guards just that incompetent?'
Unfortunately, Patella knew from experience that the answer to that question was frequently yes.
But Patella did not come here to Manehattan, to King Phasma's Fifth Hive to gawk at drones and observe rituals she had never been a part of before. She had a job to do, and she intended to do it. After eavesdropping on a few conversations of the egressing changelings, she picked out a particular group of them to follow to the Hive's headquarters. According to her coworkers, it was an office building up in The Heights. It was apparently one of many in a quickly growing network that redefined the ancient structure of a Hive. The changelings she had eavesdropped on were headed to just such a location, ergo they had to be headed to the nerve center of the Fifth Hive.
As she trotted behind them at a distance, Patella gave silent thanks to her coworkers. The competent old guard, that is. Unlike the bloodthirsty greenies, her old comrades had managed to connect the sudden wealth influx to unsavory individuals in Southern Equestria to a company that didn't exist save for on paper. That company, named M&M Enterprises, or 'The Syndicate' as its less reputable 'employees' referred to it, was owned by an earth pony named Natural North. Tracing Natural North to Manehattan was easy enough. Looking at the information on the paperwork filed for the founding of the company solved that. Finding him inside the metropolis was the real needle-in-the-haystack situation. No property was owned by him. Navigating his network of owned companies and their supposed locations was a Sisyphean task; many companies had fake addresses, and the ones that had real addresses were to locations not actually owned by him. It was a dead end.
Which is where Patella had entered the equation. It had taken all her skills, a few bribes, and more than one lucky break to learn of the Fifth Hive's location. A warehouse owned by Butcher Cassidy, a sudden monopolist that coincided with Natural North's rise, had purchased several properties in the past week in one of Manehattan's dock districts. The official documentation was misfiled and nearly destroyed, but her fellow Infiltrators had rescued it from the shredders before that happened. To summarize, it was a stretch, but that was all she and her comrades had. This was the third warehouse that Patella investigated today, and today it was filled with the majority of the changelings in the entire city. The deadline for finding the Fifth Hive had been fast approaching, but here she was at last.
Now across several neighborhoods, she and the party she was tailing had come to its destination; the six story office building that served as the Fifth Hive's core had no company label out in front. Patella opened the front door with a green hued magic and clip-clopped her way inside. The security inside was noticeably on-edge. She nodded to the security guards, four unicorns in white and brown security uniforms and stationed behind desks or near doors, and made for the elevator. She passed them without fuss, and they continued glaring at their respective walls or desks. Stepping inside the elevator, she saw that there was another changeling inside, this one disguised as a black pegasus.
"Floor?" He asked, standing by the button panels.
"Six, please."
The fake stallion nodded, pressed the button with a wing, then stood back. The two stood silently, which Patella was thankful for. She didn't exactly know what commonplace conversation topic could tip her hoof and reveal that she's no ordinary drone, so avoiding small talk as much as possible was preferable for this operation.
The elevator stopped at the fourth floor, and the other changeling left the elevator. Two more changelings got on, much to Patella's hidden annoyance. These two, a white earth pony and a white pegasus, chatted with each other as the elevator went up.
Tuning them out, Patella reminded herself of the goal. She needed to find the changeling named Coxa, and discover where they were keeping the podded ponies. And of course, escape without being caught.
The elevator chimed and the two changelings stepped off, heading towards a pair of double doors at the end, which were unlabeled. If Patella was a gambler, which she was not, she would bet that the office belonged to King Phasma. She looked around and saw a secretary changeling disguised as a unicorn, looking over some notes before her on a low desk.
"Excuse me, I am looking for Coxa," Patella spoke up, drawing the changeling's attention away from their paperwork.
"Down the hall, last one on the right," the changeling replied before returning to their work.
Down the hall she went, knocking on the frosted glass window that took up a third of the door.
"The door is open," came a reply from inside the room.
Patella opened the door, revealing a somewhat large office, piled high with assorted stacks of papers. What filing cabinets the room possessed had many of their drawers pulled open as folders were retrieved and stored by a small team of four changelings. One changeling sat behind a large desk, clearly the leader. None of them had a disguise on.
"What?" The lead changeling asked, muzzle buried in a large ledger.
"I'm looking for Coxa."
"Speaking. And you can drop the disguise, this building follows the Closed Room policy," He muttered.
Patella dropped her disguise, "I was told you were the one to go to get access to the podded ponies."
The changeling looked up from his oversized book, "Yes. Who are you?"
"I am Patella."
He scoffed, "That's helpful. I meant what department are you in? Why do you need access?"
Falling back on her created cover story, Patella began lying, "I was stationed in Baltimare. One of the Division-P operatives captured there might have acquired extensive knowledge of our network. Good news is that he was captured. Bad news is that he had a backup of the intel. We need to find it before it gets picked up. Meaning, I need to ask him a few questions. Painful questions."
Coxa cursed under his breath before asking, "What is the pony's name?"
Patella shrugged, "I don't know. I know what he looks like, though."
"Damnit. Alright, come with me, I better see this through myself," Coxa said, rising from his bureaucratic throne.
'Yes! We're in. I would have preferred it if he didn't come, but this will work nonetheless.'
When she turned away to open the door again, it was opened before she could reach out a hoof to pull it. Three changelings were out in the hallway, and one leaned in. The two in the hallway were the disguised ones that had entered the King's office a bit ago. The third changeling was a blue unicorn with a black mane and a fancy letter 'u' symbol Cutie Mark.
'Is that King Phasma's disguise?'
"Hey Coxa, the boys and I are going to see the speakeasy's opening debut. You coming?" The changeling asked, looking over Patella's shoulder.
"No, I've got important business to attend to. Some inq- ah, you know what, nevermind. A big problem came up, but I'll get it fixed before shit hits the fan. You three have fun, I'll pop in later tonight. And remember, always practice safe sex and use protection!"
The blue unicorn scowled, "We're not going to have a threesome, Coxa. Not without you in the middle, you ugly bastard."
'Okay, definitely not a king, so just one of Coxa's buddies.'
"All I hear is lies, lies, and more lies. Now get! I actually need to hurry," Coxa said, stopping beside Patella.
Unfortunately, the changeling in the doorway frowned and looked between her and Coxa.
"... The curiosity will eat at me all night. What happened, Coxa?"
Coxa sighed, "An Inquisitor is apparently trying to screw us, even while podded up. Paterna here-"
"Patella," she corrected him.
"- is going to point out the bastard so we can get information."
The unicorn's frown deepened, "Sounds like I should come and help."
"If you really feel the need to, I won't argue. It shouldn't take long, you can just do the prep work and make things easier," Coxa said.
'No! I need as few changelings with me as possible. I need to dissuade this changeling before he decides to come along.'
"That's not necessary," She said, waving a hoof dismissively. "We have this under control. We don't need any outside help."
The unicorn raised an eyebrow and looked Patella over.
"This is Patella," Coxa introduced her.
"I didn't ask you, Coxa," the unicorn said tersely.
'What does that mean?'
The unicorn shifted his posture to fully face Patella. What started as a frown progressed into a full on glare and scowl.
"Ahem," he cleared his throat, but did not speak further.
Patella realized from the lack of sound behind her that the rest of the changelings had stopped working and were watching them all.
'Uh oh. Whatever is going on, isn't good.'
"What?" She asked.
"Yeah, what indeed," the unicorn changeling murmured.
'Crickets, he's onto me?!'
Before she could act, the changeling's horn lit up in an orange hue, and she was pushed to the floor, prone. She struggled against his grip, but couldn't move. Normally such a feat was impossible to achieve for a unicorn, and all information available showed that changelings rarely go beyond a unicorn's level of power. Which meant-
"I asked your name, and you didn't answer," the disguised King said angrily. "I ordered you to bow, and you ignored me. I knew something was off the moment you didn't bow before me like damn near every other changeling I meet. You're not a drone of mine. Who are you, and how did you get here?"
'This is bad! Time for Plan C!'
Giving up on trying to struggle free, Patella went limp.
"I... I am an Infiltrator of the Fourth Hive-" Patella began, a moment before realizing that Plan C would fail immediately for the same reason that Plan A failed.
King Phasma threw off his disguise and stepped close to Patella, "No, you are not. If you were an Infiltrator, you would hear my commands through the Weave. You're no changeling at all. Who are you, pony? How did you get here? How did you find us? And most importantly, how have you disguised yourself and your emotions?"
'Oh crackers, this is bad!'
"I... uh...." Patella stalled as she tried to think of escape plans.
"We can do this the easy way, where you talk, or the hard way, where I make you talk. Either way, you talk, see? I would recommend the first option, as that one carries no risk of turning you into a vegetable. Not the edible kind, might I add. If you want to avoid brain damage, you will answer my questions."
"Okay, okay! I'll talk!" Patella said, afraid.
She had been briefed on the King. He had used mind control in the past, and would absolutely do it again. All her training on resisting torture and interrogation techniques were pointless when you faced an alicorn-tier being that could simply magically command you to tell the truth. There was no way she was getting out of this, so she might as well do it as painlessly as possible.
"I am not a changeling," she admitted. "I am an Inquisitor Sweetie Drops of Division-P." King Phasma smiled in satisfaction, but motioned for her to continue. "I am here to investigate you, King Phasma. Leads pointed to that warehouse where you held the ceremony to being owned by someone associated with your network. I was sent to find out if we could confirm this, and if so, also find the location of the podded ponies you are keeping."
"Ah. Well, we suspected this would happen. Coxa, get ready to move the Hive to the fallback location. Inquisitor Sweetie Drops, I believe you were about to tell me how you are hiding your emotions? Oh, and Thorax and Diamond, you might as well go on without me. I'll catch up later with Coxa."
The changelings behind him nodded and closed the door, leaving the King in the crowded office.
"Go on, pony," he ordered Sweetie Drops.
"I... I'm wearing a necklace that masks my-"
"The necklaces! Of course!" The King cheered. "That's what those schematics were for! It must be invisible while wearing it, right?"
'He got the schematics for the Disguise Matrices?'
Sweetie blinked in surprise, "Uh... yes, King Phasma. It is. It is also how I can use different disguises."
The King nodded, "That makes sense. Must be one hell of a complicated spell. Remove it. Now."
Sweetie briefly struggled in his grip, "I can't with you holding me."
The grip laxened around her right foreleg, so she used it to fish the necklace off of her, scooping it up from underneath it. Pulling the invisible charm up off her neck and over her head, her changeling disguise vanished with a silent shimmer when the spell failed. The charm, a large green circle covered in etchings, was picked up out of her hoof by King Phasma.
"Adamantium, of course. No other metal could fit such complex enchantments... But where did you get the metal? Last I checked, it's damn near impossible to find in Equestria."
He looked down at Sweetie.
"Your peytral, King Phasma. It was melted down- actually, it was carved up. They couldn't find a way to melt the metal, so it had to be carefully taken apart, piece by piece, to use for the necklaces."
The King's smile disappeared, "My peytral? Those bastards, I wanted that back! Ah well, at least I have a much better replacement. So, judging by the size of this thing there's... hundreds of these necklaces out there?"
Sweetie shook her head, "No. Most of the metal is in storage, or used in other experiments. The R&D department is completely fascinated with that miracle metal of yours."
"That sucks, Phasma. Looks like no shiny jewelry for you," Coxa said from behind Sweetie and out of her view.
King Phasma chuckled, "Can't have shit in Canterlot... You know Inquisitor Sweetie, you're the first pony to actually talk. Why is that?"
'No one else has talked? Do those idiots not know the damage that mind control can do?'
Sweetie Drops realized that she didn't answer his question, "Uh... p-probably because you've only run into the fresh Inquisitors? T-they're more zealous and bloodthirsty than the rest of us."
"Us?" He asked, confused.
With no reason to start lying and every reason to avoid his anger, Sweetie explained, "Former Special Agents from the now defunct S.M.I.L.E. Division. We were Princess Daybreaker's eyes and ears, a-and hooves if necessary. But Princess Daybreaker had a change of heart after the invasion- even changed her name, and decided to expand our numbers. The new mares just don't have the experience, self-awareness, control, or common sense necessary to cut it as an operative..."
'And we know when the jig is up.'
"Celestia's intelligence organization, eh? That's... interesting. Tell me, Former Special Agent Sweetie Drops, did you enjoy your time under Princess Celestia? Do you... prefer her over Princess Daybreaker?"
'What is he...'
"... Are you suggesting that Princess Daybreaker isn't Princess Celestia?"
'It's changeling propaganda. But it does make so much sense... Then again, only bad propaganda doesn't make sense. Cripes, this is so confusing.'
King Phasma smiled, "That is exactly what I am suggesting. Do you prefer Celestia over Daybreaker?"
"I mean, yes? I think?"
'Just tell me the right answer, will you?! I'd rather not become a statistic!'
"Interesting... and if given the chance, would you work to bring her back?"
"Bring her back?" Sweetie echoed.
"Would you work with Princess Luna and Princess Cadence to bring Celestia back to Equestria, and to help sabotage Division-P from within?"
"The Princessess? I... I am a trained agent loyal to Equestria. I will not and can not take foreign tyrants- rulers, foreign rulers, at their word."
King Phasma leaned in close, "What if Princess Luna told you this herself?"
'What if she did? I don't know much about her, save that Princess Celestia was extremely focused on her return. So much so that practically everything else seemed to not matter to the Princess... If Celestia cared that much about her sister, then surely her sister is trustworthy? If Princess Luna tells me that Princess Daybreaker isn't Princess Celestia, then things would be different, right? If she's at the palace all day, then no changeling agents would be able to use mind control on her, so she must be sound of mind. They would know each other best.'
"If Princess Luna says so, then it must be true. I thought the war had hurt Princess Celestia, and this is how she reacted to that pain, but if she wasn't actually the Princess...." Sweetie trailed off, pursuing the tangent in her own thoughts.
'Changelings across the battlelines working to save Equestria? Stranger things have happened, but only in legend. But Harmony setting this King's course on the path to save Equestria, after he once tried- and nearly succeeded- to destroy it, certainly sounds like the Harmony Princess Celestia spoke of. I will have to determine whether or not this message from Princess Luna is real. If it isn't, then it's just another changeling trick. If it is...'
"Coxa!" King Phasma barked, pulling her thoughts out of the clouds. "Arrange for Inquisitor Sweetie Drops to stay in a room within a habitation building, under constant guard. We may have another ally within Division-P now. And potentially more, if she can convince her fellow former agents...?"
'Convince them? If it's to save Princess Celestia, I think that's possible. But again, that is only if he's telling the truth.'
"Coxa do this, Coxa do that..." a sarcastic tone from Coxa mocked King Phasma, the changeling still out of view.
"Considering none of us like the current state of affairs, that's p-possible," Sweetie said as neutrally as possible. Making false promises would potentially be a death sentence..
"Well then! It's settled, you will meet my better half tonight."
'Better half? Isn't that supposed to mean wife?' |
Changing Expectations | 114- Semyorka | "Ah, Canterlot, summer of One-Thousand. Good times, good times," I cheerfully said when I realized what Sweetie Drops was dreaming of.
Around Luna and I, the capital of Equestria was burning.
"Your macabre sense of humor will be the talk of the town, Phasma. You should show it off to the nobles. They would love it," Luna replied drolly. "Before I forget: Cadence needs to speak with us again."
"Alright well let's find this earth pony, shatter her world view, then quickly move onto Cadence's dream."
Luna pointed ahead, where a cream colored pony was lying on her side in the rubble-strewn avenue. She was looking up at a six story office building, whose burning inferno gave the entire block a red and orange color palette. Even a hundred hooves lengths away, I could feel the fire's heat.
We approached as Inquisitor Sweetie Drops was scooting away from the fire, casting a fearful glance around the street. When her eyes picked up our approach, a look of confusion fell onto her face, before her expression turned to a neutral one.
'Well, not quite neutral. Even without my empath senses, I can tell she's not exactly happy with me. Now the smart thing to do would be to be apologetic and diplomatic about this.'
"I see you're a fan of my work," I said with a smile as we stopped before her.
"Yes, dig yourself further," Luna muttered too quietly for Sweetie Drops to hear.
Sweetie Drops' eyes narrowed as she picked herself up off the ground. Briefly dusting herself off, she strode towards me.
"I wasn't even in Canterlot that day. Not until you had left and there was nothing left but fires to put out and retreating changelings to fight. You caused such havoc that... nevermind," she said suddenly, as if remembering something.
"Hello, my little pony," Luna said, stepping forward.
"Princess Luna," Sweetie Drops bowed but did not take her eyes off the Princess.
"You are skeptical of my authenticity. A healthy and smart worry. Discard your fears and suspicions, for we have come to you in the Dreamscape, as part of my duties to shepherd the kingdom beneath the moon. I am Princess Luna, protector of dreams."
"... I need something more than appearances and a confusing speech to 'authenticate' your person, Princess Luna."
Luna gestured to herself, "There are none others alive who can move between dreams like I. My mere presence alone is testament to my credentials."
At that, Sweetie just glanced at me before returning her stare to Luna.
"He's here. Further, I could be under powerful hallucinogens. I'm sorry Princess, if you're the Princess, but I need something more."
"Very well. What do you suggest, Inquisitor Sweetie Drops?"
The small pony's muzzle scrunched up as she thought hard.
"A question," Sweetie said slowly. "Yes. A question. You have to answer something that... something that only someone close to Princess Celestia would know, Your Highness."
Luna stiffened, "... It has been an entire era since I last spent time with my sister."
"Princess Celestia has a scar," Sweetie nodded to herself and pointed to her right foreleg's shoulder, "Right here. Describe it."
Luna snorted softly, "Shallow. Shaped like a corner, with one long side. Near invisible under her fur. You're going to have to ask something more personal than that if you wish to confirm my identity."
Sweetie leaned forward, "Ah, but how did she get it?"
Luna laughed, "Ha! Celestia says that she got it from wrestling an elder drake that scorched the Grain Coast, that she got it in the battle of Four Summers itself. In truth, we were thirteen winters old when she received the wound that scarred up; she spilled tea on herself one afternoon, and in a fit of panic, ran into a bookcase."
Sweetie Drops bowed, deeper and more reverent this time, "It is an honor to meet you, Princess Luna."
"Arise, Sweetie Drops. Though I am curious, that is not a tale she parts with easily. What happenstance led to you discovering the truth?"
"Five years ago, Princess Celestia decided to pass that year's Grand Galloping Gala by switching her usual drink of choice of black tea mixed with rum to a Long Island Iced Tea. She had just heard of the new drink from Manehattan, and made the switch without informing anyone. So no one had the chance to tell her that her new drink wasn't quite tea and was instead more closer to pure ethanol. By the time the Gala was over, Princess Celestia was not her usual graceful self. Loose lips sink ships, and more interestingly spill secrets that no one knew for hundreds of years. Afterwards, all the staff who were around her and attending her had to be sworn to secrecy..."
"Oh ho hooo!" Luna laughed, "You must tell me more! I desire to hear all of these secrets she has spilled! I am certain she has accumulated more in my absence!"
"Another time, perhaps," I interrupted the two mares. "We're here on business and on a tight schedule. You aren't the only pony we're visiting tonight."
"Who else are you visiting?" Sweetie asked, curious.
"Princess Cadence," I answered. "Now, Luna here testifies that everything I said was true. Princess Daybreaker is not Princess Celestia, and is instead her counterpart to Nightmare Moon. No, I will not explain further, that takes time. The important thing is that you can split Division-P in half. That will save lives, Sweetie Drops. Lives. Can you do it for us?"
Sweetie grimaced, "That may or may not have been me just trying to not get mind controlled. There's a chance, but I don't know. I'm just one pony. And all of this, this Daybreaker or Celestia stuff... I'm still struggling a bit to come to terms with the fact that you aren't, you know, soul-sucking evil. Perhaps I should have listened to that changeling after all..."
"That one changeling?" I asked.
"There was a changeling in Locksdale Prison, where we keep the changelings in Canterlot Castle, who was adamant that you had to have survived your supposed death. Princess Daybreaker must've decided to believe her, as she began her search for you after reading the interrogation report. The changeling was also insistent that you were... good."
I rolled my eyes, "I'll have to give my thanks to this good samaritan in person, then. It was very nice of them to sic Division-P and a possessed alicorn after me."
"Possessed? Princess Dayb- Celestia is possessed?"
"Yes, yes, not important. You'll all learn about that later. We've gone off topic; I am in desperate need of any way to sabotage Division-P, since Cadence has taken herself off of the field and Luna is busy with other tasks."
Sweetie nodded, "I'll do what I can, King Phasma and Princess Luna."
I got a feeling that her acceptance towards the developing situation and readiness to help was more directed to Princess Luna than myself. Call it... common sense.
"That is all we can ask, Sweetie Drops. Thank you for believing in us, and for believing in a better Equestria," Luna said, drawing a smile from Sweetie.
"Though I have to ask, Your Highness, what about the whole burning Equestria thing?" Sweetie asked, pointing to the burning building behind her.
Luna looked at me while she spoke, "Phasma is trying his best to right his wrongs and help us all out. Just as well, he was not quite as free to walk his own path as you might think. He might have plotted the invasion of Equestria, organized the changeling army, trained it in new, effective tactics, plotted for the end of Equestrian civilization-" I cleared my throat loudly, "-but the decision was made for him. Nothing less than absolute loyalty was demanded from him, and still he tried to find alternative methods, however suspect and tenuous they may be. And now he seeks to bring light back to Equestria. You know, just like myself."
"So he- so you just get away with doing all of this?" Sweetie asked, glaring at me.
Luna stepped in before I could argue, " If you judge Phasma, then you must judge me equally, for I have even more blood on my hooves. There will be a thorough account for all of his actions once we can safely worry about such things. For now, accept his help and let us save Equestria together. For my sister, if nothing else."
Sweetie thought about this for a few moments before answering, "Okay, Princess. I won't let you down."
"We must leave now. Step close to me, Phasma. I shall take us to see Cadence. Farewell Sweetie Drops, may our paths cross again soon."
Sweetie bowed once more, but her final words were directed towards myself, not her princess.
"You know, King Phasma, I just remembered something from that changeling's interrogation report."
"Which is?"
"She claimed to know you personally."
I blinked, "What was her name?"
"Her name is Lacewing."
Luna took my stunned silence as the conversation being over, and took us away from Inquisitor Sweetie Drop's dream.
"No!" I yelled at a hedge. Spinning on my hooves, I grabbed and shook Luna, "Take us back! Right now!"
Luna pushed me away, and I fell on my flanks. We had arrived in Cadence's dream, the same garden that she had dreamt of a while back.
"Calm yourself, Phasma. You can speak with her in the waking world, correct? We must see Cadence now."
"Lacewing is alive, Luna! Alive! She's alive!" I shook my hooves at her.
"Is this important?"
"Yes! Yes, Luna, yes! She was a member of the First Fang- is a member. I held a fucking funeral for her, Luna! We have to go back!" I begged.
"You need to stay here and listen to what I have to say," Cadence said, standing behind us.
"Whatever you have can wait-"
"No, it can't. Phasma, I've finished reading the last of the material I stole."
I rose to all fours, "I just got word that someone I care about as a close friend is no longer dead, Cadence. I need to-"
"Stay here," she ordered in a tone that brooked no argument.
Still, I argued, "I'm sorry Cadence, but-"
"Your changelings' lives are in extreme risk right now. If the plan at the Gala goes ahead, hundreds will die."
"Wh..." I panted.
'It's just bombshell after bombshell today.'
"The last file," Cadence began, "is on a protocol titled The Dead Hoof Protocol."
"Oh no," I gasped.
"Do you know of it?" Luna asked.
"The Dead Hand Protocol. I know what it means. What are they going to do, Cadence?"
"Locksdale Prison will be purged. The file I read was a report on the methods of doing so. All failed or rejected methods, with the final decision being to... to execute all the changelings held in the prison via unicorn squads," Cadence said, her voice shaky and threatening to break. "But it never listed when, only that it had something to do with Princess Daybreaker."
"The Dead Hand Protocol," I explained, "was the final fallback contingency to destroy the world, should the protocol's government fall. Division-P could be planning in case of Equestria's fall, but with our luck and its mention of Daybreaker..."
"They plan on killing all the changelings if Daybreaker is killed," Cadence finished. "But how did you know already? And what's this about hands?"
I ignored her, "We can't let that happen. Lacewing is alive, and so is everyling else they're holding in there. We can't let them execute that protocol."
Luna asked, "The Grand Galloping Gala is in six days, Phasma. What are we going to do?"
"I need... I need to think! Give me a moment!" I said, going from trotting in place to pacing back and forth.
"Six days," Luna repeated. "All of our plans are set in stone. We cannot dedicate any thestrals to going up against Division-P."
"Locksdale Prison is in Canterlot Castle's dungeon, right?" I asked. Cadence nodded so I continued, "so then... so then... that's the same place that the Gala is being held, right? Okay... okay. A direct attack to engage the enemy, and an indirect attack to win," I whispered to myself. "Cadence! Luna! I need God-Splitter, my Adamantium hammer, to be present at the Grand Galloping Gala!"
"It already is," Luna said, "since Daybreaker loves her trophies being displayed and admired. What are you going to do?"
I explained as I paced, "The only thing I can do. My changelings will attack Locksdale Prison in the greatest jailbreak in history. But they wouldn't win in a full frontal assault. Nor do we have enough time for an infiltration operation. They will need a distraction to pull away most of Division-P's attention. That is where I come in."
I spun on my hooves, and faced the two alicorns, "I will attend the Grand Galloping Gala undisguised."
"What?!" Cadence yelled.
"Phasma, we have one shot at taking down Daybreaker," Luna said. "One shot. Your presence would threaten the entirety of the whole operation. As much as I would love to see you again as soon as possible, I do not wish everything we have worked for to be thrown away in fear."
"We don't have a choice, Luna. I am not letting my people die. I'm coming to the Gala. There is no other option to distract Division-P. Unless I am there at Canterlot Castle, they will only dispatch a token force to try to take me down. I need to be there, present at the Castle, threatening Daybreaker herself in order to get their full attention."
Luna facehooved, "And just how do you expect to take on Daybreaker, the best trained squads the Royal Guard has to offer, and the entirety of Division-P on by yourself? Because need I remind you, we have to focus on taking down Daybreaker, which means the thestrals and I need to either stay on the sidelines, or Harmony forbid, fight you."
"I'll figure it out. You meanwhile need to adjust your plans to take down Daybreaker while she's distracted with me."
"You think she won't see through that ploy immediately? The moment anypony so much as sneezes strangely while she's staring you down, it is over."
I snarled, "Figure it out, Luna! Leave the Guards and the Division to me, and you figure out your Element bullshit."
"This is our one chance, Phasma!"
"Do you have any other plans?!"
Luna hesitated.
"No, you don't. No plan survives contact with the enemy. You know this, Luna."
"There's so many problems with this scheme of yours, though. Just how do you plan on getting the entirety of your Hive into Canterlot?"
"Easy. We are already in Canterlot."
"What?" The Princesses said in stereo.
"I'm in Manehattan at the moment, but I ordered Coxa to begin bringing the Fifth Hive out of Manehattan and into its designated fallback point. In the short time we've had, we've only managed to find one spot in all of Equestria that is defensible, reclusive, unoccupied, and cheap to acquire."
"The Crystal Caves," Cadence gasped.
"The top layers and entrances were mapped, sealed off, and patrolled where needed, however there are miles upon miles of the cave left untouched. Couple that with the fact that a few changelings in the Fifth Hive were from the Underhive Scarabs Legion, and suddenly we have prime real estate in Canterlot. No scrying spell can penetrate the crystals and avoiding your patrols is far easier than you might think. The Underhive Scarabs were chosen for their expertise, and are at home in the tunnels beneath our hooves."
"Your fallback point was to hide right underneath Division-P's noses..." Cadence said in awe.
"The last place they would think, after they checked it several times. The Royal Guard might be able to spot a swarm of changelings approaching from any angle outside of Canterlot, and with many of the exits sealed they might think that they are safe, but we can both unseal the tunnels and scale the mountain itself, right below their line of sight. There's no guarantee that it would work, but we're well past guarantees. I'll set my changelings to digging into Locksdale Prison as soon as possible. Meanwhile, I'll think of ways to deal with the ponies who will dog-pile me the moment I show my face."
"Is there no other way of saving your people?" Luna asked, desperate to not lose her one chance at seeing her sister again.
I shook my head, "No. A Dead Hand Protocol would mean their deaths the moment Daybreaker is gone, I'm sure of it. We have to throw everything we have at her at the Gala. One way or the other, we won't be getting a second chance. It's all or nothing. We can't even afford a prolonged battle with her, for the Nightmares are rising. A conflict with Daybreaker would mean losing valuable time, lives, and resources needed to fight them, whenever they are coming. By dawn the next day, Equus's fate will be decided. Either Daybreaker is purged and we have a chance, or... you both understand what's at stake. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go find some Panar damn miracles." |
Changing Expectations | 115- Minutemen | I held the door open for Thorax and Coxa as they entered the pony's guarded apartment. I shut the door behind me but didn't lock it.
Inquisitor Sweetie Drops was sitting in a chair at a small table on the far side of the studio apartment. She was looking out the boarded window. If it wasn't for her ear twitching, I would say she didn't notice our arrival.
"Normally I wouldn't be letting someone go without some kind of insurance that they won't backstab me, but... you gave Luna your word. And so, you have my word that you will not be harmed or otherwise impeded by the Fifth Hive, so long as you don't betray us or our interests."
Sweetie Drops chuckled and turned in her seat to face us three.
"I'm glad I have your word. Not to bite the hoof that feeds me, but just what is that worth?"
"More than any gem in the world. The only time I've broken faith was with Queen Chrysalis, my mother. However, she had broken any sort of bond between us long before I was even hatched, pony. I will spare you the details, but let's just say that loyalty to her would end in nothing short of the worst fate on Equus, cruel beyond all imagination. Now, I brought my two closest friends with me here: that's Coxa and that's Thorax. I want you to tell them exactly what you told me last night."
"Oh, visiting mares in the middle of the night?" Coxa asked, elbowing me in the side.
"Coxa, Phas wouldn't do that to Princess Luna," Thorax said, looking slightly uncomfortable. "Not without permission, at least."
'I don't even want to think about what that means.'
"Just one question before I begin," Sweetie Drops said. "Just what is Princess Luna to you? It wasn't quite clear just what kind of alliance you two had forged."
My face twisted in annoyance. I wanted to talk about Lacewing, not this. Still, it was an easy question to answer.
"Luna is.... everything."
Sweetie's eyebrows raised, "Everything? As in, you are her special somepony? Or someone, rather?"
I nodded, "I am, yes. Now, I can't put her and myself before the Hive's importance, but..."
Sweetie exhaled loudly while slumping over in her seat.
"Oddly enough, I believe that. But... how? Why? What?"
Thorax and Coxa pulled up chairs to sit in, meanwhile I had to sit on the floor. With all four of us at eye-level, I began explaining.
"I suppose it started with a political marriage, or at least relationship, with Nightmare Moon."
"What?!"
I snorted, "Adversity makes strange bedfellows. Nightmare Moon offered a future where I wouldn't have to worry about Chrysalis scooping my brain out with a melon baller- the previously mentioned fate worse than death- as well as a future where pony kind isn't all but exterminated. Sure, she was evil, but I didn't have much choice. I had to save my species somehow. Anyways, Nightmare Moon lost, and Luna... still had feelings for me. I rejected her offer of peace initially and continued with the invasion of Canterlot. That turned out well, with a Nightmare trying to possess me while I was on death's door. Had it succeeded, I would have turned into an amalgamation of myself and it, like Nightmare Moon or Daybreaker."
"Daybreaker is the same thing as Nightmare Moon?"
"That's right. Evil parasite and all. Luna saved me from that fate, and I... I don't know why. She tells me it's because she cares about me and sees herself in me, therefore wants my survival, but... I basically sentenced her to a slow death back in Canterlot. We talked many times since then, and now I can't imagine a world where I never met her," I shrugged
"So it was Princess Luna who pursued you, not the other way around?"
"Yeah."
"Hmm...." Sweetie Drops grunted. "That's something to think about. The Princesses are the wisest and greatest of us all. They see light where we all only see darkness. It comes as no surprise that they saved the Dread Prince, but for Princess Luna to have fallen for you? I would be very careful, King Phasma. Breaking her heart would make lots of enemies... including me."
"Oh, I'm soooo scared. A pony is threatening me." Thorax glared at me. "Sweetie Drops, if anyone's going to pulverize me into a bag of bleeding meat, bone shards, and cracked chitin, it'll be Luna herself. Don't try to protect her honor or whatever, because she's quite capable of that herself. At any rate, that summarizes my story with Luna: a political marriage turned into something more, as the two seconds-in-commands on opposite sides of a war for survival fell in love. I'm sure that if Princess Cadence was here, she would say something like 'love triumphs all.' And somehow, she'll be right."
Sweetie frowned, "Perhaps you should listen to the content of her message, not just the words she says."
"I agree with Sweetie Drops, Phas," Thorax interjected.
I rolled my eyes, "That'll be the day. Now. Last night, you told me something," I reminded Sweetie.
"Yes. It was a changeling who set Daybreaker on the path to find you and your Fifth Hive."
"A changeling that still lives," I prompted.
"Again, yes."
"What's her name?"
"Lacewing."
Thorax and Coxa both launched out of their chairs.
"What?!" Coxa yelled.
"She's alive?!" Thorax asked, jaw dropped.
Sweetie shrunk back from their leaps forward, "Uh, yes? I take it you assumed she was dead."
"Yes!" Both changelings answered.
"We held a funeral for her. Her and another changeling, by the name Oestridae....?"
'A changeling can hope, right?'
Sweetie just shook her head.
"Damn," I cursed.
"How is she? Is she hurt? Starving? In one piece?" Thorax baragged the pony with questions.
The pony shrugged, "I didn't do the interrogation, just read the report. From what I read, she's alive and not missing any limbs. Can't say more than that, if she's starving or... whatever else they're doing to prisoners in Locksdale. I'm not a Division-P guard, okay? I'm a field agent."
"Is this why you're summoning the full Hive this afternoon?" Coxa asked, looking at me.
"To inform them on a single ling's survival? No. As much as Lacewing is important to us, she isn't important to the Fifth Hive. We'll discuss that business later. For now... what else did the report mention, Sweetie?"
"Not much else. She talked a lot about you, apparently. It's honestly one of the reasons why I even trusted you a little bit to not turn my brain into soup. The report concluded that based on her testimony, and from interrogations gathered from other changelings, you were a popular leader. One of the common pony. Or drone, rather. Had I kept that in mind, your behaviour would not have thrown me off, and I would have successfully infiltrated your Hive...."
"What were you after?" I was curious. I didn't actually find that out, I was so busy with other things.
"Freeing the ponies you keep podded. Which I expect to be set free the moment Daybreaker, that apparent Nightmare, is dealt with."
"You're in no position to be making demands, Inquisitor. But yes, I expect that to happen, too. However, I can't free them before then. Too many things can go wrong."
"Do you have any other names?" Coxa asked. "I lost a few friends in Canterlot. If they survived..."
Sweetie sighed, "No, I don't. To be honest, I never thought that the Invasion of Equestria would be as... bloody for you as it was for us. Some guards died, yes, but even before the Royal Guards swept the city clear, we were finding changeling bodies. That from your rebellion?" Sweetie asked, sending a look my way.
My throat burned, "... We didn't choose the terms how it was fought. The first sign we had that they weren't taking prisoners was the trail of bodies leading up to our rendezvous point." I sighed, "Alright, Inquisitor Sweetie Drops. I want you to stay and answer any questions these two have. After that, you're free to go. Any help you can give would be a godsend. Especially if you manage to cause some chaos in Division-P's headquarters."
"I gave the Princess my word, King Phasma. You don't need to worry about my motivation, or giving me orders. I'll do what I can, where I can."
"Yes, but I especially need help slowing down their internal workings. The Dead Hoof Protocol. I need that slowed down or stopped all together if possible."
"I'm not familiar with that," Sweetie said.
I glanced at Coxa and Thorax briefly before answering, "It's Division-P's plans for their prisoners, if Daybreaker is ever killed."
"I'll look into that, then. I'm not familiar with the latest contingencies the zealots have conjured up, but it should be easy to find out about it."
"Is that what the meeting will be about?" Coxa asked again.
I cringed, "Yes. It's bad news. Now, I have to see Katydid about doing some drills, especially in my armor. I'll see you two this afternoon."
"Bye, Phas. Thank you for bringing us here and giving us the good news, or at least getting Sweetie Drops to," Thorax said, wiping an eye. "I mean it, Sweetie. Thank you.... We... I... just thank you."
I took off my helmet, setting it down and wiping the sweat off from the top of my head. The interior of this warehouse had been cleared in preparation for moving the Hive, so Katydid commandeered it for training the changelings.
'Sweetie, talked with. Drills, ran. Armor, repeatedly taken off and on. I'm getting quick at putting it on, but I'll need to be quicker. What's left for today? Informing the Hive, and going to the speakeasy? Yeah, I think that's it.'
"You did well today, Your Majesty," Katydid said, stopping by me.
"Thanks, Katydid. You find space in the Crystal Caves for any equipment or training space you need once we go there?"
Captain Katydid shrugged, "No. I'll find it when I get there. For now, I have to focus on getting the troops in order. And you, too. You're training really hard, King Phasma. I am concerned that you are motivated not by just a desire to be prepared..."
I grunted an affirmative. "I suppose I should tell you before everyone else, considering you are the Captain of the Red Right Hoof. We'll be attacking Canterlot Castle during the Grand Galloping Gala."
"Ah ha ha ha! Oh My King, you are hilarious."
"If we do not, hundreds of changelings will die."
Katydid froze, "You're serious? That's.... Why didn't you inform me sooner, Your Majesty?!"
His yell caused a few changelings in the building to stop exercising and drilling and look our way. I waved a hoof, silently commanding them to get back to their exercises.
"Quiet, Katydid."
"My King, why now?" He hissed.
"I received information last night detailing a contingency plan. Division-P intends on executing all of their prisoners if Daybreaker is assassinated."
Katydid groaned and facehooved. "Of course. It was too much to hope that we could just sit out the end of the war. So then what's the plan, My King?"
'Right to business,' I thought with a smile.
"I will order the Hive to mobilize to the Crystal Caverns immediately. Forget an orderly move of assets and personnel, we need to prepare an invasion force. Once there, we will need to either dig our way into the Castle's dungeons, or find another way in. Then, during the Gala, we hit the prison with everything we have."
"I suppose with you leading us, we can take care of any resistance," Katydid muttered.
"I won't be leading the attack."
"It just gets better and better. What will you be doing, My King?"
"We will need a distraction to pull away their attention. If I go with the attack, then their full force would just hold us in a bottleneck, and execute the prisoners. I will have to pull the majority of their forces out from the Prison."
"Which will be accomplished, how?"
"I will attend the Grand Galloping Gala personally."
"Ah, of course. Alone against the entirety of the Castle's garrison, Division-P's attention, and I'm assuming Daybreakers?" I nodded. "Do you have a way of not dying?"
"A few plans. I'll need to ask a few questions, learn some things. Can you get the troops ready and a plan in place for digging into the dungeons?"
"Do we have a layout?"
"I'll get it from the Princesses."
"Then we'll rescue those prisoners, My King."
"That's what I like to hear. Now, the meeting is coming up..."
"And that's where you will inform the Hive of this development?" I nodded again. "I appreciate you informing us as soon as possible, Your Majesty. Queen Chrysalis tended to guard that kind of information for seemingly no reason... How will you enter the city without your Weave alerting the enslaved changelings, My King?"
"I'll stay in the caves until the last possible minute. The crystals should interfere with the Weave enough to mask my arrival. Once I'm out in the open, then I will actually be relying on them to report my presence."
"... I wish you luck, My King. You've gotten this far, it'd be a shame if you died now."
"A tragedy," I agreed.
"Now, you've still got six laps left, I believe," my slave driver reminded me.
"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, putting my helmet back on.
I spent the next hour doing drills and exercises, just as my drones were doing. I was thankfully making progress at getting quicker dressing and undressing Unbroken Radiance. If my plan was to go smoothly, then I would have to be able to don the armor in under a minute.
Eventually, it came time for all the changelings to leave the makeshift gym and head to the designated meeting point.
For the Hive's meeting, I went fully dressed with Unbroken Radiance. I had to bring it over packed in a box, but I needed to wear it at the meeting. It would be the first time many would see the Adamantium armor, and I knew that it would set the tone right away. The king wasn't about to give a quarterly report on earnings if he was decked out in shiny plate armor.
Once I arrived, I unloaded the box and put the armor on. The magical suit fit my form perfectly, changing in size every so slightly each day I put it on. There would come a day soon enough where I would stop growing and the armor would as well.
Buzzing my wings, I lifted up from the ground and hovered up to the crate pile that served as the stage for the meeting. In front of me, just about every changeling in the Fifth Hive was present, even more than yesterday's funeral. They gathered in a crowd, with some even clinging to the walls or watching from the far side's office section.
I cleared my throat, catching everyone's attention and ending any conversations going on between the gathered changelings.
"Changelings of the Fifth Hive. Last night, I received information most grave. The plan to usurp the Nightmare possessed alicorn known as Daybreaker continues as planned, but the wicked tyrant does not intend on going quietly. With the help of Princess Cadence and Princess Luna, we have received many of Division-P's plans. It seems that they are not satisfied with the blood spilled from their attacks on us. A contingency protocol was put in place; if Daybreaker should fall, then Division-P is to carry out orders in just such an event. Division-P will slaughter every changeling they hold captive," I announced, causing an immediate uproar.
I stamped a hoof down, the effort actually splintering the wooden beam of the crate I stood on.
"We will not let that happen!" I yelled through the Weave and out loud, ending the crowd's frantic yelling.
'They're angry. Angry is good. Angry gets shit done.'
"In response to this so-called Dead Hoof Protocol," I began again, "The Fifth Hive shall take its fate into its own hooves! On the night of the Grand Galloping Gala, four days from now, where Daybreaker is fated to die, we shall free our imprisoned brothers and sisters!"
The changelings yelled out again, but this time in approval. Many stamped their hooves as an applause.
"My changelings! This was started with a fight for our survival, so it shall end with one, too! Division-P believe themselves invulnerable, up at the top of their unicorn city. They will not expect over a hundred changelings bursting forth from beneath their hooves, driven not by zealous hatred of the unknown but undying loyalty to the Hive Eternal! I shall attend the Gala myself, undisguised! My presence will pull the zealots' attention away from their prison, and it is then that the Fifth Hive shall truly strike! In the greatest prison break in history, we shall make our name known and feared amongst the Inquisitors! They will know who they have picked a fight with, and they will regret it!"
The changelings cheered again. If it weren't for the silencing spell around the warehouse, I'd be concerned for our continued secrecy.
"Tonight, we leave Manehattan. Tonight, we begin our plans to save our brothers and sisters. And finally, during the Grand Galloping Gala, I will reveal my survival to the whole world. Let the Masquerade Protocol be broken and discarded wholly and completely for the last time! Let the world know of the Fifth Hive, and our undying spirit! Long live the Fifth Hive! Long live the Hive Eternal!"
"Long Live the Fifth Hive! Long live the Hive Eternal!" The changelings cheered.
'Daybreaker won't know what hit her.'
The Last Chance.
I wasn't the one who picked out the name, but I approved of it completely. I would have preferred naming it The Red Dragon, but the job of naming it went to Coxa, who had organized the circus to restore the club.
The speakeasy was finished, completed in a timeframe that would make any normal contractor scream in fear. Now, that didn't mean that building codes were ignored and safety procedures defenestrated, only that it had work crews on it around the clock. With everything planned out and bits not an issue, creating the art deco club had been a rather simple task.
Some things had gone wrong, but the experience was a valuable one for everyone involved. The entirety of the back areas were unfinished, and the equestrian staff largely unvetted, but it was the best we were going to accomplish in the short time frame we had.
Tonight, it was a full house.
Now, most of those present were changelings celebrating what will be the end to the Masquerade Protocol for good, and celebrating before the attack on Locksdale Prison, but there were a few ponies present.
The ponies were watched as they enjoyed The Last Chance's merriment and drink. Not only for our protection, but for theirs. The Fifth Hive was a large organization now, and I couldn't account for everyone's moral fortitude. The last thing I wanted was a couple of drunk changelings deciding to feast on something other than assigned rations or a one night stand they managed to score.
Though there were still sections to finish up, the main room of the speakeasy was finished. The center area was a restaurant-like section of tables. At the far end, the stage was finished and brightly lit up with magical sconces facing away from the tables. Around the room, booths were packed with changelings and the occasional pony group as waiters and waitresses brought food and drink around the place.
At the opposite end from the stage's wall, the bar took up most of the space. In the usual fashion of a shortage of chairs and room, each stool had someone on it, talking with their neighbors or ordering drinks and food for themselves or a table. Above the bar, since the room was tall, was a balcony area. Just a few tables were up there, and golden art-deco style railings sectioned it off from the open air of the room. The balcony offered an excellent vantage point to watch the stage from, and more importantly, it was currently the most secure point in the speakeasy.
Until the back rooms could be furnished, it was where I would be spending my time in The Last Chance.
There were many changeling guards around the place, and not only at the main doors or the stairs up to the balcony. Many were just drinking soda or other non-alcoholic drinks from seats as they watched the carousing changelings and ponies.
Up in the balcony, I was not alone. Coxa, Thorax, Double Diamond, Froghopper, Thalamus, Cricket, Thripps, and even Captain Katydid. The entirety of the Fifth Hive's upper echelon, my own Royal Court, was here. And Double Diamond.
"I'll admit, I had doubts. No small amount of them," Cricket told me as he leaned close to speak over the loud volume of conversations going on around us. "But this place turned out pretty damn well, if I do say so myself," he congratulated himself as he tipped a mug of beer back and downed half of it.
"Yeah, you didn't fuck it up too badly," I agreed as I watched a trio of pony mares set up on the stage. Behind them, a band of ponies set up their instruments, chairs, and other equipment.
If it wasn't for the fact that we had hired a small team of unicorns to put silencing enchantments around the building, I wouldn't have allowed a band to be present. But we did hire them, so we would have the full experience.
Even if this place was going to be a money pit, we could take the loss and have fun and relax. The only downside was that we all had to be disguised, as normal ponies were present.
The band started up, playing their trumpets, saxophones, and other jazz instruments.
"Folks, here's a story about Minnie the Moocher~," the trio of singers began in sync, swaying as they sang.
I found myself nodding along as they played their song. Looking back from the stage, I saw Diamond leaning in, whispering in Thorax's ear. Judging from Thorax's reddened face, I imagined that Diamond suggested something sultry like holding hooves or sharing a kiss.
'Adorable. Unfortunately, I do have some questions to ask.'
"Hey Thorax," I interrupted them.
"W-nothing!" He squeaked. "I mean, uh, what's up, Phas?" He quickly lifted a cup and drank from it.
"You ever heard of atoms?"
"Huh? Yeah?"
"Has anyone tried cutting one?"
"Cutting one?" He repeated, confused.
"Cutting one!"
As he blinked and tried to think, I lifted my own glass of wine and sipped from it.
"Uh.... yes? Maybe? Not in the Fifth Hive, but maybe in Equestria?"
Double Diamond laughed and leaned over so that I could hear him better "Yeah, Phasma. Famous experiment. Didn't work, and instead broke all their instruments, magical or otherwise. They even got my parents to try, which is how I even know. What brings this up?"
"Just wondering. You said your parents were in the electronics business?"
"S... something like that?"
"They need investors?"
"Uh... this sounds like a conversation that needs to be talked about while not drunk!" He chuckled.
"Nonsense, Diamond! They ever complained about securing funding?"
"All the Tartarus time!"
"Wonderful!" I cheered. Diamond mouthed the word silently before I explained, "I'd like to throw a lot of bits their way. My understanding is that scientists hate getting funding; it's a pain in the ass and you have to do whatever the college or patron wants."
He nodded slowly.
"Well I've got bits, and I've got some ideas. I'd like to give both to them and send them on their way!"
Diamond's muzzle scrunched up, "Uh.... too darn drunk- can you write all this down? I'll just write a letter, and we'll see what they say."
'That's good enough.'
I nodded and waved him away as I sat back in my chair and looked back at the stage. The musicians and singers were doing a great job, though it was hard to tell if their performance was enhanced by the fact that everyone was getting drunk and caring less and less. I myself was buzzed as I continued to rock my head to the beat.
Even though less than twenty percent of the people present were ponies, the ones present were having a grand enough time to imbue the place with a taste of happiness and excitement. In the middle of the prohibition- the end of it actually, though they didn't know that, here we were, drinking, singing, and hanging out.
'Ah man, I wish Luna was here.' |
Changing Expectations | 116- Eleutherios | Luna stepped up and leaned over the railing, her forehooves on it so she could raise herself up. Beneath her, the mares from earlier this night were singing, though the music and their notes were distorted slightly.
Her tail was swishing side to side, in time with the jazz song's beat.
"By the stars, I can not even remember the last time I have heard music!" She said, beginning to shimmy along to the song.
I hopped up onto the railing next to her. She reached over with a wing and pulled me in close.
"I thought that the only thing that was missing was you," I said, looking away shyly.
"Awww, that is sweet of you," she nuzzled me. "We shall visit this tavern of yours when we visit Manehattan. It has been longer than I care to imagine since I have been in such a place, and equally long since I heard music that was not classical. I swear Phasma, my patience for such pretentious droll shrinks more and more with each passing event."
"You know, we're going to be together at the Gala."
"I know! It is exciting, despite the intrigue! I both dread and look to the date with anticipation. We do need to discuss the matter, so as much as I would love to just be here with you in silence, appreciating the music, we must talk business. The matter of ruling and treachery, that is."
She left the railing and sat down at the main table. I sat down next to her, and leaned in close.
"I need to know what you will look like when you arrive, Phasma. Are you going as yourself, or otherwise?"
"I will be going as Expected Value," I answered, changing my form to the blue unicorn disguise. "It's not connected to any of my identities, so I should be able to enter the Gala relatively unnoticed."
"And once you are inside, then what? Need I remind you that retrieving the Elements, getting them to their bearers, and getting the bearers in position is a planned process. An interruption could throw the entire plan out."
"Well you'll be happy to know that I know what I'm going to do. I had to ask around and even visit a library, but I've got a few plans in place. Well, one's a plan, and the other is moreso a Hail Mary."
"Hail Mary? Never heard of that term."
"Let's just hope it never gets to that point. So my idea is to show up disguised, say hi, let you get in position and everything with the Elements of Harmony, then show myself. Best case scenario, Daybreaker freaks out and calls the Royal Guard and Division-P over, and is too distracted with me to realize the Elements are missing, or whatever your plan is."
Luna frowned, "I said already, the moment you appear is the moment she realizes that all is not well. We need the element of surprise to go along with the Elements of Harmony."
"I need to undisguise at some point, Luna. Once you have the Elements, the bearers will have to use them while Daybreaker is distracted. I understand that this isn't preferable, but I can't put off the distraction any longer than that. Daybreaker has to sound the alarm."
"This is the best case scenario? Pray tell me, what is your plan if things go wrong?"
"Uh... gamble on how much of Celestia's personality is still there. Look, we never had time to come up with anything else, and the Fifth Hive is already moving into the Crystal Caverns as we speak, so you're stuck with me and my shitty plan. Now since I'm coming to the Gala, I'm going to need to know the plans for the fall of Daybreaker. I also need the layout of Locksdale, so I'm going to visit Cadence after this conversation."
Luna grumbled in frustration, "Fine. If anything goes wrong, I shall blame you and expect you to fix it. The Grand Galloping Gala can be partitioned into several sections: the arrivals, the first dances, the dinner, and then the final dances and closing. I have arranged for the thestrals to be in the prime position to secure the Elements of Harmony. Of course, I have also convinced Daybreaker to display the Elements during the Gala. During the first dances, the Elements will be swapped out for identical fakes, and the real ones will be distributed to the bearers. During the dinner, it is arranged for the bearers to be in place near Daybreaker as she delivers her speech. It is during this speech, about midway through, that the bearers shall discretely retrieve the Elements from their persons, wear them, and then use them.
"Several teams of unicorn Royal Guards will be on standby to both shield the bearers, and stun Daybreaker should the need arise. Thestrals shall assist where needed as well. Cadence and I will perform our usual role during the Gala without fuss or signs of disloyalty. I will place myself next to Daybreaker while she delivers her speech, as another layer of security for the Elements of Harmony. There are additional points, during the final dances and speeches from Daybreaker, where the Elements might be used, in case our initial window is missed. As you can see, with so many moving parts, introducing more will only destroy the system."
"The best plans are the most simple, Luna."
"Wow, I did not know that! Thank you for the information, Phasma. I will immediately reduce the amount of steps needed. This is as simple as we can get away with, Phasma. Any less complicated runs the risk of simply not working, and any more would mean more opportunities for failure. The plan is, at its essence, swipe the Elements, give them to their bearers, and get the bearers into position."
"Alright, alright. I'm sorry that I'm making this more complicated."
She sighed, "It is alright. I am just frustrated that so many things can go wrong. I understand the urgency for your addition to the plan, I just fear losing the one chance we have at righting my greatest sin; if Celestia is not returned to us..."
I hugged Luna tightly. She returned the hug, burying her head under my own as much as she could with her long alicorn horn.
"It's okay, Luna. It's not your fault that Celestia fell to a Nightmare- no, I know you want to argue. Listen to me Luna." She looked up and into my eyes. "It's not your fault. This will be fixed. Even if it gets worse first, you will be with your sister once again. I... I know what it's like to miss your family. I do. I promise I won't ruin this for us. I've got a lot riding on it too, remember? I don't exactly plan on getting captured by Daybreaker. I've had enough of Nightmares, thank you very much."
"I suppose you'll be making your appearance during the dinner, then. We shall just... improvise if things go poorly, which I expect they shall. I was not too confident in the plan to begin with, but we will make do with what we have."
"Dinner sounds good. Though I do wonder if we can meet before then, Luna..."
She raised an eyebrow, "I doubt the possibility of that."
"You don't think we can sneak off for a dance? Not even if you got a disguise?"
Luna blinked in surprise, "If I got a disguise? Now there's an idea. I will have to think on this, and whether or not it puts any part of the plan at risk. It would be better if I were seen at all times, but.... maybe."
I gasped, "Oh my Panar, Luna! You used a contraction!"
"Shit!"
"And you swore! Nice! What else can you do?"
Luna laughed and tapped the top of my head, "Apparently save two kingdoms at the same time. Now, the speech during which you shall reveal yourself is the State of the Kingdom speech. It is preceded by the dinner, which in turn is preceded by an honors speech. Following it would normally be a small speech or announcement of sorts. I am told that Celestia almost always uses that part of the evening as announcing the end for whatever charity raffle is being held. The Gala will never get to that point."
I nodded, "I've arranged a meeting with the thestrals tomorrow. I'll get some much needed information from them, as well as inform them of my arrival if you haven't already."
"I have," she clarified.
"Then I will just coordinate with them as much as I can. The more people involved in a plan, the harder it is to execute and the harder it is to keep it secret, but we'll figure it out. In fact, I'm interested to learn if they can help with the Locksdale Prison breakout."
"I shall leave the matter in your hooves, young King. Now, how shall we spend the rest of our time together here? Perhaps with a dance? I must say, I am quite taken with this music, what genre is it?"
"... Jazz, I think. Normally it doesn't have lyrics, but this subgenre does. I'd love to dance with you, or learn to in this four legged new body of mine, but I do have to speak with Cadence."
Luna groaned and let go of me, letting me step away and prepare to leave the dream.
"Very well then, handsome prince. You shall owe me a dance."
"Putting thought into the disguise idea?"
"More and more," she grinned. "If we can get away with it, then it shall be so."
I watched through the mirror as the brown unicorn stallion with salt 'n pepper hair let his measuring tape slide back into its holder. Expected Value needed a suit, so I found a rather reputable shop in Manehattan that would fit one for my unicorn disguise.
"That's the last of the measurements, sir," he said, jotting down quickly on a floating notepad nearby.
"Excellent," I said.
"Now my good sir, the suit should be done within one week. If you would follow me, we can handle the receipt of sale and the check," the pony said, gesturing towards the cash register with a hoof.
'A week? I suppose when you're making the shirt and jacket but not pants, things can be done somewhat quicker. Still, that won't do. As much as I'd like to not be exposed as such and actually wear pants, it'll only attract attention. It's really the time constraint that's actually causing problems.'
"One week?" I asked, thinking of a way to approach the subject.
He led the way and I followed, "Yes sir. It takes time to plan out the suit, properly cut the materials, make adjustments when it is first received, and finally put on the finishing touches."
"That is a rather unworkable timeframe.... How much would it cost to get it done within, let's say, three days?"
"Three d-" the pony, Stitch Twice, cut himself off. He recomposed himself, "Ah, of course sir. You wish to have the suit prepared for the Gala or a satellite function, then?"
'Fishing around for my price limit, are we?'
"Indeed. I was not expecting an invitation, hence the urgency."
'All the Gala's attendees get their invitations months in advance. The odds of some high roller like myself suddenly finding themselves with an invitation is somewhat low, but always possible. A relative non-answer, as best as I can do. Just because I can pay exorbitant sums doesn't mean I want to every chance I get.'
"Understandable sir, life can be surprising at times. For a rush job accomplished at the professional level we hold ourselves to, I'm afraid there is a fifty-percent fee for a three day rush order. We cannot do it any quicker than that."
'Pick up my suit in the morning, head to the Crystal Caves, and be ready in time for the Gala at the start of the evening. It can work.'
"That is acceptable. I am sorry to give you such a short-notice order, but-"
"-but life can be surprising, my good sir," he interrupted. "Quite understandable, if unenviable. If you are willing to pay the added fee, we shall have the suit ready in three days to be picked up. You will have to come into the shop two days from now for the adjustments, however."
"That is acceptable."
He smiled and put the notepad down, stepping behind the cash register.
"Very good, sir. Now, here is the bill of sale. If you would just sign here..."
I filled out the paperwork and saw the final total; it was a very, very large sum of money. I brought saddlebags and a checkbook for just that purpose, though. Bidding the middle-aged stallion farewell, I left for my next and most important meeting of the day.
The thestrals had arranged a meeting by proxy. I would come with a predetermined disguise not connected to any of my previous identities, and I would be meeting a pegasus of thestral descent here in Manehattan. The meeting place was a thrift shop in the western suburbs. A bit of a ways out and closer to the countryside than most of Manehattan, but that's what wings are for.
I casually walked down several streets before sneaking off into an alleyway when no pony was on the backstreet I was walking down. Then, funneling energy into the Thread of Change as usual, I exchanged my blue unicorn disguise for a faint pink-white pegasus stallion. A little bit effeminate, but a too nondescript pony disguise tends to work in the exact opposite fashion. They always desire to stand out, and expect others to want to, as well. The Cutie Mark was a pair of dark gold cog wheels. That was what was agreed upon by the thestrals, and they wouldn't make contact without it.
Exiting out the other side of the alleyway, I took to the skies and flew westward. I sighed contently as the wind ruffled my faux-feathers and fur. That was one upside it had over flying as a changeling; the actual sensation. I think I prefer flying as myself due to the fringe feeling of body dysphoria I have every time I wear a disguise- it's natural for a changeling to prefer our own bodies and forms over all others, but this was almost as good.
I savored the moments. Flying was one of the few easy-to-access pastimes I had, and I had enjoyed it since my first time flying all the way back in the Fourth Hive. The warm sun on my back and outstretched wings, the whistle of wind in my pinned back ears, and the sensation of being free.
I leveled out my wings and glided low, avoiding a large, low-hanging cloud that was practically covered in pegasus foals playing around. Several parents hovered around the cloud or sat in nearby white embankments. It was easy to forget that this was a city at times, and one populated partially by a flying species.
You didn't see cloud-based parks back on earth, after all.
However, to my own disappointment, I couldn't hum anything more than the opening verse to a song that popped into my head. I had already arrived above the designated store, and had to land. Grumbling at ruining my own mood, I banked into a spiral and bled altitude.
Hitting the ground trotting, I entered the small store which sat at a street corner in a rather plain stripmall. The most interesting thing about it was the massive fluffy coats hung on display in its window.
The door opened with a soft ding of a bell, not even rousing the sleepy purple pegasus mare sitting behind the counter, head in her hooves. Rolling my eyes, I picked an aisle at random and walked down it. Filled with random nick nacks that held no interest to me, I tried to kill time as I waited.
'Alright, I'm here. The pegasus should have seen me enter, so it's just a matter of time before-' the soft ding of the door's bell interrupted my thought, '-before they enter.'
I caught a look at my content and stifled a laugh of dismay. The pegasus, an all-black one, had a grey mane with dyed red tips. He also had several piercings, and was somewhat younger than I expected. Still, he was a black pegasus, and had a Cutie Mark of a stringed instrument, as I was briefed of. The leather satchel that hung on a strap over his back likely held the documents I sought, too.
'They sent a punk rockstar to hand over confidential blueprints and information in an act of High Treason? That's... okay thestrals, okay. If this dude is legit, I'll have to take lessons from him on blending in.'
He entered my aisle, flicked his mane back, and stopped near me, looking at the useless junk on display. Another glance revealed the fact that he was actually looking at a large selection of guitar picks.
'Huh. Look at that.'
I turned around and faked perusing the items that were behind me.
'A large amount of sweatshirts. Panar, so many sweatshirts. For a species that goes naked the vast majority of the time, they have a lot of resold clothes.'
A light cough turned my head. The pegasus was looking at my Cutie Mark, and nodded slowly. Compared to his edgy and goth-like appearance, his emotions felt a bit more bubbly and happier than what I expected.
'That's ponies for you.'
"Hey there. You uh, come here often?" He asked.
"It's a bit out of the way, but I heard this store had what I was looking for."
"Right, right," he nodded and extended a hoof, "Onyx Pick."
'He's even got an edgy name, the disguise is flawless!'
"Quick Cog," I said, meeting the hoof bump.
"Nice to meet you, Quick Cog. You wanna go grab a cup of coffee, or...?"
'A second location? Why? This one works out well enough. Just hand over the damn papers and we're good. Hell, I was expecting a rather more upfront conversation than this.'
I shook my head, "No thanks. I heard from a friend that this store had some stuff on Clairvoyance. You seen any posters of them around?"
Clairvoyance was not a band, merely a codeword.
"Clair- oh. You're Uncle Halberd's coworker. I uh, I was expecting somepony a bit... gruffier, you know? You don't strike me as the kind of pony he would be friends with. You're, you know, young, and uh.... pink."
"What does that...?" I trailed off.
The pony swung his satchel off his back and rifled through it.
'Wait. He didn't know I was his contact? What was he- oh my Panar. He wasn't looking at my Cutie Mark, was he? Damn this pink-white fur, he was checking out my ass!'
"He said to give this to you," Onyx said, extending out a sealed, thick folder with a wing.
I took it and put it in my own saddle bags.
"Thanks. Is there anything else? Like a message, or meeting, or...?"
'Aren't I supposed to coordinate with an operative or something? Why am I meeting someone's punk rockstar nephew?'
"Nope, that's it," he said, swishing his long mane side to side as he shook his head. "But about that cup of coffee?"
"I'm in a relationship."
The happiness left him like rats fleeing a sinking ship.
Onyx cringed, "Horseapples! The good lookin' ones always are.... What did my Uncle give you, anyways?"
"Work stuff," I answered.
'I didn't come here to be flirted with, pony. This packet better contain some much needed information that circumvents the need for a conversation, or I'm going to be very upset. Not that I can actually do anything about it, but this just doesn't make sense.'
"Again, you don't seem like the Guard type..." He said, looking me over.
"Looks can be deceiving, Onyx Pick," I muttered as I walked past him and headed towards the door.
"Bye?" He said, the tone in his voice as confused as his emotions.
I left immediately. Looking for a quiet place to sit down and read was important. The sooner I read through the materials, the better. If there was an emergency that required the meeting to be broken off, I would need to know it sooner rather than later.
There was a small unused park in the direction of the city, so I flew over and found a somewhat secluded bench. At the very least, I would hear and see ponies approaching before they got close. Opening the packet, I saw a note on top of several blueprints, as well as several other documents.
'Apologies for the rudeness, all hooves must be accounted for? What does that mean? They are being watched and can't send a single person to meet with me? Shit, that doesn't sound good. At the very least, they managed to give me Locksdale's layout to give to Captain Katydid.'
Quickly skimming the rest of the files to ensure that there were no surprises, I saw that the other files included my identity's cover story, an invitation to the Grand Galloping Gala, and some other important information. I put the file back in my saddlebags and set off from the park, back to the Fifth Hive's headquarters. Katydid was waiting for me there.
'At least the plans seem genuine. If they were replaced... well, if we were exposed to that point, I think we'd be fucked six ways to Sunday anyways. Maybe I can send someone ahead of time to confirm the validity of this, though.'
It would be a long, sleepless night of planning and plotting ahead. |
Changing Expectations | 117- The Final Masquerade: A Concerto For Lies | 'Who would have thought that after all of these months, I would return to the scene of my greatest defeat as a tourist?'
I had arrived in Canterlot around noon, through a short tunnel the changelings found that led to the Crystal Caves. Then, I briefly checked up on everyone. The boxes of supplies, materials, bits, and other items looked out of place when stacked up against the ancient crystalline walls. In the larger chambers, changelings were running drills, practicing clearing hallways and rooms throughout the tunnels, and preparing the Fifth Hive for a possible extended stay within the Crystal Caves.
The digging operation was underway. There was a sealed tunnel that exited in a water drainage system, near the palace's dungeons. From there, it was just a short walk until you got so close to the palace that all that stood between you and its prisoners was a ten hoof thick wall. Honestly, Celestia was kinda lacking when it came to protective measures.
The changelings would work towards breaking into the drainage system, and from there, the dungeon itself.
I didn't know what happened to the two or so other ponies that were in a relationship with revealed changelings, but I knew that Double Diamond went to visit his family for the time being. It was imperative that he not be in Manehattan without us there to protect him.
With my suit retrieved, plans in place, and Unbroken Radiance hoofed over to the thestrals just the day before, I was ready for the Gala. With a rented fancy carriage, I set off from the Hive and into Canterlot proper.
Now, I sat in the covered wagon, curtains drawn closed as I prepared myself and went over my contingency plans. I practiced my evil monologue, my one-liners, and dramatic poses. The difference between a 'villain' and a 'super villain' was, after all, presentation. To the Equestrians, today I would be a villain if I had to.
Then we arrived at Canterlot Castle.
The carriage pulled to a stop. Even through its wooden walls, I could hear the clicks of cameras outside. The paparazzi had come equipped with cameras, despite their expensive nature. This was, after all, the end-all be-all for Equestrian society.
It was the day where the latest fashion came to thrive and to die, in its impossible to predict cycles of life.
It was tonight where fortunes would be made over dinner conversations and business deals.
It was now when the summation of Equestrian society was presented to the world.
It was here where Princess Celestia would address the nation, her words printed all over tomorrow's newspapers, though Daybreaker would be filling that role now.
It was at the Grand Galloping Gala where the fate of the world would be decided.
The covered carriage's door opened, the tuxedoed disguised earth pony bowing to me as he let me out.
The red carpet was literally rolled out tonight. As I stepped out, I took in the sights. Ahead of me, the various nobles, celebrities, and invited press walked slowly up the steps of Canterlot Castle. Where tall, intricately designed castle walls normally stood unadorned, banners, flags, ribbons, flower bouquets, and bright magical torches hung and flowed from nearly every exposed inch around the castle's doorway.
The streetlamps themselves had more flowers hanging beneath their crystal bulbs than many middle-class gardens had year round.
The ponies themselves wore extravagant gowns, dresses, tuxedos, and costumes that wouldn't look out of place at a Viennese Masquerade parade. Fabric flowed like gushing rivers and streamed behind ponies like bridal shawls. Glitter and real gemstones sparkled and dazzled in the fading afternoon light and magical glow like the stars themselves draping across the ponies.
The press were gathered at the red velvet ropes on either side of the staircase, snapping pictures and yelling questions at the ponies ahead of me. Several stopped to answer questions, give autographs, or share jokes with the crowd of sycophants.
It wasn't just the classical music and sound of conversation coming from past the open double doors and windows ahead that filled the air. Just between me and the door, I could pick out conversations about manecuts, fashion gossip, who was seen with who and where, accusations of adultery and other outrageous comments, opinions on the latest developments of the war, faithless declarations of faith in Daybreaker and the E.U.P., and on, and on, and on.
I had thought that I would be the only one to arrive at this ball with a mask on. It quickly became clear that there were seldom few bare faces present tonight. Hell, not even the Elements of Harmony would be entirely honest and forthcoming tonight. Tonight, history would be made, and not the kind that sticks in magazines for a few months.
But instead, the kind that would be told for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
I began walking up the carpeted steps, slowly passing celebrities as they stopped for their five minutes of fame with the press. I smiled, not quite just to fit in. I was myself a bit elated to be back here.
'Canterlot. How nice it is to see you again. Shame our last meeting was not quite agreeable for either of us. Don't worry, I'll try to not set fire to you tonight. No promises, though.'
A few eager ponies took my picture as I passed them. Even if they would throw away the pictures after, it was important to get pictures of everyone attending tonight. There was no telling what kind of drama might unfold inside, so getting a shot of whomever was responsible or the victim made each picture worth taking, if not keeping.
I myself, disguised as the blue unicorn with grey mane Expected Value, wore an expensive tux. I also put on a few pieces of jewelry, just enough to get by. A gold chain necklace with ruby and emeralds in an alternating pattern, pearl cufflinks, and real gold trimming at the hem of my waistcoat, sleeves, and collar. There were nobles here wearing the entire GDP of small nations, but anyone with an eye for wealth- that being every pony present- would see me and see not the fake I was. I would look just as noble and fit in as nearly everyone else here, though of obviously possessing a more modest sized pool of bits.
All this time, I paid little heed to the press, to the nobles and celebrities, to the flowers, to the faint scent of a hundred different perfumes and a thousand different emotions mixing together. My attention, and I was careful that it was absolutely hidden, was on the Royal Guards.
They stood like statues across Canterlot Castle's entrance. At equally distanced spots on either side of the staircase, they stood guard. On either side of the door and up behind parapets and turrets, they watched. In their shiny gold armor, beneath their long pikes, halberds, and lances they stand ready for battle. Not an inch out of place. Not a sigh or a slouch was seen nor heard from them. Equestria's finest had come to stand and watch as rich fops strutted about like bejeweled peacocks.
But Equestria was a nation at war. At the door, the two large wooden and ornate constructs pushed outwards and anchored to the ground, there was a large group of guards that held my attention in particular.
Four were Royal Guards in full plate armor. Unlike their less armored cousins, their armor was pitch black and covered in gold filigree around the edges, much like myself. Each was a unicorn, and brandished staves of wood topped with crystals.
'War wizards.'
Fetched from their postings across Equestria, these formidable heroes would have given the Legions pause had they been encountered together and ready for a fight. The four stood abreast, two on either side of the door. Between them, three more people stood as the final line of defense at Canterlot Castle's entrance. Three people: two Inquisitors in dull red robes underneath chest plates, peytrals, and boots, and a changeling disguised as a matte black earth pony with no Cutie Mark. He was a lonely island in a sea of emotions.
He wore only a metal collar.
Now that I saw him, I spied a few more around the defenses. Peeking out between the guards up top, several Inquisitors stood next to collared changelings.
Occasionally, one would steal a glance towards me when their minders- when their slavers weren't paying attention. It was quite clear that they had all sensed me when I arrived in Canterlot. I would need to send them a message before one of them spoke up, or let something slip. If only I had a way to address every changeling in Canterlot without a single pony hearing what I had to say...
"Yes, it is me who you sense. Prince Phasmatodea of the Fourth Hive lives yet, and I have come tonight for all of you. Keep silent, and this shall be the last night you will be bound in irons. In the name of the Hive Eternal, I order your silence. By Panar, I swear that you all shall be free tomorrow, whatever else comes of it. As it is woven, so it shall be."
I didn't break stride as I passed the ponies and followed the trails of others on Canterlot Castle's front steps. I smiled and nodded to the ponies that snapped my photo, but didn't slow down. I stepped around a couple that had stopped in the middle of the steps to pose dramatically for one of the press ponies that were on the steps and on their way inside. I headed for the doors, and for the bound changeling at them.
'There's no strike team coming to free these changelings. I'll have to be the one to do it if things don't go as planned, or even if they do. These few Inquisitors might be under the Dead Hoof Protocol's orders already.'
There was a small line in front of the door, but it moved quickly ahead. In front and quickly enough behind me, the invited aristocrats chatted amongst themselves about nothing in particular. Feelings of anticipation, of excitement, of fear, and of happiness slushed around me like a boiling broth.
After a short moment, there was only one soul between me and the Grand Galloping Gala. The pony ahead of me, a grey stallion with a white curled mane, hoofed his invitation over to one of the Inquisitors. The Inquisitor opened it, looked through it, then looked over the pony. Hoofing it off to their side, an attendant took the invitation and bowed, leading the way for the noble inside.
I stepped forward as another attendant took the first one's place by the Inquisitor.
'Having invitations checked by Inquisitors, are we? No butlers for this, only unicorns trained to spot fakes and changelings.'
"Invitation, sir," the Inquisitor demanded politely, but still demanded.
I levitated mine over, having carried it from the carriage. The armored unicorn opened the sealed letter, a white rectangle sealed with a gold wax impression of the Crown of Equestria, and looked it over. Nodding, he hoofed it to the assistant, who bowed to me and led the way inside.
Normally, my identity would be spotted as a fake immediately. But what did Equestrians know about thestral nobility? As long as they proved it with paperwork- which they did- then they would make no arguments.
The changeling kept silent, out of the way, and didn't even acknowledge my presence beyond an initial glance.
'Hold fast, my ling.'
The attendant, a smaller red pegasus in a two piece tuxedo uniform, led me into Canterlot Castle. I stepped past the threshold of the doors, inside the castle for the first time since... since...
The ponies ahead quietly admired the decor of the Castle's interior. Just like its exterior, the castle had been filled to the brim with flowers, lights, ribbons, and other extravagant decor. I saw a completely different story. I saw the Castle when it was at its worst.
I could pick out the spot where Praetorian Weevil had his throat torn out. I could see in my mind's eye the area where the Will of the Nine had made their stand against impossible odds. I could see the blood, if I just concentrated...
My hooves kept moving, uncontrolled by my mind. I followed the little attendant, the pony blissfully unaware of the blood that once marred the polished marble tiles of Canterlot Castle's foyer. He stepped through the memories of dead changelings, whose eyes never closed. We didn't go up the large staircase in the middle of the room. I was grateful beyond words for that. If we had to pass where I ordered Oestridae to make his stand and hold the line...
Of all the things to be humbled by, I didn't expect that it would be the past.
We instead went down the right corridor at the foyer's lower area. I didn't think I knew what was down here. Perhaps the ball room?
'Oh, yes. The ball room. That's where the ball is being held, right. Of course. I knew that...'
I shook the specters of the past from my head and put some pep in my step. Light shone into the corridor from above; a stained glass mosaic showered a hundred colors onto the hall below. Pillars of red, gold, green, and blues extended down from the glass depiction of Daybreaker breaking the Legions at Canterlot and pursuing them out of Equestria.
'But of course she has to remind everyone of just who the biggest bad in town is, and how she saved the day. As if I needed a reminder.'
I saw the small glass outlines of the dead changelings, and did something I don't think I ever did before.
'Panar. If you can hear me, take care of them. Please. I failed to protect them. But I will not fail tonight, I promise that.'
I nearly bumped into the grey pony ahead of me. Coming to an abrupt halt, I realized that we had reached the end of the corridor and the trip down memory lane. The entryway into the grand ballroom was ahead, its bright lights illuminating the hallway in front of me. The attendant left me in line and delivered the invitation to a butler standing at the opening to the large room.
The din of conversation, the calm overture of the orchestra, and the taste of emotions was at its peak. I could spy the details of the large ballroom from here. As I waited for the butler to announce the aristocrats ahead of me, I took in its details.
There were little decorations on the walls, for each was composed of towering sections of stained glass. Though the pillars in between did have flags of a red sun hanging from them. Grand chandeliers of glass and crystal shone brightly, hanging from the rococo ceiling above.
Below- for the entrance was up above a staircase- ponies milled about in the low hundreds. Many gathered around tables, while others walked about, huddled in conversation, or visited the buffet on one side of the room. The far side held a stage where one musician was clutching a large hurdy gurdy, belting out a loud song and backed up by a full orchestra.
I watched as she finished her piece, packed up her instrument, and left the stage to a round of applause from the gathered ponies. She was replaced by a grey earth pony mare with a violet motif dress, carrying with her a cello nearly twice her size.
'A single performance. That's all that musician made, and it will likely make her fortunes.'
"Announcing Hoity Toity of Canterlot!" The butler yelled ahead.
There was a small round of applause as Hoity Toity bowed slightly, and gracefully took the steps down to a gathering crowd of press and ponies. They clung to him and trailed him like the stretches of lace and fabric that trailed behind the behinds of many mares that had come in dresses.
Then, the butler took my invitation off from the stack that was set next to him, and looked it over.
From our position at the top of the staircase, I could see the entire room and everyone in it. There were Royal Guards stations around the perimeter, a fact that I noticed at once. At the far end, behind a table set above all others and sitting on what could almost be described as a throne, she sat.
The pony whose actions and decrees decided the fate of millions. The pony who had personally slaughtered what was likely hundreds of changelings, though I hoped less than that.
Princess Daybreaker, alicorn of the sun, Nightmare blight upon all that is holy and good in the world.
"Announcing Baron Expected Value of Mont Crystal!"
I slowly walked down the steps, Daybreaker's presence demanded my attention
The towering white alicorn sat on her throne, a smile plastered across her face. She wore her armor, the orange, red, and yellow set befitting her fire mane and tale. Her peytral, visible even at this distance, was bigger than some ponies, and displayed her Cutie Mark with unplaced pride.
Panar willing, she would die tonight.
It infuriated me how good she looked. Then again, I was a sucker for orange.
Beside her, her two proudest trophies sat. Princess Cadence and Princess Luna. None of the three alicorns were up here, greeting their guests. Such an act was beneath the Princess of War and her captive entourage.
'Luna.'
She sat next to her possessed sister, trying her damndest to not appear bored or pissed. She wore a different set of regalia than normal; it was as silver as Daybreaker's fur. Her boots, peytral, and tiara had been sized up and set with purple jades, sapphires, and amethysts. Her mane was-
My hooves met the ground level when I had expected more steps, literally jolting me out of my thoughts. Luna disappeared behind the heads of the taller ponies of Canterlot, who prided themselves on their height and massive manecuts. If I wanted another look at Luna, I would have to get closer.
"Baron Expected Value!" A pony wearing a press badge and a brown fedora barked in my face, "Would you remind Equestria just where your noble line hails from?"
'A tactful way of asking just who the hell I am.'
Several other journalists gathered around, notepads at the ready. I continued walking forward, so as to not block the staircase.
"I am a Baron of Vallachia. My family has ruled over Mont Crystal since it was first founded, a thousand years ago," I answered, mimicking the thestral's Hollywood vampire-like accent.
'Heavy emphasis on the consonants and C's and CH's. Good thing my mother made sure to teach me how to mimic accents on the spot.'
"You are a unicorn noble from the thestral nation?" Another reporter asked.
"I am a unicorn noble from Vallachia," I corrected her under no uncertain terms.
"Does the unicorn tribe feel they are mistreated or underrepresented in the thestral nation?" A third reporter asked, clearly trying to get under my skin.
"No. Enough questions now, I seek to enjoy the evening," I said, trying to dismiss them.
The effort seemed to be in vain, as three more asked their questions at the same time. However, I was saved by the butler at the entrance to the ballroom.
"Announcing Prince Blueblood of Equestria!"
Suddenly, I found myself in a small clearing as the journalists vanished into thin air. Taking the small miracle for what it was, I beat a hasty retreat from the entrance area and delved into the Gala proper. What snippets of conversation and jokes I had overheard earlier were just the appetizer for the main event.
All across the room, ponies were carousing, playing cards while sipping from champagne glasses, cracking jokes, striking deals, reuniting with old friends, sending back-hoofed compliments and other barbed insults to former lovers, spouses, friends, and business partners, complimenting or insulting each other based on the clothing they wore, and remarking on just how well the war was going for Equestria.
It made me realize that I had no plan once I actually got inside.
There were few choices of distraction that I could see. The majority of the entertainment seemed to be in the company the Gala provided. After wandering for a bit, I found a group of tables that the staff had used for setting up some poker games. Not my first choice of entertainment, but one I would gladly take.
Picking an open seat, I sat down and looked around the table. The dealer was a white unicorn, wearing a gold and red vest, and the green visor every poker dealer was required by Hollywood law to wear.
The open seat was at the end of the table, so only one pony was to my side. Said pony was a white unicorn, wearing a fancy tux and monocle. If it weren't for the difference in clothing, I would have mistaken him for a butler, or given his massive size, some sort of Royal Guard.
"Good evening, the game is Appleloosa Hold 'em," the dealer greeted me as I sat down. He was shuffling two decks of cards, so he wasn't breaking anyone's concentration by speaking to me.
"How do I buy in?" I asked, curious as to how that was handled.
"If you're looking to gamble, then you'll have to find another table," the unicorn next to me said.
"I'm just looking to play," I answered.
The neighboring unicorn grinned, "Then you're welcome here. Sir Fancy Pants, I never really cared for gambling," he said, extending a hoof.
I met it with my own, "Baron Expected Value, neither did I. Shame it's almost always attached to these fun games."
The four pony players at the table all nodded along. I realized that these ponies were dressed a bit more conservatively. Past Sir Fancy Pants was an old grey pegasus mare in a pink dress and matching feather boa, a thin brown unicorn stallion in a tux, and a blue earth with a golden blonde mane and necktie.
Compared to the walking freak shows that were dresses and hairstyles around the place, these ponies seemed pretty normal.
The unicorn dealer magically dealt out two cards to each player, and a moderate section of chips to me in my corner. I discreetly checked the cards while everyone else did the same.
'A pocket pair of jacks? My, my, this game is starting off strong.'
"Baron Expected Value, may I introduce you to Perfect Pace, Mirror Finish, and the lovely Madam Coton à Broder," Sir Fancy Pants said, starting from the far end and ending at the elderly mare sitting by his side.
"Oh, you're such a kind colt," the mare crooned.
"Well Madam, I would introduce the other stallions here as lovely but I don't think they would appreciate the gesture as much," Sir Fancy joked, getting a chuckle from all of us.
The ponies began betting, with the big blind starting on the far end of the table, Perfect Pace. Mirror Finish put in his small blind, and the ponies began betting, starting with Perfect Pace again.
"So Baron, eh? Just where are you from, if you don't mind me asking?" Sir Fancy asked, sliding a few chips forward.
I mirrored his move, starting off with a modest bet.
"Vallachia."
The ponies ooh'ed.
"That would explain that," Fancy smiled. "I would love to hear what that's like. I don't think anyone here at this table has even been west of Las Pegasus, so coming from the Unexplored West is quite the... exotic tale."
The ponies all met the new bet, and then we all checked. The dealer revealed the three flop cards. A third jack was one of them, and the other two were rather uninteresting.
'Three of a kind. I should win this hoof.'
"It is certainly different from these lush valleys, I must admit. Vallachia is a gorgeous place, I will attest, but the greens here are... greener," I said in my Vallachian accent.
"And the thestrals? What're they like?" Pace asked, as he checked again.
'None of these ponies probably ever saw one, and tonight might be their first experience meeting one.'
"The thestrals..." I began, thinking of what to say, "... I must admit, it is hard to come up with a generalization of an entire tribe." The ponies nodded before I continued, "But I would say that they are dedicated to the protection of the County. Such fierce loyalty and desire to protect others is something to be admired."
The other ponies had all checked, but I placed forward a moderately sized raise. Perfect Pace folded, but the rest met the raise.
"Is it true that they drink blood?" Madam Coton asked.
"Wh- oh, no Madam!" I said, stifling a laugh.
The ponies continued to quiz me as the last two rounds were played. The last two cards were a pair of threes, making my hoof a full house. Likewise, their questions were somewhat surprising, and often thought-provoking.
"Yes, we have heard of chocolate, Mirror," I answered with a chuckle. "It was brought to Equestria long before the ancient war."
'These ponies are really grilling me on my Equestrian history!'
Eventually, the four players left in the game revealed their hoofs of cards.
"Full house: three jacks, pair of threes," the dealer announced my win.
"What a lucky first draw," Sir Fancy nodded towards my revealed cards as I collected the pot of chips. "One might call it beginner's luck."
"There's nothing lucky about being dealt a pocket pair," I joked, causing him to snort in laughter.
The big blind moved up to Mirror Finish as the Dealer dished out the next set of cards.
Once more, we all checked our hoof.
'A ten and a nine. A significant downgrade.'
The starting bet was just as small and careful as last time, so I met it anyway.
"You know, Sir Fancy Pants, you have me at a disadvantage. Here you have me going on and on about myself, but I know next to nothing about the pony sitting right next to me," I began as the dealer revealed the flop.
'A ten. That gives me one pair.'
"Well I run a function or two in town..." Fancy Pants said sheepishly.
"Ha! Please! Sir Fancy Pants here practically runs the city itself!" Mirror Finish exclaimed.
"Oh I don't know about that.... I do run several notable societies, it's true, but Canterlot was here before I was born, and it will be here after. I just find helping around to be a thoroughly enjoyable experience."
'Huh. That's pretty modest. Maybe this Fancy Pants guy is a cut above the rest of the schmucks here.'
The bet was raised again, by a small amount this time. We all met it, apparently not quite satisfied with any of our cards. There were no expert players here as it turned out, only novices. The real die-hard fans of poker were fished away by the tables who gambled actual bits, as it turned out.
"Several notable societies? Which would you say you find the most enjoyable? Or at least, a very interesting one?" I asked, looking to continue the conversation to pass the time.
"Good question," he answered, thinking. "Hmm.... I would say the Chairpony of the Wonderbolts Society here in Canterlot. Quite embarrassing to say that I run a glorified fanclub, but I am just so stricken with them! Not to mention, such a position has its perks and no shortage of autographs."
"Wonderbolts?" I asked.
The dealer revealed the fourth flop card.
'A nine. With two pairs, I can probably win this hoof.'
Sir Fancy started to gasp but stopped, "Of course, you being from Vallachia probably haven't heard of the greatest fliers in existence!"
"The fastest fliers!" Madam Coton agreed.
"The most skilled pegasi alive," Perfect Pace praised.
"I see enrollment in the Wonderbolts society is a requirement," I said.
The ponies laughed before Sir Fancy Pants explained, "They are the greatest fliers in Equestria. Though they are technically part of the Royal Guard, they do flying shows across the entire nation. Even now, during the war, they still wow crowds and give unforgettable shows!"
The last card was revealed, as were all of our cards. Surprisingly, Madam Coton had a higher two pair, giving her the win. As the dealer collected the cards and began shuffling again, the orchestra changed from a slow, quiet song to a louder, more attention-grabbing waltz.
"That would be the dance starting," Sir Fancy Pants pointed out, the look he gave me clued me into the fact that he said it for my benefit since I was a foreigner.
"Ah, thank you, Sir Fancy Pants."
"Please, call me Fancy."
"Only if you call me Expected. Or Value, either works."
Fancy chuckled, "Very well."
The cards were dealt, and I asked, "So, does anypony have somepony they plan on dancing with?"
'A jack and a two. Nothing yet. Still, a facecard has potential.'
With the big blind on Madam Coton, I would have the small blind next turn, and the big one after that.
'Best win some chips to have a safety net. I think this round, I'm going to try bluffing, despite the fact that I'm actually kind of a bad liar.'
I shook my head at that admission. A changeling being a bad liar was like a bad caricature or a flipped stereotype.
"Looks like he's not coming," Madam Coton murmured.
"Expecting somepony?" Mirror asked.
I placed a large raise. Perfect Pace and Madam met it, while Mirror Finish and Fancy both folded.
"Yes. A distant nephew who is often more rude than not, but one of the few family members who actually cares to visit," she said, a bit coldly.
"I am sorry to hear that, Madam," Fancy sympathized. "What's his name?"
"Count Double Dealings."
The dealer revealed the cards as I suddenly found myself extremely warm and uncomfortable.
'N-nothing. Scratch hoof, and sitting at the same table as someone related to that scum-sucker.'
"Oh. That Count," Mirror said, clearly unhappy with the answer.
"I see you've met him, then," the old mare joked.
"Aye, I have. Grifted me a pretty penny and left me in a ditch," Mirror grumbled.
"I am sorry, Mirror Finish," Madam Coton cringed. "I can pay you back. It's no trouble. How much was-"
"Enough to survive without, Madam. I appreciate your kindness, but it's my fault for trusting a stranger so much."
Perfect raised the bet a lot. Madam Coton folded, possibly just so she could speak undistracted to the upset pony sitting next to her. I raised again. Perfect met the raise, and the dealer flipped another card.
'Nothing again! This is no time to fold though, I need to double down.'
"Still, it wouldn't sit right with me to leave this injustice. Please Mirror, let me pay you."
"You don't have to cover for that backstabber.... Why do you want to, anyways?"
"He's family," she confessed. "We don't choose who our family is. We just try to understand them, and learn to love them. Sometimes they hurt us. Sometimes they give us a Hearthswarming gift that you remember for decades," she sniffs. Madam Coton pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes, "He comes here just to see me, you know. He doesn't care about the Princess, the charities, the nobles, or anything else. He just comes to see me, and ask me about my day. I know he's not the nice colt I watched grow up, but I am worried about him. He should have been here by now. He... I haven't received any letters from him in a while now."
I raised and tried to ignore the pony claiming that my potential murderer was a saint.
Perfect Pace met the raise, yet his focus was on Madam Coton.
"Have you tried visiting him?" Fancy asked her.
"I can't travel. Not anymore. He supports me by sending bits a few times a year, but he didn't send any last month."
'Oh fucking hell! Now you're telling me that this bastard had some good in him? Fantastic, I can't wait to have to be the one to explain to this old pony why I killed her son-of-a-bitch nephew. I'm probably also going to have to pay her pension or whatever.... Yeah, I'll do that, regardless of whether or not I have to. My grief was with the Count, not the family that depended on him. Damn it, he had no note of sending money to a relative! It was all off the books and undocumented!'
The dealer revealed the last card.
Madam Coton continued, "Princess Daybreaker even responded! She said she would investigate the matter personally. She spoke to me this morning, and said that Count Double Dealings would be here today. But I don't see him...."
"Pair, aces high," the dealer announced.
"Princess Daybreaker said that he'll be here?" I asked as Perfect Pace collected all of the chips I bet.
"Indeed. Now I suppose I should go speak with the Princess..."
"Maybe he's just late, or held up elsewhere?" Fancy offered. "If he cares that much about you, I doubt he'd skip out on seeing you again."
'You're not going to trick me into feeling guilty about killing him. I feel bad for his family, but that's it.'
I suppressed a sneer as the dealer hoofed out another round of cards. The big blind was on Fancy Pants now, so I had to pay the small one.
"I hope you're right. I'll wait a bit then... maybe speak with the Princess during the dinner, or some other time she isn't busy," Madam Coton agreed, negating any need for me to keep her here or something.
I was beginning to stress out about this.
'Daybreaker personally investigated the Count? And said he'd be here? Is that just confidence in her own abilities, or something more? She knows I'm alive... Does she suspect that I was responsible and will be here? Is she onto me and our plan to get rid of her?'
Everyone checked up to the big blind. The dealer revealed the three flop cards.
"Sounds like it has something to do with this war," Fancy guessed, "because I can't imagine Her Highness personally investigating for anything less...."
Fancy raised, and I folded.
"Do you think he's in trouble?" Madam asked.
"Nah," Perfect Pace interrupted, "I'm sure he's just off supplying some secret mission or something. You hear about that Division-P that's all over the place now? They even had them at the doors to the palace!"
"That's what those weird guards were?" Mirror asked.
Pace nodded, "Oh yeah. You all saw that black stallion that stood next to 'em, right?" We all nodded. "Turns out, that's a changeling!" Perfect Pace whisper yelled.
"A changeling?" Fancy asked.
"Yeah. You saw how he didn't have a Cutie Mark, right? That's why."
"Right here in the palace?" I asked, trying to not sound completely silent.
"Apparently Division-P is holding them all prisoner here. My brother over in Canterlot Times says that they got an anonymous tip-off from within the palace itself. That's what today's newspaper was all about!"
The other ponies gasped.
"I must confess, I came from out of town...." I said slowly.
"Today's paper was... well, I didn't believe it at first," Fancy said, turning around to bring me up to speed. "Some weird stuff. Included some horrible claims that they were hurting their prisoners, and that Princess Cadence and Prince Blueblood were in charge of it all."
"Royalty, hurting prisoners? Alicorns do not do such things," I said dismissively.
"Normally no," Perfect Pace answered me. "But the tip-off suggested that they were nothing more than puppets!"
"Sounds like more war gossip," Madam Coton said, still subdued from her earlier freakout.
I sighed, "Facts can be so misleading, where rumors, whether true or false, are often revealing."
The ponies, even the dealer, nodded at that. I found the employee's response particularly funny.
"There's so little truth nowadays," Fancy moaned. "I fear that you may be right, Expected Value. It's like there's something rotten here, in the heart of Equestria. That changeling invasion made everything so complicated..."
The game continued, with the ponies betting low amounts, and everyone dropping out until Fancy took the pot by default.
"War this, war that..." Fancy sighed. "This war is dangerous, and not just to our boys and girls that we send off. Hate grows like a weed. I've never seen anypony this anxious or suspicious of each other."
"Those darn changelings hurt us badly," Mirror grimaced.
"I just hope the war ends soon."
Everyone nodded and looked at me, making me realize that I was the one who said that.
"What's the war like over in Vallachia? It sounds like it's even spread over there, too," Fancy asked me.
"There was an attack, not long ago. Some very important ponies died, and now I think even the Princesses suspect our loyalty," I admitted. These ponies weren't going to talk much, so I could spill a little truth.
'There's me again, being the worst liar in existence. It's like a running joke at this point. Maybe all this talk about murder put me in a bad mood, where I feel like I have to make it up to them by saying the truth? Fuck if I know, I'm no shrink.'
"Ponies died and the Crowns suspects you?" Pace asked me.
"... War is complicated. There is more to this one than anypony realizes, I think," I shrugged. "I'm just a Baron. These things are above my station..."
Speaking of being above my station, I caught the eye of a thestral, watching me from a distance.
"Ah. I see somepony I must speak to tonight. I'm afraid I must quit the game before I lose track of her."
Fancy reached out to stop me, "One more game? I'd hate for anypony to leave on such a sour note," he said, not exactly talking about my tiny stack of chips.
I reluctantly agreed, "Very well. One last game."
The dealer dealt out the cards, and I peeked at my last hoof.
'An ace and a king. Hm.'
"Got a good hoof there?" Fancy asked me.
"Perhaps," I said.
I had the big blind, so either way, I was putting half of my remaining chips into the pot in the center.
"Check," Perfect said, meeting the big blind from his small one.
"Check," Mirror said, adding his chips.
Madam wordlessly added her own chips.
"I'm in," Fancy nodded, checking.
The dealer revealed the three flop cards.
A ten of spades. A seven of diamonds. A Queen of Spades.
'No. Surely not...'
"Check," I said, wanting to see what happens.
"Check," the two far stallions agreed, not adding any chips.
"Raise," Madam Coton said quietly, throwing in a few chips.
It was somewhat hard to hear her over the music and the conversation in the room. I realized that there was no small amount of fear and sadness coming from her direction.
"Raise," Fancy said again, tossing in significantly more.
"Check," I said again, meeting his bet out of curiosity. It left me with a single chip, sitting next to my face-down cards.
"Fold," Perfect Pace said, throwing a hoof up,
"Fold," Mirror Finish said a moment later, shaking his head.
"Check," Madam Coton said, just as quietly.
The dealer flipped over the fourth card. Nine of clubs.
'Damn. Don't think it's going to happen, then.'
"All in," I said anyway, dramatically pushing my single chip into the center.
The ponies laughed, and Madam Coton met the raise.
"You've really got me sweating here, Expected. That's a big raise," Fancy said.
If he said that when I first sat down, I would have thought it an insult. Now I know that he wasn't the kind of pony to go around punching downwards, and saw it for the sarcastic joke it was.
"It's okay to admit you don't have as deep of pockets as I do, Fancy," I answered, grinning slightly.
"Oh we'll see about that. All in," he declared, pushing his sizable pile of chips into the center.
Now even Madam Coton was giggling.
'Well if he was hoping to bring her out of the dumps, mission accomplished.'
"I, heh, I fold," Madam Coton said, smiling despite herself.
"All in," the dealer laughed as he flipped the last card.
Just as my jaw dropped, I tasted a wellspring of happiness next to me.
"Jack of Spades," Fancy Pants read the card out loud. "Oh, mare! I'm sorry your last game was like this, but at least it was funny, Expected!"
He flipped his two cards.
"Eight and Nine of spades. A straight flush," the dealer announced, shaking his head slowly.
"It was fun, Fancy Pants," I chuckled. "But the truth is, the game was rigged from the start!" I yelled.
I dramatically flipped my two dealt cards.
"King and Ace of spades! A royal flush! Baron Expected Value wins!" The dealer gasped.
"Celestia's titanic tits!" Madam Coton swore.
"Pfffff!" Fancy tried to cover his surprise and laughter.
"Bahahahaha!" Mirror broke into laughter, smacking the table repeatedly.
Several ponies looked over, attention caught by the sudden laughter and noise.
"I'm never gonna see a game as great as that one again!" Perfect said, jaw wide and staring at our revealed cards.
"Better- ha! - better luck next time, Fancy!" I said, wheezing.
"Oooh my Celestia! How did...! Wow! That's amazing!" Fancy laughed. "Congratulations, Expected!" He said as he shook my hoof.
"Four pocket spades in two hooves..." Perfect muttered.
"What a game!" I shook my head. "Not even I expected that! Wew...." I split my new chips into two stacks, and gave one stack to Madam Coton and one to Fancy. "You two can have my winnings. Fancy for the great game and company, and Madam for, well.... I hope you find some answers soon. About your nephew, I mean."
'Whatever he did, you don't deserve the loss of family. Oh boy, that's not going to be a fun reveal.'
"Thank you, young Baron," Madam Coton said, smiling.
"If you're ever looking for an open seat, there'll be one here," Fancy said, with agreements from the other two stallions at the table.
"Till our paths cross again," I nodded to the four, and left to find the thestral I had spotted earlier.
I crossed the floor, past tables of ponies going back to their games and conversations after the outburst that interrupted them. The pony I had spotted earlier was still there, waiting at a table with two other ponies of the same tribe.
"Baron Expected Value. I do not believe we have met yet. I am Elder Mind."
I looked the thestral over as I sat down across from her. She was wearing a long red and black dress with a tall collar sticking out from around her neck.
"If you were hoping to blend in..." I muttered.
"I did not. I am to be seen here, standing out," she answered.
'We are being watched, and they want to use that to their advantage.'
"I see. It is nice to meet you... My Elder?"
She nodded, "It is a pleasure to meet you at last, Baron Expected Value. I have heard many interesting things about your lineage."
'Are we doing the double speak thing? I think we're doing the double speak thing.'
"Is all well in Trotsylvania, Elder Mind?"
"No. Trouble brews, as you already know," she said quietly. "You will remain here with me tonight."
'That's what the note was talking about? Our plan is in danger?'
"I was rather hoping to dance."
"You will remain here, and admire the ponies around us."
'We have to be seen sitting down here, the entire time? Hmph.'
Elder Mind glanced in the direction I came from, "That was a loud outburst. Socializing with the ponies here isn't a bad idea. What was so funny as to cause such loud laughter?"
I shrugged, "I won a card game, beating out the rare second best set of cards in the game, with the extremely-rare best set in the game. The fact that I put in my last single betting chip was funny. The fact that my opponent needlessly put in all of his chips, when he only needed one, was hilarious. All together, it was quite the game."
"Ah, I see. You may return to that table, if you wish. So long as you don't leave it."
"Why? Afraid I'll go up and greet the Princesses?"
Elder Mind fought a frown, "The Princesses are busy, and we wouldn't want to impress poorly upon them."
"They seemed kind of bored when I entered..."
"You will remain here, Baron Expected Value. I will make it an order, if necessary."
"If you order me so, My Elder."
'I'm not going to dance with Luna? This is a crime. A crime against love. I better get Cadence on the case.'
"If, for whatever reason, Daybreaker decides to have a conversation with you, refer to her as Your Royal Highness. She prefers that title. Try not to make her mad... Not very helpful advice, I know, but it is all I can offer. Do not make a fool of yourself or Vallachia, or we may all pay the price."
"I thought it was customary for the Princesses to greet their guests. Would it not be considered an insult if we do not go up and greet them ourselves?"
"It is a small slight, but a forgiven one, considering the kingdom is at war. Customs are exchanged for security, you know. So once again, stay here. I know you have your eye on Princess Luna."
I frowned, "I would have thought you would keep that a secret."
"There are few bachelors in Vallachia who wouldn't try to have a dance with the Princess of the Night. I know of your desire, and the moment you approach the Princesses is the moment they learn of your desire. It is nearly impossible for a young stallion such as yourself to keep secrets like that."
"And you believe that I shouldn't attempt to ask Princess Luna anyways?"
"We do not know how Princess Daybreaker will react."
I sighed.
"We have your coat here, Baron Expected," Elder Mind said plainly.
"Here?"
"With us, right now, yes," she said, using a wing to give me a thin winter coat, which I put around the back of my chair.
'Unbroken Radiance is right here, at this table? They must've smuggled it in using Royal Guards in on the plan and placed it beneath the table.'
"Thank you for your preparedness, My Elder. I was worried that this stiff jacket was all I would have to keep me warm. I guess word of my habit of never leaving home without a jacket made its way to Trotsylvania?"
"There is little else to talk about, so rumors like that sustain the court's interest. You should be accustomed to wearing so little in these warm climates."
'What's that supposed to mean? Is she calling me out for needing a suit of armor in order to not get my shit kicked in? Or is she just continuing the cover conversation?'
"My coat isn't as thick as Equestrian ponies," I answered.
'I'll fucking lose to Daybreaker if I go without my stuff.'
"Then perhaps you should learn a spell or two to aid you," the thestral smiled.
'Get good? You're telling me to get good?! I'm already as skilled as I can be in the small time frame allotted, you overgrown bat!'
"Unlike the clothes of the Trotsylvanian court, I wear jackets that don't make me look like a villain from a cheap horror movie," I whispered.
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying you look like a vampire, Elder Mind."
"I don't- I look like a vampire?" She asked, genuinely shocked.
"Extremely. I don't know if that's a stereotype that came to be because you're thestrals, or because of the garments themselves, but to me you scream vampire."
"These styles have been the height of fashion!"
"For how long?"
"... A couple hundred years."
I laughed, "You've stereotyped yourself. Enjoy being called a bloodsucker. Meanwhile, I got my suit made here in Equestria."
"I see.... Then again, we are meant to be seen and appreciated. We are Vallachia, and we represent all of it."
'We're supposed to be a distraction.'
"Right," I muttered. "I see your point. Is there anything else you wish to tell me, Elder Mind?"
"I would wish that you avoid the celebrities and nobles of this Gala as much as possible, though I am too old for wishes. If somepony, say the Wonderbolts or the bearers of the Elements of Harmony, speak to you, be mindful that you are representing Vallachia."
'If you are approached for whatever reason, just act cool and don't blow our cover.'
"Yes, yes, mother- I mean, yes Elder Mind."
"That should be all," Elder Mind said, sitting back in her seat. The two other thestrals at the table, stallions wearing black suits with red fabric interior- of course, had remained silent during the conversation.
Elder Mind turned away and started watching the ponies around us. Whether she was interested in how Equestrians interacted, or was just trying to keep an eye out for anything happening, I was too busy thinking to care.
There was something that just didn't add up.
'Count Double dealings here tonight. A photo of me in Vallachia... Daybreaker knows I'm alive. She knows I'm coming tonight. She doesn't know that I know all of that. Did she expect me to use his identity to get in? It would have been a suitable identity, except for the fact that he would know ponies here, meaning I would have to know ponies here. Ponies like Madam Coton... But again, would she know that? I don't think so. She probably thought that I would use his identity to get in. Or maybe I'm over analyzing this... Oh damn it, there's no clear answer and I'm just talking in circles.'
"Sir Force, if you could get us some refreshment," Elder Mind asked, glancing at one of the thestrals sitting at the table.
"At once, My Elder," the thestral said, standing up and vanishing into the crowd in a near instant.
'If Daybreaker knows that the thestrals are not loyal, then the plan must have been altered so that the thestrals would stay here and be watched the entire time. I would also be part of that distraction. But if she knows that the thestrals are not loyal, then us doing nothing would also be suspicious, right? So we have to do something? Something... something.... hmmm...'
I looked in the direction of the royal table. I could see the alicorns from this table. The most noticeable thing- besides Luna, of course- was that I could actually see the glow that Daybreaker's mane gave off, reflecting in the stained glass window behind her.
She was addressing a pony standing in front of her table, with Luna and Cadence watching on. I also spied Captain Shining Armor sitting next to Cadence, whispering to her. Luna was now starting to fail at hiding her boredom, circling a silver-booted hoof across the table in front of her. She had likely been sitting there for hours now, and would normally be sitting there until the end of the Gala. At least Celestia had got up in her time to greet the guests, now they were nothing more than glorified trophies...
Speaking of trophies, I saw God-Splitter. The hammer was displayed on a pedestal, head supported by a brace structure, and the handle sticking up and to the side. It was like they never moved its positioning after pulling it free. Or did I leave it in a wall, and not the floor? I had been quite occupied at the time, so that detail slipped my mind.
Keeping a note of where it was, I reached a decision.
'Fuck it. If things go bad tonight, there's a chance that I will die. A very good chance. I can't get taken alive. I just can't. My backup plan isn't guaranteed to save me, either. The Fifth Hive will endure, but I might not live to see tomorrow. Yeah, in that case, I'm getting my dance.'
I rose and pushed myself away from the table, garnering Elder Mind's attention immediately.
"Going back to your poker game, then?" She asked.
"I'm going to go ask Princess Luna for a dance."
Elder Mind did a double take, "What?! I ordered you-"
There was no easy way to tell her my conclusion without breaking our cover. So I interrupted her as I turned away.
"I don't care. I'm getting that dance, and you can't stop me."
"Get back here at once, Baron!" She hissed.
"Enjoy the evening, My Elder!" I called over my shoulder.
Between myself and the alicorns was about half of the section with tables on my right and the dance floor on my left. Walking through the dance floor was a no-go, neither was walking in between the two; I had no intention of photobombing everyone here. That left awkwardly weaving through the tables as ponies walked around, bringing food and drink and getting them from staff.
Bobbing and weaving around was a rather easy task. It was avoiding certain ponies that was difficult. I spotted several members of the Wonderbolts in their unmistakable skin-tight leotards hanging around the far end of the buffet, snagging a few light snacks for themselves while joking around and talking with excited fans.
One of those fans had a very distinctive rainbow mane coloration...
'I see. This place is going to be like a minefield of important ponies. If I am to avoid- oof!'
Distracted by the Element bearer by the Wonderbolts, I didn't see the pony walking my way. We collided and the mare who I walked into fell back onto her haunches.
"Oh, I'm sorry-" I began.
"My apologies-" the mare, a white unicorn, started saying.
'There seems to be a lot of white unicorns around.'
"No, it's my fault, I wasn't looking where I was going," I said while offering a hoof to pull her up.
'Wait a second....'
The unicorn took my hoof and I helped her up. She brushed off her pink, gold, and lavender dress. She grimaced at a few wrinkles, and used her magic to iron them out. I recognized this pony. I had met her only once before, but I knew her description well enough.
"As if this day can't get any worse," Rarity, bearer of Generosity, grumbled.
"Oh don't say that. It can always get worse."
"Perhaps you are right. In hindsight, this night is still recoverable." Rarity looked at me, taking in the sights apparently. "Do I know you?"
"No. Baron Expected Value of Vallachia," I said, extending a hoof.
She took it and shook it gently, "Lady Rarity... of Ponyville," she smiled. "I could have sworn we met before. I'm getting the strangest sense of-"
"I would never forget a face such as yours, Lady Rarity. If you'll excuse me, there is somepony I wish to speak to," I said, trying to maneuver around her.
"If you'd kindly humor me, Baron Expected Value..." She put a hoof under her chin as she thought. "It's so strange. Like part of me deep down knows you..."
'Damn it magical Elements of Harmony, quit your snitchin!'
I sighed, trying to move the topic along, "Your day not going well, Lady Rarity?"
"... I can't place your face. Oh well. I've had a bad conversation or two, as have my friends. Really, it's like we are only finding the worst Canterlot has to offer tonight." She shook her head, "You say you are from Vallachia? Is that not the thestral nation?"
'Keep looking Rarity. I'm certainly no saint.'
"It is the nation with thestrals."
"Oh, but there are other tribes there, too? That is most interesting."
I tried once again to leave, "Yes. Now, as much as I'd love to chat, there is somepony I really would like to see."
"Of course, darling. Somepony dear to your heart?"
I smiled, "Something like that."
"Who is the lucky mare? Or stallion, I don't judge, unlike some ponies around here," she practically growled the last words, sending a glare off into the crowd around us.
'What the hell, she'd probably see us together and connect the dots anyways.'
"Princess Luna," I said.
"Princess Luna? I suppose we're all after the prince or princess of our dreams, then," she said with a sheepish smile. "But take my word on this; prepare to be disappointed. You never know what a pony is like until you meet them. Not that Princess Luna is anything less than one of the finest ponies in Equestria, mind you, but... she is a rather busy pony."
'I don't think I need to worry about that, Rarity, but thank you for the advice.'
"Thank you for the warning, Lady Rarity. Now-"
Any confusion she had at that moment cleared up, leaving just a faint taste of elation coming from her. Rarity was staring me in the eyes. My orange eyes...
'Uh oh, epiphany inbound!'
"Wait a second, you're...."
Fear.
"The world is a big place, Lady Rarity, but at times it can be so small. Remember the one pony you're supposed to save tonight."
I quickly trotted on, brushing past the stunned pony and delving further into the crowd. Rarity called out after me once, but any hope of finding me was quickly lost as I twisted and turned around the last tables of the area. If she wanted to speak to me, she would have to catch me when I was by the alicorns. That was something I figured she didn't actually want to do. Not when everything was at stake.
The sitting area ended before the steps up to the slightly raised area. The space inbetween the sections was empty, save for the six Royal Guards standing like statues in front of the steps. A small line had formed in front, with ponies seeking to see the princesses forming a short queue.
Most of the petitioners of the Gala were merely extending their greetings to the Princess of the sun and her host of alicorns. A few gave gifts, trying to garner some goodwill or favor from the Princess. Each one had their gift incinerated, with Daybreaker citing security concerns.
That was another thing. This close, I could hear Daybreaker's voice for the first time.
"I thank you for your support and dedication, Magistrate Check List," she spoke to the black pegasus ahead of me. Her voice was like a distant rumbling thunder, restrained by regality and tact. "You have served the Crown well in these times of hardship."
"I serve Equestria, Your Royal Highness," the pegasus bowed.
He stepped to the side, walked backwards down the steps, and turned only when past the guards. I was now at the front of the line, and the top of the steps.
Daybreaker's gaze turned towards me. Suddenly, I felt very hot and nervous. Luna had worked to cover up and disable the mark that the Nightmares had scorched into my own mind. Neither of us had any clue if it would work, and neither of us remembered to do much about it. So either Daybreaker would skip over me, or she would know who I was instantly. Or at least, what a Nightmare has done to me.
'Perhaps I could cover it up with the idea that I was attacked by a Nightmare in Vallachia.'
I stepped forward and bowed. As my nose nearly touched the cold polished marble floor, I spied both Princess Luna and Princess Cadence staring at me. Luna sat still, and I could see her dress of matching blues that blended with her coat. Cadence had a dress of white and gold, matching her former aunt's colorings.
I could taste their sense of surprise upon seeing me and recognizing my disguise. I was bowing before Princess Daybreaker, out of place and potentially jeopardizing everything.
'Yeah, I'm stepping out of line. I am having less and less faith in our plan anyways. Let's just hope my backup plans work. Preferably the first one...'
Daybreaker, who I could feel the heat of now that I was so close, was not in a dress or beautiful princess regalia. In an outfit suitable only for war, she made her presence and power known to any who looked upon her; her helmet, peytral, wing guards, and boots were all made of the orange metal that shimmered in the light of her own mane. The scant few orange gems on her armor sparkled in the firelight, and shimmered ever so slightly purple from the enchantments embedded into their crystalline forms. Her mane was like a billowing cloud of fire, lazily whipping back from the top of her skull. Her eyes were inverted versions of my own, and their stare could burn holes in metal. Now, they stared at me.
My heart fluttered. I was almost within reach of Luna for the first time since the invasion of Canterlot. But between me and her stood a monument to all that was wrong with the world.
"Greetings, Princess Daybreaker. I am Baron Expected Value of Vallachia. I extend wishes of well being and success in the war to you and your family, Your Royal Highness."
Now that I was directly addressing the alicorn which had scoured the lands of changelings, I surprised myself. I had to fight a sudden spike of anger. I expected the fear, and the nervousness, but the anger caught me off guard. In hindsight it was obvious why the sudden urge to cave her skull in came to me; she was personally responsible for the death of hundreds of changelings.
And here I was, doing everything I could to save them all. I had even flown back into a city on the cusp of exploding just to save a single drone. A single drone that meant nothing and mattered little, and therefore meant everything.
"Vallachia," the embodiment of the sun muttered. "The breakaway state founded by traitors. Have you come to bend the knee and finish your return to where you belong?"
"That is for my masters to decide, Your Royal Highness," I said, still bowing low.
"Yes, your 'masters.' They had come to me earlier today, yet still they refused their place in Equestria. Why is this?"
'Fuck if I know. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that you are a Nightmare, you piece of...'
"Vallachia has kept to itself for generations, Your Royal Highness. All we have of the old world and our old place beneath the alicorns are stories. Fear stays our hooves, I believe. But I cannot speak for my Elders. I am just a lowly Baron, Your Royal Highness."
Daybreaker leaned back in her seat. I heard it creak under her weight and the heat of her flames.
"If you do not bring a message of submission, then why do you come to me?"
I rose from my bow and met Daybreaker's stare, "I have come to ask the beautiful Princess Luna to a dance, Your Royal Highness."
Shock. The first emotion I tasted from Daybreaker that wasn't just the dismissive hate and boredom that seeped into the area around us like a very thin fog. It wasn't just Daybreaker that was shocked. Luna and Cadence had been startled by the request. Luna because she knew who I was, and Cadence because of the fact that someone had asked in the first place. Even Captain Shining Armor, the unicorn I had not seen since I had crushed him months ago, turned my way to look at the fool who asked a Princess to a dance.
"You believe a Princess would deign to dance with a lowly Baron?" Daybreaker asked, eyebrows high.
"I believe she might, and I had hoped for an answer."
Daybreaker's eyebrows fell back into place, her face a mask once more, "You are so vain as to think that because you might have a chance, that you should take it and make a fool of yourself and waste our time? My little pony, that was an unwise decision."
"As you say, Your Highness, but love is like war; only the daring win."
Cadence snorted quietly, amused by the comparison.
The soft crackle of Daybreaker's fire was her only response as she stared me down. That gaze that could melt metal was in full force, trying to discern... whatever it was that Daybreaker was thinking.
Then, her stare was replaced by a pleased look that crept across her face. Lips parted, revealing a set of sharpened fangs, about the size of Nightmare Moon's.
"If only we had more stallions as bold as you, Baron Expected Value. This war might have been over before it began. You may ask Princess Luna," the Nightmare said, gesturing to her smaller sister, sitting next to her.
"Princess Luna, may I have a dance?" I asked, bowing slightly and stretching a hoof out to her.
Luna gaped, looking between me and Daybreaker.
"I..."
Daybreaker rolled her eyes, "It's very easy, sister. One word, two letters."
"I accept, Baron Expected Value," Luna said, trying to compose herself.
I smiled.
"You accept?!" Daybreaker gasped. You didn't have to be an emotion-stealing parasite to tell that she was surprised.
"I do, sister," Luna nodded before rising from her seat.
Luna walked around the table, past a few guards that stood up on the raised section with them, and met me in front of Daybreaker. She took my hoof and I led the way down the stairs, turning my back on Daybreaker. It was the first time we touched outside of a dream since I threw her into a pod.
Her horseshoe was cold, but her smile was warm.
'Foals and nymphs, look away! Hoof-holding!'
Luna was afraid, but mixed into that wonderful taste of fear was the bubbly, even-better taste of happiness.
"Thank you, Princess Luna, for honoring me with this dance," I said as we slowly walked away and towards the dance floor.
Ponies were moving out of the way, forming an avenue towards the center of the floor, where a large clearing was opening up. The band had stopped playing, instead starting to prepare for another song. The press ponies were snapping pictures of us as we walked together. Whispers and quiet conversation reached our ears as ponies talked while looking at us.
"Tell me, Baron Expected, do you feel particularly suicidal today? That was quite the bravado you showed to Daybreaker. It's not something she will forget," Luna whispered today.
All it would take was a single enhanced hearing spell to overhear our conversation, so we would have to speak in code and maintain our disguise.
I looked up at Luna. While disguised, she was taller than I.
"You are worth it."
"I am? A candle that burns twice as bright, burns half as long, young stallion."
"It'll all work out in the end, I'm sure," I tried to assure her.
"So confident.... Very well, Baron Expected. Shall we?" She asked as we stopped in the clearing.
The space was right in front of the Gala's orchestra. Who, at the Princess's signal, began to play their song. The ponies around us began to waltz along to the song, and Luna and I began to waltz as well.
That was no simple or easy matter. Quadrupeds waltzing was less so like two people, close together, dancing as one, and more like two people, dancing in perfect synchronization, occasionally holding a hoof, spinning their partner, or whatever other maneuvers the dance had. Some waltzes had the ponies on their hindlegs, like a human would dance. This song was one of those dances, so plenty of couples around us were up on their hindlegs.
However, such a dance position was reserved for romantic couples, which Baron Expected Value and Princess Luna were unfortunately not, despite the real truth of our relationship. So we danced on all four hooves, mostly three at a time, with our fourth holding each other.
I was also just a little bit sad. The feeling came when the song started, and it never left.
"Something wrong?" Luna whispered, seeing my face fall slightly.
"I didn't expect this song."
"Is there something wrong with it?"
"No, no... I just heard it long, long ago. Once upon a december..." I hummed.
'Things my heart used to know, things it yearns to remember!'
Luna nodded, understanding my meaning. Her presence was more than comforting. It was absolutely addicting- no, enthralling.
"You are better at this than I expected," Luna whispered as we waltzed.
I blushed, "W-well, I may have managed to fit dancing lessons into my busy schedule."
"Dancing Lessons?" Luna asked.
'How, is what she really wants to know.'
"Even if you wouldn't dance with me tonight, I knew that you would eventually," I whispered back.
"Such determination... one might call it fanaticism."
I chuckled, "You caught me, Princess. I stalk ponies, and I have pony-lampshades at home."
"Pony-lampshades? You would have gotten along well with Nightmare Moon with that humor..."
"Now's not the time to talk about her, Princess Luna."
"No, no it is not," she grinned.
'Ah. There it is.'
Luna let go of her fears and worries, letting herself get lost in the dance and our embrace. Fear had been replaced by love.
'Love for me...'
I mentally balked at the idea, even as I almost started to salivate at the delicious emotion's presence.
"I am happy you asked me for this, Baron Expected. I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I am."
"Careful now, Princess Luna. You get too excited and you start doing horrible things like using more contractions," I joked.
Luna laughed, "You are a terrible influence on me, I should think."
"Am I? Should I leave, then?"
"Don't you dare."
We laughed, and we waltzed the rest of the song in silence, just appreciating each other's company. I also may have nibbled on her love. Just a little bit. A bite here and there... Being surrounded by it- no, being the target of it was simply irresistible. They say the best food is the food you don't have to pay for, but they have no idea what it is like to feast on love directed towards you.
Okay, I drank myself full on it. Love freely given is painless to take, and its absence is unheard of. She was like an endless fountain of drugs, all for me. I could have filled myself on it for hours, and Luna would be none-the-wiser. A pony in love with a changeling... this was the revelation of biblical proportions that Thorax had discovered. There was so much! Who knows why it produced more, and who cared?!
It made me realize just how much indoctrination a drone would have to go through in order to be an Infiltrator. To experience so much love in their lives, and willingly part with it? They had to all be insane.
And that was just my stomach speaking. Actually being here, with Luna, in person? I was so excited that I practically vibrated in her grasp. Several times, I had to remind myself to just breathe in and out. I suspected that if I was undisguised, I would do something fatally embarrassing such as chirp like a cricket, like Thorax did. As a pony, I merely felt my tail swishing back and forth behind me, like I was a puppy.
I made no effort to control it.
"I wish this moment would never end," I mumbled.
"There may be more in the future, if you are lucky," Princess Luna winked.
"Oh no. I have terrible luck, Princess."
Luna laughed, "Then you will just have to work hard."
The song ended, and we parted. As we bowed to each other, I felt cold. The ponies stomped and clapped an applause, not only just for the orchestra's performance.
'I managed to not make an embarrassment out of myself. Check that off the bucket list!'
"Alas, our song is over," Luna said, taking my hoof and frowning.
"More in the future, right Princess?"
"More in the future," she agreed, her smile returning.
I escorted her back to the royal section. I could see butlers and maids setting up a few tables behind the royal one as we approached.
'Almost time for the dinner, and time for the Elements to do their work.'
I stopped at the guard line at the bottom of the steps. Luna let go of my hoof, and I bowed once more.
"Thank you for the dance, Your Highness."
"I thank thee as well. It was most enjoyable," Princess Luna said, slipping a bit back into old habits. She was likely a bit afraid of going back to sitting next to Daybreaker.
'And there's nothing I can do to help her.'
Daybreaker for her part was still stunned. A more subdued, disguised surprise, but she was still trying to piece it together.
'I guess alicorns fall in love so rarely that her sister finding someone she fancies is a genuine shock.'
Cadence was smiling down at me, and tearing up a bit. I saw her turn to her side, and ask Captain Shining Armor a question.
'Something along the lines of, 'when's our dance?' I'm guessing.'
As Luna retrieved her seat and parked herself onto it, I came to the painful conclusion that it was time for me to make my exit.
For soon it was time for King Phasma to make his entrance.
I bowed deeply and backpedaled, turning away only after paying a healthy amount of respect and not pissing off Daybreaker. Though my act of turning my back on her earlier probably undid any of that effort.
I dodged around reporters that took my picture and asked questions I didn't care about. I avoided nobles who wanted to know just who had danced with Princess Luna herself. I simply slunked into the crowd, using its numbers to lose the tail of paparazzis and brown-nosers.
Eventually, I managed to make my way back to Elder Mind's table. She was still there, though now had a tall glass sitting before her, and an ugly scowl on her face.
'Someone's mad at me.'
I took the chair opposite her and plumped down with a sigh.
"Are you happy, lover-colt?"
"Mmmm," I grunted, smiling.
"You look like a dumb-struck foal. Have you forgotten how important this day is to Vallachia?"
"Is dancing with Princess Luna so damaging to our image?" I asked, poking a hole in her double-speak rebuke of me.
"You know why I am upset with you."
"And I don't care. If you try to make everything go along with your perfect plan, your hope to appear prim and proper, then you'll just fail, and uh... only come off as fake," I said, trying to cover up the fact that I said this was planned.
If any pony was listening, that would have been a red flag.
A waitress arrived, carrying a stack of menus. She dispensed a few to our table, and moved on. I grabbed one with my magic, and slowly looked it over. Across the table, Elder Mind sneered at me and grabbed a menu for herself.
'So much food... but I've already eaten, hehe.'
"My little ponies," Daybreaker's voice echoed across the ballroom.
'Ah, that's that famous Royal Canterlot Voice I've heard about.'
I looked up at her. I could see the tops of heads of ponies sitting behind her.
'Everyone is in position.'
Conversations ended as everyone shifted their attention towards Princess Daybreaker, who was standing up and addressing the gathered crowd.
"It is during this time where I usually honor the heroes and upstanding citizens of the Principality of Equestria," Daybreaker continued, at a quieter volume. She gestured to the princess sitting behind her, "This is the first year that my dear little sister, Princess Luna, is back at my side, her rightful place. The years were long without her..."
There was a subdued applause.
Daybreaker gestured to the table behind and to her left, behind Luna. "I must also honor the bearers of the Elements of Harmony, who came together and faced adversity to defeat Nightmare Moon, and save my sister."
Another round of applause, louder this time. Daybreaker had put out a decent amount of propaganda, praising the bearers and their efforts.
"And last, but most certainly not least, Captain Shining Armor and the rest of the Royal Guards. Our brave stallions and mares who have paid the ultimate price in the name of peace and Harmony; those who have died to save us all from the changeling menace. We shall remember their efforts, and thank them for it for the rest of our lives. Captain Shining himself turned the tide of countless fights."
Everyone applauded that. If there was something people loved, it was good war stories. Fight back the bad guy, win the girl, the whole deal. Captain Shining for his part looked embarrassed and waved during the loud applause.
"But there is one last effort I must congratulate," Daybreaker said as the applause died down. "The Elements of Harmony, Princess Luna, and even Princess Cadence have all worked to achieve a common goal. Unfortunately, that goal was high treason.'
'Oh fuck. I hate being right.'
The crowd gasped and murmurs of confusion started to fill the hall. Royal Guards stepped up behind the two princesses, and no doubt to the Element bearers.
"But, my little ponies, it is important to remember that we are all Equestrians!" Daybreaker yelled.
"King Phasma," Elder Mind whispered. My head whipped to her as she spoke my name. "Put on the suit," she whispered as she affixed a long twist of metal to her head.
Something slid across the floor and bumped into my hindleg. I looked down and saw a wooden crate had been pushed next to me.
"Sister, you are mistaken-"
"We must be united against the changeling menace!" Daybreaker yelled as I cracked the crate open and pulled the tightly packed armor set out.
The two thestrals at the table scooted over and covered me with their wings as I quickly put the armor on. The process was difficult, but I had been training for this. Buttons were ripped off, thread was pulled, and my tuxedo was cast off.
"I desire answers, Luna. I desire recompense. You will repent your sins, and embrace Harmony once again. Why have you worked against me? What have I done to you to deserve this pain?"
I slotted my hooves into the boots of the armor, which shrunk to fit me, and wrestled with the large barrel piece.
"... I will save you, Celestia. I will. But first, I must defeat this Nightmare possessing you. Then, at last, we will be united again. No Nightmares can keep us apart!"
I closed the last clasp, and put on Unbroken Radiance's helmet.
"I fear your time alone has jeopardized your sanity, Luna. For your own good, surrender. I want to help you."
The thestrals closed their wings, and Elder Mind nodded to me. Ponies around us looked at me, with my shining green armor, and at Elder Mind, with her shining head ornament.
"There are changelings at the entrance to the palace. Save them," I ordered the thestral as I stood up.
"If that is what you order me to do," she said, referencing our earlier conversation.
I nodded, "It is. I've got a Nightmare to kill."
"No, Daybreaker! It is you who are insane!" Luna yelled from across the room.
"I will save you Luna. And I will save the ponies you are trying to damn with you," Daybreaker responded, her voice filled with pain.
I left the thestrals, and began trotting towards the alicorns, too involved in their feud to see anything past their own table. As I walked past seated ponies, each turned to look at me. But they were beneath my notice, and beneath any importance. Several times, I pushed ponies aside who had come to a halt where they stood, transfixed by the argument that gripped the room.
"It is my fault that you fell, Celestia! I admit that! I accept that! But it shall be my doing that you are returned to us all! Equestria will have its rightful ruler back!"
Four guards were trotting my way. Whether they saw my approach, or had begun making their way to the thestral table, it no longer mattered.
"Halt-" the Royal Guard in the front said.
That was all he managed to say before I gripped each and every one of their four helmets, and slammed them down and to the side, into the tables around us. Not a feat any normal unicorn could accomplish, given how much a living being's mana pool resists being grabbed by another.
But I am not a unicorn.
I stepped past the final tables as ponies yelled and screamed around me, surprised and horrified by the sudden blunt force trauma. The alicorns ahead were turned towards each other, each pouring emotion. The guards at the base of the steps leveled tall spears towards me, and their unicorns' horns lit up in an array of colors.
But I was above the meager resistance of a few guards.
I raised a hoof, and pulled on God-Splitter's recall enchantment embedded in its handle. The Adamantium warhammer ripped free of its brace, which began to spark purple from the violently broken security spells. I caught the massive hammer, which was twice my disguise's size, with the raised hoof and twirled it around.
"Halt at once, unicorn-" The guard closest to me began to yell.
I channeled energy into Change, and shed the disguise of Baron Expected Value. All these guards, and even Captain Shining Armor up there would have easily stopped any lesser being from interrupting tonight's main event. They might have even stopped a changeling royal, or at least given them enough pause to allow Daybreaker to defeat them.
But I am not a unicorn, nor just any changeling royal.
Daybreaker's soft yellow glow from her flames was momentarily overshadowed by the orange inferno that enveloped me. I rose up high above the heads of the ponies around me, who gasped, screamed, and fainted at my sight. Daybreaker turned her head at the sound, and saw me standing below them.
"I am King Phasmatodea of the Fifth Changeling Hive, and I am here to end The War for The Sun, here and now." |
Changing Expectations | 118- The Final Masquerade: The Break Of Day | Daybreaker gasped, almost fumbling backwards off her throne. The Royal Guards before me all shrunk at the sight. Captain Shining Armor's jaw dropped before he lit his horn and conjured a shield around him and Princess Cadence, who was almost as shocked as everyone else. The Element bearers were partially shocked, but it seems they were warned ahead of time by Rarity. Still, they couldn't do anything about the Royal Guards that had surrounded them.
Some of the guards had their backs to the Elements, but many more faced towards them. It would seem that the bearers' protective attachment was outnumbered.
Luna smiled at me, and nodded once.
'We are together on this.'
"Why so silent, good messieurs? Did you think I had left you for good?" I asked, looking around the room.
The party guests all shrunk back as I leaned towards them, smiling with my fangs on display. Daybreaker no longer radiated shock, instead amusement, causing me to turn back to her.
"I knew you would come!" Daybreaker sneered, recovering from the surprise. "I have to compliment you on your timing! You had me convinced that you weren't here yet, what with your changelings not warning me...."
"Yes, my changelings which you enslaved," I snarled.
I could see more Royal Guards filing into the room from the side doors. They even had Division-P Inquisitors with them.
'I love it when a plan comes together. Shame the big one fell apart almost instantly.'
"I hear you have been looking for me, demon," I spat.
"I hunt down all of Equestria's enemies," she spat back.
"Except the one you see in the mirror, Nightmare."
"All this talk of Nightmares," Daybreaker waved a hoof dismissively. "Do you really think anypony here would believe that changeling propaganda? I am not Nightmare Moon, I am and always have been Equestria's humble Princess, doing what I can to save and help everypony. Is it you behind all of this? Poisoning the minds of two princesses," she tutted, "I should have known changeling trickery was responsible."
'I need to distract her and let the Elements do their magic.'
"Well Princess, here I am. What's the next step in your grand plan?"
Daybreaker guffawed, "Ha ha ha haaa! I am so glad you asked, little Prince. I offer you a chance to redeem yourself, and spare your species' from its inevitable end. You will embrace Harmony, and serve it righteously."
"No thanks, I've had my fill of your kind. Enough to last several lifetimes, in fact."
"This is your one chance at surviving this night, insect. You have no hope of defeating Harmony. When the history of our glory is written, your kind will be but a footnote."
"I am far more than mere footnote, demon. I am King Phasma. Once I was the Dread Prince, the Doom of Canterlot," I said, stepping towards her. The Royal Guards hardened their stances, keeping their spears pointed towards me. "But that is no longer me. I am King Phasma, Bane of Nightmares. I will save Equestria. I will save Equus. And I will do it by hunting each and every one of you demonspawn down, and delivering Panar's judgement," I said, pointing God-Splitter at Daybreaker.
Then, I gripped the Royal Guards' spears by the shaft within my magic. The enchantments resisted, fighting my grip. But I was a changeling royal, with nearly a full tank of love. In the end, they proved to be far inferior to Unbroken Radiance's enchantments. I snapped each and every one of them in half, sending wood and metal fragments scattering about. A few unicorns even casted spells at me, but all they did was reflect off Unbroken Radiance, or were absorbed by its protective magic matrices.
The guards gasped as I walked up to them and past them, leisurely taking my time to approach Daybreaker and not even glancing in their direction. I couldn't beat the crap out of the demon without getting closer, after all.
"We stand united against you, Daybreaker," Luna said from her position next to the demon.
"Oh yes, your silly plan of using the Elements to purify me," Daybreaker laughed.
I stopped halfway up the steps.
'Is plan B out the window, too?'
"Go on then, use the Elements," Daybreaker said, smiling.
The Element bearers shared a confused look before Luna gave them a nod. The Elements got into position; Twilight Sparkle pulled the Elements out from a location I didn't see, and each pony put them on as we watched. They spoke quietly with each other, closed their eyes, and then...
Nothing happened.
'Clearly, something went wrong. Time to enact lemon-scented plan Z!'
I slowly backed up, quietly making my way down the stairs. For plan Z to work, I had to be in a specific spot in the room. Technically, it could work from anywhere in the room, but I figured that Daybreaker would have set up defensive enchantments around the section where the Princesses sat. I needed to put some distance between me and this guarded section.
I also needed a hostage. Just briefly, this time.
"Nothing's happening, Princess Luna!" Twilight Sparkle yelled, the frustration dripping from her voice.
"Hey! Don't move!" A Royal Guard behind me yelled as I stepped back.
"Eh, you'll do," I shrugged.
Buzzing my Wings, I lifted off from the ground and grabbed her. The guards near her threw a few spells, but once again they melted away against my armor. The sudden sound and motion made Daybreaker turn her attention- and her growing laugh away from the Elements of Harmony.
"Of course I knew about your plan to swap the Elements, little sister! You have lost your touch in your thousand year long absence. And you. Just where do you think you're going, changeling?"
Daybreaker's wings spread wide as she put her forehooves on the table, leaning over it and preparing to take off towards me. The only thing that stopped her was that I picked up a Royal Guard and was using her as a body shield.
"I'd be very careful about your next action, Nightmare," I hissed, "or the mare dies."
"Agh! Let go of me!" The guard hissed through clenched teeth. Her wings beat uselessly against my chest.
'Quite the upgrade from the tiny foal. I wouldn't even feel that guilty if she died.... As guilty.... Probably.'
"From claiming that I was possessed by a demon, to threatening the lives of those around you. Truly, you are Equestria's savior," Daybreaker mocked. "My offer is still on the table, little bug. It won't be for long."
'Who are you calling little? We're about the same size!'
She continued, "Join me, and I will cleanse you of your sins."
"Two near-possessions were more than enough for me, thank you very much."
Daybreaker shrugged, "You will not be possessed, or whatever else you are afraid of. I just need your absolute loyalty. Sworn oaths, and perhaps leverage to ensure your word, nothing more. I am aware of what your mother has done. I know that it was Queen Chrysalis who ultimately ordered the invasion of Equestria. You were just her pawn, afraid for your own life and the lives of your species... Which do you fear most, Phasmatodea? Joining me? Or standing against me and being 'Ascended' by your mother?"
'Fuck, that's a cheap shot!'
I snarled and bared my fangs, "Neither! I choose neither! I'll never be a victim of you demons again, nor will I be subject to her machinations!"
'How did- the interrogations! Damn it, that was a low blow!'
"Joining me is your only way forward. You will stand by my side as I remake Equus in Harmony's vision. You will not be harmed. You will have your own free will... so long as it doesn't go against Equestria."
I just laughed derisively at her and shook my head.
"Princess, what do we do?!" Twilight stage-whispered to Luna as she shook her magical necklace. "I think these are fakes!"
"Hold, Twilight!" Luna responded, her horn suddenly shooting out four blue darts that spun in the air and then slammed into the Daybreaker-loyalist guards facing her.
The rest of the guards retreated and put up shields, allowing Luna to meet up with the bearers. Daybreaker's attention was still on me. The pony continued to struggle in my grip as I began to hover backwards. I ignored her demands to be let go, and held her close enough that the other Royal Guards snarled at me, but didn't move. I held God-Splitter in front of me, while I clutched the pony with my forelegs and magic.
"Sloth tried to have me, you know!" I continued, trying to buy time. "Burnt to a crisp! Gluttony was next! I detonated a sun to reduce him to a smear of blood underneath a mile of stone! I'm getting quite good at slaughtering you Nightmares! You think the war against changelings is one sided? That you will win? After countless millennia of dying, the war is finally in our favor! I will scour every last one of you from this world, and the Dreamscape! Nowhere will be safe from me!"
I tightened my grip on the pony, causing her to gasp and claw at her throat.
Daybreaker roared in anger, "Don't you dare hurt a single one of my ponies, vermin! Whatever pain you inflict, I will return a thousand times over!"
She took to the air, following me as I hovered backwards. On the ground, the Royal Guards split up between keeping their weapons and horns aimed at the Princesses and Elements, and splitting off to follow me from the ground.
'That's a Bingo! But I better confirm it before I start laughing maniacally!'
"I very much doubt that. This is pure Adamantium armor, Daybreaker. You saw what you could do with the meager remains of my peytral. You think any spell you have stands a chance against a full suit of it? This armor was crafted in the ancient forges, thousands of years before Equestria had even heard of the green metal."
"I will boil you alive and peel it off your charred corpse, vermin," she growled, keeping her eyes on my hostage.
I cast out the bait, "You need me, Daybreaker. I know you won't kill me. Why is that? Do you want me to kill Queen Chrysalis for you? That anti-magical aura around the Fourth Hive proving too tough a nut for you to crack?"
"There are other ways," she growled. "There are always other ways."
"Not without death there isn't. You need me to kill Chrysalis, yet you try to threaten my life? I wonder how many ponies I can kill before you snap..."
The pony tapped on my arm, and I actually relaxed my grip on her. She gasped and heaved, desperately forcing air back into her lungs. Daybreaker missed the act, her fiery mane expanding to twice its size, matching the fury pouring from every inch of her being.
"I will burn you and every last of your misbegotten kind to ash before I let you kill a single pony!" Daybreaker yelled, her horn glowing red. "Even if it sets the war effort back! I will not let any of my ponies come to harm, not while I still draw breath!"
"Hahahahaha...." I started to laugh, "aha ha ha HA HA HAAA! It brings me no small amount of joy to hear that from you, Daybreaker!" I yelled. "I said I would kill you, didn't I?! And you've just proven that I will! I was so afraid, Daybreaker. I was afraid that there was so little of Celestia left that Plan Z would fail. But you don't disappoint!"
I looked back at Luna and the gang. While we were both distracted, the last of the loyalists were mopped up. Now, she looked at me from across the room. I let go of the pony, lowering her down to the ground with my magic. She was quickly recovered by her advancing ground-based comrades.
'Sorry about this in advance, Luna. Forgive me...'
"I won't hurt a single one of your ponies," I mocked Dayreaker's word usage. "No, no. I will hurt every. Single. One of them! There is not a soul in Equestria that will survive my reckoning! You alone will have the power to save them all, Daybreaker."
"Is that so, little insect? All I see is you, standing before me, alone. Not even your Legions are here to save you. Seems to me like all I have to do to save them is crush you, here and now."
I shrugged, "That's true. I am all the way over here, alone, and you have an army at your back. Come on, Daybreaker. Aren't you curious? Just what does King Phasma have in store? A weapon? A threat? A plan? Come on, guess!"
"You have nothing!" Daybreaker sneered. "My offer has expired. Surrender now, and I will spare your life and your new band of changelings. There will be pain, but you will still have life. I will make use of you regardless of your resistance. Fight, and your kind will only be seen in history books."
I snorted, "Time's up. The answer is actually that I'm not going to kill you. Breaking that promise, I know. But the truth is just so much better; you are going to kill yourself, Nightmare!"
Daybreaker laughed, "If you're hoping to use your mind control on me..."
I shook my head, "Oh no, Princess, nothing of the sort! Your decision to end your own life will be entirely your own! Daybreaker, you are dead already, you just don't know it yet! You will give the Elements of Harmony back to their bearers, and order them to use the Elements on you!" I looked past her, to where the bearers were stuck looking between Daybreaker and I, and the ponies around them. "Elements! You will use the powers on Daybreaker! Nothing else before her!" I looked back at the demon, "This is the end of the road, Nightmare. The vestiges of Celestia within you will be your own undoing!"
"Speaking nonsense, now?" She asked, getting bored of my threats.
"No, I am speaking of a question. An old question, one of the oldest. It will be your death."
I didn't have any secret weapons to kill Daybreaker and save the day. No existing material on nuclear warfare could save me, for they haven't even begun the decades-long process of researching that, let alone the centuries it would take to get to the weaponizing level. I had no clever ploy to pit the Equestrians against each other, or break the Royal Guards' indoctrination and save Equestria. No, no MacGuffins or anything else could bring Daybreaker down, save for the Elements of Harmony. But only Daybreaker had control over those at the moment.
In the end, to save Equestria, I would have to burn it to the ground.
"What's the question?" Daybreaker asked. "What question could possibly defeat Harmony?"
I giggled madly at the phrasing. Every single pony in attendance was watching with horrid fascination, though I could see civilians beginning to evacuate from the sides of the room. The two Princesses watched on, too. Luna's eyes locked onto mine for a moment.
"In the end, you will die due to Celestia's own incompetence and complacency, demon. What happens when an unstoppable force meets an unmovable object?"
I swung God-Splitter to my right side and started spinning it.
Pinging the Hail Mary's location had been a simple enough task. Its magic was unlike anything else I had read about. Luna had confirmed the artifact's location in a conversation in a dream conversation, a fact that stuck with me.
I stifled a giggle, "My guess? A whole lot of-"
Daybreaker gasped as I swung God-Splitter around, bringing its full momentum to bear before letting it go. She had realized my plan.
"NOOOOOOOO!" She screamed in her Royal Canterlot Voice, nearly knocking me right out of the air.
But she failed.
The hammer flung from my grip, shattering in a moment the shield Daybreaker cast forth to stop it and hold it. It then immediately shattered the next thirteen shields and delaying fields she put up, cutting through each one like they never even existed.
It went right for the wall that faced the royal garden, and continued going right through the wall.
"- DISCORD!" I screamed.
The wall shattered as a distant chuckle filled the air. Outside, the hammer hurtled towards a stone statue, who raised a stone paw to grab the hammer. The paw closed on the hammer as it slammed into Discord, stopping in an instant. His stone prison began to crack and fizzle away.
The distant chuckle grew into a loud cackle as Discord, draconequus of Chaos, Prince of Terror, and doom of immortals shook free the last bits of his stone prison. He laughed as he stretched, relishing the movement. He twirled God-Splitter around like a cane.
Everypony was staring in horror at the awakened god. I, meanwhile, was flying as fast as I could in the opposite direction. There was a crash of thunder from the clear skies as everyone was frozen in shock.
"Hello, everyone!" I heard Discord's voice behind me, as if he was standing just behind me. "Did you miss me? Because I missed you!"
That seemed to break the spell, as everyone in the room began screaming and stampeded in the opposite direction, for the doors. I flew above their struggle, watching as a few pegasi got the same idea and took off, flocking above the stampede to the doors. Several blue-colored pegasi zipped past me.
'Those must be the Wonderbolts,' I giggled.
"Guards! Evacuate the palace, or delay the monster as long as you can!" Daybreaker ordered out of my line of sight. "You! You're going nowhere!"
I slammed into an invisible wall, and had to catch myself before I fell to the ground. Spinning around, I got a moment's glimpse of an orange boot before it smashed into my muzzle. A green shimmer that appeared from my helmet stopped the hoof just before it connected with my face, but the blow still knocked me back. I reared back and prepared my own spell, only to be blinded by a hellfire torrent of heat. Feeling the intensity outside my armor's protective shielding, I dived into the blast, and used the same technique against the Princess that I had against Shining Armor when we first had the pleasure of meeting.
My own booted hoof met Daybreaker's muzzle, bursting out from the underside of her beam of fire. I followed the strike with a thrust of a summoned ice spear. Daybreaker flicked her mane into the path, which melted the magical ice.
I ducked as a blade of controlled fire thrust into where my chest was just moments before. I parried the outstretched blade with one of my own, made of the coldest, sharpest ice I could summon. It was so cold that despite Daybreaker's inferno raging around her, all the warmth had been sucked out from me.
Then, Daybreaker's blade exploded into a white-hot fireball, sending me flying away and dazed. I saw a flash of light shortly before a hoof slammed into my chest, sending me into the ground. I crashed through an abandoned table, staring up at Daybreaker.
'No fair! I can't teleport with this armor!'
"Princess!" A pony yelled somewhere.
Miraculously, Daybreaker looked away from me, snarled, and charged away. Pulling myself free from the wooden debris, I saw that she had charged towards Discord. Around the hole and in the garden beyond, the Royal Guards had been frozen in time. One of them had stopped before his comrades, and had called for help.
'Time to run!'
I stumbled to my hooves and lifted my elytra. My elytra had protected my wings for the most part, but I was guessing that there were probably tears and holes in them that would only increase in size over time.
I only got ten hooves away from the broken table before a wave of energy picked me up and slammed me into the wall, creating a rather sizable Phasma-shaped indent in the stone. An hoof's length to the right, and I would have been sent out the window I intended to blow out and make my escape through.
I felt my stomach flip as up became down and down became up. Beneath me and around me, ponies tried and failed to hold onto something to stop themselves from falling to the ceiling.
I saw Daybreaker twist in midair, flipping herself upside down and continuing out the ballroom.
Then, gravity flipped once more as backwards became down. All of the ponies and furniture tumbled into the wall I was embedded in, and the sound glass cracking was almost lost in the cacophony of screams.
"Phasma!" I heard Luna yell above the chaos.
"Luna?!" I called out as I pried myself out of the stone imprint of my back.
'Shit! If Luna needs my help, then I can't make a hasty retreat! Damnit, damnit, damnit! If only Luna wasn't here!'
I freed myself from the wall, only for gravity to flip once more, this time back to normal. My wings were still in acceptable condition, good enough to continue flying.
I also noticed that some things didn't stay down, instead floating around on their own accord. Debris, buffet tables, and ponies clutching chairs desperately bumped around into each other. Another thunderous wave of magic hit us all, and I heard the sudden sound of rain outside.
"Phasma!" Luna yelled again.
This time, I saw her calling out from the far end of the room, by where the royal tables used to be. She was by them now, but the tables were draped over several Royal Guards and other ponies against the wall. They struggled out from underneath the heavy table as Luna looked around the room.
I flew as fast as I could over to her. She saw me coming and leapt up to embrace me when I arrived.
"There you are! I was afraid you would have just left us here with this mess you made!" She said, clutching me tightly.
"That was the plan, admittedly."
"So you grand plan to save my sister and Equestria as a whole was to destroy it by releasing the worst-"
Luna was interrupted by the glass figure of a unicorn on the massive window behind her coming to life and stepping out of the window. The two-dimensional figure galloped across the room and down the steps, neighing as it passed us.
"- the worst threat to face Equus?" Luna finished.
"Pretty swell plan, ain't it?" I smiled.
"Auntie Luna?!" Cadence called out from underneath the pony-pile.
Luna let go of me, spun on her hooves, and began pulling off the heavy tables and chairs off of the ponies. I lend my hoof, proverbially speaking, and pried ponies loose from the groaning pile.
The Royal Guards I freed glared daggers at me, but turned to help their fellow Equestrians.
The Elements of Harmony bearers- 'that's really a long title, they need a shorter one,' - gathered to the side, free from the pile and lending help where they could. Eventually Cadence and Captain Shining Armor were freed from the pile, the very last ones on the bottom of it.
Just in time, too, as a marble pillar which had cracked in half suddenly grew arms and lifted the chiseled base like a skirt, revealing two marble satyr or minotaur legs, which it used to suddenly and quickly escape the room, snapping in half and leaving its top section behind. It ran right through where all the ponies had been, making a straggler throw herself to the side to escape the thundering stone hooves.
"I like that guy's idea! Let's make like a tree and get the fuck out of here!" I told Luna.
A crack of lightning and a mad laugh froze us momentarily. I glanced back and saw Discord bobbing and weaving around an enraged Daybreaker past the shattered windows. He simply snaked around her, as if he had no bones in his body.
'Lesson number one: there's always a bigger fish.'
"No! We have to stay and help the Elements!" Luna yelled back. "Is everypony okay?"
There were some groans, but the Elements, Cadence, and Shining Armor nodded as the last civilians made their way out of our corner and through a side door. The Royal Guards, what few stayed here, nodded as well.
"We can start helping them by killing that monster!" Shining yelled, pointing a hoof at me.
"Autographs can wait," I dismissed him. "If you want to help the bearers, then we'll need to find out why the Elements didn't work."
I looked at Twilight Sparkle, Element bearer of Magic for answers. The ponies, all filled with a mixture of confusion and fear, also followed my line of thinking. Whatever they felt about me, they all correctly figured that Discord, ruiner of civilizations, was worse.
"It doesn't seem like these are the real Elements! It would make sense that she swapped them out for fakes even before bringing them out here into the Gala," she told us.
"So let's go ask her!" I said, looking back out the windows at Daybreaker.
Just in time, too, as I saw Discord yawn and flick the fingers of his taloned hand, sending Daybreaker flying backwards and through another part of the wall, back into the ballroom. She caught a pillar, cracking it but stopping her backward momentum.
"Should I ask her, or you, Luna?"
"You've done quite enough helping for today!" She yelled as she flapped her wings and took off.
'Okay, time for the awkward bit.'
I turned around and saw Captain Shining Armor and several Royal Guards giving me the stink eye. Shining had put himself between me and the Princess and Element bearers.
"Sooo.... Last time we met, we got off on the wrong hoof," I said, focusing my apology to Shining.
"You used a foal as a shield, hurt her, then pummeled me into the ground," he said, gritting his teeth.
"Like I said, the wrong hoof. Look Shining, you and I both know morals take a backseat when you're fighting a war for your species' survival. I'm sorry it got to that point, but I did what I thought I had to do."
"Why should I trust you?" Shining asked
"Because... uh... Cadence will tell you to?"
"Princess Cadence," he glared at me, "and I don't think she will."
"Actually Shiny," Cadence interrupted, "he's sorta good now. A work in progress, at least."
"What? How? You just saw him use a hostage! Why are you siding with him, Cadence?! Has he used his mind control powers on you?!"
"Nothing of the sort. I'm sure hurting that pony was for a very good reason, and that he will make things right after this," Cadence said slowly before adding almost inaudibly, "I hope."
"Yes, it was necessary. I needed to know if Daybreaker would actually comply and give the Elements over to save her citizens. I even relaxed my grip on her and let her go. I was bluffing, Shining Armor. I was almost bluffing when I had that foal. I intended to use illusionary magic to make it look like I hurt her, but then you kinda charged out and ruined anything. Look, we can go over apologies and pointing hooves later. Right now we kind of have to deal with the end of the world."
"The thing you started?"
"Yeah that thing."
Shining Armor huffed, "Fine. Princess Luna and Cadence both seem to believe you and your talk of demons and Nightmares... Do you even have any proof of this?"
"Luna was possessed by a Nightmare, and I nearly was twice. I think we both know a Nightmare when we see one."
The Captain grunted in frustration, "And you released the greatest threat the world has ever known to defeat one?"
"It was the only way to make her reveal the Element's location, and willingly protect the bearers as they used them," I said, glancing at the five mares watching our conversation.
'Wait, five mares? Oh, there's the sixth.'
The yellow pegasus, Fluttershy, was subtly putting as many ponies between her and myself as possible.
Shining Armor sighed, "Alright, fine, I'll believe you. If I am the last sane pony, we'd be doomed anyways."
"Remember, Daybreaker first. We can't allow her to survive this night. She will try to do anything to avoid getting hit by your MacGuffin."
"Our what?" Twilight asked, looking to her friends for answers but only receiving shrugs.
"So then, what's the next step in your plan?" Captain Shining asked.
"Well by now I was supposed to be halfway across Canterlot, but we can improve this. Luna should return with the Element's real location. Then, we'll have to keep Discord distracted long enough for the Elements to be used twice: first against Daybreaker, then against him."
"Ooo, that's a good plan," Discord said.
Everyone shouted and leaped away from the King of Chaos, who had spontaneously appeared among the gathered ponies.
"Elements! Get to Luna!" I yelled.
"Guards, see to the evacuation of the civilians!" Shining yelled, dismissing his backup.
'Not like they were going to be of much help.'
Captain Shining Armor threw up a shield bubble around Discord just as I pulled on God-Splitter's tether. I felt the response from outside. The draconequus left the hammer in the garden, for whatever reason. It would take precious moments to retrieve it now. Too long, far too long. The bearers galloped away just as Discord opened a square hole in the magical shield, as if he was opening a door.
Taking the hint that magic alone won't win this fight, I flew forwards and shoulder-checked him back through the hole in the shield, gripping the square protrusion and slamming it shut behind me.
"Oof!" He grunted as I knocked the wind out of him.
'Think, think, think! Magic doesn't work against him! I need to restrain him.'
I poured energy into the Thread of Change, transforming from a changeling to an oversized octopus. Unbroken Radiance buckled as it tried to change to my new massive size, before it simply popped off. Since my new body was taking up practically all the space in Shining Armor's bubble, the armor became wedged between me and the shimmering shield.
"Haven't you heard of personal space?" I heard a muffled voice from within the shield somewhere, buried within the folds of the eight tentacles I curled up around me.
'We're not going to win against him. Just make him lose focus on the Elements for as long as possible!'
Tap. Tap. Tap.
With a cephalopod eye, I looked outside of the tight confines of the shield. Discord was outside, tapping on the bubble like it was an aquarium tank. Shining looked over and yelped in surprise.
'Of course he can teleport! Looks like I'm just going to have to throw the kitchen sink at him.'
Discord smiled, curled his talons into a fist, and punched the shield. Instead of it shimmering or popping, it just rang. Rang like a bell that I was sitting in the middle of.
Casting off the massive aquatic disguise, I stumbled around as I tried to quickly readjust to being a changeling. I managed to throw up, which was not part of the plan. The shield vanished as I regained my balance. Captain Shining Armor was already trying to trap Discord again with a new one. Discord saw the shield blink into place around him, and then rolled his eyes and lazily flicked the shield.
It was ripped apart violently, sending Shining to the ground in pain.
"Shining! Phasma!" I heard Cadence yelling. "Hold on just a moment!"
Perhaps heard wasn't the right word. I felt the vibrations of her yelling, but all I could really hear was ringing in my ears.
"Wha-?" I mumbled before a giant piano swept Discord off his legs and was sent crashing into the far wall. Then, a beam of below-zero temperature encased the piano in a solid two hooves length of ice.
'Urgh, yeah! You get 'em, Cadence!'
I stepped forward to continue the duel, only to fall flat on my face. My new prone position gave me a good view of Luna, Daybreaker, and the Elements of Harmony bearers fleeing the room.
'Looks like plan Z is still in effect. Good, I was hoping I screwed us all for no reason at all...'
I groaned as I tried pushing myself up off the ground.
"That hurt. That's not how you should treat guests in your own home, Princess," Discord's disembodied voice echoed around us.
"You are not welcome here!" Cadence yelled into the empty air, arriving at Shining Armor's side and helping him to his hooves.
'At least the ringing is going away. Urgh.'
"I am welcome to go wherever I please," the voice echoed again.
I spun around upon hearing his voice right behind me. The act made my head spin and stomach leap to my throat, but I held my own. Discord was right there, behind me, glaring at us.
"This was a nice warmup, but there's a whole world out there to see. Let's wrap this up, shall we? Oh, I rhymed!" Discord said, suddenly pleased with himself.
"Yeah, let's wrap this up," I agreed. "So why don't you just go back to being a statue for us? It'll save us a lot of hassle."
Discord squinted his eyes and looked me over, "You're that King Phasmatodea that set me free, aren't you? Well, that was nice of you, I think I'll let you go, just this once. Go on now, shoo."
He waved his hands at me, trying to shoo me away. I had to plant my hooves firmly on the ground as I suddenly felt an urge to run away. Instead, I hit him with a concussive wave, knocking him over. A moment later, he slithered up to his feet and shook his head, looking far angrier than annoyed or amused. I didn't actually sense any emotion from him, however.
"You half-rate demigods just don't know when the game's up, do you?"
"You're outnumbered, Discord," Cadence said, putting on a layer of bravado that I could taste was fake. "Surrender now, and nopony has to get hurt."
"Yeah!" Shining agreed, still blinking away stars.
"And go back to being a glorified lawn ornament? Hmm...." Discard tapped his chin. "A tempting offer... Nah. Too drab. Too boring! I think it's time for a change in scenery! It's time for the world to return to the way it should be: without order."
"The only thing that's going to happen is that your statue is going to be moved into a secure vault, where you'll never see the light of day again, you half-rate trickster god," I snarled. "I brought you back to life, you ugly motherfucker, and I'll send you right back to your fucking grave!"
'Just keep stalling him. Just keep stalling him. Nothing else matters!'
"Tch, such language. You should really be more family-friendly, little insect, there could be foals watching," Discord chuckled.
He snapped his fingers as I casted a flashbang spell. I saw him flinch away before my whole world went white and the ringing returned. I felt strange.
'Numb. I feel numb. Like I can't feel anything, not even the emotions of Cadence or Shining, who were standing right behind me!'
I blinked the whiteness away, and found myself staring up at Discord. He had grown giant-sized.
'No, I had shrunk!'
I tried to yelp in surprise, only to find that I couldn't make any sound. I raised a hoof to touch my muzzle. Then, catching the movement out of the corner of my eye, I raised the hoof and waved it in front of my eyes. It was not covered in the chitin and other materials that a changeling hoof normally was. Instead, it was covered in felt.
'What the...'
I looked down and saw my faded reflection in the polished marble floor. A stuffed toy version of myself looked up at me.
'He...'
I tried pouring energy into the Thread of Change, to undo the transformation. I felt nothing: not the Thread of Change, not my internal energy reservoirs of love, nor even my own mana pool. I couldn't feel my Weave, either. I was cut off from any magic or forms of communication to anyone else.
My ears seemed to work, but all I heard was ringing. My eyes worked just fine. My mouth... I couldn't open it. I couldn't yell. I couldn't scream. It was just like that horror short story, from back on earth.
Suddenly, my view changed as the floor soared away beneath me. Frantically looking around, I saw that Cadence had scooped me up in her forehooves and was now flinging spells uselessly at Discord, who seemed to be having a calm conversation with her and Shining Armor.
'A snap of his fingers, and that was it. It's no wonder he destroyed so many civilizations...'
I watched in silent horror as he snapped his fingers again. Shining Armor vanished into a puff of white smoke. A small labrador puppy scampered out before falling on its face. A higher pitched ringing in my ears made me look up. Cadence was yelling.
She took us into a dive, aiming to scoop the transformed Captain up. Only, Discord yawned, stretched, and lazily snapped his fingers again. Our controlled dive turned into a freefall as Cadence's hooves disappeared from around my body.
'My body, if it even is that anymore,' I thought, not even sure what emotion I was feeling anymore.
I was scared, that much was sure. Any bravery I had was extinguished like a candle in a hurricane. Discord had killed numerous immortals when he was last free, and I was witnessing just how he did it.
I was also just a little bit fascinated. He held so much power that he played with and broke the fundamental laws of magic and physics, as if they were mere suggestions to him. At such blatant displays of power, I could only watch, stunned.
Then, we hit the ground. I felt nothing, but I wasn't sure if that was a blessing or a curse. I rolled across the ground, flipping over a few times before sliding to a halt on my back. Discord looked down at me, then above my head, smiled, and vanished.
He was gone, already looking for his next toys.
'Our best efforts amounted to... seconds?'
I lay there, trying to process the speed of it all. I freed Discord. Then, he messed around with gravity. Then, he appeared and... and that was it. Thirty seconds later, he left. I was... something that wasn't me. Shining got turned into a dog. Cadence-
'Cadence!'
I flipped over and rose to my hooves, looking around the ballroom. I spotted Shining Armor, the golden lab, prodding another puppy. That puppy, a pink poodle, was lying on its side. I trotted over to them, slipping on the smooth tiles six times before I reached the former ponies. The ringing in my ears subsided again, and stayed gone this time.
Shining Armor looked at me. Even as young, small canines, the ponies were larger than me.
"What now?" He asked, his voice as fragile as he looked.
'What the... puppy love? Is that the joke Discord was going for...? And he turned me into a doll because what? I swear, and a stuffed animal is more child friendly? That's... not funny.'
I trailed off in thought as Cadence twitched. Then, she jumped up, only to fall off balance and land on Shining Armor on her left side.
'What do we do?'
The two ponies extricated themselves from each other, had their freakouts, and then looked around the room with me. There were still floating objects, bumping into each other. Occasionally, I'd see creatures made of things like folded napkins or silverware springing from floating table to floating table.
My gaze around the room led me in a circle, ending back at Shining and Cadence. Cadence looked down at me, like Shining did.
"Do you know what to do, Phasma? What we should do?"
I shook my head.
'If you're asking me what to do... I am truly lost. I just hope that those precious few seconds were enough for everyone else to save the day. We gave them half a minute? Less?'
Cadence cast one last fearful glance around the room before reaching down grabbing what I assumed was a stuffed-animal version of my fin, picking me up off the ground once again. Then, she twisted her head and deposited me on her back. Then, she set off, with Shining trailing behind.
"Let's just... find somewhere safe," Cadence told us.
One thing was clear; this was out of our hooves. Everything next was on the Elements and Luna. We three gave Discord as much pause as he allowed us to, and then he moved on.
I wrapped my forelegs around Cadence's neck as she found safe passage through the chaos-touched room. Occasionally, we waited and waited as one of Discord's living creations prawled by.
We made it to the edge of the room, and began scuttling close to the wall for cover. The first door we came across was made of chocolate, and did not budge. We moved on, looking for another way out.
The second door we found was opened, and the hallway beyond seemed clear. It was a servant's passage, with only the barest of decorations. They walked silently down its length, with me still on Cadence's back. I was trying to think of anything we could do. Anything.
Cadence and Shining switched to walking on the wall as the corridor slowly twisted around. Then, they moved to the ceiling. Cadence stopped at one of the doorways. It was cracked ajar, but it was out of our reach.
"This is a storage room," Cadence whispered, unsure of herself. "Do you think we can get in there, Shiny?"
"Uh... yeah, give me a moment," Shining Armor said, backing up,
Then, with a running jump, he leaped up and grabbed onto the top of the doorframe. He must have kept much of his soldier muscle, as he quickly pulled himself up onto the ledge and held out a paw for Cadence.
"Right... what do we do about Phasma?" Cadence said, looking back at me.
"Just leave him out here," Shining suggested.
"Not going to happen."
"Why are you trying so hard to protect him, Cadence? This is all his fault, anyways."
"This argument can wait until we're inside, Shining Armor," Cadence sighed as she bit into the back of my neck and pulled me off her back.
Then, holding me by the neck in her mouth, she made a running leap for the door. Shining shifted on the ledge, leaning over it and extending both of his paws for Cadence to grab onto. Cadence leapt up and grabbed onto him, smashing me into the wall in front of her.
Not that I felt anything, anyways.
Shining grunted as he pulled backwards and let himself drop off the doorframe, hoisting Cadence up with him. We tumbled backwards and onto each other into the room.
It was a storage room, just as Cadence said. Stacks of crates were piled up on the floor, and shelves of items filled the rest of the room. The shelves were bolted to the floor, meaning everything was above our heads, not caring for gravity's new direction.
Shining leaned upwards and shut the door closed, leaving us in the dim lighting of a single glow crystal in a sconce, now pointed at what was functionally our floor.
"So... now what? We wait?" Shining asked Cadence.
"What else is there to do?"
Shining leaned into Cadence, nuzzling under her head like a pony.
"This is just like the invasion. Told to sit back, wait, and hope for the best...." He muttered before turning to glare at me. "Do you have any idea of the damage you did? The ponies who are now dead because of your war?"
"Shiny, that's not fair," Cadence said, defending me.
"Oh? And why not?"
"The war wasn't his decision. Tartarus, even Daybreaker pointed that out."
"He still helped, didn't he? And what's all this defending him? You've spoken with him before this, haven't you? The way you're acting, it's like..... I don't know. You're acting weird."
"I have spoken with him, yes," she admitted.
"When? When, Cadence?" Cadence shrugged. "You knew about Prince Phasma, or King Phasma, or whatever he is, and you didn't say anything?"
"I couldn't. You were too close to Daybreaker. If she learned about his survival any earlier, we wouldn't have even made it this far."
"This far?" He questioned. "From my point of view, it looks like we've reached rock bottom. You and I are... a-are dogs, Cadence. Dogs. King Phasma is a foal's toy. The bearers- my sister is out there, and so is Discord. This is how far trusting a changeling got you?! Now we have to sit and wait and hope for the best? Everything's gone to Tartarus, and it seems everypony knows about what's going on except me. I thought I was special, Cadence. Why couldn't you trust me? What did I do to hurt you?"
"No, no, Shiny! You've done nothing wrong!" Cadence pleaded. "Luna and Phasma didn't want anypony to hear about his survival. Apparently, even telling me went against Phasma's wishes."
"Who cares about his wishes?! He's a bad pony, Cadence." Shining moaned and rubbed his face, "So... you kept secrets from me to protect the pony I see in my nightmares. Fine, that's fine. Just great. Now what, you want me to just.... forget he did anything wrong?"
"Not at all. Phasma knows what he did was wrong, and he believed he had no choice. But," she cut him off before he could argue, "we're going to help him. Really help him. Me, Luna, Auntie Celestia, and even you. He wants to be good, and that's all we need." Cadence walked past Shining and looked down at me. "With great power comes great responsibility, Phasma. Your actions might be understandable, but they aren't excusable. We are alicorns. Alicorns and... royals. We have to be better. We have to always solve problems as safely as possible, with as few ponies hurt. Even if they deserve to be hurt, we have to be better. It's up to us to set the standard and use the powers we were blessed with always for good, and never evil. Hurting ponies that attack you because you are scared is... it's not something that can continue."
I looked away, feeling a bit guilty.
'She's giving me the superhero speech. I don't need the superhero speech, I'm... Fine, I act out when I'm scared. Who doesn't? That's a perfectly normal and natural reaction. Someone tries to kill you, you kill them back!'
"So then what happens to him after this? Assuming there is an after," Shining asked.
"I don't know, Shiny. My aunts will know, and they will keep him in good hooves."
The conversation ended there. Cadence sat down and Shining Armor sat down next to her. They leaned into each other for support, quietly talking about Discord, or Twilight Sparkle, or Luna, or of course, me. There was nothing much better to do, so Cadence told Shining Armor about her encounters with me, and my story.
Shining sent less and less death glares at me as the story went on. When the story came to the Ascension chamber, he just looked resigned.
"Another cruel joke. One of the most fearsome villains I knew of was just an afraid colt, trying to not die. Cadence, what's happened to the world? It used to be so simple..."
"I know, Shiny, I know."
"I remember a time when all I had to worry about was getting my pre-calc homework in on time, or memorizing the components of DNA. Now it's all end-of-the-world this, or war-crime that."
"I remember having to ask the cute colt in my class for help with my homework," Cadence giggled.
"Lucky colt."
"That was you, Shiny."
"Like I said, lucky colt," he said as they kissed.
I pantomimed gagging before turning away and looking up at the shelves. They were stocked with cleaning products, spare light crystals, and more materials that maids would need to keep the gargantuan palace in working order. I was wondering what was in the crates when a distant thundering came from outside the closed door.
Cadence and Shining rose and moved away from the door, ducking low to the ground, as if to make themselves less visible. I hid behind Cadence and watched the door.
It rattled as the thundering came close. Whatever was making the sound passed us, continuing down the hall to the ballroom, and the door became silent once again.
"What was that?" Shining whispered.
"Something big, or something mad," Cadence answered.
"Daybreaker? Discord? A creation?"
'A pissed Luna?'
Cadence shrugged. After a minute passed, Shining turned to regard me
"King Phasma... it's tiring to hate you. I don't think I can do it anymore. That doesn't mean I forgive you, or even want to see you again."
'You're no basket of roses, either, pal.'
"You'll have to work hard to prove yourself trustworthy, changeling."
'I don't need nor want your trust, pathetic guard.'
"But... the Princesses know better. They always do. If they say you can be good, that you want to be good, then who am I to step in the way? But I'll be watching you. One hoof out of place..."
'One hoof out of place, and you'll run to your marefriend? Well my marefriend can beat up your marefriend, so you're shit out of luck, buddy.'
"I'm glad we can reach an understanding," Shining said, not realizing that we hadn't.
"And I'm glad you're willing to put your hurt aside for a pony in need," Cadence said, kissing Shining on the cheek. "Now, where was I? Ah yes, Phasma falling in love with Nightmare Moon."
"He... did what?"
"Yeah. His love for Luna would come later."
"His what?!"
Cadence smiled at me, "Star crossed lovers on the opposing sides of a war. Generals who love each other as much as they love their nations. If it weren't for the whole war crimes thing, I'd be utterly in support of the relationship. As it is, Luna's judgement can't be completely trusted when it comes to Phasma. But I'm getting ahead of myself. We're still on Nightmare Moon, and her alluring charm and power..."
'Swear to Panar, Cadence, I will gut you if you... gah!'
I covered my ears with my hooves, to no effect. Cadence continued to spill the very detailed beans of my feelings for Nightmare Moon, however brief they were.
A distant yell and rumble shook the room slightly. Then, the rumbling returned, slower and much quieter and less intense this time. It passed the doorway, rattling it and all the shelves. Then it stopped. There was silence for a moment.
Then, the door handle began to turn.
Shining to his credit, put himself in front of Cadence, protecting his girlfriend despite the fact that he couldn't actually do anything. I tried hopping upwards, reaching for the shelves and places to hide up there. Unfortunately, they were far out of reach, so I settled for bravely cowering behind Cadence again.
It was very different from cowardly cowering, you see.
The door opened, and a pale blue light entered the room, followed by a unicorn horn which the light rested on. Luna peeked the rest of her head through the door, looking around the room. When she saw us, she threw the door open and stepped inside.
"Dogs? What-" she muttered.
"Auntie Luna?" Cadence gasped.
"Cadence?!" Luna bounded over and crouched low to look Cadence in the eyes. "Are you uninjured? You appear to be a canine now."
"I am, aside from the obvious. Discord turned us into puppies after being annoyed at our outward affection. Called it puppy love."
'Nailed it!'
"I'm fine, too," Shining announced.
"Captain Shining Armor, is that you? You seem to have lost weight..."
"Thanks for noticing, how did you find us?"
"I came back as soon as I could. The Gala... I found Phasma's armor and hammer, but he wasn't there. It was like deja vu. A tracking spell led me here. Where... where is he?"
Cadence stepped aside, revealing me. I waved a hoof.
Luna's eyes widened, "Phasma!" She lurched forward and pulled me into a tight hug. "Are- are you okay? Oh my- no, you are okay. You are small and cuddly, though that will be fixed soon enough."
She sat down, holding me close to her chest and looking down at me. I could have sworn that it made me feel warm. The fear and confusion melted away, at least.
"You are a foal's toy, Phasma..."
'Thanks, I didn't notice.'
"Discord wasn't a fan of his foul language," Cadence explained.
"Ah. That explains that. Don't worry, Phasma, you will be fine. I know you will. I promise."
'Calm down, Luna. I figured that part out already.'
Trying to convey this, I tapped her twice on the chest. She relaxed her grip, thinking that I was being strangled or something similar.
"Now you see the rashness of your plan, if you can even call it that? How long did you last in the fight before he cast you aside without a moment's thought? He is a monster of a different caliber... if his mind was set towards cruelty and evil rather than some incomprehensible notion of entertainment..."
'Yeah, yeah, but I still haven't heard a better plan from anyone else, Luna. As far as I can tell, my plan is still the best one.'
"Okay, we are all okay. Cadence, Shining armor, you two will come with me. There's somepony who wants to see you three."
She gathered us all with her magic, held us behind a hoof clutched against her chest, and took off, tearing through the corridors of the palace.
'Oh, so that's what we heard earlier. An afraid Luna! I was close. Do I get points for being close?'
Luna expertly dodged a flock of doves wandering the halls, whose wings had grown to be five times their size and were used as legs. She twisted around gravitational changes, making for an ornate door at the end of the long hallway. Through that, more labyrinthian halls.
'How does anyone find their way around here?'
Luna slowed down as she approached what was to be the final turn. Beyond, a ruined grand hallway once stood. Shattered gold, broken marble, The smoldering remains of banners, shattered glass windows, and melted columns were all that remained of the lavish room. It was raining outside, and not water. Brown liquid came pouring in through the broken windows, staining the ground and forming chocolate-colored puddles. At the far end of the room, a massive golden door had been ripped off its hinges and smashed into the wall.
Sitting in the middle of a scorch mark that stretched from wall to wall was a small, white alicorn. She was staring at discarded orange armor pieces when we entered the room.
Princess Celestia looked up at us, and smiled.
"Hello Luna. Back already- what are...?" Her tired yet cheerful demeanour fell away when she saw us in Luna's hooves.
"I found Phasma, Cadence, and Shining. They're a little bit worse for wear, but they are mostly unharmed," Luna said, coming close to her foal-sized sister before setting us down before her and landing behind us.
Princess Celestia regarded us with a curious gaze, "A little bit worse for wear? I hate to imagine what you think in bad shape is, then."
"Auntie?" Cadence asked, stepping forward.
"Cadence. It's so good to see you again."
Cadence laughed as she vaulted forward, springing across the small gap between us and into a hug around Celestia. It was mostly Celestia hugging Cadence, but the pink poodle melted in her grasp anyways. I stepped back to avoid being smashed into the ground by a stray hoof or paw.
"It's good to have you back, Your Highness. Even if I, uh, never thought you were gone..." Shining Armor trailed off.
"It's okay, Captain Shining Armor. Your loyalty to Equestria is something that nopony can ever fault. Thank you for your dedication in this time of pain and woe. We are blessed to have somepony like you leading the Guard. I am sorry that it was I who failed you, and led you all astray..." Celestia said quietly, before letting go of Cadence.
"I'm just so glad you're back, Aunt Celestia," Cadence sniffed.
"Heh, I'm glad that I'm back, too. Speaking of which..." She looked at me.
I slid forward when Luna pushed me across the burnt ground, "Phasma, I would like you to meet my sister, Celestia. Celestia, this is Phasma."
"It is a pleasure to meet you properly, King Phasma," Celestia smiled, extending a hoof.
I tentatively bumped it with my own. The tiny plush appendage was half of her hoof's size.
"Discord took Phasma's ability to speak, as well," Luna explained.
"Oh my, I am sorry to hear that. Are you well besides that?" She asked, cocking her head to the side.
I started to nod but paused and looked back at Luna. I pointed at her and cocked my own head. She nodded to me, making me nod at Celestia.
"Hmm? Why did he want to... there's something between you two, isn't there?" Celestia guessed.
"Yes, Celestia. He and I are together. We found solace in each other's company, and fell for each other deeply. He kept me company during the nights, and together, if I may be so bold, we saved each other's lives. I do not know where I would be without him, save for the fact that it would have been a much darker place."
"Huh. I didn't expect that. I am relieved to hear that you had not shouldered your burdens alone, and found a close friend so quickly. Cadence, have you fared well?"
Cadence stared at the ground, "Keeping secrets from Shiny wasn't easy, nor pleasant..."
"I will have to make it up to you," Luna said.
"It is I who need to make amends, sister," Celestia shook her head. "My failures brought pain to-"
Luna stepped forward, making me look up between her hooves that stomped down around me, "Celestia! Not for a moment should you believe that any of this is your fault! I was the one who failed you. If I had not turned my back all those centuries ago, none of this would have happened."
"... We may talk in circles for hours about this, and I am certain we will in the future. For now, let's just... split the blame fifty-fifty?" Celestia smiled, though her emotions were mostly sad.
"For now," Luna agreed, before stepping past me and embracing her sister, lifting her up using her magic.
"Daybreaker is gone," Celestia said after ending the hug. "This room is her last message, a result of her temper tantrum." She snorted and pointed at me, "Your gamble paid off, King Phasma. Let's just hope that nopony gets hurt by Discord in ways that can't be fixed. No, I don't blame you for releasing him. I left you with no choice."
"Surely there was a way that didn't involve unleashing Equestria's worst criminal?" Shining Armor asked.
Celestia shrugged, "Perhaps. But it is easy to think of solutions when unburdened by stress and time constraints. Now, all we can do is wait for the Elements of Harmony and the wonderful ponies that hold them to find Discord, and make things right."
"Those mares have saved us both, now," Luna pointed out.
Celestia nodded, "Yes... perhaps a holiday is in order. And a substantial reward. And a parade. And... whatever else they will let me give them. I doubt they will accept anything, though. We will need to be crafty..."
Luna laughed, "You have no idea how relieved I am to hear you really back, Celestia. Daybreaker was burning hot, but her smiles were never warm, nor was her voice without the mirth yours carries."
"I missed you too, Luna. A thousand years, and at times I felt as lonely as I imagine you were up there. Still, it's awfully ignorant of me to compare my pains to yours. Let's shelve that conversation for later, right next to the one where we argue who did what and who's to blame. I don't know about you, sister, but I am utterly parched. Mayhaps we can find ourselves something to drink...?"
"I will go find some water," Luna said, turning away.
"No, something real to drink," Celestia called out, stopping Luna.
"I will see if the kitchens are safe enough to find tea."
"I was rather hoping for something like.... Whisky on the rocks?" Celestia offered a sheepish smile.
Luna blinked, "... There is no alcohol in the palace, Celestia."
Her smile vanished, "What? No alcohol? No, that was merely a dream I had. There's got to be something. The closest thing would be the State Room, down the hall and second door to the right. It has a fully stocked mini-bar."
"You banned- sorry Your Highness, Daybreaker banned all alcohol in Equestria," Shining said.
Celestia grimaced, "No, no, no. That was a horrible nightmare. I would never... no, simply not."
Luna sighed, "Very apt choice of words. It was indeed a Nightmare, Celestia. But I am afraid that this Nightmare was all too real. There is no liquor in all of Canterlot, save for private stashes and black markets."
Celestia paled, "So it could be days- weeks of sobriety? Luna... I do not know if I can survive such an ordeal."
Luna rolled her eyes, "You are sober right now. You can survive until you appeal your own legislation and remove the restrictions on banned substances."
"... That could take months. Tearing down and removing those laws is no easy feat, even with my position as Princess."
"What do you mean, Celestia? I did not have to go through any oversight to rebuild Canterlot. Further, I doubt Daybreaker would limit her own power."
Celestia sighed, "It's a holdover law from when I acquired Appleloosa and integrated it into Equestria. One of their demands was a hold period on laws, and that they cannot be repealed or amended for a total of eight months after they are passed."
"Why would they want that?"
"It's hard enough getting information disseminated out on the frontier. Their reasoning is that the time frame gives them a chance to understand what's going on with Equestria, and muster the appropriate response. Given that this horrible nightmare called a Prohibition doesn't have to do with national security, it's bound by that constraint."
Luna snorted, "And? Are you telling me that you shackled your own power to the slowest denominator in Equestrian society? That you have limited yourself to the slowest messengers? Come on, Celestia. Really?"
"I did get a huge tax raise on the Appleloosa nobles as part of the deal, so give me some credit."
I looked up and saw Luna sneering at her sister, "Truly, I shudder to think of what other arcane and draconian laws and restrictions you have hidden away in that beast you call a legal code. Tell me, are your declarations of war decided by an omen written in chicken's blood? Do you decide the tax rate by rolling some dice?"
"I delegated a lot of the burden of ruling, Luna. That has its drawbacks. Sometimes laws like this get passed. Managing the commerce of Equestria is a very touchy subject. Getting the nobles of Equestria to agree on anything is like herding cats, only the cats are all as round as a melon and simply roll away from you when you get close."
".... I don't follow, sister."
"My point is that sweeping bans on contraband take time to be repealed. In the meantime, I might be able to pass a law or two that would let me confiscate some private stashes to survive."
Luna blinked in surprise, "Sister? Are you suggesting that you take drinks away from our ponies?"
The small white alicorn sighed, "You're right, Luna. I am sorry, I am just... not in the best state of mind right now."
Luna reached over and tapped her sister on her shoulder reassuringly, "There, there, Celestia. I understand your position more than any other. Recovering from a Nightmare's possession is a painful experience. In time, the fatigue will fade and you will feel lighter and more free than you ever have been."
Celestia sniffed, "Thank you, Luna. I don't deserve you one bit. But... I was talking about the fact that I am sober, not that I am freed from possession."
"Sister! I think you have let your vice slip into addiction!"
"... And?"
'Heh, I like that kind of thinking. We're pretty much demi-gods, anyways. What's a few vices?'
"And you should be the ruler of your body, not its slave!"
"Luna is right, Auntie," Cadence agreed, breaking her silence.
Celestia grimaced at the thought of continued sobriety, "We will talk about this later, Luna. For now.... I think I would like that tea. I might as well get used to its pure taste. Its pure, bland, painful taste. If you could-" Celestia suddenly stopped talking and her head snapped to the wall on our left.
"What is that, Celestia?"
"... You might want to step away from King Phasma."
The giant above me retreated away, looking down at me and offering me a reassuring smile.
"Cadence, Shining, you two might also want a bit of room," Celestia said to the two quiet ponies-turned-puppies
They separated, and suddenly a wave of rainbow-colored magic phased through the room. I felt it- I felt it, the first thing I had felt since I had been turned into a foal's toy. It was hot and tingly. It felt like stepping into an extremely hot pool of water; the magic was not painless. But already, other feelings were returning to me.
'I can sense emotions! I can feel the Weave!'
In a comical puff of white smoke, I suddenly appeared in my normal changeling form, right where I was standing on the floor. To my side, Cadence and Shining were returned to their own bodies as well.
The rainbow wave passed through the room and exited the other side. The rain outside ceased, and the clouds cleared away, revealing Luna's night sky. The tingling sensation ebbed away, leaving me with the feeling of pins and needles all over my body.
"It seems the Elements have done their duty and saved Equestria, once again," Luna said cheerfully from behind me.
"Let's never do that again," Shining Armor muttered.
"Agreed," Celestia laughed. "It's nice to see you two again, Shining and Cadence. You two look as lovely as ever."
"Thanks, Celestia," Cadence smiled, "You look more adorable than ever."
"And at last I meet you properly, King Phasma," Celestia extended a hoof in greeting.
"Hello Princess Celestia. I've heard much about you," I bumped her hoof.
"Whatever they said, it's probably true," Celestia chuckled. "Now-"
My hooves were swept out from underneath me and my barrel was spun so that I landed on my back. Luna caught me, standing on her hindlegs with her forelegs cradling my back. She smiled down at me.
"I've been waiting a long time for this," she said, love pouring from her heart.
"That makes two of us," I smiled back.
Princess Luna leaned down, and kissed me on the lips. I melted in her grasp as she pulled me closer and deepened the kiss. The warmth the Elements pushed onto me was nothing compared to the heat radiating from my face and chest. I whimpered at the pure taste of love and my own happiness.
'Hail to the King, baby!'
A sharp sound underneath me made Luna break the kiss and look down at me, confused.
"... Did you just chirp, Phasma?"
"No! No, definitely not!"
Luna tried to not giggle, but broke out into a fit of laughter that caused her to nearly drop me.
"YES!" Cadence yelled, pumping a hoof into the air. "Bucking YES! This was SO worth it! Shiny!" She called out, quickly grabbing her own coltfriend into a passionate kiss.
I got back onto my hooves as Celestia politely looked away.
"So, you are... dating Luna?"
"I am."
She eyed me up and down, "It's going to take a lot to impress me, though you've made a great start so far."
I laughed, "I can have my changelings bring a crate of whisky to the palace tonight."
"... Marry him, Luna." |
Changing Expectations | 119- Pax | Act 9: Sins Of The Father
"I need you to disband Division-P and cancel any standing orders, Princess Celestia."
The white alicorn looked up at me and grimaced, "I will do what I can immediately, of course..."
"However?"
"However I had- Daybreaker had created contingencies for just such events. In fact, I believe Cadence already told you of them."
I gritted my teeth, "The Dead Hoof Protocol. I know. Can you stop it?"
"The moment word of Daybreaker's defeat leaves this room is the moment Division-P opens their sealed letters and... the more fanatical will carry out those orders. The good ponies roped into that horrible organization I made will throw their orders away and wait for more news. You can't shake their faith in Harmony. The zealots, though... I am afraid I will not be able to stop them. You will have to go to the dungeons right now and free your changelings yourself. I am terribly sorry I can't help in any way."
To her credit, Princess Celestia seemed almost at the verge of tears.
'Not her fault anyways, it's that damned Nightmare's.'
"Already taken care of," I waved a hoof.
"Wh- what?!"
Luna snickered, "Phasma's appearance served more than one purpose. He was to draw away Division-P from-"
"-from the dungeons!" Princess Celestia gasped. "You already freed your ponies? I... I'm a bit upset that you ordered an attack on Canterlot, but I am relieved beyond words that there won't be any more blood on my hooves.... I..." Celestia broke off and stared down at the burnt flooring beneath her.
Luna swept her sister up in a tight hug which was enthusiastically returned.
"It is not your fault, sister. This is something that has been trained into my head by my friends, and now it is something that you must accept in time, too. That was the Nightmare's doing."
"What about the Royal Guard? What do we do?" Shining asked.
Princess Celestia sighed, "Well if the changelings have saved themselves from my... errr, Daybreaker's doing? Then you should immediately order a ceasefire. I trust King Phasma will do the same?"
I nodded, "I will. You can call me Phasma, by the way. I think we'll be living together from now on..."
Luna winked at me, still hugging Princess Celestia.
"Only if you call me Celestia."
"That sounds fair. I will send word-"
Seven changelings flew through one of the shattered windows, dropping around me and quickly encasing us eight in several shields. They faced outwards around me, snarling at the alicorns. Out of instinct, Captain Shining Armor pushed past Cadence and put up his own shield between us and the ponies.
"Your Majesty! We're here to save you!" One of them barked.
"Save me? I uh, I'm fine, guys."
"This is unexpected," Luna murmured, her voice distorted through the shield.
The ponies shifted around, with Luna and Shining standing in front of and protecting Celestia and Cadence, respectively. Celestia looked grateful but confused, while Cadence seemed mildly annoyed.
"You vanished, My King!" A changeling informed me. "Your Weave, sir. It vanished! We were one of three teams sent to find you. The moment you appeared again, we came as soon as we could!"
"One of three? Where is-?"
"Freeze ponies, you are surrounded!" A changeling yelled, flying in through one of the shattered windows and hovering in the air. Thirteen more changelings swarmed in through the other windows, taking positions and aiming at the ponies in the room.
"There is no need to-" Celestia began.
"Hold! Stand down, changelings!" I yelled through the Weave.
"- fight today- oh. That was... easy?" Celestia wondered as the changelings all stopped casting their spells and looked at me.
Even the shield around me vanished as the changelings looked to me for orders. Shining Armor was confused, but let his own shield drop as well, though the tension never left him. Cadence put a hoof on his shoulder and gave him a reassuring smile.
"The war is over," I announced. "We will need to work out what to do about the Fourth Hive, but for now, the war is over."
"What happened to you, My King?" A changeling stepped forward to ask. "We thought you died!"
"Discord cut off my connection to the Weave and to magic in general. It's okay, I'm fine now. How did the jailbreak go?"
"My King," A changeling bowed after approaching. It was Captain Katydid himself, "It was a success. Several changelings died, as did a few ponies, but we hit them hard and quickly. They didn't have a chance to execute the prisoners. There are still changeling prisoners with Division-P elements spread throughout Canterlot and Equestria, but everyling in the prison has been freed."
I sighed deeply, relaxing so much I nearly fell onto my haunches.
"That means that Lacewing is okay?"
"Indeed, My King. She expressed her desire to see you as soon as possible. I do not know where she is, as I came topside as soon as I could..."
"You have done well, Captain Katydid. All of you, you have all done well. I'm definitely going to have to invent medals to give for today's efforts."
"My King, what happened? You said... Discord?"
I chuckled, "My failsafe plan was to free him. I had to fall back to it since all other plans fell through. As I hoped, we still won in the end, even if it was closer than I would have wanted."
The changelings parted, forming a half circle crowd behind me, letting the ponies come closer to me.
"Well Phasma, this was not how I expected the Gala to go," Celestia smiled, "but I am elated that this is the course that Harmony has set for today. Captain Shining Armor, I need you to restore order to Canterlot. Assist any victims of Discord's mayhem who yet need our help. Arrest any Division-P members and bring them to the dungeons. The calm ones will come quietly. The ponies who break faith with Harmony... They must be helped, whether they want to be helped or not. Do what you can, delegate what you cannot, and do not forget to rest afterwards. The last thing Equestria needs is for you to collapse from exhaustion, Captain."
Shining saluted, "At once, Your Royal Highness."
Celestia cringed, "Please, drop the Royal in the title. I don't want to hear anything like that ever again."
"Uh, of course, Your Highness. I... it's good to have you back," Shining said again.
"Thank you, Captain. Its good to be back.. Now go save Canterlot."
Shining saluted once more, got a farewell kiss from Cadence and an uneasy glare from me, before he galloped out of the room.
"And what of your changelings, Phasma? Will anyone need medical assistance?" Celestia asked me.
I looked to Captain Katydid who shook his head, "No, Your Majesty- and Highness," he threw on Celestia's title, not sure who he should be addressing. "The wounded have already been looked at. The ponies used far more lethal spells than we did, so it is your wounded who will be far more numerous."
"But you will have more dead," Celestia sighed. "One final battle to end this terrible war. What about Queen Chrysalis and her Hive? Have you a plan to solve that issue diplomatically, Phasma?"
"Fuck no," I laughed. "I was too busy with today to do much about tomorrow. We'll uh, brainstorm and figure something out. Maybe send a messenger through the blockade and uh... shit if I know, that's a problem for future me. Okay Captain, go help the survivors and wounded of the fight. You know the drill: give out rations to the starving, arrange sleeping arrangements and duties, take stock of who we rescued, who they know died, and so on. I need a proper accounting of everyone in the Fifth Hive now. We'll work out the more complex systems later, now that we will be out in the open."
Captain Katydid saluted, "And what of your close friends, My King? When they ask to see you, where should I point them?"
I snorted, "They're all okay, right?" He nodded. "Then tomorrow I will see the whole Hive. Tonight, induct everyling into it. They do not have a choice, though I doubt any would refuse if they did. I will visit as many lings as I can tomorrow after a ceasefire has been properly negotiated."
"We will hold a preliminary negotiation... after lunch?" Celestia suggested.
"That works for me. Oh, and Captain? I need you to bring a case of whisky to the kitchens here in the Castle."
"Uh.... at once, My King?"
"Thank you," I stifled a laugh as I saw Celestia sag in relief.
"I will go aid Shiny in helping ponies out. I'm more useful out there than in here, and I can think about ways to apologize to Shiny while I'm working," Cadence said, turning to leave.
"Be sure not to overwork yourself, dear Cadence," Luna warned her. "You should get some rest soon."
"Soon," Cadence agreed, but left all the same.
"Anypony have anything else they need to say?" Celestia asked, looking around the room. "No? Good. I'm going to my room now. Luna, I will need you to raise the sun and lower the moon come morning. I will ask somepony else to help me with a meal and something to drink. Take the rest of the night and morning off. Cadence can deal with any emergencies," Celestia chuckled.
Then, she winked at me before turning and leaving.
'What? Why did-'
Luna's wing wrapped around my withers as she stared at me with something more than happiness and nervousness. She was radiating love, and I immediately got the feeling that I was soon to overdose on the delicious emotion.
"Captain Katydid! Fetch my hammer and armor and bring it from the ballroom to the Hive!" I called out moments before Luna teleported us away.
The burnt and shattered remains of the room vanished with a cyan flash of energy. Luna's teleportation was far from the smooth transition between dreams, but compared to my own teleport spell, it was a smooth ride. Still, when my hooves found themselves on a different surface entirely, I had to catch myself from falling over.
Luna strode past me further into the room. Looking around, the room we were in was steeped in a lunar theme, accompanied by white swirling clouds. The curtains, the carpets, the tiling on the floor, the bases of the furniture, and even several pieces of the furniture themselves all were styled in silver moon motifs. The ceiling was a mosaic mural of the night sky, which no doubt was entirely accurate. If it wasn't, Luna probably could make it accurate in an instant.
I shivered as I was reminded of this world's screwed up astro-physics. The less I thought about that stuff, the saner I felt.
Luna hopped up onto the piece of furniture that sat in the middle of the room. Her bed- 'Definitely going to need a bigger one in the future,' - followed the same theme of the room, going so far as to be a large crescent moon that leaned backwards, spilling out blankets and pillows from its center.
"Daybreaker did not realize how little I wished to spend my nights back up on my moon," Luna sighed. "This bed will be the first thing to go, I should think. However, unlike any night for the past thousand-and-one years..."
She stretched out across the bed, removing her boots, tiara, and peytral with her telekinesis and placing them beside the bed. Then, with a dramatic flip of her nebula mane, she smiled at me and beckoned me over.
"... I will not be spending this night alone, nor any in the future."
"Panar is real, and she is a beautiful blue pony princess."
Something warm pressed up against me, making me realize just how cold I felt. Then I realized that I was awake now. I was sleepy not just from the long night and interrupted sleep, but also from the massive amount of love I gorged myself on. It was a miracle that I didn't swell up like a tick.
"Wuh?" I mumbled, trying to muster the willpower to blink my eyes open.
"Shh, go back to sleep, Phasma," Luna whispered.
'Oh. It's Luna.'
"Time s'it?" I mumbled.
Luna pressed up against my belly, and I pulled her in close. She snuggled up beneath my head, resting her horn on my cheek.
"I just lowered my moon and raised the sun. We're sleeping in for a few more hours."
"Sounds good," I sighed.
We lay there, silently enjoying each other's presence. But as hard as I tried, I couldn't fall back asleep.
"Don't we have stuff to do?" I asked, still keeping my eyes closed.
"That is the nice part about being in charge. We can make others do the work for us. We are not needed until after lunch, so I think we shall spend the morning in bed." Luna giggled, "I can think of a few ways to pass the time."
"Mmm.... sleep," I agreed.
The rest of the morning passed by too quickly for my taste. Eventually, we had no more excuses to hole up in her room.
'Or is it our room now?'
Luna led the way into her adjoined bathroom, where we took a bath together. I had taken showers in my time here on Equus, but never a bath. The room was far more subdued than Luna's themed bedroom, instead taking on a melding of both the gold theme of the palace and the silver theme of Luna's personal room. The bathtub was extremely large, as big as her bed, and had far too many spouts and jets than even Luna knew how to operate. So we simply relaxed in the hot water, leaning on each other and using soap and scrubbing as an excuse for wandering hooves.
Leaving the tub and getting dry was almost as unpleasant as leaving the bed, but we did actually have work to do. Lunch was fast approaching, and after it, our little vacation would be over, and I would have to negotiate the future of my race. I was fairly confident I could secure some good deals. I had a lot to bargain with, and it wasn't like Celestia would be overly hostile to me. Especially not with the fact that I was her sole supplier for alcohol, apparently.
'Definitely a boon I'm going to exploit the hell out of.'
Luna led the way- an increasingly common action- across the palace and to the dining hall. The Royal Guards eyes me warily and saluted Luna.
"I apologize for the hostile attitudes, it will take some time for ponies to acclimate to your presence and the new state of our species' relationship," Luna mumbled after she slowed down to walk by my side.
I looked down at her and gave her my best smile, "I know, Luna. This is where I say something cliche like, 'let them stare.'"
"Then this is where I say something cliche back, like.... something cliche. I haven't read any romance novels in literal centuries, so give me a pass."
I laughed, "Just this once. I expect more cultural references in the future, though."
"I am sure you will make more than enough for the both of us," Luna said while pushing a large door open.
The dining room, like the vast majority of the rooms in Canterlot Castle, was themed to gold and white, with the addition of orange. The hallways, the meeting rooms, and I suspected even the non-personal bathrooms had this tri-color palette. Luna had explained to me that as part of the remodeling following the devastating Invasion of Canterlot, Daybreaker had thrown her own color into the mix. For the second time in a year, I was certain that the palace would go through a drastic overhaul.
If I had to live in a castle, I would not want it themed to the monster that possessed me, or my sister.
Celestia was sitting down at one of the high-backed chairs, glaring at one of the purple banners that hang from the walls. Where once her sun Cutie Mark sat alone in a purple space, it was now wreathed in an orange fireball. The rest of the room was empty, save for two guards that stood sentry at the doors, and an earth pony in a white kitchen staff's uniform.
"Good morning, Celestia," Luna announced, pulling out two chairs at Celestia's side.
"Ah, Good afternoon Luna and Phasma. I was wondering when I might be seeing you two."
"What's up?" I asked, giving her a nod.
She sat down in the chair closest to her sister, and I sat on Luna's other side. The kitchen staff bowed to Celestia and made their exit from the room.
"Will Cadence be joining us?" Luna asked.
"Yes. She and her fiance took an extended break this morning after working themselves to the bone last night. I... should have expected them to ignore my order. Still, I am sure that the misallocation of work will be rebalanced in the hours upon hours of work it will take to stabilize the Kingdom once more," Celestia monologued.
"An agreeable arrangement," Luna said. "They work hard to restore order, and then we shall work hard to maintain it."
"Did you two enjoy your night off?" Celestia asked coyly, effortlessly hiding a smile.
'You can't hide that smugness from an empath, though.'
"Yep," I said quickly.
"We did indeed. The morning and waking up, less so," Luna explained.
"I am glad to hear that.... Wait a second," Celestia frowned, "I just remembered something. How old are you, Phasma? Your changelings said your hatchday was in October, but never mentioned the year. Are you as, er.... old as we are?"
"Uh, no, no. My hatchday, I guess it's called, was in October. Apparently. I didn't even know that."
Celestia sighed in frustration while Luna giggled.
"What year were you born, Phasma? How old are you in years?"
"Uh.... like in a row, or cumulatively?"
Celestia mouthed the words to herself, "In a row or cumulatively? Wh- what?"
"Let's just say mid-twenties," I shrugged.
"Do you not know your own age? What do you mean by cumulative?"
"Is lunch on the way?" Luna interrupted.
"Yes, yes," Celestia waved her off, "what are you talking about, Phasma?"
"Well.... I was hatched in October, apparently."
"Yes, what year?"
"Last year."
"Last year?!"
"Last year."
"And this is where the cumulative part comes in?" Celestia guessed.
"Yes, I guess you can say I have an old soul."
"What's for lunch?" Luna asked nonchalantly.
"Food, Luna. How are you older than your own birthday?" Celestia pressed.
"When a mommy Queen and a daddy changeling love each other very much, the mommy performs a necromantic ritual to pluck a soul from the afterlife. She then stuffs that soul haphazardly into a genetically modified egg."
"... You were born through necromancy?" Celestia blinked.
"So I'm told. Would explain why I'm alive again."
"So you lived a life before, then? And died in your twenties?" I nodded. "How long ago?"
"I don't know. I don't think I can answer that, or that it even has an answer."
Celestia sat back in thought, ".... You did not live in this world, but in another?" She guessed.
'That's an amazing guess. Then again, she has been at the forefront of magical learning for literally thousands of years. It'd be more of a shock if she were a simpleton.'
"Another world entirely," I confirmed her guess.
I heard the guards behind us shift in surprise, and tasted the complimentary emotion from them.
"That's.... something," Celestia muttered. "We have seen glimpses of other worlds, which is why I could even guess such an origin. But those glimpses were fleeting and far between... what was your world like?"
"Before we get into his backstory, I would at least like something to eat and some coffee to drink," Luna said.
"The staff should be here any minute now, as should Cadence and Shining Armor," Celestia explained.
"That's good. I'd hate to have to explain everything twi- ah shit." I facehooved.
"What did you do?" Luna asked.
"I may or may not have neglected to tell the First Fang about my previous life."
"Yes, you said you were preoccupied with other things," Luna reminded me.
"I was, and I still am. But if I'm explaining to everyone...."
"Then you would want your friends to hear, too," Luna finished.
'They deserve to hear the truth. I think. That's how it works, right? Yeah, then they can tell me their mysterious backstories that they all totally have.'
"If this is a long story, then I suppose it can wait," Celestia said. "Perhaps later in the evening? When all three of us have checked up on the state of affairs in our kingdoms?"
"I can work with that," I said.
"The ceasefire should indeed come first," Luna agreed.
The doors opened behind us, and I turned in my seat to see an exhausted Cadence and Shining Armor trudge in with about as much grace as Luna and myself dragging ourselves to the bathroom earlier.
They mumbled greetings and sat down at Celestia's right side, directly opposite of Luna and I. It took a few moments, but eventually Shining Armor opened his eyes long enough to see me sitting directly across from him. With a yelp, he straightened up and his horn glowed with energy.
"Good morning, Captain," I said, smiling with my fangs on display.
"Ugh, you're here," Shining said, horn dimming. "I should have... expected that."
"Did you two sleep well?" Celestia asked.
"No, but we did sleep," Cadence yawned.
"So.... where is King Phasma staying?" Shining asked.
"With Luna, I would imagine. Would you kindly check on our lunch?" Celestia said, gesturing to a guard at the door.
The guard saluted and walked away.
"I'll have to work something out with the Fifth Hive, but I would appreciate it if I were... allowed to reside within the castle," I said, remembering to be diplomatic.
'I probably should also refrain from harassing the Equestrian Captain.'
"Of course you can," Luna said. "As much as it has been forgotten in the past few months, I am a Princess of the Diarchy of Equestria. That means equal say in its ruling, and I say you can stay," Luna said, looking at Celestia.
"Usually you have to let ponies make a mistake before you correct them," Celestia joked.
"Hm. I suppose you are right, Celestia. Apologies, I just have had a bad experience with wresting any power away from Daybreaker."
"Ah. Right. Sorry about that," Celestia said, grimacing.
"What about your changelings, King Phasma?" Shining asked.
"Well we called dibs on the Crystal Caverns, so those are ours now. I imagine the Fifth Hive might be split up between those and our properties in Manehattan."
"Dibs?" Celestia echoed.
"Yep. Dibs. The caves are rightfully part of the Fifth Hive now. Sorry, you should have planted a flag in them if you wanted to keep them."
"... I suppose we could concede their habitation," Celestia said quietly. "But what does Equestria get in return for losing the land right beneath our hooves?"
'Looks like the negotiations are beginning early.' |
Changing Expectations | 120- Callias | We switched seats so that Luna, Cadence, and Shining Armor were all on the far side of the table, while I sat next to Celestia, who still sat at the head of the table. This way, Luna was not in the middle of our discussion. The three ponies agreed that they would hold their silence for the most part, but would interject if they felt the need to.
Celestia retrieved a stack of papers from a servant that brought them in at request, and laid them out before her. In addition, a small team of stenographers set up at the far end of the table, ready to record the meeting in writing.
I had Celestia send a Royal Guard to inform the Fifth Hive that I would be needing the presence of its leaders- specifically Coxa's- as soon as possible.
While we waited for lunch, which apparently was delayed due to the efforts of reconstruction following a disastrous stampede of giant gingerbread ponies last night, we began the negotiations in earnest. Celestia had gone ahead and gotten us all beverages. Water for the four of us non-drunkards, and a light whisky cocktail 'to take the edge off' for the small alicorn whose blood alcohol content probably never dropped below five percent.
'I should definitely start making Archer references when talking to Celestia. Shes definitely a functioning alcoholic.'
With everything ready, Celestia officially started the peace negotiations between Equestria and the Fifth Hive.
"So, the Crystal Caves?" Celestia asked.
I shook my head, "Perhaps we'd be better off starting at the big picture and working down from there."
Celestia nodded, "The most important thing above all others is the safety of my- of our ponies," she corrected herself. "You have in captivity numerous equestrians, correct?"
"Correct."
"Then as a sign of good faith, I want every last one of them freed."
I exhaled slowly, "You would have me give them up for nothing? That's...."
"A sign of good faith," Celestia repeated. "We no longer have any captives to free, need I remind you? In fact, I do believe I sent out the order last night to free any still in our possession."
Begrudgingly, I nodded, "I will concede that point. Despite the fact that we were the ones who freed our imprisoned changelings, you have done your part in sending out the orders to free the enslaved changelings scattered throughout Equestria. However, most of our prisoners tried to either kill me or my changelings, you know. I cannot simply release them back into the wild, where they can roam freely, eat grass, frolic in meadows, and murder changelings to their heart's content."
"Trials may be held, if that is what you wish. We will determine just how guilty these ponies are on an individual basis."
I snorted, "Trials in Equestrian courts? That's hardly unbiased, especially given that there will be no small amount of animosity between our species in the years to come."
"I assure you, equal value will be placed upon the lives of both ponies and changelings."
"Oh, you assure me? I'm glad you know the personalities of all these potential judges and jurors and can absolutely confirm without a doubt their validity as judicators."
Celestia smiled, "A compromise, then? The ponies will be put before a panel that is half pony, half changeling. Ponies that are innocent will be let go- and reparations paid to them, and those who were taken captive in order to secure your own safety would be aided in adjusting back to their lives, with efforts made to make right the loss of time, pay, and property. Ponies that would be classified as prisoners of war would be returned to Equestria and handled by the Royal Guard."
"Then what? You haven't addressed my concern about Division-P. I assume you have no intention of incarcerating the ponies who were just following orders, right? You expect me to allow Inquisitors to just walk away?"
'I'll watch Equestria burn before I let those Nazis get away with it.'
"No, I don't. I will take full responsibility for their rehabilitation and internment. Division-P...." Celestia sighed, "I admit, I am unsure what to do. It is strange to find myself in the wrong here. Normally I am the one dictating terms to... let's go with 'the defeated party.' We are both in the wrong here, Phasma. You will pay reparations to the ponies who were injured physically and financially by their capture, and we will in turn pay reparations for the loss of life, injury, t-torture..." Celestia trailed off. "The list is long and will require its own discussion. Both sides were hurt deeply by this war. But I recognize that it is our side, Equestria, that went the furthest, and we have no excuse for our actions. I will accept the majority of the blame, as I let myself get possessed and gave all those orders."
"Daybreaker gave those orders," Luna interjected.
"Effectively the same thing, as far as I am concerned. But thank you, Luna," Celestia thanked her sister. "As I was saying, it hurts me to simplify this complicated conflict to the mere exchange of currency. But we have to start somewhere."
'Ha. Now there's two alicorns refusing to accept that the actions the Nightmares made were not their own.'
"I'd prefer not to pay reparations to begin with," I sighed. "The Fifth Hive has wealth, but nowhere even close to the amount that a government operates on."
"The Fifth Hive will be making a profit at the end of the day, unless you have concealed some horrible acts that we do not know about?" Celestia asked.
"I killed a Count, but everything else you pretty much know about. I mean, there was some minor tax evasion at the end, but that was because Division-P took our attention away from staying as concealed as possible."
"We know about the death of Count Double Dealings. We will address that matter once this peace summit is settled. The majority of reparations will be in your favor. Rest assured, Phasma, I know exactly what happens when you saddle a country with more debt than it can handle. I have no intention of making that mistake, nor inflicting that level of harm."
I raised my eyebrows, "You do? That's not a lesson I would have thought you ponies understood the importance of."
"Lessons that I cannot forget. I have crushed economies in the past, and have only hurt others doing so. I thought that I was stripping kingdoms of their ability to wage war, but in reality, I was only stripping them of their ability to feed their families. I myself am surprised you understand the importance of it yourself, Phasma. A lesson from your past?" Celestia asked.
'Hard for history to repeat itself when your ruler has first-hoof experience of those horrors, I guess.'
"Yes. The greatest war ended poorly for one side. So poorly that the peace treaty became nothing more than a ceasefire in the bloodiest conflict ever seen. And yes, Luna, I will tell you about it if you want," I said when I saw Luna's curiosity was piqued.
"Nice," she whispered.
"What's he talking about?" Shining whispered to Cadence.
"I'll explain later," I answered.
"Let's get back to the topic at hoof?" Celestia asked.
I recounted the conversation so far, "So the Fifth Hive pays reparations to the podded ponies and the Division-P Inquisitors will be turned over to the Royal Guard to be rehabilitated..." I glared at Celestia, "What assurances do I have that these ponies will be rehabilitated, and the worst offenders punished for their enthusiastic butchery? I want prison sentences, Celestia. Death penalties for the worst of them."
Celestia shifted in her seat, "Death penalties? That has never happened in Equestrian history, Phasma. I cannot allow that kind of punishment to be hoofed out."
"That is non-negotiable. I killed Daybreaker- indirectly, if you want to be as truthful as possible. I intend to kill every last bastard responsible for the suffering my people went through. Torture. Murder. Enslavement. Division-P went beyond the necessary call of duty for the war effort. I want their heads."
"We must be better than them," Celestia replied. "I... you may claim credit for Daybreaker's death, just as I must claim credit for her actions. Would you have me executed for my crimes against your kind?"
"I had Daybreaker executed for her crimes against my people. I suppose you can claim temporary insanity due to demonic possession. I don't blame you, Celestia. This is entirely on the Nightmares and those insane followers they gathered. I do, however, blame you and your rule for developing the situation. Your teachings of Harmony let this faction fester. Those kinds of people don't come from nowhere. I will want a proper investigation of just who joined Division-P, where their pure hatred came from, and how it went unnoticed in this land of unicorns and rainbows. And for dealing with them now, I want life sentences and death penalties to be decided by entirely changeling jurists. No half-equestrian representation."
"You can't expect me to believe that an entire panel of changelings wouldn't be biased."
"You can't expect me to believe that an equestrian won't choose an equestrian over a changeling," I retorted. "These crimes against our race were committed by equestrians. The changelings will be fair if I order them to, which I will. This is non-negotiable. Changeling juries, Division-P Inquisitor defendants."
"If I were to agree to this, there would have to be limitations on the punishments. Death penalties would have to be agreed upon by the majority of Equestrian Princesses-"
"No," I growled.
"I will not put the lives of my ponies in the hooves of revengeful changelings!"
"I will not let those bastards get away with the wholesale slaughter and mutilation of my people because some fucking ponies were too afraid to swing the god damn axe," I hissed.
Celestia and I leaned over the table, glaring at each other.
"This topic must be pushed back and dealt with later," Luna said. "Clearly, this issue is the most complex to unravel, and the hardest to determine the clear boundaries of right and wrong. Celestia, 'your' ponies have done horrible things. You recognize and accept this. Phasma, under every circumstance it would be expected that your changelings would be far too heavy-hoofed with the cruel sentences of death to be considered fair judges. A pony- a person can ignore their biases only so much. I am certain that there is a solution, even if it is not clear to us at the moment. Let all of us present speak our pieces, then we will move on and leave Division-P to be discussed at a later point."
I huffed, but sat back and crossed my forelegs.
"Fine. The Fifth Hive demands that the perpetrators of the heinous acts and crimes against changeling kind be brought to justice. We have little reason to believe that Equestria has the capacity of fulfilling that demand."
"Coming from the changeling who's getting away with invading Canterlot," Shining muttered.
Everyone turned to look at him. Suddenly in the spotlight, Shining Armor found himself searching for his voice.
He cleared his throat, "In the name of Harmony, we would be less than nothing if we failed to uphold the very teachings we teach. These actions... I apologize for even letting them happen, even tangentially. Nopony deserves this pain. I do not think you will accept me at my word when I say that these Inquisitors are merely the dregs of society, brought to light by this Daybreaker's apparent desire for inflicting pain.. Just as I cannot accept you at your word that you have conducted yourself fully to the ideals we proclaim, nor will you or your changeling juries operate without hatred or bias. I have already heard about this Count that you murdered, and how Cadence had kept it a secret..." Shining glared at me.
Celestia put in her piece next, "We must operate on a basis of trust. This peace will be untenable if we cannot trust the other side both to make amends and to improve upon our character and actions. We can allow the Fifth Hive to have access to all documentation and even observe the process of rehabilitation of these Inquisitors, as well as give your changelings significant say in the judicial processes. Beyond that, you have to trust us, just as we have to trust you. Need I remind you that we have virtually no way of tracking your own actions while within Equestria, save for your own confessions?"
'That's not true.'
"Division-P was more than capable of finding changelings using the remains of my stolen peytral," I pointed out.
"Phasma, you have already said your piece," Luna admonished me, before nodding to Cadence.
"Personally, I would never sentence a pony to death. I would also never sentence a pony to a life where they would never have a chance at freedom. However, all of this is beyond any frame of reference I have. Instead, I wish to talk about what comes after. It is quite clear that the horrible crimes committed can never happen again. We cannot bury this incident like we have wars of our past," Cadence sent an obvious glance Celestia's way. "We must learn from it and we must be better than it. To forget the pain we have inflicted on each other is to let it all happen again."
"Thank you, Cadence. Celestia, if you would close with your statement?" Luna motioned for her to speak.
Celestia cleared her throat, "We are agreed on a general course of action. The wrongs we have committed must be made right. The tenets of Harmony have been irreversibly broken, and we must agree on the right course of actions to make amends and learn from this. Personally, I believe that almost nopony is too far gone for redemption. However, I understand how you might feel otherwise. If somepony asked me to forgive one of those Nightmares, I don't think I could. A personal failing, perhaps. Or wisdom wrought from centuries of seeing evil for what it is, and knowing when to stop fighting to save it. But we must be better than those we accuse of. We cannot condemn others to death. If we do, what separates us from them?"
'The fact that they had a trial, and weren't tortured to death.'
I imagined shaking my hooves angrily in Celestia's direction, but instead remained still and quiet.
"Very good," Luna nodded to herself. "Let us move on and revisit this subject later. Celestia?"
Celestia shuffled through her papers, "I believe we should address the Fifth Hive's presence within the Principality of Equestria, and its future."
'My turn to dictate terms.'
"The Fifth Hive claims the Crystal Caverns as its own sovereign soil. All other holdings within Equestria will be simply property owned by the crown and by the Fifth Hive's citizens, barring historical changeling..." I paused, "Hmmm.... Let's call them former kingdoms."
"There are former kingdoms within Equestria?" Celestia asked.
"There was at least one, before I blew it up. There's potential to be more."
Celestia hummed to herself before asking, "In the southern jungles?" I nodded. "So that explains that. Very well, so long as these areas are uninhabited, I see little reason why we should deny that. The Crystal Caves, though. That poses a problem."
"Which is?"
"The caves are protected as part of Equestria's natural parks system. Inhabitance is not only prohibited, but it goes entirely against the point of protecting it in the first place. Marring their natural beauty is not a price I would like to pay. I would much prefer it if your Fifth Hive was simply located above ground, or at the very least, outside of the priceless and protected cave formation. Pick another cave. This one's ours."
I rolled my eyes, "Oh please, protecting my ass! You blew its tunnels to seal it away. You had no intention of preserving it or anything else."
"National security takes precedence over all other desires. And need I remind you, that Daybreaker's actions are not representative of Equestria's normal ruling. Why do you even want to live in the cold caves, anyways?"
"Because they are a secure location..." I started before sighing, "Right, right. Basis of trust. Fine, we will vacate the caves in exchange for... I suppose that if the Fifth Hive does not have any location in Equestria fully owned and inhabited, then we will have to shelve that potential demand for after this next part."
"The continued presence of changelings in Equestria," Celestia accurately guessed.
'Less of a guess and more of an intuitive understanding, I bet. She really has sat through dozens of these, hasn't she?'
"I want changelings to reside within Equestria. We will not be leaving," I stated.
"Because of love?"
"Because of love," I nodded.
"The physical wellbeing of your changelings are tied to the bonds they make with the ponies around them. I should hardly think that such a force for Harmony could be considered anything but a boon. I will agree to allow changelings to continue residing within Equestria, with no stipulations outside of an agreement to not steal love or anything similarly nefarious."
"Agreed," I said without hesitation.
"As well as forbidding disguising as ponies who already exist," Celestia added.
'Is there any way agreeing to that will bite me in the ass? I don't think so. I think we should be clear to agree to that. Oh wait, I do know one edge case...'
"The Fifth Hive agrees, except for matters of security."
Celestia frowned, "The last thing I want to do is give you a blank check on disguising. I know exactly just how much can be labeled as security of the state."
"I have no intention of stripping our most valuable skill from my guards."
"Just how exactly is disguising as existing ponies necessary to protect yourselves?"
"I don't know. I'm not an expert in security, I just know that it is something I will not give up easily."
"You refuse to allow this concession simply because it is a boon for you? Need I remind you that in exchange, changelings will be effectively citizens of Equestria."
I shrugged, "I'm not letting the Fifth Hive be effectively neutered. Our most valuable skill is our ability to perform covert actions. Without that, we're just a couple thousand members of a dying race that can fly and use magic."
"You will have the protection of the Royal Guard and the crown of Equestria. I have absolutely no intention of letting any species die out. Not while I can do anything about it."
"Oh great, I guess that means I can just hoof over the safety of my entire species to you and hope that there are no subversive elements within Equestria that would, if given the chance, rip us to shreds and slaughter any survivors. Division-P was just a fluke, a one-off group of radicals, right?"
"I can assure you that-"
"That you have no idea where they came from," I cut her off. "I don't know if it's some secret organization or society of equestrian supremacists or if there is something else at work, but I intend to find out how this happened. I will not be dismantling the most powerful weapon in our arsenal just because you asked nicely."
Celestia tapped the table quietly as she thought.
"... We must operate on a basis of trust. It may be tiresome to hear this repeated often, but it does need to be reiterated over and over again. This war between us created a rift that cannot be bridged easily. We must force ourselves to trust one another...." Celestia looked over at the ponies writing down the transcript of the meeting, "Cease recording." Then, she turned back to me, "You trust Luna completely, correct?"
"I do," I said, unsure of where she was going with this.
"If I gave Luna complete authority on this matter and kept it off the records, would you agree to this?"
"As in, I would have to report to Luna on every use of a disguise?"
"Something like that, yes. You two can work out the specifics, so long as Luna knows the scope of your actions. I trust her to tell you if you are out of line."
"This is acceptable to me," Luna agreed.
'Luna already saved my life. She worked hard to help my Hive, directly or indirectly. Not to mention the fact that she is biased towards me. Celestia knows this... and is throwing me a bone.'
"... Fine," I agreed.
"Excellent," Celestia smiled. "Resume the recordings. We must make concessions for the sake of cooperation and Harmony. The ability to impersonate any pony is a major tool to use to break the law. Nopony can be given such impunity."
I went with the cover, "... On the basis of trust, the Fifth Hive will refrain from impersonating any existing pony intentionally, and will, uh... blah blah blah, fix it if we find out that we are accidentally impersonating someone. You know, put that in proper legalese."
Celestia smiled and wrote some notes down.
"With that settled, I think the next matter is jurisdiction, citizenship, and legislation. If your changelings are to reside within Equestria, they will be expected to follow Equestrian laws."
There was a knock at the door. It opened and a cook stepped through.
The white-uniformed blue pegasus bowed, "Your Highnesses and Majesty, lunch is prepared. If I may take your orders, it will be served post-haste. I apologize for the delay and the interruption, and thank you for your patience."
"It is us who thank you for your hard work, Saffron," Celestia motioned for the pony to stand. "Let us take a break for now. The summit shall break for lunch," Celestia announced, more to the stenographers than anyone else.
The officials nodded, concluded their work, and rose and left the room with a few bows. Luna rose from her seat and sat down next to me. I scooted my chair over and we leaned into each other. She craned her head up and gave me a small kiss. The chef began explaining the meal choices, but Luna and I were in a conversation of our own.
"You know," she whispered, "you're pretty good at this. Quite surprising, given your young age."
I whispered back, "Age has got nothing to do with it. I'm sure that if my mother were here, she'd be doing something stupid like hissing, throwing chairs, and making death threats. She's not exactly the most calm and collected changeling, and she's at least twenty times my age."
"All the more reason to praise your efforts."
"Thank you, Luna. Considering this feels like four against one at times, your support means a lot to me."
"Your Highnesses and Majesty," a guard saluted by the door and interrupted the chef, "the changeling envoy has arrived."
"Good, send them in," Celestia ordered.
When the changelings entered, I immediately stood from my chair and strode towards them. There were about seven changelings entering the room, and amongst them was Thorax, Coxa, and Cricket.
But one changeling stood out from the rest. She was scarred. Missing a fang and with sections of her chitin chipped off and wrapped in bandages elsewhere, Lacewing broke from the pack and galloped towards me.
"Phasma!" She yelled as I caught the smaller drone in an embrace.
"It's good to see you, Lace."
"I knew you were alive. I knew you would come to save me. I knew that I wouldn't die down there," she whispered in my ear.
"Imagine her surprise when her knight in shining armor was the most handsome changeling alive," Coxa beamed, stepping close alongside Thorax.
"You were on the front lines, Coxa?"
"He refused to listen to me," Thorax groaned. "Got too bored of paperwork."
Coxa grinned and puffed out his chest.
"You sent him to save us. I knew you wouldn't abandon anyling. Not even the Queen cares that much about us," Lace mumbled.
She sniffed heavily, and I broke the hug before she could blow her nose on my shoulder. Lace was not doing well. Her time in Locksdale Prison had been harsh, and it was likely only due to the strength of chitin that she bore no scars. Fractures, yes, but those could mostly heal in the pods.
"You look like shit, Lace."
"Thanks," she smiled. "You look tall."
"I can't change that with a stay in the pods, but you definitely could use healing."
"I'm going to, I just wanted to see you all first. It was... indescribable. The things they did-"
"I know, I know," I said. "Don't try to describe them if it hurts you. I'm afraid there will be time for that later. For now, get yourself looked at and take some extra love rations. There'll be more than enough to go around."
Lacewing tried to compose herself. Coxa put a hoof around her withers, and Lace leaned into him almost instinctively.
'She must be so tired. Coxa and Lacewing, hmm? More than honorary brother and sister, and I definitely plan on teasing Coxa about that fact. I suppose Lace can suffer his presence everyday if she so chooses. Though to be honest, I kinda expected her to... she said she wanted to say something important to me in the Castle foyer, during the rebellion, right? I'd better ask her about that once this meeting is over.'
"Luna, Celestia, Cadence, Shining, these are my friends and leaders of the Fifth Hive," I introduced the changelings. "That's Thorax, you can consider him the leading expert in... ah, who knows, he's the one who found out that we can work together. There's Coxa, he runs the Hive while I take the credit for it. That's Cricket, she's like Coxa, but better looking."
Each changeling waved- or bowed, in Thorax's case- when they were introduced.
"So, I heard there was going to be free food?" Coxa asked.
Celestia chuckled, "Yes, in fact you arrived just in time for lunch. We do not carry love or any emotion, unfortunately."
Coxa shrugged, "Didn't expect'ya to, Your Highness. Pony food tastes good, and that's enough for now. We ate on the way here, anyway."
Celestia gestured to the empty side of the table where Luna and I had sat, "In that case, please, take a seat. We had begun the negotiations already, and were simply taking a break to talk over a meal." |
Changing Expectations | 121- Apolinatu | The first part of our lunch passed by while I explained what happened in the world to Lacewing while she was imprisoned by Division-P. Most notably was my relationship with Luna; the moment Lace heard about that in passing, she wanted to know everything about it.
"... And that's the entire story of Luna and I so far," I finished.
I smiled at Luna, who leaned over and gave me a small kiss.
"That's pretty romantic, Phasma," Lacewing sighed, scooping a forkful of food from her plate.
"I agree," Luna agreed. "I am certain that the tale of our love shall be told by the criers and romanticists from now till the day the sun sets for the very last time! Our tale- what do you mean, there are no criers anymore?" Luna broke off her dramatic speech when I managed to stop giggling and explained that fact to her.
"I'm sure ponies will enjoy your story once it gets told to them," Cadence said from across the table. "Love triumphs over evil, and all that."
"Hey Phas!" Thorax called from the far end of the table.
"Thorax?"
"Can I send a message to Double Diamond now?"
"Oh yeah, yeah. The Fifth Hive is done hiding now. You can tell all the ponies to come back, or whatever happened to them." When Lace's face scrunched up in confusion, I explained, "Thorax is in love with a pony. Yes, they are adorable together."
The table broke off again into several smaller conversations. Coxa and Lacewing traded stories that accumulated in each other's absence. Celestia and Luna talked shop about the fastest way to fix their torn kingdom. The puppy-love duo talked quietly with Thorax about him and his coltfriend, Diamond.
'Coltfriend. Colt. Friend. Even the name sounds adorable. Colt. Coooolt.'
"Bit for your thoughts?" Luna asked, nudging me.
"Just thinking about things 'n stuff," I said.
"Ah yes, 'things 'n stuff,'" Celestia quoted me. "Truly, the mind of a stallion is a mystery."
I huffed and rolled my eyes, "Alright fine. I was wondering why there were so few ponies here. If this peace summit is as important to you as it is to us, I would have thought there would have been more ponies present."
"You'd be surprised how useless most ponies are in the signing of a peace treaty," Celestia explained, taking a sip from her tall glass. "I prefer to get these things ironed out as soon as possible, with as few distractions as possible."
"We took a break for lunch, though?"
Luna elbowed me, "Unlike changelings, we mortal ponies need physical foods."
"Then maybe you should try consuming love. It really is the best tasting thing in the world."
Luna whispered into my ear, "On that, we can agree."
I suddenly found it near impossible to maintain eye contact with anyone in the room.
"Luna, are you teasing King Phasma?" Celestia asked while I studied the suddenly interesting wall ahead of me.
"Why Celestia, I have no idea what you are talking about."
"Ah, so he just suddenly froze up due to something completely unrelated to whatever you whispered to him?"
"Yes."
"See, Shiny?" Cadence asked, nodding towards me. Since I was staring at the wall behind her, I saw the motion as she talked to her fiance, "There's nothing to be afraid of. Aunt Luna has the fearsome Dread Prince on a tight leash."
I groaned, "Are you going to be throwing as many innuendos at me as possible, Princess of Food?"
She winked, "Of course. This is far more fun than talking with those stuffy.... nobles... did you call me the Princess of Food?"
"Delicious, delicious food..." I muttered.
"I'm definitely going to remember that one," Celestia chuckled as she down the last of her drink and nodded to a servant to have it refilled.
With the heat starting to leave my face, I turned back to Celestia, "I was sorta expecting to see Prince Blueblood here at least. He is a Prince, right? I never met the guy but he seems to have an important title."
Celestia's face remained neutral, but her emotions were tainted with frustration, "Prince Blueblood has not dined with us in years."
"The colt's preoccupied with his own social circle," Cadence explained. "He's become enraptured with the idea that he has a court of his own, and not to mention the fact that recently, Division-P has kept him busy."
'A socialite? Sounds like I'd hate him anyways.'
"Still, I would imagine that he would have at least leveraged his title to gain entry to this meeting," I said.
"That would require him knowing about this meeting in the first place," Celestia smiled mischievously.
"So Phasma," Luna began, "you said you were going to tell your story to everypony here..."
"Oh yeah, you guys don't know, do you?" Lacewing asked, grinning at the ponies after overhearing Luna. "It's quite the story, though I don't know if talking about it over lunch is the smartest idea-"
"Luna is talking about my story before I hatched," I cut Lace off.
"Your what?" Lace froze.
"You were right, Celestia, I did learn from my past. But changelings fought no wars to learn from. At least, nothing remotely considered conventional warfare."
"I suspected as much," Celestia nodded to herself. "There would be too much evidence of your kind's existence, otherwise."
The ponies quieted, and the rest of the conversations fell away as the changelings turned towards me.
"What're you talking about, Phas? What wars?" Thorax asked.
'Everyone's looking at me now. Which means I have to talk about my history. About my... life. Yep. Right now. Riiiight now. No way to worm my way out of this one.'
I sighed. With everyone's eyes on me, I decided to be a bit theatric.
"... There are many forms of immortality. Agelessness of a royal or alicorn, immortality of whatever deities exist out there, reincarnation of phoenixes." I tapped my hoof on the table idly, "Celestia. You, err, received the reports of the interrogations, right?" Celestia nodded. "Right. You asked the changelings about me, right? I assume you also asked them what my age was?"
"I did. They were all quite evasive when questioned about the basic facts about you. When asked for your birthday, or hatchday if you'd prefer, they would only give me the day and month, and never the year. Things only made sense in hindsight, given last night's conversation."
'Oh hey, this is a good chance to learn that myself, since I totally didn't keep track of that...'
"What was the date?" I asked.
"October Eleventh."
"Ah. So that's the day. Good to know."
The ponies- save for Luna and Celestia- were confused.
"Did you not keep track of that, Phas?" Thorax asked, genuinely surprised.
I shrugged, "Lots of other important things were going on. Besides, I was a bit too preoccupied at the time to ask for the date."
Celestia, helping out my theatrics, said, "And you revealed that you were born last year. October Eleventh, Nine-Ninety-Nine."
"October Eleventh, Nine-Ninety-Nine," I repeated.
Shining Armor blinked in surprise, "You're one year old- no, you're older than that?"
"Yeah. Queen Chrysalis was- or rather, still is, the greatest expert in genetics. Or fleshmancy. Whatever its name is. She genetically engineered my, uh, egg. That, coupled with a diet of pure love early on gave me a nymphhood that lasted all of three months or so. But that of course doesn't explain why my mind was as developed as my body..."
I gave a nervous glance to the First Fang. They deserved to hear the truth first, but I preferred to get this over with as quickly as I could.
"I don't have any control over it. I don't know if it will happen again. I don't remember if it ever happened before this. But I lived an entire life before my hatching on Nine-Ninety-Nine."
The reaction was not as varied as I expected. The ponies were all surprised, and the changelings were all... mostly smug. Thorax and Coxa cheered and high-fived. Lacewing cursed quietly and shook her head, and the rest of the changelings, including Cricket, were a mix of shock, excitement, and interest.
"Haha! And Oest called me crazy!" Thorax cheered.
"You knew?" I asked, surprised.
"We all had our guesses," Coxa said, coyly. "I mean, come on, did you really think none of us would at least try to guess why you were pretty much an adult right out of the egg? Reincarnation was the prevailing guess- and the biggest part of the betting pool."
"Lucky guess," Lace muttered.
"And what were the other theories?" I asked.
'I am genuinely curious as to what they might have guessed.'
"Oest thought you were a golem," Thorax giggled. "He thought he was on the money when the Ascension stuff came to light. You know, with the egg experiments and all..."
Coxa interrupted, "There's divisions within the reincarnation theory, too. Since it was the largest share, we collectively decided to split it up."
"How can you be so casual about this?" Cadence muttered, loud enough for us to hear. "Life and death... and how little we know about it all. This is a huge revelation, with wide sweeping implications.... Right?" Cadence looked to Celestia for reassurance.
Celestia shrugged, "There have been countless attempts to achieve immortality in the past, and none have succeeded. All stories of success share one common thread; we all seem to only achieve it through pure coincidence. Any willing attempt is doomed to fail. As you might suspect Cadence, this is a brand new form of immortality- if you don't count phoenixes. Yet it continues that common thread."
"What did you even bet?" I asked Coxa.
"Extra rations, small keepsakes, and so on. Uh.... Weevil was the main ling who kept track of everything..." Coxa muttered.
"And the partitions within this specific bet?" Celestia moved the conversation along, thankfully.
"Coxa thought Phas was a reincarnated royal," Thorax said.
"And Thorax thought that Phasma was an alien from outer space," Coxa joked.
"An alien from outer space?" I repeated.
"And I thought you were a drone!" Lace smiled. "You know, with the whole not-threatening-to-kill-us thing you have going on. A rare trait in royals. Everyone of them I've met before you loves to threaten to kill us."
"That's horrible!" Cadence gasped.
"Wouldn't you have only met Chrysalis before?" I asked.
"Yup."
"Oh. Well I met another royal, by the name of The Prophet. He's a total asswipe."
"Two for two, then! Oh mare, Coxa and Thorax, you two better be shaking! I am so winning this bet. Hey wait, where and when did you meet another royal?"
"In the Third Hive," I sighed.
"Ah, of course. The Third Hive. The place none of us have ever seen. The place our species ran away from thousands of years ago. That Third Hive."
"Yes. It was in the jungles in Southern Equestria."
Thorax huffed, "Enough stalling Phas, tell us your past!"
'Panar damned tinfoil-hat conspiracists. You got lucky, Thorax.'
I felt hooves around my right foreleg. Luna was giving me a reassuring hug and smile.
"The only way to move forward is to accept the past," she said quietly.
I cringed, "I don't want to accept the past. It's bullshit." Luna didn't relent, only kept up her stare and the stream of love and happiness sent my way.
'There's no way out of this, is there? Fine then, better get it over with.'
"I was a human. The only sapient species on our world..." I announced quietly.
Thorax gasped "I was right?"
Lacewing gaped, "Thorax was right?"
Coxa groaned, "Thorax was right?!"
Cricket and the rest of the changelings gathered exchanged surprised looks and whispered to each other. Shining looked at Cadence, but she just returned the surprised look he gave her. I had not told her my past, so she was just as surprised.
"You're actually an alien?" Shining Armor asked.
Curiously, while Cadence was a bit confused and apprehensive, Shining Armor seemed almost... eager to hear my story.
"Not anymore," I grumbled, "but yes. I... I was."
"Huh. And you just sided completely with the changelings?"
"They put me in a position of power, and I couldn't exactly cling to my non-existent past anymore. So, I decided to throw my lot in with the ones that made me Prince. The copious amounts of propaganda, the short time frame, and constantly watching my own back out of paranoid fear left little room for anything else."
Shining mulled the answer over, so I looked to the changelings to see how they were handling it.
Thorax excitedly clapped his hooves together and grinned, "Diamond's gonna freak when he hears this. He didn't believe my theories, either. But I was right!"
"How did you even think of that?!" Coxa exclaimed.
Thorax shrugged, "Things just... didn't add up. Phasma's not like any changelings I've ever met. Nor any pony. He's a bit in between, I guess..."
"An excellent guess, if a bit far-fetched," Celestia shook her head. "I am certain we are all on the edge of our seats for your story, Phasma. Please, continue."
'Oh, you're all excited, are you? Well let me start off with why I don't want to fucking talk about my past.'
I scowled, "I was born into a middle class, large loving family. I can't complain too much about my life, save for how it ended. I was murdered in an alleyway for no reason at all. There you go, are you all satisfied? I never got to say goodbye. I was thrown right into the grinder when I woke up in the Hive. I had everything taken from me, and never had time to even breathe."
I stood up abruptly and made for the exit. Luna scrambled after me.
"Phasma! Please stay, you are doing well."
"I did well. I'm done talking now," I growled
I heard the First Fang all get up to try to follow me as I pushed the doors open and brushed past the ponies standing sentry. Picking a direction at random, I walked down the hallway. I was looking for a way out, but I had no idea what the layout of the castle was.
"Phasma! At least tell me where you are going!" Luna called out from behind me.
"Out."
"Then... take a left at the upcoming junction."
I slowed down and frowned at her.
"If I cannot stop you, then at least I can help you," Luna told me when she caught up.
"Damnit Luna, stop making me feel nice inside. I don't want to, not right now."
She grinned, "I am afraid I cannot do that, Phasma. You are stuck with me, sappy feelings and all."
When we went through a doorway that Luna pointed out, we found ourselves on a wide sweeping balcony that connected off to one of the gardens on our right side. In front and on our left, several benches were arranged in front of a balcony. No doubt there were countless protective enchantments for anyone who wanted to sit and see the view. There were two maids on the balcony who quickly made themselves scarce through the garden's connection when I, the giant changeling, exited the palace. I picked a bench and sat down on it, laying against the white stone railing, and putting my head on my hooves. The rest of the lunch party joined us after a few moments, and filed into the benches around us.
I saw the city beneath us. The gleaming city was, I had to admit, exceptionally beautiful. It was really designed to be beheld during the daytime, so this was the first time I could see it in all its splendor. Gleaming towers, opulent manors, bustling streets, ponies leisurely strolling through parks, and active market stalls made the city seem more alive than any other place I had seen. If I focused, I could see the hundreds of stories that were being told through the city.
A pony leaning out their window and pinning up clothes on a clothesline there. A pair of pegasi clearly yelling at each other over there, one now storming off in anger. I even saw families taking their foals to the parks and destinations across the city. Unlike Manehattan, whose highrises and packed streets gave the city a feel of fast-paced rushing, Canterlot had a more casual and well-off atmosphere. Ponies here walked because they could. Sure, there were some ponies rushing, but by far most I could see seemed content. Considering I had spent a lot of time in Hooferville pony-watching, I had gotten at least decent at reading emotions at a distance.
By the time I was tuning back into the world around me, the ponies had their lunch already brought out to them, and were enjoying their meals while idly chatting or admiring the view. The changelings were just as talkative, but were paying more attention to me. When I glanced at them, Thorax spoke up immediately.
"Phas! Hey, I'm sorry that we opened old wounds-"
"It's fine," I lied, waving him off.
"I suppose we can not expect you to be open about such pain immediately," Luna conceded.
I realized that Luna was sitting up against me, and had wrapped a wing around me as we sat. I didn't even notice that.
'That is quickly becoming a trend.'
"None of us can relate or understand your specific plight," Luna continued, "as I think none of us have died before, though I can not know for certain. Just know that when you are ready to talk, we are all here for you."
Celestia, who held a plate of some kind of stacked greens covered in an unidentified sauce, joked, "If you had a problem with the dining room, you simply should have said so. I have no problem mixing it up and eating outside while the weather is at least somewhat nice."
The weather was indeed somewhat nice. There must have been heating enchantments that protected the balcony from the cold wind and autumn air. I barely felt a breeze, even up here, high above street level.
"One thing before I forget," Celestia said, pushing around food with a fork. "Later today, there will be an announcement before Canterlot. We will tell the ponies that there will be peace between our species, and that Discord has been taken care of. I would also like to commend the efforts of the Element bearers, and of course, explain that I am not Daybreaker anymore."
"Sounds like a plan," I said, looking back over the city.
'Guess I'll be meeting them properly, too.'
Luna reached over and took one of my hooves into her own.
'What did I do to deserve your unrelenting support, Luna? By all rights, you should be my enemy. Perhaps I will never come to reach your level of empathy. Don't think I can, not after everything I've been through. But at least-'
I decided to voice my thoughts, "Thank you, Luna. I don't know what I would do without you."
"Much of the same, though far more miserably and with less success, I would imagine," she replied.
"I'm going to be honest, Luna. I don't think I'll ever be as friendly and open as the rest of you. I don't think I can."
"You'd be surprised. People can bounce back from some awful things. Just do not count yourself out, Phasma. You will get through any tunnel, no matter how dark it gets."
"Well I don't remember going towards a light at the end of the tunnel, so maybe I'm still in it," I joked, despite my terrible mood.
"Ha! See what I mean? I didn't pick you because you are all doom and gloom, Phasma. I believe I was filling that quota at first. However, I pulled through, thanks to your companionship, and the aid of my friends. You have done well in immediately securing yourself some loyal comrades right away."
"Not all of them were loyal," I pointed out.
"No. Not everything turns out well, or even how we expected. But overall, things trend for the better, do they not?"
"Hmph. I guess so." |
Changing Expectations | 122- Helios | "Are you up to answering some questions?"
I grimaced at Luna's question.
"Fine. But I'm not answering them if I don't like the question."
"How would you describe Equestria, and how would you describe your world?" Shining asked, surprising me by being the first to ask a question.
Then again, maybe the distance between us meant he cared less about my feelings, and so there was less restraining his curiosity.
".... Equestria is very.... Small. Small and calm. Despite everything that's going on, it feels like only one bad thing happens at a time. Most ponies, and changelings now, are happy. No droughts, no disease, no corruption, and the wars that do happen have relatively little bloodshed. Well, I suppose that's not true for the changeling's perspective on this war. I imagine our death toll is in the tens of percent of our species' entire population."
"We've bounced back from worse," Thorax offered.
"So the legends say," I agreed. "As for my old... home.... Higher highs and lower lows, I guess. Lots more people suffer, but we've achieved more than Equestria."
"That fits with the glimpses we've seen," Celestia said. "What did your species look like? Perhaps Starswirl the Bearded, our most renowned scholar, had managed to scry visions of your world, as he did many others."
"Humans are primates, and they walk upright on two legs, with two arms. Skin color ranges in shades of white to black. Hair color could be black, brown, red, blonde, and a few other colors. We couldn't fly, we couldn't do magic, or anything else like that."
"No magic?" Shining repeated.
I shook my head, "No magic anywhere on Earth."
"Earth?"
"That's the name of our planet. Earth."
"You named it after dirt?"
I shrugged, "Well, yeah. You look down, there's dirt. You're on dirt. Earth. I mean, maybe it's named after some ancient deity or whatever, but it's probably named after dirt. Look, we named ourselves Wise Man because we were the only ones capable of thought. Don't expect too much creativity from our naming conventions. No wait, what am I saying, you named an entire subspecies after dirt! Earth ponies! You literally named your farmers after dirt, you have no right to call us out on naming our planet the same way!"
"Earth ponies are not farmers-" Celestia began to proselytize.
"Bullshit! Their only ability is to get hurt less and grow plants, which relegates them to the military and farming. But this isn't a discussion on the lowest stratum of your society, this is about the most important person ever. Me. Celestia, you said you know of other worlds. Have you seen Earth?"
Celestia frowned, "Most visions showed the worlds with very little detail to its inhabitants. Your description doesn't match any of Starswirl's, if my memory serves me correctly. Was there similar architecture to Equestria?"
"Yes. There are many similarities between our worlds, including architecture."
"In that case, I will need to go over Starswirl's notes. There were a significant number of near-Equus worlds he had scried. Perhaps when the balance of Equestria is not in question. Though you said Earth has no magic, correct? Who rises the sun and moon? Who paints the night sky with stars?"'
"The Moon revolves around the Earth, and the Earth revolves around the Sun. The sun revolves around... uh, the galactic core, I guess? Gravity holds everything in line."
Celestia blinked, "Oh. Yes. I forgot they can do that. Thousands of years of manually adjusting the orbits puts that idea right out to the curb, I suppose."
"I've got a question, Phas!" Thorax raised his hoof.
"Yes, Thorax?"
"If there was no magic, how did you get here to Equus?"
"I... don't know. Chrysalis performed necromancy, and here I am. I have far less experience with anything fantasy than anyone here. I don't know anything substantial about magic, or gods, or the afterlife- despite my own experience, or traveling across worlds. I just... I was there. Now I'm here."
Coxa voiced his question next, "So how much knowledge did you bring from your world then? You didn't bring any spells, which makes sense if you had no magic, but the rest of the stuff?"
"All the paperwork I make you fill out, yes," I guessed the origin of his question. "Military tactics, too. The idea of forming a mafia during a prohibition on alcohol also came from Earth. We had one of those, and all it did was make organized crime spread, so I knew I could capitalize on that."
Lacewing spoke up next, "And you, Phasma? What was your history?"
"... Huh?"
"Who were you?"
I blinked. I rubbed my forehooves as I thought about Lace's question.
'Who was I? Uh... I was... me?'
"Does that matter?"
"Of course it matters," Luna's wing squeezed around me reassuringly. "But if you are not ready to talk about that, then you don't have to."
"Luna is right," Lace said, "I'm sorry if I'm pushing you, Phas. It's just that... Well, you're far from a normal changeling, let alone a royal. You're the kind of king whose stories would be told about for generations. So of course we would want to know your full story."
I cringed, "I think that you would be telling stories about the changeling royal who led the invasion, regardless of whether or not it was me."
"While you may have a point," Coxa nearly yelled, cutting off both Luna and Thorax who began to talk at the same time, "you have gone above and beyond any of that. Need I remind you about the Third Hive? You blew up a city, and then went back to save a single drone! And a pony, I guess, but mostly the drone! I'm positive that no royal in history has ever done anything like that."
The changelings nodded and Cricket added, "Coxa is right, Your Majesty. That level of dedication is... unprecedented. And for good reason, too, if I might add my own personal opinion here. You nearly got yourself killed, and for just a single drone. What would we have done without you?"
I shrugged, "Survived."
"That's a load of horseapples!" Thorax cursed. "You're the one ending the war. You're the one who managed to get the ball really rolling on saving Princess Celestia. You're-"
"Alright, alright! I get it. But if you want me to stop trying to save my fellow changelings, you're going to be disappointed."
"I don't think you'd be the same person if you did," Luna said.
"Agreed," Thorax nodded.
"I feel like we're missing out on the full story here," Cadence said.
"Yeah, what's this about blowing up a city?" Shining asked, or rather interrogated.
"It's news to me," Lace shrugged.
I rubbed the back of my neck, "It was the ruins of the Third Hive, the one I mentioned already. So no shit, there I was-"
"Just tell them the basics," Coxa rolled his eyes.
"-blowing up an artificial sun to kill the demon that ruled the place. I was about to head out- I sent the changelings with me ahead to evacuate before I blew it up, when two people fell behind: a changeling and a pegasus pony. I had worked hard to save the pony up till that point, and condemning the changeling to die to my own sabotaging sounded especially heartless, so I... went back in. I managed to get a shield up in time to not get roasted, and they carried me out afterwards."
Instead of answering questions, I seemed to have bred hundreds more.
"Wait, the changelings made an artificial sun?" The pony with a sun tattooed on her butt asked.
"Holy buck, that's awesome," Cadence muttered.
"You expect me to believe that you survived being at ground zero for an explosion that was felt as far north as Rainbow Falls?" Shining said as he crossed his forelegs.
"You had all this fun without me?" Lace said, looking genuinely hurt.
'And like that, I've successfully derailed the conversation.'
"I have one more question about your past life," Celestia said, tipping the table quietly.
"Damnit!"
She paused at my outburst, ".... Just one last question. How did your civilization treat the death penalty?"
"You want to know why I'm pushing so hard for it?"
"I want to understand your perspective."
"You're making it very hard to be frustrated with you, Celestia."
She smiled, "Thank you."
"Uh huh. If you must know, there was a series of trials held for those who violated the peace and committed crimes against humanity. My understanding was that they were somewhat lenient for the minions, but almost all of the top brass of the perpetrators were sentenced to death."
"And you believe Division-P is comparable to these perpetrators?"
"... I think I would need to hear Lace's whole story to be sure of it, but I think so."
"You're pushing for their deaths?" Lace asked. "All of Division-P?"
"I want trials with changeling juries, with that as a possible sentence. Celestia doesn't want any death penalties, and ponies on the juries. We refuse each other's demands."
"So... telling my story will help you, Phas?"
"It would. Hey wait a second, isn't that Thorax's nickname for me?"
Lacewing glanced at Thorax, who just giggled, "You can use it too, Lace. I don't own it or anything."
"Heh, thanks, Thorax. I really missed you guys," Lace smiled. "Let's get this over with. The sooner, the better, right?"
"Yes, Lace. Though if you are sharing your story, I think it's only fair that I give my perspective on this, and answer more questions you have. What I went through is, as I imagine, only a fraction of the pain you did."
"You died, Phas. I don't think it gets any worse than that..."
"It can always get worse. Look no further than the Ascension Chamber for proof that it can always get worse.... Right. The individuals from Earth pursued a policy of prejudice. That's nothing new, there's been plenty of hatred in humanity's past. The problem is that they were good at being evil. They managed to industrialize evil."
"Industrialize? What does that mean?" Luna asked.
Celestia shrugged, so I answered, "Not really something that's a thing here on Equus. Industrialization is sorta the next step for the economy. Right now, Equestria, and every other nation on Equus, operates on a so-called cottage industry. Everything is made at home, and by experts. Eventually... this won't be the case. Things will be automated, and produced en masse."
"This is a lot to take in, should we be taking notes?" Shining asked jokingly
"It's going to be on the test, so yes," I answered. "Anyways, these monsters who were very good at evil also wanted to conquer the world. Invading other nations tends to create enemies," I said, winking at Luna and Celestia, "and the whole world was plunged into a war, if only tangentially in many places. Eventually, the bad guys lost, and were put on trial. The industrialized evil I referenced earlier... the bad guys had killed millions of people by the time they were stopped."
"Millions?!" Everyone gasped.
"Please tell me that is an exaggeration," Celestia said.
I shook my head, "Death toll of the war was around seventy million, I think. The extermination that the bad guys committed was around eighteen of that, I think, all against defenseless civilians who did nothing wrong. I can't be sure of the numbers anymore."
"By Auntie Celestia, I think I might be sick," Cadence said, fanning herself.
A bucket was produced from somewhere, and Shining immediately rubbed her back as she held it below her muzzle. Thankfully enough, that was the end of that.
"And this is when the trials were had?" Celestia reminded me.
"Yes. The leaders and a lot of other people were put on trial by a jury consisting of the ones they tried to exterminate. Death sentences, life in prison sentences, and so on, depending on each one's actions during this global war."
"At least justice was served," Luna said, taking a drink from a glass of water set on a table next to her at the end of the bench. "So many evil deeds and doers go unpunished. Still, one can not fathom a number that high. Seventy million? What is the population of your world? Equestria surely doesn't even have that many ponies within its borders."
Shining shook his head, "This is a war on a scale that cannot be imagined. How can that many people even die? Did it go on for a hundred years or something?"
"Around the war, the population of Earth was probably around three billion. Probably less than that. As for how people died, I did say that we were more advanced than Equus. Much more advanced. That includes the facet of waging war and killing. Especially that, given how adverse to war most people are on Equus."
"I shall take that as a compliment," Celestia said, shotgunning the last of her drink and motioning for another. "I have worked hard to discourage the propensity for war. Tartarus, even Luna had worked hard to maintain peace after she had set her lance down for good."
Luna nodded, "It is true. For all its merits, war is something that should be forgotten. Not improved upon and advanced..."
Celestia plucked a folder from a stack of files that an aid had brought out for her, "So Phasma, you want Division-P to be judged just as harshly as these mass murders of your world? I have to say, as despicable as the Division was, they never achieved anything close to what you describe."
"I haven't even begun to describe the experiments, forced-labor, or other foul deeds committed by them. Division-P has blood on their hooves, and from what I've heard and seen, they would quickly follow in the hoofsteps- or footsteps, rather- of the monsters from my world's past. Given time, they would be the ones exterminating changelings."
Celestia frowned, "We cannot deal with hypotheticals. I will not judge somepony based on what they could do, but rather what they have done and want to do. You should remember your own position, and how you worked to destroy Equestria and put every pony in a pod, Phasma."
"... I never tortured anyone."
"Yeah, Phas would never do that!" Thorax supported me.
Celestia was unmoved, "Extracting love from a podded pony is a painful process, is it not?"
"It's necessary."
"I am inclined to agree. However, it is still a painful process, is it not?" I was silent. "Necessary torture, then? I understand that you had no alternative, and were actively looking for them, going so far as to ally with Nightmare Moon, even if for your own goals. However, torture is torture. If we were to judge you by the standards you are setting, what would your own sentence be? Would you be comfortable before a jury of ponies who lost everything in the fires of the invasion?"
I shifted uncomfortably, "No. But I was-" I sighed and rubbed my forehead.
"Phasma didn't have a choice," Coxa said.
"No, he didn't," Celestia agreed. "But many of the Inquisitors didn't have a choice, either. Daybreaker had given the order, and had set the standard. Let's go back to these monsters from your world. You said they were put on trial by a jury of the ones they persecuted, correct?"
"Yeah..."
"Where did these jurors come from?"
"Survivors, and those of the persecuted groups that lived in other nations."
"So, they had a common understanding of justice, an agreed-upon set of increasing levels of punishments, and often lived in the same civilization as the perpetrators?"
"I guess?"
"The problem then is that we do not share a common understanding of justice. We come from radically different civilizations, and you from an even more different civilization than anypony- or anyone- here. What your changelings might view as a crime worthy of a death sentence, ponies might view as worthy of an extended time in jail. This is before even considering the level of crime and wrongdoing committed."
I sighed, "So then what? We have to set some guidelines for the sentencing?"
"That would be the way forward, yes. We need to agree on limits and a standard reference for the crimes committed."
"It would help to know what crimes were committed. Coxa, are we compiling a report on the eye-witness accounts from the survivors of Locksdale prison?"
"Uuuhhhhhhhhh suuuuuuuure!" Coxa smiled.
"Do it. Take photos. Lots of photos. Write down everyone's story. Make copies of everything, too. Several copies."
"So you'll need my story, too?" Lace asked.
"Yes Lace. I'm sorry to revisit the trauma, but we will need everyone's story."
"And if I tell mine right now, it will help with negotiations, right?"
I looked at Celestia, who nodded.
'I mean, there are other things to talk about.'
"We can wait if you'd like, Lace. There's still a lot we need to negotiate over."
"No, I want to tell my story now. The sooner I do it the sooner it's over with, and the sooner you can figure this stuff out. I've heard a lot about pony vacation spots through Tarsus, and I'm definitely going to one after this on your bit, Phas."
"As luck would have it, we're already planning a trip to the mountains in the winter. If you can't wait till then, then I'm sure there's destination spots with vacancies. But before we get there, we do need to get this over with. Celestia, if you could help with the seating arrangement..."
The ponies had to bring out extra chairs so that we could all sit in front of Lacewing as she told her story. She still sat on the bench, and Coxa sat next to her, offering her company. I took a chair in what was the first of three rows, with Luna sitting next to me, and everyone else sitting in- 'Oh, who cares. I am next to Luna and that's the only important detail.'
The ponies with typewriters that had transcribed our meeting were brought back from their break, and were set to record Lacewing's account of her treatment at the hooves of Division-P.
Then, taking a few minutes to prepare herself, Lacewing told her story. |
Changing Expectations | 123- Unbroken | "Long live the Hive Eternal!"
Everything had happened so fast.
One moment she was standing around with several squads from the Ninth Legion, 'Will of Panar,' and the next she was being shoved towards an open doorway behind her. Panic had followed the booming voice. Panic that Lace was swept up in like a tree branch in a tidal wave.
Changelings were yelling- no, screaming.
It took her shocked mind entire seconds to realize that spells were being fired in Canterlot Castle's foyer. In those seconds, four changelings fell to the floor and did not move anymore. Gasping, Lace spun on her hooves, and ran. Several changelings had run with her, pushing her along. But at each branching path, Lacewing found herself more alone as they split off.
The changeling in front of her was suddenly bisected by a transparent blade that narrowly missed Lacewing. She threw herself to the floor before scrambling back up and taking a side hallway, not even looking to see who or what had killed the changeling she had been more or less following up till now.
She fled through corridors. She dived through open doorways. She cut across side rooms. Eventually, Lacewing stopped in a dusty storage room, all alone, though not before opening the door on the other side.
The room was filled with furniture, all covered in white cloth to protect them from dust. Lace buzzed up above the storage room, and found a suitable hiding spot. In the middle of one cluster of furniture was a desk that, when the covering was lifted, revealed a space large enough for her to hide in. She quickly stuffed herself underneath the desk.
When the tarp fell, she was plunged into darkness. Accompanied only by her frantic panting and beating heart, Lace tried to calm herself. She was afraid that whoever attacked the foyer was after her, that they had seen her flee, and were hunting her down. There was no way of knowing what was going on, only that the changelings had been ambushed.
The first calm thought that didn't race through Lace's mind like a dragonfly was the realization that everything happened too suddenly.
'It had been an ambush.... That meant it was planned.'
Lace caught her breath, steadied her heart, and waited.
Seconds ticked by.
Minutes crawled on.
It became quickly apparent that no one had noticed her flight. If they had, then whoever had attacked the Ninth would be on her tail like moss.
Minutes piled on minutes.
The room occasionally shook. Whatever titanic duel that had been going on either resumed, or... something else had happened.
'Who is Chrysalis fighting? Who is winning? What's going on?'
Lace wanted to leave her hiding spot and find out. She wanted to put on a brave face and stand next to her friends as they fought for their own lives and futures. However, only one thing kept her frozen on the cold floor.
Lace was not a fighter. She could fight, just as any changeling in the Swarm could, but she was not a fighter. The fights that mattered, where demi-gods let their rage and power clash? Lace might as well be a breeze that shuffles some leaves in comparison.
An entire hour passed by, as slow as a glacier.
The first hint Lace got that she wasn't alone was when seven sets of hooves burst into the room, fanning out and covering angles. Tasting their subdued anger, she knew at once that they were ponies, and not lings. If they had been lings, she would have been proud of their combat effectiveness. As it stood, she was rather unpleasantly surprised at their skill.
'I thought we were supposed to be the experts at close quarters combat. This is rather unfortunate...'
"E.U.P.! Whoever's in here, make yourself known!"
Lace held her breath.
"Corporal?" She heard one voice ask.
"One return."
"Right. I'll make this easy. If you're a pony, you can come out. The changelings have lost, and Canterlot is being secured."
'Lies!'
"If you're a changeling... surrender, and you won't get more hurt."
'These ponies are so laughable! I'd kick their asses if it didn't mean my own ass would be kicked in return!'
Lace tasted the emotions in the air. The ponies were confident. They were also angry. No doubt the swift defeat of their entire nation had filled this rag-tag group of ponies with determination.
'Raging against the sunset: distant and a useless effort. Damn, I wish I had my sketchpad with me, that'd make a good image I'd bet.'
There was no one coming to Lace's aid, meaning she would have to get out of this one on her own. Her best bet would be retracing her steps. Any other way had the potential of running into a dead end, whereas the foyer might still contain changelings that at least wouldn't kill Lace in retribution...
Hopefully.
'I need to get out of this room, though. What would Phasma do?'
Whatever signal the ponies had given to each other was nonverbal, but the sudden taste of hatred had steeled their resolve and signaled their intent. Lace heard the quiet shuffle of hooves on the floor as the ponies began to spread out.
'He would say... use a distraction. Probably.'
A sudden attack that stunned them was her only chance of getting out. Lace braced herself and readied her spells. The timing would have to be quick.
With a grunt of effort, Lacewing made her move.
The top half of the desk exploded upwards in a glowing green light as its remains and the large tarp were hurled upwards violently. At the same moment, Lace darted forward, weaving in between the tight space between the furniture, making for the exit.
"Now!"
Lace emerged from the cluster of furniture, barreling right into a yellow unicorn Royal Guard. The unicorn's ice blue spell beam arced suddenly and without guidance from his horn as he was barreled over. His stunning ray went wide, scorching the ceiling as two other spells hit the glowing green ball that had begun to slow down in the air above the room.
Lace shut her eyes as she rolled to her hooves, already casting her next spell as the first dissipated from the attacks. She heard a gasp as someone started to call out in alarm before her flashbang spell briefly illuminated the figure of a pony through her own eyelids.
Then, Lace made for the exit, scampering on all fours as the ponies collected themselves behind her. A brown earth pony had been stationed at the door she had entered through to block it, but the pony was shaking the stars from her vision as Lace galloped past.
'Where is everyling?!'
Lace frantically retraced her steps, trying to go through her hasty retreat in reverse. Unfortunately, she quickly lost track of where she was, and suddenly found herself in a greenhouse. The glass windowed walls and ceilings were all fractured in some way, and many of the racks of plant trays or plant pots had been knocked over. The duel between the demi-gods and demi-godesses has shaken the greenhouse horribly, causing half of its contents to spill or break in some way.
The indoor garden had no other exit, so Lace turned to flee back to the nearest corridor intersection.
There were emotions coming from the hallway.
'Ponies are coming!'
None of the shattered windows had holes large enough for her to crawl through, so she would have to hide again.
'Hide! Hide hide hide!'
Lace looked around for a new spot.
'Bags of dirt, plant tray, pile of empty pots, overturned ferns, one sickly looking Lifepup plant.... What do I do?! Oh! Ponies don't know much about illusions, right?'
Lace quickly scrambled to the stacked pile of empty plant pots. She pulled herself up and into the largest one of them, which was set aside from the rest. Her hooves scraped against the fired clay pottery as she pulled herself into the pot. Then, getting comfortable, she casted an illusion spell to appear as a bushy plant, with long broad leaves that hung over the pot.
Half a minute later, three ponies entered the room: two unicorns and an earth pony. With much less cover, Lace's odds of going undetected relied entirely on them not noticing the illusion spell that was casted.
Then, ten more ponies arrived right behind the first three. Lace felt the blood drain from her face as she used up her mana pool to keep the illusion up.
Four posted themselves at the door, while the rest spread out throughout the greenhouse. Lace's breath quickened as several walked slowly past her hiding spot, eyeing up her corner of the room. One, a blue pegasus, lingered on her plant disguise for a few seconds before moving on.
"Nothing," A pony called out from the far side of the room.
"It's in here," A unicorn near the center reassured. "We know it is."
'Where is everyone? How are these ponies here operating with impunity?! Shouldn't the castle be clear by now?!'
Lace hadn't seen a single changeling since she ran from the ambush. All she had run into were ponies so far.
'Was it the ponies who ambushed us? That would explain a lot... if so, where did this counterattack come from? And why hasn't either side of the Fourth Hive come to stamp it out? Are we too busy with our own infighting to deal with this? Damn it, where are my friends?!'
One unicorn, with black fur and an ash grey mane, stopped right in front of Lacewing. The pony had some sort of cloak and hood in addition to his standard issued armor, giving more of a mage look than anyone present in the room.
'Please. Move on. Please....'
Lacewing gulped as the pony turned to face her. His emerald green eyes passed over her plant disguise from top to bottom. He stopped and fixed his gaze at the base of the plant pot, making Lace look over the pot's edge to see for herself just what was so interesting.
The pot was all marked up from her climb.
All Lace could do was grimace and hiss before the unicorn's horn flashed green. Lace was thrown backwards through the air, the wind completely knocked out of her. Her disguise spell had been obliterated the moment the push spell had hit her, so all the ponies had looked up in surprise as a changeling flew above their heads.
Lace smashed into and through an already cracked glass pane at the far side of the room. She felt her own carapace crack from the blow, and felt seval long pieces cut straight into her back and whithers. The blow had knocked her head against the glass before it broke, too, giving her a pounding headache and sent her vision spinning.
She hit the ground outside and rolled several times. Or maybe she didn't roll at all, it was impossible for her to tell. Eventually, her sight settled long enough for her to tell that she was on her back, looking up at a night sky that was already tainted with the ambers and oranges of an early dawn, which raked holes in the cloud cover that had filled the air following Canterlot's burning.
Her horn burned.
Lacewing was tired, scared, and frustrated. But she knew that if she stayed on the ground, she was going to feel a whole lot worse soon enough.
Her back and neck ached.
'I have to get up! The ponies will be on me in just a moment!' She yelled to herself.
Lace blinked once, and realized that she wasn't breathing. With a long, startled gasp, she filled her chest with air. The immediate pain signaled that some part of her chest was probably also broken.
Her head was spinning.
'Get up!'
Another gasp of air, this one more drawn out, filling her lungs to the brim with air. It tasted terribly of ash.
Her eyes stung.
Lacewing tried to move. She really did, but her legs wouldn't listen. She couldn't even roll over onto her belly in the first place, let alone rise to all fours.
One of her muddled senses resolved itself into satisfaction.
'... Huh?'
Several faces- pony, of course- appeared above her, staring down at her.
'... Oh. Shit.'
A pony chuckled, "Nice find, Winter! How did you even...?"
"It didn't cover its trail. Now hurry up with that inhibitor," a unicorn replied. It was the very same one that had found her.
"No," Lace mumbled, starting to squirm.
'I have to get back to my friends! The First Fang are counting on me! Something's wrong! They were supposed to be at the foyer!'
Lace tried to summon the energy to cast another spell, but the effort only made her horn burn more intensely. Her spell had been broken mid-casting, meaning she needed time to recover. Time she had run out of the moment that unicorn had looked her way.
As if to twist the dagger, the unicorn frowned before hitting her with another one of his green-colored spells. A small dart flew from his horn to her chest, sending Lace into convulsions as she felt her body seize up in pain.
She tried to scream in pain, but only gurgled and groaned as she twitched on the ground.
'No! I need... my friends! My friends! Please! Something has gone wrong, I have to warn Phasma! My friends! My... friends!'
Lacewing's eyelids slowly closed against her will-
- Only to shoot back open.
"Wha...?" Lacewing mumbled in confusion.
The sky had changed from grey with streaks of yellow to solid grey. Not even the same shade of grey, too. It was dark, like a storm cloud. The ponies had vanished, too.
With a groan of pain, Lace slowly shifted her head to look around. She was no longer laying in whatever courtyard she had been flung into after smashing through that window. In fact, she wasn't outside at all.
She was in a prison cell. Four square walls. Once ceiling. One floor. The far wall had a large iron door fixed into the middle of it, with several slots on different levels.
Lace couldn't sense any emotions, so at least there were no ponies nearby. However, she couldn't feel her mana pool either. Slowly, and with more groaning, she lifted a hoof to rub her horn. The action was slow and stiff, like she was one of those porcelain dolls that Tarsus had described once.
Her hoof met cold metal at the base of her horn.
'An... inhibitor? That's what they-'
"Son of a...!" Lacewing hissed, lurching upwards.
That proved to be a mistake as she immediately collapsed to the ground before she could even stand. Her back felt like someone had taken a sharpened rake and dragged it down its length, which given what she went through, wasn't entirely inaccurate.
Still, the emotion that made her lurch to her hooves put extra awareness into her.
The ponies had captured her. She was imprisoned by them.
"No, no, no, no! Shit! By Chrysalis's holey hooves, this is bad! I've been foalnapped!" She gasped, struggling to stand again, slowly this time.
'I have to warn the First Fang that the ponies are managing to fight back! If they intervene in the uprising, we could lose everything! I have to find someone- anyone!'
She tried to remove the metal ring that felt so cold against her chitin, but it wouldn't budge.
She shuffled across the room, her movement stiff and restricted. Her back screamed in protest at the action, but she pressed forward until she reached the door. Once more, her efforts went unrewarded when she couldn't find any way of opening the solid metal door.
Lace closed her eyes and hissed, both out of frustration and from the pain she was in. Then, she looked over her shoulder as she lifted her elytra and checked the condition of her wings. The fragile structures had survived for the most part, with only some holes from where her elytra had been punctured by the glass.
'At least I can fly. I just need to... get out. Somehow.'
But there was no way out. Her room was a solid box, save for the door. She tried once again to mess with it, trying to find some way to get out. Lace was in the middle of trying to push back a horizontal slot when the metal piece flew to the side, opening the hatch.
A pony unicorn stared at her from outside the door, her horn alight with a red glow. The sudden brightness made her cringe and blink away the dots in her sight.
The slot closed back up before Lace could do anything. Before she could even hiss in frustration at losing what might have been her one chance at freedom, several loud clunks and thunks came from the far side of the door.
The door suddenly swung outwards, making Lace shield her face from the sudden injection of light into her cell.
"Face the back wall."
Lace lowered her foreleg and squinted at the pony. It was wearing non-standard Guard armor; instead of the uniform gold plating that all Royal Guards had, she wore a more muddier brown coloring, and it lacked many of the decorations that the Royal Guard armor had. The pony, now revealed to be a white unicorn with turquoise mane and red eyes, glared at Lacewing.
"Now," the pony growled.
With a lurch, Lace staggered forward, intending to barrel into and through the pony. The pony grunted and simply froze Lace where she was with telekinesis, holding her in place. Lace felt like a hundred changelings had been piled on top of her, and with a choked groan, she collapsed onto the floor, her back in searing pain.
'I have to get out!'
Hoping that only her physical magic had been cut off, Lace funneled what little energy she had left into the Thread of Change, hoping to transform into a manticore. It was her last chance at escaping; using the last of her energy was dangerous, but she needed to get out.
But when she channeled the energy into the non-physical Thread, the ring at the base of her horn heated up considerably, nearly burning her chitin. Lace gasped in pain and shock as she felt the energy vanish like water draining into a hole. The nullifier on her horn had somehow stopped her transformation, robbing her of her one chance at escape.
Lace tried to stifle her sob as she collapsed, laying her head on the stone ground.
The weight was lifted from her back, but her heart still felt so heavy that it might be ripped downwards from her chest. She had one chance to escape, and she blew it trying to use magic before getting the nullifier removed.
'N-no... I... I had one chance! I... I can't have failed! My friends need me, and I need them!'
Lace sat on the ground for several minutes, desperately reaching around for the energy she had lost. The pony had ordered her to do something, but Lace was too deep within her own mind to listen to the vermin talk.
'Damn them! Damn them and their plans for me, I can't stay here!'
Eventually, Lace felt herself be picked up. She hung limply in the air, like a kitten being picked up by the scruff of its neck. She lifted her head to glare daggers at the pony which was marehandling her. The unicorn was now joined by two of its comrades, each a unicorn as well, and wearing the mud-colored light armor.
She was deposited onto a wheeled gurney they had brought with them. She watched as they fixed straps to her hooves, tying her down onto the bed, like some kind of deranged hospital patient.
Lace weakly struggled, but gave up after only making the ponies tighten the straps more.
They wheeled her down a long hallway, filled with doors to prison cells much like her own. Lace didn't know if any were occupied, if the ponies had snagged any other changeling. She didn't even know where she was.
'Some part of the castle dungeon that wasn't cleared out, clearly. I can't believe that the Legions had missed this many ponies!'
She tried to think of ways out. She fantasized about ripping out the straps that held her down, and tearing off the ring around her horn that stole her strength. She smiled when she thought about bucking the ponies around who occasionally sent glares or curious stares her way.
But she lay on the bare gurney, unmoving.
They crossed an intersection. Then another. Then a third. The iron doors were replaced with simple wooden ones. Just as Lace was beginning to get disorientated in this underground maze, they stopped before a particular wooden door, which they pushed open and wheeled her through.
It was an interrogation room. The utterly utilitarian space had a table, with two chairs on either side. The wall on the left was some kind of mirror that ran from halfway up the wall all the way up to the ceiling, and stretched from wall to wall. There was a single light, hanging down above the table.
'Or maybe its an operating room. Guess I'll find out soon enough.'
The ponies moved Lace to the far side of the table, pushing the chair out of the way and lowering the gurney so that Lace was level with the table. Then, the unicorn which had first opened the door, the white mare, sat down across from Lace as her companions exited the room and closed the door behind them.
Lace's mouth and throat were bone dry when she realized she couldn't sense any emotions. The inhibitor somehow blocked every sense of magic, including changeling empathy.
'Lucky bastards.'
"What are you?" The mare asked, breaking the silence.
After thinking about it, Lace decided that she should answer. The effort was slow and difficult, thanks in no small part to her sudden parched mouth.
"... Let me go, and you will be treated well," Lace muttered.
The pony snorted silently, "What are you?"
'Do I tell them that I am important, and they are making a fatal mistake in holding me? Or do I hold that from them, in case they don't know?'
Lace decided to go with a non-answer, "... Hungry."
She was hungry. She was also tired, in pain, confused, disorientated, and cut off from both her mana and the Hivemind-
Lace froze when she realized that last one. She had no empathy. She had no magic. She had no Hivemind. She couldn't feel the Weave at all.
'Can inhibitors really do all of that, or am I hurt in some way...? Oh Panar, please let it be the first thing. W-without the Weave...'
Lace tried to lift a hoof to rub the ring once more, forgetting that it was bound to the gurney.
"You will receive a meal after you tell us who you are," the pony said, interrupting Lace's panic attack.
"Where are they?" Lace wondered out loud.
"Where are who?"
"My friends," she grunted. "I need to-" Lace cut herself off with a cough.
The pony repeated once again, "What are you? What is your species called?"
'I need to buy time. Yeah, that's what I need to do! My friends will come and save me, I know they will! They'd never leave me behind! I just need to stall for as long as possible, and Phasma or Oestridae or Coxa will come bursting through these doors, and everything will be as right as rain once again!'
"... We.... are... changelings," she managed to say.
"Changelings?" The pony repeated. Lace nodded. "Why have you attacked Equestria?"
"... W-water," Lace stuttered.
"For water?"
"I need.... water."
The pony leaned back in her chair, her eyes darting over Lace's body. Lace suddenly felt a bit self-conscious, wishing she wasn't up at the table level like some kind of plant specimen to be studied.
'That's exactly what I am, aren't I? Some specimen that they are studying? Damn it all, where are the Legions?!'
The door behind the pony opened, and a second entered with a glass and pitcher of water. The pony set them both on the table before leaving and shutting the door again.
'So they are listening to our conversation, then? Ha! These guys are idiots!'
Lace stared at the glass of water, which lay a hooves length from her muzzle.
The pony didn't move an inch, "Why did your kind invade Equestria?"
'What is this bullshit?!'
"Water," she grunted, scowling at the pony.
'You can't just put water in front of me and not give it to me! That's gotta be illegal or something!'
The mare kept her stare up for a solid minute before sighing and picking up the glass and pressing it against Lace's muzzle, tipping it forward so that Lace could drink. And drink she did.
'I'd be embarrassed about this, but at the end of the day, it'll be me feeding off of them.'
When the glass was emptied, Lace sighed in relief as the pony pulled the glass back and placed it next to the full jug.
"I'll ask again, why did your kind invade Equestria?"
'Might as well drip feed them some answers.'
Lace sneered, "Hunger."
"You invaded because you were hungry?"
"Are hungry."
"Is there some kind of drought where you come from?"
"No."
"Then why couldn't you feed yourselves? Why did you invade Equestria? Did you run out of seeds or something?"
Lace chuckled, "Nnheheh.... We don't eat plants."
"What do you eat?"
Lace licked her lips and grinned, "Ponies."
The pony stared at her fangs, her face hiding any emotion.
'If I'm stuck here, I might as well have some fun with these idiots.'
The ponies had continued to ask Lacewing questions, which she either answered, ignored, or gave non-answers to, depending on the question. Lace was willing to say some general things about changelings, but withheld any information about her specific identity, or anything important about the invasion.
Eventually, they wheeled her back to her room, and locked her in.
She was left alone in the relative darkness for what seemed like hours before a slot near the bottom of her door was opened, and a tray was pushed through. The tray held equestrian food, which did little for Lace's ever-so-slowly growing hunger.
Then, she tried to get some sleep. She was in it for the long-haul, clearly. Wherever she was, it would take a while for the changelings to find her. She also had to figure out a way of learning what was going on outside her captive cell. The ponies spoke about the invasion, but they revealed nothing.
If she wanted answers, she would have to bait them out. That meant sacrificing valuable information she held. An unwilling trade. Still, it was the only way forward she saw. If she gave up hope, or did nothing to improve her own understanding, then she would be as good as dead. While her friends would save her, it was up to her to survive until then. If the ponies thought she was valueless, they would likely kill her. It's what the changelings would do.
So the hours became days.
She was questioned repeatedly. She answered less and less questions as time ground on. Her frustration grew. Her hunger, like a void, slowly swallowed her other emotions and feelings. That empty pit in her stomach expanded hour after hour. She was surrounded by ponies for the first time in her life, and she couldn't even taste a single one of their emotions.
She chuckled weakly in the darkness of her cell at that fact. It was a hilarious fate. Then, her stomach growled, and she stopped laughing.
The ponies noticed her growing lethargy, eventually. She had been there a week, maybe a week and a half by that point.
"Is there something wrong with you?" Her captor asked.
Lace sighed. Once again, they had strapped her to the gurney. It seems that despite her time there, they weren't comfortable with letting her walk freely.
"I'm hungry."
"Have you not been eating the food we give you?" The pony asked.
Lace studied the pony. If she didn't know any better, she would have said that the pony was almost concerned for Lace's health. It certainly looked the part.
"Changelings don't eat plants."
"Then what have you been doing with the food we give you?"
".... Eating it."
"But you said you can't?"
"... Hides the pain."
"Eating hides pain? What pain?"
"Hunger," Lace grunted.
"You eat food because it hides the effect of hunger without actually fixing it?"
"... Yes."
"How can we feed you, then?"
'You can start by taking off this Panar-damned ring!'
Lace wanted to shout at the stupid pony, but she was willing to play the long game. The First Fang would save her, she knew they would. That meant surviving the short-term.
"Emotions," she grunted.
"Emotions?"
"Love."
"Love?" The pony repeated again, getting on Lace's nerve.
"Your love," Lace snarled. "It's delicious. So hungry...."
"How do you eat our... love?"
"Take off this ring...." Lace said, as calmly as she could.
"We will not remove the inhibitor. How do you feed off love?"
"... So hungry..."
"We can help you if you just tell us what we want to know."
'I can't be saved if I die here.'
"Thread of Emotion."
"What?"
"Thread of... Emotion. Focus on the emotions, and pull the Thread."
"What are you saying?"
"How to feed," Lace sighed. "Pull the Thread."
"You pull a thread? Is this thread.... Physical?"
"No."
The pony nodded, "Some magical concept, then?"
"Suppose so...." Lace said.
"And using this, you feed off a pony's... love? Love for what?"
"Anything. Friends. Family. Happiness..." Lace giggled weakly, "Sex."
The mare rolled her eyes, "Does this hurt or kill the pony?"
"Hurts, if taken. The best infiltrators know how to make them give it willingly..."
"Infiltrators?" The pony asked, sitting up straight. "What infiltrators?"
'Ugh. Oops.'
"Hungry," Lace said, changing the subject.
"These infiltrators, how long have they been in Equestria? How many are there?"
"Hungry."
"How can they be spotted? How do they spot each other? Who do they report to? Who do they hurt?"
"Hungry."
"Whose in charge of them? Who trains them? How can we spot them?"
"Hungry," Lace repeated again.
The pony sighed and sat back in her chair.
That was the questioning for that day. Lace answered no more questions, and the pony gave up asking more. She was returned to her cell, where she counted the minutes. There were a couple hundred of them before she was taken to the interrogation room again.
Questions were asked. Hunger was stated. Questions were ignored.
Minutes became hours which became days.
Lace must have spent at least two weeks, sitting in a dark cell or strapped to a table. Her only companion, save for the idiot ponies, was hunger. Slowly growing. Slowly painful. Slowly dying.
Hunger.
She was quickly losing track of time. It was on some uneventful day- or night, it was impossible to tell- that they took her to a new room.
They went on the usual path to the interrogation room. Only this time, they went to a room several doors down. This one was empty, save for the massive mirror that Lace was sure was some sort of magical looking-glass they used to spy on the interrogation.
They wheeled her into the room, faced her towards the door, and left her alone. It wasn't the first time she was alone in the room, sometimes they would step out for a moment to talk with their superiors, or whatever Lace guessed they were doing. Maybe taking a piss.
This time, the pony that entered wasn't a Royal Guard. No, not at all. Royal Guards don't wear orange prison jumpsuits, nor do they shuffle around in chains.
The prisoner, some dull green earth pony, froze in fear when it was pushed into Lace's room. Cut off though she was from her empathy senses, the fear the pony felt was plain to see across its face.
"That's onna them, ain't it?" The stallion mumbled to the guards behind him.
In response, the Royal Guard pushed the prisoner forward, and grabbed some part of the chain that was wrapped around a fetlock and locked the chain to a bolt in the ground, which Lace nearly missed entirely when she was wheeled in.
"Whoa hey, what're ya doin?" The prisoner asked, growing more scared.
Then, the most unexpected thing happened. The Royal Guard removed Lace's inhibitor ring.
The Guard quickly left the room, locking the door behind him. Lace gasped as a flood of senses bowled her over. Empathy and magic filled her every sense. But not the Weave. She couldn't feel the Hive's, Phasma's, or even Chrysalis's presence anywhere nearby.
She grunted as her mind sorted through the emotions.
'Fear. The pony in front of me. Curiosity. Ponies on the other side of the wall behind the mirror. Ah, so that's what that is. Not some magical clairvoyance thingy, just a one way mirror. Heh.'
"Alright guys, very funny, now let me outta here!" The pony howled, tugging on his chain. "Hey, c'mon! Guys!"
'Fear.'
Delicious fear.
It, along with whatever else Lace could taste, would do.
Lace took a nice, long, deep breath, and pulled on the Thread of Emotion.
Lace's unwilling companion left her, and she was glad to see it go. Her hunger was sated, and no doubt the pony's curiosity was rewarded. They had watched her feed on their companion. She didn't care if they learned something important from this, she just wanted the pain to go away.
The pony survived, of course. To drain a victim of all of their emotions was entirely possible, but it was a difficult thing to do when you weren't a royal. Besides, she doubted they would treat her nicely if she killed a pony right in front of them.
'Or maybe that doesn't matter...'
These ponies were different. She learned pretty quickly that they were a far cry from the ponies described in all those lessons growing up in her hatch. The ponies her Broodmothers described wouldn't stand idly by as their own was in pain. These ponies made sure the victim was in a position to be hurt.
'I oughta learn about them, just as they are learning about me.'
They replaced the inhibitor when they came in to drag the groaning stallion out. Lace didn't struggle or protest, even when her senses were suddenly cut off once again. The hunger was gone- or at least, the pain of it was. She wanted more, of course, but she knew when to stop feeding. That was one of the most important lessons from the Infiltrator class: to know when to stop. To know when to cut your losses, and move on. To know when you've had enough, and to temper your own hunger.
The hunger would slowly return to her, yes, but now she had a way of feeding. The ponies would let her feed once again, she knew it. As long as she continued to drip feed them information, they would keep her alive. They would not break her spirit.
Days passed, once again only marked by the occasion of being questioned. Lace found that she began to look forward to these conversations. Credit where credit was due, these ponies knew how to keep her talking. Perhaps they weren't so idiotic after all.
They were still interested in the invasion. Particularly, in Queen Chrysalis and Prince Phasmatodea. They asked questions about both, which Lace answered as she got her own answers.
The Queen was still alive.
They referred to Phasma in the past tense.
'Idiots.'
It seemed like the Queen might have won the schism, but Lace knew Phasma wouldn't go down easily. Whatever was happening outside her walls, she knew the Lodges and the First Fang would never stop fighting. So while she slowly pulled answers from her captors, and fed them answers of her own in return, she got a better and better picture of just what had happened during The Promised Day.
Then everything changed.
At the end of one particularly boring conversation, she was wheeled not to her cell, but to a different wing entirely. This wing had open cells; metal bars kept the occupants of the cells away from the Royal Guards, who strode through the hall without care.
The changelings in the cells all hissed and snarled at the ponies as they passed, and stared at Lacewing with curiosity and shock.
All of them had inhibitor rings on. Whatever method the ponies had for making them and putting them on, they had also made sure to lock them tightly somehow. Lace couldn't even begin to guess how they worked, as enchantment wasn't a particularly known field in the Fourth Hive.
They stopped at an empty cell, and wheeled her into it, dumping her onto the ground unceremoniously. Then, they left.
The changelings across the hall, pressed up against the bars, began asking questions. Lace asked questions of her own.
For whatever reason, Lace had been kept separate from the rest of the changelings. As it turned out, she had talked a lot about changelings, more than anyling else. But in return, she was the first to feed, if her own internal clock and calendar was anything to trust. Most importantly, she learned the stories of the changelings imprisoned here.
She was in the dungeons of Canterlot Castle.
The invasion had failed.
Queen Chrysalis had apparently killed Phasma.
Lies. Lies. Lies.
Lace didn't believe it. Not any of it, not at first. But they all shared their stories, and talked. Some were loyalists. Some were Lodgers. All of them had their stories to share. Changelings had died, both in the sudden civil war, and to the advent of the new alicorn. Daybreaker, she was called, and she did break the day. The Promised Day had been a bloodbath, and did nothing but bring suffering to the changeling species. The Hive Eternal had been badly wounded.
But they were all still alive, and so the Hive Eternal was as well. No ling knew if anyone else outside in particular was alive, but from the stories they gathered from the prisoners that were brought in one by one and added to their number, the Legions were in full retreat.
The invasion had indeed failed.
Phasma was nowhere to be seen. Same with Coxa, Oestridae, Tarsus, or any of the other leaders of the Lodges. It was assumed that the East and West Swarms had either pulled out without resistance, or were annihilated entirely.
'Phasma...'
He wasn't dead. Lace didn't believe that. Only Chrysalis had emerged from their duel, and one changeling claimed to have witnessed Phasma burn up entirely, but Lace never believed that. Her friends would come to save her.
She knew they would.
But being introduced to the other changelings wasn't the only change in her new life. They had stories, stories of being completely uncooperative. Stories of being made to be cooperative. Eventually, it wouldn't matter if Lace believed those stories or not, because she would be telling them herself.
Before that all started, she was fed. All the changelings were fed love. It was scraps spread amongst the large crowd of them in the dungeon, but it was food. Several changelings revealed that they were being forced to extract love from ponies, so that they all could survive. Lace figured out that she more or less started that particular procedure by accident.
Scraps to make the hunger less. Not go away, no, but it hid the pain. That was enough. The changelings had been accustomed to starvation-rations in the Fourth Hive, especially when disaster struck. Hunger became a haunting spectre in the dungeons, present on everyling's shoulders and minds.
Then the ponies asked questions that Lace knew she couldn't answer at all. They got those answers, regardless.
It started out small.
They demanded to know how to detect Infiltrators. They knew about Lace's importance. Either they had listened in to the conversations between her and the other changelings in the cells, or had figured it out from the answers she had given them over time. In the end, it didn't matter how they figured it out, only that they did. The ponies knew that Lacewing was important. They knew she held a lot of answers, even more than the common drones around her. And she had a history of being cooperative.
They weren't happy when she refused to tell them anything about detecting changelings.
Not that she really knew in the first place. She could figure out ways, but it seemed like they wanted a mystical method of instantly finding all changelings within Equestria. Nothing like that existed, but she didn't say that. She instead told them where to shove it.
Their patience wore thin. Hours of questioning dragged on. They started to withhold food. Then, they hurt her.
Slowly and slightly, at first. But Lace was strong, and she believed in her friends, wherever they may be. Phasma. Oestridae. Coxa. Tarsus. Thorax. All of them. They would come to save them all. They would beat these ponies, and free the changelings.
She just had to survive.
Survive.
Survive.
'Survive!'
Lace cried in pain and went limp. The chains holding her rattled as she went limp, and the pony sighed.
"What spell detects changelings?" She asked for the hundredth time.
"Survive," Lace repeated, gritting her teeth.
"Again," the pony nodded to her companion. That damned unicorn, the white one with the turquoise mane that had been her personal interrogator, once again lit her horn in red magic. Lace's muscles seized up as the electricity ripped through her chitin, burning her inside out once again. Once she was nice.
'Survive!'
She was returned to her cell, which had gained two other occupants over the days she was there. The changelings rushed to her limp body when the ponies locked the cell door behind them.
"Lace, you okay?" One of them asked.
"Nnngh," Lace answered.
"You're going to be okay, Lace," the changeling answered.
His name was Leaf Cutter, and he had been all the way in Cincinneighti when he had been captured. The Legions had evacuated Equestria by now. The changelings in Canterlot wouldn't be saved.
'They are going to save us. We will survive,' Lace asserted to herself.
"Just don't move," Leaf Cutter said, checking her over.
It wasn't like anyone else was in a much better shape, anyways. The ponies hadn't captured anyone without a fight, so many arrived with injuries. Some didn't survive. The added hunger was a burden some of the injured just couldn't handle. The ponies had started doing more than just demanding information, as Lace could now testify.
What's more, there were whispers of tests. The ponies were testing their spells and enchantments on the changelings, seeing if they could detect, deter, or hurt them in any way.
Lace had seen some of the tests herself. They had managed to get their hooves on Adamantium somehow, and though many of the tests were benign, not all of them were. Scorched chitin, splintered carapace, and zapped bugs were occasional outcomes.
Outcomes that the ponies had been wanting.
This all kept up for days.
'Survive!'
Weeks.
'Survive!'
Months.
"We will survive this," Lacewing said through gritted teeth.
Leaf Cutter didn't respond.
He hadn't returned since they took him two weeks ago. He wasn't the only one to die. Several changelings had died during group testing. Sometimes they were forced to watch as their comrades choked to death, or bled out. Usually the ponies gave the changelings basic medical aid. Usually it worked. Not always.
"We will survive this," Lacewing repeated.
Her own chitin, fractured since they had first captured her, broken and rehealed several times, was covered in dried blood or thin cracks in her shell.
She was broken physically. This was irrefutable.
But she would survive.
They fitted them all with collars, replacing the inhibitor rings. They were told what would happen if they disobeyed. If they tried to run. If they tried to fight.
'I will endure.'
They demanded information about Phasma. She told them little, though many sessions ended with her bleeding and sobbing, and the ponies with the answers they wanted. Every hour she resisted was an hour wasted. Every hour wasted added up to days lost. The ponies would be stalled as long as possible.
'I will survive.'
Her friends were coming. Nothing else was acceptable. She never gave up on them, and she knew that they would not give up on her.
Even if they had to go through every single pony in Equestria to save her, the First Fang would. These ponies, this Division-P as it became known as, were just obstacles in their way.
'We will survive. We always have. We always will. The Hive Eternal has never fallen. It never will.'
Lace was laying with her back against the cold stone wall behind her, letting the cold instill numbness into her broken elytra. They had cut off a portion of one of her wings to study it earlier that day, and the bleeding had only just stopped. But she felt more alive than she ever had in the past few months. For the first time since she woke up, she didn't feel alone. There was someone with her. He was not sitting next to her in her cell, yet he was still next to her. He was distant, yet close enough to embrace Lacewing in a tight hug.
She was feeling Phasma's Weave again.
"Yes, it is me who you sense. Prince Phasmatodea of the Fourth Hive lives yet, and I have come tonight for all of you. Keep silent, and this shall be the last night you will be bound in irons. In the name of the Hive Eternal, I order your silence. By Panar, I swear that you all shall be free tomorrow, whatever else comes of it. As it is woven, so it shall be."
The longest minutes of her life were the easiest to wait out, for Lacewing knew she was right all along.
She felt the wall shake. A little bit of dust fell from the ceiling, and several Division-P guards rushed past her cell, yelling.
And Lacewing smiled.
The First Fang had come to save her.
"I am unbroken." |
Changing Expectations | 124- Airmid | The ponies were in various states of grief, I noticed.
Cadence was in denial. The idea that such heinous acts could take place right here in Canterlot, right under her own nose was inconceivable. She was grilling Lacewing for more details, trying to identify the ponies responsible for the crimes committed against the changelings. She probably thought that the actions were committed by a small group. The actions of a few radicals, rather than some systematic belief or organization."
Shining Armor was angry. He paced the ground next to Cadence while they listened to Lace, though I suspected with less kind motives. From his mutterings, I could tell he wanted to know the identity of these ponies because they were Royal Guards, and he was thus responsible for all their actions. He wanted their hides, metaphorically speaking.
'At least I no longer have to convince him to deliver justice. He's going to be hunting down every last Inquisitor now out of sheer anger, both at them and himself. Well Shining, good luck to you with that. I'll lend any help I can at finding the rat-bastards.'
Thorax, who I am throwing in with the ponies because he's not dealing with this so well, was looking about as down in the dumps as he possibly could. Coxa was torn between comforting Thorax and providing support for Lace. I found myself in a similar situation, torn between helping out Thorax and helping out Celestia.
Luna was... closed off. The emotions I sensed suggested that she had accepted what happened, and was ready to chop some heads off. Or rather, given that she's a pony, lock up the Division-P Inquisitors and throw away the key. I wasn't worried about her, no. It was her sister that was taking this a lot worse. Luna was still half in the past, so her mindset wasn't quite as modern as her shrunken counterpart. Furthermore, Celestia actually was responsible for this.
At least, that's what she believed. Celestia poured herself another drink. She had to hold it with her magic, her hoof was shaking so much.
Luna gave me a concerned glance, "See to your friends, I shall see to my sister."
"Alright."
I walked over and nodded to Coxa. He nodded back and left Thorax to attend to Lacewing, who was beginning to yell at Cadence. Thorax was rocking back and forth on the bench when I sat next to him. I wrapped a foreleg around his withers and pulled him into a tight hug. Thorax buried his face into my shoulder.
"I don't like this, Phas. I don't like any of this. Why can't things just be simple? Why did they hurt so many changelings?"
"Because they gained from our suffering. A bit like how we gained from theirs."
"I don't- that's not- no, Phas! This is nothing like feeding on ponies! How are you even this calm?!"
I shrugged, "It's bad, yes, but to be honest, I expected worse..."
"Worse? Lace was tortured! Lings died!"
"I'm not saying any of this is good, Thorax, just... it could have been worse. Much worse. And if you don't believe me, then just be thankful that your imagination doesn't reach the levels that the bad guys from my world did."
".... What do we do, Phas? What do we do about any of this?"
I sighed, "No death penalties. I'm sure Celestia won't offer much resistance if I would suggest them, but... again, it's not as bad as I thought. I'm sure life in prison will sit well enough with the ponies, and they do love their reformative sentencing, rather than punishments. We wouldn't be here if they weren't willing to forgive others."
"And us? What if we don't forgive them?"
"That's... our problem. We'll make sure nothing like this ever happens. Then, we'll hold it over their heads and make sure we never have to pay income taxes ever again."
"Fff-Phas!" Thorax tried to not laugh. "How can you joke about this stuff?!" He broke from the hug and looked up at me, trying to look cross.
"I dunno, Thorax. Once you deal with demons from hell trying to lobotomize you, anything else seems kinda... not as bad. I'm desensitized, I guess. Don't get me wrong, I'm mad as hell about this, but hearing Lace's story... it just makes me sad. All those lings suffered and died and I couldn't save them. Well, I'm here now. I can help the survivors, and make sure nothing like this ever happens again."
Thorax shook his head, "I don't think I could ever be so calm about anything like this."
"Then don't be. The survivors need help, right? If you're so fired up or upset, then go and help them. Make sure they're all well fed, or listen to their stories, help them find positions within the Fifth Hive in Manehattan, or find whatever way you can to help. You've got a strong heart, Thorax. Stronger than anyone else I've ever met. If you want to go and help, go and help. I can handle these negotiations without you."
Thorax smiled, "I suppose you can, but leaving right now would make me feel like I'm abandoning your friends. Besides, Diamond already paid for the train ticket to Canterlot. They don't give refunds for those."
"The survivors are still down in the Crystal Caves while we sort out the Fifth Hive's status within Equestria, so you won't have to leave Canterlot to help them out. Go take a break, and then check in with whoever's in charge down there. We'll meet back up for dinner here at the Palace."
Thorax snorted, "Is your marefriend okay with you inviting other people to her house?"
"If she does have a problem, then she's going to have to take that up with me. Worst case scenario, she's got spare bedrooms for you to spend the night in."
"That sounds like fun. Thanks, Phas."
"Yeah, I bet you always wanted to be a princess living in a castle."
Thorax laughed and punched me in the shoulder. I briefly checked up on the two lover duos. Lace seemed to be taking things well enough, and Coxa was there for her in case she needed someone to yell at, or hug, depending on her mood. Cadence had calmed down a bit, and had thankfully moved the conversation topic from war crimes to hobbies that the two girls shared.
Shining wasn't any calmer. I could feel the anger beneath his cool exterior, like a shark swimming as slow as it wanted.
'Seems like the kind of slow-burn anger that you definitely don't want to be a part of.'
He caught my stare and nodded to me with a steely look. I nodded back.
'Seems like we're going to have a conversation about Division-P and sentencing later.'
That just left the alicorn sisters. Celestia was by the edge of the balcony, slumped over the railing, while Luna sat next to her, in the middle of telling her some story from ages past. When I joined them and sat down on the other side of Luna, Celestia sat up straight and outwardly pulled herself together. She seemed to put her emotions in a tight clamp, something she did with disturbing levels of skill and effectiveness.
'Centuries of putting your nation before your own well being really teaches you how to feel dead inside, I bet.'
"Hello Phasma," Celestia said, cutting Luna off mid-story. "I'm sorry Luna, but I'm not really paying attention to your story..."
Luna huffed, "I can see that, Celestia. I was telling it anyway, because I know you appreciate my company regardless. I want you to feel comfortable, not paying attention."
Celestia smiled sadly, "Ah. I'm sorry, I'm not used to being around somepony who can read me so well."
"I know you are not. But get used to it, because I am not leaving anytime soon."
"Thank Harmony for that. Now Phasma, I suppose we should address the elephant in the room: Division-P..."
"I don't want death sentences," I interrupted.
"What?" Celestia asked, genuinely shocked. "But all those things they did... torture, experimentation, denying treatment..."
I shrugged, "I think at the end of the day, your method of rehabilitation and reintegration are superior to my desires for punishment. I still want changelings on the juries, but maybe sticking with the Equestrian methods will make things better than otherwise. Don't get me wrong, I will make sure every damned person in Equestria knows what happened here, but you ponies have proven that you're quite adept at correcting your behavior, and the behavior of 'villains," I said, making air quote motions with my hooves.
"We have never dealt with crimes of this substantial nature, though. I admit that I am at a bit of a loss as to how we should treat the Inquisitors..."
Luna guffawed, "Of course you do! We will treat them as the criminals they are! They might have had a blank check from Daybreaker for their actions, but at the end of the day, their actions are their own. Arrest them all, and throw them in prison! Hunt them down, if you must. Tartarus, I would relish the chance to do so, and I know that I am not the only one."
Celestia shook her head, "I did not mean capturing them. I fully intend on doing that. You, your thestrals, and Shining ought to work together to bring them to justice. I was talking about after we have them all. I... I don't know how they did what they did. I mean, I know how they did it, but not why. In times past when I have sentenced individuals to life in prison, our harshest sentence, it was because they were monsters in their own right. It was simply impossible for them to feel sorry for their own actions, and their presence was a danger to others around them. Division-P is different. It is not a single villain or monster acting out, it is an organization I created, and one that drew from Canterlot's citizenry. Their actions and crimes feel like failures on my part to instill the virtues I have tried to live to."
"Nonsense!" Luna admonished. "Nopony is asking you to control their lives. Even here in Canterlot, where you live every day, how many ponies actually see you? Talk to you? How many receive personal lessons on how to be kind to others? You think you should micromanage each life within this city?"
"No-" Celestia began.
Luna continued, "Then you wash your hooves of their actions! They are all adults. They all understand that their lives are their own. The fact that it has taken so long for so many individuals to do this much damage is testament to your skills at managing the country without me. Alone, you have kept the worst at bay for as long as possible, and need I remind you that Daybreaker formed Division-P, not you?"
Celestia sighed, "I will accept that Daybreaker's actions were not my own the moment you accept that Nightmare Moon's actions were not your own."
Luna crossed her forehooves, ".... Deal."
Celestia blinked, "What?"
"I said deal." Luna smiled, "Spending too much time on what was and what could be is what damned me all those years ago. Now that we both have actions that we regret, moments of weakness that were exploited, then it is only more important that we both move on. Let us work together to accept what has happened, and not let it guide our actions."
"... It sounds like you are suggesting therapy," Celestia frowned.
"Is that what I am doing?"
"Yes."
"Will it help us?"
"I suppose it would..."
"Then it is what I am suggesting! We shall do this 'therapy,' and we shall become stronger for it!"
I chuckled, "You do realize that therapy is talking to someone about your past and your feelings, right?"
Luna sagged, "It is? No chance that therapy involves going out and slaying a monster, then drinking until we do not feel pain anymore?"
Celestia laughed, "Ha! Not anymore, it doesn't."
"Then... we shall do it anyway!" Luna wrapped a wing around me and pulled me close to her side. "And Phasma will do it, too!"
"I am?"
"He will?"
"Yes! If I am to suffer this, then so shall he! Besides, you need to accept your past, too, Phasma. I can not imagine how your death has affected you, but I know that your process of healing should be at least similar to ours, no?"
I grumbled, "... I guess."
"Huzzah! It is decided! We shall all attend therapy!"
Celestia shook her head and tried not to smile, "I have never in my days ever heard somepony so excited for that nonsense."
I cleared my throat, "Can we still do the monster slaying and drinking part?"
Luna nodded to me and we gave Celestia our best puppy eyes. When she noticed us, Celestia groaned and rolled her eyes.
"We'll see what the shrinks have to say. Because, though I love you, Luna, there's no way in Tartarus that I can do group therapy. Not at first, at least. They may suggest group sessions eventually, given our closeness, or soon-to-be-closeness in your case, Phasma. I am warning you, Luna, this isn't going to be fun or pleasant."
"I will do paperwork every day for a century, if that is what it takes to make things right again," Luna said. "But only a century. Anything more than that and I am cutting my losses and eloping with Phasma."
"Will your coltfriend help us out in fixing Equestria?" Celestia asked, motioning to me.
"I've got my own kingdom to worry about, but I'll help where I can. Especially since I plan on relegating duties to my upper command, so I can spend my days golfing, or whatever rich people do when they are not exploiting the working class."
"Excellent. I hope you don't mind, but I may just make you a full Prince of Equestria, just so I have that much less paperwork I have to fill out everyday."
I snorted, "You'd really do that, huh?"
"Yes. You will be a Prince eventually, if Luna has anything to say about it."
"Big wedding," Luna confirmed. "In a bit, however. No need to rush it."
"There you go. You get stability and close ties with the strongest nation on the planet, Luna gets... well, you, and I get another set of hooves for paperwork. As much as I try, there is only so much that can be relegated to non-royalty. You are quite lucky that your Hive doesn't have a noble class."
I scratched my head, "Okay. I guess that works. But I do have to warn you, I've got plans for the future that will need my direct guidance for."
"Ooh," Luna wiggled her eyebrows, "and pray tell, what are those plans?"
I cleared my throat, "The changeling race is more or less on the brink of extinction. It's going to take a lot of work to fix that, and I don't intend on just hoping it happens naturally. First, I'd like to get a team together to examine the ruins of the Third Hive, and see if there's anything left of it. Then, I want to look into establishing another Hive."
"Another Hive?" Celestia asked, looking confused. "I am certain your Hive will do well enough once you are integrated- even if only at the surface level- with Equestria."
I nodded, "I think the Fifth Hive is more than capable of saving the changeling race, too. However, I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket. The more ways changelings have of surviving, the better."
"So you wish to establish another Hive?" Luna asked.
"Yeah. It'll be more or less subservient to me, but most importantly it will be another place where changelings can grow our numbers."
Celestia ribbed her chin, "Have you any ideas for a location, then? I can't imagine there are many possible candidates."
I sighed, "Not yet. The best locations might be in other nations, like the Griffons'. Any news from them, in that regard? Last I heard, they were in a civil war."
Celestia nodded, "Yes. A three way civil war, in fact. There is indeed some news, but.... Let's just say I doubt its validity. Rumors like it have emerged in the past, and every time they have proven to be false. Long story short, we might see their civil war ending soon."
"Then once the conflict with the Fourth Hive is resolved, I'll think about sending some scouting teams to Griffonia to investigate," I said.
"Good luck with that. If the teams are caught, they have nothing to do with Equestria."
I smiled, "Of course. But I don't think anyone is really capable of detecting changelings without the use of changelings."
"A problem Daybreaker struggled with daily," Celestia said. "Now, this was a productive conversation. But I am afraid that we must get ready for this afternoon. The announcement to our ponies will draw quite the crowd, and we must look presentable."
"And unlike you, we are incapable of simply altering our appearance," Luna winked.
I laughed, "Sucks to be you. I'll leave you girls to your makeup and sacrificing of virgins to attain eternal youth, then."
"He really does have your sense of humor," Celestia mumbled. "We shall meet up in the Gold Room in say, two hours? I will have staff accompany you where you go, just in case you get lost. And don't wear your wargear, please."
"You're no fun. I'll check up on the Fifth Hive in the meantime. See you two soon."
"Oh, Phasma, one last thing," Celestia said, reaching out a hoof to stop me. "Have you given the order to free the ponies you have captured?"
"No. I'll give the order right now."
"Thank you."
"I'll send you the bill for their living expenses in the mail."
Celestia didn't find that joke to be very funny. |
Changing Expectations | 125- Eirene | I sighed as I watched Cricket and First Lieutenant Spearhead leave the room together. They were going to go to Manehattan and oversee the release of the podded ponies there in a joint effort.
The help was appreciated. Sorting out the release was bound to be a mess, especially with all those angry ponies being hoofed directly into Royal Guard custody.
The vast majority of them were gangsters, after all. The odds didn't look good on getting convictions, but at least we wouldn't be dealing with the immediate aftermath of releasing them. I can't imagine that they would be too happy when they find out that they were in pods for several months. The fact that we had little hard evidence for convicting them was a sour note. I didn't think to catalogue anything like that when we took them in, so all we had was testimony of eye-witnesses- ourselves.
"Thank you for getting this over with quickly," Captain Shining Armor said.
"I thought you'd be mad at me."
Shining cleared his throat, "I wasn't exactly aware of the fact that the majority of your foalnapped ponies were criminals, and were taken in self-defense. That.... complicates things. So I appreciate your full cooperation in getting this fixed as quickly and smoothly as possible. That doesn't mean I forgive you for burning Canterlot, though."
"I wouldn't expect you to. We've yet to cover that in the negotiations, but you understand that orders are orders, right?"
"Everypony has a choice."
"A choice between a slow death or making others suffer in order to survive? Sure, that's a choice. But we both know what we would choose every time."
Shining sneered, "Don't be so sure of that."
I raised an eyebrow, "Oh? You'd die before securing a future for you and your people?"
"If the cost is too high-"
"Oh stop your posturing. You know nothing of the alternative, Captain Shining Armor. I may have lived only half a year in the Hive, but I saw enough. I was put on rations myself. Need I remind you that every changeling alive save for myself is physically deformed from prolonged starvation?"
"What?"
"You think changelings naturally are full of holes? That's our bodies taking shortcuts to conserve energy. I don't have holes because Chrysalis gave me pure love while I was a larva. I imagine that was months of life for the Hive sacrificed for me..."
Shining sighed, "I think all of this is beyond my paygrade, and that I am thankful I was never forced to make these kinds of decisions. But you tortured a foal, remember? Right in front of me. Don't try to tell me that it was necessary, or that the alternative was worse."
"I did what I had to do in order to get you to surrender."
"You took a shortcut that hurt an innocent foal. It wasn't necessary at all."
'How would you know what's necessary?'
"Well excuse me for not being able to take five months to contemplate the necessity of the action. It was war, you weren't surrendering, and our species' survival was on the line. That alone justifies any action, yet I only 'hurt' a foal. A whole lot worse happens during war."
The door opened behind us, and Cadence stepped into the room.
"You have to be better than that, King Phasma," Shining said. "A king's duty is to protect his-"
"I was protecting my citizens!"
Cadence paused, "What did I just walk into?"
Shining held up a hoof, "That's not what I- oh my Celestia. What I'm trying to say is that that kind of behavior isn't acceptable, not for a leader. Maybe it was justified, or at least you couldn't think too much about it and made a mistake, but you have to make things right."
"Ah, I see," Cadence said. "It's that conversation. We've gone over this, Shiny. He is willing to apologize and make things right."
Shining scowled, "That doesn't feel like it's enough."
"It's going to have to be, Captain," I scowled back. "The war's not over, and a potentially worse one is on the horizon. Unlike you ponies, the world hasn't been all sunshine and rainbows for us changelings. How many changelings have died? How many will die? We have nothing. The Fourth Hive has practically no culture to speak of, and our history, what little we have of it, is fragmented. Things are going to get worse before they get better for us. Now that peace has been made between Equestria and the Fifth Hive, I have to figure out how to kill Chrysalis while sparing the lives of the changelings underneath her. Then, we have to deal with the Nightmares, and all their doom-and-gloom prophecies."
"Nightmares?" Shining asked. "Those things that possessed Princess Celestia and Princess Luna?"
"Yeah those guys. They want to end the world."
Cadence sighed, "That's a very simple way to put it."
Shining huffed, "Oh great, another thing you kept secret?"
"Oh fuck off with that," I groaned. "Telling her about my survival was practically a breach of my trust by Luna, let alone telling her anything else. Don't put any blame on her on you not being in the know, as that was entirely my decision. I wasn't about to tell the number one enforcer of one of my most dangerous enemies a single piece of information. Keeping you in the dark was entirely on me."
Shining half-smiled, "Considering that blaming you is easy, I'll take you up on that."
"I'm sure you will. Now, back to the topic of war, the Nightmares are coming. Like some horrible off-brand Night King, Epitaph, the ruler of these demons, is out there somewhere, and we can only hope that they failed to awaken him. But given my luck, I'm sure he's sitting somewhere in some forgotten corner of Equus, plotting how to mass lobotomize the whole world. And you know its got an army lying in wait somewhere, just like the Prophet."
Shining sighed, "So let me get this straight, there's another villain out there who's going to invade Equestria? And they want to lobotomize us?"
"Yep," Cadence said cheerfully.
I shrugged, "Possess, lobotomize, there's little difference in the end, except that it's reversible."
Shining sat down and put his head in his hooves, "Maybe I should take up a hobby... like alcoholism. It's worked well so far for Celestia."
I smiled, "I can hook you up, if you do decide to go with that. There's worse ways to self-destruct."
Cadence frowned, "Not many. You better keep yourself together, or else our- ahhh, nevermind!" She suddenly cut herself off, looking away.
I raised both eyebrows now, "How did you manage to even keep my survival a secret?"
Cadence cleared her throat as Shining sighed, "Well I simply avoided that topic. Besides, I wasn't excited for you being alive.... That sounded mean. I didn't mean-"
I cut her unneeded apology off, "Ah, so you are excited for whatever this secret is?"
"Alright Cadence, I don't think you're going to worm your way out of this one," Shining said before turning to address me. "I am planning on proposing to her soon. She knows this because I asked what her response would be, as to not pressure her or anything if I pop the question in public."
Cadence sighed blissfully, "I would have liked to be surprised, but this is just.... healthier."
"Ooo, the Princess of Food is getting married?" I grinned. "This sounds like a particularly delicious event."
"Princess of Food?" Shining echoed.
"Oh Celestia, don't tell me you and your changelings are going to worship me as some harvest goddess," Cadence moaned.
"No promises are made."
"Am I going to have to account for additional uninvited guests?" she asked.
"No promises are made," I stressed.
"Figures. Fine then, I know how to get around any disguising shenanigans. If my special- if our special day is going to host changelings regardless of our desire, then let's get ahead of the issue. You can bring a small number with you. A very small number."
"That's.... remarkably generous of you," I admitted after thinking about it.
'If she harbors any bad feelings for changelings, this is one hell of an olive branch. She implied that I am invited, which being the king and leader, makes sense. So the other changelings invited could easily be the First Fang but... perhaps it'd be better to hold some sort of raffle. A wedding is a very love-filled event, so if only a small amount of changelings are allowed in, it would be best if I didn't play favorites. I would of course have to vet each invited changeling, but a chance for any drone to attend would certainly make them all happy.'
"I am just glad you are looking at this from my perspective," Cadence said, interrupting my plotting. "All this arguing over war crimes and hurting foals... It is a nice reminder that you are a good pony at heart."
"Not a pony," I reminded her, still half in my own mind.
Cadence nodded, "Right, sorry. It's going to take a long while to get used to saying things like 'someone' and 'person' like you and your changelings usually do. Though I am going to need you to keep this a secret for now. Nopony- no one can know about this.... for as long as possible."
Shining chuckled, "Cady is convinced that she will be the one to spill the secret, which given she's telling you, she's probably right about that. I am surprised that you are suddenly so understanding about the complications of attending a wedding, given the fact that it took you so long to admit that you were wrong to hurt that filly."
"Restricting the number of changelings present means less food gathered, but I understand that a wedding is one of the most important and memorable days in your life. We can get by with less food, if it means not pressuring Cadence during one of the most important events of her life. There's quite a big difference between fighting for survival and attending a wedding. It's a lot kinder to be kind when the alternative to being evil is death. "
Shining paused, ".... Then perhaps we'll just have to make sure the changeling race is never this bad off ever again, if that's what it takes to make sure you don't do anything wrong."
I sighed, "Were it so easy..."
The door to the sitting room opened once more, and Princess Celestia and Princess Luna stepped through.
Luna wore her usual regalia, while Celestia had a shrunk-down version of her own set. Whether that actually was her set that was magically shrunk down, or an entirely new set that was created, I didn't exactly know, but it was probably a safe bet that she didn't rope some poor jeweler into making a completely new set overnight. They were also freshened up and had a new layer of makeup on, or whatever other arcane and mysterious rituals girls went through to appear presentable. In contrast, Shining Armor wore his Royal Guard Captain armor, and I just more or less washed up. I could alter my appearance at will, unlike the ponies, but there wasn't anything to wear or do to make my normal self appear more presentable.
'Perhaps I should get a set of ceremonial regalia created. I feel oddly naked standing next to four ponies in fancy jewelry and armor, despite the fact that we are all pretty much naked...'
"King Phasma, Princess Cadence, Captain Shining Armor," Celestia acknowledged us each with a nod of her head.
Shining bowed, "Your Highnesses."
"Hey."
"Aunties, you look lovely today."
Celestia smiled as Luna stepped over to my side, "Thank you, Cadence. You look rather stunning yourself. The Captain is a very lucky stallion."
Rather than focus on their conversation, Luna brushed off my shoulder, as if dusting it.
"Hey, hot stuff."
"I see you have put considerable time and effort into your looks, Phasma."
I shrugged, "It's not like I have a crown or anything, and changelings don't exactly have a way of dressing themselves up. I suppose I could wear a tuxedo or something, but they don't exactly carry my size on the rack."
"Then I suppose we shall have to assemble a wardrobe for you."
"You won't hear any complaints from me. It took me a while to get used to the fact that no one on Equus really wears clothes, so wearing clothes is actually the norm for me. I just wish you guys considered the idea of wearing pants, the most important and practical piece of clothing. I was considering commissioning some sort of crown, and maybe other ornamental pieces like a peytral and boots like you and the other princesses. I'm probably just going to stick with the crown, though."
Luna shrugged, "If that is what you wish. Just be sure to not make a fool of yourself with something overly garish."
"Yeah, I know. The crown would have to be rather simple, like your own. The last thing I want is to look like some small-time noble spending their entire fortune on looks."
"It should also be representative of your species and kingdom in some fashion. But I am sure that I am just repeating things you have already considered. Are you ready for Equestria to see you?"
"The less I think about it, the less nervous I'll be. Am I expected to deliver a speech?"
"Yes, just a few words. Say something nice, especially about friendship and standing against Queen Chrysalis."
I smiled, "Give the ponies a common enemy? I can do that."
"Excellent. I would have warned you about it, but the last thing you need is an overly-prepared and stiff speech. The more it comes from your heart, the better."
"That old, shriveled-up thing?"
"It's newer than anypony else's who will be listening."
"I suppose you might have a point there." I smiled, "I uh, suppose this is when I say something sappy about how much I love you, correct?"
Luna chuckled, "It can be. Just do not kiss or nuzzle me. The last thing I want is to spend another half-hour putting on this blasted makeup again."
I scuffed my hoof against the ground, "Right. Uh.... thanks for everything, Luna. I really can't imagine what this life would be like without you. You uh... mean the world to me."
Luna snorted and shook her head, "You would face down the greatest threat that has ever plagued Equus without a moment's hesitation, yet you stumble and lock up at the idea of showing intimacy in public. I admit, I am torn between getting you to feel more comfortable admitting your feelings, or continuing to enjoy how adorable you are when you are shy. I love you too, Phasma."
"You take pleasure from my suffering."
"Should I stop...? I did not think so."
"Right right right- oh hey look, Celestia is coming our way."
I waved to the alicorn as she approached. Celestia looked amused when she arrived at our little corner of the room.
"Am I interrupting something?"
Luna shook her head, "Not at all, I am just enjoying my coltfriend's company."
".... I'll choose to believe that. How are you doing, Phasma?"
"I'm fine. Luna says I'm supposed to say a few words?"
"Yes, only a few. I'm sorry to suddenly surprise you with this, if you haven't predicted it, but I want you to speak genuinely and from the heart."
"I said as much," Luna muttered.
"Great," Celestia nodded towards the door, "Then if we are all ready, let's not keep our ponies waiting. Just a word of advice beforehoof, when you speak, do talk about friendship, and avoid the topic of war. Perhaps stick to the cooperation between our species?"
"Avoid war? Luna suggested I mention Chrysalis to, you know, give us all a common enemy or whatever."
Celestia rolled her eyes, "I'm sure she did. Not to overrule her or anything, but you should completely ignore that piece of advice."
"I am standing right here," Luna huffed.
"I know, Luna. It's called a joke. Listen, our ponies have heard nothing but war this and war that from the presses ever since I- ever since Daybreaker seized those presses. I think it's a safe bet to say that they are tired of hearing about the war. Especially since all three of us princesses will be talking about the war. Give them something else to talk about, preferably something nice. Equestria is changing, and it is for the better. Our species will begin a close relationship... though save your relationship with Luna to be revealed during a press conference. That's a complicated topic that should be addressed when we can explain it better."
"You will never hear me say this ever again, but I believe my sister is right," Luna said. "Perhaps it is better to not speak of Chrysalis at all."
"Okay then, no war," I said. "I'm good to go. Are you, Luna?"
"I am."
Celestia nodded, "Then let us go. Come along, Shining Armor and Cadence, it is time."
The bearers of the Elements of Harmony were waiting for us at the entrance to the balcony. The six mares were wearing their magical Harmony-powered jewelry, having ditched their dresses during the past day. When they noticed our approach, they broke off from their conversation and bowed to the princesses.
"Please, none of you should ever bow to us," Luna said as we stopped before them. "Celestia and I both owe everything to you six. There is no need for you to bow, not now, not ever."
The ponies rose, and Celestia spoke next, "Luna is right. Words alone cannot express my gratitude for the service you all have done for Equestria."
"Aw heck," Applejack said, "it weren't nothin', Princesses. We were just doin' our civic duty 'n all that."
Her five friends all nodded along, and Twilight Sparkle spoke up next, "Anypony would have stepped up and helped, if it fell to them. I'm just glad you're back, Princess Celestia."
Celestia sniffed, "Thank you, Twilight. It's good to be back, and it warms my heart to see that you've spread your wings, so to say, and learned more about friendship than I could ever teach you."
"Princess Celestia? Am I still... your personal student?" Twilight asked, her emotions tainted with fear.
Celestia for her part was ashamed, "Only if you can forgive me for failing you, Twilight. None of this would have happened if I had not fallen to that Nightmare's embrace."
I snorted out of disbelief, "If you didn't get corrupted, we'd all be floating in pods."
The ponies all turned to me, the six bearers fully realizing that I was here. Despite being the tallest person in the room, I was also the least important when it came to pony society, so they had all their attention on the smallest pony in the room, Celestia.
Luna stepped forward and gestured to me, "May I introduce King Phasma. You've all met before, but under less fortunate circumstances."
"This is the pony you wanted to save, right?" The bearer Fluttershy asked quietly.
"Indeed. It took a while, and a lot of convincing, but he is a trusted friend now."
Applejack stepped forward to speak, but Celestia beat her to the punch, "I'm sure all of you have a lot to say, but let's save that for after our announcement. The ponies are all gathered outside, and we mustn't keep them waiting."
Applejack bowed her head and stepped back to stand with her friends.
'Something tells me I'm not going to like what she has to say. Last time we met, I.... didn't I kick her ass or something? Yeah, I'd be pissed at me if I were her.'
Celestia gestured to the large double doors that we had all gathered by, "Then let us go see our ponies. Elements, you will be on Cadence's left, and King Phasma, you will be on Luna's right. I shall stand in the center, since the ponies will be most familiar with myself, despite my... reduced stature."
Captain Shining Armor turned to leave, which caught me by surprise.
"You're not coming with?" I asked.
He shook his head, "Royalty and heroines only."
Celestia frowned, "You are a hero of Equestria too, Captain. You should stand with us."
"Princess, I wouldn't impose upon you-"
"Get over here, Shiny," Cadence ordered.
Shining shut his mouth and briskly moved to Cadence's side. They shared a nuzzle, spiking the amount of love in the room.
"That's not fair, how come they can nuzzle and we can't?" I whispered to Luna.
"Cadence is a magical witch whose cosmetics are never damaged. I have tried to glean her secrets in the past, but she guards them well."
Celestia cleared her throat, "Alright everypony, line up."
Then, she opened the doors with her magic. Beyond, a small rounded balcony overlooked the central plaza of Canterlot. As the doors opened, the noises from the crowd below grew, both in excitement and from the noise-cancelling enchantment being disabled by the door opening.
All of us stepped through, and lined up at the balcony's edge. I suppressed a snort of laughter when Celestia had to step onto a stool due to her shrunken size, and noticed that Luna had a similar issue of hiding her laughter. She glanced to her side, at me, and elbowed me once, winking.
"Good Afternoon, my little ponies!"
Celestia's voice boomed across the city, silencing the crowd.
"Yesterday was one of the most frightening we have seen since the invasion began months ago. However, through friendship and cooperation, we can fix the mistakes that were made. The pony known as Princess Daybreaker was indeed myself, Princess Celestia, but I was sick. An illness, not of the body, but of the mind had taken root in me, like it had once taken root in Princess Luna a thousand years prior. Thankfully, my sister saved me, something I could not do when she fell. It is thanks to the efforts of the Elements of Harmony that we stand here before you all in good health."
The Element Bearers all smiled and waved to the crowd as Luna stepped forward.
"It is said that there are decades where history happens, and there are weeks where decades happen. So much has happened last night that entire volumes can be penned about its events. However, the end result is that Equestria has all three of its princesses back. But with the good, there is also the bad."
She stepped back, and Cadence moved up the railing, bringing the attention to her.
"There is still much to talk about and contemplate, but it is agreed that both sides of this war have committed horrible acts against each other. Some of you may suspect and guess at what was done behind closed doors here in Canterlot itself, but rest assured, everything will be brought to light and properly explained and analyzed. We are all working together to end this horrible war."
Cadence returned to her spot next to her fiance. Celestia addressed the crowd again.
"Equestria moves ever onward. We have rebuilt Canterlot, and we will rebuild Equestria. Wounds will heal. Wrongs will be made right. Together, we shall overcome the hatred that was pitted against us. As proof of this, I am happy to announce that peace is now possible between Equestria and the changelings. King Phasmatodea of the Fifth Changeling Hive came to help last night, during our darkest hour. Without his help, I would still be Daybreaker, and all that entails. His break-away Kingdom rebelled against the invading Fourth Hive, and now will stand with us in this war."
Celestia nodded to me, and with no small amount of growing anxiety, I stepped up to the railing. I briefly peered over the balcony's edge, and saw the sheer number of ponies below. Close to the castle's edge, an area was sectioned off and a number of ponies with big, hulking cameras pointed them up our way.
'Looks like this is going to be put to film.'
"Your voice will be amplified," Luna explained, "speak."
'Here goes nothing.'
"The last time I was here in Canterlot, I was here with the duty to spread misery. It is only thanks to the unwavering dedication of these three princesses that I am here now, ready to make amends. Changelings have been dedicated to our collective cause of survival for countless millennia. It is only now, with your help, that we can break the cycle of pain that we are trapped in. It is only with your cooperation and kindness that we can be saved from our struggles, both from within and from without. I hope that today will be known as the first day of an entirely new era, one marked not by war and stories of those who suffer, but by cooperation between our species, and stories of success and kindness. We have a long way to go, and a lot to learn from you all, but together, we will both be more than the sum of our parts."
I stepped back, and Luna discreetly placed a hoof over one of my own. I let out a small sigh in relief.
'There. Let's hope that's enough ass-kissing to avoid lynch mobs.'
Celestia closed the announcement.
"There is a lot of pain to undo, and much of it by Daybreaker's hoof. I am proud of all of you who have stuck to the ideals I have tried to live by, and failed to uphold. You all are what make Equestria strong, and are the reason why tomorrow will always be a better day than the day before. Thank you all, and may your days be full of Harmony." |
Changing Expectations | 126- Ekwensu | Shining smiled as we headed back inside, "Well, I think that went rather w-"
"Don't jinx it!" I cut him off.
"You are being too superstitious, Phasma," Luna said. "Your speech was fine, and our ponies seemed to take the news rather well."
There had been applause and a lot of picture taking. For the most part, it seemed to me that the emotion of the crowd was tipped toward elation and relief. The war was developing in Equestria's favor, now with Celestia back and the changelings befriended.
"I suppose they don't need to fully understand what's going on to be happy," I guessed. "Celestia is back, who cares why she was gone. Changelings are allying with ponies, who cares why. I wonder how long it will take for the conspiracy theories to set in."
"I'm certain that we'll be answering a whole lot of those tomorrow," Celestia sighed. "Let's just be thankful that the knowledge that you are capable of mind control is a state secret. There will only be a few accusations of mind control, rather than considerable amounts."
"He can do what?!" Twilight Sparkle yelled, putting on the brakes and screeching to a halt.
Rarity played devil's advocate, "Now Twilight, there's a difference between capability and desire-"
"I do it once and suddenly it's all I'm known for," I complained.
Rarity froze mid-sentence.
"Well you have this well in hoof, Phasma," Celestia smiled. "I've got some work to attend to. If it's all the same to you, I'd rather put off resuming negotiations until tomorrow. I have... more to think about than I'd wish."
I nodded, "That's fine. I'll just follow Luna around like a bad smell."
"I have some paperwork that will need taking care of. There is a lot that needs a Princess's touch and approval, as Daybreaker set her roots and corruption deep."
"I guess I'll get Coxa to bring me some paperwork to do, then."
"Are we not going to talk about the mind control thing?!" Twilight yelled.
Celestia softly giggled, "You all can have a nice long conversation with Phasma together. If you'd kindly stay in town for the night, I would love to see you tomorrow, Twilight. Otherwise, I can communicate through letters, like Daybreaker did."
"Oh! Of course I can do that, Princess!"
"Wonderful. Can you come by after breakfast, say... around seven?"
"Absolutely, Princess."
"Then I shall see you again. Farewell to you all. If any of you ever need anything, my door is always open. Unless it isn't. In which case, Luna can help, right Luna?"
"Of course," Luna replied. "However, I should get to my work, too. I shall be in my study, Phasma."
"Goodbye, Princesses!" Twilight said with unrestrained enthusiasm.
The rest of us said- or half muttered, in a certain yellow pegasus's case- our goodbyes as the sisters departed.
"It was nice seeing you again, Twily," Shining said. "I've got work that desperately needs my attention, though. It's a shame that last night was the first time we saw each other in months. We need to hang out again soon."
"How about tomorrow afternoon- that is, if the Princess doesn't need me all day?" She suggested.
"I can find the time for you, I'm sure. I'll find you in the palace tomorrow, then. Take care, Twily!" Shining waved as he turned to leave. "And I'll see you around, Cady."
"Hate to see you go, love to watch you leave," Cadence muttered, watching Shining Armor walk away.
'Damn horny ponies. You're like an all-hours buffet, Cadence.'
Cadence turned back to the Elements of Harmony, "Hello Twilight. We did the dance last night, but I understand if you want to do it again...?"
Twilight Sparkle looked like she was about to yell the word 'yes,' but she froze and her head slowly turned towards me.
"Nnnnno.... I'm good for now. I think there's more important things that need to be addressed first."
"If you're hoping to hit me with a rainbow laser beam, I'm afraid you missed your window of opportunity," I said. "Luna already has dibs on reforming me. Besides, I don't want to be turned to stone, sent to the moon, or whatever other horrible fates your magical rocks have in store for me."
"We'll only blast ya if you deserve it!" Rainbow Dash said, punching the air. "And last we met, you definitely deserved it! But uh... if the Princesses all say you're good, then we're good."
"But what's this about mind control?" Applejack pressed. "Don't try to change the subject, Mister. You ain't sneaking that one by."
I huffed, "A Division-P Inquisitor discovered my survival. It was either silence her or tip off Daybreaker that I was alive. I went with the whole mind control thing because there was no way to capture her, and I sure as hell wasn't about to let her go."
"Division-P? Ain't them those unicorns in fancy clothing and hats?" Applejack asked.
"Yes, those guys."
"And it was in self-defense?" Twilight asked.
"Yes," I said again.
She continued, "Was there no other way to disable this Inquisitor? Mind control is a very powerful spell. You could have easily hurt her, or worse."
"Maybe there was, but I was pressed for time," I said. "Need I remind you that I had few allies, and was surrounded by enemies. Slipping up would mean a fate worse than death. So considering the fact that the Inquisitor apparently suffered no long term consequences, I see little issue."
"I think we all take issue with the fact that you feel little guilt with using such a potentially dangerous spell," Cadence explained.
"Oh, come on. No one's giving me flak for murder, and I've done that plenty of times."
Fluttershy gasped, "M-m-m-!"
"You did what?!" Twilight, Rarity, Rainbow, and Applejack all yelled.
"I only killed a pony once, and that was also in self-defense. Look, I've got things to do, so if-"
"Now just wait an apple-buckin' minute, King Phasma!" Applejack ordered. "Just how is it you can go around, talkin' about friendship and cooperation when you admit to killing, and feel no guilt about it?!"
"Do the other Princesses know about this?" Twilight asked Cadence.
Cadence sighed, "Yes. It's a topic that will be covered in our negotiations later. Auntie Celestia plans on- ah, perhaps I shouldn't say."
"Perhaps you should," I suggested.
'Celestia is planning something, eh? That can't be good.'
"She just talked about things with Auntie Luna and I. Look, we're not planning anything to surprise you," Cadence said, reading my thoughts. "We're just planning Equestria's side on this all, and discussing how we want to handle the more complicated subjects of this treaty."
"So Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are going to confront King Phasma about killing ponies?" Rainbow asked.
"Yes," Cadence repeated.
"So they're going to arrest him, right?" Rainbow continued.
Cadence paused, ".... This is far more complicated than any of you realize."
"Just what's so complicated about murder?" Applejack spat.
Cadence grimaced, "There's a bigger picture here."
"So you're just going to ignore-" Rainbow began, but quickly switched tracks. "We're all taking issue with this, right girls?" She looked around her for support.
Twilight, Rarity, and Applejack all nodded. Fluttershy shrunk when the attention was on her, but held her ground and nodded, too. Pinkie Pie was.... Vibrating intensely. Rather than call attention to that, the ponies all faced me again.
"Right!" Rainbow said. "It's all agreed by us, uh, Elements of Harmony, that you... ugh, Twilight take over."
"Huh?"
"I was gonna use our hero status, because that's what we are, to declare that he isn't allowed to hurt ponies. Or something. Look, you figure it out. We all agree that this isn't cool, right?"
Twilight blinked, ".... Yes? I think I see what you're getting at, but if all three Princesses say they will handle it, then I think we can safely leave it to them."
Rainbow grunted out of frustration, "No! I... we... ugh!"
Rarity spoke up, "I believe what Rainbow is trying to say is that we should use our status to officially condemn his actions. Which I agree with."
'They can do that?'
"Yeah!" Applejack stomped.
"I'm not- I'm not going against the Princesses," Twilight said. "We can talk to them about all this-"
"Oh you can bet yer keister we'll be talkin' to the Princess about this. But that doesn't mean we can't talk about it now. You!" Applejack pointed at me. "The Princesses might abide you hurtin' ponies, but we certainly don't!"
"Then it's a good thing I don't give a shit about your opinion."
"Phasma, you pig-headed brute!" Cadence groaned. "Just explain your side to them!"
I sighed, "It was also in self-defense. Notice the theme, yet? The pony that I murdered tried to have me killed, right in the middle of Manehattan. It went poorly for him."
"Yeah but you're like, almost as strong as the alicorns, right?" Rainbow asked. "You could easily have just zapped him or whatever!"
Applejack nodded, "Rainbow's right, with great power comes great-"
I cut her off, "I do have great responsibility, and that responsibility is to my people. They all need me to keep them safe, and to make morally dubious decisions about avoiding paying taxes. If I die because I didn't use everything I had at my disposal, suddenly the changelings have no leader, nor any way to fight back against literally anyone else on this planet. If you haven't noticed, the only reason why we got so far with the invasion was thanks to surprise. There are less than thirty thousand changelings alive."
"Fear is the killer of the mind," Cadence quoted. "But it also isn't an excuse for harsh actions. This is all going to be covered later, so if you six really want to be present during that part of the negotiations, you're going to have to stay here in Canterlot. Rooms can be provided for you all, if that's what you wish."
"That's very generous of you, and quite tempting, but I told Sweetie I'd only be gone for a day," Rarity said.
"Same," Applejack said.
"You told Sweetie Belle that you're going to be gone for a day?" Rainbow asked.
"Yes, Dash, I told Sweetie Belle that I was going to be gone for a day," Applejack said in an utterly dry and sarcastic tone.
When everyone turned to Pinkie Pie for her answer, her vibrations intensified.
"Spike and I can stay in Canterlot," Twilight offered.
"On second thought, the farm can survive without me for a few days."
"Sounds like you girls have this all covered. I've got.... Important naps to return to," Rainbow said.
"That's lovely," I said. "If we're done here?"
"We ain't finished, but we're done for now," Applejack glared at me.
"I, uh, have to go take care of my animals," Fluttershy muttered.
Rainbow shook her head, "That line of conversation ended, like, ten minutes ago, Flutters."
'What a fantastic waste of my time.'
"Oh, and one last thing," I said. "Not a word of any of this leaves the castle. If any of you say anything about what was discussed, I will know, and you do not want to make an enemy of me."
"Are ya threatening us?" The farmer asked.
"Yes, Applejack, I am threatening you. Your idea of condemning me for actions you know little about can get innocent changelings murdered. If you spread any information, you jeopardize my changelings' standing within Equestria. That puts in danger everything I have ever fought for. Think about what each of you would do to protect your family, and you get the idea of what you're going up against. Go home, and leave the politics to the alicorns and royals."
The silence in Luna's study was broken only by the sound of quills scribbling.
Luna suddenly grunted, "What does.... Ugh, does this make sense to you, Phasma? 'To promote ur-ban-ization, a tax relief should be provided to the....' fuck me, what is this word? Here, just look at it."
'Yes, come to the dark side, Luna! We have better swears!'
I took the paper out of the air when Luna levitated it over from her desk. I was set up on a smaller, significantly less fancy desk in Luna's office. If I ended up staying in the castle permanently, I would demand- 'I mean, ask politely,' - an office for myself. Likely, a whole wing, if I ended up moving the Fifth Hive's command structure to Canterlot Castle.
I cleared my throat and read the pointed out section, "To promote urbanization, a tax relief should be provided to the bourgeoisie to facilitate the movement of funds from the.... Wait, Equestria has factories? I was certain you guys were still on a hovel-based economy."
"The request makes sense to you?" She asked.
"Yeah, it's rich factory owners asking for a tax break. Their suggested reason, the idea that the money flows downwards, is completely false, though. The real interesting thing is that Equestria has factories. Where is this....?"
"Ah, the nobles' favorite pastime: wasting my time. Another request to deny, then."
I clicked my tongue, "Hey wait a second, I know these ponies."
"You do?"
"Yeah, they're Double Diamond's parents. That's Thorax's coltfriend. You should grant their request."
"Why?"
"Because I've started negotiating a deal to become their key investor."
Luna rolled up the paper and swatted me on the nose.
I wilted, "Aw come on, I- hold on, someone's coming, Luna."
The door swung upon, and a certain angry bright pink alicorn burst into the room. I had left Cadence with the Elements half an hour ago, so she must have been busy seeing them off and hanging out with Twilight Sparkle, who apparently knew her already.
I sensed her anger before she had arrived.
She looked around, "Where is he? You! Phasma!"
"Me, Phasma."
"Are you intentionally shoving your head up your plot?"
"Only when it's funny. What are we talking about?"
Luna leaned back into her chair, "This should be good..."
Cadence stomped, "The Elements of Harmony, that's what we're talking about. All you had to do was explain things calmly, tell them you are genuinely remorseful and want to be better, and they'd be happy! In fact, I'm certain they would offer to be friends or something similar! Instead, you all but declared war on them due to your own stubbornness!"
"I figured you'd appreciate honesty over lying."
"You're telling me that you're not sorry at all that you killed somepony, or used mind control on another?"
"I'd do it again in a heartbeat if I had to."
"That doesn't necessarily mean you don't feel guilty over it."
I sighed, "I don't feel guilty, either. Both were pricks who deserved what they got. In fact, I tried to avoid conflict as much as possible with Count Double Dealings."
"Then why didn't you say that to the mares earlier?! You have these explanations, and you just don't use them!" Cadence facehooved, "You should try to work on avoiding conflict with others, rather than galloping straight into it."
I shrugged, "It slipped my mind at the time. Besides, Cadence, I'm not really remorseful for those actions, which I suspect they will take issue with anyways. I'd rather not waste my time arguing with a bunch of ponies when I have much better things to do, like acting as Luna's thesaurus."
"Phasma has been exceptionally helpful with the modern linguistics that fly over my head," Luna explained.
"That sounds lovely, but what about the Element bearers?! You really dropped the ball with this, Phasma. You can't go around making enemies and expect ponies to be okay with that."
"I'll live," I said.
"Cadence is right," Luna sighed. "Whatever it was you were arguing over, I recommend not making enemies of the Element bearers. Need I remind you that none of this would be possible without them? I owe everything to them, and the last thing I want is animosity between you all."
I shook my head, "They're angry that I killed the Count, and used mind control against the Inquisitor. I'm not sorry for either of those actions. Even if I never do either of those actions again, I'm sure they'll still hold it against me."
Luna frowned, "Right, like they hold it against me for trying to end the world. We are quite capable of forgiveness, Phasma. Give peace a chance."
"What do you want me to do?" I asked. "I'm not sorry for what I did! Absolutely not. In fact, killing that bastard was cathartic! I will not apologize!"
Cadence stared me down, and I met her stare. She flinched first.
"Whatever. Celestia will deal with all this later, there's no point getting into an argument right now. You try to get through his thick skull, Luna."
Cadence slammed the door shut behind her.
"From what I know, I do not know if I would be remorseful about the Count's death if I were in your position," Luna began, "but I do know that I would want to mend the bridges with the ponies around me. You will be seeing the Elements more, given our positions. Talk with them and try to find some sort of common understanding. If you do not... Well, I am not sure what to do then. I am far from an expert on these matters."
I rubbed my eyes, "It's not up to me whether or not we move past this. I'm perfectly fine with just moving on with our lives. They're the ones who take issue."
Luna glared at me.
"What? I know you ponies detest death, but I don't. That's not going to change. Not even back on Earth was there this much resistance against self-defense."
"Then expect no small amount of discourse between Equestria and the Fifth Hive."
I sighed as I turned back to my work, "Maybe that was inevitable. We just have radically different morals, so no matter our level of trust, there is always going to be some friction."
Luna yawned and rubbed her eyes, "Alright. I believe that is enough work for today. The accursed paperwork has been reduced in strength, the moon has been risen, and dinner has been consumed. I believe we are done for the day, Phasma."
She looked over her desk, past the half-burned candles and their trailing smoke, over to Phasma's adorably tiny desk. The changeling was slumped over, burying his head in his hooves.
Rising from her chair, Luna quietly walked over to him, and peered over his shoulder at his work. His head was resting on some papers of assorted forms and note sheets.
"Phasma? Are you awake?" She whispered.
She prodded him once, but he did not even stir.
"I suppose not, then."
Luna leaned over him, wrapped a foreleg around him, and teleported them to her room. They appeared three hooves length above the bed, and fell the rest of the way onto the bed. The motion, while significantly more smooth than the horrendous, crime-against-magic that Phasma called changeling teleportation, should have been more than enough commotion and jostling to wake the changeling.
Yet the only reaction was him jerking awake, before mumbling to himself and then he fell back asleep.
Luna rolled off of the bed and looked back at Phasma, "I swear, you could sleep through a war."
Shaking her head, she went to her attached bathroom to prepare for the night's slumber. |
Changing Expectations | 127- Sancta Sedes | Once again, the future of the changeling race was put to debate.
Celestia organized the papers before her, "First order of business, the status of Fifth Hive changelings within the Principality of Equestria, as well as the question of the Fourth Hive."
"We worked hard to get our hoof through the door. We're not going anywhere anytime soon, Changelings will hold dual citizenship with both Kingdoms," I said.
Celestia leaned back in her chair and put a hoof to her chin, thinking.
"They would be expected to follow Equestrian laws."
I waved the point away, "Agreed. However, Fifth Hive law would supersede Equestrian law."
Celestia shook her head, "That's quite a big blank check. I can agree to that, but with stipulations."
"Name them."
"Laws concerning harming others, theft, or other capital crimes cannot be superseded."
"Does that include taxation or possession of forbidden materials?"
"Both of those are handled by local jurisdictions, however the Crown decides what is contraband, and what is not."
".... I want an exception to banned materials. The Fifth Hive decides what it can or can't have."
Celestia smiled, "Granted."
"And I want changelings' income taxes to be paid to the Fifth Hive, not Equestria."
"But they're working jobs within Equestria?"
"Most likely they are working in some way for the Fifth Hive, either directly or through its subsidiaries."
"Just how big is the Fifth Hive's holdings?"
I shrugged, "Hard to say right now. It's in the process of being reorganized, especially with the current system of requested allowances being replaced with the standard salary wage system."
Celestia wrote some notes down, "Twenty percent goes to Equestria, the rest to the Fifth Hive. This does not apply to workers directly employed by the Fifth Hive's Crown, nor to any changelings not within Equestria's borders."
"That extends to the workers within whatever land we declare as ours, either due to establishment of a new Hive, or due to presence of ancient changeling ruins," I pointed out.
Celestia shrugged, "As you say."
'Twenty percent, in exchange for working within Equestria, in Equestrian industries, and no tariffs...'
"Tariffs are forbidden between our two kingdoms."
"Agreed," Celestia said quickly.
'That's a steep price to pay, but honestly quite fair. If it turns out to be unfair, I'll need to renegotiate it.'
"With the stipulation that it can be renegotiated, I will agree to this system for taxes."
"Excellent. Though, there are other taxes...."
I shrugged, "Property tax to Equestria, sales tax depends on the primary citizenship of the vendors."
Celestia raised an eyebrow, "That would mean your businesses are untaxed in terms of sales?"
"Twenty percent of income would still go to Equestria. Yes, the funds going towards the Hive's treasury would be untaxed, but the funds going to paychecks would be. In case you don't know, by far the biggest expense for any and every company is payroll. You'll be getting your cut from our Kingdom's hard work."
'A slightly better deal for us, but she gets income from a completely separate kingdom.'
Celestia leaned forward, "You know, under the Anti-Trust Act of Four-Thirty-Three, I have the right to break up the Fifth Hive's corporate holdings in more than one market."
I laughed, "You don't, actually. Not only do you have no idea what the scope of our subsidiaries are, alcohol production, transportation, and sale is illegal. If you were hoping to hold that against the mainstay of our Hive's income, you kinda shot yourself in the hoof there. You can't regulate what's outright outlawed."
"Under this system, your blackmarket alcohol industry would be legal in all but name."
"And if you want the Fifth Hive's cooperation, you will grant us immunity to any anti-trust act."
Celestia barked a laugh, "As if! I can see it now, everything from bolts to bandages made by changelings. How about this; companies owned directly by the Fifth Hive will have considerably larger boundaries before being considered a monopoly that is required to be broken up."
I made some notes of my own, "With exception to the alcohol industry."
"As you said, I cannot regulate what I already outlawed. This all comes with the mutual understanding that the Fifth Hive will not pursue aggressive business tactics to dominate markets."
I nodded, "That's fine with me. The last thing I want is to muscle my way overtly into Equestrian industries. If we are to succeed, let it be due to our ingenuity or dedication, not due to law loopholes or hostile takeovers. I've got our public image in mind, too, you know."
"I'm glad to hear that. I suppose we can handle the other types of taxes later, when there are less pressing topics. Next up," she said while levitating another stack of papers from her side and placing them before her, "is.... the official status of the Fifth Hive and its relation to Equestria. I assume you object to outright integration of our kingdoms?"
"Of course."
"Then we'll need to come up with something else. Especially considering the potential union that would be formed should you wed Princess Luna."
Luna perked up, but remained silent. Cadence smiled and nodded, too. There were a few changelings present from the Fifth Hive, notably Cricket and some of her support staff. They were copying down their own transcripts and notes from the meeting.
'The onus is on me, since she's going to push as much as she can for integration, or something as close to it as possible.'
"We're already going to have dual citizenships," I said, "so our military interests should be entwined completely together."
"Do you suggest combining our militaries?"
I paused, ".... No. Not yet, at least. Let's agree to an unconditional defensive treaty, and cooperation between our militaries on the field."
"The problem with that is foreign affairs. If the Fifth Hive somehow starts a war, then it would fall to Equestrians to defend them."
"The relationship goes both ways."
"Except for the fact that the E.U.P. outnumber your own potential forces by a factor of ten at our lowest estimate, and over a hundred at our largest estimates. Skilled and well trained your forces may be, at the end of the day it will be Equestrians defending our borders. To solve this issue, we should move onto foreign affairs."
I shrugged, "Very well. How do you suggest we handle that?"
"The Fifth Hive should stand with Equestria and most matters. If we embargo a kingdom, so does the Fifth Hive. If we create a defensive alliance with one, so does the Fifth Hive. If we decide to, for whatever reason, make ourselves present through military force, the Fifth Hive will have boots on the ground right alongside the E.U.P.."
'So Equestria can drag the Fifth Hive into any war it starts. That's actually pretty easy to agree to, considering the fact that Equestria hasn't started a war in the past thousand years, as far as I am aware. Best get the Fifth Hive's presence known now.'
I cleared my throat, "For diplomatic measures, the Fifth Hive's presence would be required alongside Equestrian in all matters. Our ambassadors can stand equal with one another, though if disputes cannot be handled, one side takes precedence. That leading side will depend on the diplomatic envoy; one will be hoof-picked to be the leader of each embassy."
"Picked by whom?" Celestia asked.
"I suppose that would be decided on a case-by-case basis."
Celestia frowned, "That system sounds like it can lead to a lot of friction rather quickly. What if instead, the Equestrian ambassador takes the lead stance, though the Fifth Hive ambassador has autonomy in otherwise normal situations."
I scrunched my muzzle up, "Eh. That doesn't sound much better."
"Equestria has a population at least a hundred times that of the Fifth Hive, right? It only makes sense that we continue to exercise our right to proportional say in foreign affairs."
'Hmm.... that is not something I want to agree to outright. The last thing I want is to become muted in foreign affairs.'
"The changeling and pony ambassadors stand equal, with the pony ambassador being assumed leader in any complicated situation. If such emergency powers are used, they are subjected to an investigation following the situation's resolution," I put forward.
"An adjusted version of my proposal? I approve," Celestia said.
"But," I said. "The changelings will need some sort of veto power. Either through their office, which would be subject to a similar investigation- or rather, it can be overridden only by those emergency powers, or through direct orders from the Crown itself."
"That's going to cause a lot of headaches," Celestia groaned.
"This whole system is going to cause a lot of headaches," I sighed. "But I refuse integration."
"Very well. This system can be fixed later, if problems present themselves."
"Flexibility will be the most important aspect of this," I agreed.
'The American Constitution could be amended for a reason. This faux-constitution will have to be substantially more flexible, though.'
"What of the official status of the Fifth Hive?" Celestia asked.
"That is a good question. I can't say I know of any single relationship type that could easily encompass our kingdom's stances."
"Nothing from your world?" She asked.
I shrugged, "Maybe the closest thing is the Vatican and Italy? An independent city-state and the nation that surrounded it. The Vatican was nominally independent, however, given that it was less than a square mile large..."
"Independence was only on paper," Celestia finished.
"Basically. I'm sure it's oversimplifying to the point where it's outright wrong, but it's the general idea. They had a strong voice in the international community, but was a non-voting power."
"The Fifth Hive is considerably more squirrely than that." Celestia tapped her chin, "How about a Confederation?"
"A confederation?"
"Indeed. The Acletian Confederation was an ancient coalition of deer city-states. Each maintained their sovereignty, but together had a shared system of commerce, foreign affairs, and even military to some extent. Our kingdoms clearly are shaping up to have a similar relationship. We would hold the right to secede from the Confederation, and can be rather flexible when it comes to the balance of power. Separate kingdoms with several shared systems, or even borders, in our case."
"Sounds like a rather all-encompassing term for what we're creating."
"Which is why I suggested it."
I nodded, "I see little issue with making that our official status. Especially if your diabolical plan of making me into an Equestrian Prince comes to fruition."
"It will," Luna announced.
I rolled my eyes, "Not for a few years yet."
"A confederation it is," Celestia said while adding more lines to her personal notes. "Any suggestions for a name?"
"I don't think either Equestrian or Changelings can fit in the title. Maybe something nice and short, preferably with some alliteration. The Canterlot Confederation?" I suggested.
"It'll do for now. I will have to put all of this before Equestria's legislative body for approval, given that it completely alters almost every one of our ways of life, but I am confident that it will be approved. Even considering how much... public faith I must have lost."
"What's next?" I asked.
"Let's see. The topic of feeding. A rather specific one. Specifically, how Equestria should handle laws concerning changelings specifically."
"Should be easy enough. Feeding off someone without permission is assault and battery, and disguising with criminal intent is illegal."
"And empathy?"
"What about it?"
"That can be considered a breach of privacy by many. Emotion-sensing is a step away from thought-reading. Now, I have no stance on this topic personally, but I do know of several ponies who would take issue."
"Tough luck for them. There's no way to naturally turn off our empathy senses, so there shouldn't be any laws or anything prohibiting them. It would be like forcing a unicorn to not use their magic."
Celestia finished writing and reorganized her piles of paper, "Alright then. That should be enough for today. Anything the Fifth Hive wishes to put forward?"
I glanced towards Cricket, "Any questions?"
Cricket cleared her throat, "We wish to know about the status of the Hive Eternal, and its relationship with the Principality of Equestria."
"The Hive Eternal?" Celestia repeated.
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that stuff," I said, much to Cricket's withering glare. "It's sorta like a... Emperor or Empress title. Maybe closer to Pontiff."
"Pontiff is the official head-of-state," Cricket clarified.
"Ah, there we go."
Celestia motioned to me, "And a Pontiff is...?"
"A religious title. It basically means that the holder is the... voice of Panarthropo, wouldn't you say?" I asked, shoving the question to Cricket.
"Something like that, Your Majesty. The Pontiff is the leader of the entire changeling race, across all Hives and borders, and hoof-picked by Panarthropo herself to be her will incarnate. Right now, Queen Chrysalis holds the title, with you still being the Champion, which is the heir-apparent title..."
"Am I not the Pontiff, now?"
"You never made a motion to declare that, Your Majesty."
I blinked, "Well I guess you learn something new everyday. I'm the Pontiff now."
"You can't just... say that, Your Majesty."
"I didn't say it, I declared it. Chrysalis smells, I'm the Goddess's chosen ruler. There you go, we'll go through the required pomp and circumstance later."
Cricket stumbled upon her words, and the other changelings looked about equally confused.
"That's certainly something you do not see everyday," Celestia murmured. "And what is the relationship between Equestria and this Hive Eternal? Or even between the Fifth Hive and the Hive Eternal, for that matter."
"I imagine the Fifth Hive is a member-state of the Hive Eternal," I said. "And as for its relation to Equestria.... I suppose there is none. Absolutely none. The title is always held by the ruling king or queen of the Hive anyways, but if for some reason there are multiple Hives that I'm somehow not the leader in some form, they would answer to the Hive Eternal and its Pontiff. Which is me, now. So in effect, it holds the same stances as its leader, right Cricket?"
"Whuh... I mean, yes Your Majesty?"
I smiled, "There you go."
Celestia sat still, trying to write down several paragraphs worth of notes on our conversation.
"This is quite the information expose. I had planned on covering these topics later, but now they have been brought up regardless. How will our Confederation handle the Fourth Hive and Queen Chrysalis?"
"The Fifth Hive has always been at war with the Fourth Hive. Equestria will help the Fifth Hive topple Queen Chrysalis, and reunite the two Hives into one, where I am the King."
"Fantastic. I would have been surprised if you suggested anything else," Celestia smiled.
"Equestria must also help with our war against the Nightmares."
"Without question," Celestia agreed.
"I also approve," Luna said.
"I suppose I do, too," Cadence said.
She was still rather cold with me, following yesterday. The glares she had sent my way during lunch- I slept through breakfast- had been telling enough.
'Another argument incoming after this. I can feel it.'
"I have a question," Luna said, leaning across the table and towards me. "What will be my status within the Fifth Hive, once we are wed?"
I grunted, "That's.... a good question. You don't have a Weave, which more or less is half of a changeling royal's.... How do I put it, their mandate of heaven? Their divine right to rule, that's it. Without one, things get complicated. You'll have power in emergencies, of course, but outside of those, I suspect your influence would be limited."
"I see. And within the Hive Eternal?"
For that answer, I turned to Cricket and motioned for her to speak.
"You would be the Queen-consort of the Fifth Hive," Cricket explained. "The Pontiff has no consort title attached to their wives or husbands. Neither does the Champion title, for that matter."
"Fascinating," Celestia remarked. "The topic of cultural and technological exchange will be covered in two days, and I have to say, I am looking forward to it. I have seldom gotten the chance to travel, so this will be quite the experience."
"When will we discuss the Invasion, and Phasma's actions during and after it?" Cadence asked.
"Tomorrow," Celestia announced.
"Twilight Sparkle and Applejack request to be present during them. In fact, Applejack has gone out of her way to make sure to be present during those talks, so I am approving their request to be present," Cadence said.
'Oh yeah, she's a Princess. I tend to forget that, considering Celestia does most of the heavy lifting. Her and Luna, at least.'
Celestia blinked, "I see. Is this alright with you, Phasma?"
"I'm sure I'll have to go through my history several times if they aren't there," I said. "The less times I have to repeat myself, the better."
"Good," Cadence said, "you dropped the ball when it comes to getting them informed about this situation. This will be your chance to fix that."
"Yes, Phasma, you should try to mend that relationship," Celestia advised. "First impressions are important, and you should work towards making as many friends as possible."
"My first impression with them was beating them up and putting them in pods, remember?"
"Oh. Yes, that. They are willing to forgive that, I'm sure. Simply explain your side of the story during tomorrow's discussion, and I'm certain they will come around. If not, I can lend a hoof."
I sighed.
'Looks like either I have to make friends, or they'll bug me about it till I drop from exhaustion. Fine, but we're doing it my way. The fewer times I have to tell my story, the better. Not because it's more important or anything, I'm just lazy.'
"Then I want the discussion to be released to the public."
"I wouldn't advise that," Celestia said immediately.
"Celestia is right," Luna agreed. "We should be careful about what the citizens hear. If it is not worded carefully, then even the less problematic details of your story could cause a panic."
"We can hold the press conference this afternoon, if you'd wish," Celestia offered. "I've begun the process of returning the presses to their original owners. That was something done through the Crown through a wartime law, unlike the Prohibition. That means I can reverse it immediately, and I have been."
I nodded, "Then let's do this press conference as soon as possible, and start the process of informing the public of my story. The sooner we squash rumors and get the truth out, the better."
"Let's also announce Division-P's wrongdoings during that," Cadence said.
Celestia nodded, "Phasma, I believe you are assembling a report on their activities. How is that coming along?"
"Last I checked with Coxa, we'll have the whole thing compiled in a week. There's a lot of changelings to interview, and a lot of corroborating details to check. At this rate, we might have the identities of any Inquisitor not captured, thanks to the eye-witness accounts alone."
"That is good to hear," Celestia sighed. "Will you have enough to present at this conference?"
"I should. I'll stop by Coxa's hideout and enslave- I mean, delegate him to this task."
"In that case, I say we conclude today's efforts of building tomorrow," Celestia said. "I will go inform the ponies who have been granted their rights to the press back. They should all be ready by five."
I stood up and cracked my neck, "Sounds good. I'll have Coxa's shortened report by then. I'll be sure to give each of you three a copy of it to go over beforehoof."
'This will give me an opportunity to go see the Hive in the Crystal Caves. We haven't had the chance to really leave yet, considering the fact that we only have space for three hundred changelings max back in Manehattan. It'll be nice to see everyone, and I'm sure they all want to see me, alive and well. Almost every single one of them haven't seen me since the Invasion of Canterlot.' |
Changing Expectations | 128- Mhysa | "Is this all we have, Coxa?"
"You mean in the hour you told me to get this shit together? Yes, it is. I'm a Panar-damned miracle worker, worship the ground I walk on."
I chuckled as I flipped through the packet.
"Thank you for your dedication Coxa."
"Yeah, well, thank my team, too. You think I could do a quarter of this without them in such a short time frame?"
I shrugged, "Sorta. I just kinda give you work to do and you magically get it done. I don't ask questions."
"Let's keep it that way," Coxa said.
"You made the extra copies, right?"
"What did I say about questions?"
"That I'm the King and can do what I want?"
"In that case, Your Majesty, the extra packets are all over there. Pick them up on your way out," Coxa pointed the papers out to me.
"Thanks, Coxa. I'll be sure not to fuck up our first public-relations gesture to the ponies."
Coxa shook his head, "Right. I kinda forgot how important this was. But I mean, you work me like a slave, so it's no wonder it slipped my mind. No pressure, though. It's only the future of our species and everything we've worked towards."
"No pressure," I smiled. "Now, I believe I have some time to see the Hive. You want to accompany me?"
Coxa hummed to himself and looked back at his desk. The unused office, which was taken up before Celestia had granted its use to us, was filled with different folders and loose papers to be filled out and filed away.
".... Sure."
The Palace didn't have a direct entrance to the Crystal Caves- not after the Royal Guards resealed the tunnels we dug into their dungeons, so we had to take a more indirect route. The main entrance that the Fifth Hive was using to go between the Caves and Canterlot was over in the Northeast side of the Middle District. Located just north of the main freight railway entrance to Canterlot, it was in a prime position for the Fifth Hive to bring in and out materials. Daybreaker had it sealed, but it had been cleared out in the days since her death.
At least, it would have been, had Celestia ceded the caves to us.
'No use crying over spilled milk and lost fortresses located in perfectly strategic locations, as the saying goes.'
Ponies stopped in the streets below us as we flew over their heads. A notable few had cameras, and snapped pictures of Coxa and I as we made our way to the Crystal Caves' entrance. When we set down, the changeling guards stationed there, four Red Right Hoof legionnaires, saluted us as we entered the formerly-collapsed entrance to the Caves.
We walked over a large metal grated section, which I guessed was to keep rainwater from entering the cave complex, and began to descend into Canterhorn Mountain. Several offshoot tunnels were filled in with rock rubble, as we didn't bother unblocking the majority of the sealed tunnels. Most of those would end in dead-ends, anyways.
The black and grey rock of Canterhorn gradually became sparklier and sparklier as we descended into its depth, eventually giving way to solid crystal formations. Then, the tunnel opened up into a series of large caverns, each filled with changelings.
The changelings had set up camp wherever they could. We were already used to sleeping without beds in the Fourth Hive, so sleeping on the cold hard stone wasn't a new discomfort. Still, seeing changelings with quite literally nothing to their name sat unwell with me. We had passed over the Upper District of Canterlot to go from the Palace to get here, and that district was full of mansions and gardens and every single luxury under the sun. It was quite literally the greatest concentration of wealth on Equus.
And our journey ended here, in the Crystal Caves, where changelings had almost nothing. Sure, there were crates filled with goods such as blankets and pillows that we had purchased in bulk, and those crates had been cracked open and were in the process of being distributed, but even then, it was a completely different picture than outside the Crystal Caves. Outside, the ponies were all happy- or more accurately, far from a sour mood. Things were looking like they would be improving for Equestria, so the nobles were all content with the return of Princess Celestia.
Even if they never really understood that she was gone in the first place. Simpler was better.
The changelings were covered in bandages, rags, blankets, and even a few had changeling resin plastered onto them to hold their broken carapaces together. The worst off were put into what healing pods we could make right away, with the rest having to wait their turns.
When we stepped into the main cave, the reaction was immediate. The changelings, about a hundred in this spacious cavern alone, stopped what they were doing and what conversations they had and all of them looked at us.
"King Phasma!"
That broke the floodgates.
Changelings called out my name, reaching out from where they were. Many buzzed over, stopping and landing around us.
"My King!"
"King Phasma!"
"Prince Phasma!"
'Looks like a few are still getting used to being in the Fifth Hive.'
"Hello- yes, hello- how are you- uh huh, it's nice to see you too- no thank you- yes, hello," I tried keeping up with the sudden barrage of greetings and questions.
"Yes, I am Coxa the Great," Coxa smiled and waved, next to me. "Any praise he refuses, I'll gladly take. I run the Hive for him, anyways."
Despite his jokes, Coxa actually did receive some attention. Now that the First Fang was basically the Royal Court for the Fifth Hive, all of them had found themselves considerably more important and recognizable. In a society without celebrities, the closest thing you could get to being famous was being important to the Hive.
As I talked to them, the room gradually filled with more and more changelings as word traveled through the Hive. The large room became more and more cramped as changelings gathered around me, and many had to cling to the walls to make room. I moved to stand on a large flattened crystal stalagmite so that every ling could see me and I could better address the quickly growing crowd.
Soon enough, the entirety of the Fifth Hive had gathered in the cave.
The changelings began asking me questions about what had happened during the invasion, and where I went. When I answered those, they asked about what happened after. I talked about the founding of the Fifth Hive, the expansion into Manehattan, where they would be going, the alliance with the ponies, and of course, Luna.
That got them going. When I mentioned the fact that I was dating Luna, they all exploded into questions.
"My King, will she be our Queen?" One drone called from the back.
"Potentially," I answered.
"Are you brainwashing her?"
I chuckled, "Ha! No."
"Is she brainwashing you?"
"I sure hope not."
"What does this mean for the Hive?"
I paused. "I... suppose it means good things. It's certainly good for me, at least. I really hope our relationship lasts."
"Do you love her?"
I started in surprise at the question.
'What kind of question is that? Do they... think that I would start the relationship purely out of political reasons? Given that Nightmare Moon basically started it for those reasons, I guess that assumption makes sense.'
"More than anything in the world. Except maybe you guys. If I had to choose between you or her... well, thankfully I don't."
"Should we bow to her, My King?"
"I guess so. Don't call her Queen, though. She's a Princess."
On and on the questions came. Many changelings just wanted to say hello, or say thank you for saving them.
"I didn't save you, I merely provided the distraction so that the Red Right Hoof could. Direct your thanks to Captain Katydid and his team," I answered.
"My King! Is it true that you faced down Discord all by yourself?!"
I shook my head, "No. Though I did free him in order to kill Daybreaker and bring Celestia back. Together with Captain Shining Armor of the Royal Guard, and Princess Cadence, Alicorn of Food, we distracted Discord long enough for the Elements of Harmony to get their sparkly stones back and put him back in stone."
One changeling pushed his way to the front and prostrated before me.
"My King! I don't know if you remember me, but I served alongside you in Canterlot! I am glad beyond words to hear of your survival, and would be honored to fight by your side again!"
'Huh. Kinda expected him to be dead, to be honest. I suppose he wasn't in the Palace, unlike Captain Cicada.'
"Arise, Captain Tetragnath."
The Weave order took him by surprise, and snapped up, staring at me in surprise.
"Of course I would remember a Captain of the Legions. You and your lings of Panar's Hammer did excellent work during the invasion. Even if we have no medals to give out, know that your efforts went a long way to saving our kind. Even if it was a good thing in the end that the invasion failed, serving the Hive and fighting to save our race isn't something you should ever be ashamed of."
The former-Captain saluted, "What remains of the Sixth Legion stands at your command, My King!"
"Good. Report to Captain Katydid, Captain Tetra. He will integrate you and your lings into the Red Right Hoof. And that goes to all of you!" I yelled as I turned back to address the crowd. "The war is not over! It has massively shifted in our favor, with an end in sight, but it is not over! We must be prepared for anything! Further, there is yet another war that must be won! I must call upon you all to serve the Hive Eternal once again, for a foe lurks in the dark, hunting us. They have been at war with us so long that we have forgotten that we are at war at all.
"The previous Hives have fallen to their hordes and influence, so we must stand vigilant and be prepared for their arrival. They are the Nightmares, demons from beyond, and they seek our extermination. But the Hive Eternal has stood against them since time immemorial, and it always will. Now that we have Equestria by our side, we can go on the offensive and find these Nightmares, and kill them all. For the Hive Eternal, we will win!"
The changelings cheered.
'Our strength grows, as I'm sure this Nightmare Lord's does. Do you hear us, Epitaph? We're coming for you!'
Celestia sighed and shook her head as she closed the packet.
"This is only a fraction of what you've gathered?"
I nodded, "Yep. This is a trimmed-down, family-friendly version. Lots of complicated terms to make it hard for foals to understand the war crimes their uncles and aunts committed."
"It certainly obfuscates the brutality," Luna muttered.
"I figured it would be better to be somewhat less quick about releasing information about this, and just start with the big topics first before moving to specifics later on."
"That might be for the best," Celestia agreed. "Taking things slow enough for our ponies to become accustomed to the idea that ponies indeed did do horrible things during the war is the right idea. Now, there will be other topics covered during this press conference, Phasma."
"Such as?"
"Your involvement in the Invasion of Equestria, for starters."
".... I think it's pretty clear what my involvement was. I was ordered to make the plans by Chrysalis, and though I tried looking for alternatives given what time I had, I went ahead and made the plans and executed them. And in the end, I did support the invasion, as no alternative was found."
"You're admitting to supporting the invasion?" Celestia asked. "That's... not a very tactful thing to do."
"I'm sorry that it happened, but I can't be sorry for fighting for my species' survival. To say otherwise would just make me a liar."
Celestia grimaced, and Luna said, "Be it on your head, then. I am sure ponies will appreciate honesty, but they would appreciate repentance more."
"Hey, when I was in charge of the war, few ponies got hurt, and no one died. It was only when I got taken out that changelings and ponies began dying."
"Just make sure you aren't trying to excuse the invasion," Celestia advised. "You might see it as necessary, but saying that out loud will just make things worse for you. Skirt around the topic, if you can, and emphasize the consequences of ignoring or refusing orders."
"I can do that. I can also mention my supposed reward for if the Invasion of Equestria was successful, too."
Celestia raised an eyebrow, "Which would be...?"
"Lobotomization by Queen Chrysalis."
"That's one Tartarus of a way to introduce your rebellion," Cadence said.
"There's another important topic that needs to be addressed," Celestia said. "The death of Count Double Dealings."
"Why does that need to be addressed?" I asked.
"The ponies that were freed have gone on record about that day. There are witnesses, and by Equestrian law, the Crown has had to field some questions concerning the citizen's status. The press now knows that the ponies you captured are now being held for questioning, and will want to know what happened. It's only a matter of time before they start guessing the worst, so I believe it's best that you introduce the topic of Count Double Dealings."
"But we haven't even discussed this during the negotiations," I pointed out.
"Which complicates things," Celestia said. "Do not say you murdered him. Simply say that you were involved in his death, and that the Equestrian Crown has begun the proceedings of investigating the matter, is it unrelated to the war. You are forbidden from saying anything more by the Crown out of fear of complicating the matter and creating grounds for a mistrial."
"You're ordering my silence?"
Celestia shrugged, "I have no power to, but take the excuse offered. You'll find it more of an airtight alibi than any other way of answering their questions."
"Fair enough. But will there be a trial?"
".... Yes. There simply has to be. Whether that trial is a tribunal of us Princesses, or a matter placed before a court, is yet to be decided."
"I'll take you three, then. You know the consequences of the bigger picture."
"That's a nice way of saying you'll coerce and influence our judgement," Cadence frowned.
"It is a nice way of saying it," I admitted. "What's your point? You think I'm going to let you deprive my changelings of their leader, in the middle of a war? And right before we get started on preparing for another?"
"Sacrifices must be made," Luna said.
'Is she agreeing with me, or siding with Cadence?'
"As Luna said, we must make accommodations for the situation," Celestia said politically. "This obviously cannot be handled like any other civil matter, and that means both our judgement of the situation and our decided punishment, should there be one, should reflect the needs of our Kingdoms. We can't put Phasma in prison, nor can we do many other things."
"So why bother having a trial?" I asked.
"So we can claim we had one," Celestia said.
"That's it?"
"Ooooh mare, Shiny's gonna be mad," Cadence facehooved.
Celestia nodded, "As you said, Phasma, we're in the middle of a war, with another looming just beyond the horizon. Now's not the time to condemn our allies. This is all assuming you are guilty of the crimes, with no mitigating circumstances..."
"Sooo....?" I trailed off.
"So stick to the script, young changeling, and try to balance honesty with not stabbing yourself in the hoof."
"If it makes any difference, Phasma," Luna began, "I am sure you are innocent of anything you are accused of. Unless you are guilty, then you are guilty of those things."
I chuckled, "Thanks Luna. Glad to have your faith in me."
"Just try not to kill any more nobles. They might make strong cases for their own executions, but I have found that killing them only makes the situation worse."
Celestia groaned, "I'm going to have to deal with two Lunas now, aren't I? The things we do for love..."
"I mean, I invaded your kingdom for love, so you're just preaching to the choir," I smiled. |
Changing Expectations | 129- Isimud | There were less ponies present than I expected.
Instead of a large room bustling with journalists, the fancy looking presentation room had less than thirty correspondents in it. Each one had their journals, cameras, interns, and other equipment to help them record their stories. At the front row, Applejack and Twilight Sparkle sat patiently, deep in a quiet discussion.
Celestia stepped up behind the podium at the front of the room. The rest of us, that being Princess Cadence, Princess Luna, and King Myself all took seats behind her.
"Good afternoon, everypony. I'm glad you all could make it here today," Celestia welcomed the press. "I'm sure you have a lot of questions, so to get used to the way things were, we'll start slowly. We've got a lot to cover today, so let's get started with the basics. As I announced yesterday, we have begun negotiating peace between changelings and ponies. King Phasma is here today to answer questions you might have. Please keep your questions limited to him, the Fifth Hive- that being the kingdom he rules, the peace between our kinds, and changelings in general."
She stepped away from the podium and motioned for me to take her spot.
"Starting right away, huh?" I whispered to her as I passed her.
"It's going to be a long day, so it's best to start immediately," she explained.
I stepped up behind the podium and looked out over the small crowd. The flash of cameras made me flinch, but I cleared my throat and greeted the food.
"Hello everyone. I am King Phasma, but I hope you all know that already. I was hatched... not too long ago, but I'm older than I appear. I am the sole son of Queen Chrysalis still alive, and I have established the Fifth Hive after failing to usurp Queen Chrysalis during the invasion. I suppose I'll take questions now."
There was a flurry of flashes as the journalists all said their questions. They didn't shout, they were professional enough not to do that, but they did immediately try to voice all of their questions at once. I picked a pony at random for the first question.
"You, over there in the ugly fedora."
'I wonder if he wore that fedora to get noticed, regardless of how tacky it looks. If so, he's a genius.'
The pony stood up, "News Reel, Las Pegasus Weekly. What do you have to say about your involvement in the Invasion of Equestria?"
I blinked, "Ah. I was ordered to plan and execute the invasion by my mother, Queen Chrysalis. I did not have a choice, as refusal was simply not an option, and there were no alternatives. I had tried to search for any way to avoid war, but my token effort was not enough to uncover anything. I had too much going on to properly search for a peaceful solution."
"Such as?" The stallion asked.
".... I was working to uncover the fates of my siblings, plan the invasion, create a loyal power base, and appear nothing less than completely loyal to the Queen. Before you ask, my siblings, the last one having died around three hundred years ago, had... mysterious fates. My investigation into that matter yielded disturbing results."
"What was your personal involvement in the Battle for Canterlot?"
'Err....'
"I provided the main distraction, as planned, and searched for Princess Cadence while Queen Chrysalis dueled Princess Celestia. Then, finding Captain Shining Armor of the Royal Guard was added to my list of duties. I fought him, won, and captured him and Princess Cadence. Then I went and tried to kill Queen Chrysalis. I didn't succeed. Next question."
Several hooves reached into the air, with the ponies attached to those hooves asking their questions aloud.
"Mare with the tan coat," I pointed to one.
"Name Drop, Canterlot Consortium. Why have you sided with Equestria, and why should we trust you?"
"Asking quite the question there. I have sided with Equestria because it was shown that peace was indeed possible. One of my closest friends discovered a way to solve our hunger- that being the sole and unavoidable reason for the invasion- without hurting ponies. Immediately, I dropped any other plan and embraced that idea. As for why you should trust me... I don't think I can possibly answer that. It's up to you all to decide if you can trust me, not the other way around."
The ponies all diligently jotted down my words as the mare asked her next question, "When did you first decide to side with Equestria?"
I frowned, "That question is more complicated than it appears. I sided with a Princess of Equestria around December, before the invasion. Specifically, I was approached by Nightmare Moon, the banished-and-possessed Princess Luna, and was eventually offered an alliance. I was as desperately in need of allies, so I accepted the alliance. Equestrians wouldn't be reduced to chattel slaves at best, and though it would most certainly suffer under her rule, Equestria would survive in the end. And, most importantly to me, I would gain a powerful ally that would help me kill Queen Chrysalis. It was the lesser of two evils."
After taking a moment to finish writing my response, the mare raised her hoof again, "One last question, King Phasma. You are very insistent on your mother, Queen Chrysalis's death. Why? For what reason have you founded this new Kingdom and declared war against your own mother?"
'Now to call back to the seed I planted.'
"To answer that, I would have to start at the beginning of our relationship. One year ago, I was hatched from an egg." There was a relative uproar in questions and confusion in the air. "Yes, one year ago, I was born. I'm... not actually that young, but that's a longer, more complicated story. One year ago, Queen Chrysalis hatched me from an egg she laid and genetically modified. Then followed several months of intense training and learning, starting from the very first day. Not particularly full of motherly love, but what pushed me to outright treason against her was the aforementioned fates of my siblings. Their explained deaths didn't add up, and I worked hard to uncover the truth. What I learned was that following my successful invasion of Equestria, I would... share their fate. My siblings, the few that had not had their lives callously thrown away and used up like matchsticks, were..."
I paused and rubbed the side of my head, leaning against the podium. If I concentrated hard enough, which I actively tried not to, I could feel the Nightmare's drilling pressing against it.
"... They were alive. About five of them, in the absolute barest definition of alive. Caught on the brink of death and refused that release, Queen Chrysalis had taken their often horribly torn-apart and mutilated still-living bodies, and... and lobotomized them. Trapped for centuries, dying but unable to die... I ordered their release to happen once Chrysalis and I were too far away from the Hive, but there was something else I found. An empty vat, similar to the vats that each of them were kept in. One empty vat. One foolish Prince who followed mother's orders... It seemed obvious to me that Chrysalis had no intention of sharing power following the end to our starvation. It was her, or it was me."
"So you sided with Equestria purely out of fear?" A pony asked, out of turn.
I scowled, but could not rebuke him. It would have looked bad if I refused to answer a question like that.
"N-no. I had searched for alternatives to war, but I failed. I admit that I failed to find a way for peace, and that I didn't dedicate as much time or resources as I could to finding an alternative path. But I tried from the beginning to avoid the invasion. I even sided with an obviously-evil demon to avoid dooming your species, but to be fair, I gained quite a bit from that alliance. Next question."
More ponies asked questions. One in particular glared at me in a way I could not ignore.
"Applejack," I said, pointing to her.
She stood, then suddenly froze before she could speak. Casting a look around, she cleared her throat, "Applejack, Element o' Harmony. Do ya feel sorry for your actions during the invasion? For tearing families apart, and-" Applejack cut herself off, staring past my shoulder, where I knew Celestia was sitting.
'A helpful glare from the small sun Princess? Who knows, I'm just glad she shut up.'
I sighed, "I am sorry it happened. One action taken by me during it was... perhaps too far. I had taken a 'shortcut' so to say, and hurt a pony I shouldn't have. However, at the time, I was far from the most collected individual, and I made that mistake in pursuit of something I cannot apologize for; the invasion was to save our species, and for that reason, I cannot condemn it. I am relieved beyond words that such a violent status quo is no longer needed and that we can work together, but as a Prince then and King now, my first duty is to my people. I am sorry the invasion happened, but I cannot be sorry that I did everything I could to save my species from extinction."
"And what about whatchya did after the invasion?"
'You better not...'
"Any ponies harmed afterward were harmed due to self-defense. I go out of my way to make sure things are handled as bloodlessly as possible. Next question."
"Who were these hurt ponies?" Another pony asked, taking advantage of the immediate silence following my answer.
More camera flashes meant that ponies really wanted an answer to that.
"The ponies captured by the Fifth Hive consist entirely of either Division-P inquisitors, whose actions will be covered later today, and individuals under the employment of Count Double Dealings. Next question."
Applejack raised her hoof again.
"You, the stallion with red eyes," I pointed away from the Element o' Harmony.
"Hot Take with the Canterlot Times. King Phasma, what are your plans following the end of the war with Queen Chrysalis?"
I glanced back at Luna. She gave me a half-nod.
"The Fifth Hive will work towards bringing back our species from the edge of extinction, as well as furthering our ties to Equestria."
"Could you give me some examples of quote, 'furthering ties?'"
"The Fifth Hive has numerous economic interests, and the amount of involvement of changelings in Equestrian economics grows with each passing week. Our two militaries will be cooperating at a much closer level as time goes on, as the need for a united front grows. Finally... I hope to further our ties to Equestria at the top level."
'That's one way of saying it...'
"Could you clarify that last statement for us?"
The sudden thought of yelling 'I'm banging Luna,' did nothing to help my sudden nervousness. If changelings could blush, this would be ten times as awkward.
"Ah, well, you see, Princess Luna was the one who befriended me and helped bridge the gap between our kinds, and, uh..." I tapped my forehooves together, "... has pursued me in courtship."
'There.'
I breathed out slowly as all the reporters jumped from their seats and belted out questions.
Celestia returned to the podium, and I made room for her, returning to my seat next to Luna. When I sat down, she reached over and held my hoof.
"You know, they must be suffering from quite the whiplash seeing the Prince of Dread act like a nervous teenager," she whispered.
"Uh huh, I'm so very fearsome," I muttered.
"You did well, Phasma. You were endearing, if nothing else."
"Thanks, Luna. Your support means a lot to me."
She smiled and nodded as Celestia managed to get the crowd back in control.
"Yes, it is true, Princess Luna and King Phasma are in a relationship," Celestia confirmed. "What that means for our two Kingdoms is up in the air, however, I am happy to see my sister have such an opportunity for companionship. From complete isolation to... Ah, forgive me. I shall answer any questions you have regarding the peace from our end, my little ponies. Yes, Quick Read?"
The pony she pointed at stood up, "Your Highness, what changes to our daily lives will this bring?"
"Effectively none. This is a great leap forward for our effort to end the war, but there are less than a thousand changelings within the Fifth Hive at the moment. The odds of anypony even seeing a changeling in their life at the moment is almost zero. Exception being anypony in Canterlot, as that's where the Fifth Hive is temporarily located."
"One more question, Your Highness," the pony said. "The ponies held captive by Queen Chrysalis will still be released, right?"
Celestia nodded slowly, "Of course. That was never in question, my little pony."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
"Next question?" Celestia prompted. "Hmm.... Sir Double Check, go ahead."
'Double seems to be a common name-'
The pony, a brown unicorn, stood and spoke, "What will be done about the disappearance of Count Double Dealings?"
'... Fuck. Family, I take it? Guess he didn't trust any answer from me, or something.'
"Count Double Dealings' status is being investigated by the Crown. The matter will be properly investigated, and handled with justice and future matters in mind."
"Future matters?" Double Check quoted back.
"The war is not over, my pony."
Double Check stomped angrily, "So my nephew's disappearance is to swept under the rug-"
Celestia's voice drowned him out, "Your Nephew will receive justice, but there are thousands of lives at stake. Putting everything on hold or at risk for a single life is something I cannot do."
"You did it when you failed to prepare us for Nightmare Moon's return," Double Check snapped.
The ponies gasped, and Celestia leaned back from the podium. She took several moments to recollect herself and stamp down on any errant emotions. This I could tell only due to my empathetic senses, as her body language and facial expressions were kept under complete control.
"Sir Double Check," Celestia said in an all-too-harsh tone, the kind that your mother used with your full name. "The matter. Will be. Investigated. I have no intention of letting anypony go unharmed, unfreed, or unavenged, depending on their status. However, we must do this with patience and calmness. Making demands will only get more ponies hurt, or any due process irrevocably destroyed. The Crown extends its sympathies to all ponies affected by the invasion in any way, especially to those whose loved ones' statuses are in question.
"Now. Sit. Down. I understand how fearful you might be, so emotional outbursts are not only understandable, but expected, but we must conduct ourselves with decorum. This is still Equestria. We are still in Canterlot. Let us not forget that."
Celestia cleared her throat, "Now, I believe that should do it for the first round of questions." She gestured to several aids who stood to the side of the room, and they began distributing papers to the press. "This is the official first debriefing on the matter of Division-P. Since there is much rumor and speculation about Division-P, we shall go over the basics first. Division-P was a covert organization in all but name, whose purpose was to pursue changelings within Equestria. To pursue this effort, in conjunction with the Royal Guard, Division-P hunted down all known changelings within Equestria, following what evidence they had. Several innocent ponies lost their livelihood due to their errant accusations, and several were incarcerated for extended periods. I will give you all a few moments to read over this in detail, now."
I raised an eyebrow and looked at Luna.
She noticed my expression and whispered, "You have one half of the story, we have the other. 'Tis all true."
"Oh. That makes sense. These ponies would have petitioned the Crown, and so their petitions- probably suppressed- would now be in your possession?" I guessed.
Luna nodded. Celestia began again once many of the ponies looked back up at her.
"These are the lightest of the crimes and accusations levied against Division-P, and are not the cause for its liquidation and arrest of all former members. After capturing changelings- and very rarely in the beginnings of its operations, ponies- Division-P held the changelings in the dungeon known as Locksdale Prison." With another gesture, the aids distributed a second packet. "This contains the preliminary report of survivor eyewitness accounts of their incarceration within Locksdale. Under the orders of Princess Daybreaker..."
As Celestia explained the Inquisition's actions under her Nightmare-possessed self, I sampled the ponies' emotions. Growing discontent, disgust, and frustration underpinned every pony's confusion.
'Good.'
Several looked to be sick at points, especially when they got to the included photograph of the changeling who had starved to death in Locksdale.
'Scalene. She was twenty years old. Served in the Third Legion, under my direct command. No one knows how she was captured, but many saw her die. She was experimented upon before she succumbed to her slow death, her injuries proving too much for her to survive while on the small rations she was eventually given. The dossier doesn't have any of that, just a caption listing her as 'A changeling who succumbed to injuries due to starvation.' No name. No story. Just her end.'
I missed Celestia ending the presentation of facts, and her invitation for questions.
Several ponies raised their hooves quietly, with most still glued to the papers in their hooves.
"Princess.... How could you let this happen?"
I also missed who said that, but I didn't miss Celestia's response.
"I am sorry, my little pony. I myself had succumbed to feelings of hopelessness during the Invasion of Canterlot, and was possessed by an otherworldly apparition known as a Nightmare. Princess Daybreaker, the melding of myself and this Nightmare, ordered these atrocities to be carried out. I..." Celestia momentarily glanced back at Luna, much like I did. "I cannot accept responsibility for these actions, but I accept all responsibility and blame for letting Daybreaker into this world. This all happened due to my failure to protect you all, and for that I'm sorry."
There were several more questions about the specifics of Division-P: who was in it (typically Canterlot unicorns), how they got away with this (Daybreaker had given them carte-blanche), how they could even come to do this (still being investigated), and so on.
Eventually, questions came back around to Daybreaker.
"Your Highness, what's stopping this Daybreaker, or Nightmare Moon even, from returning?"
Celestia nodded to the two Elements in the front row, "In addition to being prepared with the Elements of Harmony for such an occasion, us alicorns are working together to investigate all matters pertaining to Nightmares; from their creation, to how they manifest, to pursuing their extinction. Their primary form of possession requires the subject to be at a very low point in their life, so together we must learn ways to counteract this, and to make sure none of us are so emotionally vulnerable."
Twilight Sparkle looked- tasted even more so- surprised, and raised her hoof. She waited for the Princess to call on her, "Princess Celestia, what do you mean by exterminating these Nightmares?"
"I believe King Phasma can answer that," Celestia said, stepping down and inviting me up.
I took the podium and nodded to Twilight, "These Nightmares are longtime enemies of changelings. Though this fact was unknown even to us until extremely recently, they have been the chief driving force for our extinction, having toppled at least one changeling civilization already. It is hypothesized within the Fifth Hive that they are the ones who have driven us to living far out in the Badlands, away from any form of civilization and in a particularly defendable position. As for their extermination, they have made their desire to end the world quite clear, and no form of peace can exist between us.
"They are demons in every sense of the word; their morals are incomprehensible, their nature is unknown, and their intent cannot be understood. All we know is that they want power, and for us to be hosts for them, therefore ending our civilizations. Their leader, known only as Epitaph, is currently missing, locked away somewhere, and must be "freed," to quote one Nightmare. In conjunction with Equestria and Vallachia, we will scour Equus for these abominations, and put an end to them for the safety of Equus."
I stepped back, but Celestia held up a hoof.
"Any questions?" She asked the crowd, keeping me next to her.
Together, we answered more questions about the Nightmares, the three known possession cases- we had left out the case of the lone changeling being possessed. I suspected Celestia didn't want them to think that any person could be possessed, only alicorns and changeling royals.
All the while, I kept my focus on Twilight and Applejack. The two had drastically shifted moods since the beginning of the press conference, much like every other pony here. Applejack for her part seemed to have lost much of her anger, or rather, redirected it elsewhere. When she looked at me, the spite no longer lingered in her gaze. In its place, a concoction of complicated emotions clouded any clear reading.
'I suppose that's a win for me.' |
Changing Expectations | 130- Lugh | The two Elements ambushed The Royal Gang© outside the conference room.
"Yer Highnesses," Applejack bowed to the Princesses while Twilight did the same. "Is all that true? All that..." She trailed off.
"I'm afraid so, my little pony," Celestia said, not hiding the sadness in her voice.
"And these Nightmares, what are we doing about them? This is really the first you've explained anything about them," Twilight said.
"I was planning on explaining everything in a few days, once you and your friends received some much needed rest, following your heroics during the Grand Galloping Gala," Celestia explained.
"And it's true that yer only a year old?" Applejack asked. "And about your... siblings?"
I sighed, "I had planned on telling my full story, but obviously we had too much to cover. Yes, I hatched less than a year ago. Or slightly more, I don't know the date."
"You don't know your own birthday, Your Majesty?" Twilight asked. ".... Pinkie would blow a fuse if she heard that."
I shrugged, "Yeah. I had a lot going on, as I said. When you don't trust your own mother when she says all your brothers and sisters totally weren't murdered by her, your priorities tend to get a bit skewed."
"Ah'm sorry to hear that, King Phasma. Ah don't approve of you hurting ponies, but it's clear that there's more going on. Somethin' you should'a mentioned," Applejack added angrily.
"I should have, yes. I'm sorry for not explaining things, yesterday was a busy day, and I was getting tired of others dictating their morals to me."
"So what happened with Count Double Dealings?" Applejack asked.
"He confronted me while I was disguised. I tried to solve the issue several times, but he needlessly escalated to the point of demanding my dismemberment. So I... killed him."
She narrowed her eyes, "That sounds like needless escalation to me."
I shrugged, "You're right, I could have easily let him live. But he reminded me too much of the bastard who murdered me, so I killed him right then and there."
"Wha- murd- what did ya say?!"
"And on that bombshell, I have to say goodbye. I've got to coordinate the move from the Crystal Caves to Manehattan-"
"Now just hold on, what do ya mean you were murdered, King Phasma?!" Applejack asked, looking as confused as Twilight.
"I mean someone killed me for no reason, with no pretext of self defense. So yeah, I guess Double Dealing's death was justified in that regard, but I certainly killed him on purpose."
"... How were ya murdered?!"
"I said I was older than a year old, and I meant it. Reincarnation, Applejack. Reincarnation. I was killed and reborn as a changeling."
"That's... Oh my Celestia."
"Reincarnation?" Twilight whispered, looking to her after-school tutor for answers.
Celestia simply nodded.
While Twilight processed this, Applejack recovered quicker, "So let me get this straight; you were murdered. Then you were immediately put to work to plan an invasion, all the while finding out your brothers 'n sisters were... what was that word, Twilight?"
The purple unicorn seemed a bit out of it, like a record skipping.
"Lobotomized," Twilight automatically responded.
"Yeah, that. The brain stuff. That's all right?"
'Oh, she got Twilight to explain the concept to her.'
"Yes Applejack, that's all correct," I said.
Applejack worked her jaw in silence as she looked at me.
"... Ah can't say Ah approve of hurting or killin' ponies, but that don't mean ya haven't suffered. Good ponies make mistakes, and bad ponies can fix their ways. Just.... Make sure nothin' like that ever happens again."
I squinted as I thought about her words, "... Thanks?"
"That means ya need help, Yer Majesty. The professional kind. And to listen to what the Princesses tell ya."
"Luna has signed us all up for therapy," Celestia offered.
"She has?" Applejack asked.
"She has?" Twilight echoed.
"She has," I sighed.
"Oh," Applejack muttered. "Ah suppose you've got 'em on the right path, Yer Highness."
"I'm glad you agree with the course of action," Celestia said.
"Of course she does, Lady Applejack has wisdom she seldom dispenses," Luna said.
Applejack sighed, "What did I say about 'lady,' Yer Highness? Wait, were you insultin' me?"
"I would never dream of it, Applejack. I was simply stating that few come to you for wisdom. A pity, really; you are wise beyond your years."
"... Thanks, Princess Luna. And Prin- King Phasma here is seeking yer companionship?"
"Ha, more like I am seeking his! As you saw, when it comes to matters of love, the love-eater is rather shy," Luna winked to Applejack.
"I'm standing right here," I muttered.
"Which makes it all the more entertaining," Luna beamed.
Applejack's face went blank, "... Sounds like you'll be keeping a close eye on 'em, then. Good, uh, good on ya for finding somepony who'll make you happy. Just don't let that cloud yer judgement, but Ah suppose you have heard this already. Ah suppose that's my business settled here in Canterlot. You've all got things well in hoof. Ah've got a train to catch, so Ah'll see you later, Twi. Tell me about how this Count business goes down. Thanks for yer hospitality, Princesses."
She bowed to them before leaving. Twilight waved to her as she left. I was busy whispering to Luna.
"You totally insulted her, right?'
"It was an accident. Was the recovery sound?"
"I think she bought it."
"That is a relief, though you should note that my response was honest. She is a smart mare, even if she does not appear so on the surface."
Twilight addressed Celestia, "Princess, you mentioned to me that I would need to stay in Canterlot for a few days longer?"
"Indeed, I'm glad you received my letter. There is a matter that will be more expedient with your effort, if you'd help..."
Twilight smiled, "Of course I'd love to help, Princess. And, uh... thanks for asking, rather than ordering."
Celestia's smile faded, "Yes, well, I have much to make up for. Already, there are rifts growing in Equestria due to Daybreaker's actions. But that isn't why I need you."
"What do you need me for, Princess?"
Celestia gestured to me, "King Phasma has a unique problem that requires all of our talents to fix."
"It's not uncommon for adults, okay? I just need a little help," I joked,
Luna chuckled while Celestia rolled her eyes.
"What is he talking about, Princess?" Twilight asked,
"I'll explain when you're older, Twilight."
"I'm twenty, Princess. What age is required?"
The response must have surprised Celestia, ".... Nevermind."
"Why do I need her help, though?" I asked.
"The Nightmare's mark," Luna reminded me.
"Oh. We're doing that now?"
"In two day's time, we should have the time to investigate it, if you are open," Celestia explained. "The sooner, the better."
I nodded.
Twilight was a bit afraid, "The Nightmare's Mark? I assume this had to do with the Nightmares mentioned earlier?"
"That is correct, my student. The Nightmares have targeted Phasma in the past, and have left a rather unfortunate 'gift' for him. We need to investigate the mark they left on his psyche, and contain it if need be. I'd prefer it if we could completely remove it, but I am not holding my breath on that outcome."
"I'll help in whatever way I can," Twilight saluted.
Celestia chuckled, "Very good. Thank you, Twilight. We will require your aid in preparing the spells and helping with the grunt work. It's not very prestigious, but you understand the need for the highest quality work when dealing with mind magic, correct?"
"Of course, Princess. I'm happy to help in any way I can."
"Wonderful. Two days from now, if you'd please come after lunch, we shall begin our work."
Twilight nodded. "Can do, Princess. So, King Phasma.... You were reincarnated?"
I groaned, "You run along without me, Luna. I get the feeling I have to play twenty-questions with a unicorn for the next two hours."
Luna nodded, "Very well. I have court scheduled for the next few hours, but in the evening we shall work in my study. Return him to me after supper, Twilight Sparkle. I have need of his modern linguistic skills."
Celestia said her goodbyes, "I've got my own business to take care of. There's a lot still left to be done in order to undo Daybreaker's malicious acts. I'll see you at dinner, Phasma. Goodbye, Twilight."
"Goodbye, Princess Celestia!"
"See ya."
I watched the alicorns leave us, but Twilight coughing quietly brought my attention back to her.
"So, King Phasma... what were you before you were a changeling?"
'She's going to be at least present while the sisters visit my brain, so it's probably best that she knows what she's looking at.'
I sighed, "Come with me. There's a sitting room I've found with a great view, and I'd rather be comfortable while being interrogated."
The fact that the room had a mini bar fully stocked by yours truly had absolutely nothing to do with my decision to move our conversation there.
"So you were reincarnated?" Twilight asked for the fifth time.
I popped open a chilled drink for myself and poured a glass.
"Yes, Twilight, I was."
"Is that... alcohol?"
"I sure hope so."
I picked a comfy looking chair in the ritzy sitting room we were in, and threw myself down, being careful not to spill my drink or the bottle I brought over.
Twilight dragged a chair- after a period of apprehension of moving Celestia's furniture- across from me and sat down in it.
"But alcohol is a prohibited item in Equestria...."
"Yep."
"And there's none in the castle, something Princess Luna told me personally...."
"There wasn't any before I got here," I winked.
"How?!"
I chuckled, "Let's just say that I saved Celestia from sobriety. That sounds a lot worse than it actually is, what I mean to say is that I gave her booze because she was having a hard time coping with everything going on at once. We all have our vices, and Celestia seems to keep hers under control."
Twilight blinked, ".... O-kay. And the Princess isn't doing anything about you breaking the law?"
"I have diplomatic immunity, Twilight. Besides, I'm breaking Daybreaker's laws. If I was doing anything actually serious, like selling drugs, then Celestia would be cracking down. As it is, I'm capitalizing on Daybreaker's overzealous mistake, and Celestia is gaining from my intervention personally, so she allows it."
Twilight frowned, "The Princess isn't giving you a pass because she's gaining from it, King Phasma. That's ridiculous. Obviously, it's some well-placed gambit to allow you to get away with this in order to not put too much stress on the potential relationship between Equestria and the Fifth Hive."
I shrugged, "If you say so."
'She's totally in it for the booze.'
"What were we talking about again? Oh! Reincarnation!"
"Yes Twilight, I was reincarnated."
Twilight brought forth a set of quills and ink pots from somewhere I missed- hard to see through the bottom of this frosted drinking glass- and prepared her papers.
"If I may ask, what species were you before your reincarnation? A changeling still?"
'Best not to beat around the bush, I think.'
"I was a human."
"Human? I've never heard of that. Where do they live?"
"On Earth."
"On Earth?" She stressed.
I nodded.
"Would you please clarify that, King Phasma?"
"Over twenty years ago, by my recollection at least, I was born on the planet Earth as a human being, the sole sapient species inhabiting Earth."
Her quill stopped, ".... Excuse me?"
"Me. Alien. From space," I grunted.
"Alien," she whispered.
I nodded again, "Yes."
"Alien."
Her mood went from curious to.... infatuation.
'Uh oh, that's not good.'
".... Twilight?"
"Alien."
"Oh fuck," I muttered when I realized what I had just done.
"Alien."
I facehooved, "Luna's gonna kill me for breaking her sister's student."
"An actual extraterrestrial...."
"Wait, you're okay, Twilight? Fwew, I live another day."
Twilight looked down at her quill, held in her telekinetic grip. She moved it to the top of the page and pressed it down.
".... You okay there, Twilight Sparkle?"
"Yes! Yes. Yep. I just.... I just need a moment. Or two. Or three. Or four. Or-"
"Just get it out of your system," I said, sipping my drink.
Twilight dropped the paper and quill, hopped out of her seat, and began hopping on her hooves, like she was dancing.
"This is amazing! This could change everything we know about everything! Magic! Biology! Astronomy! Physics! History! Linguistics! Mathematics! Everything under the sun, and more! Does Princess Celestia know about this? What have you told her? Does the scientific community- no, most certainly not, otherwise I would have heard about it! I can't imagine what an alien society would even look like! Was it like ours? Was it full of the non-euclidean spherical architecture like the aliens in Spike's comic books? Was it some incomprehensible amalgamation of physics and concepts we cannot comprehend? I can't imagine what leaps you've managed to achieve! Have you managed to disprove Euclidean Geometry's Fifth Axiom? Do you also have Princesses like we do? What tribes of humans are there? Can they fly like pegasi? What kind of spells- spells! Oh my Celestia, how could I even forget the most important study there is?! Oh, I just have to know! What kind of spells do humans cast? Have you figured out how to commonly multi-cast? What kind of new fields of magic do you have that we don't? Have you managed to crack Starswirl's Conundrum? Oh, you probably don't even know what that is- unless you also had Starswirl?! Was your world like Equus? Was-"
"Breathe, Twilight Sparkle!" I bellowed, rising from my chair and pressing a hoof to her chest to still her.
On cue, Twilight stopped hopping from hoof to hoof and took a long, deep breath. Then, she let it out slowly. After half a minute, she stepped back from me and smiled shyly.
"Uh.... Do I say sorry, or thanks?" She asked, tracing a circle on the ground with a hoof.
I shrugged, "I said get it out of your system, so thanks."
Twilight smiled, "Thanks, Your Majesty."
"Don't mention it. Now, you might want to decide what questions you want answered today..."
Twilight sighed, "Well I had a long checklist of questions to ask, but this changes everything! I'll have to come up with a whole new list!"
"Well, how about I go wrangle a maid or servant and figure out a way to get the kitchen to whip up some snacks for us, while you come up with a new list?" I suggested.
"Do changelings eat pony foods?"
I nodded, "We don't need to, but things that taste nice... taste nice."
Twilight looked around for her pad of paper and quill, and quickly retrieved them and jotted down something.
"... Right, I'll leave you to your list, then," I said, heading for the door.
Twilight looked up from her notes, "Okay. Thanks for this opportunity, King Phasma! You won't regret it!"
I entered the sitting room with several floating trays behind me. Twilight raised a piece of paper covered in writing when she saw me enter.
"I'm ready to start again!" She declared.
"That's great, Twilight. Hope you don't mind, but I've brought a friend," I said, setting the trays of food down on a spare table.
Behind me, Celestia cleared her throat, "Good afternoon, Twilight."
Twilight jumped from her seat and bowed to the pony-sized alicorn, "Princess! You didn't say you were going to be attending this meeting!"
"I wasn't planning to, but I ran into Phasma here while I was grabbing something to snack on myself, and he mentioned that you were very enthusiastic to meet him. I realized just how little time I spend with my own student, and decided to take the opportunity to catch up. That is, if you don't mind...?"
Twilight shook her head, "Of course not!"
Celestial chuckled, "I hope you don't feel pressured into saying yes, Twilight."
"I would never, Princess."
For some reason, I don't think either of us rulers bought that.
"Well, help yourselves," I said, motioning to the snacks I had the enslaved cooks prepare.
'Let's just hope the fact that I said it's for Twilight Sparkle means that none of this is poisoned. There were quite a few ponies in the kitchens who looked.... less than pleased with my presence.'
The cooks had chippered up when I mentioned the unicorn. Apparently, Twilight practically grew up in the castle, and she was sorely missed by the staff. Lack of social skills notwithstanding, Twilight was apparently an adorable and well-mannered filly.
"Hey Celestia, do your cooks do carnivore or omnivore diets?" I asked, getting comfortable.
"Of course. I've hosted countless dignitaries from Griffonia in the past," Celestia said, helping herself to the snacks. "Would you like to sample their food?"
"Potentially, yeah. I kinda miss eating meat..."
"Changelings are omnivores, then?" Twilight asked.
"Mhmm. Love is our mainstay, with everything else just kinda for show. Oh, and water. Love and water."
Twilight jotted that down, "So changelings are like flowers then?"
".... Yes Twilight, you were invaded and beaten up by a bunch of walking flowers," I deadpanned.
Celestia suppressed a chuckle. But when she saw me pour a glass, her eyes widened.
"Where?" She demanded.
"In that set of cabinets," I said, pointing to them. "I've fully stocked several rooms, this one included. Luna got the bill."
Celestia bounded over to the stash of drinks, "I swear by my sun this was not my intention when I decided to follow you. But had I known, it would have been."
"So you just use me for my booze connection? Oh Celestia, you wound me so.... and also make me a very rich changeling."
Twilight watched our exchange with some confusion and trepidation.
"King Phasma," she began, "if you're ready to begin, I've got a long list of things to cover."
I nodded, "Sure."
What followed was a hoofful of hours of being grilled on everything about Earth, from mathematics to democracy.
"What do you mean, 'there's no magic on Earth?'"
Twilight found the idea of a magicless existence to be anathema to everything she understood. That is to say, she was enraptured with the concept. Explaining the basics of an electricity-run society was a learning experience for both her and Celestia.
"Equestria is already starting on the very first fundamental levels of these breakthroughs," I explained. "In fact, I may or may not have positioned myself to be the key supporter and benefactor of the inventors of these first concepts. Thorax, who is one of my closest friends, is dating a pony whose parents are at the center of this new paradigm shift."
"I need more paper," Twilight muttered. "This is so fascinating. I never would have guessed that magic-void inventions would reach any level of popularity or success!"
"Perhaps that is my personal tutoring biasing you," Celestia suggested. "I have put great emphasis on the magical side of your education, after all. This sounds very interesting, Phasma. Perhaps I should meet these ponies, and see for myself just what they are bringing to Equestria..."
I grunted, "If you're worried that they are inventing anything military related, I made sure to steer them away from that topic. Not that they needed me to."
"I appreciate that," Celestia said, sipping her drink. "I'm glad that's a conversation we don't need to have."
"Yeah, the last thing I want is to bring human-style war to here."
Twilight tilted her head, "Why's that? I mean, aside from it being war-related?"
"Wars on Earth are bloody and deadly. This little spat between our Kingdoms is nothing more than a skirmish compared to what can happen when things take a turn for the worst back on Earth. There's no real way to non-lethally take out your enemies, so the death toll tends to get quite high..."
"Does this have to do with there being no magic?" Celestia asked.
I shrugged, "I guess. There's a hundred and one variations of stun spells available. There's no stun crossbow bolt, though."
"I see," Celestia murmured.
"And with the technological leaps you have alluded to, I assume your species have long since moved past mere crossbows?" Twilight asked.
"Got it in one."
Twilight nodded, "My next question has to do with travel. What differences between Equus and Earth are there in that regard?"
I laughed, "More than you can imagine. In fact..." I trailed off.
"What is it, Phasma?" Celestia asked.
"... I wish Luna was here. This is a lot of stuff she'd be interested to hear about. 'Specially the war stuff."
Celestia set her empty glass down, "That seems like quite the delayed revelation. What sparked it?"
I looked up at the ceiling, "The farthest a human traveled... was to the moon itself."
Celestia and Twilight were shocked.
"That's quite the feat... Luna will want to know everything, I am certain. After dinner we shall catch her up on this conversation, and continue where we left off," Celestia said. "Twilight, you are welcome to attend dinner with us, since you are likely to spend the night here, rather than at home. Or, I suppose, at your parent's home, now that you live in Ponyville."
"Thank you, Princess. I would love to," the brown-noser brown-nosed.
"I'm pretty sure Luna wants me to help her with some work she has to do, and I've got my own stuff as well," I pointed out.
"We have some time before dinner. I'll inform my sister that she will have to put off some of her work, while you do what you can before we convene for the meal. She'll be glad for the time off," Celestia said. "In fact...."
"In fact?" I asked.
Celestia smiled. It wasn't a friendly smile, nor an involuntary one. No, it was a predatory smile.
"... Nothing," she said.
"Obviously not. What is it?"
"I'll see you at dinner, Phasma," she said, rising from her Celestia-shaped indent in her chair and heading for the door.
I rushed after her, "No, wait! You're up to something!"
"I'll, uh, just be visiting my parents, then!" Twilight called out after us. |
Changing Expectations | 131- Nahundi | "Court is adjourned for the day. I thank thee all for coming, and bid thee a pleasant evening."
'Looks like Luna slips into her old habits when being all ceremonial. She didn't do that during the official announcement, but that might be because Celestia helped write it.'
I watched from the shadows as Luna adjourned Equestria's open court period. It was an idea I approved of; the idea that you could approach your ruler and present your issues is something I supported wholeheartedly, and implemented myself. Though it was quite a bit easier for me to implement it, considering the Fifth Hive had a fraction of the population that Equestria does.
When the pony visitors had left, I stepped out of the doorway behind the dual thrones and into the light.
The place had certainly changed since I was last here. It was currently between phases; Daybreaker's harsher decor themes of bright reds and oranges were being prepared to be painted over, as the alicorn sisters redecorated their castle for the second time this year. The damage from the gigantic fights this room hosted was all but erased, with only the smallest of details sticking out, and only if you knew where to look.
Overall, it looked remarkably better than when I had seen it.
"Oh, Phasma," Luna said, pulling me back into the present.
She was standing in front of me, having run into me on her way out of the throne room.
"Hey Luna. Sorry, this place brings back memories..."
"Good or bad?"
".... Just memories."
"I understand. This was where you fought with your mother, correct?"
"Yeah..." I sighed. "Well, I came here to kidnap you. Alright, get in the bag."
"What bag? You have no bag."
"The bag is metaphorical. Celestia and Twilight Sparkle are asking me about Earth, I knew you would actually want to be there."
Luna frowned, "That sounds most enjoyable, however my business is not done for the day-"
"Celestia is giving you a free pass for the day," I interrupted.
"She is?"
"She is now, if she wasn't before. Dump your extra work on her tomorrow, tonight we eat unhealthy snacks and get drunk. It'll be like a party, only ten times more sad and pathetic since there's only four of us."
Luna cheered, "Ha-Ha! Sounds like a plan! I shall enjoy this, where are the other two?"
"They're over in... uh... a room. I can't remember its name, but I know the way."
"Lead on!"
As we walked through the palace's halls, I struck up a conversation with Luna.
"Your sister is up to something."
"She is often up to many things," Luna replied. "Could you be more specific?"
"Not really. I mentioned the fact that you were busy, and she grinned like a madmare."
"That ought to narrow down her plans quite considerably, one would think."
A pair of guards saluted as we passed.
"Any ideas, then?" I asked.
"I have a hundred and one more preferable things I would rather be doing than guessing Celestia's plans, Phasma."
"So you suggest just ignoring her?"
"I do. She might be planning something, however it most certainly is not something we need to concern ourselves with. Let it go, Phasma."
".... I find that uncomfortable."
"What? Letting others make covert plans around you?"
"I guess so."
I felt a pull on my tail, and stopped to see Luna's horn dimming from ending a spell. Telekinesis, I suspected.
"What?" I asked.
"Phasma..." She began before checking to see if anyone was around us. "Listen. That is not normal behaviour. I suspect it is a holdover paranoia from your time in the Fourth Hive with Queen Chrysalis."
'I mean, I guess?'
"I'm not sure how to respond to that," I admitted.
Luna sighed heavily and nudged me along.
"Nevermind. It is something we will work on. I am certain the other Princesses will have trust exercises that we can use."
"Trust exercises? Do I really need those?"
"Maybe. To be honest, Phasma, oftentimes we just do everything and see what works when it comes to problems such as these."
"But you think trust exercises will 'help' with paranoia? You know, it's not paranoia if they're actually out to get you. Then it's just called foresight."
"Celestia is planning a harmless prank, or something otherwise benevolent. It is not something you should ever be stressing over."
"I think you're overreacting, Luna."
She scoffed, "I am the one overreacting? You are the one working yourself into a knot over an off-hoof comment Celestia made."
"... I ignored my paranoia once, and nearly paid the ultimate price for it. Excuse me for being hesitant to ignore those feelings once again. Last time I was nearly caught off guard."
"As my sister says, the first step is acknowledging you have a problem."
"Celestia really said that to you?"
".... No. I read it in a self-help pamphlet Daybreaker gave me following my return to Equestria. Still, I believe the statement holds wisdom. If you are so worried, I will confer with Celestia and confront her about what she is planning. If it is something you should know about, I will tell you. Do you trust me on this?"
"Yeah, whatever," I muttered.
"Is that a yes, or should I ask for trust building exercises?"
I snorted, "I think you just want an excuse to start using blindfolds and cuffs on me."
"Trust building exercises would be an integral part for your recovery-"
"This conversation can wait till we're behind closed doors," I cut her off.
Outwardly, Luna had remained quiet and calm. Inwardly, I sensed the real response to my suspicion. I had other things to consider, however.
'But honestly, she's probably right in some way. I doubt I'd be comfortable completely trusting others. Not after finding my half of my siblings in a closet, and usually the front half of 'em. After Chrysalis, it was Division-P. After Division-P... it's only a matter of time before the next subversive threat appears. The Nightmares certainly aren't going to sit around and wait for us to collect our strength, that's for sure.'
When we arrived at the sitting room, I found myself in a much more sour mood than when I had left it.
"Princess Luna!" Twilight said, bowing to her as she entered.
"Hello Luna," Celestia greeted, having claimed the largest chair in the room.
'Old habits die hard.'
"Hello Celestia, and what did I say about my title, Twilight Sparkle?"
"You said n- oh, sorry. It's just... it's hard not to treat you with the respect you are due."
Luna shook her head, "If I had a bit every time we had this conversation, I would have at least seven bits. That is a lot of repeating myself, Twilight."
Twilight cringed, "Sorry-"
"Don't apologize! Just... please regard me as a friend, not a cold, distant ruler."
"You can be both, Princess... Not a cold, distant ruler, I mean! Just a ruler!"
Celestia rolled her eyes at the conversation, "You have to admit that doesn't make sense, Twilight."
Twilight sighed, "I'm sorry, Princess- I mean, Luna. I'll... try my best."
"That is all I ask," Luna said. "So. You have dragged me from my duties. Make this worth it, Phasma."
"Ha! Pour yourself a drink and pick a seat, because I've got a lot to talk about."
Twilight set her filled out notes down.
They had gotten to the point where she simply could not write any more. Not because she was satisfied with the amount of info gathered, but rather because she could no longer confirm King Phasma's facts as being facts. His state of intoxication had been slowly increasing over the course of the night, and it had gotten to the point where she simply could no longer rely on him being able to tell the truth.
The changeling was currently slurring his way through a story, with Princess Celestia listening with all her attention, and Luna half listening, half focused on cuddling up to him.
'Definitely in love, those two. Reminds me of mom and dad.'
Twilight had to admit though, the story was entertaining.
"So no shit, there we were, listenin' to this kid present some... stuff... earnin' our cinnamon... cinematography merit badge, when Jay pulled out the stack of tortilla bread he stole from lunch. Jay was older than us all, as he was an Eagle Scout and was old enough to be our chaperone. Then, while this kid was still trying to give a serious pre- per- pre-sen-tay-shun, Jay ate two eye holes and a mouth hole in one of the tortilla thingies, and he started wearing it as a mask. When the presenter told 'em to stop, cuz he was trying to teach us stuff, Jay was like, 'You can't tell me what to do, I'm an adult!' The kid didn't believe 'em, course, and Jay had to get his Driver's license out to prove he actually was eighteen. When the kid had to admit defeat, Jay gave everyone else tortillas to make masks out of, and we earned our badge while wearin' tortilla masks."
King Phasma laughed at his own story, and the alicorns joined him in his merriment. Twilight herself chuckled. It reminded her of the hijinks she and her friends would sometimes get up to. King Phasma went to pour himself another glass, but when nothing came out of the bottle of liquor, he frowned and shook it.
"I think we're out..."
"Perhaps that's for the best. We still have business to do tomorrow," Celestia said, not even appearing slightly drunk.
'Ha! See, Luna? She doesn't get drunk! I knew it!'
"Feh!" Luna grunted. "Countless wars were settled over a pint or twelve in my day!"
King Phasma set the bottle down and sighed, "When the troop dissolved... that was that. Never saw any of 'em ever again. Guess that makes 'em just like my old family, right? Gone without a real goodbye."
Twilight felt like she was blasted by a cold wind. This was the first mention of King Phasma's prior family this entire night. It was a subject he had avoided, and only now Twilight realized why.
'What if one day, I lose Shiny and Mom and Dad? How would I react? Especially if thrust into an environment where paranoia is a requirement for survival? I can't imagine I would cope well. A pony without family or friends is no pony at all.'
She didn't envy King Phasma's situation. But when she affixed her attention back to the changeling, he was nearly passed out with a smile, holding Luna tight in his forelegs. The flash of sadness had left just as abruptly as it came.
'At least things are improving for all of us.'
"I shall retire for the night," Celestia announced, begrudgingly rising from her seat. "I hope you've acquired satisfactory notes, Twilight."
"I have, Princess, though I only got through half of the questions I wanted to ask, and now I have a list twice as long as before to ask King Phasma."
"Then I wish you luck in convincing him to converse with you again. A word of advice," Celestia nodded towards Luna, "bribe him with the company of his friends."
Twilight laughed, "I don't think I am capable of getting Luna to do anything, Your Highness. She's a princess, and I'm just me."
"Why don't you ask them to hang out with you and your friends? Perhaps engage in some mutually enjoyable activity, such as.... What do ponies do nowadays for fun?"
Twilight found herself imagining the King struggling to play mini-golf. The golf club was comically undersized compared to him.
"I'll think about it. Thank you for the suggestion, Princess."
"Anytime, Twilight. I'll see you soon."
Princess Luna glared at her sister and adjusted the ice-pack held to her head.
"I told you to pace yourself," Celestia smirked.
"I did pace myself. I drank as much as you drank."
"That was a mistake."
Luna scowled, "You have the body size of a regular pony! How could you possibly keep to your old tolerance of drink?!"
"Practice makes perfect."
"Bullshit."
"... You really shouldn't pick up Phasma's swears."
Luna jabbed Celestia, "And you should explain your sorcery! Tell me how you did it!"
"A wizard never reveals her secrets."
Luna groaned, "Cadence has her durable makeup, you have your improbable tolerance, but what do I have?"
"Stallions," Celestia mumbled under her breath, but Luna heard it all the same.
"You have nopony to blame but yourself," Luna replied.
Celestia stiffened, "You know why I don't seek courtship. The only reason why you're dating Phasma is because he won't be leaving you in eighty years."
"Then find yourself your own immortal stallion to court."
Her sister snorted, "I suppose you didn't find him growing on some immortal-stallion-tree, Luna? One where I could pick my own immortal?"
Luna shrugged, "Just redeem a villain. They are a bit a dozen, and a few have obtained immortality, even if by less than reputable means."
"Those means have costs, Luna, you know that. Trying to redeem one of them would be like trying to build a life-sized castle out of sand. It'll all fall apart long before any plans get set into motion."
Luna set the ice-pack down, "You speak of this as if you have experience. Has something happened in my absence, sister?"
"... There was one stallion, if you can call him that."
"What happened?"
"We were actually together while you were still ruling with me, Luna. I had kept it a secret, as our relationship was tenuous at best, and nearly impossible to maintain otherwise. I never quite understood him, and one day he simply... changed."
"And he was a villain?" Luna asked.
"... That was unclear. I don't think he was when we met, but something had changed him. Made him wrong in every sense of the word."
"Then we shall find him and purify him! Bring this lost love back to Harmony!" Luna declared.
Celestia sighed and looked out the window mournfully.
"If only. When his evil started to... bleed through, I severed the connection between our worlds."
'Ah, another world-walker, like Phasma,' Luna remarked.
"This sounds like a long story," Luna said.
"It is. One I don't want to revisit," Celestia said coldly.
"Then we won't. Not today, at least. Have you prepared for today's round of negotiations?"
Celestia nodded, "Yes. It's going to be an uncomfortable topic for the changelings, however."
"You've been generous to them so far. Far more than I would have been, had I been the one leading Equestria's negotiation. And provided that I was not involved with Phasma."
Celestia shook her head, "The deal is open for renegotiation. He gets what he wants with the independence of this Hive Eternal, and as the years drag on, he will find it harder and harder to justify keeping the Fifth Hive separate. He might like its independence now, but in ten years? Thirty? Two hundred? This is not the first time something like this has happened, and the young immortal knows nothing of century-spanning plans. The Fifth Hive is best suited completely integrated, and in time, he will reach that conclusion himself. And besides all of that, I believe our position is becoming more and more precarious with each passing day."
Luna wondered if Celestia was right, "Opinions change over time, however, treaties such as this tend to last much longer. But what do you mean, our position is precarious?"
Celestia brought out a newspaper from the side of her desk and levitated it across to Luna.
"Chaos in Canterlot," Luna read aloud.
"Already, the popular opinions and stances are making themselves known," Celestia explained. "The flood of information we gave our ponies during the press conference was to our benefit; the paradox of too much information and news left too much room for scandal. Whereas ponies used to gossip for hours on end about the smallest detail about my policies or daily life, this overload meant that the papers could only spend so much time on each subject."
"There was quite a bit to talk about," Luna remarked, reading through the paper.
"A lot indeed," Celestia agreed. "But as I said, the popular opinions are already forming. My analysts suggest that Lord Artful Acumen, the unicorn that was in charge of Division-P, has lost his powerbase. The Purity Coalition, which was largely aligned with Daybreaker's policies, has broken up. Good news for us. In its place, two more power blocs have started to form. Bad news. Very bad news. Darn things like a hydra; one head severed, two more takes its place. These voting blocs aren't as extreme as the Purity Coalition was, but they are most certainly not in support of the Crown."
Luna grunted, "At least the scum is rotting away in prison."
Celestia didn't respond.
".... He is rotting away, right Celestia? Celestia?"
Celestia nervously tapped her hoof on her desk, "About that... he may have evaded capture-"
Luna loudly groaned.
"- along with many of his supporters-"
Then, Luna put her face in her forehooves.
"- and a substantial amount of magical artifacts."
"How?!" Luna yelled.
"It was during Discord's reign of terror. Somehow, he got wind of what was going to happen, and had made plans to make himself scarce. Or he made himself scarce regardless of the outcome, and it worked out in his favor. The Inquisitors present in the palace that night have all been captured, but many of the fanatics are missing. Turns out, the unicorn had stationed the former S.M.I.L.E. agents on watch duty that night. Most of those old guard weren't completely loyal to him, so I suppose he offered them up as a sacrifice in case things went wrong for him. The Agents are all arrested, but I'm afraid that the perpetrators of most of the crimes in Locksdale are missing. Well, half of them, at least."
"I am not going to be the one to tell Phasma this."
Celestia grimaced, "I know. I will accept the blame."
"This is really bad, Celestia."
"I know."
"It's going to cause many problems for all of us."
"I know."
"And Phasma's going to be very upset."
"I know, Luna, I know. This is bad."
"You also hope to cover the Count's death today, correct? I cannot imagine he will be happy being told off shortly before being told that you failed to capture the most important ponies involved in the crimes against his changelings."
"... Captain Shining Armor is not going to be happy when I excuse him of any crime he committed," Celestia said.
Luna's eyes widened, "You're going to do what?! I mean, don't get me wrong, I am all for it, but there will be massive uproar for this, Celestia. The Captain will be the least of your worries!"
"The alternative is worse," Celestia muttered. She levitated the newspaper out of Luna's hooves and flipped it back to the cover, 'Chaos in Canterlot.' "We need peace, Luna. Our position as Princesses of Equestria will become less and less of a sure thing as time goes on. This war is anathema to the society I cultivated. We need peace, and we need it soon, lest Equestria tears itself apart at the seams. The cracks are already forming. And when it all falls apart, more ponies will get hurt than you can imagine. A single death of what appears to be a criminal is the absolute least of our worries."
Luna rubbed the base of her horn, her hangover suddenly returning. "Do you have a plan to mitigate the damage?"
"We will hold a tribunal, us three Princesses. We will judge Phasma, and find him innocent."
"A mock trial? Can we get away with it?"
Celestia sighed, "We'll have to. Canterlot can't survive anything else." |
Changing Expectations | 132- (XX) ʇuǝɯǝƃpnſ | Coxa and Cricket each gave me a nod. With Thorax overseeing the transition back to Manehattan from the city's side and Lacewing touring Canterlot's surface with some acquaintances she made in Locksdale, the four of us would be our species' representatives for the remainder of the negotiations. Which, by my count, was two more days. Tomorrow, we would finish wrapping up negotiations with agreements on further military integration, cultural and technological trade, and the creation of the war plans to finally conquer the Fourth Hive.
'They need me to get past the Fourth Hive's anti-magical field. They don't even know about the Mithril Throne; that detail never came to light, despite Division-P's torture. Say what you want about the individual changeling's desire to survive and willingness to backstab each other, but when it comes to the survival of the Hive Eternal, there is no more glorious death than to die saving it.'
Celestia, Luna, and Cadence sat opposite of me. Normally, Celestia would be at the head of the table, and myself sitting by her left side with Luna and Cadence across from me. Today, the tribunal of Princesses of Equestria sat as one.
'They need me.'
Today, we conclude the matter of Count Double Dealings.
'Surely they won't be so stupid as to find me guilty?'
I was less and less sure of my position as today's meeting encroached.
"Let this meeting be commenced," Celestia announced to the stenographers present. "The matter of today's topic is of utmost importance: the death of Count Double Dealings, as well as other pervasive activities committed by King Phasma and the changelings of the Fifth Hive. As per already agreed-upon articles of this Confederacy, the production, transportation, and sale of alcohol, a substance currently banned within Equestria, is void by diplomatic immunity. King Phasma, let us start with the death of Count Double Dealings. Please describe every encounter you had with him."
I cleared my throat, "Contact with Count Double Dealings was made through a subordinate of mine, Froghopper. I do not know how or what the specifics were, only that Froghopper had arranged a meeting for the purpose of selling alcohol to Count Double Dealings. So, Froghopper and I went to this meeting. We expected him to betray us at some point, you ponies have very apt names, but we didn't expect it to happen within ten seconds of us meeting. When we arrived, Froghopper and I were directed to the Count, who was hosting the meeting in an open-air restaurant in Manehattan.
"When I tried to begin the discussion by talking about the potential deal, Count Double Dealings made it clear immediately that there would be no deal, and that he wanted to take everything I owned in Manehattan by force. He ordered a number of agents to go with Froghopper to confiscate everything we owned. I ordered Froghopper to replace the ponies sent with him, and to bring back reinforcements.
"When the changelings returned, the criminals having been stunned and podded, the Count then ordered his cronies to dismember me. Despite following all of his instructions without protest, he decided to remove a leg. So I gave the order, and the ambush was sprung. All of the ponies present, all having been under his command, were taken down. The Count I dealt with personally, by skewering him through the neck. Then I..." I coughed, "I made him give me all of his assets during his final moments. Manehattan's guards came to check on the noise, but turned out to be on his payroll, too, so they just kinda... left. That was that."
Cadence voiced the first question, "From testimonies recovered from the freed ponies, the only ponies who were verifiably not under the Count's control were the staff of the restaurant. Is there a reason why you podded them too, rather than try to come to a more peaceful solution?"
I rolled my eyes, "A single witness to my survival leaking the info to the Royal Guard would have been lethal to both myself and my Hive. Daybreaker didn't know about my survival at the time."
"Would you say that your life was in danger?" Celestia asked.
"The Count ordered my dismemberment, which had I been a normal changeling or pony, I would most certainly have bled to death."
"But did you feel threatened?"
"Of course I did!"
"So these ponies had approached you with the intent of fulfilling his orders?"
"What kind of- yes. There were several ponies present at the table itself that would have enacted his orders, if given the chance."
Celestia nodded, "Thank you for the clarification."
"Could you not have overpowered them with less than lethal means?" Cadence pressed.
'Spare that piece of...?'
I started to say something, but I couldn't come up with a solid enough reason. The truth was, I absolutely could have spared him. I just didn't feel like there were enough reasons to. Killing him was...
"Why did you decide to use lethal means?" Luna asked.
"He threatened me."
"You've been threatened plenty of times before-"
"And everyone who's threatened me is dead," I cut Luna off. "Daybreaker, Double Dealings, Eucharis, The Prophet, and more."
'.... Maybe that's a bad stance to take. I should change my position on the issue.'
I cleared my throat, "I've died once. I have no intention of ever letting that happen again."
"This specific record will be available for public view sooner rather than later," Celestia reminded me, pointing out that I am mentioning my reincarnation.
"I intend on making my past clear as soon as possible."
"So your experience with death influenced your decision to kill the Count?" Luna asked.
"Yes, of course it did," I found myself saying again. "That bastard..."
"Did the Count remind you of your murderer?" Cadence asked.
I blinked in surprise before remembering I did yell at Cadence a while back, and she probably had pieced it together from that. Still, it was an impressive connection from my perspective.
'Celestia must be training her proteges well.'
"... Yes," I admitted, shifting uncomfortably in my seat.
"How?" Celestia asked this time.
"... I complied with all of his demands. I did everything I was supposed to, in order to avoid bloodshed. Still, he... they... tried to take away everything. I can't lose this life. I just, I can't." I muttered.
"We motion for a break," Coxa said abruptly.
I frowned, "What?"
"We've only just begun," Celestia said.
Coxa gave me an unreadable look, "We motion for a break."
"I'm fine," I dismissed him.
"Phasma, you-"
"I'm fine. We've only just begun, as Celestia said. I'm not a coward who can't face the consequences of their own actions, or shrinks at the sight of things not turning out perfectly. We're continuing."
"... Very well, Your Majesty," he said.
"Next question."
Celestia raised a hoof and projected a silence bubble around the three Princesses.
"Can she do that?" Coxa whispered.
"I guess so," I whispered back.
"Are you actually doing well, Phasma?"
"I said I'm fine."
"If I said I shit gold, would you believe me?"
I snorted, "What does that have to do with anything?"
"I'm saying this is opening a lot of old wounds, and there's no way in hell you're doing okay. I sure as shit wouldn't be."
The silence bubble vanished.
"Due to the presence of external factors," Celestia announced, "we will move the investigation along. Next up, we will quickly discuss the usage of mind control spells by King Phasma. Would you list the incidents where mind control was used by you, King Phasma?"
'Lying is far worse than telling the truth. If I come clean, ponies will eventually accept what I did. If I lie, I'll only be pouring gasoline on the fire when the truth gets out.'
"Two incidents," I replied. "The Count in his final moments to make sure I got everything from him, and before that, against a Division-P Inquisitor as a non-lethal method of stopping her from reporting my survival to Daybreaker."
Celestia nodded, "We'll note that usage against the Count, but would you please go over the interaction with the Inquisitor?"
"I was living in the town of Hooferville following my near-death at Canterlot. I was saved from the brink of death by the ponies there, and was given an opportunity to work with the guard. So, the former Prince of Dread spent his days yelling at ponies to stop loitering, filing paperwork, and otherwise wasting taxpayer bits. You know, standard guard stuff. Then came the rats."
"The rats?" Celestia asked.
"The rats. Hooferville sat at the edge of the notorious Blackthorn Forest. Scaled rats the size of a pony with a penchant for eating anything they can fit into their maw attacked the town. The swarm was in the hundreds, so it was all hooves on deck. I was stationed at the front gate and was one of the unicorns shielding the town against their advance. I held up long enough for reinforcements to arrive, and together we all routed the swarm. The fact that I had held up a shield against so many attackers attracted a lot of attention, namely the Inquisition. Kinda hard for a unicorn to hold up a shield against an entire army. Captain Shining Armor can tell you all about how he's the only non-alicorn or royal alive that can accomplish that, I'm sure.
"The Inquisitor brought with her a prisoner. Seeing another changeling in irons.... It was everything that I feared would happen to changelings. Since she was asking questions that I couldn't possibly even come up with convincing lies for, I freed the prisoner by using mind control on the Inquisitor. That covered up our tracks long enough to be nothing but distant memories by the time Division-P began combing through the town. That was that, really."
"You've never mentioned a prisoner," Luna said.
"I... forgot about him up till now. Not that I forgot his existence, his skills have been crucial to the Fifth Hive's success in acquiring land and buildings, but the fact that I freed him is something that slipped my mind. There was an Inquisitor who would reveal my survival to Daybreaker, so I had to silence her."
"Could you have stunned and foalnapped this pony like you have others?" Cadence asked.
"No. Not only would her immediate disappearance put Division-P on our trail sooner than we could deal with, but the changeling's prisoner collar was only removable by the Inquisitor. Without her, I feared that the changeling would be killed by the collar. He was told that the collar was explosive, and had relayed that to me."
The Princesses shared a look.
"Have you or the Fifth Hive used any other harmful spells or committed harm against any other pony?" Celestia asked.
"I don't think so," I said, looking to Coxa for confirmation.
"The battles with Division-P," he offered.
"Ah, right. Eventually, Division-P discovered the Fifth Hive, and were attacking us out in the open. We retaliated, and went on the offensive. There were deaths on both sides."
"Yes, we have the full comprehensive reports on those battles from our side," Celestia said. "Would you provide any information you have on those?"
"We didn't keep any details," Coxa explained.
"... I understand. Thank you for your cooperation."
"Wait, we're done already?" I asked.
"We have been reviewing what facts we already had for some time now. If you'll excuse us, we will need to go over what you've provided us today. All we needed was your side of the story."
Suddenly, I remembered a certain white unicorn constantly griping about a single filly being hurt while a city was burning.
"There's one more thing," I announced. "During the Invasion of Canterlot, I used a foal as a hostage to coerce Captain Shining Armor into surrendering. The foal was slightly hurt, but was otherwise fine. I mention this because I know the Captain would raise hell if I didn't."
Cadence leaned over and whispered into Luna's ear, who passed the information along to Celestia.
"Of course," she muttered. "Well, thank you for being completely honest during this investigation. Your complete cooperation will be noted and kept in mind. If you'd kindly give us an hour, we will contact you when we are ready to conclude this matter."
"That went well," Cricket remarked.
"It did?" Coxa asked.
I gazed down into a fountain's pool of water, looking at my reflection. We had decided to visit the castle's extensive gardens, and found a particularly secluded spot to hang out in. There was a pair of ponies already here, but they had made themselves scarce the moment they saw changelings arrive.
"It went well," Cricket said. "Judging from what scant emotions they offered, they seemed more than sympathetic to His Majesty's cause. I am certain that they will give us a favorable outcome. In the event that they don't, we can simply ignore them."
I sighed, "The Fifth Hive needs this. The Hive Eternal needs this. Stable peace with the Equestrians will forever solve the food supply issue that has plagued our kind since time immemorial. Though we could come back and try to negotiate another peace later, this is our best shot."
"The Fifth Hive and the Hive Eternal might not survive without you," Cricket said. "In fact, if the Equestrians do something drastic, odds are the changelings won't accept this peace."
I grunted, "They'd accept it if I told them to."
"Not if you are imprisoned, or worse."
"What?"
".... Cricket's right," Coxa agreed. "You highly undervalue your own importance. You're more than just a king to them. You're the king. There was already a sort of reverence for you in the Lodges, and in the Fifth Hive that's only been intensified."
"The changelings would have secured a peace without me. Besides, Thorax was the one who really made all of this possible," I waved Coxa off, still looking into the water.
"Maybe," Cricket said, "but we didn't. You are the one bringing us peace. You were the one who planned the war. You were the one who has worked the hardest to bring an end to the catastrophes that have plagued our species from the day you were hatched."
"You were the one to save a single drone," Coxa added. "Back in the Third Hive, you saved a drone that was doomed to die. Sure, there was a pony that you saved too, but you don't even know the drone's name. He was nothing to you, and you put everything on the line to save him. Even despite your fears of death, which are more or less common knowledge amongst the Fifth Hive, you went back to save him. He wasn't important to the Hive Eternal, which means your effort cemented you as a.... Well, I suppose the more radical changelings would call you a Saint."
I stared at Coxa.
"... What?" I repeated.
"A single changeling is utterly worthless compared to a King," Cricket explained for him. "You risking everything despite your own personal faults for a single drone is simply... your banner. A single meaningful icon of everything you stand for. The changelings of the Fifth Hive hate that you risked your life for a single drone, but we all love you more for it. That is to say, we'll never let you do that again, but the fact that you did do it... it means more than you can understand. For all our lives, we've been nothing compared to Queen Chrysalis, who would sentence us to death for merely inconveniencing her. You are about as far away from that extreme as possible, so of course every single drone looks up to you."
"Oh," I said. "I, uh... oh... Thanks. You're, uh, very good at these speeches, Cricket."
She had given me a similar speech once before, when I was about to address the newcomers to the Fifth Hive. That was right before I went off to deal with the Count, in fact.
"Just reminding you of your place in the Hive," Cricket smiled. "Besides, I'd prefer you to have your moments of weakness and doubt before shit hits the fan, not during."
"Yeah, so get it through your head," Coxa said. "We won't accept your sacrifice. Not now, not ever. So take your sacrificial-selflessness and bury it deep down, beneath your desire to survive! That desire has kept you alive, and has kept all of us alive and successful by extension."
"I'll try-"
"That means no more touching ancient artifacts that are probably haunted!"
"You're worse than Chrysalis!" I screeched.
When the ponies' messenger sent for us, we returned back to the negotiation room.
As we all took our seats again, the Princesses were looking at me with... pity. It was a flavor of sadness that I didn't care for.
'Okay, that's a total lie. Pity is delicious, and I love it. So long as they don't lose respect for me, they can pity me all they want.'
"King Phasma, we have reached our... conclusion," Celestia said slowly.
"Uh huh, go for it," I said.
Celestia cleared her throat, "As leaders of nations, we cannot put each other on trial. That would imply one nation is inferior to another. However, given our unique position, you have accepted that we must all be judged as equals, and must cooperate on a level that is unprecedented for our positions. Princess Cadence, Princess Luna, and myself have reviewed the facts made available to us.
"You arrived on Equus immediately after being murdered callously. You were put to the task of preparing for a war by an overbearing Queen, and given no time to recover from the psychologically scarring events that brought you here. You were put on a pedestal and expected to be loyal, only to discover that what you were being loyal to was a murderer and butcher of your own family. Then, pressured into helping your new species survive, you did all you could to further that goal. At times, you went too far. Sparkling Water the filly, Count Double Dealings, and so on."
'Right, that's what their names were. Guess they knew everything, and just wanted to see if I would be completely honest, and to hear my side.'
Luna spoke next, "Despite the constant pressure put on you, and the amount of bodily harm you suffered, you have done good deeds. It is important to remember that you selflessly protected the town of Hooferville, going so far as to deal with the origin of the threat that nearly overran the town. You have tried to deescalate situations from bloodshed where you could. This is all besides your efforts to aid the changelings, a people you were completely separate from up till a year ago. We have heard testimonies from the changelings and ponies you have interacted with, from Agent, strike the following name from the official record, Daring Do, to your close friends. Such testimonies are not part of any judicial process normally, but this is far from normal."
Cadence said her piece, "King Phasmatodea of the Fifth Hive. We three have reviewed your actions and your character. The death of Count Double Dealings was an unacceptable escalation of force to lethal means. The usage of mind control on Inquisitor Cogent Flourish was a necessary action to save the life of one of your citizens. The capture of all ponies who knew of your survival was a necessary step to protect yourself. Your fights against Division-P were part of your conflict against the now officially-disbanded agency, and were found to be within acceptable limits in terms of morality."
Finally, Celestia read off their conclusions, "We cannot allow you to remain in Equestria permanently in your current state, King Phasma. Your propensity for lethality presents countless dangers and concerns. However, you have shown nothing but complete honesty, a desire for a peaceful resolution, and for cooperation between our kingdoms. Given your desire to uphold Harmony's values, the pressures put upon you, and the need to resolve the conflict between the Principality of Equestria and the Fourth Hive, we are prepared to offer you a deal. In exchange for amnesty for your crimes, you must attend Crown-mandated sessions with a licensed therapist, and must prove a desire to improve and become comfortable with your new level of power. You must correct your behaviour, and never let something like this ever happen again. Which, as an immortal, means more than you currently can understand.
"All four of us have at our hooves the ability to level mountains and crush civilizations. However, unlike us three, you have had only a single year to get used to this fact, and worse yet, you were put under the greatest stresses, possession by Nightmares not included. So it is of utmost importance that you learn your limits, and how to survive before reaching them. You cannot be allowed to operate with such callousness, even if it is born out a of fear for your own life."
"Do you need time to consider the offer?" Luna asked.
'They're demanding I go to therapy, something Luna was going to drag me off to anyways? Sounds like I've been Operation Paperclip'ed!'
"No," I said. "I accept."
The Princesses rose, and I followed suit. Coxa and Cricket rose too, following their King.
"Then we conclude this matter," Celestia declared. |
Changing Expectations | 133- Mahabharata | Celestia collapsed into her chair.
"There's nothing more that we can do," she sighed.
"Uh.... what?" I asked, taking my seat again.
"Things are... less stable on our side," Luna explained. "This public record will make waves. Only time can tell how big these waves will be."
"Oh. Well, good luck with that."
"The next thing we would like to discuss most certainly will not be released to the public," Celestia said.
Cadence giggled, "That would be counterintuitive."
Luna nodded, "The time has come to discuss the Fourth Hive."
"What's there to discuss?" Coxa asked. "They have to go, and Phasma here will be the sole royal after we're done with 'em."
"There is the matter of 'dealing with them,' as you put it," Celestia said. "Stenographers, you are done for the day. Thank you for your excellent diligence," she dismissed the other ponies in the room. "We must end this war as soon as possible, so it is imperative that Queen Chrysalis is taken down, one way or another."
"And only changelings can use their magic inside the null-zone," I said.
"Precisely that. What can you tell us about this null-zone?"
I shrugged, "Not too much, I'm afraid. It's projected from the Mithril Throne, which sits in the Fourth Hive's throne room, near the top of the hive superstructure. Mithril is a rare blue metal that somehow counteracts magic, though anything more specific about that particular relationship is beyond any of us. Perhaps only Chrysalis understands the metal and how it works, given that she forged God-Splitter, my Adamantine-Mithril hammer, but if she does, she guards its secrets jealously."
"So it is projected by an enchanted object," Luna muttered. "If we were- and by we, I mean you- able to destroy this Mithril Throne, the field would go, correct?"
"Correct."
"So the question is then how to destroy it..."
Coxa and Cricket grimaced. Cricket stood, "You can't be seriously suggesting that we destroy the Throne! That is a cultural artifact, one that has symbolized changeling royalty for generations! Destroying it would be destroying one of the only pieces of culture that we even have!"
"Sacrifices must be made," I explained.
"But it's something we barely understand ourselves-"
I cut her off, "We will survive its loss. Believe me, I don't want to destroy it, but I absolutely will if I have to. Now is not the time to pull our punches. If we have to destroy it in order to bring the Equestrians in and end the war, then that's what we'll do. Every day not spent working towards ending the war is a day wasted, especially with the Nightmares always lurking beyond the horizon. And I'm sure that the Princesses want their ponies back as soon as possible."
"Their loss is something that cannot even be understood," Celestia whispered.
"We have the Civilian Conservation Corps, but that just manages the problem," Cadence explained. "Entire towns are just... gone, and all we can do is organize ponies to make sure the lights stay on and the flowers are watered. Hundreds of ponies dedicated to just making things look normal for when we rescue our ponies..."
"You'll get them back," I said.
"We will get them back," Luna corrected me.
"We," I nodded. "The plan should be pretty simple. I take a battalion of lings, I approach the Fourth Hive from above, and break into the throne room. Such a task would be impossible for anyone but a ling, but we know exactly where the throne room is, and more importantly, we can use our magic. Once the field is gone, you need to move in. Or better yet, start moving in long before the throne is destroyed. Preferably, the Equestrians should be in position and ready to begin attacking the Hive the moment the Mithril Throne is destroyed."
"This sounds familiar," Cadence said.
"It's a somewhat similar plan to how we attacked Canterlot," I admitted. "A primary army grabs attention, while a secondary force stealthily destroys the defenses. I'll be sure to target the Throne and just try to delay Chrysalis while you two- or three, if Cadence is coming- reinforce me. All of us will attack the Queen together. Alone, each of us would fail, but together, yada yada yada. You get the point."
Celestia rolled her eyes, "Do not scoff at the power of friendship, Phasma."
"That's exactly what I'm scoffing at."
"Sounds like a solid enough plan. If it is not broken, do not fix it, as they say," Luna smiled.
"Sounds like a plan that will get changelings killed. Or worse, put the entire Equestrian army dispatched at risk if the changelings sally out to attack before we are ready," Celestia said.
I crossed my forelegs, "Ponies getting hurt is worse than changelings dying?"
"That's not what I meant. This plan would put an entire army at risk; we would not be able to fight back if the Fourth Hive chooses to sally out from their defenses and attack us."
"We'll have changelings disguised as unicorns in your formations. If the Fourth Hive sallies out, they deploy the shields. No matter how prideful or ignorant Chrysalis is, she cannot deny facts; the sight of ponies using magic within the exclusion zone proves your capability of defying it."
Celestia shook her head, "That still poses risks. Not only to all of us, but to you and your team, too. Just how long do you hope to hold out against Queen Chrysalis while targeting the throne? How long will you have to survive her attacks while we fly over?"
"I've gotten quite a bit stronger since our last duel. I was running on empty back then, and I didn't have Unbroken Radiance. If Chrysalis thinks she can easily dispatch me, then I'm all for her acting on that assumption. Her loss is my gain."
"Is there any alternative plan? One less... openly confrontational?"
"What do you mean?" I asked.
'She'd better not be suggesting I give peace a chance or some other bullshit. Enough lings have died already, I'm not throwing away any more lives on meaningless grandstanding on morals.'
"Why not send an infiltration team in to destroy the throne?" Celestia offered.
"Magic won't-" I began to say, but paused. "Changeling drones won't have the power to destroy the Mithril Throne with spells-"
"But explosives will," Cadence of all ponies said.
"But explosives will," I confirmed. "At least, in theory. Maybe it's too durable or anti-energetic or something, but it should work. The problem then is two-fold; infiltrating the Hive might be impossible and the amount of explosives used would destroy more than just the hunk of metal Chrysalis parks her ass on."
"It would destroy the entire room!" Cricket hissed. "Every single piece of history! Every artifact! Your Majesty, a cost must be paid, surely, but we would lose everything!"
"Which is why I won't pursue that plan," I said. "Not only would it destroy what precious little cultural artifacts our species has, it will also give away our plan. We would have to infiltrate the Fourth Hive, which by this point would probably shoot any outsiders on sight out of fear of spies. We would have to smuggle in explosives and plant them in one of the most secure rooms in the entire continent. Finally, it would clue the Fourth Hive into the fact that they are now our combined target. To say the odds would be stacked against the team is an understatement. I'm not going to throw away the element of surprise and the lives of this infiltration team on a fool's gambit."
"... Thank you, Your Majesty," Cricket sighed, visibly relaxing.
"Is this the right move, Luna?" Celestia turned to her sister.
Luna tapped the table quietly.
".... Perhaps. What Phasma says holds merit; this Mithril Throne will be guarded by the Fourth Hive's best, including Queen Chrysalis. We should not waste our chance with a doomed team. Phasma and some explosives should be enough to get the job done."
Celestia sighed, "I don't like the idea of marching an army that can't fight. This is something I must think about. I assume we are all fine with adjourning for the day?"
We all gave our yes's, and Celestia declared the day's negotiations ended.
"Now is the part where we eat the food," Luna announced, reading off the note she held.
"Is it, now?"
Luna sat down on the picnic blanket, opening the basket and spreading out its contents. We had decided to eat our lunch alone together in a secluded part of the gardens. The little clearing was bordered by tall hedges, with a lone tree taking up half of the circular space. A heating spell imbued on a white oval stone she had brought projected a bubble of warmth that kept out the autumn's chill, allowing us to enjoy the garden without having to bear the wind's bite.
"That is what the note says we do now. Have you not heard of this, either?"
"No I know what a picnic is, I just am interested in this note of yours."
"Cadence wrote it for me. A step by step guide for... eating outdoors."
"Is that the only thing you are getting notes on?"
Luna smiled, "Is that a question you really want answered?"
I frowned, "Uh..... no?"
"You have answered wisely. Now! Let us eat!"
I plopped down onto the blanket and stretched out. Luna sat down in front of me, leaning back against me as she prepared a sandwich for herself.
"I said eat. You must prepare your sandwich. 'Tis on the list, see?" She said, lifting the list up for me with her magic.
"I am eating," I said.
'Delicious, delicious love.'
Luna had no reaction whenever I fed. More proof that Thorax's method of feeding off ponies that love you for the changeling you are is the superior method, I had supposed. By this point, my internal tanks were nearing full. I had no idea how I actually knew that, or by what empirical measurement my energy reserves could be measured by. I just.... knew.
Soon enough, I would deposit any spare love into the Hive's ration stores. That was a process I wasn't looking forward to, but it would be a small price to pay for my Hive's salvation.
"Oh yes, you and your ambiguous emotion-feeding. That will not be enough! I demand that you partake in this meal, Phasma."
I groaned and started picking up the pieces to make a sandwich.
"I am told that this activity is most enjoyable, so we must enjoy it," Luna explained.
"I am enjoying it," I said, lying my head down and watching Luna.
"Good. No other answer is acceptable."
Her left ear, the one closest to me, flicked backwards, and she looked down at me.
".... I have forgotten to get drinks for us. Would you please find something for us, Phasma?" She asked, raising her voice.
'That's that tone of voice every girl uses to ask me for something...'
"You're lucky you're cute, Luna," I said, groaning and standing up.
"Thank you. I will patiently wait for you," she said.
I begrudgingly left, having only managed to nibble on love.
Finding drinks was a simple enough task; the kitchen staff weren't quite allowed to start using alcohol, so I got them to create a pitcher of some fruity non-alcoholic cocktails for us. It was far too early to drink, and I didn't want to end up like Celestia anyways. She might function drunk at all hours, but I had a long ways to go before I became that forlorn.
When I finally returned to Luna, I stopped just before entering the clearing. When I was with her, all I could really sense was love. Now, as I approached her once more, I tasted... annoyance. Disgust. Frustration. Anger.
I slowly peaked around the corner and saw Luna standing up, speaking with a unicorn. The unicorn had a white coat and blonde mane, and a distinctive Cutie Mark.
'Prince Blueblood, if I am not mistaken.'
I stayed where I was, catching the tail-end of their conversation.
"-harmful process. It's perfectly safe," the unicorn was saying.
"It is not the process itself, but the act of doing so," Luna replied sharply.
"Princess, please, the safety of the kingdom is at stake! Think of what could happen if you are wrong!"
"I am not wrong. The mere fact that I am willing to hold this conversation with you could be considered a breach of trust. Tell me, why should I not tell King Phasma about this?"
'They're talking about me. What the hell do they have to talk about that requires my absence? This Blueblood fellah is up to no good.'
Getting too anxious, I decided to intervene. I backed up a few paces, and then walked forward and into the clearing at my full walking speed to hide the fact that I was eavesdropping. Prince Blueblood's head snapped towards me when he heard me approach.
I could taste his emotions as I came to a stop. Even if I was hiding the fact that I knew what their conversation was about me, there was no point in hiding that I could sense his emotions. The Prince was angry. Angry and afraid.
".... And you are?" I asked, setting the pitcher of colorful drinks down.
The unicorn cleared his throat and straightened up, "Prince Blueblood of the Principality of Equestria. But you knew that already."
I made a visible effort of leaning to examine his sides.
".... You don't look like a Prince, little unicorn."
Luna stepped between us, "Prince Blueblood, this is King Phasma. King Phasma, this is Prince Blueblood."
"I know who it is," Blueblood sneered.
"Then you should know that you should be running," I sneered back.
"Ha! As if I would be afraid of the insect that made a fool of itself the moment it showed itself in public! 'Dread Prince' my flanks!"
I leaned in close, "Your fear is delicious, little unicorn. But keep pretending you're brave. Who knows? In time, maybe you'll start believing in that lie."
"Fine, fight it out, I have put in my token effort," Luna huffed.
"I know what you're up to, invader," Blueblood growled. "Know that at every turn, ponies will stand against you and your evil. The Princesses will be rescued from you!"
"Is this the part where you tell me your plan?" I asked.
Blueblood stomped angrily and started to leave.
"Don't worry, Princess Luna, ponies care about you and won't give up," he called over his shoulder.
"..... That happened," I muttered when he left.
Luna sighed, "His heart is in the right place, so it is a shame that his mind is nowhere to be found."
"What's up with him?"
"In case you failed to notice, he believes that you are mind controlling Celestia and I. The fop has no idea that if anything, it is the other way around."
"So he's some kind of conspiracy theorist?"
"He tends to take leave of his senses at the most inopportune time... I wonder at times if he exists only to cause others misery."
I snorted, "Do I need to worry about him?"
".... Likely not. Celestia keeps an eye on his less than scrupulous activities, at any rate."
'That's good to hear.'
"Why were you even talking to him in the first place?"
Luna sat down and started pouring herself a drink, "If we do not give him the time of day for him to list his nonsensical ramblings, then he will bring those ramblings to those we wish to keep ignorant. That is the price to pay for his silence. Though now, I suspect he will be a bigger thorn in our side than ever."
I joined her on the blanket, "Last I checked, you and your sister don't really have to worry about any politics too much."
She shook her head, "That is changing. We will, for the first time since our nation's inception, have to gather allies within Equestria. Prince Blueblood is guaranteed to be against our interests, even if in his own delusion he believes he fights for our safety."
"And making friends with the invaders doesn't help?"
"No, it does not. We will survive and thrive, however. We have faced worse odds than mere politics before."
We got comfortable again, intent on enjoying the meal.
".... Did you send me away to talk to him?" I asked.
"I feared, rightly so, that you two meeting would make things more difficult."
"So, yes, then?"
"Yes. I heard his approach and knew he was waiting for a chance to speak with me. Sending you in the opposite direction was a deceptive measure. I am sorry, Phasma."
"Why didn't you just tell me, Luna?"
"Would you have left?" She asked.
".... No."
"I did not think so. Still, I am sorry. But while we are on the topic of plans and deception, there is something I believe you have the right to hear."
'More deception? At least she's being honest and telling me, I guess.'
"I'm listening."
"Celestia has informed me about her plan for you and your kingdom. She wishes you to integrate your kingdom completely with Equestria."
"I'm not doing that," I responded immediately.
"I know that," Luna said, motioning to me to pause, "and Celestia does too. She hopes you will come to that decision on your own, eventually."
"What's she planning?"
"She does not plan on doing anything, other than to further sweeten the idea of integration. I felt that you should be aware of her motives, given your... paranoia."
"Thanks, Luna."
Luna nuzzled the side of my neck, and then gave me a kiss.
"I simply wish for you to relax. You are among friends, now, Phasma. You can leave behind your worries. Or, at the very least, share them with us."
"I, uh, I'll try, Luna. Here you are, worrying about me and my problems, what about you? How are you adjusting to being back? We haven't talked about that in a while, now."
"It gets less and less frustrating with each passing day. The aid rendered from friends certainly helps the process. And I have a coltfriend to unwind with, and share my worries."
"Then share your worries with him. I'm sure there's only a fifty-percent chance he'll dismiss your worries callously."
Luna chuckled, "I will, after tomorrow's operation."
"..... What?"
"Tomorrow, we will examine the brand the Nightmares put on your mind. Did you forget...? Phasma? Phasma...?"
I swallowed, "Uh...."
'It's already time? We have to.... I have to....'
I was suddenly reminded of the Nightmare's torture: being strapped onto a surgery table, drills piercing my skull-
"Hey," Luna said, squeezing my forehooves. "I will be there. You do not need to worry, okay?"
"Okay?" I repeated, trying to remain calm. "Sorry. It's just-"
"I know. There is no need to say anything. Just breathe."
I nodded and followed her orders.
"I am told it is called Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder. We had names for it way back when, but dealing with it has always been hard. I do not care if we talk more about your issues than mine, I am thankful that I have so few in comparison. Further, helping others has always been a passion of Celestia and I. It brings me no small amount of joy to help others in their time of need..."
I listened to Luna ramble on, her voice bringing me back down to Equus. |
Changing Expectations | 134- Kalma | Coxa trailed behind me as I finished the conversation with Celestia. Today's negotiation was wrapping up the last bits, namely the cultural and technological sharing. Given that the Fifth Hive had almost none of that, it was a quick work day.
"Any chance you might share technology from your prior world?" Celestia asked.
"I don't think so. A lot of that technology requires ridiculous amounts of dependent tech before you can get it to work, and I'm far from an engineer or scientist, so I can give a little bit but for the most part you're on your own. It's better that way."
"I assume you intend to steer us away from potentially deadly inventions?"
"Sorta? Almost all inventions can be deadly in some way, it just falls to application."
"Of course," she nodded.
"But I will help where I can when I know of something like safety features. The last thing I'd want is for you to do something like muck about with heavy metals without understanding the necessity of lead shielding."
"Heavy metals?"
"Deadly stuff. Kills you for just being near it."
"Oh my. And what of the uses of other new metals, such as the Adamantium and Mithril that your changelings discovered?"
"Err.... Coxa, how much do we know about those metals?"
"Almost nothing," he offered.
"But you have worked them for thousands of years?" Celestia said.
"We have," Coxa said, "but only Chrysalis knew the ins and outs of working the metals. She had assistants, true, but her main assistant was, uh... he's dead. Any info she wrote down is inaccessible to us now, but there's a good chance there's plenty of info back in the Fourth Hive's vault."
Celestia continued to lead us further down into the palace, "Then we shall learn about it when this war is finished. The unicorns that were assigned to researching the enchantable green metal were quite captivated by the material, and I have to admit I am quite interested, too. Never before have I seen such a capable enchantable material. The wonders that could be accomplished..."
"Good luck getting any," Coxa snickered.
"I assume it's quite rare?"
"You could say that," I laughed. "It's only available in the deepest layer of the Underhive, as far as I am aware."
"Underhive?" Celestia asked, interested.
"The source of many of your problems, I bet," I said. "It's a cave system located miles beneath our hooves, filled to the brim with all sorts of monsters that want to eat everything in front of their faces. The only species to actually manage to explore any of it are changelings. In fact, I don't know if any other species have even discovered it."
"How have you safely explored it, if it is so dangerous?"
"We don't," Coxa said.
"We don't safely explore it," I added. "To the Hive Eternal, casualties are acceptable. After all, the metal we acquire usually lasts for thousands of years. A drone's life was worth considerably less."
"That's awfully grisly," Celestia sighed. "Bartering lives for metal. Barbaric."
"It's not exactly a practice I intend on reinstating," I said.
"Then it sounds like Equestria might be able to lend a hoof in that matter. Acquiring more of either of these metals would be a boon of untold value. If we could work together to find a way to safely extract it...."
"... Then we're more than happy to work together," I nodded.
"Wonderful," Celestia remarked. "Just in time, too; we've arrived."
At this point, we were likely near the dungeons, somewhere in the basement of Canterlot Castle. This was where Celestia performed magical experiments, I recalled from briefings from ages past. We had stopped before a pair of thick metal doors that were otherwise nondescript. The guards on either side saluted as Celestia reached forward and pushed them open with a hoof, rather than their magic. I noticed as I passed the doors that every square inch of them was covered in glowing yellow runes.
Ahead, an auditorium-like room that was reminiscent of surgery theaters was filled to the brim on the lower level with different magical machines. Luna and Twilight Sparkle were fiddling with the machines and making marks on a few whiteboards scattered around the center of the room.
Right in the center was a flat metal table, which most of the machines were pointed towards. On its surface was a series of circles, each inscribed with runes of different shapes and sizes.
"This is feeling awfully familiar," I muttered.
"You'll be fine, Phasma," Coxa reassured me. "After all, if you die, who's going to sign my paycheck?"
"Thorax is in charge if I die. You realize that, right?"
"Wait, what?"
Luna and Twilight looked up at us when we entered, but resumed their work. Celestia walked over to one of the machines and began flipping small switches and otherwise calibrating it.
"What do you mean, Thorax will be in charge? What about me?" Coxa asked.
"You'll still be the one running the Hive, he'll just be the public face. Think of it like a leadership position with greatly reduced responsibilities," I explained. "With no King or Queen, the Hive would have to transition to some sort of democracy, anyways. Both ponies and changelings will love Thorax, so it'll help smooth things out if something goes wrong at some point."
Coxa huffed, "But I'm still in charge?"
"De facto."
".... Whatever. But don't you dare try to die on us, Phasma. You've made my life too complicated and stressful to go and leave me here."
"Heh, I'll try not to. Just for you, Coxa."
Coxa nodded and buzzed his wings, flying up to take a seat in the small amphitheater that circumscribed the operating room.
"Are you doing well, Phasma?" Luna asked me, leaving her machines to stand by my side.
'Am I doing well?'
"If I'm being honest," I replied in a lower whisper, "no, not really. But the sooner we get started, the sooner we get through this."
"I will be at your side every second of the way."
"Thanks Luna," I said, pulling her into a hug.
She helped me up onto the table, which I slowly lowered myself onto, until I was laying on my belly. Then, Luna ran me through what was going to happen.
"Okay Phasma. First we will perform an examination of the boundaries of this Nightmare mark. I know where it begins and where it ends, thanks to our sessions together in the Dreamscape, so that should be a shorter part of this. Once we have an accurate idea of what we're looking at, that is when we will take a more in-depth look at this mark. Using our Flux Prospector here," she said, patting one machine, "we will be able to safely examine the magical composition of the entirety of the brand. Then, we can map it out and understand how it works. There are plenty of other devices involved, but for the most part, this one will be our primary tool. Any questions so far?"
"I don't think so, no."
"Alright. Once we understand the structure of this mark, we should be able to reverse engineer its inner workings, and figure out a way to remove it entirely. There's some particularly unfortunate enchantments that could be present, so that step will be the most tenuous. We will have to see what we are dealing with before we can make a proper plan. Worst case scenario, we take a long time to figure this out, and you are simply woken up as we work through the problem. It could take days. However, given how short of a time was taken to put the mark on you, I can not see it being particularly complicated."
"Do we know how long it took the Nightmare to put the mark on me?"
"It was in the Dreamscape, but you described the process as being somewhat short, correct?"
I scratched my head, "I think? It was hard to keep track of time."
"Given how long one can spend on a single enchantment, this could be considered a rush job. You would know if it was a long time or not."
"Okay, it was a short time, then."
"Right. This Nightmare was probably practicing this enchantment, or knew exactly what to create, all things considered. So, this enchantment is likely very well made, just low-tier. Which means that we will have to find the right solution, as many general methods of dissolving the magic will not work. We can brute force it, given that it is low-tier, however...."
"You don't want to be swinging a mace inside my mind."
Luna grimaced, "Precisely. Once we have a solution, implementing it will require a few other tools, machines, and strategies that Celestia knows more about. Do you require any information on that stage of the plan?"
I shook my head, "My education on magic is, uh... let's just say corners were cut. Lots of corners. It's practically a circle."
"We will just have to fix that in time."
"Oh boy, I'll have to fit that in with my training."
"Training the body and mind is important, if unpleasant in every sense of the word."
"At least I'll have a beautiful mare to take up any free time I would otherwise have," I winked.
"Alright, we're ready, Princesses!" Twilight announced.
Luna wrapped up the explanation, "After the mark is destroyed, we will put protective enchantments over the area to make sure nothing unexpected happens, or that no weakness is left. Then, we monitor the area for a few months, testing for responses to outside forces, but it should be clear."
"Okay. Thank you for all of this, Luna," I said, nervously tapping my hooves together.
"Thank you for risking so much for Equestria and I. You helped save Equestria, and even if you did not, we would still do all of this altruistically. You picked your friends well."
"I sure did."
"Luna, are you ready?" Celestia asked.
"I am," Luna said, not leaving my side.
"King Phasma, are you ready?"
I swallowed, "I am."
"Luna has explained what's going to happen?" Celestia asked.
"I have," Luna said.
"Excellent. Once you wake up, this will all be behind us."
"If I wake up," I muttered under my breath.
Luna squeezed one of my hooves, "You'll be fine. I promise."
Twilight appeared next to Luna, "Thank you for this opportunity, King Phasma! This is a fantastic opportunity, and I promise you are in good hooves! Both of the Princesses are here, after all!"
"Thank you, Twilight," I said, unsure how to feel about her reassurance.
'I guess having the two foremost experts in magic here is better than any alternative.'
"Yeah, what she said!" Coxa yelled from somewhere above us.
The machines whirred and began to glow and hum, and several were moved close to the table I was laying on.
'-feel the thing as it seared something onto me-'
I cringed, recoiling away from Luna. Still, she wouldn't let go.
"Phasma?" Celestia asked, noticing the movement.
"I'm fine," I growled.
"I'm with you," Luna said. "You are not fine, but you are in good company."
"I said I'm-"
One instrument pointed an appendage that looked awfully a lot like a massive needle towards my head.
'-the jagged blade pulled itself free of my head-'
"-not f-fine," I admitted, gritting my teeth.
I was shaking all over, and struggling to breathe.
"Your fears are well founded, but you have to listen to me," Luna stressed. I nodded, and she continued, "Telling you to relax is a counterproductive solution. So instead, why don't you tell me something? Tell me how reforming the Fifth Hive is going."
I nodded again, "Uh, we're almost done switching to a paycheck method of rewarding changelings for their work. It costs a lot more than our previous method of assigning money based on requests, since changelings love to skate by on the absolute minimum and dedicate everything to the Hive, but in time I think they will learn to appreciate capitalism. The money we're losing is honestly fine in the long run, as we were running out of good ways to spend it all."
"You mentioned a desire to write a constitution long ago, did you not?"
I swallowed, "Yeah, yeah. We've been too busy to write it right now, what with the war still going on, but I've been talking about the base points with the First Fang and Cricket. They all agree to a degree, but ultimately refuse to allow any sort of election within the Fifth Hive. They want to keep me as supreme leader, something I'm kinda okay with, and keep the Fifth Hive as a meritocracy, which honestly just puts more stress on me. I'll have to personally pick out every leader under the current model, which means I'll have to change the Hive's power structure so that fewer changelings report directly to me. This hooves-on method might be Chrysalis's favorite approach, as it ensures absolute loyalty and control, but as the Hive gets bigger, it will only make things worse for me. Anyways, they agree with the guaranteeing of rights for drones and all that, and overall are happy with what I'm suggesting we do."
"We need to begin the procedure," Celestia reminded Luna.
"Yes, I know, sister. Phasma, I am going to initiate the rune- that one right beneath your head- and you will start to feel fatigued. Keep talking and telling me about your Hive, okay?"
Her horn glowed cyan, as did the rune circle directly beneath my head.
"Okay," I said. "The military is still under mandatory service at the moment, but... uh... that's because we're still at war," I yawned. "That works fast."
"Keep talking to me," Luna said.
"I'd love to move away from the mandatory service, given our species' closeness to extinction, but I just can't right now. Eventually, we might... go to a few years service... requirement," I yawned again. My eyes were getting heavier, "since that's what the changelings want.... But..."
I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore.
With Phasma finally asleep, Coxa broke out a portfolio and opened it up, paging through it. This was liable to take a few hours, and Coxa's job was never done. As the Hive's representative and one of Phasma's closest friends, he was here to support and watch over him, however that doesn't mean he had to stand at attention by his side.
"Why was King Phasma so scared? It's just an examination," the pony Twilight Sparkle said.
"King Phasma has a lot of unfortunate experiences with procedures similar to this one, remember?" Princess Luna said, her emotions matching her slightly-cold attitude.
"The lobotomy of his siblings?" Twilight asked. "Surely he understands the difference between this safe procedure and that... barbarism."
A quick glance up from his work dispelled Coxa's worries that the ponies were just sitting around, chatting. They were instead discussing this topic while bustling around between the machines. Princess Luna herself was powering the machine closest to Phasma's head, her horn glowing the same hue as a thin laser that shot into Phasma.
"Fear and rational thinking do not mix," Princess Celestia said. "He might intuitively understand that he is safe, which is why he agreed to this in the first place, but he can't help but think about all the horrible things that were done to him, and almost done to him."
'We're going to pay Froghopper how much?!'
Coxa quietly hissed in frustration and confusion. The lead-scout was going to be paid far too much, by his judgement. Then again, he had no experience with how much officers are normally paid. Perhaps a visit to his Equestrian counterpart, whoever that might be, is in order.
"That's the mark?" Twilight asked.
Princess Luna was slowly drawing on one of the whiteboards closest to her, the marker gripped in her magic while she continued to power the machine and read off of a piece of paper that was slowly protruding from one of its exits.
"Yes," Princess Luna said simply.
'Looks like blurred nonsense to me,' Coxa remarked.
Unfortunately, it was looking more and more like Coxa wouldn't even have enough paperwork to occupy himself during the procedure. That idea was horrifying, as Coxa found doing this work horribly boring at the best of times. As much as he tried to focus on the papers before him, a small part was always concerned about his close friend and King, sitting still on the table below him.
Eventually, he gave up trying to read the same AAR after having scanned over it three times, and still not remembering who was involved in the battle. Instead, he zoned back in on the ponies, and tried guessing what was happening, what they figured out, and what they planned on doing.
I was having a nightmare again. Fortunately, this was one with a lower-case n. Unfortunately, it was one I had rather hoped to avoid.
Dispelling nightmares that I myself was a victim of was easier said than done. It was like telling your body to stop shaking, or the hairs on your neck to go down; it simply didn't work that way.
So I had to ignore the corpse sitting upright behind me. I was staring out the window, observing the reconstruction effort of Canterlot. The sight was reconstructed from my memory, so in some places Canterlot was burning, and in others, the reconstruction effort had been finished months ago.
I couldn't ignore his smell.
It was quiet. Deathly quiet, if I wanted to be ironic. The only sound to be heard was the faint, almost imperceptible buzzing of the flies. The shambling corpse made no noise as it stared at the back of my head. I could feel its gaze, judging me. That sounded cliche, but it was what I felt.
"Please, just... go away," I muttered uselessly.
Something I didn't tell Luna was that these nightmares were more frequent than she thought.
'Probably has to do with the lapse in training. Gah, I've got too much shit that I've got to be on top of! How am I supposed to handle physical training, combat training, negotiating the Hive's future, reforming the Hive, and giving Luna and my friends enough time of the day?!'
Luna had been busy, too, hence our lack of Dreamscape training. That led to, or at least was partially to blame for, the frequent nightmares. They had lessened over time... all except this one.
It had only gotten worse.
He was still there, watching me. The same place he had been for the past half-year. The only thing that changed was that he had started to rot away. The stench of decaying flesh overpowered any scent Celestia's study might have otherwise had.
I absentmindedly noted that the smell was borrowed from the lair of that giant rat I killed way back outside Hooferville.
"You mean nothing to me," I lied, not even believing myself. "Be gone."
I was getting bored of yelling at Eucharis's still-living corpse. Afraid, yes, but bored.
"They want me to talk to a shrink, you know. They think it will make stuff like you go away. As if talking can do that. It's an immature viewpoint, I know, but I always hated therapists. Nothing personal, I just find the idea of simplifying people to the discussion of ideas and logical explanations to be.... insulting. As if we're nothing more than a math problem. Still, they say I have to, so I'll go."
I sighed and collapsed against the wall, sitting up against it and staring at the corpse.
His eyes were gone. As was all of his soft-parts, the space between his chitin now occupied by rotten, putrifying organic mush. There was a small swarm of flies buzzing around his head, occasionally landing on his face or flying into one of his empty eye sockets.
He never spoke a word. Never moved. Only stared.
"... Fine, I feel a little bit guilty," I admitted. "You were the first person I've ever killed, and you were, in your own misguided belief, trying to save my life. But you- gah! What was I supposed to..." I grunted and put my head between my hooves. "If I mess up, if I let loose my emotions like I did with you or the Count, then changelings could lose their lives. There's more at stake now. It doesn't matter if I was justified or not, the consequences are the same. I just... you all make me so angry!"
Eucharis said nothing.
"You were a shit father," I said, still not believing myself.
Yet no matter what I said, the corpse never left the room.
"What do you want me to say? That I'm sorry? That I shouldn't have killed you? You're not getting either. I'd say live with it, but you can't exactly do that, can you?"
A distant rumbling made me look up, outside the window. On the horizon, a cyan, gold, and purple storm was rolling its way to Canterlot. I watched a cyan bolt of lightning strike the ground.
"Same color as their magic," I murmured. "Wonder if that's my mind's construct, or the real world influencing the Dreamscape. A question for Luna later." I sighed, "I guess I can tell you things no one else can know. It's not like you're going to tell anyone. And even if you could, if you were some spy or something created by the Nightmares, you're not going to survive the night, are you?"
Eucharis did not move.
"I think they would be happy. I miss them with all my heart, but I think they would be happy. They were far more of a real family than you or Chrysalis, and they would have been proud to see me with someone who makes me happy. I think they would gladly sacrifice being able to see me again for this, ironically enough. I just wish I could tell them where I was, that I actually am happy. Instead, they buried my body, thinking I was gone for good.
"I told Luna this, actually. I haven't told anyone else. Not much point, I think. Everyone's got shit they're dealing with. Panar, Lacewing was tortured! How could anything I actually went through, aside from the torture, compare to that? I dealt with it a few times, but it was a daily companion for her! I don't..."
I drew circles on the ground with my hoof.
"I wish Oest was here. Feels like I'm taking two steps back thinking like that, but I can't help myself. The First Fang is all together, all broken but getting better, but Oestridae isn't here. It feels like we paid a cost that wasn't worth it. Maybe that's the secret? The one time I let go of my, uh, pawns, is the one time I failed and lost everything. Meanwhile, when I try everything I can to save everyone I can, I get the most success. This world really does run on rainbows and friendship.... What do you think, Eucharis?"
It looked almost like he swayed in a breeze, but it was my eyes playing tricks on me.
"They won't let me. The changelings are becoming more and more resistant to the idea of me being on the front lines. I think if I let them, they would put me in a padded cell with corks on my horn and fangs, not letting me ever have a chance to get hurt. It's only going to get worse in time. If Celestia thinks she's fanatically worshipped, she's got no idea how dedicated drones can be.... Is that a bad thing? Do I have to try to change their behavior? Can I even accomplish that?"
Thanks to my experience in the Dreamscape, I felt something I identified as me starting to wake up. Glancing out the window, I saw the multicolored storm right above the city.
".... Thanks for the talk, Eucharis. You should get the whole decaying-thing looked at, though. It can't be healthy." |
Changing Expectations | 135- Beach Episode 2: Electric Boogaloo | The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was Luna's cyan eyes, looking back at me.
"Hey," I whispered after a while.
"Hello," she replied. "You are not dead?"
"I don't think so."
"Then we are good!" She said happily.
"We are?"
I tried to sit up and look around, but Luna pushed me down. We were in her room, and I was laying in her bed.
"You need to sit still for the rest of the day. Theoretically, you are perfectly fine, but extra caution is advised," she explained.
"What... so it was a success? Did you... find it?" I asked.
Luna smiled, "Found it, contained it, destroyed it."
I let out a huge sigh of relief and sank into the bed.
"It was a particularly nasty enchantment construct. The things it could do.... Not that you need to be worried anymore! It simply could have held a lot of power over your mind, given the correct stimuli."
"You sound like Twilight."
"I spend a lot of time with her."
"Hm. What kind of things could it do?"
"It was designed to override your thought process when exposed to particular corruption or dark magic. If you felt an extreme inclination to activate or use potentially dangerous artifacts when you were in the Third Hive, this was partially to blame."
"Oh... anything else?"
"For the most part, that was it. That was probably enough for the Nightmares to achieve their desires using you, so that was all that was required. The smaller and less intrusive it is, the harder it would be to detect. This one took a long while to find, and we would have missed it on every in-depth scan if we had no idea what to look for. Originally, I had shielded virtually your entire mind from magic. This would have proven to be ineffective, should the mark have ever been truly activated."
I blinked as I realized something.
"So the only reason why we knew about its existence was because they bragged about it?"
"Precisely."
".... Morons."
"Never curse villains for being foolish. The clever ones are the scariest ones."
I snorted, "You got that right. The smartest ones could do something like plan an invasion of Equestria, and if that fails, figure out a backup plan to get what they want anyways."
Luna leaned in and kissed me.
"The horror," she said after parting. Then, she scrunched up her muzzle, "You have bad morning breath."
"I can't leave bed, how am I supposed to brush my teeth?"
Luna sighed dramatically, "I will have to aid you. There would be a long list of things to worry about, to watch out for, and follow-up appointments to make, but given that you will be by my side for many hours of the day and every single night, all you need to do is shower me with affection."
"Business as usual, then?" I grinned.
"Quite so. Now, slowly get up. We shall bathe together so that I can keep an eye on your progress."
"We already do that."
Luna winked, "Yes, but now I have an excuse."
"Since when were you worried about excuses?"
The rest of the morning passed by slowly. My head felt fine, so other than being noticeably tired, I felt no side effects from the procedure. When we went to breakfast to meet Celestia and Cadence- Luna slowly pushing me around in a wheelchair, they both were eager to hear about my recovery.
Celestia most of all, considering she was the one doing most of the work, apparently.
"I'm fine," I said.
"I've heard that one before," Celestia replied.
"There was some weird disturbance during my dream, but that was the only symptom."
"Any trouble accessing magic or remembering things?"
I shrugged, "How should I know? Luna doesn't even let me walk around."
"You are quite capable of that," Celestia rolled her eyes.
"This is my excuse for keeping close to him for the entire day. You can not take this from me," Luna declared.
"Since when did you need an excuse?" Cadence asked.
"That's what I said!" I groaned.
"At any rate, you should know exactly what we found," Celestia said. "The mark of Lámhmarbh, as it was identified as, can be thought of as a prefabricated implant. Whoever designed it must have done so eons ago, so thankfully countless breakthroughs that have been made since its inception were not found. In fact, we can accurately date its creation to... some time after the Discordian Era. Given that we don't know its exact origins, anything more precise than that is impossible."
"It's from a Nightmare."
Celestia nodded, "Yes, but we don't know where they come from. If they originate on the other side of Equus, then the flow of information could have been substantially slower, meaning this mark is much newer than we think, see?"
".... I think so."
Celestia continued, "This mark had great influence over your actions, but was inert almost the entirety of the time. It did not respond to almost all of our tests, and only in the presence of dark magic did it awaken. Then, it sent commands through your psyche and mind. We can accurately guess what those commands were, but we didn't see the need to wake you up and confirm that. Once we knew what we were dealing with, we managed to unravel its structure and remove it completely. Luna placed the protective wards around the area, and that part of your soul should heal up within.... twenty years or so."
"That's a long time."
"Indeed. Don't split your soul or anything like that and you should be fine."
"I'll try not to. Anything else?"
"Until your soul heals, this will be a vulnerability. So you should avoid being on the front lines with the Nightmares, if they appear before you are healed."
I shook my head, "That might not be possible. Furthermore, it might not even be up to me."
Luna scowled, "It most certainly is possible. You are rather shit at fighting, anyways."
"Language!" Cadence groaned.
"I'm not shit at fighting!"
"You can not win a fair fight, even if your life depended on it!" Luna retorted.
I laughed, "That's why I never fight fair!"
"You will stay in the rear echelon, where you can guide the battle and provide shields. It is safe there!"
"I'll go where I'm needed!" I declared.
Celestia cleared her throat loudly, "This is a discussion that can wait till later. There is something else that requires your attention, Phasma."
"Hmph. What is it?"
She paused, clearly unsure of herself, "I... have not taken a vacation in quite some time. The idea of traveling to the mountains together this Hearth's Warming is most intriguing. However, I'd rather have it pan out for the better, rather than being a bust. Organizing my absence is an undertaking I would rather not waste. As such, it is necessary to make sure that enjoyment will be had and all things put in order."
I tilted my head, "Which means?"
Luna clapped her hooves excitedly, "We shall go this weekend!"
"W-what?!"
"I need you two to scout the place and make sure it is big enough, luxurious enough, and, well, you get the idea," Celestia explained.
"We shall depart early, so that we might visit your establishment in Manehattan, too!" Luna chimed in.
A smile slowly crept onto my face.
"Luna, Celestia, that's... amazing!"
"I've taken the liberty of informing your right-hoof pony, Coxa, about your planned absence from Canterlot," Celestia added.
"Oh, uh, thanks Celestia!"
Luna launched herself at me, squeezing me in a bone-breaking hug that would have been actually painful had I not been covered in chitin.
"Oh what merriment there is to be had! I say, I have not been this excited since the prospect of seeing you in person!"
"I'm excited too, Luna," I said, patting her on the withers.
"Another victory for love," Cadence smiled. "This will be a great vacation for all of us, come winter. I'm even getting Shiny to come over."
I raised my eyebrows, "That's us four, the First Fang, Shining Armor.... Anyone else coming?"
"Celestia has extended invitations to the Elements, as their heroism deserves rewards, but acceptance is unlikely for almost all of them," Luna said, not letting me go.
"That would be a lot of ponies attending," I remarked.
"We all have our separate rooms," Celestia explained.
"-and I'm all for it!" I cheered. "Quite different than... my old life. We, uh, bunked up back then, going so far as to sleep on the ground whenever we went on vacation. But now we're all rich, huh?"
"This was Celestia's surprise," Luna said. "Hence why I could not speak of it to you."
"I figured you two could use the break more, especially with last night's procedure," Celestia admitted.
I felt my ears splay back, "... Thanks again, Celestia. I... thanks."
Outside of the First Fang, there were few people I could trust that actually did something nice for me out of the kindness of their heart. The Fifth Hive served me out of blind loyalty, though some of it could be argued as not blind loyalty, and the guards of Hooferville had no idea I was a changeling.
'And Celestia has thankfully not mentioned my.... fit.'
Last night had been one of the most stressful and frightening nights this year, which was really saying a lot.
".... yourself de-stressed and ready for when you come back," Celestia said. I missed the first part of her order. "We have a lot to do, even before the winter arrives."
Luna broke the hug, "I shall go back immediately!"
"Wait-!" Celestia called out, but Luna had already teleported away. "You're not leaving until tomorrow," she sighed. "Well, you have the rest of the time off, Phasma. No more negotiations."
"I'll go work things out with my Hive after breakfast, then. There's a lot left to be done; I'm nearly as buried in paperwork reforming the Fifth Hive and getting everyone situated as you are fixing your kingdom."
Cadence smiled, "You're staying? I expected you to run off with Luna the moment you could."
I shrugged, "I don't always eat food, but the company is always nice."
Cadence pointed a hoof at me, "See?! You can be a nice, considerate pony!"
"Only when you aren't threatening or accusing me of anything."
"The tales I have heard speak highly of you," Celestia added in. "Your changelings look up to you greatly, and you instill positive values in them. I cannot ask for much more, aside from proper behavior and self control. But enough inflating your ego, today we're having Prench toast."
I clapped my hooves, "I knew there was a reason why I decided to stay!"
The Crystal Caves were almost empty now.
Most of the lings had been moved off to Manehattan or other locations, with only the Red Right Hoof staying behind, as well as my support staff. The Fifth Hive's military and command structure could not leave easily, and having them in Canterlot was very important: the administration team for obvious reasons, and the Red Right Hoof because they would be training alongside the Equestrians starting next week.
With Celestia's guidance, we finally had some rooms picked and cleared out for my changelings to use. She even provided a few large rooms to serve as barracks, which I gladly took, but the administration team was provided apartments in Middle Canterlot on my own dime. Given their importance, justifying renting- couldn't find anything to outright buy yet- was a simple matter.
All that was left was moving the last of the changelings and materials out of the Crystal Caves. A lot of the material was slated to head directly to some storerooms within Canterlot Castle, and the whole process would be finished by the weekend.
So it was time for a celebration.
We had swarmed one of the larger, more reclusive fancy rooms. This one was high up, and had a bunch of windows with great views. I had brought out the good vintage for this occasion. The changelings cheered and toasted their glasses, each a mixed drink of alcohol and love rations.
"To brighter futures!"
"To better tomorrows!"
"To an end to the hunger!"
We all knocked back the glasses. I coughed and cringed, still not quite used to the strange combination. Most lings struggled similarly, but a few just laughed.
"Your Majesty," Cricket whispered, making me lean over to hear her.
"Yes?"
"Just wanted to add onto the good news; there's been a breakthrough in deciphering the language that those tomes you rescued from the Third Hive were written in."
I coughed, feeling some of the drink come back up, "Really?! That's great!"
"Mhmm. Twilight Sparkle stopped by for a preliminary glance into what we were preparing for the exchange program, and her help was insightful when it came to translating the morphemes. We have a rough idea as to what the tomes are about."
'This is actually great news. Whatever these tomes are written about is probably something we have forgotten about. Unless it's a bust and it describes transformations or something, this could be a huge boon for us all!'
"Go on," I said, turning to face her fully. "What are they about?"
"The books are all on," Cricket paused to glance around, "soulmancy, Your Majesty."
"Soulmancy?"
She nodded, "The practice is forbidden in Equestria, hence me trying to keep quiet about it, Your Majesty."
"Oh. Well, is it... new information?"
"Yes sir. With the field now known, we've taken a look at a few of the spells written down, and they seem completely new. At least, we think so. It's not exactly possible for any of us to know what Chrysalis knows about the field, or what the Princesses of Equestria know."
"Neither of 'em know anything," I explained. "Chrysalis's expertise laid in genetic and biological sculpting, and neither Luna nor Celestia know much about Dark Magic. They considered this one of its fields, since its so often entwined with it, and it has been outlawed in Equestria since the kingdom's inception."
"You're awfully knowledgeable about the subject, My King," Cricket remarked.
"I was born through a necromancy ritual, and Celestia was clear on what magic she wouldn't tolerate in Equestria. Knowing this stuff is my job. Thanks for the new information, Cricket."
"Should I tell the teams to give up deciphering it?"
"No, no," I waved to her to stop. "This is very good stuff. I might be able to get permission from Celestia to use the magic within Equestria's borders, and if I don't, we can just scoot on over to the Third Hive's ruins and practice it there. If it's safe, of course. No point in using it if it just propagates Nightmares or something equally unpleasant. I'll talk with Luna this weekend about it. Anything else?"
"That's it, Your Majesty."
I nodded. The changelings around us were still chatting away, swapping stories, having drinking contests, and otherwise wasting their time. I even spied Coxa and Lacewing sitting on a couch in the back, snuggling and kissing lightly.
'Awww, how adorable- I mean, absolutely revolting! Coxa exists only to make my life easier and to fill out paperwork! And Lace.... deserves to be happy. Whatever, the joke fell apart. They're cute, they deserve to be happy, roll credits.'
'... How many lings in this room are liars, merely pretending to be happy? I let my guard down once, and because of that, Lace got captured and Oest died.'
"Hey Cricket?" I whispered.
"My King?" She whispered back.
"... How many Fourth Hive spies do you think are in the Fifth Hive?"
"My King?" She asked, confused.
"The war against the Fourth Hive proper should begin soon. How many traitors are in this room? Beyond?"
Cricket was silent. She looked around the room, trying to hide her worry.
"My King, I don't know how to answer that. The Infiltrators were in Canterlot, and a few were bound to have been captured. Unless they come forward willingly, I don't think we could ever possibly find them."
"But how many are in the Fifth Hive?"
".... A dozen? Less? It's impossible to say, My King."
I swallowed, "Should I be worried?"
Cricket shook her head, "Even if they had contact with the Fourth Hive, which is completely cut off, you've proven to be worthy of the title of King."
That didn't add up.
"They're loyal to Chrysalis, though," I pointed out.
"Technically they're loyal to the Pontiff, which is a title that can't be usurped."
"Which is something I'm trying to do, right?"
Cricket cringed, "Sorta? It's complicated, Your Majesty. On paper, Chrysalis is and always will be Pontiff. However, given your accomplishments and the success of the Fifth Hive, it can be easily argued that Panar has clearly chosen you to lead us, and therefore you are the Pontiff."
I snorted, "And will the Infiltrators believe that?"
Cricket shrugged, "Who knows?"
I sighed, "In any case, thanks for the insight."
"I'm at your service, My King."
"Suppose I'll have to figure out vacations for all of you guys as well, huh?" I said, my voice returning to normal speaking levels.
"You're already giving us four weeks of vacation days a year, Your Majesty," Cricket replied.
"And will any of you actually use them?"
"Of course not, My King." |
Changing Expectations | 136- Garmr | Luna stepped off the platform as I triple checked her disguise. It was ramshackle, didn't quite fit, and still made her out to be a giant of a pony.
But it would have to do.
Her disguise, a pegasus with a grey coat and blue mane as per her own suggestion, was created using a disguise spell that was apparently stolen from pony society ages ago. Coxa had provided it, having read it in one of the books he had a chance to skim over before we left the Fourth Hive for an invasion. His memory was clearly far from perfect, as I could tell the disguise was breaking in countless places.
The spell had nevertheless piqued the ponies' interest, and he had been swamped for the next hour explaining the spell.
Luna did a slow circle, taking in every sight she could. The city ahead of us dominated the horizon, but there were dozens of ponies walking around us, in the air, or otherwise filling the city. Her circle stopped when she caught me staring at her.
"See something you like?" Luna asked in a sing-song tone.
"A bunch I don't like, too."
Her expression hardened, "How bad is it?"
"It won't hold up to any scrutiny, and you can forget about using it tonight."
Luna huffed, "Damn. Summon the carriage let us figure out what our plan is, in that case."
"Already on its way. I called for one when the train came to a halt."
I had basically yelled over the Weave that Luna and I arrived that we were here for the day.
"And tonight?" Luna asked.
She wanted to visit Last Chance, the Speakeasy we owned here in Manehattan.
"You'll have to go without a disguise."
"I can't do that!" She whispered. "The political ramifications would be unfathomable. Unfathomable, Expected Value, unfathomable!"
I was disguised as my favorite pony-sona, of course. It would rather defeat the point of us going unnoticed if I was out and about, especially with a strange mare in my arms... forelegs?
A carriage arrived, stopping in front of us without a single word. The puller, a blue earth pony, nodded to me once. I opened the door for Luna, and shut it behind me when I entered. After we got situated, I told the driver to send us to the Manehattan headquarters of the Hive.
"So?" Luna asked.
"So fuck the consequences."
"Phasma, you know that things are fragile right now."
"So being seen partying with changelings is bad press?"
"Being seen breaking laws is."
"Pssh, what law are you breaking?"
"The Prohibition on alcohol?"
"You're not selling or transporting it," I said, shaking my head. "There's no law against being a customer. In fact, you'll be helping our species' relationship by showing cooperation and a lack of fear."
"That is not how many ponies will see it," Luna sighed.
"They'll see what they want to see. A few might think poorly of this, but the majority of ponies that give you any backlash will have done so regardless."
".... Perhaps you are right. I do not fully believe you, however. This is something you do not have experience with."
"Look Luna, it's our vacation. Do you really want to spend it worrying about what others might think about us?"
That got her thinking.
"We don't have to decide just yet, just... think about how excited you were."
Luna sighed heavily, "This also means that we will not be able to see many of the city's sights."
"Will it?"
"Yes? How am I able to relax with ponies showering me with questions, affection, hatred, or otherwise attention?"
"If you never make a public appearance, how will the public see you? If they see you interacting with the city and other ponies like a normal person, isn't that for the best?"
"As a public relations stunt, most assuredly."
"It's either that or we forgo most of the city entirely."
"... We will try it your way. But! If I am not satisfied, we cut the tour off."
"That's perfectly fine," I said. "You won't regret it."
"Do not make promises you can not keep, King Phasma."
I leaned over and get her a peck on the bridge of her nose.
"It'll be fine, Luna. Worst case scenario, we make the club invite-only. There's plenty of regulars who would be vetted by the changelings there, so you'll still have ponies partying in the club if you want the authentic experience."
Luna nodded slowly, "That is... acceptable. Thank you, Phasma."
When we arrived at the office building the Fifth Hive used as our headquarters, Thorax and Double Diamond were there, waiting for us.
"Hiya Expected Value!" Thorax waved when I stepped out.
"Hey there.... you."
"You forgot my name, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"Of course you did."
I rolled my eyes as I helped Luna out of the carriage, "Let's just take this inside, Thorax."
"You'd make a terrible infiltrator," he said before smiling at Luna. "Good afternoon...?"
"My cover name was supposed to be Star Shine, but that faux face is already falling apart," Luna complained.
"Star Shine! That sounds like a lovely name," Double Diamond said.
"Double Diamond, may I introduce Luna, Luna, Double Diamond," I quickly explained, motioning everyone inside. "Come on, this place is undisclosed, and I want to keep it that way for now."
As they all were ushered into the lobby, I directed them towards the elevators in the back.
"Oh! Princess Luna!" Diamond gasp. "It's an honor to meet you, Your Majesty!"
Luna smiled, "Thank you, Double Diamond. Ugh, what is this thing, Phasma?" She asked when the elevator we all stuffed into started moving.
"An elevator. It goes up and down quickly. Are there none in the palace?"
"Ah. Indeed there are, but I have not used one. They are mostly for the staff to quickly move things between floors. I have seen one used a few times."
"Don't worry Your Majesty, they are perfectly safe," Double Diamond reassured her. "In fact, my great-grandfather invented them!"
"Is that so?" Luna asked. I could tell that she was sorta faking the interest, and Thorax probably could tell, too.
"Alright, we should re-plan our afternoon," I announced, moving the conversation along.
We stepped out of the elevators and onto the top floor of the office building. I directed us to the meeting room.
"Something wrong?" Thorax asked.
"Luna's disguise is already falling apart. Coxa's disguise spell is a long ways away from working properly."
"Hmm, I see."
When we arrived, we took pairs of seats opposite each other.
"So, what shall be our destinations this evening?" Luna asked.
It was decided that we would hit two museums, Central Park, and end the day at Last Chance. Luna was initially hesitant against going anywhere public undisguised, but when we actually arrived, she quickly got past her fears and worries.
The first museum, some art one, was a bust. Luna waved to the ponies that started to crowd around us, but the ponies didn't take the hint that we wanted to see the art and sculptures in the museum. Not that it mattered much anyways, it turned out that Luna didn't care for the stuff anyways, and I would have been bored most days I would have visited.
The park was marginally better, but not by much. None of us four could enjoy the park with the crowd that we never could quite shake, and there was only so much walking-in-nature one could tolerate.
I had done enough of that back in Hooferville, anyways. Luna was glad for the chance though, likely to do with the fact that there aren't any trees on the moon. However, it was safe to say all of our moods were quite subdued by the time we reached our third destination.
When we were in the Equestrian Museum of Natural History, a location I had visited once before, Luna and the rest of us found ourselves having more and more fun. We had acquired a tour guide and a substantial entourage, and Luna was enjoying the company of both. As the tour guide brought us from exhibit to exhibit, Luna herself would remark on quite a few of them. The pair of swords from Griffonia, for example, were called inadequate by Luna. Apparently that pair of swords were shoddily made, and were considered sub-par. The ponies listened to every word of hers as if it was gospel.
This was my first public appearance, too. Ponies were... less enthused about that. Many had given fearful glances my way, and hatred lurked in a few of their stares. However, I stuck close to Luna, never leaving her side. Using her as a good public relations pony-shield seemed to help the issue considerably. I also kept the worst of the ponies at bay; the journalists and nay-sayers that most certainly would have heckled Luna and harassed her instead kept to the fray of the crowd, intimidated by the Dread Prince's presence. The fact that they were significantly outnumbered helped quite a bit. Our visit wasn't exactly advertised, so there were only a hooffull of ponies working for newspapers in the entire building, and that was only due to a new exhibit opening up this weekend.
There were a few ponies brave enough to ask Luna questions. Thankfully, those questions were restricted to the past, as there were a few historians in the crowd brave enough to ask the Princess directly about events she either commented on or was generally present for.
Any excuse for Luna to regale her tales and rise further into the elated mood that was growing was a welcome one.
"Oh, I remember this trash," Luna muttered when the tour guide showed us an exhibit from Yakistan.
It was a gold necklace with a single, massive ruby at its front.
"This is from a princess that had a particular penchant for sidetracking conversations into pointless dithering. Princess... Gruntwig?"
"Prince Gruntwig," the tour guide bravely corrected.
"Ha! I remember now, thank you! Prince Gruntwig was fine enough, but his significant other left much to be desired. The business conducted with the Prince was of paramount importance between our people, yet the female yak was more focused on sampling our cuisine than anything else!"
Overall, the experience acclimated the public to us, and our relationship, quite a bit. We were all worried that it would have been a disaster, but the worst thing that had happened was when Thorax and Diamond had been separated off by the crowd, and approached by a few ponies with a lot of rude things to say.
Thorax and I were undisguised, of course, so he was a rather easy target to pick out. Double Diamond had leapt to his coltfriend's defense before I could do so much as twitch an eyebrow angrily, so the situation was more or less resolved peacefully and without my interference. Thorax was put out a bit, but a few of the pony bystanders offered their sympathies and actually cheered him up.
Manehattan was a ways away from the areas affected the most by the invasion, so while there were plenty of ponies that despised changelings, there were just as many, if not more, that were willing to give us a chance.
'Thank Panar for that. This peace wouldn't have been possible, otherwise.'
Honestly, I had zoned out too frequently to make proper note of what was going on. All that happened this day so far was of little interest to me. What I really wanted was to enjoy my evening with Luna at Last Chance. Dancing, good, unhealthy food, great music, the whole deal. Listening to music was a luxury that I didn't expect to miss, but without smartphones or anything like it, the opportunity to listen to songs I actually liked was exceedingly rare. Going to a museum was fun and all, and I would love to go to more with Luna, but it wasn't the kind of fun I was looking for at the moment.
Though I did make note to talk about the pony's disposition to changelings with Luna and Celestia. The questions aimed at Luna and the overall warm welcome us changelings had was a huge step in the right direction. Even if it meant nothing in the grand scheme of things, it certainly improved our moods, despite the hiccup with Thorax. We left the museum behind, finally shaking the crowd when we used a carriage to make a hasty retreat.
"Now what?" Luna asked, still beaming from the positive attention.
'At least she's getting support from the crowds, despite whatever's going on in Canterlot.'
"Last Chance," I said.
Thorax wrapped a foreleg around Diamond's withers, "Oh, I can't wait! In the morning, we're going on a vacation! I've never been on a vacation before!"
"I too look forward to this," Luna beamed.
After about half an hour, the carriage came to a final stop and the puller signaled that we were here.
The door was opened by a pair of changelings, disguised as unicorns. Since I was the closest to the door, I was the first to get out. I had to disguise myself as a unicorn during the ride in order to fit into the carriage, as my normal changeling self would have taken up more than a quarter of the small carriage.
I channeled energy into the Thread of Change, and let the disguise burn away. Taking a moment to stretch, I got a good look at the ponies on the street and sidewalks gawking at my sudden appearance.
The rest of the group filtered out behind me, and I ushered them into the club. The two bouncers, disguised changelings, bowed to me and held the door open for us. There was a pair of ponies in front of the guards, and they had become quite confused when the bouncer they were trying to convince to let them in suddenly bowed and opened the door. When they turned around, they were even more shocked to find myself and Luna approaching fast. They quickly moved to the side, jaws wide.
I had to duck to fit into the doorway, but the hall beyond was tall enough for me to only have to angle my head awkwardly in order to fit.
The sound of muffled music grew louder as we passed the coat check desk.
"I dare say I have never heard music like this before," Luna muttered quietly.
Sure enough, the club was packed with ponies and changelings- still disguised. The atmosphere in the building was positively charged with emotions. Nothing quite as potent as love, but carefree happiness was good enough on its own.
When we entered the club proper, changelings and ponies alike stopped their conversations, dancing, and drinking and eating to gape at the royalty who just walked into the almost-illegal city nightclub.
"Round of drinks on the house," I announced, nodding to the bartender- a pony, as it happened.
That broke the ice. Ponies cheered, and changelings followed their example, moreso to appear normal than anything else.
The four of us made our way to the private booth that the Hive's upper echelon had used to celebrate prior to the Gala. The colt-couple sat down next to each other and started discussing what to order for dinner, while Luna collapsed into a seat next to me. I watched a few ponies get up and leave the club as Luna used me as a glorified body pillow. The ponies trailed disgust and hatred in their wake.
'Good riddance, and don't let the door hit 'ya on the way out.'
With the few bad eggs voluntarily weeded out, I felt a lot better about the night's prospects.
"I do not recognize half of these dishes," Luna remarked.
I looked down and saw her holding up a menu while leaning back against my chest. The position offered me a perfect view of the menu, too.
"I've heard of a few of these, but I've never been much of a fan of... food."
Luna chuckled, "Even before becoming a changeling?"
"Yeah, suddenly not really needing to worry about physical food was a welcome change. The starvation that comes with being a changeling was a different matter."
"You have been eating well, no?" Luna asked, patting my thigh.
"The entire Hive has. But enough about that, what catches your eye here?"
"What is that?" Luna pointed to one of the dishes.
"A hayburger? I'd imagine that's a burger, but made with hay."
"Yes, I recall Twilight mentioning the foodstuff in one of our nightly conversations. What is it?"
I shrugged, jostling Luna slightly with the motion.
"It's a sandwich, with a... hay patty, I guess? Then a bunch of other stuff is thrown on top. This one has lettuce and tomato, with a few extra options."
"Hmm..."
I grinned, "It's a far cry from the palace's food, that's for sure."
"What should I expect?"
"Greasy, unhealthy, and amazing taste."
"I would not have it any other way! What shall you have?"
"I'll fill up on hay fries."
"Those are listed as a side dish," she pointed out.
"I've eaten enough to probably survive half of a year, Luna. I don't actually need more love, let alone physical food."
"Yet you still eat. I shall order two of these burgers, and you will have one of them."
"Sounds good."
Luna shifted so that she could look out over the club, and seemed particularly interested in the band and the dancers. Several ponies and changelings were unsubtly looking up at us, no doubt gossiping to each other. Meanwhile, I stole a glance at Thorax and Double Diamond.
Thorax was leaning back, balancing his chair on two legs, while Diamond was giving their order to a changeling waitress. When he was done, the waitress came and took our order.
I made sure to get a few extra helpings of fries.
"I think I enjoy this music," Luna said, head bobbing to the beat. "If they played new music such as this at the Gala each year, I am certain it would be a lot livelier."
"You had the Gala before the rebellion?" I asked.
"Indeed. Though it was held far less often; once every three or four years or so. There were a great deal less reasons to hold it back then. No need to corale or curtail the nobles when you hold absolute power. Feh! Celestia letting go of the reins is something we will all come to regret soon enough."
"How about stuff like this? Have you ever been anywhere like this?"
"Oh yes, dozens of times. Sadly, dozens of times spread throughout such a long lifetime is not many at all. Further, the taverns Celestia and I, or later, just myself and a trusted guard or two, visited were a lot less.... Equestrian. Ponies tend to stick to a more orderly type of tavern. It is only when you visit the crude imitation of a tavern that the dragons use, or the hot-blooded griffon taverns that frequently host fights that you really start seeing people loosen up. This feels like a new take on the idea of an Equestrian tavern; a bunch of ponies getting drunk, dancing, and otherwise making fools of themselves, yet maintaining law and order. It is a most welcome development. The band is certainly much better than the odd performer or two most taverns were able to afford."
"You know, I've never been to a tavern," I admitted. "There's only bars, clubs, and restaurants like this on Earth. I mean, there are taverns, they're just a lot rarer where I'm from. So the only experience I have with them was in Dungeons and Dragons."
"Dungeons and Dragons?" Luna repeated. "That sounds like a heart-racing afternoon, regardless of which direction it goes."
"N-not like that!" I stammered. "Quite the opposite, honestly. It's mostly a bunch of guys and girls sitting in a basement, roleplaying as an adventuring party. Half of the time you're having a blast, and the other half of the time, you're waiting for your friends to struggle to do basic math or think out their decisions in combat."
"Is it fun?"
"Hell yeah!"
"Then perhaps we should try it at some point."
I nodded, liking the idea, "I can get my friends in on it. Is there anyone you're interested in playing with?"
Luna sighed, "There are few friendly faces inside Canterlot. Perhaps Cadence and Captain Shining Armor?"
"Hmm. Maybe we'd need to run two separate games if we do that. We'll see. I doubt either of those ponies will enjoy the game, though. Shining Armor doesn't strike me as the type to sit down and play board games."
"You have not met him properly, then."
"Hey Phas! Luna!" Thorax called out. "We've got some time until the food is made, you two wanna hit the dance floor with us?"
"I've been waiting since the Gala!" I cheered.
"This seems like a far less organized form of dancing," Luna muttered as I began to sit up, forcing her to give up her incredibly-handsome body pillow.
"It is. You'll like it.... Probably. If you don't, we can always spend the rest of the night up here, talking, enjoying the food, and annoying Thorax."
There was someone waiting at the meeting site.
This was new.
Every day they checked the secluded cafe in Canterlot's Lower District, there were only ponies there. Every time they had checked their own meeting site in Manehattan, as far away as that was from the invasion's crown jewel, there was never anyone else of importance there. That was expected. At this point, having no Contact had become the regular status quo. Though the agent had once met another Infiltrator there, there was never an unrecognized changeling.
Yet now there was finally someone waiting for them. Someone from the Fourth Hive, unmistakably.
The mud-brown earth pony flicked an ear at their approach. The Contact had a menu up, looking lazily at its contents.
"You're late," he said.
"You're not supposed to be here," the Infiltrator muttered back, taking a seat and picking up another menu.
"Yet here I am, and here you are. Report."
The Infiltrator cast a careful glance around, disguising it by signaling over a waitress.
"Here? Now?" They said after both ordered a cup of coffee.
"Yes."
"Why?"
The Contact glared, "It is not your position to ask why."
The agent cleared their throat, "Last I checked, the boss was on vacation. We've been working on our projects alone for a while now."
"Last I checked, the boss is still the one who signs your paycheck."
The Infiltrator scoffed, "Not anymore."
"That's not how it works. Do I need to take this to HR?"
"You can take it to whomever you want."
"You know there will be repercussions for this, correct? We might have to let you go."
The Infiltrator snorted, "I'd like to see you try. The Vice President organized a union for us. We're all watching each other's backs now, and we're much happier than we were under the boss's micromanagement. You can't scare me."
The Contact stiffened, "The Vice President? That isn't possible."
"Why not?"
"Because he's dead."
At that, the Infiltrator actually burst into laughter.
"Oh- haha ha ha haahahaha! You! You! You really think- bahahahahaaa! Oh that is good!"
The Contact shrunk a little, "Ponies are watching," he reminded the Infiltrator quietly.
"I'm sorry for laughing at such a funny joke!" The Infiltrator chimed back. "The Vice President is in town, in perfect health. Has been for some time. Do you live under a rock or something?"
".... In a way."
This time it was the Infiltrator's turn to stiffen.
"You're serious?"
The Contact recomposed himself, "You will report to the President directly. They will want to know this. They need to know this. You're coming with me."
"I'm not going anywhere," the Infiltrator said smugly. "I'm busy enough as it is, this is certainly no time for a vacation."
"Remember your contract. You don't get to choose what you do."
"No, I don't," the Infiltrator admitted. "But the Vice President has proven quite capable. In fact, he's nominated himself to become the new boss. There's no pushback."
"That changes nothing," the Contact snapped, keeping his voice low.
"It changes everything," the Infiltrator grinned. "It's become quite clear just who the stockholders favor."
"What do you mean?"
"Profit."
"Profit?"
"Out in the open, unrealized profit. Moreso than the President could have ever gotten. Plans for division branches in every city. Expansion beyond Equestria's borders, all the way to Griffonia. Where is the President Now? What's she doing? How's all the workers? I doubt any of them can come close to how well we're doing."
The waitress arrived with their drinks. The Infiltrator received theirs with a wide smile, and the Contact stewed quietly in his seat. He cheered up slightly when he received the pleasant extravagant drink. The Infiltrator laughed to themself at the sight.
"You two make such a sweet couple!" The Waitress cooed.
"Oh, we're just coworkers," the Infiltrator explained.
"Oh, excuse me," the waitress blushed.
"You're fine," the Contact waved her off.
After the pony departed, the conversation resumed.
"This makes the report all the more important. You need to tell this to the President in person."
"I'm going nowhere, and certainly not with you."
"Remember why you took this contract. You know what's at stake, what can happen if this information isn't relayed properly. I should also warn you of the consequences of being delinquent."
"I'm too important to go on vacation all the way out there, as I've said before. My absence would be noted immediately."
"You won't be gone for more than a single day."
"I won't be... What? How?" The Infiltrator demanded, struggling to keep quiet. "You're not exactly a unicorn that can teleport us."
"Don't need to. If you have any sense of credibility left, if you have any respect for the contract you signed and the importance of your work, you're going to come with me and we're going to report all of this to the boss directly."
As much as the Infiltrator hated to admit it, the Contact was right. There were a lot of lives that would be affected by this information. In fact, keeping silent would only make things worse, as Infiltrators can disappear at a moment's notice. They watched each other's backs, but they were also the first ones to thrust a knife into said back if the moment called for it. There were a substantial number of Infiltrators that she couldn't account for, and were likely subsumed back into the Legions under Chrysalis's control. Keeping her guard up at all times was pointless.
If she wanted any control over the situation, she would have to take things into her own hooves.
"Fine," Cricket said. "Take me to her." |
Changing Expectations | 137- Bes | People had to make room for us on the dance floor. They did so naturally; stepping back to watch two royals make fools of themselves was the natural response, and that gave us more than enough elbow room to not step on anyone.
We did indeed make fools of ourselves, with Luna being overly stiff and unsure of the unstructured dance moves she was doing, and myself being overly nervous and unsure of the alien dance moves I was trying to do. It was a far cry from the dance lessons I had received briefly before the Gala.
Still, I had fun. Even if I was extremely embarrassed, I got to actually dance with Luna. No disguises, no ulterior motives, and most certainly no Nightmares glaring at us from across the room. Instead, there were just drones and ponies, giggling at our awkwardness, but polite enough to get on with their own dances and make us feel less alienated. Also, many of the drones were less than great dancers, given that they were just as unfamiliar with pony customs as us two.
Thorax and Diamond were great dancers. Somehow.
Luna and I got close to each other when the current song ended, and another took its place. Stealing some moves from the people around us, we started dancing fur-against-chitin. Had it been a more formal dance, we would have been up on our hindlegs, holding each other closely.
'We can try that out later. Maybe in private...'
"Thank you," Luna said suddenly, having to whisper it into my ear for me to hear it.
"For what?"
"For planning this day. It has been a long, long time since I interacted with my ponies outside of a throne room. I had forgotten just how fun it is!"
"Heh, thanks for... everything," I said.
"Everything? That's a lot to take credit for."
"Well, you-"
"No, no. I shall take credit for everything," Luna winked.
I chuckled quietly, "Oh magnanimous Princess Luna, how can I ever repay you?"
Luna looked deep in thought for a second, slowing her dancing to think.
"I do not have a witty retort for that. Pretend I said something clever."
I laughed, and we finished our dance together.
We returned to our table, while Thorax and Diamond were still on the dance floor. Luna and I simply talked about musical instruments, which were new and which Luna recognized, while we waited on our food.
As if guided by a sixth sense, my friends returned just as the greasily, delicious fast food arrived. Judging by Luna's facial expressions and emotions, the palace staff would be learning how to use a deep fryer when we got back, if they did not already know how to use one.
We got a good look at our vacation spot from the air; Shimmervale was nestled at the roots of the Crystal Mountain Range, where the mountains gave way to the plains that formed the space between them and the Celestial Sea to the east. To the south, Manehattan was only just visible on the horizon. To the north, the mountains held a more temperate valley, famous for its rainbow waterfalls. Beyond that, there was nothing. Similarly, to the Northwest, there was nothing but snow.
The Frozen North once held an entire Empire, Luna claimed. Now, it hosts nothing but wind.
Shimmervale was a large tourist town, having initially boomed on its mining industry, and lately expanding heavily into tourism based on skiing and other mountainous activities. Resorts had sprung up around the river that cut through the town like wild flowers. The alpine-style lodgings had begun to dominate the low bases of the nearby mountains, overlooking the growing town. A light spattering of snow crested the roofs of the town, but the sky was clear and skiing season was only just beginning.
It wasn't even Halloween yet. Or, as the ponies call it, Nightmare Night. That was next week, and apparently Luna had been invited out to Ponyville to attend it. I was taking the opportunity to finish up some important work in Manehattan, but that was neither here nor there.
The sky chariot that carried us four began to descend to the largest of all these resorts; the Riverrun Resort.
'Ponies sure do love their alliteration.'
There was hardly much that distinguished it from its neighbors; merely its size and fantastic location made it the crown jewel of Shimmervale's growing tourist industry. While there was only a hooffull of resorts on this side of the town, I knew that in time, there would be dozens. As long as there was reasonable space, there would be ponies willing to pay to develop the place.
"Lightbulb," I muttered, receiving a few confused glances from the other three. "I think I know of another way to invest our bits," I explained.
"Of course," Thorax sighed, rolling his eyes. "You know, I think we're reaching the limits of what we can spend, Phas, especially with how many bits you're pouring onto Double Diamond's parents. Throw that on top of the new pay system, and I think you're going to overstretch the budget."
"You do realize that we're monopolizing an entire industry in the world's biggest nation, right Thorax? Soon enough, our Hive is going to be an investment hedge fund that has pockets deep enough to rival entire governments. Which is good, 'cuz that's what we are."
"I will never understand how you can stomach all that talk of investments this and profit that," Luna bemoaned. "It is far too convoluted and dry to be worth spending any more thought than what is necessary on it. I swear, at times I fear that I have involved myself with a ledger, rather than a stallion."
"You missed your chance to disentangle yourself from me, Luna," I said, kissing her forehead. "You're dating a calculator, I'm afraid to say."
"I do not even know what that is!"
"It's something that's going to make the Diamonds and the Hive very rich, once we finish working out solar power and the core of the device. We're probably going to have to settle with batteries though, which already exist in a crude form. It will have to be enough... The calculating part of it is another beast entirely, and they've been trying to figure out a enchantment-system that can handle simple calculations. I'm sure we'll reach a breakthrough soon, though."
"Do you know what he's talking about?" Thorax whispered to Double Diamond.
He shrugged, "Sorta?"
The carriage finished its descent, landing on the strip of road in front of the resort.
A pair of servants opened the carriage's doors, bowing as they pulled them open. Thorax and Diamond stepped out first, followed by Luna and then myself. Given the sudden interest spiked with fear from the ponies around us, it was quite clear that this was their first encounter with changelings, much like many of the ponies in Manehattan.
"Your Majesties, right this way," a pegasus in a red bellhop's uniform said, emerging from the doors. A few more ponies in similar suits rushed out to grab our bags from the carriage. Nodding, Luna walked forward, and the rest of us followed in her wake.
The lobby of the lodge was just as impressive as the rest of it; one massive pine tree dominated the lobby, with a wall of windows behind it overlooking where the ski runs ended at the lodge's base. The tree's branches were weighed down with oversized Christmas ornaments, or, as the natives would call it, Hearth's Warming ornaments.
Given that it was late October, I was slightly sick at the sight.
The staff guided us to an elevator, which we rode to the top floor. The top floor had noticeably few doorways; only four in the entire hall. The bellhop opened one of the doors, holding it for us as we entered our room.
"This is homely," Luna said as we took in the room.
True enough, it was a far cry from the borderline-gaudy lobby, instead going for a more modern homely appearance. The front area was split into three parts: a massive kitchen, a large dining area, and a huge, two story family room that stretched up to the vaulted ceilings. Warm colors, wide windows, and large sofas, and a moderate sized fireplace took up the majority of the living room, reminding me of a well-off home from Earth.
"A far cry from the Castle or any of Canterlot's bigger mansions," I agreed.
"This place is great!" Thorax cheered, sauntering forward to check the fluffiness of the couch's pillows.
I snorted when he simply face-planted onto the couch.
"Thank you," I said to the bellhop, giving him a tip. He smiled, nodded, and excused himself from the room.
Luna, oblivious to the modern tipping culture, eyed me curiously as she sat on the far side of the living room.
"This is nostalgic to you?" She guessed.
"How did-"
"I do not need to sense emotions to read a face, Phasma," Luna remarked.
I sighed, walking over to join her on the couch. Thorax sat up, while Diamond checked out the kitchen, an ear perked in our direction.
"It looks straight out of Earth. I never knew how much I missed squares! Seriously, you ponies seem to abhor straight lines."
Luna nodded and cast a look around the room, "It certainly seems far too orderly to be truly Equestrian."
"It's okay Luna, you can admit that Equestrians are horrible interior designers," I said.
"The kitchen looks good," Diamond announced. "Like, really good. I'll go check out upstairs, you guys finish looking over the first floor."
"There's an upstairs?" Thorax asked. "Wait for me!"
Thorax leapt off of the couch and cantered after Double Diamond, who was climbing a large staircase that I had missed at first glance. Dragging Luna by the hoof, I led the way as we finished looking over the first floor. There was a spare bedroom and two bathrooms, as well as the master bedroom. That last room in particular was a welcome sight; a royal-sized bed, a smaller fireplace, a grand master bathroom with a tub big enough for both of us to sit in, which was saying something considering I was over twice the size of a normal changeling, and an amazing view of the mountains.
We returned to the main room to find that our bags had been brought up. Well, Luna's and Double Diamond's bags. Thorax and I sorta lacked a lot of stuff, and we each had a single small bag. Actually, Thorax had a large bag, as he actually had some winter gear.
"We need to go shopping," Luna said.
"We do?"
"If we are to ski, I believe there is equipment required, correct?"
I nodded, "Ah, yes. We'll need skis, boots, poles... winter clothing."
Luna grinned, "This will be fun! I have never skied, so this is a first for me."
"Do we have some sort of... itinerary?" I asked.
"We'll gear you guys up," Double Diamond said, prompting Luna and I to look up. He was leaning over a railing above us on the second floor. "Then, this afternoon, you two are going to learn how to ski!"
Thorax appeared next to Diamond, and waved at us. "I've still got my gear from Manehattan! It fits pretty well. I don't think your stuff is going to fit, Phasma..."
"I know, that stuff was sized for Expected Value. What did you two find up there?" I asked.
"Three bedrooms," Diamond announced. "I think we've got more beds than we know what to do with."
"This lodging has the largest master bedroom, which is something Phasma and I require," Luna explained. "There is also the fact that we are previewing this room in order to make sure we will be satisfied come Hearth's Warming. Also, there should be a secondary master up there, correct? I was sure to specify that requirement."
"That would explain it, yeah I think there's a big bedroom up here," Diamond said.
"Excellent. Celestia will be taking that room, then."
"Not us?" I asked. "I figured Celestia would try to take the master-"
"She will make do with the secondary," Luna dismissed the idea.
"Heh, works for me. So a room for us two, Thorax and Double Diamond, Cadence and Shining Armor, Celestia, and one bedroom left for Coxa and Lace. Heh, everyone's a couple except Celestia. We probably shouldn't mention that fact to her. More importantly, where the hell are the Elements going to stay if they come?" I wondered. "Are there pullouts in the couches?"
"Are there what-nows?" Luna echoed. "Phasma, if we are short on bedrooms, we will rent more."
I blinked, ".... We can do that?"
Luna nodded, "It will be costly, but so long as we do it soon, we can find availability, not to mention the fact that money is not an issue for either of us. Still, you have no idea how much of a headache getting this room was on such short notice."
"I thought Celestia would have been the one to get this place."
"You seem to be guessing incorrectly a lot today," she teased.
".... Yeah now I don't believe you," I said, shaking my head.
Luna huffed, "Okay, Celestia was the one to acquire this room. But!"
"But?"
".... I took credit for everything, remember?"
I rolled my eyes.
We went shopping.
It went... poorly.
Luna and I were on the main room's massive couch, while Thorax and Diamond were suiting up to head out.
"I don't know what I expected," I muttered.
Luna patted me on the back.
"To be fair, every single one of us forgot that stores do not carry alicorn-sized boots or skis."
"Sorry again," Diamond called out.
"Not your fault," I said quietly.
"It's a good thing you can disguise yourself and use that set that does fit," Thorax said.
"It's not the same," I moped. "I was looking forward to skiing undisguised. Well, it's a slight problem in our plan. I'll just have to make sure to get a properly sized set of boots and skis before Hearth's Warming."
"Alright," Diamond said. "We're set. I'm going to take Thorax out, and teach him how to ski. Then I'll come for you two, okay? It's easier if I can guide you one at a time."
"That sounds wonderful. Thank you for this, Double Diamond," Luna said.
Diamond blushed, "Aw, it's nothing, Princess! Thanks for paying for this great room! Dad was right, you really gotta get rich friends..."
"Are you saying we are friends?" Luna asked.
"Oh! I, errr, yes? That is, if you wish-"
"Huzzah! I have been back for less than a few months, and I have already made more friends than that old nag has in decades! Eat my shit, Celestia!"
I leaned over, "You just say 'eat shit.'"
"Eat shit, Celestia!"
"Perfect."
"... You're a bad influence, Phas," Thorax shook his head. "And you overloaded my colfriend!" Thorax started dragging Double Diamond out. "We'll see you in like an hour or two."
The door shut behind them.
"... What the hell are we going to do for a whole hour?" I wondered out loud. "I should'a brought some work with me, I could have used this time to work on drafting the constitution!"
"Excuse me? Have you already forgotten that this is a vacation, Phasma?"
"Well what the hell are we going to do, then?" I repeated myself.
Luna leveled a stare at me.
'I'm not a workaholic, I swear! I just find statecraft to be fun..... for now! I'm sure the honeymoon phase will end sooner rather than later, and this will all become burdens.'
Suddenly, Luna put on a mischievous look, "You know, one hobby I tried my hoof at was being a masseuse."
"A.... masseuse?"
She shrugged, "I thought it would acclimate stallions to me more, allowing for more personal relationships. It did not really work. In fact, it had the opposite effect more often than not."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, Luna..."
Luna shook her head, "That time was not wasted if my skills can bring you any comfort."
"Uhh....."
She rose and led me by the hoof to the master bedroom. I stopped before we got halfway there.
"Wait, I probably need to disguise first. I can't imagine massages working on chitin."
She paused and waved at me to go ahead.
After disguising myself as Expected Value the unicorn, I decided to point out the obvious.
"You know, I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be the coltfriend who gives the massage..."
Luna guffawed, "Hahahaha! With those massive hooves?! We would have gone extinct had that been a regular practice before copulation! I would think receiving a massage from a rockfall would be more relaxing. You are mixing your customs up with ours again, Phasma."
I stared at one of my hooves, "They're not that big."
"It was a joke, Phasma. A joke. Mares pursued stallions traditionally, remember? That means we often had to learn such skills to court the ones we desire. But if those clumsy oafs paid attention and learned from us..." she trailed off.
"I've had hooves for twelve months, Luna, it's a damned miracle I can gallop in a straight line. I don't think I can easily learn a skill that requires such finesse."
She gave me a smile that screamed 'danger.'
"Then we might need to do this a few times," she whispered.
Then, she teleported us above the bed, sick of my delaying tactics. |
Changing Expectations | 138- Penglai | "You know, I expected to be freezing my ass off," Phasma said. "I don't feel all that cold. Not that I'm warm or anything, I'm just completely naked in the snow on the side of a mountain. Dunno if my disguise is protecting me, or if changelings are fine with the cold."
Luna watched with a smirk as the changeling struggled to turn around on his skis. It was like watching a newborn foal walk for the first time; he spaced his legs out wide, and was waddling around, lifting a single leg up at a time.
"What are you staring at?" He asked.
"Someone making a fool of himself," she said.
He huffed, "It's not fair. I've skied before, and you haven't. You should be the one struggling, not me."
Luna had taken to skiing like fish to water. While Phasma struggled to have any semblance of control, Luna had left Double Diamond behind as she continuously ran down the training hill, over and over again.
"She's Princess Luna," Double Diamond said, guiding Phasma with one of his own skis. "She's learned quite a few skills, I imagine."
Luna nodded, "Quite right. Learning new things is one of the best ways to pass the time, so I have learned how to learn, if you understand my meaning."
Phasma cursed under his breath, "Still, 's not fair."
"You're doing great, Phas!" Thorax cheered, wobbling slightly as he pulled up next to the three of them.
Thorax was wearing a purple scarf, matching Diamond's, but only Diamond had more gear on; his hat and mask set him apart from everypony else. Luna had a blue scarf on herself, but Phasma had nothing.
The look of consternation on Phasma's face vanished, "Thanks, Thorax. But unlike you, I don't think I'll be riding on any double diamonds anytime soon..."
"Snrt!" Double Diamond stifled an outburst of laughter.
"Nice one," Luna said in between silent laughs.
She had understood the double entendre, as she had asked about Double Diamond's name and Cutie Mark much earlier. Thorax, it seemed, didn't quite get it.
"What? What's so funny?" Thorax obliviously asked.
"Nothing, nothing," Phasma lied, failing to convince anypony.
Luna unclipped a hoof and stretched it out for a hoof bump. Taking the bait, Phasma undid one of his boot clips and reached out. Subtly, Luna pulled her hoof back, making Phasma lean into the gesture more, eventually tipping him off balance. By the time he realized Luna's trick, he was already falling onto his side in the snow, unable to stop himself.
"Bastard!" He chuckled.
Double Diamond, now thoroughly red-faced, helped pull Phasma back up to his hooves.
"I think you're all ready to actually try skiing," Diamond said after composing himself. "Nothing crazy, there's some beginner slopes up on the mountain. We'll take a chair lift up, and take things slow."
"I can barely do turns," Phasma complained.
"You're doing better than you're giving yourself credit for," Diamond said. "You've fallen down only three times, and that last one was Luna's fault. You're clearly remembering what skills you've already got, dude."
Phasma smiled, "Oh alright, fine. Let's hit the slopes."
"Yeah!" Diamond cheered with sudden enthusiasm.
'Must be some common colloquial phrase.'
The gang made their way over to the chairlifts. The tall, strange constructions were apparently the usual method of reaching the top of any skiing mountain in a reasonable timeframe. It was annoying to use the loud, rather dangerous-looking things than simply teleporting, but Luna wasn't about to protest.
'Only two of us can teleport. One and a half, really.'
Getting on the chairs was tricky; they had to take their skis off first, and carry them when they sat down onto the chairs coming up behind them.
"Oof!" Phasma grunted as the both of them quickly got themselves seated and secured. "This seems a whole lot less safe when you've got twice as many legs."
With one final lurch, Phasma and Luna were off, the ground slowly falling away beneath them. Ahead, Thorax twisted in his seat and waved, which both Phasma and Luna returned, before Thorax returned his attention to his coltfriend who was sitting next to him.
"I swear, Thorax has to be aware of just how cute he acts," Phasma said.
"One would be mistaken for thinking it to be a conscious effort," Luna agreed.
"So, uh.... How are you, Luna?"
Luna returned a wave to a pair of ponies who stopped on the slopes to wave up at her.
"I am doing well. Very well, I think. I had wondered about how ponies would receive my return for quite some time now. Last night and today... I expected to be met with some measure of hostility, especially with the Nightmare Moon mythology sticking around. Thankfully, none of my fears have come to pass."
Phasma nodded, "You know, even though some ponies are kinda intimidated by you, most are extremely happy to see you. I think you made more than a few ponies' days."
"Really?"
'I would think that ponies would be honored to meet a Princess, but to make one's day?'
"Oh yeah. Quite a few were very happy to meet a Princess in person. The foals loved you."
Luna sighed contently, "They did indeed. I do not have to be an empath to see the grins on their faces when I tell them stories. Thank you for this opportunity, Phasma. I have had fun."
"Anytime, Luna. I have had lots of fun too, though my back is still killing me..."
Luna cringed, "I will make it up to you. I did not mean to-"
He reached over and gripped her hoof reassuringly, "I know, Luna. I can't remember what I had for lunch a week ago, let alone a skill I would have learned a thousand years ago. Besides, you remembered how to properly do it by the end."
"Still, I should have realized-"
"Quiet!" Phasma whispered, his eyes darting around the mountainside.
"W-what?" Luna whispered back.
Around them, the snow-dusted pines sat silently off to one side, and a wide open run lay beneath and to their other side. Luna did not detect anything out of the ordinary.
"I... thought I heard something. Nevermind," Phasma muttered. "Anyways, there's always next time. Let's just be glad you didn't break a bone with your earth pony strength. We're a long way away from a healing pod."
"That would be a poor way to go about vacationing. So, have you any familiarity with this... contraption? Or do human skiers use some other method of reaching the top? Preferably, something quieter? Or warmer? Maybe even safer?"
"Heh, you're shit outta luck Luna, chairlifts are here to stay. The only other method is a gondola lift, which is like this but enclosed. Those are rarer. You've got wings and the ability to teleport, what're you afraid of?"
Luna leaned over the railing in front of them, watching their hindhooves dangle in the open air.
"Failing to extricate myself from this chair, should it fall. But yes, I suppose I can simply teleport. I will have to leave you behind, though."
"Acceptable losses?"
"It will be a nice funeral," Luna giggled.
"It better be. Alright, get ready. We're about to get off."
Getting off the chair was even more of a dilemma than getting on. Thankfully, the chair slowed down to the point where they could both easily get off, skis in tow.
"These things really come to a stop," Phasma remarked. "I'm used to them still having some speed at the top. Thorax and Diamond are over there, let's go," he said, nodding to the pair of stallions who were putting their skis on by a large map.
The snow crunched underneath their boots as they marched over. When they arrived, they each placed their skis on the ground and started putting them on.
"Alright," Diamond said, "we're going to hit this hill here, 'Snow Problem.' It's a beginner's run, so it should be nice and smooth."
"You ponies and your damned puns," Phasma rolled his eyes. "Though to be fair, I think we'd put punny names for stuff like this, too."
'Now that I think about it, does Double Diamond know that Phasma is reincarnated? Feh, not my problem.'
"Lead the way, Double Diamond," Luna cheered.
"W-wait!" Phasma stuttered, head darting around like a bird's. "I heard something again!"
"You heard something again?" Thorax repeated.
"I heard it first on the chairlift. Now I just heard it again, I knew I heard something!"
"What is it that you are hearing?" Luna asked.
"I... don't know. It's almost like an echo of some sort.... I want to get up to the top of this mountain. I seem to hear it better the further up we go."
Luna sighed, "Very well then, what is the quickest way up, Double Diamond?"
Phasma answered that question by raising his wings out from underneath his elytra, and taking to the skies, leaving his skis behind.
"A straight line, apparently," Diamond huffed.
Luna picked up the discarded equipment, "Gather close, I shall teleport us to the top."
"Is that safe?" Thorax asked. "What if we try to teleport where someone is standing?"
"Unlike Phasma's teleportation spell, mine checks the location first. I think the only reason why he was able to learn his without training was because it is so bare-bones and archaic. Now step close."
They got close to Luna, and she gathered the mana to teleport to the mountain's peak. Given that they were less than halfway up, it was going to be a rather long jump. Not so long as to warrant the long range version of the spell, but long enough for Luna to feel uncomfortable with the amount of mana used.
'Nothing for it.'
In a blink of an eye, they appeared at the top. The view, previously only of the far horizon, now showed the entire valley, from Shimmervale down below, all the way to the Celestial Sea. The wind howled. The top was a small flat plateau, were some ponies had planted flags, but the closest lift ended a hundred hooves below them on the runs.
"Sure is louder up here!" Diamond pointed out. "How exactly is he planning on hearing anything any better? And where is Phasma, anyways?"
"We have beat him to the top," Luna said. "As for what he plans on doing... I haven't the faintest clue. It is unlike him to derail something he was looking forward to. I am getting very concerned for what is going on."
"He might not have heard anything physically," Thorax said slowly. "He might have... heard something on his Weave? I mean, did any of you hear anything?" Luna and Diamond shook their heads. "I didn't hear anything, either. However, I did feel.... something from Phasma's Weave. I wouldn't have noticed it had he not pointed it out."
The changeling king finally arrived, setting down next to them.
"Wait, how did you guys beat me up here?"
"We teleported, Phas," Thorax deadpanned.
"Oh right, we can do that. I forgot."
"Do you hear whatever this is any better now? The wind is quite louder up here than it is down where we got onto the mountain," Luna said.
"I don't know. We'll see..... Princess Procho? Is that you?"
"Who's Princess Procho?" Diamond whispered to Thorax.
"Phas's dead sister. Died centuries ago, and Phas heard her a few times way back during the war, apparently. I wasn't here for any of that, but he told me about it."
"I can confirm this," Luna whispered. "He has confided in me this fact."
'I don't think it's Procho," Phasma said, disheartened. "It's-"
He abruptly cut himself off, and snapped his head in a direction. Luna followed his gaze.
"I heard that, too," Thorax muttered.
One of the nearby mountains, a tall, almost perfectly cone shaped mountain, was attached to its neighbors halfway up its base. Had it not been for its almost perfect mountain-shape, Luna would consider it featureless. It had the same pine forest reaching up much of its length, and snowy cliffs the rest of the way. Even with the shape, there was nothing particularly unusual about it.
Phasma pointed at it.
"There. It came from there."
"What came from there?" Luna asked.
"I felt... an echo in my Weave."
"What could possibly be over there?" Diamond wondered.
"What could-" Phasma repeated, then he froze. "Thorax. Are you getting any of this?"
"No?"
Phasma let out a shaky breath, "Luna. What's the quickest you can get an army here, and how big?"
"W-what?! This is rather unexpected!" Luna stammered.
'What need do we have for an army?!'
"How quickly?" Phasma pressed.
".... The Canterlot Reaction force, twelve hundred ponies, can be here within two days," she said. "What on Equus would require such a show of force, here within Equestria's borders? Need I remind you, the Fourth Hive was in the opposite direction from Canterlot. Phasma? What is in or on that mountain?"
I knew how I knew. That's what worried me the most.
I had no idea what was in the mountain until I asked Double Diamond's question aloud in my own head.
'What could possibly be over there?'
It was The First Hive.
I knew this because a Weave had supplied an answer for me. It didn't feel like Chrysalis's Weave, no, this one was... bigger, if that was possible. Given that it was being projected from inside a mountain and across the entire range, I could believe that. It was also colder. Like it was unliving. Not even the lobotomized princes and princesses were this unliving.
"It's the First Hive," I told them. "It's here. Right there, in that mountain. If Thorax couldn't hear it, then I probably only sensed its Weave because I have one myself. I'm sure that I'm the first royal up here in thousands of years."
"The First Hive?!" Thorax exclaimed.
'Even if a drone had come to Shimmervale, they wouldn't be sensitive enough to feel this Weave's presence.'
"The last Hive you visited was infested with Nightmares," Luna realized. "That is why you requested an army! I shall send word at once!"
"Tell Coxa to bring the entire Red Right Hoof, if you can. We're going to need every soldier we can get if there are Nightmares there."
Luna teleported in a scroll, quill, and ink from somewhere, and began quickly writing a letter.
'I have to learn that trick.'
"What's going on? What's the First Hive?" Diamond asked. "And does this mean we're done skiing?"
"The First Hive is the oldest known changeling civilization," I said. "Little more is known about it."
"It's the Hive where two drones led the evacuation, ascending to royals themselves for the effort," Thorax supplied. "It being all the way up here is... astounding! This could be the biggest discovery we've made in history!"
"That award belongs to the feeding solution you found," I said.
"Hmm, maybe. But still, can you imagine what this could mean for us?!"
"It could mean we found Epitaph and his horde of Nightmares," I growled. "If the Third Hive had been filled with them and one of Epitaph's lieutenants, if my guess about their naming convention is right, then it makes sense that our oldest civilization could be his very own stomping ground."
Luna rolled up her letter, and it burned away in a blue flame.
"There, it is done. It would seem we have to cut our vacation short, Double Diamond. I apologize, but Equestria could be in danger."
I returned my stare back to the mountain.
As for what I heard, it was like an echo. A distortion within the Weave, like a message too degraded to hear. Radio static. White noise. The hints of a voice speaking a message.
Someone or something was in that mountain, and it was trying to speak.
The changelings had arrived first.
The Clear Sky soared above Shimmervale, engines roaring at full burn. It came to a halt slowly, drifting past Shimmer Mountain, the mountain which the town was named after and where we spotted the First Hive from.
It disgorged its passengers as it drifted to a halt. Dozens of changelings leapt from the deck of the galleon, dropping from the sky and drifting down to our spot. We had returned to our room for the day, and Luna visited the town to find the town hall, its mayor, and declare an emergency state. Today, the town was empty; no pony was to be outside. Only rarely was one dashing through the street; emergencies such as getting food, medical attention, or other important jobs were unavoidable.
'The world may be ending, but you still have your Four P.M. shift at the grocery store...'
So, ponies watched from windows, balconies, and doorways as the airship arrived and changelings flooded forth from it. When we noticed their arrival, we went back up the mountain to its peak. I ordered Thorax to stay in the room with Diamond.
He protested. I told him that if something were to happen to me, he and Coxa would be taking over, so it was imperative that at least one of us remains safe.
The changelings descended down to us, and hovered above our heads as Coxa, Froghopper, and Captain Katydid landed in front of us.
"Your Majesty," Froghopper and Katydid said as they bowed.
"We are here as commanded," Katydid rose.
"And ready for battle," Froghopper finished, rising too.
"Let's hope it doesn't get to that," I said.
"I'm here, too," Coxa said. "Lace's wings are still healing, so she's staying in the ship for now. But is it true? You found the First Hive?"
"It's right behind you, in that mountain there," I pointed it out. The changelings, even the ones in the air, all turned to face it.
"Tomorrow, the Canterlot Reactionary Force will arrive," Luna announced.
"Let's get things ready for them," I said. "Froghopper, gather your lings and prepare an L.Z. down at the base of the mountain."
"L.Z.?" He asked.
"Landing Zone."
He saluted, "As you command, My King."
When he took off, I turned to Katydid, "Prepare the Red Right Hoof to fight Nightmares. I'm hoping there's nothing alive or undead in the city, but we can't make assumptions."
Katydid saluted, "At once, High Marshall- I mean, my King."
When he took off and took most of the lings watching with him, I turned last to Coxa.
"Thorax is in a resort down in Shimmervale. I need you two to stay safe. Preferably, you should not have come at all, but oh well. Stick together, and no matter what happens, ensure the survival of our species."
"I'm not leaving your side," Coxa declared.
"That wasn't a request, Coxa. Luna will show you where Thorax is. I'm going to oversee the deployment, secure the base camp, and then I'll come to the resort myself. Froghopper's scouts will report to us there, and my Weave should extend out to the base of that mountain, so they should be safe from any Nightmare possessions, if my Weave can protect them..."
Coxa sighed, "If you're coming to the resort, then fine. Just do us all a favor and stay away from the front lines, should fighting break out. I'd hate to order Katydid to stun you and foalnap you." |
Changing Expectations | 139- El Dorado | The Canterlot Reactionary force was, admittedly, impressive.
Whereas the Red Right Hoof had surged forth from Clear Skies like a locust swarm, The Canterlot Reactionaries arrived in style. Five airships flew in a V formation, coming to a stop at the same time.
As they slowed, flights of pegasi leaped from their structure. The pegasi flew alongside the airships, guarding them all. Unlike the Clear Skies, which was structured like a boat suspended from a balloon, these were more like the zeppelins of earth, though noticeably with enchanted armor. The long airships completely dwarfed the small yacht, and I was thankful that I had ordered the entirety of the base of the mount cleared.
Only two could land at a time. Still, that meant hundreds of ponies were disembarking at once into the clearing, rushing out with packs, hauling crates, and more in the snow flurries kicked up by the behemoth's propellers.
Fifteen minutes to offload each of the airships, and then they were in the air again. Ponies rushed to move the supplies and soldiers out of the landing strips and into areas designated for camps. The whole process was a well-oiled machine, the ponies having trained in exercises just like this situation, and often in worse conditions.
But before the first pair of airships had set off, Luna and I were on the ground, receiving the leaders of the expedition.
Captain Shining Armor, Princess Celestia, Princess Cadence, and one of Captain Shining's lieutenants, most likely the mare in charge of this army, had stepped off as one of the first groups of ponies on the ground.
All four of them were notably in wargear. That was fair enough, as Coxa had brought Unbroken Radiance and God-Splitter for me yesterday. Seeing Celestia and Cadence in armor was new, however; Cadence wore a silver set of boots, helmet, and barrel plate, while Celestia wore a set of Royal Guard armor.
"Your normal gear doesn't fit?" I asked when they arrived in front of us.
"No, but at least the standard gear does. It will have to do," Celestia sighed. "I can't reach my previous height fast enough."
"Are you even capable of fighting?" Luna asked.
"I am more than capable of leading, if nothing else."
"Luna, Phasma," Cadence greeted us. "Did you at least enjoy your vacation before it was... ruined?"
Luna nodded, "It was most enjoyable. Unfortunately, war calls to us once again."
"Right, what are we dealing with?" Shining asked.
Luna pointed at the mountain next to us as I explained, "The First Hive, the oldest changeling civilization that we know existed, is in that mountain. Given that the previous Hive we found was filled with Nightmares, it's likely filled with hostiles, too."
"We've cleared the area for you, and scouted the mountain," I said, gesturing to my changeling guards. "The area is secure. We've also found an entrance to the inside. It's... something you should see."
"Where is it?" Celestia asked, looking up at the mountain towering over us.
"Near the top, I'd say about three quarters up," I answered. "It's old, and we missed it on our first few passes of the area. There's something else of note, though."
"Yes?"
"There's evidence that someone entered the ruins recently. Very recently."
"They left some gear behind, obviously intending to egress the same way they entered," Luna said.
"What gear?" Cadence asked.
"You'd better see for yourself," I said.
"Is it safe to approach?" Shining asked.
"As safe as we can tell. Which... isn't much," I admitted.
"Then it's a good thing the Confederacy's strongest fighters are here today," Celestia said. "Take us to this entrance."
So as the airships were lifting off and replacing their silver brothers on the landing strip, Celestia, Luna, Cadence, Shining, myself, and a whole platoon of each of our guards headed to the top of the mountain.
Eight changelings stood guard at the entrance to the cave. It was, I had said, easy to miss. The entrance was hidden behind a rock wall that had crumbled away at some point in time. The ponies' interest was thoroughly captured as we stepped over the ruins of a thick metal wall to enter inside the cave. Whatever structure that had once separated the interior from the mountainside was as thick as a pony's barrel was long, and that amount of metal had to come from somewhere.
The cave was mostly smooth, and completely covered in snow and ice. Inside, a whole battalion of changelings from the Red Right Hoof stood guard, keeping their eyes forward, further into the cave.
I led the way past the defenses. The walk was not long at all; merely fifty paces from the entrance to the cave was the point of interest. It was a massive hole in the ground, filled in with what looked like massive metal fans stacked on top of each other and pointed down. They were completely covered in rust, and a few of the blades had broken off. Ice encased the whole thing, and massive icicles hung down into a black abyss below the blades. In a space between the blades, a large canvas bag sat against a rock, and a thick rope was tied off around a stalagmite and led through the fan's opening and into the abyss below.
A few spent flares littered the ground around the fan's housing, and when we leaned over to look past the blades and down the rope's length, one flare was tied at the end of the rope, alongside some sort of large crystal.
"What is all of this?" Celestia asked, backing up from the hole. "What use does a propeller have in the middle of a mountain?"
"And who was here?" Cadence added.
"This looks to be some ancient, yet advanced, ventilation system," I said. "That's a massive fan system, used to push air in or out of somewhere. As for who was here, I don't know, but they obviously intended to leave the way they came out. That flare and crystal is a clever way of marking the exit; shine a light at it, or in this case a flare, and you light up the exit pretty clearly."
"Where are they now?" Shining wondered.
"In there, somewhere," I muttered.
"So what's the plan?" Cadence asked, looking around the place.
"Now that you and your forces are here, I'm thinking we dig in and get in good defensive positions," I said. "Then, we bait out the Nightmares, should they be lurking down there."
"And the pony or changeling inside?" Celestia asked.
"I think she'll be fine."
"She?" Shining repeated.
I sighed, "Cave in the middle of nowhere, ancient ruin, traveling and exploration gear.... This has got to be Daring Do. Unless you know of any other explorers...?"
"Daring Do?" Shining laughed, "You've got to be kidding me! Don't tell me you read that series thinking it was some sort of report on a real pony or something! It's a fictional series meant for foals."
Celestia cleared her throat, "Actually, Captain Armor...."
He shook his head, ".... No. You're joking. There's no way you're serious. She's not real! She's not real!"
"She's real," I confirmed, "and I've run into her before, in the Third Hive. I am very interested in hearing how she has come across a second changeling civilization, but we're getting off topic. We dig in, we kick the hornet's nest, and the bastards will flood out and swarm right into a trap. If their leader emerges, be it Epitaph or another one of its generals named after a sin, then we gut the fucker. With them dead, the army should be in disarray, or should break completely."
"Sounds like a better plan than sending a force in a few ponies at a time and risking countless lives," Celestia nodded along. "Opinion, Luna and Shining?"
"They might not take the bait," Luna said. "If that happens, we will have issues."
Celestia glanced back at the entrance to the abyss, "We will hold an advantageous position, and I have myself been looking at this anti-Nightmare spell component that Phasma has distributed to us all. If they decide to bunker down in whatever is down there, they will be subject to some powerful, painful spells. I will need you all to help power it, of course. Shining?"
The Captain looked between the ponies and changelings we brought.
"We've only just begun joint training operations. The unicorns have all learned the specialized spell against Nightmares, but that's all. No work has been put towards calibrating shields, tactics, enchantments, or anything else."
"Meaning?" I asked.
"What's stopping us from just putting a contingent of guards on this hole and delaying exploration? The longer we can delay the war, the better prepared we'll be."
I shrugged, "Other than Daring Do's safety? We have no idea what the Nightmares are up to. They insinuated that they've already worked to free Epitaph, but we can't exactly take their word on that. But at the same time, if we move out of this position and then they emerge? Stopping them would be next to impossible."
"The best chance we have is to hold them here, that much is certain," Celestia said. "But the question is whether or not they are active... Can this ruin be safely explored?"
I tapped the ground, thinking, "In the Third Hive, the Nightmares were awakened by my Weave. That means they could already be awake, or could awaken should I speak through it at any point. Most likely that second outcome, as they did not seem to react to my presence alone."
"And you have not used your Weave yet, correct?" She pressed.
"I have not spoken through it, no."
"Then we should prepare to the best of our abilities," Celestia declared. "We shall delay the fight as long as we can. Defenses shall be established, and we will withdraw to gather our strength."
I sneered, "No."
"No?" Celestia turned to me, surprised.
"There's too many unknowns, and I'm not going to let them have the advantage of choosing when to fight. We're here, and in sufficient numbers to hold the mountain should they sally out. Daring Do might have already awoken Epitaph, or could if left alone in there. She was at least half responsible for the Prophet's awakening, though without interference he might have stayed undisturbed. There's too many if's to say for certain though. Daring Do is down there, and she's mucking about in my future city."
"Your future city? What are you talking about?" Shining asked.
"I'm not going to let a pony loot and destroy changeling artifacts. This is changeling land, by our agreed treaty, and it will be inhabited again in the future. I'll do my best not to blow this city up, and in the future..."
"You want to establish another Hive," Celestia guessed.
"We're so close to extinction. We need to spread out and grow."
"Agent Daring Do has been careful in the past. Whatever trouble she stirs, she tends to resolve without interference," Celestia said. "We might not need to be concerned about this. How exactly was the Prophet freed last time?"
"Daring was freeing an artifact, and when I stunned her, she dropped it, and the artifact shattered."
"In that case, if we catch her when she is leaving, can we not safely resolve this situation?"
I shook my head, "The artifact's removal might be enough of a catalyst to free Epitaph, should there be a matching one down there. I'm not waiting around for Daring Do to start breaking shit. Need I remind you that we don't even know how Epitaph is sealed? If we can make sure the Nightmare stays sealed if he's in there, then we accomplish everything we could ever hope for. Time, security, and a chance for us to still choose when we fight."
'I'm not letting a pony start looting my city. Only I get to loot it, damn it!'
"I say we take the risk and prepare more," Shining voted.
"..."
More distorted sounds across the Weave grabbed my attention away from the pony's conversation. So close to an open entrance, I could tell that whoever is speaking is male. Beyond that.... nothing.
Luna pulled me away from the entrance, frowning, "Phasma? Did you hear us? We agreed to wait and see. Agent Daring Do is more than capable of fending for herself, and likely will not awaken whatever slumbers beneath our hooves. The extra time will save lives. Besides, fighting Nightmares so soon after your procedure brings risks. They might somehow exploit unseen weaknesses."
I glanced back at the abyss.
'There's a pony down there, touching all my things, learning secret, long-lost knowledge that I need to know. Further, if Epitaph isn't down there, the things we could gain from such ruins are beyond value. Knowledge, history, spells, artifacts, materials... and it is my decision to make. Not theirs. I will not throw this away out of fear.'
I shook my head and pulled free a spare flare from some netting that covered the left-behind bag.
"We stand to gain too much to ignore this. I can't walk away, Luna."
"The vote is split, two to two."
"... You voted to go in?"
She smiled, "I believe in you, Phasma. I also believe in the capabilities of those we have surrounded us with. But waiting has its benefits; we can summon a proper army to garrison these defenses, and even call upon the thestrals and their expertise."
"We will return soon," Celestia reassured.
"No," I said. "You can return soon, but I'm going in."
"I cannot allow that," Luna said. "Going in alone is too dangerous."
"Then come with."
"We cannot move forward without a majority, Phasma," Luna said.
"You're wrong," I said. "We're on changeling sovereign territory right now, and the Hive Eternal isn't a democracy."
"Phasma-" Celestia began, but I ignored her.
I brought the flare over the broken fan structure, lit it, and let it go.
"We're going in."
Leaning over the edge, I watched the bright red flare fall. Down and down it went. Silently, Luna watched it's descent, too.
A hundred hooves, it fell.
The other ponies were not happy.
"You can't just ignore us," Shining whined.
"Now is not the time to forsake cooperation," Celestia admonished.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," Cadence moaned.
A couple hundred more, the flare sputtered as it spun in the cold abyss, a lone, distant light.
"You're not seriously supporting this, Luna?" Celestia asked. "Rash foolishness is the quickest way to death!"
A thousand. The flare flickered, casting off sparks.
"....cuate immed...."
Words filtered through the garbled Weave message like nuggets of gold.
'What could that be? Evacuate immediately? Why would....'
The flare fell two thousands hooves more. The abyss held no end.
"An automated evacuation message, that's what I've been hearing," I realized. "If there are any unsealed Nightmares, that would have woken them eons ago."
The flare finally landed, illuminating what appeared to be an alleyway, so far beneath our hooves that I could only tell that it was a space between walls. The ground was far beneath that of the one outside the mountain.
"I cannot allow this!" Celestia growled. "You would throw away our chance at defeating what laid us low so thoroughly!"
"You cannot stop this," I growled back. "I'm going in." I nodded to my guards, "Summon the Red Right Hoof. It's time we find out what we used to be."
Summoning a veritable storm of power, I cast an emergency flare spell that Bray Call had taught me, back in Hooferville. A white light shot forward from my horn, piercing the stygian dark below us.
It grew brighter and brighter, my own miniature, weak sun. A fraction of the potency of the light that sheltered the Third Hive, yet strong enough to illuminate the First Hive. It was smaller than Canterlot, maybe a third smaller, yet its existence was no less a testament to the greatness of its builders.
It was circular in shape, beneath a large dome that we must have been looking through. The ceiling was easily four times taller than the whole cave was wide. Like Canterlot, it had very visible districts seen from above. Unlike Canterlot, the division of these districts were very different; one massive section encircled the entire city, likely holding practically all of the residents, the business sections, and whatever else comprises cities. The buildings were of different colors; some were wrought of black stone like the Third Hive, and others, white marble that shone brightly in the flare's illumination. Most buildings, the ones that were still intact, had rooves of metal shingles, looking coppery in color. Every single one of them, down to the smallest hovels and shacks, were covered in snow, with only patches of the roof exposed. Large expansive drifts of snow hid sections of the city, be it parks, plazas, or even collapsed buildings underneath their white blanket.
This massive district formed a hollowed out circle that hugged the walls of the dome, with the hollowed center of the city being taken up by three distinct circles that bordered each other and held wonders of their own, two circles of equal size and one considerably larger.
From our position on the Southeast side of this mountain and the Hive, one small circle's contents were easily seen, as was the large circle's, while the last was partially obscured by its brothers. The small circle held what I could only guess to be some sort of cross between a university and a wizard tower. The massive structure resembled a white colored castle, only covered in holes that were once windows, rather than the smooth walls of a defensible position. Tall, circular towers with the iconic cone roof jutted up from the corners, and at times space within inner courtyards, of the structure. One particular building in this complex resembled that of a steepled cathedral; the largest structure in the district, it loomed over its smaller buildings like a child playing with its toys.
The largest district held what was no doubt the head of the city; a massive grey behemoth squatted on the circle, sprawled out with a number of wings jutting out, with almost the entirety of the structure being intact. Interestingly enough, though the roof was covered in snow, I could see ice pouring out the sides from the roof, like a hundred frozen waterfalls. Overall, the castle was circular in shape, with different terraces of many sizes plateauing off from the structure.
From where we were standing, a series of massive, tall windows spaced themselves across the castle's southeastern side. The glass was likely gone, and the view inside was hampered by the fact that the windows were so thin that we couldn't make out the details from high up. A few paths, still covered in snow, rose slowly from the base of the massive district, leading to a number of huge doors. Some were open, some were closed, and a number were blown off their hinges. Those doors were embedded in the walls and ground around the entrances.
On the western side, the point closest to the center of the entire First Hive, the building gradually rose up in higher and higher peaks, with the tallest point jutting up a full quarter of the dome's height. This section had the largest windows, and though many were empty save for snow and ice, a glow pulsated from within the keep, visible through the windows' empty frames. It shifted in color with each slow pulse.
Red. Yellow. Gold. Blue. Purple.
On and on, the colors came and went, its origin unknown and likely Nightmare-related.
The final district, the one obscured the most, was also the strangest I had ever seen. It was thanks to our height that I could see so much of the place; massive squarish buildings wrestled with each other for space. Sharp angles, tall, utilitarian architecture, and things only got stranger. Whatever the district's function was, I could only guess.
Finally, there were the gaps between the three districts. On the outer sections, it was a white expanse of snow and ice, with some areas appearing completely flat, and others tumultuous.
'Frozen lakes and parks?'
I could only guess.
Then, in the absolute center of the gargantuan underground city, green slopes, half covered in snow, jutted downwards until they vanished in a ugly tear of black and green. It was some sort of floor or gate that was smashed downwards, with only blackness beneath its structure. I could see long, massive rails heading from the hole to the furthest, mysterious district.
The First Hive was a city sunken beneath a hollowed mountain, drowned in snow and ice. If the Third Hive was a coffin containing a decayed, wretched corpse, then the First Hive was a snowglobe, holding within its massive expanse a fractured, dead city, slumbering beneath an alabaster coat of snow.
"It's beautiful," Luna whispered, unable to say more.
"Nisir," I said, unconsciously calling the First Hive's true name from its Weave. "Of course it wouldn't be called the First Hive in its time... Nisir." |
Changing Expectations | 140- Kokyangwuti | Everyone was in position. It had taken a bit, but all the soldiers had managed to hurry up and wait, and were now in what defensive positions could be made. We had already delayed too long, and I wanted to go in sooner rather than later.
Luna, Celestia, Shining, and myself were all going in. Cadence was staying up top, as were Coxa and Thorax. They would keep an eye on things from up top, and should anything go wrong, take control over our respective nations. Celestia had tried to order Shining to stay up top, while he tried to convince her to stay, but both had eventually agreed to come: Celestia because she refused to leave her sister's side out of fear of losing Luna again, and Shining because he wanted to personally watch over Celestia's security.
With us, several platoons of the Red Right Hoof and the Canterlot Reactionaries would be giving us escort protection, as well as generally scouting out the city. The ponies and changelings got ready behind us as we prepared ourselves.
"Honestly sister, you are only making things riskier," Luna complained.
"I'm not leaving your side. Especially when there's Nightmares involved." Celestia pouted. "I don't want to lose you again."
"Need I remind you that you fell as well?" Luna asked.
Celestia pawed the ground, "All the more reason to stay by your side. We are safer together. Even if I do not have the mana pool required to fight, I am more than capable of casting spells with help. Captain Shining or Phasma can dual cast with me, if needed."
"I've never done that before," I interrupted.
The alicorns and Shining stared at me.
"That's a pretty important thing in combat," Shining said.
I shrugged, "Changelings more or less use my Weave, but I never really relied on someone, nor has anyone ever really relied on me."
'Makes me wonder if this kind of magic would be useful in situations like the defense of Hooferville. I just have no experience to know for sure.'
"Then Shining will stay close and protect me," Celestia said. "And if I must, I can guide you on how to supply mana to a caster. I have taught countless foals how to use their magic, you know."
I sneered, "Are you saying I'm a foal?"
"How old are you, again?" She asked.
"I'll have you know that I'm very independent for my age. Look, I even put my shoes on!" I said, raising one of my booted hooves.
The ponies, save for Shining, laughed.
"And you're the one leading this expedition?" He griped.
"Phasma is more than capable of fighting," Luna reminded him. "You know that better than any of us."
Shining glanced at the fan structure, "The changelings had the element of surprise. Will we have that, going in down there?"
"Let's hope so," I muttered. "Are we all ready?"
"Ready," Luna nodded.
"As I'll ever be," Celestia said, her helmet bobbing a bit with the motion.
"Reactionaries ready," Shining announced after receiving nods from his ponies.
The ponies going in were mostly pegasi, though there were a few unicorns and earth ponies in the mix. How they would be ferried was yet to be seen, though I suspected that the pegasi would be doing a lot of heavy lifting real soon.
"By your command," Froghopper said.
He was the changeling leading the Red Right Hoof's scouting force. As much as I blamed him for leading us into Double Dealing's obvious trap, he was the best scout we had. Apparently.
"Right then, let's boogie," I muttered.
"Wait, Phasma," Celestia called out, marching up to me. "I know of a good spell that will keep the area lit up nicely. I simply lack the power to cast it. This is the perfect opportunity for me to walk you through how to dual cast."
I glanced briefly at the flickering orb I had casted earlier. If we wanted any permanent source of light, the alicorn with the sun on her ass would surely know the best spell.
"Alright," I nodded. "I've got power to spare. Let's shed some light on the city."
Celestia guided me through the process, and together we summoned an orb that glowed a soft yellow light. It started out as small as my hoof, but rapidly grew in size as I funneled more and more magic into it. As I fed it, Celestia gently pushed it off with her magic, sending it down to replace the fading white light. She pushed it as far out and up as she could manage.
Once it was sufficiently big enough and bright enough to illuminate the whole city, we got into formation, then flew down into Nisir.
I was staring into the eye of a mechanical god.
It was gargantuan in size. A perfectly clear crystal, as big as a house, with a faceted surface that glinted in the fake sun's light, sat in the middle of a bright blue vice, at the core of some arcane, impossibly complex system of mechanical rings, tubes, and other sci-fi contraptions.
It was Nisir's sun, without a doubt. The contraption was encrusted in ice and rust, the crystal being the only unmarred surface. The structure as a whole stretched from horizon to horizon of the dome's surface. Gears of unfathomable sizes sat around and behind the dead sun, visible only behind the mechanisms and through missing panels in the sky's surface.
I recognized some of its structure. Concentric rings housed the runes and enchantments to power the sun, keep it stable, and keep it quiet. Now, however, these metal and glass bands were devoid of any magic; whatever powered the sun and its enchantments had long since leaked away.
Not only was Nisir's sun more complex than the Third Hive's, but it looked like it once moved. The crystal-device was set on a path, rusted over, encased in ice, and unmoved for millennia, but the path was still clear. From horizon to horizon, the artificial light could make its way across the sky. And, judging by the distant bands of ice and rust, the sun's path was rotatable on a gear at each end of its arc.
Nisir's sun not only traveled across the sky, but the changelings adjusted its position to match how high it was during winter and summer.
'The only thing missing is a moon, and some way to artificially create sunsets.... Unless they figured both of those out, too.'
Even if we could turn the utterly gargantuan device on, we had no way of freeing the tracks from their corrosion, nor any way of figuring out where the control panel for the sun even was. Once, this sun had nurtured an entire civilization. Now, it was dead, just like the lings that lived under it.
I had stopped in mid-air, buzzing my wings to a hovering speed as I gazed into the crystal orb. I saw my own reflection in the thousand-faced diamond, staring back at me in awe. Ponies and changelings had gathered around it to gawk, though a number of our more competent troops didn't let themselves get distracted, and were much further down on the descent to the snow-covered city.
"They built a sky," Celestia gasped, staring into the crystal orb.
"That's not possible," Shining Armor muttered, held aloft by two pegasi and a weightless spell.
"They did it anyway," I said quietly.
The Third Hive had only built a sun, a small fraction of the device that dwarfed us all. The sun construct rose out and above a sea of hexagonal tiles, a feature that the Third Hive lacked. These tiles were covered in ice, frost, rust, and sockets. Once, they might have been painted or sealed with some substance. Now, exposed to the elements, few were left in good quality, with a number of them missing and massive clockwork constructs visible in their absence. Here and there, fan ducts had been spaced out along the dome's structure, interrupting the sea of frost and sockets.
Speaking of the sockets, many held circular crystals, each as big as a changeling's skull. Given their number and size, I could only guess as to what their purpose was.
"What are these for?" I wondered out loud, pointing to one crystal. "Some part of the artificial sun's mechanism? Powering it, or moving it along its path?"
"Perhaps they were stars," Luna suggested. "If the changelings of yore had conjured a sun, what would stop them from conjuring the rest of the sky? There must be millions of these crystals, more than enough to mimic stars in the sky, if illuminated with varying brightness..." Luna said, voice trailing off.
"Whatever the answer is, we cannot hope to understand it so soon," Celestia said. "It may take centuries to fully uncover this secreted-away city's secrets. Such complexity has not been seen since... I can only think of a few examples, all before the Age of Discord, and none as complete and large-scale as this place."
"And we've only just set hoof in the place," Shining shook his head in disbelief.
"I think the Third Hive was mimicking this wonder," I said. "I can recognize some parts of it, like those support rings, and those cone-shaped things that must be projectors of some sort," I pointed to different parts of the device as I described them. "However, much of this thing is completely beyond the Third Hive's capabilities. They must've had some sort of schematic for the sun, but the movement piece was too complex... Questions for later, I suppose. What part of the city are we going to investigate first? The glow in the castle seems like a good place to start."
"Oh, you want our opinion now?" Shining asked. "You seemed dead set against listening to us just half an hour ago."
As Celestia and Shining glared at me, I cleared my throat, "Yes, well, I was concerned you would do something stupid like deciding not to go in. Because, you know, you all said you weren't going to go in. Now we're in."
"And you're learning just how daunting this journey is?" Celestia said.
"No! I knew the dangers, I just didn't want to lose my species best chance at finding out who we were, and a chance at growing our numbers somewhere safe and close. Forgive me for not trusting Equestria completely, but our alliance is still young, and a single disaster could bring it down. So yeah, I have to make decisions that will affect the odds of my species' survival, and the longer we're in here the more I'm remembering the outcome of the last time we explored changeling ruins..."
Luna put a hoof on my withers and gave me a reassuring smile. The act nearly caused us to plummet into a freefall, as we both had to continue flying and my wings and elytra are awfully close to my withers.
"I am glad we are keeping the upper hoof and going on the offensive. Many wars have been lost due to hesitation," Luna said.
"Well, we're committed now," Shining grunted. "Point me to the castle, Private," he ordered the pegasus carrying him.
"The light from within is the most eye-catching anomaly," Celestia admitted. "If we are going in, we should secure the castle first. Not only will we discover the source of the glow, but it is the most defensible position in the city."
"Let us head a spear into the castle, and from there, we can spread out and secure the city," Luna agreed.
"Let's not split the party," Shining said, making me raise an eyebrow. "We don't want to spread ourselves too thin. We should secure the castle, and then move slowly, securing our positions as we go. Thoroughly clearing the place before we take each district is our safest option here." Shining rolled his neck to glare at me, "If there's one good thing Equestria got from your legions, it's that we learned how to fight in urban terrain pretty well. The Reactionaries have the experience to hold the city, but if we overstretch then it's going to be for nothing."
'Maybe I was wrong about Shining Armor. Maybe he really is a nerd. You're not sneaking that D&D reference by me, unicorn.'
"It might be worth it to secure the outer city section to the right of the castle first," I said, "and then work our way around the circle. That way, we aren't surrounded if the Nightmares attack."
"To the castle, then!" Luna commanded as she began her dive.
"I'll join you in the rearguard," Celestia said, staying by the dead crystal sun.
I nodded, and ordered the changelings to follow me as I dove to the massive castle that sat in the middle of Nisir.
We set down quietly on the castle's largest balcony. The structure was something along the lines of a half-circle exterior courtyard, covered in snow. If there was once plant life here, there was no trace anymore. The snow crunched underhoof as we landed. The changelings and pegasi fanned out, approaching the walls and empty window frames of the grey castle ahead. The rainbow hue continued to pulse faintly from within.
They lined up against the entrances, and with a nod from Shining, entered the open doorway and open windows silently. There were no flashes before we entered; we might have need of the element of surprise, and errant spellfire could awaken whatever slumbers within.
A unicorn that had been ferried down appeared in the doorway to the balcony. He nodded towards the Equestrian Captain, and disappeared again. Shining nodded and made his way to the doorway himself. As he did so, Celestia and several more guards set down behind Luna and I.
"The Captain seems to be leading the vanguard," she said softly. "I would like it if you two stayed close enough to him to provide help, should he need it. I'll take things slowly and watch your rear."
"You can count on us," Luna said.
"You'll be staring at our rears, got it," I joked.
Celestia rolled her eyes and motioned for us to leave.
"...evacuate immediately..."
I spun on my hooves and stared hard at the doorway ahead of us.
"Heard the voice again," I said quietly. "A lot more clearer, though it still seems broken up. Confirmed to be some sort of automated message, but just how they're projecting it through the Weave..."
"Your orders, My King?" Froghopper said, suddenly appearing next to me.
I flinched in surprise, "Gah! I mean, uh, we continue. Get up there with Captain Shining Armor and keep your eyes on a swivel for anything strange."
He nodded, then pointed to the door, "There's a strange glow, sir."
"Look for anything new that's strange!" I groaned.
The scout saluted and then made himself scarce.
"... hath fallen..."
"Ready when you are," Luna said, making me jump. She squinted, "Are you sure you are all alright?"
"I'll be fine. Probably. Let's go bust some ghosts."
Before I could change my mind, I strode through the doorway and entered Nisir's castle.
The inside was bare. Being used to Canterlot Castle's opulence, seeing a bare interior of a castle was a surprise. The ground was marked with patches of ice and snow, particularly close to the doorways and former windows, but was otherwise bare stone and marble. The stonework had cracks and was covered in rock dust and debris from collapsed walls, ceilings, and pillars, but otherwise the hallways were completely empty.
The light was clearly stronger on one end of the hall, where a changeling and earth pony stood sentry at an intersection. We delved further into the bare castle, following in Shining Armor's hoofsteps. Guards were posted at any open doorway or intersection, and we chased the light. It was steadily growing in intensity as we walked.
I was curious to see how it could make light bend around corners.
'Perhaps its projecting through all solid surfaces? How would that even work? Magic, I guess. It's always fucking magic.'
The Weave message continued to broadcast, getting louder and louder and somewhat clearer as we delved deeper into the castle. It was looking like whatever was projecting the message was at the origin of the light, or was the origin itself.
Through rubble-strewn halls, barren rooms with half of their walls missing, and desolate courtyards we walked in silence.
The light softly changed colors as we marched, until it stopped growing in brightness, for we had arrived at its origin, its apex.
Nisir's Throne room sat in the largest room, overlooking the destroyed gate at the city's center. The tall vaulted ceilings that once held banners and honors and other decor now hosted nothing but a thousand icicles. The red marble promenade that marched up to a grand throne was covered in snow and debris.
The throne itself dwarfed any I had ever seen before. It was five times bigger than myself, making it at least twice the size of the Mithril Throne, and upon its great seat lay a small changeling skeleton. It was black in color, any decorations stripped away and replaced with smatterings of ice.
The chitin had long since decayed away, leaving behind the weak and thin inner skeleton. It was a royal as big as myself, yet the throne's enormity made it look more like a larva than anything else.
He, as his skull was too squarish in shape to belong to a female, sat slumped over in his throne's embrace, his own skull propped up on a hoof, as if he was bored and struggling to not fall asleep. A thin layer of ice encased his bones, preserving his posture for eternity. Behind a tall, twisting horn sat a crown of gold, diamond, blue Mithril, and a hundred precious stones. Yet no stone was no more precious or breath-taking than the one that was situated in the front of the crown.
It was massive in size, almost as big as the king's skeletal face, and it was the origin of the colors we had seen from the city's border. As the colors shifted from blue, to white, to red, to orange, and to more, I watched as galaxies of matching colors slowly shifted into view across the circular gem, only to shift away and be replaced by another galaxy. Behind them, a Tapestry of a trillion more twinkled, distant yet detailed enough to pick out.
The gem had depth. It was like a window, seeing far past the city's border at the far end of the cave, let alone the socket it was affixed to.
"Nisir hath fallen. Evacuate immediately. Panar guide thee, We shall bar the door."
The voice came from the gem, the death rattle of an immortal king.
In the vast throne room, the changelings had prostrated before the king of ice. Dozens bowed before he who had not lived a day in ten thousand years. I understood why; it was not the king, but the jewel that they bowed before. I knew its majesty and significance, for I had seen its contents once before.
The Great Tapestry.
All that ever was, and all there ever will be.
The ponies were glancing at their insectoid counterparts with equal parts confusion and fear.
"Why are they doing that?" Luna asked, breaking the room's silence.
'Silence for the ponies, that is.'
"It is the natural reaction upon seeing Panarthropo's work in its entirety," I said simply.
"What?" Shining bleated. He had stood behind a row of guards that faced the throne. "Are you talking about that big black gem up there? How is it even glowing? No, nevermind that, is it a threat?"
"Nisir hath fallen..."
"No one touch Panarthropo's gift," I commanded aloud and through the Weave. "Rise. I said rise!"
At my yelling, the changelings snapped out of their religious fervor and rose, looking rightfully sheepish.
"What is Panarthropo's Gift? Is it that crown?" Luna asked, gesturing to the king.
"How do you know it's name? Are you holding information from us?!" Shining barked, picking up immediately where Luna left off.
"Are we in danger?" Celestia asked, galloping in from the grand hall behind us and sliding to a stop behind Luna and me.
Celestia, Luna, Shining Armor, and every single pony and changeling- save for the few that stood at the ready, facing the skeleton- looked to me for answers.
"Its name is Panarthropo's Gift. It's... projecting a Weave," I said. "Somehow. A synthetic Weave, one larger than any changeling royal's, though noticeably less welcoming and without the presence of a royal. It's broadcasting a message; Nisir hath fallen. Evacuate immediately, We shall bar the door."
"Bar the door- so it is a containment of some sorts?" Celestia asked.
I nodded, "Just as we thought. Whatever it is sealing isn't here, though. That spell that scoured away Nightmares in the Third Hive? The Weave feels like it's almost projecting it."
"Is that spell the source of the glow?" Luna wondered.
"W-what?" I shuttered. "No? It's the Tapestry itself. The.... galaxies?"
"What galaxies?" Luna frowned. "I see nothing but a black opal there."
"Pitch black," Shining clarified.
"You don't see it?" I blinked, "But it's right there.... It's... The Great Tapestry, the structure of the universe itself. Right there! It's like a window!"
"We see nothing, Phasma," Celestia shook her head. "You claim that there are galaxies within the black jewel on the skeleton's crown?"
"You can't see it," I mumbled. "It's... beautiful."
"The Tapestry," a changeling muttered.
"The Tapestry," another quietly agreed.
"Knock off the creepy cult stuff," Shining said. "Are we in any danger right now?"
I looked back at Panathropo's Gift. It glowed with wondrous light, and I could feel the cleansing spell's presence, distant and muted.
"Definitely not. So long as we don't touch the skeleton or the gem, there should be no Nightmares anywhere close to this city. The Gem would kill them..."
"That's all I needed to hear," Shining sighed, motioning for his guards to stand down.
"How did you know it's name?" Luna asked me. "Same way you knew the city's name?"
"Hmm? Oh yeah, its Weave supplied the answer. None of you can see the Gift's actual appearance?"
The ponies shook their heads.
"It seems like only changelings can," Celestia said, pointing out the obvious. "You can see it, you can hear it, you can feel it..."
I once again turned to the gem, sitting high up on the throne, atop the corpse.
"A pity. This is something I wish you all could see. Perhaps in the Dreamscape, I can show you all..." |
Changing Expectations | 141- Melinoë | I stared out across the city through the large window behind the throne. With no glass or protective enchantment, a very slight breeze flowed inwards through the open space. The green gate, which I was beginning to suspect was made entirely of Adamantium, held every last bit of my interest.
How could the First Hive have that much Adamantium?
Why did they use all of it on a damn door?
What broke it downwards?
The castle offered a better view of the third central district. From where I was standing, it looked like some sort of railyard. But the structures' placement and size didn't make sense if that was the case. If there were for some reason large scale railways going down into the Underhive, then the end of the rails should be in some massive exchange or station. The large square buildings looked more like something you'd see in a dwarvish hold in Tolkien's universe...
"Mother fucker," I facehoofed.
"Did something happen?" Luna asked me as she walked up from behind.
"I have a hunch that that district over there is some sort of forge. From my understanding, it takes a lot to forge Adamantium and Mithril. If the First Hive was using those materials in bulk, which, judging by the color of that shattered gate, they were, then they would need some sort of massive forge complex to handle lots of it."
"How did you reach the conclusion that those buildings are forges? They could be anything. I see no smokestacks, no anvils, no discernable details at this distance."
"There exists many parallels between this world and Earth. Those buildings remind me of dwarvish architecture, a roughly fictional race conceptualized and popularized by a series of books. It just... looks dwarvish, I dunno. Angular architecture, underground city, love for digging and metal.... Maybe changelings are dwarves. Every Hive has some sort of connection to the underground- especially the Underhive, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Third Hive had its own somewhere. Keeping the Masquerade Protocol in mind, keeping your numbers underground would have been the best way to stay undetected. The comparison to dwarves falls apart there, as dwarves are notoriously greedy, while changelings are just starving. And I'm a bit too tall to be considered a dwarf."
I glanced at my changelings in the room, and compared them to the ponies also present. We were on average slightly shorter.
"Then again, royals are outliers," I muttered.
"That is... interesting," Luna said. "Are there more comparisons to Earth that you can draw?"
"Other than the fact that every single species on Equus is present on earth, either physically or through mythology, except for changelings? Well, changelings exist in myth too, but I don't think they were ever insectoid, just shapeshifters. They stole babies or something. If you're asking for specific cultural comparisons.... All I have seen are ponies, and you are rather unique in that regard. Plato's Republic never existed on Earth as we had no immortals."
"Plato's Republic? Define that, if you would."
I shrugged, "A republic centered around a benevolent immortal. No need for real elections when you can implicitly trust someone to always have the best interest at heart."
"Were that true..." Luna stared into the distance.
"Oh no you don't!" I grunted before pulling her into a kiss.
She blinked in surprise, and smiled after I broke it.
"I am glad to have you by my side, Phasma. Had you arrived a thousand years prior, I doubt I would have ever visited the moon..."
I snorted, "Nah, I'd totally enable your behavior or something like that. I'm not exactly a paragon of virtue, Luna."
"You care when and where it counts. Mostly. We shall work on that, though. You are not completely hopeless."
"That gate leads to the Underhive then?" Celestia asked, apparently eavesdropping from the other side of the throne. "Shouldn't we be concerned about that?"
I shrugged, "I warned Shining Armor. But it was broken outwards, not inwards, and this city has been desolate for thousands of years. We're keeping watch on it, but unless there's monsters hiding inside the city, which we haven't discounted yet, we should be good. How long have you been listening to our conversation?"
"Roughly all of it. I apologize, I didn't really mean to eavesdrop, I just came here for the view."
"You didn't mean to eavesdrop, but you didn't make yourself known or scarce?"
"I... no, I did not." Celestia coughed, "I see why that's an issue."
"Mhmm?"
"I'm sorry, Phasma and Luna. I am unused to being... to having equals," she admitted while openly feeling guilty.
Luna noticed the same thing I did, "So then you spy on your subordinates?"
Celestia cringed, "Oh heavens, look at the time. It's time for me to leave."
"No, you get back here!" Luna called out, chasing the fleeing alicorn.
"And she wonders why I distrust Celestia," I shook my head.
"Your Majesty," a changeling appeared by my side, saluting. "There is something you should see."
"You can run from your problems, but you cannot run from me!" Luna yelled as she tackled Celestia.
"I, uh... yes, what is it?" I mumbled to the changeling.
"Follow me, sir," she said.
The changeling led me over to another empty window frame, where a pony and another changeling were quietly talking. When I arrived, the changeling saluted and the pony, a pegasus turned to see what he was saluting. When the pegasus saw me, I tasted an outburst of anger and hatred, but the pegasus nodded politely to me before stepping away and quickly leaving.
"I get the feeling I might have personally given him a smackdown or two," I muttered to the two changelings.
"It's... okay, My King," the second changeling said. "Not all the Royal Guards are particularly happy with changelings after Canterlot, but things have been improving."
"So long as they don't do something stupid... What did I need to see?"
The first changeling pointed to the snow on the windowsill, "There, sir. Look at the snow."
I leaned over and examined it.
"Hoof prints."
She nodded, "Yes, sir. Someone's been here."
I nodded, "Our brave explorer, no doubt."
I looked out the window. The university-looking district, whatever its real name and purpose, lay outside it. The Weave wasn't providing an answer, so it was likely the Weave's information had deteriorated over time, or something similar to that effect.
"We think the pony came in for a view of the throne room here, then set off for the research district over there," a changeling told me.
"Then I think we have our next destination. Go inform Captain Shining Armor that once the outer district close to us is secured, we are heading to the university."
The changelings saluted, "Yes, My king."
They buzzed off, only to be replaced by a cross Luna and a remorseful Celestia.
"Phasma, Celestia has something to say to you," Luna announced.
Celestia sighed, "I'm sorry for spying on you, Phasma. You too, Luna."
Luna shook her head, "I told Phasma he can trust you. This is not indicative of being trustworthy."
"I'm sorry! I just... live vicariously through others," Celestia sighed. "It's become an addiction at this point. Day in and day out of listening to nobles blather on about nothing has left me with cravings for normality. I... I think I have a lot of apologies to make. But I promise to make amends with those ponies."
Luna grunted and looked at me.
"What, that's it? You were caught doing something downright abusive of your station, and you just... realized what you're doing wrong and apologized this quickly? Is she for real, Luna?"
She nodded, "I know her better than anypony, and I can say with certainty that she is remorseful."
I stared at them for a second. Celestia gave me puppy-dog eyes.
"Fucking ponies," I sighed heavily. "Just... don't do it again."
'I've got much, much bigger things to worry about than this soap-opera drama.'
Celestia brightened up, "Thank you, Phasma. I promise you that your patience will not go unrewarded!"
"You arranged for the vacation, so I'll give you a little leeway. But seriously, if I catch you doing anything scheming or scheming-related behind my back again, there's going to be some serious issues."
"I- oh!" Celestia gasped. "Of course you would see it that way. Let me just say that I would never take action against a friend, Phasma. I'm sorry I even made you feel unsafe around me."
I blinked, "Uh... right." Awkwardly, I shuffled back to staring out the window.
Celestia chuckled behind me, "It's never too late to learn new lessons, or retread old ones. I should write that down, that's excellent teaching material..."
"You and I have very different opinions on 'excellent teaching material,'" I muttered, "but speaking of teaching, our guards have notified me of something interesting. These are hoof tracks in this snow."
I grunted an acknowledgement as I continued to ignore the message being sent over the Weave.
'Really, that thing is just getting annoying now. The sooner I leave this room, the better. I'm not foolish enough to mess with that gem to get it to shut up. As nice as that crown is, I think I'd rather not touch it yet....'
Luna and Celestia walked up and inspected the window.
"Furthermore, I suspect- that is to say, my changelings suspect and I am totally stealing credit for the idea- that whoever made these hoofprints likely headed to the research district over there. That's the connection to teaching, by the way. When Shining gives the all-clear, I want to investigate there next. Should I... put it to a vote?"
"I do not believe that is necessary, but I appreciate the gesture," Celestia said. "I shall inform the guards of our next trajectory."
With that, Celestia sauntered off to harass whatever ponies found themselves in her way.
Luna sighed, "We are in the early stages of cooperation, some hiccups are to be expected. I am certain that things will be smoothed out over time."
I eyed her wearily, "She admitted that she spies on her subjects. That seems kinda like a big deal."
"You heard her; she is starved of friendship, and seeks it in any form she can find it. Celestia will become a better pony after this small affair. Besides, I am sure that they will forgive you in short order for more or less ordering the early embarkation of this expedition."
"Sounds like you ponies are just walking soap-operas, then. Constant drama followed immediately by forgiveness. You could write a show about that."
It turns out, every single one of our guesses were right.
The pony who had ventured into the city before us was in the large university-looking area, which was indeed the research district. She had seen us arrive and had seen us heading to her current hideout, and so had sallied out to meet us.
"I see you brought some friends, King Phasma!" Daring Do yelled as she came in for a landing just outside the research district. "Mind introducing us?"
I frowned, "You're too far to confirm your identity. Tell me something only you and I would know."
I saw her shrug, "Is the fact that I saved your life not enough? In the ritual chamber, I'm the one who woke you up."
"Good enough. Come closer, and you might find that you recognize some of my new friends!"
"Somepony you know?" Shining quirked an eyebrow.
"She tried looting the Third Hive."
"... Oh no, do not tell me-"
Daring Do had gotten close enough now to recognize who I was with. Given that they were wearing armor, missing their wings was an easy enough thing to do.
"Oh, Princesses!" She exclaimed before bowing.
"Rise, Agent Daring Do," Celestia commanded. "There is no need for such formalities so far away from Canterlot's throne."
"No, no, no, no, no," Shining mumbled.
"Daring Do, meet Captain Shining Armor, someone who thinks you don't exist," I smiled.
"That's the idea, King Phasma. Have you contacted my colleagues about the cultural exchange I asked for?"
".... I knew I was forgetting something. There's probably a lot more things I'm forgetting, but I should really write that down."
"What is Agent Daring talking about, Phasma?" Celestia asked.
"Uh... part of the cultural and scientific exchange between our people."
Daring nodded, "I have some friends who would do anything for the opportunity to properly study changelings. I guess I'll just have to do everything myself and submit a written request, then?"
"That would be the fastest solution, yes," Celestia said. "I'll look for your name in my incoming mail."
"Do you still have my contact information?" Daring looked at me.
"I think so."
"Great. I've got some questions I need answered, and if any more occur to me, I'd like to write to you to get those answers. Where are you living?"
"In Canterlot Castle."
"... Moving on up in the world, I see."
"I'd ask you how much of the past two weeks you've heard about, but I'm more concerned with where we are now, and how much you know about this place, and what you've done so far."
"Are we not going to talk about the fact that she's Daring Do?! You know, the fictional explorer?!" Shining yelled. "You're a character in books! How..."
"I write about my adventures under a pseudonym. It brings in more bits, it's fun, and I want to. That's all there is to it, Captain Shining Armor."
Celestia frowned, "Are you not being compensated enough under S.M.I.L.E.? I can increase your pay if needed."
"You paid us enough, Your Highness. The writing just makes me sorta rich. And, uh.... S.M.I.L.E. is gone now. I'm a wanted criminal, as I've found out," Daring shifted awkwardly. "I just realized that you're probably going to arrest me."
"That won't be necessary," Celestia chuckled. "Last I checked, you were uninvolved in The Division's wrongdoings. Consider yourself pardoned for being forced into Division-P against your own will."
"Ah, thank you, Princess," Daring half-bowed.
Shining groaned, "This is horseapples! Gah, how would Twilly even react to this...?"
Daring sighed, "Do not share my existence with others, Captain. As an Agent... as an explorer, I'd rather keep my existence a secret. It creates more problems if ponies start seeking me out."
"I would have you reinstated as an Agent," Celestia said, "if you accept. I will have to recreate S.M.I.L.E., but I am sure you will have a place in it."
"That's very kind of you, Princess. I think I'd like that. So long as you don't stick me with a rookie or partner, at least."
The shrunken alicorn giggled, "I remember that demand of yours, don't worry."
"Alright! Fine! I guess Daring Do exists!" Shining threw his hooves up. "Is there anyone else I should know about? Are you going to tell me the foal's book character Barney the Dragon is real? Based on somepony?"
"This city. What do you know about it?" I steered the conversation back on track.
Daring blinked, "Oh, yes. It's your average forgotten city, though this one has an abundance of snow and ice. Interesting ruins, nothing left that wouldn't decay over time... it's several hundred years old, at least."
"Several thousand," I corrected her.
"... What do you know of it, changeling king?"
"It's name is Nisir, and it is the First Hive, the oldest known changeling civilization."
Daring huffed, "Figures you'd find out more despite only being here for a day."
"Yeah well, I got most of the answers from its Weave. Speaking of which, you saw the changeling king's skeleton and his glowing crown in the throne room?"
She nodded, "I did. And I remembered what happened last time I touched a dead changeling king, so I stayed far away. Figured you'd appreciate that."
"I do."
Daring chuckled, "Ha! I knew it."
"What else have you discovered about this city?"
'Other than the fact that we're dwarves, apparently.'
She pointed to the buildings behind her, "This place over here is the city's university and magical lab. Or at least, it used to be. Time has gutted most of its contents, but there's enough left to keep us busy studying it for generations. I mean, seriously! There's some weird machines and contraptions in there that I can only guess what they're for. Also, I think they stored information in crystals. They used books as well, judging by the empty book shelves, but I found some glowing crystals on a few shelves. Makes me think that they're used as some sort of information storage device."
"You had my attention. Now, you have my interest. Take me to them, I might be able to use them."
"I was thinking that as well, King Phasma. I'm kinda glad to see you here, to be honest. So long as you share what you find, the crystals are all yours."
I smiled, "Lead the way."
The interior of the research facility was, just as Daring implied, unfortunately barren at times. Occasionally, we would see metal pans, toppled machines, and other debris in the halls and rooms. Little and large things that managed to survive the eternity spent abandoned, though had not made it through the passage of time unscathed.
Daring Do led us to the laboratory she was currently cooped up in. Spending several days in the frozen city had meant that she had to find a place insulated enough to keep warmth, and the lab she chose kept enough warmth for her to make it her campsite.
On tables and shelves that lined the room, Daring Do had placed and catalogued her findings. A thieving spelunker though she was, Daring Do was an archeologist at heart. A certain degree of professionalism was found in her method of organization; from suspected identity to location of origin, each item had a paper attached or next to it that described each object.
In addition to her trophies from her kleptomania, the room also held a number of machines. They were all too complex for me to figure out what each did at a glance, but a few were familiar in build.
Too familiar.
"This here is my hidey-hole. You're welcome to visit, but I don't intend on leaving anytime soon," Daring announced as she invited us in.
"I see you've visited the entire city," Celestia said, examining a few of the labeled curia.
"I have. Some places I've examined less thoroughly than others, and many things I had to leave untouched as I was unsure how safe it was to move them, but I have a list of everything I have found in this place, located here or otherwise."
My breath caught in my throat when I saw one of the machines. It was pushed up against a wall to make room for a large table that held the remains of some clockwork contraption. The machine was familiar. I had seen something like it once before, months ago.
Daring continued, "I'm actually running somewhat low on firewood to burn to keep warm. I was intending on making a run to Shimmervale, but now that you're all here, I'm sure you won't mind helping me fell a tree for firewood."
'-drills, saws, empty glass vials, what looked like a faucet in the back, and strange contraptions with pipes and containers-'
I slowly pushed the table out of the way, so that I could get a better look at the machine. Symbols were etched upon its surface. I had seen one just like it back in the Fourth Hive. I had seen one in the Ascension chamber's laboratory, and later had found a book belonging to the First Hive.
With a trembling hoof, I brushed the surface of the machine. Frost cleared away, revealing a three pointed crown. A glowing, three pointed crown.
'-The last page of the recovered section showed a royal with a large crown, and changelings bowing to them. There was a circle on the center of the crown that seemed to radiate out something. Light, energy, I couldn't tell-'
"Ascension," I gasped.
"Phasma!" Luna yelled, appearing at my side.
Just in time too, as my legs suddenly fell out from underneath me and I collapsed into Luna's forelegs. The ponies and changelings look to me with equal parts confusion and fear.
"Ascension," I repeated, the pain in my voice clear as day, even to myself.
"What is it, Phasma? What about Ascension?" Luna asked, hugging me tightly.
"It was here, in the First Hive," I gasped, not taking my eyes off the horrible machine. "A synthetic Weave. That's what the Ascension process was for! We were butchered to make lesser versions of Panar's Gift! How many of my family... How long have we been trying to achieve its greatness again...? How many were sacrificed?"
"You're having a panic attack, Phasma. Just breathe in and out," Luna whispered to me. "I'm here for you. You're safe, with friends. Just breathe."
When I snapped out of it, I found myself wrapped up in a blanket, with Luna pressed to my side in the blanket.
"Luna?"
She looked up and smiled, "You are back. I was worried there, Phasma."
"The machines-" I began to say, but saw that the lobotomizer had covered by a sheet.
"Do not worry about them. This is just an unfortunate, unexpected reminder..."
I looked around; the changelings and ponies had more or less set up in the room, securing the place and directing reconnaissance squads from the research district. Celestia, Shining, and Daring Do were discussing an ancient object that resembled a clock.
"I... I'm sorry," I whispered.
"There is nothing to be ashamed of," Luna replied.
"This is unbecoming of a king-"
"Had we found ourselves in a room resembling the moon, I would think that our positions would be exactly reversed," Luna cut me off. "We all have our demons. Us two more than anyone else. But we also have each other. Lean against me, so that I can lean against you."
"... Okay. Where did this blanket come from?"
"Daring Do had volunteered it. Extra supplies are being retrieved from the surface for her in return, as she has plenty of insight to offer. If it is alright with you, we would like her to stay in this city as long as she wants..."
'Daring Do seems competent enough. No more freeing villains, at least. That's my job.'
I sniffed, ".... Okay. She didn't mess with Panar's Gift, so I guess she learned her lesson on not touching MacGuffins. Just... make sure she doesn't break anything. Especially the gem."
Luna nodded, "I would think an archeologist would understand the importance of not disturbing their findings, but I will be sure to pass your worries along. She seems... amiable to you. You saved her life, correct?" I nodded. "Then she will take your order to heart. Speaking of, she is headed our way."
The pegasus approached us cautiously. From her emotions, I tasted what I assumed to be concern. A bit of fear mixed in with the smallest traces of love.
"King Phasma, I'm glad to see that you're alright," she began.
"I'm f- I'll be fine, in a minute," I admitted.
Daring nodded slowly, "You kinda freaked out there. Normally I would tease you about something like that, but considering you faced down The Prophet and certain death without any fear, I just kinda got concerned that a machine made you lose your marbles. If The Prophet couldn't scare you, then what the hell did? Your changelings and friends filled me in, and... I, uh... Yeah."
"Yeah," I agreed.
"... I can't imagine what you've gone through, but I still would like your help. You've identified one of this room's mysteries immediately, and I've got a lot more stockpiled. With your help..."
I let out a shaky breath, "Just give me a minute."
Luna squeezed me tighter, and Daring nodded once more. She left to talk again with Celestia and Shining Armor, leaving me alone with Luna.
"I have seen it countless times," Luna told me. "Though it is only now, in this age, do we finally understand it. PTSD, as Twilight told me." I nodded, and she continued, "It is not something to be ashamed of. Ponies have been suffering it since swords first clashed. Just do not let yourself suffer alone, Phasma."
"I know."
"I know you know, I just am concerned that you will try to keep this burden to yourself. I've lost many, many friends that way."
I looked down at Luna, and stared her in the eyes. The sadness she felt spoke volumes about the pain she endured in her time.
'She's lost lots of friends to suicide...?'
"I won't leave you like that, Luna," I said. "You're stuck with me. I just... I'm the one who always falls apart, while you always seem to be in control of yourself."
Luna smirked, "That just means I get more snuggling time. It is crucial to a pony's health that they get the required amount of hugs each month, and I have been running a deficit for a thousand years."
I chuckled, "At least you get something out of this mess."
'Does that mean that Luna is starved of physical contact? In any case, I'll never be against hugging these cuddly ponies. They are all adorable... and delicious, but they don't like being told that. If Luna needs hugs to remind her she's not alone anymore, I'm happy to help.'
"Sometimes, I fear that when I awaken in the morning, I will find myself on the moon, alone," Luna whispered. "That this has all been a dream my mind has conjured in the passing centuries."
'That answers that question.'
"You don't need to be afraid of letting go of me, but you can keep hugging me all you want," I told her.
"I intend to."
"Good. I love you, Luna."
"I love you too, Phasma."
A few minutes later, Daring Do returned. She had something under her wing.
"Are you ready?" She asked me.
"I am. I presume you're going to show me what's under your wing?"
Daring Do flinched, "What?"
"How do you know she had something under her wing?" Luna asked.
"I... isn't it obvious?"
"No," Luna shook her head.
"I do have something. The fact that you knew is a good sign, I guess?" Daring suggested. Then, extending out her wing, she revealed three crystals set in metal rings. "These seem to be some sort of recording devices, and I was hoping you knew of a way of activating them. The fact that you could sense them proves that my hopes were placed well."
I cleared my throat, "In that case, I'll stay seated here with Luna. The last time we were in an abandoned Hive, I had visions of the past. If these give me visions again, Luna can make sure I don't break my nose when I collapse."
"Sounds like a plan," Luna winked. "Keep hugging the bug."
"They were in an order," Daring muttered to herself. "I think it was... this one first?" She grabbed one of the crystals, and offered it to me.
I tried picking it up with my magic, only for the crystal to glow green, and my vision blackened.
A changeling princess hunched over her desk, speaking into a microphone. Only, the part she was leaning towards was the crystal and metal disk that I had touched.
I was floating beside her, watching her. The recording showed a small circle of existence centered around the crystal; the princess's workshop was cluttered with tools, papers, and other lab equipment.
The princess herself was a pale gold changeling royal, with a few scars on her face. Interestingly, she lacked any holes in her hooves and the rest of her body. Whatever ancient changelings ate, it was clearly enough to keep away the effects of starvation. Or, the royals had hoarded food even back during our golden age.
I wouldn't have been surprised.
"Log number eleven-dash-beta. Princess Arista Narmer, first of my name, et cetera, et cetera. Scouts have reported Ur's fate; the city is dead, just as we feared but dared to hope otherwise. We can't glean its fate from its corpse, so as per the Masquerade Protocol, the city was scuttled. With Ur's death, Nisir is the last of the Seven Jewels. One less bitter ought to be less surprised than this; we alone have access to the Crystal Empire, and thus, hunger is never an issue for us. But Ur's death stings no less by this fact. We are alone now. The only Hive."
Princess Arista slumped over, pushing a pencil across her desk.
"Such a concept is... terrifying. We have survived so much... I am not alone with these fears. Emperor Megatypus ordered the construction of the Arc Project; Tiamat Station is to be retrofitted for the worst possible outcome. Should Nisir fall, then Tiamat, being the most isolated and secure station, will be the heir of the Hive Eternal. However, with its isolation, food becomes an issue. Project Warmth has.... Failed."
She spun her chair around, looking somewhere outside of view.
"No crystal from the Crystal Empire can withstand the stress needed to form a new Crystal Heart. However, there are promising surveys from Panar's Labyrinth. Given its proximity to Panar's Labyrinth, Project Warmth will be completely transferred over to the research station Tiamat. Overseeing the project...."
Her voice became more and more distorted towards the end, eventually breaking off completely into static. Once again, everything faded from view.
I slowly awakened, finding myself once again in Luna's hooves.
"I'll never get tired of waking up to you," I said, yawning.
Luna blushed, "What did you see, Romeo?"
"Is that a Shakespeare reference? I would have thought he would have lived during your absence."
"Shakespony was a playwright while I was still in Equestria. What did you see?" Luna pressed again.
Daring Do nodded, "Please, I'm dying to know."
I explained what I saw, giving an abridged version of what I saw.
"The Crystal Empire," Luna whispered. "That is not a name I have heard in a long time. The Crystal Heart, as well. The changelings were trying to replicate it, too. That is... the least surprising thing I have heard in a long time. Of course your kind would be attracted to it like moths to a flame. No offense, Phasma."
"None taken, what was special about it?"
"It projected a field that kept the Crystal Empire safe from the winter gales outside its field. It was powered by love and positive feelings, so I imagine it was an excellent source of food for Nisir."
My eyes widened, "Free food? Yeah, that sounds like something we'd be interested in. Hey wait a second, doesn't the Princess of Food have a heart made of crystal on her ass?"
"The Princess of what?" Daring repeated.
"Cadence does have the Crystal Heart as a Cutie Mark. Celestia believes she is distantly related to the city's dynasty," Luna confirmed.
"That's... interesting."
"It is. Perhaps she will lead us to discover the city's fate? It would not be surprising if her Cutie Mark has more meaning than just love and family. Do not tell Cadence this, as Celestia and I wish to keep it a secret from her. We do not want to burden her with the idea that she must find the ruins of her relative's civilization, or something equally horrid."
"Okay?"
'I guess I can keep that a secret from her. Worst case scenario, I shift the blame onto Luna and Celestia if she gets mad at me. Or maybe just Celestia.'
"You too, Agent Daring Do."
"My lips are sealed, Princess."
Luna nodded once. "Good. Now, this... Tiamat station?"
I shrugged, "Maybe it's the Second Hive? If they made it the official fallback point of Nisir, then it would make sense if the survivors went there."
"I see. Panar's Labyrinth?"
"Never heard of it," I shrugged.
"Still, a remarkable discovery," Daring wrote down some notes. "Showing you these was the right move. Six other cities like this place, though if the comment about scuttling them was true, then we probably won't find them."
"Six more dwarven holds," I chuckled. "Shame about that. I guess they were vital to keeping the Masquerade Protocol intact, but we became restricted by the Protocol; it's kinda hard to create a brand new city within a mountain without the locals finding out."
"Dwarven holds? What are those?" Daring looked up from her notepad.
"I'll explain later. The second recording?"
Daring Do retrieved another crystal, and offered it.
"I'll finish writing some notes and theories while you're knocked out, I guess."
I tried picking up the recording, and once again the abyss claimed me.
I was in the same small bubble of a workshop again, though this time it was a lot messier.
Pieces of paper had become piles, and several pieces of broken tools littered the floor. In the center of her work space, Princess Arista had a massive diagram of some sort of spell. From what I could tell, it looked to be related to consciousness and the Weave. The symbols I recognized helped me reach that conclusion, but offered no further insight.
She cleared her throat, "Log number five-dash-theta. Princess Arista Narmer, first of my name, so on. We have made a breakthrough on Project Ether. This Weave-adjacent plane of existence is traversable in some manner, though the only skilled traveler is the alicorn Princess Luna. Given the Masquerade Protocol, we cannot converse with the young immortal."
I chuckled at the thought of Luna meeting changelings early.
"However, with the right adjustments, changeling royals can access the Ether. Our first small, restricted foray into the Weave-adjacent realm has yielded spectacular results; contact has been made with life forms not of this world. Utterly alien and completely unique, we have begun the study of these apparitions. Volunteers were found, and so the creatures have been granted physical form. One particular subject has shown exceptional intelligence, suggesting sapience..."
The recording had cut off much more abruptly, flinging me back to consciousness ungracefully.
"Shining reports excellent progress, and no activity at the center-gate. The Underhive sleeps soundly, and we are not disturbing its slumber," Celestia's voice welcomed me back to the waking world.
"Speaking of slumber, It seems Phasma has awakened once more," Luna said as I stirred and opened my eyes.
"Shorter recording this time," I grunted.
"I had missed your earlier explanation," Celestia said, "but I am glad to be here for this one. I'm also glad to see that you're okay, Phasma."
"Huh? Oh, right... I fainted. Yeah... I've got a beautiful mare to tend to my needs, so I lived. Barely."
"The most beautiful in all the lands," Luna said, dramatically flipping her mane back. "What did this vision entail?"
I explained the second recording's contents to the ponies.
Luna shivered, "To think that they were spying on me, so long ago... Thank Faust they did not act against us. If Nisir is what they achieved when they worked towards city-building, I shudder to think of what they could build if they had put their minds towards war."
"Probably not enough to win," I guessed. "Changeling legends state that we fought Equestrians in open-warfare long, long, long ago. We were so thoroughly defeated that we decided to conceal our existence."
"I recall no legends of such battles," Luna said, tilting her head.
"I doubt we would have left any intact, if we could help it. Anyways, the things they found in the Dreamscape..."
"They could be Nightmares," Luna voiced my thought.
"Yeah. That could be why Nightmares are so interested in our extinction; maybe we were the ones to kick the bee's nest?"
"Would certainly explain a few things," Celestia muttered.
"Perhaps. There is one more crystal, maybe it can confirm these suspicions..."
"In you go," Daring cheered as she held up the last recording crystal.
And in I went.
Princess Arista Narmer was not in her lab.
She was standing in a hallway, front of a metal door, one with a glass window. She stared through its window, writing down notes that I couldn't read. She levitated the crystal before her, so that she could speak into it while working. I could not see anything through the glass window, unfortunately.
"Log number ninety-dash-omicron. Princess Arista Narmer. Cooperation with subject 001, codenamed 'Epitaph' has yielded substantial amounts of information."
'Aha! Gotcha now, bastard!' I cheered. 'Now I have your origin story! That means I'm allowed to defeat you, villain!'
Princess Arista continued, finishing her notes and flipping to an earlier point in her notepad, "Subject 001, codename 'Epitaph' has requested to be referred to as its own self chosen name. Following repeated successful attempts at cooperation, this luxury was granted. Additionally, cooperation with the lesser instances has been in our favor, and so the luxury was extended to those instances as well."
Princess Arista lowered her notepad, instead focusing all of her attention on the glass window.
"Henceforth, Subject 001, codename "Epitaph" shall be referred to as its self-designated name.."
Her voice distorted and broke off into static, but this time, the vision did not end.
"- name..." She attempted to say, but broke into static again.
The door and wall around it melted away, leaving just me and Princess Arista standing on a metal floor.
"- name..."
A voice, deep and rumbling, echoed forth from the abyss beyond.
"This world's death shall be my legacy. Upon its gravestone, I will carve its Epitaph. The last words ever spoken shall be my name."
Tendrils of inky black liquid curled onto the platform, gripping it and writhing around each other.
Two eyes appeared in the darkness beyond our sphere of existence. Green colored, with red slitted pupils. Purple smoke billowed from the eyes, a sign of corruption, if what Luna told me was correct.
The eyes stared at me. Not Princess Arista. Me.
"The Apex Predator of Equus. The Devourer of The Sun," Epitaph growled, stepping out from the shadow.
His form materialized around him; hooves connected to legs, which in turn connected to his barrel. He had smoky grey fur, and a billowing black mane that shielded his neck.
Atop his face, one long horn curved backwards, like a changeling drone. It blazed in black-purple flame, flickering without light.
He bared his fangs, and his deep voice reverberated in my own chest.
"King Sombra, Lord of the Umbrum." |
Changing Expectations | 142- Fenrir | As I beheld the Nightmare-made-manifest, I realized that I had two options. In a split second, my mind raced between confronting the bastard for the monster he was, or acting like a changeling should.
I chose the second option. Taking a deep breath, I bowed low, my horn scraping against the metal floor of the memory.
"King Sombra," I muttered reverently.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him regard me with surprise and interest. Though my emotion sensing abilities were absent in these recordings, I had learned enough about body language in this new world to read his emotions.
I had perfected the act of the supplicant fool thanks to my time underneath Chrysalis, especially during the last few months in the hive. I had found those skills thoroughly tested when I had to suppress my constant urges to strangle her where she stood. It was trivial to apply those skills here and now. A brave fool such as a hero of a game or novel would grandstand and declare their intent to kill Sombra. A changeling would milk him for all the information they could, and preferably would set up a betrayal for later.
"You are no Umbrum," his deep voice made my nonexistent hair on the back of my neck stand on edge. "Just another high-born vermin. Fit for nothing but feasting upon." The purple flame on his horn grew in size, reflecting off the metal floor. "Do not fret, your death will be quick. Do you have any last words?"
'Oh fuck! Think, quick! What can get me out of this?!'
"Lámhmarbh sent me to free you," I said softly, recalling the Nightmare's name with ease.
"Should that name be of consequence?"
I looked up, still bowed, "Yes, King Sombra. It is an Umbrum, I think... Regardless, I was sent to free you."
"You think?" The king's face curled into a snarl, "You would know the presence of an Umbrum when you met one, changeling. What is your name?"
"Prince Chrysalis," I answered at once.
'Under the bus you go, mother.'
"Prince Chrysalis," the thing repeated, making me immediately glad I had supplied a fake name. "Strange thing, has your wretched kind warped yourselves to such unrecognizable lengths?"
"It was-"
"Silence," King Sombra growled, cutting me off. "I have not decided your fate yet."
"I can be of use," I pleaded.
"Clearly this Lámhmarbh believes so, but I have yet to see that for myself. You are a changeling, not an Umbrum. What use could you possibly have?"
"If an Umbrum could have freed you, they would have done so already, King Sombra," I said, rising slightly from my bow.
The Nightmare hissed quietly, casting his gaze around our bubble of existence.
"I need no whelp's aid in sundering this prison. I have been whittling away at it for centuries..."
"Of course not, My King," I said. "But I offer what aid I can give all the same. That might mean the difference between escaping now, and escaping a decade from now..."
I felt a cool touch slither around my right foreleg. Glancing at it, I saw a tendril of black oily smoke wrap itself slowly around my leg, its tapered point stopping at the jagged edge of my chitin. My old wound had its scar present, and the tendril had taken an interest.
'Ooookay, starting to get very uncomfortable.'
"I do wonder," King Sombra's voice recaptured my attention, "why you are not Umbrum-touched. If you were indeed visited, you should have been ascended."
My stomach churned at the mention of the a-word.
"The Umbrum needed me as a pure changeling, I believe. My King, no Umbrum can set hoof in Nisir. My duty to free you requires me to enter the city, does it not?"
King Sombra stepped forward and began slowly circling me. I stayed low, in my half-bent posture, and kept my eyes forward. I could see more tendrils whipping about slowly, and his billowing mane stretched behind him, as if he was submerged in water.
"Equus will die," he declared. "All prey shall die. All life shall die. Only the Umbrum will survive this, safe in the Ether. You will die. Yet you are claiming to still be loyal to us. To me."
'Yes, that's certainly a hole in my story...'
"I can already visit the Ether," I chose to reveal. "If I am to not be.... Ascended... then I should be able to survive still. Right, My King?"
King Sombra paused, his purple-flame reflecting in his red and green eyes.
"Of course," he smiled.
'Definitely not, then.'
"Prince Chrysalis," he cooed, "I had assumed that an Umbrum would be capable of the task, but either they are all too cowardly, or the task is beyond their capabilities. Either way, I find myself in need of new servants. You will shatter the remains of my prison. When I cull the weak from my ranks, there will be an opening for you. You will not have my blessing. You will not have my protection. If you are ripped apart by another Umbrum, then you would have expended your use to us already."
"Strength invites challenge: I am not afraid of fighting for my spot in the Ether. But the Equestrians have grown strong in our absence, King Sombra. They outnumber changelings considerably, and I know of no Umbrum forces..." I trailed off.
"You know not what to look for, whelp. I will recall Gluttony and Greed, and their hosts. I will bring my host, and that alone is enough to slaughter the prey." He chuckled, "It will be a perfect test for my newest general... But first, you must fulfill your duty. There is a place for you at the final banquet, all you have to do is destroy Emperor Megatypus's parting gift."
"Parting gift?" I repeated.
Sombra stomped angrily, "That damned gemstone! Shatter it, and scatter the pieces!"
I nodded quickly, "At once, My King! I know what you speak of!"
"The hour of our arrival nears," King Sombra declared, staring at a space above me. "I will be freed from this cursed, frozen prison. Prince Chrysalis, do your duty."
The bubble of existence was swept away, but King Sombra's eyes remained.
Luna was holding me, shaking me awake.
"Phasma!"
I blinked rapidly, trying to get Sombra's eyes out of my vision.
"I'm awake!" I gasped.
Luna stopped shaking me and pulled me into a tight hug. If it wasn't for my thick chitin, I was sure she would have broken a bone.
"Thank Faust you're okay!"
I returned the hug, "I... yeah. Wait, what? How did you know something went wrong?"
I recollected my wits and checked around us. Ponies and changelings alike were looking on with concern. Then, I saw the recording crystal. It was in nine pieces on the ground, shattered. The crystal was also tinted a deep green.
"Dark magic is impossible to mistake," Luna explained. "The crystal... What happened?"
I patted Luna on the back to show that I was fine. Everyone was staring at me: Daring, Celestia, Shining...
"He was there. Epitaph. He was in that recording."
Celestia frowned, "What are you saying? A recording of somepony wouldn't-"
"No. He was there," I growled. "I saw him, and he saw me. He spoke to me."
Luna let go of me, but did not leave my side, instead choosing to make herself comfortable on the ground. I explained my meeting with King Sombra, and gave all the info I had gathered.
"Quick thinking," Celestia muttered, looking distant.
I nodded, "We know he has an army, and possibly two more. Well, one more, I kinda took care of Gluttony and his infected changeling army. We know Panar's Gift is indeed what keeps him sealed, and we know that he is slowly breaking free. Finally, we have a name. King Sombra and the Umbrum. A bit more nuanced than Epitaph and Nightmares, don't you think?"
Celestia's emotions clouded further.
"You are clear of any lingering magic or any nasty surprises, as far as I can tell," Luna said, finishing a scan of me.
"Sombra," Celestia muttered. "I know the name."
"You do?" Shining and I asked.
Celestia nodded, "Eons ago. He was a... strange stallion, hailing from the Crystal Empire. Sadly, the bridge between our worlds was interrupted before we could really know each other, but what time we had was... Sombra is a powerful unicorn, or so I thought. I don't know how common of a name that is way up north, but fate has a cruel sense of irony..."
"Can you tell us anything useful about him?" Shining prodded.
Celestia scowled, "Only a suspicion that he had something to do with the Crystal Empire's disappearance. Or at least, was present for it. Now that we know what he is, he has got to be responsible for the Empire's absence. They must have fallen, and this Emperor Megatypus of Nisir sealed King Sombra- and with him, the Crystal Empire."
Luna nodded, "The story fits. Your mysterious suitor is none other than the most dangerous being alive. One that the changelings had unleashed upon the world. Thank you all for that, by the way. Bringing Nightmares into existence is a most bothersome legacy."
I scoffed, "It sounded like these ancient changelings were either cruel or weren't too bright. King Sombra didn't say why the changelings pulled him into the waking world, but I bet it had something to do with the fact that we were going extinct. Maybe they wanted to make him into a weapon, and he got loose."
'Our doom being created by our own hooves is quite ironic.'
"This knowledge will be put to use immediately," Celestia declared. "We must keep vigilant for this missing force of his, as well as protect Panar's Gift for as long as we can. But first, we need to take care of Queen Chrysalis."
I nodded, "She's keeping the vast majority of Equestria's army tied up at the border. With them freed, we can train them in counter-Nightmare tactics and spells. Not to mention the fact that we will have one less border to secure."
"The city is mostly secured now," Shining announced. "I've received reports from my scouts that we are clear to investigate the final central area."
"No activity from that Underhive gate?" I asked.
He shook his head, "All quiet."
"We'll need to find a way to make sure it's sealed. The last thing I want is another entrance to that place out in the open," I said to myself.
"I'm not opening that can of worms," Shining frowned. "If what you've said is true, the last thing we need is to go poking around where we don't belong."
"I'll send some scouts and seal it myself, if I have to," I said. "The changelings have the most experience with the Underhive; we know how to deal with its beasties."
"We will be one step behind you. I assume you want to go explore the final district now?"
Daring Do cleared her throat, "You've helped quite a lot so far, King Phasma. I'll use the extra time to re-catalogue this collection and organize it better, if you head off to that area."
"Have you visited it?" I asked her.
"I've flown over it, but didn't find any landmarks to visit, no. There were plenty of other locations and items to keep me busy."
I stood up, "Then we have our next destination. Let's wrap up this exploratory tour and properly secure Nisir."
"The scouts shall advance first," Luna said. "Though the scan brought up no results, I would be far more comfortable if you sat far behind the front line, Phasma."
"Fine, but I still get first, second, and third pick of the loot. The Fifth Hive is in desperate need of anything that will help us in a fight."
The Forge District, as the scouts called it, was an abandoned frozen ghost town.
It was a melding of a railyard and a forging area, with the tracks all leading to the broken Underhive gate. Many of the forges were outdoors; we passed by countless craft stations, anvils, and abandoned tool sets as we approached the largest building in the district. Statues of drones and royals alike loomed over empty broadways, railways, and catwalks. Whatever failure in the city's casing had led to the snowfall and subsequent freeze had hit the Forging District especially hard.
Covered in snow and icicles, the district was thrust into a temperature it wasn't designed for; gates, slews, troughs, and other specialized constructs for forging were completely blocked up, and in some cases, shattered from the ice's expansion. Troughs and ducts meant for molten metal and slag were overflowing in solid ice and snowy ice slush.
I shook my head as I beheld a drone's statue. With one raised hoof holding a hammer, the drone was posed to hit a gripped piece of metal on an anvil, but it was frozen, not just in its pose, but in a layer of blue ice, like it was flash-frozen.
"It's going to take a lot of effort to get this place running again," I mused.
"Were you hoping to just trot in and just restart the hearth?" Luna asked sarcastically. "If this city fell when the Crystal Empire fell, that would make it thousands of years old. The fact that it is in such a preserved condition, is nothing less than a miracle."
The loud shriek of metal ripping put a pause in our conversation. The four drones who were tasked with prying off the shut door of the largest building in the district had finally made headway, and had ripped off a good portion of the ornate double doors that had impeded our way.
'Such a shame, too. Those doors really do look good.'
They weren't on the same scale of detail as the doors to Chrysalis's throne room, but the scenes of changeling warriors and explorers of the Underhive were pretty enough to warrant several photos to be taken. I ordered as much as possible of the doors to be saved, but in the end, a decent portion was sheared off and ruined.
"Oh well," I tutted.
The scouts advanced in on my command, through the doorway which was stylized as a pair of flying changelings holding torches. Following up the changelings, a team of ponies marched inwards, illuminating the interior as the changelings kept their mana saved for combat spells if needed.
The interior of the massive structure was a maze of massive halls, ruined rooms of unknown purposes, storage rooms, and what resembled train station platforms. The tracks were all empty, though. Every last one of them were completely bare, leaving Nisir's transportation as a mystery. Many of us wanted to see just how advanced the trains were, especially since the rails went completely vertical at the Underhive gate's edges, but it seems that they had all been sent into the Underhive, for whatever reason.
Most likely evacuation, as counter-intuitive as that sounded.
As the scout teams examined the contents of the storage rooms and explored the last sections of the main building, my attention was called to one particular set of storage rooms. Luna, Celestia, and Shining Armor followed in my wake upon hearing about the rooms' contents.
"We're still checking for other armories, but this seems to be the main one," Froghopper announced as we entered.
The scouts had discovered a set of rooms that served as the city's main armories. The castle had a few similar rooms, but they were mostly bare. During the city's fall, they had most likely been emptied by the defenders in an attempt to fend off the Nightmares long enough for the changelings to escape.
I whistled, "This room holds enough presents to give the entire Fifth Hive one hell of a Hearth's Warming celebration."
Rows upon rows of armor sets lay across the room's length. Adamantium swords, spears, shields, and other armaments complimented the green-metal armor sets. Only the weapons were pure adamantium, as the armor sets had either been layered over with other metals or were made with composites and alternative materials. Adamantium plates made up the center parts of each of the armor pieces, and blackish grey metal ringed them, forming the rest of the armor.
"There's got to be hundreds of sets," Shining gasped.
"Must've needed them for the Underhive expeditions," I guessed.
I picked up a helmet off a nearby armor set to examine it. It looked like a very simplified version of my own.
"Given the material's value," Celestia began, "the wonders this room could mean for Equestria put its value beyond any known number. I know a dozen ponies that would be salivating at this discovery."
"Damn shame we desperately need the armor," I replied.
'Not to mention the fact that I wouldn't sell this much adamantium to Equestria. Not right away, at least. Wouldn't want to give away our only supply of the precious metal.'
Celestia gave me a withering glare, "You intend to arm your changelings with all of this?"
I glared back, "Celestia, just an hour ago I talked to the most dangerous living being in existence, and he had promised that he would come with two unaccounted for armies. No, I want to melt this stuff down and turn it into fucking kitchen appliances. Of course I'm using the weapons and armor! This represents changelings' best chance at ending the nightmare- pun intended- that has been plaguing our kind since the beginning of our history! If we created the Umbrum, then we have to be there when they are put down.
"Now, that being said, I intend on cannibalizing enough of these armor sets to give each of you a set of adamantium. You three plus Cadence will be the best frontline warriors, so it seems fit to give you the best stuff."
"I'm not exactly in fighting condition," Celestia pointed out, looking up at me.
I frowned at the shrunken alicorn, "I'm hoping you'll be back to your old height and power by the time Sombra manages to finish filing away his prison bars."
"Another issue," Luna stated. "You're staying at the rear lines."
".... No?"
She didn't budge, "Yes. Though you have the equipment and sheer power to usually make up for it, the fact stands that you are relatively untrained. King Sombra managed to fell not one but two kingdoms, and he will have numbers to back up his blade. You and Celestia should stay close to the rear. I will direct the battle from the vanguard, alongside Captain Shining Armor. Should something go wrong, you two will act as the reaction. Cadence will.... Go wherever she needs to be. But before this battle even begins, you and Cadence will need to step up your combat training significantly."
Suppressing a sigh, I placed the helmet back onto his rack.
"I suppose I shouldn't argue with the subject matter expert on this."
"I have been on more battle fields than I can count," Luna agreed.
"We should also choose our battlefield," Shining suggested. "If King Sombra is up in the Crystal Empire, then that means he'll be coming from the North."
"Nisir will be right on his warpath," Celestia said. "Shimmervale would be the closest town to the Crystal Empire's capital. This would endanger any colony you hope to maintain, Phasma."
"Then Nisir will be the front line," I declared. "We will recolonize it, and center our efforts to hold the line here. That would mean we would have to evacuate the colony, but in exchange we can build defenses up at the Empire's border. That could mean cutting King Sombra off from his reinforcements, wherever they may be."
"You would risk Nisir?" Luna asked, picking up a sword and swinging it slowly.
"If it meant killing the Umbrum, I would. We'll hold off on... uh... laying eggs? We'll just focus on restoring the important functions of the city and studying it. Several teams of ponies can work alongside changelings as we crack Nisir's mysteries."
"A cooperative effort," Celestia smiled and nodded. "You can write or say anything you want, but efforts such as that will show ponies you truly intend to be a part of Equestria. You know what I mean," she added, cutting off my complaint.
"My King!" A changeling drone saluted, catching all of our attention. "We found what appears to be a vault. We are unable to open it..."
I smiled, "Sounds like we found the good stuff. C'mon gals, let's go check out what magical secrets Nisir has for us." |
Changing Expectations | 143- Anqi Sheng | Cracking the vault was easy enough. Stealing a kiss from Luna under the excuse of needing more love, I simply fired a concentrated laser at the vault, fully powered by my massive boosted mana pool. It might have survived in its heyday, fortified by countless enchantments, but the now magicless metal lasted only seconds against my volleys of magic.
The ringing in my ears settled down just as the dust was, and I heard Celestia cough behind me.
"Trying to impress somepony?"
"Your sister," I winked.
Using God-Splitter, I ripped off the final pieces of the vault door, creating an opening large enough for drones and ponies to fit through. I would have to duck through, which I did once the advance team had given the all-clear.
The vault was structurally similar to the one in the Fourth Hive; it was a single, long room. Only, instead of shelves upon shelves of books and tomes, this vault was a long hallway, with pedestals spaced equally across its sides. Between the pedestals, lowset book shelves held crumbling books that were either completely destroyed or barely intact.
On the pedestals were objects of completely different sizes and shapes. I walked along the room's length, curiously inspecting a few of the objects as I passed. Each pedestal had a metal plaque with an engraved sentence on it, but the language was unreadable to me. A few had the symbols from the ancient changeling pictographic language, but most were in the esoteric language that we had only just deciphered.
"An interesting collection of trinkets," Luna remarked, reaching out with her magic to pick up a two-pronged, twisted wooden staff.
"Don't touch anything," I warned her. Immediately, she recoiled from the artifact. "We have no idea what any of these do, and I don't want to find out if any are boobytrapped. The last thing we need is some sort of ancient toxic gas being released, or a giant boulder falling down and crushing us."
"I doubt the possibility of the last one," Luna said, gazing at the smooth metal ceiling, "but I get your point."
"No other exits," a changeling reported to me. "No signs of any secret rooms that we can tell, neither. This metal is playing havoc with our scanning spells, but they are pretty reliable."
I nodded, "I'm glad to hear that, actually. The last thing I want is another closet full of skeletons... Any of you know this language?"
One changeling raised her hoof, "I was working on translating the Soulmancy books you found."
"The what?!" Celestia yelled.
"The books of botany, those books!" I yelled back, quickly putting myself in between the drone and the alicorn. "She said botany. Botany!"
"Those don't even rhyme," Celestia glared at me. "Are you messing around with Soulmancy?"
"..... Not yet," I admitted.
"Do you realize how dangerous that field of magic is?"
I stared at her, "No, you censored all public information on anything you deem 'icky,' meaning it's hard to glean what the dangers are. I know I can't really do much soul stuff for a while, but I can read a book just fine."
Celestia began to argue, but stopped herself. "You will not use such magic in Equestria; it's too dangerous. Not without supervision..."
"Oh hell no," Luna suddenly complained. "I am not teaching Phasma any magic. I have caught a glimpse of the unimaginable horror that was his magical training already, and I refuse to accept the responsibility of properly training him."
I frowned, "What are you talking about, Luna?"
"Your Faust-forsaken teleport spell," she shook her head. "The amount of effort it would take to rectify your misgivings about magic and its workings is beyond me. Celestia, do you not run a school? You should be the one to supervise him."
I backed away from the bickering sisters, and leaned close to the changeling drone.
"I don't like where this conversation is going. Translate for me, I want to find out what's down here," I whispered to her.
"Gladly, My King," she whispered back. "You're not letting them tell you what to do, right, King Phasma?"
'Great, Celestia has undermined my own standing so much my own soldiers are questioning my independence. I'm going to have to have a few conversations with her about this.'
"Of course not, now what's this?" I ushered us towards the first artifact that caught my attention.
"It says..." she trailed off, reading the plaque. "The... urgh. I'm not sure, My King. It has something to do with equality, but the word itself is unknown."
I looked over the two-pronged stave. I could feel its feint magical energy; its time here in Nisir had diminished its enchantments, but had not wiped them out entirely.
"Any idea what it does?" I asked, not expecting an answer.
"Errr....." The changeling brushed the metal plaque, wiping away some dust that had collected on it. "This word here we believe means ponies. I don't recognize anything else."
"Ponies and equality," I repeated. "I wonder if it makes its target an alicorn. Or, more likely, an earth pony. Strips 'em of their unicorn horn or pegasus wings, you know? That would be a potent enough tool for changelings to research. Without all three tribes working together, conquering Equestria would have been a hell of a lot easier. Let's see what the next artifact is."
We moved onto the next pedestal. A golden amulet with a circular charm with a swirl lay on the plinth.
"What's this one? And, uh, I should probably ask for your name."
It was getting a bit awkward, so I felt that learning her name was the right thing to do. Referring to her as 'the drone' in my thoughts was beginning to feel dehumanizing, or whatever its changeling equivalent term was.
"Sting, Your Majesty, and this one is named 'Weave' something, and it has to do with... magic," she said.
"That's rather unspecific," I remarked.
"Well, this word here means 'safe,' and this one here means 'magical.' I'm sorry I can't give you anything more than that, My King."
"You're doing fantastic," I said, patting Sting on the head. "I'm appreciative of what help you can provide, no matter how vague it is. So a swirly charm that has to do with safety and magic...."
"It is decided!" Celestia announced, making me look in her direction. She was beaming, and had clapped her forehooves together, "I will teach Phasma magic, from the ground up! This will be an excellent opportunity for me to dissect changelings' magical theories, and help a friend in need."
'Oh! That conversation about teleportation might have something to do with this amulet.'
"Hey, uh, Sting? Maybe it has something to do with teleportation? Perhaps portals?"
Sting shrugged, "If you say so, My King."
"That's not what I was... nevermind. Celestia, what's this about teaching me magic?" I asked, stepping away from the amulet.
"I had just received a letter from Spike," she explained, producing a letter and waving it in her hoof. "Some drama concerning Twilight Sparkle and a lack of reports, but it gave me an idea! Why don't I help you myself, and you and I can grow closer together and get to know each other better. Our work will necessitate knowing each other like the back of our hooves when dealing with foreign dignitaries, and keeping our kingdoms in perfect Harmony will require hitherfore unseen levels of cooperation. It's a perfect idea, don't you think?"
I blinked owlishly, then stared at Luna.
'You are on your own,' she mouthed.
".... Sounds wonderful?" I told Celestia. "I'll just squeeze in magic lessons somewhere between running the Fifth Hive, reforming it, resettling all of the lings, managing relations with Equestria, running combat lessons and drills, running my corporate empire, and spending time with Luna."
"Sounds like a plan," Celestia continued to smile.
"That was sarcasm, I was being sarcastic. I don't have time to do your lessons," I deadpanned.
"Welcome to my world," she unhelpfully declared. "Too many things to do, and not enough hours in the day."
"You could just add more hours into the day, you know," I said, gritting my teeth. "You control the fucking sun."
'I ignore what perversions you do to the sky already, the best you can do is use them to your advantage, pony.'
"I'm not the only pony living on Equus; disrupting the day to help myself is abusing my powers. Come now, Phasma, you will have to juggle a loaded schedule for the rest of your immortal life. There simply is no avoiding it."
"I... Fine, whatever," I facehooved. "I'll just delegate writing the Fifth Hive's constitution, and instead just give my lings a rough idea of what I want it to be. It'll cause me a hundred headaches and create a thousand dumpster fires I'll have to put out in the future, but it should free up enough time for your stupid lessons."
'And I'll have to cut back on my leisure time, too. Damn it, just what I needed.'
"You won't regret it," Celestia said, giving me a nod.
"I'm already regretting it," I groaned. "Sting, guide me through the rest of the artifacts here. I need a distraction from my growing headache."
Luna leaned into my side as I stared out towards the Underhive's shattered gate. We had finished exploring the vault, sweeped it thoroughly for any boobytraps, and begun acquiring its contents. The artifacts were being safely and carefully stored on the Clear Skies, with accompanying paperwork and pictures of their original placement and plaques. I had no intention of leaving such valuable artifacts where they were, archeology be damned. We didn't have a place to put them in Canterlot- I wasn't about to put my Hive's valuables in Celestia's vaults- but at least they wouldn't be out in the open.
In addition, I had ordered the lings to immediately start grabbing the armor sets for themselves; the entirety of the Red Right Hoof was here, and there was no point waiting for them to get their new armor suits.
"One hell of a way to end a vacation," I broke the silence.
"These things tend to happen in Equestria," Luna offered. "Never a dull day, for all that entails."
I sighed as I watched Celestia and Shining direct a team of unicorns and changelings around the gate. Some of the guards had reported hearing sounds from the ominous entrance, so it was decided to seal up the place using a permanent shielding spell. Celestia had the spells, the ponies and changelings had the spellpower, and the adamantium ruins had the material.
A more permanent solution could be found later.
"Seal up the Underhive, finish sweeping the area for Nightmares, set up some sort of permanent security detail for Panar's Gift, then finally work on recolonizing the city," I listed off. "That's not even getting into the amount of work that will be required for housing all the scientists and their findings. We've got our work cut out for us."
"You will also need someone to lead the colony," Luna said. "Someone competent and able to work closely with ponies."
"Good thing I have a long list of changelings like that," I groaned. "I've yet to even start reeducating the freed changelings on how to integrate into Equestrian societies. It's hard enough making sure they know not to start a diplomatic incident... Maybe I'll pick Cricket for the task. I'd hate to send her off to this frozen hellhole, but I need someone I can rely on."
"They will also have to be a capable warrior." I stared at Luna, prompting her to continue, "In case something breaks through the Underhive's sealed entrance, or Faust forbid, the Nightmares attack. Your leader will be the first one mareing the front lines."
"Fantastic. At any rate, this sounds like tomorrow's headache. Let's go wrap things up here, make sure Daring Do won't wreck the place, and get the surface teams up to speed on Nisir's state and our findings."
In just as much of a hurry as they had arrived, the Canterlot Reactionaries now had to pack up and embark back onto their airships. It had taken a few hours for Celestia to place down the shields that covered up the hole to the Underhive, and for Shining Armor to set up a permanent detachment to watch over Nisir. I didn't like leaving only ponies to watch over Nisir, so I had selected a few changelings to stay in Shimmervale to accompany the Royal Guards.
"That was... one hell of a jewel," Coxa muttered.
He had gone in with Thorax and Cadence on a very short tour of the frost covered city.
"Yeah, it was crazy! Thorax agreed. "I really wish you guys could see it..."
"I'm sure we'll find a way," Cadence reassured the excitable ling. "The city was beautiful, though. I can't wait to see what you'll do with it. So much potential..."
"I'll say," Shining grumbled. "I can already tell this complicates my job considerably."
"Especially with the Nightmare King," I added. "We now have his probable location."
"You do?" Coxa asked.
Everyone was caught up on King Sombra's identity and history, but apparently not all the facts filtered through. After telling them what happened, I answered any questions while Celestia went off to secure the Underhive entrance.
"The Crystal Empire," I confirmed. "Somewhere north of here. That means Nisir will be on the front lines, once the war comes. Because recolonizing it isn't complicated and risky enough, of course. Which reminds me, Coxa, I need a list of possible candidates for leadership of a colony here. I'll leave picking the actual colonists to the leader, or to someone else with more time."
"I'll get right on that, but it sounds like we're more or less done here," Coxa guessed.
Celestia sighed, approaching our huddled group, "Indeed we are. Business in Canterlot can only be ignored for so long, and we all have enough work to keep us busy for years to come. Captain Shining Armor and your Captain Katydid will stay here to finish setting up the security detail for Agent Daring Do, and for Panar's Gift, but I was hoping to catch an early ride back to Canterlot with you."
"Clear Skies always has extra room," I said. "I'm sure the captain will find the fact that he's carrying even more royalty to be hilarious. I just wish we could have finished our vacation. I didn't even get to ski..."
"We'll get a chance when we come back here," Thorax promised. "What time we had together was great; Diamond and I had a ton of fun, and I know for a fact Luna and you did as well."
I smiled, "That we did. I guess I'll just have to look forward to when we come here next... three months from now."
Captain Katydid arrived next, wearing a set of armor from Nisir.
"My King! This was quite the lucky find!" He cheered. "It'll take a while for the lings to get accustomed to wearing armor, and even longer for them to get proficient, but I promise I'll get them up to snuff in no time."
"That's good to hear," I replied. "Are we ready to set off?"
Katydid nodded, "It was pretty easy to get all the armor we could out. Every ling puts on a set, and carries a spare set. Got some extra practice in on putting on and taking off the armor, so that's an added bonus. We've got enough sets for all of our troops plus plenty more, and that's still leaving half the armory behind. Everything's all loaded up in Clear Skies. It's a shame we can't take Panar's Gift..."
"Better safe than sorry," I shrugged. "The last thing I want is to break something, especially something as important as King Sombra's containment spell."
"That would be unfortunate," he agreed. "At any rate, we're good to go."
"I'll stay here, with Shiny," Cadence announced. "I'll hitch a ride back to Canterlot with him; I'm not needed at the moment, and I'll take any excuse I can get to spend time with my Captain. Luna mentioned speaking with the armorer of the Reactionaries, but you will need to speak with her about what ship she's headed back on."
"Diamond and I are packed up," Thorax said. "I'll go get him from the hotel, and we'll get aboard the Clear Skies and out from under your hooves."
"Then our business here is done," I summarized.
'Our business in Nisir is far from concluded, of course. It'll be at the forefront of everything I do for the next year, at the very least. From protecting it, to discovering its mysteries, there's still a lot more to be done in this frozen wasteland.'
I found myself staring at the unnamed Weave amulet. It was safely stowed away in a wooden crate, which itself was placed in one of Clear Sky's holds, specifically the closest to my own quarters. I had opened the crate to stare at the curious amulet.
It was one of many artifacts we were plundering from Nisir. There were a few others, such as a metal sphere that weighed a hundred times heavier than it looked, a four-taloned metal claw named 'Far Reach,' a large pink crystal that had the very recognizable words for love and pony in the plaque, a threadbare brown cloak, again with the word for 'pony,' and many others. Interestingly, there was an empty plinth, one for another amulet. That one had 'Alicorn' in the name, so it was quite heartbreaking to see its absence. There were a few intact tomes that we had taken from the vault, but most were deemed too fragile to be moved.
'Trinkets and books of immense power and value, I'm sure, and a number of them pilfered from Equestria. Yet they are all overshadowed by the one MacGuffin that is worth more than the city itself.'
My thoughts constantly wandered to the most interesting of all artifacts: Panar's Gift.
'Just how did the changelings make a Weave? Was it the result of a scientific pursuit at the height of our golden age? Or perhaps was it, as the name implies, a gift from above, mysteriously appearing or being found?'
Weaves have been the bane of my existence. From my narrowly avoided fate as a glorified cloud data server to The Prophet's corrupting Weave, my own destiny seemed to be tied to the strange changeling phenomenon. To that point, I was entirely enthralled by the potential of Panar's Gift. A Weave that large and powerful was bound to not only be able to support the entirety of the Hive it was centered in, but was almost certainly capable of so much more.
Under the influence of my own Weave, changelings could work together seamlessly and call upon information with a single thought. My Weave- as small and nascent as it was- was being used by the changelings of the Fifth Hive to access stored information on the ponies, and how to interact with them better. Equestrian and changeling society couldn't be any more different at times, whereas human society was more closer to Equestrian than anything else I had seen. My experience was being used as a template for public manners for my changelings.
But what if I had Panar's Gift? The Fourth Hive's synthetic Weave had held the skills required to train Infiltrators: the most skilled spies and thieves that could ever exist. Without that Weave, we would have run out of Infiltrators long ago, lacking any other sort of way to instill the ridiculous amount of skills needed for that profession. Only Chrysalis knew just what went into an Infiltrator's mind; their secretive rituals and training practices were a complete mystery to outsiders, even me. Tarsus had shared a few stories, but he had revealed only a fraction of what he did as an Infiltrator.
Infiltrators were not the end of the line, for Panar's Gift held a much higher capacity for knowledge; what if we could not only train Infiltrators, but the greatest warriors the world had ever seen? Or the greatest scientists to have ever explored this world's fields of magic and science?
'That would explain how Nisir was so advanced. They had the tool necessary to continuously build upon their generations of knowledge.'
That wasn't the only major piece of arcane knowledge that held my interest. There were secrets pertaining to a certain demon somewhere in Nisir. King Sombra was brought into the material world in the changeling city, so more information concerning his past was bound to be there.
'Know thy enemy.'
If we could learn about his past and what made him into the monster he is, maybe we can also learn how to kill him.
'If all else fails, I'm sure we can hit him with the rainbow-laser-beam-of-friendship. That killed Nightmare Moon and Daybreaker, so it seems to work well on the Umbrum.'
I stiffened.
"It's impossible to sneak up on a changeling, you know," I announced loudly.
Daring Do stepping out from the shadow behind me, "You sensed my emotions, didn't you?"
I nodded, closing the lid on the amulet's crate.
"There's only one way to hide those, and Division-P stole all the amulets that let you do that. What are you doing here, Daring Do? I thought you were staying in Nisir, not sneaking aboard airships carrying royalty and changelings, bound for Canterlot."
"And what if I was sneaking aboard airships carrying royalty and changelings, bound for Canterlot, hmm? What then?" She pointed to the crate I was next to, "You took a lot of Nisir with you when you left."
"I did," I said simply.
"You took most of the juicy bits, I would say," Daring continued. "But that doesn't interest me. Not yet, at least. I need to go to Canterlot to speak with my editor. She received my draft for my next book, and wanted to talk in pony about it."
"Oooooh, am I in this book?" I asked, sliding up to her.
She recoiled in disgust at the violation of personal space, "No, you are not. The entirely fictional villain Ouroboros, however, is in the book. It was quite tricky to make an anti-villain, but I think I pulled it off. It's a nice break from the usual doom-and-gloom monologuing villain, and I'm sure my readers will like him. Or they won't and I'll simply never include him in a future novel."
"How very reassuring. I have to ask, why did you stowaway on board? I can't imagine it would have been hard to get passage out of Shimmervale aboard the Royal Guard's ships."
Daring stared at me, "Are you kidding me? You think a 'civilian' can get aboard a military vessel? Have you forgotten that I'm supposed to be a secret agent?"
"Oh-"
"In addition," she cut me off, "the cabins on a personal vessel are nicer."
"How did you even know we would have space? And how did you get past the captain of the vessel?"
Daring rolled a hoof, "I talked with a few changelings while you were napping in my hidey-hole. They apparently all sleep in the cargo holds?"
I shrugged, "In secure Fifth Hive quarters some have private rooms, but for the most part they have to sleep in barracks while we acquire more apartments for the entire Hive. Space is a commodity we don't have. And the Clear Skies doesn't have much, either. It's a small ship fitting several hundred changelings. I really thought Celestia would take up the last free cabin, but I guess there's one more?"
Daring nodded, "Speaking of Her Highness, that's how I got in. I simply introduced myself as her aide- under my pseudonym, of course, and Captain Silver Sky let me aboard. He wasn't in a position to say no, not to Princess Celestia."
I sighed, "Whatever. I'm sure the smuggler is very skilled at finding room where there isn't any."
"A less mature mare would take that in a different way," a new voice said, entering the room. Celestia chuckled, "I was wondering where you slinked off to."
"Okay, this room is getting crowded fast," I said, pushing Daring Do out the door and making Celestia backpedal. Shutting the door behind me, I gestured to Celestia, "Now then, I think it's best if we move this conversation somewhere more private."
Daring shook her head, "I just came to tell you that I'll be dropping by later in Canterlot with a host of professionals. You know, for the scientific cooperatives you promised."
I sighed, "I'll mark my calendar. And I'll make it someone else's problem to organize our counterparts. Celestia?"
Celestia nodded, "We can take this to my cabin, which is right there," she pointed to my door.
"... Panar fucking damn it." |
Changing Expectations | 144- Malin Kundang | The Captain had indeed given away my cabin to Celestia, and frankly, I should have been less surprised.
I was well within my rights to raise a stink about it and demand it back, but that was not a battle I saw any point in fighting. Luna was hitching a ride back to Canterlot with the Reactionaries so she could work together with the armorer to get blueprints of her armor done, which left me sleeping alone. Kicking Celestia out of my room seemed like beating up the elderly, so instead, I bunked with the soldiers.
But before I returned to the drones, Celestia and I had a long conversation.
I sat down in a spare chair, which was barely big enough to support me. Celestia took the big, pleather chair that sat behind the room's desk.
"Phasma..." She sighed. "You don't like me."
I leaned back, "That's one way to start a conversation."
"Am I wrong?"
I exhaled slowly, thinking.
"We started on the wrong hoof," Celestia continued. "And our professional relationship and potential friendship has only been put under more and more stress."
"I don't blame you for Daybreaker's actions," I said.
"I'm thankful for that. I actually don't blame you for killing Count Double Dealings. I don't want anything like that to happen again, but... my ponies don't really know how bloody Equestria's past is. Luna and I... to unite the three tribes, we had to clear out the old world order. Anypony who stood in our way, we either peacefully talked them into seeing our perspective, or... we killed them.
"Point is, I'm not a saint. Luna isn't, either. We've done things that cannot be undone, and our hooves are stained in blood. I've rewritten history so that our actions don't taint Equestria and pull ponies down with us, but there's no point pretending we've never done anything wrong. From everything I've heard about Count Double Dealings, you killing him actually solves a lot of problems. I can't imagine what a crime organization the size of the Fifth Hive's would be like under his rule. Without a doubt, you saved lives. But you went too far. Nowadays, we control ourselves and keep a close eye on our actions. We talked about that, and I'm sure you agree."
I shrugged, "I guess."
Celestia leaned forward, "We've both made mistakes. Mine, far worse and far in the past. Mostly. Yours, far more recent and far more isolated. Before our ponies and changelings can become friends, we have to show them it's possible. Overall, there should be little standing in the way of friendship between us. I want to know how we can bridge this gap that's forming between us. I want to know what we can do better."
I groaned, "Celestia, you're clever. You plan for things far in the future, you keep a close ear and eye on everyone around you, you manipulate events and people to get the outcomes you desire. I'm sure this behavior came as a result of ruling a nation for thousands of years; you need to be a political mastermind to maintain absolute power for so long. Problem is, you aren't the only schemer I've met. In a lot of ways, you remind me of Chrysalis. I know I'm slow to trust people, but with you, it's just reminder after reminder of her. You plot, you spy, and you plan. Again, I can't blame you for most of that- hell, I do that too, but I just... I don't think I can ever stop worrying about my future."
"I want you to trust me," Celestia said, placing her hooves on the desk and into view. "See? Here are my hooves. Out in the open. It's a metaphor." I snorted, and she continued, "I'm not planning on doing anything horrible, or even negative. I only want what's best for Equestria and for the Fifth Hive. If I plan something, it's to our benefit- like the vacation for us. You enjoyed the weekend before accidentally stumbling upon an entire forgotten city, right?"
"Yeah," I admitted. "I mean, I know you're not planning on killing me, or turning me into a changeling-flavored popsicle."
I tasted sadness encroaching on her emotions, "There's a difference between trusting that I won't kill you and trusting that I will help you. Here, let me be in the open; I use humor often to defuse the tension between us, because I know you like to joke around. I know you trust Luna implicitly because she saved you at your most vulnerable moment, but unless you want to go be a damsel in distress so that I can save you, we need to find another way of building trust. Do you want to be a damsel in distress? I can call in a few favors, find a nice tall tower, and have you locked up and guarded by a dragon."
"Heh, And you'll come and save me?"
"Absolutely!" She beamed. "Right after lunch. If my schedule allows it, that is."
"It'd have to be a big dragon," I said, leaning back in my chair.
"I know a guy," Celestia said slowly. "But we should get back to business. You can't think of anything that will change your mind about me?"
Rubbing my head, I sighed, "No, I... just give me time, Celestia. Everything has been so recent, I... You could start by not undermining my authority in front of other lings."
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
I shifted in my chair, "You basically stated that you would tutor me, instead of asking. I don't really care, but it's all about perspective. My drones don't see my thought process of considering the idea, then deciding whether or not it'll be to my benefit and that said benefits outweigh the costs. They only see you ordering me around."
Celestia shrugged, "Very well. That sounds like an issue with a simple fix; I shall make requests, instead of stating things."
I nodded, "Thanks. It's strange that that's an issue I have to deal with now. I'm not quite used to being a ruler yet."
"I am unused to having an equal, too," Celestia smiled. "It's quite a novel phenomenon, as it is even more complicated than my relationship with Luna, though I'm a thousand years rusty on that, too."
"Yeah, I get it. Do you have any suggestions for uh... friendship?"
She tapped a hoof on the desk, "Hmmm. I have a small idea, but no more surprises, so let me tell you right now; how would you feel about a birthday party?"
"A... a birthday party?" I echoed her. "You're serious?"
"I am. There's no way to forget what you've lost- and I'm not going to pretend I know exactly what you've been through- but the best way to move on from loss is to honor the past and celebrate what you have now. That I know from experience."
"If you say so... Alright, let's do the party. I don't want anything huge, so it'll just be my friends. I'd say you can invite yours, Celestia, but I know you don't have any."
She jabbed a hoof in my direction, "Hey! I have friends! I have so many friends I have them pouring out of my metaphorical sleeves! I have so many friends, that my friends have friends! That's how many friends I have!"
I started laughing, and after holding a straight face for a bit, Celestia started laughing too.
"It's not easy being the unapproachable Princess," she said, collecting herself. "In pursuit of perfection, I've lost too much along the way."
"Well you probably know more about making friends than I do," I shrugged. "Though I can't imagine any opportunities you could have to find some."
"Perhaps I should practice a hobby where I can meet other ponies... Anonymously, if possible. I'd rather leave a first impression of being down to Equus."
"I am working towards one way of meeting others," I revealed, "but that's years and years off. In fact, Double Diamond just gave me a message today from his parents; our inventions have some serious design issues and delays, meaning we're farther away from our goals than we thought. So no video games anytime soon..."
"Video games?"
"Like board games, only a thousand times more complex, and possibly more fun. It's... a long ways away, but I know for a fact that it's worth the effort. There are of course other advances that will come with the invention, such as the economic pillar that is the internet or the scientific wonder that is the computer, but who cares about societal-changing and revolutionary concepts that create paradigm shifts? All I care about is spending my leisure time how I want to. Maybe try joining a book club? That sounds like something you'd enjoy."
"Hmmm... It would take a bit to break through the ice, but maybe that could work. I'll think about it, thank you for the suggestion." Celestia looked around the room, "This place is rather threadbare, isn't it?"
"It's a ship's cabin, there's not going to be much in it. But if you are looking for something, try the main drawer on the desk," I pointed to it.
Confused, Celestia followed my suggestion, opening the draw and pulling out a glass bottle.
"How did you know this was in here?" She asked as she examined the bottle of wine.
"I used this cabin frequently. I keep some stuff in here for my own use. It's one of the more innocent things hidden on this ship."
"What do you mean?"
I smiled, "I planted a few things here and there aboard the Clear Skies. I needed insurance that the captain wouldn't rat me out... Ah, it doesn't matter. I've been thinking of my past too much, and I want to hurt a bit less than normal, so open the damned bottle."
Her muzzle scrunched up, "Using alcohol is an unhealthy escape mechanism. A better pony would find another way to let loose, but... we're not better ponies. Cheers."
The drones were ecstatic when they realized I was staying with them.
There were a few spare beds, even with the hot bunking system they had, and so I stowed away my armor and hammer and met with the changelings. They talked and shared stories about their captivity or how the Fifth Hive brought them more love rations than they had seen in an entire year while in the Fourth Hive. But things were not perfect in paradise.
I took complaints from them, namely concerns about how the rations are already seemingly becoming more and more stringent. I confirmed this; with the massive influx of changelings freed from Division-P, we had more mouths to feed. Still, we could feed countless more than we had. In time, more interspecies relationships would increase the ration pool, especially when I start to personally donate love.
There were also complaints about the Royal Guards. Cooperative training sessions were difficult to pull off. Apparently, tensions were high between the two armies; many of the veterans of Canterlot's burning harbored grudges, and were slow to let them go.
Then came story time. My changelings huddled around me in the crowded converted cargo hold, and listened as I regaled my tales of action and adventure following the failed invasion. From fighting the Dire Wolves immediately after, to slaying the Rat King in the woods outside of Hooferville, to plunging into the depths of the Third Hive to slay The Prophet and detonate the entire city, the changelings were eating up my stories like they were infused with love.
I shared the stories of the friends and allies I made along the way: the thestrals who sheltered us after the Third Hive, Luna bridging the gap between our kingdoms, and even the three guards in Hooferville who accepted me, war crimes and all.
Halfway through, I noticed the arrival of a few more guests; Celestia, Daring Do, Thorax, and Double Diamond had joined the changelings, sticking to the back of the crowd. With changelings filtering in and out of the room as they went to sleep or perform duties and drills throughout the ship, my audience slowly rotated through the entirety of The Red Right Hoof as the day turned to night. When I became too tired to continue, the huddle was broken, the drones went into their own conversations, and the guests retreated back to their quarters. I had to answer a number of questions from curious drones before I could finally get some shuteye.
We arrived the next day, setting down at one of the Crown's landing spaces at the edge of the city.
Daring Do slipped away, citing the need to keep her cover and visit the city as her archeologist disguise. A contingent of Royal Guards had met us with a carriage, and were standing at the ready when the boarding ramp dropped.
"I am always at your service, Your Highness," Captain Silver Sky bowed as Celestia stepped off the boarding ramp.
"Thank you, Captain. It was a treat being on your ship," Celestia bowed courteously. "King Phasma, it's only fair for me to extend an offer of transportation after you so graciously allowed me usage of yours."
"That's very kind, Princess Celestia. I'll be with you shortly." When she entered the carriage, I gave Silver Sky a glare, "I don't recall paying to sleep in a cargo hold."
The pony bowed, "Your Majesty, I was reorganizing the sleeping arrangements aboard my ship. It was a necessary task that I had done before, you needed only to speak to me for a new place. I apologize profusely for any undue hardship you endured, but I would have arranged for it to be solved..."
"I don't pay you to make me come to you with problems you created," I said. "We'll discuss the terms of your contract later."
Before he could argue, I went down the ramp and joined Celestia in the carriage.
'Just because I don't intend on doing anything doesn't mean I shouldn't remind Silver Sky of who I am. If I let him get away with this, it could look very bad for my public image, or at least his image of me. Best let him sweat it out for a while, then come back with a more calm and collected approach. I'll appear more benevolent, he'll see right through my charade in an instant, and we'll all be good. Him seeing through my façade isn't necessarily a bad thing, though.'
'But I do need to consider creating my own airship. I can't rely on a pony smuggler to transport my army, so perhaps I should send someone to start looking into contacting shipyards...'
"Equus to Phasma?" Celestia waved a hoof in front of my face.
"Hmm? I was lost in thought, sorry."
She smiled, "That much was obvious. I was asking what your immediate plan for Nisir was."
"I have to begin the process of drafting a colonial team, and getting them supplies."
"Any chance of there being ponies on that team?" Celestia asked, wiggling her eyebrows.
I shifted around in my seat, finding it hard to get comfortable, "You've already got scientists, now you want colonists?"
"I think it has the potential to be an equal population city," Celestia explained. "Proof of concept that changelings and ponies can live and work side by side."
I tapped my chin, "That does sound nice... The colony's main purpose is to increase changeling numbers, though. We are very close to extinction, and I'm worried that restricting that growth to allow for ponies would slow down the growth of our entire species...."
"There are benefits for either way," she admitted. "Still, I'm glad you are actually thinking about my proposal, rather than shooting it down. With how possessive you were when we found Nisir, I was a bit worried you would hold onto it like a dragon's hoard."
I shifted around more, ducking my head so I didn't pierce the ceiling with my horn.
"I'm just worried about my species' future. If Nisir is equally filled with ponies as it is changelings, then it's going to be much slower to get us out of this situation."
Celestia shrugged, "Then don't have it be a one-to-one ratio. Manehattan, Cloudsdale, and Canterlot are all primarily one tribe, and each are bastions of Harmony. Ponies will be fine with Nisir being a changeling city like Canterlot is a unicorn one, you just have to make room for others to have a place in it."
"That... could work," I agreed. "Damn it Celestia, what's in these seats? Have you filled them with coals?"
She frowned, "There's nothing wrong with the seats... are you feeling well?"
"I feel a bit hot," I admitted. "I swear, if I caught a cold from an ancient ruin... The last thing I need is some ancient virus to wreak havoc on my body. Then again, I suppose there isn't a good time to get sick, is there?"
"This is as good of a time as any. I'll fetch a doctor to give you a checkup. One with experience dealing with changelings...."
I slumped into the seat, "Great, sounds like I'm going to get a visit from Dr. Mengele. Will you be retrieving this pony from prison?"
"... Potentially."
"We're just going to hope he won't try to assassinate me, then?"
Celestia waved dismissively, "Nonsense. I would never put you in a position where you could be harmed."
"Knowingly," I added.
"I assure you, I will have this professional fully vetted. What have I done to make you so untrusting that you are worried about your health?"
I stared at the ceiling as I began listing things off, "You did spy on me, Luna said you were planning on the Fifth Hive being integrated into Equestria so I can't be too sure of all of your motives, and I'm not exactly a trusting fellow..."
"Alright, alright! I get it," she sighed. "Look, I'll run any visitors by your aides, Coxa and Cricket. Is this acceptable?"
"Yes."
"Excellent. They will give a second opinion on anypony I send your way. Like the therapist."
I groaned and put my head in my hooves, still shifting around in my seat.
"I forgot about that shit. Can we just not do it, and say we did?"
"No."
I gave her a pair of puppy-dog eyes, "Not even if I say please?"
"Not even if you say please. This will benefit all of us. Because we're all going, in case you forgot. That is an order, not a request."
"Very well. It's a small price to pay for literally getting away with murder," I admitted.
"Self-defense," Celestia corrected me. "I'm all for not forgetting your mistakes and doing better, but let's not get to the point of torturing yourself. You can speak with Luna about where that leads. Plus I'd rather you not go around claiming to get away with murder. It makes Equestria look bad, and it makes you look worse."
The carriage came to a halt, and the door opened, allowing Celestia out and me following her. After stretching, I caught up to Celestia, only to notice a changeling standing by the doors to the palace.
He waved to me, "My King! There's three ponies who claim to know you in our office. They wouldn't take no for an answer, and their story checked out..."
'Three ponies, eh? That's a genuine surprise, but I guess they decided to come visit me up on Capitol Hill.'
"I'll see them shortly," I told the changeling. "I'll catch up with you later, Celestia."
"See you this afternoon," she said. "Dinner's at nine."
I found the three troublemakers loitering in Coxa's office. Undoubtedly, they would have trashed my own office if I actually had one instead of fitting into Luna's office.
Sergeant Quick Search was sitting in Coxa's chair, staring at a map Coxa had pinned to the wall. The map was of our transportation routes. Given that we had political immunity, there wasn't a need to hide our business anymore.
Corporal Bray Call was arguing with a drone. The subject of their argument seemed to be a pile of documents that the drone was holding, and that Bray was interested in. From what I overheard before I interrupted the conversation, Bray wanted to read the documents made on changelings, while the drone said she didn't have the clearance.
Private Warm Dew was sitting on the ground behind Search, watching Bray Call's argument with a small grin.
"What's this I hear about trespassers harassing my drones?" I asked loudly as I stepped into the room.
"Ah, there's the depressed stallion," Search said, rising from the chair.
"Sky! I mean Phasma!" Bray cheered, forgetting her conversation and rushing over.
"Yes, it's me," I said before grunting as Bray hug-tackled me. "Careful, I might be contagious with a zombie plague right now."
The drones that were keeping them corralled shuffled off, giving us some privacy.
"Hope you don't mind us visiting," Search said, "but we decided to visit our old pal now that he's famous. Well, famous and accepted."
"We also wanted to mooch off of you," Dew said, earning a punch in the shoulder from Search.
Bray let go, "Mooch off of you and see how you were doing. You made a lot of national headlines, you know."
"A lot of headlines," Search stressed. "Crashing Canterlot's biggest party? I have to say, that was rather exciting to hear. Those stuffy nobles could use a good shakeup or twelve."
"And you freed Discord," Dew added. "That wasn't a good thing."
"I had things under control," I said. "And by that, I mean I didn't, but things worked out in the end. Daybreaker had to go, and releasing Discord was the only way to get that to happen."
"You've also got a marefriend," Bray shook her head, "and a Princess, no less! How'd you score her?!"
I nervously chuckled, "Well, she scored me. I'm not exactly an expert when it comes to... feelings?"
"That much was obvious," Dew interrupted.
Nodding, I continued, "Right. I bottle everything up. Luna was the one who approached me about... everything."
"So she wears the pants in the relationship?" Search teased.
"What are you talking about? You ponies don't even wear pants."
"It's an expression," Bray explained. "It means-"
"I know what it means," I cut her off, "and no, I think I cause her way too many headaches for that to be considered the case. Luna just... pushes me to display and give affection. And to trust others. And to stop stealing from her stash of iced oatmeal cookies she keeps in her office."
"Sounds like Her Highness is a good influence," Search smiled. "Glad you took our advice of getting friends to heart."
"The papers also say you killed somepony," Dew moved the conversation along.
'Oh they are not going to be happy about that.'
"I did. It was self defense, and I had tried to deescalate the situation, but I did end up killing an organized crime boss."
"Did you have to?" Bray stressed.
I scratched my chin, "I suppose I could have spared his life. But I didn't."
Quick Search sighed, "That's rather troubling. We were hoping that was just tabloid craziness, and not the truth."
"I thought we taught you better than that," Bray shook her head.
The two ponies were clearly upset with me, but Dew wasn't.
"... A crime boss, you say?" Dew asked, his emotions matching his curiosity.
Bray Call huffed, "You can't be seriously considering excusing this."
Dew put up his hooves, "I'm not saying what Phasma did was right, I'm just saying that to help ponies, they have to want to be helped. If Phasma tried to de-escalate, and things still turned bloody... now, you never need to resort to murder, that I don't approve of, but sometimes they leave you no choice but doing things the hard way."
"But Phasma's practically an alicorn!" Bray stamped a hoof. "He's more than capable of bringing bad ponies down without resorting to killing."
"Regardless of how we feel," Search said, stepping between the two, "I'm sure the Princesses have passed judgment on the matter already."
"They have," I admitted. "They agreed that what I did was somewhat warranted, but not acceptable. So they are sending me to therapy to make me learn the extent of my powers, or something."
Bray frowned, "The newspapers mentioned that you were a year old..."
I nodded, "Yes. That's correct, I wasn't a changeling a year ago. Then I died, and now I am one."
"That's weird," Bray muttered.
"That's bucking weird," Dew agreed.
Search raised an eyebrow, "You were a pony? Or a griffon?"
"An alien. A bipedal, omnivore primate."
"That is bucking weird," Search said.
For the next half hour, I caught them up on my story and everything that had happened since I left hooferville. It turns out, there were a lot of rumors around me and my changelings, but public opinion was hopeful that I could end the war that had emptied life out of an entire fourth of Equestria, though a much smaller fraction of its population. If I could bring back those ponies, then every last pony would forgive anything I did.
Mostly.
It was something to keep in mind. Not that I wasn't planning on returning the ponies, but hearing that there was already support for changelings, even in smaller cities like Hooferville, was good news.
My story was interrupted by Coxa's arrival. Without a fancy-shmancy carriage to ride in, he had to fly to the Palace. Apparently, he took the opportunity to check in with a few things before heading back to his office, where we were.
"Hey Phasma, I need to talk with you for a moment," he whispered into my ear.
I nodded, "Fellas, this is Coxa, a close friend. Coxa, this is Search, Bray, and Dew. If you three will excuse me for a moment..."
Search motioned to the door, "By all means. We'll be here, and I'll make sure Bray doesn't make a mess of the place."
"Thanks," I said before stepping out to talk with Coxa. "Alright, give me the bad news."
Coxa grimaced, "Cricket hasn't been seen in two days."
The heat I felt at the back of my neck intensified. I felt the now alien sensation of hairs standing on edge, despite being covered in chitin.
I shook my head, "Let's hope for the best and plan for the worst. Start assembling search parties and interviewing lings and ponies. Find out where she's been, who she was last seen by, and where she was headed. Best case scenario, she's passed out drunk somewhere after enjoying a small vacation."
"And the worst?" Coxa asked.
"... Division-P remnants may already be moving against us."
Coxa hissed in frustration, "Here? In Canterlot?!"
"They will have loyalists in the E.U.P., without a doubt. That might give them enough intelligence to operate within the city. We have to assume that Cricket has been nabbed by them. I'll finish up with my three friends and get Celestia on the case. Hopefully, with Royal Guard help- even if they are compromised, we can find her."
"Alright, I'll go talk to Froghopper and Katydid. And make sure those ponies don't trash the place!"
I headed back inside, only to find Bray conspicuously moving away from the door and whistling.
"Trouble in paradise?" Search asked.
"Yes. We're going to have to cut our chat short, unfortunately."
Bray sighed, "Then let's get to the mooching. Sergeant Search was hoping you could put in a recommendation to the Royal Guard for him. Or get somepony else to."
"As nice as Hooferville is, I'd rather retire with a Royal Guard's pension," the red pegasus explained. "A few tours in Canterlot and I can transfer to one of the local divisions."
"I'll see what I can do," I said, trying to think how my word would be worth anything to the Royal Guard.
'Maybe I can ask a favor from Cadence, who will whip Shining Armor into doing it. I shudder to think what Cadence would demand in return, but that's a bridge I can burn another day. I owe it to these guys.'
"Yeah, I can probably get that done," I said, nodding to myself.
"And," Bray said, "I need a recommendation to get into Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns."
"Sure, is that a college?"
I hadn't exactly heard of the place.
"Technically no, but it does have a program for after high school education," Bray explained, tracing a circle on the ground. "Think of it like an apprenticeship program. It opens a lot of doors for me if I can get in. Trouble is, you have to know somepony. Or, you have to be very rich."
'Well, that should be a really simple matter of throwing my weight around to get what I want.'
"Alright, I can get you the opportunity to get in-"
Bray brightened up and gasped.
"-But!" I continued, "Only the opportunity. You have to prove your mettle and actually pass whatever entrance exam or interview they have."
"Of course," Bray nodded rapidly, "I couldn't ask for anything more! Thank you so much, Phasma! I won't let you down!"
"I'm sure you won't," I chuckled. "Now, come on, let's go see what you have to do to get in."
"Guess we'll come, too," Quick Search said, motioning for Dew to follow.
"That would be for the best," I agreed.
"The school's office is probably closed, though," Bray pointed out. "It's mid-afternoon."
I smiled coyly, "I know. We're not heading for the school, though."
She paused, "Then where are we heading?"
"Why, the throne room, of course. Where else would Celestia be?"
"Wh..." Bray short circuited. "What?"
"You can't be serious," Search whispered.
Dew smiled, "We're actually going to see the Princess?"
Bray shrunk back, "I didn't mean- isn't this like an abuse of your station, or something? We're just three ponies-"
"You're three friends," I put a stop to that thought. "Celestia'll be happy to meet you. Besides, I need to talk with her anyways."
"If... you insist," Search said hesitantly.
"I do, now come on."
The Princess of the Sun was in her throne room, which I was happy to find out. The more theatrical the meeting, the more I impressed my friends. The more I impressed the three ponies, the more fun I had.
She was standing in front of her oversized pair of thrones, addressing a team of Royal Guards. From the epaulets and insignias I could spy from across the hall, they looked to be officers. Hoping that I wasn't interrupting something important, I led the trio of ponies across the throne room. Aside from her and the officers, there were about twelve Royal Guards spaced out along the walls.
'No pony crowd today. That makes sense, she could hardly hold court when she had no idea she would be in today.'
When Celestia saw me approaching, she dismissed the Royal Guards and turned to meet me.
"Phasma, I know you might be hungry, but dinner is hours away."
"I know, and I'm finding ways to keep busy until she gets back," I joked.
"Hmm? I don't follow- ooh, my sister-"
"Your sister," I said at the same time. "Anyways, Princess Celestia, these are my friends: Sergeant Quick Search, Corporal Bray Call, and Private Warm Dew. Fellas, this is Princess Celestia, co-ruler of Equestria and ruiner of fun."
The ponies bowed before the princess, who smiled at their display.
"Please, rise my ponies. I've heard of your exploits from Phasma, and I am happy to meet you."
Search rose slowly, "It's an honor to meet you, Princess."
Bray followed, "I hope we aren't intruding..."
Dew, as silent as ever, rose quietly.
Celestia shook her head, "You are not, in fact. I don't have much free time but I do have a few minutes."
I motioned to Bray to step forward, "I need to ask you for a favor, Celestia. You see, Bray here was hoping to get a chance at getting into your overpriced unicorn school."
Bray reddened up like a tomato and stammered, "N-no, I n-never said that! I just- I wanted to ask for a recommendation from Phasma to get my hoof in the door! I would never-"
"As you can see, she's very enthusiastic to meet you," I chuckled. "So, any chance I can abuse my position to arrange for some nepotism?"
Celestia rolled her eyes, "I cannot give you a spot in the school but I can give you the opportunity to earn a place. There are a few openings, so you will have to prove you are capable of handling the rigorous course load. Are you up to the task?"
Bray's head shook up and down so violently that I half expected her horn to fly off.
"I'm ready for any challenge, Your Highness!"
Celestia nodded, "That is good to hear. You will need that enthusiasm. I can arrange for the entrance exam to be given as soon as you are ready. Does next Wednesday work for you?"
More furious nodding, "Anytime, Your Highness."
"You aren't going to be missed at your job in Hooferville?" I asked.
Search spoke up, "I arranged for us to have the rest of the month off. Since you kinda took care of the Rat King and the tunnel it came from, there haven't been any attacks and the guard can take more days off."
Celestia smiled, "Perfect, please report to the School's office Wednesday afternoon at one. Do you need help finding the building?" Bray shook her head, and Celestia continued, "In that case, I would love to stay and chat, but I've got a meeting in five. Is there anything else, Phasma?"
"As a matter of fact, there is," I said slowly. "Cricket- you met her at the negotiations- hasn't been seen in two days. I'd like the Royal Guard's help finding her."
"Oh dear," Celestia breathed, "I remember her. I'll notify the guards immediately, but I don't know how much help we can be."
"Any help is welcomed. I'll attach changeling to the E.U.P. patrols so they can identify her if they run across her."
"That sounds like a good plan. Do you have any idea what happened to her?"
I looked around the room nervously, "No, but I fear that Division-P is on the move."
"Already?! Do... Is it possible that they have infiltrated the castle?" Celestia asked, keeping loose control over her emotions.
"No, I would have noticed-"
That heat at the back of my neck returned, like someone was watching me. I noticed something thanks to Celestia's comment; there were twelve guards standing around us, and every one of them was outputting emotions.
All of them, save one.
He was close to us, standing to my right. Between the two other guards around him, his lack of emotions was masked by the flow of the others around him. I only noticed because I looked for something out of place. He was a unicorn, with the standard colorings that their armor provided.
"You there. To my right. Drop your disguise, and identify yourself," I demanded over the Weave.
I slowly turned to face the imposter, and the pony stepped forth, letting the spear he was carrying to droop to the side.
"It's you. It really is you..." he whispered.
"Phasma? Is that one of them?" Celestia asked, putting myself between her and the guard.
"What's going on?" Sergeant Quick Search asked, his two companions sharing his confusion.
"I said drop your disguise and identify yourself!" I barked, verbally too, this time.
The other guards figured out what was going on, and leveled their spears at the faux pony.
The changeling- having responded to my Weave command the first time, he had to be one- complied, and his disguise was stripped away in green flames. The changeling drone in the Royal Guard Armor stared at me in awe, jaw slackened.
"Your Highness, you're alive! I... this truly is a miracle!"
"Identify yourself, soldier!" I commanded once more, without the Weave.
"Infiltrator Spider, Your Highness. I was attached to the Fourth Legion, scouting out and cutting off communications ahead of the Swarm..."
"Fourth Legion," I said breathlessly. "That's impossible, they all exfiltrated out of Equestria successfully-"
I gasped in realization.
"I can take you to safety, My Prince," the changeling whispered. "Come with me."
"You're from the Fourth Hive."
He nodded, "I can get you out of here, just say the word."
'Back to Chrysalis?!'
I took a step back involuntarily, "The Fifth Hive stands with Equestria. Surrender, and you'll be integrated into it peacefully. I mean it, Infiltrator Spider. I can get you love rations immediately, you'll be better off with us than-"
The changeling sighed, "She warned us of this. The Queen said you were brainwashed, and it's becoming increasingly clear that that's the case. Don't worry, Saint Phasma, I'll save you."
"What-" I began to say.
I had only a moment to react to a shard of metal that flashed in the evening's light spilling through the window behind the changeling. I instantly brought up a shield in front of me, and a metal dart smacked into the shield and shattered. From the sheer size of the metal piece, it looked more like a speartip than anything else.
'Designed to puncture thick chitin,' I realized.
When I tore my eyes away from the dart, I saw the changeling starting to fly up, dodging spells and lunges from the Royal Guard, who, to their credit, reacted immediately. I watched helplessly as the changeling burst through the window behind him, a shield keeping the spellfire off his back. I was stunned by another realization, one that shook me to my core.
"King Phasma, are you okay?" Celestia asked, still behind me.
The heat I felt at the back of my neck had traveled throughout my body. Most frighteningly, I realized that it was in my mind. It was always there. Ever since I set hoof off the Clear Skies, it was there.
She was there.
Chrysalis's Weave was present in Canterlot.
Chrysalis is in Canterlot.
Somehow, the Fourth Hive had found a way past the encirclement and had managed to get all the way to the capital of Equestria. Once more, the city had been infiltrated- right up to the highest and most secure echelon, somehow.
'Our guard was down, and most of the guard presence was absent. The fucking Reactionaries and Red Right Hoof were gone, and the Legions slipped through the open door!'
I took a deep breath, and screamed at the top of my lungs.
"Winter Contingency! I repeat, Winter Contingency! Chrysalis is in Canterlot! Sound the alarms! Alert the Royal Guard! Evacuate the Hive's civilians! Make safe the city! To war! To war! To waaaaar!" |
Changing Expectations | 145- Gjallarhorn: When All Bells Toll | Arc 10: Ragnarok
Queen Chrysalis snorted in laughter. The drone laying prostrate before her didn't move.
"An entertaining joke," Chrysalis sneered, "but hardly a believable one."
"Your Majesty, I'm telling the truth," Cricket pleaded. "King Phasma did defeat Daybreaker. He just did it in a roundabout way, avoiding fighting her directly."
Chrysalis's muzzle scrunched up, "Hmmm. That is more believable. Prince Phasma was to me as I was to that alicorn: so pitifully weak that our efforts were laughable. He would not win in a fair fight, but he did learn to not fight fairly. Let's pretend for a moment that your hilarious tales are true. Is Canterlot in our control already? And how exactly did he defeat the greatest threat to our species?"
"Err..." Cricket mumbled. "He defeated Daybreaker by releasing Discord, the primeval destroyer, and used the ponies' greatest weapon to defeat them both, basically."
"Feh! If the Prince had released the anathema to civilization, we would have noticed, even deep in the Underhive. Tell me the truth, this time without the nymph's tale."
Cricket glanced at the other changeling in the room.
"The truth," The drone echoed, but said no more.
The drone was named Councilor Midge, and he represented the rest of the Fourth Hive in Cricket's interrogation.
"That is the truth," Cricket insisted.
"You can't pull the wool over my eyes that easily," Chrysalis sneered.
"Regardless of how Celestia was defeated," Midge interrupted, "can you confirm that Canterlot is in changeling hooves?"
Once again, Cricket stuttered and stalled, "W-well, uh, n-not exactly."
"Explain," Midge demanded.
"It's technically still under the rule of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. And Princess Cadence, too, technically. But she's always been more of a ruler in name only."
"Now that I can believe," Chrysalis snarled. "So Prince Phasma didn't defeat Celestia, and... what? He's their prisoner now? Puppet?"
Cricket shook her head, "No. He defeated Daybreaker, and now the ponies and changelings are working together. Peacefully."
"Ha!" Chrysalis barked. "Oh, that's a good one!"
"But it's the truth!" Cricket yelled. "Daybreaker was defeated, and Celestia is back! With Luna being involved with Phasma, they all gain through cooperation. For the last time, Daybreaker is a separate entity from Celestia!"
"Ah yes, Nightmares," Midge rolled his eyes. "The Council has dismissed that claim."
"You can't be serious."
"While it is true that Celestia had changed her appearance," Midge admitted, "the fact of the matter is that this is the first time we've ever seen her at war. She simply could have accessed a more powerful connection to her Cutie Mark."
"What a load of-"
"And," Midge continued, "at the end of the day, it does not matter. An alicorn is an alicorn."
"Except for the fact that Phasma saved Equestria, and thus put himself in their good graces," Cricket huffed.
"We don't believe in nymph's tales," Chrysalis hissed. "There are no Weave monsters, and there is no working with ponies."
"... The Council is in agreement with Queen Chrysalis. Cooperation with the ponies is completely illogical, and therefore impossible. Saint Phasma tried, and paid the price for his attempt. We will not make the same mistake. The entire Parliament unanimously voted to continue the war."
Queen Chrysalis smiled smugly at Cricket.
"We can't be friends with food. It simply isn't possible," Midge explained.
"Praetorian Thorax found a way," Cricket said. "He found a way that doesn't hurt ponies or require them to be podded. We've formed a mutually beneficial pact with the ponies. We can end the war peacefully!"
"No more nymph's tales," Midge growled. "Queen Chrysalis, it seems nothing more can be learned from this Infiltrator. Saint Phasma might be alive, but if he is, he has been brainwashed or mind controlled by the alicorns. As representative of the Council of the Fourth Hive, I demand his capture. The alicorns, we leave to you."
"We will begin Infiltration at once," Chrysalis announced. "The entire city, from the Palace to the slums. With the alicorns and the majority of the defenders located elsewhere, we can secure the city and lay a trap for them at the docks..."
Her voice trailed off as she left the room with Midge. Cricket was left alone with a hundred pink-tinted reflections of herself.
Cricket sighed, "Fuck."
Less than two days later, Queen Chrysalis was overseeing the infiltration. It had taken far too long for her taste; the paradoxical tyranny of her lessers had shackled the invasion plan.
Once the commands of a royal had moved mountains. Now, they seemed to be contested at every turn by drones who had been alive less than a century. It was taking all of Chrysalis's patience and manipulative skills to keep the drones supplicant and executing her plan.
But a price was to be paid. Everything was so behind schedule that Chrysalis was beginning to wonder if they would all be in position by the time that the ponies returned. The Beastmaster reported only delays, the Generals bickered over optimal Infiltrator placements, and the acquisition experts had been complaining since they had first set off into the Surface Tunnels.
Apparently, moving several thousand podded ponies through the Underhive was a difficult task. Who would have thought?
'That's why we left most of them behind. Idiots. All of them, idiots! Can't they see that this is our final chance? Our last attempt? Panar can only help us so much, the rest is up to us.'
But finally, things had been set in motion. The ball was rolling, and it wouldn't stop until the changelings were finally the dominant power over the entire surface, not ponies. Though there would be significantly less 'assets' acquired from the Surface Tunnels than Chrysalis would have liked, there were enough to get the job done.
By the end of today, the trap would be set.
The thought broke through the cloud of anger and frustration that had plagued Chrysalis since Eucharis's death.
Chrysalis grinned at her own reflection, "Don't worry, I'll get you back, too. I'll have the throne, the kingdom, the Prince, and the Chamberlain back. Even if I have to take one or two of them apart first.
"Oh, yes. We'll be doing this whole song and dance again, this time we'll suffer no betrayal from idealistic foolish sons. This time, we are united. As united as we can be..."
She admired herself in the pink crystal. Her chitin, once polished and gleaming, was covered in Knicks and healed cracks. Her hair was a mess, coated in a thin layer of dirt and blood. She was no longer the spitting image of a Queen. Instead, she was a disheveled warrior, gone through hell and back.
And a warrior was exactly what she had to be in order to defeat Princess Celestia, the will of the sun incarnate.
"Nneh..." She chuckled. "Nha! Heheh.... Ha ha! Haa hahahaha! Aaaaah-hahahaaahahaa!"
Chrysalis threw her head back as she cackled madly.
"Aahh.... No more cowering. No more hiding. Our day in the sun, as Panar promised."
She twirled a hoof through her hair, straightening out a few curls and knots.
"This day is going to be perfect!"
She rolled her shoulders, puffing out her chest and posing.
"The kind of day I've dreamed about since I was small!"
She picked up her jagged wedge of Seer Stone, twirling it and thrusting into invisible opponents.
"Every-"
Chrysalis's song was cut off when the sound of bells ringing echoed throughout the caves, making her cringe and drop her ad-hoc sword. The pink crystals hummed and vibrated in tune with the infernal ringing, making the whole thing ten times worse.
"But of course, I must fight for it every step of the way, don't I?" She growled to herself. Picking up her sword, she hurried out of her chamber and yelled, "Legate Pharynx! Make ready for war!"
Private Hard Tack was sitting down on a bench, watching the changelings and ponies drill.
The changelings had shown up earlier, and were running drills alongside the E.U.P. in the gym. Having finished his laps, Hard Tack was taking a breather between exercises, finishing his stretches while sitting down.
Currently, he was keeping himself amused by the display. The changelings were practicing getting in and out of their armor in a timed fashion, only they were all bad at it. None of them had any experience, and it showed. It was like watching the rookies flounder around like fish out of water back in basic.
Sadly, Tack's entertainment came to an end. The changelings finished their drill and dispersed into several smaller groups. Some continued exercising, others headed off into the palace.
A pair of the bugs sat down next to Tack on the bench.
"This seat taken?" One asked.
Tack shook his head, "Sit where you please."
"Thanks," the changeling said, leaning back and cradling his helmet in his hooves.
Tack had to admit, the changelings' new armor looked a bit strange, but fitting. It was a toned down version of their King's, much like the drones themselves. It suited them well. It was motifs and parallels all the way down.
"Eurgh, I tell you, this shit's gonna be the death of us," the changeling complained to his companion.
"Or it'll save our lives," the second changeling pointed out.
"Both," the first huffed. Slowly, the changeling took off his hefty metal armor, groaning the entire time.
'.... I should probably talk to these guys. It's the right thing to do. Princess said we should try to be friends with strangers, and these changelings sure are strange... Just gotta say hi....'
After an awkward pause, Tack asked, "Tough day?"
"Long day," the changeling answered. "Lots of running around, sitting and waiting, then more running. At least we got this armor out of it."
That confirmed Tack's suspicions: that the changelings had gotten the armor today, and that he hadn't spontaneously forgotten that the bugs had been wearing armor the entire time they were here in Canterlot.
"I'm Radius," the changeling announced, reaching out a hoof.
Tentatively, Tack met it with his own, "Hard Tack."
The changeling gestured next to him, "This is my brother, Ulna."
"Sup," Ulna said.
"Hey," Tack replied, increasingly unsure of what to do.
"So, uh..." Radius cleared his throat, "What do ponies talk about? Like, as friends or whatever?"
Tack shrugged, "Stuff? What do changelings talk about? Like, as friends or whatever?
Radius snorted, "We passed time by sharing stories of work back in the Fourth Hive. Ulna here was a... grower of plants, of sorts. I carried stuff from one place to another."
"And now you're both guards?" Tack asked. "That's quite the career change."
"Everyling's a soldier," Ulna said. "No exceptions. Even the Broodmothers received combat training, though they'd never leave the Hive."
"Huh," Tack grunted. "Dunno what a Broodmother is but that's... depressing. What if you didn't want to be a guard?"
"Not a guard, a soldier," Radius corrected him. "And it didn't matter what we wanted. We had to fight. I haven't heard of anyone trying to resist mandatory training, but I imagine that if they did, they'd... Err... Let's just say Chrysalis doesn't give second chances often, and someling refusing to fight for the Hive would be going against the grain too much..."
"Oh," Tack said.
Then he stared at the ground.
'Thank Harmony I'm not a changeling.'
"Did you... like your previous jobs?" Tack tried restarting the conversation.
Radius shook his head, and Ulna nodded. "Hard to like being a glorified cart," Radius complained. "Plus, we-"
Radius and several other changelings snapped their heads to look at one of the gym's walls.
"Someling's in trouble," Ulna grumbled.
"What? What're you all looking at?" Tack asked, trying to see.
"King Phasma's yelling at someone in that direction," Radius explained. "Whoever they are, they seemed to have made him furious..."
"Should we...?" Ulna let the question hang.
"No, there's several patrols close," Radius shook his head. "Right. What were we talking about?"
"Uh... nothing much," Tack said. "You uh... you guys play hoofball?"
Radius shared a look with his brother, "I've never heard of it."
Tack blinked, "Right. You, uh, want to play? It's a fun sport, and I was going to go play a match with some friends at the end of the hour. We're always looking for new ponies- err... players."
"That sounds like fun?" Radius said, uncertain. "I'm down, at least. Ulna?"
".... Sure," Ulna grunted.
"Great!" Tack beamed. "You know that field northeast of the garden's hedge maze? Game's going to be played there."
"I think I know the place," Ulna said.
"Sounds like we'll be there, then," Radius nodded. "Thanks for the invite. We were going to spend the afternoon leering at ponies through the palace's windows. This sounds more fun. We- Shit!" He yelled suddenly.
The changelings in the room all began yelling and rushing for the exit at the far side of the room.
Radius stumbled forward, off the bench, dropping his helmet as he did so. Awkwardly, he scooped it up in his magic and began hastily putting on his armor as he began to run across the room. Ulna followed him, one step behind and significantly more gracefully.
"What's going on now?!" Tack called out.
One changeling, in the middle of putting on his barrel plate, slowed momentarily to yell back, "War! We're going to war!"
Cursing to himself, Hard Tack followed in their hoofsteps, putting on his armor with far more success, and began the difficult process of tracking his Sergeant down in the growing crowd of Royal Guards and changeling soldiers at the exit.
Time Turner was enjoying a cup of coffee at his favorite Cafe in downtown Canterlot. He frequently visited the city to sell his crafted wares to the well off ponies of upper class society.
While he enjoyed the comforts of Ponyville, there simply wasn't the clientele required to run a full time business of clock making.
The clock tower above Estrella's Telescopes and Horseshoes began chiming loudly.
Frowning, Turner didn't even need to read the clock's face to know that the bells were early. Five P.M. was in seven minutes, not right now.
"Curious," he muttered.
"Something the matter?" His waitress asked. The pink pegasus was placing a menu in front of him.
Turner smiled at the mare, "There seems to be a rather excited colt ringing the bells early-"
Time Turner's ears flicked towards a new sound. The bell peals of Harmony Counseling had added themselves to the premature orchestra of bell chimes.
"Curiouser and curiouser," He muttered. "Two separate bell towers now. What could..."
Third Street Bank joined, the high pitched bells making his coffee ripple.
As the seconds passed, more and more bells joined in on the far too early choir: the Harmony Chapel's off Sunset Boulevard, then the one off Second Main Street, and then the Middle District's rang like a distant thunderstorm.
"Oh no," The waitress gasped, and Time Turner slowly rose from his seat.
The ponies in the street around the cafe had stopped and were all staring at the chiming clock tower's face.
It was still a minute early.
"What's..." Time trailed off.
One last set of bells finished off the city's performance. Turner had seen them from afar while walking around Canterlot- especially while visiting the central plaza, and had learned about them when he had taken a tour of Canterlot Castle. The Silent Seven. Seven massive bells, each five times bigger than a pony, sat in their own towers, encircling the palace like holy shrines. They had tolled only twice in Time Turner's lifetime, and while he wasn't in the city either time, he knew when and why they had rung.
The first was to commemorate the coronation of Princess Cadence, years ago. The city, no, the nation had celebrated the rise of the young alicorn. The bells had rung in celebration, announcing to the world that there was one more Princess of Equestria.
The second time was when the city burned. When the changelings had arrived and laid siege to the city, the bells had tolled and shook the city with their ferocious rings. Time Turner wasn't in Canterlot at the time, but he had heard their echos from all the way in Ponyville when they had begun to ring.
They did not ring during the Grand Galloping Gala. Had Princess Celestia been herself at the time- and therefore would have cared more for warning her ponies rather than keeping a semblance of control- and had the Royal Guard not been so thoroughly thrown into chaos, the Silent Seven would have most assuredly sung their deep, foreboding song during that night.
Now, today, they rang once more.
The faded-blue giants swung back and forth in their shrines, visible even from across the city. Their peals did not shake liquid, nor did their sounds echo. Instead, the ringing of the Silent Seven shook the very air of the city; the bells' enchantments assured that no one, nowhere, could avoid hearing them. They pierced any silencing enchantments that may be present in the city, and the distinctive booming setting them apart from any other noise anypony would have ever heard. They did not shake water, but instead commanded it to violently rip itself apart; the pools at the base of fountains and the streams gently rolling down the hills of Canterlot thrashed to and fro from the vibrations, sent into a tumultuous fury with each blow.
Time Turner felt the air in his lungs vibrate sympathetically.
"Bolt, get inside now!" One pony screeched, dragging Time Turner's stare away from the ringing gods.
The mare who broke the spell was leaning out a window, screaming at a small brown unicorn colt who was playing with a ball-and-cup in the street. The colt dropped the toy and rushed into a nearby doorway, slamming it shut behind him.
With the spell now broken, the ponies began to panic. Yelling, many dived through doorways, locking themselves into the nearest shelter. Others began galloping towards their homes in far-off corners of the city. The pink waitress called out for everypony to follow her inside, holding the door open to the cafe behind her. Time Turner staggered for the safety of the cafe, his head beginning to spin from the rising fear and anticipation that was spreading from pony to pony like an infectious disease.
As the door closed behind him, Time Turner caught a glimpse of Royal Guards, galloping as hard as their hooves could carry them to the Palace.
Canterlot would burn once more, and this time, Time Turner would be in the inferno.
Royal Guards followed the Infiltrator out the window, seeking to apprehend the intruder.
The loud ringing of bells began to fill the air, replacing the yelling of ponies.
"No, no, no, no," Celestia mumbled to herself. "This can't be happening. Not again. Not now!"
'Shit, this is a bad time for a PTSD episode!'
I spun on my hooves and picked up the smaller alicorn by her shoulders, "Princess Celestia! Now is the time for action, not panic! The Reactionaries- and Luna, Captain Shining Armor, and Cadence- are hours away! It falls to us to repel the invasion! Order the guard! Organize the defense! Rally! We cannot falter, and we cannot fail! Lives are at risk!"
"Yes, you're right!" She growled back, courage flowing back to her. "No ponies will be lost today! No Nightmare will rise! Together, we can end the war!"
Celestia had gotten her emotions back under control in an instant, the practice of thousands of years of dealing with leadership honing her razor-sharp focus like the edge of a blade.
'I can see why Luna was the war leader. Celestia needs someone to ground her and focus her first before she's ready to jump into action.'
I myself was panicking a bit, of course, but if I faltered, the Fifth Hive would die. Fighting on was the only course of action. I set her back down on the ground, and Celestia faced her captains, who were galloping back into the room from where they exited.
"Princess Celestia!" One of them called out as arrived.
"Ponies! The city is once again under attack! We must find out where the bulk of Queen Chrysalis's forces are, and challenge them! Protecting the civilians is our top priority, but finding the Queen is our second. If you find her, report the sighting to me at once. We cannot allow a repeat of last time. To your stations! Let the changelings of the Fourth Hive know that we will not be bested again so easily!"
The officers saluted, "Yes, Your Highness!" They barked in unison.
Then, they ran off.
Celestia watched them go, letting out a shaky breath. "I will find a secure place in the Palace to coordinate the defense," she told me. "I need you by my side. Chrysalis will try to find me again, I know it. If I am taken down, the defense will falter and fail."
"I have to evacuate the Fifth Hive's VIPs," I said, shaking my head. "She won't take prisoners, unlike when they defeat ponies. I need what few civilians I have to survive this."
"Can you find out where she is with your Weave-thing?"
"No. It's muted, though, so she isn't close...." I trailed off, thinking. "She could be in the Crystal Caves. It's still the perfect spot to stage an invasion. Trouble is, that knowledge is useless. There's no way we can clear out the caves and hold the city at the same time. When her presence gets stronger, when she arrives, I'll get back here to help defend. We'll combine our forces right now; changelings in armor will be friendlies, and they will be attached to Royal Guard squads to minimize confusion and improve our coordination. I gave Captain Katydid standing orders to do just that in contingencies like this one..."
Celestia nodded once, "Then get your evacuation done as soon as possible. I hate to tell you to abandon your drones, but-"
"You're not evacuating your civilians," I said. "I'm under no illusion that what I'm doing might be seen as abandoning any semblance of cooperation, and that it could do lasting damage. But losing my top echelon would be catastrophic. I'll get back as soon as possible, don't worry."
"Then we best get to kicking flank," Celestia said. "Raven! Where are you?! I need a suit of armor!"
'I'd better get Unbroken Radiance and God-Splitter, too,' I thought as I lifted off the ground and started to fly out of the throne room.
Thorax, Coxa, Lacewing, Captain Katydid, Double Diamond, and the rest of my top changelings were staging in the foyer of the palace. They stood to the sides of the room as Red Right Hoof and Royal Guards marched in and out of the room, both to get orders and their armor, and to leave to get to their assigned positions in the city.
Undoubtedly, the First Fang shared my concerns and superstitions about the room, as they were in a rushed panic. Captain Katydid and Coxa were barking orders to the dozens of changelings rushing in and out of the room. Since the changelings had been moved out of the Crystal Caves, everyling left in Canterlot was either integral to the running of the new kingdom, or was a soldier in the Red Right Hoof.
Sticking out from the flowing crowd of changelings like a cliff face against the crashing waves of the ocean was Lacewing. Hovering above the crowd, she was scanning all of the entrances, a task already being done by the Red Right Hoof guards on the outskirts of the room.
'Out of everyone, she's probably the most upset about being in this room again.'
Her eyes locked onto God-Splitter, which I had rested in between my shoulder and neck. Her eyes traced its shape down to me, and yelled to the others.
"Phasma!"
Many of the changelings stopped and turned to where she was pointing, some stepping out of the way for me. Royal Guards stopped briefly, but continued on their rushed deployments- and begrudgingly, the seconded Red Right Hoof soldiers followed them.
"Phasma, what the hell is going on?" Coxa yelled as I neared.
'Did I not make that clear?'
"The Fourth Hive is here. We must evacuate the Fifth Hive's command staff and get ready to end this war, once and for all," I announced, my voice carrying over the chorus of orders being barked, hooves marching on stone, and confused yelling.
"Shit, it's really happening," Coxa mumbled as I stopped in front of them.
"Are we gonna be... okay?" Thorax asked, nervously glancing around the room at the rushing guards.
Double Diamond gave Thorax a reassuring nod, but let me speak.
"You will be," I stated. "I want all three of you leading the evacuation. Get to Manehattan, and be prepared to coordinate with whoever becomes in charge of the Equestrians if Canterlot falls."
"If they take all of you out, what hope could we possibly have of winning?" Lace scoffed.
"More often than not, history is decided by the actions of one person. That person could be any one of us, or a nameless changeling drone, or even a pony. All you have to do is take out Chrysalis. Kill her if you can."
"If she kills you, that would make the Royal subspecies extinct," Captain Katydid pointed out, overhearing our conversation.
"Do it anyways," I ordered. "If Panar decides the Royals have outlived our usefulness, then so be it."
'More like I don't trust any other royal to be anything but a tyrant. Especially if they're Chrysalis's child. If I die, the drones'll be getting a democracy, whether they like it or not.'
"We're not abandoning you!" Lace declared.
"We're in this till the end," Thorax, of all people, agreed.
"Oh yes you will be, but this is not the end for you," I said. "The Fifth Hive does not die today. Coxa, you and Thorax are in charge of the Hive after today. This is non-negotiable. Now get ready to move out, the longer we stand in this gods-forsaken room, the more I am reminded of the death toll from our last fight with Chrysalis."
'Oestridae. Weevil. Captain Cicada. Every ling that gave their life in pursuit of a better tomorrow. I will not fail you. I shall not fail you.'
"I hate to say that you should leave your friends," Diamond said, awkwardly rubbing his neck, "But doesn't this seem kinda out of our league, Thorax? I, uh, I know I don't have a place here, and as much as I don't want to put myself above the other ponies in the city, if an out is being offered I'll take it."
"Don't worry, Phasma will be safe with us!" A pony declared from behind me.
Sergeant Search, Corporal Bray, and Private Dew had lined up behind me. Truth be told, I had forgotten about their presence when the Infiltrator tried to foalnap me.
They must have been standing to the side, letting the Royal Guards do their job while I talked with Celestia, and had followed me here.
"You three Phasma's friends from Hooferville?" Coxa asked.
"They are," Thorax confirmed while the ponies nodded.
"Introductions can wait," I said. "Right now, we need to move."
After a few more minutes, the last of Coxa's pencil pushers arrived from the far flung corners of the Palace, and we were ready to set out. Captain Katydid would stay behind and continue to help organize the collaborative defense forces from the Palace.
The First Fang continued to try to convince me to let them stay, but I had made up my mind, and now we were in the middle of a war zone. They knew better than to try to pick a fight with their commander while a battle was raging, or in this case, about to be waged.
With a few squads of Royal Guards who had yet to deploy, and a few squads of Red Right Hoof that were both attached to myself and the First Fang, we left the relative safety of Canterlot Castle and headed into the city.
Our destination was not the Clear Skies, docked in the Western docks, but instead the freight train station on the Eastern edge of the city, firmly seated within Lower Canterlot.
Chrysalis was bound to have measures against fleeing ponies, and was most certainly contesting all of the airship docks. So, the contingency plan was to commandeer one of the cargo trains. They would be far less defended than the passenger trains at Canterlot's main entrance.
We began marching through Canterlot. The streets were mostly clear, though abandoned carts and miscellanea often made themselves obstacles. The ringing of the bells had died away for the most part, leaving the city as silent as the dead. The marching of hooves on cobblestone echoed down the street as we went through the city.
'As dead as the towns we swept through during the initial invasion of Equestria...'
Occasionally, a patrol of Royal Guards crossed our path, or a civilian or two would dart across the street ahead of us. But for the most part, the city was as dead as Nisir. Around us, a general feeling of fear and confusion permeated through the air like a miasma or fog. It parted as we walked, sourceless and thin enough to forget that there were ponies in most of the buildings that we passed.
"You didn't put up a fight when the ponies said they'd fight by your side," Lace complained.
We were marching through an empty boulevard in Middle Canterlot, the general feeling of tension only building.
"The ponies won't be executed if the Fourth Hive gets their hooves on them," I stressed.
"This doesn't make any sense," Coxa said to himself. "The entire Badlands' border is guarded. How could the Fourth Hive have slipped through?"
"I don't think that matters anymore," Sergeant Search said. "They're here now."
The medians in the center of the road that overflowed with flowers abruptly came to an end as we passed into Lower Canterlot.
"Oestridae died by your side," Lace said, voice wavering. "You don't think we're not prepared to do the same? That we need to be coddled?"
"And I'm a Praetorian," Thorax pointed out. "I know how to hold my own in a fight."
"You're very brave," Diamond said. "And suicidal."
I sighed, "I need Coxa and Thorax to lead the Hive. Coxa knows how to run the Hive, and Thorax has the heart and vision to keep it on the right path."
"That's sweet," Thorax smiled.
"And me?" Lace asked.
"I dunno, you're kinda useless," I grinned. "If I let you stay, then there would be no way to convince Coxa to leave."
"Damn right," Coxa grunted. "I think leaving you is stupid, though. Our best chance at winning is hitting them with everything we've got."
"Which is why Luna, Cadence, Shining, and I will be hitting Chrysalis directly when they all show up. I need you guys out from under our hooves and somewhere safe."
The pointless argument continued until we reached the train yard.
The industrial sector had been even quieter than Upper and Middle Canterlot, right up until we started running into the pony patrols that were moving between the different perimeter sections of Canterlot's defenses.
A patrol was waiting on the main road, their defenses facing inward.
"Halt" A unicorn yelled at our formation. "No pony is to enter or leave Canterlot! The trains are closed! Go back to your homes at once!"
"Are you blind, or just daft?!" I yelled back, not slowing down. "I am King Phasmatodea of the Fifth Hive. Step aside, soldier, and let us through!"
The pony hesitated and then continued again, "Halt! No pony is to-"
"For Harmony's sake, step aside, Private!" A unicorn yelled from atop a building to the side of the entrance. "Even from up here I can see that they're not civilians! Move aside! You there, I will be down in a moment!"
With that, the unicorn's helmeted head vanished as she backed away from the edge of the roof.
"Keep moving," I ordered, and pointed to one of the trains laying in the yard. "Get that one up and running, that's your ticket out. It had three passenger cars, enough to carry everyone we were evacuating. Lace, get to decoupling the cargo cars. There's a connection between the last passenger car and the first of the cargo cars, remove that connection. Coxa, get the engine running, or find someone who can. Thorax, get any ponies on the train off of it without a fight, then make sure everyling's situated and accounted for."
I slowed to a halt, planting God-Splitter's head onto the ground and wrapping a hoof around the handle. The changelings passed me, but the Royal Guards and Red Right Hoof soldiers slowed, looking for directions.
"The Red Right Hoof attached to the command staff, secure the train," I ordered. "Royal Guards and the rest of the Red Right Hoof, stay with me. We'll head right back to the castle the moment that train leaves this yard."
The changelings and ponies nodded, and we waited as the unicorn officer finally exited the building.
"Right, Your Majesty- wait, where are they going?" She asked, staring at the changelings heading across the train tracks.
"We are evacuating the Fifth Hive's command staff out of the city," I said.
"Errr.... I've received no notice about this, King Phasma. My standing orders are to prevent anypony from entering or leaving the city. There simply is no safe way out, so your ponies- err, changelings, will have to shelter inside the city."
'This is exactly what I feared and planned for.'
"If the Fourth Hive captures my changelings, they will not be taking prisoners," I said to the pony, looking down at her. "I will not let my command staff be executed."
"What are they- you're commandeering a train?! All of our orders state that the city must be locked down! We can't let a panic start! The last thing the Guard needs is a stampede for the only exits, which can't even bring ponies out of the city in the chaos!"
I checked behind me. The streets were still completely empty, with every pony taking shelter inside. I could even see a few looking through windows at me.
"There doesn't seem to be a risk of that," I pointed out. "Princess Celestia authorized this evacuation. You gonna try to overrule her?"
The officer pawed at the ground nervously, "No. Just... get your command staff out of the city quickly. The engineers are taking shelter in that building over there, if you need them."
I blinked in surprise, "I didn't expect it to be this easy."
Bray flinched back, "Why would you say-?!"
An alarm bell started ringing.
"Contact!" Some pony screamed.
I facehooved, "I shouldn't have said that. I should not have said that!"
"That's the Northern flank!" The officer yelled, beginning to gallop away. "Interior defenses! Ponies, to me!"
"One squad reinforce the train's defenses. The rest of you, we're holding the line," I told my soldiers.
We ran after the Equestrian officer, heading for the Northern flank. The flank appeared to be a small road closed and barricaded, with the simple wooden beam gate reinforced with several cut logs, pulled from the yard.
Before we even made it halfway across the yard, the gate exploded. Splinters the size of ponies were sent hurtling into the ground and buildings around the entrance as a massive creature tore through the defenses as if they were wet paper.
Ponies scattered, leaping out of its path as it dove to the ground. The creature of a massive armored worm, the color of lapis lazuli. Its head was a spiked pit. Ringed with teeth the size of my whole body. Behind its smooth head, a mane of blood red quills jutted out, each as tall as a manticore.
The thing screeched as it quite literally carved a path of destruction through the yard, ripping apart train tracks like they weren't even there.
"What in Harmony's name is that?!" Sergeant Search yelled.
"I have no idea," I replied, readying my hammer.
"Tatzelwurm!" A changeling yelled from the forward group. They had only just reached the train.
"One of those, apparently. Anyone know how to kill it?" I asked as it slowly veered to a warehouse and plowed right through the buildings front façade.
'Apparently Chrysalis doesn't care about getting the city intact.'
"We have to sever the central nervous cluster!" A changeling yelled.
I examined the worm's segmented body, but there was no obvious weak point.
I yelled back, "Where's that?!"
"No clue!"
I noticed a group of pegasi flying evasive above the Tatzelwurm. Blue bolts streaked through their formation, and some swerved recklessly to avoid getting hit.
Tracing the bolts' firing arcs, I saw the Tatzelwurm rearing up and back over itself, before lunging forward and snapping a metal train engine in half. The magical bolts were being shot from a group of four Praetorians sitting at the back of the worm's mane, taking pot shots as they ducked in and out of cover. Curiously, their signature Praetorian helmets had a red stripe down the center.
More yelling drew our attention back to the shattered ad-hoc barricade. In the wake of the Tatzelwurm's fury, changeling Legionnaires had arrived, immediately putting pressure on the bewildered pony defenders.
"Put pressure on those loyalists! Don't let them get any farther! I'll keep that thing's attention away!" I ordered the soldiers.
With a yell of uncontained fury, I took to the skies, and charged the Tatzelwurm's head. The giant was rearing back once more, preparing to strike against another idle train. The evacuation's train was immediately behind the worm's target, and would almost certainly be destroyed in the worm's follow-through.
Errant spellfire dazzled and screeched through the air as the Second Invasion of Canterlot began in earnest; the two sides clashed, exchanging spellfire, but I could not spare even a single glance in their direction.
Instead, I put my faith in the drones and ponies to hold off the reinforcements as I focused on keeping the giant at bay.
Coxa leaned against the railing, yelling at the changelings rushing below on the platform.
"Worm, get that coal car loaded yesterday! Springtail, I want those love-crates loaded up in two minutes flat! Thorax, is everyling ready?!"
Thorax looked up at Coxa, "Other than everyone you're giving orders to, yes! Is the engine ready to go?"
Coxa kicked the barrel shape of the engine behind him, "We're getting the fuel topped off! Three minutes, and we're off!"
An explosion shook the train slightly. The groaning of metal overshadowed the yelling momentarily as a nearby train bent horribly.
'This fighting is getting far too close!'
Phasma was keeping the Tatzelwurm at bay, while the soldiers likewise kept the Fourth Hive busy. Still, both forces had limited ability to keep the enemy contained.
'We need to hurry this up.'
"Tibia! You got thirty seconds to get this train moving!" Coxa ordered, turning around to face the interior of the engine.
The beleaguered drone cringed, "I don't know what half of these levers even do! I-"
"Figure it out, or start guessing. This is no time for caution!" Coxa dismissed the drone's concerns. "Thirty seconds!"
"Coxa! I got ponies in the nearby warehouse asking what the Tartarus is going on. What should I tell them?!"
Coxa grunted and leaned back to address Thorax, "Ignore them, and get aboard! The rest of you lot, finish your tasks and hop on!"
"We've got at least another minute," a nearby drone said, staring past the engine's nose.
The drone was a Red Right Hoof Lieutenant, as indicated by the ad-hoc paint pattern on his pauldrons.
"We're going to be a big target, and I have no idea how fast we'll be going backwards," Coxa stressed, giving the train yard's exit a withered glare.
The train was facing inwards, towards Canterlot, with the carriage cars towards the exit. Lace had managed to decouple the freight cars and together with a couple of other drones, had pushed them onto another track. The pony engineer they had press-ganged into helping was hiding behind a junction box, watching Phasma duel the Tatzelwurm.
Coxa shook his head, "If only these ponies had turned the train around for us... No use crying over spilled love, we're moving now! Worm! The coal! That cart is the last load!"
"Aye, sir!"
With a deep breath, Coxa yelled, "All aboard! All aboard! Tibia, time's up! Move us out, now!"
'Anyling left behind can jump aboard, or fly to the train. We've got to go, and we've got to go now!'
The coal-dust-coated drone sighed heavily, "Here goes nothing."
Pulling levers and flicking switches, the drone got a reaction out of the engine. Spewing smoke as black as tar, the engine lurched suddenly, beginning to pull itself inwards, towards Canterlot.
"Reverse, damn it!" Coxa yelled.
A shard of lightning shattered the forward facing window next to him, forcing him to duck back into the cover of the engine compartment. Their movement had alerted the Fourth Hive of the train's operation status, and had just put a target on their front.
"Take us away from the fighting, Tibia! Away!" Coxa yelled, grabbing a shovel with his magic and beginning to shovel coal into the open furnace hatch.
"I'm fucking trying!" Tibia screeched back, desperately pulling an oversized lever back.
With another lurch, this time sending Coxa to the floor, the train halted. Then, it began backpedaling.
A piece of red hot stone embedded itself in the wall next to Coxa. The Red Right Hoof Lieutenant ducked inside, taking up position by the shattered window. Several shards of ice shattered against his armor.
"These Uttu-fodder really don't want us to leave," the soldier groaned as he lined up a shot.
"No shit!" Coxa moaned, scrambling back to his hooves and getting back to shoveling coal.
But they were leaving. Slowly, picking up more speed with each passing second, the train was backing out of the chaotic rail yard. Scorch marks now decorating the engine's hull, the evacuation was underway.
But up ahead, the outnumbered ponies and Red Right Hoof changelings were being forced to pull back. That meant there were more and more positions opening fire upon the train.
"Speaking of spiders-" The Red Right Hoof Lieutenant began to say, but a spear of ice as big as Coxa's foreleg rammed straight through the soldier's muzzle, impaling him to the back wall of the engine car with a sickening ripping sound and groan of metal. With no protective enchantments on the armor, a direct face shot was deadly.
"Fuck!" Coxa reeled back from shock.
Tibia screamed as Coxa recovered and took up the soldier's former spot behind the window.
'Ah. Spiders.'
Bounding across the battlefield from the shattered gate were five- no, six Great Uttu spiders. Riding atop their backs, changeling riders were guiding the monsters using reins, and were firing spells at the train and the wall above and around the exit.
"How did they manage to tame those?!" Coxa wondered, firing an Empowered Will laser bolt out the window, striking one of the riders and sending them flying off their saddle.
Though his main trade was leading the Hive, every changeling alive was a soldier in some way. Coxa had, of course, participated in the mandatory combat training, and had continued to drill with Phasma following the establishment of the Fifth Hive.
That shot was lucky, though.
The Uttu spider simply continued on its way, heedless of its rider's demise. The creature dodged to the left to avoid a followup shot, and began crawling across the front of a warehouse. It was distracted by an opened window, choosing instead to find something- or rather, someone to feast on inside.
The train was still picking up speed, and the rest of the Uttu were slowly failing to catch up. Coxa smiled as he saw the gray and brown spiked arachnids slow down. The train passed through the wall that rose above the yard's main exit, officially leaving the city. The evacuation was now on Canterhorn's mountainside, and the shrinking figures of the battle had an even harder time hitting them.
The metal under Coxa's hooves vibrated as the Tatzelwurm growled out a challenge. The beast made directly for the fleeing train, tearing apart the tracks in its unbridled fury.
Coxa knew that it's weak point was within its skull, but only a direct hit to the top of the skull would have a chance at piercing the bone. Given how the worm was testing, turning, rolling, and thrashing, such an attack was impossible.
He spied Phasma whacking the creature's head in ineffectively. God-Splitter was good against armor and magical armor, but the spell-resistant hide was perfect for taking blunt impacts. For all of the King's efforts, the worm was merely pushed aside or enraged, and nothing more.
"That thing's gaining on us!" Tibia yelled, looking out the front-facing window on the other side of the coal hatch. "What do we do?!"
"All we can do is push it!" Coxa growled in frustration. "Do you..." he trailed off when he looked at Tibia.
It was what was past Tibia that had stalled him. The open space between the engine car and the coal car held glimpses of the rolling forests and fields beyond Canterhorn Mountain. Slowly, an idea formed.
"If pushing it is all we can do, then that's exactly what we're going to do!" Coxa leaned out of the engine car and waved, "Phasma!"
Phasma didn't hear Coxa. He was too far away, and Coxa's cries were drowned out by the howling of wind and the steady chugga-chugga of the engine and wheels.
Frustrated, Coxa fired a volley of tiny magical missiles at Phasma. Most missed, but a few pinged off his magical armor, making him look around for the source. He caught sight of Coxa gesticulating madly towards the far side of the train.
Towards the cliff.
Phasma didn't nod, instead choosing flying away from the worm, towards the mountain.
'We won't have much time!'
"Alright, Tibia!" Coxa called out, bringing himself back inside the train. "Are we at full speed?!"
"Of course we are!" The distressed drone hissed.
"Good, then-"
Coxa and Tibia suddenly slammed into the front of the engine room, Tibia yelling in pain as he pulled a hindleg out of the open furnace. Pulling himself up, Coxa saw that the Tatzelwurm had not only caught up to the train, but had bitten into the front of it, holding on and not letting go.
"Remind me why we're escaping by train?!" He groaned.
"Because they're going to be watching the skies!" Tibia answered.
"That was rhetorical- nevermind, just hit that thing! We have to make it let go!"
Wrapping his hooves around a metal strut, Coxa held on as he tried to aim his horn at the head of the Tatzelwurm. The worm thrashed from side to side, jostling Coxa and keeping him from aiming. All the same, Coxa fired spells wildly. Focused will laser blasts, ice shard sprays, and a stray fireball did little to hurt the beast, but Coxa kept giving it his all. The beast did not let go. Instead, teeth crunched inwards, tearing deeper into the engine's nose.
Phasma, now nothing more than a blur, dived down the mountainside, no more than a meter above the steeply sloped surface. With God-Splitter extended in front of him, the Royal pulled out of the dive and leveled with the worm.
Not a second later, Phasma hit the Tatzelwurm. With such force, not even the beast's thick outer layer was invulnerable. A sickening crack accompanied a rather nauseating amount of give in the creature's side. The thing screeched in pain, the guttural sound left Coxa's ears ringing.
More importantly, the impact had pushed the worm. Before the hit, the worm was traveling along the tracks, ripping them apart as it rolled over them. Now, the Tatzelwurm was rolling, writhing, and spinning away, towards the mountain's cliff. The Praetorians that once clung to its back had either been thrown completely free, or were crushed into paste under its weight.
Phasma continued to push and hammer and roll the monster as much as he could, but it was his initial momentum that did all the work. The creature attempted to recapture its own momentum by wiggling around and squirming into the blast. The effort doomed it.
It might have slowed down before hitting the rails of the passenger lines, right before the cliff at the edge of the tail lines, but it's own efforts gave the worm the last nudge it needed to break past the rails and protective enchantments at the cliff's edge.
Coxa watched as the worm dropped from sight, its long body slowly following its head as it unwillingly dived off Canterhorn's legendary steep slope.
"Coxa! The engine!" Tibia yelled, pointing at the engine's wound.
The entire front third was an unrecognizable mesh of twisted metal and pouring smoke. The engine wheels were sparking and screeching around them as the engine had once more been knocked off its track.
"Decouple the car! There's no saving it this time!" Coxa ordered.
Even if they got the engine back on the rails, there was no way that its wheels would fit back on them in their condition. Point in case, one forward piston jutted out to the side, extended in and out of the train's dying engine.
When they decoupled the engine car, Coxa pulled the engine brakes with his magic. They watched as the engine car screeched and slowed, wheels failing to maintain grip and speed. It shuddered, and then derailed.
The wounded car slammed into the mountainside, metal meeting stone with a deafening crash.
The passenger cars continued to roll down the rails, aided by gravity in their descent.
"The evacuation is a success," Coxa muttered before remembering the unnamed soldier who was still pinned to the rear wall of the engine car. Now, they would be nothing more than a gory mess. "For a limited definition. Come on, Tibia. Let's go check in with Thorax and see who we lost..." |
Changing Expectations | 146- Fimbulwinter: When Brother Murders Brother | Luna threw the bulkhead open and strutted into the bridge. Cadence and Shining Armor followed her, not a second behind. Pegasi were flitting from console to console on the bridge deck as the ship's captain barked orders from her chair, overlooking the mess.
"Princess on deck!" The closest pony yelled.
"Princess," the captain greeted her, but didn't turn to address.
"We have heard this confounded tolling only once before, captain," Luna cringed. "Tell me this is not a repeat of before. Tell me that Canterlot is not under attack."
The blue mare in the captain's uniform turned her chair, "Canterlot is under attack. Our spotters can see signs of battle, even this far from the city."
Luna squinted and tried to see out the large curved windows. Canterhorn was far from their current place in the skies, yet its bells were still heard.
"How soon can we get there?" Shining asked.
"Within half an hour," the captain replied, turning away from them to look over her subordinates.
"The city might not hold for that long," Shining pointed out.
"No, it might not," the captain agreed.
"Is there any way to get there faster?" Cadence asked desperately. "We can't leave those ponies to fight alone!"
"No, we cannot. We've been on full burn towards the city since we first heard the Silent Seven," the captain said.
"Phasma," Luna whispered. "Phasma's there! And Celestia! They will hold until reinforcements arrive, of that I am sure of!"
"The changeling responsible for destroying Canterlot has to defend it? Great, we're saved," the captain rolled her eyes.
"You will hold your tongue, knave, if you know what is best for you!" Luna spat. "Phasma will hold the city, and I shall aid him! Captain Shining Armor, bring in the reinforcements down upon the Palace itself, or however close you can!"
Shining frowned, "Princess?"
"Equestria needs me. The Fifth Hive needs me. My friends and family need me- and this time, I will stand victorious! It will not be I who is laid low, but instead Queen Chrysalis!"
Deciding her destination to be an unprotected servant's corridor close to the Palace's armory, Luna charged a teleport spell.
"Bring the cavalry, Captain, bring the thunder! We shall hold them at bay!"
With a light blue flash, Luna teleported out of the moving airship, crossed miles in the span of an instant, and breached the anti-teleportation charms that protected the Palace. Such an act was easy to do once you knew the backdoor engrams, of course.
The train, what was left of it anyways, careened down Canterhorn's slope, following the winding track as it took the changelings away from the city.
"Panar watch over you all," I said, turning back to the train yard.
Errant spellfire and swooping pegasi were visible above the compound, and through the open votes, I could see the battle being waged.
'The war has started. It has truly started!'
I felt a vibration across my belly and saw a shower of sparks cascade around the thin green protective shield around my armor. Down below, two Praetorians were throwing ineffective lightning bolts at me.
"As High Marshall of the Swarm, I command you to stop!" I bellowed.
A warm bath of flames enveloped my body as a Fireball hit me square in the chest.
'Well it was worth a shot.'
Spinning God-Splitter around, I swung the spiked end at the suicidal drones.
Half a minute later, the Praetorians were on the ground, and combat-ineffective. One was laying unmoving on the ground, still alive, and the other was rolling back and forth, clutching a bloody stump of a leg, howling in pain. Also alive.
Rather than bound them or otherwise make sure that they stay alive, I chose to fly straight back to the train yard. The thirty seconds it took to dispatch the two agile Praetorians was already a significant delay.
When I arrived, I took stock of the battlefield. The Fifth Hive and friends were pushed almost all the way to the perimeter wall. Those giant alien spiders I saw briefly chasing the train were all taken out, but they had dealt some damage to the defenders. Most ponies and changelings were still standing, but I spied a few prone bodies on the ground well past our defenses. The Fourth Hive had also been taking some casualties, with a number of unarmored drones scattered across their lines.
'Maybe it'll work this time.'
Flying up, I took to their air above the battle, flying out about ten hooves above the ground and well past our lines. Spells impacted my armor, throwing up a shower of sparks, fire, ice, and all around making it hard to see.
I tried to keep an eye out for any cooperative spell casting, as they would actually make me worry for my defenses, but otherwise I let Unbroken Radiance soak up the pitiful attacks. I had avoided using any more Weave commands following the initial warning, as distracting my troops was the last thing I wanted to do. The fact that the enemy changelings would hear anything I said further limited any use I would have of the broadcasting system, but now I decided to use it once more.
"Changelings of the Fourth Hive," I bellowed aloud and in the Weave, "This is High Marshall King Phasmatodea. I ordered you to cease fighting. Queen Chrysalis has failed the Hive Eternal. I have not! A new love harvesting method has been found, eliminating the need for war. Surrender, and you will never know hunger again!"
The attacks lessened, then gradually stopped. The drones looked up to me, confused. I could see them talking amongst themselves. However, a few drones were hellbent on killing me. Of course, they were wearing Praetorian helmets.
'Dogmatic imbeciles,' I frowned as I reflected a lightning bolt away from me.
"Hear me now!" I yelled. "I offer the future! In time, we can end the rationing system! We can feast! Food for everyling!"
All my effort in convincing the changelings was undone by just a hoofful of individuals. Praetorians, scattered throughout the formations like commissars, formed what seemed to me like the counter push against my influence. They were not unchecked, as many changelings bickering and argued against them, but enough changelings listened to their overlords enough to resume their attacks.
Most troublingly, they were all beginning to use cooperative spell casting.
Just as I brought up a thick shield around myself, the Fourth Hive forces turned on each other. Squads began ripping into each other with stunning spells- and Praetorians were literally swarmed by the unarmored drones. A full half of the Fourth Hive had defected to me, with many more still loudly arguing and not fighting.
"Fifth Hive, take down the loyalists! Guide the ponies! Target the Praetorians!" I yelled an order to the Canterlot defenders behind me.
Then, I surged forward, setting my sight on the thickest group of fighting changelings.
"To the King!" I heard Sergeant Quick Search yell as he led a charge out from our lines of defense.
'Hope he doesn't start hitting separatist changelings.'
A lance of green energy, so hot and bright that nearly blinded me, slammed into the forward section of my shield. I felt the strain against my horn as I shrugged off the powerful attack. The strain felt like someone lightly tapping my horn.
"Those bastards are using my Weave to coordinate their spell casting!" I growled in realization.
I could 'sense' them casting, for lack of a better word. It was an unearthly, alien sensation, like seeing someone talking behind you and hearing what they were saying without actually hearing or seeing them. The Fourth Hive was using my own Weave against me, and there was nothing I could do about it.
Nothing I could do.... except crashing straight into their positions, sending them flying. Chunks of stone and metal flew through the air as I slammed God-Splitter into the ground when I landed, ripping apart the ground around me and throwing everyling up into the air or down onto the ground. The changelings yelled in panic as I literally threw them into disarray. Following up my hammer strike with a barrage of stunning spells, I took out the entire position by the time that the Canterlot Confederation defenders caught up.
At that point, the battle went from being chaotic to being a mess without any semblance of order.
After an initial confused clash, the ponies withdrew and coalesced around groups of Red Right Hoof soldiers, who gladly picked out targets for them. Other Red Right Hoof soldiers jumped straight into the thick of the fighting, going after the Praetorians and any normal changeling drone that shot spells their way.
The drones of the Fourth Hive fought each other, fought the Praetorians, fought the Red Right Hoof, and some foolishly challenged myself. Other than the R.R.H. and the Praetorians, there was no way to distinguish friend from foe.
I simply swung God-Splitter at the suicidal drones who tried to take me down personally. An upward swing sent one flying up and away. A backhoof blow smashed another into the ground. A well placed stunning shot from Private Warm Dew behind me brought low a Praetorian who had snuck up behind me. Three downed foes became six, which grew to ten, and I lost count from there.
I put all my focus on using less-lethal tactics to end the battle as quickly as I could. Sometimes, the drones facing me would lose a limb, or more frequently, have one bent in the completely wrong direction. Others were hammered into the ground, chitin cracking as the air was driven from their lungs.
Swing, spell, swing, spell. Flowing from one attack form to the other, I kept Praetorians at bay with a flash of fire, and then swept them off their hooves with a long, low swing from God-Splitter.
Swing, spell, swing, spell. A shield brought up and discarded in a second as six Praetorians combined their might to summon a beam of hellfire, a dirty blood-red color. I sensed it being cast a moment before they fired it off, and followed my shield with three bursts of Nebula's Noxious Gas, taught to me by Corporal Bray Call months ago to subdue fleeing suspects. The Praetorians fell to their knees, coughing, heaving, and choking.
Swing, spell, swing, spell. Ponies right at my back, making sure that anyone I brought down stayed down. Sometimes, a spell meant for me missed, or a spell meant for them shot accurately. Sometimes, I was able to stop those spells. More often than not, they hit the changelings and ponies following in my wake. Many that actually hit me were deflected or absorbed by Unbroken Radiance. None penetrated the armor, nor its powerful shield.
Swing, spell, swing, swing, swing....
The last Praetorian gasped in my grip. Her wings buzzed but could not free her. I threw her onto the ground hard, her helmet flew away. She gasped in pain and coughed. Slowly, I pressed a leg down onto her chest, drawing out a grunt of pain from the Praetorian.
The train yard skirmish was won. Not the battle for Canterlot, just this small clash.
It didn't end suddenly, with the last changelings throwing up their hooves in surrender, for there were quite a few that were determined to go down fighting. Those stubborn soldiers had gravitated towards me, attempting to take me down personally.
"The Lodges must well and truly be dead," I panted, suddenly realizing that I was out of breath, staring at the Praetorian beneath my hoof.
"Saint Phasmatodea!"
A bloody changeling, one eye closed as blood trickled down across her eyelid from a crack above the eye, hobbled over to me. Many more drones began to gather around, fervently whispering to each other.
"It's you. It really is you, Your Highness!"
"I should hope that I'm me," I said. "If I wasn't me, who would I be?"
"Yeah that's him alright," a drone in the crowd confirmed.
A changeling took away the Praetorian still struggling beneath me, her indignant cries of anger and pain faded away as the crowd gathered close. I towered above them all, looking around at the beaten-up changelings.
"Saint Phasma," the squinting drone dropped into a painful bow, cringing and whimpering. "They told us that you were dead. Or worse, that you were captured and brainwashed!"
I blinked, "How are... how are the Legions? And where did you all come from? And why are you calling me a Saint?!"
"First thing he asks about is us," a changeling elbowed the one next to him. "What did I say? I knew the Council was full of shit!"
"We're all fine, My Prince," the bowed changeling said. "The Center Swarm took the only losses, and the rest of us only started losing drones when we were clearing the Surface Tunnels."
"Surface Tunnels?! You went through the Underhive?!" I gasped.
'That's how they circumvented the encirclement! They went right underneath it, putting them right at-'
"Yes, Saint Phasma. We went through the Surface Tunnels, all the way to the Crystal Caves."
I reared back, "The Caves!" I hissed. "Right through the city's defenses, all over again! I.... It's a damn good thing we left those caves, or else there would have been a bloodbath! But it is good to see you all. Even better to hear that things haven't been circling the drain for the drones of the Fourth Hive...."
I looked around at the changelings. There were plenty of fresh injuries, but now I picked out the old ones. The thin, faded lines across chitin. The limping and sagging. The tiredness.
"See to the injured," I ordered everyone listening. "Make sure no one dies, not even the Praetorians. When you're done, secure the prisoners. Then, the rest of you, get to Canterlot Castle, to the Palace. That is where we will stage our counterattack and bring down Chrysalis, once and for all."
The Red Right Hoof soldiers nodded and started carrying out my orders, but the Fourth Hive drones wavered.
The bowing one rose, "Saint Phasma.... How did you survive? How did you get love from the ponies? How are you...?"
"Luck, mostly," I admitted. "I teleported out of Canterlot after my duel with Chrysalis, badly mutilated but alive. Praetorian Thorax found a way to get love without injuring ponies, and the ponies approached me first with an offer of friendship. Princess Luna of Equestria... There'll be time for the full story later. First, we must end this war. There's so much to do, we can ill afford any more death. And the Saint thing?"
The changeling sighed, "You mean more to us than you realize. Saint Phasmatodea The Comet, who arrived, who cared for the drones and put everything he had into fighting for the Hive, who then left suddenly. It's... it's good to see you're alive, sir."
"Come now, there's nothing revolutionary about caring for the drones of the Hive," I said, fully aware that a revolution would be about exactly that. "You're all people, just like me. We all stand equal before Panar in the end. Trust me, I would know about that."
Legate Pharynx watched the Fourth Hive surge forth around him. The first wave, mounted on Uttu spiders, clambered over rooftops and across the empty thoroughfares of the city. The second wave followed shortly after, taking to the skies and galloping across the cobblestones.
The civilians were all hiding away in the buildings, the scouts discovered, and that suited Legate Pharynx just fine. The food kept themselves out from underhoof, and while it would take a while to drag them out of every home and business, it was something that could be done after the city was secured.
It was the Royal Guard and armored changelings giving Legate Pharynx a headache. With the majority of them located on the city's outer defenses, the initial waves swept through Middle Canterlot without trouble. The fools hadn't posted many guards at the mountain's side, instead relying on Canterhorn's bulwark to shield them from attack. The Fourth Hive had initially come from outside the city, not underneath, so that's what the ponies expected.
The Hive's advance into Canterlot was eventually checked by a combined force of ponies and changelings. Such a thing sent a chill up Pharynx's spine.
'Just what has the Alicorn Of The Sun done to our brothers and sisters? To make them fight against their own survival... They may be broken beyond hope of healing!'
The combined forces had stumbled upon the forward scouts. Uttu riders were brought down, alarms were raised and signals sent, but more patrols fell than fled. The ones that fought had fought well. Not well enough by Pharynx's standards, but for ponies and tortured changelings, they were okay.
Pharynx sighed as he watched a Royal Guard patrol get overrun. They were nearing the central plaza of the city, and had come up against tougher and tougher resistance. This was not the clean sweep that was supposed to happen.
Pharynx, as the greatest warrior of the Fourth Hive, commanded from the front, like any decent commander should. The patrol that he was taking on in particular was a nuisance of epic proportions. The three pegasi, five unicorns, and two armored changeling traitors had been running a hit and run campaign on the Swarm's exposed left flank for the past ten minutes.
So Pharynx sought to deal with the situation himself. Let the Generals and Commander Scorpion head the offensive for the Palace, Pharynx was looking for something to fight. With four Praetorians at his back, he had waited for the resistance to show themselves one more time, after having set up a baited trap to lure the ponies out; a juicy target of twelve changeling drones on hoof with no mounted or artillery support. He didn't have to wait long.
When the trap was sprung, the unicorns went down first. The changelings shortly after. It was, surprisingly enough, the pegasi that had delayed Pharynx the most. They had taken to the air and refused to come down, instead performing evasive maneuvers as they fired crossbow bolts at Pharynx and his lings.
"At least give me a fight worth remembering if you're going to stall me," Pharynx moaned as he brought one of the pegasi down with a focused will blast that left a cloud of burnt feathers in the air.
"Be careful what you wish for-" Pharynx spun around, already bringing up a shield "- because you just might get it."
'I know that voice!'
It was him, the bastard who killed his brother.
The murderer was alive, he was here, and he was not alone.
Prince Phasmatodea, twice as tall he should be, covered in Adamantium armor, and wielding that Panar-forsaken chunk of metal he called a hammer. Behind the Prince, scores of ponies and changelings- both armored and not- lined up in battle formation, already bringing up defensive shields.
"You!" Pharynx hissed.
"Me," the Prince grinned. "So happy to see you again, Praetorian Pharynx. When was the last time we chatted? All the way back in the main hive spire? I can say without sarcasm that I'm glad to see you in good health. I could give you the fight you're pining for, but I'm a rather busy ling. If you could just surrender, that'd be lovely."
"It's Legate Pharynx now. I'm in charge of the Swarm since you're supposed to be dead. But I'm so glad to hear that you're alive," Pharynx said with faux cheer. "I was so worried that I wouldn't have the chance to kill you myself!"
"Now why would you want to do that?"
"You killed my brother!" Pharynx screeched. "I trusted you. Thorax's life was in your hooves, and you tossed him to the wolves! You knew him for less than half a year, and he died because of you!"
Prince Phasma rolled his eyes, "Thorax lives. He's the one who discovered-"
"No! Enough of your bullshit! I didn't buy it back then, and I'm certainly not buying it now!"
The royal frowned, "He's alive, Pharynx. I care about him as much as you do, even if I've known him for less than a year now."
"Oh yeah? Then where is he?"
Prince Phasma's muzzle twitched, "..... I sent him away from Canterlot by train."
"Oh, how convenient!" Pharynx hissed.
"If I die, he's one of the two changelings who takes over the Fifth Hive. You think I would keep him here, in Canterlot, while it's being invaded? Wouldn't you have evacuated him, too?"
Pharynx bared his fangs, "Every time you claim he lives, you also fail to prove it! You think I'm a fool?! The Queen wanted you back, but she said she can work with you being dead if need be. I'm sure she won't mind getting you back in several pieces. After all, that was her original plan. I'm going to kill you, Prince Phasma! Here and now, you will die!"
"I'm sorry I can't think of a way to prove he's alive. You'll see him soon, Pharynx," Prince Phasma sighed as he hefted God-Splitter up and brandished it in front of him.
Both sides stood back as Pharynx and Prince Phasma slowly paced in a circle, keeping each other at the same distance. The soldiers gave the two plenty of space, and formed shield walls as they stared each other down, neither letting the other pass.
'Good. If any drone or pony interrupted my revenge, I'd hack 'em to pieces, then get Queen Chrysalis to revive Phasma so I can tear him apart fairly.'
Phasma's horn flashed a bright orange. That was the only warning Pharynx got before a powerful concussive wave of force knocked him off his hooves. Pharynx flexed his wings, catching the cold late-autumn wind and right himself mid-air. He also charged up a tight focused will spell, one to pierce the oversized insect's armor.
But Phasma followed up his spell with a swing from God-Splitter. Pharynx had to throw himself to the side, buzzing his wings rapidly, to avoid the blow. The spell's energy faded away as Pharynx's concentration was broken.
'Need to get in close-' Pharynx decided in a split second.
Phasma recalled his hammer as he summoned another spell. Pharynx twisted around, planting his hind hooves on the bottom of the hammer's head just before it wooshed past him. Phasma gasped in surprise, raising an armored hoof to physically stop Pharynx's inevitable attack.
Pharynx did not disappoint the Prince. A smooth blade of fire crashed against the armored hoof, revealing the Prince's shield. A thin green barrier enveloped his entire body, protecting him from all attacks.
Pharynx grunted and dodged low, using his remaining momentum to roll underneath Phasma's guard and out to his side. He brought up another focused will spell, seeing if he could pierce the shield with a strong enough concentrated blow.
Phasma gripped God-Splitter with two hooves and swung in a huge arc, starting at his far side, and ending right on top of Pharynx. Before the blow was even a third of the way through, Pharynx unleashed his laser beam, aiming right for Phasma's right eye.
The shield glowed into being once more, this time a near opaque green.
'Better, but not enough.'
Pharynx pushed off the ground, lunging backwards to avoid the hammer blow that would have cracked his carapace in half.
"Sending me to see Thorax in the afterlife?" Pharynx grunted.
'I need to stall, to come up with a plan.'
Another flash of orange. Pharynx reacted with a slanted shield to let the blow roll over and off him, but his shield didn't stop Phasma's spell. A blinding white light left spots in Pharynx's vision as he cringed and blinked rapidly.
He rolled to the side and fired a volley of fire bolts, if only to keep Phasma busy. The rush of air from where he once stood indicated another missed lunge from God-Splitter.
'Throw him off balance. Yes, get him emotional and hot-headed. He's still a novice. A novice with the power to level a mountain and a hammer powerful enough to kill a demi-god, but he's still a novice.'
"You know, Praetorian Oestridae gave me a good fight," Pharynx said. "Right up until I killed him."
A pause.
Pharynx regained his vision and lunged towards the briefly stunned Prince. He rolled to one side, then another, dodging blows that never came.
Phasma shook his head, refocusing, but Pharynx was already upon him, sliding underneath the massive royal. A scythe blade of pure energy, sharpened to a point too small and fine to see with the naked eye, slashed into Phasma's exposed knees.
The green shield took the blow, glowed brighter and brighter, and outlasted Pharynx's scythe. Pharynx slid out the other side, and surged to his hooves- but a tightening grip yanked him backwards.
Pharynx flipped himself over, gasping in pain as he saw Phasma pick him up by his chest. To grab someone using telekinesis was a difficult thing, requiring power far exceeding a normal drone's. In fact, the bigger manapool someone has, the harder and more costly it was to grab them telekinetically. The amount of power Phasma had to be expending-
'Power-!'
Pharynx gasped as he was picked up and slammed down onto the cobblestone street. The act jostled the thoughts right out of his mind.
Then he was slammed down again.
And again.
And again.
Finally, the pressure around his chest released, but the world kept spinning. Pharynx turned his head to the side and dry heaved, failing to even empty the contents of his stomach. The world was spinning, his ears were ringing, and his whole body hurt.
He heaved and gasped, trying desperately to not be sick and to get up to his hooves, but something pressed down on his chest, forcing him into the mess of rock fragments and broken cobblestones
"I was willing to accept a delay from fighting you, Pharynx," a voice whispered next to his head. "But now, you will speak. You will tell me everything about Oestridae.
The Praetorian coughed, wheezed, and gagged as he forced air back into his tortured lungs.
Then, he looked up at me with one eye. I could practically see his frustration and anger, welling up inside his completely featureless pupil. He snarled, baring his fangs in a challenge he could not keep up.
Pharynx was powerless, and even he knew it.
My horn stung from the overuse. I had paid a price to capture the wryly changeling before he could keep up the tiresome fight. The fact that he kept closing in close enough to my guard to make God-Splitter useless was something I would have to address in the future. Now though, I wanted answers. I needed answers.
"Tell me about Praetorian Oestridae," I commanded once more, growling into his ear. "Tell me, or I will make you tell me. I don't want to have to apologize to Thorax for turning you into a vegetable. Tell. Me. Now!"
Pharynx turned his head to look at me fully, grinning. His teeth were speckled with blood.
"Ngh.... I... killed him. On that day. Just like this. Him and me. Me and him. Noling else. He didn't land a single hit on me..." Pharynx paused. The grin slowly slipped from his face, ".... No. He deserves respect, I 'spose. More than you. He held me back. Delayed. Never really fighting. Good warrior. Better warrior. Yes... Better than me. You didn't deserve his loyalty, you murderer!"
I lifted my hoof off his chest, "He didn't hurt you?"
"No," Pharynx snarled. "He died gloriously. He never fought back, said I... was a member of the First Fang. As if I would dare be a member of your..."
"Honorary member," I mumbled.
"Better than you," Pharynx hissed. "Coulda made the best Praetorian in ages... Wasted."
"Even dead, Oestridae proves himself to be one of the greatest of us all," I agreed.
I looked down at the bruised changeling in disgust. Not at him, but at myself.
'Oestridae didn't fight back... He... he... damn it all! He remembered what Thorax said about his brother, and he kept it to heart. And here I am, crushing an Honorary Member like they were a damn beetle against a sidewalk.'
"Damn you Oest," I cursed. "Why'd you have to die..." I nearly fell back onto my haunches, but I still had a job to do. "Canterlot's in danger," I said to myself, "have to keep going..."
I was still on a timetable. Chrysalis was in the Crystal Caverns, and could pop out anywhere in the city, at any point. There was no point trying to hunt her down, for we both had the same destination: Princess Celestia.
I stood up straight, "Legate Pharynx! You are hereby relieved of duty, by order of the Crown! Changelings, make sure this prisoner is bound up tightly, and keep watch on him. We're moving out."
The changelings behind me nodded once, accepting my orders. The group of Praetorians and drones that stood across from us glared at me.
"I'm not your prisoner!" Pharynx hissed up at me.
'I mean, you don't have a choice in the matter, but maybe there's a way to convince you...'
"Pharynx, I... I don't know how to prove to you that Thorax is alive, but he is," I shook my head. "I owe everything to him. I didn't kill him, damn it! I promise! I give my word! I... what can I do to prove it?!"
He glared at me, eyes boring a hole into my skull. Or they would, if I thought of him as threatening.
"... His voice."
"What?"
Pharynx smiled, "His voice. Mimic it. Transform your vocal chords, and mimic it. If he's been dead, you'll fail to get his voice correctly, your memory failing to get it perfect. I'm his brother, I know his voice like I know the back of my hoof. If he's alive, if you talked to him today, then you'll remember exactly how his voice sounds. Mimic it."
I raised my eyebrows, "I suppose that works. Why didn't you say that earlier?"
His voice waver, "I never believed you. I never believed he could still be alive... so I didn't think of any way to prove it. Mimic it, or kill me before I kill you."
I thought back to my last conversation with Thorax. I cleared my throat, grabbed the Thread of Change and adjusted my voice unconsciously.
Then, I cleared my throat again- higher pitched, and said, "I'm a Praetorian, I can hold my own in a fight. I'm also a flambouently gay cuddle-bug who can end wars with a smile."
Pharynx froze, "... That... that sounds like his voice. The first sentence, at least."
I undid the transformation, thankful to have my own voice back, "I may have added onto what he said. He might have only said the second thing subliminally..."
He sighed, "The wise thing to do is to kill you and find out for myself if he's alive. But... but... I just want my brother back. If accepting your offer of peace to see him again sooner makes me a fool, well then, I'd rather be a fool than victorious any day of the week."
"I'm telling you, he's alive. I give you my word, and all that."
He scoffed, slowly flipping over and haltingly rising up to all fours.
"Your word doesn't mean much after you betrayed Queen Chrysalis."
"She betrayed me first!" I bristled. "Planning to lobotomize me the moment she didn't need me, how could I ever remain loyal?!"
"She was planning no such thing," Pharynx shook his head. "In fact, I think she was hoping to saddle you with the majority of post-conquer responsibilities, while she sat around all day, eating love and performing magical experiments."
"You didn't see what I saw."
"Hmph. So, are you still going to bind me up?"
I didn't really see the need, ".... No. Just don't do anything stupid, and stay away from the front lines. Lings, ponies! We're moving out!"
While my soldiers gave out a triumphant cheer, the Praetorians that blocked our way didn't budge.
"Sir?" One of them looked to Pharynx for orders.
"... You really found a way to get love from ponies willingly?" Pharynx asked.
I scowled, "No. Thorax did. I'm not stealing that legacy from him- in fact, he's the one who deserves to be called a Saint, not me."
"On that, we can agree." |
Changing Expectations | 147- Valhalla: Where All Gods Gather | "Phasma left me in charge, right?"
Coxa and Lace stared at Thorax.
"Us," Coxa said. "Phasma left us in charge."
Thorax nodded, "Well, who's to say that our first orders aren't to turn around?"
"What?" Lace asked.
"I mean, why don't we just go back? We're in charge now, why can't we just give new orders?"
"Thorax," Coxa began to say, "we can't just countermand Phasma's last orders."
"Why not?"
"Because! That's... you can't! His right to rule is more absolute than ours, for starters. Countermanding his last order is insulting him to the highest degree, second, and-"
Thorax snorted, "Well I am. I'm going back. Phasma will not be fighting Chrysalis, not without me. I wasn't there last time, but I will be here this time. Friends stick together, no matter what the odds are. We're more than friends, aren't we? Isn't the First Fang supposed to be more than that?"
Coxa shared a look with Lace.
Thorax continued, "It may... I might die if I go back. But I'd rather die than live with abandoning my best friend. I'm sorry, but I have to go."
"Thorax," Lace sighed, "you're a suicidal fool. But I wouldn't miss this fight for the world. You're not going without us. The First Fang sticks together. Until the end."
"Until the end," Coxa nodded. "But it's not going to be the end for us. I followed Phasma's last evacuation order, but maybe if I was there, Oest would still be alive. Probably not, but maybe."
Thorax smiled, and sniffled, "Until the end. Should we, uh, tell anyone else on the train?"
'Double Diamond will want to know. He deserves to know. But if I tell him, would he try to stop us?'
"No," Coxa shook his head. "I'll leave a message for my second in command, but we should leave before anyone tries to stop us."
'Oh. I guess I'll have to see Diamond after the war ends... I hope he can forgive me.'
Thorax swallowed, "Okay. Then let's go now, before we change our minds."
Princess Luna forced back a squad of changelings, her purple-colored bladestorm spell scattering them as they ducked for cover.
'This Palace has too many damn entrances and egresses!' Luna cursed to herself.
The luxurious castle had not been designed with defense in mind. The fact that the outer defenses had held on for so long was due to three main things.
First, the clearing around the castle. While it served as the main hub for local commerce, it doubled as a clearing around the castle which besiegers could not advance through without exposing themselves.
It's a shame that many changelings had infiltrated into the castle already, and were reinforcing through unknown methods.
Second, the defenses present were the best that bits could buy. Though the overall defenses were lacking, the ones present had mastercrafted enchantments, architecture, placement, and so on. In fact, the Sun Princess had, in all likelihood, added to the defenses herself, or had at least trained the skilled enchanters to a far greater level than they would have achieved on their own. The defenses' effectiveness was not to be doubted.
Third, the castle was renovated by Daybreaker herself. The Nightmare had poured mind-boggling amounts of money into fixing up the castle following the invasion, and it had put emphasis on exterior defenses. Sadly, nothing was done for the interior.
All these points in the Palace's favor were heavily outweighed by the negatives. The defenses, while of the highest quality, were far too few in number. There weren't enough firing positions to cover all angles from the walls, there were far too many entrances, many of the entrances were too large to be structurally impregnable, there weren't enough launch points for pegasi squads, there weren't enough sky-facing defensive emplacements, and the interior was... the interior. It lacked any sort of defensive design.
There were massive, undetectable corridors that ran through the castle like arteries. There were secondary, sometimes even tertiary, hallways that would have to be sealed or defended in addition to the main halls. There were no layers of defenses, none at all. There were no choke points or firing positions. The entire thing was designed with bureaucracy and stewardship in mind, not fulfilling a castle's main purpose.
There were even Faust-damn elevators connecting many of the floors! Personnel elevators, cargo elevators, and more! Changelings could simply fly up the elevator shafts, giving themselves access to so many interior compartments of the Palace.
Daybreaker had not touched the interior, aside from the decor. Luna suspected that the Nightmare had believed that should the castle be reached, the Nightmare would deal with the attackers itself.
Not that there was any way to really fix the castle. All the efforts made to improve its defensive capabilities were like cork plugs on a very leaky, sinking ship. That left the defenders- which now counted Luna amongst their number- frantically scrambling about, plugging up the remaining holes with their own hooves. It wasn't enough. It would never be enough.
'The castle will fall. It's not a question of if, but when. Damn you Tia, and your fat ass! Did you really need an elevator connection straight to the kitchen?!'
Luna tore straight through a squad of Praetorians, sending them flying. She let the Royal Guards following her deal with the disoriented changelings. Right now, Luna was focused on one thing: finding her sister.
Celestia was somewhere in the Castle. Questioning the Royal Guards revealed that Celestia was not sticking in one place, instead staying on the move and issuing new orders to troops as she came across them, with only a few messages having a way of locating her. With her command staff at her heels, Luna admitted that it was perhaps the best way for Celestia to remain safe.
If only Luna could get her hooves on one of these messengers, then she wouldn't have to wander around, fending off the attackers, hoping to accidentally run into Celestia.
Currently, Luna was heading to one of the exterior courtyards that overlooked the city. Her attached squads and herself would be exposed, but she needed at least a glimpse of how the defense of the city was progressing. After all, the ponies out in the city would be the most vulnerable.
When she arrived at the surprisingly empty green space, Luna found that the battle had progressed from the Lower district, all the way through Middle Canterlot, and was now fully enwrapping the castle in the Upper Canterlot. Every block, every street, and every single pony was now part of the war.
There was a mass of changelings heading towards the castle through the main Southeast road, Luna noted.
Only, this swarm had ponies in it.... And armored changelings, too.
"Phasma!"
Defenders rallied to me like a tidal wave picking up momentum.
I split off many squads to defend the ponies of Lower and Middle Canterlot, but the bulk of my nascent army stuck to me as we made progress toward the Palace. Ahead, our objective loomed, slowly growing in size as it towered over the unicorn city.
The chaos from the first battle repeated itself over and over again. Many drones defected when ordered to, joining forces with us. Some dug their hooves in and sided with the Praetorians. Very quickly, we gained the advantage of numbers. That alone was a huge convincing factor. When facing down an entire army promising an end to the worst of the issues motivating you, you tend to listen.
The resistance to our effort became stiffer and stiffer. The more Fourth Hive squads we ran into, the more battles we had to take, and the closer we got to the Palace, the more of these squads we ran into. A few were breaking into homes and businesses, hunting the ponies inside. The majority were leaving that for after defeating the city's defenders.
The captured ponies we freed were grateful, and quickly made themselves scarce, fleeing into our wake, where it was far safer.
"So, uh, Phasma?" Bray Call asked, trotting by my side. "What's the game plan?"
"Break the siege on the Palace," I said, scanning the empty streets around us. "Then flush out the castle. Then.... We can figure out a counterattack. Digging Chrysalis out of the Crystal Caverns is going to be next to impossible, so we'll burn that bridge when we get to it."
"What about the ponies in trouble out here, in the city?" Warm Dew asked, trailing behind Bray.
"I'm sending who I can afford to, but if we take out Chrysalis, we can end the war immediately."
"I don't like leaving them to fend for themselves..." He said.
"Neither do I," I agreed, "but the alternative is worse. If we get bogged down defending everyone, then we'll fail to repel the invasion. We have to take down Chrysalis, and that means taking down the Praetorian meatshield she'll have around her."
"King Phasma!" A Red Right Hoof soldier called from above me. "There's airships coming in!"
I looked around, "Where?"
"The city's edge!"
I scanned the horizon behind us, but saw nothing. The sun, still hours away from sunset, was holding its position above the city's edge.
"Where?!"
Then, as if summoned, they rose. The three snow-white blimps of the Canterlot Reactionaries crested above the skyline, like gargantuan whales. Their propellers spun fast in purple shielding, no doubt the cause of their silent approach.
'They flew below the horizon to get as much of a surprise as they could, with the sun at their backs, too!'
Spells began splashing against their white hulls. Thick, partially opaque shields flashed into being moments before each spell got its chance to rip through the airships' casings.
Just as they started taking fire, the airships opened up hatches and dropped ramps all across the lower half of their hulls. Pegasi flowed forth, jumping and gliding out. They spread themselves out, picked out their fights, and dived towards the ground. A few unicorns took positions on exterior catwalks that jutted out at the four corners, throwing down spells of their own. The airships themselves continued on their heading straight towards the Palace, barely above the rooftops of Canterlot.
"Rather unfortunate timing for the Fourth Hive," Pharynx said. "Just an hour later and this would have all turned out quite differently."
He had stuck behind my command squad, silently observing each surrender and subsequent battle.
"If there was ever any doubt who would win," Sergeant Quick Search beamed, "then that outta make things clear! Let's go, colts and fillies!"
The ponies hooped and hollered. A number of changelings joined in the revelry, smiling and cheering with their comrades.
"Keep marching!" I bellowed. "We don't want to let them beat us to the Palace, do we?!"
The soldiers cheered loudly, formed up in columns, and followed my command. The beat of four thousand hooves on stone echoed down the city as we marched. I also noted that the thin cloud of fear that permeated throughout the city was absent around us. Several ponies were foolishly watching us through the windows of the lavish buildings we passed, staring with big eyes.
The E.U.P. within our ranks began to sing a marching song, and the song was added to the orchestra of hoofsteps.
'It's not like they won't hear or see us coming anyways,' I thought as I decided to let them sing.
They sang of lush valleys, of ripe fruit on homely farms, of a warm hearth, and of family and friends. Thay sang of things worth fighting for, of things worth dying for. Eventually, the changelings joined in on the chorus.
The song ended when our reinforcements arrived.
A long shadow was cast over the army, stretching past us until it landed on the Palace itself. Above, the center airship was flying low. Long, thick ropes dropped down from the sides as the airship dragged itself even lower and started to slow down. Ponies slid down the rope, wrapping hooves around them and keeping their weapons in scabbards or in telekinetic grips.
"Look out below!" An armored unicorn bellowed as he slid down the rope closest to my command squad.
Captain Shining Armor landed with a heavy grunt and quickly made room for the next unicorn following him down.
"And I was beginning to worry that you were going to miss the party," I said.
"Not that I'm going to make light of ponies suffering," Shining said, "but not a chance in Tartarus."
Princess Cadence glided down, circling around us before landing next to her squeeze. She was wearing her silver armor, and had a rapier with her, the scabbard attached to her barrel plate.
"Phasma! The cavalry has arrived!" She triumphantly cheered.
"Just in time, too," I nodded towards the Palace. Several changelings were swarming around its parapets and tall walls. "The real battle is about to start. Where's Luna?"
"She's not with you?" Shining asked, looking around. "She teleported ahead to link up with you at the Palace."
"Damn it, I was at the train station!"
Cadence frowned, "Why were you-"
"I was evacuating some civilians," I hastily explained. "Celestia doesn't have much protection, but maybe Luna linked up with her instead. We have to break the siege, then clear out the castle, then find the sisters, then we get Chrysalis. Got it?"
"Sounds like as good of a plan as any," Shining nodded. Then, he looked up and signaled to two pegasi who were hovering close, "Order the two other ships to secure the city! Main force on the ground, with us! We're taking back the castle!"
The ponies saluted and split off. The ship above us continued to slow to a stop as more ponies disembarked and assembled themselves into formation ahead of us.
"Give us one minute and we'll be ready," Shining said. He coughed, "The enemy will know we're here and coming for them, though."
"It's not like they couldn't just fly up and spot us," I shrugged.
Cadence looked to the Palace, "Everypony'll be fine. The alicorn sisters have been through many wars, this is just one more..."
"There you are," I growled suddenly as my ears flicked toward the Palace, and my head swiveled around to join them. "Ponies! Changelings! Make ready for war! We've been having minor scuffs up till now! We will march on the Palace, and make no mistake, there will be a fight!"
The changelings all hardened their expressions and nodded. The ponies followed suit, but lacked understanding.
"What is it, Phasma? What do you hear?" Shining asked, trying to see what I was seeing at the Palace.
I bared my fangs, "Queen Chrysalis. Her Weave is finally present; she's in the Palace. Must've gone up through some secret stairwell down to the Crystal Caves. The odds of the Legions surrendering is much lower now, especially if she comes out to meet us. We must be ready to fight her early, as well as the Legions." |
Changing Expectations | 148- Surt: Who Burns The World | We marched into Canterlot's central plaza fifteen abreast. The army spread out in line formations and faced the enemy, shields already up around us.
The enemy was indeed waiting for us. The Palace's defenses had finally fallen silent, letting the Fourth Hive amass in full. No less than seven thousand changelings stood in formation, swarmed through the air, or poured into the castle through breached entrances. It was the largest single concentration of changeling soldiers ever, as none of the three Swarms that took part in the initial invasion had ever gathered in their entirety at one spot. Changelings were always spread out, never trying to stand up against an enemy in pitched combat. Our way of fighting was infiltration, sowing chaos, and disabling the command structure from within.
Yet here we all were, what was probably around a third of the changeling species, ready to fight each other in full-scale warfare. About ten thousand changelings faced each other in the square, with the ponies making up more than half of our side's bulk.
The rest of our kind would be scattered throughout the city, inside the Palace, still inside the Crystal Caverns, maintaining a skeleton crew back in the hive spire, or evacuating to Manehattan.
With the Red Right Hoof, the defected changelings and rare Praetorians, Canterlot's defense force, and the Canterlot Reactionaries, our side just about matched the Fourth Hive's in number.
According to Pharynx, the bulk of the Fourth Hive was originally supposed to hit the perimeter wall and take down the defenders there, but my interference necessitated a change in plans.
I paced back and forth in front of my command squad. Shining Armor conferred with my reunited Lieutenants and defected officers on a battle plan. Even if half of the loyalists defected, there would still be a bloody enough battle to be put in the history books.
Using a binocular spell, we had seen our counterparts across the empty plaza, past the overturned stalls and carts.
There was Commander Scorpion, leader of all the Praetorians. Last I had seen him, I had thrown him across the Palace's armory. He seemed to be the most argumentative of the commanders, but without a way to hear, we could only guess as to what their plans were.
Generals Amphid and Labrum were there, rounding off the triumvirate that controlled the Swarm. They were Generals loyal to me, and given how much they pointed in my direction, I was the subject of their arguments.
"Deciding whether or not you're brainwashed," Pharynx had explained, though I had guessed as much. "And me too, since I'm standing by your side."
There were a few more faces I recognized: Captain Obturator, the Royal physician I had put in charge of the Legion dedicated to harvesting love, Captain Nicro of the Underhive Scarabs, who had most assuredly led the way through the Underhive, and Captain Tetragnath of Panar's Hammer, the siege experts. Their loyalties would be scattered at best.
"We're as ready as we can be," Shining Armor declared. "I'd rather fight now than wait for reinforcements. We need to save the Princesses and the rest of the ponies inside. And changelings."
"Yes, Captain Katydid and a few others are still in there, too," I remarked. "Well then, let's not keep them waiting. Pharynx, are you going to help me try to convince them?"
Pharynx grunted, "You've foolishly given me plenty of opportunities to backstab you already, you really trust me to try to talk them down when I'm not entirely convinced myself?"
".... Yep."
He blinked in surprise, "I, uh.... Fine. I'll say something. But it'll be the truth, and no propaganda or nothing."
Shining glanced at Pharynx, "Phasma, are you sure that's a good idea?"
"Have faith, Shiny," Cadence said. "I think it's a good idea, too. Let the changelings hear from their, uh, Legate was it? Their Legate. If we don't let him speak, won't that just make us look worse?"
"Fine, whatever, just do it quickly," Shining threw his hooves up. "It's a risk, but this is war."
"He who dares," I nodded. "Alright Pharynx, let's go address the Legions."
I started to walk towards the loyalist forces, stopping about a third of the way to them. Pharynx stopped by my side, giving me one last unsure glance. The drones were all focused on me; it was hard to miss me after all, with my shiny green armor and war hammer that was taller than me still.
I chose to amplify my voice instead of using the Weave to speak. If Chrysalis somehow didn't know we were out here, an almost zero chance, then I'd prefer to keep it that way.
"Changelings of the Hive Eternal!"
My voice echoed across the plaza like a clap of thunder, demanding attention,
"I am King Phasmatodea of the Fifth Hive! I am the Pontiff of the Hive Eternal! Hear me now! The War for the Sun was fought so that we may banish hunger from our lives, for once and for all. Praetorian Thorax has found an end to the hunger that has plagued us since time immemorial; the way forward is cooperation, not war!
"The Masquerade Protocol kept us safe for thousands of years, but it also shackled us. We have been struggling. We have been suffering. In the dark, changelings have toiled and sacrificed and died. We have all decreed that no longer shall that be so. That is why we fought for the sun. Unshackled by the Protocol, salvation reveals itself. Cooperation with the Equestrians is not only possible, but it is the only way forward!
"No one has to die today. No one has to bravely lay down their lives in the ultimate service to the Hive Eternal. The end to our hunger is real, and it is achievable by everyone here. Praetorian Thorax has uncovered something that was never known to our species. Hear me now, and commit my words to memory! Love for an undisguised changeling is a thousand times more potent than love stolen! Should the worst come to pass, or should it not, never forget this knowledge, this gift from Panarthropo herself! We can never again obtain wisdom so pure and priceless.
"I ask you all to stand beside me. Step forth, out from the dark, and into the sun. Our demons must be fought, but we do not have to fight alone. Trust me, as you always have, and I will not fail you."
I motioned for Pharynx to speak. He did not speak at first, merely giving me an unsure look. Then, he spoke.
"Soldiers. You know who I am, so I'm not going to waste words. Nothing in life is certain. We take risks. We trust others. The Hive would have been long dead if we didn't trust each other. We trust, and we fight for the things most important to us: family, friends, and duty. We live each day, not knowing if it'll be our last. We... ah, to hell with it.
"King Phamsa says my brother found a way to get love freely from the ponies. I believe him. Trusting him is a risk, I know, but we've been taking bigger and bigger risks since we left the Badlands. What's one more? He's got to be doing something right, after all. He was supposed to be dead, but he's here now, with the ponies completely supporting him. And he's got more Adamantium, because of course he does. When we fought, and believe me we did, I didn't last twenty seconds. You don't get that strong from starving in a dungeon. He's got love, and he's got more than we can imagine.
"So you can either fight for Queen Chrysalis, who managed to capture a few thousand ponies in exchange for the most sacred laws that bound us and kept our people alive for thousands of years, or you can take a risk, and side with King Phasma, who, in one year, has accomplished more than any previous royal. Combined. You declared him a Saint for a reason. Do you still believe in that reason?"
I dropped the spell. The changelings across the way began arguing. Commander Scorpion's voice carried over the bickering, but he was too far away to hear.
"Thanks," I said quietly, keeping my eyes forward.
Pharynx grunted, "Hpmh. Just give me my brother back and we'll call it even... Are you really not mad that I killed Praetorian Oestridae?"
"You did your duty, and you thought Thorax was dead. That I killed him. If I thought that, too..." I sighed as I let that train of thought slip away.
"This is our day."
I stiffened as a chill went all the way up my spine. Someone was speaking through the Weave, and it was no mystery who that was.
"Are we going to lose everything we have fought for, everything we have sacrificed for, simply because a twisted puppet offers some honeyed words?"
Queen Chrysalis of the Fourth Hive strode out onto a balcony that overlooked her Legions. Absent-mindedly, I realized that it was the balcony I stood on when Celestia introduced me to her kingdom after the Gala.
"Prince Phasma is dead. His body may yet draw breath, but he has been under the influence of the Burning Sun for months. How many of you lost friends to that alicorn? How many of you watched your comrades burn alive in a hellfire too hot to even see? Do you really think the Burning Sun didn't sink her hooks deep into Saint Phasma?"
She was too far away to see in much detail. I felt my heart rate spike as she spoke, her voice triggering memories of Ascension rituals and death.
"Legions of the Hive Eternal. There stands your Prince, broken and damned. They made him into a puppet, turned him into a mockery of us all, and now they use him to turn us against one another. You should not be moved by his lies, you should be angry that they broke him and gave him Princess Celestia's voice! I order you, I beg you, to save my son. Bring him to me, and cast down the ponies pulling the strings! This day is ours, you just have to take it!"
"Say something!" Pharynx hissed.
I tried to say something. Anything. My mouth opened and closed like a fish. My mind flashed with images of my right foreleg being ripped off, of being thrown across the ash covered throne room, of my nightmares of Ascension.
"Too late now," Pharynx snorted. "Now you gotta get to safety.... Prince Phasma?"
Chrysalis was looking at me. She shook her head, and then turned to head back into the Palace, not even bothering to stick around to watch the fight, let alone join in.
"Prince, Saint, King, whatever you want to call yourself, you better get back into the moment!"
I looked down at Pharynx. He was pressing against my chest plate with a hoof.
"Wha...?" I mumbled.
Pharynx glared, "Get back to your fanclub now. You had your chance to counter her speech, but that's gone. Move it!"
I slowly turned around and walked back to the officers. Pharynx followed at my side.
"What the hell was that? You froze up like a larva at the sight of love!"
"I... it was her. Chrysalis... I was reminded of my brothers and sisters, the torture I endured, and what's going to happen if I lose here. I sent away the First Fang thinking that if I die, they'll take over. But I'm not going to die, aren't I? It'll be so much worse..."
'I wish Luna was here. She'd say something smart and caring. She.... is in danger. Everyone is. Damn it, Phasma, snap out of it! This is no time to be having a PTSD episode!'
I stopped before both my officers and Shining's and listened to their plan. Well, half listened.
'The moment things hit too close to home, I freak out and need someone to ground me. I plan and scheme behind people's backs and try to do my absolute best for my people, even risking my own safety. All I really want to do is eat pastries, cookies, and love and sit around, doing nothing but getting fat. Gods above, am I really just a male Celestia?'
'Uh oh, people are looking at me now.'
I recalled the details of the plan they outlined from the half of my brain paying attention. Basically, they wanted to watch for signs of a lack of cohesion, and at the critical moment, start the advance. The pressure of us moving towards the lines will force action, causing chaos in the Fourth Hive Legions. We will push through the chaos like a wedge, aiming for one of the entrances. The fact that there was no fighting outside the castle's interior was greatly concerning, so getting troops inside the walls was our first priority. If possible, we will take down the enemy commanders along the way.
Our casualties: minimum.
Fourth Hive casualties: high.
It would take too long to find another way in, too long to wait for a consensus to be reached within the Legions, and too long to try to convince the Generals and Captains of the Legions to surrender.
In order to save Luna, Celestia, and Katydid, changelings would have to die.
"I'll lead the advance," I decided. "With me at the very front, they might think twice about just opening fire upon us. It'll maximize their hesitancy and divide them even further."
"That's very risky," Cadence remarked.
Shining cringed, "It's also going to result in ponies- in changelings getting killed."
"We don't have time for anything else," I said.
"Do you really think we can beat the Fourth Hive?" Sergeant Search asked.
"I don't think that's really in question," Private Dew said. "It's more a matter of how many will die today."
Corporal Bray gazed across the plaza, "I just wish they'd see reason. Why are they still fighting for their doomed kingdom?"
"The Fourth Hive is dead," I declared, waving a hoof at our own army. "We're proof of that. This is a fight between fear and hope. A clash between those fueled by the fear of the worst outcome, and those motivated by a hope for a future brighter than ever before. I hoped for a peaceful resolution, but it's becoming increasingly clear that that's an impossibility."
'If I was a drone, what side would I pick? Knowing how paranoid I am, it would honestly be the fear side. The Fourth Hive hasn't exactly encouraged free thinking nor rebellion, but maybe my efforts to unionize the drones using the Lodges will be enough to break that dogmatic hold on them.'
We didn't have to wait long. The plan was to wait just until before the boiling point, and then move in, but things went to shit far quicker than we anticipated.
The battle that would eventually become known as the Canterlot Massacre started when Commander Scorpion murdered General Amphid. All things considered, I was glad he picked killing Amphid over killing Labrum. Labrum was the better of the two Generals.
The General fell to his knees, blood gushing from his neck, and all hell broke loose.
The Praetorians, the Infiltrators, the hardcore loyalists, and the moderates who were undecided but leaning towards Chrysalis's side started fighting the separatists. All in all, about two thirds defected in support of me, their declared Saint.
But a third was all that was needed to make the fight into a chaotic mess. Friendly fire between the two sides, a lack of clear distinction between the two, and all-around panic turned the political arguments into brawls, which escalated into a full scale battle.
With no choice but to attack, I ordered the charge.
The soldiers formed a pointed wedge behind me, with the Red Right Hoof and converted drones on the exterior. The plan was for the R.R.H. and Fourth Hive drones to stay and put an end to the battle, while the ponies followed me inside. That way, the changelings could use their knowledge of telling each other apart to discern between friend or foe, while the ponies had free rein to subdue any non-R.R.H. changeling we came across inside the Palace.
I saw the drones at the forefront of the lines panicking as we galloped across the plaza, tossing aside the debris like a tsunami. Some galloped out to meet our charge. Many panicked and pushed against their comrades to get out of our way, and many wisely took to the air to avoid the stampede.
All of this only created more chaos. Cohesion broke down. Orders were lost, forgotten, misheard, or unheard. The infighting grew and spread across the lines.
Then, impact.
The cacophony of yelling mixed with the sound of spells being thrown, and the increasingly loud buzzing of insect wings as more and more changelings took to the skies. The ones that remained on the ground, in our path, were the ones determined to stop us.
With large, dramatic sweeps of God-Splitter, I took down drone after drone, literally flinging them out of our path in some cases. My armor flashed its green shield constantly in response to the hail of spells being thrown at me. The changelings and ponies behind me either kept shields up to protect each other, or were using spells of their own to clear out a path. Many flying changelings opened fire upon me and my soldiers, but they were constantly being countered by other flying lings and spellcasters on the ground.
Our advance slowed as we slogged through the ranks. Changelings facing away from us, fighting other lings were simply added to our ranks as we pushed. Our front lines, three lings deep, were stunning changelings by the dozens. Past our front line, teams worked constantly to make sure everyone on the ground was secured- or in the case of downed ponies and Red Right Hoof soldiers, were seen if they could be brought back to fighting shape.
But inevitably, there was death. The internal fighting among the Legions had led to lethal spells being used in many instances, and the unarmored changelings fell. Tending to the wounded was another duty given to the follow-up forces behind the wedge cutting through the army.
Yelling, screaming, electronic cracks, sizzling fire, hoofsteps on cobblestone, and general chaos filled the air.
It wasn't a battle. There were no tactics; no flanking, no amassing in locations, no fighting for strategic locations, no suppressive fire or concentrated fire. There was little in the way of identifying friend or foe. There were no banners flying proudly above neatly formed lines, no slow advancing formations and skirmishes to test capabilities and determination. There were no instruments belting out marching tunes or rallying calls. Of course, unlike human warfare, there were no gunshots, relatively less explosions, and somewhat less death. The only thing the clash had in common with a battle was that people were dying, and they were dying.
Blood was spilled across the cobblestones, revealed in the wake of our push. More and more ponies and changelings became bogged down trying to help the wounded. The armor that the Red Right Hoof and Royal Guards had was doing wonders in mitigating lethal injuries, but there were plenty of small ones.
Sections of our front lines had to be messily rotated out as fighting strength slowly sapped over time.
Shields were shattered. Metal armor was bent and scorched. Bones were broken. Chitin was cracked, splintered, shattered, and even ripped off.
Around me, a small clearing opened up as changelings escaped God-Splitter's arcs. Frequently, I had to unleash barrages of stun bolts to dissuade determined loyalists, or quickly seal the wounds of particularly bleeding changelings writhing on the ground. But I had to save my strength and get to the castle as quickly as possible. Often, I left the changelings dying on the ground alone, hoping that they could be saved later.
Quick Search, Bray Call, and Warm Dew followed in my hoofsteps, helping clear away flanking maneuvers, give callouts, and hit fallen foes with stun bolts. Or a swift kick to the head, in Warm Dew's and Quick Search's case. Mostly though, the two non-unicorns were using improvised blunt weapons to cudgeon changelings that didn't know when to quit. A little brain trauma didn't hurt anybody.
Praetorians wormed their way through the melee to fight me like sharks tasting blood in the water. They tested me in groups of three, five, seven, and more. They combined spell attacks to catch me off guard. They kept me distracted and constantly tried to flank me. They kept coming, and I kept putting them down.
One changeling stabbed at me with a serrated blade made of stone. I effortlessly deflected the attack, and brought up a shield to preemptively put a stop to his follow-up. The changeling switched tactics, diving for me like Pharynx did during his fight. Quick Search intercepted the changeling, bucking the changeling away. I cringed when I saw the drone's foreleg bend in all the wrong directions, but moved on.
The battle was far from over, and the Praetorians and their loyal minions kept hounding me.
A concussive wave to knock several off their hooves dealt with one small charge. A wave of sub-zero wind froze the sweat and blood covering the bodies of another charge, slowing them down and sending them to their knees. Then, God-Splitter finished them off. Most survived their suicidal battles with me, though how many of those would still be alive by the day's end was another story.
I stepped over a changeling drone who was desperately grasping at their crushed windpipe, trying to gasp for air. I was unable to help him; three more Praetorians were firing off a flame spell that burned green. Bray blinded them with a spray of conjured water that turned to steam when it clashed against the green flames. Through the vapor, I charged the Praetorians.
Then came a group of twelve Praetorians, protecting each other with shields and firing from gaps in the layered magical bubbles. As I readied God-Splitter to simply smash through their pitiful defenses, the lines behind me broke. With a furious yell, R.R.H. and Royal Guards surged forth, almost overtaking me in their frenzy.
I glanced up and realized that the Palace's main entrance was right before us. For half a second, I recalled the extravagant amount of flowers, ribbons, banners, decorations, guards, and gemstones that had adorned the grand entrance no more than two weeks ago. The Gala had come and gone, and now changelings swarmed the Palace's walls.
The sight of our goal being so close was what had spurred the Canterlot Confederacy soldier behind me into a charge. The twelve Praetorians ahead were the last of the loyalists between us and the Palace.
"For Equestria!" Sergeant Quick Search yelled from my right.
"For the Hive Eternal!" A changeling I now recognized as Froghopper, the scout leader, yelled from my left.
"Attack!" I needlessly bellowed, sweeping God-Splitter forth in a dramatic fashion.
My hooves lifted from the ground as my wings carried me aloft. Holding God-Splitter in front, I narrowed my profile behind the hammer, flying straight ahead in a Superman-like pose. The Praetorians' spells sputtered and shook God-Splitter, but I held it steady.
I saw them dive to the side in the last second before the hammer would have slammed into them. They dropped the shields closest to me, not wanting to risk me simply slightly adjusting my heading and popping their shields, taking them out of the fight thanks to the debilitating pain of a failed spell.
I did not disappoint; with a side blow, I smashed into a leaping Praetorian as I spun around before landing. My boots dragged furrows into the stone steps of the Palace's entrance, and I followed my attack with a lash of fire, which I had learned in one of my many combat practice sessions.
I swirled the end of the whip around the horn of one of the Praetorians holding up the shield barrier that had reformed behind me. She screamed in pain as the chitin began to melt. I yanked downwards, sending her face first into the stone steps, and her shield fizzled away.
Then, through the gap I had created and kept open, the reinforcements arrived.
The ponies and changelings flowed like a rushing tide through the gap, surrounding and attacking the Praetorians who struggled to readjust to their lines being broken. Ponies ran forward, charging up the steps to the Palace's broken-open doors. Then, they fell, the gap widening until the last of the defenders in front of the steps fell. Ponies continued to charge forward as the changelings stopped and pressed outwards along the sides of our advance.
With a triumphant cheer, Captain Shining Armor stopped, reared back on his hind legs and turned around.
"To the Palace! We end this war today, ponies!"
He dropped back onto all fours and joined his soldiers, galloping up the steps and into the Palace. Princess Cadence followed shortly after, giving one single nod to me. I started to join them, but a grunt of pain made me reflexively look to its origin.
General Labrum was sitting up against one of the walls next to the doors. She was hunched over, bleeding heavily, but her eyes were on me.
"Yer Highness," she gasped. "Good to see you're alive. I was worried you were dead."
I motioned to some drones nearby to tend to her, and they complied, setting a suitcase half-full of medical supplies next to the fallen general and beginning to dress her wounds.
"General Labrum, I could say the same. What happened, and where's that bastard Scorpion?"
She smiled, "Amphid let his guard down, so it wasn't that much of a surprise when Scorp went for him first. He tried to take me down, but I'm no easy pickings. He went inside, I couldn't stop him. Ugh, go. Go, My Prince, and finish this."
"I plan to," I smiled back. "Don't die. I'll need all the changelings I can get for the war to come."
Her brows furrowed as she stared at me in confusion, but I was already turning away. Leaving behind the roar and chaos of the battle, I bounded up the steps in search of the missing Commander.
'Tracheotomy.'
I paused briefly.
'That's what would have saved that changeling's life.'
I shook my head to clear the thought, and entered the Palace.
As it turned out, Commander Scorpion did not make it far. I found him in the front foyer of the castle, where my rebellion had initially been ambushed. He was making his last stand against the ponies flooding the room, trying to stop them all. The Commander stood behind a line of Praetorians, making me wonder just where they had gotten so many of the damned helmeted bastards.
'No matter, they'll fall just the same.'
The ponies had made decent progress through the defenders, but they lacked the sheer power that I had. Cadence and Shining were working in tandem to push forward through the middle of the room. Shining's shield spell, which I knew from experience was a tough nut to crack, took the brunt of the attacks sent their way while Cadence periodically put up shields whose lifespan was measured in seconds. Her shields took the occasional barrage or up-charged spell that would normally put Shining's shield in danger.
"Don't worry Phasma, we'll be right behind you," Bray Call said, adjusting her helmet.
"Unless it gets too dangerous," Dew smiled.
Sergeant Search was looking around the foyer, taking stock of the battle.
"Right then," I said, nodding to the three ponies that followed me like lost dogs, "let's not keep the Praetorians waiting."
Not wanting to be left out of the battle, I quickly advanced up to the front lines, keeping low to the ground to avoid being spotted for as long as possible. Shouldering past the ponies marching behind the Captain and Princess, I got close enough to hold a conversation despite the noise of the battle.
"Phasma!" Cadence called out. "Could you do the thing where you smash into them like a bowling ball again?! It worked really well last time!"
"As much fun as this is," grunted Shining, "I would also appreciate the help. Your whole 'overwhelming power' thing works well against.... all of us."
I gave God-Splitter a small spin, "Don't fix what isn't broken, aye?"
"The oceans' floors are littered with the bones of fools who shot for the stars and missed."
I froze, staring at God-Splitter. I almost dropped the enormous thing out of shock, but I kept my grip on it.
"That's... very reassuring," I mumbled.
'Procho's voice, once again through God-Splitter! But why? How? Why now?!'
Commander Scorpion was not having a good day. In fact, it was fair to say that he was having the worst day of his life, even considering the day he failed to take down the rogue Prince and protect his Queen.
No, this day was far worse than the first invasion of Canterlot for one simple reason; it was happening again. There was no excuse of being blindsided. There was no hope of redemption. There was no chance of getting a do-over. This second invasion was an all-in gamble; even the nymphs were brought from the hive structure to the Crystal Caves in preparation for taking over the city. Simply put, if today was a loss, there wouldn't be enough lings to fend off an Equestrian army, even without their magic.
Commander Scorpion was failing once again. This time, he would be reporting his failure not to Queen Chrysalis, the rightful ruler of the Hive- and not those idiotic upstarts that picture themselves as kings and queens- but instead, he would be reporting directly to Panarthropo herself.
"Pressure left flank!" He ordered.
"Suppressing!" Praetorian Mag called out, sweeping a flame spell across the left half of the room.
"Green team, hit 'em again!"
Green team was already prepping a concentrated beam to pop the pony's bubble, but Scorpion's order let the shield team covering Green team know that they were up to bat.
"Contact!" One of the shielders yelled.
"No shit-" Scorpion began to yell back, but his frustration fell away like he was just thrown off a cliff.
The sudden sinking feeling was due to the reason why there was a need to call out contact despite being knee-deep in a firefight already; Prince Phasma 'The Comet' had come to play. The giant royal in green armor flew right out of the pony's hammered flank, flying over the flames licking at his boots, and was gunning straight for Green team's position.
The changelings had seen Prince Phasma lead the charge, and watched helplessly as he waded straight through all attempts to take him down, and later delay him. The armor was without a doubt made of Adamantium; the way he took countless spells without so much as breaking pace made even Scorpion hesitant to fight him.
Without a doubt, he was still Panarthropo's chosen Champion on Equus. The fact that the ponies had brainwashed him and somehow equipped him with twice as much Adamantium as he left the Badlands with was... catastrophic. Anything more descriptive for the demigod of war did not do him justice.
Scorpion shuddered involuntarily at the idea of the prince actually getting years of training to fight. Coupled with God-Splitter and that brand new armor, he would probably be able to take on all the alicorns and royals at the same time.
But such a hypothetical would have to wait for the end of the war, should Scorpion even be alive to witness it. And that was looking like a decreasingly likely possibility. The Prince had just burst forward from the enemy lines, and was barreling right towards Green team. Three ponies trailed behind him, doggedly pushing through the flames using a shield to keep the fire at bay.
The Praetorians holding up the shield dropped it, expecting the infamous Adamantium hammer to accompany Prince Phasma's solo charge against them. The fact that he was covered in the green colored metal facilitated this assumption.
But it was an incorrect assumption.
Directly opposite of Prince Phasma, across the entire pony formation, God-Splitter burst forth from their ranks, thrown towards the right flank. Galloping right behind the hammer was Captain Shining Armor of the Royal Guards, as well as Princess Cadence. God-Splitter cut through the left flank instantly, forcing changelings to throw themselves out of its path.
Suddenly, both flanks were now compromised. Scorpion didn't have any reinforcements to send to either flank. There were no other established fallback points- there simply wasn't enough time to come up with any effective ones.
"For the Hive Eternal!" Scorpion bellowed, and charged the Prince.
If he was going to die, he was going to try to take the Fourth Hive's biggest threat down with him. Queen Chrysalis could take care of the ponies blindfolded.
He started off with a burst of air sharpened to an edge. The crescent-shaped projectile sliced through the air, whistling as it arced towards Prince Phasma. The Prince raised a hoof and simply batted the spell away, his shield pulsing into existence around him.
'Maybe I can hurt the puppet enough to disable his blasted defenses. If I can accomplish that, I'll die proud.'
Scorpion kept on the move, darting in and out of the Prince's range. He stayed as close as possible for as long as possible, negating the Prince's hammer. It was an obvious strategy, but a difficult one to pull off for very long.
While dodging spells and swings, Scorpion tested the Adamantium armor. Elemental spells broke against it harmlessly. Pure energy spells, such as a focused will laser, seemed to put quite a lot of pressure on the shield, but failed to break it. There had to be a weakness, there just had to.
Not even twenty seconds into the fight, the pony Captain joined in the duel. Scorpion had to practically hug the Prince to avoid many of the Captain's blasts, and he constantly worked to keep the Prince in between him and the unicorn.
Scorpion was beginning to run ragged; surviving against two opponents all alone was quickly taking its toll on him. The Praetorians had all but collapsed, with the last stragglers doing what they could to keep the rest of the Equestrian and traitor army at bay for as long as possible.
Running out of ideas, Scorpion's last gambit was an energy spell. Unlike focused will, which was directed magical energy, he chose a spell that shot a large, thick bolt of pure lightning. Putting as much of his love reserves as possible behind the spell, Commander Scorpion got as close as he could to the Prince, pressed his horn against the armor protecting the royals right flank, and let go of the spell.
Blinking away white light, Scorpion realized that he was on the ground. And also halfway across the room. Prince Phasma was in a similar situation, blinking away stars at the end of a groove cut right through the marble floor.
The Adamantium armor was smoking, and a large black scorch mark was present on the Prince's right hind leg and armor.
'What... I ... did it? Wait, which was it? My proximity or the electricity? Which was his weakness?!'
Gasping and struggling around, Scorpion failed to get up to his hooves. Too much of him hurt. He had no energy left. There was nothing to do except pass on a message.
He scanned the room. The ponies were reorganizing themselves, with the Captain and Princess heading for Prince Phasma directly, with three more ponies right on their heels.
'There!'
By one of the side corridors' entrances stood a changeling, watching the battle with a stunned look. Scorpion recognized the ling as an Infiltrator seconded to the Praetorians for the invasion.
"El-" Scorpion broke off into an ugly-sounding cough, spitting some blood out. "Electricity! And being close! Go, tell the Queen!" He coughed again and began to feel that something was horribly wrong in his chest.
The drone looked around, then settled his gaze on Scorpion.
"Go, Tarsus! Deliver the message!"
"T-Tarsus?" Prince Phasma gasped. "No! Someone, anyone, stop that drone!"
Captain Shining Armor changed his course. Instead of rushing to the Prince. He veered off and bounded towards the messenger.
Scorpion laughed. It was a painful, bloody experience. |
Changing Expectations | 149- Jörmungandr: First And Final Foe | Bray Call helped pull me up to my hooves while Cadence started issuing orders to the ponies.
The plan was for us heavy-hitters to stay in a group while patrols scoured the Palace. If Chrysalis, Luna, or Celestia were spotted, then we'd come running as a group. Shining would return either with Tarsus, or with news of failure.
"You alright, Phasma?" Bray asked.
"Yeah, yeah," I said, shaking the leg that was hit. "Bastard just got lucky. Thankfully, it's only burnt chitin. A surface wound, nothing more, thanks to the fact that I have an exoskeleton."
"Was... he right about that?" Warm Dew asked. "That he found a weakness, I mean?"
"I don't think we should be saying anything in front of him," Bray elbowed Dew while glaring at the collapsed Commander Scorpion.
"He's not going anywhere," Search chuckled, and then pointed to the mess of changeling goo that was already drying on his horn and hooves.
"Oh," Bray frowned. "In that case, I am curious too."
"Unbroken Radiance doesn't deal well with point-blank spells," I admitted. "And energy spells are more stressful on the shield than elemental spells. Though I'm sure that in its heyday, the enchantments were much stronger."
'Not strong enough to save its original wearer, though.'
"Do you know that changeling?" Bray asked. "You seemed to recognize the name, at least. The only time you recognized a changeling you fought was..." She gestured to Pharynx, who had followed us inside.
"Tarsus," Pharynx explained for me, "is a ling that was part of Prince Phasma's inner cabal."
"You make it sound so sinister," I muttered.
"Wait, so he's like an old friend of yours?" Bray asked, starting to smile.
"Something like that," Pharynx laughed. "All things considered, this reunion is going to be interesting."
"Why's that?" Sergeant Search asked, looking between me and Pharynx.
But before either of us could answer, Cadence's beloved returned, dragging a changeling that was smoking around their withers.
"Sorry Phasma," Shining grunted as he hefted the drone around him and dropped him to the floor. "The muck-sucker got his message off to a couple more lings, who scattered. There's no stopping that information now. Hopefully that..."
I flipped God-Splitter upside down, dragging its metal head across the marble floor as I slowly walked up to Tarsus.
When it started making a grinding sound as it gouged the stone, Shining had trailed off, watching me. I didn't need to be an empath to sense his confusion.
"Tarsus," I growled. "So good to see you again."
The twitching changeling collected himself enough to raise his head.
"Phasma..."
Using the spike end of God-Splitter, I hooked him under the chin and dragged him forward and up, pressing him against the nearby wall. The changeling kicked and struggled uselessly, grasping at God-Splitter's head and trying to wiggle out.
"What the Tartarus?" Stammered Shining Armor. "Phasma? What are you doing?"
"Don't do this, Phasma," Cadence warned.
"I'm going to execute a traitor," I said, putting a little more power behind God-Splitter. "I've been waiting to do this for a very long time."
Tarsus groaned at the increased pressure on his chest, neck, and head.
"Did he just say- oh crackers," Bray moaned. "That's one heck of an escalation!"
"I know you might harbor a grudge," Cadence spoke up, "but now is not the time to pursue it. You're far from calm, and you're going to make a mistake you'll regret for the rest of your life."
"Mmmm, and you, Tarsus?" I said slowly. "Do you have anything to say for yourself?
"You have no idea why I did what I did, Phas. I-"
"Don't you dare call me that," I hissed, squeezing him more for the insult.
"Are you really going to do this now?!" Shining snarled. "We don't have time for this! Cadence, rein him in! I'll manage the patrols!" He yelled as he stomped off to deal with clearing the castle.
"Phasma," Search said, "whatever this is about, it can wait. Right?"
"Listen to the Princess," Bray agreed. "I'm sure that..."
I tuned them all out.
Bray, Search, Dew, Shining, and Cadence all were trying in some way to get between me and Tarsus's fate. Pharynx was looking on with amusement. Scorpion was not really in a position to do anything, if he even cared.
I bared my fangs, "Well, Tarsus?"
"You risked everything," the scarred changeling spat. "You gambled our entire species on a couple of ponies! They even betrayed you in the end! I had to defend the Hive Eternal! I had to defend all the changelings, drones and nymphs all, who you were dooming! I had to stop this war before it grew bigger than just a scuffle in the Palace!"
I snarled, my fangs just inches from his throat.
"You didn't stop this war, you just picked the other side! Now, Oestridae is dead and it's all your fault. Hundreds, if not thousands of changelings are dead because of you! If I had won that day, if we all attacked Chrysalis at once, none of this would have happened!"
"I don't believe that," Tarsus said. "And I don't think you believe that, either. Where were your pony 'allies' when you fought the Queen? I don't know if you've been brainwashed, or if you've been this foolish the whole time, but I will always pick the Hive Eternal over you."
"You picked Chrysalis over me, you overgrown cockroach!" I hissed back. "You think we wouldn't all burn in the fires of Chrysalis's ambition? Do you really think she could have beaten Daybreaker?"
"Princess Celestia is destined to fall. As it is woven, so it shall be!"
"Unbelievable," I shook my head. "You really think Panar will just gift you victory?"
Tarsus looked up to the ceiling, "We are her favored. It is destined! Panar decreed that we must lose first, so that we may grow stronger! We cannot lose, not forever. Setbacks test us, but Panar guarantees the future. That is how we defeated Equestria the first time, and that is why we will defeat it again."
"Panar did not win our battles." I twisted the hammer, eliciting a pained grunt. "I did! I was the one who sacrificed the Masquerade Protocol to defeat the world's largest army. I am the one who will save our species, not that spineless, backstabbing wretch!"
He looked at me with pity in his eyes, "You failed, Phasma. You trusted the ponies, and you were let down. Maybe that's a good thing; now we know for certain that they can never be trusted. But now it's time for you to rest, and leave the rest to Our Queen. She is the one who will finally secure our place in the sun!"
I shook my head and gritted my teeth, "You are the brainwashed one. All this talk of Panar and Chrysalis, as if we aren't the ones dying in the battlefields. War is won through a test of numbers, equipment, and tactics. Not faith! Who do you think will win this war? Chrysalis, all alone now, or me, with three alicorns and two armies at my side? It's over, Tarsus, and now you'll pay for dragging this out and getting so many changelings killed."
Tarsus sighed, "I see there is no hope of reasoning with you. May Panar save you, before you doom us all."
Before I could squash him like the insect he was, I looked over my shoulder. Cadence had put a hoof on my right hip, and was trying to talk to me.
"Phasma? Can you please listen to me?" She looked at me, concerned.
The three Hooferville guards were behind her, giving me concerned stares.
".... Make it quick."
"You're going to kill this changeling, aren't you?"
"Yes."
Cadence grimaced, "After everything you've been through? After everything we've talked about? Even with four of your friends telling you you're making a mistake?"
"Yes," I said again.
She sighed, "Need therapy sooner rather than later- look, Phasma. Killing somepony because they betrayed you isn't... it isn't something we do. I understand that technically I can't tell you what to do, but just because it's a changeling this time doesn't mean we'll turn a blind eye. This isn't the time for... for... for extrajudicial trials! You're definitely not in a calm mindset, and killing ponies without a trial is not something that can ever be accepted in Equestria!"
I glanced back, towards the Palace's open doors, where the battle was being mopped up.
'I could easily argue semantics, but maybe she has a point. In fact, I know just how to arrange a trial.'
I pulled God-Splitter back, letting Tarsus fall to the ground, gasping.
I glared at the drone, "You will stand trial before the First Fang. When the majority of us come to a ruling, that's when I will kill you. Thorax may decide to spare your life, but Coxa, Lace, and I will not."
Tarsus looked up at me, "Delaying my execution, but not stopping it?"
"Nopony is getting executed!" Cadence stamped a hoof.
"Tarsus isn't a pony," I shot back. "And you will pay for Oestridae's death. The First Fang having a say on the matter is proper... Yes, it is decided. Bind this drone, and make sure he doesn't escape! If he does, you'll all-"
I stopped myself before I threatened my changelings. I didn't want to be like Chrysalis at all, especially in that manner.
"Just do it," I huffed, walking away.
At least I could distract myself by helping out with clearing the Palace. These may be Shining's Royal Guards, but my Red Right Hoof could help, and I was the only one here who actually had experience in urban warfare.
'Actually, I don't know what Shining was up to after Canterlot... Well, I know I can help, at least.'
Princess Cadence watched Phasma stomp away angrily.
'That could have gone better. Definitely could have gone worse, though.'
"What the buck was that?" Private Warm Dew hissed, looking between the other three ponies. "I mean, I'm sorry Your Highness, but what was that?!"
Cadence grimaced, "Phasma is... a work in progress."
"That's an understatement!" Sergeant Quick Search whispered. "He just tried to execute somepony!"
"Not a pony," Tarsus mumbled as one of the Red Right Hoof applied changeling gel to his horn and hooves.
Cadence quickly turned away from the prisoner. Seeing the changelings practically vomit on each other was not something she liked seeing at the best of times.
"Well he didn't, and that's progress," Cadence said. "He agreed to a trial, and it won't be too hard to get him to agree to make it a unanimous vote. I'm not going to try to get anyone else on this jury of peers, but I'm certain that I can change the vote."
"Will that change anything, Your Highness?" Search asked, staring at the prisoner.
Cadence smiled, "You heard Phasma. His friend Thorax, who would sit on this trial, would never condemn another to death. So if the vote becomes unanimous, then..." She pointed to the prisoner, "Tarsus here will be fine. Sorta. Look, it's tomorrow's problem. No one's dying today, and that's enough for now. We should focus on the battle still going on."
"No one except Queen Chrysalis," Pharynx chuckled from behind Cadence. "I don't think you can convince him to spare her."
'Harmony! Where did he come from?! I swear, he's like a ghost, always lurking behind me...'
Cadence cleared her throat, "Yes, well... uh... that is a problem."
"Is it?" Pharynx raised his eyebrows. "To the victor goes the spoils, and while the Queen was going to spare Phasma, she certainly wasn't going to be gentle about dismantling his brainwashed mind. Which, I admit, is looking increasingly like an incorrect assumption. You ponies seem very... forthcoming. Naively so. If you had actually brainwashed him, I would have been killed long before now."
"But I'm sure the Princesses of Equestria have a plan for that," Corporal Bray Call smiled. "Right, Princess Cadence?"
"Uhhh...." Cadence mumbled. "Well, no. We didn't exactly discuss anything beforehoof. This all kinda happened sooner than we had anticipated.
"Princess..." Search frowned. "We don't want Queen Chrysalis to be killed.... Right?"
Cadence cleared her throat again, "Not if it can be helped, no. But what little we've discussed about her, we came to the agreement that if we had to choose between Phasma and Chrysalis..."
"But you are going to stop him from killing her, right?" Search repeated.
She nodded, "If I can, I will. However, Queen Chrysalis is not a foe to be taken lightly. We might not get a chance to solve things diplomatically, or stop before it's too late."
"And you're supposed to be helping Phasma depart from these bloody... inclinations?" Bray asked, looking at Scorpion and Tarsus. "It seems like there's a long way to go before our depressed buggo is, ah, trustworthy?"
"It doesn't help that changelings are quite a bit more visceral than ponies," Cadence admitted. "He's got a very short list of friends who actually think like ponies. In fact, you three are practically half that list."
The three Hooferville guards shared a look.
"You know, Sergeant," Bray said coyly, "Phasma is loaded. I've seen his wealth in the papers. If you really want to retire with a huge pension, maybe it'd be better if you applied to be in his guard instead?"
Search smiled back, "Hey Bray, I know you're going off to university and all that, but maybe there's a work opportunity within the Palace for you? It'd pay a lot more than whatever horrible retail job you'd get while attending university, and maybe Phasma would even offer some sort of payment plan to help with tuition while you worked for him?"
"... I'm staying in Hooferville," Dew said abruptly. "It's my hometown, and I still want to be Captain one day."
"Well, it sounds like we've got a plan then," Bray grinned ear to ear. "Dew stays in Hooferville and we keep in touch. Search becomes the first pony to ever serve in a changeling army. I become Phasma's aide or whatever, and maybe even get a degree in... politics? Ah, it doesn't matter. What matters is that we'll see Phasma regularly, and we'll be advancing our own careers."
Cadence blinked in surprise, "That.... sounds like a wonderful plan. I'm sure Aunt Luna will take all the help she can get in making sure Phasma doesn't go lopping off heads." Cadence frowned, her own mood spoiled by the thought. "In any case, we should properly meet and talk over tea. I've heard a lot about you three, and I'd love to make your acquaintances, but now we must return to saving Equestria."
The four ponies went to Shining and Phasma and stood around, not being able to offer much in the way of help. They did help patch up some of the wounded sent their way, though.
The battle outside had finally finished. It would take a long time to get the number of injured, and an even longer time to get the number of dead. But, it was far higher than Cadence would have liked.
She internally wondered how Phasma was dealing with the losses. The fact she wasn't sure whether Phasma was hurt by the losses or if he had already written them off was worrying. She made a mental note to check in with Phasma after Chrysalis was dealt with. Also, she made a mental note to make sure Luna would do the same. Phasma would undoubtedly give different answers to the two of them, and it would be up to them to figure out how he truly feels.
'Stallions,' Cadence shook her head dismissively.
It had taken her quite a while to get Shining to open up about the war. He had lost a number of friends while pursuing Chrysalis and had gained little from their sacrifice.
Needless to say, he had taken the war pretty badly.
She wasn't taking it any better, but she at least was able to open up to Shining and get support from him when she could. She also had the option of opening up to Celestia and Luna, though that option had a distinct lack of cuddles. Cuddles and sex.
On that note, Cadence was still struggling to find a special somepony for Auntie Celestia. It had been over a century and a half since Celestia had lost her last other-half, and while that was a fraction of her lifespan, a century and a half was still a century and a half.
'Perhaps Twilight...? No, idolizes Celestia too much. Lieutenant Iron Heart? No, a bit too iron hearted. Raven? Heh, that would be something. I'll need to check out what their feelings are, though. Maybe I need to look outside Canterlot. Maybe even outside Equestria... I wonder what the griffins are up to. If the rumors are to be believed, then maybe-'
The changeling drone she was aiding gasped, and went limp. Cadence had finished casting a numbing spell, completing her work on setting the mangled front right foreleg.
"Thank you.... Your Highness," the changeling sighed.
"It's no problem," Cadence smiled. "Just get plenty of rest, and see a real doctor as soon as you can."
"... Not a hint of malice," the changeling said under her breath. "It's true, then? You really will... help us?"
'Oh, she must be from the Fourth Hive, not the Fifth.'
"Of course. King Phasma had just approached a rather... evil mare the first time. We're all more than happy to help you all."
The changeling nodded slowly, thinking on what Cadence had said. Cadence moved onto the next pony in need of aid. This time, it was a Royal Guard who had taken an ice spell to their muzzle.
'Now, where was I? Oh yes, giant, muscular, foreign griffons. I'm sure Celestia would love-'
"Everypony, form up!" Shining suddenly barked.
The ponies and Red Right Hoof armored soldiers started getting ready to move. The ones that weren't injured or tending to the injured, at least.
"What's going on?" Cadence looked to her fiance for answers.
"We've made contact with Princess Luna," he announced. "We're going to reinforce her right now."
"Northern wings swept," a pony reported to Shining as we marched. "Some pockets of resistance, but they're being handled as we speak."
"Good, good. Keep up the good work, Corporal," Shining dismissed his subordinate.
The pony saluted, "Aye aye, sir!"
"Now, we should be getting close," he said quietly to himself.
"That's good to hear," I said, having overheard him. "I'm honestly quite lost in this place already."
Actually, I had a pretty good idea; we were somewhere in the Western end of the castle, close to the main entrance to the gardens. I only knew that because of a sign we had passed two intersections back, though. Otherwise, this hall would have been completely unremarkable and easily mistaken for at least seven other halls in the Palace.
I was keeping an eye on each branching-out hall we passed on my side, staying alert for any signs of an ambush or other trouble. We were passing by an ornate set of stained glass windows on the far side when I caught a flash of movement on my side. Something purple and orange.
I signaled with a hoof to stop moving, and all the ponies and changelings halted, going into an alert stance.
I then signaled towards the movement I had seen, and started slowly prowling down the offshoot. Several R.R.H. soldiers followed me, going equally as slowly and silently.
The movement I had seen was around a corner up ahead, so I kept as alert as possible, not just for sight or movement but for any emotions if it was a pony.
There were lingering traces of fear, but that had been the case for every other part of Canterlot. I heard nothing more, and definitely didn't see any movement. We had to be careful, though; we had to be prepared for everything from an ambush to a maid simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Taking point, I dashed around the corner, a stun spell at the ready. My soldiers mimicked my action a fraction of a second later, covering all angles.
"Clear," I announced, relaxing when I didn't see anyone around the corner.
I still held the spell at the ready as I continued to look around. However, I didn't sense any magic, nor see anything out of the ordinary. At least, no magic or anything else other than what was right in front of me.
Sitting on a splintered and shattered side table was the portal amulet, glowing slightly purple. I could sense its magic: a teleport spell was half finished, present within the artifact.
Cautiously, I picked up the amulet to examine it further. I didn't detect any traps. There wasn't any movement, and all the doors in sight were firmly shut.
"Someone's been looting my stuff," I mumbled angrily and I flipped the amulet over.
I scanned the amulet again, but picked up no change. The teleport spell was decaying away, but now that I saw how it was structured, I could easily replicate and finish it.
"Teleporting indeed. Alright, let's get back in formation," I told my lings.
"What is it, sir?" One asked as we began to backpedal.
"An artifact from the First Hive. I don't know who left it here, but they did so in a hurry. Get a squad together and start sweeping that corridor."
The changeling saluted, nodded to four others, and went back to the hallway we had just peeked down. When I rejoined the ponies, Shining gave the order to resume moving.
"What is that?" Shining asked, nodding to the necklace I was holding.
"From Nisir," I repeated. "Someone must have stolen it, used it, and abandoned it in a hurry. There's no other magic present, so it can only be related to teleportation. When the squad picks up our thief, I'll be sure to thank him or her for figuring out what the amulet is for..."
"You're sure it's not a trap?" Cadence asked, eying the magical device.
"Certain," I nodded. "I've seen quite a few traps now, and I only detect a decayed teleportation matrix on this thing."
I put the amulet around my neck so I wouldn't have to hold it.
As scared as I was of a trapped piece of jewelry, that was peanuts in comparison to the big threat of Chrysalis and being defeated by her. I needed every advantage I could get.
"You're really certain of that?" Cadence asked, clearly not convinced.
"I walked around for weeks with the biggest trapped piece of magical jewelry in existence during the invasion. Since then, I've made sure to get very good at detecting other spells present in enchantments."
That much was true. I might not be able to replicate most enchantments, but I could at least distinguish between them and identify the types of magic. Unbroken Radiance was, for example, an incredibly complex artifact, though much of the enchantments had decayed over time. God-Splitter, on the other hoof, had layers of complex dispelling enchantments around a core of... something. Likely the Mithril inside was doing something magic-related, but what exactly was beyond me. There wasn't anything outside of the core that would suggest a way to speak with the Dead, so whatever it was that was causing me to hear Princess Procho was in the hammer's core.
"Besides, we might need every advantage we can get against Chrysalis. I'm sure she's got a few new tricks of her own."
Cadence shrugged, "Alright then. We should be getting close, now..."
We heard our allies before we saw them. Sounds of spellfire and yelling caused our lead elements, namely Shining Armor and a squad of Royal Guards, to break into a gallop. I maintained a quick pace, continuing to check around for ambushes. The fact that we were nearing a battle meant that there were in fact enemies nearby, and I wasn't about to make the assumption that every one of them was focused on Luna. If I were in charge, I would have kept some lings back to ambush any would-be reinforcements.
But, aside from a few scared staff members hiding in a guest bedroom behind a makeshift barricade, there were no surprises for us.
Shining Armor had run up to Princess Luna, who was leading an offensive of fifty ponies and changelings. Their target was a massive barricade of overturned furniture and shields down the hallway, who were throwing out as many suppressive spells as they could.
"Phasma!" Luna acknowledged my arrival with a smile and nod.
Seeing her smile, all perfectly healthy- save for a few cuts- filled me with a sense of relief that was like jumping into a cold pool of water.
"Sir!" An armored changeling next to her nodded.
After a moment, I recognized him as Captain Katydid. He was bleeding in several places, but was still standing.
I ducked down into cover next to them, "Luna, Katydid. You have no idea how happy I am to see you two. Hope you weren't having too much fun without us?"
"We've got a problem," Luna said with a noticeable contraction.
"What?" I asked, realizing that this was serious.
"We found Celestia," Luna announced. "But we weren't the first."
I looked past the changelings' defenses, "Well then. Good thing I've got the world's best battering ram with me. Let's make this quick. If Celestia is injured..."
It was, after all, my fault that Celestia was in danger. I had abandoned her in favor of saving my own changelings. A necessary decision, but one that I still felt guilty for.
God-Splitter tapped quietly against Unbroken Radiance as I stared her down.
At my sides, Princess Luna, Princess Cadence, and Captain Shining Armor stood at the ready in war gear, eyes glued to Princess Celestia. My eyes never left hers.
The room we were in, a large open room that was a break room for the countless staff that rotated in and out of this part of the castle at all hours of the day, was nearly empty. All the tables and chairs had been taken out and used in the Praetorians' barricades, leaving the room with just its fancy paintings, light fixtures, and curtains.
The doors we had entered from, we had shut behind us. The only other feasible exit were the massive floor-to-ceiling windows on the far side, which overlooked a portion of the castle's massive garden. The setting sun cast its yellow and orange rays through the windows, reflecting brightly off the laminated wood floor beneath our hooves.
Then there was Princess Celestia, the shrunken alicorn of the sun. She was lying prone on the ground, with several armor pieces colored pitch black and encircled with gold filigree; the war wizards of the many illustrious orders of the Royal Guards. Celestia had used them as personal bodyguards.
Now, they were piles of ashes scattered around fallen armor sets.
Celestia herself was staring at the pieces, eyes wide and heavy with the fear and sadness that surged from her like waves crashing against a shore. The white alicorn seemed duller around the edges, with her eyes and mane many shades duller than what they should be. The reason for that was quite obvious; the reason was smiling, and looking quite satisfied with herself as she loomed over the defeated alicorn.
Her Adamantium boots, thin half-barrel-plate, and crown shined in the sun's rays.
Her chitin, as black as my own, was pitted and scarred with a hundred and one cuts, some as shallow as a scratch, and others as deep as a knife wound.
Her weapon, a sharpened blade of glowing stone, black as obsidian, bobbed lazily by her side.
Her mane, once a straight curtain of blue, had been cut short in many places, and messed up and stained with blood in many more.
Her eyes, the green orbs which matched my own, didn't waver for a second. The moment I had opened the door, there was only one thing she cared enough to stare at.
Her Weave, the unwelcome presence at the back of my mind, reminded me of everyone who had died as a result of this madmare.
Queen Chrysalis of the Fourth Hive smiled at my entrance, and hadn't stopped smiling since.
"Phasmatodea," she cooed.
"Chrysalis," I snarled back. |
Changing Expectations | 150- Ragnarök: The Fate Of The Gods | Thorax kept up a brisk pace, dodging around the changelings and ponies that were choking the corridor.
The mess outside had...
Thorax shook his head and focused on moving forward. Lace and Coxa were following him as he picked his way across the aftermath of another battle. Thankfully, it was considerably less bloody and fatal than the massacre outside.
The bloodbath had taken place in a long hallway and had spread like wildfire into many of the adjacent rooms. The changelings, almost exclusively Praetorians, were left in a bad way. Thorax tried hard to not think about the specifics. Ponies and R.R.H. members had taken some injuries, but by and large it was the Fourth Hive's soldiers on the ground, bound up and being treated.
From what Thorax could gather, this offensive was spearheaded by Phasma himself. Some helpful ponies had directed the First Fang the right way, towards the far end of the battlefield. Apparently, after having rendezvoused with Princess Luna and Captain Katydid, they barreled straight through the Praetorians.
It was a distressingly similar sight to the one right outside the Palace's doors.
Thorax stepped through a giant mess of gore; the remains of a single Uttu spider had been painted across the floor in an ugly fashion, with the blood and guts still steaming heat from its recent death.
'Keep calm, and keep moving. Your friends need you. Phas needs you. Oh, Panar!'
Thorax doubled his pace as he skirted around a changeling whose head was a full three hooves length away from his body.
'That wasn't real. And if it was real, it wasn't that bad. I'm sure it was no one I know. No, that's a terrible way to think about it... It's okay. I'm going to be okay. Everyone is going to be okay. Oh Panar, another one! No! Eyes forward, Thorax! Don't look at the way the blood splattered on the... oh fuck it, this is really bad.'
"Halt!" An R.R.H. soldier stepped out in front of Thorax, forcing him to skid to a halt.
He shifted about and pawed at the ground, too nervous and scared to stand completely still.
"Please-" He cleared his throat when his voice cracked. "Please step aside."
"No one gets past without clearance," the guard said.
Coxa and Lace caught up and stopped on either side of Thorax.
"Step aside, soldier," Coxa said in a strained tone.
The armored changeling stared at Coxa, ".... Oh. Yes sir, right away, sir. I apologize for not recognizing you right away."
"Move aside, now," Coxa stressed, getting angry at the delay.
The soldier reluctantly stepped aside, revealing the final stretch of the battle. Several dozen changelings and ponies were standing around, either helping the wounded or preparing new defenses. There was no one past them, no one but a closed set of golden double doors.
"Where's Phas?" Thorax asked, looking around at everyone. "Where is he?"
'I need to find him before he fights Queen Chrysalis. If I don't, then he could end up lying on the ground, jaw open and tongue- no! Stop thinking about them, Thorax! Focus on saving your friend!'
One pony gestured to the doors, "They all went in there, and ordered us to guard the exit and prepare for the worst."
Immediately, Thorax started marching to the doors. Before he could pass by all of the people around them, one called out to him. His voice made Thorax stop in his tracks, and set loose another swarm of butterflies in his stomach.
"Thorax?"
Slowly, so slowly, Thorax turned.
"It's really you?"
Pharynx was staring at him, eyes wide and jaw dropped.
"Pharynx," Thorax whispered.
In an instant, his brother had closed the distance between them and wrapped Thorax up in a hug so tight he swore he could hear his chitin cracking. Thorax felt flushed as he noticed that Lace and Coxa were watching.
"Don't you ever leave me again, you hear?" Pharynx croaked through gritted teeth. "I thought you... I thought... Gods above, I'm so happy to see you again."
Thorax grinned widely, "You too, Pharynx! I've missed you, but I'm so glad to see you're all okay. What have you been up to since I left?"
"Since you left?!" Pharynx pulled away and looked Thorax in the eyes.
Thorax noticed that Pharynx was crying. It was an unsettling sight, one Thorax had only seen four times before.
"You... I thought you were dead, Thorax!"
".... Oh. Oh. I- I'm okay, Pharynx. I'm okay."
Pharynx pulled Thorax back into a hug, which Thorax gladly returned.
"I'm okay, really, Pharynx. I've been up to a lot. Even found a new way to harvest love."
"So I've heard," Pharynx replied quietly.
"I've even got a coltfriend."
"... Okay."
Thorax cleared his throat, "But, uh... Pharynx? I need to go help Phasma. We have to go help Phasma. We can talk later, okay?"
"What?! Are you insane, Thorax?!" Pharynx nearly yelled into his ear. Noticing Thorax cringe, he lowered his voice, "It's out of our hooves; there's nothing more us lowly mortals can do."
Thorax broke away from the hug, "What are you talking about, Pharynx?"
Pharynx nodded towards the closed doors, "They're all in there. All of them. We would only get in the way of things."
"Who's in there?" Thorax asked, figuring that there was something being left unsaid.
"Your friend Prince Phasma, Princess Luna, Princess Cadence, Captain Shining Armor, Princess Celestia, and... Queen Chrysalis."
Thorax started to move, but Pharynx blocked him with a hoof.
"You're not going in there, Thorax. I'm not going to lose you again!"
"With respect," Coxa said, stepping forward, "you don't have a choice. We're going in there."
"And we are going to save the day," Lace finished.
"It's pure suicide," Captain Katydid interrupted. "The fight that's going to happen... there's nothing we can do but make sure the Palace doesn't come down around us."
Thorax's smile dropped, "Nothing stands between me and saving my friends."
Emotions. I was definitely feeling them, as were my pony allies. Cadence and Shining were a matching cocktail of anger and fear. Luna was like a shot of pure, concentrated hatred.
I, however, was feeling ninety-nine different emotions at the same time. I was angry. Angry that the despicable thug that called itself my mother dare stand before me. I was happy. Happy that finally I would get a chance to end this once and for all, avenging everyone who had died. I was scared.
No, I was terrified. If I was reduced to the flight or fight mental state that apparently happens when you're terrified, then I was most certainly in the fight category. I was positively vibrating from fear, to the point where I was finding it hard to keep still. And I was ready to expend that energy on one of the most important fights of my life. If I won, I got to cuddle with Luna. If I lost, I would be reduced to spending an eternity trapped within my own body. So, I was very nervous.
Hence me tapping my hammer idly.
"Queen Chrysalis, surrender at once!" Luna ordered. "Surrender, and you will be looked upon more favorably during your trial."
Chrysalis cackled, breaking our staring contest to throw her head back in laughter, "Nyahahaha haaa! There isn't going to be a trial, stupid pony! This is the part where I win! The part where Equestria ceases to be! Look at your praised sun princess! See how she lies broken at my hooves. I'll tell you what; surrender, and I'll give you a kinder fate. Marginally more kind, at least."
"Be careful," Celestia whispered to us, unable to muster the strength to do anything more.
"I'll tell you what," I started, straightening God-Splitter and tapping the ground with the bottom of its hilt. "How about you don't surrender, so I can paint the walls an ugly shade of pink using the insides of your head?"
Chrysalis's stare returned to me, and she drank in the details. Her eyes noticeably lingered on my armor, which considering that it was the largest single piece of Adamantium she had ever seen, wasn't surprising.
"Lightning and proximity, hmm?" She cooed. "Interesting theory, Commander Scorpion. It was Scorpion, was it not? You arrived so soon after the message was sent, it could be noling else. Ah, it doesn't matter. You're back, Prince Phasma! You have returned to the fold at last!"
"I have come to kill you," I replied, making Chrysalis only grin wider.
"It doesn't have to come to bloodshed," Cadence pleaded. "Please, Queen Chrysalis, see reason! Changelings can have a place in Equestria- they will have a place! No more hunger. No more war. No more suffering. If you would just listen to us-"
"Silence!" Chrysalis snarled, her smile dropped in an instant. "I've heard enough begging from the likes of you quivering ponies! You'll pay for what you did to my son, rest assured, so it would be wise to not rush your own fate! For setting him against me, you'll-"
"They did nothing to me," I growled. "You did that all on your own. Did you really think I wouldn't find out? That I wouldn't figure out your plans to get rid of me once I had done all of the hard work? I won't lay down and die. This will not be my end, but yours instead!"
"Phasma, wait!" Cadence pleaded. "Now's not the time to be escalating the situation. Maybe, just maybe we can talk through this."
"It is worth a try," Luna agreed.
'It will fail. Then, I will kill the monster.'
"There's nothing to discuss," Chrysalis said. "You will surrender, and I may forgive you for everything you've done. Then, I will fix Prince Phasmatodea, and everything will be perfect."
"Just keep shooting down peaceful solutions," I smiled. "Make my day."
"Thorax has found a way to gather love without hurting ponies," Cadence said. "We can work together. There doesn't have to be any more fighting!"
"Ha!" Chrysalis barked a laugh. "Thorax?! That miserable excuse for a Praetorian? I find it highly likely that he is your puppet, yes, but actually discovering anything new? I'd sooner believe that Panarthropo ascended him into a prince."
"More talk of Ascension," I shook my head.
"The connection is intentional, I'm sure, between the Ascension process and drones reaching godhood," Chrysalis remarked. "It's just the kind of thing our ancestors would have referenced heavily. Do not fret, Phasma, I have nothing of the sort planned. I will break whatever control they have over you, and we can be a family again. Just as soon as I get dear Eucharis back..."
"You butchered my brothers and sisters," I said, now pointing God-Splitter at her. "You slaughtered them, then lobotomized them and stuck them in jars. A closet filled with literal skeletons. There is nothing you can say to excuse that. There is nothing you can say to convince me that Ascension isn't your plan for me!"
She frowned, ".... It cannot be that simple, can it? Fear is what sets you against me? Only fear? Perhaps... Phasma." She stared at me, "I did not Ascend- ah, well, it's true. I did Ascend your brother and sister. Just two. The other two royals in that room were my siblings. The last tank was originally for me. That was one of the reasons why I killed your grandmother. Your two siblings replaced two of mine who had... perished. One cannot be Ascended forever, as the Fourth Hive chooses dying changelings for the process. It does not halt death, but only slows it."
I was surprised that she was being so forthcoming with so much information. Then again, I couldn't be sure how much of it was lies, and how much was the truth. However, I did not lower my guard, not for a single second.
"Don't you see?" Cadence stepped forward. "There are two sides to every story. If you're afraid that we're lying, that we're harboring grudges against you... You will be put on trial, true, but you won't die. You won't suffer. You'll be fed, housed, and everything else that comes with the responsibility of taking you as a prisoner."
The bug-queen shook her head, "More honeyed words. That's the allure, isn't it? That's how you persuaded so many changelings to defect from our one true cause? You paint the picture that your way helps the Hive Eternal, so they don't feel guilty about abandoning all that they stand for. No matter, I will find out how much of all of this is true when I sift through your shattered pieces. Even if every word is true, we must finish our work. That was always the plan."
'Yes.'
"Panar guide my blade," She brought her sword up.
'Yes!'
"And let my aim be true!" She plunged the blade downwards, towards Celestia.
'Not on my watch!'
Within the span of a heartbeat, I was there, parrying the strike using God-Splitter's head, with a manic grin across my face.
Cadence and Shining gasped in surprise, while Luna's reaction was just a fraction of a second behind my own; a blue shield phased into existence above Celestia, sheltering her from the blocked attack.
"At last, back to war!" I growled like an animal. "Now that we're done talking, let's get to the part where I rip you apart, piece by bloody piece!"
"So it is woven," Chrysalis sighed.
"So it shall be!" I roared.
I pushed upwards with God-Splitter, intent on shattering her before she landed her first blow. Luna appeared at my side, just as determined as I was- though lacking the glee and enthusiasm, springing forth with her own purplish-blue spear.
At the same moment as we attacked, Cadence and Shining Armor swooped in to rescue Celestia. Cadence used her wings to dart underneath us, scoop up Celestia, and glide right back out. Shining Armor covered her with his famous shield, protecting the alicorns while they were vulnerable.
Chrysalis reacted by dodging to the side, so close that God-Splitter scraped against her mane. Her wings buzzed at a thousand beats a minute, struggling to give her the agility and speed she needed. She blocked Luna's spear, letting the strike glance off her stone blade with a shower of sparks. Meanwhile, she reached out with telekinesis to grip God-Splitter.
Chrysalis's magic sputtered and sparked away, unable to get a hold of the weapon. At the same moment, Shining tried the same thing with Chrysalis' strange sword, only to get the same result.
I pulled backward on God-Splitter's tether to strike her in the back while I began to cast a summoning spell. Chains of magical energy wrapped themselves into being from my horn and shot towards Chrysalis.
Luna switched tactics, diving low right as Shining's shield dropped away, and lanced upwards with a focused will blast. Like the pincers of a scorpion's claw, we attacked Chrysalis from different angles, forcing her to react.
Chrysalis blocked the lower attack with a green shield, and let herself get hit by my spell. The magical chain quickly wrapped itself around her long neck, and I poured energy into the spell. The energy traveled along the chain like a lightning bolt, errant orange sparks flying around the surge as it crackled with power.
God-Splitter hit her right in the back, but she spun with the momentum, further wrapping herself up in the chains but lessening the blow.
Chrysalis cringed when the energy flowed into and around her, but her mouth, twisted in frustration, warped into a grin when that same energy shot back with a loud crack.
She had managed to cast a spell while holding her own blade in telekinesis, a feat reserved for all but the luckiest and most skilled war mages. I would have been greatly concerned and terrified at the sight, but I had more pressing matters to deal with.
I dropped the spell, but the connection held for more than I wanted it to, and a wave of energy three times larger than the one I sent out hit me right in the horn.
It took many tries for my mind to restart itself.
I was lying prone against a wall. Again. My mind played back the last few seconds as I tried desperately to make sense of what had to be a simple event. As seconds ticked by, my mind slowly caught itself up and I shook away stars in my vision.
While attempting to stun Chrysalis, I had opened myself up to my own weakness, like some kind of crappy video game boss.
'What a stupid, stupid thing to do,' was the only thought to echo in my vacant mind.
I struggled to get up, only to realize that I wasn't prone against the wall but instead partially in the wall. I had been blown back so hard that I had left a Phasma-sized hole, which proved to be a minor nuisance to struggle out of.
As I extracted myself, I refocused on the battle. Cadence and Luna had picked up the slack from my absence, and were working in tandem with Shining to keep the pressure on Chrysalis. Celestia was close to me, not quite looking at me, but instead through me.
She was holding one of the black helmets that had been scattered around her hooves.
'What a stupid, stupid thing to do.... Chrysalis must've executed those ponies,' I thought as my mind finally began moving again.
"She killed them," Celestia said sadly.
"Sorry," I mumbled as I got up to my hooves and shook off the last bit of cobwebs in my head.
'If I had stayed, they would probably be alive. But my changelings wouldn't be, so it's a choice I had to make.'
I felt tingly and a bit sore, but overall, I was feeling alright. Unbroken Radiance took the entirety of the hit pretty well. I was down a good chunk of my energy, maybe about a third, but that was still a huge amount left.
It was just unfortunate that Chrysalis had more left. She had almost certainly gorged herself on the podded ponies before the invasion.
Chrysalis had just landed a brutal kick to Cadence's chest, sending her stumbling away. Shining had more or less relegated himself to keeping Chrysalis's sword occupied, using shields and lasers to keep it occupied or knocked away.
'The bastard is doing a good job of removing us from the fight,' I noted with a growing sense of frustration.
I felt Unbroken Radiance heat up around me as it restarted its protective shield. Quickly, I located God-Splitter and retrieved it from its abandoned position nearby, and readied myself to jump back into the action.
Luna was doing an effective job of keeping Chrysalis focused on her, rather than following up on any opportunities the tyrant made. So, I flew back into the action, arriving at Luna's side to replace Cadence.
'Elemental spells only, I'm not making that foolish mistake twice!'
I arrived just as Chrysalis parried one of Luna's conjured weapons. Before she could capitalize on the maneuver, I finished casting a spell I had started before I flew over. A storm of ice shards, each about nine inches, shot forth with a series of whip-cracks.
The attacks did little to Chrysalis. They scored her chitin, even drawing blood in some cases, but such superficial wounds would never end the fight.
She took the attack instead of dodging or blocking in order to keep attacking Luna. With a furious roar, she body-checked my marefriend, swinging her head to gouge Luna with her fangs. The enlarged teeth scraped loudly against Luna's silver armor, then tore into Luna's exposed blue fur on her right foreleg. Chrysalis's sword, which was previously keeping Shining occupied, was pulled back and used against Luna. The obsidian edge swished past Luna's defenses and sliced her in the neck, drawing blood from a decently sized cut.
As Chrysalis separated herself from Luna, Luna bounced harshly off the ground with a grunt and slid away from the fight.
"You piece of shit!" I growled.
Chrysalis was holding her own pretty well, dishing out more than she was taking. But with four of us, she would have to keep up this pace in order to win. Or, I could keep making stupid mistakes and shorten the battle considerably.
I swung God-Splitter as I came up with a plan. Deciding to give her a taste of her own brute-force-medicine, I rapidly casted shockwaves. The heavily compressed airwaves battered Chrysalis as she weaved around my hammer. The blasts echoed impressively through the tiny room, going so far as to blast out the tall glass windows on the far side.
Chrysalis's sword spun away across the wood flooring, disappearing out of sight when it fell through the shattered window.
Unfortunately, the spell was more bark than bite. Many of the blasts hit Chrysalis, spinning around and throwing her away like a toy being the subject of a fool's tantrum. There was little more damage than that, but I was playing for time; the longer I kept her occupied, the more time everyone else had to regroup and enter the fight.
After one particularly overreaching swing with my hammer, she spun around and blasted it with her own shock wave, sending it spinning out the broken windows.
"Enough!" She screamed.
Cursing, I pulled God-Splitter back, but the action would take precious seconds. Chrysalis used those to her advantage; a laser blast forced me to put up my own shield to take the hit. Chrysalis had eked out a reprieve from my assault and looked to once again press the advantage.
When it hit my shield, I got a terrible realization of how low my energy reserves had dropped. The shield shattered, and I flinched hard from the recoil, dropping a knee and staggering.
However, Cadence, Shining Armor, and Luna had managed to recover enough to cover me. A hurricane of conjured arrows pelted past me, covering Chrysalis and the entire wall around her in multi-colored shafts of light.
She screamed as she dispelled the arrows embedded in her chitin. The ponies lined up next to me as the battered changeling recovered, crouching low like a snarling, feral animal.
"Surrender," Luna ordered. "It is the only way you can leave this battle alive. Or do not. You will find that I am reluctant to give you forgiveness for what you did to my sister."
"It is my duty to assume the worst," Chrysalis literally spat as she cleared the blood from her mouth. "I will win or die here. The survival of the Hive Eternal demands it!"
"Then perish," I said.
"Oh, one of us will," Chrysalis said breathlessly before she launched her attack.
The windows had not broken cleanly. There were many countless jagged pieces still clinging to the edges of the frames, and more glass shards than you can count lying around the windows.
Chrysalis took full advantage of that. She conjured up a whirlwind centered around herself, pulling in all of the remaining glass chunks and even ripped off the floorboards to use as projectiles in her manufactured sandstorm.
The ponies all brought up shields around themselves, while I let Unbroken Radiance protect me. Chrysalis stood triumphantly in the middle of her storm, perfectly open to an attack. Discarding the notion that it could be a trap, I charged her with God-Splitter at the ready.
When all else failed, blunt force trauma would solve my problem.
She spotted my advance long before I closed the distance between us. And, it was at that moment that I learned something extremely disconcerting. Along the way, Chrysalis had picked up a brand new trick: dual casting.
I should have picked up on the fact that she might have been capable of it, given that she could hold a blade and cast spells, but the thought never crossed my mind.
The moment I let God-Splitter go in a lunge towards her, she finished casting a lightning spell. A blinding white light, centered on her horn, heralded the beginning of an actual lightning bolt.
The electricity coursed through me and exited my body through my metal boots, but not before putting me through about twelve different metaphorical blenders, and one glass-filled literal one. I dropped like a puppet with my strings cut, my hearing completely gone once again. The first time I had been hit by an electrical attack had been merely the appetizer for her real attempt to fry me alive.
My whole body hurt. Black spots filled my vision. Unbroken Radiance was glowing from the heat of trying to absorb the attack, making me thankful that I had an exoskeleton and not flesh that could burn. My chitin did its best attempt burning, however, and I coughed as I literally began smoking.
I looked up, expecting to see Chrysalis glaring down at me, but I was surprised to see that she had also been knocked off her hooves. She had been hit by my hammer at full force and was now lying on the ground beneath it, as God-Splitter was now firmly embedded in the wall above her.
She lifted her head off the ground to glare at me.
"Do you yield?" I asked over the Weave, as my hearing was returning too slowly to talk out loud.
"Never," Chrysalis grimaced as she slowly rose up from the ground.
Her half-barrel plate was now dented inwards, with blood slowly leaking out from underneath the section covering her chest.
I was even slower to rise. I had lost most of my feeling across my exoskeleton, and everything I felt inside was screaming in protest. Yet I still rose to the challenge.
A pair of hooves helped me up as Luna arrived at my side. She was grimacing from the laceration on her neck and the myriad of small cuts she had received during the fight, but I was glad to see that she was still here, with me.
'At the end of it all, I'm glad you are at my side. If only I deserved your kindness.'
Shining and Cadence stepped between us and Chrysalis. No doubt they were voicing their eleventh demand for her to surrender. Chrysalis ignored it, just as she ignored every one before. I saw them throw up a shield to block a firestorm that fully engulfed half of the room.
Then, she was next to us. Chrysalis had dual casted a teleport spell with her fire one, and appeared right next to Luna and I. Luna gasped and started to turn to minimize her profile, but it was too late. Chrysalis plunged a conjured green blade right through Luna's side, with enough power behind it to cut through her protective armor.
She fell, eyes wide.
Her gasp was the first awful sound I heard as my hearing finally returned. Chrysalis followed the attack up with another blade, this one sent towards an unsuspecting Cadence.
I screamed.
My wings had been torn apart by the lightning attack, so I lurched forwards awkwardly, collapsing onto Chrysalis more than anything else.
"Away!" I screamed.
I felt a burning sensation inside my chest as I brought forth the last dregs of my mana. My teleport spell finished casting, and the amulet around my neck pulsed orange as it followed my command. An orange, swirling vortex opened up just behind Chrysalis as I pushed both of us through.
The torn apart room of the Palace was replaced with the twilight of the setting sun, with the world far beneath us. We were in the sky above Canterlot, looking down upon the city.
We hung there for a moment, suspended below a flat matching orange vortex that shrunk away. Just a fraction of a second, long enough to realize that we had teleported.
Then we fell.
I clung to Chrysalis, unwilling to let go. She tried desperately to pry me off, but failed.
We fought. We fought gracelessly, bloodily, and without any plans.
It wasn't a duel. There was no tactical maneuvering. There were no calculated risks or countermeasures enacted. In fact, there was really only one spell being cast by either of us: a simple strengthening spell. I was not the one casting it, but I was the one with the most armor.
Armored hooves launched into each other. I groaned and hissed in pain as she battered my already bruised body. She grimaced and growled as I returned the favor, hitting her unarmored body.
One uppercut knocked my helmet clean off, and a second broke my nose.
A headbutt broke several of her teeth, and blood started to stream upwards as we twisted around and rolled during our descent.
Blow for blow, we continued to beat each other up. Neither of us had a plan. Neither could cast any spells- we were simply too close. The moment one of our horns glowed, the other would just land a solid blow, disrupting the spell and giving hell to the spell caster.
Further and further we fell, breaking chitin, smashing teeth, and screaming obscenities that could not be heard over the howling wind.
When the ground started getting close enough to worry about, we rolled around for the top position, for whoever had their back facing the ground would bear the brunt of the landing.
My mind made a vague reference to the Balrog fight as we continued to pummel each other mercilessly, but the thought was lost in a cloud of hate, fear, and growing pain. Whereas I had no energy left, Chrysalis had plenty of reserves left to end my life- or worse, to make sure it never ended.
The ground welcomed us both.
It turned out that I teleported us pretty much directly up. We crash-landed in one of the plazas in the center of the Palace's gardens. In fact, we splashed down quite literally in a massive fountain.
The four-tiered fountain disintegrated underneath us, solid stone fracturing into a hundred pieces as water sprayed wildly. As it so happened, neither of us was on the bottom when we landed. Instead, we were equally horizontal when we made the fountain into a pile of wet rubble.
The landing split my already bruised and weak exoskeleton, ripping off my entire left elytra, blood oozing from the wound as my wing twitched erratically from the pain. The searing pain and I became close friends, whether I wanted it or not.
When the dust cloud began to clear, I saw Chrysalis lying on the opposite side of the rubble, an exposed nozzle gently spraying water onto her back. Slowly, we staggered upright. Rock pieces fell from my shoulders and blood and water slowly flowed off my shattered carapace. I swayed uneasily but managed to stay up.
Chrysalis mirrored my own actions.
"So..." She wheezed.
"So..." I grunted, my mouth tasting of dirt and blood.
Instead of launching into a final duel, a last gamble for survival, we paused. Panting and dripping blood. Chrysalis conjured a ghostly form of her weapons. The green blade was held slanted at her side as she slowly straightened up. Rather than tip her off that I had nothing left, I didn't summon a weapon. I kept up the appearance of being capable of fighting while I struggled to think of a way out.
In the end, I decided that I had done my duty in wearing her down, and that all I had to do was survive long enough for someone to rescue me.
I could maybe, maybe have enough energy to conjure up one single blade. That meant that I would have to bait her in, and take whatever hit she dished out and somehow take her down with one blow. I couldn't even charge her. The injuries I had received made me doubt the possibility of moving anywhere fast, except moving on to the afterlife.
Chrysalis started to smile, as if tasting my blood in the water. She prowled straight through the rubble, leisurely taking her time to get to me.
"It's over, little Phasma. I can see it in your eyes; you have already lost. Just surrender, this is not where you are fated to die."
"Not gonna happen," I huffed. "You think this is the end? It took this much to bring me low, how do you plan on taking down two full-strength alicorns?"
"With your army," Chrysalis smiled. "After your defeat, they will return to serving the Hive Eternal."
"They have standing orders to kill you, no matter what my fate is," I revealed.
She snarled, "You what?! You would leave the Hive Eternal leaderless?! Directionless?! You are a fool who would doom us all! I will make you order their cooperation, you imbecile-"
"Wait!" Someone cried from above us.
My ears flicked towards the sound, but I did not move my head. Chrysalis had paused momentarily, but then kept moving.
"Waaait!" The person cried again, louder this time.
The light buzzing of insect wings signaled the arrival of one, no, two changelings. Thorax and Pharynx lowered into view, setting down on the rubble between Chrysalis and I.
"Stop fighting, please!" Thorax begged.
"Are you suicidal?!" I said, coughing and spitting out more blood. "How are you here?! Why?! Thorax, do you have any idea of-"
My gaze snapped back to Chrysalis, who had gaped and stalled, just as I did. Her blade was still by her side. But she was still entirely capable of ripping apart someone who got in her way, meaning everything so far had been for nothing if Thorax just threw his life away.
I could try to cast a shield around Thorax, trading my chance to kill Chrysalis in exchange for saving Thorax's life. If it came to that, if she made any move to attack, then I would have no choice. I still hoped to get Thorax out before that happened.
"Get out of my way, Thorax," I snarled.
"You don't have to fight," he pleaded. "This war can end right now! Both of you want the same thing! There's no need to end this in death!"
"There is a need," I continued to snarl. "Now get out of my way!"
"I'm here, too," Pharynx waved.
"Legate?" Chrysalis whispered. "What is the meaning of this?"
"They're telling the truth, Queen Chrysalis," Pharynx explained. "About love, about ponies, about everything."
".... Preposterous."
"I mean it, Thorax," I said. "Move. Please, move!"
'If he got hurt because of his own naivety... oh Panar, move your fat ass!'
"She's telling the truth," Thorax said, stepping down the rubble pile and towards me. "She never wanted to... to lobotomize you, Phas."
I flinched, "You don't know that. You can't know that."
"I do!" He pointed towards Pharynx, "Pharynx spent every day since the invasion by the Queen's side. She missed you.... in her own way. She never wanted you to get hurt. Pharynx has no reason to lie to me about that!"
"I'm not going to risk everything just on your word," I shook my head.
"Prince Phasma is right," Chrysalis agreed. "I'm never going to trust the fate of our species on the word of two drones."
"You're going to have to," Pharynx started to walk down towards Chrysalis.
"Keep your distance- better yet, remove yourself from my path, Legate," Chrysalis ordered. "If you do not, I'll have to add you to the growing pile of corpses this war has produced.
"You don't look to be quite capable of that," Pharynx said, looking at Chrysalis.
Thorax paused, turning to Chrysalis, "What will it take to convince you? What piece of evidence would I have to get to end this war, and save our species?"
Chrysalis actually seemed to consider what Thorax was saying, ".... A sign from Panarthropo herself. Nothing less could suffice. Not while the stakes are so high."
Thorax sighed, "And you, Phasma? What would it take to convince you that Chrysalis never wanted to hurt you?"
'What would it take? After everything I have seen? After everything she has done? How could I ever believe that bullshit to be true...? There's nothing. Nothing that can be done, nothing that can be shown, nothing can prove her innocence.'
I shook my head- then grimaced as the action brought forth a spike of pain in my head.
"There's nothing, Thorax. Please... please move. Pharynx, get your brother out of here before something bad happens!"
Chrysalis stepped forward, making my heart beat like a drum.
'No! I've said too much!'
"Stop!" I yelled to her, stepping forward too. "Thorax, you have to go! Pharynx, get your brother under control! Now, damn it!"
'Where the hell are Coxa and Lacewing?! They should have kept an eye on the bastard, now he's in danger!'
"A miracle," Thorax said, scrunching up his muzzle in frustration. "What I need is a miracle, then?"
"What we need is a miracle," Pharynx corrected him.
"Alright," Chrysalis growled. "I've waited long enough. You two are in between me and getting my son back. It's time to end this rebellion, for once and for all."
Her sword moved- and I lurched forwards, throwing a shield in front of Thorax. Within the orange globe I conjured up, I saw Pharynx conjure up a shield a moment before Thorax brought one up himself. Three layers to protect against her one blade.
Chrysalis's blade shattered upon the orange bulwark between her and Thorax.
The crazed Queen gave a cry of dismay and frustration as her spell failed. Sparks flew from her horn, causing Chrysalis to instinctively reach up to the twisted appendage.
"My turn," I growled.
Dispelling the shield and gathering every last drop of mana into my horn, I created a spear. A fragile, cracked shaft of golden orange, tipped with a diamond of bright orange flaring magic. With a great heave, I opened my elytra, spread my wings, and took to the air. I wasn't sure if I had enough magic to use the portal talisman and cast an offensive spell, so I was going to kill my mother the old fashion way.
The blood pounded in my ears as I lifted off Equus. I aimed my spear as I twisted through the air, leaping over the blinding green double-layered bubble that contained the brothers.
'Wait, blinding?!'
The shield was glowing brighter than the sun, forcing me to look away. Then I noticed that I was being carried upwards- the shield wasn't just shining, it was growing! I gasped in surprise as the air was forced from my lungs when the shield hit me. I spun through the air and landed with a painful thud, skidding across the fountain's debris. when I came to a groaning stop, the bright light had ceased.
I cursed under my breath as Chrysalis stammered from somewhere nearby, "W-what?!"
"Thorax?!" Pharynx yelled. "What's... happening?!"
I slowly lifted my head and stared out at Thorax and Pharynx as I felt the power in the air. Something was happening. Something with Thorax and Pharynx right in the middle of it. Emotions and energy seemed to radiate out from the two of them.
I shut my eyes as two bright lights briefly turned the world white.
When I opened my eyes, Thorax disappeared into a light blue glow, and his brother Pharynx vanished into a dark red one. The glow receded after only a moment, and I fell to my knees. If I had any doubts that Panar had some tangible power on Equus, let alone existed, they were dispelled at that moment.
I felt it- we felt it: a change. Not in the physical world, but beyond it. Underneath it. A change in the realm existing just below the physical, where our Weaves clashed. There was something happening there.
"It can't be," Chrysalis muttered.
I blinked tears away, "No. It's not possible. It's not possible!"
'Panar's faith is just supposed to be a... a... a religion! Nothing tangible! Nothing real!'
"A sign," Chrysalis whispered reverently.
Thorax and Pharynx the changeling drones were no more. In their stead stood two Princes of the Hive Eternal. They looked like Chrysalis, holes and mane and all, though with their own colors: one a warm cyan, and the other a deep burgundy.
'He's alive!'
"It's not possible...." My eyes continued to water as I felt the weight of exhaustion press down upon me. "Thorax?"
Chrysalis slowly sank down, too, "Legate Pharynx?"
".... I think it's Prince Pharynx, now," the maroon changeling royal said, rubbing his neck and looking around.
"A sign from Panar," the cyan royal said. "... I don't think you'll get any clearer evidence than that, Phas."
At first, I thought it was an illusion. Some cheap trick, conjured up to somehow stop me from exacting my revenge. But I felt their presence in the Weave; it was a nascent, small pair of Weaves. Compared to my Weave and Chrysalis's, they might as well have been candles next to two great lighthouses. But they were there. It was undeniable that the two had something that no drone could ever have.
They had ascended, in the old usage of the word, to princedom, to immortality.
As divine of a right to rule as there could possibly be.
"How?" I gasped.
'I mean, if Harmony gets a rainbow laser, it makes sense that other supernatural forces have other tangible powers, but it still doesn't make sense!'
I tried to rise, only to stumble, and swayed heavily on my hooves. Thorax hurried down to me and caught me before I fell on my side.
He had cyan-slitted eyes now, and a cyan mane that hung low with bangs. His fangs were gone, replaced by smaller ones that fit inside his mouth. His horn twisted back in one solid notch, before tapering off in a point.
His brother matched Thorax's new appearance, save for the color scheme and the fact that his red mane was more in one of those swept-back hairstyles you'd see on a movie star or every single politician in existence.
"You, uh, you don't look so good, Phas," he frowned.
"... Already judging my appearance?"
He smiled, "Heh, I'm glad you're feeling fine enough to joke. But, uh.... Do you believe me now? Can we end this war?"
I frowned, then shifted to look at Chrysalis. She was refusing help from Pharynx, instead choosing to gawk at him and slowly pull herself up.
'Chrysalis? Not being the literal spawn of Satan?! I don't... But it has to be true! If it wasn't, Thorax and Pharynx wouldn't have... I had her right where I wanted her, but then the brothers Ascended. It couldn't be a coincidence, The Great Weaver wanted to interfere...'
".... Do I have a choice?" I mumbled.
"If I say no, that means you're done fighting, right?"
It wasn't like I was capable of fighting anyways, so I took the out that was offered.
'Figure this all out later. Right now, everyone is alive. Everyone is alive! Just accept the miracle and figure it out later, Phasma. Everyone is alive... aside from the hundreds of dead currently littering the square around the castle...'
"Okay. I... guess you're right," I admitted. "Can you give me some help?"
Thorax helped me up, and I leaned on him heavily for support.
"Oh gosh, you're bleeding a lot," he pointed out. "And you're... smoking?"
"So I went from not looking good to smoking?" I chuckled. "But it's too late to make what we had permanent, Thorax. I'm with Luna now- ow!"
Thorax had frozen, causing me to misstep.
"Sorry!" He apologized. He readjusted how he supported me and continued walking with me, "Just, uh... yeah."
".... So you are a prince now? That can just... happen?"
He shrugged with his free shoulder, "Apparently. I'm just as shocked as you are. It happened once before, according to the legends, so I guess why not again? I just... I can't really believe it myself. What does this mean for us? For the changelings?"
Thorax brought us in front of Pharynx and Chrysalis, who thought about the question.
"Can't argue with the Queen Above All," Chrysalis sighed. "This... is happening. You really found a way to get love from ponies willingly, Prae- ahem.... Prince Thorax?"
"Prince? Oh... I am one, aren't I?" He smiled and pawed at the ground.
"Bit slow today, aren't we?" Pharynx said, but his awkward smile betrayed the fact that he was just as surprised as the rest of us.
Thorax straightened up- nearly tossing me away in the process, "I mean, yes, I did! I found a way to save our species!"
Chrysalis slowly nodded, "I... see. And you, Prince Pharynx? What... what did you do to earn your ascension?"
Pharynx blinked, "... I ended the war, I guess? If it weren't for me, Thorax wouldn't have gotten past the ponies blocking his way. Though, if that was the case, then there should be two more royals up with the ponies, waiting for us, but I don't feel any other Weaves.... Or maybe it has something to do with Panar that we don't know about? There must always be two, or something..." he trailed off, looking between Chrysalis and me. "At any rate, I'm just happy to have my brother back. Anything more is... something I would have given up in a heartbeat to get him back."
"It is Panar's will," Chrysalis mused. "If... if you really are a prince now, then there is a reason. Or perhaps, will be a reason. Panar has a plan that we all follow. As it is woven, so it shall be."
Pharynx frowned, "I get eternal youth for something I'm going to do? Great. No pressure or anything..."
"Let's worry about all this later. Right now, we better get you two some help," Thorax said. "You're not looking so well."
Pharynx pointed above us, "Help is already on its way."
I followed his hoof and saw a group of Royal Guards peeking over the ledge of the shattered windows above us, ducking back to report what they saw to their superiors. In addition, I spied Coxa and Lacewing looking down at us.
'Bastards just watched Thorax put his life on the line and did nothing! You'd better have a good explanation, Coxa and Lace, or I'll be the first person to ever crucify someone on this world!''
"Prince Phasma," Chrysalis's voice called me back to the ground. "I... Do you believe me now? That I never intended for there to be any conflict or misgivings between us?"
"... I suppose I do," I sighed. "You still hurt Luna, though. And you nearly murdered Celestia!"
She merely laughed, "Yes, I did! You should thank me for that!"
"Why would I ever do that?!"
".... I don't know," she admitted. "Give me a minute to come up with a reason." She looked away, to the gardens around us, "I did what I had to. You must understand that. If I failed..."
'Motivated by fear, just like I was... I'm nothing like her, though!'
"Hmph," I grunted. "It'll take me a while until I get used enough to 'pony forgiveness' to start having some of my own. But... the war is over now?"
Chrysalis smiled, "How can it not be?"
'Chrysalis isn't evil.... No, it just doesn't sound right. But it has to be true. But it can't be. But it is. Ugh, my head is killing me...'
I rubbed my aching horn, "So, now what?"
Her smile dropped, "Unfortunately, you're the one with an army, still, so that is up to you. Or, perhaps that question is best directed towards the newly minted princes?"
The brothers blinked, sharing a look of surprise. Chrysalis suddenly giving them such an important decision was unexpected at first, but upon consideration, her dogmatic stance on religion was probably the entirety of the motivation behind that.
"Uh..." Pharynx mumbled, motioning to Thorax to come up with something.
"Uh," Thorax stammered, then motioned to me to say something.
I rubbed my face with a free hoof, trying to think of a solution to a problem I never expected to have.
'Right then. I'll be seizing this opportunity and claiming it as a total victory.'
"... The Fourth Hive is no more," I declared. "You are now just a Princess of the Hive Eternal, nothing more. Your title as Pontiff has already been lost, which I expect you'll have no argument with."
"And which of us is the Pontiff, then?" Chrysalis shot back. "If it isn't me, then is it Prince Thorax, the one who saved our species?"
"No!" Thorax shouted. "I mean, uh, no. It's.... King Phasma. Without him, none of this would have ever happened..."
'Same old Thorax, afraid of responsibility.'
"Sounds good to me," Pharynx said, nodding.
".... I agree," Chrysalis said. "What? Why are you looking at me like that? The plan was to always burden you with all the responsibilities following Equestria's capitulation, while I retired and grew fat on love. If you have already found a way to save our species, then I don't need to worry about that. It's why we're having this conversation at all, dimwits."
"I can't believe Pharynx was right about that," I sighed. "Very well then, I am the Pontiff by... unanimous vote. I have to admit, it will be useful to have your skills in the real war."
"Real war?" Chrysalis repeated.
"The reason why every Hive prior to the Fourth fell; we are being hunted," I revealed.
"So... the Infiltrator was telling the truth?"
The ponies decided to arrive at that moment. The changelings followed, too. In fact, they seemed to come in from all around us, whereas the ponies only descended from the Palace. Changelings flew over the Palace's perimeter walls, exited the Palace through doorways and windows, and gathered at a distance around us four royals.
'Us four royals. That is... quite something.'
Princess Cadence, Princess Luna, Captain Shining Armor, and Princess Celestia- being carried by Shining- dropped down around us with a massive contingent of guards.
"Queen Chrysalis! What.... What?" Cadence sputtered out, looking at Thorax and Pharynx.
"The war is over," I announced. "Princess Chrysalis has surrendered to me..."
The former queen cringed at her title, but offered no argument.
"Stuff happened," Thorax coughed awkwardly. "My brother and I are... royals now."
"That can happen?" Celestia asked, eyebrows raised.
"That was my reaction, too," I said quietly.
The other three royals began to speak to a bandaged-up Cadence, Celestia, and Shining Armor. There was one pony who stood apart from them, who in fact landed right by my side. Luna was sporting some thick gauze and bandages around her wounds, but seemed far more concerned with my own health.
Really, I was just relieved to see that she was alive. I knew that she was an alicorn and therefore was tougher than your average mortal, but the wounds she had received were pretty bad. Even now, her bandages were being soaked with blood.
She frowned, "Do thee fare well?"
"I should ask you the same," I said.
"We will live."
'Thank Panar for that.'
She looked like she was in a great deal of pain. Merely speaking was likely to be a painful experience, to say nothing of flying down to come to my unneeded rescue.
I nodded, "So will I."
She nodded, too, "Good. That is... good.... good..."
"Yeah- Ow!"
She tackled me in a hug so tight it worsened my wounds, and my blood started to stain her fur.
"Please don't ever do that again," she whispered in my ears. "Seeing you vanish into that vortex, we... I... feared the worst had come to pass."
"Please stop squeezing me!" I begged, and she relented a bit.
"You are injured, we will order medical professionals over at once! You there, officer, send forth for medical personnel at once! Now!"
"You seem to go a bit... 'old-fashioned' when you're scared," I pointed out.
"I am scared, yes," she admitted, looking down at my injuries. "What would I do if I had lost you?"
"Whine and mope, and bring about the apocalypse?" I suggested.
"That sounds like a solid plan of action. Thank Faust you are still okay, Phasma."
I winced, "Okay is perhaps too generous of a diagnosis..."
"I've seen worse. In addition, you changelings do have those miracle pods for healing," she mused. "In the meantime, you will not leave my side, not even for a second!"
"What about when I have to go to the bathroom?"
"Except for those seconds!" Her serious expression hid a grin that tried to form.
".... Is Celestia okay?" I asked, looking over at the small, dull alicorn.
"She was drained of emotions. Like her size, it will be fixed in time. For now, she is... alright. The same cannot be said of her guards..."
"Or the hundreds that died tonight," I said, now looking around at the growing crowd of changelings around us.
Coxa and Lacewing chose to show their cowardly faces at that moment.
"Heya Phas," Lace smiled. "Glad to see you're not dead!"
"Why was Thorax here?" I growled slowly. "And why didn't you two stop him?"
Coxa held up a hoof, "Before you rightfully get mad at us, we did what we could to stop him. What I mean by that is that we completely enabled his reckless behavior and followed a step behind him through Canterlot. If he was ever in danger before coming here, we would have had his back. We didn't drop down in the end because we stopped to help out Princess Luna, and the brothers snuck off before we realized..."
Lace picked up where he left off, "By the time we saw what was going on, we feared that intervening would only make things worse."
I found myself rubbing the base of my horn again, "Hmmm. Fine. Whatever. I can't deal with all this right now. If you say you couldn't help, then... I'll choose to believe that. You've earned that much trust, to say the least. But you and I will have words about letting Thorax enact any of his crazy ideas, Coxa."
"Those crazy ideas saved our species and just ended the war," he pointed out.
"Do you have any idea how close Thorax came to dying?" I growled, finding it more and more difficult to stay focused on my anger, using my pain to ground the emotion.
'Oh right, severe blood loss. That would explain why I'm feeling so dizzy and nauseous. I better wrap this up.'
"We'll speak later," I repeated. "Right now, I need medical attention. So I'd better get the required speech out of the way as soon as possible."
"Always hate these things," Luna muttered under her breath.
I leaned away from Luna, taking a step out, but stayed closed enough for Luna to catch me if I did faint from my injuries.
"Changelings of the Hive Eternal," I announced over the Weave, and out loud for the ponies' convenience.
The conversations broke, and everyone, royals, alicorns, ponies, and drones, all looked at me.
"I am King Phasmatodea of the Fifth Hive, Pontiff of the Hive Eternal. Princess Chrysalis, formerly Queen Chrysalis of the Fourth Hive, has surrendered. The war is over. The Fourth Hive is hereby dissolved, and all of you are now citizens of the Fifth Hive. Panarthropo has given us a miracle today; not only has the war ended, but two changeling drones have been chosen for the highest, most holiest honor there is; Prince Thorax and Prince Pharynx, formerly Praetorians both, have ascended to princedom. The Hive Eternal now has four royals, not two.
"A celebration is an order. A feast is demanded. Commemoration for the ascension, and to honor the fallen today will be held. But for now, tend to the wounded. Tonight, we rest and sort out the mess left to us. The future is far from secure for our species, and for the ponies, too, but we have earned some respite. Let this be the first day of a new age, one marked not by hunger, but instead a golden age of resurgence. The First Hive is ours for the taking. Our species' history and ancestral treasure will be ours. Our numbers will grow as we become closer to our new pony allies. We will be rich, not just in material wealth, but in food, company, and happiness. An age of gold. An age of love. But it will not all be feasting and merriment; another war lurks on the horizon.
"The changeling civil war is over, but there is much that must be done. We must ready ourselves to fight against our species' greatest rivals: the Nightmares from beyond the veil of our reality. For thousands of years, they have felled Hive after Hive. Now, we will have our chance to strike back, and claim our species' future and rightful place in the sun, right alongside the ponies.
"So rest tonight. Tomorrow, our work begins."
"As it is woven, so it shall be!" Chrysalis called out, adding her voice to the Weave.
"As it is woven, so it shall be!" Thorax and Pharynx said as a chorus.
"As it is woven!" The gathered changelings echoed. "So it shall be!"
Around me, the First Fang gathered. Thorax was now joined by Coxa and Lacewing, and Pharynx was there in his honorary status. The rest of my friends drew close, too. Luna the closest, while Shining Armor, Cadence, Celestia, Quick Search, Bray Call, Warm Dew, and Katydid all gathered in their own little groups.
Celestia put visible effort to raise her head higher than her shoulders, and gave an order to her guard "Spread the word across Equestria: the war is over. The war is finally over."
By noon the next day, every last city, town, village, and hamlet across Equestria had heard the news. By noon, every bell in Equestria rang in celebration- even in the empty ghost towns kept in good order by the Preservation Corps.
Every last town crier, every last newspaper, every last pony was declaring that the war was finally over.
If only for a while, peace returned to Equus. |
Changing Expectations | Iðavöllr: The World After | The cheers started to die down, and I spied Chrysalis staring at me questioningly as Luna wrapped her wings around me.
"Haha haaa....." Shining Armor sighed. "You're still under arrest, Chrysalis."
I rested my forelegs on the railing as I watched the procession of ponies. There were hundreds of them coming from the Crystal Caves, where my changelings and the Royal Guards were working together to get everyone freed and sorted. Ponies waved to them as they passed through the city, offering snacks, blankets, and anything else they could spare to the refugees.
Seemed kind of pointless to me, since the ponies would be taken care of at the Crown's expense anyways.
The main plaza had been cleared of bodies, and all of the changelings had been moved into the Crystal Caves. Overall, the death toll for changelings across the city was....
It was high.
The plaza was still strewn with debris and bloodstains, but that would be taken care of by the end of tomorrow. The city's heart would be beating once again after the immediate concerns were dealt with. At least most of the stains were covered up by the changelings and ponies moving around, or in many cases, lying on the ground, asleep, injured, or rarely, lined up in perfect, unmoving rows.
I raised an eyebrow in interest when I spied an orange pony with a brown cowboy hat rushing forward and greeting a yellow stallion in a matching hat and vest, coming from the Crystal Caves.
'It seems the Element of Honesty has someone she knows who was taken. A brother, perhaps?'
"Prince Pharynx reports that with favorable winds, they will reach the former Fourth Hive within four days," Luna announced, joining me on the balcony.
She brought with her a chair, and she set it next to my wheelchair, sitting down with a sigh of relief. I glared at her brand new, bone-white bandages. Already, small pinpricks of red were appearing. She was supposed to be in a wheelchair like me, but she felt no need for one, even with her doctor telling her otherwise.
I wasn't about to argue with someone over four hundred times my age, and a veteran of multiple wars. If she said she can go without a wheelchair and walk around, then there's nothing I can do about that. We had both spent the night being fussed over by many doctors, with the only verdict being 'we'll live,' or in my case, 'get your ass in a pod before you start suffering severe repercussions for a destroyed exoskeleton.'
"Hmm, that's good," I said quietly.
Luna smiled at me, "Have you figured out a way to solve the imminent food crisis?"
"In one single day? Yeah, I made it Thorax's problem."
"Does he have a solution?"
I shrugged, "Back to slightly-above-starvation rationing for now. Thankfully, the Fifth Hive has enough food stored to last a while, even considering how quickly it can spoil. Interesting fact, that. It decays with a half-life. We never had enough of the stuff to learn that fact."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning stored love has more in common with spicy rocks that can kill you if you stand too close to them than pretty much anything else."
"Spicy rocks?" She shook her head, "Nevermind, I am sure I will find out later. Do you think your food will last long enough?"
I nodded, "I do, and Thorax does, too. At least, if we find what we expect back in the hive, then we will have enough. Can't say for certain until we meet back up with the old hive's skeleton crew. Though, using the Hive's long-range communication portals did give us hope. The crew there is optimistic about our stores.... Then there will be the matter of transporting food back here to Canterlot, but with the portal amulet, that might be easier than we feared," I tapped the swirly charm around my neck.
"That would most certainly aid in bringing back all those ponies from across the Badlands," Luna mused.
'I just know that a certain purple unicorn will be asking a hundred questions about it, and will want to run some tests on it. I can't even extort Celestia for some favors for allowing that, with Celestia being confined to her room...'
"I have to say," Luna started, "that I am surprised by the timely intervention of your goddess. Harmony tends to wait until after the crisis is resolved..."
"You're telling me," I mumbled. "I... I never really believed in Panar that much. I just went through the motions...."
"If there were no guiding powers, then there would not be any alicorns," Luna shrugged. "Or royals. I am surprised it took you this long to accept that. I was surprised about Thorax and... Pharynx? Yes, those two. It was a surprise, but things have happened in the past in similar matters."
"I suppose so. Even in changeling legends. It just seems... why now?"
"Perhaps Panar wanted to save Chrysalis, for some unknowable reason. Perhaps for the war?"
I sighed, "I guess that makes sense. Should I... expect more miracles like this?"
Luna laughed, "How many immortals have you seen? We are few and far between, though that seems less and less true with each passing day... It seems we are entering a new age: a second heroic age. What that means for us, well, it will be a time of change..."
For a quiet moment, we sat back and watched other people do the hard work.
Then, Luna spoke up again, "Chrysalis has lodged an official complaint about her new lodgings. Somehow. I will need to have a word with my guards about speaking to prisoners, much less giving them the official paperwork to make such a complaint."
"Maybe they gave it to her to shut her up," I chuckled.
"Perhaps. Would be a wise move, on their part. About Chrysalis..."
"Yes?"
Luna tapped the railing idly, "I've spoken with my sister and Cadence about what to do with her, but Tia isn't in a... conversational mood. The royal physician has prescribed bed rest for her, meaning it will be up to Cadence and I to run the nation."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"Oh, do not fret. I will find a way to make it your problem, too. Which brings us back to Chrysalis," Luna said. "I assume you have a plan for her?"
"I've got a plan for her..." I remarked. "But first, I figured you ponies would love to put her through the political wringer first. I'd be the one actually punishing her, but putting her on trial, declaring her guilty, and giving her some sort of punishment that doesn't interfere with anything is fine with me."
"Ah, I see. Celestia would be happy to hear that, to a degree. That would mean that you would wish to reform her, in a sense of the word? Need I remind you that I am supposed to be reforming you, Phasma. Who would you put to such a task?"
"More than one person," I admitted. "A whole team, with many individuals giving simultaneous redundant reports. The last thing we need is Chrysalis thinking her jailer is getting too restrictive, and simply uses a mind-control spell to get some slack in her leash."
"Your Majesty?" A voice called out from behind me.
Luna turned to see who was standing in the doorway, but I just kept staring out at the ponies.
"I was wondering where you were," I announced loud enough for the newcomer to hear.
"I apologize, My King," Cricket said as she stepped onto the balcony, "but I was... captured."
"I know."
She paused, "You... do?"
I sighed, "Chrysalis told me about you, Cricket. Or should I add your official title, Infiltrator Cricket?"
".... I'm sorry, My King," she said with sincerity.
I used telekinesis on the wheels to turn my wheelchair around to look at the Infiltrator, and so she could look at me. Whereas Cricket was no worse for wear, I was practically turned into a mummy with how many white gauze bandages were wrapped around my carapace. I needed a healing pod, but there was now a long line for those, and my life was far from being in danger.
Besides, we would be tight on love for the next few months while changelings integrated into Equestria enough to support the Hive. So I suffered in the meantime, working overtime to put out the worst fires before they spiraled out of control. When I would eventually have time to rest, then I would use a pod.
An hour ago, Luna had brought out a thick blanket to drape over me like a cloak when she retrieved lunch, and I accepted it gratefully. Shortly after, I switched it to cover up my lap. Just because everyone else was laissez-faire about nudity doesn't mean I was.
True to her word, Luna was reluctant to leave my side, her ever-present love, concern, and fear being as much of a companion as she was.
There would be many talks about what happened in the future.
Cricket gulped, "I know that saying sorry doesn't mean much, but... may I plead my case?"
I motioned with a hoof for her to speak.
".... What I said was true, King Phasma. All those times I said you were a great leader... We of course don't remember what previous rulers were like, but there's a reason why you're a Saint now. You're like a breath of fresh air for a drowning ling. I never said I was an Infiltrator because... I...
She stalled and looked around, "I suppose I don't know why. Maybe I was afraid of your reaction. Maybe I was afraid of the reactions from other Infiltrators. I can't really give you a reason because I never really had one. I should have told you the truth, but I didn't. And for that, I am truly sorry. I tried telling them the truth- I tried convincing them about you, but, well, I suppose you already know about that."
"Cricket..."
She waited for my verdict. Luna continued to watch with polite, quiet interest.
"I... believe you," I said, making Cricket sigh in relief. "But, I... need time to think. I don't like people so close to me hiding so much. So, I have an important duty for you. It will take you away from Canterlot for a few months, but I will be checking in regularly through the Dreamscape."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" She bowed.
"Yeah, just... Thank you for your loyalty, Cricket, but I don't want to see you while I'm still suffering because of your silence. If you had spoken up, we would have been more tipped off by your disappearance, and the Hive would have known something was up even before I had returned to Canterlot. Now, find Coxa, and get your new orders from him. He should already have something arranged and written down."
She bowed again, backpedaling, "I won't disappoint you, King Phasma."
"Let's hope not."
The changeling vanished through the doorway, and Luna nodded, "You handled that well, Phasma."
"Hmm?"
Luna frowned, "My niece has informed me about an aborted public execution without a trial...?"
"Fucking snitch," I muttered. "Well, I'm significantly more calm than last night, and Cricket would never deserve such a fate. Tarsus is.... tomorrow's problem. A conundrum for future Phasma. Luna, if you would kindly take me to the dungeons, there is one more ling I need to speak to."
"I would prefer to stay and relax for the day," Luna complained.
"Me too," I gave her a half-smile. "But Celestia is the one who gets to relax after this catastrophe. I need to have some words with Chrysalis. So please, unless you'd like to leave my side for half an hour, take me to see her."
Luna nodded and began to turn my wheelchair to the door. "Captain Shining was quite enthusiastic when it came to deciding her place of stay. He will continue to be quite vocal about her incarceration, I have no doubts about that."
Chrysalis was sitting smugly in an upholstered chair, which looked jarringly out of place in her rather simplistic cell.
It wasn't a dungeon cell in that it was stone walls, a sparse bed, and nothing more. Instead, it could be closer to a hospital room. No doubt that being a hospital room was its secondary function, as a lot of medical equipment was stowed away at the far end of the room, near the toilet. Chrysalis would normally have been handcuffed- or hoofcuffed- but it seems that the ponies decided to forgo that measure entirely.
She was here entirely by my order and was not resisting in the slightest. She was bandaged up only slightly less than me, with about a third of her wrapped up in stained white gauze. Her mane had been cut to half its length, as apparently there were too many cut strands and knots and tangles for the full thing to be saved. Of course, there was also the massive red metal ring around the base of her horn, three green lights blinking slowly.
Chrysalis would not be using any magic for the foreseeable future.
'Well, maybe resisting a little bit, considering she got a formal complaint made and somehow smuggled in a chair.'
"King Phasma," Chrysalis smiled, "so good of you to visit me."
"Princess Chrysalis," I returned the greeting.
'Apparently, she's not evil,' I reminded myself. 'I don't know if I will come to grips with that revelation. Not anytime soon.... There's still bodies to bury, speeches to make, and sacrifices to consecrate. It makes sense that she was motivated by just as much fear and sense of duty as I was. Am. Eurgh, this shit makes my head hurt. Maybe Celestia was right about the whole being-constantly-drunk thing.'
Chrysalis glared at me, "Are you just going to stare at me, or are you going to say something? You interrupted one of my afternoon naps."
"I'm still coming to terms with the idea that you are not evil," I admitted.
"Tch, you wound your poor mother's heart!" She frowned and put a hoof over her chest.
"Never calling you that," I said.
Chrysalis looked at Luna, "And you? Why are you here?"
"I am not leaving Phasma's side."
Chrysalis's pupils dilated as she started to grin from ear to ear.
"Ooooh ho ho hooo! My, my! Now this is interesting! Phasma, you didn't tell me that you wooed an alicorn! It's no wonder why you are so sure of our species' survival, you've got one of the pony leaders on a leash!"
I squirmed in my chair uncomfortably. Luna smiled, making me worry even more.
"Actually, it is the other way around," Luna said
"Okay!" I cut them off. "That's enough of that!"
Chrysalis only grinned even more. Showing all of her teeth in her smile, "Why stop now? This is only just getting good!"
"You know, I expected you to put up more of a fight when I let the ponies arrest you," I changed the subject.
Chrysalis returned to a neutral expression, "I am not worried in the slightest."
"Why not?"
She frowned, "As Pontiff, it is your duty to oversee the health and safety of the loyal royals underneath you. Which means you can not abandon me to the noose. You should know this, I covered it in one of our lessons."
"I don't remember that lesson," I said, tapping my chin.
"At any rate," Chrysalis continued, "I also know that you have plans. You are not one to sit on your laurels. Instead, you always stress out and plan for the distant future." She relaxed in her chair, stretching out with a sigh. "You had better hope that your mistress mellows you out; as important as planning is, worrying too much will make you lose sight of what's happening right in front of your muzzle. But I'll play your little game, King Phasma. Oh, woe is me! I am so unsure of my own fate, whatever shall befall me!"
"You should have less confidence," I refrained from growling. "You will answer for your crimes, both against changelings and against ponies."
She slowly sat up straight, "Oh? That's unexpected. Are you planning on sealing me away, my dear son?"
"Not quite," Luna revealed.
I tapped the iron bars of her cell, "The Equestrians will put you on trial. You'll be found guilty of whatever crime they'll want to charge you with. I will most certainly help and testify against you, as will plenty of other changelings."
"We intend only to charge applicable crimes, and there will be a requirement of evidence," Luna interrupted. "We are not going to arbitrarily declare you guilty of any crime. Not without proof."
Chrysalis sneered, "How magnanimous of you to charge a changeling for breaking pony laws. I'm sure it will be a fair trial. But go on, Phasma. I'm sure you'll make my fate a spectacle."
I worked my jaw silently, frustrated, "You're not going to be executed. That much is certain."
"No?" Chrysalis queried.
"You're going to be reformed. I'll have a team of changelings and ponies watching you, instructing you how to act, and overseeing you. That will be your ultimate fate, after whatever else the Equestrians and changelings deem necessary."
She fell back into her chair. "Oh, how droll."
I continued, "In addition to whatever lengthy process the ponies and I come up with for you, you'll have another long, arduous test to see if you're really trustworthy."
"Very well," Chrysalis sighed. "What is this task you are setting before me? Infiltrating the griffons? Exploring some unknown land? Sweeping a dirt road for a century? What is it?"
"I was considering you for the position of leading the recolonization of the First Hive," I revealed.
"No," She whispered. ".... Of course you found it. Panar seems to be guiding you personally. Is that where you found your armor?"
"Actually that was from the Third Hive, which I had to demolish to kill a particularly brutal Nightmare."
Chrysalis sagged in her seat, blinking rapidly, ".... Two Hives. You found not one, but two ancient Hives.... If only I had that luck. What were they like?"
"The Third Hive was a coffin in everything but name," I said. "Buried far beneath the jungles, it was a cursed ruin of death. Still, it was something to behold. As for the first, you'll eventually see for yourself. It is a wonder to rival Canterlot, a glistening underground counterpart. You would be nominally in charge of both changelings and ponies, though you'd find the real power will be more spread out than what you're used to."
"Wait, you are still considering putting her in charge of Nisir?!" Luna exclaimed, looking at me like I'd forgotten my brain in another room. "When you referred to the idea in the past tense, I assumed you would leave it in the past!"
"Nisir?" Chrysalis echoed. "Nisir..."
"I said I was considering it," I clarified, "but Chrysalis has killed a lot of people. Changelings, ponies... Both sides have suffered from her mismanagement," she glared at me, but I continued. "It's hard to ever trust her with anyone else's lives at the moment. You would have to be completely vetted by whoever is in charge of your redemption. So if anything, this is months, if not years away. Now, leadership of Nisir is likely to go to Pharynx for now, though I suspect he will hate any extended period away from his brother. I need Thorax in Canterlot, so Pharynx will want to be in Canterlot, too. He will resist any kind of permanent stay, hence your consideration."
Chrysalis tapped the arm of her chair slowly, "And your pony overlords have approved of this plan?"
I rolled my eyes, "I dunno, is it okay with you, Luna?"
'Not like Luna gets final say over this, anyways. The ponies will get their redemption and whatever else they want to pull out from Chrysalis. I need her alive, and they will deliver her alive.'
Luna crossed her forelegs, "I can not predict the future. Not without a week-long ritual, a mountain of reagents, and even then it is a tenuous prediction at best. Even if I did, the future has never before been so tumultuous; the return of myself, the changelings suddenly being more than the rare foal's tale you once were, and now Chrysalis surrendering.... It will take a long time to heal the wounds of this war. An entire generation, mayhaps. I know for certain that there will be both ponies and changelings who protest the act of reinstating Chrysalis into any position of power.
The right decisions are rarely ever the easy ones. I could cling to the hate in my heart, or I can let it go. I have seen where the former path ends, and so I must continue treading the path of forgiveness. I still hate her, though. In time... she can make amends. But for now, she must be contained and evaluated."
I sighed in frustration, "But we may need her for the war."
"War?" Chrysalis questioned. "Against those Nightmares you spoke of last night? You are certain that these things are real?"
"A foal's-tale foal's-tale," Luna half-grinned. "The boogymare for the boogymares. They are indeed real, and are the source of woes for- for... many." Her smile sagged.
I pressed a hoof against the bars of Chrysalis's cell, "They are the ones who have been felling Hive after Hive. They are the true enemy of changelings, and they fully intend on ending us all, Equestria and Hive Eternal. The Nightmares, known as the Umbrum to our ancestors, have dedicated their existence to wiping out life on Equus."
".... Then we must kill them," Chrysalis muttered.
"There is no alternative," Luna agreed.
The former queen blinked in surprise, "I seem to recall the frantic, incoherent mumblings of my mother quite clearly now. These Nightmares must have been what she feared..."
I decided to ask something that was bugging me, "Chrysalis.... you were never planning on Ascending me?"
"Of course not. We've been over this."
I continued, "What if I was on death's door? Injured, like the other royals?"
Chrysalis shrugged, "Then I would have let you die. I brought you forth into this world through necromancy, and I can just as easily bring you back."
"Oh," I deflated. "Glad to hear that I would simply die."
"I said I would bring you back!"
I scoffed, "Right, because you definitely intended for me to come back with that ritual."
"Maybe Panar chose you over Procho," Chrysalis said, sinking into her chair. "You have been hard at work saving our species. Not even Procho showed that much initiative. Though, that's because she's not a backstabbing traitor."
"You..." I stalled myself, trying to calm down. "I'm not getting into who betrayed who."
"Because I never betrayed you," she glared.
"Not from my perspective. Look, it's going to be a long time before... this changes," I said, gesturing to her cell. "I guess during that time, we can find out where you went wrong."
She bared her fangs, "Where I went wrong? Oh ho ho, King Phasma, you are far too... How did you put it? Sure of yourself?"
"Is that a threat?" Luna asked, stepping forward.
"No, no," Chrysalis started to relax again. "I'm simply scolding my son for never seeing things from where I stand. I did my duty to the Hive Eternal. Had I known that my children, my brothers and sisters too, were still alive when they were Ascended..."
If I squinted hard enough, I could have sworn that I saw her actually showing emotion.
"... I would have Ascended them all the same. The Hive needed their Weave to survive."
'Ah, there goes the emotion: right out the front door, along with her moralities.'
"You're a monster," I growled.
"If that's the role Panar set for me..." Chrysalis said.
'Is she actually feeling guilty? Does that... even matter? She did it anyway! Coming to terms with that is up to her!'
I checked the time using a spell.
Wincing, I tried to speak as I tried to rub the pain away from my horn "We will talk again later, Chrysalis. There is still so much to be done, and so little time to do it. We will see what comes of the trial, and what the judges dictate your punishment shall be."
"What will you do, if I am the one doing all the hard work and becoming a martyr for our species?" She sneered.
"I will be securing our future in Equestria," I said simply, before turning my chair around. "Luna, if you'd please take me to your office now, I've got some appointments coming up."
Luna nodded and began to wheel me away- throwing Chrysalis a look over her shoulder. I couldn't see what her facial expression was, but judging by Chrysalis's immediate laugh, it was probably not a friendly one.
I cleared my throat as Luna wheeled me down the halls, "So you hate Chrysalis, somewhat less than I do, but what about Celestia and Cadence? I was rushed to the doctors before I could really see their... reaction."
"I am afraid my sister isn't feeling much right now. That wretch drained her greatly, and she is struggling to feel emotions. She... ahem, Celestia will recover in time. This is the weakest I have ever seen her, but she is surrounded by friends and family. She... will be fine."
I tried to turn my neck to look at Luna. There was sadness leaking from her like a faucet. I twisted around to put my hoof on top of one of hers on the wheelchair's back handles.
"Thank you, Phasma..." She said softly. "Ahem. Celestia will be okay. I know this, but it does not make seeing her hurt any easier. Now face forward, I do not want to hear a word from any physician stating that you have exacerbated your own injuries. As for Cadence, she wishes to speak to you as soon as you both have a chance. Given how she personally oversaw the care of the wounded down on the battlefield, she's been busy. Though, I suspect that that was on purpose; she buried herself in work to distract herself, just as her other half does."
"Their opinions on Thorax and Pharynx?"
Luna thought about it for a moment before answering, "... Too early to say. They will be happy, I am sure. Cadence has no experience in situations like this, unlike Celestia and I."
I nodded, and we fell into silence.
Until I broke it, "Errr.... I may not have been in the Palace for very long, but I don't think this is the way to our office."
"My office," Luna corrected me, expression softening when she saw my smile, "is not where we are headed."
"Where are we going?" I asked, looking around to try to place our current position.
"I have some royal duties to attend to. I took you around for your errands, now you must accompany me for mine."
"Oh. Okay then."
Luna hummed quietly, "I think I shall inform Captain Shining of Chrysalis's adjustments to her cell. That should make things a little less comfortable for the changeling. Though, I do fear that Shining Armor may suffer an aneurysm when he learns of it... it is petty of me, I know, however, consider the following: fuck Chrysalis."
I snorted, "I'm sure your immortal soul will survive the blemish."
'Because apparently I gotta start worrying about sins now. Wait, do I? I've already been reincarnated, so there's no afterlife that I know of. Maybe there is, and I just don't remember it. And what would Panar even consider a sin? Squishing a bug? Nah, that's probably racist.'
Our destination was a location I had only visited once before.
Canter Castle's throne room was filled to the brim with ponies and more than a few changelings. When the pair of guards standing on both sides of the golden double doors saluted our arrival, they also pushed open the doors for us.
The unorderly raucous of conversation immediately filled the hallway as it spilled forth from the throne room like a wave. As Luna wheeled me up behind the tall throne that towered over everyone, she clicked her tongue.
"Oh, yes. The throne is not wheelchair accessible."
I snorted, "Careful, you could get fined for that."
Then, with a lurch that was colored blue, we were suddenly at the top of the throne dias, right in front of the colored gold and deep blue metal chairs. Luna positioned my chair to the side of the blue throne, and she collapsed into the chair with a sigh of relief.
I studied the crowd before us. When we teleported up, many pointed in our direction, and conversations fell away as the room's attention shifted to us.
Several ponies and changelings came forth, giving Luna and I respectively a clipboard. I accepted mine with a smile and nod and thanked the changeling who hoofed the clipboard to me. I vaguely recognized her as one of Coxa's lackeys.
Briefly skimming it, I let slip a groan of pain as I realized that it was a tightly packed schedule for today. The brief bit of respite Luna and I had during lunch would be our only break for at least ten more hours.
"Stewardship of the realm is such a lovable duty, is it not?" Luna smirked, looking up from her own paperwork.
'So it's time to pay the price for spending the day with Luna. We both have mountains of work to do, and Luna won't leave my side for a second to do hers.'
"Looks like I'll be handling some work while I'm here with you," I said, flipping the paper to discover five more identical sheets. "Let's hope that doesn't create problems."
"We shall survive." Luna rose from her chair, and the last sound in the room stilled. "Good afternoon, ponies and changelings of the Canterlot Confederacy. Things are quite hectic right now, so let us get straight to the matter: let open court commence!"
The arrangement turned out to be a massive headache. With two conversations going on at the same time, I eventually managed to start tuning out whatever was going on next to me while I dealt with Hive business, but occasionally Luna would call on me for help. Or simply interrupted my conversation by yelling with her 'Royal Voice' as some unfortunate idiot who got on her wrong side.
The first order of business came from Obturator, the former royal physician.
"King Phasma," he bowed. "It is good to see that you're still alive after all this time."
"Obturator," I greeted him. "I was in more than one piece at times, but I am alright now. How can I help?"
I neglected to add his title before his name, partly because I still had to reorganize the Swarm and its leaders, but mostly because I forgot what his exact title was.
'Captain? It wasn't General, I know that much.'
"My King, I have some paperwork from the Royal Guards that needs to be signed by you. It's a requisition order for the first aid supplies."
I frowned, "You have been asked to file paperwork before you get much-needed supplies?"
The drone shook his head, "No, much to my surprise, My King. They gave us exactly what we wanted when we asked. They just want the proper paperwork done for the requests," Obturator said as he levitated over a rather intimidating stack of paperwork.
"I'll be sure to make it someone else's problem," I said truthfully as I accepted the papers. "Is there anything else?"
"No, My King," Obturator grinned.
"Then I'll let you get back to your work," I dismissed him.
He bowed, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I know I haven't given my oath of fealty yet, but... I'm glad everything has turned out this way, My King."
"I'm glad, too, Obturator. Take care, and keep up the good work."
As Obturator stepped away, another changeling took his place. I recognized them as Stinger, the changeling who had examined the artifacts from the First Hive with me.
"Stinger," I nodded in acknowledgement.
"My King," she bowed and quickly bounded up the throne's steps.
Luna glanced our way but continued yelling at a noble who was demanding that all the changelings should be removed from Canterlot's central plaza.
Stinger presented a clipboard as she began speaking, "My King, I'm sorry to say, but there's a problem. There was a fight, and..."
"There's been a war," I said, straight-faced.
Grabbing the clipboard with my hooves to spare my aching horn, I skimmed the papers, and started to frown.
"The artifacts from the First Hive, they... were stolen," Stinger announced. "There was a fight, and both changelings and ponies were injured. Two changelings and one pony perished in the fighting..."
'That could explain this portal amulet being abandoned in a hallway.'
It was an after-action report that had been hastily assembled in the night- or, more likely, minutes ago. Many of the artifacts had been taken in transit from Clear Skies, specifically while they were in the Palace. I had given orders to Coxa to arrange for them to be placed in a vault we would have access to. Somehow, someone knew about their existence, knew they were vulnerable, and had the means to take them. Someone not afraid of getting blood on their hooves.
When I noticed that the pony casualty had succumbed to injuries, and not necessarily died in combat, the pieces fell into place.
"Division-P," I muttered quietly.
"That's our working theory," Stinger confirmed. "We, uh, haven't told anyone else. I mean, the team in charge of the artifacts and I have brought this right to your attention first, Your Majesty."
'So not only were the priceless and rare artifacts from the First Hive taken, but changelings and a pony died as a result.'
My jaw clenched in anger, and I had to physically try to relax it.
"We're still debriefing the changelings and ponies involved," Stinger continued, "but from what we can tell, it was a mess. We're trying to get an understanding of what happened; it seems that ponies in Royal Guard armor attacked the Red Right Hoof, and their fellow mares-in-arms, and made off with the artifacts. One pony involved did not have the armor, therefore we've been able to cobble together her identity. I think you'll find this to be a rather familiar pony..."
The last page detailed the pony in question.
"She attacked changelings and ponies?!" I gasped, trying to keep my voice low.
Stinger looked around the crowded room, "It's hard to tell. We don't think so, but she was definitely there, fighting some ponies. And maybe changelings."
I was about to turn to Luna to appraise her of the situation when she brought me into her own conversation.
"You should direct that inquiry to King Phasma himself," she said, gesturing to me.
Forcing myself to become aware of the full scale of the circus I was in the center of, I realized that Luna was talking to six familiar mares. They were the Elements of Harmony bearers, and they looked significantly worse for wear. I had only seen one since the Gala, Applejack, and that was at a distance.
The six ponies looked tired. It was a sucker's bet that they had been up all night, trying to get to Canterlot to help ponies, and had buried themselves in work for that purpose. It seemed like the kind of selfless thing they would do, according to Luna's stories about them.
The ponies looked over to me, and Twilight Sparkle stepped forward a pace, clearing her throat.
"Excuse me, King Phasmatodea, but we were wondering if we could be of any help to... you."
Before I addressed Twilight, I used the clipboard with the A.A.R. to cover my mouth as I leaned over to whisper to Luna.
"We've got a problem, Luna. The artifacts from the First Hive have been stolen. This is the report," I finished, physically hoofing over the clipboard.
She frowned and took the report.
"Thank you, Stinger, please finish your investigation as quickly as you can," I dismissed the changeling. Finally, I turned to the Element bearers, "I'm sorry, you said you wanted to help me?"
Twilight and her equals nodded.
"Just point us to ponies- err, to changelings that need help, and we'll do what we can," Applejack stood up straight.
"You look like you need help yourself," I pointed out.
"We can still help," the shy one, Fluttershy, said.
'Was that the first time I heard her speak? Hmm, no, I think she spoke during the Gala incident.'
"Flutters is right-" Rainbow Dash said, covering up a yawn, "- can still help."
'They definitely haven't slept since yesterday. Not even the upper-class unicorn Rarity has escaped unscathed from their sleeplessness.'
If I needed any actual confirmation of their lack of sleep, it was that. The normally vain and appearance-orientated pony's mane had become rather unkempt, and her eyes were beginning to look bloodshot.
"I assume you've already met with Princess Cadence?" I asked.
Cadence was in charge of trying to fix the mess outside the castle. That meant directing doctors and nurses who could help, organizing the wounded, finding supplies for everything, and most importantly of all, coordinating with all the changelings and ponies who actually did all of those duties.
Twilight nodded, "We've been helping her for the past few hours. She... uh, advised that we find another way to be helpful."
"Did she?" I smirked.
".... Yes," Twilight said.
"You sound unsure," I remarked. "Did Cadence tell you to find me, or did she tell you to get some rest?"
"We can't rest till the job's done," Applejack said, shaking her head.
"While we can still make a difference," Rarity agreed, "we have the moral obligation to try."
'Well.... I never expected ponies to be chomping at the bit to help changelings. Now, is this just an exception to the rule, or will there actually be some sort of cooperation? On that topic, I should check in with Thorax and see how he and Cadence are doing, and how cooperative they're being.'
I cleared my throat, "You have the moral obligation to go the fuck to sleep, that's what you have. If you want to help, fine, but first you're getting no less than nine hours of rest. Eat, shower, sleep. Luna, do we have any spare rooms for them?"
Luna looked up, "Hmm? Oh, not quite. They will have to dorm together, Three to a room. That is the most we can spare right now, as the rest of the castle's spare rooms are being used for displaced ponies."
I nodded, "There you have it. Go get something to eat, then get some rest. Nine hours from now, I'll have a messenger give you a list of things you can help with- in fact, I'll be sure to give that list to Cadence or Thorax. You'll know him when you see him, if I do choose Thorax."
"That's very generous of you," Twilight said, "but we want to help now."
"You're not going to," I shook my head. "Go. I'm thankful for your offer of help, but it'll do no one good if you're asleep on your hooves."
"Princess?" Twilight asked Luna, seeking a different answer.
Luna lowered the clipboard, "Raven. Send this to Celestia at once. No one is to see it other than her. Also, find a guard, and have them send a message to my niece; we are meeting tonight in Celestia's quarters."
The aide next to her bowed and retrieved the report from Luna.
"At once, Your Highness. Desk, cover for me," the aide said, motioning to one of her assistants to step up as she left the throne room.
"Now," Luna began, "what Phasma said is true; you six are working too hard. Your hard work is not unappreciated, and certainly has not gone unnoticed, but the last thing we need is dealing with ponies who are collapsing from exhaustion. Please, my friends, you have done enough for today. There will be others who will pick up the slack. Rest."
The last bit of resistance faded away, and the Element of Laughter's mane deflated.
"Yes, Princess..." Twilight sighed.
Groaning, Applejack motioned for the rest to follow, "C'mon, girls, let's get out from underhoof."
As they left, Luna leaned close to me.
"Celestia will have answers by the time we see her tonight. This is most troubling, but I am certain there is another side to the story."
"I agree," I murmured back. "It wouldn't make sense for her to betray us."
"May the next petitioner come forward," Luna announced, and I nodded to my changelings for the same.
I stifled a yawn and looked over my own schedule. I had about five more hours of this, then I would have to see Obturator's goons for a medical checkup on my wounds. Then dinner. Then meeting with Cadence, and apparently Celestia now. Then...
'Tarsus.'
"Your Majesty."
Quick Search, Bray Call, and Warm Dew were standing before me, while a dark purple mare pleaded to Luna nearby.
"Hey guys," I greeted them. "I'm pretty sure we're on a first-name basis now. Or, whatever the equivalent is for changelings and ponies."
"How're you feeling?" Bray asked.
I shrugged- and immediately winced, "Alive. The rest will get better over time. Though I'm afraid that my free time will never recover from this. You three?"
"I sprained an ankle," Dew announced, lifting a hoof to show me.
"We're okay," Search smiled. "We don't want to take up too much of your time, especially since we already had a private meeting, but, uh... There is something we want. Bray and I, that is. Warm Dew is just here to say hi."
"Alright, what is it?"
"We've been thinking," Search announced.
"Uh oh," I joked.
"And I've decided not to become a Royal Guard."
"Oh?" My eyebrows raised. "What's your new plan? And how does Bray fit into it?"
"If you'd have us, we'd like to stay in Canterlot," he announced. "I would like to join your army, the Red Right Hoof, correct? Bray would love to... er..."
"If you have a spot open for an assistant position, or anything like that, I'd love to actually make a difference in the world," Bray announced. "I'm fine with starting from the bottom and doing things like getting coffee, as long as I can actually move upward. That is, if you'll have me?"
"Wow," I blinked, "that was unexpected. I, uh, sure. Why not? Welcome aboard, I'm sure there'll be no problem finding a place for you two. Search, you'll have to track down Captain Katydid and inform him that you're now a member of the... Red Right Hoof. A pony in my changeling army.... Bray, you'll have to find Cricket and..." I paused. "... You'll find Cricket's current replacement. How about you, Dew? Are you planning on getting a ticket into Canterlot?"
Our conversation paused for a moment as a pony, a green unicorn this time, started breaking down and thanking Luna profusely. Luna tried her best to be humble, but whatever it was that Luna did or promised to do, it meant the world to the pony.
'A lot of lives have changed today.'
Warm Dew cleared his throat, "My place is in my hometown. Duty, family, and the fact that I've already made a down payment on a house means that I must stay."
"Alright," I shrugged. "You're welcome to visit anytime. So long as you're not waking me up, that is."
Dew smiled and nodded, "Thank you. I'll be sure to visit my friends often. I will miss them, all three of them."
"Three? What's- Oooh," I chuckled. "You ponies and your sappy friendship rhetoric. I'll look forward to our get-togethers. Now, I don't want to seem like I'm getting rid of you three as soon as possible-"
"But you're very busy," Search said, motioning me to stop. "Don't worry, we'll find these changelings as soon as we can."
I sighed, "Thank you for understanding. Tell them to arrange for a place to stay, too, as I imagine you don't have anywhere cheap to stay in Canterlot."
"We'll get right to that," Bray said. "For now, it was nice seeing you, and we're happy to hear that... you'll recover, at least. You've faced worse injuries."
The other two ponies nodded along.
I snorted, and rolled around my front right hoof, testing it, "That I have. Take care, you three. I'll see you two as soon as I can, though it may be a few days until I have the time."
Dew gave Search and Bray a goodbye hug, and a hoofbump for me, before departing. One of my changeling aides guided the other two away, and they waved to me as they left.
The rest of the afternoon followed similar patterns of short conversations, orders being given, and the occasional interruption from Luna as our work crossed paths. Thankfully, there were no more huge surprises. Instead, there was only the growing mountain of work to be done in order to minimize the loss of life and to facilitate the partial integration of the new changelings into the Fifth Hive.
By the time the end of our court session rolled around, I was feeling quite overwhelmed. My small army of changeling aides dwindled as they were sent off with assigned duties and tasks, leaving me with just a hooffull of lings left. The open court session ended with me having more work to do than before it started. Though, I suppose that was the point of it.
Distressingly, neither of us saw hide nor hair of Blueblood and his sycophants. Keep your friends close and enemies closer, as they say, and Blueblood was suspiciously absent from the dissenting nobles that came to waste Luna's time.
Afterward, Luna dropped me off in the castle's medical wing, while she saw her own doctors and 'attended ladylike functions,' to quote her.
Meaning she had to take a shit.
While the lings fussed over the current state of my battered carapace, a team of doctors stood by, all disheveled and overworked in appearance, jotting down notes as they listened.
While the physicians looked me over, Obturator paid me a visit.
"My King," he bowed as he entered the crowded operating room.
No other room had enough space for everyone who wanted to take a peek at my body. The thought made me even more self-conscious about this world's fondness for nudity.
"Obturator," I said, looking over the head of a nurse. "Save me."
"I'm afraid I can't do that, My King," he replied, lacking any sincere pity. "I'm here to announce that we've done what we can."
"Excuse me? Could you clarify that?"
"Stretch out your right forearm," a changeling doctor told me, and I complied as I listened.
"There's a long list of surgeries to be done, but for the most part, we've done all we can to help the injured. The rest is up to the ponies' skilled surgeons, and to the healing pods. Though, I'm afraid that the waiting list for one of those is months long."
"How many has Thorax allowed to be used?" I asked, remembering that it would fall under his list of duties.
"As many as possible right now, but those are for life-threatening injuries. Maybe about two hundred. Anything more will break our 'budget,' to quote him. After the life-threatening injuries, we'll only keep fifteen in use."
I sighed, "I'm sure we can foot that expense. Has he heard back from Pharynx yet?"
I was meeting with them tonight, but if I could get any news quicker, I would be happy.
Obturator shook his head, "No."
"Very well. You've saved lives, Obturator. For that, you have my eternal thanks. Any idea how many weren't saved?"
'I can count the ones I killed myself. I... don't want to. Bastards. Stupid fucking morons. Why couldn't they all have surrendered? All because I froze up and didn't say anything more.... Maybe. Damn it all!'
The doctors, both changelings and ponies, paused and held their breaths.
Obturator looked pale, as much as a changeling could, ".... The fighting outside the Plaza was brutal at times. Many lings are still missing in action..."
"Captain Obturator," I begged, "how many?"
"... Four-hundred-sixty-five," he revealed. "So far. Another twenty-eight will die tonight, despite our best efforts." I sank into my chair as he continued, "More than a third of that was outside the Plaza, where fighting street-to-street was especially fatal. Many lings didn't get medical aid until it was too late. In addition, the chaos of the Bloodbath led to a stampede. Many changelings took to the air, but others panicked, or were stopped in some way... As for pony casualties, there seems to be at least ninety-seven Royal Guards who were killed, but we expect the final number to be around one-hundred-and-fifteen. One-thirty at the highest."
The air was filled with the horror, sorrow, and disgust from the ponies present.
'I need a frame of reference...'
"How many have died during the war? How many changelings are still alive?"
Obturator just shook his head, "We don't know. From what we can tell, a fifth of the Fourth Hive was lost. From Daybreaker's relentless attacks on the Central Swarm to yesterday's bloodbath, the specialist divisions took heavy casualties to cover the retreat. When Daybreaker did manage to hit the large formations, it was painful. The Underhive took the rest."
"A couple thousand, then," I muttered, thinking about the size of our species. "If only three thousand died, that still could be more than ten percent of our entire species. But twenty percent? One in five changelings have died in the past year."
I felt less guilty and torn up than I thought I should.
I decided to voice my thoughts out loud, "Thousands dead. A decidedly less bloody conflict than what I'm really used to hearing about, but then again, that was with populations over ten thousand times our own. What's the worst war in pony history?"
None of the doctors wanted to give me an answer.
"Probably the unification wars," I continued. "I'll have to ask Luna... What's been done with their bodies?"
"They're being gathered, My King. We've cordoned off the area where they are so no one sees, but considering a third of the ponies have wings, and all of the changelings..."
"Let them see. Make sure to take as many pictures as you can," I added. "Find a camera crew, or as many cameras as you can. Take as many pictures as possible: changelings, ponies, devastation, the encampment in the Plaza- anything you think might be interesting. A fifth of our species was lost. The best we can do is try to immortalize the horror for future generations, and for everyone who wasn't here last night. We will send them off tomorrow."
"Yes, My King," Obturator sighed, and he turned to leave.
"Captain?"
"Yes, My King?"
"Take an extra ration of love. You and everyone else hard at work. Whenever you all get your next break, take a double ration. You deserve it."
"Others need that love more than us," Obturator bristled.
"We can wait until Prince Pharynx comes back with love from the old hive. The Fifth Hive's stores here in Canterlot can survive for a week at least. Just tell Thorax, okay?"
"Sir...." He tried to argue, but swayed uneasily on his hooves.
"And get some sleep, Obturator."
".... Yes, My King."
Celestia was looking marginally better than the last time I saw her. However, she was still small, discolored, fatigued, and overall overworked and overstrained.
Luna and I sat next to her bed as she held a piece of paper between her hooves. Sighing, Celestia placed the paper on top of a large stack next to her, on top of her blanket.
"So..." I said slowly. "How are you feeling?"
"More miserable than last night," Celestia admitted.
"An improvement," Luna said dryly. "Better to feel pain than the dulled sense of nothing at all."
"So they keep telling me," Celestia muttered out of the corner of her mouth. "Yes, the doctors say I am improving. How fares the Kingdom?"
Luna pointed out the nearest window, where Canterlot's skyline was visible, "There is a lot of damage to recover from. Unfortunately, this time the damage is not measured in bits but in lives lost. Say what you will about the headaches that Phasma's invasion caused, at least then there were no funerals to attend."
"Do we have a total?" Celestia asked.
"No," Luna lied. "There is still much to... uncover in the city proper."
"What is the running tally?"
"I do not know," Luna continued to lie.
"Do not coddle me, sister," Celestia said, feeling more sorrow than anger. "Phasma. I know you have the total. That's the kind of thing you would know. Which is good, as I do not want somepony in my castle in charge who cares not about the lives of those underneath him. How many have died?"
I looked to Luna, who closed her eyes and nodded.
"Four-hundred-seventy changelings, one hundred ponies," I listed the numbers from the top of my head. "Not final."
Celestia stared ahead, past us. There was sorrow within her, as well as traces of anger, but the emotions were dull and distant. Like embers within a wall-sized fireplace, the emotions that Celestia gave off were shadows of what they were normally.
"Very well then," she said softly. "Any other news?"
'I'm not sure if her lack of response is from thousands of years of experience with death, or if it's just her mental state right now. She always did try to keep her emotions under control, but this is concerning. Better just move on.'
"You got our message? About the, uh... attack?" I asked.
"Indeed. The mare in question has been fetched, and should arrive within the next hour."
"Cadence will be here in a minute," Luna announced. "She wishes to hold a meeting. The topic of three new royals to our lands is something that Cadence does not quite know how to handle."
"It was certainly a surprise," Celestia remarked. "But if Harmony brings us three more warriors for the coming war, then I am pleased to hear it."
"Even if one of them is Chrysalis?" Luna asked, eyebrow raised.
Celestia stared back, "She is a capable fighter. I know that from experience. Her presence will spare lives."
"Is that... all you are feeling?" I pressed, knowing there was more to it.
Celestia looked away, towards the nearest window.
"Should I give into anger? Shall I submit to sorrow and rage once more, opening the floodgates for something terrible? Should I be elated that a mass murderer is being given any sort of clemency? The righteous path is a difficult one to walk. My usual coping methods have been sternly vetoed by the physicians; not a single drop, they said."
"You can drown yourself in friends and family instead," Cadence stated as she stepped into Celestia's room, shutting the door behind her.
Celestia smiled weakly, "Hardly an adequate substitute, but I'm already numb, so I suppose I'm halfway there already. Good evening Cadence, how are you?"
Cadence levitated one of the upholstered chairs over to us.
"Tired," Cadence admitted. "I took a nap shortly after noon, but I'm looking forward to getting some real sleep tonight. Won't even..." She paused to yawn, "... have fun with Shiny. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about," she winked and elbowed Luna.
"Indeed," Luna chuckled, giving me an amused glance.
"Luna, the Princess of Food is making me feel uncomfortable. You're not helping, either."
"I did come here to do more than tease stallions," Cadence said. "I was hoping to speak to you three about our newest... equals."
"It certainly is an interesting development," Celestia noted. "Seemingly overnight, our numbers have doubled."
Cadence glanced at me, "All of them changelings, yes. While I am happy for... Prince Thorax, as he certainly has earned his place alongside Phasma, what about Pharynx and Chrysalis? Or, Prince Pharynx and Princess Chrysalis, rather? I'll never get used to calling that warmonger a princess..."
"'Tis better than the alternative," Luna said. "We offer forgiveness for all who want it, so let Chrysalis be judged, then let her walk the path of redemption."
Celestia put a hoof on her chin, "It won't be easy for her. There is a lot to make up for. There is a lot more that cannot be made right. I believe that, if my understanding of our ponies is correct, she will not be welcomed in Equestrian society for at least a decade. Likely far more. We have certainly not helped in this case, as we condemned her time and time again in exchange for pushing Phasma out of the spotlight."
"This all hinges on her actually wanting to change," I pointed out. "She seemed quite... content last we saw her."
"Oh, she's going to change, whether she wants to or not," Luna said darkly. "She will redeem herself, even if she is kept in irons the whole time."
Cadence cleared her throat, "Auntie Luna is right. We have to push Chrysalis. We cannot let her do things at her own pace, as that could take centuries, if her redemption happens at all. We need to move quickly when it comes to changing her callousness and brutality. We certainly will not finish before the Nightmares come, but we can at least make enough progress to trust her on the battlefield."
"You already can," I sighed. "Chrysalis will not jeopardize any battle with the Umbrum for freedom, payback, or anything else. At the very least, she takes her duty to protect changelings somewhat seriously, and won't do any funny business while our species is in danger."
"And you are okay with putting her on trial?" Cadence asked.
"Of course I am. As long as I am one of the judges, Chrysalis can face the consequences of her actions."
Celestia shook her head, "We mustn't forget that this wasn't only Chrysalis's doing. Daybreaker escalated the war. I- she was the one who began killing changelings."
"We will take that into consideration during Chrysalis's trial," Luna reassured her sister by placing her hoof over one of Celestia's. "Let those thoughts sleep for another night. Cadence, how are the ponies and changelings you have seen today?"
"A lot of the ponies are confused, scared, and angry," Cadence revealed. "Getting them back home is an undertaking that is taking up countless marehours, namely overseeing their safety, feeding them, and transporting them back home. Thankfully, many of the captains and companies that own private airships are offering to ferry ponies to their homes, free of charge."
Celestia smiled, "Ah, my ponies. I'm glad they open their hearts without the need for guidance or orders."
Cadence smiled back, "I think we're all happy for that. Indeed, so many ponies are rising to the task that no pony will sleep outside tonight. Many ponies in Canterlot are opening their homes to the refugees, and I know of at least a few ponies in the surrounding towns that are offering to house the refugees. Applejack is one of them."
Luna glanced at the papers by Celestia's side, "That was the good news. What about the changelings?"
Cadence paused, ".... Not as well, I'm afraid. Though, that is not entirely the fault of our ponies. The changelings refused to stay in the homes of ponies who offered, which admittedly was far fewer in number than those offering shelter for ponies. They seemed happier to stay with their kin outdoors. Thankfully, the Crystal Caves have been emptied to the point where changelings can move back into them."
"Those damn caves," Celestia cursed.
'Heh, looks like someone is picking up on non-pony curses, like her sister.'
"Perhaps I should grant them permanently to you, Phasma," Celestia wondered. "They seem to be causing quite a lot of problems for us. I would sleep better at night knowing that an army stands between us and an entrance to this 'Underhive'. Moreover, it would be considerably harder to invade Equestria with that back door locked and sealed shut."
I gasped, "You're using my species as a meatshield? Celestia, I didn't know you had it in you! Of course I'll take the prime real estate in the most expensive city on the planet! Should make an excellent place for a hive. Plenty of room for storage, living, training, and more. Heh, our entire species living in what will be the biggest wine cellar in history. I love it."
"Now..." Cadence started to say. However, she seemed unsure how to continue, "... This might sound strange, but didn't Thorax and Pharynx seem quite calm about the whole immortality thing?"
"Their reaction was tame," Luna agreed.
"I haven't had the chance to really talk to them, but Thorax did seem a bit surprised," I said. "Only a bit, though."
Cadence hummed in thought, "... Becoming an alicorn wasn't an immediate thing. I was taken to a plane of... of..."
"Harmony," Celestia provided.
Cadence scooted closer, "Right. Yes. Harmony. I saw flashes of what I did to earn my horn: a witch I saved and her life before and after meeting me. I wouldn't be surprised if Thorax and Pharynx saw something like that."
"They haven't said anything," I shrugged. "Perhaps I will- someone's at the door," I announced a second before a pony knocked loudly.
"Are we expecting company?" Cadence asked.
Luna stood up and headed to the door, while Celestia caught Cadence up to speed. Meanwhile, I moved my wheelchair and Luna's chair to face the newcomer. As Cadence moved her own spot, the mare in question entered the room, escorted in by Luna.
"Agent Daring Do," Celestia greeted.
"Princess," Daring bowed. "To what do I owe the... pleasure?"
She eyed Luna and the guards closing the door wearily. Luna strode past her and sat back down next to me, keeping a cool gaze on the explorer. I was thankful to have her back at my side; for all the comparisons I could make about Celestia's emotional health being embers of a once raging fire, having Luna next to me all day was like cuddling up to a cozy fire after braving a snow storm so bad I had icicles on my eyebrows.
The only downside to having her love was that soon I would have to start parting with it. The drones needed to eat, too, and I wouldn't have the luxury of an excuse to hoard it all for myself.
"Agent, I would like to know about your whereabouts and activities during the battle yesterday," Celestia announced. "Princess Cadence, Princess Luna, and King Phasma are visiting me, but you are allowed to speak before all of them."
"Allowed?" Daring echoed. "I see. Well, Your Highness, I was in Lower Canterlot, helping civies get to safety. There were a lot of roaming changeling patrols, and I had to make sure they didn't rip apart everypony they came across. No offense, King Phasma," she offered with an awkward smile.
I continued to stare silently at her.
'You better have an airtight alibi. Especially since your actions don't make any sense. Division-P can disguise, but we have to make sure.'
"You never set hoof in the Palace?" Celestia asked.
Daring paused, ".... No."
"You hesitated there," Luna pointed out.
"I was recounting my actions, Your Highness. Retracing my steps. I was never on Palace grounds, no."
Celestia removed a few papers from her pile and presented them, "Then why are multiple witnesses placing you inside the Palace during the invasion?"
"I was never inside the Palace," Daring said, certain of herself.
But her emotions betrayed her true feelings; Daring Do was anything but confident. Fear leaked into her words, unfelt by the non-changelings in the room. Not the concern that someone was disguising as her and muddying her name, but the fear of being caught.
'A lie. So, she was in the Palace.'
"The witnesses also state that you attacked Royal Guards and changelings," Celestia continued.
"I would never!" Daring nearly shouted in indignation.
'Anger. No fear at all. Potentially the truth, then.'
Celestia glanced at me but continued when I gave no response, "We believe an attack was made by Division-P last night, during the chaos. They took advantage of the war to attack the Palace, and they made off with most of the artifacts from the First Hive. Do you have any knowledge about this?"
"No, Your Highness," she shook her head.
Daring glanced at me. A momentary flick of her eyes, yet it collaborated with her internal conflict to tell me something more.
"She knows," I announced, piecing together the truth from her emotions. "Why are you lying to us, Daring Do? What are you afraid of? Have I failed you in some way? Have I proven myself unworthy of trust?"
I was laying it on thick, and even Daring saw the crocodile tears for what they were. Still, she had to answer.
"I'm not afraid of you, King Phasma. I swear that I've done nothing against you. I certainly haven't raised a hoof against ponies loyal to Equestria."
"Ponies loyal to Equestria," Cadence repeated. "So you fought ponies that were disloyal?"
Daring fidgeted around, "Yes. I have, Princess."
'She at least believes that to be true. Or, she remembered that a changeling is in the room, and is bringing her emotions under control again.'
"Please, Agent Daring, be honest with us," Celestia pleaded.
"I..." Daring huffed. "I was in the Palace."
"Why did you deny this?" Luna asked.
Once again, Daring looked at me while thinking of an answer.
"I... I can't say. I'm sorry, but I just can't."
'She certainly feels sorry. Though, now that I've played my hoof, her emotions can't be trusted to be genuine.'
"Some changelings say that you attacked them," I said.
Daring frowned, ".... I didn't have a choice. I... They wanted to detain me, or stop me."
"What were you doing?" Celestia pressed.
"I can't say."
"Am I not the highest power in the land?" Celestia questioned. "Anything you say can be classified. Anything you reveal can be protected."
Daring shook her head, "I made a promise. I'm sorry, Princess Celestia, but I can't say."
"A promise?" Cadence leaned forward, "A promise to whom?"
"I can't say," Daring shrugged. "I made a promise to keep what I was doing a secret, and the individual that I made the promise to... I can't talk about them."
"Not even if I am ordering you to tell me?" Celestia asked.
Daring cringed, ".... No, Princess. I'm sorry. I want to, but I can't. I understand if you plan on arresting me, but this is too important."
"What can you tell us?" I asked, exasperated.
Daring looked down at the floor, ".... Division-P attacked the Palace. I was in the Palace at the time, dealing with changelings who were assaulting the main Palace cafeteria- most of the staff had holed up in there. After leading a successful counterattack- as my archeologist disguise, of course- I came across Division-P attacking some Royal Guards and changeling soldiers in the halls, with the goal of taking all of the artifacts. I found out that they were Division-P after the fact, I just figured that they were changelings disguised as Royal Guards."
I raised an eyebrow, "So you can tell us what you were doing?"
"I can tell you all of that. But I can't tell you anything more," she sighed.
"You don't recognize this charm?" I asked, bringing up my Weave portal amulet for her to see.
Her eyes widened a fraction of an inch, and a wave of nervousness surged forth from her. Only for a moment, however, before she clamped down on her nerves with an iron fist. Hoof. Same thing.
'Gotcha.'
"Mmmmmm yes. Yes. I did use and abandon that amulet," she admitted.
I blinked in surprise, "You figured out what it was? And you somehow casted a teleportation spell despite being a pegasus?"
"Anypony can cast a spell," she huffed, "you just have to be clever about it. Really though, magical charms and devices can be used by most ponies if proper techniques and workarounds are used. Everypony is capable of channeling magic, just in different ways."
"You managed to channel magic.... into a teleport spell?" I asked, though I didn't believe she had an answer.
The three alicorns shared in my incredulity, though they waited patiently for an answer.
"..... I can't say any more," Daring Do muttered.
'I saw a blur of color. Orange and purple. Daring is neither of those. So, whoever else was involved most certainly used the charm.'
I rolled my eyes and motioned for Celestia to continue.
"Very well. Agent Daring Do, do you swear that you fought in the name of Equestria, that you did not harm changelings outside of a necessity to escape, that you only harmed Royal Guards who have turned their back on Equestria, and that you have not otherwise acted against the Canterlot Confederacy?"
"I swear," Daring said without hesitation.
"Then we will discuss this at length another time. Please see yourself out," Celestia motioned to the door.
"Yes, Your Highness," Daring bowed.
"Wait, what?!" I exclaimed. "You're letting her go without answers? She's clearly lying about the artifacts!"
"Do you intend on arresting her for assaulting your changelings?" Celestia asked.
'Daring saved my life. I saved hers in return, but I suppose she's always acted somewhat fairly. Though, she's proven to be less than reliable when it comes to our artifacts.'
I glared at Daring Do. She avoided my stare, instead looking down at the floor.
'She's hiding something. Someone, rather. Someone involved in all this mess, someone capable of using a teleportation spell. Yes, that's it; a unicorn that is acting without orders from either Crown, yet somehow not acting against us? How many ponies are actually capable of teleportation? I'll ask Celestia later, right now the question is about Daring. If I detain her, it will cause problems, and she has proven unwilling to provide answers. That means I'll have to find other ways to get the information.'
"No, you may leave, Daring Do," I dismissed her.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," she said with a slight bow, before turning to leave.
"I will find who you are protecting," I declared suddenly.
She stopped for a second before saying, "I don't doubt that for a minute."
When the door shut behind her, Cadence and Luna both turned to stare at Celestia.
"What?" Celestia huffed. "Daring is a trusted agent, loyal to Equestria. She's earned a bit of trust. If she says that it is important that this affair remains unclear, then we shall not go looking in the shadows."
"You won't, but I will," I said.
"I must side with Phasma on this one," Cadence admitted. "Ponies and changelings were attacked. We need clarity, not confusion. Phasma is putting a lot of faith in our Agent, considering the wellbeing of his subjects are in question."
I gave a half-nod to Cadence, and she reciprocated the gesture.
"You should not lose track of your most clandestine agents, sister," Luna rebuked. "If you do not know their every move, you may find that you do not know their every motive."
"We can trust Daring Do," Celestia insisted.
"I seem to be trusting far too many people who haven't earned all that trust," I said. "Daring saved my life, but this affects more than just me. Changelings were hurt, and someone used the teleportation charm, and it wasn't her."
"She did say that she expected you to find out who," Cadence pointed out. "You certainly have cause to keep investigating."
"Which is why I let her go unimpeded," I concluded.
"Investigate all you like," Celestia said, "but do not interrogate anypony without permission."
"If I have to detain a pony, I'll run it by Luna."
"Thank you," Celestia sighed. "Before you all depart for the night, there is one more business to attend to."
"We're all ears," Cadence smiled.
"It is... neither good news nor bad news," Celestia declared, "simply a new development. I have absolute confirmation that a Hero has taken control over one of Griffonia's warring factions. We can expect his triumph in their civil war in a matter of time."
Luna grimaced and fell back into her chair, "Certainly sounds like bad news."
"Hero?" I echoed, looking between Luna and Celestia.
"An immortal, like us," Celestia explained. "Griffon Heroes are...."
"Champions of strength," Luna picked up where her sister left off. "If one has arisen, we can expect a rise in Griffonian strength, both politically and militarily. Do we know who this Hero is, and what he is like?"
Celestia shook her head, "Not yet. However, given the terrible crucible that this Hero was forged in, we might have to expect the worst."
"So in addition to the Nightmares, we might be fighting Griffons?" I asked.
"Possibly," Luna sighed. "Griffonia is a long ways away from being capable of fielding an army capable of going on the offense, correct?"
"Correct," Celestia confirmed, "we do not have to worry right now. We should attempt to make contact as soon as possible. If we can ingratiate ourselves, or at least get an idea of who this griff is, we might be able to head off any hostilities before they can begin."
"Sounds like a job for you," I shrugged.
Celestia winced, "Cadence, the task may fall to you if the civil war is resolved too quickly. I am in no shape to make any sort of diplomatic appearance. Now, if that is all, Luna and I must attend to our sun and moon."
I winced as I tapped my nose. The healing potion they gave me was still working its magic, meaning I was still quite fragile. My nose in particular was quite sensitive.
'It was a close fight, wasn't it?' I asked my reflection in the mirror.
"Bit for your thoughts?" Luna asked as she slowly strode into the bathroom.
"I've never had a broken nose before," I said, looking at her through the mirror.
"Alicorns heal quickly, and it seems that rings true for all comparable immortals."
"Doesn't make it hurt any less," I whined. "And I'm still too dizzy to stand for a long period of time, to say nothing about how painful that would be."
Luna checked over my bandages, and then her own, "We all have walked away with substantial injuries. You and Celestia have, at the very least. Perhaps you should... how did you put it... 'get good?'"
"I'll keep that in mind," I said under my breath.
"I assumed that you would be eager to rest, Phasma, yet here you are, staring at your reflection. Why don't you join me, and we can enjoy the night together?"
I coughed awkwardly, "As nice as that sounds, you know we are a long way away from any of that. What with all of my broken chitin, blood loss, morphine pumping through my veins...."
Luna gave me a kiss and left me with a big stupid grin.
"Very well, but do not expect that I shall sleep without you. Why are we in the washroom, Phasma? Are you in need of emotional comfort? I assure you, it is better to let it out than bottle it up. I will keep telling you this, if I must."
I sighed and nodded towards the mirror.
"You know Luna.... I don't look like a changeling royal, I don't even look like a drone, and I sure as hell don't look like anything else on this planet. Just some weird bastardization of the two. I'll always be set apart, with no one who looks like me, let alone acts like me. I'll never see another human, not even if I had a thousand lifetimes to search the stars. That fact never changes, you know? I am and always will be different. Aberrant. Mutant."
Luna smiled and pushed my muzzle away from the mirror and towards her.
"You are the first changeling I ever met, Phasma. In my mind, you are the base template, not your mother or the drones. Besides that, I find you rather pleasing to the eye, as I have stated and restated countless times. As for the human conundrum, I am sorry to say that there is no solution to that. The pain of loss fades, but never fully leaves us. I can not create a doorway to your home, but I can help take away those hours you spend alone, longing for what once was."
"Thanks, Luna," I said as she embraced me. "I'm glad I can offload some of my issues onto you."
"It is no problem. I know exactly how it feels to feel alone every night; I would not wish that nightmare upon my worst enemy. You... saw what the surface of my moon is like, correct? You know how desolate and barren that Tartarus is. It is beautiful, but I never want to experience any part of it ever again. At times, I can still feel the frost cutting at the edges of my coat...."
I hugged her as tightly as I could, which wasn't much at the moment, "I'll just have to make sure you never feel lonely ever again. In exchange, you will have to sit through all my pity parties. Speaking of sticking with me.... I was planning on slipping away later tonight, but now I don't want you to wake up wondering where I went."
"Where are you off to?"
"The Crystal Caves. I've got something tonight that... I suppose it's alright if you come, but you can't interfere."
"What time are we departing?"
I used a clock spell, "In a bit... It's going to be late at night."
Luna broke the embrace, "If we shall not enjoy the night the way I want to, then we shall find other ways to busy ourselves. One of your drones dropped something off while you were whining and moping in here. I believe its contents shall hold no small amount of interest."
She brought me back to the main room and levitated over a small wrapped bundle. I dispelled the protective charm and opened the bundle.
A small stack of papers slid out, and I quickly skimmed them.
"Soulmancy," Luna read over my shoulder. "Your underlings have been hard at work."
I clicked my tongue as I reordered the papers, "They made progress before we set off for the First Hive. This seems to be their progress in translating the first book. Luna, would you help me with all of this?"
"No, I would rather leave you unsupervised while trying out a field of magic you are completely unfamiliar with, that has also been outlawed due to its proximity to darker magics, all while having a fragile soul that cannot handle anything strenuous." Luna lifted a hoof, made to bop me on the nose, only to pause right before connection. ".... Pretend that I have struck you on the nose."
"Ow!" I yelled, recoiling.
"Do not say something that foolish ever again, or suffer the consequences!"
Luna glanced at the crystals around us, "You sure know how to waste time effectively, Phasma. Why did we have to come all the way down here?"
One of the torches around us, an enchanted piece of crystal, twinkled softly as it gave off a soft green glow.
"Because tonight, I pass judgment upon Tarsus," I announced, motioning to a pair of Red Right Hoof guards to move out of our way.
"Wait, what?!"
The guards moved, and fifty pairs of eyes looked our way.
We were in the Crystal Caverns, where the changelings were moving back in. Many of the upper tunnels had been sealed and would need to be unsealed, and efforts were already underway to transform the largest sections of the caverns into habitable sections for the lings. Storage rooms, sleeping rooms, recreation rooms, large hallways connecting everything, a gathering room, rooms for growing plants and mycelia imported from the Underhive and from the old hive in the Badlands, training rooms for guards, a few nurseries for eggs, classrooms, a small throne room, offices for all of the bureaucracy required to run the Fifth Hive and its constantly expanding network of assets and businesses, and a courtroom.
Many of those rooms were new concepts to the lings from the Fourth Hive who were unfamiliar with modern society. They would have to adapt quickly; we simply did not have much time before whatever food-stores the Fourth Hive built up would be used up. The courtroom in particular would see its first use tonight.
"This is what you tried to get away from me for?" Luna questioned. "Fine. Rush the trial if you must, but I will be observing the entire thing."
Luna wheeled me into a large circular room.
Wooden tables had been brought in and arranged around the far side of the circle, and red table cloths had been spread over them. Chairs were brought in and formed into a small gallery that was now packed full. Fifth Hive officials had filled the room, with no room for any other observers.
Behind the tables sat the most important changelings: Thorax, Coxa, Lace, Katydid, and a small team of Coxa's aides that I would have to start learning the names of. I was beginning to lament Cricket's absence, but I still was unsure how I felt about her. In the center, an empty chair was pushed to the side, and I pointed to it, asking Luna to take us there.
The changelings rose as we slowly made our way through the room, and moved behind the farthest table. Luna positioned me right in the middle and sat down in the chair next to me.
"With this here, it makes me wonder if you had intended for my presence from the beginning," she said.
"I account for most things," I said, "but I think someone just forgot that I am not exactly in walking shape right now."
"Oh. That is a much simpler answer."
As Luna took her seat, the changelings decided to sit down, too. I was surprised they had an equivalent social rule for standing while a judge entered, especially considering the lack of chairs in the old hive, but I shrugged and moved on.
A pair of changelings brought over pieces of a changeling communication device and assembled it at the far end of our half-circle of tables, next to Thorax. A portal flashed into existence above the assembled mechanism, and Prince Pharynx's face appeared in the portal. The soft hum of airship engines was emanating from the portal.
"You couldn't have chosen a more convenient time, Saint Phasma?" He griped, speaking over the quiet engine sound.
"Tending to those who can be saved was our first priority," I said.
"Everything's ready," Coxa leaned over to whisper.
"Good," I said. "Let the first court of the Fifth Hive commence. Bring him in."
A changeling guard saluted and stepped out of the chamber. The assembled changelings in the gallery began quietly talking to each other. Amongst their number, I saw General Labrum, former-Commander Scorpion and the two guards flanking him and keeping an eye on his chains, and a number of Captains from the Swarm.
"Hey Coxa?" I whispered. "Where's Intelligencer Ocelli, the captain of the Infiltrators?"
The location and whereabouts of one of Chrysalis's most loyal and skilled spies was something I didn't want to worry about.
"Daybreaker incinerated her months ago," Coxa whispered back. "In... Cincinneighti."
"Oh. Good. Moving on, have you gotten my report about the... thing that happened?"
Coxa rolled his eyes. Or he would have, if he was capable. Instead, he just raised his eyebrows in exasperation.
"I got the report before you. Stinger came to me first, and I told her to immediately give it to you. I've already got Lace on the case; I have put her in charge of everything Division-P-related, as well as planning and constructing the hive here in the Crystal Caves."
"That sounds good," I nodded. "Is she okay with being around all the stuff that would, err... trigger her PTSD?"
"Rip and tear," Lacewing whispered over Coxa's shoulder.
".... There's no way that's going to backfire," I predicted. "We'll talk after this, Lace. There's something you need to know, and someone you're going to have to find."
A pair of guards led him into the chamber. The traitor was bound tightly in both warded iron chains and in enchanted changeling-gel bindings. When he entered, heads turned in his direction, and all conversations died down.
His chains rang against the crystal flooring as he was marched before us.
Tarsus, breaker of the First Fang, murderer of Oestridae, glared at me. He spared a single glance for the rest of the changelings- and paused briefly when he saw Thorax and Pharynx, but it was me who he settled on. He fell back onto his haunches, sitting before us and in front of the gallery of changelings.
He lifted his head, intent on looking down his nose at me.
"The trial of Tarsus the Infiltrator, former member of the First Fang, has come to order," I announced loudly. "Coxa, read the charges."
Coxa cleared his throat and rose from his chair, "Tarsus, you stand accused of treachery against the Fifth Hive, namely against the resistance it grew from, betraying the First Fang, and ultimate responsibility for Oestridae's death. Presiding over this trial are Saint Phasma, Coxa, Lacewing, and Prince Thorax. Prince Pharynx is present for his honorary position on the First Fang but is not part of the tribunal. How do you plead?"
"I serve the Hive Eternal," he spat.
"Mark it as a plea of innocence," I said, flicking a hoof at the changeling charged with being the trial's stenographer.
Tarsus snorted, "Why are we doing this, Phasma? Do you intend on running my name through the mud as much as you can before you murder me? We all know that this won't be a fair trial. Especially with ponies pulling the strings!" He snarled at Luna.
"Princess Luna is merely here to watch," I said calmly. "It should be quite clear by now that all that boisterous talk about me being a puppet is nothing more than a mummer's fearmongering. Isn't that right, Prince Thorax, and Prince Pharynx?"
"What the hell is a mummer?" Pharynx asked.
"A performer- look, I'm talking about Princess Chrysalis," I explained, managing to say the former-tyrant's new title without pausing.
"Our ascension is more than enough proof of that, yes," Thorax agreed. "I guess you can consider it irrefutable evidence on the matter. Panar herself intervened."
"This is not how a trial goes at all," Luna whispered.
"Quiet," I whispered back. "We will hear your input when we convene, but I would ask that you remain silent until then." I cleared my throat and addressed the traitor, "First, we must address the matter of betrayal against the Lodges and the nascent Fifth Hive. Your actions immediately put danger upon us all and resulted in many deaths. Lacewing, along with a number of other changelings, were captured by Division-P because of your betrayal. To say that you jeopardized the entire Hive Eternal is an understatement, you endangered everything we fought for."
"What do you have to say?" Lace demanded.
"No opportunity to give evidence? Or even find it?" Tarsus asked, shaking his head.
"We will hear your side of the story," I explained.
"I did my duty to the Fourth Hive. I was never part of your Lodges, I was never part of the Fifth Hive, and I most certainly wasn't aware of a plot to overthrow the Queen in the middle of a war for our survival. When you did decide to inform me that you were going to commit treason of the highest order, I was not given a choice. You made me choose between my duty as an Infiltrator and my duty as your friend. Obviously, I chose the one that I made vows to Panarthropo for."
"You made vows to the First Fang, but we're not talking about that," I said. "So you claim that you were never given a choice?"
"That's right," he insisted.
"You didn't choose to go straight to Chrysalis? You didn't choose to keep your betrayal a secret?"
"You were the one who betrayed us!" He jabbed a hoof at me. "Your duty as Champion of the Hive Eternal was to safeguard our future! To fight our enemies! To protect the Hive Eternal! Instead, you half-assed the invasion and focused on gaining power for yourself!"
"The invasion was as good as-" I stopped, trying to calm myself down.
'I have to remain calm, despite the bastard's best efforts. I have to try to understand all this, act fairly, and set a good precedent.'
".... So. You thought that I was jeopardizing the Hive Eternal, and you decided to just go to the Queen at the time?"
"Yes..." Tarsus said hesitantly. "As an Infiltrator, I must protect the Hive Eternal. Even if that means making decisions that hurt."
"You sure don't seem broken up about all this," Thorax mumbled.
"So you're just absolving yourself of all the suffering that came about from your actions?" Lace hissed. "Your decision got many changelings killed. It nearly got me killed!"
The chains clinked as Tarsus turned to address Lace, "We all make sacrifices for the sake of our species. I did what I thought would save the most lives."
I sighed, "Let's move onto the second charge. Tarsus, by siding with Chrysalis, you betrayed the First Fang. We were brothers. We watched each other's backs and constantly looked out for each other. Yet the first opportunity you got, you threw us under the- you tossed us to the wolves. You didn't just betray the Lodges, you betrayed us. What do you have to say in your defense?"
Tarsus slowly shrugged, the action shaking his metal bindings.
"I made a choice between friendship and duty."
"We have a duty to protect each other," Coxa admonished him. "We protect each other. We all have, or had in your case, vows to do what we can to help each other out. You were a member of the First Fang before you were an Infiltrator, so don't give us any crap about duty."
"We were friends for a few months," Tarsus stressed, "nothing more. Yes, I enjoyed our friendship, but being an Infiltrator is a lot more than some unofficial pact."
"We never mattered to you?" Thorax asked.
"I never said that! I said... I meant that the Hive is above us all. I tried to stop your civil war before it started! I tried to save your lives before you threw them away and doomed us all to burn in the fires of your ambition!"
"You didn't try to stop anything," I shook my head. "You simply chose a side. Chrysalis didn't approach us with an intent of negotiating a peace, nor did you. No, the first we learned about your betrayal was when the Praetorians slaughtered the Lodge members in the Equestrians' Palace."
"How can I be held responsible for a Queen's actions?! I am just a drone! Just an Infiltrator!" He insisted.
"You set in motion events that you could have stopped," Lace said. "Take responsibility for your own actions, coward!"
He tried to cross his forelegs, "Fine, I guess I did everything in this war, huh? If that's how you want to play it, then fine. Let's pretend that I knew that the Queen would rush to slaughter you all, my friends. Let's pretend I also had a chance of stopping her, but I didn't. That still brings us back to me choosing between my duties as an Infiltrator, and my duties as a member of the First Fang."
"It doesn't matter if you didn't know what she was going to do, you still betrayed us," Thorax said. "Is that your defense? That you put being an Infiltrator above being our brother?"
".... Yes, it is. I am not ashamed to admit that," he said, sitting up straight.
"The third charge. Oestridae's death," I said quietly. "Your betrayal led to his death."
"Yes, I suppose it did," Tarsus nodded slowly.
Thorax scanned the Infiltrator, "Do you even feel remorse?"
"Of course I do!" Tarsus yelled, leaping to his hooves.
The guards were on him in a moment, forcing him back down onto the ground.
"I feel as if I should say something," Pharynx mumbled as order was restored. "I am the one who killed Oestridae. Let me make that clear to everyling; I killed him. Why... is Tarsus being tried for Oestridae's death, and not I?"
"Because you are not a member of the First Fang," Coxa said.
"Because you siding with Chrysalis was out of grief for Thorax's presumed death," I added.
"Because you never were on our side," Thorax said softly, looking down at the ground.
Tarsus looked me in the eyes, "I'm sorry that Oestridae died. I am. He was a good friend, and an even better Praetorian. The Hive Eternal is that much less with his loss. But I acted on information I knew at the time: you and your traitor comrades were about to throw away our entire species for the sake of calling yourself king. You claimed that Queen Chrysalis was going to kill you, but now we all know that that's not true."
"We had no way of knowing at the time," I defended myself.
"Exactly," he said.
I snarled at him, but held my tongue.
Thorax rose, "You have pleaded your case. Do you have anything more to add?"
Tarsus opened his mouth. Then, he closed it, shaking his head side-to-side.
Thorax continued, "Then this Tribunal shall recess for determination of the charges."
We all entered a side room and took seats around one singular large table that dominated the room. In the corner, a changeling brought in a typewriter to continue their duties as a stenographer. Though the report for this would be private, I had a feeling that it could be quite useful; if nothing else, it would be a way for future changelings to learn more about the formation of the Fifth Hive and reformation of the Hive Eternal.
As soon as the soundproof barrier was put up on the door, Luna spun around and stared me down.
"You can not conceivably call that a fair trial."
"No, it was more of a tribunal," I admitted.
"We're not here to prove anything," Coxa explained, "just see things from his point of view. There's nothing to prove, anyways; we know what he did."
Luna shook her head, "Be careful. The path you tread leads to nowhere good."
I scoffed, "Are you telling me you never executed a traitor?"
Luna cringed, and sorrow seeped out of her like tree sap.
"I, um, I'm sorry," I apologized. "I shouldn't have- look, Tarsus picked a side. That choice got a lot of people killed; whether he wants to accept it or not, he's responsible for the war turning bloody."
"That's not true," Lace interrupted. "You killed Chamberlain Eucharis before knowing about the betrayal, right?"
I frowned, ".... Yes, I think you're right."
Pharynx spoke through his communication device, which had been reactivated in this room, "It sounds like we are now discussing the tribunal's contents instead of the trial itself."
"Right," Coxa nodded, "Let's address the first charge, then: betraying the Lodges and the rebellion as a whole."
"Should be easy enough," Lace shrugged. "After all, he clearly sided with the Fourth Hive loyalists."
Pharynx cleared his throat, "He brought up a good point; he was never on your side. You gonna put every ling on trial that sided with Chrysalis, including me?"
Unfortunately, I had to agree, "It would also set a bad precedent if we were to punish him harshly for siding with Chrysalis. It would be much better for everyone if those who sided with Chrysalis are granted a blanket pardon. However, that doesn't extend to other crimes they committed, such as betraying the First Fang..."
"Yay," Pharynx cheered with faux cheer. "Did you hear that, Princess Pony? I am a free ling."
"Forgive me if I withhold my enthusiasm," Luna rolled her eyes. "Nevertheless, this is a step in the right direction. Granting clemency to your changelings will smooth over many potential problems. With, as mentioned, exceptions for other laws broken."
"Glad to hear that the ponies approve," Pharynx continued.
"Enough," I cut them off before they could argue more. "Are we ready to vote on the first charge? Yes? Good. I shall start the vote: not-guilty."
'We can nail him to the wall for the other stuff, anyways. And just because the Infiltrators and Praetorians are being granted clemency for their loyalties, doesn't mean that I actually trust them. Those bastards will have to prove themselves on a case-by-case basis.'
"Not guilty," Thorax voted.
"Not guilty, for this charge," Lace stressed.
Coxa finished the vote, "Not guilty. Unanimous vote, Tarsus is not guilty of the crime of betraying the Lodges. Guess we should'a told him from the beginning what we were up to, but it's too late to consider what-ifs. The second charge to be considered is the charge of betraying the First Fang."
"Fuckin' guilty," I said under my breath.
"There doesn't seem to be much to discuss here," Thorax said. "He pretty much pleaded guilty to this one."
"Shall we start the vote right away?" Coxa asked.
"Might as well," Lace said. "I say he's obviously guilty."
Thorax voted next, "Even if he didn't have a chance to hear us out, he still turned his back on us. He should have at least tried to see things our way. Instead, he dropped us like we were a dead egg. I'm afraid he's guilty."
"He chose Chrysalis over us, there are no two ways about that," Coxa commented. "It was as if becoming an Infiltrator erased all the time we spent together. Guilty."
I spoke last, "Guilty."
"Tarsus has been found guilty of betraying the First Fang, unanimous vote," Coxa announced. "No surprises there. Finally, Oestridae's death. This is more or less covered by the second charge, but..."
"But I want it on record that Tarsus was the one who was ultimately responsible," I said. "It matters more than betraying us and siding with Chrysalis: he got one of us killed."
"There is no greater a failure than letting a brother die," Pharynx remarked quietly.
"Pharynx is right," Thorax said, shifting in his seat uncomfortably. "The most important thing we can do is protect each other. Tarsus.... I don't know where we went wrong, but clearly he doesn't care about us in the same way we cared about him."
"Could it have been because of his Infiltrator training?" I asked. "Anyone know about that stuff?"
"Infiltrators have loyalty to the Queen drilled into them quite thoroughly," Pharynx confirmed. "Lots of mental training, repetition of core values- loyalty to the Queen and Hive Eternal, of course, layers of propaganda, the whole deal. Very little room for free thought."
Lace stamped a hoof down, "He still must face the consequences of his actions!"
"He may not have killed him," Coxa said, nodding to Pharynx, "but his betrayal directly led to his death."
"Start the vote," I ordered Coxa. "There's nothing more to be said about this."
"Voting on Tarsus's charge of being responsible for Oestridae's death," Coxa glanced at the stenographers. "I shall start: guilty."
"Guilty," Lace voted.
"Guilty," Thorax agreed.
"Guilty," I quickly ended the vote.
"Guilty by unanimous vote," Coxa summarized. "Now, for the real reason why this meeting was needed; it is time to decide Tarsus's punishment for the crimes he is guilty of. Those crimes were betraying the First Fang and causing Oestridae's death."
"No chance of having my own opinion weighed on the matter?" Luna asked, looking around the room, settling her gaze on me. "Phasma, I advise caution. You are heading into territory you do not understand."
"I am quite familiar with what we are doing," I dismissed her worry. "Rest assured, this is far more fair than any sort of trial held in the Hive Eternal for the past who knows how many generations. We do not have to examine the evidence, only reasoning, and we have heard his reasoning. Now, we must decide the punishment for betraying the First Fang."
"Execution," Lace said.
"Oh Faust," Luna sighed as she face-hoofed.
Pharynx sighed, and his portal winked out of existence.
"For betraying the First Fang?" Thorax glanced at Lace. "Isn't that too much?"
".... I agree with Thorax," Coxa tapped the table. "Betraying the First Fang, while bad, does not warrant death. Banishment should suit that just fine."
"Banishment, then," Lace shrugged, leaning back in her seat.
"All in favor of banishment for this charge?" I asked the group.
"Aye," Coxa said.
"Aye," Lace repeated.
".... Yes," Thorax said after a moment of thinking.
"Aye. Banishment it is. And the second charge, the death of Oestridae?" I questioned.
"That's execution," Lace insisted. "And I will not be convinced otherwise. I suffered for months because of that rat-shit. Oestridae is dead because of that scum-sucker. My chitin may heal, but Oest isn't coming back."
'Not unless Chrysalis's necromancy actually works. Which, considering it failed, I wouldn't put too much faith in her skills. Then again, it clearly wasn't her fault....'
"I vote for execution as well," I said to no one's surprise. "Blood for blood. He didn't take us seriously. He used us. He betrayed us and got a brother killed. And now, he reaps what he sows."
"Agreed," Coxa nodded. "His actions must have consequences. Execution."
We all looked at Thorax.
"Uh," he stammered as his ears splayed backwards. "I don't... That's not... Ugh! Phas! I need a word with you," he yelled as he shot out of his seat.
When he approached me, Luna stood up and backed off respectfully. Thorax then projected a small silencing bubble- a trick which surprised me- and then began babbling.
"Phas, I don't want to do this! This is my first act as a Prince, and I'm scared that I'll fuck it up! My gut says no execution can ever be warranted, but my time in the Hive says otherwise. I want your advice. Tell me what I should think."
I pointed a hoof at the door, "Tarsus made his choice. He sided with Chrysalis, and threw us to the-"
"No!" He interrupted me. "I don't want to talk to King Phasmatodea, I want to talk to Phas, my friend. I want my friend's advice. Please."
I grunted in annoyance and glared at him.
"Alright, I.... what is it, Thorax?"
He shuffled closer and looked down at the ground, "Phas. I have never had this much responsibility. I don't want to make a mistake that will haunt me forever. I want your advice, I want to know what I should do."
I sighed and rubbed my face as I thought about what to say.
"Thorax... I invited you to the First Fang not because... How do I put this? I considered you a risk. A liability. The odds of you messing up and revealing everything was high." He started to cringe, so I continued, "But! I considered you more than worth the risk. I.... wanted your morality, Thorax. I knew that you would make choices that I didn't necessarily agree with, but would always be morally right. I didn't want a yes-ling, I wanted someone whose conscience I could trust."
"My gut says to oppose you all and veto the execution sentence," he admitted.
I felt a pain in my chest.
"Thorax. He... They killed Oestridae. They killed me," I said, starting to blink away the hints of tears. "Do you think sparing them will change anything? That it will undo the hurt they did?"
"No, but I know it will help us move on from his loss. We can't keep up this cycle of hatred, Phas."
"We can end it by killing them first," I pointed out.
He shook his head, "Violence will only breed more violence. We have to be better. We have to find a way to resolve this without death."
'That's not how it works! That's not how- grrrr!'
I let out a long, silent breath, letting out all of the air in my lungs. It didn't help the pain of loss at all.
"Then.... do that. Oppose us. You came this far because you followed your heart. I disagree with you, from my heart to my mind, but I chose you for a reason, Thorax. I trust you. I trust your instincts, your morals. And Panar does, too, judging by the fact that you've got pupils 'n stuff now. Just... don't expect us to go easy on the bastard."
'As much as I want justice for Oest, I can't just completely overrule Thorax. That would defeat the entire point of having him in the First Fang. If he says that Tarsus shouldn't die, then.... Hmm.....'
Thorax dispelled the silencing field and returned to his seat.
"What did he say?" Luna whispered. "May I know?"
"You'll see," I told her.
I was sick of this already.
"I cannot vote to execute Tarsus," Thorax declared.
"Oh come on!" Lace whined.
"Figured as much," Coxa muttered.
My head pounded.
"Why? Why!? Does nothing he did matter to you?!" Lace hounded Thorax.
Thorax put up his hooves, "Please, let me talk! There has to be another solution to all of this!"
"Phas, cast your vote and stop this nonsense," Lace sighed.
My throat hurt.
"We have to be unanimous," I told her. "All votes are equal, and I want all of us to agree on the fate of a former member."
"Are you serious- oh my Panar," she groaned as she banged her head on the table.
I was feeling miserable and sleep-deprived, and this was going to go on for at least a whole 'nother hour.
Luna stopped me before we left our little conference room.
"Is this not a good time to discuss with them the existence of another immortal?" She hissed at me, motioning towards the First Fang who were about to file out behind us.
"No, not here," I whispered back, secretly motioning towards the stenographer. "We need absolute privacy. Complete secrecy. Can you imagine what will happen if word somehow makes it all the way to Chrysalis?"
"I can," Luna admitted. "The last thing we need is for her to try to break out. Very well. But we will tell others soon, correct?"
"As soon as we're in complete privacy," I reassured her. "Now lean closer, I want to give you a reassuring kiss on the cheek."
Luna rolled her eyes, "Just because I accept this, does not mean I support it. This sentencing.... It is not right. Better than what you had planned, but it is still too bloody."
"Oh? And how did you deal with traitors, Luna?"
Her face darkened, "Long, long ago, I dealt with them personally. There's better ways to do it now, Phasma."
"Is this not better?"
"You know the answer to that," Luna admonished me.
We resumed our egress, leading the First Fang and the stenographer out of the room and back towards the courtroom. The guards at the entrance saluted as we approached, and one announced our arrival.
"Your Majesty," the ling on the left said.
I nodded a greeting and told Luna to stop us in front of the tables at the far side of the room, instead of going back behind them. The changelings all rose as we entered- except for Tarsus, whose rear was still parked on the crystal floor.
We arranged ourselves in front of Tarsus, glaring at him as Pharynx's communication device was reactivated by a drone. Surprisingly, given how he was absent during the discussion of Tarsus's punishment, the device made the connection with its distant other half, and Pharynx's unamused visage once again filled the swirling circle.
I noted with thinly concealed frustration that he was sipping whisky from a crystal glass.
'Stolen from my personal cache aboard the Clear Skies, no doubt. Whatever, it's replaceable.'
"Glad to see you'll be joining us for this, Prince Pharynx," I said tersely.
"We'll see...." He mumbled.
I returned my attention to the matter literally sitting before me. Tarsus stared back, his face and expression as level as it could be.
"Tarsus the Infiltrator," I stated. "The First Fang has reached a unanimous decision."
The traitor rolled his shoulders and neck, trying to loosen himself up despite his bindings.
"Go ahead," he spoke out of turn. "Get this over with."
"On the charge of betraying the Lodges and the resistance against Princess Chrysalis's tyranny, we find you innocent."
He blinked owlishly, "Oh? That's surprising. But I guess there's still the other two things you can kill me for."
"On the charge of betraying the First Fang, we find you guilty," I continued.
He simply nodded.
"On the charge of being responsible for Oestridae's death, we find you guilty. Stand, and receive your judgment like a true changeling."
Tarsus complied, rising to all fours.
I slowly started to rise from my wheelchair. Luna quickly rushed to my side and aided me. I smiled at her kindness, grimacing through the pain that suddenly shot through my body as my wounds protested the movement.
When I was finally up, I shouldered my way past Luna and stood before Tarsus.
"Tarsus the Infiltrator. You have fulfilled your duties as an Infiltrator, but not as a member of the First Fang. You failed to protect your brother, and he paid the ultimate price for your betrayal. The punishment for such a crime ought to be death."
Pharynx suddenly hissed in frustration from his video call. Without a comment, excuse, or even a goodbye, Pharynx shut off the device.
'If he didn't want to be here, why did he show up in the first place? Quite uncharacteristic for the normally stoic and calm changeling... Bah, it doesn't matter. I need to get this over with soon, if I wait any longer I'm going to collapse from exhaustion.'
The little drone traitor stared up at me, matching my stare.
"But you shall not die. Not today. Instead, Tarsus the Traitor, you are banished from the Hive Eternal. Forever shall you walk in its shadow, unable to be part of what you cast out. If any changeling ever sees you inside the borders of Equestria or the Hive Eternal, you shall be executed on the spot. Means will be provided for you to leave eastward, towards Griffonia. Other than that, you will never receive help from any changeling so long as you live."
Before he could relax, or take any sort of comfort in his relatively light sentencing, I summoned forth an orange blade of energy.
With one swift stroke, and with a pained yell, I cut horizontally across the traitor's face.
Tarsus screamed and fell backwards, clutching his now ruined face. From ear to ear, a bloody gash ran right through, and his eyelids slammed shut- too late to save his sight. With a single blow, I had blinded the drone.
As he curled up on the ground, twitching in pain, I observed his struggle without pity. Perhaps I should have been disgusted, horrified, or at least satisfied, but instead, I felt nothing.
The changelings gathered all gasped and tried to stand up to get a look at the drone. I made sure to get a good look at Scorpion's reaction; the Chrysalis loyalist was looking on with a small amount of horror, but impressively had stayed calm.
'There'll be time to decide what to do with you later. Perhaps you will be given mercy, too. Though, considering how many changelings were killed because of your dogmatic faith towards Chrysalis, that's a tall order....'
When Tarsus had enough time to get over the shock, I pulled him off the ground by hooking a hoof underneath his chin and dragged him up off the floor. He kicked and struggled and gasped as blood continued to trickle down all across his face.
"Since you are blind to those around you, then you shall be blind to all." His ears flicked towards me when I spoke, but he kept his eyes closed. "You shall subsist on the good will of others, constantly reminded of your own failures as a brother. Should you fail to secure the kindness of others, you will be reclaimed by Equus. Never shall you let your wounds be healed. Never shall you return to the Hive Eternal. Never shall you speak your former name; henceforth, you are The Exile. You have no name. You have no home. You have no family. You have no purpose. Forever shall you wonder, lost.
"As it is woven, so it shall be," I concluded over the Weave.
Then, I dropped him. Tarsus fell to the floor with a yelp.
"Get this miserable excuse for a ling out of my sight," I ordered the guards. "This court is adjourned."
"I gave everything to the Hive," Tarsus spat as the guards picked him up by his shoulders. "Everything! Give me the death I deserve! I lived for the Hive, I will die for the Hive!"
"You will die a miserable wretch, with no glory and no higher purpose!" I snapped, turning my back on the ling.
The guards dragged the changeling out, and slowly the rest of the court filed out.
'It's done. It's finally done. Oestridae can rest easy, now that justice has been served. Is this what he would have wanted? Would he have even cared? I guess the only thing I can do in his memory now is to continue my training as a warrior, to ensure no one has to lay their lives down in vain ever again.'
I examined the faces of the First Fang and Luna. Coxa and Lace looked satisfied with the outcome. They, like myself, had initially wanted his death. This was a close enough outcome to be at least somewhat mollified with.
Thorax was a bit upset, but ultimately he had agreed to this outcome. Tarsus would die unless he could convince others to pity him and give him kindness. A pony friendship lesson, written in blood rather than ink.
Luna was... conflicted. She brought the wheelchair over and helped me back into it. I hissed in pain as my battered chitin shifted around as I sat down, but I was welcome for the relief of being off my hooves.
All I wanted was to curl up and go to sleep, but I couldn't let Luna stew over whatever she was thinking about.
"You want to talk?" I asked her.
"Modern Equestrians will not stomach this sentence," Luna said. "Such brutal shows of justice have fallen wayside for a reason, Phasma."
"We're not ponies," I reminded her. "We'll do what we can to fit in and harmonize with ponies, but at the end of the day, we are not ponies."
"Then should this rebuke cause you ruination in the future, I will say I told you so." Luna sighed, "But, it could have gone worse. I doubt my sister or Cadence could ever call such an action warranted, but they have, for the most part, stayed away from the bloodiest parts of war. Such coddling never befit me... You spared his life and gave him a road to redemption. A far more difficult and bloodier road than I would have liked, but progress is progress. I hope that this therapy that we shall attend will aid you on your... brutality. Now... Shall we inform the others about the news?"
"In a moment, there's still a lot of people here," I replied, nodding towards all the changelings still leaving the room.
"What news?" Coxa asked, walking over.
"I said in a moment," I repeated, before motioning Thorax over. "Thorax. Cadence said that during her ascension, she... had a spiritual moment. Visions, if you will. Did you... have anything like that?"
Thorax glanced at the crowd before whispering, "Actually... Yes. There was something."
"Why didn't you say anything before?" Lace asked.
Thorax squirmed, "It's complicated."
"We have time, please explain," I asked him.
"... It's hard to explain. Slightly before the... thing happened, I just kinda got this feeling. Pharynx got the feeling too, it was like we knew that something important was about to happen. Then, we, uh.... Ascended. The exact moment felt like forever to me, and um... I'm sorry, this is just hard to put into words. I guess you can say I saw a vision; it was kinda like a memory, but I could see myself in it. I was standing next to Double Diamond, undisguised. It was the moment I revealed I was a changeling, and I begged him to give me a chance. It was... weird. I guess it was the moment I earned my Ascension, when I took a chance on love and was loved by my coltfriend for who I was, not what I was...."
"Did Pharynx experience something similar?" I asked, looking over at the deactivated comms device.
Thorax shook his head, "No. Apparently, he only had the feeling, and nothing else."
We stood around and watched the last changelings leave the room.
"Phasma and I have something to tell you," Luna announced, casting a detection spell.
It must have come up negative for anything, as she followed it up with a bubble of silence that encapsulated our group.
"Something important?" Coxa guessed.
"Is this about the Griffon? Because we were already told about that," Lace said. "Celestia actually reached out to us about that. She wants to see if we can help her agents get close to the griff, and she asked us to run the idea by you."
"It's not that," I said, "but we'll discuss that later. It's about Princess Prochoerodes. You all know that I've been hearing her voice for a while now, right?"
They all nodded.
"Well.... We finally know why."
Luna flipped the book around and tapped one of the circular diagrams.
"This is the spell the translation is referencing," she said as she tapped it. "I believe casting it is well within our capabilities. It should also make for an excellent starting point for our venture."
I leaned closer, "That's the detection spell?"
"Correct."
"I don't recognize any of those spell components, other than the vaguest resemblance to the standard magical detection spell."
"That would be because you are about as educated as a horseapple-shoveler when it comes to advanced magical studies," Luna said unhelpfully.
I groaned, "Just cast the damn spell."
Luna took her victory with a smug look and turned the book back towards her. She then cleared her throat and started to cast the spell. Luna scrunched her muzzle up in concentration as her horn lit up with magic.
"Is it working?" I asked.
"..... No. Wait, yes. It is indeed working."
"What do you see?"
"It is... peculiar. The world is dulled of its color, yet when I look at you, I see a light. Orange, of course, emanating from within your person. Like one of my stars, yet larger and warmer. Can I- oh yes, I can," she said as she twisted her neck to look at her own back. "I can see my own soul, as well. Blue. It seems that our magic's color matches our soul's, at least with this spell. I can not say if this holds true for reality... It- wait...."
Luna stared past my shoulder, tilting her head.
"What is it?" I asked, turning around to look.
Against the wall behind me lay Luna's armor, Unbroken Radiance, and God-Splitter.
"I think you should cast the spell, Phasma. It appears to be quite safe, and I believe you will find its revelation quite... enlightening."
I turned back to Luna, "See, that's exactly what you'd say if you were being possessed, Luna."
She blinked and let the spell go, ".... I did not mean it like that. Do you believe that there is a chance that- that is to say, if you fear that I have fallen again-"
"Wow wow wow, it's okay, Luna. It's okay. I'll just run that scanning spell you taught me real quick, and it will pick anything new up," I reassured her. "I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry for freaking you out."
Luna collected herself as I scanned her, "Yes, well, you had your existential crises earlier. It is only fair that I get one of my own today."
"Don't worry, Luna. We can be basket cases together. The spell came up clear, you're fine."
"I am glad to hear that... Now, as I was saying, there is something you should see: something that can only be seen in that spell," Luna said while pushing the papers over.
I quickly looked them over for anything suspicious, but nothing had changed in the last thirty seconds since I had last looked at them.
'Yep, still a ten-thousand-year-old spell written in a language I can't understand. Let's see, the translation team says that the scanner field is.... Hmm... Okay, it doesn't really seem like any other spell I know, so this might take a few tries.'
"Right," I said, "here goes nothing."
Crafting the spell in my mind was no easy feat. In fact, for a basic-level spell, it was one of the most difficult to create that I could actually pull off. I didn't have time to worry about the learning and difficulty curve of this newly rediscovered magic school, and the spell took up all of my concentration.
Using the translation's suggestions, I focused the spell to imbue my eyes, like Luna did. What little energy I had was quickly sapped in an up-front mana cost, and my vision flicked to a whole new color spectrum.
The world was sapped of its color; from Luna's once-blue eyes to the plush blue carpeting on the ground, it was all now shades of gray. In fact, I could only see two sources of non-gray color all around me. One was Luna, and the other was myself.
Right in Luna's chest was a blue light, the same shade as her magic. As I focused on it, my eyes adjusted to the brightness and I saw that the light's source was a star. It was mostly cyan, however, similar shades of blue occasionally flowed around its shape like waves. The sphere was rotating in her chest- quite literally inside Luna.
Looking down revealed more about the other source of color: a similar star, this one orange, lay within me. I had to use my relatively-new long neck to get a good look at myself, and I noticed that my soul was remarkably smaller than Luna's. In addition, the star was significantly dimmer than Luna's. Whether that was because of my weakened state, my apparent 'fragility' after having the Nightmare removed earlier, or if it was because my age was a fraction of Luna's was impossible to know.
'Things to find out later.'
"Beautiful, are they not?" Luna smiled. "But look behind you," she pointed a hoof over my shoulder.
I had to turn my entire wheelchair to get a good look behind me. The effort was rewarded with the reveal of a third source of color in the room. Up against the wall, right inside God-Splitter's oversized metal head, was another star. Or, more accurately, half of a star.
The shrunken soul was as large as my own. However, unlike my soul, the purple soul was cut in half. And not in a clean cut, at that. Instead of a perfect hemisphere, it was jagged, uneven, and sending out bolts of light into its missing half constantly. It was also dim. Very dim, to the point where it didn't color anything else around it, unlike the souls of Luna and me.
"What...." I muttered as I let the soul-viewing spell slip from my horn. "That's not..."
"I think it is," Luna mused behind me.
I pulled on God-Splitter's tethering enchantment in the shaft of the weapon and pulled it across the room to me. Hefting it so that the green Adamantium head was right in front of me, I cast the Soulmancy spell again.
The half-soul was nestled right in the center, where the Mithril core would be.
"So that's how you work," I whispered. ".... Princess Prochoerodes? Is that you? Can you hear me?"
I strained my ear to hear, but I only heard the muted clip-clops of Luna slowly walking up next to me.
"Princess Procho? Are you there?" I whispered over the Weave.
The star's faded lights pulsed brightly for a moment, arcing out from its broken center and across the entire room before slamming into the far wall. There was a pause, long enough for me to wonder if anything at all was going to happen.
Then the lights returned, retracing their arcs in reverse.
"... I hear you."
"She heard me," I told Luna, jaw dropping. "It's her. It's her! God-Splitter is..." I cleared my throat out of habit before continuing over the Weave, "Princess Procho, I am King Phasma. Your... brother. I can see half of you. Do you... know what happened to you?"
The lights pulsed out once more, and our heads turned towards their destination- Luna had recasted her own soul-viewing spell. After a few more moments, the lights returned.
".... Half? Yes... I.... died. Brother. That is... new."
"Where are you?"
The lights once again went out, but this time they did not return. I waited half a minute before deciding to drop the spell and bring Luna up to speed.
"Princess Procho... she said she died. Her voice is so quiet, Luna, it's hard to hear. I'm not getting any more responses...."
"What could this mean?" Luna wondered. "Is she alive? Is she... dead, but encapsulated in your war gear?"
"She's dead," I said. "That much seems to be certain. But.... anything more.... Princess Procho died three hundred years ago, and only her blade was recovered. A blade which was reforged into God-Splitter! But... that doesn't account for the parts of her that are missing. Is her soul scattered? Was there another piece of her war gear that somehow captured her soul? We... We need answers, and unfortunately, I know there is exactly one changeling who might have them."
Luna sighed, "Chrysalis. She deserves to know the status of her daughter, but I fear that this information might make her captivity an impossibility. If she reacts like any mother should, she will demand to know everything, to be a part of everything, and to lead the investigation- even if she can offer said investigation no use. Such a disruption to her captivity will only lead to problems. In the future, we can inform her, but for now, we can not allow outside interference. In addition, we can not be certain that word will not reach her cell, should it become common knowledge. You never know what she will overhear, or what we might let slip."
"We'll.... Figure it out. Where did those lights go? You saw them, right?"
"Indeed. They went.... east," Luna pointed towards the wall they pierced, as if I forgot.
"What's east?"
"Manehattan?" Luna offered.
"..... Then it seems we will have to find Princess Procho's other half, be it in Manehattan, in another missing Hive east of here, or somewhere else.... And then..." I looked at the stack of papers that served as our translation. "We will restart the school of Soulmancy, and bring the dead back to life. Heh, maybe that's why Chrysalis's necromancy ritual failed: Procho's soul never made it to the afterlife. Error four-oh-four, soul not found..."
"And in its stead, yours was plucked from beyond." Luna squinted, "I would say that stranger things have happened, but I do not know if that is even true."
I leaned back in my wheelchair, "Another royal would be nice. We need all the help we can get against King Sombra and his Umbrum horde."
"Then let us hope that Princess Procho can indeed be brought back to the living. Another blade against the dark will always be welcome."
I sighed, "I think that's enough magic for now. It's about time that we made our way to the Crystal Caves..."
Prince Pharynx set the crystal glass down, next to the tall bottle of whisky.
Finding it had been a short ordeal, as King Phasma had hidden the good stuff well, but Pharynx bet it was worth it. Supposedly, pony alcohol was superior to the mushroom grog back in the Fourth Hive in practically every way. Since King Phasma had positioned himself as the sole supplier of said alcohol, it was no large stretch of the imagination to think that the King would have the best stuff in all of the land for himself.
"Opulent waste of materials," Pharynx muttered as he poured himself a glass.
He raised the glass and took a cautious sniff, before sipping a small portion out of the filled glass.
'Ergh.... Definitely will take some getting used to, but... perhaps there is some merit to the rumors. Still, nothing can beat the taste of a chilled mug of Sprout after a long day of training.'
The portal flashed to life in front of him as the device was reactivated. King Phasma turned to glare at Pharynx.
"Glad to see you'll be joining us for this, Prince Pharynx."
'Wasn't exactly planning on it. But since I'm here, maybe I can actually stick through it. I'm a Praetorian, damn it! A warrior!'
"We'll see," he said instead.
To the victor went the spoils, including executing the losing side. That was a fact of life that Pharynx was quite at home with. However, he had intended on skipping this execution in particular. In fact, he had hoped to miss every execution that he possibly could. The less death he could see, the better.
That's why he jumped onto a pony aircraft the first chance he got, clinging to the excuse of bringing extracted love from the old hive. If Thorax could see him now....
'Never mind that,' Pharynx dismissed the thought as he chugged the rest of the glass.
"On the charge of betraying the Lodges and the resistance against Princess Chrysalis's tyranny, we find you innocent."
Pharynx looked back at the portal as he poured another glass, suppressing a coughing fit. Infiltrator Tarsus, the one who had sided with the Queen- former Queen, at least- was trying his damndest to glare right back at the King looming over him.
'Good luck out-intimidating a royal, imbecile.'
"On the charge of being responsible for Oestridae's death, we find you guilty. Stand, and receive your judgment like a true changeling."
'Here it is,' Pharynx sighed internally, slowly downing his second glass. 'Really hope I'm not feeling this stuff tomorrow. How strong is this whisky-stuff, anyways?'
Considering that it was tucked away with small glasses, it was a safe assumption that whisky was quite strong.
"The stronger the better," Pharynx whispered to himself.
'Panar grant me strength.'
The communication portal pulled Pharynx's attention back to it as King Phasma spoke, "Tarsus the Infiltrator. You have fulfilled your duties as an Infiltrator, but not as a member of the First Fang. You failed to protect your brother, and he paid the ultimate price for your betrayal. The punishment for such a crime ought to be death."
With a hiss, Pharynx lurched across the desk and pulled apart the base of the device, cutting the link immediately. He sat there, sprawled across the cabin's desk, panting heavily.
"Death," he murmured, rolling the word across his mouth. "Death. Death. Death."
His heart pounded in his chest, filled with the same fear that had cut right through him like an Uttu fang during his fight with King Phasma.
If that fight had accomplished anything, it had proven that Pharynx was far from the young, immortal soldier that once saw himself as. Ascending to Princedom had not shaken that fear. In fact, it made it worse.
So, so much worse.
Clack clack clack clack clack.
Pharynx looked down and saw his hooves shaking against the bottle of booze. He could taste bile. Wanting to wash out the taste of vomit, he picked up the bottle of whisky and began chugging straight from the bottle itself. He gasped around the opening, spilling the brown stuff across the desk as he drowned himself.
Pulling himself away with a cough, Pharynx wiped his mouth with a hoof and pulled himself back into the chair.
"I'm fine. I will be fine. I'm alive. Thorax is alive. We're both alive."
He pulled the bottle close and clutched it like a larva, "I'm alive. Thorax is alive. We're both alive. I'm not going to die. He's not going to die. We're not going to die."
Pharynx cringed.
He had just reunited with his brother after months of thinking he was dead, and he took the first chance he got to get away. But he had to. He couldn't let Thorax see him. He couldn't let Thorax know.
When his brother had asked if Pharynx had seen anything during his ascension, Pharynx lied. At the time, it was easy to dismiss it as just a random thought that his mind conjured up. After the conversation, it slowly dawned on Pharynx that his vision was anything but a dismissible daydream.
"I'm alive," Pharynx repeated.
In his mind, he saw the vision once more.
"Nothing will happen," Pharynx nodded to himself.
He saw the blood. Panar, there was so much blood. It filled fountains. It painted streets. It ran like rapids down the gutters of the cobblestone sidewalks.
"We're going to be fine."
He saw himself. Prince Pharynx, the brand new Prince of the Hive, equipped with Adamantium wargear, just like King Phasma.
"I'm not going to die."
He could see it.
He could see himself.
Pharynx could see his own head, laying at the bottom of a mountain of corpses, with the rest of him draped atop the pile. He could see his own lifeless eyes, his helmet that held his severed head inside of it, the small blood trail his head made as it rolled down the pile, and he could see the ugly mess that was his cut neck.
"I'm not going to die!" Pharynx whispered, trying to burn the image out of his mind. "It's not real! I am finally with Thorax again, I won't... I can't... Panar, please, don't do this to me! W-why.... Why me..."
Pharynx sobbed quietly, still clutching the bottle of whisky.
"I will survive. I have to. I want to! I will break the chains of fate, I will survive this! Do you hear me, Panar?! I will not die!"
North.
An empire, once lush with green grass and clear blue skies, lies submerged in snow. Hills of snow-covered homes and businesses. Ice clung to every surface, like a weed. It encased streetlamps. It strangled windows. It violated the beautiful colors of the crystals with its ugly purple tinge.
A war was waged in the capital.
All the outlying towns had been scoured of life. Their inhabitants had either fled or were subsumed. All that was left was the capital city, and everypony in it, and everyone not a pony in it as well.
Families huddled together for warmth, holding their hooves over a frozen flame for over seven thousand years.
Soldiers died in the streets, bleeding out over the course of history.
A princess lay broken beneath a King of Nightmares, looking up at her doom-bringer. It would take her hundreds of centuries to die. Princess Amore of the Crystal Empire was about to die, yet she did not die. Her crystal ponies were doomed, yet their fate had not yet been decided. Not for all of them.
A spell had frozen them all. Like how the chilling frost had seemed to bring a still to even the liveliest of ponies, the spell had frozen time itself. Nopony inside the Empire had cast the spell. No Umbrum who descended upon the crystal ponies like a pack of wolves had been the spell's architect, either.
The spell was cast by the unrepentant vermin who had started the whole war. The prison was crafted by the monster who had set everything into motion. So while every single person, be they Umbrum or crystal pony, was frozen in motion around him, King Sombra plotted his revenge.
While King Sombra did not feel a thing in the thousands of years he had been imprisoned, his own perception of the world had not been stopped. His mind ground against the confines of his prison; he could not cast magic, he could not move a muscle, he could not even blink. Still, he worked. Like a worm constructing a castle, pebble by pebble, he wore away at the infinite bindings that ensnared his entire host of apex predators.
'My name is the epitaph that will be carved upon this world's grave!'
The moments of eternity passed, unmarked.
'I am the one who will swallow the sun!'
The spell had weakened, but it held just as firmly as when it was first cast by the King of Nisir.
'I am King Sombra! My triumph is inevitable! My will shall be immutable law! My Nightmares shall become fear itself!'
The King of Nightmares stood, reared back on two legs, above the Princess of Love, forever poised to strike her down. His ash-gray armor was filthy, caked in blood and snow. His mane had been just as sullied with blood. His eyes, green and red, saw nothing but the defeated Princess beneath him.
Then, King Sombra felt a single hair on his muzzle twitch.
To Be Continued |
JANMMS | pre | "Because if they suspect the images are real, there is a higher chance I'll be seen as a cosplayer, were I to ever lose my disguise."
Then, I shrugged.
"Also, I then got the idea to try painting."
Nightmare slowly nodded.
"I have seen the colors you ordered, but always wondered what you were painting. Or where you stored the paintings."
Pulling a painting out of the magic storage, I showed it to him. He quickly realized what it was.
"Okay, that's genius."
As the painting showed the landscape viewed from far above, giving it a surreal look. With my painting style being a bit unrefined, but for some reason, very detailed, it also adopted a slightly cartoonish look.
"You're painting while flying?"
"Not exactly. When I took a look at the levitation spell, I realized there was a part in it to cancel out the force that would normally apply to you. Remember how I seemingly jumped off the air when we trained?"
"You removed the cancellation part. That means when you jumped off the 'air' you instead pushed away from the wall and as a result yourself?"
I nodded.
"Correct. Also, if you cast the spell in front of you, well..."
A blue shimmering disc came into existence, onto which I sat.
"It works as a platform to stand on or put objects on."
"And then you simply paint up there. Also, I can tell that you have a lot in your magic storage, but what?" he then asked, tilting his head. Not sure myself, I took a look.
"Well... my painting stuff, a few books on material arts I bought on your insistence, the short guide to necessary spells you wrote, the piece of wood with the illusion spell that's not working correctly, some food from last week - seems like time is stopped in here since it's still good - some writing utensils and my smartphone, which weirdly enough shows the correct time despite seemingly being frozen in time."
I then blinked, looking deeper.
"I almost forgot, there is the armor you originally wore, as well as a big scythe I'm seeing for the first time now."
Nightmare shrugged.
"Something a follower gave me. Non-mana weapons usually break quickly, but you should be able to use it to hide your abilities."
I took it out and did a few practice swings. I could use it, but I could also tell that Nightmare never used it; it felt unfamiliar. Nonetheless, it seemed like my body had experience with scythes, just not this one.
"Can this be enchanted?"
"Yes, but I never bothered. If you do decide to enchant it, it would become quite powerful, though. There is one enchantment on it already, a restoring enchantment. No matter how damaged the scythe is, it will repair itself within a day."
"Considering how you said you expect materiel weapons to break, could it be that this scythe was meant to be used as a first-strike weapon?"
"Could be. Do you remember the spell for enchanting yet?"
I shook my head.
"Only mostly. I have looked at a few interesting spells after I had reached the point of at least casting the basic spells we spoke about, but for some reason, it seems like the enchanting spell just called out to me. I have a feeling that even incomplete, I could cast this spell."
Tilting his head, Nightmare teleported away and returned with a wooden sword back a second later.
"Try," he said, throwing the sword to me. I caught it in my levitation, with no intention of picking splinters out of my fur.
"Wood? Isn't that one of the worst materials to enchant?"
"Well, not really. The material only affects the number of enchantments possible on an item, as well as its durability, not the effect the actual enchantments have on it. As such, it's perfect practice material."
"I see," I responded, building the enchantment matrix, before thinking for a moment.
The enchantment I tried to apply in the end was a spell to turn the wood into steel while mana was channeled into it. The enchantment matrix failed, but I then remembered that iron and steel could have negative impacts on magic, so I tried to make it temporarily turn into copper, which worked.
Interestingly, the enchantment matrix completed itself, making it clear that this was considered part of my 'natural' abilities.
"I see. Enchantments seem to be your ability."
To give a bit of context, the abilities that should naturally come to Nightmare - turning into smoke, and precise control over illusions, as well as dream magic - I could use easier as well, but it felt wrong for some reason. As if it wasn't meant to be mine.
"A good chance. Can you give me a list of all enchantments?"
Nightmare nodded.
"I am working on a list of all those things that you don't need to train, just to know. For example, potions or rituals. You just need to do them by the book, you don't need to have experience with them. The enchantments you apply are created by imagining the effect you want. It's a good idea for training but remember that doing it this way increases the mana cost and decreases the number of enchantments you can place on an object. Many spells can be completed by allowing magic to do it, but it is really energy-intensive."
"True. Completely building the enchantment matrix would help, in that case."
Nightmare nodded, but I continued before he could say anything.
"When we're already on the topic... can you store enchantments? In gems or the like, to then put them on another object later?"
He shrugged.
"Well, there would come up one of two problems. If you do the enchantment with only a light binding, the first object touching it gets enchanted. Or, if you do the binding stronger, someone has to manually transfer the enchantment."
"I see..."
Nightmare walked away, then came back with a folder filled with printouts.
"I already prepared this, in case you get whisked away before we can do much else," he stated, handing it to me. I nodded, putting it in my magic storage.
"Ah, on that topic? I believe the shield you placed on me to protect me from getting summoned to Equestria has been weakened."
He scowled.
"Dammit! That is a one-time shield, as all the energy used in tries to summon you accumulates. The only thing that can stop you from getting summoned after it's high enough is being summoned elsewhere, so that you are already summoned and therefore unavailable."
I blinked.
"How much time do I have?"
"A few weeks, with bad luck, and a few months with good one. The big problem here is that you would get summoned to be 'Nightmare Moon' which would bind you for years, if not decades or centuries. And I don't doubt that Luna will eventually realize someone is trying to summon you and in turn do it herself to trap you."
"I don't want to be stuck there as you!"
"Eventually, you will."
I sighed; I knew he was right. I also suspected I would eventually end up in Equestria when I initially agreed to his offer.
"In any case, I believe you know more than enough to at least protect you and deliver a severe beating to most opponents. I wrote down a lot of spells as well, but I believe you would be better off just perfecting the spells you know. Oh, another thing. You can travel to Eques on your own volitation, which would clean out the energy stacking up on the shield - but at the very least, Luna would be aware of you."
Nightmare sighed.
"Being on Eques would make it possible for you to refuse most, if not all, summoning attempts, but your location would be shown to anyone who can sense magic each time it is attempted. In exchange, all the energy accumulated on the shield would fall off, thanks to you being where it wants you. I'd recommend jumping to Eques for a day or two every time the shield is weakened by more than half, it's the least risky option."
"Then let's do that." |
JANMMS | Chapter 5: Visiting | Angry at herself for accepting Nightmare's offer a millennium ago, Luna stomped into her room. During her absence, not only their language had degraded, and she was the one speaking 'weird', but her sister had allowed dozens, if not hundreds of stupid laws to slip by her notice.
If that was the only thing that stood in her way now, she may have been not as angry. But alas, those thrice-damned nobles now had enough political power to overrule her, too.
"We never should have taken Nightmare's offer," she mused, a thought that was shared by the other being just about to arrive, but for far different reasons.
Luna was harboring more of a mix of fear and respect for the being instead of anger, as it did exactly what she offered. Nonetheless, it stole her a millennium of her life.
Stepping in her private chambers and slipping from her dress, she washed her face, and slipped into a nightgown. She had already closed the curtains so that the sun would not wake her when she realized something was... wrong.
Realizing the magic buildup behind her, Luna whirled around, just in time to see an alicorn mare manifest in the air, one she knew all too well from the mirror.
Luna knew that Nightmare was more than enough to overpower Celestia. Not wanting to confront her, she lit up a teleportation matrix, but before she could cast it, Nightmare slammed in the ground, the slight tremor disrupting the fragile spell.
(It canceled itself due to it being shaken, but it amounted to the same result.)
At the same time, a massive wave of energy got released, and Luna was flung against the wall. Since said wall was reinforced to withstand siege engines (and the occasional magic explosion), the princess only made a small dent in it, falling down afterward.
Nightmare in turn noticed Luna, walking over to her. Luna was in too much pain to move, and quickly fell unconscious, not having enough sound of mind to warn her sister...
"Damn it all," I commented, gazing at the cracks in the wall and the unconscious princess.
"Here? Why did I appear here, out of all places?"
In any case, the dice were cast, and I had to move forward. Changing the past may be possible, but I was NOT planning on doing that anytime soon.
Stay or go? ...
I decided to stay and clean up the mess my arrival had caused. Maybe I could find out why I appeared here, too.
Picking up the princess, I quickly checked her for injuries (and no, I did not sneak a peek at her), before laying her down on the bed. It was not the small, crescent-moon-shaped thing from that one episode, but a normal, 'king'-sized bed.
There was a nasty bruise on her head, but it wasn't too severe. I lit up my horn, projecting a simple healing spell between my hands. It glowed a golden color (and somehow felt as if it was trying to burn me, which I ignored).
However, just a moment later, another summoning spell settled on me. It was not a powerful one, but not a weak one, either. Since I was already on Eques, the spell cancelled itself, but the energy had to go somewhere.
A bright, golden flash of light filled the room, and I cursed, the overloaded spell having burnt into my hands. Magic enough to create a model star, all my reserves emptied in an instant, due to me still channeling the spell - and that other, foreign energy crashing into my magic's metaphorical back.
I was unaware at the time, but the healing spell was robust enough to convert all the magic leaving my body into 'healing', causing the healing effect to affect every single being in the city.
Luna awoke to the sound of Nightmare cursing, deciding to take stock of the situation before doing anything. She could not feel any bindings on her body or magic, so she was reasonably sure that not much time had passed.
"For Faust's sake! This is the second time in the same number of days! Urgh, why do I even bother."
Remembering what happened, Luna carefully raised her head, not feeling uncomfortable. She remembered flying into a wall, but why wasn't she in pain?
Luna debated with herself for a moment if she wanted to speak up, then eventually decided to do so. Nightmare seemed, like the first time they spoke, sane, and more importantly, relatively docile.
"Why didst thee return, if thee art an enemy of the state?"
Nightmare stopped grumbling, instead turning around to face Luna. Grabbing a nearby chair with her magic, she sat down on it, fixating Luna with her eyes.
"I do NOT have a choice on this matter, and I believe it's your turn to cast a healing spell," Nightmare said, holding out hands that looked little more like charcoal. How she wasn't passing out from the pain, she did not know.
They clearly were burnt, but the only magic Luna could feel around them was a healing spell.
"What... 'tis looks horrific! What hath happened?" she asked, her worries about Nightmare retaliating for what has happened gone, instead finding worry in her heart.
Nightmare had offered power, and Luna had gotten drunk on it. At no point in time were her actions not at least heavily influenced by her own, free will. That was why she wasn't attempting to deliver the black mare straight to the lowest layer of Tartarus. She shouldered equal, if not more blame for what had happened, and took Nightmare's name as well.
"After I had arrived here, I realized I had injured you. I attempted to heal you, but a summoning attempt was made on me, more specifically, the idea of 'Nightmare Moon'. The magic caused my magic to go out of control, and the healing spell exploded."
"Tis' can't have happened, healing spells art unable to explode."
"A healing spell is a robust little thing. Pumping the power of approximately one and a half fully-grown alicorns into it, however, will destroy anything not designed to specifically withstand that sort of damage," Nightmare replied, holding out her hands.
"Please? Before the magic blocking the pain fails?"
Luna lit up her horn, carefully prying the magic away from Nightmare's hands. She noticed that Nightmare had spoken the truth - her hands were somehow burnt by the energy of the healing spell.
"Thy have spoken the truth?"
"Is that really this surprising?"
"Nay, it was hardly believable, but we now see our error," she shot back, prying away the last bits of magical residue, before starting to cast a high-level regeneration spell. What was left of Nightmare's fur vanished from her hands, and slowly, the skin regenerated, as well as the muscles, tendons, and blood vessels, then new fur grew, leaving her hands sensitive and a bit weak for the time being, but functional.
"Thy were not lying, but now we wonder why thee art here."
"This world still tries to drag us back, kicking and screaming," Nightmare responded, scowling.
"Again, and again. Twice now, it was attempted to summon me, the first time forcing me to visit Equestria to prevent myself from being bound to a master, the second causing the healing spell I was using to fail," she elaborated, slumping down.
"Thou art not acting like the nightmare we know," Luna stated, curious as to why the mare in front of her was even bothered by it.
"Do you know what it means to be 'Nightmare'? It does not mean to be incorporeal, or to be a specific creature, or to act a specific way... instead, it means to carry the mark of the dark," Nightmare stated, pointing at her flank. Holding out her palm, she summoned up a crystal reeking of dark magic, yet her eyes did not light up with black flames.
"It means the ability to use shadow magic, without repercussions. The ability to remember any magic seen, even if only seen once. The ability to turn into smoke, the ability to enter dreams, the ability to cast powerful illusions. THAT is what it means to be 'Nightmare'."
An odd smile graced the face of the mare sitting in front of Luna.
"I have heard many a thing from my predecessor, one of which is that I have to visit this world from time to time to keep my freedom."
"This... art thee saying Nightmare Moon was not unique? There art more like her? And if thee art not whom we met a millennium ago, who art thou?"
"That, I do not know. But I am indeed not whom you met, back then."
They sat in silence, and eventually Nightmare's eyes started to wander over Luna's body, before widening.
"Have you still not healed from what the elements did to you?"
"We art fine!" Luna responded, to which the mare in front of her sighed.
"That is not true. I can see the magic in you, and that it is... stuck, for lack of a better term," Nightmare responded, standing up and walking up to the bed, placing her hand on Luna's head.
For some reason or another, a spark of magic jumped from Luna's head into Nightmare's hand, and the black mare frowned. Luna, in turn, was confused. The elements had restored her to how she was before she had taken the power offered by Nightmare.
"Your magic... it is incredibly stiff. You have cast spell after spell, and have never relaxed much, have you?"
Not much, Luna found herself concluding, and apparently, the black mare understood what the small drop of her ears meant perfectly.
"Can you spare the night?"
"We have not yet taken up all our duties again. Night court shall not be held for another month," Luna replied, cautiously. She still had to fulfill all her duties as alicorn but was not yet picking up her duties as princess again.
"That's a yes," Nightmare deadpanned, taking ahold of Luna with her magic. She could sense a great deal of magic energy flow out of her body, and a scrying spell lit up around Nightmare's horn. For some reason, she seemed unsatisfied with what she saw, as she dropped the spell afterwards, not saying a thing.
Being dropped on her bed, she only had a moment before Nightmare had crawled atop of her.
"Don't tell me you had locked yourself away during 'that' time of the year, too?"
It spoke lengths for Luna's innocence that she did not understood what Nightmare meant; not at first. |
JANMMS | Chapter 6: Well met | While the form Luna had after being hit with the elements was a temporary one resulting from her body not holding any magic, she had not had an ethereal mane before becoming one with Nightmare Moon (literally, not figuratively like last night).
Her sister had been unable to tell her why, so she was left wondering, but much to her surprise, when she woke up after the best described as wild night, still feeling sore but warm, she could see ethereal hair waving to the edge of her vision.
It took her a moment to remember that she had fallen asleep next to Nightmare, and that the stellar mane flowing down her side was most likely not her own; the black arms wrapped around her and black wing covering her like a blanket supporting that theory.
She tried to shuffle out from under the bigger mare, but found it hard to do, moving around so much that it woke up the black pony.
A big yawn escaped her, before she pulled Luna closer, her snout pushing into Luna's neck.
"It's nice to hold someone so close, or to be held like this..." she mumbled, and Luna decided she could spare a few more minutes just lying there. After all, she still was recovering from magical - and now physical - exhaustion.
Her face exploded into a blush when her mind replayed the events of the night. Nightmare, though, took the opportunity and placed her muzzle next to her ear.
"So, you want to go again?" she asked with a smirk in her voice, making the poor princess blush even harder.
"We shouldn't!"
"Was that what I asked?"
Luna had no chance to hide her embarrassment as she found herself unable to respond with a negative to that question, burrowing her burning face in her hands.
Yawning, I stumbled into the bathroom, a bit pissed about the fact that even using up my magic twice was not enough to cleanse the energy that was forcing me to visit this plane. After teasing Luna and holding her for a while, we both realized it was time to get up.
The booklet Nightmare made for me floating next to me, I was washing myself, looking into the book and reading over the spell time and time again. A healing spell can cause burn wounds if cast incorrectly - but not on such a level as it did with me, even considering the energy in it.
"Urgh, I don't get it," I groaned, throwing the book back into my magic storage. I concentrated, trying to find the original Nightmares' mind, but I found that the dimensional barrier was quite strong (as it should be).
I would have to return to Earth before speaking with her.
"Art thee trying to find the reason the healing spell harmed thee?" Luna asked, and I shrugged.
"Essentially, yes. It did too much harm, even for the energies that did flow into it."
"Mayhaps tis' the nature of thy magic. Our sister can cast shadow magic, yet it harms her, you can cast holy magic, yet it harms thee."
Those magics indeed were opposites. I remembered that in the show Celestia once used dark-looking magic to demonstrate the two states of the crystal empire (with and without Sombra in it), so them being completely different could heighten the impact it had on a being attuned to different magic.
What confused me was that I had a physical body and I neither am nor was a spirit fueled by dark energy. I could have accepted that explanation were that case, but for now, I certainly was missing something.
Before I could start to sink into theorizing about the finer aspects of magic, Luna spoke up again, surprising me with her suggestion.
"We think it is time for us to greet sister. Come, I shall introduce you to each other."
"Is that truly a wise idea? After what has happened, your sister should hate our very presence."
"Tis' not true... she knows as well as us that our anger was responsible for more of our actions than the previous Nightmare hath been... that is why our sister has not forgiven herself, knowing our anger was real. We both hath failed each other, a millennia past."
Celestia, in fact, was loathing a lot of things more than Nightmare Moon (namely Sombra), since she knew that the only reason the whole incident a millennium past happened was a combination of their overbearing responsibilities, the ponies ignoring Luna, Celestia not realizing just that, Sombra trying to break their minds and the original Nightmare Moon stumbling into Luna's dreams one day at random.
Right now, she was feeling as if a demon was trying to force its way into her head, but she was sensitive to magic. So, she knew that the enormous headache and (carefully concealed) bloodlust was just her own reaction to the inane pony standing before her court.
"...therefore, I believe your sister should not have the political power you have given her, your majesty! Her knowledge of the present-day world is minuscule at best!"
"Princess Luna's 'political power', as you put it is not something I have given to her. My sister always had carried the title of princess, it was never revoked," she explained, taking a moment to go over the exact laws in her head.
She was prepared to go on, but the pony interrupted her again. She took it in stride - she did not need to stop him from hanging himself, after all.
"She betrayed Equestria! She turned into Nightmare Moon, and tried to kill you, and she is only compliant because you have stripped her of her power!"
"And?" Celestia asked, her voice now dropped to an icy level. Up until now, she had just considered teaching him a lesson on thinking about actions before doing them, but there were some lines she was not willing to allow others to cross.
"Wha - she betrayed Equestria! She tried to kill us all!"
"Princess Luna tried to secure the rule over Equestria, not to conquer or destroy it. She is a member of the royal family by blood, and as such, she had and still has the right to challenge my rule of Equestria in any form she sees fit, as long as no other ponies are part of it. Were you aware that the castle was cleared out hours before our battle took place?"
The pony tried to respond, probably with another insult, but he had been brought off-balance by the sudden, unprecedented change in the princess' tone.
"You, however, tried to use arguments based in imagination or in false truths, with the goal to remove something you perceived as a threat. You tried to remove, against the law I might add, a princess from power. Are you aware of what the law states for such a case?"
Fearfully, the minor noble shook his head.
"But in the case such an event doth occur, the jury, judge, and executioner shall be determined by the princess offended in any way she seems fit. If she so wishes, she art judge, unless she art family, she art jury, unless she art not of sound mind, she art executioner, unless she art gravely injured."
Raven could only shake her head watching the struggling minor noble getting escorted out of the throne room, remembering how this scene was almost a carbon copy of what has happened twelve years ago.
She had seen a lot of how the princess acts, yet she had only seen her snap trice in the eighteen years she was serving her. The first was a scientist demanding - not asking, demanding - to be given dead bodies in his research, the second was when a noble tried to stop the coronation of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, and the third was when a dragon thought it to be in their right to help themselves to the priceless art in the castle.
There was an old, very old saying, perfectly summing up the princess, she mused.
'The gods may listen to you - but do never try their patience.'
For some reason, the noble escorted from the direction of the throne room screamed when noticing Luna, trying to back away as far as possible. I knew for a fact he did not notice me, since I had been hiding in her shadow.
"What do you think that was all about?"
She shrugged.
"We art not sure. Maybe he angered our sister, but she usually is very composed... how much has thy predecessor told thee about Celestia?"
"That she is patient but powerful. She explained more about the workings of the elements than your sister."
Nightmare was so embarrassed and angry when he realized that he could have deflected the blast of the elements. I in turn would NOT make the mistake he did make.
Luna decided not to respond to that, instead stepping up to the doors to the throne room, past the petitioners waiting there, and gave a small nod to the guards before walking through them.
The pony standing in front of the throne was a male unicorn, wearing a dress suit covering his mark up. Celestia was speaking to him, seemingly agreeing with him, much to his apparent relief.
"...is always allowed. There may be thousands of spells banned from casting, but it is not forbidden to research their inner workings, unless it's a 'centurion' spell. If you wish to cast those banned spells, you have to receive approval, but you do not need that to analyze them."
"Thank you, your majesty. Before I leave, may I know an example of such a banned spell?"
"Every banned, or centurion spell as they sometimes are called, is listed in the royal library. The books are enchanted so that you can recognize the spell but never remember it. As for an example, summoning spells reaching outside the atmosphere of our world."
Blinking, the unicorn's head snapped up from where he was bowing.
"But... there is nothing to be summoned, your majesty?"
"Precisely. There has been an incident where a portal had been opened both ways, stealing air, earth, water, and magic from where the caster was."
"I see. Thank you for your time," he sincerely said, before giving another nod to Celestia, leaving."
"What has our subject asked for?" Luna asked Celestia, for once using the word like it was supposed to.
"He wished to know if he could analyze the spells of the more esoteric schools of magic. That is not something forbidden. You are still awake during the day?" Celestia responded, looking at her schedule, not yet looking up at Luna.
"Our duties as princess we can fulfill during the first half of the night, while our duties as dream guardian we can do in our sleep. Our sleep is ours to govern alone. 'Tis not us ignoring this fact, insisting of ponies being awake during the time of rest, that brought us apart?"
Celestia looked up at Luna, her eyes expressing sorrow. That only lasted for a moment, as surprise and shock appeared on her face.
"Luna? You unlocked your power?"
The blank look Luna had on her face was accompanied by what Celestia could swear cackling laughter from Nightmare Moon. The moon princess looked down onto herself, only now realizing things seemed smaller than they were before, if just a little bit, and an ethereal mane in a deep ocean blue color.
"What... this should not hath happened! How is it our power had become unlocked... yet we did not notice it?"
"Maybe you have accepted yourself for what you are?"
"May I explain?" Celestia then heard a voice, and she shuddered. She recognized that voice...
"Unless you demand something in return for doing as such, yes," she barked out, lighting up her horn with as much magic as she could draw on. While she knew of Nightmare, and her connection to Luna, she still held a lot of contempt for the dream construct, as her appearance was probably what gave her sister the confidence to go against her. She did not hate Nightmare, as the being did not brought harm to them intentionally, but she did not trust her at all either.
"In that case, I'll put myself short," the disembodied voice continued in a deadpan.
"Luna was reduced to a paladin, I think. She qualified as an avatar again during the night if I'm right."
The white princess could not help but shudder, a very old memory replaying in her mind's eye, the energies in her horn falling away as they did so.
"It was during the fight with Discord for Luna last time, and the Gryphon war a decade ago of that for me... what did you do?" she asked in fear, remembering that day she turned into the worst thing to ever happen to Equestria. An eighth of the continent was still scorched from that fateful day. Discords' magic might have stretched over the continent, but within five minutes of him being defeated, it was gone. That scar on the earth, however, would last for many millennia.
"She's your opposite, Celestia."
Celestia then noticed that her sister was blushing. For a moment, she did not understand what Nightmare meant - but then she spoke up again.
"Luna is a mare of the night, in more ways than one."
The white princess's expression was only blank for a second.
"Come here so that I can KILL you!" she screamed, the presence of Nightmare seemingly vanishing from the room. Turning back to her sister, Celestia sighed.
"Luna... why her?"
"We did not know this would happen! She just said she noticed that our magic was not flowing freely!"
"How exactly did that lead to ...that?" Celestia asked, tilting her head in a mix of confusion and slight anger. The latter not at Nightmare because of who she was, but what she apparently just did.
"She has been very... persuasive," Luna responded, her face blushing when she remembered the soft voice that simply felt both wrong, and so right coming from the warrior alicorn. It started so innocently...
Then again, Luna was sure Nightmare would have stopped, would she ever had told her to... |
JANMMS | Chapter 7: Return | With the familiar flash of teleportation, I relocated myself, jumping back home from Equestria.
But instead of finding myself in the spot I vanished from, I ended up in... nothingness?
Slightly worried, I looked around. There was no magic I could feel and looking at the regeneration rate of my magic I found it to be abysmally slow, compared to before. It was much worse than usual, a sixth at most I guessed.
Luckily, I still had my own magic stores, but my eyes widened upon realizing that it was slowly draining instead of filling.
I was nowhere. And I could tell that the speed at which my magic was draining was slowly increasing.
Becoming more than a little scared at the prospect of ending up nowhere without any magic, I tugged at the magic attached to my core, firing off the same spell I had used a few moments earlier, dissolving my body into pure energy and teleporting across the divide of worlds.
With a massive flare of magic, I found myself popping into existence, high above Equestria, starting to slowly fall. I realized that traveling to Equestria this time had cost me almost all of my magic.
But... the first time cost barely more energy than a teleport over a few kilometers, and when I tried to return, it was the same! Why was it so different, this time?
Why? What had changed? There had been nothing!
What had caused that strain on my magic, then?
Maybe because there was so little magic, where I'd gone to? The less magic in an area is, the harder it becomes to cast magic as well, then?
I could feel a flicker of energy latching onto me again from the aether, attempting to pull me along. I gladly consumed it, leaving nothing of the spell structure behind, filling up my magic from 'next to nothing' to 'adult unicorn'.
At least I could completely absorb those summoning spells, as long as I was in this world. But that was the only good thing about this situation...
I looked around, and I could see Canterlot in the distance, a light forest below me. A few clouds were lazily drifting above said forest, and I guessed it was natural weather.
But my thoughts only centered around how nice it would be to just lie down and sleep... to regain my magic... I flew down to one of the clouds, made sure it could hold me, and then collapsed onto it. I wasn't scared of discovery, since I was so high up, and with my mind not finding anything else to be concerned about, I quickly fell asleep/unconscious.
It was a fairly peaceful morning, so Celestia knew something was up.
Would Blueblood once again make a nuisance of himself? Unlikely, since he knew how she would react to him interrupting her too often.
Some other nobles, then? Also unlikely, most of them were either genuinely caring for the 'common ponies' or after money, and neither of them would be so stupid as to do something... well, stupid.
Her gaze snapped to the ceiling a second later. Her magic covered a very big area, if only very lightly, and as such she could feel the massive magical disruption that was boiling high above Equestria.
"Your majesty?"
"Cancel the day court. Something has come up," she responded, and while confused, Raven complied. There had been nothing really important on today's schedule, luckily.
She already knew who the cause of this was; she had met her only a few weeks ago, and the memory was still fresh. Nightmare had returned to Equestria, though the princess could not fathom why she did it in such a way. She did not even sense the slightest tremor of magic the last time she appeared, after all.
Flying was one of the things she immensely enjoyed, and as such she did not mind having to travel to where she had felt Nightmare appear. And her endurance allowed her to fly as long as she needed, as long as she did not attempt to fly too fast.
The center of the eruption was slightly to the west, she found, above the Whitetail Woods.
(Which meant the clouds she encountered she could fly through unless she focused more magic into her legs.)
But all those thoughts of hers vanished when she finally found Nightmare. The demon-like alicorn was lying on a cloud, sleeping. Exhaustion, maybe? Or was she sleeping to heal?
Carefully wrapping her magic around the black mare, then she froze. She touched Nightmare's arms, finding them to be quite cold. Right below her skin, she could sense magic residue of the mare, probably her magic protecting her.
Just being cold was not a danger for their kind, though, Celestia mused. Bringing her horn close, she cast a spell that would allow her to compare herself with Nightmare, but she found the both of them to be adult alicorns.
She was missing information. Something had happened to Nightmare, and she was unsure how to explain that cold feeling of Nightmare's body. This was unlike anything she had ever seen, and it scared her.
Her might was half her magic, and half her mind, both being her sharpest and most dangerous weapons. But she could not prepare against something she did not know about.
Discord would probably escape sometime in the next three centuries, and Celestia knew from experience he would lose. Order and Chaos were fundamental, and unless Discord changed, he would always lose.
The Crystal Empire, and the tyrant no doubt would return, but Equestria could win against him. The Dragons and Gryphons were too small in number to realistically threaten Equestria, and the same was true for Sombra.
And the Wendigoes could be driven off by the right spell and posed no danger to alicorns either.
Neither did temperature spells.
Casting a different spell, she looked at Nightmare's aura, freezing once again in surprise. Nightmare's aura looked frayed as if something had done its best to rip the magic of the alicorn apart. Had she ended up in a storm made from magic?
Perhaps this was a naturally occurring phenomenon that Nightmare had found herself in, Celestia mused. It was a far more comforting thought than someone - anyone - having the ability to rip apart magic.
She hoped she was right, she oh so dearly hoped she was right. |
JANMMS | Chapter 8: Distant Dreams | I snapped aware; it was quite an unpleasant sensation.
When I looked around, I found myself floating in the void of space, which I only realized after some observation to not be actual space, but the world of dreams instead.
Somehow, I ended up here, though I could not fathom why. Perhaps I was here because my body had to rest, but my mind demanded to be awake?
Looking around, I found that everything seemed similarly far away, and I decided to just look around randomly for the time being. Picking out a light in the distance, I willed myself forwards and quickly found myself hovering in front of what looked like a brilliantly glowing marble. I reached out a semi-physical hand, touching the orb, finding it was not something I could enter, realizing a moment later that somehow, whatever was there in front of me wasn't a dream. There was a connection I could feel to the light in front of me, but it wasn't that of a dreamer.
Feeling something pass... no, not pass, move through my semi-real body, I turned, finding another if smaller marble moving around the not-dream, and when I leaned down to look at it, I found myself shrinking to better perceive it.
But the marble just looked like a ball of red and yellow, with no texture to speak of. Still, I couldn't help but feel like I have seen it somewhere before...
Moving away from it, I found myself growing again, and looked around the lights, picking another at random. I moved over to it, which took a moment, but once I arrived, I found that the same thing as before happened. It just wasn't a dream, but still, it was something that I could feel a small connection with.
Around this not-dream, there, too, were small marbles orbiting it, but once again, they were little more than swatches of color.
I looked around again and picked up the brightest light I could see. Moving towards it, I found that surprisingly it did not get brighter as I got closer, yet I could tell that there was something different about it even while I was still far away.
This time, the not-dream was different. There still was a connection between it and me, but there was another, much stronger bond linking it to a blue-green marble flying around it. Leaning in closer, I found the marble to look familiar...
...to a planet.
There was a 'moon' orbiting the 'planet', and it was one that had a similar bond as the 'star', an incredibly strong connection binding it to the blue body below. A connection I recognized, having touched it before.
'Luna?'
I leaned in close, finding the planet to be much more sharply defined than anything else I had seen so far. Was it because this planet had life? (Was it even a planet?) I was unsure, but I did not dwell on it too long.
There was a small blue speck of mana moving on the surface of the planet, teleporting from time to time. It was the same mana bound to the moon...
I decided to call out to her.
"Hey, princess."
She looked around, clearly having heard me, but she seemed incapable of finding me. She was looking around, but not up, probably used to where things were in the equestrian part of the dream world.
"Look up."
She turned her gaze upon mine and jumped back.
"Nightmare?! You... what... what in the world?"
I shrugged.
"I woke up a few parsecs away... in the dream world. It's less defined if there's no life around to materialize it," I explained, leaning in closer yet again, but not finding myself shrinking much more. I blinked but shrugged, I could always cast a spell to press my essence together manually.
"No! Why art you so massive? Where did you gain all this energy of yours?" Ha?
"What do you mean?"
"Your presence! You have so much magic!"
I blinked, and focussed, not outwards but inwards. I found a small empty blue sphere of magic, around which an uncountable number of strings wrapped themselves, trailing off towards the sky. Looking at Luna, I found a filled light blue sphere of magic, slightly bigger than the one I possessed - but it still was empty. A single cord of powerful magic wrapped around it, and moved from there towards the sky, wrapping itself around the moon.
"Your magic is similar to mine, is it not? You, too, draw your power from outside... I can feel the bond you have with the moon."
Now that I was looking closer...
"And the moon collects the magic of the creatures looking up at it and acknowledging its existence, but it also emits its own magic as a celestial body. And you, as its steward, have access to a small part of that magic, enough to move it and to make yourself immortal, and some extra for yourself."
Luna was looking at the images of mine and her magic that I had brought up, then blinked.
"Might this be because of thy ascension in a different realm? The magic of the world acknowledging thy presence as an outer being?"
I shrugged.
"Does it matter?"
She sighed.
"I guess not. Do you wish me to show you 'your' dream?" she asked, and I shrugged, then nodded.
Extending out her hand, I took hers much the same, and she pulled me downwards, my body shifting to become a black mirror of hers. She led me to a grey, small orb hovering amidst thousands of others, above a mountain I recognized as Mt. Canterhorn.
"Tis' your dream, missing not what I thought was emotion, but missing a dreamer."
Touching it, I could see a grey plane extending to infinity. Once I became part of the dream, it changed, turning a dark blue reminiscent of ink, before shifting into the more normal nonsense of a dream. I was still lucid, but no longer in the world between dreams.
Knowing how restful sleep could be, I bid Luna goodnight and thanked her for showing me the way back, then let go of the grip I reflexively held onto my dream, making me forget that it was a dream, and finally started dreaming earnestly. |
Ponified Without Consent | pre | "Damn, ah wish this whole day was just poison joke," Apple Bloom said.
"Why? Are you sick? Oh! I totally know some medical stuff! Can I treat you?"
"Ah reckon you can't even read, so how'd you learn medical stuff?"
"The intern--national library in Canterlot? Just 'cuz I don't read all the time doesn't mean I can't read," I bluffed. I had nearly blown my cover, and the last thing I needed was the element of honesty and her sister interrogating the alien that stole Scootaloo's body.
"Yeah, right. If ya'll can read, read my lips."
I watched her mouth some words but couldn't make them out. I nearly started laughing again when she stopped me with her hoof.
"Please, enough laughin'. Ah thought ya were gonna get me off the farm for some fresh air or somethin'."
"Oh, sure! I think the wagon is out back. I'll grab my scooter and our helmets and give you a ride into town."
"Helmets?"
"Yeah, in this closet." I opened it up and found Sweetie Belle's and Apple Bloom's helmets. "Take these and I'll get the wagon hooked up to the scooter."
"Ya ain't gonna get me on no darn death trap on wheels! Ugh, stupid accent. . ."
"What accident? I don't recall crashing that many times. I mean, I went almost thirty minutes without hitting a tree root this morning. What's the worst that can happen?"
"Ah take back what I said about puberty. Ya'll ask me What's the worst that can happen one more time and ah'll fling ya into Ghastly Gorge myself."
"Well, I suppose most of our crusades end in tragedy, so I see why you don't want me to jinx it. . . come on! You've got to ride into town with me. I've been dying to go on a proper crusade!"
I pulled out my patented puppy eye look. For a moment I thought it had lost its charm, until she grunted and started fumbling her helmet on.
"Awesome! I'll be right back." I rushed outside with the scooter, my helmet already fastened. I tied the wagon to the scooter, and thanked Celestia for the unique physics of this world. They allowed me to be just bendy and indestructible enough, yet still allowed me to propel myself at fun velocities.
This was going to either be the best crusade ever, or the shortest wagon ride of our life. I caught on to the scooter quick enough; this couldn't be any harder.
Apple Bloom came out and started to climb into the wagon. I had to stifle my chuckling as she struggled to get inside. It wasn't taller than her, but getting up over the edge of the wagon made her look like she was drunk. Actually, I had a cat that flailed around like that once. To be fair, I was taking him through airport security and had to hold him by the scruff of his neck while they tested him for explosive residue. Thank Celestia I didn't live in such a crazy place anymore.
Once she was in, I hopped on the scooter. "Please fasten your seatbelts and keep your arms and legs inside the wagon at all times. We know you have no choice in transportation, so we thank you for continuing to use us after your constant near death experiences!"
"Wait, what the fu--" Apple Bloom was cut off as I flapped my wings and shot off at full speed. The scooter and I traveled a few inches, the rope pulled taught, and with a mighty jerk the wagon accelerated to full speed.
I felt lighter and slowed down. I looked over my shoulder to find Apple Bloom had fallen out of the wagon. She had landed face first in some mud--at least I really hoped it was mud or she might actually kill me.
"Hey, slowpoke, sorry! I'll try to be more gentle okay?"
"One. . ."
"Uh, I'm on a scooter. You'll never catch me."
"Two. . ."
"You really want to walk?" I asked.
Apple Bloom glanced around, noticing her sister spying on us again. She took a deep breath. "Eh, whatever, let's go."
She hurried over and hopped in the wagon. I took off more slowly this time. On the way to Sugarcube Corner I mused over what had her and her sister at odds. Women, I never did understand them. Now I am one. Go figure. |
Ponified Without Consent | Chapter 4 - I Have Stallion Bits | Chapter 4 - I Have Stallion Bits
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I needed to stop watching TV so much. Spending every night watching re-runs of Adventure Time until I became too exhausted to stay awake was not a healthy life choice. Last night was such a headache trying to fall asleep with Finn and Jake in the background trying to watch Ice King's secret tapes. I must have crawled back to bed last night after shutting the TV off without even realizing it.
I exhaled and a snort came out. Meh, just 'cause I was a girl didn't mean I had to be dignified. Did I leave my window open last night? The chirping of birds refused to let me go back to sleep. The light on my eyelids seemed a little too bright for my room. I shifted, but something about me was off. My whole anatomy felt different. It was like my limbs were fighting my brain to stay in their current position. I tried to reach out. I couldn't feel my fingers. I opened my eyes to a white bedroom covered with Blueblood fanart.
What. The. Hay?
Okay, I knew I had not been drunk or under the influence of anything last night, so how had I ended up in some obsessive fan's bedroom? Above me was a larger than life (I was assuming) painting of him stretched out on an opulent white satin sheet. This person was obsessed. I knew I needed to get out as soon as my brain stopped telling me something was wrong. I met eyes with the painting and balked. Something about the expression of the image made me feel dirty just looking at it. I glanced down the length of the portrait. The painter had paid special attention to detail... too much attention.
"Oh my..." I said out loud. My mind stopped.
That was not my voice. I had somehow gone from a soprano to a tenor.
"This room is getting to me--" My breath quickened. I turned my head to look around the room. Why was the hair falling over my eyes blonde? The closest it had ever been to blonde was that time I had experimented with peroxide my freshman year. Yes, I had dyed it from black to red again recently, but this wasn't even close...
I crossed my eyes to stare at my nose which was elongated and covered in white hair. I had a muzzle. A white muzzle. White... white and blonde... and I had a muzzle... and my hair... mane thing was blonde... and I was in Equestria in Blu--No. Please no... what is going on?
In front of me, between two marble busts of Blueblood, in different expressions of snobbery, sat an opulent gilded mirror. I threw my body towards the edge of the bed to look into it, but my bed had other plans. My sheets had wrapped me in a cocoon, and I fell, muzzle-first, onto the marble floors. Okay, I might not have been exactly skinny, but I didn't remember weighing that much when I last stepped on the scale... which might have been before the finals week panic, but that wasn't important now.
Was I wearing clothes now? I felt... fuzzy. I still couldn't feel my hands or my feet. After some struggling, I finally bent my arms to where I could see I was completely covered in a silky white coat. Oh please no. Any other pony but him. Tell me I'm just an unfortunate mare that stayed in Blueblood's room for no apparent reason. After wiggling like mad, I finally crawled from the sheets and stumbled towards the mirror.
Oh, gag me...
I'm Blueblood.
I looked at the flank that my brain was now in control of. Yep, that's his cutie mark. Of all stallions in Equestria, why put me in the body of Blueblood? Of all ponies, why genderswap me to make me a stallion? Of all animals, why instead of a dragon or gryphon a pony? I was an omnivore. I watched my pupils shrink in the mirror as I realized two very significant things. First of all, I couldn't eat meat, which meant I no longer could eat bacon. If I was expected to spend the rest of my life eating salads without the occasional courtesy of chicken, I was very likely going to kill somebody--maybe even one of those nice talking cows from that one episode--just so I could enjoy a hamburger!
Secondly... I had stallion parts now.
My scream almost hurt my own ears as I began to tear around the room in a panic. The painting and statues around the room turned into gold, white and blue streaks as I raced haphazardly around the gigantic bed. A small bell rang somewhere in the room, and I leapt onto the dresser, knocking off a bust that crashed out of sight. Instantly, a fleet of maids in frilly white and black saddles pranced in and cleaned up the mess while I tried to hide behind the bed. The show had never mentioned this. True, Blueblood had only ever been in one episode, but would they really have something so... well like this in a kids' show?
The maids took no notice of me and frolicked out of the room. Glancing at the top of the dresser, I realized there was a small trigger where the bust had stood. Was he seriously scared that someone would steal a bust of him? I sighed and pushed myself up on my hooves, looking down at the fluffy duvet embroidered with "BB" in gold. This... can't be real.
A butler walked in, and I involuntarily tried to dive under the bed. Of course, I was now too large to fit under there and I ended up bruising my shoulders. I had to get out of here. This couldn't get any more ridiculous.
"Master Blueblood. Would you like your lunch now?"
"Who are you? Are you his butler?"
"Again, Master Blueblood?" he said with a tired roll of his eyes.
Is this a normal question for him to ask?
"I'm not Blueblood."
"Of course you're not, sir."
I arched my eyebrow. What the hay was going on? Was this behaviour normal? He had been somewhat particular about his tastes in the show, but this was downright eccentric. The proper earth pony butler placed the steaming plate of vegetables on a small gilded table sitting between two hideous rococo style chairs covered in gold leaf and white velvet.
"I mean, I'm not even a stallion!" I tried to explain.
"Of course you're not, sir."
"No! Really! I'm a girl! I'm female! This isn't my voice!"
"As you say, sir."
"I mean... stallion? What am I say--I'm not even a horse!"
"Of course you're not, sir."
"Please, stop calling me sir..." I whimpered.
"Of course, Master Blueblood."
I wasn't sure if that was much of an improvement. I'd take what I could. While staring at the plate of veggies, I died a little inside.
"I'm not hungry right now. Thank you, though. I need to--"
"Master Blueblood, you are ordered to eat under threat of banishment by your Aunt Celestia."
Well, that got rather intense. I sheepishly walked over to the table.
"Would she seriously banish me for not eating my veggies?"
"She'd banish you for almost anything nowadays, sir," he said with an exaggerated roll of his eyes.
Huh...
Four maids appeared out of nowhere and levitated me into the chair. I had no time or will to move as they forced me to sit painfully upright. One then combed my mane and another assaulted me with hairspray. Three more maids rose from out of nowhere, each one filing one of my hooves while a fourth one began brushing my fetlocks. I felt something pull on my tail and saw one of the maids glare at me out of the corner of my eye. A pegasus maid then flew in front of me with a fork full of impaled carrots. I gulped before magic forced my muzzle open and then slammed my jaw closed on the carrots.
I would have shanked Princess Celestia just to get a steak.
Lunch went like this for what felt like hours but only lasted five minutes or so. I knew it was five minutes or so because the butler sang a German operatic version of the Hearth Warming Carol exactly ten times. I counted it to take my mind off the glaring horde of maids pampering me within my personal space bubble. Their combined magic kept me still so that I couldn't squirm away from them.
After lunch was finished, I sat in my chair, too scared to move even when the magic was finally taken off. I didn't even turn my head while I tried to examine the whole line of about a dozen servants standing next to the table. Had they multiplied?
"Shall I read your fanmail to you, Master Blueblood?"
"Eeeee..." I said. I was not entirely sure what sound came out of my mouth... but I knew it had an 'eeeee' sound in it somewhere.
"Dearest Prince Blueblood. Meet me at the Concert Hall. You remember where. I got the outfit on. Sincerely, Frilly Frou. My Darling Prince Blueblood! I know you love me and I cannot wait to meet you. Please enjoy my newest picture that I drew of us! Our son has your eyes! ~With all my heart that belongs to you, Ruby Keep--See? She drew this..."
My eyes darted to the paper and I gulped again. Sweat poured off my forehead and a maid patted me dry.
"Please hide that where I can't see it..." I squeaked before looking straight ahead.
"Very good, Master Blueblood," he said drolly as the picture burst into flames next to my face. The ashes scattered on my right foreleg and a maid dusted it off before returning to the line.
"Message from Fleur..." he said, dropping a pile in front of me. "Ten of them since last night."
I finally turned my head and looked up at him.
"Throw them in the waste bin as usual?" he asked.
I whimpered. They threw themselves at a stuffed wastepaper basket next to my bed.
"Ah... one from Miss Rarity--"
I instinctively ripped it from his hooves.
Prince Blueblood,
I still despise you.
Regards,
Rarity
She seriously took the time to send him this? The letter and everything was crafted with the quality suitable for an invitation, not hatemail. Was this something she did often? This paper didn't look cheap. Neither did the ink, for that matter. Then again, maybe she wrote all her letters in gold calligraphy. Certainly seemed to fit her. The maids all exchanged looks. Was this something Blueblood wouldn't normally have done?
Good.
"Shall I assume you want to burn it?" the butler asked, also looking confused.
"Burn it?"
"Yes... the germs, Master Blueblood?"
"What... do you think she sneezed on it or something?"
"I thought you..." He looked me in the eye as if trying to ask a rhetorical question.
"Remember what I was trying to tell you before about me not being Blueblood?"
"Shall I call the physician again?" one of the maids asked the butler while the others began to back away from me as if I might strike.
"No need. Everyone, I have something to tell you." I pushed myself away from the table and carefully moved to stand on my hooves again. "I want to make this very clear: I am not Prince Blueblood. I am not even from Equestria. I am not even male."
"Oh, this again..." a maid groaned.
Well... there goes that plan.
"This has happened before?"
"Well... you've claimed not to be a stallion before..."
I facehoofed, then made a mental note that facehoofing hurts. I mean, shoving an oversized nail the size of a cantaloupe into your face? Ouch.
"Girls, Master Blueblood is obviously tired and in need of care." The maids groaned. "You know what to do," he added with a hint of command.
One by one, they trotted out with their muzzles in the air as their hooves rhythmically tapped against the marble floors. I turned to face the butler and took a step towards the door. He blocked my way.
"May I..." I began.
"Don't worry, sir, it will all be fine sooner or later."
I took a firm step forward and looked him in the eye. "Please move. I am not spending one more minute in this place."
"Very good, sir." He didn't budge.
I reached my hoof up and sent my hair askew out of frustration.
"Will you please move?"
"Very good, Master Blueblood."
I took a step around him and he backed up to step between me and the door again. I could tell he was scared...
Excellent...
"You have three seconds to get out of my way..." I growled.
He raised his eyebrow. "If you're really not Blueblood, you would easily get lost and get into trouble."
"At least I won't be here." I pushed against him, throwing him off balance, and burst through the doors where the maids approached, dressed as nurses. They backed up when I stormed from the room. I stopped to stare at them, completely dumbfounded. I tried to figure out why they were dressed as nurses when they had obviously never been trained for the medical profession. When I figured it out, my cheeks grew red as I felt myself sympathizing with the feminist movement. For crying out loud! This was a kids' show!
"Stop him!" the butler shouted from within the room. They started prancing towards me after rolling their eyes.
Seriously? They're... prancing?
"Why couldn't I have gotten stuck in Ooo?" I groaned as I began to gallop in the opposite direction. Ahead of me, two guards came from around the corner and slid into place to block my escape.
"Prince Blueblood! Return to your room immediately!" one of them barked.
I backed up and then charged through them. I think my weight was the only reason they weren't able to stop me. Prince Blueblood probably had been hitting the bon bons a bit too much recently. I slid on the marble floors but soon found my footing.
"Not that way!" a guard shouted in panic.
The doors in front of me glowed white and flung themselves open. I ran into the corridor while glancing behind me... and slammed right into Princess Celestia, knocking her off her feet and leaving a very confused gryphon staring into a now empty space.
I lost my breath when I realized what pony I had knocked to the floor. I had just assaulted the monarch who raised the sun. This was the pony who singlehandedly banished her own sister to the moon for a millenium. And I had just sent her sprawling haphazardly in front of some sort of gryphon delegate.
"Princess Celestia!" I squeaked. "I'm so sorry! I wasn't looking! Let me--"
A golden yellow aura silenced me as I rose in the air, floating in a fetal position. Even through the aura, I could see the hairs on her back bristle.
"Chancellor, I will finalize the details at a later date. If you will excuse me..."
The gryphon gave me a curious glance, then folded her glasses and tucked them away into her crest feathers. As soon as her tail disappeared through closed doors, I was dropped on my flank and Celestia rose above me, her eyes sending daggers.
"How many times have I told you not to speak to me unless I have sent for you?"
"Princess Celestia, you must understand! I'm not Prince..." I stopped when I saw her wince in pain. Did his voice seriously cause her to have headaches?
"Your Majesty! We apologize!"
Oh goody, the guards caught up with me.
"Take him back to his room. I will compensate you both later."
"Princess Celestia! I'm not Blueblood! I'm a girl! My name is--" Once again, I was silenced by the aura. She began to levitate me towards the guards, her forehead wrinkling under the strain. I struggled and flailed about. I did not want to deal with those maids again. Maybe with my weight and with only her lifting me, the magic wasn't as powerful? I could see pain on her face. If she would just set me down, I wouldn't be making this so difficult for her! If I could just convince her I wasn't worth the trouble of being magically levitated everywhere, I might have a chance to explain myself.
Unfortunately, I convinced her I wasn't worth the trouble when I kicked and flailed too vehemently, striking Princess Celestia in the jaw. At least I could run now. My magic threw open the pristine doors at the opposite end of the corridor, and I galloped towards them.
"Prince Blueblood! Halt!"
With a toss of my neck that left me dizzy, the doors slammed shut behind me. I didn't know how many seconds I had and chose the first door to my right to enter. The peanut brittle ceiling rushed to meet me, and I raised my head to see Discord reclining as his couch revolved slowly. He was reading a book, eating each page that he finished while reading from back to front. He glanced at me and arched one of his white eyebrows.
Of course... he can change me to another pony... or maybe a ficus plant but still, at least not Blueblood!
"Discord! Discord, please help me! I just got away from my servants and I need you to change me into something else! Preferably a human!"
He blinked at me multiple times.
"Is asking me to do something for you going to become a habit of yours?" he said, snapping his fingers--or whatever they were called--to make his book disappear. Gravity finally made up its mind and dropped everything in the ridiculously tall room to the floor. I landed on my stomach and nearly lost the miserable lunch I had been given. Discord gave me a somewhat irritated look.
"Please, Discord!" I stood up and stumbled to the heap of rugs in the center of the room, "I'm not Prince Blueblood! I have to get out of here! Please turn me into something else. I don't care; just get me a different body! Preferably something that eats meat..."
He continued to give me a blank stare with his "hands" behind his head.
"Discord, please! I have to get out of here now! The guards are chasing me and I kicked Princess Celestia in the face!"
Before I could think, he rose into the air and slammed a table down on my head. |
Ponified Without Consent | Chapter 5 - In Serious Need of a Drink | ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
An errant beam of sunlight weaseled its way through my eyelids, igniting a firestorm of agony inside my skull. What the heck did I do last night? I asked myself as I tried to cover my eyes in a miserable attempt to ease the discomfort. It would be easy to blame a hangover... if I were the type to drink enough to warrant one. The fact is that I don't drink enough to even know what it means to be buzzed, never mind hungover. Somebody turn down the bloody sun!
As I brought up my arm, I noticed that something wasn't quite right. For one, my entire body felt decidedly off--muscles tight in the wrong places, limbs bending the wrong way, the fact that I felt like I'm wearing some kind of skin-tight fleece bodysuit. It all just felt so very, very wrong. Besides, the tinkling of glass bottles is not usually something heard in substitution for the rustling of bed sheets. Just what in the heck? How did this even...?
"Berry?" a childish female voice called out from the next room. "C'mon, Berry! You need to get up or else I won't be able to eat before school!" Did I leave the television on after whatever bender I went on last night? I shrugged off what surely had to be some kid's show and tried to go back to sleep. It's not like I was missing My Little Pony or anything like that. Sure, it's a show intended for little girls, and I'm a twenty something male. So what? It's genuinely charming, happy, arguably well written, and it has plenty of voice actors from my childhood. Even better, there are so many unique characters, foreground or not, to ship!
A banging, or maybe it was just knocking, at my door reignited the pain in my skull. "Huh, whozat?" I muttered lazily, noting the odd way my voice sounded. Each word only compounded the migraine--I refused to admit this was a hangover at this point--and while opening my eyes would only make things worse, I knew I had to. Being unable to remember the previous night and waking up with a head-splitting migraine was bad enough, but was there really some strange person in my hou-- "What the? This isn't my house."
Two important details stood out through the haze of my not-hangover. Firstly, I wasn't in my tidy room at home, with cookbooks and sci-fi on my bookshelf, and a computer set-up with a large flatscreen TV for a monitor. No, I was in a pigsty. Empty wine, whiskey, and vodka bottles absolutely littered the room, catching the light to create a dazzling carpet of agony as I sat up. There were bottles jutting out of the dresser, bottles on the windowsill, and bottles balanced atop other bottles. Heck, I'm pretty sure there's an unopened bottle beneath this pillow, never mind what I'm hoping is a bottle pressed up against my... against my... Sweet merciful everything!
Sweeping aside the blanket and sending countless bottles tumbling to the floor, I looked down at my body. Well, for one, it was certainly not mine. I did not have hooves, light grayish mulberry fur, or a moderate cerise tail, and I most certainly didn't have teats or a vajayjay! For that matter, I didn't own a... oh sweet Jesus in heaven! Ew! Why am I a pony mare and why is there one of those between my legs!?
"Eugh, gross!" Without thinking, I defied the natural order of things and picked up the object with my hoof--double gross!--and tossed it across the room. It landed with satisfying--aw, triple gross, brain!--thump behind the one dresser not absolutely covered in discarded liquor bottles. "Great, now I've gotta wash my hand, er hoof."
"Berry, did you wet the bed again?" that young girl's voice called out once more, this time very clearly on the other side of the door. There was something about her tone of voice, too. It sounded both teasing and disappointed. "Sometimes I wonder whom mom wanted who to watch."
"No, I uh, I just saw a huge spider on my bed is all. Totally freaked me out," I lied quickly. Even if this was all some horrific nightmare doomed to become some sort of humiliation conga resultant of my own repressed sexuality, I couldn't just say to a child, I wet my bed with something, but it certainly wasn't pee... if you know what I mean. Gross, even just thinking like that, about a pony no less, made my skin crawl. "I'll be out in a minute."
Stumbling out of the bed, I tried to make my way across the room. Walking on all fours was hard enough on a carpet of glass, but at least this nightmare was generous enough to grant me enough muscle memory to walk with something close to competency. I got as far as the vanity, which was--surprise, surprise--covered in empty bottles and what looked like spilled wine, when I stopped and took a look at myself in the mirror. A mop of curly hair adorned the top of my head and spilling down the back of my neck. Two red-rimmed pools of dark pink stared back at me, but I was more concerned by a dark stain in the fur around my muzzle. Normally, I would have been anything but glad to assume that it was blood, but honestly? If I was who I thought I was, which a quick glance at my butt--yup, a bunch of grapes and a strawberry--revealed to be the case, then the stain might be indicative that, yes, the fandom was right; Berry Punch is an alcoholic.
Berry Punch... hmm... I pondered the name for a second, trying to recall what I knew about that particular background pony. Well, besides being alcoholic, I knew she had a little sister. Her name was Pina Colada, if I recalled correctly, and I was pretty sure I did. There wasn't much in my headcanon when it came to shipping, mostly because I'd never paid Berry much attention when it came to figuring out which ponies would live happily ever after with who. The alcoholic part of her public image was kind of a detractor for my interests. I mean, alcoholics don't live happily ever after. They died alone, either of liver failure or choking on their own vomit, just like my old man.
I mean, I suppose I could have imagined her with somepony like Time Turner or Caramel. They both seemed like nice, stable stallions, and if she were to ever kick her alcoholism, she'd definitely need a pillar to help hold her up. If she really does own a vineyard or a winery, that might make things a bit more difficult, but at least she'd be contributing to the household instead of living off of whoever she ended up with. Then again, a pony like Mac might also have been a good choice. He was definitely a mellow enough guy, but wasn't afraid to speak his mind when it was called for. Then again, what if he was actually with Cheerilee? What if he was a wife-beater? A guy who kicked trees all day either had aggression issues, or poured his anger into his work. Oooh, this was definitely a difficult ship to work out with this body's hangover.
The filly's knocking came once more, much more insistently this time. "Come on! You know I can't reach the counter, otherwise I'd make my own toast!"
Snapped out of my shipping mode, I looked back to the door. If this were a dream, interesting was definitely a possible direction for this to take. I mean, wasn't that every brony's dream: to go to Equestria and live the life of a pony? Yeah, I might have chosen someone with a better reputation and more stable social standing, like Rarity, but Berry wasn't the worst option. It could've been worse, I could have been Snips, Snails, or--heaven forbid--Spike.
"Right. Coming!" In just three surprisingly nimble strides, I made it to the door and pulled it open. Getting my first in-person look at the adorable heliotrope filly that was to be my 'little sister', I kind of felt bad for holding her up. With a glance at the clock in the hallway, which read six forty three--for some reason, I expected it to be way later--in the morning, I gave the little filly an apologetic smile. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Pina, you must be starving." Saying that, my own stomach gave a roar of approval as if to reaffirm the sentiment. "Tell you what," I said, passing beside her and entering the hall. "I'm going to do something special for you to make up for this."
Not wanting to be left behind, Pina quickly trotted after me before racing ahead. The entire trip to the kitchen was lead by the little one, and the whole time, she kept giving me these weird looks. I mean, you'd swear by the way she was looking at me that Berry never offered to do special things for her, or if she did offer, she certainly never meant it. Gotta fix that.
Maybe it was the brony in me, the inability to say no to a hungry child, or the desire to see how this all played out, but for the time being, finding out what's going on dropped off my priorities entirely. Once I meandered into the kitchen, I quickly realized that there was a reason she wanted toast. The stove and most of the countertops were covered in, as if the trend wasn't already clear by this point, empties. Honestly, is this mare a hoarder?
"Uh... oh my," I groaned. "Did I do all that?"
Looking at me like I'm a complete drunken idiot, she nodded her head before her face took on an almost pained expression. "Yes, sis."
I glanced around the kitchen in a panic. This was no way for anybody to live. "That empty box there," I stammer, pointing to a large, empty box overturned in the corner. "Can you take those papers off that box and bring it over?" She gave me another confused look, but pushed off the papers and slid the box across the floor to me. "I've apparently really let myself go and need to clean all of this up. I'll take all of these and everything in my room to a recycler." I made quick work of the counters from there, overturning the box and brushing the bottles into it.
After a few moments of rattling around in the cupboards and fridge, I had a large bowl set up on the counter, along with two eggs, a set of tongs, a grapefruit, cinnamon, milk, butter, a bag of bread, and vanilla. On the stove, I'd set a large nonstick pan on the stove at a medium high heat and thanked whatever luck I had that the ponies here had electric ovens and stoves. Gas ranges were great if you didn't mind having a huge fire hazard in your kitchen.
"What are you doing?" she asked curiously, watching me whisk the eggs, milk, and cinnamon together in the bowl. I kinda had to agree that there was something odd about all this. I mean, there was no way that hooves could at all work this way. Yet there I was, a wire whisk strangely stuck to the bottom of one hoof as I stood precariously on two legs, cradling the bowl to my chest. "You can't cook! Do you even remember what happened to the scrambled eggs?"
Oh crap, I thought, not ceasing my whisking. Am I really in the body of a pony who can't cook? It occurred to me how strange this would seem. After all, it wasn't every day a lethal chef got replaced with someone with the chops to cook a three course meal and still be able to put out a magnificent desert. Putting on my best poker face, I glanced back over my shoulder to give her a reassuring smile. "Well, you know how I'm always at Pinkie's parties?" I replied, making it up as I went. "I got to talking with her about how bad a cook I am, and she offered to give me lessons."
Her big aquamarine eyes lit up with wonder as she watched me, and a smile near split her face in half. It'd be creepy if it weren't so damn adorable. "You actually got Pinkie Pie to teach you to cook?" It wasn't so much a question as it was a cheer. "Does that mean we'll have something other than cabbage and bean sprouts for dinner tonight?"
Cabbage and bean sprouts? Jeeze, I bet she even just served them raw! Poor kid, I mused, returning the bowl to the counter and grabbing a slice of bread in the tongs. Quickly, I dunked the bread in the mixture before dropping it into the now sizzling pan before repeating the same process with another slice. "Sure thing, kiddo," I replied, keeping a mental count of elapsed seconds as I watched the french toast. "How's a hearty vegetable soup and biscuits sound?"
"Really?" she squealed, nearly causing me to drop the bread as I flipped the two slices. Ouch, my ears. "That sounds awesome! Can you really make it?"
I smiled, removing the pan from the heat and grabbing the toast with the tongs. "Sure! If you're worried, I can even go to the library and write down a recipe from a cookbook," I answered confidently. In truth, I didn't even need a recipe for vegetable soup or biscuits; they were practically my specialty! I'd probably check in at the library anyway, if nothing else than to see if Twilight knew anything about body swap spells. There was no need to be foolish and decide right away that this was a dream to just be lived out until I woke. You needed a back-up plan, even if there wasn't a problem. "Gotta be safe with cooking, 'cause most cases of food poisoning occur in the home."
Okay, maybe that wasn't the best thing to say to her as I cut the grapefruit in half and placed it on her plate. "Okay, that sounded worse for me than it should have," I apologized, putting her plate in front of her. "I guarantee that this is safe to eat, or there isn't a strawberry on my behind."
She giggled at that comment, but it looked like I at least assuaged her fears. As I repeated the process with two more slices of bread, returning the pan to the burner, I began to hum a cheerful little ditty. Maybe this dream wasn't so bad. It wasn't my ideal pony dream by any stretch of the mind, but there were worse things than being an alcoholic mare or introducing her sister to decent food. She looked like she was really enjoying it, even without any maple syrup or icing sugar.
That reminded me that Berry's fridge and pantry were woefully empty. The only food to be found was bread, milk, cereal, cabbage, bean sprouts, and the odd fruit to ensure they didn't get scurvy. That was almost cruel, and assuredly an unacceptable living condition for a girl as young as Pina. So in addition to visiting the library, I am definitely hitting the market, I thought confidently to myself, grabbing my own toast and taking the other half of the grapefruit.
Almost as if struck by something, I realized that Berry probably had a job, and I had no idea where it was. After pouring some orange juice in a glass--I made double sure that there wasn't anything extra in it--I joined the filly at the table. "So, um, Pina?" I asked as she nibbled happily on a strip of french toast. "I think I had a bit too much of my special juice last night... and I have no idea where I work. You wouldn't be able to refresh my memory, would you?"
That "Are you retarded?" look crossed her face once more as she pointed to a note on the fridge. I got up from my spot at the table, my meal completely untouched. Taped to the fridge was a letter with a business card attached to it. "Dear me," I read aloud. "This is where you work." An arrow pointed to the business card that read 'Booze and Baubles: your one-stop ticket to getting tanked and trinkets'. "Love Berry."
Was this a common occurrence with the mare--that she gets so plastered that she forgets where she works on a regular basis? "I'm getting sick of your crap, Berry," I muttered darkly, noting that she even had a schedule written on the back of the letter. A glance at the calendar on the fridge thankfully revealed that today was not one of the mornings she was scheduled to work. All this nonsense leaves me in serious need of a drink.
Grumbling, I sat down and grabbed my orange juice. Maybe this headache would go away quicker if I rehydrated. Frowning, I took a pull from my glass and nearly gagged. This was not the same orange juice I sat down with. With the alcoholic bite it had, this was definitely a bloody screwdriver. What the hell!? I thought, quietly draining the juice back into the glass. I double checked before I sat down, just to make sure I didn't accidentally take a pre-mixed cocktail from the fridge! Where had this come from? Surely Pina didn't...
No, it didn't matter. I got up, glass in hoof, and made a three legged shamble over to the sink. Dumping the orange juice down the drain, I turned back to the child. "Say, don't drink the orange juice, okay?" I said, rinsing the glass out with water before letting the tap fill it. Immediately, I downed it before anything untoward could happen and got a refill from the tap. "It's gone bad, so it'll make you sick if you drink it."
"Alright," she replied, finishing off the last of her toast and moving on to the grapefruit.
I nodded, convinced that concern was out of the way, and took another mouthful of water. Not again! I whimpered as my entire mouth began to burn. Vodka!?What in the blue blazes is going on here? |
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Twilight of Two Worlds | pre | Luna raised an eyebrow. "How's that?"
Mortimer shook his head. "It's another one of those unexplained phenomena. It's best not to think too much about it. All you really need to know is this: as long as you keep finding exits, you'll eventually find your way out of a dungeon. Just make sure you're carrying enough supplies with you or you're liable to end up going hungry, or worse... as another pokemon's meal."
That shutter from before returned and this time both Twilight and Luna felt it.
Mortimer looked to the sky and noticed some of the stars were still twinkling up above, even despite the looming light of sunrise slowly fading them out. The forest outside the dungeon was far less dense than the areas that preceded it. Though still clearly a forest, the trees and vegetation were spaced much farther apart and allowed the travelers a much better view of the sky above thanks to the holes present in the canopy. The three were also standing on a clearly civilian built trail, created by smashing a ton of gravel into the soil in order to form an almost road-like surface that led into the distance and swerved to the right.
Mortimer grumbled to himself; "Tsa!(1) It can't be that late in the morning already." Judging by the position of the sun, he assumed that the time was roughly around four in the morning. He looked down the trail and was thankful to see that no other pokemon were heading their way. He looked back at his two fellow travelers. Even if they were currently safe, he didn't want to take any chances.
Mortimer called out to Twilight and Luna, who seemed to have broken off into their own conversation. He assumed they were likely discussing theories about how they ended up in the dungeon in the first place.
"We need to get going." Mortimer exclaimed. It almost sounded like he was giving them an order.
Twilight and Luna turned and stared at him in confusion. "But you said we weren't in danger. You said that that bisharp wouldn't be able to get to us." Twilight stated.
Mortimer shook his head. "We aren't." He confirmed. "But even still, I'd rather not get caught for trespassing if we can avoid it."
"Trespassing?!" Twilight and Luna shouted in surprise. Mortimer immediately rushed over and clonked them both on the head with his bone.
"Quite!" He said, barely over a whisper. "Do you want the next guards stationed here to hear you?!"
Twilight and Luna rubbed their now aching noggins. "Sorry, you'll have to forgive us. We have this problem where we tend to act shocked when someone tells us that we're breaking the law without first having the prior knowledge."
Mortimer bonked Luna a second time on the noggin. "OW! What was that for?!"
"Sorry, you'll have to forgive me. I too have a problem, but it only occurs when someone gives me sass. It makes me feel like I have to reciprocate, by kicking their-"
Twilight immediately got between the two.
"Okay! So clearly everyone's feeling a little bit upset right now." Twilight lifted her front paws and gently placed one on both Luna and Mortimer's chests. "But maybe if we just step back from each other..." Twilight began to push against them, but found herself unable to move them from where they currently stood. She furrowed her brows and began to put all of her strength into the action. "And take a deep breath!" Her face grew flushed and sweaty and her voice became strained due to the exertion. "We can solve this problem with our words, rather than resorting to-" both Mortimer and Luna suddenly took a step backwards, causing Twilight to lose her balance and fall forwards. "FIGHTING?!"
Twilight closed her eyes and readied herself for when she would hit the gravel, but oddly found herself stopping half way before even reaching the ground. She opened eyes and noticed she was leaning so far forwards that she was almost parallel with the trail. Luna and Mortimer's extended hands were the only things keeping her aloft. Only the tips of her toes were left to touch the ground, almost as if she were being dipped during a dance.
Luna and Mortimer lifted Twilight and gently placed her back down on her haunches, and once they were certain she wouldn't fall over again, they turned to each other and nodded.
"Nice catch." Luna compliment.
"Same to you." Mortimer replied.
They both turned back to Twilight. "You make an excellent point, kid. Fighting will get us nowhere right now." Luna nodded in agreement with Mortimer's statement.
Twilight smiled. She was glad they had actually been listening to her rather than thinking of ways to combat each other. The thought of them both being able to multitask and perform both actions simultaneously briefly crossed Twilight's mind, but she decided to ignore this thought for now out of both priority for their current situation and fear of what a battle between the two might result in.
"So what's our plan then?" Twilight asked. Both she and Luna turned to Mortimer, seeing as he was one most familiar with their current location.
Mortimer turned away from the dungeon entrance and stared at the curve the trail made in the distance. The corner of his mouth turned upwards contemplatively. "We can't head down the trail normally. The rangers who guard this dungeon might already be heading this way. We'll need to take a more secure route."
To Twilight and Luna's confusion, Mortimer walked over towards a long line of bushes traveling down the left side of the trail. He pushed the branches of one of the bushes aside revealing a worn dirt path underneath.
Mortimer looked back at them. "I used this makeshift path before to avoid the rangers. To my knowledge, they haven't discovered it yet, so it should serve our purposes nicely."
Twilight trotted over and examined the path. She grimaced when she noticed how close the bush branches were to the ground. She looked back up at Mortimer. "It seems a little narrow, doesn't it? Are you sure there's nowhere else we could go to avoid the guards?"
Mortimer cocked a brow at her. "Why's that matter? You're not claustrophobic, are you?" He leaned over Twilight and looked her straight in the eyes. "Or is the little princess just afraid of getting her glossy coat dirty?" This was the first time Twilight had ever heard the title "princess" being used as an insult. It felt odd and extremely demeaning, but at the same time, it filled her with the urge to prove Mortimer wrong and show him that "princess" was a title meant to be respected rather than jeered at.
Without another word, Twilight furrowed her brows and began crawling under the branches Mortimer was holding aside. Luna walked up behind her as Twilight shimmied down the hidden trail, like a private crawling under a field of wires in boot camp.
Mortimer stopped her before she could enter. "I'll go next." He explained. "You two aren't familiar with this area, so it's better if you both stay close to me, just in case I need to inform either of you of something."
Luna nodded in agreement, allowing Mortimer to follow after Twilight once she took a firm hold of the branches. As soon as he had moved further down the hidden path, Luna then crawled in after them, allowing the branches to once again conceal the secret trail and any evidence that they had been in front of the dungeon in the first place.
Capricious Canopies, Section Unknown
Back in the mystery dungeon, the beheeyems' screams of agony could be heard echoing through the trees of the entire forest. The three of them were currently being pressed into the ground as their leader fired a massive dark beam at them from his chest.
Their leader--a powerful pokemon they had not yet even learned the name of--was breathing heavily. He had been punishing them with Night Shade for several minutes now, and his continuous use of the attack was starting to sap his energy. The beam of energy soon faded, allowing the pokemon to double over and catch his breath as the beheeyem twitched and writhed in the craters they had made in the dirt.
Behind their attacker, an orbeetle was floating. His arms were folded as he watched his leader's latest display of aggression. "Forgive me for questioning your methods, sir, bzzzrt, but do you really think wasting all your energy punishing these hollow-skulled simpletons is a wise use of our time?"
The leader turned and glared at the orbeetle. The psychic and bug type unfolded his arms and placed them behind his back in response. A smirk spread across his face and a sarcastic tone accompanied his voice as he continued to speak. "Don't get me wrong, I would have no qualms with seeing you slain by whatever beastly pokemon happens to wander by here in this dungeon, but I know for a fact the master happens to favor you, bzzzrt. I'd hate to have to explain to them how you died so pitifully simply because you were exhausted."
The leader floated towards the orbeetle and leaned over him like a predator about to strike at wounded prey. Rays of light glistened off his metallic skin as the sun rose slightly higher in the east. Despite his bravado seconds earlier, the orbeetle couldn't help but tremble slightly in his presence.
"Your concern is well noted, Oswell." The leader's voice was threatening, clearly expressing his knowledge of the orbeetle's true intentions. "But you can rest assured, the master won't have to worry about me dying in any way that's... pitiful." He spoke venomously and put as much emphasis as he could on the final word to show Oswell the purest form of his displeasure. He slapped his hand on the top of Oswell's head and used his fingers to grip him and hold him in place. "Sniveling bugs like you however..."
The leader lifted his other hand and brought it below Oswell's chin. He then started to form a multicolored orb of energy in the center of his palm. "...I imagine, can perish no other way."
The sound of thick timber snapping, as if an entire tree were being uprooted and pushed over, soon pulled the two pokemons' attention away from the leader's threat. They turned around to see that their assumptions were indeed correct, for a massive tree had been toppled over behind them with even more massive aggron stomping over it to reach them.
The leader released Oswell and turned to face the new pokemon. The aggron was roaring at him, clearly showing its rampant state of mind. The leader quickly surmised that it must have been drawn out by the beheeyems' screaming. Whether this meant it saw them as a potential meal or as intruders in its territory, the leader was not certain, but ultimately it really did not matter that much to him. The aggron would not need to worry about food or territory very soon.
The beheeyem slowly pulled themselves out of their holes, only to notice the aggressive pokemon standing not but a few feet away from them when they regained full faculties. They each screamed an additional time before rushing over to hide behind their leader alongside Oswell. The leader could only shake his head in disappointment after seeing their reaction to the rampant aggron.
He raised his head to address his opponent, only to be surprised when he noticed the armored giant had completely vanished. He looked about the clearing they stood in for any sign of the aggron. It completely baffled him that a creature so large and heavy could vanish so quickly.
His search eventually drew his eyes towards his cowering followers. His brow raised in confusion when he noticed their eyes had dilated in terror and that they were looking towards the sky. Realization soon struck him, and he immediately turned his gaze upwards. The aggron was falling towards them like a meteor, a silver aura surrounding him like an earthbound object in the middle of reentry.
The leader furrowed his brows. He wasn't impressed.
Oswell and the beheeyem immediately split from under the aggron's shadow, leaving only their leader to face the brunt of the rampant pokemon's Heavy Slam. Calmly, the leader raised the multicolored orb he had kept tucked in his palm and pointed it at the descending aggron.
"AAAAGGROOONNN!" The beast roared as if proclaiming a battle cry, completely oblivious to the attack the leader had in store. The orb soon fired and flew like a bullet straight into the aggron's chest. The titanic pokemon never hit the ground after that. No remains were even left to prove it had come to attack them in the first place.
Oswell and the three beheeyem stared at the sky in a mixture of shock, awe, and complete undiluted terror. When they looked back towards their leader they were frightened back a step when they noticed he was floating towards them. Almost automatically, they each flew into line and stood at attention. Their leader stopped in front of their assembly and folded his arms behind his back. A vague look of approval was present on his face as he leaned forward in front of Oswell.
"One would think this demonstration would teach you to keep your sarcastic comments to yourself, but I think we both know you do not possess that level of mental capacity." The leader raised back to his full height and flew in front of the trio beheeyem. Only when he was certain the leader was out of earshot did Oswell growl in frustration.
The leader observed the beheeyem. They each were trembling slightly, as if expecting they were going to be punished again. He thought this was an appropriate reaction. After all, he would have enjoyed getting to torture them for at least a few minutes longer. But, as much as he hated to admit it, Oswell was right. He had wasted enough time and they needed to get back to the task at hand.
The leader brought his hand up and snapped his fingers. The sound was unorthodoxly loud, so much so that it could be heard even in the treetops above. A minior, one still covered in its protective stone coating, flew down from the canopy to float right next to the leader's head.
The leader glared at the beheeyem. "I assume by now you all are feeling tired, worn, and hungry?" The beheeyem were hesitant, but they nodded in response to his question. They didn't want to know if lying would earn them anymore punishment.
"I see..." the leader turned and headed for the exit tunnel that led out of this section of the dungeon. "I, the minior, and Oswell will be making our leave then. If you manage to find your way out of this dungeon, then make your way back to the stronghold. I will deem you worth keeping around if you manage to survive." Oswell and the Minior followed after him as he neared the tunnel's entrance. "Try not to disappoint me this time."
The beheeyem stood at attention until their leader's crimson backside vanished into the darkness that was the exit tunnel.
They were all alone now. Trapped in a maze filled with rampant pokemon that possessed one of their weaknesses. They were lost, hungry, and severely weakened. Any other pokemon stuck in this situation would die before even reaching the next section's exit. They on the other hand would make it out by noon at latest. After all, they were determined and dedicated to their master's cause, and they weren't about to let their newly appointed leader deprive them of the honor of serving their master.
Trail to Payapa Village
It had only been fifteen minutes since they started their trek down the secret path adjacent to the public trail and already Twilight's stomach was hurting. The ground beneath her was course and sandy, and she felt like it was getting all over her as it matted up her fur.
It was clear to see that the princess of friendship was far from enjoying herself, and to make matters worse, she was beginning to think that taking this path was unnecessary in the long run.
The guards Mortimer had warned them about had yet to pass by on the public trail, and Twilight was slowly growing more certain that they weren't going to be coming at all. Her brows furrowed and a thought, which quickly turned into a self-made promise, entered her head. That thought was that she was going to seriously chew out Mortimer if they managed to reach the end of the trail without seeing any other pokemon.
The sounds of two pairs of feet heading in their direction soon removed this thought from her head however.
Twilight suddenly froze. She had been so confident that they were going to finish this painful trek unmolested, that she completely ruled out any chance that the marowak behind her could have been right. The shock caused by the mere existence of the guards had left her in a near instant catatonic state, almost as if they had just spotted her and used a paralysis spell to keep her from running away.
Mortimer stopped behind the espeon, forcing Luna to do the same or risk ramming her nose into the balls of his feet. Both the forager and princess took notice of the foot falls that were gradually growing in volume. Mortimer turned his head and looked back at Luna before silently tipping it to the side towards the branches on their right. Luna kept silent, but nodded her head to show she understood what the marowak was telling her.
Mortimer slowly turned his gaze back towards Twilight and gently poked her in the right side of her rump to get her attention. "EEK!" The marowak was quick to shush her.
Twilight looked over her shoulder to see Mortimer pointing towards the branches on her right side. Wordlessly, he then moved his club over to lift the branches, allowing them all to see out onto the public trail without obstruction.
The two guards' feet soon came into view. One pair was yellow with two white talons sticking out the front of each foot and one talon sticking out the back. The other pair looked more like stumps then feet, but possessed two similar white toes on the front of each foot. They passed the trio's hiding place within a few seconds, but just to make sure they wouldn't be spotted, Twilight, Mortimer, and Luna remained silent and motionless until they were certain the guards were out of eyeshot.
Another full minute passed, and Mortimer soon took the chance and crawled out from under the branches he was holding aloft. He stood and glanced both up and down the trail. He couldn't see anymore pokemon either coming or going in their direction, so he had to assume that the coast was clear. He leaned over and looked into the hole that led into the underbrush. He motioned to the girls with his hand to tell them it was okay for them to come out. He continued to hold the branches above them as Twilight and Luna crawled out into the open space.
Twilight and Luna quickly got back to their feet as Mortimer turned again to look down the path where the guards had been heading. Without thinking, he soon began to speak to himself out loud. "The Ranger Council must be rotating their guards around. I don't remember ever seeing an electabuzz or exeggutor guarding this dungeon. It's got to be a foreign exeggutor too, because if it were native one, we would have seen it coming from a mile away."
Twilight hissed as she moved up and onto her haunches. She felt slightly relieved to finally get off her sore stomach, but the rugburns she received from the sandy soil were still making themselves known. Experimentally, Twilight lifted her paw and brought to her stomach to see how tender her underbelly had become. She almost immediately shrieked in agony upon making contact with her rubbed raw flesh.
Mortimer and Luna noticed her sudden yelp and immediately surrounded her like she was a downed soldier stuck in the middle of a battlefield.
Luna placed her paws on Twilight's shoulders as Mortimer kneeled down to inspect her injuries. Luna looked Twilight in the eyes with an almost motherly level of concern. "Are you okay, Princess Twilight?" She began to look her over as if searching for injuries other than the ones that were already known. "You didn't cut yourself or get pierced with a stick or stone while we were down there, did you?"
Twilight chuckled slightly, now feeling somewhat embarrassed due to all the attention she was receiving. "It's okay, Princess Luna. I'm fine. I just got scuffed up a little bit while we were under the bushes. It's really nothing you need to worry about."
Mortimer stood back up and nodded his head. He turned to Luna to confirm Twilight's diagnosis. "She's right. At worst, the rough ground has removed only the first few layers of skin from her underside, and that isn't enough to even cause bleeding." He folded his arms and closed his eyes as he tilted his head slightly more towards the ground. He seemed to be lost in thought for a moment before he decided to continue speaking. "She'll be dealing with some irritation, but it shouldn't be anything that would keep from performing normal activities." He turned his head to the right toward where he knew the exit to the forest would be. "I have some homemade salve I use to treat minor wounds like this, but unfortunately, I left it at home today. We'll need to stop there first as soon as we reach my village if we want the skin to heal back properly."
Luna grimaced and glanced down at her own stomach. She had been in the same position as Twilight and Mortimer, and though she was not being as vocal about it, she too was feeling the sting of the sandy soil on her underside. She didn't want to complain for fear of looking weak in front of them, but she wouldn't have minded getting access to that salve as well as soon as they reached Mortimer's house. She immediately began thinking of plausible excuses for why she would take the salve without actually having the need to use it.
Mortimer began leading the girls the rest of the way towards the exit. Silence soon fell over the forest trail once again. All three pokemon were unable to come up with any appropriate topics of conversation to spring on the others at this time.
Several minutes passed, and the sunlight-bathed entrance into the world outside the forest soon came into view. They would need to cross the grove that separated the village from the forest next, Mortimer recalled. The trek would probably take them another ten minutes at least, which at that point would make the silence between them unbearable.
The marowak began to rack his brain for any topics of discussion he could likely have with the two females. He didn't want to risk continuing their trip with them awkwardly staring at the back of his head the entire time. He visualized the memories he had with the girls so far to see if he could glean any possible interests they had based on the things they've said. He contemplated their words for another minute and soon began to notice a few things clicking together based on what they said.
He glanced over his shoulder and addressed the girls. "Can I ask you two a question?"
Twilight gave him a friendly smile and nodded. "Of course, what is it you want to know?"
"What are you?" He asked unabashedly. "What are you really?"
Twilight raised an eyebrow in confusion. "I... I'm sorry? I don't think I understand what you're asking us."
Mortimer turned around, an angry expression suddenly appearing on his face. "Don't play dumb." He stated as if giving a threat. "I've listened to you speak and I've seen how you act, and I refuse to believe either of you are this dim!"
Both princesses were taken aback by Mortimer's statement. Both their expressions quickly turned to one of offense. Luna placed her curled fists on her hips. "Who in the Tartarus do you think you are?! You can't speak to us that way!"
"There, that..." Mortimer exclaimed, pointing his bone at them as if accusing them in court. "You two have been using words and phrases that don't make sense. Tartarus? What in the name of my sister? One top of that, you know absolutely nothing about battle or pokemon, not even the word pokemon. You two are evolved pokemon, this information is taunt to young mons when they are still in their first stages of life." His brows furrowed even further downwards. "And you two are far too cognizant to be suffering from amnesia."
The end of Mortimer's club soon ignited like it did before, scaring Twilight backwards and urging Luna forwards in order to protect her. "I heard of these kinds of jumps where shapeshifting pokemon like dittos or zorua pretend to be other pokemon and steal from unexpecting travelers after gaining their sympathy. I could accuse you two of doing this, but for some reason I feel there is more to this story. Tell me who you are and your intentions, and maybe I won't leave you beaten on the side of the road for the guards to find."
Luna stepped forwards to challenge him, but Twilight was quick to pull her back. The elder princess turned to look at her friend and soon found her aggression fading when she saw Twilight's pleading look. She clearly didn't want any more fighting to occur between them and Mortimer, and now that the night princess had a clearer mind to think on the matter, she didn't want that either. Violence was not going to calm Mortimer down and she didn't favor her chances of winning a fight with him with her now possessing a body she barely understood how to use. This left her with only one other option.
Luna turned to address Mortimer with Twilight quickly stepping up to sit beside her. The lunar princess sighed. "Okay Mortimer, you've got us. We aren't pokemon. We aren't even close. But fair warning, what we truly are might surprise you. This may sound crazy, but we'll tell you everything..." |
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Twilight of Two Worlds | Episode 4: Separation | *Payapa Village Outskirts*
Mortimer scowled as he strode out of the forest, Twilight scuttling like mad to keep up with him.
"Mortimer! Wait!" She cried out to him, "you can't just leave us behind!"
Much to her surprise, he did as she requested and turned back to her with a deadpan look. Twilight tensed and closed her eyes as she tried to skid herself to a halt. She thought for certain she was going to bowl him over, but when she felt no impact come, she reopened her eyes to find she was sitting almost nose to nose with the pokemon in front of her. She backed away quickly to give him some space.
If he had been shaken by their near collision, Mortimer showed no signs of it. Instead, he responded to her by pointing his bone club towards the distant side of the grove behind him. "My village is in that direction." He explained, "there you'll be able to find food and lodging. As for me leading you there per our agreement? That's been officially dissolved. After hearing that ridiculous story, I'm more inclined to believe you two are rookie thieves. That, or you both desperately need to get your heads checked at the local doctor."
Luna walked up beside Twilight, "Mortimer, please, I've told you the truth. We are not of your world. We can not remember how it transpired, but somehow we were brought here and turned into these forms." She gestured her paw between Twilight and herself, "why will you not believe us?"
Mortimer's brow arched at that question, "I think you already have your answer."
Twilight raised her front paws and waved them back and forth, hoping the gesture would be enough to ease the tension between them and Mortimer, "okay, okay. I will admit our story may sound a little far fetched-"
"Far fetched?" A dry chuckle passed Mortimer's lips upon hearing that, "you two were making up words." He tapped his bone against his opposite hand as if listing off the problems with their story on his nonexistent fingers. "Tartarus, alicorns, equestria..." he stopped tapping his palm to briefly let what he listed off sink in, "I have never heard any of these words used before in my life. And on top of that you expect me to believe that you come from another world? Who in their right mind do you think would fall for this?" He began to massage his left temple, clearly annoyed. "You both want to keep insisting your story is true? Fine. Then go see Tapu Bulu at the Ranger Station. He's the chief in charge of all the rangers on this island. As for me? I'm done with this. You two can see yourselves to the village without me. You'll find no other dangers out here in the payapa grove." With that explained, Mortimer turned and began walking away.
Luna stood there in disbelief as she watched the marowak make his leave. He was treating them like a joke. She knew their story sounded ridiculous, but that didn't mean he had to be so close minded about it.
She rose to her full height and marched after Mortimer with determination. Catching up to him quickly, she then placed her paw upon his shoulder in a friendly but stern gesture, "Mortimer, I must insist, see reason. If you but stop and think this over, you'll see that our story isn't as implausible as you may have first thought."
Mortimer shrugged off her paw, "Luna, don't test me." He warned. She was surprised to hear him say her real name. So far he had only addressed Twilight by name, and only ever referred to her as "kid". This told her just how straight he was going to be with her. "Many would consider your actions thus far to be the bumblings of rookie thieves, but you both seem too naïve and kindhearted to be anything of the sort." While Luna did not appreciate being called naïve, she did smile a little bit at being called kind. He closed his eyes as his expression became more thoughtful. When they reopened he spoke steadfast, "I want to make this clear. I'm not leaving you behind because I think you're bad pokemon. I'm leaving you because I can't read who you are...and that makes me wary. I don't trust anyone who isn't upfront with me, especially when I'm meeting them for the first time." Resting his bone over his shoulder he begins to walk off again, but far more at ease this time. "I wish you both luck in whatever your endeavors are, but I think it's best that we split ways for the time being. When you're ready to tell me the truth, find me in the village. I might be willing to help you out then."
Luna clenched her jaw in frustration. It irked her greatly that he still refused to trust them. But on a certain level, she could understand where he was coming from. After returning to Celestia's side, she had learned through many experiences that trust needed to be earned rather than demanded. She could tell through their conversations that Mortimer was a closed off individual. He preferred to keep to himself and didn't trust others easily. He was also polite, but very blunt, enough so that others would not likely want to speak with him for very long. Yet, despite this, he still possessed a desire to see others safe. He did not have to help them back in the dungeon, yet his first action towards them was to push them out of a dangerous creature's line of sight. Had he not grown suspicious of them and forced Twilight and herself to reveal their origins, she was certain he may have yet stayed true to their agreement and would have led them all the way to his home.
Luna's paw wandered down to her stomach where a slight twinge of pain made itself known. She recalled Mortimer's offer of his homemade salve and knew now that his wariness towards them didn't mean he was mean-spirited, there was just no trust between them. Asking him for anything more than what he had already given them would have made her appear rude and petty, and she didn't want Mortimer to have that opinion of her. She agreed that it was best for them to part ways here, and perhaps later mend things, assuming they ever met again.
Unfortunately for them all, Twilight thought differently.
She had dealt with many difficult and stubborn creatures before on her adventures, but Mortimer seemed to be on a whole different level compared to her prior experiences. Right off the bat from their first conversation, Mortimer seemed to have an air about him that suggested he was angry or at least extremely displeased with everything in the world around him. This bitter attitude he held onto suggested that he likely had very few friends. By this logic, Twilight surmised that he would greatly benefit from a few lessons in the magic of friendship.
A cheshire smile spread across Twilight's muzzle and a confident nod to herself finalized her decision to help. Mortimer was suffering from a friendship problem and she was going to be the one to help him fix it.
Copying what little she knew of Pinkie Pie's antics, she managed to sneak in front of Mortimer without his or Luna's notice. The marowak immediately jumped backwards in shock when he realized Twilight had somehow appeared in front of him. He briefly looked back at Luna in confusion before turning back to blink at Twilight in disbelief, "how did you do that?"
Twilight only shook her head, "trust me, I couldn't explain how if I tried. And I have tried."
Mortimer's brows furrowed at that, "another secret, I suppose? Why am I not surprised?" He pushed past her. "Leave me alone and stay out of my way. I am not going to warn you a third time."
At this point, Twilight was growing desperate and resorted to something reckless, "Mortimer please! You have to understand. We don't know anything about your world. We have no money nor do we even understand how the concept of currency works here. We don't even know what it's called!" Mortimer didn't turn around, but she could tell he was listening. She didn't want to hurt his feelings, but at the moment, she felt only by guilting or annoying him into compliance could she ensure he'd stay. "We won't be able to afford food or shelter in your village." She emphasized, "you can't possibly be willing to shoo us away when you know we have absolutely no means of supporting ourselves! No creature in this world or any other could be that heartless!"
Mortimer finally paused and turned to address the younger princess. An exasperated sigh escaped his throat, "I've told you already where you can get help. The rangers are the ones who handle missing pokemon cases, not me. So take my advice or leave it. I don't care which." His voice was stern and matter-of-fact. He started to walk away from her, only to find Twilight standing in his path again. She wasn't going to take no for an answer. The marowak snorted at her stubbornness, "I thought I made this clear. LEAVE ME ALONE!"
Twilight folded her forelegs and turned her face upwards as if she were a defiant child, "not until you ask us politely." She stated.
The momentary silence that followed was so thick one could attempt to swim through it. Mortimer's brow began to twitch, "excuse me?" His voice was oddly soft when compared to how it was only a moment ago, a foreboding sign of just how angry the marowak was becoming. A small part of Twilight's mind sparked with growing worry. She was barely able to ignore it even despite it practically screaming at her to run. She suddenly found herself being lifted by the scruff of her chest and brought nose to nose with Mortimer. His voice took on a ghastly tone, "I can hurt you severely, Twilight. I suggest you stop this nonsense. Now."
Twilight felt a deluge of sweat run down the back of her neck. She was beginning to seriously reconsider her plan to annoy Mortimer into submission. Pinkie Pie had regaled her with how this had worked with Cranky Doodle Donkey. She had hypothesized, given their similar personalities, the same thing would occur for her with Mortimer, but only now after implementing this method did she realize she may have chosen the wrong subject to test its credibility on. It was only thanks to Luna speaking up that she didn't find out how severe her consequences would be.
"Mortimer, please, let Twilight go. I promise I will ensure that neither she nor I will seek to bother you any further." Luna said with calm authority.
Mortimer glanced back at her and considered her offer. In the next moment, he dropped Twilight to the ground. "See to it that you keep to your word, Luna. And educate this one so she doesn't do something like this again. Successful or not, manipulation is dangerous and it can be even more so when coupled with arrogance and stupidity." He turned around and strode off, but this time the girls did not attempt to follow him.
Once they were sure he was out of earshot, Twilight spoke up again, "t-thanks Princess Luna, I thought for a second he was actually going t-" Twilight's words caught in her throat once she saw the expression Luna was giving her, "t-to hit me..."
Luna looked at Twilight with neither joy nor relief. Instead her expression was one of blunt anger and displeasure. It was reminiscent of how Celestia would look at her whenever she abused her magic in the past.
"Twilight, what was that just now?" Luna asked her in a flat tone.
"I-I'm not certain what you mean, Princess Luna." Twilight stammered. Luna's expression and tone were far more terrifying than any time Celestia had ever been upset with her.
Luna's brow cocked at that, "oh?...Is that so? Then let me tell you. You just attempted to force another creature to help us beyond what he was willing to do because he felt he could not trust us. We who are strangers to him and who revealed a story he could not believe. Trust must be earned, Twilight, not demanded. And you recklessly ignored his words to us and kept pushing his patience until you were threatened with being hit. Had I not interceded when I did, you would have received injuries almost as bad as what those crazed pokemon from the dungeon would have inflicted."
Luna's words hit Twilight hard, but whether or not they sunk in was difficult for Luna to determine. In the past, she had read many of the reports that had been shared between Twilight and her sister. More often than not these tended to illustrate some mistake Twilight or her friends had made while trying to understand friendship. She already knew the young mare had much growing to do as both an adult and princess, but now she was beginning to suspect that Celestia had been hiding much more about her former student. In particular, the young mare's mental state, if her recent act of reckless self-endangerment was anything to go off of.
Luna returned her attention to the matter at present and glared at Twilight sternly, "we will be discussing this later in length, Princess Twilight Sparkle." There was no room for debate in her statement, "now, let us find this ranger station and speak with the one called Tapa Bulu."
Twilight nodded silently and followed her senior, now soberly aware that Princess Luna was extremely upset with her.
*Payapa Village*
Almost an hour had passed by the time the girls reached the entrance to Mortimer's village, at least, according to what they could tell by the rising sun.
Their walk from the forest's edge had been long and uncomfortably silent; their spirits were low; and without the benefit of adrenalin, feelings like hunger and exhaustion were starting to set in.
There was nothing either princess wanted to do more than grab a platter of breakfast foods, gorge themselves into a slumber, and take a second crack at this pokemon world the next day.
Unfortunately for them, this was not an option. Their friends and families were likely already aware of their absence following their disappearance last night and without a doubt they were all fraught with worry. If they had any chance to return home expediently then they needed to take it or risk becoming more involved with this world's inner workings then they already were.
It was for this reason that Luna led Twilight into the village with nary a word. She was focused on their goal, urged forward only slightly more by the frustration she felt from arguing with Moritmer and annoyance she'd come to hold thanks to her fellow princess' actions.
She paid little mind to the buildings and pokemon that passed them by. Her younger ally however was immediately enamored. Almost like stepping into an amusement park, Twilight stared at the village's bizarre architecture with all the delight of an archeologist discovering a lost tomb. Unlike the square or rectangular shapes she was familiar with in common construction, every structure in the village oddly resembled the heads of what she assumed were different kinds of pokemon, or at least had one incorporated somewhere in each building's design.
The inhabitants of the village were no less bizarre. They took on all manner of forms, some of which Twilight couldn't even begin to describe. There were a few that resembled animals she was familiar with, but possessed features so exaggerated one could only describe them as cartoonish; others looked like elements of the earth that had been given life and form by some unknown powerful magic; and then there were a few that looked just plain weird. One of them, a large mustachioed creature with an equally large nose, nearly made Twilight jump out of her skin as it floated past her. Its presence made her fur stand on end, almost like her body had just been run over by a powerful magnet.
She turned to Luna, trying to get her attention, but silenced herself once she noticed the task her elder princess was in the middle of. Luna was currently observing a standing sign in front of a building Twilight assumed was a bakery, if the fresh made bread in the window was any indication. She appeared to be trying to read it, but was failing miserably thanks to the strange rune-like shapes that were sketched on the poster.
Looking at the shapes herself, Twilight found it odd that each possessed one constant feature, an eyeball that was present somewhere in each rune's design.
Unable to read the sign herself, Twilight once again turned to Luna with the idea of possibly asking a local for directions. The elder princess was already moving by the time she did so, apparently already having the same idea in mind. Twilight scampered after her immediately.
Luna led Twilight off the main town road that they had been following into a closed off cul-de-sac like area that was filled with stalls and tents. Much like the buildings, the stalls resembled the faces of the pokemon who ran them, some either down right being shaped like their heads or at minimum possessing a sign that had their image plastered on it.
Many of the stalls were unmanned, likely due to it still being in the early hours of the morning. But from what they could see, the girls were quick to surmise that this area had to be some form of bizarre or marketplace, similar to the ones that populated the more rural areas of Equestria.
Luna's eyes scanned the stalls for anyone currently passed the stage of setting up. She and Twilight may be in a hurry, but that didn't mean she was going to excuse her manners and bother someone before their store was open for business. Her eyes soon found a stall that was covered by a tent. The tent resembled a chameleon in shape, but was colored two different hues straight down the middle, one side green with yellow stripes and other side purple with light green stripes. Matching the green side, a kecleon was standing behind the counter with its back turned towards them. Without further hesitation, Luna marched up to the stall.
"Alouette, gentille alouette, alouette, je te plumerai..."
Luna lightly slapped her paw against the counter in order to garner the kecleon's attention. It turned away from the wooden shelving rack that sat at the back of the tent. It appeared to have been straightening the items on its shelves before they had arrived.
Having recognized the language in its song, Luna greeted the pokemon properly, "bonjour monsieur, je suis desole de vous interrompre, mais mon ami et moi avons besoin d'aide."(1)
The kecleon tilted its head, a look of utter surprised delight stretched wide across its face, "you speak the native language of the Nation of Aura?! Oh mon dieu(2), what a pleasant surprise!~ And here I thought my dear brother and I were the only Auraian immigrants in this part of the continent. I guess it's true what they say, it really is a small world." His eyes widened suddenly, "my dear brother..? Mon dieu, my dear brother! I've completely forgotten! Please madame pardonne-moi(3), I must collect the co-owner of my store."
He ducked behind the counter before popping back up seconds later with a purple kecleon held firmly in his hand. A small snot bubble was growing and shrinking on the tip of his nostril and light snoring could be heard coming out of the purple one's mouth. The green kecleon moved his hand from the nap of his brother's neck to within his left armpit, then began slapping the other kecleon awake with quick repeated strikes.
"Wakey, wakey, Clark! We have customers. I know you prefer to sleep in at this point of the day, but asserting my dominance as your older brother, I must tell now is not the time." After losing count of how many slaps he delivered, the bubble finally popped on Clark's nose. Much to the princesses' surprise he looked absolutely no worse for wear and seemed only mildly put off by the punishment he received.
"Zut Louise, je suis debout, je suis debout..."(4) He stood on his own and turned his gaze over the counter. He then scratched his lower back in a non-attractive way, letting out a loud yawn as he did so, "alors qui sont nos pidoves aujourd'hui?"(5)
Louise giggled nervously, "oui(6), pidoves. Such cute little birds, those pidoves." Both Twilight and Luna raise an eyebrow in confusion. Lousie straightened up immediately, "he's paying you a complement, madames. Pidove is a common term used within our family that started back as far as our great, great, great, great, grandmother. She always thought pidoves were adorable, so she adopted the habit of calling all cute things pidove. Isn't that right, Clark? ...Clark?"
The purple kecleon didn't respond because his jaw had already hit the countertop. He was staring intently at Twilight, a stare his brother knew all too well.
"Sacre bleu, non!(7) Clark, please, we've only just met, at least give them a little time before you-"
His request went unheeded as Clark suddenly vaulted over the counter and wrapped Twilight up in his arms. He then spun her in a full circle and dipped her away from the stand as if they were ending a waltz. He ran his fingers through the hair on Twilight's head, "ah, ma petite cherie, c'est le coup de foudre, n'est-ce pas? Non?"(8) He moved the hand that was caressing her and placed it against his chest, "oh, mais pardonnez-moi, permettez-moi de me presenter. Je suis Clark Le Kecleon, ton amant!"(9)
Unlike her fellow princess, Twilight did not understand a good deal of what Clark was saying, but the language he was using did sound familiar. In fact, it sounded almost word for word similar to Prench if not for his accent. She had been studying Prench alongside many other languages in Equestria as means to better address the diversity of the kingdom, but had yet to master any due to the other responsibilities of said title. That being said, she could tell by the tone in his voice he was trying to flirt with her, an action that almost immediately caused her to sweat.
Her cupped her chin and moved it so their eyes could meet, "maintenant ma douce crêpe suzette, dis-moi ton nom pour que je sache comment m'adresser à la deesse qui est devant moi."(10)
Again Twilight was uncertain how to respond. She roughly pulled out that he wanted to know her name? To avoid being rude, she decided to answer his request, "T-Twilight. M-My name is Twilight."
"Ah, un nom si approprie. Car qu'est-ce qui pourrait se comparer à votre beaute alors le scintillement des etoiles du soir elles-mêmes."(11) He ran a finger down Twilight's cheek, "tres bien mon violet pidove. Nous avons brise la glace. La parade nuptiale peut maintenant..."(12) He grasped her right paw and brought it up to his snout. He kissed it twice, "maintenant commence la periode des regards timides..."(13) He kissed it again, "paupieres flottantes..."(14) Two more times, "toucher le bout des doigts..."(15) Then a final three.
By this point, Twilight looked about ready to pass out from heat exhaustion, her face now redder than any produce being sold here at the market. And yet the purple kecleon seemed oblivious to these feelings, that or he was flat out ignoring them.
Whatever the case, Luna had seen more than enough.
She raised her paws and got ready to pull the kecleon away from her frazzled friend, only to suddenly be beaten to the punch when a massive tongue shot outwards and slapped Clark across the back of the head. The purple kecleon clutched the now aching mark and swiveled on the spot to address his brother, leaving Twilight to fall on her haunches with no one there to support her, "c'etait pour quoi?!"(16)
Louise now had a scowl on his face, "we have lost far too many customers because of your spontaneous acts of "romance." I will not lose anymore." He pointed to the ground beside him for emphasis, "now get back here and let's do our job right!"
Luna and Twilight watched as the younger kecleon begrudgingly trudged back toward his brother's side. Lousie adopted an apologetic look once they were back together, "my apologies madames. Please forgive my brother, he is--how you say--the hopeless romantic." Clark shot Louise a sideways stink eye. "Please, do not take his foolish behavior as reflecting the standard of our work and products." He bowed his head before the girls, Clark following suit after receiving an elbow to the ribs.
Luna's brows furrowed even despite their apology. She raised her paw and opened her mouth to scold them, but immediately grew silent when she felt Twilight move her arm back downwards.
"Apology accepted." Twilight stated.
Luna looked down at her fellow princess with an expression of bewilderment and faded fury, "Twilight, have thou lost thine senses? This...male just harassed you in the most unbecoming manner any lady could receive! Do you have any inkling as to what he just said?!"
Before answering, Twilight glanced back towards the kecleons and noticed the worried look Louise was giving his brother and that Clark was currently sweating bullets. He must have now realized that Luna could understand his native language. She looked back up at her elder princess, "not entirely, but I'm not hurt. Look..." She walked around in a circle so Luna could get a full view of her body. A blush formed on her cheeks as her next words came out of her mouth, "Clark did nothing to hurt me. If anything he handled me very gently. I was just surprised and got nervous because I'm not used to being flirted with. I should have told him that I wasn't interested before things had gone too far." She gave Luna a pleading look, "so please, can we just let this go?"
Luna's stern expression refused to leave, "though I appreciate thine maturity in this situation, Twilight, we still don't believe this was thou's fault."
"But Luna, this is the same exact thing as what happened to Mortimer, only this time I'm the one in his position. Yes, he was extremely obtuse with his intentions, and yes, he put me in a very uncomfortable position, but I said nothing that would tell him I didn't enjoy that kind of attention."
Luna growled, "but he should have noticed-"
"Mortimer was upfront with me the moment I began to pester him. I didn't give Clark that same courtesy, so we don't know for certain what he would have done if I had asked him to stop. I don't think it's fair to judge him so harshly because I was too flustered to react."
Luna found herself with no argument to make. Her fury began to cool as she gave Twilight's words some deeper thought. She recalled what she had told Twilight a long while ago after she pushed Mortimer too far, only now she was the one who needed to follow through on the lesson. She sighed, "very well. Apology accepted. I also apologize for my own outburst. We just arrived in this village after an argument with someone we considered a friend, unfortunately it seems my emotions from then have bled into my attitude just now. We shall be on our way and not hamper you-"
Luna was interrupted when she noticed a folded piece of paper being shoved into her face, "all is well, mon cheri.(17) Please, have this free of charge."
Luna blanched at the suddenness of the kecleon's proposal. She took the paper and unfolded it, "wha-what is this?"
Louise chuckled at the question, "it's a map of our lovely Payapa Village, madame. We normally sell them to tourists for two poke a piece, but in this case I felt we owe you."
She blinked in surprise, "how did you know we were going to ask for directions?"
The kecleon too blinked, "I didn't." He said in befuddlement. "I wanted to give you that map so you could find another store to shop at, since our service has proven unsatisfactory. It felt like the courteous thing to do, not waste your time any further that is."
A weight appeared in the pit of Luna's stomach, "t-thank you for this gift. We really were in need of this." She suddenly found it hard to keep eye contact with the shopkeeper, "if it isn't too much trouble, could I also ask you to show us where this village's ranger station is on this map?"
Louise nodded and drew his finger across the map towards a picture of a rectangular building with a pair of large horns attached to its sides. Luna memorized the path his finger had taken and smiled appreciatively for his help, "thank you, sir."
"You're very welcome, madame." The kecleon replied, "And please, despite the unpleasantries that have happened between us, do feel free to come visit the Kecleon Shop again anytime. We'd adore another chance to improve your opinion of our humble establishment."
Luna grimaced. She didn't want to make a promise she couldn't keep, but in the interest of ending hostilities, simply replied, "we will try." Twilight was happy she chose this as her reply. The girls soon shared a few final farewells before heading back towards the market's entrance.
Louise and Clark waited until the two princesses were completely out of view before speaking up again. Clark rested his elbow on the counter then placed his chin in his hand in a forlorn slump, "eh bien, il y a une autre chance de seduire une beaute."(18)
Louise rolled his eyes at his brother's moping, "oh, don't start with that again. Your romantics have caused enough trouble for us today. Besides, I'm sure we'll see them again. The ink on those maps melts after a while unless you keep them chilled, remember?" Clark stared at his brother like had just grown a second head, then began to smile when he remembered their collection of trick maps. "That's the way we get all the tourists to come back."
*Payapa Village Ranger Station*
The girls' search for the ranger station went much quicker once they knew what to look for. Within minutes of leaving the marketplace and heading in the direction opposite the village entrance they came in from, Twilight and Luna found themselves at the foot of a building that matched the image on the kecleon brothers' map exactly.
Like the picture, it was a large carved wood building with massive black horns that vaguely resembled the head of a steer, if that steer had been designed by the artisans of Zecora's homeland. Two large stone bowls sat on either side of a short staircase that led up to the station's entrance, a large opening in the building's with a massive log gate hanging above it.
The girls ascended the stairs without hesitation, both exuding an eagerness to finally get home. Their feet crunched across a wide gravel floor as they entered the building, each noise more then loud enough to draw the attention of the pokemon sitting at the desk in front of them.
The receptionist, a lilligant who had been in the middle of sorting papers for the coming work day, subtly moved her files aside as the girls approached, "Good morning wahines(19) and welcome to the Payapa Village Ranger Station. My name is Kealoha and I am the building secretary. How may I help you today?"
She received no response, for Twilight and Luna were too preoccupied by the building's utter lack of decor. Save for a set of stairs that led up to the building's second floor and the front desk before them, the entire room was completely bare of any furniture, decorations, or even paint. It almost felt like they had just stepped into an oversized tool shed that had yet to be filled with any tools.
Kealoha cleared her throat loudly, regaining the girls' attention, "wahines?" They turned back towards the lilligant, "is there anything I can do for you today?"
"Yes, sorry." Luna said, bowing her head in apology, "we are looking for the one you call, "Tapu Bulu." We were told he could be found here?"
The lilligant secretary nodded, "yes, but he normally doesn't see anyone who hasn't first scheduled a meeting. Can I help you set up an appointment?"
Luna scowled, Mortimer had failed to give them that information, even still she remained cordial, "I'm afraid we don't have that kind of time. You see, we're dealing with a rather... peculiar issue, and it is of great importance that we see him right away to address it."
Kealoha raised an eyebrow, "I understand miss, but regulation purely dictates that-" she paused, almost as if lost in thought. Her eyes suddenly widened, "wait are you..?" She paused again, "have you spoken with the Mōʻī(20) and Mōʻī Wahine(21)?"
Luna looked to Twilight, who returned an unsure expression. The lunar monarch considered lying and claiming they had had an audience with this Mōʻī and Mōʻī Wahine, but ultimately cast away the idea for fear of being asked questions she could not answer.
"We have not, miss." Luna replied, her head sinking towards the ground in dismay. "We were not even aware we needed to ask permission from..." Luna took a moment to choose her words, she not being familiar with what Mōʻī and Mōʻī Wahine translated to, "such officials."
The lilligant nodded her head, and to Luna's surprise, leapt down from her seat to address them personally. Gravel crunched beneath the secretary's feet as she walk around the desk, her journey taking a oddly long time despite the short distance between them. When she finally arrived, the princesses were shocked to discover that the lilligant secretary was only half Twilight's height on all fours.
"This does sound very important and since it is very early the morning..." Kealoha explain, "...I will try and see if Chief Tapu Bulu can squeeze you in for a quick meeting. Does this sound alright?"
Both princesses beamed, "that would be most appreciated, Ms. Kealoha." Luna replied, "we can't thank you enough!"
Kealoha placed a hand over her mouth and giggled awfully loudly, "please miss, I'm barely twenty three. Just call me Kealoha."
"And I am over a millennium in age." She said jokingly, "but I too would much prefer that you just call me, Luna."
This time Kealoha broke out into a full on guffaw. It took her a moment to recompose herself, "I-I promise I will be back with you in a minute. Please don't go anywhere."
The girls each took a seat on the floor as Kealoha walked back around her desk. "She can raise her voice awfully loud for someone so small." Twilight whispered.
Luna nodded in agreement, "indeed. These pokemon are truly full of surprises."
Their ears suddenly perked up when they noticed the sounds of crunching gravel disappear. It now sounded like Kelaloha was stepping onto pieces of worned wood. Twilight and Luna curiously leaned around the corner of the desk, just in time to see the secretary disappear down a large hole in the floor as she descended a ladder. Both girls' eyes widened in surprise.
"As is this building, it would seem."
For a good while Twilight and Luna waited for Kealoha to return. Neither were quite certain how much time had passed, the building didn't possess any windows that allowed them to look at the sky for answers and the view outside the door was blocked by the buildings across the street. However long it was, it had to be decently lengthy because they had managed to complete six rounds of tic-tac-toe and several full games of twenty questions by the time the secretary returned. A good thing too, because Luna was starting to grow impatient with her streak of losses.
"Good news! Tapu Bulu has just enough time to set aside for a meeting. Please follow me."
The girls followed Kealoha towards the back of the room and down the ladder, which dove down quite a number of feet. Five minutes at least surely had to have passed by the time they reached the bottom, revealing to the two a long tunnel that stretched in both directions with multiple openings on either wall.
"Just this way, please." She led the girls down the tunnel stretching to their left, before turning quickly down a corridor to her right. Besides a number of torches lining the walls, the tunnels looked identically similar. It made the girls wonder just how any creature was supposed to navigate this underground maze.
Twilight, not being one to let her curiosity go unchecked, was the first to voice a question, "Um... Kealoha?"
"Yes, Miss."
"Twilight, if you please. How exactly do you know where you're going?" They turned down another identical tunnel, "all these tunnels look practically the same to me."
"Oh, that's because I studied the maps of these tunnels. A necessary part of the job for a secretary, just in case I need to find one of the rangers who work here or pick up a file from storage." She looked around at the walls of the tunnel they were in, "but I don't blame you for getting confused, it is very easy to get lost down here if you don't know what to look for. That's why we employ the digletts."
"Hello yes, that is my species!" Twilight and Luna shrieked in terror as a rounded pokemon with three blond hairs on its head popped out of the ground between them. "Do you have needence of Doug?"
Kealoha briefly chuckled and shook her, "no Doug, we're fine."
"Very well. Doug will leave you then. But not for very long."
The mole pokemon shot back underground refilling the hole it came out of as it went. Luna was quick to voice her stupefaction once he was fully gone, "what was that?"
"That was a diglett. They're the ones who dug these tunnels, at our request of course. I can understand if you've never seen one before, they very rarely come above ground. If he ever comes back I'll introduce you. His name is Doug."
"I heard." Luna replied. She shook her head in annoyance, almost as if responding to a corny joke, "is that really his name?"
"Well I'm told they're all named Doug actually. Though I'm not completely sure if that's true. It's the only name they respond to, but I've heard tell that they only do that because they think it's funny."
Doug again popped out of the earth, this time from the right side wall. "Digletts live their entire lives underground. We dig holes to survive, so digging is a sacred word to our kind. Doug thusly is a name of great renown. So much so that every diglett wishes they could own the title. So we do." He slowly began to sink back into the wall, "we are all Doug down here."
The three pokemon watched Doug in awkward silence as his new hole was once again refilled. A full minute passed before any of them felt comfortable enough to speak again. "They also act as guides down here." Kealoha continued, "they know these tunnels better than anyone else. In fact, if you prefer I can call him back and-"
"No!" Twilight and Luna shouted in unison.
Kealoha let another hearty laugh, "most pokemon give that response." She bowed her head at them, "forgive me, it was only a joke." She turned back towards the end of the tunnel and led the two the rest of the way down. They only stopped when they reached an opening with two red curtains covering it, "this is Chief Tapu Bulu's office. He's expecting you, so please feel free to step inside." She began walking past the girls, "now if you'll excuse me, I must return to the front desk. We aren't so busy this early in the morning, but as your own presence will tell you, you never can quite tell when someone may choose to show up."
The girls nodded in agreement, "we understand completely. Thank you so much for your assistance, Kelaloha." Luna expressed.
The lilligant gave them a quick curtsy before heading off on her way, leaving the girls to face the village's head of law enforcement on their own. Luna straightened her posture and took up a stance that exuded a sense of nobility and professionalism, a pose she had much practice in performing thanks to her many years of entertaining high class individuals. She nudged Twilight in the shoulder and wordlessly told her to do the same.
"Allow me to do most of the talking once we're inside, Twilight." Luna requested, "I do not doubt that this Chief Tapu Bulu will be willing to aid us as soon as he hears of our plight, but matters such as these need to be dealt with in a serious and straightforward manner. As you've seen in conversation with Mortimer, our story does sound quite ridiculous, so it may take some additional convincing before he's fully willing to believe us. We will need to act on our best behavior and remember though we are royalty, he is the one of higher authority here."
Twilight puffed out her chest and adopted a similar pose to Luna's own, "of course, Princess Luna." She gave a mock salute for emphasis, "I promise to be on my best behavior."
Luna chuckled at the display, but quickly retook her previous stance. She led Twilight into the room, fully expecting to find a professional looking pokemon who would fit the title they had been presented. What they found instead was a bovine looking pokemon laid sideways across the top of his desk, eyes closed and noticeably snoring.
Both girls deflated in response, their upright postures dropping to express their feelings of disbelief. They glanced at each other briefly before returning to more relaxed poses. Luna stepped forwards and knocked on the front of the desk.
"Um... Mr. Tapu Bulu? We come to seek an audience with you? Your secretary just set up this meeting?"
The chief stirred on top of his desk but did not awaken immediately. Instead his eyes fluttered open slowly, taking a full minute to completely lift as if he were trying to keep himself asleep. His snoring abruptly stopped when he got a full view of the girls.
"Wha- Oh! That's right!" He rose off his desk, literally taking flight so he could soar a good foot above the girls. He slapped his hoof-like appendages against his cheeks, "Wakey! Wakey!" and floated back behind his desk. The girls watched as he took a seat without actual need of a chair.
"Apologies, wahines. I was aware you were coming, but I lost myself to the caress of slumber while I was waiting." He placed his hooves on the desk and bowed to them in apology, "please forgive me, I have this terrible condition that makes me fall asleep rather easily?"
Twilight's ears perked up, instantly curious, "oh, do you suffer from narcolepsy?"
The chief scratched his chin in thought, "no that's not what it was called."
Twilight tilted her head, "perhaps then some form of insomnia?"
"Boredom...that's it!" He exclaimed suddenly, "I get really sleepy when I'm bored." Both girls fell face first to the floor in response. "I really need to get myself a desk toy or something to occupy my time. All the paperwork I do helps to keep me busy, but when it's done, then what? I'm asleep at my desk. Very unprofessional." He shook his head in disappointment for his own actions.
Both girls picked themselves up from the floor, "yes well, that aside we thank you for meeting with us Mr. Tapu Bulu." Luna extended her paw for the chief to shake, "my name is Luna and this is my young associate, Twilight."
The chief let loose a deep belly laugh before grasping her in a hearty shake, "delighted, miss! But please just call me, Bulu. No need for formalities here. After all, I'm the one who's supposed to be helping you."
He reached down and grasped Twilight's paw after Luna's and shook her so violently she actually lifted off the ground. Once finished, he began speaking again, "now I hear from Kealoha that you two are dealing with a... "peculiar issue?" Of course, she didn't give specifics, but I have a feeling I might already know what's going on."
Luna scratched the back of her head, "if only." She wanted to respond with. Instead she said, "yes and peculiar is putting it mildly. You see we've already tried to ask someone for help with this problem, but the explanation we gave for our issue left them thinking we were less than reputable."
"But we promise it's all completely true!" Twilight added.
Tapu Bulu tapped his hooves together with slight apprehension, "I see. Well I can't lie and say that doesn't make me feel the least bit dubious, but I wouldn't be a very good ranger chief if I didn't give you the courtesy of hearing you out." He leaned forwards on his desk, almost excitedly so, "so please go ahead... enthrall me."
Luna wasted no time and explained everything that had happened to them up to this point. They expected to get another confused or disbelieving look, but instead were surprised to see nothing but curiosity on Tapu Bulu's face. He leaned on one hoof and pointed at the girls with the other, "so you say you're both from another world and you need help figuring out a way to get yourselves back?" He tapped his hooves together again in thought, "hmmm..?"
Silence filled the room and for that moment the girls were afraid they'd once again would be shooed away with no direction to head in. That is until Tapu Bulu spoke again, "I'm going to need to call in a professional, if that's alright? Just to make sure what you're saying is one hundred percent true."
The girls looked at each other. They had made it this far without scaring away the chief, what did they really have to lose? "Of course, sir. Whatever you think is necessary."
Tapu Bulu nodded at Luna then turned towards the wall behind him, "Doug! Could one of you come in here for a second?! Doug!"
"Yes, do you have needance of Doug?" A diglett popped out of the soil between both Twilight and Luna once again, making both princesses jump.
"Oh, there you are. Could you be a sport go see if Beckham is in the station right now? I require her services." Tapu Bulu glanced at the girls briefly, "also did anyone offer you a coffee? Or at least water? I feel like I'm being a bad host."
The girls shook their heads, but declined his offer. Though it was appreciated, neither one of them wanted to make the station's rangers work any harder than they already were.
Doug left the room quickly after receiving his orders. Several minutes passed, forcing the three still in the room to pass the time with idle conversation. Twilight and Luna asked the chief about the history and purpose of the rangers on this island, a question Tapu Bulu was all too happy to answer. His words were boisterous and his story long winded, but in essence he told them what they already surmised. The rangers were the primary source of law enforcement on the island as well as on every other continent in world. The rangers themselves came in three ranks: officers, those who handled the enforcement of laws and criminal investigations; managers, those who oversaw the operations of ranger stations and delegated work to their officers; and chiefs, who held the highest rank in the organization and were responsible for the operations of all ranger stations within a given area. Tapu Bulu was one of these and was tasked with monitoring the productivity of all stations located on the island.
Before any more questions could be asked, Doug's voice rang out from down the hall. In fact, if Twilight and Luna didn't know any better, they could have sworn several copies of Doug's voice were ringing out from down the hall.
The girls were shocked backwards into Tapu Bulu's desk when several digletts came into the room with a cross-legged medicham sat atop their heads. The pokemon looked to be lost in a meditative state, one so deep it appeared that she didn't even respond when the digletts tossed her unceremoniously onto the floor.
Like a flock of chickens at feeding time, every diglett then turned their eyes towards Tapu Bulu, "do you have further needence of Doug?" They all shouted in unison.
Twilight and Luna could feel their ears ringing, "no thank you, boys." Tapu Bulu replied. "You're free to go."
"Very well." The Dougs replied. "We Dougs will leave you then. But not for very long." They all sank slowly into the floor before refilling their holes, each never breaking eye contact with the three pokemon in front of them. Twilight and Luna very quickly decided they did not care very much for the Dougs.
Tapu Bulu floated past the girls and helped the medicham to her feet. "I know they're creepy, but they get the job done, and do excellent work too. Have you seen the craftsmanship on those tunnels? They are masterful." He floated back past them and behind his desk. The girls did not respond, for they were too busy staring in confusion at pokemon wobbling in front of them, clearly still in a trance.
"You are also probably wondering what's up with Beckham. Yeah, don't worry too much about her." He dug through a drawer until he found an item the girls thought was rather odd, a handbell. "She's originally from the Nation of Philosophy and the pokemon over there are known to be interested in a lot of strange stuff." He flew back over to Beckham and held the bell next to the side of her head, "Beckham here for instance likes to meditate for a couple hours before starting her shift. She says she does it to expand her mind and senses to better become one with the universe, but personally I just find that all to be a lot of gobbledygook. I tried it once before with her to see what she was getting at, but I ended up just falling asleep." He moved his wrist, ready to shake the bell, then paused, "also don't tell her I told you any of that. I'd hate for her to think I'm the kind of boss who makes fun of his employees behind their backs."
He shook the bell and the medicham awoke, almost instantly regaining her clarity. The first thing she noticed was the chief, "Chief Bulu? Is it time for my shift already? Major bummer. I was riding on some mondo vibes, bro. Me and the universe were getting to know each other in an intimate way, you know what I'm saying?"
Tapu Bulu adopted a flat expression, "no and I don't think I want to?" He turned his eyes towards the girls, urging Beckham to do the same, "Beckham, this is Twilight and Luna, they've come here to ask for help with a peculiar issue. They say they're from another world?"
Beckhem raised an eyebrow, "oh?" Her posture suddenly changed from a relaxed slouch to an almost militaristic upright stance, "and do you think they might be lying to you, sir?"
"Not so much, no." His voice carried an odd seriousness despite the subject matter, "but that's why I've requested to have you verify their story's credibility, just in case my gut feeling is wrong."
Beckham's eyes met Luna's, "very well then." She marched over towards the two princesses. Instinctively, Luna stepped in front of Twilight as if expecting the other pokemon to attack.
Beckham raised her hand for Luna to take, "shall we begin?"
Hesitantly, Luna replied, "of course." She took Beckham's hand in her own, "do you need me to start from the beginning, Ms. Beckham?"
Beckham shook her head, "no need. I am already reading your mind."
"Wait what?!" Twilight exclaimed.
Luna brows lowered into a displeased expression. With everything she and Twilight had seen today, she wasn't at all surprised. That still didn't mean she had to enjoy the information that had just been given to her, "you aren't searching too deeply with this power of yours are you?"
Tapu Bulu chuckled, "if she was, shouldn't be working here, I can tell you that much." He followed this statement with a wave of his hoof to ward away any more of Luna's worries, "despite what outward appearances may say when you first meet her, Beckham here is actually one of our most professional rangers. She's dutiful, task oriented, and stern but to the point. We like to call it her work face when she's on the clock."
Beckham suddenly let go of Luna's paw, regaining everyone's attention, "she's telling the truth, sir. Ms. Luna and her friend are from another world."
"Hmm!" Tapu Bulu sounded happy about this. He then began to speak softly, "I guess that news I received was correct." He readdressed the girls, "well then, I guess all that there is to do now is set you up with a place to stay while I run this through the proper channels."
Twilight and Luna grew excited. They were one step closer to finally getting home!
Tapu Bulu pulled out a large book from the drawers in his desk, "now where to send you?" He scratched his chin with his hoof, "I do believe the museum was looking for a few new caretakers? Tell me, do you girls have any experience with musty old tomes and/or historical artifacts?" |
Umarekawari | pre | "It better."
"Also..."
"Yes?"
"When do we get the tear that bastard apart?" She asked, with that crazy look in her eye. The emperor flinched at the sight and most of the umbralings had fled.
Zach and Luna had been talking to each other in her room, Zach explaining what a skill tree was, which then lead into the topic about things in his world. Such as television, video games, and other objects and devices Equestria did not have. Luna was very interested in the conversation, Zach could tell just because of the questions she asked about Earth. Zach was just happy to be talking to his favorite Princess, shown by the fact that he was smiling through the whole conversation.
"Oh, it was good talking to you Princess." Zach's said after their earlier conversation.
"And it was good talking to you Zach, and please, you can just call me Luna." Luna said, turning away.
"Alright then." Zach said, but he noticed how Luna looked away, staring off into the distance. "Hey, is everything alright Luna." He asked, getting her attention.
"Oh... yes, it's just, this is the first time I've been able to talk to somepony else like this. In fact, it's the first time I've had a friend such as you."
"What do you mean?"
"I just mean that... ponies still don't trust me, they still blame me for the... Nightmare Moon incident. I hear the guards talking about me at times."
"That's horrible, even after all this time?"
"Yes, they still see me as some demon." She said, her eyes beginning to water a bit. Zach looked at the ground, a newfound anger boiling inside him.
"Motherfuckers." He hissed under his breath, unfortunately, loud enough for Luna to hear. She looked at him, and upon realizing what had happen, Zach grew worried. "I'm-I'm sorry... I didn't mean to cuss..." He said. The blue alicorn simply sighed.
"It's alright Zach, I don't blame you for being angry." She said, appreciating that Zach cared for her.
"It just sucks that some people, or, ponies in this case, just dwell on the past. They may see you as a demon, but I see you as a misunderstood princess who needs a friend." Zach said, draping a hoof over her and hugged her. "And I'm willing to be that friend you need." Luna teared up a little, happily accepting the hug.
"Thank you, Zach." She said.
"You're welcome, Luna. Anything for a friend." He said, after a moment, they broke up the embrace. "Maybe, I can have my friends visit, so you could become friends with them."
"That would be great." She said with a smile. Suddenly there was a crashing that could be heard throughout the castle.
"Ugh. Probably another umbraling attack." Zach said, getting up and headed out of Luna's room. She just watched as Zach left, after a moment, she got up too, following him. Zach ran through the halls, doing his best of trying to locate the source of the commotion. After a few turns, Zach found himself in the throne room, where Celestia, a few guards, and... "Lizoror." Zach said to himself.
Lizoror was currently defending itself from the onslaught of guards that it faced. Luckily for it, the guards did not know that the plating on its head protected it from many blows. It suddenly turned, using its tail to hit any non-pegasus on the ground. It then took advantage of the situation, having the tip of the tail line up with the bottom of a unicorn's head. It then drove its tail through the pony, penetrating the bottom of his mouth then the top, at which point, the tail penetrated the brain, going through the skull and knocking the helmet off.
It shook the corpse off of its tail like a wet paper towel. Celestia then moved in, at the same time Zach did. Celestia fired a solar beam at it, however, it came into contact with the plating, only annoying the lizard and pushing it back a little.
"Celestia!" Zach called out to her. "The plating on its head protects it, aim for the sides!" Celestia looked at him and nodded, moving to the right of it, while Zach moved to the left. Lizoror looked at both of them, trying to decide who was the bigger threat at the moment. It decided on the sun princess, turning towards her with a roar. Zach was about to attack from behind, but he was whipped by Lizoror's tail. He was about to attempt it again, but he was swiped off the ground by the lizards tail, then being slapped by it again.
"I forgot how annoying I made this thing." He said to himself while picking himself off the ground. Celestia was not fairing any better, as most of her attacks where hitting the protective plating. It then summoned spikes from behind the plating, the spikes floated in the air for a moment before turning and pointing at Celestia. With a small roar, Lizoror shot the spikes at the alicorn princess. She quickly moved to try to dodge them, but a few managed to hit their target. Celestia let at a small yelp of pain as the spikes embedded into her flesh, drawing blood.
It was about to attack again, but midnight blue magic hit its side, causing it to roar out in pain. The three looked at the one who attacked, and saw it was Luna. Zach turned his attention back to the fight, he encased his hoof in magic as he slammed it into the lizards tail. It roared out in pain as it turned towards the offending alicorn. Without thinking twice, it bit down on his leg, causing him to yell out in pain. Luna then moved in, conjuring up a magical spear, and sending through Lizoror's body.
It roared out in more pain as it let go of Zach. It turned towards Luna, bringing out more spikes to shoot at her. Celestia had pulled out the spikes in her and healed herself with her magic and now went to aid her sister. Zach meanwhile was trying to relieve himself of the pain in his leg, luckily the bite marks were not too sever. He looked back at the lizard and the princess's, seeing how they were dodging Lizoror's attacks, the spear in its body now gone.
He then focused back onto Lizoror, firing a laser at the sensitive tissue that separated the plating from the rest of the body. The creature shrieked out in intense pain when the laser hit. It summoned more spikes that came out from the tissue openings and shot them at Zach. He tightly shut his eyes, waiting for the spikes to hit, but they never did. Confused, he looked up, seeing a red magical shield in front of him.
The shield was being produced by his horn and covered a good amount of area. Zach was able to chuckle at the sight, but Lizoror was not going to have any of it. It charged at him, ramming into the shield, it then pounded on the shield, causing strain on Zach. With one powerful attack, the shield finally shattered like glass, sending Zach flying back from the force that destroyed the shield.
"Okay, the shield is not forever, got it." He said as he picked himself up. He quickly flew up, narrowly dodging Lizoror as it went to try and ram him again. He then flew back to the lizard, hitting it twice with his encased hooves. Lizoror growled in pain as it swatted Zach away, as he hit a wall. Luna then moved in, calling forth magic swords, she fired them at Lizoror, but the attack was in vain. Lizoror barreled through them, the swords hitting it protective plating.
She tried to move out of the way, but the lizard was to quick. It charged into Luna, sending her flying out a stained glass window. Lizoror was about to go after the moon princess, but a sudden, immense pain in its tail stopped its movement. Letting out a roar, it turned back to its tail, only seeing that it had been cut off by Celestia who conjured up a sword to commit the deed. Lizoror looked at her, hatred boiling in its eyes. It suddenly went towards her, biting her on the leg, it then proceeded to slam her on the ground like a ragdoll.
It would have continued its murderous intent, but a laser to its sensitive tissue stopped it, forcing it to let out another shriek of pain. Zach followed up on the laser with an encased hoof, hitting it in the side before it could turn around. Lizoror focused on the white alicorn, trying to snap at him, but Zach kept backing up. On the third attempt, Zach flew up, shooting two more lasers at Lizoror, earning him a charge. As Zach landed, he looked at the roof.
"Too low." He thought, seeing how the roof was not tall enough for him to use his charge. His thoughts were interrupted however when a few spikes lodged themselves into his flesh. He looked for a way to use his charge, his eyes soon fell upon the broken window. Smiling, he ran out it, flying to the ground. Looking back, he saw what he had hoped, Lizoror had followed him out, he landed on the ground, immediately performing his charge. He launched into the air as soon as Lizoror landed.
The lizard had seen Zach go up, so it began to fire spikes at him. However, it could not get a good shot on him, which was his downfall. Zach landed, creating a magical explosion, sending Lizoror up against a wall. Because of the way it landed against the wall, the plating forced the lizards head to bend at an unnatural angle, breaking its neck. The lifeless corpse then fell to the ground, Zach just looked at it before saying.
"Bloody bogan." |
Umarekawari | Accusations | Zach turned away from the corpse of Lizoror and turned to see Luna picking herself off the ground. He quickly hurried over to her, using his magic to help her to her hooves.
"Are you alright Luna?" He asked. Luna quickly nodded her head, but it was obvious she was in pain. Zach couldn't blame her, he was hurting after the battle. After a moment of making sure Luna was alright, she and Zach both made their way back towards the open window, Zach staying by her side to make sure she wouldn't fall. As they landed, they took into account what damage Lizoror had caused.
Much of the room had been wrecked, there had been some casualties, luckily not many, and then there was Celestia.
"Celestia!" Luna worriedly called out to her. She was badly beaten, bruises and cutes littered her body, and one of her legs appeared to be broken. "Celestia! Are you okay?" Luna asked, hoping her older sister was still alive. The sun princess was beginning to stir, allowing Luna to relax. She coughed up some blood as her eyes slowly opened. She looked at her younger sister, who looked back at her with tears in her eyes and a smile on her face. Luna couldn't resist anymore, she fell to the ground, giving Celestia a hug while quietly sobbing. Celestia understood why she was crying and returned her hug with her left leg.
Meanwhile, Zach was at the back, just watching the two, happy that both of them were alright. He was also happy that most of the guards had survived the attack. But now he was growing worried, the attacks were getting worse, even Deathly, alongside the umbralings didn't cause this much damage. Lizoror had managed to cause more damage already. Whatever had the power to bring his creations to life, he was worried that it would soon discover his more powerful creations.
Night had come and gone, everyone had recovered and was rested. Zach was getting ready to fly back to Ponyville after one eventful night. As he was walking through the halls though, he bumped into somepony.
"Ugh, who let this ruffian in?" A horribly familiar voice asked. As soon as Zach realized who it was, he cursed to himself.
"Oh sweet lord." He said as he looked into the face of the source of the voice.
"What are you doing here peasant?" Prince Blueblood asked.
"Just walking around you son of a bitch." Zach responded spitefully.
"Ahem, my name is. Prince Blueblood, peasant. You may now bow down to me." He said, as he raised his head into the sky like any typical rich snob. Zach just looked at him with a raised eyebrow before yawning loudly. Blueblood looked back down at him with annoyance. "I see you are not giving me the respect I deserve."
"Oh please." Zach responded, doing his Spy impression. "Let me tell you something, I don't respect people who don't respect me. And if you think I'm just going to respect you because you are some rich snob, think again."
"Excuse me, but that is no way to talk to a prince!"
"Does it look like I care!?"
"I can ruin you, you know!"
"Oh, you're so scary!" Zach responded doing a Scout impression. "Piss off!" He said, doing his Sniper impression.
"I will have you punished for your attitude!"
"Oh just shut the fuck up you big head wanker!" Zach said as he moved passed him. "Now if you excuse me 'Sir Faggotpus', I need to go back to Ponyville and see Twilight and her friends."
"Ugh, those show offs?" Blueblood commented, causing Zach to stop in his tracks. "And. Ponyville, ugh, that place should have been torn down years ago." After that last comment, Zach's eye twitched.
Luna and Celestia sat in the throne room, Celestia having to lean on Luna a bit to allow he broken right leg to heal. Nothing too eventful was happening, until they heard a banging noise. The guards in the room got into a defensive pose, spears at the ready to sink into anything that attacked the princess's. Suddenly, the doors flew open, reveling a badly beaten up Blueblood, he had a bloodied nose, a black eye and many bruises and cuts along his body.
"Aunt Celestia, Aunt Luna, please help! There is a tyrant on the loose!" He screamed as he ran to them, hiding behind Luna and shaking like a leaf.
"COME BACK HERE BLUEBLOOD!" Zach yelled, performing the Royal Canterlot Voice, which may have been louder than even Celestia's Canterlot Voice. "I WILL CUT YOU OPEN AND REPLACE YOUR BRAIN WITH YOU STOMACH!" He yelled as he came into view. Celestia knew Blueblood had done something to piss Zach off, this had happened in the past. She quickly called forth her magic and lifted Zach off the ground, stopping his rampage. He tried to fight it, but after seeing he couldn't free himself, he calmed down.
"Zach, what is going on?!" Luna asked.
"I'll tell you what's going on, this fucker wants Ponyville burnt down!" He said, pointed a hoof towards the unicorn behind her. "And for the reason I beat his ass up, is because, one, I hate him so much. And two, I have a slight anger problem." He stated. "Plus, he think he can push other ponies around just because he is related to you two." Celestia had heard enough, she looked at her nephew with irritation on her face.
"Blueblood... we talked about this before." She said.
"But auntie,". Blueblood whined. "he is so, so, so uncouth." Luna giggled at his predicament while Zach simply rolled his eyes, the situation not amusing him in the slightest.
"But you are not above him, in fact, you seem to be sinking lower than him." Celestia said, Zach was able to chuckle at this statement, he was insulted by his own aunt. "Now go, we will discuss this later." She said as she set Zach back on the ground. Blueblood wanted to say something,but no words would form. Instead he settled for grumbling to himself. As he passed Zach, he shot him a glare, but Zach simply growled at him, causing him to loose all anger and run off like a scared child. Zach smiled again as he left the room, hoping to never see his face again.
"And Zach," Celestia said, getting the other white alicorns attention. "next time, be more rational. I may not be as lenient next time." She said sternly. Zach just chuckled nervously while nodding his head.
Zach flew through the skies, dashing through clouds and on occasion, dodging (or flying into) a bird. He was getting better at flying, he wasn't the best at it, but in time, he will learn. As he neared Ponyville, he noticed something out of the ordinary, there was a large group of ponies at the library. He was curious as to what was happening, so, taking a dive, he flew towards the ground. As he neared the crowd, he began to hear yelling from them, letting Zach know this may have been some sort of riot.
"There he is!" He heard a stallion call out, as he landed, all of the crowds attention was set on him. Looking inside the tree, he could see The Elements, Vinyl and Octavia, all of which look very worried, excluding Rainbow and AJ, who looked annoyed.
"Um, can it help you?" Zach asked the angry mob, confused as to why they were angry in the first place.
"You! You are the one who almost got our town destroyed!" A mare yelled.
"Wha- me?!" Zach asked, now very confused.
"Oh don't act surprise, Zach. We know you planned this!" Another mare yelled out.
"Wait, how do you know my name?!" The situation was getting more confusing by the second.
"Pinkie Pie told us!" Zach felt his eye twitch as the words lift the stallions mouth. He peered into the library, spotting Pinkie, who had a sheepish grin on her face.
"Okay, that's one question down, now, what makes you think I want to destroy this place?"
"We know how you are not from our world, and how we are fake in your own world! And those monster attacking on the same day as you arriving? Coincidence? I think not!" The same stallion yelled.
'Does this entire place have mood swings?' Zach questioned. "I risked my life to save this town! And you think I want to destroy it?"
"You just did that to cover it up, you're just waiting for the right time to strike!" A mare called out.
"Let's get him now while we still can!" The same stallion called out as he ran out of the crowd towards Zach, he jumped up, planing on making contact with Zach head with his hoof. As he was about to bring his hoof down, a black spike embedded its self into the back of his neck, killing him. The lifeless corpse rag-dolled onto the ground next to Zach, who just looked at it with wide eyes. Not far away, an umbraling growled in annoyance as its shot missed its target. The shooter umbraling was a bit skinnier than the other umbralings, but had claws that it could shoot off from its palm, either a concentrated, sniper like shot, or a rapid fire.
Another umbraling smacked it in the back of the head for missing, which, in turn, received it a punch to the jaw. As the two brawled it out between each other, the rest of the umbralings moved in. The town saw this and, like usual, panicked.
"It's funny, one moment their confident that they can defeat me, the next they're shitting themselves over another umbraling attack." Zach commented.
"Zach!" Twilight scolded him for cursing.
"What?" He asked in return as he summoned up a shield to block the incoming spikes.
"That's new." Rainbow commented as the mares exited the tree.
"Yeah, I learned it at the castle. Sadly though, I can't attack at the same time." He said. As the umbralings neared, the nine got ready. An armored umbraling went strait for Zach, ramming into his shield. Zach grunted as he was being pushed back by the umbraling. "Oh no, not this time." He said though gritted teeth as he pushed back, using all his might, he managed to stop the umbralings charge and even push it back. As the umbraling staggered, Zach called back his shield and moved in, encasing his hoof in red magic. He jumped up, nailing the umbraling in the side of the head.
The umbraling went to punch him, but missed its shot, the alicorn made another move and hit the umbraling in the opposite side of its head. While it was stunned, he made his way to the back, shooting it with two lasers. The umbraling then fell over dead, as Zach turned around, a spike flew passed his head. Not far from him, a shooter umbraling had shot part of its claw at him. It held its right arm, as if it was a gun. The umbraling then let go, shooting the rest of its claw at the alicorn in rapid succession. Zach moved to the side in order to dodge the hail of fire.
Zach then countered, shooting lasers at the umbraling, who managed to dodge most of them, only two managing to hit. Zach decided to move in, encasing his hoof, the umbraling swiped at him with its other claw. It managed to create a cut across his chest, earning a grunt of pain from him. Zach then punched the umbraling in the mouth, he did so one more time, caving its skull in and earning him a charge.
He looked at the wound in his chest, it was bleeding, but it was nothing dire. Zach turned around, scanning the battle for any suitable place to perform his charge. However, all the umbralings were to far apart to take out a descent number of them. Speaking of, there wasn't as many umbralings as before.
'Are they running out of forces?' He questioned, as he heard a scream. He turned around to see Octavia being used as a meat shield by an armored umbraling against Twilight. "Octavia!" Zach yelled as he flew through the air, as he was doing so, a spike embedded itself into his under side. Grunting in pain, he pulled it out, looking down, he saw some shooters attacking him. He paid them no mind though, he was more focused on saving Octavia.
As he landed, he encased his hoof, giving the umbraling the hardest punch to the back of the head that he could. It recoiled, letting Octavia go and grabbing its head in pain. Then the two alicorns attacked together, Twilight sent a wave of magic at it, while Zach bucked it in the back. It all resulted in a sickening crunch from the biped as it fell over, dead. Zach turned to Octavia, offering her a hoof, which she gladly accepted.
"Thank you, Zach." She said as she was pulled up back to her hooves.
"You're welcome." Zach responded with a smile.
"Watch out!" Twilight yelled out. The two turned around to see two umbraling ready to pounce on them, but they were blown away by Vinyl's bass canon.
"Okay, that was a little close." Zach commented. The three then parted ways, returning to the battle at hoof. However, there was not much to do, as most of the umbralings had already been defeated. There were only a few survivors, who, like last time, fled into the forest. As the girls celebrated, Zach knew something was up.
'That attack was too easy, something isn't right.' Zach thought.
"Is everything alright, Zach." Twilight asked beside him. He shook his head.
"No, it feels as if there was more to this attack." As soon as he finished the sentence, he was engulfed by flames. Twilight jumped back, startled by this. As the fire died down, Zach reemerged, covered black. He coughed, allowing some smoke to come out of his mouth.
"What in the world?!" Twilight asked.
"Dragon!" They heard Rainbow yell. Looking towards the sky, they saw that it was a dragon like creature. Except it was far more skinnier than the native dragons to this land, having a very tube like body. It had four appendages, two where the legs would be, and two where the arms would be. They all ended in a gauntlet form with a fire design to it, the front of the head was somewhat like a dragon, but ended at a point. And lastly, it's tail and back of the head ended in a fire like design, and it's entire bod was red and orange like fire.
"That's not a regular dragon... that's Blazeian." |
Umarekawari | Blazeian | Blazeian sucked in air before letting out another stream of fire. Zach and Twilight moved out of the way just as the fire hit the ground. As the two landed, they both fired at Blazeian, however, the dragon easily dodged out of the way. Rainbow was the next to move in, flying strait towards it.
"Rainbow, that's not a good idea!" Zach called out, but it fell upon death ears. Blazian spewed out more flames, but Rainbow Dash managed to dodge it. She then went towards its head, once she was close enough, she turned around planning on bucking it. Blazeian made no attempt to move, knowing what was to come. As soon as her hooves made contact with it, she screamed in pain, falling from the skies. Twilight instinctively flew towards her, summoning her magic to catch her before she hit the ground.
As the both descended towards the ground, Twilight examined the damage. Rainbow had severe burns on her hooves, some of the flesh had been melted away, reveling the muscle underneath.
"Damn it." Zach said under his breath. "Don't touch it. It's flesh can easily melt away your skin." Zach said. The ponies heard Blazeian produce a deep gurgle, as if it was laughing at them. Zach glared at it before taking to the air, the dragon responded to this by breathing more fire at him. Zach dodged out of the way, shooting lasers at it, though it manged to dodge most of them, one of them hit its appendage. Though it wasn't physically in pain, it had dimmed a little, Zach then remembered its weakness.
He flew towards the dragon, while it countered with more fire, Zach barrel rolled out of the way, which caused him to almost shoot downwards.
'Future tip, never again.' He thought as he corrected himself. He neared Blazeian, who now resorted to trying to hit him with its body. As it missed a charge, nearly hitting Zach, he shot more lasers at dimmed appendage. The shots hit their mark, causing the appendage to dim out completely, now looking like a dying fire. Blazeian then lost altitude a bit, as the appendages are what keep it levitating. As it corrected itself the best it could, Zach has already on the other side, firming at the other appendage.
As that one dimmed too, Blazeian's upper body fell towards to eh ground, pulling the rest of the body with it, as just two of its appendages couldn't support its weight. As Blazeian hit the ground, Zach immediately performed his charge, shooting up higher into the air. He then came down, creating an explosion and sending Blazeian flying away. As it landed, it tried to pick itself up, but looking ahead of itself, it saw Vinyl with her bass cannon pointed strait at it. With a smile, Vinyl fired at Blazeian, causing it to roar in pain as it was pushed back. As the attack ended, Blazeian laid there, motionless, but then it twitched, and kept doing this until its color change, changing into a cyan and blue color.
"It's now in its ice form!" Zach said. Blazeian's damaged appendages lit back up, now the same color as its body. With its appendages working again, it took to the sky, looking down at the heroes with spite in its orange eyes. It breathed in more air, before letting out blue fireballs. The ponies moved out of the way, as the fire made contact with the ground, the ground froze in the place the fire made contact with. Zach yelled in pain as he was hit by a fireball, the area he was struck at being covered in a thin layer of frost.
"Zach, are you alright?!" Octavia asked worriedly, coming up to him.
"Yeah, I'm fine." He said with slight pain in his voice. "It's fire is like dry ice, very painful. Oh, I regret making this thing." He said, the last part to himself. The two heard a roar as Blazeian made a dive towards them. Zach pushed Octavia out of the way while he himself moved to the side of where Blazeian would be, encasing his back hooves. Turning around, he give the incoming appendage a powerful buck, resulting in it dimming completely. With Blazeian being so close to the ground, it's lost in altitude caused it to hit the ground, sending it rolling.
As it came to a stop, Twilight was already on it, shooting her own lasers at its other appendages. Meanwhile, Zach made his way to the downed dragon, encasing his hooves again. He ran up to Blazeian's head and started pounding on it, Blazeian grunted with each hit. But it soon recollected itself and tried to fire at him and Twilight, though it missed Zach, it managed to hit Twilight's wing, sending her to the ground.
"Vinyl, now!" Zach called out as he ran to Twilight.
"On it!" She called back as she shot her bass cannon at Blazeian again. The blast sent it tumbling again, as she was dealing with the dragon, Zach went to go check on Twilight.
"Are you alright?" He asked.
"No, not really." She answered as she picked herself up. She looked back at her wing, seeing a layer of frost on it. "I don't think I'll be able to fly for now." She said as she tried to move her numb wing, Zach understood, nodding his head.
"Watch out!" Vinyl called out. Blazeian had managed to recover and was now headed trait towards the two. Zach thought quickly, he needed to protect himself and Twilight. He planted his hooves into the ground and summoned up a shield. Just as the shield formed, Blazeian rammed into it at full force. Zach grunted as pressure started building up on his skull. Blazeian backed up, shaking its head, trying to rid itself of the pain of ramming into the shield.
Once it's pain subsided, the dragon moved to the right, trying to get behind the shield. But Zach kept facing towards it, making sure the shield was between it and the two ponies. Once Blazeian saw it was not going to be able to get behind the shield, it resorted to trying to break it. It shot some cold fire at the shield, not doing much though. Seeing this, it flew back into the sky, turning back to Zach after reaching a certain point.
"Oh crap..." Zach said worriedly, as it knew what the dragon had in mind. Blazeian then charged at the alicorn's shield. With one powerful hit, the shield shattered. The impact on the shield transferred into Zach, sending him flying back, and landing painfully against the library, leaving an imprint on it. Zach was pealed off the tree by gravity, allowing him to fall painfully to the ground. He groaned as his whole body ached. Blazeian shook off its own pain, as the pain left its head, it focused on Twilight.
She was to busy looking back at Zach to notice the dragon eyeballing her. It breathed in, planning on putting Twilight on ice. As it was about to shoot though, it was nailed by the bass beam, causing it to miss fire and send it flying. Twilight turned back around, only now remembering what was happening. She looked at the now downed. Blazeian, then back at Vinyl, who saved her. After a moment of silence, Blazeian was back up in the air, now it's body a grey and black color.
The ponies looked back up at the dragon, shocked that it was still going.
"Damn it," Twilight said under her breath, annoyed with this creature. "how tough did Zach make this thing!?" She asked aloud. Blazeian breathed in more air, before letting out a beam of dark fire. Twilight and Vinyl quickly moved out of the way as the fire tore through the ground. Zach was barely picking himself off the ground, Blazeian really did a number on him. He looked back at the fight, just in time to see the dark fire beam run across the ground.
Zach looked up seeing Blazeian in its final form.
"Dark Blazeian already?" He asked before shaking his head. He needed to help his friends right now. He looked back up, trying to determine who Blazeian's next target would be. The dragon breathed in and shot out another beam, Zach followed the beam and saw it was aimed at- "Octavia!" Zach called out. Octavia moved out of the way of the beam while looking back at Zach with a smile on her face.
"Zach!" She called out to him, glad that he was alright. Meanwhile Blazeian dove down and was headed strait for her.
"Watch out!" Zach tried to warn her, but it was too late. Octavia turned towards the dark dragon, attempting to dodge it, but it was already to close. It rammed into her, causing her to scream out in agony. She rolled of Blazeian's head onto the ground, Blazeian just smirked as it was able to score such a damaging hit. Zach ran to her position, worried what might have happened to her. As he reached her, Zach saw the her underside, legs and left side of her torso was all severely burnt. Blazeian made a U-turn, planning on doing the same thing to Zach.
Twilight warned him, but it fell upon death ears, as Zach already knew what the dragons intentions were. Zach looked up at the dragon, glaring at it. He encased his hoof, waiting for the right moment. As Blazeian was a few feet from the two, Zach reared up his leg, and as. Blazeian quickly neared them, Zach threw his hoof forward. The magic encased hoof made contact with the dragons head, causing the dragon to come to a dead stop.
After a moment of the two standing still, seemingly frozen in time, Blazeian was the first to move. Rearing up and roaring in pain, reveling a crack on its head. Zach continued his assault, encasing both hooves and hitting Blazian on both sides of the head. He then encased his back legs, turned around and gave a powerful buck to Blazeian's head, gaining him a charge. Without a second thought, Zach activated his charge, soaring through the air, turning back towards the ground and heading for the dragon.
"Die!" Zach yelled out as he impacted the ground, sending the dragon flying. Blazeian floated in the air, as its body started turning into ash, soon being blown away by the wind. Zach was breathing heavily from his assault, and, after a minute, he fell down onto his side. |
Umarekawari | The Final Drawing | Twilight was the first to rush over towards the downed alicorn.
"Zach! Zach, are you alright?!" She franticly asked when she reached him.
"Yeah... yeah... I'm fine." He said, but it was evident that he was not alright. "Don't... worry about me... Just take care of... the others." The white alicorn said through pained breathes. Zach didn't care about his own condition, he cared more about his friends, his friends who were severely burnt from Blazeian.
"Zach, their already being taken care of. Right now though, I'm worried about you." She said, however, her words fell upon deaf ears, as Zach had passed out from exhaustion. Worried, Twilight put her ear to his chest, hoping the worst had not happened. However, she sighed in relief as she heard his his heart beat. As she removed her head from his chest, she realized that Ponyville's hospitals wouldn't be able to treat the three, Zach, Rainbow and Octavia. They just didn't have the right equipment, but she knew a place that did.
Zach woke up with a jolt, finding himself on what appeared to be a hospital bed. He tried to recall what had happen to put him on the bed, he then remembered that Blazeian had worn him out, not to mention making him ram into a wall. He pushed himself up from the bed, and took in his surroundings. He was a in hospital, but that much should have been known from the get go. He wasn't attached to any large machine, to check his heart rate and the like. As he was looking around though, he heard the faint creeking of an opening door.
"Ah, Zach! Your awake!" The joyful purple alicorn said. Twilight quickly made her way to him, enveloping him in a hug.
"Hey Twilight." Zach said. "How long have I been out?"
"You've been out for about five hours and thirty minutes." She replied. The white alicorn simply looked at her before saying.
"Oddly specific." After a moment of awkward silence, Zach spoke again. "So... how are Rainbow and Octavia?"
"Well..." Zach bit his lip at the tone that she pronounced that word. "they're fine, at the very least. But their burns are so severe though, it will take a while before the doctors can completely heal them." With the words leaving her mouth, the room was filled with dead silence once again. Neither of them seemed to know what to say after that. The silence that had filled the room had been broken by a long, deep sigh.
Zach slowly got himself out of the bed, not wanting to stay in the hospital for long. As he made it onto solid ground, he grunted in pain, his left leg hurt just to stand on it.
"Be carful Zach. In the last fight with Blazeian, you pulled some muscles, namely your left leg." Twilight said as she made her way to his said to support him if she needed to.
"Good to know." Zach said sarcastically. He lifted his hoof, making his way out of the room like a dog with a sticker in its paw. Twilight followed him out, ready to help him if he needed to be helped. As the two left the room, Zach could practically feel all the eyes that laid upon them, from patients, to nurses, to doctors. He paid them no mind however, all he wanted to do right now, was to get outside. As the two alicorns neared the door, Twilight hurried up ahead, upending the door with her magic to allow Zach to leave. "Thanks Twilight."
As the white alicorn reached the outside, the suns rays were beating down on his eyes. He put his left hoof over his eyes to block out the light from his eyes, resulting in some more pain. He allowed his eyes to adjust to the light, but when he saw where he actually was, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
"Twilight, where are we?" He asked the purple alicorn as she too exited the hospital. She looked at him before saying.
"Oh, we're in Canterlot." Zach looked around. They were in fact in Canterlot, he could see the expensive looking building, the rich and snobby civilians walking the streets, yup, Canterlot.
"Why are we here?" Zach questioned. "Ponyville has a hospital, sooo, why are we not there?"
"Well, Ponyville's does have a hospital, but they won't be able to treat the type of wounds that Rainbow and Octavia have."
"And... why can't they?"
"Because the unicorns there don't have the proper magic to regenerate lost tissue, muscle, skin. I'm sure you saw how Rainbow had to let her wing heal on its own."
"Yeah."
"Well... that's pretty much why."
"Okay-wait, then why hadn't they healed my leg?" Zach asked, raising his leg up a bit.
"I can only guess... they didn't have enough doctors?" Twilight said with an awkward smile. Zach scrunched his nose.
"Magnificent." Zach deadpanned, doing his Spy impression.
Zach and Twilight decided to walk around, seeing as there isn't any danger... yet, and they really don't have much better things to do. As they were walking, Zach couldn't get something off his mind.
"Twilight..." Zach got her attention. "Do you ever... wonder why I'm here?"
"Zach, are you-" Twilight began to ask, worried for him, but was cut off by Zach.
"No, I'm not depressed or anything like that. What I'm asking is why I'm here, like... how do I put this?" Zach thought for a moment of how to word his question. "Like, why was I chosen? Out of the millions of humans back on earth, why was I chosen to appear in Equestria like this. Because I'm sure there haven't been any other pony-turned humans, has there?"
"Not to my knowledge, no." Twilight responded.
"Then there is a reason to question why I'm here. Not only that, but also about my magic. Even you said you're not capable of this kind of magic."
"So, you're saying that you shouldn't be here?"
"No... what I'm really saying is that, I'm here for a reason, whether it be to defend you guys from the umbralings, or some other reason. I don't know, but I do know I am here for a reason, and that I have this magic for a reason." As Zach is explaining this, Twilight sees something headed strait for him.
"Watch out!" She yelled out, lunging herself at Zach and pushing him out of the way of a red laser.
"Holy shit!" Zach blurted out when they landed back on the ground.
"Zach! Language!" Twilight scolded him.
"Sorry!" Zach apologized. He saw another laser heading toward them, acting quick, Zach summoned up a shield, blocking the laser from cutting through them. As the laser ended, Zach stopped producing his shield, and looked up to see who-or what-the offender was. Looking up, he saw a mechanical creature, it appeared to look like a shield with a dark red spike in the middle. It was designed with two red lines intersecting each other at the spike. The lines had an 'X' shape towards the end of the body.
There was two other sets of slanted white lines, again, intersecting at the middle. They were cut off from going towards the end of the body by some black plating. The actual body of the robot was a dark blue. Sprouting from the center of the back were four arms, each ending in a smaller circle with a dark red spike, resembling the actual body. One of the arms was pointed at Twilight and Zach, presumably where the laser had been shot from.
"Ah, X-Valor, one of my most powerful drawings." Zach said, mostly to himself.
"That's one things I never got, how are these drawings so powerful?" Twilight asked, getting back up to her hooves.
"Well, you imagine what they would do and how they would attack, that kind of stuff."
"...Really?" Twilight raised an eyebrow.
"What, I may have wanted to put them in like a game or animation or something." Zach defended himself before turning to X-Valor again. The robot moved one of its arms towards him, attempting to crush him. Before the arm could obliterate him, he jumped to the left, avoiding the attack, but at the cost of hitting his leg. Zach collapsed to the ground as his put all his weight on his left side as X-Valor's arm smashed into the ground at his right. It lifted its arms, reveling an impression in the ground where it had attacked.
As Zach got back up to his hooves, he decided to leave the ground and take to the air instead. He figured he would be able to fight better in the air instead. Wasting no time, he quickly shot three lasers at the levitating robot. But as the lasers made contact, it didn't seem to do anything to it, it didn't even seem to register it was just attacked. It swung its arm towards the white alicorn, causing Zach to yelp as he narrowly dodges the attack.
Twilight had started to shoot her own lasers as well, gaining X-Valor's attention as it turned around to try and knock her out of the sky.
'I didn't even feel a charge building up. So that means... my lasers are useless against this guy!' Zach thought to himself. He wasn't going to be able to hurt X-Valor that way, so instead, he needed an alternative way to hurt it. He flared out his wings and took to the air, heading towards the robot. Meanwhile, Twilight had her hooves full with dodging X-Valor's swings and the occasional laser beam.
She was beginning to pant a bit, dodging and attacking was taking its toll on her. The robot made another swing, Twilight tried to move, but she wasn't fast enough and was caught by the robot arm. She was flung towards the ground, crashing into a few houses. Zach's eyes widened, but he kept his mouth shut, he was trying to attack X-Valor from behind and didn't want to miss this chance. As he neared the unaware robot, he encased his hooves. But as he raised his leg to strike, he mistaking raised his left leg, he clenched his teeth and grunted in pain.
X-Valor had heard this and quickly turned around, it's arm at the ready. It swung forward, nailing Zach on the side. As Zach was sent sailing through the air, he managed to correct himself just in time before ramming into a house. From there, he flew to the left, avoiding X-Valor's arm. Zach quickly turned back around, hitting the robots arm with his right hoof. Though he felt a charge building up now, the attack seemed to do very little to the robot.
X-Valor quickly swung it's it arm to the left, nailing Zach again. The white alicorn slammed into the ground, creating a trail as he smashed through it.
"Oh... that's going to be another trip to the hospital." Zach said as he slowly picked himself off the ground, wiping blood off his mouth. Looking up, he saw X-Valor was hovering above him, its arms pointed strait at him, most likely ready to shoot laser beams at him. "Bloody wanker." Zach hissed under his breath. X-Valor was about to finish him off, until a midnight blue mean of magic hit its sides, throwing off its aim. Zach looked beyond the robot to see a familiar blue alicorn. 'Luna'?!
X-Valor turned towards the lunar princess and proceeded to shoot lasers at her instead. However, Luna dodged through them like nothing.
"You will have to try better than that." She said, blasting X-Valor again, and for the first time, it actually liked pained. As X-Valor was trying to recollect itself, Luna landed near Zach. "Are you alright, Zach?" She asked.
"Peachy." He said. "To tell you the truth, I was not expecting to see you here."
"Well it is my job to protect the ponies of Equestria, of course I would join this battle." She said. She then noticed Zach holding his left hoof up. Knowing what was wrong, Luna worked her magic on his leg, instantly, Zach felt a tingling sensation come across his leg. As it stopped, he moved his leg around, now feeling any pain while doing so.
"Wow, thanks Luna." Zach said, setting his now healed leg on the ground.
"You're welcome Zach, now go check on Twilight, I'll handle this metal beast." She said as she took to the air again and headed for the robot. Zach nodded as he himself took to the air to find Twilight, which wasn't hard to do, since she was in a gaping hole in the side of a building. Zach quickly flew down to her, picking her out of the reckage with his magic as gently as possible.
"Twilight, are you alright?" He asked, only to be answered by a glare from her barely conscious form. "Okay, stupid question. Are you alive then?" He was answered again by another glare. "... Oh just tell me your condition then!"
"Well, I'm still alive. But I'm sure I have multiple broken bones." She said as she coughed up some blood. "There is... also that, and all the cuts on my body as well." She said. Zach looked her over, and she indeed was littered with cuts, both big and small.
"Alright, just hang on for a minute." He said, as he wrapped his magic around her, and carrying her out of the hole as gently as possible. As he exited the hole, he saw Luna and X-Valor still going at eachother. The robot had burn marks from being blasted, and the alicorn had cuts and bruises from being slammed into the ground and buildings. Zach gently set Twilight on the ground, finding no better place to set her.
Just as he did, Luna crashed into the building next to them. Looking up, Zach saw the robot was looking at them. Without hesitation, it made the move and swung its arm towards them. Zach summoned up a shield, blocking the attack. But X-Valor was not going to settle for that, it started turning its arm, the spike drilling the shield as sparks flew from the two. Zach started sweating, doing his best to keep the shield up.
Soon, X-Valor broke through the shield, causing it to shatter. Zach yelled out in pain as he held his chest, feeling as though he had just been stabbed. X-Valor was about to crush them and finish them for good, but it was once again shot by Luna, canceling its attack. Luna landed near the two other alicorns, looking up at X-Valor.
"Zach," She said, getting his attention. "can you distract it so I can heal Twilight?"
"Distract the rampaging, death crazed robot. Got it." He said as he recovered, flying up to X-Valor. "Hey X-Valor!" He yelled out, getting the robots attention. "Go fuck yourself-I don't have fingers..." He said, unable to give the robot the finger. He seemed to have struck a wire, as X-Valor completely forgot about Luna and Twilight and instead was focusing solely on Zach at the moment. It shot a laser beam at Zach, who was able to dodge it.
"It's a good thing I'm a good dodger, damn those dodgeball games." He said to himself, dodging another laser. X-Valor then swung an arm at him, but again, he dodged it, hitting the robot in return with an encased hoof. He quickly moved away as he did so though, anticipating it to try and hit him. And just as he thought, X-Valor, swung its arm to try to hit him. With successfully dodging the attack, Zach made his way to the main body of the robot, encasing his hooves as he did so. "Fool me once, shame on you!" He said referring to when he dodged the arm, only to be hit by it again. He hit X-Valor once after he said it. "Fool me twice, shame on me!" He said, hitting X-Valor once more. The robot tried to laser him, crossing the two laser beams in front of itself in a attempt to hit him, but Zach was already gone.
"Conga you fools." Zach said in his Soldier impression, dancing in the air. It was obvious that by Zach making light of the situation, X-Valor was getting more irritated by the second. Its attacks were becoming less thought out, and more so 'I just want to hurt you' now. Zach dodged another attack from the robot and instead hit its arm instead. "It's just like a boss, first you learn their pattern, then you know how to kill them." Zach commented. "Just three more hits, then I get my charge." He said to himself again, as he dodged another laser beam.
X-Valor was now getting fed up with constantly missing, so it just started shooting all four of its lasers at Zach. But all this was accomplishing was making the robot even more mad, as Zach was now able to dodge the attacks with a little more ease. Just as it was about to swing at Zach, it was shot in the back by a powerful blast. Turning back, it saw Luna and Twilight in the air again. With the attack and its inability to hit Zach, it had enough. It let out a metallic roar as it body changed from dark blue to dark red, it's spikes turning purple as well.
It spread out its arms, electricity arching out from the now purple spikes. The electricity hit the three alicorns, causing them to yell out in pain and fall from the sky onto the ground below.
"Ow... can't dodge electricity." Zach said to himself as he picked himself up. He looked back at Twilight and Luna, seeing that they too were picking themselves up. Looking back at X-Valor, he saw that a orb of energy was forming around the large spike on its body. The orb started to grow in size, Zach then realized what it was doing. "Oh crap!" He exclaimed. Luna looked back at the robot and saw its preparation for an attack. Thinking quickly, she grabbed herself, Twilight and Zach in her magic and teleported them onto a nearby roof, out of the way of the attack.
X-Valor shot a beam down at the street below, still thinking that they were down there. As the attack ended, the street was black and crumbled, seeing no bodies, X-Valor looked around for the tree alicorns. However, it received a punch in the back by Zach.
"Wanker!" He shouted out as he punched the robot again. Acting quickly he attacked it one last time, earning his charge, however, he was hit by the robot, being sent into a building. X-Valor, though it managed to hit Zach, had enough of this. It turned towards the sky, spread out its arms and shot laser beams out. It started turning and moving its arms in random directions, causing as much damage to the town as possible.
Twilight just watched as her birthplace was being destroyed by this accursed monster. Deep inside herself, she felt something she had not felt for a long time, true anger. Zach was barely pulling himself out of building when he saw flames come from the top of the building he was in. Looking up, he managed to catch Twilight heading towards X-Valor, her body now an orange color and her mane and tail fire now.
"Holy crap!" He exclaimed as he watched her ram into the robot, canceling its attack on the city. The robot tried to counter attack, but Twilight was to swift, as she started wailing on the monster. Zach could only watch with wide eyes and a smirk on his face, he wasn't expecting this. Luna gingerly flew down to Zach level in the building, watching the carnage as it unfolded as well. "I can safely say... Twilight has a worse temper than me."
"Agreed." Luna simply said, recalling what had happened to Blueblood, it wasn't anything like this, that's for sure. Meanwhile, X-Valor was having its metal butt handed to it. There was dents in it, the metal was peeling off,electricity was coursing through it body, some chunks of the body were missing, even one of its arms were gone. However, Twilight wasn't finished yet, she called forth all her magic, putting it into a beam that she shot strait at X-Valor. The beam hit it directly in the center, sending it crashing down into the ground. After using that attack, Twilight finally calmed down, her colors returning and nearly passing out from using so much magic at once. She was even barely able to keep herself in the air.
Seeing the robot on the ground, Zach quickly jumped out of the building.
"My turn!" He called out as he headed towards the robot. Once he was close enough, he activated his charge, lifting up into the oar, then coming back down for the finale. He crashed back down, sending X-Valor into the air. Its remaining arms exploded off of its body, flying off into the distance. Small explosion started occurring through it body, slowly tearing it apart. Soon, a large explosion occurred, blowing the front of the body clean off. The corpse of the robot landed back on the ground, now nothing more than scrap.
"And another victory for the good guys." Zach simply said, earning a small chuckle from Luna and Twilight. |
Umarekawari | Umbra | "Twilight, how are you feeling?" Zach asked. The two alicorns were soaring through the air, on there way back to Ponyville. After the battle with X-Valor, Luna had returned to the castle while Zach and Twilight took a well deserved rest. It had turned night while to two were resting, either way, they decided to head back to Ponyville anyways.
"Much better, you know, it felt good to get all the anger off my chest." She said with a slight smile. Zach simply smiled back as well, if it wasn't for her rage, the battle may have taken much longer than it should have, with much more damage. "Zach?" She asked. "I know this is out of the blue, but, what are you going to do once all this is over?" Zach looked thoughtful for a moment before responding.
"I'm not sure. My original plan was to try and get back to my planet, but now, I don't know."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, that, I was brought here for a reason, like I said before. And I think I know why, to protect you guys, and fight off the umbralings." He said. He was sure that's why he was brought here. "So... I'm probably just going to stay here, in Equestria."
"Are... you sure?" Twilight asked with some concern.
"I'm sure, besides, if I return like how I am now, well... let's just say humans won't take it very well." He said. He did not want to be some sort of science project. Zach looked forward, seeing that they were nearing Ponyville. However, something was very wrong. Ponies were running and screaming in terror from all too familiar creatures.
"It's another umbraling attack!" Zach yelled as he dove down into the town center. Twilight's eyes widened as she too dove down. Below, an umbraling had a pony by the hair, ready to bite down on the back of the neck, that is, until Zach landed on top of it, crushing many of its bones in the process. Now free, the mare ran off, happy to be alive. The umbraling under Zach let off a low growl, trying to push him off. "Oh, shut up." Zach said, curb stomping the umbralings head, killing it. Twilight soon landed by his side, shooting at an umbraling in front of the two.
Twilight looked at Zach worriedly.
"Why are they attacking so late at night?" She asked, while blasting another umbraling. Just as Zach was about to answer, someone else beat him to it.
"They're attacking because I had them do it." A dark voice said. Turning to the source, they both saw not standing far away from them a taller, more slim umbraling, and behind it many more umbralings.
"Did... that one just talk?" Zach asked, somewhat shocked.
"I-I think it did." Twilight said, shocked too.
"Of course I can talk! I'm the empress of the fucking umbralings!" The empress said, a bit irritated. Both Zach and Twilight's eyes widened.
"The empress?!" They both questioned at the same time.
"Yes!" She said. "I'm here to finally put an end to you shits! You have foiled us for too long now!"
"Uh, it's only been like... three days." Zach stated, causing the empress' eye to twitch.
"I don't care, I'm still going to kill you! When I'm done with you, I'll turn your ribcage into a whine rack and your spine into a spine rack!" She proclaimed.
"I swear, I've heard that before somewhere." Zach said, mostly to himself. The umbraling empress bent over, starting to grow in size, first horns sprouted from her head. Then her legs started splitting apart, forming into tentacles, her claws grow out as well. When her transformation was done, she was now a true monster, a little over double in height of the two alicorns. "Well, that's intimidating." Zach commented again.
The empress smirked evilly, she brought a claw up and snapped her fingers. Two of the umbralings behind her looked at eachother before slowly moving to her sides. Then, she brought up two of her tentacles, then drove them through the umbraling's eyes. Both of them seemed like they wanted to scream out in pain, but couldn't. She then took her tentacles out of the umbralings eyes, they were jerked forward, but then froze for a moment.
At first, nothing happened, but suddenly, the two umbralings exploded, making Twilight and Zach cover their eyes from the fluids. Once that was over, they looked back at the two, and what they saw made their jaws drop. The umbralings top halves were gone, now nothing more than a pair of legs with five flailing tentacles at the top of them.
"Okay, that's disturbing on multiple levels." Zach once again commented.
(Eeveesprit - [MLP:FIM] BOSS BATTLE: vs chrysalis! (1.0))
"Kill them!" The empress yelled as she pointed towards the two, her voice now distorted and demonic. The umbralings obliged, even the tentacle umbralings, waddling over to the two. Zach put up a shield, blocking the incoming spikes while Twilight fired lasers from the sides of the shield, wanting to see something, Zach got Twilight's attention.
"Hey, Twilight, try shooting through the shield." He said, almost casually.
"Why?" She questioned, not taking her focus off the umbralings.
"Just try, I want to see something." Twilight shrugged her shoulders, moving behind the shield and firming another bolt of magic, watching as it went strait throug, hitting another umbraling. "Okay, so this is a one way shield, good to know. So now you can attack with more safety." He said, looking back though, the two tentacle umbralings had made their way to the shield and started pounding on it. "Get ready to fly Twilight." Zach said, Twilight simply nodded. After a few more hits on the shield, Zach suddenly called out. "Now!" He said while ending the shield. Both him and Twilight flew out of the way as spikes flew underneath them.
While Twilight fight the regular umbralings from the air, Zach went directly for the empress. She saw this and, without hesitation, stabbed two other umbralings in the eye, turning them into tentacle umbralings. The two umbralings tried to whip Zach out of the sky, their tentacles extending to reach him. Zach dodged one tentacle, and when a second when tried to hit him, he grabbed it in his magic, pulling up the umbraling. He turned in the air, swinging the umbraling around, he then got closer to the empress, wacking her with the umbraling he had in his grasp.
The empress had a murderous look as she grabbed the umbraling, then proceeding to cut it in half, killing it.
"Well then... she doesn't give two shits about her umbralings." Zach said, only to yelp in surprise after dodging a tentacle from the empress. However, the same appendage moved and wrapped around Zach, bringing him down and slamming him into the ground. The empress picked him up again, slamming him into a nearby building, as she was about to pick him up again, a midnight blue sword sliced her tentacle off, causing her to scream out in agony. Zach quickly threw off the quickly melting tentacle, and looked up to see who his savior was. Again, it was somepony he was not expecting to see.
"Luna?" Zach asked, seeing the blue alicorn flying above the battle. She dove to the ground, landing next to Zach.
"Hello once again Zach." She greeted him.
"So.. you're here to join the battle I take it?"
"Of course, I wouldn't just save you then fly off."
"Okay, but I must question, why haven't you come to help with the other battles?"
"That's simple, because I knew you could handle them." She responded, Zach just looked at her for a moment before shaking his head and turning his gaze back to the empress.
"Okay, go help Twilight, this bitch is mine." He said, without giving Luna a chance to respond, he flew away towards the empress. Luna watched him go off before flying over to Twilight. Zach fired a volley of laser at the empress, who responded by raising her tentacles to block to incoming attacks. Though it did protect her, Zach felt a charge building up. He landed back on the ground, ready to fire more lasers at the empress, but instead, she sent out some umbralings to deal with him. Zach was faced with two regular umbralings, a shooter and an armored umbraling.
The shooter made the first move, shooting spikes from its claws at him. Zach quickly put up a shield, not only blocking the spikes, but also blocking the charge from the armored umbraling. As soon as the shooter ran out of spikes, Zach called off his shield and encased his hoof. The armored umbraling charged at him again, but Zach jumped, clotheslining the umbraling. The other two umbralings then moved in, the front most trying to cut him with its claws. However Zach punched it in the face, disorienting it, he then turned around and gave it a solid buck. The umbraling stumbled back, running into its ally, the alicorn then moved in, punching both with an encased hoof, shattering their skulls.
This resulted in Zach gaining a charge, he decided to leave the other two alone and use the charge on the empress. However, the empress herself appeared in front of Zach, time seemed to slow down as he tried to register what had happened. The empress moved moved her claw towards Zach, nailing him in the horn. He didn't have time to worry about the pain in his horn as the empress then used her tentacles to smack the white alicorn away. Zach was thrown back by the sheer force of the hit, flying back-first into Twilight house. Zach quickly got his bearings together, getting back to his hooves, resulting in some pained grunts from him.
"Damn it... she knows about my charge." He said under his breath. Zach looked back up just in time to see three tentacles heading his way, he acted quickly, dodging out of the way as the appendages made contact with the tree behind him. Meanwhile Twilight and Luna were fairing a bit better than he was at the moment. Taking care if the umbralings was not that hard, Twilight dealt with the shooters and regular umbraling while Luna took care of the armored and tentacle umbralings. The shooters and tentacles managed to get some hits in everyone and then, as they were the only ones that could hit the two princess's.
"How are you doing Princess?" Twilight asked Luna as she blasted another shooter.
"Quite well, actually." She replied while slicing off the tentacles of an umbraling. "And Twilight you so t have to refer to me as princess anymore, we're on the same level now."
"Princess, you can raise the moon, I've yet to find my role as a princess, I'm not on the same level as you." Twilight responds as she zaps an umbraling below. Luna casually chuckled, as if the situation at hand didn't even faze her.
"You'll soon find you purpose, Princess Twilight." Luna said with a smile, causing Twilight to blush a little.
"I wonder how Zach is doing." Twilight though aloud.
"PIECE OF PISS!" The two alicorns heard Zach angrily cry out.
"I'm sure that answered your question." Luna said. Back with Zach, he had just gained another charge, but hadn't used it, instead, he threw up a shield to block a tentacle from the empress, who was trying to cancel out his charge.
"Quit fucking around and piss off!" Zach said in his Sniper impression. Out of his vision though, the empress had another tentacle headed strait for Zach. As soon as Zach realized this, it was already too late. The tentacle struck his horn, canceling out the charge again. Zach cursed in anger, calling back the shield, out of pure hatred, he shot out a volley of lasers at the empress. He shot out so many, even he couldn't count them, the empress raised her tentacles to block the incoming barrage of lasers. He soon stopped however, doing that tired him out very quickly, it did at least give him charge in doing so.
As the empress removed her tentacles from protecting her, she saw that Zach had a charge and, without hesitation, tried to take it away from him. Zach eyes widened as he quickly moved out of the way of the incoming tentacles. Eventually, Zach managed to get far enough from the empress, he landed on the ground attempting to catch his breath. The empress stared at him for a moment before closing its eye, when it reopened its eye, it was glow purple.
"Huh?" Zach saw the eye, wondering what it meant. Soon after, the empress let out a scream, as a purple beam fired from her eye. Zach screamed out in surprise, quickly moving out of the way of the beam. Some unfortunate umbralings were fried by the beam, now nothing more than charred corpses. "Holy eye beam!" Zach said, he looked back at the empress, seeing that she was preamp earring another beam. Wasting no time, he jumped into the air, narrowly dodging the next beam.
However, Zach had made a mistake by flying too close to the empress, as she ended the beam, she sent another tentacle after him. Zach wanted to move out of the way, but he was simply too tired to do so. Just as it was about to strike his horn, something flew in between them.
"Luna!" Zach cried out. The lunar alicorn had flown in front of the tentacle to prevent the empress from taking Zach's charge away. She landed on the ground painfully, a deep cut along her torso signifying where she had been struck. The empress stared at Luna, surprised by her sudden appearance. Zach on the other hand, glared back at the empress, landing on the ground with new found adrenaline. "That's. It!" Zach yelled out, gaining the umbraling's attention, he activated his charge. "I've had enough!" He proclaimed as he launched into the air.
The empress looked up, watching as the alicorn flew higher into the air. She started panicking, thinking quickly however, she prepared another beam. Just as she finished preparing it, Zach was already headed strait for her, a look of anger and determination on his face. She quickly fired the beam, scoring a direct hit. Zach yelled out in pain, but, even though he could feel his flesh burning off his body, he didn't stop his charge, he kept pushing through. As he neared the ground, he let out a deep war cry and just as the empress' beam ended, Zach slammed into the ground.
However, this charge was much more powerful than the other, ponies felt the ground shake beneath them, and the explosion itself was far larger. Suddenly, all at once, the umbralings in the area all fell to the ground, seemingly dead. Seeing this, Twilight gently lowered herself to the ground, and rushed over to the smoke where the explosion had taken place. However, what she saw shocked her. In the smoke was a biped figure, the empress, as she walked forwards towards Twilight. Before she could question anything, the empress fell as well, falling out of the smoke. The entire font of her body was missing, reveling the skeleton and some organs and muscles, all of which had a layer of red magic on them. Twilight took one last glance at the corpse before rushing into the smoke herself.
"Zach? Zach?!" She called out, desperately looking for him. However, the smoke started to clear, allowing Twilight to be able to see. But what she saw, she didn't like. There was no trace of Zach, not even a body, the only indication that showed he was once here was the small crater in the ground. The realization struck her hard, like a knife through the heart. "No..." She silently said, tears starting to form. "No..." She said once more, tears now falling from her eyes. She fell to the ground, her front hooves over her eyes as she silently cried into her hooves. Zach was gone.
Luna, Celestia, and Twilight sat in the throne room. Luna had a huge bandage wrapped around her torso, the cut was to big to just heal with magic. Twilight face was stained with tears and Celestia simply looked down, thinking deeply of what Twilight had told her about the outcome of Zach.
"I... can only come to one conclusion." She said, gaining the two other alicorns attention. "With the beam and the charge, not to mention the damage and exhaustion he suffered from, I can only guess that his body... simply... was vaporized by his own magic."
"What... what do you mean?" Twilight asked in between sobs.
"The beam had started to eat away at his body, combine that with his exhaustion and the charge. He was so focused on... killing the empress, that his body didn't realize what it was being put through until it was too late. When Zach finished the charge, all the pressure from everything that had transpired, his magic... physically consumed him." She stated, a little hesitant on the last part.
"So... Zach sacrificed himself." Luna stated. The whole situation struck her hard as well, but she was doing everything in her power not to let it affect her as much as it did Twilight.
"In... conclusion, yes." Celestia said, turning away to not allow the two to see the tears forming in her eyes.
"Zach..." Twilight silently said to herself, more tears starting to fall.
Zach awoke with a jolt, taking in a deep breath of air, as if it had been the first time he had breathed in a long time. As soon as he calmed down, he noticed that he was no longer outside, he was inside, and a faint beeping noise could be heard. He looked around, seeing that he appeared to be in another hospital room. He went to rub his face, bringing his arms up, that's when he saw it. His arms, no longer white and pony like, they were human, human arms and hands. He sat up a bit, looking himself over. He was a human again, he was back... on earth. |
The Empty Box and the Zeroth Trixie | pre | "...well yeah, I guess that's the only choice..."
"Don't vacillate so much--just write it down!"
"Do you really think she went through all that just to make us write down her name?"
If that were the case, I can't understand why she bothered.
Bubble Berry immediately answers with "Of course not," confirming my doubts.
"Eh? But...you wrote 'Trixie Lulamoon', didn't you?"
"Yeah....listen, Bluey is so intelligent it's not even funny, right? Well, on the other hand, his personality is so bad it's not funny, either."
Because he suddenly changed the topic, I incline my head.
"And he said he would simply write 'Trixie Lulamoon'. So he couldn't think of anything else to write. Of course I'd do no better. What I'm trying to say is, well, we can't come up with an alternative, so we can't write anything else, either."
"If you can't think of something...you can't write it down."
"Exactly. In other words, this exercise wasn't directed at us."
I get the feeling that Bubble Berry just hit the bull's eye. He must be right.
In other words, Trixie doesn't care about most of her classmates and is only doing this for the person who can actually think of something else.
I understand why Bubble Berry seemed so depressed just now. I mean, he fell for her at first sight. His confession might have been half in jest, but I don't know of anyone else he's confessed to. So he was actually more or less sincere.
But she didn't return his affections. His existence was being ignored...just like Blueblood said.
"...Bubble Berry, you're surprisingly bright."
"The 'surprisingly' is unnecessary!"
While I try to hide my rude comment behind a bashful smile, Bubble Berry reacts by smiling bitterly.
"See you later. If I don't leave now, I'll get killed by my seniors. No, I'm not exaggerating!"
"Ah, yeah. Go for it."
Our so-so baseball team seems to be pretty demanding.
I look down at my blank sheet of paper. I am about to write 'Trixie Lulamoon', but just can't do it.
I gaze at Trixie. Her expression doesn't change in the slightest as she looks through the papers that were handed to her. I guess 'Trixie Lulamoon' is written on every single one.
--someone who can't think of anything can't write anything.
"----"
Then what am I supposed to do?
After all that, I do manage to think of something. For some reason, the absurd name 'Beatrix' comes to mind.
I'm aware that something's wrong with me. 'Beatrix' of all things. I have no idea where this name came from. If I hand my paper to her with this name, she will just roar something at me, like 'You've gotta be kidding me!'
But what if this is, by chance, the answer she's wishing for...?
After some severe equivocation, I start writing on the 8.5" x 11" lined paper.
'Beatrix'
I stand up and head over to Trixie. There isn't a line anymore. Looks like I am the last person left. I nervously hand her my paper. Trixie accepts it wordlessly.
Then she looks at what's written there.
And her expression changes. Massively.
"...eh?"
Trixie's eyes are wide open, even though she didn't show the slightest stirrings of unease when facing off against our teacher and Prince Blueblood?
"Fufufu..."
She suddenly bursts into laughter.
"Spike."
"Oh, you remembered my name."
I instantly regret saying that. Because, when she stops laughing, she scowls at me as if I were her arch-enemy.
"...You...! Are you freaking kidding me?!?"
She seems to have frantically suppressed her anger, since she only manages to speak in a low, chesty voice. I expected the 'kidding' part, but the tone of her voice is rather surprising.
She seizes me by the collar with all her strength.
"Wa! I-I'm sorry! I-It's not like I was messing with you..."
"So you're telling me that you can write such an answer without it being some kind of joke?"
"...err, well. You...might be right. I might have been kidding around."
This may have been the finishing blow.
Without ever letting go of my collar, she drags me in her wake, all the way to the back of the school building. ✵
"Spike. Are you making fun of me?"
Trixie shoves me against the wall of the school building and glares at me.
"I'm not that good at coming up with plans. I'm aware of that. So I came up with an insane plan that's on the level of saying 'Culprit, turn yourself in!' No, you can't even call it a plan. And yet...Why the heck are you taking the bait!? And this is already the second time I've done this! The first time you completely ignored it!"
She removes her hand from my collar, but the pressure of her furious gaze is more than enough to hold me in place.
Trixie continues to glare at me while chewing on her lips, and then sighs.
"...no, I lost my composure because I finally got a response by using such a ridiculous method. But that means the situation is definitely improving, so I guess I should actually be happy."
"...yeah, I guess. You should be happy! Hahaha."
Trixie scowls again at my forced smile. I should probably just stay silent.
"...I don't get it. Actually, I was thinking you might have been defeated by my persistence...but what's with this ignorant, relaxed face of yours!"
I'm not ignorant, I have no clue what you're talking about!
"You kept ignoring me for 2,600 iterations. I refuse to surrender, however many times this endless recurrence shall continue. However, I still feel fatigue. You should feel the same, so how can you maintain such composure?!"
What should I...I have no idea what you're talking about.
Apparently she finally notices my bewilderment and looks at me suspiciously.
"......are you perhaps not self-aware?"
"Self-aware? Of what?"
"...very well. Whether you're acting or not, an explanation shouldn't do much harm. Hm, right. To put it simply--I've already 'transferred' 2,601 times."
All I can do is be blankly amazed.
"If you're just acting then you're quite amazing. But if you really 'didn't know', it'd certainly be natural for you to have such a dull look. Whatever. I'll explain what I know. Mh, right--today's March 2nd, right?"
I nodded.
"It would be easier to say that I've repeated this March 2nd 2,601 times, but that isn't quite right. For that reason I use the expression school transfer, although that's not really appropriate either. I've been sent back to March 2nd, 6:27 A.M. 2,601 times."
"......"
"'Sent back' is the correct expression from my own perspective, but it's not universally correct. So I'm using the expression school transfer here, since it's closer to what actually happens--"
Trixie sees that my jaw has dropped and scratches her head.
"Aah, geez! Just how dumb are you! If there's anything you disapprove of around 06:27 A.M., you simply declare it 'void', don't you!" She shouts at me, practically boiling over inside. No, no...no one in my position would be able to follow her line of reasoning, right?
"...I don't really understand, but you've been repeating the same day over and over?"
It happens at the very instant I say that.
"Ah--"
What? What's this?
I press my chest, where an intense, strange sensation is attacking me. I feel uneasy...no, 'uneasy' is an understatement. It's a deeply eerie sensation, as if your hometown were suddenly replaced by a totally different town and you're the only person who noticed.
It's not like my memories have returned. I haven't recalled anything new.
But for some reason I can feel that something was there.
Trixie is telling the truth.
Just the bare truth.
"Do you finally understand?"
"...w-wait a sec."
She's experienced March 2nd 2,601 times. That alone would be more than enough to throw me off my stride, but basically Trixie is stating:
"...I am responsible for this?"
"Yeah," Trixie answers on the spot.
"W-Why would I do that?"
"How could I possibly understand your motives."
"I'm not the one doing this!"
"How can you say that when you're not even self-aware?"
I was about to say, 'Why me?' but I realize there's only one thing that made me stand out.
I wrote 'Beatrix' on that sheet of paper.
"Just as you were unaware of these recurrences until now, other people who were dragged into this situation have no means to remember the iterations that were rendered 'void.' In other words: besides me, only the culprit should be able to write down the name 'Beatrix', which I've only mentioned in previous iterations."
But I remembered this name. I have to admit that it's unthinkable for a name like 'Beatrix' to spontaneously pop up in my head.
"I don't know whether it's effective, but I always try to behave so that I stand out in the memories of everyone else. I've been waiting for the culprit, who must also remember the past iterations that were rendered 'void', to make a mistake. Well, I wasn't really expecting much from this strategy..."
"...when did you start suspecting me? I mean, you specifically mentioned this name-'Beatrix'-to me in a previous iteration, right?"
"Actually, you seemed basically harmless, so I didn't specifically suspect you."
"So...?"
"Hmph, of course I tested each person one at a time by mentioning this name. After all, my time is basically unlimited."
Her time is unlimited.
The time Trixie has spent. A length of time so great, "unlimited" can't even be called a figure of speech anymore.
I understand. Her time is basically unlimited, so that's why she came up with this random plan of making the class write down her name-in the slight hope that someone would write 'Beatrix'. Even if she didn't have any real chance of success. All her best plans had been exhausted long before the 2,601st school transfer, so it was probably just a way to kill time until she came up with a new plan. In order to stay sane, trying a nearly hopeless plan is still better than doing nothing at all. After all, the time she spends within these 'School Transfers' could possibly last forever.
That's why Trixie got so angry when I fell for this trick. It's like when no matter how hard you try, you can't beat an enemy in an RPG and thus train and level up desperately-but in actuality, you could have easily beaten him just by using a certain easily obtained item. You reached your goal in the end, but you desperately resent wasting all that time and effort.
"Well, let's cut short this idle chatter. After all, nothing's been resolved."
"Is that so?"
"Of course. Or does the situation seem settled to you? Does this consecutive nightmare, the Rejecting Classroom, look like it has ended to you?"
The Rejecting Classroom? I guess that's what she calls her repeating hell.
At any rate, there is just one point that still bugs me.
"You know, I can understand why you treat me as the culprit because I've written 'Beatrix'. But listen, to begin with, why are you not affected by this Rejecting Classroom?"
"It's not like I'm unaffected; actually, I'm just as affected by the Rejecting Classroom as anyone else. If I surrendered and stopped trying to preserve my memories, the 'Classroom' would capture me right away. I would live meaninglessly within this endless recurrence. Giving in would be as easy as spilling a cup of water that you're precariously balancing on top of your head. We would forever continue experiencing this one day that you're rejecting."
"All that would happen if you just forgot?"
"Think about it. Is there any other person who could possibly notice this recurrence? After all, even you weren't aware of the recurrence, and you're the one who set it up..."
...she might be right. After all, she already has repeated 2,601 iterations.
"It would be infinitely easier for me to abandon my efforts to remember. But that will absolutely never happen."
"...never?"
"Yeah, never. It's not possible that I give up. I don't care if have to repeat this day 2,000 times, 20,000 times or a bajillion times, I will overcome this recurrence and achieve my goal."
2,000 times. We often come across '2,000' as a unit in our daily lives. But if we have to really pile it up piece by piece...for example, there are 365 days in a year, 1,825 days equals five years...and that still wouldn't be enough yet to hit 2,000 days.
Trixie has already spent more time than that in the Rejecting Classroom.
"Spike. Are you also unaware of why you created this Rejecting Classroom?"
"Eh?...yeah."
"Fufu, I see. Assuming that you're playing dumb just to dodge this question, there's certainly some meaning behind all this. If so, your acting is quite solid."
"I-I'm not acting!"
"Well, then I'll ask you--"
Trixie smiles faintly.
"Spike, you have met--him, haven't you?"
--who?
...Is not the question I ask myself right now, for whatever reason. Who have I met? I don't know. I can't remember.
Still, I understand.
I have met Discord.
When? Where? Of course I couldn't know such a thing. That isn't part of my memories. Even so, I can feel that we've met.
I try to remember. But the information is blocked off, as if by a shutter coming down at extreme speed. Attention! You may not enter. Authorized personnel only.
"Heh heh heh, so you have met him," she chuckles.
Trixie is now convinced. And I am convinced as well.
I, Spike, am the person responsible for this situation.
"He should have handed it over to you. The box that grants you a single wish."
She suddenly uses the word box. Based on what she's said thus far, that box seems to be the tool that produced this Rejecting Classroom.
"Ah, I didn't tell you my goal yet," Trixie tells me while chuckling.
"My goal is--to obtain the box."
Then her laughter disappears without a trace. Trixie, who is convinced that I own the box, scowls at me coldly and issues a command:
"Now hand over the box."
I definitely have the box. There's no alternative, right?
But is it really alright to hand over this box that grants any wish to her?
I mean, Trixie has endured 2,601 repetitions just for the sake of obtaining this box. So she has a wish that justifies such an enormous effort. She wants to grant her own wish; even if it means making light of my wish by stealing my box.
--She is driven by a determination that borders on abnormality.
Right, that's abnormal. Trixie is abnormal.
"...I don't know how."
I'm not lying. But I'm also trying to show some resistance.
"I see. So you'll hand it over to me once you figure out how to do it?"
"Well..."
"Forgetting how to give it up is common. But you haven't forgotten permanently; somewhere, deep down, you still know how to do it. Just like you never forget how to ride a bicycle: you may not be able to teach other people to ride it, but you still instinctively understand how to do it. You're just bewildered because you can't convert that understanding into words."
"...is there no way to end the Rejecting Classroom without removing the box?"
Trixie shoots a cold glance at me.
"So you don't plan to hand it over to me. Is that what you're trying to say?"
"I-It's not like that..."
Sensing my obvious panic, Trixie lets out a quiet sigh.
"Let's see. I guess the Rejecting Classroom would also end if we crushed the box along with its owner."
"Crush it along with its owner...?"
'Owner' probably refers to the culprit holding the box--in other words, me. Crush it along with me? In short--
Trixie represses her feelings and says coldly: "The Rejecting Classroom will end if you die." ✵
Is this reason enough to prepare a '******'?
Are you telling me that you plan to do this to me as well if necessary? In that case, please do it quickly; that'd be easier to bear.
The morning of March 3rd. At a rainy crossroads with poor visibility.
I have thrown aside my umbrella and look at the '******'. Nothing else really registers. The truck that has crashed into the wall and Trixie, who is just standing there, neither is being processed by my brain. A red liquid is flowing continuously; there's so much of it that the rain can't even wash it away.
A cor***, missing half of its head, whose bra** have splashed everywhere. ***pse. Corpse. Corpse. CORpse. CorpseCorpseCORPSE. corPSE. CorpsecorpseCORPSE. Corpse. Corpse. Corpse!
Bubble Berry's 'Corpse'.
"--ah"
Once I finally recognize the thing before my eyes, I start to vomit.
I look at Trixie Lulamoon. She is staring expressionlessly at me.
"......Bubble Berry."
But don't worry, Bubble Berry!
You know, this will be undone anyway.
This will be conveniently declared 'void'.
......Oh? Could it be...
Could this be the reason I wished for the Rejecting Classroom...? Because I'm rejecting a situation like this? |
Birds of a Feather | pre | As the curtains closed, preparing for the next act, Trixie trotted sluggishly to a nearby chair and doffed her hat and cape on one of the hoofrests. She then proceeded to slump down on it, the chair enticing her with a promise of a leisurely nap. Trixie could have cared less that her location of performance was far below her standards. She was back home again.
After an unknown amount of time, she could feel her shoulders shaken by a pair of hooves.
"Miss Trixie, I'm afraid that, as much as I think that you deserve it, this isn't a random pub where you can fall asleep whenever you want," a voice informed.
Trixie lifted up her eyelids to the view of one of the stage assistants. A dull set of brown coat and mane greeted her.
Trixie responded hurriedly, her voice at first blindingly apparent of her annoyance of being woken up but cooled down as she talked, "Sorry. Trixie was just-err. . . I always rest a little after a performance."
But the stage assistant wasn't facing her, as she was expecting. He was magically scratching an ink-tipped plume on his clipboard, preparing for the next act. The assistant trotted away from her, and before Trixie could respond to his rather obtusive actions, he said, "Side Show has your paycheck ready, so you should go see 'im. G'night, ma'am."
Trixie raised a hoof, but the assistant disappeared among the seas of props, bustling performers, and the shady darkness behind the dimly-lighted stage. She sighed. It wouldn't hurt to have some conversation with somepony. Anypony. Wasn't that the reason why she left mainland Equestria? To actually find a being that could hold a conversation with her?
As she thought this over, she blindly wandered in the office of Side Show. Nowadays, her actions were automatic, her mind well-trained for a monetary motivation that has been sufficed for an entire month, two days a week, all followed by a trip to Side Show's office after her shows. For a manager, as she was only familiar with the authority of "me, myself, and I" over the years, he was quite agreeable and lenient... as long as she brought in profits. He was slightly gruff, but compared to what she had survived in the past, Side Show might as well have been a peaceful monk in a convent.
She gently knocked on his open door with a hoof. "Hello? I came for tonight's usual payment?"
Side Show rose his slightly balding head, followed by his sufficiently-sized belly, which bordered his desk edge. He grinned, "Ah, there's my star! You're quite a hit with the crowd tonight!"
Trixie could feel blood rushing to her cheeks, their unfamiliar warmness caressing her facial features.
"Really? Trix- I'm just a regular old unicorn. Nothing special about me."
Side Show bellowed, "Don't say that! You're absolutely too humble of your own abilities! We rarely get any unicorns around Trottingham; glamour never really was our cup o' tea. No stereotypes intended, of course."
"Anyway, here! Decided to give you a bonus for tonight," Side Show whipped out a bit-bag and a small slip of layered paper with his hooves, and slid them over his desk. He rambled on, "I haven't seen that many ponies in a bar since..."
Trixie responded with wide eyes, "What's with the sudden decision to pay in my own weight? And..."
Her hoof inched towards the slip of paper, its cheap, purple laminate reflecting a curved opposite of the lights above her. A ticket to one of her shows.
"... this?"
Side Show chortled, "Pretty lil' mare like yourself has to have a coltfriend by now, don't you? Invite him or her over. Do whatever you want with it. You've been doing good lately, better than all the others. So consider it motivation."
Trixie gave an uneasy smile. Whatever I want with it...
Her shoulders sagged as she thanked Side Show and trotted towards an exit, a path towards a promise of fresh air and a polluted night sky. There were no stars out today. The smog wouldn't allow it. Old tales she remembered from her foalhood say that the stars are souls of ponies that have past and gone beyond the veil of life. They comforted her, knowing that no matter where she was in the world, she was never truly alone.
She dearly wanted to see the stars, but now it seems her last vestige to her solution for isolation, her hope that she'll never be alone, was simply nonexistant. Navigating through the trashed, re-painted walls of the club and into the night air, Trixie looked down at the ticket, her breath visibly carried away by the midnight wind.
I have somepony to give it to, right? I could just throw it away, simple as that! My old self could have cared less, so why should I now...
... But do I really want to become like myself again? All this wasted effort to relocation for nothing, only to just resort back to a past self like a defeated addict. Why now? Why ever, Trixie?
She huffed, and turned her head looking for a public trash can. She headed over to a bright yellow cylinder, filled with greased paper and cardboard, the rubbish dregs of society. The final resting place for something... she couldn't place her thoughts on it. The ticket was new, infettered. A chance for a better tomorrow. Why did she think that it deserved to be considered nothing less than trash?
Who do I give it to exactly? A random stranger? I barely know anypony in this city except for...
For the last three steps towards the trash disposal, her mind instantly identified three individuals.
A Guard Mare.
A grouchy innkeeper and bartender.
A gryphon.
They all helped her in some way. And it would be a poor way to thank them without showing her gratitude.
Trixie changed her mind about the ticket, which was becoming bedazzled with an incoming spray of abrupt raindrops. There would be a better tomorrow for it, a better day, welcoming it by a new Trixie who wasn't like the "Great and Powerful" variety at all. Isn't that what friends did for eachother? Provide useless, yet meaningful gifts?
She trotted off into the distance, hooves beating against the grimy, thin sidewalk. She didn't fell one bit tired. The rain kept her awake, and the stars were longer a necessity for her.
Leif coughed in the rain, drizzling water seeping into his dress shirt.
Fine day to be laid off, wasn't it? Just his luck that his specific accounting floor was completely let go by the company head.
Well that, and everypony (there wasn't a gryphon nor dragon in sight inside the workplace) was dead-scared of Leif. He didn't exactly blame them... OK, he blamed most of them. Just because a gryphon sits down silently, produces a decent output of completed forms, and has a set of suspicious markings stylized on his right arm, it doesn't mean that he was one of those 'silent serial-killer' types.
Well, considering his last occupation, they weren't far off from the truth...but never mind that. The past was the past, and his manager said that if Leif didn't go to the press with his rather solitary abandonment (Leif had a suspicion that his boss said that his whole entire floor was now unemployed was to make him feel somewhat better about his life), the manager would actually provide a recommendation for Leif's next occupation.
Right...
So, there Leif was, shouldering off the rapid drops of rain, a cardboard box of his office belongings (plus some company donations from the local utility supplies), nearly flooded with precipitation, and waiting patiently at the local bus stop.
Steam-engine buses were quite a revelation to Leif, and a step up from the usual electric trolleys, as the last time he recognized something powered by steam was a very prestigious passenger line. What was it called? The Titaneigh? Leif never kept up with the newest technology developments. It was too dynamic for him, and he could always just adapt to new technology when he got to first see it.
Leif liked to keep a 'go-with-the-flow' philosophy. It takes care of things he doesn't have time to manage.
Like unemployment. Now that Leif thought about it, he didn't really care. For all he knew, it was going to a pony that financially needed an occupation. Bit-wise, Leif had nothing to worry about. The accounting gig was only for appearances anyway.
Still... Leif always hated when something that you could call your own came to an end. No matter how much you hated it, if it was part of your daily routine, it would feel as if somepony had sliced out a portion of your life, something left in the void to be slowly filled in with some other thing.
Leif shook his thoughts away, spraying water clinging to his mane. He hated getting depressed. Being isolated in a prison for a year didn't help with this psychological condition either.
He could see the distance lantern-lit head lights of the slowly turning bus around the street corner, the rays flashing the block as the bus turned in the direction of Leif. The noise of a growling engine echoed, joining the rushing of the rainfall. But something was slightly off with the pattering behind him.
Don't get Leif wrong. Trottingham's inhabitants were so used to the precipitation that it was just a part of their lifestyle. It was common knowledge for even the youngest of foals and cubs to know the different nuances of so much as an individual water drop against a sidewalk, building, or a nearby mailbox. And whatever object the rain was hitting behind him was none of the three. Whatever or whoever was behind Leif left a dull, echoless ring behind their reveling in the rain, with the sky's tears hitting a surface akin to a matted coat. Something organic.
Leif turned. Nothing was there, except for some bushes along the side walk, the only form of life for blocks. Urban embracing of nature was nonexistent in Trottingham. Most ponies favoring the city life felt that a metropolis should never remind them of their humble beginnings. They looked to a city as a new future, but Leif doubted that individuals could ever hide from their past. It always comes creeping back.
Leif resumed his slump in the rain. Great. Unemployed and schizophrenic. I wonder what tomorrow will bring. Knowing my luck, I'll probably contract a case of wing-rot that hasn't been seen by medical science since the Lunar Ages...
Leif took a wild glimpse of his folded wings. He hardly used them anymore. Trottingham's courts forbid flying, lest some poor band of pegasi or gryphons get lost during a storm or be swept up by a draft into the exhausts and machinery of the sky-high industrial district. Some deaths aren't worth the hefty legal fines that detail them.
Leif snorted. It's not like he ever used his wings, but they were a part of him. He unconsciously depended on them to always be there. Just in case.
Oh yeah. They'll be definitely gone.
Leif felt a silent tap on his shoulder. He instinctively dropped his belongings, and twisted around, wings ready to provide an evasive draft and his talon exposed, ready to face an individual that should know better than to trot up behind somegryphon. In Trottingham, no less. In any other city, it would have been a friendly gesture. But not in Trottingham, and Trottingham has history.
Behind him was another gryphon clad in a black hoodie. His, or correctly termed 'her' (judging by the thinner, shorter talons), right forelimb had the same wrist sigils as Leif's, and Leif assumed that the gryphon next to him probably had the complete set tattooed.
"Leif", the gryphon cracked a dry grin underneath her hood. "It's been quite a while."
She flipped off the clothing donned on her head, revealing a short beak, pristine white feathers, piercing green eyes, and warm smile.
"Same with you, Grid," Leif relaxed, slowly whistling out his breath. She was somegryphon from his past life that he could trust with anything. That same consideration hasn't changed at all. Leif chuckled in relief, "Don't scare me like that again. I'm a heart-attack type of gryphon."
"Well I wasn't here to make an effort sneaking behind you for haybarrels and giggles. You're a hard gryphon to track. There's something else," Grid said, her smile falling as if it held a conscious weight to it. "You've been gone for a while. Things have changed... a lot, and you won't like what certain gryphons have done after all that you've gone through to sanitize our organization."
Leif looked at her, ignoring the approaching bus. "Koi? He's back?"
Grid hesitated at the name. The forbidden identification, an exiled term to everything her life meant to her work, and the other way around. She was hoping to break it to him after he had some alcohol in his system. She knew how much the news would impact him, to see sacrifices come to nothing. She slowly nodded and looked down at her talons.
"We need you. Things haven't been quite the same."
Leif's view wandered to the bus, just realizing that it had stopped in front of him.
Grid continued, her emerald pupils still downcast, "We did everything you asked us to, but we can't take action like we did in the past! We're suppose to be pacifistic now aren't we? To be altruists? To try to make a new name for Fenris?"
Leif whispered, "I quit this game a long time ago. You should to. Escape while the getting's good, and try for something on the Mainland. There's nothing here." He opened the bus door, droplets of Trottingham's depression sliding down the clear glass panes on the folding entrance. Leif wanted to help her. To set things right. But life doesn't end like all the fairy tales make out to be. Leif learned that the hard way, and he swore he'd never let something happen to Glimmer Rain ever again.
"A family of ponies died this week," Grid deadpanned. "Two adults, and their parents along with 'em. Three casualties when we tried to investigate. Same signs."
Rapid images flashed Leif's mind at the emotional trigger of 'signs'. Brand marks and blood scratched onto bodies and onto walls of housing of a cross reaching towards the directions of the wind. North, South, East, and West. The very same symbol carved into Leif's own right side.
Signs.
Grid sniffed, and tried her best to hide her tears, which camouflaged with the rain on her angular countenance. She looked where she last saw Leif, beside her. He wasn't there. The one chance she had, the one last string of hope. Gone. Forever lost to the wind. To the gutters of Trottingham.
She began to trot away into the shadow, her tail swinging low between her hind limbs.
"Now, where do you think you're going?"
Grid turned in response to the voice. Leif's head popped out of the doorway of the public transportation vehicle, front talons clinging to the edge to balance his upper body sticking out of the entrance.
"Can't even wait for a gryphon to pay for both of our fare? I didn't give you a 'no', have I?" Leif lifted his brow in mock surprise.
Grid quickly ran up to Leif and gripped his talons with her own, as he pulled her into the bus.
Leif left his supplies on the sidewalk. He didn't need them anymore. |
Birds of a Feather | Just to Lay Some Ground Rules... | For the first time in his life, Leif felt uneasy, which said much considering his recent stay in prison, a place which could make problems of the mundane seem like foal's play. No, it wasn't a normal feeling of fickle nervousness, but exacerbated to be much, much more in Leif's mind. It was a type of "uneasy" that can't be shaken off, much like the pressure of failing everypony important to you, which incidentally is the origin of Leif's mental discomfort, cannot be shaken from one's thoughts either.
It was when the pair was nearing the familiar alleyways near Laxmisagar Square did Leif contemplate of what he was going to do, and breathe slowly and apprehensively in fear of Grid's reaction.
At their stop, Leif carefully navigated down from the bus's wet dirt-matted steps, and waited for Grid to follow behind him.
For a few minutes, an awkward silence built between the two Gryphons as their talons pounded the rain-streaked sidewalks. Leif was careful to not directly lead Grid to the apartment complex. Paranoia was a strange, unneeded habit of his, but he could feel something change in the air he was breathing.
It wasn't the everyday air-pollution from the factories that everypony and their grandmothers had grown to the sight and scent of, no, but Leif could feel his windpipe slowly constrict more and more in anxiety ever since he heard Grid's news.
Trottingham wasn't safe anymore. Leif had dearly tried to save the city a year ago. His city, and everypony inhabiting it. But he had severely underestimated the luring exhilaration of crime; the city's rotting, corrupting essence of its past has spread into its own future.
Leif no longer had the same optimism for Trottingham's survival as he did a year's time before. Betrayal, the bitterness of reality, and the isolation of his sentence grated his nerves, his patience, his outlook and compassion.
He didn't care for Trottingham much now. Its cold streets and blades laid inroads into his heart, chilling all passionate efforts and thoughts with an imperative, hard-earned yet hard-learned moral: Some objects in life, like peace and love, are just a foal's dream.
Leif decided to break the silence, shattering the near-unapproachable wall that encumbered his present goal of self-survival, and a better life for him and his friends, with or without Trottingham. He stopped silently, and as Grid noticed with surprise, she turned after having taken a few unaware steps ahead of Leif.
Leif hoarsely said, "Grid, do you ever think you're making a difference here?"
Grid's face twisted in incomprehension, "Leif, you decide to turn melodramatically philosophical now?"
A sigh. Another puff in the humid smog. Wait, did she just say I was being melodramatic?
"Just... bear with me here. Prison gives you time to think the same things over and over again."
Grid decided to amuse Leif, and said, "Well, we've gone this far, and no matter how much you would want to end everything with 'honorable retreats' or 'unconditional victories', we're in this deep. And there's no stopping with what's to come. You feel me?"
Leif softly breathed out his nostrils. "So I'm guessing you're all for staying?"
Grid answered, "Of course! My friends are here, my fam--"
She stopped and looked to the ground. "Well... never mind that. All I'm saying is that we have an obligation to stop every bloody thing that's happened in Trottingham. We've partaken in it during our disillusionment. "
"The royalty of the ponies can control all this. They took this place from the Gryphons and Dragons that once existed here. It's not our responsibility anymore."
Grid hissed, "We are responsible, and we have the so-called 'scars' to remind us of it everyday!" She motioned to her right forearm, though her feathers were wet and stuck to eachother, the ink underneath her skin stained the feathers that would forever link her to every tragedy that Trottingham had endured.
Her tattoo. Same as Leif's. The same as every Gryphon that felt distant of another species ruling their land. And the same as every brainwashed Gryphon that wished for the delicious lust of power.
Power doesn't corrupt, but the required greed and journey to reach for it absolutely does...
The moon was high in the air, shining its white gloom against both of the Gryphons' coats. The water was going to be a complete bitch to dry off, especially before attempting flight. But that was in the past, when Gryphons were free to fly towards the heavens and whose wings were unrestricted by law and taboo alike. Back when a fellow Gryphon could stretch one's wings without seeming like a violent pariah, attempting to signal an imminent slaughter or sudden suicidal explosion.
Back when freedom, before the now-edifice towering skies and strict regulations of Ponies had come to exist, was as flighty of a mistress as the Holy Wind.
Leif decried, "We're young. We have life and spirit in us still. Let those who have sinned, the patriarchs and matriarchs before us, take over and solve their own problems. They don't concern us anymore."
"You can't run from your problems, Leif."
"I can if they can't chase us. Trottingham is secluded by an entire ocean; The rot won't spread easily, but once something has been soiled, you can't help it. Not when a once beautiful, shining apple has already rotted. Once corruption begins, you can't root it out. The nature of a tree is to produce many fruits, so it can bring prosperity even in the face of destruction. We won't have to worry about it. We can, and have to, leave this place."
It appeared that Leif's sudden, and ill-placed metaphor was completely lost on Grid. This conversation was getting awfully abstract.
Grid coughed, "Wait... what did the tree represent, again?"
Leif pinched the bridge of his beak. He had to try a different approach to this.
"Look, when I first got out, I thought I could start over. Turn over a new leaf, so to say. Why? Because I thought everything that Koi, his regime of the Schism, and everything he stood for, was dead. As dead as everything below this Square. Laxmisagar Square."
The thought of maggots inching through decay and bone floated through his mind. What was imagined to be in of whose body they were in disappeared.
"And then I got home, my actual home, with a family that cared about me. There I found... I don't know... hope? Actual hope that some of the damage done here in Trottingham could actually, you know, be repaired."
Leif snorted, "But then again, optimism's very fickle. You turned up and... news of Koi did, too..."
Grid growled, "So you blame me? For everything that happened while you were gone? You basta--"
Leif shook his head, "--No. It couldn't be helped. You did the best that you could, it's what any of us could ever hope for."
"So that's why," Leif said, placing a talon lightly on Grid's shoulder, "I'm relieving you of command. I've left you with too many responsibilities, too little time, and no foundation to base anything on a year ago. Every loose end was tied rapidly and without care. And before I knew it, the cooperation of our defiant splinter group with the Royal Guard quickly ended, leading to my arrest."
Leif's talons grew firmer. Not too much force, but enough to exert some sort of meaning in the physical pressure. Something akin to camaraderie, he supposed, but he hoped that the message got through.
Leif contemplated that word. Hope. I'm too hard-pressed to make actual results for pessimism to ever cross my mind. Maybe that's what I need right now: A reality check. Because whatever I'm gonna do after gonna be completely balls out, off the top of my head, yet intentional. Very intentional.
"So that's why I'm asking you all this. That's why I asked if saving Trottingham was all worth the trouble. I have no faith in this city", Leif prodded, loftily directing a talon to buildings of Trottingham's captains of industry, the heart of the city. "And neither should you. And that is entirely why I'm going to ask you right now..."
Leif wanted to make it clear. He knew Grid, therefore he knew she was about to barrage his ears with furious, actually logical arguments once he said what he had to say.
But he was prepared for it. He had a plan... sort of.
Because plans a few minutes in the making, thought up of while in a bus ride secluded from any recent and reliable sources of information, turn out to work really well.
Right.
Leif continued, "... to leave."
As if a shockwave was sent through Leif's last word, Grid's stony facial expression shattered as her face became downcast and her brows lowered. Her beak opened slightly, as if she was to utter something, but closed immediately, almost as if Grid was ashamed of her potential response.
"Don't you think it's time we stopped operations here?"
Grid whispered fiercely, "I'm never leaving!"
"I'm dead serious about this," Leif glared. "Memory isn't as good as it used to be, but--"
"No one who went through initiation in Fenris ever had anything less of a brain, less of a single doubt, after we joined. So, go ahead. Test it out. 'Wade in dangerous waters and see what you find next'," Grid quoted from a text that she once religiously worshiped. "Leave this alone, Leif. I've made my mind."
Leif said, "It was your idea in the first place, Grid! A year ago, you wanted to leave this place."
Grid started to walk away and returned to him, "And I recall that you were the one who wanted to stay. That was your main flaw, you always were too stubborn to believe that any plan of yours could ever go wrong. And if you want to leave, so be it. Go. Leave us behind, and I doubt your sister or Hops will either."
Leif gritted his beak at her nerve. "How long do you think this is gonna take this time? A year? Two? Five?! All of it invested to stop that psychopath?"
"Let me try at least--"
"--I already did, and you already did, too. And what are you playing at, mentioning Glimmer Rain? Do you know how broken you left her when you left to fight your own little war in these streets?"
Silence. Grid hadn't expected that.
She lowly whispered, "Y-you don't know that." Guilt spread across her face, as if it's always been rooted there.
"I still spent enough time with her before my time in a dungeon to see how sad she was."
Leif, getting a glance at her face, quickly added, "Grid, the meaning was there, but sometimes it's better to use words than actions. So that's why I'm asking you to leave. Get as many of our people out as possible. And leave the past behind us."
He thought that he finally ended the argument. They were getting out of Trottingham. Anypony else could go to Tartarus.
He was, of course, wrong. The argument was about to reach the "unreasonable retorts" stage.
Grid said, "No. I'm not."
"Grid, think reasonably," Leif warned.
"I've already thrown away too much of my time on this. A year or two won't make a difference."
Leif wearily groaned, "Grid, you're gonna kill yourself doing this!"
Grid snorted, "Hypocrite. I'm trying to finish what you started. I know a lost cause when I see one, and this one isn't it... as much as I first doubted it."
"And now, if you excuse me," Grid harrumphed, "I have a couple of arseholes to find... with or without your help."
Her talons plodded through the shallow puddles along the sidewalk, rhythmically piercing Leif's ear canals. Panicky adrenaline began to shock the nerves down Leif's spine. His main opportunity to set things right was literally walking away...
"Grid," Leif choked. His arrogance finally found itself to be subjective. "If I get into this game again... make me a promise."
Grid turned, a hidden smile across her beak, and teased, "Why... of course."
"Let me take over again... and if anything happens to me, you're pulling out, whether you want to or not. Along with the rest of us, and Hops and Glimmer."
Grid didn't say anything, but after several seconds of considering the offer, she slowly skipped her way back to Leif and said, "Well, I guess I can't let anything to happen to you."
Leif mentioned quickly, "And you have to meet up with Glimmer Rain."
"That," Grid sluggishly responded with her gaze down and shoulders sagging, "is not a good idea."
Leif chuckled, "I can still read faces pretty well. You're guilty you ended it, because getting too close to somepony usually ends in heartbreak and tragedy around here."
No response. Leif continued, "But, you still like her, and get her drunk enough, she'll begin to like you, too."
Grid lifted her head back up, "You think so? I mean, obviously not the intoxication part, bu--"
"Yes," Leif simply left it. Maybe he was exaggerating a little. Glimmer always did like to hold grudges...
Grid's body language suddenly exploded into excitement, and her smile returning. She began a quick jog towards a street, and Leif automatically followed, leaving the Square and the past behind.
Grid happily said, "Then let's get to it! Got an informant about where Koi's leading his operations. Took about a weeks to get a sighting of even one of the informants themselves..."
Leif lifted an eyebrow, attempting to keep the pace, though with some physical difficulty, "I take it (huff) that these informants (huff) aren't going to consentingly reveal the location?"
"Not when one of them's a lieutenant, Aryet, a bodyguard to Koi himself. He's getting too arrogant, letting his staff loiter around in the districts."
"Wait... one of them? I thought you said informants? You know, in a plural tense?"
Grid had a grim smirk on her beak, "The other two might have ended up somewhere at the bottom of Trottingham Harbor, because they decided to slip that they had participated in the massacre incident I mentioned earlier at the bus stop. But they were clueless, obviously, only hinting that the lieutenant might know. Idiots."
Grid immediately stopped and turned, Leif of course tailing her. After a few more, they headed into the food districts, the aroma and neon lights dazzling their senses, and exited soon into the entertainment district. Artificial black lights blurred Leif's vision as he passed the nearby... establishments. He tried to not look at the dancing mares.
Taking over where she left off, Grid panted slightly, "Aryet's visiting a local exotic-dancing 'exhibit', and if we're lucky, we can sneak him out into an empty room, bathroom, or alley."
Leif asked, "Then?" His lungs couldn't manage to exert enough air to carry out more than one word.
Grid hastily yanked a garrote and taser out from under her wings, the universal "saddle" of Gryphons.
She gave a blood thirsty smile, "Then we make him talk... and make him atone for every soul in Trottingham he tainted." |
Birds of a Feather | Fire burns the body, cleanses the soul | "Oi, Glimmer! Aren't ya suppose to beh doing something?" grumbled Hops, placing a bit more force on his glasses with a cloth than usual.
Glimmer Rain snorted awake and took her hind hooves off of a nearby barstool, which is bad manners even in a cesspit of a place like a bar. Smacking her chops, she wearily answered, "Er, you're asking the wrong mare to expect to have any sort of responsibility..."
Hops growled, slamming the glass he was wiping onto the pub table, something that an Earth pony even at Hops's age shouldn't be able to do. The sound of said slamming shattered all remaining sleepiness from Glimmer Rain, and therefore she stood up straighter.
"I thought you were going to keep a closer eye on your brother! He's not acting right."
Glimmer Rain yawned, "Oh, c'mon. He was behaving completely normal--"
Hops said, "--You mean the behavior before or after he got mixed into that bunch?"
Glimmer Rain asked, her lids beginning to close once more, "What, wasn't he always moody?"
Glimmer heard Hops sigh explosively. She straightened her posture again, which began to slouch once more, to a reaction to what she knew to be the spark in the short fuse that was Hops's quick temper.
Sure he received her attention and emotional sobriety, Hops carefully grunted, "Just... keep an eye on 'im, lass. I don't feel as easy as you do of his... activities."
Glimmer Rain rolled her eyes, and shuffled around in her chair until she could find an idle napping position again on the rigid, ascetic wooden platform. Nothing to worry about.
"Hops, get that stick outta your flank. After everything that's happened, I doubt he's going to do anything illegal."
Leif whispered in the darkness, "This is so totally illegal, that I don't even know where to bloody start."
Grid dropped the body of their prisoner without bending, leaving the almost-carcass to wetly smash into the cobblestone boulevard. There was a slight groan, then no more. Only the silent sound of arteriole blood leaking into the cracks were heard.
The pair stopped to --admire is too strong a word-- observe the decrepit edifice in front of them, the remains of an old Gryphon synagogue. The early days of Fenris were planned here, and some of the old order still frequent the place even though the holy grounds and the blocks around it have been abandoned.
Or so Aryet, the still twitching body on the sidewalk, had informed after a quite... violent interview of rigor.
Grid harrumphed, "Having second thoughts... again?"
"And you wonder why everything ended up like it did. We should have just left the city to a higher authority to rot," Leif exhaled so the feathers on the tip of his mane directed upwards.
"Well, we were the higher authority around here once," Grid dangerously smiled. She had that glint of her eyes, the same glint that old veterans of even older wars have whenever they re-display their life's experience through tales. "And once we're done here, then I'm leaving you in charge like you wanted."
Grid turned, thumping a dull portion of one of her talons into Leif's chest multiple times, "So, no... turning... back. Intellegis?"
Leif grumbled in agreement, "Ita vero."
"Good, so enough of the high-school Gryphon squawk, and let's start the flames here," Grid amusingly declared.
Leif was confident. Confident that what he was doing was wrong, on so many levels.
He was about to send off a blazing effigy, a message of war, to those still remaining in Fenris that they wouldn't be tolerated any longer in this equine-ruled province (ironically). But this was once a place of peace, this residence of spirits and the mutual search of enlightenment, a holy location that Leif had once valued as a sanctuary. It was getting harder and harder to even think about the image of a dropping a lit match onto the synagogue's cool floors.
Now he was about to take part in making nothing but ash out of it. Grid was once in the same horseshoes as he was, but... she moved, exerted an aura, like she was enjoying pouring gasoline in every nook and cranny, as if it was something wind-blessed.
Everypony--and gryphon--had their demons after all.
A muffled shriek crossed the hall from Aryet. The pain wasn't dulling his existence, and Grid wanted a clean corpse, hence the hog-tying and lack of severed limbs.
As Grid poured the rest of the airship fuel, she groaned, "Why can't he just shut up?"
Leif offered, allowing his own jerry can to flood the flooring with its noxious fumed liquid, "Well you did just slice much of his--"
Another groan.
Grid said, "Let's get this over with, before he wakes up the neighborhood."
Leif smirked, "This area's been abandoned for years. I don't think anygryphon's coming back."
"I wasn't talking about the living, smart-arse."
He coughed, "...Huh?"
Grid hovered close, just for a lingering moment, as if there were beings watching them enthusiastically, "Ghosts. I don't care if you don't believe in them, but I do. Too much blood spilled around here for there not to be any malevolence left.
"So, let's go. Gotta finally put 'em to rest with a nice, controlled cremation," Grid said, quickly leaving the grounds with a trail of fuel streaming behind her. She left Aryet and Leif in the interior of the synagogue in the echoes of her footsteps.
She didn't look back, and Leif definitely heard the snap of a lit match.
So, that's why you came here, Grid...
Leif didn't ask anymore questions of doubt, or even say a word as he followed her out. Aryet's decries of his misery were getting fainter, his guilt distracted by the particular bone of Grid's reasoning. Grid always was saddened by every death, no matter how small, back in the past. That trait made her seem unreliable, erring in judgement, and unable to hide emotion in face of opposition.
But that characteristic made Grid honorable, something plainly missing in Trottingham to its core.
By the time Leif decided Grid's emotion-biased morality was to be allowed for in this new conflict, to even be respected and copied even, the lost souls of innocents roared in approval through the rising flames.
Leif estimated in around 10 minutes, the synagogue will collapse and officials would arrive at the scene.
They would find the grounds empty of its sacrilegious ideals. They would find the charred remains of Koi's lieutenant.
And whether they want it or not, they'll find hope in this city.
More than enough reason to escape the scene of the crime immediately.
"I entrust that you'll go through with this," Leif added.
Grid nervously chuckled, "Heh-heh, why wouldn't I? It'll be one big brawling--"
"-- family reunion. You're family here."
"Glimmer Rain won't think that..."
Leif gripped Grid's shoulders and pushed them forward towards the bar entrance, "Yeah, well neither can't knock it 'till you try it. And I just burned down a damn church for this, so go on."
With a push, in went Grid, and so did Leif.
Leif walked through Hops's door and the pub's disgustingly warm atmosphere. It was the same the way Leif left it, except with a great deal more drunks and destitutes. It was nearing midnight after all.
That new mare, Trixie, was there, talking to Glimmer Rain and waving some sort of ticket around. Both were fine, one was enthusiastic and the other bored and somewhat annoyed, but when Leif's eyes inched towards the bartender, he saw just how pissed Hops was.
Hops began his scolding, walking towards the pair and making the liquid in any nearby glass tremble, "Where've you been, lad? Do you know what time it is?"
Leif, bewildered by Hops's rage, mildly retorted, "Well, I just got fired, so I didn't exactly have a reason to take a gander at the city clock tower."
Hops stammered at the news, though only for a nanosecond, and growled with a bare smidgen of gentleness, "You can't just wander around on these streets, job or no job... And why's that traitorous banshee of a gryphon here? She's been nothing but trouble for this family!"
Hops's mention of Grid, who, despite her bravado in her previous act, was trying her best to not meet Hops's gaze, prompted Leif to say, "She wanted to say something to Glimmer Rain. I'm just here for moral support."
Or in case of a patented Glimmer Rain tantrum...
Leif gestured to Glimmer Rain, sleeping in her chair and completely ignoring her assignment to watch over her adopted brother, and stated while ignoring Hops temporarily, "So, Grid, Glimmer's right there. I'll leave it up to you what you want to say to her, since you know her better than me. Take as much time as you want."
Glimmer stood with an unnatural stillness and couldn't say anything for a few moments, but she managed to eventually whine, "I can't do this..."
Leif whispered close to her ear so Hop couldn't hear of his somewhat-close-to-a-son's recent vigilanteeism, "I burned down a church, probably initiated a war that I'll die in, and sacrificed my beliefs in order to avenge every individual creature that was murdered by our actions a couple of years ago... all to see Glimmer Rain happy again. I already tortured her and Hops enough with my existence, and you're either the best or worst gryphon for the job of making her smile again."
Grid sniffed, "Really?"
Leif said, "I'm sure of it... or at least get her to be less lazy."
He turned towards Hops's direction and before Hops and Leif continued their shouting match, Leif mouthed, "Go on."
Grid and Leif trotted opposite ways, with Leif quickening the pace out of Glimmer's and Grid's vicinity.
Hops shouted, "I ain't done with ya, boy! You're not going anywhere unless you start explaining why you smell like diesel and guilt!"
"Oh yes, I am! There's going to be a storm from Tartarus in that room, and nothing you say is going to get me back in there!" |
Birds of a Feather | "It's Over!"- My Apologies for this Cancellation, and the rest of the storyline | I'm not going to lie, I hated this story the moment I got out the first few chapters. Like... I REALLY hate it. I despise it. I wasted MONTHS on this friggin story when I could have continued working on the Behemoth sequel, or on my other stories I still haven't published for approval yet.
I trapped myself in a corner with the storyline. I made it WAY too predictable, and I hated writing every minute of it.
The only reason I kept on trying to write this story was because, apparently, some of my readers like this.
Something happened however. It was something both of a Celestia-given miracle and a Tartarus-ish curse.
Every chapter and developing chapter that I typed on Word Document but I didn't copy-pasta on here (don't look at me like that, I had to frequently change locations and laptops, so I couldn't use Google Drive unless I REALLY wanted a hassle), became corrupted and unusable when I went to make my final spell check of them.
But please don't make me keep on writing this. Please understand me. There are numerous tortures I'd rather go through than continue writing and/or re-typing this story, for example, burning for eternity in an underground realm, starving to death, watching Bonanza reruns in Finnish.
I'll even write down the basic outline of the rest of the storyline down below to truly complete this story if you wanted to read this through to its end.
Again, I'm so sorry. I was so tempted to just delete this story and rid myself of this, but you guys got me through for the first half of it.
친구, 당신을 감사합니다.
-Kishin
After Glimmer Rain somewhat trips balls and almost begins to pummel Grid in her fury, they make up.
Trixie was in the process of asking Glimmer Rain and Hops (and everypony else in the pub) to go to her show. She wants to prove to at least one pony or gryphon that she has talent, that she isn't a failure, and that she has reformed morally, so she earnestly wants to somepony see her perform.
When she asks Leif, Leif strangely seems to have forgotten who Trixie was, but with some reminding of Grid and Glimmer Rain, he beings to remember faint memories. (His refusal to kill his brain cells with alcohol and easy capability to discard memories hinted earlier in chapters will be explained later)
She gets Leif to go, through some sort of persuasion that I haven't figured out yet (Magic!), and as Leif arrives at the entrance at the performance's location (after being teased maliciously by Glimmer Rain), he gets jumped by Koi himself and his gang and Leif is pulled into the alley of the building that the performance is being held in.
Koi questions Leif roughly (How rough? A knife was involved) who caused the fire in the Fenris synagogue (which is basically the equivalent to bombing a mosque in the Helmand or Kandahar Provinces of Afghanistan and telling every person in every village of the provinces that you did it), and Leif reluctantly reveals that it was his plan, though it was Grid's, to burn down the synagogue and that he was alone in the act.
Their encounter reveals that Koi, a red feathered gryphon with gleaming predatory blood-orange eyes and blind in one eye from a stripped line of scar tissue, were once close comrades, partners, and blood brothers until Leif became disillusioned by the vague actions of Fenris that'll be mentioned in the third paragraph after this and attempted to kill Koi and all Fenris members.
Koi hands a single silver flintlock pistol over to Leif, mentioning that he wants to return both Leif's property and return the favor of what Leif did to one of Koi's eyes (hence the injury and blindness of said eye), but Koi leaves Leif battered, shanked, and left to die with infectious wounds, saying that he's a "Better comrade, and gryphon, than [Leif] ever will be", so Koi doesn't stab Leif's eye... he just stabs him nearly to death bodily. Leif keeps the flintlock hidden behind his wings. Trixie, midway in her performance, hear's someone's screaming that there's a gryphon body in the alley. Her mind automatically jumps to the most defining image of Leif: his cross tattoo from his Fenris days. Accidentally, Trixie casts the image of the cross during her performance, and since it's basically a symbol universally hated by gryphons and ponies alike, she gets fired and black-listed from performing throughout Trottingham.
Glimmer Rain, Hops, and Trixie (Though from a mixture of fear of being next and guilt, Grid didn't arrive) are visibly relieved to see Leif still alive in his hospital bed. He manages to temporarily break out of unconsciously to slap the flintlock he hid behind his wings into the hooves of a very, very surprised Glimmer Rain, and tells her to give it to Grid to hide and take an assignment out of Trottingham. Leif then tells Hops to escape of Trottingham also, but when Hops stubbornly refuses, Leif tells Hops where he hid his loot from his Fenris crime sprees and tells him to use the money to move Hops's business towards the safe(well, safer than the poor, crime-infested districts on the outskirts of the city) core of the city. Leif reluctantly is forced to swear that he's leaving with them, and won't remain in the city to fight Koi himself (HINT, HINT, COUGH, COUGH). Lastly he apologizes to Trixie for missing her performance. He tells Glimmer to tell Grid to call in a favor to somepony vaguely nicknamed "the Commodore", and that Trixie would find a respectful, credible third chance for a performing career. Leif proceeds to fall into unconsciousness again.
Trixie, confused by the sudden information/cultural overload of the past day, asks Glimmer Rain what kind of events in Leif's, and Trottingham's, past would result in all this trouble and an even newer career oppurtunity. Glimmer, with a few drinks in her back at the pub, explains how before ponies had colonized and taken over Trottingham after the Solar War (Equestria's rough founding of its boundaries), mainly Earth ponies, gryphons and dragons had lived at peace on Trottingham. With the dragons siding with Equestria during the war, and the defeat of the Gryphon Empire, Trottingham was ceded to Equestria. Thousands of years later, several years before present day, an organization forms on Trottingham based on the Gryphon religion of the Heavenly-guiding Wind (A belief that goes with a period during Gryphon history of sort of a Zen, "go with the tide" movement post-war that made sure that any opposing force against the Gryphons would "wash over them, like waves smoothing a rock") and also of a particularly violent wolf God of Vengeance, Fenris. Thus the Fenris organization formed, its members mainly Gryphons disgruntled that their land was taken from them and used as living space and industrial construction by ponies and also hopeful in revenge of their fallen comrades and dignity of their Empire. Violence and guerilla warfare wrecked the streets of Trottingham, and after Leif's original parents died in the conflict and is adopted and raised by Glimmer Rain's parents and Hops, he becomes more bitter by the day of the death of his parents. He eventually joins Fenris, and Glimmer Rain, horrified of Leif's eventual transformation into a murderer, enlists in the Royal Guard, hoping to one day find and take Leif back home. At this point, Glimmer Rain mentions how in Fenris, new recruits were passed through a violent initiation ceremony where they were drugged and beaten to the point that they forgot who they were in order to erase any sense of doubt and make them loyal servants who would serve the cause of Fenris until they died. Glimmer Rain, during a street battle where she catches a glimpse of a initiated Leif, is captured by Fenris forces. She is almost raped and tortured violently by Leif himself (He is ordered to by Koi), until Leif sees her tear-stained face (I repeat, nothing bad happened to Glimmer). Leif's brain-washing malfunctions and shoots a glancing shot with his silver flintlock at Koi's head before he's forced to harm Glimmer in any way, shape, or form (Koi lives, but he is blind in the eye a ball bearing scarred).
He escapes with Glimmer Rain, makes sure she's safe, and forms a rogue faction of Fenris with individuals that also become disillusioned at the lives they once carelessly ended. This rogue faction worked together with the Royal Guard of Trottingham for 3 years and won the war with Fenris (During this 3 year period, Grid met Glimmer Rain), but Leif was forced to step down as leader of the faction and was arrested for his crimes during his time with Fenris. Leif wanted to resist, as he thought his actions and sacrifices during the 3 year period would make up for his past crimes, but Glimmer Rain persuaded him to "End the fighting. Trottingham's seen enough blood patter down on its roofs and drains" and give himself up in hopes that he can get out early, get an easier sentence, and be imprisoned in humane living conditions for cooperating with officals (which doesn't happen. Leif is imprisoned in the worst dungeon in all of Equestria known for its vast collection of the worst criminals still alive).
Glimmer Rain tells that the reason Leif doesn't drink alcohol or manages to forget who Trixie even was back at the pub is because the Fenris initiation damaged Leif's short term memory. He can still remember things if he attempts it with enough effort, and some memories can easily be reminded with a few conversations with that pony, but some details are lost to him, a permanent reminder of what Fenris did or any other organization of force is willing to do to others.
Leif, though his story is somewhat more morbid than Trixie's, is relatable to Trixie because he'll forever live with the guilt (like Trixie has) of the damage done to others, and that he'll live the rest of his life attempting to atone for his crimes.
Grid nervously walks over, and after receiving the flintlock and request to call in a favor, she mentions of what Leif and Grid did to cause Koi's anger. Days later, Leif arrogantly ignores medical advice and returns back home. He arranges airships trips for Hops, Glimmer Rain, Trixie, and even Grid (The rogue faction of Fenris is no longer willing to participate in defeating Koi because the Royal Guard had betrayed them at the end of the 3 year alliance, so when Leif learns that he won't be getting back-up, he tells Grid to leave with Glimmer Rain, and use his contacts to get jobs for Trixie and herself), and travels by tram with Trixie to travel to "The Commodore". The Commodore is revealed to be owner of the the famous Cirque de la Lune (The Equestrian equivalent to our Cirque du Soleil), and through an old favor from Leif (he protected the circus once during a performance from Fenris), and he gives Trixie the position of one of the main acts.
Though Leif admits that it was his fault and his past mistakes that caused Trixie to get black-listed by every hiring agent in Trottingham, Trixie thanks him, and kisses him on the cheek during her zeal. Leif is the only one in her life to have given her a new chance in life, and a shot at a job that every performer would kill for.
Comes the day that everypony and gryphon in the gang has to leave on the airship fields, when Koi arrives with his gang. Before Koi is sighted in the field, Trixie, the last passenger aboard, makes Leif promise to write, because she wants to make sure Leif is never alone in his pursuits of atonement, much to Leif's hidden anxiety at Trixie's irony (Leif now wishes to end the conflict between Koi and himself, even if it comes to the deaths of both of them). Leif distracts Koi long enough for the airship to lift off (which is forces to leave without him in order for the airship to make a quick getaway), and in his anger, Koi proceeds to try finishing the job he started by taking back the silver flintlock (which was discarded during the fight, as Leif reveals he promised Glimmer Rain when he rescued her that he would never use a flintlock ever again) and uses his own flintlock to shoot Leif in his wings, so he'll never escape from Koi's sights ever again. Koi proceeds to trot over to a wounded Leif with a knife, but Leif grabs the silver flintlock from Koi's belt and aims it Koi's head. Koi amusingly asks what happened to Leif's promise to never use a firearm, believing Leif too weak (both physically and mentally) to pull the trigger, but Leif remarks that, nowadays, he's finding it difficult to keep promises. The reason why he didn't shoot at Koi at first site on the airfield was because Glimmer Rain, Grid, Hops, and Trixie would have seen him kill, which would place a contradiction of the moral image they have of his last moments in the minds of his friends.
Then this plays as rain starts to fall on the airfield:
Leif smirks perhaps his last smirk, mouths out silently "Bang", and fires away the flintlock at Koi's head.
The strangely clear rain, which is rare with the level of pollution in the clouds and air in Trottingham, pours over the heads of the Fenris mob and Leif. It symbolizes that, as multiple gunshots are heard above the shower of both the usual, and unusual occurence of rain, that Trottingham is purified of its evils, and that not even the blood that spilt on the field that day, whether it be from Fenris, Koi, or Leif, can ever fester the new Trottingham ever again.
And yeah... I managed to leave that cliffhanger there. Did Leif die, since I vaguely mentioned that there were MANY gunshots AFTER Koi died? What happened to Glimmer Rain, Hops, and Grid? Will Trixie ever hear from Leif again?
Well read the ending, and find out :) |
Birds of a Feather | Epilogue | A year later...
Trixie's breath puffed into clouds around her, joining the bracing winter air mixed with the vapor of the nearby locomotive. Trottingham wasn't known for its insurmountable crime any longer, but instead for its bustling ports, its revitalized city life that fully embraced a hybrid pony/gryphon culture, and now apparently for its newly installed tram and train lines that stretched across the country. Trixie even heard rumors of an ambitious project of a few entrepreneur unicorns in Canterlot that planned to fund the construction of a rail line across the vast Ambleantic Ocean, connecting Trottingham with mainland Equestria.
To Trixie, the city didn't feel the same way as it did before. Perhaps, when Trixie first arrived, she was too focused on retrieving a future lost to her that she ignored the nitty-gritty details of the city. Perhaps, back then, she didn't care. A year ago, her broken heart matched in tone and repetition to Trottingham's, and as if she had never left, the city's palpitations now matched with the hope-embraced heart of Trixie's, as well as the introductions of a million others', all hoping to find a better life in the revived city-state of Equestria.
It transformed along with Trixie, and with that knowledge, Trixie felt a kinship with the city, the same friendship grudgingly found in sessions of group therapy, a togetherness that can only be obtained by surviving the same ordeals.
Confident that Trottingham's metamorphosis had indicated a positive change in Trixie's own life, the repentant magician magically willed her bags forward from the frost-layered ground, in search of a familiar face...
The sole object that, however, Trixie hoped never to see change was her friends. Isolation was never something she intended to suffer of again.
Trixie couldn't see him. The gray skies shedding fallen snow had darkened, and the train station's lights illuminated paths along the rail road and inside the station itself. Other than a few families welcoming new arrivals, she walked alone.
It reminded her of her first sordid journey to Trottingham at a local seaport. The mist choked her and weighed down her luggage, and the city lights in the far distance striking her eyes through the salty fog teased her of how alone she was. Somewhere in the city were families, friends, lovers. Ponies that had the capacity to listen to your day, to smother you with their attention and affection.
She found friends of course.
But what did it matter if you simply "found" some? Why should the past ever involve itself in the present, the future? Something Trixie had strived to experience was a constancy. She didn't want change, but a nice healthy conservation of... well, everything.
She achieved that with constant mail and letters to the friends she made in Trottingham, especially one. At first, they've grown close through the letters, even though they were separate by vast distances. As tension developed, things were said in those letters, further developments of what happened in Trottingham a year ago. And then time past, and those communications slowed in frequency. Trixie missed them dearly. Impersonal words on blank paper didn't do their faces and innocent little quirks justice. And as soon as time past, it seemed that she really did lose them by way of distance.
Making friends are easy. Keeping them is the challenge.
Trixie snorted to herself, waiting in the night atmosphere. The train station was empty now, leaving her alone to her thoughts, breathing, and the bustling fray of the nearby city. Snow began to litter the cold concrete and drainage grilles, the only exception to the pure, heavenly blanket being the hoofsteps left behind her trailing trot.
Soon, with the Moon coursing through the sky, doubts clouded Trixie's patience. He's not here. What'd I expect? Trottingham's changed, and so have I. Why did I think that something, someone, couldn't have been affected by such a wave of flux. Ponies and Gryphons change, and most don't reflect what they've left behind and witness their past and mistakes.
So why can't I?
She wondered and waited for Celestia knew how long. The snow was beginning to accumulate on her coat and luggage, which were neglected during her personal contemplations. She ran through all the things that she was going to squirm and chatter endlessly to Leif, of her adventures and mishaps, of her successes and failures, of her perseverance and defeat, of her love and guilt. On the train ride, the tension and dreaded excitement of withholding all her pent-up excitement placed an unimaginable weight on her chest, something she mentally frenzied to displace, to explode, to destroy the dams of secrecy and all-well-known tendency of sentient beings to tell all, to share experiences. Such impulses would embitter her no more, she thought. She decided a year was enough. Things had to be said.
But she no longer felt the necessity of "telling", just a hole where a chuck-head of stray emotions and memories from a year of exploration and work had drilled into, presently leaking and replaying in her head.
Once she finished reminding and replaying her massive tale, a compilation of an annual's worth, in her consciousness to relieve herself of the burden, she sighed again in the cold. She picked up her luggage, and began the journey to ending her pilgrimage to Trottingham: The entrance of the train station's ticket booth back to her hometown.
However, as soon as she got up and placed a hoof on the frosty, ice-encrusted platform of the train station, the friction between the hoof and the ground gave way, her imbalance now allowing both her face and concentration on holding her luggage up hit the cement.
Trixie coughed out a mouthful of snow, and first checked her frost-bitten snout for a loss of teeth. Exasperated, she carefully stood back up, not giving a care of her mundane misfirtune. As the Saddle Arabian saying went, 'there wasn't a need to beat a horse if it's already defeated and dead'.
She started to heft her luggage bags one by one, as waiting hours in the middle of a raging winter exposed leaves one quite tired, until she realized one of her bags were missing.
Why'd I trust those letters into fooling me? I hoped that somehow everything would be the same, and every word said in those letters were true...
Somepony tapped Trixie on her shoulder. The touch literally melted the snow off her 'cold shoulder' when she noticed that it didn't feel like a clumsily-applied hoof of a Pony, but instead a slender, meticulous talon of a Gryphon. The light, careful touch hadn't implied any form of adversity or personal anger, but applied purposeful compassion.
Millions of thoughts bombarded Trixie in a few miliseconds.
Someone familiar. A friend, perhaps? It's a Gryphon.
An image was projected in Trixie's mind. Kind, sharp gold auburn eyes.
Her heart stopped, and Trixie knew that it wasn't going to jumpstart again unless she turned around.
She heard a voice. It was composed of a rather familiar accent. "Sorry, I'm late. Wings don't respond like they used to in the cold, Glimmer Rain's present duties require her to stay at Canterlot with Grid and Hops was too busy to come, and traffic was brutal... can ya blame a gryphon?"
There was a pause, but the voice continued, "Celestia, I'm glad to see you. You didn't change a bit."
Trixie turned, and found her mouth instantly curling up.
Leif, now in front of her, returned the smile, "So, Miss Lulamoon, how're you liking our new, improved Trottingham?"
Trixie leapt, leaving her baggage to topple to the ground, and nearly tackled Leif to the icy flooring.
Trixie whispered, "I love it so far."
When she uttered that sentiment, she didn't see in her thoughts Trottingham, but instead a clumsy, young yet forgetful Gryphon that helped her like no pony ever did: Leif.
Somepony that was her friend... and quite possibly more. Her thoughts absently went back to that kiss...
She dropped to the ground (on her hooves this time) and lost herself in the conversation she had reserved for Leif and Leif alone, as Leif himself assisted in relieving both her mental and physical burden as he carried some of her luggage.
The whole way back to Hops's new pub, Leif held her close under a stitch-scarred wing, allowing his warmth to comfort Trixie from the bitterness of the winter, and held her hoof lovingly with his talons. Those letters that went back and forth between cities, between different worlds and social structures, did more then support them during trying times.
The day, and Trixie's story for the time being, couldn't have ended better...
End. |
Power And Seduction | pre | Sunset looked around for a good place to set up herself. She noted that the stage had a wooden wall erected at the back. She went around it and found a good hiding spot. She also saw that the sound system had all been set up as well.
"Looks like everything is set then," she said with some satisfaction. She still wasn't sure where to exactly place herself though, or even Pinkie for that matter. She scanned the area and found a wooden crate nearby, possibly one of the crates that housed the speakers. She took the crate and hauled it off behind the stage. It wasn't exactly a perfect hiding place, but then she could stay almost unnoticed there. She figured Pinkie could fit in as well, if they just squeezed in a bit.
"Hope this works," she then said to Sonata. "You go sit with the crowd. We'll just wait for Pinkie to finalized things, then get the plan going." They really didn't have to wait long, as soon Pinkie came hurriedly.
"Got here as fast as I can," Pinkie said to them as she approached. "The recordings are here as well," she added as she handed the small USB drive to Sunset.
"This would be perfect," Sunset nodded to her. "Sound system is all set up, so we'd better get this thing hooked up as well." They went to the sound booth just beside the stage. "Hope Vinyl doesn't mind while we insert this little baby in," she said as she put the dive to the USB slot of the PC there. She then turned it on, and had her smartphone sync with it.
"Hope it works," Pinkie said, a little worried.
"It should. I could control the sound system from my phone and play the recordings," Sunset explained. "At least long enough for me to play them." After a few more seconds, she gave a relieved smile.
"I think that worked out well," she announced. She then looked around, realizing that people would soon be arriving at school. "Guess we better finish setting this up then," she noted quite grimly. They then went to their places after that. Sunset was still worried if things would work out well. Pinkie noticed her worried look and put a hand on her shoulder, smiling at her quietly. She smiled back, though she could still feel the tension as the minutes went by.
The students soon started entering the school. The three of them could hear the noise of people walking, talking and going through the hallway. Sunset wondered whether they should go to their classes or just wait, since the assembly would take place soon after the first period has ended anyway. She finally decided to just wait at her place, and realized Pinkie and Sonata also had decided to wait with her. She smiled faintly at that, thankful for them for sticking it out with her.
Pinkie just then went over to her to talk and keep her company. Without words spoken, Sunset nodded, grateful that she came over at her place. Pinkie might not be serious at all times, but at those times that are needed, she's always there. The minutes went by agonizingly as they waited for the first period to end. Finally, after what seemed like a long period of time, it was over and they could hear the students coming out of their classrooms and headed towards the central yard.
"Here they come. Get ready," Sunset told Pinkie, and then motioning to Sonata to do the same. She was still tense, but was now a bit more confident that they could pull this off than she did earlier. She peeked from behind the stage wall to see Inspirio walking between the two sets of chairs that had been placed earlier for the students to sit in. He strode in with confidence, she noted. She could see that he seemed confident that the win was his. Just behind her a more timid Sophia followed.
The event was made as a final run-up before the elections that would take place that afternoon. It was Principal Celestia's idea to have the students know more about the candidates. It was made especially for those who weren't still decided as to who they would vote for. In reality though, most students figured it would be a good time for them to get some break from classes. Since the event had an indefinite length of time, some had already figured to draw it out by asking questions.
The two main candidates for President then climbed up the stage and took their respective seats. Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna then also came, as the place started to fill with students who then looked for their own seats. The two went up the stage together with the candidates and took their seats on stage. People still kept coming, and the four of them waited patiently while the whole school settled into the area.
Sunset and Pinkie decided to come out of their hiding places and took a seat near the stage. Sunset figured that she could control the computer through her smartphone, though she cursed herself for not testing it before.
Not that it would matter now, she thought as she brought out her phone and held it nervously. She figured it would be an all-or-nothing gamble, and they had one shot to do it perfectly. She then noticed Vinyl Scratch make her way to the booth to take care of the audio.
"Can we override the computer/" Pinkie whispered to her. Sunset could only shake her head.
"Forgot to test it," she admitted, still cursing at herself inwardly for not thinking of it at once. "Let's just hope that we can do that when the time comes." She said that tersely, since she knew that anything could go wrong along the way. Pinkie looked around and noticed the other Rainbooms seated to the other section across them. The others didn't notice them though, since their attention were all on the event that was to start soon.
Which is just as well, Sunset thought. She really didn't want to engage them just yet. She turned her attention back to the event, which would soon about to unfold. At that moment Principal Celestia stood up from her seat as soon as she noted that the students had all settled in. She made her way to the podium that was placed at the center of the stage.
There was a palpable anticipation from the students gathered, and most especially from Inspirio himself. He sat with an almost unnoticeable smug look on his face, though Sunset could already see through his deception. Pinkie as well, since she also knew of what he actually thinks. In contrast, Sophia only sat silently. She wasn't at all certain what would happen, and Sunset's heart went out to her.
"Welcome, students," Principal Celestia began when all have settled down. "This might very well be our first to have something like this, but we do have a rather interesting run for the Council President this year." Inspirio just smiled when Principal Celestia mentioned it. "I have let you all gather here in order to know what each candidate has to say before you vote, as well as somehow persuade those who might not be sure yet."
The students all buzzed with excitement. Inspirio couldn't contain his excitement as he was getting ready to stand up. Sunset at that moment also took her smartphone and began to press at the screen, getting ready to put her plan into motion.
"I won't keep you waiting any longer," Principal Celestia then announced. "I don't think I will have to introduce him, as he will surely tell more about himself." She then nodded towards Inspirio, who then rose from his seat and walked up to the podium. He took a few seconds to take it all in, looking over at the students gathered with anticipation. At almost the same time Sunset was ready to press on her smartphone, hoping it will work.
"My fellow students..." Inspirio began, but before he could add anything else, he could clearly hear his voice over the speakers. The students all looked baffled and flustered at what they were hearing. It was Inspirio, but the tone of the voice was different. This wasn't the friendly student that handed out campaign goods in the hallway. His voice was more menacing, more sinister.
"I will have this school under me, one way or the other!" Inspirio's recorded voice said, the one that he said to Sunset earlier in the week. Now the whole school was really agitated, and even both Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna didn't know what to do. Inspirio just stood there, at first rooted to his place. Slowly his face began to twist in anger, and his eyes glared at the audience, searching as to who could possibly be doing it.
Finally his gaze fell on Sunset. He remembered some of the things he said to her, and now his demeanor had changed. Angrily he looked at her, and Sunset folded her arms and stared back at him.
"You!" he screamed, pointing at her at the same time. He then walked off the podium and began to go down the stage, going straight for her. Sunset stood up, ready to face him in front of all the people.
"You will not ruin my chances!" he said to her, anger all over him. "I have the school in mind hands, and I will not let you get in the way!" Sunset didn't speak as he was now just in front of her. She remained calm, her arms still folded. She knew even then that she had won. "You really think you've won, right? You forget that the school hasn't forgotten what you did!" He said that in a haughty voice.
"I don't think I even have to say anything," Sunset replied to him coldly. Inspirio stopped and looked around. All of the school were looking at him, shocked at what they were seeing. Realizing what was happening, Inspirio flew totally into rage.
"I will win! I will be the President! You will not stop me!" He screamed like that at Sunset, but she maintained her cold demeanor at him.
"You've lost, Inspirio," she informed him. "You just showed your true self now. All you ever cared for is power." Inspirio didn't reply at once. After a few seconds of silence, he began to laugh.
"You play good, Sunset Shimmer," he said, a bit more calmly now. "You know that you're no different from me. You also want power as much as I do. Am I right about it?" Sunset didn't say a word though. Inspirio then shook his head.
"You have this round, Sunset Shimmer," he said to her. "But you will see things my way, as you always were meant to be!" He looked at her again, and then at the silent assembly, then walked at the center off the aisle as he stalked off. Vice-Principal Luna was about to stop him but Principal Celestia caught her arm and just shook her head.
Through it all, Sophia sat trembling at all the commotion. Sunset meanwhile sank back to her seat, exhausted. Pinkie took her hand and held it, and both of them smiled. By now the whole assembly was talking, surprised by what they had just witnessed.
"Well, I guess we have to help her," Sunset said to both Pinkie and Sonata, who now went over to join them, pointing out to Sophia. They could see that she was still motionless in her seat. Principal Celestia went to the podium to restore order to the assembly.
"Well, looks like we now have the only remaining candidate after that turn of events," she said, though everyone knew the conclusion to that. Sunset nodded over to Sophia when that was announced, and shyly she went over to Principal Celestia's side.
"That was a gamble that you took," Applejack to Sunset said after the assembly was over. All of the Rainbooms were now gathered around her.
"I just couldn't shake the feeling that something is off with Inspirio," she said to them.
"I did hear what he said to you," Applejack pointed out. "You know it can still happen." Sunset also wondered about it. She knew that she couldn't just take that part of her away. Craving for power might always be with her. She just had to know how to handle it when the time comes.
"Well, we're here in case it does," Rainbow Dash assured her. Sunset didn't say anything though. She wondered if she can even handle her own self. She had enough to take on for one day, let alone a week, and she'd rather not dwell into it just yet.
"We'll be ready when that time comes," she assured them.
"Of course we will, darling," Rarity chimed in. Sunset wanted to be confident, though she also knew that there was something more that she wanted as well...
That night, as usual she wrote into her journal. As she sat in bed, she wondered what it really meant to crave for power and glory, and if it was at all a bad thing. She knew that it was part of having ambition, and she knew that there was much that she would like to do. Could she really reach for her goals without giving in to the same power and glory that Inspirio wanted? She was troubled by that, and thought of what it would mean for her and for the Rainbooms if ever that time came. She was lost in thought, as she reflected on her life so far and where it would take her. |
What Now With Apples? | pre | "Whatever ya do, Dash, do not eat from this pile," Apple Bloom said with a triumphant smile from ear to ear. "Ah call this... the Franken-Pie!"
Dash waddled closer to get a better look, her large belly dragging along the ground and jiggling with each step. "Looks pretty normal to me."
"Of course it does, that's the whole point!" Apple Bloom said and rapped Dash over the head. "Instead of just being filled with addictive apples or oranges or tomatoes, the Franken-Pie is filled with ever... last... possible thing!"
Apple Bloom laughed sinisterly, but Dash was not particularly impressed and stuck out her tongue. "Disgusting."
"Well what do you know. Feed one to Derpy and watch as her hunger grows large enough to kill her!"
Rainbow Dash laughed quietly in step with Apple Bloom before equipping the cart on her back. Before sending her on her way, Apple Bloom also put a large sack on Dash's back. It was filled with regular apple pies and lasted her all the way back into town. The other residents followed her with hungry eyes but all lacked the mobility to highjack the cart. Huffing and puffing, Dash started the search for Derpy.
Afternoon turned to early evening with Dash's slow tempo. With buckling knees, she finally collapsed just outside of town. The grass was long and soft and tickled her expansive stomach. The sack was empty and carried off by the wind, but her stomach growled. She could not go a moment without sustenance and was forced to constantly eat. The Franken-Pies suddenly became very appetising and Dash licked her lips. She could not reach however and was completely unable to move anyway.
"Ugh," she exclaimed tired. "I'm never going to find Derpy."
She closed her eyes to sleep but farted herself awake almost instantly. She opened her eyes again and saw a grey pegasus prancing around before her eyes, a muffin perched on her nose. Derpy stopped up just in front of Dash, her eyes wandering apart in confusion.
"Rainbow Dash, you look different. Did you do something with your mane?" she asked.
"No, I'm.... still the... good old.... Rainbow Dash," Dash puffed in response. "I've been... looking for you."
"You have?" Derpy asked and assumed a scrunchy face.
"Yeah... I came to offer you a pie... instead of those muffins you always eat."
Dash tried to reach behind her but her stubby limbs couldn't even get past her back.
"No thanks! Perhaps you'd like to try some muffin?"
Derpy wasn't taking no for an answer and forced the chocolate muffin from the top of her head into the little-struggling blue jaws. It was quickly gone in just one gulp and Rainbow Dash licked her lips to get the crumbs. She smiled content for a moment before her face was distorted with searing pain. She couldn't even scream as her mouth was clenched tightly shut. Derpy cocked her head in bewilderment, her eyes trying to focus on the events unfolding.
Dash went from pain to elation to constipation to Popeye, her body waving and undulating in rhythm with her quickly beating heart. With a loud crack, all of the excess disappeared from her bones. Her hooves touched the ground again, her derriere returned to normal and her cheeks lost their cherubic shape. She was left on the ground as she was before eating the pie, with eyes reduced to spirals.
"Ah, Rainbow Dash!" Derpy exclaimed exuberantly. "You look like yourself again!"
There was no response from Dash, not even from vigorous poking. Derpy shrugged and flew up to the top of the cart. She was about to plunge her face into the pies when she was pulled back with great force and landed on her back. Dash spat out her tail and pinned her down to the ground.
"Don't eat these pies or anything else you find within the city, you hear me?" Rainbow Dash shouted with tears lining her eyes. "The pies are filled with... with..." She repressed the urge to hurl and swallowed the sour liquid rising in her throat. "Where did you get that muffin?" she finally asked to change the subject.
"I make them myself," Derpy said cheerfully. "Carrot Top always tells me to eat her muffins but I much prefer chocolate, though."
"Carrot Top? Oh, you mean Golden Harvest." Dash released Derpy but she remained on the ground. "Do you have anymore?" Rainbow Dash asked, the urgency in her voice lost on the scatterbrained mare.
"Ummm... I've eaten a few, but I think there should be some left."
"What about four, do you have that many?"
Derpy stuck out her tongue and closed her eyes in deep concentration. It took her a moment before nodding.
"I need those muffins, Derpy. Please?"
Derpy got up on her hooves and spread her wings. Dash followed her back over town. "I can't believe the things I've done," Dash muttered to herself and looked down at the ponies below them. "When I get my hooves on Apple Bloom... that filly's quest for her cutie mark has gone too far this time!"
Golden Harvest lived in a large house with an adjacent garden plot. It was a house like most of the others with white walls and a thatched roof. The wide door was of wood and yielded instantly to Derpy crashing through it. She came to a stop in the hallway and scooted along the floor with her tongue sticking out. Dash on the other hoof entered more cautiously.
"Derpy, is that you?" a deep voice asked from one of the rooms. "Why don't you take some carrots and make yourself some more muffins?"
"No thanks, Carrot Top, I'm just here for my chocolate babies!" Derpy replied and proceeded into the kitchen at the end.
Rainbow Dash followed behind and looked around curiously. The hallway was lavishly decorated with numerous expensive knickknacks and with large paintings. There were no doors inside the house but all the doorframes were large enough for two.
Golden Harvest lay inside a room on the right, taking up all the floor space like a heaving blob of fat. If there had been any furniture in there, it was all compressed underneath her massive girth. Dash shuddered at the sight and quickly went to the kitchen. Derpy was just about to sink her teeth into a chocolate muffin but Dash swiped it from her hooves.
"Please try to understand the seriousness of the situation, Derpy. I need exactly four muffins and no less."
Derpy nodded and pushed the tray towards Dash. She took only the required amount and stuffed them inside a bag conveniently leaning up against the fridge. One extra was eaten by Derpy and another one placed on top of her head. Dash swung the satchel across her back and turned towards the window.
"I don't know how you do it," Rainbow Dash said and looked back at Derpy with a smile, "but please make some more. We may need them soon."
Dash raced up into the sky where she could watch the whole town. Her eyes slowly glided across the place, contemplating her next move. Wherever she looked, it was obese ponies that caught her gaze. Ponies napping outside, ponies hilarious stuck in doorways, ponies curiously still waddling around.
"I wish I had enough for all you," Dash lamented. A shadow of grief passed over her face for a moment, but she breathed in deeply and steeled her face. "I need to free my friends of this curse first. I can't stop Apple Bloom on my own. And what better place to start than Sugarcube Corner?"
Once again springing into action, Dash zoomed down towards the large candy store. Several floors had been added along with a few spires. The ground floor inside was overflowing with addictive apple treats on all shelves running across the walls and rows upon rows of racks. Dash sprinted between them and came to the counter. Behind it lay Pinkie next to a heaping stack of pies.
Her severely bloated stomach almost covered the trolley she was utilising. She had a panicky look on her face as she shoved pies into her maw at a frantic pace. It didn't look like she had even time to swallow, savour or digest. Dash climbed up on her stomach unnoticed and switched one of the pies out with a muffin.
"Must... eat... everything. Ability... to explain... fading," Pinkie said, her eyes savage with desire. The muffin went in unnoticed and was almost followed by another helping of pie. The effects were instant however. Her body quivered, head rocking back and forth and limbs flailing. With the sound of someone slurping a milkshake with a straw, the fat melted away. Pinkie was left on her back with hooves in the air and a puzzled look on her face. "That was fun!" she exclaimed and giggled. Dash rolled her eyes.
"We're not doing it again. We still have three muffins left to distribute."
But Pinkie's laughter only gained momentum. She was snorting and kicking her hooves wildly, unable to stop. Dash gave a deep sigh and pushed behind the trolley, not caring what she knocked over in the store.
"Come on, Pinkie, I'm really worried about the others. They've been eating a lot longer than we have."
"I-I'm sorry, Dashie, but -" Pinkie managed to force forth. "You were... and then Apple Bloom! I can't believe I... and I got so large!"
The trolley squeaked all the way through Ponyville, its wheels threatening with falling off at any moment. Its surface was covered in sweat and pie remains. Its scent attracted many ponies but none of them had the energy to pursue their interest.
"I just hope it wasn't a bad idea to leave the cart out where anypony can find it," Dash mumbled.
The tree library looked about ready to burst. A strange purple material was pushing at the walls from the inside and all glass had burst. Even the door was a thing of the past, lying splintered on the ground. A closer examination of the material revealed it be fur. Rainbow Dash was taken aback at how squishy it was and a moment later horrified. An overblown image of Twilight's cutie mark passed the window, by now bigger than the frame.
Dash facehoofed herself and flew up to the highest floor near the crown of the tree. Twilight kept her astronomy items here, but all the telescopes and blackboards were covered in a layer of thick dust. Her mouth stuck out through the hole where the stairs would normally be. Twilight had been reduced to a living, heaving mass of flesh. Rainbow took a muffin from her satchel and dropped it into the wet hole, hoping that it was her mouth.
With the sound of magical spell igniting a box of firecrackers in a thunderstorm, the purple mass sunk into itself. Twilight landed on the bottom floor with a thud among the wreckage of the floors she had burst through. Books dripping with sweat, a bed crushed to tiny particles and assorted kindle was what remained. She could only look in horror at the damage, quickly turning to anger and grinding of teeth.
"Applejack," she said with murderous calm, prodding a book and watching it disintegrate at her touch.
"It's not her fault," Dash said and touched down next to her. "The one to blame is Apple Bloom and those cursed pies."
She nodded in agreement, but proceeded to tap her muzzle in wonderment. "Say, where is Spike? I hope I didn't squish him."
"Perhaps he went to get help!" Pinkie suggested as she cartwheeled into the library.
"I hope you're right," Twilight said gravely and hurried outside. "I haven't seen him in months and this is so freaky."
Roseluck passed the library, resembling an oversized cow ruminating slowly.
"And that's why we need put a stop to this," Rainbow Dash said and flew out over her head. "I've only got two more muffins, so we have to make them count."
"How do they even work?" Twilight asked and ran along with her below with Pinky bouncing behind.
"Twilight, I learned a long time ago not to question how Derpy works. It will only give you a headache."
They arrived at Fluttershy's cottage a few minutes later with their newfound strength. The closer they got, the more anxious they became. Even Pinkie frowned in worry. Whatever they had been expecting would not measure up to reality. The first sign of danger was the repellent stench coming from the hut. They tried crossing the bridge over the brook but they were all three instantly hit by nausea.
Fluttershy lay just inside the entrance in a pile of broken and twisted wood. Her fat had burst through the first floor and was now pressing against the walls. Large cracks were forming in the wood and everything not nailed down had been rocketed out through the walls, windows and the door. Numerous small animals crawled all over her to keep up with her growing appetite and to wash her body.
"Smells like... somepony died in here," Pinkie said and clasped her nose.
"It's a combination of sweat, leftovers and... and..." Twilight said but was gagging too hard to get it out.
Rainbow Dash hovered above them and looked at the yellow blob with a single tear trailing down her otherwise hardened face. The animals noticed her blue form and a plethora of squeaking erupted among the workers. Two squirrels crawled down from the upper floor and scampered down the wall. They stared with pleading eyes up at Rainbow Dash and looked like they were begging for help with their little dexterous hands.
"What are they saying?" Pinkie asked and dropped flat on the ground.
"Do I look like I speak squirrel?" Dash asked and landed next to them.
"I think they want us to help them, you guys," Twilight said and took a muffin with her magic, placing it down in front of the critters. "I'm not sure whether you get this or not, but you must feed Fluttershy this muffin. It will return her to normal. Nod if you understand."
The two squirrels looked at eachother, then took the muffin and nodded. They scaled the wall again, carrying the helpful treat between them. Despite their starved appearance, they didn't go on board the muffin... as if they really had understood. They all took a few steps back and waited breathlessly, for more than one reason.
Pinkie bit her lip and danced around in tense expectation, while the other two looked at the quivering yellow mass. Loud munching noise could constantly be heard from inside the hut, but exactly she was eating wasn't easy to tell. The first sign was a loud crack, like an old car backfiring and then sputtering to life. As it picked up its speed, Fluttershy shrank back to her original size. She lay dumbfounded on her back, looking around confused. All of the animals inside embraced her but Fluttershy just cried.
"I'm sorry, everyone. I'm so, so sorry. I don't know what came over me," she told the animals.
"It's good to see you back to normal," Rainbow Dash said and embraced her as well.
"Yeah, I didn't like the big mean Fluttershy at all!" Pinkie said, following just behind Dash.
Twilight was too moved to say anything and simply joined the group hug. "Perhaps you'd like to help us return things to normal?" Twilight finally said as they broke free again.
"I'd rather stay here... that is if you don't mind," Fluttershy said, still lying on her back. She rested her head on the floor with a deep sigh. "I have a lot to make up for and this place needs to be cleaned."
"That's all right, we only need to visit Rarity," Rainbow Dash said and gave her an encouraging smile. "Pinkie, why don't you stay behind and help Fluttershy? We won't need a whole lot of ponies to stop Apple Bloom."
"Oh, I'd love to!" Pinkie said and gave Fluttershy a hoof to help her up.
"I'm just glad you're not mad at me for how I've behaved the last few months." Fluttershy wiped her eyes as tears came trickling down, of shame or of joy.
"We were all under the spell," Dash said and shook her head. "Think nothing more of it."
And so, only Rainbow Dash and Twilight went back into town again. Rarity's Carousel Boutique was in the other end, but the two ponies enjoyed their regained mobility and went with a brisk pace. They met no resistance on the way, no pony to stop them or halt them. Evening was giving way to night fast and it would be dark before they could go to Sweet Apple Acres for their final showdown.
They entered the dress shop and found it empty at first sans all the packaging lying around. Empty paper bags, cake trays and candy wrappers had been strewn carelessly around the floor. The two stepped carefully around in their investigation. Unfinished dresses hung on ponyquins smeared with frosting, blueprints had been smothered beyond recognition with cake cream. Dash shook her head when she heard Twilight gasping from the backroom.
Rarity lay on her stomach, her enormous rear too big for any couches. The floor was covered with pillows instead, her flab filling up the entire room like a sloshing river of cookie dough. Five young stallions tended to her whims, kneading her fat, scrubbing her clean, feeding her. Spike was here as well, trying desperately to save his damsel in distress. The servants merely knocked him around as he hoped to wrestle the treats from them and otherwise stop Rarity from eating. One of the servants gave him a good kick and Spike rolled out, coming to a stop between Twilight and Dash.
"Rainbow Dash? ... Twilight?" Spike asked surprised as he got up again. Happy tears escaped his eyes as he embraced Twilight tightly. She hugged him back, nuzzling his cheek motherly. He released her and took a step back. "How did you even... You know what, I don't even care right now. I'm going back to the library, take a shower and then I'll go back to bed."
"Wait," Twilight said and put a hoof to his shoulder. "Listen Spike, I'm so sorry for how I've behaved. I... I haven't been myself in a long time. Can you forgive me?"
"I know, I know," he said and flicked his wrist. "Anyway, Applejack told me everything."
"Applejack did? When did you meet her?" Rainbow Dash burst out and grabbed Spike. He looked back at her in surprise.
"She came by the library to make me send a letter to Celestia. Can't believe I didn't think about that."
Rainbow Dash gave an impish smile and rubbed her hooves together. "Then she must be back at the farm already. Let's hurry this up, Twilight."
Just at that moment, Rarity finally noticed their presence. She had been too absorbed with eating to even care that there had been others in the room. She had probably not even noticed Spike who now slumped outside.
"Rainbow Dash, Twilight, welcome!" she said and burped. "You look famished. I wish I could share with you, but a lady like me mustn't be kept waiting."
"Well, that's kind of why we're here!" Twilight said and took the last muffin with her magic. They were afraid to get any closer to their clinically obese friend than the doorway. She was eating like an absolute pig and pieces of pie flew everywhere.
"Ugh, what is that thing?" Rarity scoffed. "I only let the Apple family's genuine treats across my lips. I don't know where that... thing has been last."
"But it IS from the Apple family!" Rainbow Dash said and caught with Twilight's plan. "It's, uh... it's a new apple-chocolate recipe."
"Really?" Rarity said, salivating and smacking her lips. One of the waiters approached her with a pie, but she sloshed with her fat and made him fall on his back. "I must try this at once! I must!"
She wriggled her flabby arms to get closer to the muffin but she was irrevocably stuck in the room. The brown confection flew through the air with Twilight's magic and landed in Rarity's waiting maw. She chewed it greedily with little regards to manners.
"Simply divine," she moaned. "Strange. I couldn't even taste the apples."
The pony she had dismissed got up on his hoofs again and found a new pie. He waved it under her nose and she was just about to sink her teeth into it when she began to vibrate violently. The sound a jackhammer boring into concrete or a woodpecker on speed accompanied her transformation. Like a carpet being dragged out under their hooves, all of the fat melted away and turned the waiters upside down. Rarity finally lay on her belly with several astonished ponies around her. She looked around bewildered and then flushed immensely.
"All of you, out!" she yelled to the waiting ponies with such intensity that they stumbled over each other to get away. She looked up at her friends with a stern look. "We shall never speak of this again... EVER."
Her two friends couldn't help but laugh slightly, but quickly stifled their grins when they saw her expression.
"Want to come with us to Sweet Apple Acres?" Rainbow Dash asked, but Rarity was already busy and on her feet.
"I'm afraid I'll have to decline. I can't remember the last the time I had a shower that didn't involve a rag on a stick," she said and tried to straighten her hair out.
"Just you and me then, Twilight," Dash said determinedly. "That was our last muffin too, so we better not eat any of the pies."
"Yes, and please don't do something rash, all right?" Twilight asked concernedly. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes.
"I never do anything rash. I just like to take the initiative is all," she replied, but Twilight gave her a dismayed look. "Fine, we'll do this your way. Only because I don't have a plan! ... At the moment." ***
"Apple Bloom, ya come on out here right this moment!" Applejack said and yelled up at the large keep in front of her. The once so idyllic two storey farmhouse had been completely overshadowed by a small fortification at the edge of their land. It included a moat, spires, drawbridges and the finest masonry in all of Equestria and sported an extravagance rivalling even that of Canterlot. Large flags waved in the wind and banners hung down the walls, all displaying Apple Bloom's face.
Applejack stood at this moment on the wrong side of the water trench, trying to talk sense into her little sister. "Tarnation, Apple Bloom, yer in so much trouble right now, young missy. Ya come out right this instant or Ah'll be seriously mad atcha."
There was no response. Instead, two guards came waddling towards her from behind the keep. They looked like Celestia's white guards clad in gilded armour and were not yet overly fat.
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but I'm afraid we must ask you to leave," the first one said.
"Ah'm her sister, fer crying out loud! This is mah home and Ah live here too," Applejack said and pounded the ground with her hoof in frustration.
"Not according to Lady Apple Bloom," the second one said. "Now you'll either get out or be thrown out."
"Ugh, this is ridiculous," Applejack said and facehoofed herself. "Look, can't ya see what's happening to ya? Look how big yer getting!"
"Lady Apple Bloom preserve us from the heretics," they both said and slowly advanced upon Applejack with spears pointed at her fluffy chest. She backed away nervously before retreating in full run.
She sped across the Apple family land, down the dirt road towards the orchards. The old house still stood in renovated splendour with its freshly painted picket fences and barn. She looked up at it, memories flashing before her eyes and wetting them. She reminisced back to the days before, of apple bucking and apple selling. She missed Big Mac and she missed Rainbow Dash so much that it clutched at her heart. It wrought her stomach to think that somewhere inside, Dash was eating her own weight in pies and it was all her fault. She clenched her face and wailed large streams of helplessness.
Composing herself was difficult and the tears would not stop coming. But through sniffing and sobbing, she eventually found an inner peace that calmed her down. The overweight apple pickers ignored her and carried on their harvesting as they always had.
"Please forgive me." She snivelled quietly at them and wiped her eyes. "I WILL find a way to stop this."
She looked up at the shining Sun. As if to answer to her pleas, a streak of white flashed above her. Celestia's unmistakable mane flapped behind her. Applejack's face lit up. She raised herself up on her hind legs and waved her arms around. Celestia's head turned, noticing Applejack and touched down before her. The Princess looked grim and looked much taller than she usually did. Applejack cast herself down on the little dirt road.
"Ah'm mighty sorry, Princess," Applejack said and buried her head in her hooves. "Ah didn't know that this could go so wrong and when Ah did it was too late. Mah sister... Apple Bloom, she ain't herself no more. Please, Ah'm begging ya, please help us."
Celestia looked down motherly at Applejack. She reached out a hoof and lifted Applejack tear-stained face gently up. "I can see the sincere regret in your eyes. We shan't worry about pointing hoofs just yet, first we must take action. Will you lead the way?"
"Yes, Princess!" Applejack said and eagerly got up again. She was nearly bursting with happiness that the Princess would be so kind and forgiving. She gave a weak smile at Celestia and Celestia smiled back warmly. Applejack blushed and dragged the hat down her eyes, quickly darting down the path. The Princess followed her at fresh pace, her longer legs negating any need for running.
The guards were gone from their place, so Applejack and Celestia met no opposition. They stopped up in front of the moat and peered up the walls, into the windows of the towers to see if they could find Apple Bloom.
"Apple Bloom, this is yer last warning. Come out here NOW!" Applejack yelled up at the battlements and ramparts with just as much luck as before.
"Apple Bloom, there is something you should know," Celestia said, her calm voice carrying through the thick walls. "You do not know the magic you're trifling with. It may look as if you're only affecting others, but you're affecting yourself just as much. It is not too late. We can still help you."
Apple Bloom appeared up on the wall between two towers, right over the entrance. For a moment, it really seemed like they had gotten through to her. She was smiling positively and the gate slammed down. Applejack and Celestia was just about to cross when Apple Bloom nodded. Their progress was cut short by two gigantic fillies landing right on their back. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were now the size of large, sweaty cars.
"Oh horse apples, Ah forgot she could do that," Applejack said. "Wait... how is she doing this!"
"Yay, I got the Princess!" Sweetie Belle said jubilantly.
"I just got Applejack... again," Scootaloo said disappointedly. "No offence, of course."
"None taken," Applejack said and tapped her hoof impatiently on the ground.
The Princess didn't look to worry. Her horn glowed and an aura engulfed Sweetie Belle. Nothing happened. Celestia increased her effort and focused more energy into the spell she was performing, but Sweetie Belle remained where she was.
Apple Bloom waltzed across the bridge joined by several guards. Each of them hauled several carts of all kinds of treats. She was smiling and quite devilishly so. Applejack knew how this would end and squirmed and struggled with all of her might, but Scootaloo had only gotten heavier. Her flab completely engulfed Applejack so that only her face and front hooves stuck out. Similarly with Sweetie Belle. Celestia increased her efforts and the strain was visible on her face, but nothing worked.
"Ya can move the Sun and the Moon, but one little overweight filly is too much for ya?" Apple Bloom remarked, her voice thick with malicious mockery.
"You're under the spell just as much as everypony else," Celestia said, ignoring Apple Bloom's observations. "Please allow me help you."
"Are ya kidding me? Ah feel better than Ah've had in all mah life! Ah can't believe Ah was such a goody two shoes when it pays so much better ta be a tyrant!" Apple Bloom said and laughed maniacally.
"I'm not angry with you, little Apple Bloom. I'm only asking you to let me cure you," Celestia said serenely, ignoring Apple Bloom's harsh words.
Apple Bloom grunted and turned away. "Ah tire of our conversation. Don't even think of escaping, Sweetie Belle is a magical sponge. The stronger she gets, the more powerful she becomes." She went towards the carts. The royal guards were shaking and sweating from being so close to their drug that they could smell it. Apple Bloom ran a hoof down the gilded armour and a slight whine escaped his lips. "Ah hear ya like cake, Princess, so Ah prepared a few hundred just for you. Wha don't Ah give ya the first piece?"
The guard kicked the cart and the back hatch fell open. Apple Bloom leapt up and bit down on a plate, dragging it all the way to Celestia. She took an adjoining spoon and snipped off a little piece of frosting on the seven layer cake. Thick butter bled from the sponge like blood from a wound.
"Open up wide," Apple Bloom said and waved the spoon. The Princess merely closed her eyes and her mouth as well. "Suddenly haven't got anything ta say? Doesn't matter, it'll all be over in a few secs. Sweetie Belle, open her mouth."
"But how?" Sweetie Belle said and flailed her arms and legs.
"For the love of... use yer magic!" Apple Bloom said angrily, nearly dropping the utensil between her teeth.
"I'm sorry, Apple Bloom. You know I'm no good with magic," Sweetie Belle said, nearly crying from her ineptitude. Apple Bloom simply gave her a stern look, the dire consequences of her failure written in her eyes. Sweetie Belle trembled and pinched her eyes shut. Her horn flickered to life, slowly glowing light blue. Celestia's jaw did as well and popped open for Apple Bloom to feed her. The Princess's eyes rolled back into her head with pleasure the likes of which she had not experienced in her long, long life.
Sweetie Belle heaved with the effort and rolled off the Princess' back, eyes reduced to swirl. Celestia quickly got up again, greedily devouring the cake she had sampled with Apple Bloom's helps. The guards unloaded their cargo before the Princess. She sat down, making obscene sounds as she stuffed her face. Apple Bloom lifted an eyebrow at her before moving on to Applejack.
"Ya have caused me so much trouble, dear big sis. Ah was actually starting to worry. But that's all in the past," she said with a slight laugh. "Though... Ah think ya deserve a little punishment."
Apple Bloom motioned for two guards to come closer. They hauled a big metal barrel behind them, scraping it across the drawbridge with a sound as eerie as it looked. Something sloshed around inside as it came closer, dragging across the ground. Applejack increased her kicks and sprawls, but Scootaloo's butt was irrevocably closed down on her.
"This is a special liquid that Ah had made," Apple Bloom said proudly and knocked on the metal. It sounded full to the brim. "Every single aspect of it is designed ta add fat ta the pony body. Berry Punch was nice enough ta donate ta it, ensuring that it will overpower any urges ya might have ta flee. Think about it, big sis. From this day forward, ya won't have ta do anything anymore in yer life. Just sit absolutely still and become the world's biggest mare."
The stallions released the ropes binding them to the barrel and sat down on the ground next to it, enjoying their breather. Apple Bloom jumped up top of one of them and dipped a little spoon into the liquid. She cautiously carried it down to her sister, aiming it straight at her.
"Apple Bloom, don'tcha dare," Applejack said angrily, despair and futility filling her eyes with horror. Even to the last she would be fighting this. The thick, goopy stuff came closer. Applejack shook her head from side to side. It was getting hard to breathe and consciousness was dwindling. The shaking wasn't helping and the world was spinning. She flexed her eyelids, keeping her awake just long enough to see Apple Bloom trip. There were sounds as well, but Applejack dove into the encroaching darkness. ***
Twilight and Rainbow Dash raced up the dirt path towards the Apple family home. They too had observed the white streak that had announced Celestia's arrival. Help was near and filled with them renewed energy, hoping things would be resolved when they arrived.
But as they passed the lines of apple trees, shapes started to form in the shadows around them. They shambled into the light, their eyes empty and their coats greasy. The guardians of the Apple land come from out of the trees, across the fields and out of the farmhouse. "Lady... Apple Bloooom," they moaned.
They quickly formed a circle around Dash and Twilight, surrounding the two in an inescapable ring of blubber. Twilight sprang to action and lit up her horn. The subsequent spells repelled the maddened workers, but their insatiable hunger and adoration for Apple Bloom hardened them. All Twilight did was exhaust herself and pushing them back slightly.
"Aim for their bellies!" Dash said and reared to free her front hooves for punching.
Following the suggestion made the workers fall on their back. Once there, they could only flail their limbs uselessly. Twilight used this to her advantage, but there were too many advancing them at the same time. They were relentless in their onslaught and Twilight was just a single unicorn.
"How didcha manage ta break the hex?" Apple Bloom asked over the din. The battlefield went quiet as all participants directed their attention towards the newcomer. She was riding one of the guards she had stolen from Celestia, surrounded by an additional small band of them.
"Like we'd tell you!" Rainbow Dash said and stuck out her tongue.
"Very well. Ya'll tell me once yer under the spell again and then Ah'll make sure that this won't repeat itself," Apple Bloom said, a hint of concern betraying her otherwise cool response.
The wave of fat ponies started anew and trampled loudly towards Twilight and Dash. There seemed to be no end to them as they poured out from their hiding places.
"Get them, get them, get them!" Apple Bloom shrieked.
"We can keep this up all day if need be! Right, Twilight?" Dash asked and looked at her friend.
The effectiveness of Twilight's spells was waning and it strained her harder and harder to perform them. They simply didn't have as much kick behind them and only served to annoy the advancing horde.
"I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash. I don't think I can't keep this up much longer... there are just too many of them," Twilight panted. Her spells flew left and right, but were just short of mist by now.
"Hmph. Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle!" Apple Bloom shouted
Everypony stopped up for a moment to gaze heavenwards for the much anticipated secret technique, but nothing happened. Apple Bloom looked behind her and saw that the two were still where she had left them, unable to move.
"Dang it. Forgot Ah had already deployed them. All right everypony, listen up, no food fer no pony until these two have been captured!" the little yellow filly yelled.
Twilight was heaving from the exertion. She was too exhausted to perform any more tricks.
"Come on, Twilight, you can't stop now," Dash said encouragingly, but Twilight collapsed into her arms.
"Just... give me a minute or two," Twilight said with a faint smile and looked up into Dash's purple eyes.
"We don't have a minute or two! It will be too late by then," Dash reprimanded but conscious slipped from Twilight.
Suddenly realising the severity of the situation, Dash embraced Twilight deeply to protect her.
The fat ponies stumbled over each to get at them, somewhat working in their favour. Twilight had removed most of the immediate threats and turned them into roadblocks for the next waves. They bumped each into other and stumbled over their fallen comrades, staggering like drunkards unable to focus.
"Rainbow Dash, you have to leave," Twilight said and stroked Dash's cheek. "You can still fly and no pony will be able to stop you once you're in the air."
"And leave you here?" Rainbow Dash said, appalled that Twilight would even suggest it.
"Please. If they get you as well, how will we warn other cities of the pies?" Twilight said pleadingly with tears in her eyes. "I never want to fill out my library again, but I want even less for others to experience our misfortune."
"I'm sorry. I would never forgive myself if I did that. When I leave, it will be with you in my hoofs. I don't care if I have to drag you, we're doing this together."
"You stupid stubborn pegasus," Twilight said, pounding Dash weakly in her fluffy chest. "Can't you just carry us both?"
"I can't carry us far," she said gravely. "I still haven't recovered completely from being under the spell, and neither have you. This would be child's play otherwise."
"I know... I just didn't want to hear it," Twilight said and buried her head in Dash's coat with tears staining it dark. Dash wrapped her hooves around Twilight and rested her head on hers.
The overweight workers had passed the barriers and the distance was closing fast. The enemy ponies were upon them now, so close that the two could smell the sickeningly sweet taste of apple pie on their breath. It was at times like these that you could rely strongest on your friends.
"Ouch," Dash said and rubbed her head. Something small and squishy had fallen on her which Twilight was quick to pick up.
"A muffin?" she asked inquisitively.
They both looked up to see Derpy flying by above with her arms full of muffins, and not just her, Fluttershy as well. From the city came Pinkie and Rarity as well, all of them with saddle pouches stuffed with muffins.
"Ah don't get it," Apple Bloom said and shrugged. "Muffins?"
The chubby ponies stopped up at the sight of food. The muffins rained down on them and they voraciously stuffed the treats into their mouths with no further thoughts. Their reversal was as good as instantaneous.
"No, don't eat them! Ah forbid ya from eating muffins anymore," Apple Bloom said in a panic but it was too late. Those still standing had all shared in the feast and were all back to normal. They turned their ire towards Apple Bloom and approached her menacingly instead.
Rainbow Dash released Twilight and waved her friends forwards. "Come on, girls!" she exclaimed and took the lead.
Apple Bloom's guards were defenceless against the superiorly fit attackers. The disgruntled workers jabbed muffins into little struggling jaws before pinning Apple Bloom to the ground. She was then subjected to her own medicine and had pies and other treats forced into her face.
The mane six with Derpy made no moves to stop them and instead continued up towards the keep. Princess Celestia was licking her hooves lovingly, her distended body covered in thick strawberry butter jam. Her legs, belly and neck were all coated in bulky layers of fat, her rear big enough for a normal pony to hide behind.
Applejack, on the other hoof, was still lying underneath Scootaloo. Judging by her annoyed expression, she was enjoying the experience less and less.
"Darling, are you all right?" Rarity asked.
"Juuuuust dandy," Applejack replied.
"Not you. Sweetie Belle, dear, you really shouldn't be eating those."
Sweetie Belle had decided to help Celestia with her food pile. She was lying on her stomach, head buried in a triple layer chocolate cake with caramel heart. Rarity levitated her sister's head out and flipped her on her back. Sweetie Belle's eyes rolled around lazily, her white coat matted with chocolate. Rarity had no problems getting a muffin between jaws. Scootaloo likewise turned back easily, Applejack shirking her off her back.
Celestia was a bit more difficult as she maniacally began to wolf down more cakes with little regards to manners or anything else. Applejack and Rainbow Dash had to restrain her while Twilight and Pinkie removed the cakes and Rarity forced the muffin into her royal mouth.
They all took a moment to breathe. They were all thinking the same thing, but none of them could voice it. Instead they all laughed, like their humour had been bottled away and suddenly released all at once. None of them would have dared to speculate about the future just yesterday, but now it was finally over. Celestia wiped her eyes as the mirth died down with an occasional snickering.
She led them back to where the muffin brigade had left Apple Bloom to the mercy of her angry workers. The workers helped revert their fat brethren with all the muffins lying around. None of them wanted to help the little yellow filly that was ravenously eating everything in sight.
Applejack moved towards her, but Celestia stopped her. "Apple Bloom will finally learn her lesson; what it means to be always hungry, always craving food, never caring how much the belly hurts or how fat she gets."
Apple Bloom knew where all of the stashes were hidden around the farm, the secret ones as well as the movies. She was running around feverishly, digging up caches of food from the ground or extracting them from hollowed trees.
"Ah can't tell ya'll how deeply sorry Ah am," Applejack said and bowed. She was speaking to everypony gathered here, not just her friends and Celestia, but the apple pickers too and the guards and the farmhoofs as well. "All the money we stole from ya'll will be used ta make things go back ta how they once were and ta any reimbursements."
"That's very noble of you, Applejack," Celestia said and smiled. "I hope you have learned your lesson?"
"Ah sure have, Princess, but... how will we prevent this from happening again?" Applejack asked worriedly and looked up into her eyes.
"I wouldn't worry about that," Celestia said and looked at all of the ponies gathered around them. They finished their conversion and knelt on the ground in respect of her. "Everypony who has tasted your cursed goods will be immune to its effects once they have been turned back."
"But how can we cure the whole city?" Twilight asked with concern and came up next to the Princess, looking at the town before them. "The muffins Derpy has brought will barely stretch to the ponies gathered here, and there are still many trapped in their own homes."
"I brought something with me that should help speed things up a little," The Princess said serenely. With a little flick of her horn, a chest appeared on the ground between them. She prodded it with a hoof and it opened to reveal the Elements of Harmony inside. "This should be easier than when Discord came for a visit."
The ponies equipped their corresponding elements; Twilight her crown and the others their necklaces. Twilight felt her energy replenished and got the feeling she could accomplish anything. She levitated up into the sky and brought with her her friends and encased them in a bubble the colour of purple like how her horn glowed.
The bubble grew in size and covered all of Ponyville in the span of seconds. Whomever it touched, regardless of walls or other obstruction, was instantaneously slimmed down to a state before their first fateful taste. Ponies emerged from their dwellings for the first time in many months and blinked at the sun that they had not seen for so long.
Once it had crossed Ponyville's borders and even reached into the Everfree Forest, the bubbled dissipated again. Twilight and her friends returned to the ground, their elements slipping from their bodies. Celestia collected them and stowed them away inside the chest. Twilight smiled tiredly and dropped down on the ground. The other were equally exhausted and sat down as well. Still, one question remained that Fluttershy was astute enough to ask.
"Well, uhm... what are we going to do with all the pies and other treats that have already been made?"
"I know one filly who'd be more than happy to eat it all," Celestia said and gave a small laughter. "Just be sure to give her a muffin once she's done."
Celestia spread her wings and motioned to leave for the skies when Applejack addressed her.
"Uhm, Princess? Can Ah ask ya a question?" she asked and rubbed her arm.
"Of course you may," Celestia replied calmly.
"Well... Ah still can't believe Apple Bloom would do this. She's the nicest little pony there is!"
"The magic of earth ponies is ancient, far older than that of unicorns, but also little understood. Don't worry, Applejack, your sister will grow up to be a fine mare and a strong earth pony with you there to help her."
Applejack pondered that for a moment. She nodded finally with an enthusiastic grin. "Ah will, Princess! Don'tcha worry!"
Celestia beamed at them all before taking off with a mighty flap of her wings. They all waved at her until she disappeared towards the sun and was gone. It had been one crazy adventure and they all came out of this having learnt something. ***
To feed the ire of the afflicted, a new attraction arose in Ponyville. It lasted only for a few months, but it was absolutely free and attracted a large crowd. Ponies came from all over Equestria just for this one thing. "Feed Apple Bloom" became the biggest hit since Summer Sun Celebration and, short-lived as it was, really rallied the community together again and helped everyone to slowly forgive the atrocities committed by the Apple family.
Needless to say, Apple Bloom fast became the biggest pony who ever lived. Day and night, curious spectators would grab a pie or a donut or an eclair and shove it into the eagerly waiting maw. Even the liquid Apple Bloom had developed just for Applejack had to go, all forty barrels of them.
After just a week, they had to haul Apple Bloom outside of town and into a meadow where she eventually grew to the size of a small mountain of blubber. One curious aspect of the spiked food was a total removal of any ill side effects one might otherwise expect from extreme obesity. She quickly couldn't move any parts of herself and was completely dependent on others to care for her, but she was under the circumstances fine.
At the end of it all, when the last of the poisoned goods were gone and it was time for an antidote, Apple Bloom had almost disappeared into her own enormous rolls of fat. Her head alone was like a belly button sunken in the enormous globe of fat that she had become. When she was finally returned to normal, she was above anyone else ashamed of the things she had done. It would serve as a reminder for her to the ends of her days what a monster anyone could become if they allowed desire to take control.
Rainbow Dash and Applejack had a difficult time finding out how they belonged together and mostly tried to avoid each other. They would blush, look away and then hastily go in another direction if they met randomly. It would take them awhile to realise their own feelings for the other mare and admit it freely.
Ponyville soon recovered from the tragedy that had befallen them, but no one would ever forget the events that happened over the course of that year. Although things returned to normal, the memory of what they had all become would remain with them all for a long time. |
Last Glass of Poison | pre | "I ..." Fancypant stuttered as the creature began to tear Fleur-de-lis's dress down, ripping apart the clothing to expose her breasts. "I can't leave you here ..."
"Fancypants ..." Fluer-de-lis whined, a tear escaping from her eye as the tip of the tendril began to envelope her breast. "I know it doesn't seem like it, but the best thing you can do is save yourself. Say you stay here. Then what? What can you do? Then this ... thing will devour both of us and nobody will know what happened. But if you leave, if you tell someone ... they can at least know what happened to me. Do the right thing. Don't be a hero, Fancypants."
Fancypants sniffed. He nodded. It hurt to nod. It hurt to say yes. It hurt to know he was saying "yes" to his love's request of leaving her here to die, alone. But he sniffed, he shed a tear, and he turned around and headed for safety of the city.
Fleur cried in silence. She closed her eyes and waited for the thing to be done with whatever it was doing. It did nothing but rub at her breast for awhile. So she opened her eyes to see if was doing anything else. One of its tendrils was raising up. It aimed at her like it about to fire something. The bulb at the end began to change in shape and size, rounding itself down, shaving itself, redistribution its mass along the stem of the tendril until it was a perfectly sculpted match for Fleur's own breast.
Fleur's jaw dropped.
"I ... don't even know what to say."
She shouldn't have said anything, as the breast-tendril shoved its way into her open mouth and began to squirt liquid into her throat, forcing her to swallow. It tasted like orange juice. Fluer supposed that there were worse things to be force-fed than orange juice.
The tendrils that had been caressing her breasts stopped and lifted up. Their bulbs also began to shift, changing into thin stick-like forms. They shot up through the tips of Fleur-de-lis' breasts, piercing through her and entering the insides of her breasts like needles. Fluer grunted at the uncomfortable intrusion. The sticks rummaged around inside her spheres, fiddling with the biology of the female organ until they found what they were looking for. They started to hum and vibrate against her mammary glands.
The goo-breast continued to pump orange juice into her. As it went on, the taste of the juice started to change, like a new element was being introduced. Disliking the new drink of juice and whatever the creature had mixed with it, Fluer-de-lis tried to to punch the tendril. But it was no use. Her hand only became lodged inside the stem like she had tried to punch through pudding. The slime seemed to forgive her, wiggling its stem until her hand was shook free.
"Mmph!" Fluer grunted and moaned. She could her stomach beginning to fill up with the "orange juice" which was starting to taste less and less like juice. A heat began to emanate from her stomach, tickling at her throat, encouraging her to swallow more of the citric fluid.
"Oooh ..." Fluer purred, her head tilting to the side. She looked down to see the string-like tendrils inside her breasts were beginning to pull out a fluid from her chest.
Milk, she realized. They were pulling out milk. Milk. From her breasts, that had been triggered by the thrumming against her glands. It felt good. Good to have the little tendrils pull out her milk.
She shook her head. Her mind was clouding. She knew she was being drugged, probably the citric fluid. But still, that milk suckling did feel good ...
She shook her head again, trying to keep resisting, even though the tendril was still spurting more citrus into her. She could feel her stomach being absolutely full. She could see that her petite breasts were growing. Fluer was never really that concerned about her breasts. She was a model, but she preferred to rely on her natural slender body and elegant grace to appear attractive. To that end, she had never thought about implants. But they were growing now. They were getting so big ... so big and full. Much bigger than any implant could manage.
The rapid generation of milk in them was pushing out her insides, expanding her breasts. She looked down at her chest again and was pleased to see the tendrils suctioning out even more milk than before. She was producing more, as evidenced by her breasts increasing more and more size. Her stomach was also beginning to jut out, so full it was.
"Mmm ... mmm ... mmmm!" She moaned lustfully and groaned resentfully. She was feeling so good, too drugged up to resist the pleasure any more. The creature itself seemed to know this. She undulated her body, shaking her hips and wiggling her legs as she felt an orgasm approaching.
"Mmm, mmm ..." Fluer continued to moan, as if begging for release. The creature obliged her, raising another tendril up and sliding under her dress and up her skirt where it could get at her entrance, pulsing pleasantly against it.
Fluer let out a muffled screech, doubling as the goopy intrusion accelerated her powerful, mind wracking orgasm. The goop absorbed it and exited her orifices and breasts, gently lowering her to the ground before moving back into the forest.
"Oooh ..." Fluer groaned. She rolled over and surveyed herself. Her dress had been tattered by the ordeal. Her breasts had swollen from the size of golf balls to the size of footballs and were still pouring out aromatic milk. Her stomach was swollen, sloshing around with bubbly citrus inside. And she kept feeling jolts inside her as her body, for some reason, tried to make her already-finished orgasm last longer.
Fleur groaned, trying to get to her feet. She knew she had to get back to Fancypants. She also knew she was drugged with aphrodisiac. But simply knowing she was drugged hardly helped her to fight it, and she gave it to the urge to squeeeeeze her engorged breasts, spraying her milk all over the ground.
"Gah ha ha ha ... that's good stuff." Fleur giggled like a child, running her fingers over her breasts to squirt more milk out.
"Ugh! No! What am I doing? I need ..." Fluer limped forward. "I need to get back to Fancypants." She bundled up what she could of her dress's remains and stuffed it towards her chest to cover herself. Then, she started limping towards Canterlot.
Meanwhile in Ponyville, Fleur-de-lis was not the only struggling with the issue of lactation.
Fluttershy was rolling around in her bed, hands on her breasts without any shame. "Oh yes, that's it, kids ... drink from Mama." she was dreaming about a tag-team sibling pair of Applejack and her brother Big Macintosh suckling on both her breasts, teasing milk out.
She rolled around, enjoying herself, kneading her breasts. Until she rolled one too many times and bumped her head against the headrest, bringing her to her senses.
"Oh." Fluttershy muttered, opening her eyes. She looked down at her hands and blushed. She made sure to take her hands off before standing up. She exhaled sharply.
This usually happened, just around the time of their annual check-up with Silver Lens. They would get to talking about the Pipe Slime infection, where they were all lactating. Fluttershy would mention that it made her feel motherly. Fluttershy liked feeling motherly. After they talked about it, Fluttershy would dream or fantasize for a few days after about nursing again. It happened every time. The normal routine would be that she would deal with it for a few days, then forgot about it as the conversation faded from her mind.
Not this time. Fluttershy had decided that this time, she was going to do something about it.
What that "something" was had yet to be determined. Rest assured, it was going to be something, and she was going to do it.
Getting out of bed and adjusting her yellow bathrobe, Fluttershy walked into the other room. There was Discord, Spirit of Chaos-turned-antagonistic friend. He was floating the air and snickering to himself about something. Whatever it was, it was causing mice to evict the premises and her pet bunny to laugh.
"Discord?" Fluttershy spoke with a soft tone.
Discord scrambled to use his magic to make it look as though he wasn't up to anything. "I wasn't doing anything!" He hid his hands behind his back.
"It's okay." Fluttershy said with a smile. "Um, actually, I was wondering if you would me doing me a favor?"
"But of course!" Discord moved next to her, tracing his finger along her cheek. "Anything for my favorite person in the whole world!"
"Uum ... well, it's um, rather ... personal."
"Mh-hm?"
"Like, intimate personal." Fluttershy elaborated.
"Oh, I see." Discord swam through the air away from her. "What is it?"
"Um, would you, um ... well, this isn't easy for me to say. Lately, I've been fantasizing a lot about having someone ... suckle me. Nurse me, for my, um. Milk. " Fluttershy put her hands together and attempted to appeal to his ego. "Someone big and strong. Like you."
Discord cocked his bushy eyebrow. "Let me see if I have this correct. You, Fluttershy, want me, Discord, to suckle your breast?"
"Um, if it's not too much trouble?" Fluttershy leaned forward, her voice carrying apologetic and hopeful notes.
Discord raised his hand and snapped his fingers. There were sparkles of light in Fluttershy's hands that materialized into bathroom plungers.
"Knock yourself out." Discord said. A wisp of green flame appeared next to him, turning into a paper with a star seal on it. "Oh! I do believe dear Princess Twilight wants to see me!" He grabbed the letter and snapped his fingers. There was another sparkle, and he was gone.
Fluttershy threw the plungers down, not at all pleased how that conversation went. After a minute of huffing and puffing, she looked down at the plungers.
"Well ... he was nice enough to give them to me, so I guess I should use them." She bent down and began scooping the plungers up to carry them to her bathroom.
The door to her house swung open, startling Fluttershy. She held one leg up like a flamingo in a lake, wincing before she was it was just Applejack who had charged in.
"Fluttershy!" Applejack said. "I need your help - why are y'all carryin' plungers?"
"Oh, um. Long story." Fluttershy dropped the plungers to the ground. "I'd be happy to help. What is it?"
"I think Rarity is breastfeedin' Rainbow Dash again."
Fluttershy stared, not certain what this meant. Her heart went to Rarity - it must have been nice to have a partner as loyal as Rainbow Dash for that gentle, pleasant nursing ... "Um, okay. Why is this a bad thing?"
"Land's sakes, girl!" Applejack held her hands out. "Don't y'all remember wut happened the last time Rarity was nursin' Rainbow Dash?"
"Um, yes. But that wasn't her fault. The Slime had got to her! What's so wrong about her breastfeeding now?" Fluttershy crossed her arms.
Applejack's eye twitched. Fluttershy's questions was making her doubt her self-assured judgment. "Look, we all know Rarity is hurting Rainbow Dash and it's up to us to put a stop to it."
"How do you know?" Fluttershy asked. "What if Rarity's just feeding Rainbow Dash natural milk? What if she's developed something? What if's a side-effect of being infected for as long as she was?"
Applejack sighed and rubbed her temples. "Look, Fluttershy, it's not healthy, all right? It ain't natural for a woman to drink another woman's milk like that. We have to stop them because Celestia knows they won't stop themselves." With that, Applejack turned around and stepped out the door.
Fluttershy looked at her breasts. She cupped them gently.
"It's perfectly natural to want to feel motherly ..."
Knowing she wouldn't be able to convince Applejack, Fluttershy went outside after her. Once Applejack had made up her mind on something, it was hard to convince her otherwise.
"Do you have a plan?" Fluttershy asked.
"Yeah. We're gonna find Rainbow Dash, invite her over ..." They didn't have to go far into town to find Rainbow Dash, who was chatting with Scootaloo while Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom stood away some distance. Sweetie Belle was particularly focused.
"Hey, R.D!" Applejack waved. "Want to come over for a few drinks?"
Rainbow Dash looked towards them. She put a hand on Scootaloo's shoulder, reassuring her that Dash would return. After that, Rainbow Dash came near them. "Hey, guys. What's up? Heard something about drinks?"
"Yeah." Applejack said, grabbing Fluttershy's hand. "Fluttershy and I were just about to head on over to Sweet Apple Acres for a few drinks. Maybe some tea, talk a bit, catch up ..."
"Sounds good." Rainbow Dash waved at Scootaloo. "Ooh, do you have some stored cider?"
Applejack's grimace was all Rainbow Dash needed to know.
"It's fine." Dash waved her hand. "No big deal."
The trio made their way back to Applejack's house, where Applejack was hospitable. Too hospitable. She pulled out chairs for both of them and got out cups for all three of them. She patted the seat for Fluttershy to sit in, then went to the fridge.
"So wut can I get y'all?" Applejack offered, throwing her fridge open. "Some apple juice? Orange juice? Maybe a nice glass of milk?"
"Yeah, sure." Rainbow Dash said. She noticed Applejack smirking like she had just caught a criminal red-handed.
"Actually ..." Rainbow Dash said. "You have any sports drinks? I need to catch up on my electrolytes."
"Hmm." Applejack was unhappy about being denied her easy victory. "Let me look around in here ..."
"Aren't you gonna serve Fluttershy?" Rainbow Dash asked. Applejack halted, glared, then turned back to Fluttershy.
"I wouldn't mind milk." Fluttershy offered. Applejack took the milk carton out.
What neither Applejack or Fluttershy realized was that Rainbow Dash was onto them. Applejack's intents were transparent. Rainbow Dash had been living with Rarity for some time. As a result, Rarity had schooled Rainbow Dash in various methods of double-talk and deflection. The trick Rainbow Dash had just exercised was something Rarity taught her for when someone - this case, Applejack - was trying to lay a trap. Simply poke holes in their story. Namely, why not serve Fluttershy first if they weren't sure they had what Rainbow wanted?
"Y'all sure you don't any of this stuff?" Applejack asked, holding the carton up. "It's all natural!"
Rainbow Dash wanted to laugh and spit in Applejack face about how she saw right through her ploy. But she remembered something Rarity had stressed when tricking people into thinking their plans were still going smoothly - there was nothing quite like overconfidence to cause someone to tip their hand early and ruin their own game.
Never let them know you're onto them.
"I'm good." Rainbow Dash said. "Anything else you need?"
Applejack scowled. She was about to say something when Rainbow Dash got up from her chair.
"Well, since you don't have anything for me to drink, I should really get back to hanging out with Scootaloo." That was another lesson Rarity had taught - always have a good excuse for leaving.
Applejack shoved the carton back into the fridge. "Darn it! I thought we could get her ..."
Fluttershy didn't show it, but she knew Applejack was wrong. Fluttershy didn't know Rainbow Dash was onto them, but she did know Applejack's unsubtle methods would never get Rainbow Dash (or anyone else, really) to confess to anything.
Applejack sighed and took a seat, pouring herself a glass of apple juice. "I don't git it."
Fluttershy kept it to herself, but she couldn't help but think ...
No. You really don't.
Fluttershy privately entertained the thought of taking her clothes off right there and seducing Applejack into nursing her. She could do it. She had the bust size for it. Out of the six of them, only Rarity was bustier. The kind of generous, well-curved breasts that could seduce anyone, regardless of sexuality as long as it was flaunted the right way.
"Fluttershy?" Applejack asked. "Y'all got this real funny look on your face. What are ya thinkin' about?"
"Oh, nothing." Fluttershy fibbed. She took a drink, imagining Applejack nursing her while on her knees. She expanded on her fantasy, thinking about how the conversation would go. Oh, Fluttershy! I've seen the light. Please forgive me and allow me to nurse you!
Fluttershy giggled at her over-the-top scenario. Still, she thought better of actually trying it. Rivaling Rarity's bust wasn't an issue, but the reason Rarity was so successful at her seductions was, well, that she was seductive. An expertise that Fluttershy lacked.
"I still don't see what's wrong with breastfeeding." Fluttershy said with calmness.
"Well, it is!" Applejack's grip tightened around her glass.
"Applejack, let's assume just for a minute that Rarity's feeding isn't because of any slimes or infections or anything. Then what's the harm in letting someone close to her nurse her?"
"Cause it means she's hurting Rainbow Dash!"
"You don't know that. Rainbow Dash could be fine. Rarity could be feeding someone else, even. They could not be feeding at all. "
Applejack bit her lip, unable to argue with Fluttershy's reasoning. Really, what proof did she have beyond a water bottle and her own suspicions? But it still didn't sit right. It was still wrong.
"Fluttershy ..." Applejack's tone was one of worry and concern, like she was trying to spare Fluttershy's feelings. "If Rarity's feeding again, that means she's been lying to us."
"Well, given how rude and intrusive you're being, I can see why she would!"
Applejack backed up against her chair. Fluttershy covered her mouth as she realized she had raised her voice.
"Fluttershy ... I think it's time for you to go."
"Hmph!" Fluttershy pushed her chair out and got up. She went to the door and stopped, turning to Applejack with a silent fury in her eyes.
"All those years ago, after all she did under the Slime's influence ... you never really forgave her, did you?"
Applejack pointed at the door. "Git out."
Fluttershy turned her nose to the air and shut the door behind her in a less than gentle fashion. Not quite slamming the door, but also not a calm way of shutting it. It was only after the door was closed and the room was silent that Applejack considered that perhaps the fact she had just told sweet, soft-mannered Fluttershy to git out should hint to Applejack maybe she was in the wrong.
After a long day spent playing with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle went back inside Carousel Boutique. She would not like to admit a large portion of that time was spent gawking at Scootaloo ... the way she used her little wings. Her sporty, can-do attitude, her athletic build ...
"Ah! Sweetie Belle. Perfect." Rarity said, strolling into the room. In her hands was a water bottle, again filled with white liquid that sloshed and splashed seductively. "Sweetie Belle, do you know what you did?"
In all honesty, Sweetie Belle had forgotten all about doing what she did with the bottle until now. "Y-yeah? Why?"
"Well ..." Rarity drawled. "I know you took the bottle of poison to Applejack. Applejack brought it back and she had crushed it! Which wasn't very nice of her." Rarity growled.
Sweetie Belle gulped. "No, it wasn't."
"Now, I'd be willing to forgive you ..." Rarity held the bottle up, balancing it on her hand. She tossed into the air and caught. "But I - ... my friend was none too pleased to find out her poison was being messed with. That it was being handled by parties other than those to whom she had given permission. Now, do I have your word you won't mess with the poison bottles again?"
Sweetie Belle nodded. "Of course!" She was just glad to get out of this conversation without a spanking or worse. Sweetie Belle moved for her room, but Rarity sidestepped in front of her and blocked her. "Uh, can I go to my room now?"
"Your word, Sweetie Belle." Even Sweetie Belle, with all her inexperience, could tell Rarity was using a false happy tone.
Sweetie Belle sighed. She raised one hand up while placing the other across her chest. "You have my word that I will not mess with your bottles of white poison."
"Excellent." Rarity stepped out of the way. She watched as Sweetie Belle went up the stairs, feigning happiness. Sweetie Belle ignored her and carried on her way. Once she was gone, Rarity skipped back to put the bottle in the fridge.
"Darlings, I'm going out!" Rarity called throughout the house, letting everyone know of her intent to be absent.
Ah, the bar. Few other establishments were as adaptable as a bar. The results of a visit could be anything. A good time, a good night, fresh love, a mugging, a terrible hang-over the next day ... was there any other service-based building with such a wide variety of outcomes?
After the day she'd been having, Rarity would have looked forward to any of them. First, that wholly unnecessary meeting with Silver Lens. Sweetie Belle had gotten into her "poisons." Applejack had gotten into her poisons. Not to mention that Harshwhinny brute interrogating her and Dash while they were trying to enjoy a soak.
After all of that, Rarity wouldn't mind waking up shirtless in an alleyway, so long as she no longer had to deal with their suspicions, their accusations, their glares. They didn't trust her. They didn't trust her word and they did not trust that she wasn't feeding Rainbow Dash. And she certainly did not trust them. Why should she? If they weren't going to believe her, why should she believe them?
Rarity made her way to the table of the bar. She moved fluidly through the crowd like she was a splash of water instead of a person. She would have blended in and appeared inconspicuous if not for her groomed hairstyle. Her curled hair was fine for the town, or the catwalk, but was much too fancy for a bar. She caught looks and stares from the crowd."
She ignored them, sitting at the table. "Bartender, a simple martini. With a pitted olive, if you would." The bartender nodded. His service was excellent, as he slid the tiny glass to her within seconds.
"Superb, darling. Thank you." Rarity lifted the glass up and took a small sip. She held the glass by its bowl, idly swirling it around while she listened to the white noise. People whispering, murmuring. At least one group of people were shouting, doing some pointless frat boy activity.
Rarity made a survey of the room. There was little of note, at least that interested her. Until she picked up a conversation that she knew was about her.
"Ooh, you see that one, boys? I hear she's a real feisty sheila."
Rarity took another sip of drink, using to mask her face as she turned towards the people. There was a trio of men at a table, all dress in brown and gray suits and hats like 1950's gangsters.
"Infected the whole town with this crazy goop, you know?" One of them said.
"I hear she got the Crystal Princess and her husband in bed with her ... at the same time!"
Rarity stood up. She knew what she had done under the influence of that creature, and she would not stand for rumors and speculation. She had, at no point, entered into the bedroom with Cadence and Shining Armor. She wasn't proud of much she had done in that time, but not becoming intimate with a married couple was at least thing she could be proud of.
The three men continued to chat and giggle amongst themselves. They stopped when they saw Rarity appear in front of their table like a ghost from the wall.
"Hello, boys." Rarity swished her drink around before taking a sip. "I heard you were talking about me?"
"Oh, um ... maybe a little?" One of them said, making a pinch gesture.
"Well, I will have you know that as many things as I did, as much as I did, I did not bed with Princess Cadence and his husband." Rarity swirled her drink around again before taking another sip.
The men were unnerved. It was just taking a sip of a drink - that was all it was. But somehow Rarity found a way to make so damn creepy.
"Well?" Rarity harshly snapped at them. She put her fingers on the table and began walking them. "Aren't one of you gentlemen going to invite me home? After all, since my sexual prowess is so well known ..."
"I, uh ..." One of them stammered. "I need to get home to my wife." He downed the last of his drink and sped out of the bar.
Boys and their excuses. Rarity would bet he didn't even have a wife.
"I think I hear my laundry calling me." The second one of the trio said before joining in leaving. That left Rarity and the last man alone.
Rarity bent over, giving him a view down her top at her breasts. "Well?"
The man shivered a bit. Most of the times, males would be awed to have a chance to view Rarity's bust, but somehow Rarity made it seem less like she was flaunting her body at him and more like she was pulling out and aiming a dagger at his throat. He fellow his friends' example and made for the exit without even finishing his drink.
Rarity huffed.
"Miss?" The bartender hailed her. Rarity found that interesting. She hadn't been hailed by a bartender anymore.
"Yes?" Rarity asked him, walking to his table.
"Look ..." The bartender said. "I know those guys were probably talking some smack about you, but I can't have you scaring off my paying customers. It's bad for business!"
"Are you asking me to leave?"
"Well, I was gonna try to be tactful about it, but ... yeah!"
"Very well." Rarity swallowed her martini and threw the cup down onto his table. It rolled on its side before the bartender used his hand to stop it. Rarity pulled out some money and tossed onto the table before leaving.
As a business owner herself, Rarity understood why she had been asked to leave. But as she did, she couldn't help but feel a hint of bitterness.
This was what she had to deal with.
"Did you find her? Any news? Progress? A status update?"
Fancypants had his hands together in prayer that Fleur-de-lis would be all right. He was starting to get on the guard's nerves.
"For the last time, Fancypants, no. There has not been a status update. We will find her when we find her."
Fancypants sighed. He knew the first forty-eight hours were the most important in a missing persons case, and the longer the Royal Guards searched, the less it seemed like they going to find Fluer-de-lis or even just her body. That creature may have digested her whole!
"Sir, why don't you go home for the night?" The guard suggested. "If we have any status updates at all, we will call you."
Fancypants groaned. He realized the guard was right to suggest he went home, but that hardly made him feel better. Constantly asking the guard for updates wasn't going to accomplish anything either, so he resigned himself to returning home.
To his mansion ... alone. By himself.
It was funny, Fancypants thought as he entered his house. The mansion was so big - one of the largest in Canterlot. But without Fleur-de-lis, it felt smaller than a fly.
Fancypants sighed again, taking off his monocle and resting it on the windowsill. He supposed he should go to bed for the night and hope for results in the morning.
A knock prevented Fancypants from doing that.
"What is so important it can wait until morning and for me to mope?" Fancypants cussed as he walked back to the door, pulling it open to reveal-
"Fleur-de-lis!" Fancypants exclaimed. It was Fluer-de-lis. Her dress was in tatters, her body exposed, and her breasts and belly were unnaturally, unhealthily swollen. But she was alive. "Is it really you?"
"Y-yes, Fancypants." Fluer answered, shivering in the night cold without the protection of clothes. "It's me."
Fancypants engaged her in a tight hug, not even caring about his body pressing in to her enlarged breasts. "I'd thought I'd never see you again!"
"T-that's nice ... c-can I come in? I'm so cold ..."
"Yes, yes, of course!" Fancypants said, bringing her inside and shutting the down. "I'll start a fire, perhaps a warm bath."
"Fancypants ..." Fluer-de-lis said. "Look at me. Look at me." Fluer-de-lis let go of her hold on her ruined dress, revealing the rest of her body. "That thing did something to me!"
Fancypants nodded. He pulled her into another hug. "I know, dear, I know. We''ll fix it. We'll get through it together. We'll go to the hospital right away ... we'll find a way through." |
Last Glass of Poison | Exchanging Barbs | Dear Friend,
If you are receiving this postcard, then you are invited to the 18th birthday of Sweetie Belle at Carousel Boutique this afternoon. Sugarcube Corner will be catering.
Gifts for the birthday girl are not necessary, but would be appreciated.
-Rarity Belle.
Twilight Sparkle took stock of the Carousel Boutique. She was amongst the many who had been invited to Sweetie Belle's birthday, but she was one of the few who had an actual relationship with Rarity or Sweetie Belle. A large number of people present were only distant acquaintances, friends of friends, or people who only lived in Ponyville who Rarity had invited for no other reason than being polite to them.
"Hmm." Twilight scooted against a wall, waiting for one of her friends to find her through the busy crowd.
One of her friends found her, but it wasn't any of the ones she would have liked. Discord appeared next to her in a flash of light.
"Discord." Twilight growled.
"Yes, me!" Discord waved his hand through the air. "What about me? Are you not enjoying the party?" He produced a large bowl of popcorn and offered it to her.
Twilight glared at him. "You didn't respond to my letter yesterday."
"Didn't I?" Discord scratched his chin. "Oh, no, I didn't. I meant to. But I got distracted on the way, saw a seagull. Had to turn it into a orange-frog with wings for fun. Couldn't help myself."
"Uh-huh. More important. Do you know about a book full of sex monsters in Celestia's library?"
Discord made lewd-sounding "Oooh" noise. "Sex monsters? In Celestia's library? Gosh, there's so much I don't know about her!" Discord manifested a sweater-vest and glasses on himself, invoking the image of a conservative moral guardian. "Not really appropriate for Sweetie Belle's birthday party, don't you think?"
"She's eighteen." Twilight dismissed. "Do you know about the book or not?"
"Let me see ..." Discord pulled out his hair and pumped it, like the level of a slot machine. His eyes rolled into the back of his head. "Oh, that's not it. No, not that either. Hmm, maybe it's ... oh, yes!" Discord pulled his hair-lever again, and a pair of sevens appeared in his eyes. "Yes, I know about the book. What of it?"
"Did you tell anyone about it?"
"Why, yes. Fluttershy, I think, about three weeks ago."
Twilight clenched her hands. "Why would you do that!? Do you know what kind of havoc someone could wreak with that book?"
Discord did not appreciate her accusing question. "Tell you what, Twilight Sparkle." He made a cockatrice appear in his arms. He covered the cockatrice's eyes to limit its danger and brought it towards Twilight, who shirked away, remembering an unpleasant experience with the creature. "You spend a thousand years encased in stone, and then let's see how well you remember what's important and what isn't."
Twilight put a finger on her head, out of patience for Discord's antics. She supposed he had a point. A thousand years would put a strain on the old memory.
"Wait ..." Twilight said. "You said you told her three weeks ago?"
"Yes?"
"Fluttershy was on a nature trip three weeks ago. She was out of Ponyville the entire day."
Discord scratched his chin. "So that would mean ..."
"Whoever you told wasn't Fluttershy! It was someone pretending to be Fluttershy."
"Oh, what do I know?" Discord snapped his fingers and Twilight's hair turned pink and long, a perfect match for Fluttershy's. "All you mortals look the same."
Twilight zapped herself with her own magic, undoing Discord's changes. "I need to go tell the Princess about this ..." Twilight began to walk toward the door, but Discord appeared in front of her blowing a party horn.
"Oh, Twilight, it's a party!" He placed a party hat on Twilight's head. "Enjoy yourself! That stuffy royal business can wait. Don't bring all that gloom and doom over this cheer and sunshine."
"Discord, I -" Twilight looked over her shoulder to see Sweetie Belle stuffing herself with a slice of cake. Twilight realized she in all likeliness was falling prey to Discord's manipulation, but she still felt guilty about bringing the "doom and gloom" to what was supposed to be a joyous occasion.
"I didn't think I'd ever say this, but you're right, Discord." Twilight said. "Whoever it is that has the book won't make their move until they're ready. If they're smart enough to avoid being caught by now, they won't be stupid enough to speed up their plans just because Celestia and I are on to them." Twilight turned around and moved through the crowd, striking up a conversation.
Discord smiled, satisfied he had gotten the perennially uptight Twilight to lighten up. He figured he might as well pop off to Canterlot to let Celestia know what he and Twilight had figured out. If nothing else, to keep Twilight and him (though mainly him) out of trouble for not reporting sooner. He could pop right back to the party afterwards. He snapped his fingers and disappeared.
Meanwhile at the table, Rarity was sorting through the presents some of Sweetie Belle's closer friends had been generous enough to bring. "Let's see, this one is from ... Scootaloo." Rarity didn't notice Sweetie Belle's eyes light up at the name. "I think we'll just put that and Apple Bloom's gift here so you open them first. Does that sound all right, Sweetie Belle?"
"Hey!" Scootaloo said. "How do you know she doesn't want to save the best for last?"
Rarity rolled her eyes, but she smiled. "Sweetie Belle, what do you want to do?"
"I think I want to open Scootaloo's and Apple Bloom's first." Sweetie Belle said, giving a glazed look towards Scootaloo. Rarity handed the present to Sweetie Belle, who started unwrapping it with a complete lack of patience.
"They're good friends, aren't they?" Applejack said to Rarity, walking up to her. She nodded to the younger trio. "The three of them, Ah mean."
"Yes." Rarity agreed as Scootaloo's present was revealed to be a karaoke set, for Sweetie Belle's interest in singing.
"So, are y'all ready to come clean about you and Rainbow Dash?" Applejack whispered.
"Oh." Rarity scoffed. She wished she could say she was surprised that Applejack would choose now, at Sweetie's birthday party, to bring up the subject, but she wasn't surprised in the least. "Applejack, now is really not an appropriate time."
"Oh, are ya sure?" Applejack asked. "In front of everyone ya invited, in the crowd where y'all can't run away ... seems pretty good tah me."
"Attack me if you must. Make me suffer, if you have to. But please, leave Sweetie Belle out of your grudging crusade."
"Grudge? Who said Ah was carryin' a grudge?"
Rarity shook her head. "Applejack, I would very much appreciate if you would hold this off until sometime after Sweetie Belle's party. How would you feel if it was Apple Bloom's party and I came up to you with the intent to interrogating you?"
Rarity's hypothetical statement seemed to make Applejack reconsider. "Fine. But this isn't over." Applejack stomped off away from Rarity, passing Twilight and Spike on the way.
"A.J?" Twilight asked. "What's wrong?"
"Nuthin'." Applejack said. "Except for Rarity being a two-faced sneak. Ah'm gonna git some punch"
"I hope everything's okay between them."
"Eh, Applejack and Rarity are always getting into fights." Spike dismissed Twilight's worries, taking a sip of punch.
Twilight brought her fingers to her chin out of worry. "I suppose." Twilight turned around and noticed Rainbow Dash was standing rather close to Rarity. In fact, Twilight hadn't seen Rainbow Dash move from Rarity's side during the whole party.
Is she ...? Twilight thought, thinking about the incident where they all thought Rarity and Rainbow Dash were in a unhealthy relationship. Which would explain why Applejack was in a sour mood.
Twilight didn't want to think ill of Rarity, but she also didn't want to be unprepared for the reality, if it turned out Rarity was using Rainbow Dash behind closed doors again. Twilight took a deep gulp.
"Spike ... how would you feel if Rarity said she was in love with someone?"
"Psshaw. Twilight, she's said she's in love with someone plenty of times!" Spike turned to Rarity with admiration. "None of them lasted. It's just a matter of time before Rarity sees I was always the one for her." He held up his cup, gazing at Rarity's reflection through it.
Twilight tapped her fingers. "True, but ... what if something changed? What if tomorrow, she announced she found her soul mate and ... it was someone we knew?"
"Like that will happen!" Spike scoffed. Twilight grimaced. She wasn't getting through to him.
"Although ..." Spike added, tapping on his glass. "I guess I could still be happy."
"Oh? What do you mean?"
"Uh, well ... you remember a couple of years ago when Rarity got "infected" with that slime thing?"
Twilight swallowed hard. She remembered all too well. "Yes. What about it?"
"She, uh, came to visit me." Spike said. "She, um, offered herself to me and ... we had sex with each other, with her, um, milk." Spike raised his glass. "It was awesome. So even if she did say she had met soulmate, I can still hold onto that night." Spike got a dreamy smile. "That great, great night."
Twilight didn't hear his nostalgic mutterings, however. Her mind had stopped processing anything he or anybody else had said after the words "we had sex with each other." "She did what?" Twilight growled, the fury of a mother burning in her body. Baring her teeth like a starving wolf that had found its unlucky first meal, Twilight marched up to Rarity.
"Hello, Twilight. Enjoying the party?" Rarity said, not even glancing in Twilight's direction.
"Don't give me that!" Twilight said, with a half mind to skip being civil and go straight for slapping Rarity across the cheek. "Spike just told me you slept with him while you were infected!"
Rarity exhaled. Yes, she had seduced Spike, brought him to her, invited him over and offered her body to him, but it was years ago and while she wasn't even in her right mind. Yet, Twilight spike about it as though it was as recent as yesterday. "Yes? What about it?"
"Rarity, that's not okay! You can't just go around and have sex with Spike and act like it's nothing!"
"I made my apologies for the things I did under the influence of the Pipe Slime." Rarity said. "I don't know what more you can expect from me, Twilight."
Twilight raised her finger, ready to go into a long and extensive detail about why getting with Spike was wrong and why Rarity was a terrible person for doing so, but Rarity held out her hand.
"Darling, please. I already had to deal with Applejack's accusation and we're trying to celebrate Sweetie Belle turning eighteen. I'll talk with you, or I suppose I should say, I'll listen while you rave at me, later. But not right now."
Twilight growled. She accepted Rarity's logic and walked away from her, disgusted by her friend's actions.
Rarity got in some growling of her own. This was supposed to be a birthday party, not a "let's gang up on and accuse Rarity" party. If one more person asked her about her activities, past or present ... well, she would not be responsible for what she might do.
A welcome distraction came in the form of it being time to cut Sweetie Belle's birthday cake. While Rainbow Dash brought the cake to the table, Rarity jumped for the knife. Cutting the cake would give her something to focus on other than how her friends were one-by-one turning against her. Her hands were unsteady from the stress of said friends, but Rarity managed to cut the cake in an even clean line that left everyone none the wiser.
The guests started to help themselves, but Rarity made Sweetie Belle and her close friends got the biggest slices first. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo went about stuffing their faces. Sweetie Belle ate her slice with a more delicate approach.
Huh. Rarity thought to herself, observing Sweetie Belle cutting her cake into pieces with finesse. I guess some of those lessons about proper dining got through to her after all.
Scootaloo's messy approach cost her, as a piece of cake smeared all over her cheek.
"Scootaloo, you got something on you." Rarity said, out of a habit of correcting others when she felt they were being uncouth.
"I'll get it!" Sweetie Belle offered, throwing her silverware down. She grabbed Scootaloo's shirt and pulled her upper body down, putting it in range for Sweetie Belle to lick the frosting off with her tongue. Scootaloo didn't think much of it, resigning to it. After a minute, Sweetie Belle had gotten it all off, but she continued licking.
"Uh, Sweetie Belle, Ah think you got it all." Apple Bloom said.
"Did I?" Sweetie Belle said, removing her tongue. "Oh. Well, her cheeks were so sweet I didn't noticed."
Sweetie Belle's words made Rarity stiffen up like a watchdog taking point. There were plenty of things Rarity would admit she didn't much about, but she knew how to recognize an attempt at flirting with she heard one.
Rarity grabbed Sweetie Belle's shoulder. "Girls, would it be all right if I take Sweetie Belle upstairs to talk to her alone?"
Apple Bloom and Scootaloo looked to each other. Scootaloo shrugged. "Uh, sure?"
"Well, yer tha big sister." Apple Bloom said.
Rarity lifted Sweetie Belle up from her seat and dragged her along up the stairs. Sweetie Belle was more than a little confused as to why. If Rarity had a surprise gift for her, then there wasn't any reason she couldn't give it in front of the guests. Right?
Going into Sweetie Belle's room, Rarity set Sweetie Belle on her bed and locked the door behind them.
"Rarity, what's going on?" Sweetie Belle asked.
""So sweet I didn't notice"? So sweet I didn't notice?" Rarity growled, making clawing motions at the air. "Perhaps the double-meaning was lost on Scootaloo, but I caught what you were trying to do! You were trying to flirt with her!"
"Uh, yeah." Sweetie Belle said. "What's wrong with that?"
"You -" Rarity stammered. "You can't do that! Scootaloo is your friend!"
Sweetie Belle drew her legs up on her bed, wrapping her arms around herself. An air of uncertainty flowed around her. "What if I want her as something more than a friend?"
Rarity said nothing, standing there with her jaw hanging open. "You ... you can't do that. There's too much risk. What if something happens and damages your friendship with her?"
"You did it with Rainbow Dash."
Rarity switched from the offensive to defensive. "That's different."
"How is it any different?" Before Rarity had the chance to answer, Sweetie Belle offered another difficult question. "Rarity, please. It's my birthday. Can't we let it slide for now?"
Rarity brought her hand to cover her eyes. "Oh, I am such a hypocrite ..."
"What?"
"Nothing." Rarity pointed her finger at the door and used her magic to unlock. "Go back downstairs, Sweetie Belle. I'll be with you in a minute."
Sweetie Belle got off the bed, happy to escape without any serious punishments beyond the threat of further talks. She stopped at the door.
"You know ... everything I learned about flirting, I learned from watching you." Sweetie Belle said before going down the stairs.
Rarity clutched at her chest as though she had been stabbed through the heart. She could tell from Sweetie Belle's hesitant, yet admiring tone she had meant it as a compliment. As something to butter Rarity up a little to keep her from getting too angry. But for Rarity, it felt like it was all the justification needed to give Applejack a noose with which to sentence Rarity to hanging.
Rarity collapsed onto Sweetie's bed. How could she have been so careless, so negligent she served as Sweetie Belle's own personal flirtation tutor? Why wouldn't she lock Sweetie Belle in her room or push her to the side during her many ill-fated attempts at finding a suitor? She could add that to her list of mistakes, alongside her seduction of Spike.
Rarity sighed. She pushed herself up and headed down the stairs so her absence didn't make the party conspicuous.
But try as she might to keep up the appearance of enjoying the party, her heart just wasn't in it anymore.
The next morning, Rarity woke up with a sense of dread and foreboding surrounding her. Her room was dressed in fine colors of lavenders, but they might as well have been grey the way she was feeling.
"Oh." Rarity sat up and took her sleeping mask off. Experiencing a slight shiver, Rarity pressed her finger to her breasts, feeling how little milk was in them. She may have been overthinking it, but she felt the emptiness inside her breasts reflected the emptiness she felt in her heart.
Yeah, she was overthinking it.
She thought about taking her powder, then thought better of it when she remembered her conversations with Applejack and Twilight. Rarity made a face of disgust. She did not want to talk of those two again, let alone talk to them, for some time. She knew they would be around sometime today, though.
"Hey." Rainbow Dash said, walking into the room with an envelope in her hand.
"Good morning, Rainbow Dash." Rarity yawned. "What's in the mail?"
"Good news." Rainbow Dash said, sitting on the bed and flicking the envelope towards Rarity. "I know Applejack and Twilight got to you yesterday, so this couldn't have come at a better time."
Intrigued by what Rainbow Dash meant by that, Rarity lifted the letter up and opened it. There was a folded postcard inside. Unfolding it revealed it was invitation to a runway show in Manehatten.
"Oh, and it's from Prim Hemline. I haven't heard from her in awhile. I thought she had forgotten me." Rarity said with a satisfaction in her voice, putting the letter against her chin. Rainbow Dash was right. This couldn't have come at a better time. A perfect opportunity for her to escape from Ponyville and just get away from it all. All the stress. All the mistrust. Plus, she could drum up more business for her store.
In Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack was busying herself with slamming the trees until they yielded their shiny red fruits. Just because she wanted to have a go at Rarity as soon as possible didn't mean she could put off doing her morning chores.
"Applejack?" A voice said. A voice Applejack disliked hearing outside of certain contexts. It was Silver Lens, coming to the farm to see her outside of their scheduled appointment. That didn't sit right with Applejack.
"Wut do y'all want, Silver Lens?" Applejack growled as roundhouse kicked another tree.
Silver Lens adjusted her glasses. "I wanted to talk to you. I've been going over some of the things that were said in our previous sessions."
"Yeah? And?"
"And I think you might be hanging onto some traumas." Silver Lens held up her clipboard. "I think you might be struggling to process your emotions and not sharing this could lead to harmful developments in your psyche."
"Ah have no idea wut yer talkin' about. And besides, aren't y'all supposed the therapist? Aren't you supposed to find and stop these things before they become a problem?"
"Yes, but my job requires my patients to trust me and that I be kept up to date. For example ..." Silver Lens flipped a page on her clipboard. "Like when you brought a water bottle full of milk to Rarity's house?"
Applejack stopped working on her orchards.
"You heard about that, huh?"
"I did. It makes me worry that you have some unresolved issues with Rarity." Silver Lens. "You might be holding onto a grudge or a resentment of some kind."
Applejack clenched her fist. There was that word again, "grudge." She didn't have a grudge against Rarity for anything Rarity might have. She had a a grievance against for possibly nursing Rainbow Dash again, when Rarity knew she wasn't supposed to be, given how well it ended the last time. Not a grudge, a grievance. A different "G" word in its entirety!
"Ah'm fine." Applejack insisted.
Silver Lens sighed, reminded of Rarity. "What is with you people and insisting you're fine when you know you're not? I know you're not. Princess Cadence knows you're not ..."
"Silver Lens? Git off mah farm."
Silver Lens nodded and left out of respect for Applejack's demands. It was her property, after all. But she was going to report right to Cadence.
Silver Lens' departure alone wasn't enough for Applejack's rage to simmer down. She pulled an apple out of a basket and slammed it against the side of a tree, turning it into a sludgy paste.
"Applejack!" This time it was someone Applejack was happy to see, as Twilight stepped into the orchard.
"Howdy, Twi." Applejack said, forcing her voice to sound calmer than she was to avoid scaring Twilight. "Wut can Ah do ya fer?"
"I heard you had problem with Rarity involving a bottle full of milk?" Twilight asked.
"So you heard about that, too, huh?" Applejack asked. "Wut about it?"
Twilight pointed her thumb at her chest. "I also have a problem with Rarity that involves ... milk."
Applejack smirked and rested against the tree. She was liking where this was going. "Yeah, so?"
"So I figured you might be interested in accompanying me to the Carousel Boutique so I can give Rarity a piece of my mind." Twilight pumped her fist, shaking it through the air.
"Ah would indeed." Applejack had a malicious smirk on her face. Rarity might be able to match Twilight and herself in games of words and double-talk individually, but together, they would be able to press something out of her.
They marched out of the orchards and towards Rarity's house, Twilight angry while Applejack was a sort of angry-satisfied mix of emotions. With Twilight's help, Rarity would get her comeuppance.
"Rarity!" Twilight shouted, banging on the door. "Rarity, get out here!"
"Ugh." Rather than Rarity answering them, it was Sweetie Belle. Turning eighteen must have done some kind of transformation on her. Her frazzled hair and wrinkled eyelids from lack of sleep made Sweetie Belle look the exact same way Rarity did when she was woken up too soon in the morning. "Rarity's not here."
"What?" Twilight was outraged. "Where is she, then?"
"She went out with Rainbow Dash ..." Sweetie Belle rested against the door and went back to her sleeping. Twilight knocked on the door to wake her up. "To Manehatten!" Sweetie Belle yelped. "Now, can I go back to bed, please?" Sweetie Belle grabbed the doorknob, eager to close the door and go back to bed.
"Yes ... after you let us in and let us use the phone."
Rarity rested against the back of the couch of the train. With everyone else on the car keeping to themselves, Rarity could enjoy alone time with her reflection in the window. Except for Rainbow Dash sitting next to her.
"Rainbow Dash." Rarity said as she felt Dash's hand walk along her side. "What are you doing?"
"Nothing." Dash fibbed.
"Rainbow Dash, as flattering as it is that you can't keep your hands off me, we are in public." Rarity growled.
"Relax." Rainbow Dash slid her hand in the hole of Rarity's dress, meant for Rarity's arm. "I'll be subtle about it." Dash shoved her hand through, sliding in and downwards until she could cup Rarity's breasts, the only hint they were doing anything inappropriate was a slight bulge in Rarity's dress where Dash's hand was.
"Rainbow Dash, please try to control yourself." Rarity said.
"I can't help it." Dash ran her fingers over the underside of Rarity's breasts. "You have the best chest in Equestria ..."
Rarity giggled. "Oh, darling."
"Your breast is kinda empty." Rainbow Dash whispered, feeling the weightlessness in Rarity's breast that came from it being dry of milk. "You want to take some powder when we get home?"
"Perhaps, darling. I'm not in the mood right now, but maybe that will change."
The train jolted, signaling it was about to stop."I believe this is our stop. You might want to remove your hand before someone sees us."
Rainbow Dash removed her hand, allowing Rarity to stand up from the chair without anyone noticing Rainbow Dash's inappropriate behavior. They left the train station and made their way to Prim Hemline's studio.
"Oh! Rarity!" Prim Hemline greeted them as soon as they entered. "Excellent!" Prim took Rarity's hand and guided her up to the stage. "Just pick a room and set up shop with your assistant there." Rainbow Dash pouted at being called Rarity's assistant. "I hope you'll understand this event is somewhat more low-key than Fashion Week, so there won't be as many celebrities judges."
After Prim left them, Rarity exalted in the feeling of being here. It meant her name was on the verge on becoming a household name, one known for her intriguing and fabulous designs. She stood on the stage, observed some of the other designers, and turned towards the seating area. She imagined filled with people, cheering for her designs.
"Well, well, well. Look what the manticore dragged in. Prim must have scraping the bottom of the barrel to invite you to this event."
Rarity's eye twitched. She recognized that voice.
"Suri Polomare." Rarity spat, turning to a woman made distinct from the other designers by her purple curled hair and a blue neck tie. Next to her was a shorter woman with cropped blue hair - her assistant, Coco Pommel.
"I would have thought you'd been disqualified for being a talentless plagiarist." Rarity snarled.
"Oh, darling, you can't prove that, mmkay?" Suri said. "Though after the last time, I'm surprised you would show your face after the last time, when I nearly beat you."
"I'm more surprised you would show yours, you hack." Rarity said. "I pity you, Suri. Some day, people are going to catch onto you and you will be left with nothing. You'll be denied entry to every contest. No one will trust you. You'll be out of a job and no will take you in."
"Funny." Suri said, patting Coco Pommel on the back. "Coco Pommel was in the same situation before I swooped in and rescued her again." Suri gave Coco a look, which made Coco Pommel shrink away.
"You want to me to beat her up?" Rainbow Dash offered, putting her fist in her palm. "I can totally take her on. She's scrawny and can't fly."
"You might want to pull on your attack dog's collar, Rarity, mmkay?" Suri said.
"Suri, you'll lucky if she even has a collar for me to pull on." Rarity held her arm in front of Rainbow Dash, telling her to stand down without words.
Rarity trailed Suri up and down, taking the measure of her nemesis. She looked towards Coco Pommel and got locked in to Coco Pommel's eyes. A mistake, as Rarity felt assaulted by those eyes.
Those eyes ... which recognized her. Those eyes which saw her as an anchoring ship, bringing her out of despair. Those eyes which looked so familiar, which looked ... identical to the eyes Rainbow Dash would look at Rarity with in her weakest moments.
Rarity hiccuped, her voice breaking.
Rainbow Dash noticed her beau's distress."Rarity?"
"Oh, Coco ... I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Rarity cried, before running off the stage.
"Rarity!" Rainbow Dash chased after her.
"Should we go after her?" Coco Pommel asked in a timid voice. "It would be the nice thing to do."
Suri smacked Coco Pommel upside the head. "Coco Pommel, after your time on the street you should have learned by now. Being nice will get you nothing in this town."
"Rarity?" Rainbow Dash called. She kept calling Rarity's name until she found Rarity backstage, with her knees and arms cradled around herself and crying to herself.
"Rarity." Rainbow Dash said, sitting down next to her. Rarity looked up from her knees at Dash, then buried her face back in her knees. "Rarity, what's wrong?"
"It's ..." Rarity sniffed. "It's Coco Pommel. I left her ... the last time I saw her, I left with a job so she wouldn't have to work for Suri anymore. Now I've returned, and she's working for Suri again. Why? What happened? I tried to put her in a brighter place ... I offered her a light. I looked into her eyes just now and I could see my light had gone out in her eyes."
"So she didn't stay away from Suri. So what? It's her loss." Rainbow Dash said.
"It's so much more than that, Rainbow Dash." Rarity sniffed. She adjusted herself, turning to Rainbow Dash. "If you wanted to leave me, could you? Could you well and truly leave me?"
"Of course! Do you think if there wasn't enough good to outweigh the bad, I wouldn't be able to bail on you?"
Rarity smiled for a brief moment, her nerves soothed. "Wait. The good includes more than just my cleavage and my milk, right?"
"Of course!" Rainbow Dash waited a moment for the best comedic timing. "But your cleavage and milk are pretty great, too."
Whatever laughs Rainbow's comment might have other provoked out of Rarity were set aside, as Rarity placed her hands on her Dash's cheeks. "Darling, about Coco Pommel... I looked at her eyes and I saw you. I saw us. Looking at her and Suri ... it was like looking into a mirror of ourselves. You're my Coco, and I'm ..." Rarity brought her face down into Rainbow Dash's chest. "I'm Suri!"
"Hey." Rainbow Dash said. "You're not Suri. You're way better than Suri. You're better than ten Suris."
Rarity looked up at Rainbow Dash. "You think so?"
Rainbow Dash ran her fingers through Rarity's hair. "I know so. Come on. Let's get back up there. If you don't even compete, Suri will win by default. You're not gonna let that happen, right?"
Rarity nodded. She wiped a few remaining tears off her face. "You're right, darling. Come. Let's see if we can learn why Coco Pommel went back to working for Suri." Rarity stood up. Rainbow Dash followed. They went back upstage, where Suri was chatting up with Prim Hemline, laying on the charm. This worked to Rarity's advantage, as it meant Coco Pommel was left alone.
"Coco Pommel?" Rarity asked from behind, startling Coco Pommel.
"Oh." Coco squealed, turning to them. "Rarity! You startled me."
"Yes." Rarity said. "So sorry about that, dear. I was wondering, could you tell us why you're working for Suri Polomare again? Wasn't that job with my friend enough to pay your wages?"
"Oh, it was, while it lasted." Coco Pommel said. "After the production finished, your friend found other people for work for her. I couldn't find any jobs after that. I tried to sell my own designs, but everyone I marketed to had someone else already. Someone who was hipper and prettier and already had their own trophies." Coco Pommel crossed her arms and sighed. "I was just a little girl trying to get into an unfriendly fashion world. I was out on the street, with no job, no home, I-I got so desperate I begged Suri to take me back."
Rarity felt sympathetic for Coco Pommel. The fashion world was unassuming to most people, but for those in the know, it was a competitive, stressful market where the slightest mistake could set a career back for years. But for Coco to have to go back to Suri was unfair in ways Rarity had no words for.
"Coco Pommel." Suri snapped. "Why are you fraternizing with the enemy? That is not mmmkay, mmmkay?"
"I'm sorry." Coco Pommel pointed towards Suri. "I have to, um, go."
Rarity nodded to show she understood.
Prim Hemline found a spot with strong acoustics and clapped her hands. "Okay, everyone! That's enough for today!"
"Come on, Rainbow Dash." Rarity said. "Let's check into a hotel for now." Rarity glanced at Coco Pommel. "We're not done with her yet."
Rarity and Dash checked into the nearby hotel and went up to their room. Rarity and Rainbow Dash were on laying on the bed, cuddling with each other when the phone for room service rang.
"Ignore it." Rainbow Dash said, nuzzling her head into Rarity's shoulder and holding hands with her. "It's probably a salesman."
The phone continued ringing, which started to annoy both of them.
"Fine." Rainbow Dash said with resignation. "Answer it."
Rarity picked up the phone. "You're reached Rarity Belle. How may I help you?" She was greeted with a truck load of swear words from a familiar Southern accent. "Applejack, darling, swearing is not the best way to start a conversation."
Rainbow Dash raised her eyebrow. What could have motivated Applejack to go so far as to call Rarity in a hotel phone?
"All right, y'all got a point there." Applejack admitted to Rarity. "But still! Y'all said you'd talk with Twilight and Ah tomorrow at Sweetie Belle's birthday party yesterday, and y'all up and left for Manehatten instead of facing the music!"
"Applejack ... I never said tomorrow. I said "sometime." I said "later." At no point did I specify the day after. You and Twilight took it upon yourselves to interpret my words in a way that suited your own purposes."
"Ah, uh ... well, that's a good point there, Rarity."
"Thank you for saying as much, Applejack. I will also thank you to leave me alone until I am ready to talk."
Rarity slammed the phone down, hanging up before Applejack could say another word.
Rarity huffed. "Interpreting words to in such a way to suit one's own purposes is supposed to be my thing."
"I know." Rainbow Dash said, stroking Rarity's hair. "Your own thing." Rainbow Dash resumed cuddling. Rarity did not return the favor, which upset Rainbow Dash.
"Rarity ..." She pawed at Rarity's cheek. "We're supposed to be cuddling. You're not cuddling."
"I'm sorry, darling. I'm just thinking about Coco Pommel. If I had checked in on her ... if I sent her a letter, she wouldn't have to work for Suri now."
"Forgot about it." Rainbow Dash said. "We came here to escape stress, remember? We're not trying to be heroes."
"I saw something in her when I was looking at her eyes, Rainbow Dash. I saw Suri had a hold on her."
"What?"
Rarity turned to Rainbow Dash, kissed her on the forehead and cupped her chin.
"The same kind of hold I have on you. I'd be willing to bet, if I made myself appealing to her, I could transfer that hold to me."
Rainbow Dash lifted her head. Rarity slipped off the bed and stood up tall. She shook her hips and swung her breasts back and forth, giving Rainbow Dash a show and reassuring herself of her own attractive body.
Rainbow Dash was distracted by Rarity's flaunting but regained her focus. "Let me make sure I follow. You think if you seduce Coco Pommel, her feelings for Suri will transfer to you? She's just ... change one Mistress for another the way you would trade in an appliance for a newer model?"
"That's the idea, yes." Rarity said as she swung her breasts back and forth. Dash licked her lips before remembering Rarity wasn't doing it for her.
"Hey ..." Dash said. "Coming onto somebody's girl is kind of uncool, Rarity. How would you like if someone came up and flirted with me?"
"This is different." Rarity said. "I'm not stealing anything. I'm saving Coco Pommel from Suri. I owe it to her."
"So, what? It's okay to steal girlfriends when their girlfriends are sleazeballs like Suri? Sex and seduction is okay when it's for the greater good?"
Rarity laughed. "Ha! That could be the name of my autobiography. The Life of Rarity Belle: Sex and Seduction For the Greater Good. But to answer your question, darling ... yes, it's okay when brutes like Suri Polomare are involved. "
"Uh-huh." The more Rainbow Dash thought about it, the more she had to ask a question. "But if Coco Pommel and Suri are mirrors of us, then how do you know Coco Pommel won't be as loyal to Suri as I am to you?"
"You don't want to leave me, do you?"
"No."
Rarity waved her finger. "That's the difference. Coco Pommel wants to leave Suri."
Rarity put her hand on the doorknob.
"Even if she doesn't know it yet."
Rarity left the room. She didn't have to wander far to find her prey, as going down the stairs and through the hall brought her to Coco Pommel, who was standing right in front of a hall closet used by the hotel staff.
Already in front of a closet. Rarity thought. How convenient!
"Coco!"
"Rarity!" Coco exclaimed. "Um, hello, again."
"What are you doing here, darling?" Rarity asked, resting her head on her hand. All part of the greater seduction ploy.
"Oh, um, Suri and I are staying here for the event. It's quite close to Prim Hemline's studio, so the walk isn't far. Suri's actual apartment is a ways down north."
"Uh-huh." Rarity nodded, making a small mental note of what Coco was saying while advancing towards her. "Why are you out here and not in your room?"
"Suri wanted me to fetch her coffee." Coco answered, not noticing Rarity's approach. "She likes her coffee."
"Is that so?" Rarity went around Coco and opened the closet door.
"Yes." Coco Pommel looked around, confused about how Rarity had disappeared. She was unaware Rarity was behind her instead of front of her. Coco let out a yelp when she felt an intangible grip pull her backwards into the closet with Rarity. Rarity made haste to shut the door, making the light from the hallway under the door the only source of light in the cramped room, stuffed with tools and boxes.
"Rarity?" Coco squeaked with fear. "What are you doing?"
"Darling, I want you to leave Suri." Rarity said. "But I know you won't do that without some encouragement. I looked at you in the studio and I saw you had a lot in common with Rainbow Dash. Maybe not in personality, maybe not in looks, but definitely in ... interests."
"I-I don't know what you're talking about ..." Coco stuttered. She was in a dark room with a person whose intents were unknown to her. She had good reason to be panicked.
"Darling, please don't be shy. You wouldn't have stayed with Suri if you didn't like being hurt, at least on some level."
Coco Pommel was frightened out of her wits when she felt Rarity wrap her arms around her neck.
"Since you're not being forthcoming, you'll forgive me if I engage in a little experimentation. Rainbow Dash is rather into asphyxiation, so I'll start with what I know and go from there."
"Rarity ..." Coco squeaked. "Please ... stop." She tried to pry Rarity's arm off her neck, but as feminine as Rarity was, she still had more muscle mass than Coco Pommel's thin frame.
Rarity listened to Coco Pommel's gasps for breath. They were all wrong. When she did this to Rainbow Dash, Rainbow's gasps for breathe were long and calm, taking in every minute, enjoying the feeling of being choked, savoring the adrenaline rush that came from thinking her next breathe could be her last. Coco Pommel's gasps were short, sharp and worried, wanting air for her lungs more than anything.
"Right." Rarity said, releasing her grip from Coco Pommel. "That was a bust. My apologies, darling. That gets Rainbow Dash raring to go, but everyone has their own preference, I suppose." Rarity got another idea. "Speaking of bust ..."
Rarity wrapped her arms around Coco again and pulled her in, forcing her head into Rarity's generous breasts. Rarity knew there was a number of people, male and females among them, who would have liked to have the sensual sensation of their heads smothered in Rarity's flesh.
When that also failed to provoke the desired response out of Coco Pommel, Rarity quit doing it. Rarity didn't notice Coco Pommel whimper.
"There must be something I'm missing ..." Rarity rubbed her chin. "Oh! I know."
The room was lit up as a result of Rarity lifting Coco Pommel by her shirt in the air with her magic. Rarity adjusted her grasp on Coco Pommel's body until she was hanging in the air like a slab of pig meat, ripe for carnivorous and predatory feeding.
With an amazing amount of gall, Rarity brought her hand down on Coco Pommel's rear, giving her a spank, the sound of which echoed through the closet.
"How was that, darling?" Rarity asked, turning Coco Pommel back to face her.
There was a single tear on Coco Pommel's cheek. Seeing it caused Rarity to have a realization. A realization she was being a terrible person by doing this. She should have stopped when Coco Pommel pleaded her to at the start. She should have respected Coco Pommel's right to privacy.
"Oh my goodness ..." Rarity covered her face with her hand, setting Coco Pommel down. "Coco Pommel, dear, I am so sorry, I thought - well, it doesn't really matter what I thought, does it? I should have stopped." Rarity held her arms out to embrace Coco. She stopped herself and rubbed her shoulder as though it was sore. "I'm sorry ... a hug is probably the last thing you want from me right now."
Rarity opened the closet door and left, leaving a nervous and shuddering Coco Pommel behind.
Rarity went back up to her room, where Rainbow Dash was lying on the couch.
"Hey." Dash said. "How did it go?"
"Terrible!" Rarity said, her eyes forming tears. "I came on too strong and I scared the poor girl out of her wits! I don't know what I was thinking! What came over me, what possessed me to think that bringing a woman into a closet and trying to seduce her was a good idea?"
Rainbow Dash looked at Rarity with interest. "Well, if it makes you feel better, if I was me, I would have been all over that. Sounds like fun."
"But it wasn't you." Rarity sat on the bed, waiting for Rainbow Dash to comfort her. As Rarity knew she would, Rainbow Dash hooked her arm around Rarity's shoulder.
"This is worse than that time with Applejack or Spike!" Rarity wailed. "At least then, I had the excuse I wasn't in my right mind. I was in complete sanity and perfect mental health when I decided to get my filthy, lecherous hands all over Coco! How could I ever make it up to her? She won't be able to even look at me."
"Uh, Rarity?"
"She's probably off telling Suri now. All about how mean old Rarity invaded her personal space ..."
"Rarity, there's a note under the door."
"What? Oh, I see." Rarity looked at the door. Someone had slid it in a pink card under the door. Rarity got off the bed and picked it up. It read;
In the next thirty minutes, come to room 1309, dressed with a white shirt and black skirt. You know, like a schoolteacher or a secretary.
I'll be waiting.
Rainbow Dash read the note over Rarity's shoulder. "Interesting."
"Yes." Rarity said. "Too interesting not to investigate."
"I don't know, Rarity ... dressed like a schoolteacher? Doesn't that sound a bit fishy to you?"
"Perhaps, but it's only five rooms from us. You can keep watch outside. I saw a costume shop on the way over here. I'll pay it a visit, get a costume on loan, then come back with enough to time to spare." Rarity handed Rainbow Dash the card and left.
Rainbow Dash stepped outside the room to keep watch. Both for Rarity's return and for any shady types who might be around. As she was going to be watching the halls like a bird of prey, Rainbow Dash didn't think to make sure the hotel door was all the way closed, leaving a little crack.
"Ah, that Rarity girl." A gruff voice said. "She's something, no?"
"Yeah." Rainbow Dash answered dreamily. She got back on her guard and looked to the source. "Wait, who are you?" Dash tensed up, ready for a fight.
"Oh, I am, how you say, a traveler." The person speaking was wearing purple sunglasses, an oversized trench coat, and a large hat. "I saw Rarity enter the hotel and had to follow so I could ..." He made a gesture. "Admire her natural beauty."
Rainbow Dash chuckled. She was put at ease by the traveler's description of Rarity. Rarity was built like a model. Anybody would want to follow her for a closer look. "Yeah, she is good-looking. Curvy, too."
"Is that so?" The traveler inquired.
A better argument for the traveler's question could not have been found, as Rarity returned, dressed in a tight, white shirt with long sleeves, glasses, and a black skirt which reached her knees.
"Wow." Rainbow Dash commented. The traveler seemed taken aback as well.
"Do you like it?" Rarity asked, strutting forward. "I thought about getting one that was a size too small to show my cleavage and my midriff, but I figured this one showed off my curves better." Rarity glanced at the traveler. "My natural curves, I might add."
"Yeah, sure. Natural." The traveler said in a more feminine voice.
"I'm sorry?" Rarity asked.
The traveler cleared his throat. "Just a cough."
"Well, if you'll both excuse me for depriving you of your gawking, I have a date ... I think." Rarity strutted down the hall. Rainbow Dash's jaw was knocked loose from the view of Rarity's walk, which emphasized her hips.
Rarity knocked on the door to the 1309 room. "Hello? Is anybody there? I came, dressed like you said."
Rarity had just about decided whoever was on the other side of the door had lost their nerve when she heard the door handle click. The door was opened a little bit, Coco Pommel's eyes shining through the gap.
Coco Pommel gasped. "You made it! I didn't think you'd actually come!" She opened the door to let Rarity in, who was now confused.
"What? But I -"
"Please, take a seat on the bed." Coco insisted. Rarity did so. Taking a moment to take it all in, Rarity noticed Coco Pommel was dressed like a schoolgirl.
Schoolgirl. Coco Pommel was dressed like a schoolgirl ... and the card had told Rarity to dress like a schoolteacher. Rarity didn't have to be a math genius to put two and two together.
"Coco Pommel, dear, what is going on?"
"Well, uh ..." Coco Pommel put a finger to her lip. "I liked it when you spanked me in the closet ..."
"What? But - but you were crying!"
"I wasn't crying because it hurt." Coco Pommel said. "I was crying because it felt like I was betraying Suri, giving in to you. But Suri went out, and the more I thought about it ..."
Rarity smirked. "The more you realized you didn't care what Suri thought?"
Coco Pommel seemed reluctant to answer, but she nodded her head. "Yes. So I followed you back to your room and slid that card in under the door. Now you're here. Yay!" Coco Pommel clapped.
Rarity exhaled in relief, satisfied she had made the right decision in coming on to Coco Pommel the way she did.
Perhaps this was going to give her an arrogant ego complex about her oh-so-superb decision-making skills.
"You know," Rarity started, taking off the glasses. She lifted the shirt up, exposing her bust, and wiped the glasses with the shirt. "Inviting me here while Suri's not here is quite naughty of you, Coco Pommel."
Rarity put the glasses back on, tilting them towards Coco.
"And we know what happens to naughty girls, don't we?" Rarity spread adjusted her legs in a way that would be ideal for sitting.
Coco Pommel let out a squee. "Yes! Yes, we do!" She jumped into onto the bed and crawled onto Rarity's legs. She made sure to hold her rear up high so Rarity could reach it.
Rarity raised her hand and brought it down hard, causing Coco Pommel to yelp.
"Oh, teacher!" Coco whined, getting into character. "Please stop. I'll behave."
"I'm afraid that's not good enough, dear." Rarity said. "We must make sure to beat that misconduct out of you." She spanked Coco again ... and again ... and again ...
"S-stop!" Coco struggled to say, her face turning red with embarrassment and arousal. Rarity could tell she didn't mean it based on the huge smile she was wearing. Rarity continued spanking, Coco Pommel's delighted screams filling the room.
Coco's screams reached the hallway, confusing Rainbow Dash and the traveler.
"What are they doing in there?" The traveler asked.
"Beats me." Rainbow Dash said. "Knowing Rarity, though, it's probably something good."
The traveler eyed Rainbow Dash for a second. When he was sure Rainbow Dash wasn't looking, he whipped out a camera and peeped into her room. He took multiple snapshots, clicking away, his success at going unnoticed ensured by the camera's lack of flash or shutter noise.
"Well, it's been fun." The traveler said, taking his leave.
"Yeah, sure." Rainbow Dash didn't pay him any attention.
A few more minutes later, Rarity came out of the room. Unseen to Rainbow Dash in the room was a lustful and panting Coco Pommel on the bed. Rarity closed the door.
"Did you have fun?" Rainbow Dash asked Rarity.
"A little bit." Rarity admitted. "I'll make sure to include you next time."
Rainbow Dash smiled. "That's all I ask."
"I'd best get this back to the shop. It's only a rental." Rarity gesturing to her outfit.
"I wouldn't mind you dressing like that more often."
"Darling, please ... oh, who am I kidding? I look gorgeous. I must make an outfit like this for myself when we get back."
Rarity left to return the costume. When she returned, she brought Rainbow Dash to bed to make up for lost cuddles.
"WHAT IS THIS!?" Rarity grabbed her hair and almost pulled it out. She was stopped by Rainbow Dash, who knew Rarity would complain for weeks while her hair regrew.
They had gone to bed last night and returned to the studio today to be greeted with a most unwelcome sight. Suri had stolen Rarity's designs again, just like at Fashion Week.
"Suri!" Rarity yelled at thin air.
Suri appeared, walking towards them with a spring in her step, Coco Pommel beside carrying bags beside her. "You called my name?"
"What is the meaning of this?" Rarity pointed at the dresses - the dresses Suri stole.
"It's like I keep trying to tell y'all, darling. It's every woman for herself in this town."
Rarity huffed. "How you manage to be where you are now pilfering everyone's designs without getting caught amazes me. I imagine there are quite a few would-be designers whose careers were lost to your thievery."
Suri shrugged. "Eh. They were weak."
"What I want to know is, how did you even get them? I wasn't stupid enough to share anything with you except for my contempt this time."
"You can thank your rainbow friend for that." Suri pointed to Dash. "She was so busy watching your silicone body strut down the hall she didn't notice me take pictures."
"You were the traveler with the glasses!" Rainbow realized.
"Ooh, she figured it out. Rarity, give your pet a dog biscuit, mmmkay?"
"Can I beat her up now?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"I'm almost tempted to say yes ..." Rarity muttered.
"Rarity!" Prime Hemline beamed towards them. "Do you have your designs ready for show?"
"Uh, funny story about that." Rainbow Dash forced a chuckle.
Suri glared at Rarity, daring her to try to tell Prim about Suri's activities - who would Prim believe, an established Manehatten designer or a wide-eyed girl from a country with big dreams?
"I've ran into a minor setback." Rarity hissed. "If you'll just excuse me for an hour, I'll have something for you."
"All right. I'm looking forward to your designs, Miss Belle. Don't let me down!" Prim waved her Rarity. She and Rainbow Dash bolted from the studio back to the hotel.
"Coco," Suri said to her assistant, "go, like, follow them and make sure they don't that trick they did last time where they made new clothes in under a day."
Although she didn't want to, Coco Pommel nodded. She followed them back to the hotel.
Rarity and Rainbow Dash retreated to their hotel room, where Rainbow Dash began pacing back and forth.
"What are we gonna do?" Rainbow Dash whined. "The last time Suri pulled this trick, we had all our friends here to help you make new dresses, but you only have me!"
"Yes, yes, it's a conundrum, isn't it?" Rarity muttered. She clicked her tongue, deep in thought.
"Whatever we decided to do, we better decide fast." Rainbow said. "I'll bet Suri's telling Prim about how "her" inspiration for the dresses."
Rarity snapped her fingers. "You know what, Rainbow Dash? I can accept not winning this time. But for Celestia's sake, Suri cannot be allowed to continue robbing people's designs! We must put a stop to it. We are not going to salvage ourselves. We are going to sabotage Suri."
Rainbow Dash sighed, tapping her head. "You know, I brought you that invite because I thought it would let us relax, not stress out even more ..."
"Think nothing of it, darling." Rarity swung the door open. She was surprised at first to find Coco Pommel. "Ah, Coco Pommel. If my guess is correct, Suri told you to spy on us?"
Coco Pommel nodded. "Um, yes. Um, please don't hate me ..."
"Hate you?" Rarity brought her arm around Coco and put Coco into her cleavage. "Darling, why would I would hate you? It's not your fault you have to obey such a cruel, despicable woman." Rarity let her go. "Ta-ta!" Rarity shooed Coco Pommel away.
"Wait, that's it?" Rainbow asked. "You're just gonna let her go?"
"Yes, darling. We're just going to let her go ... and in an hour or so, we'll go back to the studio." Rarity cupped Rainbow's cheek. "Trust me. I have a plan."
Sipping her coffee, Suri Polomare was feeling good about herself. Her assistant did what she told her to do, like a good assistant should. She had duped and fooled Rarity a second time, and she was going to get off scot-free because Coco would sabotage any of Rarity's attempts at salvaging her situation.
Suri went to check on "her" designs. She did a spit-take with her coffee. Someone had ruined them, taking a pair of scissors and cutting them up like they had been run through a blender.
"Who is responsible for this?" Suri demanded. "Who ruined my designs?"
"Your designs?" Rarity asked, walking up to Suri. "It's just as well."
"You!" Suri pointed at Rarity. "You did this?"
"My, my. Rainbow Dash, it seems as though Suri doesn't like it when her "every woman for herself" mantra gets turned against her, does she?"
Coco Pommel appeared on the scene. "Rarity, I did - oh." She noticed Suri. "Hello, Suri."
Suri saw the handles of scissors peeking out from Coco Pommel's pocket. "Coco, you ruined my dresses? After everything I did for you?"
"Rarity's dresses." Coco Pommel said, clenching her fists. "They were Rarity's dresses. And you didn't do anything for me! You took me off the streets because it was convenient for you! Between you and the streets I didn't HAVE a choice. At least, I thought as much ... but Rarity coming back reminded me of how unpleasant you truly are. So when Rarity slipped this into my pocket ..." Coco Pommel pulled out a note. "Offering to make it worth my while if I ruined your - HER dresses you stole, well ... I couldn't say no."
"Yes. You did a fine job. As promised ..." Rarity pulled out a sack of bits and handed it to Coco Pommel. "I imagine there's twice as much bits in there as Suri pays you in a year. Perhaps three times as much."
Suri sounded like a rabid wolverine when she snarled. "Grr! You won't get away with this, Coco Pommel! I'll tell everyone in Manehatten about how disloyal you are! You'll never work in this town again!"
"I imagine so, given Suri's penchant for deceit and trickery." Rarity said. She walked around Coco Pommel in circles. "Suri will lie to every business owner in the city, spread gossip and rumors everywhere. No one in this town will hire you again!"
Coco Pommel sniffed a little. All the work she did for Rarity sabotaging Suri's theft, and what did she have to show for it? Not only was Suri going to fire her, but after Suri made her rounds, she couldn't get work as something as lowly as a waitress.
Rarity threw her arm around Coco Pommel's shoulder. "Coco Pommel, how would you like to come to Ponyville to work as my assistant?"
Coco Pommel brightened up. "Wha- you mean it?"
"Would I lie to you? You're a good assistant, you're a nice girl when certain others aren't taking advantage of you and I could use an extra hand with my fashion business."
Suri snorted like a boar ready to charge. "You can't do that!"
"Miss Belle is free to do whatever she wishes, unlike you." Prim Hemline said. "Coco Pommel was kind enough to bring me this camera and its photos, which is more than sufficient proof for me to show you stole Rarity's designs. It is YOU, Suri Polomare, who will never work in this town again. And rest assured, with this discovery, we will be investigating all of your previous fashions lines to see if you stole them as well."
Suri's jaw dropped. Rarity knew Suri was as good as ruined.
"One last thing before I take my leave, Suri. You said something about silicone?" Rarity placed a hand on her chest. "Well, they're real and they're spectacular."
"Come now, darlings." Rarity said, grabbing Rainbow Dash and Coco Pommel. "Let's go celebrate, shall we?"
Rarity had enough fashion for one day, so she went home with entourage, but not before Prim Hemline let hr know she had a retroactive reward for second place for her stolen designs. Which was fine by Rarity, as long as first place wasn't Suri.
By the time they got home, it was dark outside. Sweetie Belle should have been in bed.
Rarity had no trouble entering her own house. Rainbow Dash didn't have any either, but Coco Pommel was nowhere near as comfortable as they were.
"I've never been to your house before ..." Coco muttered as Rarity set her keys on the table.
"Well, feel free to look around, darling. Oh, provided you don't wake Sweetie Belle."
"Who's Sweetie Belle?"
"Her sister." Dash answered. "Just turned eighteen a few days ago."
"That's nice." Coco mumbled. She watched as Rainbow Dash rummaged through the cabinets. "What are you doing?"
"Getting us something to celebrate beating Suri." Rainbow Dash pulled out a bottle of champagne.
"Rainbow Dash!" Rarity scolded. "Put that back! It's reserved for special occasions!"
"Are you saying beating Suri Polomare, exposing she's a fraud, and saving the careers of all the artists she's wrecked over the years on top of getting Coco Pommel as your new assistant isn't special?" Rainbow Dash smirked.
This was, of course, impressive on its own and cause for celebration, but Rarity was more focused on letting Coco Pommel know she was welcome.
So, sometime later, she and Rainbow Dash were drunk as could be, slurring their words, laughing at mundane things which weren't funny in the least and swaying back and forth. Coco Pommel held her liquor better, or least paced herself better, as she was still sober while they were slammed.
"You - you remember the time -" Rarity said. She and Rainbow Dash burst into laughter before she finished and whatever it was Rarity was going to say didn't come up in the conversation again.
Coco Pommel just smiled, watching as their laughter made their bodies move back and forth.
Rarity yelled when a splat appeared on her dress, getting the area around her breast damp.
"Rarity?" Coco Pommel asked. "Are you all right? What's going on?"
Rarity groaned, cupping her breast. She turned to Rainbow Dash. "It'sh ... been too long, darling. Let'sh go upsssstairsh ..."
Rainbow Dash set her cup down and gave Rarity support to stand up. Despite being drunk, Rainbow Dash was still able to help Rarity up the stairs to their room.
Coco Pommel was mystified. What was Rarity talking about? What had been too long? She didn't want to interrupt their privacy. She also didn't want to be left in the dark. She remained indecisive, tilting her like a metronome until she thought of all the times she was indecisive under Suri's - for lack of a better word - "care."
Coco took a sip of her drink in the hopes the alcohol would give her confidence before going up the stairs. Rarity and Rainbow Dash had left the door to their room open. Coco took this to mean it was okay for her to come in, though she would have thought Rainbow Dash would have learned not to leave the door open after what Suri did in the hotel.
"H-hello?" Coco inched the door open. She blushed right away. Rainbow Dash was on top of Rarity, who had pulled her clothes down, exposing her massive breasts. Coco could tell they had been about to engage in ... consenting adult actions before she walked on them.
"Oh, hello, Coco, darling!" Rarity greeted with a surprising polite tone, as most people would be upset someone walked in on them before sex. "Do you need shomthing, darling? In cashhse you couldn't tell, Rainbow Dahsh and I were in the middle of shomthing ..."
"Oh no, nothing. It's no trouble, I'll just ... leave." Coco Pommel began to close the door.
"Wait!" Rarity said. She patted an empty space next to the bed. "Come, sit down. We can talk for a bit."
"Um, are you sure?" Coco asked.
"Yesh! Rainbow Dahsh won't mind, ishn't that right, Dahsh?"
"Yeah, shure. Jusht ... jusht as long as we get to our private time." Dash muttered.
Per Rarity's urging, Coco Pommel sat down on the side of the bed. "Um ... do you want to cover up?"
"It'sh fine, dar-" Rarity was interrupted by a hiccup. "Darling! Now, tell ush what you need."
"Oh, no no!" Coco held her hands up. "I don't need anything at all. I was just worried about you two."
"That'sh shweet of you." Rarity muttered, swaying back and forth.
"Um ..." Coco stuttered, not sure how to process being allowed on a couple's bed while they were both half-dresses and ready to do the private tango. She supposed she might as well ask a question which was bothering her. "At the studio, you said something ... about your breasts. Are they real? I know you said they were, but are they?"
"Yesh, of courshe!" Rarity curled her fingers around her breasts. "Real and proud of it."
"Yeah. Why would you think they weren't?"
"Well, um. In Manehatten, if a girl has anything bigger than b-cup, she has implants. That's the rule of thumb."
"Not here!" Rainbow Dash said. "We grow 'em up big out in the country, and I don't just mean the breashs. We do everything bigger here."
"If you like ..." Rarity offered, sitting up. "You can stay and watch, because they're about to get bigger."
Coco Pommel was surprised, confused, and more than a little bit intrigued. How could they get any bigger?
Rarity waved a spoon around. The spoon had a white substance like sugar or salt on it. "Watch." Rarity inserted the spoon into her mouth. A lump formed in her throat as she swallowed.
"Now what?" Coco asked out of curiosity. A few minutes in, little happened. A few more minutes in, however, Rarity's breasts began to grow bit by bit, expanding in diameter with every second and making sounds like liquid sloshing.
"Ah-haa ..." Rarity sighed. "That's good ... it's been too long since we last did this, Rainbow Dash."
"Did what?" Coco asked, blushing a little at Rarity's expanded breasts.
Rarity looked to Rainbow Dash. "Should we tell her?"
"She already saw the powder. Too late to quit now."
"Coco ..." Rarity said. "Rainbow Dahsh and I have a little ritual we do. It involves ... this." Rarity took her hands to her breasts and pressed the flesh, forcing a spurt of white liquid out.
"Breast milk?" Coco Pommel asked. She jumped off the bed. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have interrupted you. I'll leave now." Coco Pommel made for the door, overhearing Rarity and Dash whisper to each other.
"Coco Pommel?" Rarity asked, stopping Coco Pommel in her tracks.
"Yes?" Coco asked.
"How would you like to join us tonight?" Rarity asked, squeezing milk out of her breast. "It's your first week with us, and I want it to be special. After all the time you spent under Suri, I want to make you feel ... special."
"Oh, gee, I don't know. Is- is Rainbow Dash okay with it?"
"Yes. What do you think we were whispering about? Sweet nothings to each other?
"Well, yes."
"Rainbow Dash and I have worked something out." Rarity explained. "Whether or not I can involved other people in our adult activities is dependent - and I quote - on whether or not Rainbow Dash finds it "sexy.""
"I have no problem backing off and watching you drink Rarity's milk inshtead." Rainbow Dash said, hovering in the air and adjusting herself like a scarf around Rarity's neck so there was room for Coco Pommel to lay on top.
"Oh, um. All right." Coco Pommel didn't want to drink milk out of Rarity's breast (because come on, that was creepy) but she figured she might as well after Rarity had been gracious enough to rescue her from Suri and give her a place to stay.
Coco crawled on top of Rarity like an uncertain caterpillar. She mustered up the courage to continue and stopped short of putting her mouth on Rarity's breast.
"Something wrong, darling?"
"Sorry, it's just ... they're so big!" Coco exclaimed. "You shouldn't be able to have breasts this big. They're almost hypnotic."
"So I've heard." Rarity gave a sly look at Rainbow Dash. "Now, darling, please ... drink." Coco Pommel put her mouth on Rarity's teat and suckled.
"Mmm." Coco Pommel was expecting the milk to taste nasty and much too sweet. The original purpose for breast milk was for feeding children. But Rarity's milk tasted pleasant. Coco wouldn't have hesitated as much as she did if knew the milk was this good.
"That's it, darling, that's it ..." Rarity encouraged her.
Coco Pommel popped her lips off to take a breath. "Your milk tastes good, Rarity."
"Thank you, darling."
Coco Pommel looked up at her hosts. Rarity with her huge, milk-filled breasts out, and Rainbow Dash perched on Rarity's shoulder with her wings out and arms around Rainbow Dash, looking down at her with a perverse smile ... Coco Pommel felt like she had stumbled into the den of a pair of succubi, who had been so amused at her accidentally discovery of them they decided to let her stay, if only for a little while.
"Coco Pommel, what's wrong?" Rarity cooed, speaking like a mother caring for a child - and not a breast milk-obsessed pervert who had conscripted her new assistant into helping with her bizarre sexual interests. "Why did you stop? Is my milk not good enough? Are you uncomfortable with the idea?"
"No, no, it's just ... a little overwhelming."
"Coco Pommel, dear, I played by your rules when I spanked you in the hotel room. Now I expect you to play by mine."
"No way." Dash laughed. "You spanked her?"
"Yesh!" Rarity answered, her slur returning. "Shpanked her until her rump was red as an apple!"
Coco Pommel only now caught to the fact Rarity hadn't been slurring for awhile now. Was she faking being drunk? Or maybe she was just concentrating on coherent sentences to help coax Coco Pommel to join her in the bed?
"I think you need a little encouragement ..." Rarity purred to Coco. She grabbed her breast and squeezed, spraying Coco Pommel's face and chest with the milk.
"Aww, hey! No fair. You never do that to me ..." Dash complained.
"You, darling, never need encouragement."
"All right, that's it." Rainbow Dash spread her wings and flew up. "Move over, Coco."
"Do-do you want me to leave now?" Coco asked.
"Not at all." Rarity said. "Just move over to give Rainbow some room." Rarity scratched her chin. "It's been some time since I could experience the feeling of two people nursing both my breasts at once ..."
Rainbow Dash positioned herself. Rarity addressed Rainbow Dash's complaint and squeezed her other breasts, spraying Rainbow Dash down with the milk.
"Oooh yes ..." Rainbow Dash moaned as the milk covered her face and chest. Coco Pommel could tell being covered in milk was having a strong effect on Rainbow Dash, if her flared-up wings were anything to go by.
"That's enough showering, now, darlings ... drink." Rarity commanded.
Coco Pommel resumed and Rainbow Dash started suckling Rarity's breasts. Rarity moaned loud enough to wake the sleeping residents nearby houses.
"Yes, darlings. Drink my delicious milk from my huge, impossible-" She winked at Coco Pommel. "-breasts. Savor the vanilla taste. Feel the milk as it flows over your tongue and down your throat. Moan at the feeling you get as it fills you up ... all the milk filling you up and up ... don't you feel so full? So full, with my delicious milk weighing you down. Mmm, if only there was some relieve that weight you must be feeling ... yes. I can feel your bodies warming up. Pay tribute to your goddess."
A spasm ripped though Coco Pommel's body. It was funny to hear Rarity call herself a "goddess," but credit where credit was due -Coco Pommel could say with absolutely certainty she had never been talked to an orgasm before.
Coco Pommel popped her mouth off Rarity's breast. "Oh, wow, Rarity ... that was amazing." Coco Pommel looked up to see Rarity fall backwards and drift to sleep. A quick glance to the right showed Rainbow Dash had done the same, nestling under Rarity's breast. And they were all still covered - Coco would go so far as to say drenched - in milk. Milk on Coco's chest, milk on Rainbow's face, milk on Rarity's enormous tracts of land ...
A part of Coco said leaving them to sleep with milk all over them would be disgusting because it would be dried up and flaky in the morning. Another part of her said it would be arousing for the same reason. The part which said it was disgusting won out in the end. Being careful not to disturb Rarity or Dash, she got off the bed to go fetch a towel.
Unknown to her, someone had been watching from the other side of the door. The door was open as Coco was interrupted by Rarity's invitation when she last tried to close it. On the other side Sweetie Belle. She was asleep, but the laughter Rarity and Dash made in the kitchen while drinking had woken her. She decided to follow the strange blue-haired woman to Rarity's bed, where Sweetie Belle had watched and learned the secret of the powder.
"So that's what they're doing ..." Sweetie Belle muttered. She saw Coco Pommel get up after they had finish and bolted for her bedroom before Coco found her out.
Coco stepped out of the room. She was confused why the door was swinging back and forth, like someone had been holding it and then sped off ...
The next morning, Rarity raised an eyebrow when she woke up to find Rainbow Dash and Coco Pommel pressed up against her exposed breasts.
"Darlings?" Rarity spoke, rousing them both from slumber.
"Huh?" Dash muttered.
Coco Pommel smacked her lips and yawned. Her eyes widened at the sight of Rarity's valley of flesh. "Oh, Rarity! I'm so sorry! You invited me to your and Rainbow Dash's ritual and you were drunk and I knew I shouldn't have joined you but I did it anyway and -"
Rarity pinched Coco Pommel's mouth shut. "Rainbow Dash, inform Coco Pommel of the rule."
"No drama until after breakfast." Rainbow Dash said.
"Yes. We wouldn't to say something we regret because of an empty stomach."
Biding Rainbow Dash downstairs to get things out for a quick and easy breakfast, Rarity went down and made herself some coffee. Coco was the last one down, and she took a seat on the table.
Rarity made sure to give Coco some of the cocoa. Rarity took a sip of her own coffee before sitting down with Coco.
"So, what happened last night?" Rarity asked.
"You invited me to suckle your breast milk and ... Rainbow Dash and I suckled it together." Coco sipped her coffee. "At the same time, I mean. I'm sorry."
"Darling, please. If anyone should apologize, it should be me."
Coco blinked. "What? I don't understand."
"Perhaps you should have taken into account our drunkenness, but I won't hold it against you. It's not a stretch to think I wouldn't have invited you to drink anyway. I'll let you in on a secret." Rarity clutched her breasts, which embarrassed Coco. "The feeling I get when I have two people nursing me at the same time ... oh, it's like a stimulatory overload! I can't get enough of it."
"So ..." Coco said. "What does that mean for me?"
Rarity took Coco's hand. "It means, provided you can overlook my transgressions, all is forgiven."
"You're overlooked." Coco blushed. She sipped her coffee. "If I'm honest, I kind of liked it. It was much nicer than anything Suri did for me."
Rarity narrowed her eyes, the way a tiger would before pouncing on prey. "Oh?"
"Yes. Sometimes Suri ... Suri would have me involved sexually." Coco explained. "It was always about what she wanted, never what I wanted. Although I guess last night was more about what you wanted. You were nice about it, though. You asked me if I was uncomfortable, which more of a consideration than Suri ever gave me."
Rarity pursed her lips. "Excuse me, darling." She left the kitchen.
"Oh no." Rainbow Dash said. She went after Rarity.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, Coco. Stay here for a minute, okay?" Rainbow Dash fibbed to Coco. She caught up with Rarity just before Rarity went through the door.
"You're not going where I think you're going, are you?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"She abused Coco, darling." Rarity answered.
"Yeah, but we already figured that out." Rainbow Dash.
"Yes, but we didn't know it was sexual." Rarity growled. "I must make her suffer more."
"For what? Being a mirror of us? You don't abuse me."
"Some might have a different opinion. Ahem, Applejack."
Rainbow Dash ignored Rarity's comment about Applejack and focused on Suri. "She's already lost her job and she won't be able to find a job in Manehatten." Rainbow Dash explained. "How much more can you make her suffer?"
"You'd be surprised."
Rainbow Dash sighed and shook her head. "I'm not going to be able to stop you, am I?"
"No. Don't wait up for me, darling."
Rarity opened the door and left.
"Dear Suri Polomare ..." Rarity started, pacing as she held a quill and papyrus with her magic. "Hmm, what next? Oh yes, I know! I am terribly sorry for the way our last encounter ended." Rarity twirled and leaned forward to check the page to make sure the quill had transcribed adequately. "But Princess Celestia teaches to forgive and forget. I would be ever so honored if you would appreciate joining me for one of Fancypant's parties. I do have some pull with him."
"There." Rarity folded up the parchment and placed it into a mailbox. Suri would be suspicious of anything Rarity sent her, but an invite to an influential party with Fancypants would be too much for a glamor hound like Suri to resist, especially after the state Rarity and Prim left her in.
In Canterlot's hospital, Fancypants attended Fluer's bedside. He held her hand as the various monitors she was connected to failed to report anything out of the ordinary. On the bright side, Fluer's stomach was no longer swollen. On the flipside of that, she wasn't any closer to feeling any better and now her whole body was covered in orange droplets, like she had been sweating orange-tinted tea.
"We'll get through this." Fancypants assured her, patting her hand. "We will." Fleur gave Fancypants a smile for trying to make her feel better, even though she had trouble believing him.
A doctor stepped into the room. "Fancypants? You have a visitor."
"Send him in."
The doctor bowed and guided the visitor in - Rarity.
"Rarity, dear." Fancypants perked up at her. "What a boon it is to have you here in these dark times."
"Er, yes." Rarity grimaced, holding her hand in front of her. She had come here with her own agenda, to ask Fancypants to set up the party she had invited Suri to. She thought - or hoped - Fluer-de-lis' condition was a minor one, like a bicycle accident or sprained ankle. Seeing Fluer-de-lis bedridden made her realize she was being selfish to expect Fancypants to throw a party just so Rarity could spring a trap when his dear friend was in this state.
Fancypants took his hands off Fluer. "Now, I presume you wouldn't be in Canterlot without a reason. Do you know what happened to Fluer before, or were you just in the neighborhood?"
"Well, to tell the truth, I was hoping you could throw one of your famous parties for a friend of mine." Rarity was lying. Suri was no friend of hers. Rarity glanced at Fluer. "But now I see what a selfish expectation that was."
"So you'll understand if I'm not in a partying mood." Fancypants's tone was dour. "I must attend Fluer."
Rarity nodded. "I think I'll take my leave. Perhaps I'll buy something from the gift shop on my way out."
"Wait ..." Fluer said, raising her hand. "Fancypants ... I want you to throw the party."
"What? But you -"
"I'll be fine." Fluer told him. "Nothing's gonna change because you're not here. If the doctors find out anything, they'll call you right away."
"But ..."
"Fancypants, the doctors could discover something today, or something in a few months." Inverting their positions, Fluer grabbed Fancypants' hand. "I don't want you here, wasting away in the hospital while you wait for me to recover ... you have your own life to live, and I don't want you to throw away looking after mine."
"I ..."
Rarity put a hand on Fancypants' hand. "She's right, you know."
Fancypants looked to her, then back to Fluer. He adjusted his monocle. "Yes, I suppose she is. Rarity, you and your friend shall have your party."
Suri accepted Rarity's invitation and came to Canterlot. Rarity had been kind enough to provide a train ticket from Manehatten to Canterlot in the letter. Suri didn't trust Rarity as far she could throw her, but to get in a party with Fancypants, the most influential businessman in Canterlot ... well, how could a girl say no?
Going into the town square, Suri looked around for signs of her host.
"Suri!" Rarity exclaimed, startling Suri by sliding into her side vision the way a ghost would pop out of a haunted jewelry box. "So glad you can make it, darling! I was worried you wouldn't come."
Suri was skilled in deceit, lies, and double-talk. She saw right through to the hidden meaning of Rarity's words about being worried.
"Oh, yes." Suri growled. "I might never had come if weren't for the promise of a Fancypants party."
Rarity invaded Suri's personal space by curling her arm around Suri. Suri might have been skilled at manipulation, but Rarity was better. "The party won't be for awhile. Fancypants has to round up the gang, you see."
"I see." Suri pursed her lips, displeased at the news.
"Won't you join me for some lunch while we wait?" Rarity asked.
"I guess."
"Excellent. I know just the place." Rarity steered Suri to an outdoor restaurant down the street. Without wasting any trouble, Rarity ushered Suri into a table and hailed a waiter.
"What would you fine young ladies like?" The waiter asked, taking out a notepad.
"Your best salad should suffice." Rarity said, lying in the chair with a carefree air as though she owned it and everything around it.
"I'll take the same." Suri said, never taking her eye off Rarity. The waiter wrote down their orders and left.
"So, what have you been up to?" Rarity inquired, talking to Suri like she was a long-lost friend instead of a recent enemy.
Suri growled.
"Oh, right. I'm sorry, insensitive question." Rarity flicked her hand.
Suri slammed her fists against the table. "Rarity, why don't you drop the act?"
"Act? Whatever do you mean, darling?"
"I mean, what are you up to? What are you planning? I know you wouldn't be this nice to me unless you were planning something."
Rarity gave Suri a look of pity. "Sometimes people are nice just to be nice."
"No, they're not." Suri insisted. "They always want something to get out of you."
Rarity was saddened. Suri must have bad experiences with people if she couldn't grasp the concept someone was being nice for niceness' sake. Not that Rarity wasn't doing anything to help that notion, with what she had planned.
The waiters returned with their salads for them, laying each plate in front of them. "Is there anything else I could get for you, mademoiselles?"
"Yes." Rarity gestured to Suri. "Can you recommend your deserts to my friend here?"
"Certainly."
"What?" Suri exclaimed as the waiter went over deserts, oblivious to Suri's confusion. "I don't want any deserts! I need to watch my figure." Suri tried to tell the waiter to stop, but he didn't seem to be listening. Rarity took the distraction to lean over and sprinkle some black powder into Suri's salad, which blended into the food with no visible difference.
The waiter at last heard Suri's demands for him to stop and left them.
"That was weird." Suri muttered, looking down at her salad. Rarity had already began eating.
Suri remained suspicious of Rarity's motives. Her suspicions only increased when Rarity stood up from her chair and announced the party was ready as soon as they had finished eating. Suri was too focused on the chance to meet with Fancypants to question it, letting Rarity guide her to Fancypants' mansion.
Seeing the actual mansion made Suri feel a little tingly. Whatever Rarity might have planned, the party invitation wasn't a trick. Rarity brought Suri through the gates, where Fancypants and his entourage were waiting.
"Rarity. Right on time, as always." Fancypants observed. "I take it this is your friend?"
"Yes. Her name is Suri Polomare. You two have fun." Rarity pushed Suri towards Fancypants went to the catering table to grab a drink.
"Hello, Suri." Fancypants offered his hand. "I'm-"
"Fancypants, yes." Suri grabbed his hand. "I know who are you." She was so excited, she felt a little bubbly in her stomach.
"Rarity tells me you're a fashion designer?" Fancypants said.
Suri nodded. "Yes! I make all my own custom clothes for clients." From the shadows, Rarity gave Suri a cold, icy stare.
"Ah. Like Rarity herself, I see. Figures you would bump into each other sooner or later."
"Mh-hmm." Suri said. She was about to ready to pour the charm on Fancypants. She'd butter him up and schmooze up to him. She would get him to love her, and in return, he'd give a place to stay and all the money she'd ever need.
Or least she thought so, until the bubbly feeling in her stomach doubled and shot up her throat, causing her to vomit all over Fancypants' clothes. His entourage let out a gasp of shock, appalled Suri would be so daring as to throw up all over him.
Fancypants had more polite worries. "Suri, dear, are you all right? Do you need to lie down? Some antacids, maybe?"
"No, no, sugar." Suri muttered, lurching and clutching her stomach. "I think I'm fine." Suri proved herself incorrect, throwing up on the grass two more times before her stomach quit. Once she was able to direct her own body again, Suri locked eyes on Rarity, who was standing aloof by the table.
"You!" Suri launched at Rarity. "You did this, didn't you?"
Rarity sipped her drink. "Yes, I did. Would you like to hear how? I paid off the waiter to keep talking and ignore you while I slipped some vomit medication in your food. And of course, the food itself was so you would have something for your stomach to throw up with."
"Why?" Suri growled. "Haven't you ruined me enough?"
"No." Rarity hissed. "Not since I learned you abused Coco Pommel in a sexual matter. So I had Fancypants throw a party and slipped you something to make you throw up all over him. The man himself is gracious enough, but his entourage ... well, let's just say in a few days time, rumors and exaggerations of you throwing up on the most influential man in Canterlot will be all over the news. And your reputation will be so tarnished, no will work with in you. Not just in Manehatten, but all of Equestria." Rarity continued enjoying her drink.
Suri screamed and tackled Rarity, knocking the cup out of Rarity's hands and its contents all over the table. Suri pinned Rarity to the ground. Rarity was a better fighter than Suri anticipated, striking Suri with her elbow and throwing her off. Rarity got up. Suri staggered and tackled her again. The two of them wrestled back and forth, neither maintaining the advantage for long, until they threw themselves inside Fancypants' mansion.
"Should we do something?" One of Fancypants' entourage asked him.
"Perhaps we should call the Royal Guard to break things up." Fancypants turned around to exit his ground. He was in luck, as a Royal Guard was already coming to him "Eh?"
"Mister Pants," The Guard addressed him. "I'm afraid we have some bad news. Your significant other, Fluer-de-lis, escaped the hospital."
"What? How?"
"We're not sure. Somehow, she slipped through without being seen by anybody."
Fancypants shook his head. "Getting out of crowded places without being seen is something you learn to do as a celebrity. I wonder where she could have gone ... and why?"
Inside the mansion, Rarity and Suri's fight continued. Suri threw Rarity against a podium. Rarity launched herself off it and tackled Suri to the ground. Suri rolled over and struck Rarity in the back. Suri forced Rarity onto her stomach, climbed onto her back, and took her time striking Rarity. Rarity reached her hand out and used her magic to pull a flower vase towards them, smashing it over Suri's head. Rarity stood up and kicked Suri while she was down - in the stomach.
"Gah!" Suri growled as she got up. "You'll pay for this, you - country girl!"
"Spoiled brat!"
"Floozy!"
"Oh, I'M the floozy?" Rarity asked, pointing to herself.
"Yes." Suri huffed. "With your white, low-cut dresses that show off your cleavage!"
Rarity laid her hand across said cleavage. "Flaunt it if you got it, sister. And, sister, don't be jealous of me just because you do not "got it.""
Rarity added injury to insult by sidestepping towards Suri and twirling around, hitting Suri in the face with the side of her breasts.
"Rrraaah!" Suri raised her hands and lunged at Rarity, once again knocking Rarity to the ground and grappling with her. "Floozy!"
"You used that insult already."
"Oh. Um ... talentless hack!"
"Thief!"
"Silicon-loaded fake!"
"Fraud! And I keep telling you, THEY'RE NATURAL!"
"Liar! There's no way a girl could have a natural bust as fantastic as that."
"Oh, you think they're fantastic? Thank you. Where were we? Two-faced sneak!"
"HOMEWRECKER!"
"HAG!"
Their escalation of insults came to an abrupt, screeching halt when they both heard the sound of the door swinging open with force like a wrecking ball had been swung through it.
Rarity and Suri were shocked to see Fluer-de-lis in the doorway. Rarity's eyes shrunk in terror, as she recognized the malady which had stricken Fluer-de-lis.
Standing in the hallway with a hunch, Fluer-de-lis was covered in an orange, goopy, slime substance. It covered her legs and tapered downwards, like a tail on a snake. The same substance was pouring down her arms, turning into long tentacles which touched the floor. Orange liquid seeped from the tentacle's tips, getting the floor messy and soggy. Little extensions flailed from her shoulders, and a mass of slime slithered around her face, covering one side and then the other like a bipolar opera mask that couldn't decide which side it wanted to be on.
"FANCYPANTS!" Fluer bellowed. "I'M HUUUUUNGRRRRY!"
Fluer-de-lis eyes drifted downward. She noticed Suri and Rarity tangled up on the floor.
"Oh my." Fluer purred with a sultry tone. She licked her lips with a slime-coated tongue. "Don't you two look ... delicious." |
Last Glass of Poison | Affliction | Rarity and Suri froze in place, able to do naught but stare at the disgusting, slimy thing Fleur had become standing in the doorway. Fleur was eying them with a malevolent hunger.
"Suri." Rarity whispered. "I know we were just fighting each other ... I know you have every reason to hate me ... but right now, for both our sakes, I need you to put that aside and trust me."
"T-t-trust you?" Suri stuttered. Her unfamiliarity with Fleur's condition contributed to her being much more frightened than Rarity was.
"Please." Rarity insisted as Fleur began slithering towards them. "Just until we get through this. We can go back to hating each other as soon as we're safe from her."
"As if, mmmkay? You'll understand, doll, if I don't trust someone who just embarrassed me in front of Fancypants' and his entourage!" Suri pushed Rarity off her, throwing her off to the side. Full of confidence, Suri brought herself to her feet, but when she saw Fleur oozing in front of her, she was paralyzed by fear.
"Oooh." Fleur squealed. "Are you volunteering? You look like you're volunteering." Fleur raised her arm-tentacle and lashed it around Suri's waist, lifting her up in the air. "We're going to have so much fun together!" Fleur leaned and licked Suri's cheek to sample her taste.
Suri whimpered and turned her cheek. "N-no! Stop!"
"Oh, but sssweetie!" Fleur hissed. "If you didn't want to do it, you ssshouldn't have volunteered!"
"I DIDN'T VOLUNTEER!"
Fleur ignored Suri's screams and aimed her tendril at Suri's chest.
"Wait."
Fleur and Suri looked to see Rarity standing some distance away. Rarity held her arms out and puffed out her chest.
"Take me instead."
Suri's mind quit working. Just a minute ago, Rarity was sabotaging her reputation with Fancypants and all of Canterlot. Now, Rarity was trying to save her? In what bizarre, otherworldly paradigm of logic did that make any kind of sense?
"Uh, Rarity, doll?" Suri asked. "What are you doing?"
"I have what you want." Rarity said, keeping her eyes on Fleur.
Fleur rubbed her chin, contemplating Rarity's offer. "What do you mean?"
"Inspect her chest." Rarity instructed. Suri chattered her teeth, worried Fleur was going to do something awful. Fleur brought her nose down and sniffed Suri's chest, which was not as bad as Suri was fearing. Fleur slithered over to Rarity and sniffed her chest as well.
"You're laaaactating!" Fleur shouted.
"Yes." Rarity reached down into her dress and squeezed her breast, causing milk to pour out. "This is what you want, isn't it?" Milk was the original's Pipe Slime's goal, desire, and modus operandi. Rarity was sure milk was what this new Pipe Slime wanted as well.
"Oh, you'll be so much more fun than this dry-chested dame over here!" Fleur latched her other tendril around Rarity and dropped Suri to the floor. She lifted Rarity up and licked her lips, eager and ready to partake in Rarity's milk. "I'm leaking too! We can take turnssssss!"
Suri rolled on the floor, looking up at the strange sight unfolding before her. Her jaw hung open in disbelief. Rarity and her had been exchanging insults and boasts about Rarity's oversized bust for the last day and a half ... and now that same bust had saved her life. It was all just so surreal.
"What are you doing on the floor!?" Rarity snapped at her. "Get out of here! Get Fancypants! Get the Guards! Get help!"
Suri remained on the floor, transfixed on the sight as Fleur's appendages moved to begin invading Rarity's personal space.
"GO!"
Suri crawled to her feet and dashed out the door.
Fleur licked her lips again, expecting to enjoy her experiences with Rarity. She flared her chest out like a cobra. "Ready to drink?"
"Er, actually, would you drink me first?" Rarity asked. The more she could delay Fleur-de-lis putting corrupt milk before Suri got back with help, the better, and if she could make it more tolerable for herself, well ... more power to her.
Fleur-de-lis grinned and complied. "Sssure." She peeled Rarity's dress down further and bent to drink Rarity's milk. Rarity held her breath, trying not to think about How much she felt as though she was betraying Rainbow Dash by offering her milk to someone who wasn't her ... or Coco Pommel. But Coco Pommel had been "approved" by Rainbow Dash. Fleur underwent no such process.
Flerr popped her lips off, jerking her head as swallowed. "Ah, that's some good stuff, Rarity. But it's your turn now."
"Er, no, no, that's really all right, darling. I can do without it." Rarity insisted, using a nervous smile to hide her worries.
"No, no. I drank yourssss, now you have to drink mine!" Fleur raised her tendril up and wrapped around Rarity's neck, pulling Rarity's head towards her chest.
Rarity did what came to her by instinct, reaching up her hand to grab Fleur's forehead. She had been infected in the past. She knew how the slimes operated, how they thought, how they obeyed the will of their Mistress, and she had been a Mistress. She still recalled the mental process of Mistress sending commands to her her servants. She began exerting her will from her hand into Fleur's head.
Obey. Rarity thought, giving a mental command. Fleur-de-lis continued to bring Rarity's head down.
Obey. Rarity repeated. She would not be forced to drink unreasonable amounts of milk the way she did to others all those years ago. She would not relive it.
OBEY YOUR MISTRESS! Rarity screamed her in head, and Fleur-de-lis stopped. Fleur's arms went slack and her body relaxed.
Rarity looked up at Fleur's face, confused as to what just happened. She succeeded in dominating Fleur's mind, was what.
Good. Rarity purred, seeing Fleur was tamed. While she had her under control, she was going to try to get as much information as she could. Now, Fleur-de-lis, who infected you?
An orange slime. Fleur answered. Fancypants and I went out into the forest and it got me.
So it was direct from the slime Fleur got her infection. Rarity examined Fleur's enhancements. A tail, two tendrils, swollen, milk-filled breasts ... and she'd been infected only recently. It took some time for Rarity's own infection to develop all of those traits. How come your infection from the Pipe Slime progressed so far? I was infected for longer than you were, and it took me weeks to develop a tail!
Not a ... not a Pipe Slime. Fleur stammered.
What?
Citrus Slime. It was a Citrus Slime who infected me.
Ah! That explained so much. Different kind of slime, different kind of infection. What does a Citrus Slime do?
Feed you orange juice, mostly. Fleur answered. Rarity felt her tendrils sift around her body again. Fleur was beginning to break free of Rarity's psychic influence. "But enough thinking about feeding, it's time to DO IT!"
Rarity bit her lip as Fleur pried her hand off her forehead. "Oh, um. I think I still have more in me. Would you be so kind?"
"Sssorry, no. We have to sssssshare!" Fleur pulled her dress down, wrapping her arm around Rarity's head and forcing Rarity onto her breast. Rarity shut her eyes.
"Why won't you drink, Rarity?" Fleur asked. She sounded dejected, as if her milk wasn't good enough. Rarity didn't want to, but she slurped on Fleur, bringing a glob of milk out. The taste of it was best compared to a milkshake, with lots of sugars and other thing blended in. Rarity knew why it tasted that way. It was because of the slime, and all the awful things it mixed with the milk.
"More ..." Fleur growled with erotic intent clear in her voice. "Take more."
Rarity opted not to. Rarity opted to fight her way out of this before Fleur's white poisons took a complete corrupting hold on her mind. Her hand was aglow with magic as she brought it up and blasted Fleur in the chest. Rarity was thankful to whatever Princess-deity was watching over her at that moment, as the spell proved strong enough to not only separate Fleur from her, but throw her across the floor.
"Oh!" Fleur exclaimed, pulling herself off the floor. "That was rude! If you didn't like the taste, you should have just said so!"
Fleur's focus was right back to the milk again, Rarity noted. Of course it was. Everything was about milk with the slimes. Rarity started crawling up the stairs, clutching at her stomach. She knew about the effect of slime-infected milk, where the milk made itself feel much denser than it actually was, like something metal and dense was inside the victim's stomach. Up until now, Rarity had always been on the giving, rather than receiving end of it. It was most unpleasant. She felt as though she had swallowed a wrecking ball.
Rarity had tried to escape before the worst damage was done, but the milk was already trying to tempt her. Rarity heard two voices in her head. One was being reasonable, yelling get away get away get away. The other being affected by the milk, shouting at her what are you doing? You get back there and let that sexy lady pump you with delicious milk until you're too bloated to walk!
"Get back here!" Fleur shouted, slithering up the stairs after Rarity. Rarity couldn't even stand without gripping the guardrail of the stairs for support, but she managed to turn around and blast Fleur a second time, keeping her down near the bottom of the stairs. While Fleur struggled to right herself, Rarity made her way up the second floor. Which was as far as she made it before Fleur-de-lis extended her tendril, lassoing it around Rarity's waist and using Rarity as a post to hook-shot herself up the stairs.
"Rarity, dear, you really must learn how to appreciates someone's generosity." Fleur said, which Rarity found mocking. "When someone generously offers you their milk, the polite thing to do is accept it!" Fleur shoved Rarity back onto her breast and squirted the corrupting milk into Rarity's throat at will.
Where was Suri? She should have been back with help by now. Figures she would just run and off and do her own thing as soon as she was safe. Rarity wondered why she had done this for her. Just after she had been humiliating Suri in front of several influential people. Rarity could have left Suri to be ravaged by Fleur and had every reason to. Why didn't she?
Compassion, she supposed. She had experience with the slime. She wouldn't be able to live with herself if she let something so horrible happen to Suri. It was perhaps like the difference between placing something unpleasant like a thumb tack or fake vomit under someone's chair as a prank versus taking a knife and stabbing them to death.
Suri was running down the street. When she exited the doors of the mansion, she had found Fancypants' party deserted. She figured her best bet would be to head straight for the training base of the Royal Guards, but as she sped down the sidewalk, she found Fancypants and his entourage, flanked by two Guards.
"Fancypants!"
"Suri!" Fancypants exclaimed as Suri rushed towards them. "What are you doing here?"
"What are ... you ... doing here?" Suri demanded amidst her pants for breath.
"We're looking for my dear friend, Fleur-de-lis. The Guards came and told me she escaped the hospital, so we ended the party to search for her."
"Well, you should have stayed!" Suri snapped. "She's back at the mansion! She's got Rarity!"
"What!? How did we not notice?"
"Perhaps she sneaked into the mansion after we left." suggested one of the Guards.
"Yes, that must be it. Come, gentlemen! We must rescue fair Rarity!"
Her internal monologue finished, Rarity turned her thoughts back to escape. She grunted and pushed herself off Fleur's breasts. Fleur took in a deep breath and exhaled, spraying milk all over Rarity's face without even having squeeze her chest.
Rarity had been experiencing a lot of emotions during this ordeal. First she had been brave, followed by scared and disgusted and now ... now she was curious.
"How did you do that?" Rarity asked.
"Hmm?"
"You brought milk out of your breasts without ever putting your hands on them!" Rarity exclaimed. She had to learn how to do that. So she could do it for Rainbow Dash. At least she could wring something positive out of this.
"Oh, well ... just take in a deep, deep breath and puff out your chest. Try to get the airflow in there." Fleur demonstrated by taking in another deep breath. Rarity followed her example, puffing her chest out. Fleur exhaled and more milk spritzed out. Rarity did the same with success, as streams of the white stuff shot out of her breasts like the spurt of a drinking fountain.
"Time to drink!" Fleur rasped, forcing Rarity's mouth back onto her coconut-sized breast. Rarity couldn't stop it this time, as the milk from earlier was weighing her body down and wearing her spirit out. She did nothing as it poured into her ... until it made her want more of it. Then she suckled with all the strength she could muster. The more she had, the more she wanted. The more she wanted, the more she needed. She could feel herself slipping away into the addiction ...
Until magical spells blasted the door open and a squad of Royal Guards came marching in, yelling orders and hurling spells at Fleur-de-lis. One Guard wasn't paying enough attention to his aim and his spell hit the stairs, causing them to collapse, sending Fleur-de-lis and Rarity down to the floor with a pile of rubble. One Guard was fast enough to correct his colleague's mistake and used a levitation spell on Rarity to keep her afloat. Fleur was not given any such consideration and was allowed to be buried under a pile of crumbled stairs. It didn't matter, though, as Fleur burst from the rubble and slithered out the door, moving too fast for the Guards to hit her. Some of them split off to pursue Fleur, the rest remained to make sure Rarity was okay. They politely ignored that she was half-topless and covered in milk.
"Are you all right, miss?" A Guard asked as Fancypants and Suri rushed into view.
"Y-yes, darling, I'm fine." Rarity stuttered, her legs wobbly and shaking. She lost her balance and would have fallen on the floor if Fancypants didn't go up behind her and catch her in his arms. "At least, I will be ..." Rarity looked up at Suri. "Funny. I was beginning to think you weren't going to come back."
"Ah, well ..." Suri crossed her arms and turned away. "You kept me from being eaten or whatever by that ... thing. I guessed that was worth something." Suri pointed her arms. "But don't think these means things have changed between us, doll."
"I wouldn't dream of it." Rarity boasted. She looked at the collapsed stairs. "I'm sorry about your stairs, Fancypants."
"No worries!" Fancypants said. "After all, stairs are replaceable. You aren't." Rarity giggled.
The Guards who left to pursue Fleur returned to the building. "Sir, we lost her. We tracked her to the edge of the city before she gave us the slip."
Their commander stomped his foot. "Darn! Put out some posters. I want the masses to be informed and for anyone with information to come forward." The Guards nodded and left.
The commander turned towards Rarity, Fancypants, and Suri. "Will you all be all right?" Rarity nodded. "Good. Have a nice day. We'll pay for the damages, Mister Pants." he left the building.
Suri left as well, but before she did, she gave Rarity a glare, making sure Rarity got the message their feud was still on.
Ponyville was entering nightfall, so Fluttershy decided to go to bed extra-early. She was eager and hopeful to have more dreams about her private fantasies. She was relieved it was all in her head. Applejack and Twilight would be so disapproving if they found out.
As things stood in her dreamland, Fluttershy was on her bed under her forest-hued sheets. Lumps were under the sheet as Applejack and Big Macintosh were suckling her. Sunlight was pouring in from the window onto them, keeping the bed warm and toasty. Per Fluttershy's love of nature, a bird was chirping in the trees nearby.
Fluttershy sighed. "Oh, my, yes ... such good boys and girls ... don't you just love the feeling of nursing?"
"Why, I'm sure they do." A suave voice answered.
"Mm, yes ..." Fluttershy mumbled, her eyes closed. Realizing it wasn't Big Macintosh's deep voice speaking, Fluttershy opened her eyes to see Discord floating above the bed.
"My, my. What would Applejack think if she saw you thinking about her doing something like this?" Discord asked.
"Discord!" Fluttershy squeaked, tossing dream-Applejack and dream-Big Macintosh off the bed to the floor so she could use the blanket to cover her chest. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh, nothing much." Discord said. He made a hammock appear and floated underneath his body to accommodate him.
"How did you get here, anyways? I thought dreams were Princess Luna's domain." Fluttershy mumbled.
"Oh, Fluttershy. You don't really think I'm bound by such trivial rules, do you?" Discord gave a literal example of his metaphor by making a giant scroll marked "TRIVIA" appear, then squeezing it in his hand. It flew out of his hands like a butterfly and went through the window. "But anyways, the real reason I'm in here because Applejack is trying to round up the gang. She's awfully worked up about something." Discord made a pun by creating a cubicle office around him, dressing up in glasses, a white shirt and a tie.
"Oh, okay." Fluttershy adjusted herself and threw her legs over the bed. She reached to grab a shirt before remembering she was still in her dream, so any shirt she put on would amount to nothing. "Um, Discord? Before I wake up, will you promise you won't tell Applejack about this?"
"Well, what kind of friend would I be if I withheld the truth?" Discord's facetiousness was so thick, it was just about solid matter. He saw Fluttershy looking up at her with her big eyes, pleading with him in silence. "Oh, all right. I promise. Wake up now, why don't you?" Discord snapped his fingers and Fluttershy opened her eyes wide in her real bed. Discord was nowhere to be found.
Fluttershy grabbed her chest to be sure she was presentable. Feeling the presence of her nightgown, Fluttershy stepped outside. Applejack and Twilight were marching up to her house.
"There she is, already waiting for us." Applejack expressed with admiration. Applejack patted Fluttershy's back. "Now there's a girl who knows when she's needed."
"Um, actually, Discord told me." Fluttershy mumbled. "What's going on?"
"Applejack is convinced Rarity's breastfeeding Rainbow Dash again." Twilight explained. "She won't give it a rest, so we figured you, since you're close to Rarity, would be our best to shutting her up so we can all enjoy some peace and quiet again." Twilight put her hands on her head and rolled her eyes.
Applejack glared at Twilight, unappreciative of her words.
"Oh, I'm sorry. What I meant to say was that since Rarity's bedroom is on the second floor, Applejack thinks you would be the best bet for spying on her and seeing if she's nursing, since you can fly and are so skilled at being quiet."
"Um, you can fly too, Twilight." Fluttershy muttered. "Why can't you do it?"
"I can fly, but I'm more likely to give myself away by tripping or something. You're way lighter on your feet than I am. Plus, Rarity will probably be more forgiving if she catches you than if it was me." Twilight smiled and offered her hand. "What do you say, Fluttershy? Will you do it?"
"Gee, I don't know ... I mean, what's so wrong about nursing, really?" Fluttershy shrugged, attempting to defend her point with a nervous chuckle and smile.
"Fluttershy, do y'all not remember what happened the last time?" Applejack asked. "How she went crazy? How she infected us and the whole darn town? Why, if she wasn't our friend, Ah would have ... Ah don't know what Ah would have done to her, but it wouldn't be pleasant!" As Applejack talked, her rage increased by increments until she was swinging her fists around and swearing like a sailor. The sight frightened Fluttershy.
"What do you say, Fluttershy?" Twilight asked, ducking Applejack's flying-blind fists.
"I still don't know ... it seems wrong to invade Rarity's privacy."
"Well, if she is nursing, we need to know to put a stop to it. If Rarity's not nursing, than we can get Applejack to drop it, and we can all get on with our lives. Please, Fluttershy?"
Fluttershy sighed. She really didn't want to. She really, really did not want to. But Applejack was angry and Twilight's reasoning was fair, at least to Fluttershy.
"Okay." Fluttershy took Twilight's hand. "I'll do it."
"Yes!" Twilight pumped her fist. "I knew we could count on you! Come on. The sooner we can put this mess behind us, the better."
Inside Rarity's boutique, Rainbow Dash perked up at the squeak of the door hinges.
"Rarity!" Rainbow Dash headed straight for the door and brought Rarity into a hug. "What took you so long? I've been missing you ..." Rainbow Dash brought Rarity's face up and put a hand on Rarity's cheek. Rainbow Dash noticed Rarity's downcast expression. "Oh. It's been one of those days, hasn't it?"
Rarity closed her eyes. "Yes, Rainbow Dash. It has been."
"Do you wanna ... feed like we usual do," Rainbow Dash showed a surprising amount of sensitivity by next asking the question, "or just head straight to bed?"
Rarity wasn't sure what to answer Rainbow Dash with. A large part of the misery she had today was from nursing. Although on one hand, nursing with Rainbow Dash (and maybe Coco Pommel) could be a nice reminder after Fleur-de-lis that not all nursing was bad. On the other hand, it might just send her into a post-traumatic state, reliving the horrid moment for a second time.
"Yes." Rarity answered, deciding it was worth the risk. She directed Rainbow Dash to the foyer. "Get Coco Pommel and meet me upstairs. I'll go change into something more suitable for the occasion."
"Yes, ma'am!" Rainbow Dash hurried off.
Rarity went the stairs and to her room. Approaching the bed, she undid the clasps on her dress and dropped it onto the bed. Digging through her cabinet, she got out her white-with-pink fuzz bathrobe, which she put slid on.
The door opened. Rainbow Dash came in, guiding Coco Pommel with her hand. Seeing the two of them, so excited, so eager, so obedient for her brought Rarity's spirits back up and she smiled at them with a seductive grin.
"Hello, darlings." Rarity purred, dropping onto the bed. "I hope you're both thirsty." Rarity puffed her chest out, showing off her assets as the bathrobe strained to contain them.
"Oh, yes." Rainbow replied. "Very thirsty." She licked her lips.
"Parched." Coco Pommel added.
Rarity reached into the drawers and got out the powder and the spoon. Before getting to the main event, Rarity teased her servants by trailing the spoon along the length of her bust. After hearing Rainbow Dash whine about the teasing, Rarity scooped a spoonful of the powder and took it.
"Here you go, darlings." Rarity shimmed, making her breasts swing from left to right before she tugged on the bathrobe and pulled it open. She flopped onto the bed. "Drink." Rainbow Dash and Coco Pommel went to the task with glee, affixing their lips to her impressive breasts. Their nighttime activities were interrupted by the sound of someone slipping and hitting their head.
"What?" Rarity pulled her neck up and looked to window. There was a little tuft of pink hair just at the base of the window, making a pained groan.
"Huh?" Coco Pommel asked, observing the same tuft.
"Rainbow Dash." Rarity snapped. To Coco Pommel, Rarity sounded like the villain of a film telling his minions to unleash the dangerous science experiment upon the hero.
"I'm on it." Rainbow Dash took off like a rocket. The tuft of her hair squeaked and flew off into the night. Rainbow Dash shoved the window of the way and chased after.
"Rarity, what's going on?" Coco Pommel asked.
"I have no idea, darling." Rarity said, tying up the bathrobe around her chest. "Though you may want to make yourself decent."
A few minutes later, the front door opened. Coco Pommel could hear some whimpering and struggling from downstairs, which steadily drew closer until Rainbow Dash burst into the room, holding Fluttershy's arms behind her back.
"Get in there." Dash showed none of her usual concern for Fluttershy's frail state, tossing Fluttershy and making her stumble. Dash locked the door behind her and placed herself behind Fluttershy, ready to strike her a moment's notice if Rarity were to give the command to do so.
"Now, Fluttershy ..." Rarity got off the bed. "You know I value our friendship, so ... I will give you one chance to provide a sufficient explanation of why you were spying on us through the window!"
"Oh, I, um ..." Fluttershy mumbled, twiddling her fingers.
"Out with it, Fluttershy! Normally, I would be more mindful of your frightful nature, but I'm afraid this is one matter on which I will not budge." Rarity bared her teeth at Fluttershy, scaring her. Fluttershy felt like she was a poor young woman in a 1950's mob house. The only thing missing was Rainbow Dash wearing a fedora and pressing a gun to her neck.
"The others made me do it!" Fluttershy blurted out. "I didn't want to, because I respect your privacy and it's all right with me if you're nursing Rainbow Dash, but Applejack was so angry and Twilight was so reasonable I couldn't say no to either of them!" Fluttershy took in a deep breath.
Rarity raised her finger, ready to give Fluttershy a earful. She stopped and her eyes widened. "Wait, go back."
"Um, Applejack was so angry?"
"No, no, before that. A few sentences back. What did you say? What did you say?"
"Um, it's all right with me if you're nursing Rainbow Dash?"
Rarity crossed her arms. "Did you hear that, Rainbow Dash? It's all right with her if we're nursing! Ah hahaha!" Rarity burst out laughing. "It's all right with her if we're nursing!"
"Ah ha ha ha?" Fluttershy faked a laugh. She looked over her shoulder at Rainbow Dash and was glad to see Rainbow Dash was just as confused as she was.
Rarity quit laughing and grabbed Fluttershy by the front of her dress. "Out with it now, really. I have trouble believing someone who so willingly conspired with Applejack against me could approve of my nursing habits!"
"Oh, but I do approve!" Fluttershy insisted. "It's just, um, I also didn't approve of Applejack swinging her fists around and yelling at the air, either ..."
"Why should I believe you?" Rarity growled, and Fluttershy could sense this was a touchy topic for her. "Why would believe anyone other than Rainbow Dash or I could truly understand what it's like? What's it like to have this constant need, both burning and wet at the same time? That anyone other than Rainbow Dash could wrap their head around why -"
"It feels so good to have liquid pouring out of you?" Fluttershy questioned, surprising Rarity.
"Y-yes. How did you know?"
"What it's like to have someone so devoted, so loyal to you, they don't think anything of drinking whatever comes out of your chest?" Fluttershy asked. "What's it like to feel like a plugged-up sink in desperate need of release? I dream about it, Rarity. I really do. I dream about having someone like Rainbow Dash, there for me, to drink me whenever I need it ... to have someone willing to take up and swallow whatever comes out of my chest ..." Fluttershy gave Rarity a pitiful look. "I won't lie, I'm a little jealous of you and Rainbow Dash. You get to enjoy it whenever, but ... If I want to enjoy it, I have to be asleep and dreaming."
Rarity let go of Fluttershy and stepped backwards, hand over her chest. "Fluttershy, I ... I'm touched." Rarity wiped a tear from her eye. She sat down on the edge of the bed. "I never imagined I'd meet someone who understood what it was like so ... fully and intimately. That rising pressure ..."
"That bubbling need." Fluttershy chimed in.
"That satisfaction of being so full ..."
"The knowledge you have someone to turn to." Fluttershy added. Rarity turned away, resting her cheek on her palm. "Rarity ... I won't tell the others if you don't want me to."
"Would you?" Rarity asked. "That would be ever so kind of you ... but would you really?"
"Yes." Fluttershy nodded. "I promise."
Rarity smiled, overjoyed and overwhelmed she found a kindred spirit - a like-minded soul. Rarity got up and pulled out a parchment from the drawer.
"Here." Rarity presented the scroll towards Fluttershy. "As a show of good faith. I'll need it back after you've had time to transcribe it. It won't give you someone like Rainbow Dash, but this recipe will give you a powder that makes you lactate."
Fluttershy gasped. "Really?" Fluttershy took the parchment and gave Rarity a fierce hug. "Oh, thank you, Rarity! You have no idea how much this means to me!"
"Oh." Rarity muttered, patting Fluttershy's back. "I think, given our conversation, I have some clue."
Rainbow Dash tapped her chin. "We're not going to invite Fluttershy to join us like we did with Coco Pommel, are we?"
Rarity rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Rainbow Dash. I only have so much milk to go around." Rarity grabbed Fluttershy's shoulders. "However, Rainbow Dash has a point. We were in the middle of something private before you interrupted us, so if you would be so kind as to leave us to our devices ..."
Fluttershy nodded. Rarity let Fluttershy out of her grip, allowing Fluttershy to run out the room and down the stairs, giddily holding the parchment to her chest.
Fluttershy left Rarity's house with a spring in her step. She was more than a little disappointed when she saw Applejack and Twilight waiting right outside Rarity's door. Did they not trust her? Or worse, perhaps they didn't trust Rarity around her.
"Well?" Applejack asked. "Wut'd ya see?"
Fluttershy was silent for a lengthy period.
"I didn't see Rarity and Rainbow Dash do anything they weren't supposed to." And as far as Fluttershy was concerned, she was speaking the absolute truth.
"Yeah, all right then ..." Applejack still did not seem convinced.
"Fluttershy?" Twilight pointed at Fluttershy's chest. "What's that paper?"
"Oh, um, nothing. Just a recipe Rarity loaned me. " Fluttershy hid the paper behind her back before Twilight got too curious about it. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to go back to my cottage."
The next morning, business tycoon Filthy Rich and his brat of a daughter (not that he knew it) Diamond Tiara.
"Daaaad!" Diamond Tiara whined, holding her father's hand like she was eight instead of eighteen. "Do we have to go the train station? It's so stuffy and boring. And it smells like coal!"
"Now, now, Diamond Tiara." Filthy Rich told her. "Your father has received an invitation to meet someone here today, and I am a respectable businessman. A respectable businessman never turns down an invitation." A train pulled out, a hiss emitting as its wheels churned to a stop. "Why, I bet that's our mystery guest's train right now."
The train's doors opened, multiple people coming and going as suited their business. Filthy Rich and Diamond Tiara shared the same reaction of shock when they saw the same person; Suri Polomare. Diamond was so surprised she let go out of her father's hand.
"Suri?" Filthy Rich stammered.
"Filthy!" Suri exclaimed with open arms, strolling up to Filthy and cupping his chin. "Oh, it's been so long!"
"I ..." Filthy stammered as though he was being visited by a celestial being. With a pause, he put his hand on Suri's chin. "I thought I'd never see you again."
"Oh, I thought that too! But we're together now, and nothing can change that."
"I ... Diamond Tiara?" Filthy Rich noticed his daughter running off the train platform. "Diamond, where are you going?"
"Err ..." Diamond Tiara stuttered. "I just remembered, I have a meeting with a friend!"
"Hmm." Filthy Rich huffed. "That's strange. Usually, she invites her friends to our house instead of coming to them."
Suri turned Filthy's head back to her. "Don't you worry your pretty little head about her. I'm sure she's going to be just fine."
Diamond Tiara ran and ran. The sight of Suri filled her with nausea. Her stomach was doing backflips while her esophagus was doing painful yoga. She kept running until she flipped and fell into a puddle of mud.
"Who just LEAVES a puddle of mud LYING AROUND!?" Diamond Tiara exclaimed, slapping her hands in the mud as if she wished to punish its insolence for daring to touch her. Diamond Tiara winced and held her hands up in a defensive position, seeing Scootaloo drive straight towards her on her scooter. To Diamond's relief, though, Scootaloo banked a hard right and managed to screech to a halt just before the mud puddle.
"Diamond Tiara?" Scootaloo asked. "What are you doing in the mud? I thought a prissy stuck-up girl like you would hate being in the mud."
"I DO hate being in the mud! Ugh." Diamond Tiara flicked her hand, attempting to get the mud off her.
Scootaloo scratched the back of her head. Diamond Tiara was a bitter rival and awful bully to her and her friends, but the polite thing to do would be to help her up. Would Rainbow Dash approve? Wouldn't Rainbow Dash encourage paying no heed to those who had bullied and just leaving Diamond Tiara stuck in the mud? No, no. Rainbow Dash had been more mellow as of late. She'd probably tell Scootaloo to be the bigger woman and help her out.
"Hey ..." Despite her best judgment, Scootaloo dismounted her scooter and offered Diamond Tiara's her hand. "Need a hand?"
Diamond Tiara looked up at Scootaloo's hand. Her expression was one of somebody who had just seen an alien. Nobody had ever Diamond Tiara a hand to help her up after she had fallen down before. "Yes?" Diamond reached for Scootaloo's hand, but withdrew it, as if expecting Scootaloo's hand to burst on fire the moment she touched it.
Scootaloo rolled her eyes. "I don't have all day."
Hesitating a bit more, Diamond Tiara took Scootaloo's hand. Scootaloo grabbed Diamond Tiara's arm with her other hand and grunted as she heaved the mud-covered girl up.
"I-I'm not sure what to say, Scootaloo." Diamond Tiara stuttered.
"Uh, a simple "thank you" might be nice?" Scootaloo suggested.
"All right then." Diamond Tiara grabbed the edge of her skirt and did a curtsy. "Thank you, Scootaloo." Diamond Tiara put her arms under Scootaloo's shoulders. "Do you need some help getting back on your scooter?"
"Um, no?" Scootaloo responded as more of question than an answer, but Diamond Tiara proceeded and helped Scootaloo back onto her scooter. Then she gave a Scootaloo peck on the cheek before running away, giggling.
Scootaloo blinked. She wasn't sure, but it seemed like she helped Diamond Tiara out of mud and the spoiled bully actually showed some appreciation, got escorted onto her own scooter, followed by getting a kiss from Diamond Tiara. "Well, that was weird." Scootaloo peddled on her scooter, going on her way.
Unaware of Sweetie Belle sitting on a bench some distance away. Sweetie Belle was originally sitting there to feed breadcrumbs to the birds. It was something she saw Granny Smith do sometimes, and after a few times, Granny Smith invited her to join her, so Sweetie Belle took up the past time herself. She was not expecting to see Scootaloo. She was certainly not expecting to see Scootaloo receive a kiss from Diamond Tiara, of all people.
Spike was walking down the street with a grocery list in hand. He intended to get some ingredients to whip something up to sooth Twilight's nerves. She was jumpy lately. Jumpier than usual. He had also noticed her giving Rarity some dirty looks. Having as massive a crush as he did on Rarity, he couldn't stand that, so the treat would be a nice two-birds one-stone deal to calm her down and butter her up to ask about what Rarity did which had irritated her so.
He was surprised when Rarity appeared from nowhere and wrapped her arms around his neck. She was wearing a crisscrossing purple dress rather than her usual white.
"Spikey-wikey!" Rarity cooed, addressing him by his nickname. "I've been looking everywhere for you!"
"For me?" Spike asked.
"I'm sorry, is there someone else here? You, you silly goose!" Rarity pinched his cheeks and shook head. "I have a surprise back at my house waiting for you."
"Oh, a surprise?" Spike asked. "I don't know ... it's not my birthday or anything, and I don't think I did any chores for you recently ..."
"Oh, it's not that kind of surprise." Rarity waved her hand. She grabbed his wrists. "Now, come! I can't wait to give it to you."
"Rarity ..." Spike rooted his feet into the ground. "I was going to get some groceries to do something nice for Twilight."
"So? It can wait!"
"Rarity ..."
"Bear in mind, Spike, this surprise is time-sensitive and a limited time offer. You can do whatever it is for Twilight any time, can't you?"
"Yeah, I guess ..." Spike muttered, looking at his list.
"I see you're still convinced. How about if I ... persuaded you?" Rarity put her hands together and made a pout.
Spike still wasn't sure. "Eh ..."
Rarity sighed. "Fine. I see I have to bring out the big guns." Reaching to the strap of her dress, Rarity pulled it down and jiggled her breasts at him.
That was enough to convince Spike. He threw his list to the ground and stood at the ready. "Okay, I'm convinced, let's go!"
"Excellent." Rarity hissed. She grabbed Spike by his shirt and pulled him to Carousel Boutique, the specific name of Rarity's house.
Dragging him inside, Rarity twirled Spike around like a tango before throwing him onto a chair. "Now you just wait right there while I get things ready." Spike grinned and closed his eyes, ready for Rarity to surprise him.
"I can't believe this!" Sweetie Belle shrieked, swinging the door open. "Rarity. Rarity, I need to talk to you!" Sweetie Belle was not expecting to see Spike sitting at a chair. "Spike, what are you doing here?"
Spike brought his finger to his lips. "Ssh. Rarity has a surprise for me."
Sweetie Belle huffed, tossing her hands in the air. "Rarity? Rarity, can I talk to you?"
"Can it wait?" Rarity asked, her voice speaking from the dressing room. "I'm in the middle of a surprise for Spike!"
"I'd prefer if it didn't." Sweetie Belle muttered.
"Sweetie Belle, I'm sure whatever you have to say is very important, but I'm afraid it's going to have to wait."
Sweetie Belle put her hand over her forehead. "Why do I even bother? Could I at least join Spike with your surprise?"
"Eer ... I suppose. I wouldn't think you'd want to, but I guess it'd be all right."
Sweetie Belle pulled up a chair and dragged to the room with Spike, sitting next to him and crossing her legs. She was not happy with Rarity putting Spike above her, and she intended to let Rarity know it by expressing her disapproval of ... whatever it was Rarity was going to do. What was she going to do?
"Has she told you what the surprise is yet?" Sweetie Belle turned to Spike.
"No. If she told me, it wouldn't be a surprise! Duh!"
"Ready, darlings!"
Sweetie Belle wasn't expecting what she saw Rarity do. She wasn't sure what she was expecting, but it wasn't ... this.
Rarity was in a belly dancer outfit. She was wearing a lavender top and pants, with purple cloth tied around her wrists, hanging from her shoulders. Silver shingles were lined across the rim of her pants and shirt, highlighting the size of her bust and curve of her hips.
"Ready for a show, both of you?" Rarity asked.
"Yeah, yeah!" Spike cheered, in love with the outfit and how it showed Rarity's skin. Sweetie Belle kept quiet.
Rarity began her dance, holding her hands over her head and shaking her hips from side to side. She walked around in shimmying circles before adding more maneuvers to the routine, starting with simple shaking her arms about. She went further and further on, adding a jump and kick to it, swinging her hips further and further out, and shimmying with more intensity. The silver decorations lifted up into the air and flopped back down, patting every inch of Rarity's bust. What Spike wouldn't give to be one of those silver thingies, touching her breasts so close now ...
As the dance went on, Sweetie Belle's approval of it went up. She nodded her head, smiling as Rarity added more intricate movements.
"All right." Sweetie Belle said, getting up from her chair. "You can forgot about my problem, Rarity. This gives me the perfect idea to deal with it!" Her problem addressed, Sweetie Belle dashed out of the house, leaving Rarity and Spike alone. Just like Rarity wanted.
"Well, now that she's gone, I can do what I really wanted, Spike." Rarity's voice dropped by octaves to unbearably sultry tone.
"Rarity?" Spike asked
Rarity raised one hand over her head and twirled around. She kicked her legs and twirled again to face Spike. Now facing him, Rarity crossed her arms, placing the purple clothes under her breasts. She pulled up on her arms, using the purple veils to pull her breasts up, bouncing them up and down. Spike was hypnotized by the wonderful sight.
Rarity lowered her arms and traced her hands around her breasts, giving them a squeeze. She pulled down on her shirt to let her breasts jiggle more freely. Rarity kept dancing, this time with her breasts spilling out slightly.
Rarity repeated the maneuver, twirling to face Spike before rubbing her hands all over her breasts. She pulled the shirt down further, letting her breasts sway and bounce every direction like they were spring-loaded.
Spike was so enthralled, so aroused, he couldn't bear it anymore. He leaped out of his chair and charged Rarity, wrapping his arms around her waist and lifting her up as he forced a kiss on her. Under normal circumstances, this kind of behavior would be completely unacceptable in polite society.
Spike realized what he was doing was wrong and popped his lips off. "Oh, Rarity, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to! It's just ... seeing you dance like that, I - It was so exotic, I guess I just lost control of myself ..."
Contrary to Spike's expectations of anything Rarity would have done, Rarity instead giggled.
"It's quite all right, Spike." Rarity said. "I understand." She curled her knuckles on the sides of her breasts. "Why don't you look at them some more?" Rarity squeezed her breasts together, causing them to squish up and out vertically, making them look like one big, sexy, super-breast. "Look deep ... deeper ... deeper ..."
"Oh, so deep ..." Spike moaned, taken in by her impressive cleavage. "Rarity, I don't know if this is the right time to say this, but I love you!" Spike reinforced his declaration by burying his head between her breasts.
Rarity chuckled again, enjoying the feeling of Spike's head between her cleavage. It felt reassuring to her. It told her she was powerful. It told her she had complete control of Spike and his emotions. "Yes, that's it, Spike ..."
Rarity grabbed Spike's head and lifted up from her cleavage. Locking gazes with him, a jade-green light flashed from Rarity's eyes.
"Love me some more, why don't you?" Rarity suggested, Spike's eyes taking on the same jade light. Made a slave to his lust, "Rarity" had no trouble easing Spike's head back into her breasts ...
Twilight Sparkle decided to visit Fluttershy. She swung by Sugarcube Corner and bought some cupcakes. Twilight figured Fluttershy deserved some reward for spying on Rarity last night as late as she did.
Just as Twilight arrived, the door to Fluttershy's cottage opened. Fluttershy was escorting a couple out from their home, holding a baby in her arms.
"Thank you so much again for doing this." The wife of the couple said to Fluttershy.
"Oh, it's no trouble." Fluttershy told them. "I actually kind of like it, and if I can do a good deed in the process ... well, that just sets my heart aflutter."
"Thank you again." The husband said.
"You're very welcome. Come back again in around twenty or thirty minutes." Fluttershy stepped aside to let the couple leave and closed the door.
"Huh?" Twilight headed in front of the couple, cutting them off. "Who are you two and what are you doing at Fluttershy's house?"
"Oh, Princess Twilight!" The wife exclaimed. "You see, we had a baby recently, and ... well, we couldn't get any milk going for him."
"Oh, we tried." The husband put his hand on his wife's shoulder. "We tried and tried, but nothing worked."
"We know how important nutrients from breast milk are for baby's healthy development. So when Fluttershy came to us, offering her services, we were tickled pink to take her up on it."
"Confidential and free ... at first, it seemed too good to be true, but then Fluttershy showed us her contract papers and a variety of diets to help with particular nutrient deficient. So when she saw how much work she put into it, well, we couldn't help but say yes!"
"Did you say ... breast milk?" Twilight asked. "Like, actual, white milk from an actual, round, breast?"
The couple looked at each other.
"Oh, I'm sorry. You didn't know? I figured you'd knew, being her best friend ..."
"Knew what?"
"We've said too much already." The husband steered his wife away, leaving the scene of the crime. Twilight kept her eyes on them and thought about pursuing them, but she figured Fluttershy was a better source of answers. She walked the ramp and knocked on Fluttershy's door.
"Back so soon? It hasn't been more than a minute or two." Fluttershy answered the door. She gasped when she saw Twilight. Twilight gasped when she saw Fluttershy.
Fluttershy was holding the couple's baby up to her chest, with her shirt pulled down and the baby held in such a way he could latch onto Fluttershy's breast.
"Fluttershy? What ... what is this? You're lactating? How?"
"Oh, please don't be mad!" Fluttershy squeaked. "It's just ... well, our checkup with Silver Lens drudged up some old memories for me, Twilight, and I ... I remembered how much I liked being nursed. I wanted to be nursed. I wanted to lactate. So I - I got some medicine and opened an anonymous wet nursing service. That way, I enjoyed being nursed and do something nice for others at the same time." Fluttershy rocked the baby before returning her attention to Twilight. "Please don't tell anyone."
"I ..." Twilight put her hand on her head, not sure how to process this development. "Fluttershy, are you sure this is okay? I mean, most people wouldn't like a stranger nursing their infant! They couldn't control what went into the milk!"
Fluttershy smiled. "Oh, I prepared for that." Fluttershy went back into the house. When she reemerged, she handed Twilight a bundle of paper slips.
Twilight thumbed through the papers. They were all variations on a theme, each of them saying Fluttershy, for the week the baby was "loaned" out to her for nursing, would only eat a certain selection of foods and nothing unhealthy.
"Okay." Twilight returned the papers to Fluttershy, still unable to wrap her head around it. "Seems legit, I guess ... Hey. How are you lactating anyway?"
Fluttershy blushed. "I told you, Twilight. I found some medicine."
"Where?" Twilight asked. She pinched forehead and held her finger our. "Wait. No. Don't answer that. It was Rarity, wasn't it? She helped you with this, didn't she?"
Fluttershy rose her head up like a prideful lion. "I'm sworn to confidentiality."
"Good enough for a "yes" to me." With Fluttershy's answer as all the proof she needed, Twilight marched down the ramp to chew Rarity out.
Fluttershy's lips quivered, torn with her desire to avoid conflict with the need to defend her. "Twilight Sparkle!"
Twilight stopped and looked over her shoulder at Fluttershy.
"Breastfeeding is not a crime!" Fluttershy shouted before slamming the door. Twilight could hear the baby begin to cry, upset by the thud of the door.
Twilight rolled her eyes and continued on. As she came near to Carousel Boutique, Rarity's base of sinister milky operations, she passed Spike. Spike looked like he had just his first Hearts and Hooves Day with a Special Someone, his eyes full of bliss and his lips in a smile.
"Spike?" Twilight asked. "What's up with you?"
"Oh, it was wonderful!" Spike put his hands over his chest. "Rarity invited to me to her house and then she did a dance for me!"
"What kind of dance?"
"Oh, an amazing one! A belly dance! She was so graceful and sensual ... oh, it's still burned into my mind!" Spike swooned.
"What!?" Twilight remembered she still needed to have a talk with Rarity about her activities with Spike during the incident. She had figured, along with Applejack, to wait for a more appropriate time after Rarity's stunt with the train. But this was a bridge too far, and Rarity had to answer for her sins today.
Twilight continued her march towards Rarity's house, much angrier than she had been after Fluttershy's. She found the femme fatale hanging out just outside the door of the Boutique with Rainbow Dash. Each of them had shopping bags on and were about to go inside.
"Rarity!" Twilight shouted. Rarity rolled her eyes. "Don't you roll your eyes at me!" Twilight pointed her finger, pulsating with magic primed to deliver retribution on Rarity. "I know what you did to Spike!"
"Didn't we already talk about this?" Rarity asked Rainbow Dash.
"You know what you did! You did a belly dance for him, you cougar!"
Rarity examined Twilight's glowing finger. "I have no idea what you're talking about. I never did any dance for Spike. And even if I did ..." Showing a huge amount of gall, Rarity put her hand on Twilight's wrist and pulled it down. "I'd have half a mind not to tell you anyways."
"Well, if it wasn't you, than who was it?"
"I don't know, Twilight Sparkle. But I'm not going to stand here and tolerate your baseless accusations." Rarity and Rainbow Dash went inside the house.
"They're not baseless! Spike told me!" Twilight shouted, but there was no response from within the house. She knocked on the door, and, when Rarity didn't open it, she tried to open it herself only to find it was locked. Twilight could use her magic to force the door open, but she also realized Rarity locking the door was her way of saying she was done dealing with "accusations" for the day.
Twilight fumed, stomping away from the house. "Hey, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo." Twilight greeted the two. "Say hi to Rarity for me, will you?"
"Uh, will do!" Sweetie Belle saluted, her mind much too focused on other things to deal with a trivial "Hi" message.
"Sweetie Belle, are you sure Rarity will be okay with this?" Scootaloo asked as Sweetie Belle dragged her inside (she had a spare key). "I mean, I know you've made Rarity upset doing things without her permission before ..."
"It'll be fine!" Sweetie Belle insisted. "Besides, she'll never know."
"Oh, gee, where have I heard that before?" Scootaloo remarked. "Oh right, every other time when you took something from Rarity's without asking! Seriously, Sweetie Belle. We're almost adults. We should be more mature than this by now."
"It's fine!" Sweetie Belle repeated. "And if she does find out, I'll the full blame for everything. Better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission. Come on." Sweetie Belle dragged Scootaloo into a storage room. "Your surprise is waiting for you!"
"Uh-huh." Scootaloo crossed her arms, sitting down on a bench. Sweetie Belle disappeared into the darkness, leaving Scootaloo alone.
Scootaloo waved her hand in front of her face, yawning. So far, she wasn't impressed by whatever "surprise" Sweetie Belle had in store for her. At least not until she saw what it was as Sweetie Belle reappeared in front of her, wearing a belly dancer outfit and baring an impressive cleavage, far larger than what she normally sported. Sweetie Belle's dancer outfit was pink and gold instead of lavender and silver, with more decorations than Rarity's.
"Wow, Sweetie Belle." Scootaloo mumbled, her wings rising up. "You look ... gorgeous."
Sweetie Belle giggled. "Thank you." It was working! Her scheme to seduce Scootaloo was working! Rarity had given her the perfect idea to seduce Scootaloo with her dance for Spike, and Sweetie Belle intended to milk it for all it was worth. She was not going to lose Scootaloo to Diamond Tiara of all people.
Sweetie Belle proceeded to reproduce the best she had seen Rarity do for Spike as well she could from memory. Twirling, spinning, and kicking her legs out. Scootaloo appeared to be enticed by the performance.
"Wow ..." Scootaloo muttered. Sweetie Belle got butterflies.
"We haven't got to the best part yet!" Sweetie Belle said. Scootaloo couldn't wrap her mind around what the best part could be after Sweetie's seductive dance.
The second effect of Rarity's powder appeared. The shirt of Sweetie's dress turned dark and stained as milk leaked out of her chest. Sweetie Belle let out a moan. There was a satisfying feeling of fullness, of maternity and maturity, from having her breasts so thick and heavy with milk. She had stolen a dose of Rarity's powder for this occasion, to help seduce Scootaloo. She supposed she should feel guilty, but Rarity would never know. It's not like she kept a meticulous measurement of how much powder was in the bowl down to individual grain, right?
"Um ...what's wrong with your shirt?" Scootaloo asked.
Sweetie Belle was filled with glee. She had been waiting for Scootaloo to ask that question. Reveling in her performance, feeling as if she was a tempting demoness, Sweetie Belle pulled her shirt down, exposing the white drops on her breasts.
"Wha!?" Scootaloo was surprised by both Sweetie's audaciousness and her leakage. Her wings spread out and she jumped out of her seat. "Sweetie Belle, I'm not sure we should be doing this!"
Not until now did Sweetie Belle pause to think of a potential flaw in her plan. What if Scootaloo didn't like the idea of her lactating? What if Scootaloo thought Sweetie Belle leaking milk was strange, unnatural, or gross? Sweetie Belle closed her eyes and bit her lip, preparing for her criminal sentence.
Scootaloo tilted her head, admiring Sweetie's chest. Her surprise was replaced by a strange curiosity. Scootaloo cleared her throat. "Could I ... touch them?" She pointed to Sweetie's chest.
Sweetie Belle sighed in relief. Her plan had almost gone sideways, but now it was back on the right track. "Of course! Touch them all you want. And you could drink them." Sweetie Belle wiggled her eyebrows.
Scootaloo approached Sweetie Belle with caution, acting like she thought Sweetie Belle was an animal which would lash out if not properly handled. Scootaloo pressed the tips of her finger into Sweetie's breast, pushing down the flesh. Overtaken with the prospect of enjoying something so wonderfully squishy, Scootaloo's hesitance eroded. She dropped to her knees, digging her fingers into Sweetie Belle's flesh, before putting her mouth on the end and taking that exotic milk out.
Sweetie Belle broke into a singing chorus of moans. "Oh my goodness, Scootaloo! This feels amazing! No wonder Rarity enjoys doing it with Rainbow Dash!"
Scootaloo quit drinking, milk sputter from her mouth. "Rarity does this with Rainbow Dash? Oh man, Sweetie Belle, we are DEFINITELY going to get into trouble for this!"
"No, we're not." Sweetie Belle assured her, bringing her hand around Scootaloo's head to bring it back to drinking milk. "Rarity will never know. Now come on, drink, darling." Sweetie Belle didn't notice Rarity's speech pattern slipping into her speech. She let out a deep breath to savor the moment as Scootaloo resumed drinking. "Oh, yes, that's it ..." Reaching her arms up and resting across the wall, Sweetie Belle panted and huffed. How did Rarity stand doing this with Rainbow as often as she did? It was overwhelming.
Sweetie Belle was equal parts relieved and disappointed when the milk ceased flowing and Scootaloo was left suckling on her empty breast. "Scootaloo, come on." Sweetie Belle patted Scootaloo's back. "You finished that one. Do the other one now."
Scootaloo gasped as she moved from one breast to the next. She suckled the rest of Sweetie's milk out from her, and when they were done, Sweetie Belle made herself decent so they could leave the closet before they got caught.
"Oh, man ..." Scootaloo muttered, wiping milk from her chin. "I don't think that was a healthy amount of milk, Sweetie Belle."
"Shh! We can worry about that later." Sweetie Belle peeked out the door, making sure the coast was clear. Dragging Scootaloo out by the wrist, Sweetie Belle dashed into the kitchen.
Rainbow Dash was at the table, writing something down on the table.
Scooaloo whimpered, fearing what Dash would do if she noticed them.
"Act natural." Sweetie Belle whispered. "Hey, Rainbow Dash! What are you doing?"
"Signing a check for my bills." Rainbow Dash said, not looking up at them. "I'm a little behind, since I've been planning on ... moving in." She mumbled the last part, so as to not blindside Sweetie Belle with the revelation.
"Yeah, okay, that's nice. See ya around!" Sweetie Belle attempted to get to the other door and outside before Dash saw them. She was too late, as her fast-talking goodbye made Dash look up.
"Uh, Sweetie Belle? Why are you dressed like a belly dancer and dragging Scootaloo by the wrist?"
Sweetie Belle did her best to hoodwink Dash. "Uh, we were playing a game."
"Must be some game if you're dressing up like that." Rainbow Dash muttered, going back to her check.
Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo thought they were in the clear. They moved to exit the door before anything else happened. They would be fine. Sweetie Belle would return the outfit to the costume shop, get Scootaloo to swear to secrecy, and Scootaloo would enjoy the rest of her day.
A high-pitched angry scream came from up the stairs, causing everyone to halt.
"Rarity?" Rainbow Dash pushed her chair back. She got up and went to the stairs, but Rarity was coming down, precluding the need for Rainbow to go up. "What's wrong?"
"Someone has been in my powder!" Rarity shrieked.
"What?" Rainbow Dash went to comfort Rarity, wrapping her arms around Rarity's shoulders and rubbing her as she would a stuff animal. "Who would want to do that?"
"I don't know." Rarity said, burying her face into Rainbow's shoulder.
"It would have to be someone who knew what it did ..."
Rarity's eyes shrunk the way vipers and cats do when their about to rear up and attack. She raised her head up and shouted. "COCO POMMEL!"
Within minutes, their recent guest/new maid Coco Pommel was in front of them. Despite being summoned by an enraged scream, Coco did a polite curtsy. "Yes, Lady Rarity?"
"Do you get into my powder?" Rarity asked.
"Oh goodness, no! I would never." Coco crossed her hands over her heart. "I know how much it means to you and Rainbow Dash."
"If it wasn't you, then who?" Rarity demanded. Rainbow Dash and Coco Pommel could feel her anger trickling from her into the air of the room, and someone was quite liable to have their head bit off if Rarity wasn't given a target to lash out at and soon.
"Fluttershy?" Coco suggested.
"Yes!" Rarity bared her hands like claws and hissed, focusing more on venting her fury than thinking things through. "It was clearly her! That little pink minx - wait, no. She has a copy of the recipe. She can make her own powder. Why would she steal mine?"
"What's this powder?" Scootaloo asked. "And why's it so important?"
The adults of the room all looked to Scootaloo with varying degrees of embarrassment. None of them were going to be the ones to explain it to Scootaloo.
"All you need to know about it, Scootaloo, is that it's something valuable and important to Rarity." Coco Pommel said, handling the situation like a skilled parent. "And if you know anything about it, we would appreciate you coming forward."
Sweetie Belle grabbed Scootaloo's hand, made uneasy by the fact Rainbow Dash was staring at her with a finger on her chin. "Oh, well, we don't know anything about it. Sorry we couldn't help, looks like you have things under control, bye!"
"Rarity," Rainbow asked, "what's Sweetie Belle's bust measurement?"
Rarity looked to Dash, bewildered. "Sweetie Belle's bust - Rainbow Dash, can't you see we are in the midst of an ACTUAL CRISIS HERE - what's that?" Rainbow leaned in and whispered something into Rarity's ear.
Sweetie Belle went for the door, but she heard something behind which confirmed this would be the end of her.
"Sweetie Belle." Rarity said in one of those quiet tones which hid how ready she was to explode. "Would you come here, please?"
Sweetie let go of Scootaloo's hand and went up to Rarity. "Er, yes, sis?"
Rarity nodded her head at Rainbow Dash. Dash left and returned to the room with measuring tape. Rarity used her magic to bring the tape to her hands. She leaned and tossed the tape around Sweetie's back, bringing it to measure Sweetie's bust.
"One ... effect ... of the powder ... is an increase in bust size." Rarity explained, glaring daggers at her sister. "Sweetie Belle, did you get into my powder?"
"Wait." Coco said. "Are we sure she didn't just go through a growth spurt?"
"Yeah!" Sweetie Belle said, so thankful to Coco Pommel for providing her with a potential out.
"Hmm." Rarity pursed her lips. To the surprise of everyone in the room, Rarity had the gall to grope her own sister, grabbing Sweetie's breast and squeezing it. A fresh stained appeared in Sweetie's shirt, confirming a spurt of milk.
"You ..." Rarity breathed heavily, snarling at her sister.
Earlier, Rainbow Dash and Coco were thinking in a figurative sense when they feared Rarity was going to bite someone's head off. Now, they were concerned Rarity was going to do so to Sweetie Belle in a literal sense.
"Rarity, I ... I can explain!"
Rarity drew herself up to full height. "I don't need an explanation. I don't want your explanation. Get out." Rarity turned her back on her sister.
Sweetie Belle was hurt, and lost, and confused. "What?"
"Get out of my house." Rarity repeated, never once turning to Sweetie Belle. She put her hand on her forehead, rubbing her temple. "Go out and have fun with your friends. Go visit Applejack. Go eat yourself into an ice cream coma with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. I don't care. Just get out where I can't see your face."
"Rarity, I was trying to seduce Scootaloo ..."
Rainbow Dash was moved to action. "You were what?"
"Trying ... trying to get Scootaloo." Sweetie Belle gestured to Scootaloo in the doorway. Tears appeared in her eyed. "I've been ... crushing on her awhile and ...I saw Diamond Tiara flirting with her today, so I had do something."
"I'm just gonna ... go now." Scootaloo muttered, pointing at the door. No one felt the need to stop her. Her only relevance was in the form of an accessory to Sweetie Belle's crime.
"I don't care, Sweetie Belle. I made that powder for my and Rainbow Dash and anyone else I chose to share with it. And I did not chose to share it with you. You have betrayed my trust, hurt my feelings, and most important, intruded on the privacy of mine and Rainbow Dash's breastfeeding!"
"Ha! See? She admits it!"
After a long period of time in which Rarity refused to turn around and see her sister's face, she was provoked into motion to see Applejack, Twilight, and Inspector Harshwhinny standing in the doorway.
"How did you get in here?" Rarity asked. "I locked the door." Rarity's eyes zoomed on Sweetie Belle, who had a key. "You left the door unlocked!?" Sweetie Belle shirked, answering nothing.
"I'm just gonna go to my room now ..." Sweetie muttered, leaving.
"Sweetie Belle being irresponsible is the least of your worries, ya two-timing varmint!" Applejack said, her grin full of pride and her voice full of cheer.
"Applejack got Harshwhinny and I to come here." Twilight said. "I'm sorry, Rarity, but after I saw Fluttershy nursing ... I got suspicious. And we still need to talk about Spike."
"Y'all are gonna go straight to jail, ya hear?" Applejack bragged, walking up to Rarity. "Ah heard ya say It. Twilight heard ya say it. Harshwhinny heard ya say it, and that will be enough to get a conviction on ya!"
"Oh, really?" Rarity responded. "Do you think breastfeeding is a crime, Applejack? Do you think its wrong for me to do something perfectly natural, the way Mother Nature designed for us, even if not in the way she intended?"
"Rarity, we all know what happened the LAST time we found you were breastfeeding Rainbow Dash and how well that turned out. Twilight, Harshwhinny, and Ah will testify against ya, and then you'll get twenty-five to life."
"Do you really think me breastfeeding Rainbow Dash is so horrible? That your words alone are proof?" Rarity asked.
Applejack nodded. "Ah do."
"Mh-hmm." Rarity nodded. "HERE!"
Rarity grabbed Applejack by the waist and threw her down on the dining table, and to the shock of all, Rarity reached at her dress and stripped it off, exposing her breasts. She pinned Applejack down with her magic and forced her breast into Applejack's mouth.
"HERE'S YOUR PROOF!" Rarity shouted, putting her hands on her breasts and pumping, shoving milk down Applejack's throat at so fast a rate it made Applejack choke. "BREASTFEEDING RAINBOW DASH DOESN'T SEEM SO HORRIBLE NOW, DOES IT, YOU TWO-FACED B-!"
Everyone in the room knew someone needed to man up and take action.
However, nobody in the room was expecting that someone would be Rainbow Dash, Rarity's loyal love slave, of all people. Rainbow Dash rushed Rarity from behind, wrapping her arms around Rarity's neck and pulling backwards, prying Rarity off Applejack.
"RARITY, WHAT THE PONY HELL?" Dash demanded. "NOT COOL!"
"You!" Rarity hissed, still clawing to reach Applejack with the intent to injure her. "I'll run a bath full of breast milk and then I'll make you drown in it! I will stuff your nostrils and lungs with so much milk you'll be lucky to breath poison gas! I'll ... I'll ...I ..." Rarity became unable to vocalize her threats, as Rainbow Dash had realized she wasn't going to stop and began to choke her out. "I ..." Rarity grasped at Rainbow Dash's arms. "Rainbow Dash, my love, let me ... go." were Rarity's parting words as she succumbed to the loss of air and went limp in Rainbow's arms.
Rarity now contained, Twilight and Coco Pommel rushed to help Applejack to her feet.
"Are you okay, Applejack?" Twilight asked. Applejack coughed and hacked, spitting milk onto the floor. Twilight patted Applejack's back to help her cough the milk out.
Once her mouth was emptied of Rarity's product, Applejack brought her finger to her throat, never more appreciative for air in her life than she was at this moment. "That was awful ... she was trying to choke me with her milk ..." Applejack coughed again. "And Ah'd say it's a fair bet she succeeded."
"I know, Applejack, I know. I saw it." Twilight comforted her. "Rainbow Dash?" Twilight noticed Rainbow carrying Rarity's unconscious body up the stairs. "Where are you taking Rarity?"
"To her room." Dash spat.
"Rainbow Dash, you can't just take Rarity to her room! Didn't you see what she did?"
"See what? Oh, you mean just now, don't you? Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize it was wrong for a woman like Rarity to defend herself in her own home from uninvited guests who barged in, got in her face, and said they were gonna take her to jail!"
Twilight's jaw dropped.
Rainbow Dash shook her head. "I'm sorry, Twilight. I'm not gonna say Rarity was in the right to do what she did ... but you three definitely weren't."
Twilight opened the door for Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Silver Lens.
"We came as soon as we heard." Fluttershy said. "Where is she?"
"Thank you so much." Twilight said. "She's right over here. Why did you bring Silver Lens?"
"Oh, um, well, Silver Lens answer to Princess Cadence, and I thought the Princesses getting here would take too long." Fluttershy answered. Twilight led them to the kitchen, where Applejack was sitting in a chair with a blanket around her, staring off into space.
"Oh, Applejack." Fluttershy whined, rushing over and embracing her. "I'm so sorry. Are you okay?"
"Ah'm ... Ah'm fine." Applejack said, though no one really believed her.
"Poor Applejack." Pinkie said. "When I find that mean old Rarity, I'm gonna - I'm not sure what, but it's gonna be bad!"
"Y'all don't have to do that, Pinkie ..." Applejack muttered. The words trickling down from her mouth came out empty, like they were falling from the side of a clifftop - a clifftop which did not care about the waterfall pouring from its mouth.
Twilight shook her head. "I'm gonna go upstairs. Maybe Rarity will be awake ..."
Twilight went up to the second floor and knocked on the door to the master bedroom. The doorknob jangled, like it was trying to scare her off. Rainbow Dash opened the door, but only enough for one eye to poke out and see Twilight.
"Oh, it's you." Dash said. "Shouldn't you be running and crying to Shining Armor to come arrest the Big Bad Rarity?"
"Rainbow Dash, I just want to talk." Twilight said. "Is Rarity awake?"
"She's getting there." Rainbow said.
"Rainbow Dash?" Rarity's weak and tired voice said. "Who's there?"
"Nobody." Rainbow Dash said. "Nobody's here."
"Rainbow Dash ..." Twilight whined. "Please try to understand why we're all suspicious. Rarity did an exotic dance for Spike today. You can't tell me I'm not allowed to be upset about that."
"I've been with Rarity all day." Rainbow Dash said. "She never did a dance for Spike."
"Well if it wasn't her, then who was it?"
"I don't know and I don't care. Get out of our house."
"Rainbow Dash, please. I need to talk with Rarity."
"Why? So you can go pressure her into losing her cool again? Maybe take pictures of her defending herself and passing it off as an assault? Barge into her room and then make her the villain?"
"Rainbow Dash!"
"Princess Twilight Sparkle, I'm not going to say it again. Get out of our house!" Rainbow Dash slammed the door in her face.
On the other side of the door, Rainbow Dash sat down on the bed. Rarity took in a deep breath and rose up, rubbing her head.
"Oh." Rarity groaned. "Please tell me I didn't do what I remember doing before passing out."
Rainbow Dash patted Rarity's back, doing her best to comfort Rarity. "You did. I'm sorry."
Rarity groaned. "Poor Applejack ... she may have been rude, but she didn't deserve that." Rarity rubbed her shoulders. "Or maybe she did. I'm not sure."
"It'll be okay." Rainbow Dash said, even though she wasn't convinced of it herself.
"It's not fair." Rarity complained. "I thought my friends were past this business. Every time I go out, to the store, to the bar, someone makes a poor "joke" at my expense. "Oh, look, there goes Rarity, the milkmaid of Ponyville." "Hey, don't worry, thirsty people, Rarity's here to help you with her breast milk!" IT'S NOT FAIR!" Rarity buried her head into Rainbow Dash's chest as she cried.
"No. No, it's really not."
Rarity sniffed, trying to suck up her tears. "When we left Twilight alone at Shining Armor's altar with the Changeling Queen, she forgave us. When Discord brainwashed us and turned us all against each other, we forgive each other. Pony Hell, we forgave DISCORD HIMSELF! Why can't I be given that same courtesy? Why is it that, because my brainwashing involved a sexual component, I have to put up with mockery and distrust?"
"I don't know." Rainbow Dash stroked her fingers through Rarity's hair. "I don't know." There was a knock on the door. "Dang it, Twilight, I told you to GET OUT!"
"It's Applejack."
"Applejack, huh?" Rainbow Dash said.
"I want to talk. That's all. I just want to talk."
"Talk, huh?"
"Let her in." Rarity said, separating from Rainbow Dash. "I want to talk, too ..." Rainbow Dash was confused why Rarity would be willing to talk to Applejack, but she got up and opened the door.
Applejack stepped into the room, holding her arms around her shoulder.
"Leave us." Rarity instructed Rainbow Dash.
"Are you sure? Okay then ..." Rainbow Dash eased her way out of the room, shutting the down one inch at a time.
"Rarity, Ah -"
"You never really forgave me, did you?" Rarity cut Applejack off. "All those years ago, when we first finished dealing with the Pipe Slime ... you've been harboring a grudge all this time, haven't you?"
Applejack swallowed a lump in her throat. "Yes. Yes, Ah have. And it's high-time Ah admit that. Truth be told ... that's why Ah wanted to come see ya." Applejack took a seat on the bed, facing away from Rarity. "Ah never really got over it. When Sweetie Belle brought me the bottle, all my old feelings of resentment came back up, Ah guess. Ah started trying to get ya - to catch ya and get you arrested and sent off to jail. Like that would heal me. Like that would fix me."
"Mm-hmm." Rarity nodded.
"That wasn't right." Applejack said. "Sending you to jail would hurt y'all a lot, but it wasn't going to heal me. Ah realize that now. Ah shouldn't have did the things Ah did and said the things Ah said. So, Ah guess what Ah'm trying to get at here, Rarity, is ... Ah'm sorry."
Rarity was silent for a few minutes, Applejack too ashamed of herself to look at her. When Rarity spoke, it was not anything Applejack was expecting to hear.
"I'm sorry."
"Uh." Applejack blinked. "Ah know what Ah'm apologizin' for. What in the hay are y'all apologizin' for?"
"Assaulting you." Rarity said. "In the kitchen." She brought her hand to her chest.
"No, no. Y'all were well in your rights to do that."
"Maybe." Rarity said. "But I wouldn't have, if it wasn't for ... Applejack, you have no idea what I've been going through. People on the street ... they say things. They whisper things to each other, things about me, thinking I can't hear them. But I can and it hurts. It hurts so much. And the only things I have that keep me going are Rainbow Dash and my friends didn't think that about me. And recently, between you and Twilight, that's stopped being the case. So when I found out Sweetie Belle had gotten into my powder, followed up by you barging in ... I couldn't take it anymore. I lost it and I snapped, and I took my anger out on you. So for that, I'm sorry."
"Rarity ... Ah don't know what to say."
"Then don't say anything."
Without needing to be prompted, Applejack turned around so she and Rarity were facing each other. They crawled across the bed and jumped into the others' arms, resting their heads on the others' shoulder. They both began crying, crying tears soft and sweet and silent.
There was another knock on the door. Neither Rarity or Applejack answered it, too focused on sharing their tears with each other.
The person waiting outside knocked again.
"Come in." Rarity told them, defeated at last. Silver Lens opened the door, inching herself in.
"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"
"Yes, but that's hardly the first thing that's gone wrong for me today." Rarity gestured for Silver Lens to come closer. "Come on then, out with it. What do you want?"
"To ask you a few questions." Silver Lens said. "A sort of mini psych evaluation, if you will."
"Why would I need a psych evaluation?"
Silver Lens held up her clipboard. "Well, according to your friends, you said to Applejack she would be "lucky to breath poison gas" so you can understand why there might be some ... concerns."
"I see."
"Would you be comfortable if I ask Applejack to leave?" Silver Lens asked.
"No." Rarity crossed her arms. "This is my room and I will decide who stays and leaves. Ask your questions."
Silver Lens nodded. "I'll make this brief. Have you ever been diagnosed with mental illness or have any history in your family?"
"No."
"Are you prone to violent outbursts like the one observed on the dining table?"
"No."
"What was your reasoning for attacking Applejack in that manner?"
"I ... I wanted to show her she was wrong. I wanted to make her realize breastfeeding Rainbow Dash wasn't as bad as she thought it was."
Silver Lens tapped her pen. "Do you feel like your assault on Applejack was morally justified?"
"No. Dear Celestia, no."
"Would you ..." Silver Lens looked up from her glasses at Rarity. She knew the next question was going to be uncomfortable. "Attack Applejack again?"
"No. Applejack confronted me just on the heels of me learning my sister was getting into ... my personal effects, and combining the stress of that with other things I've been dealing with and I ... hit my limit to withstand the strain."
"So you would say if it weren't for these circumstances, you would not have attacked Applejack in the manner which you did?"
"Yes. I would say that."
"Okay." Silver Lens wrote down a note. "Thank you. That will be all for now." Silver Lens got up and left the room, walking back downstairs to the others.
"Hello." Silver Lens said to them. "My preliminary assessment is that Rarity isn't dangerous and snapped under duress. I would be willing to volunteer to observe for a period to make a final judgment."
Everyone in the room nodded except for Rainbow Dash and Harshwhinny. Rainbow Dash because she didn't trust anybody in the room as far as she could hurl a dragon, Harshwhinny because ...
"Miss Lens, could I talk to you?" Harshwhinny gestured to the foyer.
"Of course." Silver Lens cooperated with Harshwhinny into the other room. "What is it, Inspector?"
"Pardon me for doubting your credentials, Miss Lens, but do you believe Rarity isn't dangerous?"
"Yes. I do. I believe she succumbed to stress and acted differently than she would have if she was in good mental health." Silver Lens adjusted her glasses. "Why?"
"I think Rarity is a danger." Harshwhinny said. "You were not present for Rarity's attack on Applejack. It was violent and vicious, and I believe Rarity is capable of doing it again."
Silver Lens raised her brow. "Now why would you think that?"
Harshwhinny nodded. "Shining Armor sent me into Ponyville to make sure Rarity didn't get out of control again. I read the file and reports. I know what she did. She should be contained."
"I think she just wants to be freed." Silver Lens said.
"Silver Lens, are you going to put her well-being above that of the general public?"
"Harshwhinny, are you going to persecute her for a crime she's already been pardoned from?"
Harshwhinny narrowed her eyes at Silver Lens. "This isn't over." Silver Lens watching her, Harshwhinny marched out the door. Silver Lens knew right away she would need to keeping an eye on her.
The next morning, everyone returned to their homes. After what happened last night, Applejack was in state of mind to lay in bed all day and just sleep until the next day ... and possibly the next day. Maybe the next day after that. Possibly the rest of the month, year, maybe her life.
Big Macintosh opened the door to her room. "Applejack?"
Applejack grunted and rolled over. "Wut? Big Brother, y'all know Ah said Ah wasn't up to chores today."
"Eeyup. Ah know." Big Macintosh produced a green bottle, either wine, champagne, or ...
"Is that cider?" Applejack asked. "It's not cider season yet ..."
"Nope." Big Macintosh went into the room and handed the bottle to her. Fumbling out from her covers, Applejack saw a pink bow and note attached to it.
""Dear Applejack, Ah bought some apples and made this cider for you. Ah've admired y'all from afar and hope one day Ah can get my courage up to the point where Ah can talk to ya face-to-face." Aww! Well, isn't that sweet. Ah tell ya, Big Brother, after the night Ah, Ah could use a pick-me-up." Refering to her point, Applejack popped the bottle. "Y'all want any?"
"Ah'm good." Big Macintosh said.
"Suit yerself."Applejack raised the bottle up and took a swig. "Mm, tastes different than ours. Must be a different recipe ... my belly feels funny all of a sudden."
Rainbow Dash was not expecting to be summoned to Sweet Apple Acres so soon after what happened last night. She would have thought to given Applejack some breathing room, at least. But no, Apple Bloom knocked on the door to Carousel Boutique and said Applejack needed some help. She'd been vague on how Applejack needed help. She was joined by a groggy Rarity, Coco Pommel, and a worried Fluttershy.
"I hope she's okay after ... you know, last night." Fluttershy said, hoping she didn't offend Rainbow Dash too much.
"Uh-huh. Yeah, sure." Dash nodded, letting Fluttershy knew she had failed in her efforts.
At last, they arrived to Sweet Apple Acres. Rainbow Dash took the charge and knocked on the door. "Applejack? Applejack, we're here for you!"
Rarity winced. "Ooh, maybe not the best choice of words, dear."
The door swung open, revealing a fighting mad Applejack. "You!" Applejack pointed at Rarity. "Y'all did this to me, didn't ya? And after Ah thought we had buried the hatchet!"
"Applejack, darling, what you are talking about?"
"Y'all know wut I'm talkin' about!"
"Darling, I honestly have no absolutely no clue."
"Hmph." Applejack clutched at her chest. "Excuse me for a sec, won't y'all?" Applejack closed the door.
"I don't think she's coming back." Coco Pommel said after they'd been left waiting for more than was socially accepted.
"In that case ..." Rainbow Dash bumped her elbow on the door to open it. They went inside the house, calling for Applejack. "Applejack? Applejack, where are you?"
"In here!" Applejack shouted from the bathroom. Rainbow Dash grabbed the doorknob and turned it. "R.D., Ah hear yer hand on the doorknob! Don't y'all dare come in right now!"
"Why not?"
"She's in the bathroom, Rainbow Dash." Rarity said. "Of course she doesn't want us in."
"Uh, actually, this is the thing I needed y'all's help with it." Applejack said. "But, uh, promise you won't get mad?"
Dash shrugged. "Why would we get mad?"
"Just promise!"
"Applejack, we promise we won't get mad." Fluttershy said. "Please tell us what's wrong."
"Okay ... okay." Applejack said. "Come on in, y'all."
As always with her brash nature, Rainbow was first through the door. They had promised not to get mad.
They did no such thing for laughing, as Rainbow Dash fell against the arch of the door and in a fit of hysterics.
"Oh my goodness!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed between her chortles. "You're lactating cider!"
Applejack bit her lip, juggling her exposed breasts over the edge of the bathtub. Golden liquid was pouring down non-stop from her chest into the tub, bubbling up and fizzing as it traveled from her chest to the tub to the drain.
"Ah got come cider someone had been storing for me today." Applejack explained. "Ah drank some of it, and then ... this happened! Would y'all quit laughing, Rainbow Dash?"
Fluttershy looked at Rainbow Dash for a minute before kneeling next to the tub. "Applejack, why would you think we would get mad at you for this? It's not your fault you drank the funny cider, is it?"
"No." Applejack admitted. "But after what happened last night, Ah ... Ah didn't want y'all to think Ah was a hypocrite, so ... anyways, Ah figured Rarity had something to do with. She's got some experience making people make chest fluids."
"As flattering as your opinion of my alchemy skills are, Applejack, I can assure you I had no hand in this." Rarity scratched her chin. "Do you still have the bottle? Maybe I can figure something out from it."
"Yeah. It's in my room. Rarity, where are ya goin'? Ah need help here!"
"Rainbow Dash and Coco Pommel will be more than happy to assist you!" Rarity shouted from the other room.
Rainbow Dash snickered. "All right, so ... what are we gonna do with you?"
"A way to stop me from making cider would be nice!" Applejack insisted.
"Yeah." Dash nodded. "But we're going to need something to do with you in the meantime while we try to figure that out." Rainbow Dash got a look on her face, grinning at Applejack.
"R.D?" Applejack. "Oh no. Y'all better not be thinking wut Ah think yer thinking. "
Dash threw her hands in the air. "Well, I like nursing, I like cider, it's a win-win!"
"Rainbow Dash, allow me to make something clear. You are not puttin' your mouth anywhere near my breasts."
"Fair enough. I wouldn't want to cheat on Rarity anyway. But still," Rainbow observed the cider going down the drain, "It's a waste of an awful lot of cider."
"We're not sellin' it, either!"
"Who said anything about selling it? I was thinking we bottle it, then drink it. Technically, my mouth wouldn't be near your breasts."
"Ummm ..." Fluttershy muttered, looking to Coco Pommel. Coco shrugged. "I don't think this is helping, Rainbow Dash."
"Say." Rainbow Dash said. "Is it soft cider or hard cider?"
Applejack grunted at Rainbow Dash's frustrating lack of focus on the issue at hand.
Rarity was walking through the street, holding the bottle up to her nose. Who would have the resources, ingenuity, and malice to come up with something such as the bottle of cider-producing cider she was holding now?
With the bottle in front of her face, Rarity didn't notice herself crossing paths with someone in front of her.
"Oh! I'm sorry, darling."
"It's okay." Diamond Tiara said, rubbing her head. "I wasn't watching where I was going ..."
Rarity became concerned. Diamond Tiara, the brattiest of spoiled brats, was being apologetic and modest. "Diamond Tiara, are you feeling all right?"
"No." Diamond Tiara groaned. "Daddy's hanging out with this new lady in his life and I don't like her."
"Oh, dear. That must be frustrating for you." Rarity empathized with her. She hadn't experienced it herself, but someone important to her getting attached to someone she loathed ... she imagined she would be less than happy. "Who's the lucky lady?"
On her way back from the store to Filthy Rich's house, Suri was humming to herself, carrying groceries bags on her arms. She was going to get Filthy to adore her soon.
"Suri, put the groceries down."
Suri whirled around and somehow was not at all surprised to see Rarity a few feet from her. "Oh, hello, doll. Nice weather we're having, isn't it?"
Rarity glared at her. She held up the bottle of cider. "How did you make it?"
"Pardon?"
"How did you make this cider?" Rarity tilted the bottle, pouring cider onto the grass. "Someone sent this bottle to my friend, Applejack, and it caused her to produce cider from her chest. When Diamond Tiara told me you were in town, I knew right away it had to be you. How did you make it?"
"Doll, I have no idea what you're talking about." Suri insisted.
Rarity chuckled. "That's funny. I don't believe you. Perhaps because you're a liar and a cheat?"
"Hmm. If you say so."
"I won't let you get away with doing this to Applejack." Rarity snarled. She marched towards Suri, head poised, shoulders hunched in an attack position. Rarity raised her hand and held Suri's shoulders with her magic. With Suri restrained, Rarity grabbed Suri's chin and tilted it up. She put the cider to bottle to her lips and forced Suri to drink it a few gulps.
"Let's see how you like it." Rarity released her grip on Suri. She raised the cider bottle over her head and tossed to the ground, shattering it and spraying cider all over the grass.
Suri swallowed hard, gasping for air. She watched Rarity walk away a few steps before deciding to speak. "Rarity?"
Rarity looked back to her. "Yes?"
"Why did you save me from Fleur?" Suri asked. "One minute, you're embarrassing me in front of Fancypants, the next you're saving me, and now you're trying to hurt me again. Why? Why so ... inconsistent? Are you bipolar or something?"
Rarity sighed. "Fleur was a special case. You earned no right to be rescued. But I knew what Fleur-de-lis was going to do to you." Rarity put her hand over her heart. "And I couldn't live with myself if I simply allowed Fleur to have her way. As to why I try to hurt you, I see myself in you. All the bad in me. All the things I could be if things had been different for me. Myself after one bad day. I suppose ... I suppose I think, in some way, that to hurt you will somehow purge myself of my faults." Rarity continued on her way.
"Uh-huh." Suri nodded, not understanding quite what Rarity meant by her words. Feeling her chest gurgle, Suri looked down. Dropping her groceries, Suri checked her chest to see cider leaking from it.
Rarity meant to take revenge on her for Applejack. Despite her penchant for deceit, Suri had been honest when she said she knew nothing about the cider or how it was made. But Suri saw her chest and knew right away she could use it to her advantage, so she wasn't going to give it much thought.
Picking up her bags and returning back to her original course before Rarity interrupted her, Suri went to Filthy Rich's house. Filthy answered the door for her.
"Rich!" Suri exclaimed, letting herself inside.
"Er, hello, Suri." Filthy said, closing the door. "Listen ... Suri, we need to talk."
"Oh?" Suri asked. "About what?"
"About you being here." Filthy said. "About you being in my life. I don't think it's good for Diamond Tiara. I think she doesn't like you."
"Oh, I have a way to fix that." Suri saw the door open and Diamond Tiara returned. "Ah, here she is! My special girl." Suri rubbed Diamond Tiara's hair. Diamond Tiara had no warm reception for her touch.
"I brought a gift for you!" Suri said, pulling a box out from the bag. "A doll from the store - one of their most expensive ones." Suri offered the doll to Diamond Tiara.
Diamond Tiara examined the box for a minute. "Keep it." Diamond Tiara marched past the both of them.
Filtyh Rich grimaced. "Odd ... I've never known Diamond Tiara to reject gifts before, especially not expensive ones. In fact, I think this is the first time I've seen her reject a gift ever."
"She'll come around." Suri assured him, dropping her bags. "I have a gift for you too."
"Now, Suri, you know I love my daughter, and if she doesn't approve of you, then I'll have no choice but to ask you to go."
"But Filthy!" Suri whined, taking her dress off and exposing her cider-leaking breasts. "Think about all the things you'll be depriving yourself of. You deserve a good treat."
Filthy Rich backed away as if frightened by Suri's forwardness. Suri moaned and puffed her chest, cider dropping to the floorboards. Filthy's hesitance faded away and he got on his knees to slurp the nectar from Suri's chest.
Watching all of this unfold from a nearby closet was Diamond Tiara, with the door cracked open to see how her father was going to react with Suri. Seeing him succumb, seeing him kneel to her desires, upsetting Diamond Tiara in ways beyond Dher ability to imagine ... until now.
Pulling the door shut, Diamond Tiara sunk to the floorboard of the closet. A filthy, dusty place she would, in normal circumstances, consider herself much too good be anywhere near. She wrapped her arms around her legs, pressed her face into her knees, and she cried.
In the Boutique, Rarity stirred a cup of coffee, a steam trail rising up from the dark liquid. Her stirring was repetitive, mechanical, as if she was only moving the spoon around because her programming was to do so.
Sweetie Belle came down from the stairs, making her way inch-by-inch as if each step would be her last. She peered over the door to see Rarity, motionless, at the table.
Sweetie Belle, grimacing and closing her eyes, made her way into the kitchen. She stopped by the sink, expecting Rarity to call her name and lecture her. When Rarity didn't, she opened her eyes.
"Uh, Rarity?" Sweetie Belle asked. "Aren't you gonna, you know, get onto me for using your powder?"
Rarity lifted her cup up and drank it with the same robotic mannerism she'd been exhibiting. "No. Not today. Rest assured, it is coming ... just not today." Displaying some semblance of free will again, Rarity got up from her seat. "Silver Lens is supposed to come under and put me under "observation" which is just a polite way of saying house arrest. I'm afraid the whole dreadful business has my mind occupied, dear."
Rarity walked to the counter to get some cream while Sweetie Belle exhaled, relaxing. She was home free.
Sweetie Belle progressed on her way to the door. She lay a grasp on the door knob, relieved she had escaped any consequences from her actions last night, for the moment at least.
"Sweetie Belle?"
Sweetie Belle was not expecting Rainbow Dash to be in the doorway, with her arms crossed and her mouth worried.
"We ... need to talk."
With those four words, Sweetie Belle's heart sank like a stone into the pit of her stomach. Having Rarity say they needed to talk was bad enough, but for Rainbow Dash to say it? Carefree, irresponsible, lack-a-daisy Rainbow Dash? It was a measure of distressing Rarity reserved for her worst days.
And the absolute worst part was Rainbow Dash didn't even appear to be angry, more ... concerned.
Removing her hands from the door, Sweetie Belle gulped. "Okay. What do we need to talk about?"
"You said you had a crush on Scootaloo last night." Rainbow Dash said.
Sweetie Belle nodded. "I did. I do."
"You know I care about Scootaloo. Like, a lot." Rainbow Dash continued.
"Yeah?" Come on, Rainbow Dash. Where was it? Where was the violent outburst from Sweetie Belle was expecting?
"So you should also know I don't want you going after her in a way that might hurt both of you." Rainbow Dash said.
Sweetie Belle nodded, trying to soak in Rainbow Dash's words. "Going after her in a way that might ... wait, so you're okay with me, uh, how does Rarity put it? Pursuing her?"
Now it was Rainbow's turn to nod. "Of course! I know what's like to be ... in love with somebody." She glanced towards the kitchen where Rarity was. "So deeply in love you'd do anything for her. But Scootaloo is your friend. You need to play it safe so you have something to fall back on if it doesn't work out. Getting into Rarity's powder and doing a belly dance for her?" Rainbow Dash made a crisscrossing sweeping gesture. "NOT playing it safe."
"Okay ..." Sweetie Belle shrugged. "What do you think I should do?"
"My advice? Damage control. Make sure Scootaloo's still okay with seeing you as friend after what you did last night. Come on." Rainbow Dash put her hand on Sweetie's shoulder. "I'll help you. Let's go find her." Rainbow Dash opened the door for her, inviting her and communicating to Sweetie Belle a sense of "It's all going to be okay."
They didn't need to travel far to find Scootaloo, sitting on a bench a few blocks away. She was quite receptive to Sweetie and Rainbow Dash, waving them over. "Hi guys!" With Dash's assurance, Sweetie Belle and her sat on either side of Scootaloo.
"Boy, last night sure was weird, huh?" Scootaloo asked, causing Sweetie Belle to feel guilt.
"Yeah. Yeah!" Sweetie Belle agreed. Perhaps agreeing too much for Scootaloo's sake.
Play it cool. Rainbow Dash mouthed to Sweetie Belle.
"I guess you got a bit of all the craziness Rarity was going through, huh?" Scootaloo asked, offending Sweetie Belle.
Sweetie Belle clenched her fist, ready to defend Rarity, but Rainbow Dash waved her hands around, signaling for not to do it. Rainbow nodded her head furiously, communicating to Sweetie Belle to just agree for now. Scootaloo heard the whoosh of waving arms and turned around. Rainbow Dash was quicker than Scootaloo and returned to a normal pose before Scootaloo could see anything out of the ordinary.
"Uh, yeah. I was." Sweetie said.
"Say, did she ever get all of that worked out?" Scootaloo asked.
"Umm ..." Whatever answer Sweetie Belle was prepared to give, whatever lie Rainbow Dash was going to guide her into saying, was cut sort by the arrival of Diamond Tiara carrying two ice cream cones, one chocolate, one vanilla.
Diamond Tiara, maintaining a nervous smile, approached the bench.
Sweetie Belle crossed her arms. "What do you want?"
Diamond gave a nervous chuckle to match her smile. "I, um, wanted to give Scootaloo some ice cream. I didn't know what flavor she liked, so I just got vanilla. I ... didn't know you two were going to be here, or I would have got one for each of you."
"Really?" Sweetie Belle asked. "Who are you and what have you done with Diamond Tiara?"
"I am Diamond Tiara." Diamond Tiara insisted, offering Scootaloo the chocolate cone. "Consider this a peace offering." Scootaloo took it. Giving Diamond Tiara a suspicious look, she was about to lick it when her tongue stopped short.
"This doesn't have like, any worms or something in it?" Scootaloo asked. "Or something that will turn me into a mean girl like you?"
"No, no! Nothing like that."
Sweetie Belle, her anger roused, stood up from the bench. "All right, you woman-stealer! I've had enough of you getting your grubby rich hands all over MY Scootaloo!" She slapped Diamond Tiara's hand, sending the ice cream flying into Diamond Tiara's dress and knocking her to the dirt.
"Hey!" Scootaloo got up. "Not cool, Sweetie Belle! And what do you mean, "Your Scootaloo?""
Sweetie Belle, hearing her mistake, covered her hands over her mouth.
"Too soon to be making that kind of claim, girl." Rainbow Dash scolding was firm but fair.
Breaking down under Scootaloo's angry glare, Sweetie Belle took her hands off her mouth and did her best to explain. "Well, Scootaloo, I, I mean, she-"
"Sweetie Belle!" Rarity arrived on the scene, wearing a purple scarf. She raised a brow at Rainbow Dash. "I take my eyes off the two of you for one minute and I find you're throwing ice cream against random girls!"
"No, Rarity, it wasn't like that!" Sweetie Belle insisted, though in truth, she was glad Rarity's arrival saved her from explaining herself to Scootaloo.
"Oh? Pray tell, Sweetie Belle, what was it like?" Rarity bent down, taking off her scarf and sacrificing it to use as a towel for Diamond Tiara's dress as she helped Diamond Tiara to her feet. "There, there, darling. Don't cry now, the worst is over now."
"No it's not!" Diamond Tiara screeched, pushing Rarity away once she was on her two feet. She was crying so much her mascara was running down her cheeks. "I just ... I was only trying to flirt with Scootaloo because she was nice to me." Diamond Tiara crossed her arms and turned her away her head, trying to do her usual snubbing of her inferiors, but the effect didn't come through the way it was intended. "She helped me out of mud, and since she was nice, I thought ... I thought she could be my safe house."
"Your safe house?" Rarity asked. Everyone else was also intrigued. "Whatever do you mean, darling?"
"I mean, my house is going to be ruined!" Diamond Tiara wailed, stomping her feet into the dirt. "Daddy's says he loves me more than her, but I saw him with her! I saw get on his knees. He says he'll choose me over her, but I know what kind of things a woman can do!"
Rarity looked at Sweetie Belle expecting her to know. "What woman?"
"Suri." Diamond Tiara answered. "Suri Polomare - Suri - my mother!" Diamond stomped her foot into the ground. "She left before I was even a month old, and now that's she back, she thinks she can just waltz like it's her house, and it isn't! It's my house! IT'S DADDY'S HOUSE! But she thinks she's just so great because she's back now and pour cider out of her chest ..."
"Cider?" Rarity bit her fingernails.
"Isn't that what happened to Applejack?" Rainbow Dash said.
"A moment, please." Rarity grabbed Rainbow by the shoulders and dragged her some distance the teenagers couldn't hear them. "Rainbow Dash, do you know what I've done?"
"Uh ..." Dash thought about it. "No. What?"
"Diamond Tiara told me earlier about Suri being here in Ponyville, but she left out the fact Suri was her mother. I thought Suri did it to Applejack to take revenge on me, especially after last night. I ... I took the bottle of cider and made Suri drink some it before smashing it. But the way Diamond Tiara speaks, it seems Suri was telling the truth when she said she didn't know. Do you know what this means?" Rarity grabbed Rainbow Dash by the shoulders. "With Suri using the cider to seduce Filthy, this means I've contributed to Diamond Tiara's misery! Oh, what have I done?"
Rarity brought Rainbow Dash back over to the teens. Now understanding her plight, Scootaloo patted Diamond Tiara's shoulders while Sweetie Belle worked on cleaning the ice cream off.
"Diamond Tiara." Rarity said in one of her more authoritative tones. "I regret to inform you that I may have played a part in Suri seducing your father. But rest assured, I will not rest until I've righted this wrong. And found out who made this special cider." She added, whispering to Rainbow Dash.
Diamond Tiara sniveled, her face wet with tears. "You mean it?"
"Of course I mean it."
"Oh, thank you!" Diamond Tiara leaped up and hugged Rarity, which did not please Sweetie Belle. Giving her sister a sharp look, Rarity looked down at the crying Diamond Tiara and embraced her, resting her chin on Diamond Tiara's head.
In the library, Twilight Sparkle was resting her elbow on her desk, a series of vials bubbling in front of her. She wasn't making actual scientific experimentation. She knew what the chemicals did when mixed with each other. She was trying to give herself a distraction from the events of last night.
Twilight's focus went from her vials to her door as it opened.
"Princess Celestia!" Twilight exclaimed, surprised Celestia would visit her at this time. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh, I heard you've had a stressful couple of days." Celestia said, strutting towards her. Twilight didn't notice all the signs of a planned seduction Celestia was showing. Her top was cut lower, she was strutting, and her voice was low and quiet. "I thought I'd come and help you ease your mind."
"Oh, thank you so much. Let me tell you, after the week I've been having, I could really use a break." Twilight moved back to her vials. "Just let me turn these off and I'll be right with you ..."
"Twilight Sparkle, you mention you had a dream once, involving me, recently, did you not?"
"Yes." Twilight answered with uncertainty as she pour a neutralizing agent into her vial. "Why?" She turned and her eyes widened.
Celestia had pulled her dress down to one side, exposing her massive breast, milk running down it like a leaking faucet. "I'm here to make your dreams come true."
"Um." Twilight stammered. "Princess Celestia, I'm not sure-"
"Oh, pish-posh. It'll be fine!" Princess Celestia emphasized her statement by taking one hand and squeezing her breast, shooting a stream of milk out which hit Twilight in the face.
"Princess, I really don't think -"
Princess Celestia squeezed again, spraying Twilight again.
Twilight smacked her lips, almost tempted by the sweet taste of milk on her lips. "Princess Celestia, I'm really not sure I'm comfortable with you doing this!"
Princess Celestia sighed. How many times of getting hit by milk did it take before a student gave into their base desires for their teacher? Spraying Twilight again, Celestia was pleased to learn the answer was "three," as Twilight stood, awestruck, milk leaking from her open mouth.
Hesitating, but giving in, Twilight approached Celestia and leaned forward to put her mouth on Celestia's breast. With Celestia's height on her, Twilight didn't need to lean far. She admired Celestia's colossal, titanic breast before connecting. It was so huge. It was bigger than Rarity's impressive bust. Twilight would go so far as to say Celestia's one breast was bigger than both of Rarity's put together and then some.
Twilight suckled, feeling so naughty and filthy for doing this to her mentor, but too seduced by the sweet milk for her higher morals to prevail. It was so sweet ... so sweet ... sweet ...
"Mmm ..." Twilight moaned. Her mind was too foggy to think and realize the milk was making her mind dazed and cloudier.
"Yes." Celestia purred, running her hand up and down Twilight's back, searching for the portion of the dress she could remove to allow her access to Twilight's body. "Good girl. Good, good girl ... Twilight Sparkle, tell me more about your dream. The one involving me?"
Unable to resist drinking the milk, but also unable to resist her mentor's instruction, Twilight popped her mouth off. "You and Cadence ... you came to me, and you both ... fed me with your ... delicious milk." Twilight rubbed her head against Celestia's breast.
Celestia's head tilted up. "Cadence and us both, you say?" Celestia cupped Twilight's cheek and lifted her head up. "Wait right here." Before leaving, Celestia dipped her finger into the milk, then swiped the tip of her finger across Twilight's lips, eliciting giggles from Twilight. "I'll be right back."
Celestia left through the front door. It wasn't long until she returned with Cadence, who looked a bit uneasy about the situation.
"Cadence!" Twilight shouted, her voice slurred as though drunk. "You're here!"
Cadence responded with nervous laughter. "Why, yes, yes I am."
Celestia appeared frustration with Cadence's uneasiness, slapping her across the head. "Come on. Go to her." At Celestia's urging, they both went to Twilight. They pressed into each other, Celestia's right breast rolling up against Cadence's left. They pushed forward, pressing both breasts into Twilight's mouth and proceeding to squirt and feed her. Twilight giggled and moaned and jerked, overwhelmed with pleasure from drinking both Cadence's and Celestia's milk at the same time. As they continued, Cadence's uneasiness let down and she got a malicious smirk as she came to enjoy how much power their milk had on Twilight.
Twilight took her mouth off, stopping for breath. "Don't -" She hiccuped. "Remember, kids, don't do drugs! Not unless they're white, creamy, and pouring out from your favorite Princesses' breasts, ha-ha!" Even if she could do it without overdosing, Twilight knew snorting up two-thousand pounds of refined cocaine wouldn't be able to get her as high as she was.
"Aww." Cadence cooed. "She's such a good girl! We should reward her some more."
"Yes." Celestia answered, walking around and placing herself behind Twilight. "Yes, we should." Celestia grabbed Twilight's head and forced her down, but only so she could get easy access to placing her soft and heavy breasts on Twilight's head. Celestia drummed her breasts and pushed them down, making sure Twilight's scalp was snug within them. Cadence, grinning, wrapped her hands around Twilight's arms and stuffed her breasts under Celestia's and into Twilight's face, smothering her.
From chin to scalp, Twilight's head was one-hundred percent covered by royal breasts, the squishy organs rolling and spilling as necessary to accommodate the space of both Twilight's head and the others' chests.
Milk poured from both their breasts. The milk from Cadence poured onto Twilight's shoulders, while Celestia's milk poured down Cadence's breasts before dripping into Twilight's face. Twilight continued to twitch and moan, unable to bear so much raw sex appeal. Twilight would be appreciative of anyone who could explain to her how she could have so much breast and breast milk smothering her face and not be overwhelmed.
Cadence laughed and raised her hands up, grabbing and squeezing her breasts to cover Twilight with more milk. If they didn't stop soon, poor Twilight was going to suffocate from breast inhalation, if she didn't drown from milk consumption first.
"Stop, stop." Celestia instructed. Cadence separated, her mad grin spreading as she looked over Twilight's dazed and hypnotized expression.
"Oh, what's the matter, Twilight?" Cadence teased, leaning forward and putting her hands on her knees, squeezing her breasts together with the length of her arms. "Is it too much milk for you?"
"Yesh." Twilight answered, slurred. "Yesh, it'sh too much. But it'sh sho good! I want more of it. I need more of it!" Twilight clasped at her face, rubbing the milk in like it was an ointment.
"I can help with that." Celestia said, pulling her dress to expose her other breast. "Lay on the floor, Twilight Sparkle." Twilight Sparkle didn't even think to question this command.
Celestia spread her wings and flew into the air, hoverineg over Twilight. Bending forward, Celestia's huge breasts hung and swung in the air before she put her hands on t hem to steady them. Moaning with a relieved sigh, Celestia squeezed, pouring a steam of breast milk down on Twilight larger than that of the largest fountain in Canterlot. Poor Twilight was soon covered from head to toe in milk, every single drop bringing unfathomable amounts of pleasure to her the moment it touched her skin.
"Aww, poor Twilight. She just can't handle it." Cadence said, adding to Twilight's pleasured torment by squeezing her breasts and dropping more milk onto Twilight's body.
Twilight panted and gasp under the twin heavy waterfalls of milk falling onto her back. Her entire body was soaked, giving her a reflective sheen, and a huge puddle of milk surrounded her on the floor. When Celestia stopped, Cadence followed. Twilight attempted to get up from the floor, but she screamed and lost her balance, dropping back into the milk puddle.
Celestia and Cadence knew it wasn't the milk making the floor slippery which caused Twilight to lose her grip. It was her inevitable, mind-shattering orgasm.
"Ooooh ... I feel sho gooood!" Twilight moaned, trying to get up again.
"Yes." Celestia nodded. She got down on her knees near Twilight. "You should feel good, Twilight. You deserve to feel good, don't you?"
"I guessh ..."
"Of course you do!" Celestia said. "Think about all the good you've done for Equestria. I'd say it's time Equestria gave you a break. After everything you've done, you should never worry about Equestria's safety again! In fact, I'd go so far as to say you don't need to worry about anything ever again. Nothing. Nothing but drinking milk, feeling good, and having orgasms. In fact ..."
Celestia grabbed Twilight's cheeks and lifted her head up. Celestia's fingers pulsed with green energy and her eyes took on the same color. "Why don't you go ahead and have another, right now?"
"Oooh!" Twilight moaned, clutching at her chest and stomach as she was unable to resist Celestia's demand, enjoying another orgasm the moment Celestia told her to.
"Come." Celestia said, her voice taking on an echoing quality. She picked Twilight up and heaved her over her shoulder and used magic to make herself and Cadence (but not Twilight) decent. "We've dallied too long." She and Cadence left the library, where a passerby spotted them.
"What's the matter?" Celestia asked him with aggression. "You've never seen a Princess carry a girl before? Keep walking." Celestia glared at him as he left. She and Cadence went on their way as if nothing was wrong or out-of-place about the sight of them carrying a milk-lodged, milk-drenched Twilight Sparkle until they arrived in the forest.
Once in the forest, sure no one could see them, Celestia snapped her fingers. A green fire consumed her and Cadence, which burned away, revealing Cadence to be Trixie and Princess Celestia to be a tall, attractive, busty figure wearing a black dress with a green tabard, similar to the garb of Princess Celestia - the Changeling Queen, Chrysalis.
"Superbly done, My Lady." Trixie said with a bow, taking off her hat.
"Hmm, wasn't it, though?" Chrysalis said. Disguising herself as Celestia made seducing and enthralling Twilight Sparkle so easy. She learned of Twilight's dream about Celestia from a Guard who overhead the conversation between Twilight and Celestia, explaining why the former was staring at the latter's chest. With this knowledge, using Celestia to charm Twilight was a cinch. She learned about the milk-aspect from a weak mind-reading spell, which was too weak to tell her about Cadence being involved as well.
Chrysalis and Trixie went further into the forest, where Spike, also enthralled, and the Citrus Slime were waiting for them.
"Ah, I remember how delicious feeding on that boy's love was." Chrysalis muttered, observing Spike. She set Twilight down next to him.
"Not that the Great and Powerful Trixie isn't grateful for the chance to dominate Twilight Sparkle mentally and sexually ..." Trixie said. "But why do we need her again?"
"Because, Trixie," Chrysalis said, "the more magic we have on our team, the better. I can't have too many Changelings milling about, or someone's bound to take notice. You recall how difficult summoning the Citrus Slime was with just the two of us - we barely managed it in time to send it after Fancypants. With Twilight Sparkle, the process will be much easier. The book."
With glee, Trixie held the book up. Chrysalis took it from her and began to thumb through its pages.
"Hmm, what devious creature should we add to our army of deviants, next?" Chrysalis wondered. "Ah, this looks promising. Queen Bee; produces a special type of honey which enthralls once consumed. Trixie, bring Twilight Sparkle over here."
Trixie dragged Twilight over. Chrysalis grabbed took Twilight's hand. "Everyone, read the incantation." Chrysalis, Trixie, and Twilight under Chrysalis' command spoke in unison, reading the words of the book together with their hands glowing. The pages on the book began to shimmer with a glorious white light, which rose from the book and took the shape of a sphere. The sphere rose in the air, sparkled, and flashed before disappearing under an eardrum-shattering boom.
Chrysalis admired her handiwork. Where the sphere was now floated a woman with elements of a bee. She wore her purple hair in a bun, a skin-tight dress with the pattern of a bee, wings, compound eyes, and a huge stinger hanging off her backside. Her bust was small, but her hips were wide.
"Where am I?" The bee-woman muttered, looking left and right.
"Hmm." Trixie observed. "This one seems to be more of an individual than the Slime."
"No matter." Chrysalis cleared her throat, calling for the bee-woman's attention. "Attention, bee-woman! I am the Changeling Queen, Chrysalis. I have summoned from the pages of this book to serve as my new army." Chrysalis held the book up. "With an army of creatures like you under my command, spreading your respective infections of love and lust across Equestria, my Changelings will have enough amorous feelings to feed on to become all-powerful."
The bee fluttered down to the ground, crossing her arms. "What's in it for me?"
"What's in it for you? Why, you'll get to rule Equestria alongside my other minions!" Chrysalis said.
"Hmm." The bee-woman did not seem convinced.
"Stupid Twilight Sparkle ..." A voice muttered, followed by the crunch of leaves underfoot. "Take my crown away from me ... I'll make her sorry she crossed me!" Stepping out from the woods emerged another woman, with fiery inferno hair, a purple shirt, and a blazer jacket. She saw Twilight Sparkle and her eyes narrowed with wolfish fury. "Ah-ha! Now I've got you, Twilight Sparkle!
Chrysalis scoffed, shrugging. "Now what?"
"Who are you?" Trixie demanded the stranger.
"Me? I'm Sunset Shimmer." The blazer-jacketed woman said, pointing to herself. "I've been looking for Twilight Sparkle to get revenge on her for humiliating me. And now you two were nice enough to find her for me." Sunset Shimmer rolled her hands, smirking. "Say, who are you? And ... what is this thing?" She gestured to the bee.
"Call me Honeycomb." The bee-woman named herself. She observed Sunset Shimmer. "You're an attractive one ..." She cupped her chin, admiring Sunset's body.
"You say you were humiliated by Twilight Sparkle as well?" Chrysalis asked, stealing over to Sunset Shimmer and wrapping her arm around her. "Say, I was humiliated by her, too, and Trixie as well! Perhaps you would to join this little club of ours?"
"Maybe." Sunset said. "I mean, I like the little slime thing, and you have Twilight Sparkle and her pet brat under your control, so you must be doing something right."
"Excellent!" Chrysalis cheered. "We'll conquer Equestria and do terrible things to Celestia, with me at the helm you three as my minions!"
"Whoa, whoa. Minions?" Sunset Shimmer asked, pushing Chrysalis off. "Sorry, honey, but Sunset Shimmer doesn't play second fiddle to anyone."
Chrysalis pursed her lips. "Is that so? Well, I'm sorry to inform you that I certainly won't be anyone's minion."
"Seems we're at a conundrum, then."
"Yes, it seems so."
Chrysalis and Sunset Shimmer locked gazes. Each of them had the same idea, which was to raise their hands and fire out bursts of green fire at the other. Their spells collided in mid-air, preventing either spell from gaining ground. Charging up power in their fists, they each fired another volley of fire. This collision had a more ... explosive effect than the last one, scorching the earth and forest and throwing Chrysalis and Trixie against the trees.
"Well." Trixie coughed, a puff of smoke escaping her soot-covered her face. "At least we're alive and don't have to deal with her anymore." Trixie grabbed Chrysalis' hand and helped her up.
"Wait a minute ..." Chrysalis examined their surroundings. She screamed in rage, seeing they had Spike, and the Slime, but no Twilight Sparkle or Honeycomb.
"So glad you decided to ditch those losers and come with me, instead." Sunset Shimmer said to Honeycomb, sitting next to her on the forest floor.
"What can I say? You intrigued me." Honeycomb responded. "Especially with that, mmm, firm body of yours."
"Well, I can't say I'm not attractive." Sunset Shimmer boasted, raising up a glass of cider. "Isn't that right, Twilight Sparkle?"
In front of them, Twilight Sparkle was covering her exposed breasts with her hands, the froth of cider escaping between her fingertips as it poured out of her breasts - the result of Sunset Shimmer's special blend of apples and Poison Joke.
Twilight nodded. "Yes, Mistress ..." |
Last Glass of Poison | Acids and Bases | Twilight continued to enjoy herself, playing with her breast, squeezing out the warm, fresh cider from them. Sunset smiled, resting on Honeycomb, delighted with the results of her handiwork.
Twilight panted for breath before stopping her display. Blinking and groaning, she took her hands off her breasts and clutched her head. "Ooh ... ow. What happened?" She blinked again, trying to process her surroundings. "Where am I?" She looked down at her state of undress. "And why am I dressed like this?"
Sunset Shimmer gave disapproving glare. "What's happening?"
"If I may, mmm, suggest something." Honeycomb said. "I believe our other friends may have cast a spell on her to make her more, mmm, willing to their, mmm, unsavory intentions."
"Great. So now what do we do?" After getting so lucky with kidnapping Twilight from Chrysalis and her buddies, Sunset would be upset to lose her prize to something as simple as Twilight waking up from a spell. "I don't want to get into a magic duel with her."
"If I may," Honeycomb stood up, "now would be an, mmm, excellent time for me to demonstrate what I'm capable of ... to my new mistress." She turned to Sunset with a warm smile.
Sunset gave a naughty smirk in return. "Mistress approves. Proceed."
"What?" Twilight asked, with her mind only now clear to process what was going on around here. "Wait, what's going on here? Who are you? What are you doing? Stop!"
Twilight protested and struggled as Honeycomb approached her. "Quit, mmm, struggling." Honeycomb grabbed Twilight by the arm and held her. Honeycomb flicked her index finger and a bee's stinger popped out, closer to the function of a cat's retractable claw than a bee's stinger. With no signs of emotion or sympathy for her struggling victim, Honeycomb injected the stinger into Twilight's breast.
"Stop it!" Twilight wiggled and flailed, but Honeycomb's grip was cast-iron. Twilight lifted her other hand, which acquired a purple glow to it.
Sunset recognized the glow as magic and knew magic was Twilight's forte. She barked out an order to Honeycomb before Twilight could complete her no-doubt devastating spell. "Quick, hold her hands behind her back."
If Honeycomb had any doubt or resistance, she didn't show it. She grabbed Twilight's other hand by the wrist and went around her, keeping a tight grip on both of Twilight's hands and holding them to Twilight's back. Twilight continued to struggle, but with Honeycomb holding her wrists, she wasn't any sure she could keep any spell she might try from backfiring. When she quit attempting to wriggle her way free, Twilight noticed her captor. "Sunset Shimmer?"
Sunset got up from the ground and crossed her arms. "Hello, Twilight Sparkle."
"Sunset, what are you doing here?"
"Getting revenge on you." Sunset pointed an accusing finger at Twilight. "Do you have any idea what you did to me?" Sunset paced around, wiping her hands over her temples. "It took me weeks - years to crawl out from under the pile of rubble you left me under and build my power back up at the school."
"Power?" Twilight frowned. "But ... I thought you were good now. I thought you had changed!" She gave her hands an instinctive jerk, knowing Honeycomb wouldn't release them.
Sunset just laughed in Twilight's face. "Oh, Twilight. People don't change. They just say they have."
Twilight hardened her gaze at Sunset, which made her step back a little. Sunset still wasn't used to people standing up to her. "You're wrong. Discord's changed. Why can't you?"
"Discord?" Sunset said. "As in, the Spirit of Disharmony? Oh please, Twilight. He hasn't changed, he's just biding his time for the right moment to let loose." Sunset raised her hands in the air in an emulation of what it would be like when Discord decided to make his move.
"You're wrong." Twilight insisted. She looked away from Sunset, not wanting to face the reality Sunset was still the small-minded bully she'd always been. "Why now?"
"Pardon?"
"Why take your revenge now? It's been ten, maybe eleven years since I saw you last. Why wait so long? Surely you could have come at any time?"
"I could have." Sunset admitted. "But like I said, it took me awhile to rebuild my power and reestablish the pecking order in my town. And it is my town. A few years to deal with the trauma of you defeating me, a few years to start rebuilding my empire, another few years to solidify my grip on that empire ..." Sunset made a fist. "Add it all up and it makes perfect sense it took me so long. And you ..." Sunset pointed her finger again with a smug smirk. "Are going to put on a show for me."
Twilight glared at her. "What gives you that idea?"
Sunset snapped her fingers. Honeycomb reached over and stabbed her finger-stinger into Twilight's breasts again, causing Twilight to moan in pain at the intrusion before it gave it to a curious sort of pleasure as something cool entered her breast.
"What are you doing?" Twilight asked through grimaced teeth.
"Injecting you with a special kind of honey." Honeycomb explained. "It brings a great deal of, mmm, pleasure in addition to making it pour itself out of your breasts."
Twilight gasped, feeling just what Honeycomb was talking about as a little honey leaked out from her breast. Slowly, over a period of a few minutes, said breast began to grow in size as honey was injected into it.
"Come on, Twilight." Sunset encouraged, watching Twilight squirm and break into a sweat. "Moan a little. Gasp. Scream for more."
"N-no." Twilight insisted through her increasingly labored breath. Screaming and moaning was what Sunset wanted, and Twilight was determined not to give Sunset what she wanted.
"Hmm." Sunset frowned, running her finger over her chin as she contemplated what to do. "Ah!" She snapped her fingers, having a brainstorm. She went over to Honeycomb and whispered something into the bee's ear. Honeycomb nodded. Sunset walked back to her spot while Honeycomb continue pumping Twilight up.
"Okay, Honeycomb ... stop."
At Sunset's command, Honeycomb jerked her stinger out of Twilight's breast. Twilight breathed a heavy sigh of relief at being allowed to catch her breath.
Her relief was cut short when Sunset followed up with another command.
"Go."
Honeycomb stabbed the stinger through Twilight's soft flesh again, resuming the injection of cool, golden syrup into Twilight's system.
"Stop."
Honeycomb stopped.
"Go."
Honeycomb resumed. Twilight panted and moaned as the honey continued flowing out from her chest. Twilight admired Sunset's deviousness, if only for the intelligence of it. Just giving a constant, continuous pumping was something Twilight could, with time, adjust to. But giving her a little bit of honey, a little bit of pleasure, then stopping and denying her the pleasure before starting it once more only to take it away again was a much more tortuous method and threatened to break her.
"What do you say, Twilight?" Sunset teased. "Had enough? Or not enough, I should say?"
"No." Twilight continued, remaining defiant. "I don't need it!" In a fit mental state, Twilight would never say this out loud. But she wasn't in a fit mental state, so she didn't have the reserve to keep herself from letting something slip out. Something she would regret saying to their faces. Something she would never forgive herself for saying, if she even realized she was saying it.
"I don't need it! I'm not a junkie! I'm not an addict like Rainbow Dash and Rarity!"
Sunset raised an eyebrow. She filed this fact away for further abuse at a later time. "Oh?" Sunset approached approached Twilight and put a finger on her chin. She puffed out her breasts and came closer to Twilight, pressing the ends of their breasts together, as a sort of intimidation/seduction hybrid tactic. "Why don't you tell me how you really feel, Twilight?"
Twilight panted and huffed. Her cheeks were flushed, her face was soaked with sweat, and Honeycomb's intrusions had made her breasts swell up to a size close- maybe even surpassing - Rarity's natural size, as well as matching Sunset's firm bust.
"I feel ..." Twilight panted. "I feel thirsty." Honeycomb's torment was giving her a dry throat.
This gave Sunset an awful idea. She smiled. "Oh, well, I think I have just the thing for that." Sunset went back to her and Honeycomb's resting spot and picked up the bottle of corrupt cider. She brought it to Twilight. "It's my own special blend. Open wide." Sunset lifted the bottle up to Twilight's mouth and gently tilted it forward to pour the cider into her. Twilight's lips found purchase around the tip of the bottle and wouldn't let it go.
"Hmm." Sunset observed as Twilight chugged the stuff down. "Honeycomb, let her go."
Honeycomb did as told, releasing her grip on Twilight's hands. Twilight behaved just as Sunset Shimmer expected, grabbing the cider bottle and yanking it from Sunset's hands. Twilight tilted it back and drank almost all of it before stopping it for breath.
"Why don't we just take this away before you choke on it?" Sunset Shimmer gestured, pinching the tip of the bottle with her fingers and gently lifting it out of Twilight's grasp.
Twilight continued to pant, moan, shiver, and shudder. She rubbed her hands against her engorged breasts, made huge from all the honey Honeycomb put into them. "I feel ... so ... full." Twilight panted.
"If I may be excused?" Honeycomb asked. "I believe Twilight will obey you now, so I would like to collect honey for the metamorphosis."
"Yeah, yeah, sure." Sunset waved her hand to let Honeycomb know she was dismissed, not paying too much attention. "Twilight?"
"Y-yes?" Twilight answered shakily.
"How do you feel?" Sunset cupped Twilight's chin.
"W-wonderful." Twilight muttered, looking up at Sunset's eyes like they were the most beautiful gem in the world. "I feel so good."
"Good ... good." Sunset nodded. She lifted the cider bottle up and rocked it back and forth, letting the sunlight reflect off it. "Why don't we have a little fun together, Twilight?" Sunset sipped down the last dregs of cider in the bottle before tossing it to the ground where it shattered.
"Whoa!" Twilight let out a gasp as a spike of pleasure surged through her body. She looked down at her breasts to see a frothy, bubbly liquid oozing out from her chest. "What's ... this?"
"That, I believe, is a mixture of the cider and the honey in your breasts." Sunset Shimmer said. "Since my special blend makes you lactate cider, and Honeycomb's honey makes you lactate honey, you put the two together and voila!" Sunset knelt down. "I wonder what it tastes like?" She leaned forward and gave Twilight's breast a kiss, sucking out the creamy molasses. She pulled out with a bit of the slow-moving liquid still going down her lip.
"Not bad, not bad." Sunset smacked her lips together.
"Ooh ..." Twilight caved into her lust. She knew better, but she didn't care. Honeycomb's nectar had more effect on her mind than it initially appeared to, and she was drunk, and besides, Sunset was a damn good tease. She leaned forward and forced Sunset's breasts into accepting her head.
Sunset was taken by surprise at first, but she relaxed and smiled. "Ooh, you're a bad girl, aren't you? Touching Mistress's breasts without permission ... you're going to need to be punished."
Twilight nuzzled said breasts for awhile before popping her head out. "Punished? Oh! Roleplay! I've never done roleplay with anyone before ... sounds like fun. Okay. I'm the bad girl and I need to be punished." Twilight, accepting the role, got down to her knees.
Sunset blanked out for a moment. "Uh, yes, sure. Roleplay. That's what we're doing." Sunset, in no way meaning something else. Ditching her jacket, she joined Twilight on the ground before pulling her shirt off over her head, exposing her large breasts, choice of undergarments, (purple) and the fact her breasts were now lactating cider as well.
She placed her hands on Twilight's shoulders. "Now, let's have that fun." She leaned forward and gave Twilight a deep kiss with her cider-kissed lips.
Back in her patch of the woods, Chrysalis was thumbing through the pages of the book. She may have lost Twilight Sparkle and access to her powerful magic, but Twilight was only ever a secondary prize to begin with.
"Uh." Trixie noticed Chrysalis holding the book. "What are you doing?"
"Trying to find another monster to summon for my conquest." Chrysalis held her gaze to the book with a furrowed brow.
Trixie scratched her head. "The Great and Powerful Trixie does not think that's a good idea, given what happened with the last monster we tried to summon ..."
"Oh, hush. It'll be fine. Hmm." Chrysalis purred when she saw page with an illustration which caught her eye. "Now these look like they have potential... beautiful but deadly, who uses music to lure victims to their doom." Raising her hand, Chrysalis read the book aloud and cast the incantation which would summon these beings. Trixie shook her head and looked away, disbelieving Chrysalis could be so stupid after what happened with Honeycomb.
A green fog manifested around Chrysalis' hand. It swirled around her hand before spreading. First across her body before enveloping the forest floor. Trixie shivered, uncomfortable with the fact she couldn't see her hand in front of her face.
Chanting could be heard from inside the green mist. Three voices, vocalizing in perfect harmony, as the green fog faded and Chrysalis' summoned monsters could be seen.
Trixie wasn't sure what to expect. After the Citrus Slime and Honeycomb, these new monsters looked a bit too normal. There were three women standing in front of them, each of them wearing a necklace with a red gem in it. One of them had huge, poofy orange hair and wore platform boots and a spiked hairband. Another wore her purple hair in long pigtails with a tattered jacket, looking distinctly "punk." The last of them wore a tight sweater-vest with a skirt and a dual-tone blue ponytail.
"Ah." The one with the huge poofy hair stretched her arms, enjoying her freedom. "It feels so good to be out of that place." She looked around her surroundings with a smile before noticing Chrysalis. "I take it you're the one who summoned us?"
"I am." Chrysalis smirked. She liked where this was going.
"Then please, allow me to speak on behalf of my comrades when I say thank you." She approached Chrysalis, got on one knee, and took Chrysalis' hand to kiss the back of it. Chrysalis was pleased. The woman rose and bowed. "My name is Adagio Dazzle." She gestured to the others in turn. "These are my cohorts, Aria Blaze -"
"'Sup."
"And Sonata Dusk."
"Hiiii."
"I'm sure you read the book, but we're sirens." Adagio Dazzle said. "We feed off love, adoration, the absence of love, and conflict. Our singing can lull the most weary of souls to deep sleep." Adagio Dazzle flashed a wide smile. "So knowing all this, tell me. What can we do for you?"
Chrysalis smiled and nodded, pleased with Adagio's subservience - especially after what happened with Honeycomb. "I'm trying to raise an army - an army of seductive creatures, like yourself."
"Guilty as charged." Aria said with a husky voice, causing Trixie to blush.
"To plunge Equestria into a brainwashed, dominated love frenzy." Chrysalis said. "You see, my subjects - Changelings - feed off the love of others. And Equestria has more love in than any land I've seen, so to have their subjects under my thumb would be good for my Changelings' food supply. And there's a little bit of personal revenge in there as well."
"Hmm." Adagio cupped her chin and nodded. "Well, given that we feed on love, and your Changelings feed on love, I think it would be mutually beneficial for us to work together." Adagio showed her boldness by putting a hand on Chrysalis' breast.
"Glad to hear it." Chrysalis said, not at all offended. Though her expression soon changed to one of frustration. "There is ... one thing."
"Yes?"
"I have enemies." Chrysalis said. "Princess Celestia's student, Twilight Sparkle, her friends, and Sunset Shimmer. They're strong and smart - enough to ruin my plans. Twilight Sparkle has already ruined one plan of mine already." Chrysalis her fist into her palm. "I need a way to deal with them."
Adagio Dazzle rubbed her chin and smiled. "I have just the thing. From what it sounds like, there's three sides involved in this - your side, Twilight's side, and this Sunset Shimmer's side. There's three of us." Adagio gestured to her cohorts.
"Where are you going with this?"
"Unless they know more than we realize, Twilight's friends and Sunset won't recognize us." Adagio said. "So we split up, one of us to a faction. It's our M.O. Find a social circle, schmooze our way into their good graces, then work to bring them down from within. It's a great way to play up conflict, one of our food sources. And by the time they realize they've been played, it'll already be too late. And as long as we avoid being seen together, no one will be the wiser."
"It's deceptive. It's manipulative. It's two-faced. I love it! Spoken like a true Changeling." Chrysalis hooked her arm around Adagio's shoulders and pulled her closer. "Something tells me, Adagio, this is the start of a beautiful friendship."
Adagio gave Chrysalis a longing gaze. "And maybe more."
At Rarity's Boutique, Sweetie Belle and Diamond Tiara were sitting across the table from each other, giving each other odd stares as though they were looking at aliens on display in a pen. They had been enemies for a long time, and for Rarity to just ... take up Diamond Tiara like she did was an idea which took some adjusting.
Sweetie Belle took a sip from the coffee which had been brewed for them. For both of them, it was their first experience with drinking coffee.
"So this is what coffee tastes like ..." Sweetie Belle took a look at her cup.
"Weird, right?" Diamond Tiara said, trying to break the ice.
Sweetie Belle nodded. Which Diamond Tiara thought frustrating - she was trying to get Sweetie Belle to engage her in a conversation. The awkward silence was only broken more by the sound of Rarity footsteps emerging from the doorway.
"Girls ..." Rarity said, looking so elegant in her white dress. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to go outside for awhile. I'm expecting some ... unwanted company, and I don't want you to see me lose my temper."
The girls nodded and pushed their chairs out and stepping out the door. Rarity let out a sigh. She didn't want kick them out, but she also didn't want them to see her lose her temper and lash out against Silver Lens. But she was about to be glad she did.
Rarity was expecting Silver Lens to come in, sit them both down, and start asking questions in an attempt to tack a mental sickness onto her.
She was not expecting Silver Lens to come bursting through the door, ragged and out of breath and making a grab for the nearest counter to support her weight.
"Rarity ... I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen -"
Before Rarity could get a chance to figure just what Silver Lens was babbling about, Shining Armor and two Royal Guards barged into the room. Shining Armor pushed Silver Lens away, knocking her to the ground, and marched up to Rarity. "All right, you milk-filled monster, where is she!?"
With a shocked, slackened jaw, Rarity looked at Silver Lens, crawling and on her hands and knees before turning her gaze up to Shining Armor. Shining Armor seemed 1.5 times larger than normal. She couldn't believe someone who would treat a woman like he did Silver Lens was someone Twilight Sparkle loved and admired.
"I'm afraid I haven't the slightest clue what you're talking about, darling." Rarity told him, crossing her arms. He might be bigger, he might have been a Captain of the Royal Guard, but Rarity would not be intimidated by someone who roughhoused a woman so.
"Where's Twiley!?" Shining Armor bellowed. "She's disappeared. No one's seen her, and you're our best suspect!"
Rarity sputtered and coughed. "Wha - how am I your best suspect?"
"Ten years ago, during the incident with the Slime, you kidnapped Twiley while she was supposed to be recovering." Shining Armor said. "You kidnapped her and took her to the cave where you hiding out. So what we've figured out is that, with you taking heat for what you did to Applejack, you kidnapped Twilight for leverage."
Rarity blinked, trying to process the level of ignorance and stupidity it took for Shining Armor to come up with this absurd theory.
"First." Rarity said. "I have no idea where Twilight is. Second, strained my relationships may be, Twilight Sparkle is still one of my best friends and I stand nothing to gain from kidnapping her. Third, your theory is a load of crock meant to justify your irrational desire to harass me because you haven't forgiven my actions from the past. There are plenty of others who have more to gain from kidnapping Twilight than I do - Discord, Sunset Shimmer, The Flim Flam Brothers - and yet you decide the prime suspect is me!? I don't think so! You've decided to convict me on evidence so flimsy you can't even pretend to call it "circumstantial!""
Shining Armor and Rarity stared each other down. Shining Armor, in his enraged, big-brother protective state, was too angry to process Rarity's logic and decided he wasn't going to put up with Rarity's defiance. He snapped his fingers. "Cuff her."
"What? Let go of me!"
The two guards approached Rarity. One of them grabbed her by the arms while the other lifted up her leg and slapped a golden brace embedded with gems on Rarity's ankle.
"This bracelet is enchanted." Shining Armor said. "It has tracking spell cast on it so we can know where you are. Go outside of Ponyville, and it'll send an alert and you'll have guards on you in minutes. Silver Lens will keep an eye on you and make progress reports. Come on." Shining Armor snapped his fingers and led his guards to the door.
Rarity, shaken and taken aback, collapsed onto a nearby chair. She held a hand to her forehead before lifting her head up. "Shining Armor?"
Shining Armor, with some reluctant, stopped and turned around.
"I won't forgive you for this. As soon as someone finds her, I'll tell Twilight Sparkle everything."
"Hmph." Shining Armor left with his guards.
Rarity examined the tracking bracelet on her leg. After doing so, she got up from her chair and offered a hand to Silver Lens. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah ..." Silver Lens said. Rarity helped her to stand up. "Rarity, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for -"
Rarity held out her hand. "Save it. I don't want to hear it. As far as I'm concerned, coming into my home like this ... putting me under "psychological observation" ... you're as guilty as Shining Armor." Rarity turned away and walked into the other room.
Silver Lens watched her go. She took off her glasses and wiped them before putting them back on.
"Well ... off to an excellent start."
Out in the forest, Spike was made to sit up against a tree. He didn't know why, he just knew "Rarity" told him to, so he did. From across the way, Sonata Dusk came sashaying out from the woods.
"Hello, Spike." Sonata Dusk said to him. Spike greeted her with a nod in her direction. "I'm Sonata Dusk, and I'm going to take care of you today. Here's the plan. I'm going to take you back to Ponyville to your friends so they'll think I'm trustworthy. After that, well ... I'll siphoning out their love for each other until they're so busy bickering they don't see Chrysalis coming. But not before I have a little fun with you first."
"Okay." Spike agreed, his words bland and his voice monotone.
Sonata made her way up to him, getting cozy in his personal space. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into a kiss. She pulled away, putting a thumb to his cheek. With a smile, she vocalized into his ear with a stream of "aaah aaaah aaah's" and "ooh ooh ooooh's." The pendant on her neck produced green mist which trailed to the ground and swirled around Spike's legs. Spike registered her singing and gave a blissful smile as he was put under her spell. Sensing his love for her increase, the green mist rose up Sonata's legs and traveled back into her pendant. With his love filling her pendant with energy, it was no surprise to Sonata when her bust gave a bulge, stretching out and expanding to the point a button popped off and went flying.
"Aaah." Sonata closed her eyes and moaned with pleasure. She looked at her increased breast size with a proud grin. "You see that, Spike? You did that. Your love for me did that. Do you like it?"
Spike nodded.
"Let's go a step further." Sonata said with a sultry flair. She pulled him into another kiss and reached towards his pants. She was groping for the zipper when Spike pulled away, muttering something.
"Rarity ... Rarity." He said.
"Oh, still in love with Rarity, huh?" Sonata chuckled. She stopped trying to undress him. "Okay." She patted him on the cheek. "We'll work up to it. Now come on, little half-ling. Let's get you home."
Leading him along like a owner walking their dog, Sonata Dusk led him out of the forest's edge before realizing she had no idea where Ponyville was.
"Spike, which way to Ponyville?"
"Um ..." Spike looked around, struggling to think while under the lingering effects of Chrysalis' spell, not to mention Sonata's own. "That way, I think."
"Good, good ... who'll be up to see you come home?"
"Pinkie Pie's a good bet ... she's usually up all day. She lives at Sugarcube Corner."
"Good, good ..."
With Spike providing directions, Sonata Dusk had no trouble locating Ponyville - and Sugarcube Corner. She waved her hand, glowing green with magic, which reduced the effects of her spell on Spike, granting him more autonomy. Couldn't have Twilight's friends see him as a mindless slave if she was going to earn their trust, after all. She knocked on Sugarcube's door and was greeted by Pinkie Pie.
"Yes?"
"Yes, hello!" Sonata Dusk waved at her. "I'm looking for friends of Twilight Sparkle? I have something I think belongs to her." With a wry smile, Sonata gestured to Spike.
Pinkie Pie gave a great big smile and engaged Spike in a crushing hug. "Spike! I'm so glad you're okay! We were soooo worried about you, especially after Twilight disappeared!"
"Twilight's gone?" Spike asked.
"Yeah. She disappeared right after you did. But don't worry, Shining Armor's working reeeaally hard to find her and I'm sure she'll pop up in no time! Why don't you come in? Applejack's here, and I'm sure she would be delighted to see you."
Pinkie moved to let them inside. Applejack was drinking a float, but she rose up at the sight of Spike.
"Spike!" Applejack ran up to him and gave him a hug. "You're okay!"
"Yeah." Spike rubbed the back of his head. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"We couldn't find ya, for some reason." Applejack said. "Pinkie tell you Twilight's gone, too?" Spike nodded. "We all got real worried about both of y'all, but if you're okay, then maybe Twilight is too."
"Maybe she just got lost somewhere." Sonata Dusk said with a shrug.
Applejack gave Sonata a curious gaze. "Spike, who's your friend?"
Sonata bowed. "My name's Sonata Dusk. I saw Spike in the woods and offered to help him get home."
Applejack got up from her seat and shook Sonata's hand. "Well, thank y'all kindly, Sonata Dusk. Ah don't know what we woulda done without ya." She looked at Spike. "What were y'all doin' in the forest, Spike?"
Spike scratched his head. "I don't remember."
"Ah well. The important thing is, yer safe now."
"Yeah ..." Sonata chuckled, her pendant sparkling in the light. "Safe ..."
Applejack noticed. "That's a nice pendant ya got there, Sonata."
"This?" Sonata gestured to it, cupping her fingers around the necklace to protect it. "Oh, it's nothing special ... why don't we talk?" Sonata took a seat next to Applejack's empty stool. "I would just love to learn all about you."
In her neck of the woods, Sunset Shimmer was sitting against a tree with a sleepy Twilight Sparkle spread across her lap with Sunset's blazer on her to keep her warm. Sunset smiled to herself, basking in the afternoon sun after a day well spent on dominating Twilight. Sunset was about to nod off herself when she felt Twilight fidget.
Sunset chuckled. "Rise and shine, sleepyhead. Did you get a good nap? Hmm?" Sunset was puzzled when Twilight's answer was to raise her hand in front of Sunset's face.
It became much less puzzling when a disruptive spell burst from Twilight's hands, blowing Sunset clear and burning the tree they were on beyond the point of saving.
"You're wrong." Twilight said, getting to her knees, still a bit weak. "People do change. Discord's changed."
Sunset grimaced and took up a battle-ready stance. Fists alight with power, she hurled a fireball at Twilight. Twilight erected a forcefield which stonewalled the fireball before returning fire with a magical bolt which sent Sunset flying into a tree.
Sunset groaned as she sunk to the ground. She watched Twilight come toward her, closing in for the kill. This is why she wanted to avoid any magical confrontation with Twilight; she knew Twilight's magic had improved beyond what Sunset could match.
Standing feet away from Sunset, Twilight raised her hand over her head, ready to send out a spell which would take care of Sunset for good. Whether it was going to kill, paralyze her, or just teleport somewhere she couldn't hurt anyone, Sunset wasn't sure.
She didn't have to find out. Sunset saw a green mist creep in around the edges of the forest, which was followed by soft, melodious singing.
"And I would wait a year/and I would wait ten/because I hope to my lover's face again ..." The voice sang.
Twilight was affected by the singing, Sunset could tell. The magic gathering in Twilight's hand dissipated and she began to wobble on her feet.
Sunset saw her mysterious savior step out into the open. A punk-looking girl with her hair in pigtails. She grinned at Twilight. She put her hands on her hips, not needing any pose or posture to deliver her pitch-perfect notes.
"I'll wait by the seashore/if I have to wait ten years or more/and I will stand on the beach alone/just to see my lover coming home."
Out of nowhere, compelled by an unseen, undetectable desire, Twilight sang with her. "And I would wait a year ... and I would wait ten ..."
"Because I hope to see my lover's face again." The mystery woman approached Twilight, grabbing her by the wrists the way she would for a tango.
"I'll wait by the seashore if I have to wait ten years or more ..." Twilight continued, looking at the woman with half-lidded eyes.
"And I will stand on the beach alone ..."
"Just to see my lover coming home."
"I'll wait a year/I'll wait ten/ I'll wait on the beach, to daylight's eeeend ... because I know I'll see my lover's face agaaaain." Twilight's eyes closed and she slumped into the woman's body. The woman lowered her to the ground.
"How ... did you do that?" Sunset Shimmer asked.
"I'm really good at singing people lullabies." The woman answered, offering Sunset a hand up. "Name's Aria Blaze."
"Sunset Shimmer."
"I know. I've heard about your work, Sunset." Aria paced around Sunset, the way a lion circles prey. "I'm a big fan of yours ... the way you take control of people ... the way you don't tolerate anything from anyone."
Sunset chuckled. "Well, what can I say? I've always had a bit of an independent streak. But what does that have to do with anything?"
"Well ... I want to join you." Aria Blaze said. "I want to be your ally."
"My ally?" Sunset crossed her arms, thinking this too good to be true.
Aria bowed. "Your groupie. Your servant. Your apprentice. Pick your poison."
Sunset rubbed her chin. The idea of taking on an apprentice appealed to her massive ego. It would certainly show Celestia a thing or two - and Aria had used her powers to save Sunset with no apparent benefit to Aria other than just saving Sunset. "Okay, Aria Blaze. You can be my apprentice."
"Yes." Aria pumped her fist. She grinned. She had known Sunset for all of three minutes, but she got a feeling Sunset would be a great ally for her own plans ...
"So, Sonata, what do you like to do?" Pinkie asked as she served Sonata a shake.
"Oh, well ... I'm really into singing." Sonata took a sip from the drink. "What about you two? Anything you like to do?"
"I love making people smile!" Pinkie put her hands together. "And Applejack's super into farming."
Applejack chuckled. "Wut can I say? Born to farmers, raised a farmer, and if I ever have kids, they'll farm too." Applejack took a closer look at Sonata and frowned.
"Something wrong?"
"Nuthin' ... just ... Ah see y'all got a large bust, there. It's um ... sounds a mite bit crazy, but Ah have an issue with large busts."
Sonata chuckled. She reached over and patted Applejack on the shoulder. "Oh, don't worry, Applejack. I'm sure you've just got a delayed growth spurt. Someday, you'll have a large bust too!"
"Uh-huh. Yeah, sure." Applejack glanced sideways away from Sonata. Sonata didn't know what Applejack was referring to. She wasn't here for the events of the last few days. It was a miracle Fluttershy hit on idea of going to see Zecora, and Zecora diagnosed it as Poison Joke, giving Applejack some of the cure for the Poison Joke.
"Oh, make sure to drink plenty of milk, too! I've been told that helps." Sonata said. She was trying to be helpful- she had no idea this suggestion would set Applejack off.
"Milk ... milk, milk, milk." Applejack slammed her cup on the ground. "That's all anyone ever talks about round here nowadays." She stormed out the door.
Sonata put her fingers to her lips. "Oh my. Was it something I said?"
"Er, yeah." Pinkie said, wincing a bit. "She's had a rough couple of days. Don't take it personally."
"Hmm." Sonata turned to Spike. Spike took a sip from his drink and turned to Sonata.
"Thanks for bringing me back home, Sonata. I'm not sure what I would have done without you."
"Don't worry about it! It was nothing." Sonata smirked.
"And, uh ... you're ..." Spike's voice gave way to mumbling.
"I'm sorry?"
"You're kind of cute." Spike said out loud, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink.
"Aww." Sonata put her hands over her chest. Her heart melted at Spike's compliment. Sonata was a seductress by nature, but something about Spike's shy manner touched her in a way she wasn't used to. "I think you're cute, too, Spike." Sonata took a swig from the float Pinkie gave her and got up. "Okay. I'll see you around. I promised some friends of mine I'd meet them soon. Bye!" Sonata waved and went out the door.
"Bye!" Pinkie waved back. She looked to Spike. "She seems nice."
"Yeah ..."
"Oooh." Pinkie flashed a naughty smirk. "I see where this is going. You like her, don't you?"
"What? No! My heart belongs to Rarity." Spike beat his chest to prove his point. He gazed at the door where Sonata had been moments prior. "Although ... she did save me ... and she is really cute."
Sonata Dusk hurried back to the forest where she met Adagio Dazzle and Aria Blaze. All three of them were sporting enhanced busts, full of the love they had inspired for themselves while out. They discussed their plans and agreed to meet up back here where they could exchange the love with each other.
"Hey." Sonata huffed and puffed, resting her hands on her knees. "Sorry I'm late. Those girls just wanted to talk FOREVER."
"It's fine, it's fine." Adagio assured her. "I had quite a bit of fun with Trixie while you were gone. Who do you get your love from, Aria?"
"Twilight Sparkle. You know, Chrysalis made her sound like such a big deal, but once I got close enough to her, she was all over me."
"And you, Sonata?"
"Spike." Sonata moaned at his name. "His love was good."
"Excellent." Adagio tapped her fingers together. "I can't wait to try it. Hold hands, everyone." Adagio reached out and the three of them held hands together in a triangle. They vocalized, green mist flying out from their necklaces and encircling the three of them.
This was what they did. How they functioned. They gathered the love they could inspire with their singing and stored in their pendants - or their breasts - and let it out together in a communal feeding. Each member contributed to the pot, to which they all ate from.
"Oooh." Adagio moaned. "Ooh, that's good." Adagio's hand made its way up Sonata's arm and to her bust. As a sign of their close, open relationship with each other, the three of them had no trouble reaching over and groping each other and other intimate signs of affection.
"Mmm." Sonata reached over and put a palm to Adagio's chest. Adagio let out a sharp moan before reaching over to Aria, who drew away from her touch.
"Aria?" Adagio asked. "Aria, you're not letting me touch you. What's wrong?"
Aria remained silent. She looked away.
"Aria Blaze." Adagio said. "This is supposed to be community feeding. You can't keep it all for yourself. That's selfish."
Aria sighed. "I'm just not in the mood today, Adagio." She shook her head and moved closer. "Fine. Just get it over with."
Adagio and Sonata put their hands on Aria's chest, but Adagio continued to frown. "I'm worried about you, Aria."
"It's fine. It's nothing." Aria insisted.
Soon after this exchange, the green mist disappeared - as did their large busts, emptied of the love which they had been storing. Adagio congratulated her girls on a job well down and dismissed them, sending them back to their respective "factions" before said factions got suspicious.
Adagio herself returned to Chrysalis, whose nose was buried into the book in her efforts to find another creature to summon. Adagio put a hand on her hip and cleared her throat. "Ah-erm."
"Oh." Chrysalis looked away from the book to acknowledge her. "You're back. Did you get a good meal?" She went right back to nosing the book.
"I did." Adagio said. She walked towards Chrysalis, shaking her hips in an unsuccessful attempt to catch Chrysalis' eye. "You know, Chrysalis, it's good we decided to team up."
"Yes, yes." Chrysalis' attention was still on the book.
"We're a lot alike, you and I. We both feed on love. We both crave power and demand attention. And we're both drop-dead gorgeous." Adagio struck a pose, running her hands through her hair.
"Yes." Chrysalis took notice of the compliment.
"Oh, Chrysalis ..."
Demonstrating the levels of her sheer boldness and audacity, Adagio looped her arm around Chrysalis' neck and jerked so Chrysalis would face.
"Didn't anyone ever teach you not to become a shut-in with books? Honestly, have you learned nothing from Twilight?" Adagio reached up and closed the book before pushing it out of Chrysalis' hand. Before Chrysalis had a chance to feel indignant, Adagio forced a deep kiss on her. Chrysalis received Adagio's affection with open arms, digging her hands into Adagio's back and letting Adagio lower them to the ground.
Bushes rustled around them as Trixie appeared. "Chrysalis? The Great and Powerful Trixie ..." Trixie trailed off as she saw what Chrysalis and Adagio were up to. "Can wait for you to finish." Trixie sank into the bushes, meaning to give them their space. But something about their sultry, yet graceful motions attracted her. So she stayed and watched as the two of them ravished each other.
Rarity curled up at her dining room table, hands on her head as she took in her situation. Night was falling on Ponyville and she was alone at the house. Silver Lens had taken Rainbow Dash away for some reason and Rarity decided not to go with them. She didn't trust Silver Lens.
Right now, she didn't trust anyone but Rainbow Dash.
The emptiness of the house getting to her, Rarity sighed. She sat up and looked away. Feeling the need to relieve her stress somehow, she got up and walked towards the fridge. She opened the door and pulled out a milk carton, behind which were several bottles labeled "White Poison." Rarity shook her head at the sight. Ignoring them, she set the milk carton sideways on the table. She got out a butcher's knife from her drawer.
Holding the knife in both hands, Rarity plunged it into the side of the carton. This - this thing - this milk was the cause of all her problems. She experienced a much-anticipated sense of catharsis as she mutilated the half-gallon container. The pop it made when the knife cut through it, the drops of the milk leaking out from the cuts ... seeping down the side of the table and to the floor like the blood of an animal freshly killed by its predator.
"Rarity?"
Rarity turned to see Diamond Tiara in the doorway. She didn't realize she had returned.
"What are you doing?" Diamond Tiara asked.
"I ..." Rarity stuttered. She looked at the knife, soaked with milk and looked down the mess she made on the table. Her grip on the handle getting shaky, Rarity stabbed the knife into the table before she dropped it on her foot. "I don't know."
"Is this another one of those "nice people" things that I don't understand?"
Rarity chuckled. "No. Oh, if only it were something that simple ..."
There was a gentle knock at the door. Rarity looked to see Silver Lens standing there, looking more than a bit concerned.
Silver Lens cleared her throat. "May I come in?"
"Do I have a choice?" Rarity's voice was a snarl, more animal than human and full of fury.
"There's always a choice." Silver Lens tried to say with a smile, but it faltered.
"No." Rarity grabbed the handle of the knife. "There isn't. Not for me."
"Hmm. Patient shows signs of pessimism and nihilism ..." Silver Lens said just loud enough for Rarity to hear - to get a response out of her. See what she did.
Rarity did nothing more than shoot Silver Lens a murderous glare. She let go of the knife and walked towards the door. "Where's Rainbow Dash?"
"Hi!" Rainbow Dash appeared next to Silver Lens. "I was waiting for Silver Lens to say it was safe to come in. I heard a weird popping noise. Is everything okay?" Rainbow Dash saw the cut-apart milk carton. "Ooh."
"Yes, everything's fine." Rarity said in direct contrast to the presence of a butchered milk carton and soaked knife on the table. No one could tell whether she was lying, in denial, or trying to communicate in secret with Rainbow Dash using code words only the two of them knew.
"Yeah." Rainbow Dash chuckled uneasily, slipping into the room. "Diamond, why don't you help me clean this up?"
"Okay ..."
As Rainbow Dash moved to get a washcloth, Rarity couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at her. "You've been gone a long time, Rainbow Dash."
"What can I say?" Rainbow Dash picked up the milk carton and tossed it into the trash. "Silver Lens showed me a few things."
"Did she now?" Rarity crossed her arms and glared. Silver Lens stood there, unmoving and nervous.
"Pardon me." Rarity moved past Silver Lens. "I need some air." The bracelet only kept her from leaving Ponyville, after all. There was nothing saying she couldn't leave her own house, despite how much it felt as though something or someone was saying those exact words.
Seeing Rarity take a knife to a milk carton, of all things, and stab it until it was no longer functional, Silver Lens began to re-evaluate her stance of Rarity ...
I was wrong! She IS dangerous!
Pushing Rarity from her mind, Silver Lens looked at Diamond Tiara and noticed how downbeat she was. Taking up a chair at the table, Silver Lens motioned for Diamond Tiara to sit next to her.
"Diamond Tiara, what's wrong? You look upset. Care to talk to me about it?"
Diamond Tiara made an uncertain noise.
"It's okay, Diamond Tiara. I'm a counselor."
Diamond Tiara hesitated for several minutes before agreeing. "Okay." She sat next to Silver Lens.
Silver Lens took Diamond Tiara's hand and gave a comforting, firm grip. "Now, tell me what's upsetting you."
Rarity wandered through the dark, empty streets of Ponyville. Something was pressing on her mind. Gnawing at her.
Why was Rainbow Dash gone so long? What could Silver Lens have shown her which convinced Rainbow Dash to stay out as long as she did?
Rarity froze. A terrible possibility opened up in her mind. She didn't think it was possible, and if she was in a better frame, she might realize how ridiculous it sounded. But after everything which had been going between Suri coming to Ponyville, Twilight disappearing and her being put on parole, anything seemed possible.
She wondered ... if Rainbow Dash had cheated on her with Silver Lens. If it was true, then there was no one left in the world who Rarity could trust. Were the "few things" Silver Lens shown something to do with Silver Lens' chest?
Why, though? Why would she DO such a thing? Was Rarity not good enough to her? Not kind enough? Did she make Rainbow Dash drink too much of her milk and Rainbow had become sick of it? Or did she not give Rainbow enough, and this was Rainbow Dash's way of rebelling?
"Oh, darling ..." Rarity placed a hand over her face. "Tell me, what did I do to deserve this? What did I do?"
"I dunno."
Rarity whipped around. "Sonata Dusk."
"Rarity." Sonata Dusk said, walking towards her with an arrogant, haughty stride.
"Hmm. Yes, well, thank you for saving Spike, but what are you doing here?"
"Me?" Sonata Dusk gestured to herself. "I came to see you."
Rarity narrowed her eyes. "Why?" Rarity didn't take her eyes off Sonata when Sonata began to walk around her in circles.
"Oh, no reason." Being an expert on the subject Rarity could tell Sonata was lying and not even trying to hide it. "I just heard a teensy little rumor about you I'm dying to know if it's true or not ..."
"And what ... rumor would that be?" Rarity's voice was strained, attempting not to show her frustration with Sonata's coyness.
Sonata, the brazen little girl, reached out and groped Rarity's breast, squeezing until a wet spot appeared on her dress. "So it is true! You do have milk in your breasts!"
Rarity smacked Sonata's hand away and pointed a finger. "Don't test me, Sonata Dusk. I'm not in a good mood and I will gladly put you in your place if the situation calls for it."
"Oh, you don't want to be angry at me, Rarity."
Rarity scoffed and laughed. "And how is that? You put your hands on my breast - on my person, without my permission or consent. I'd say I'm well within my rights to be angry at you!"
"You know who you should be angry at? You should be angry at Applejack. She told me."
"Apple ... jack?" Rarity's voice broke, her heart was devastated. Hadn't they patched things up? Talked things out? Weren't they making progress on repairing their relationship?
"Yup. She told me about the milk and how did you all kinds of naughty, filthy things with it." Sonata needled the point in.
Rarity turned away, holding her hands to her forehead like it would push this unpleasant reality away. "But ... why? Applejack, weren't we getting along? Weren't we ... healing?"
Seeing Rarity turned away from her, Sonata saw her chance. Waving her hands, she sung under her breath. The green mist formed around their feet. The idea being it would increase Rarity's anger and sense of betrayal and cause her to hate Applejack more, feeding Sonata with the conflict.
Something unexpected happen. Sonata and Rarity both felt sharp pains in their heads. They cried out in pain and grasped their heads. To Rarity, it felt like something had been trying to get inside her head and been repelled back with force. To Sonata, it felt like she had slammed into an iron wall.
"Are you ..." Rarity stammered, turning back to face Sonata. Sonata whimpered and stepped away. Sonata didn't know Rarity made such a complete 180 from the helpless wanderer she was when Sonata found her, but she did. Now, with a hunched posture and bloodshot eyes, Rarity looked like a dangerous madwoman ready to strike.
"Are you trying to get into my head?"
"Uh ... No!" Sonata tried to lie her way out.
"Hmm." Rarity must have felt forgiving, because she didn't call Sonata out this time. "Good. Because I assure you, Sonata Dusk, trying to get into my head would be a grave mistake ... now, I'm going to give Applejack a piece of my mind." Rarity stomped off into the darkness of the night.
As she was left alone with her green mist, Sonata wondered how Rarity resisted her spell. How her mind deflected the attempts of Sonata's magic to infiltrate it.
"How?" Sonata wondered. She didn't know - Rarity didn't know. But it had something to do with Rarity's experience with the Pipe Slime. It had given her a sort of acquired immunization to magic which affected her mind.
Meanwhile, Applejack was doing some late-night tidying up on the farm. She was unaware, across town, an angry Rarity was making a beeline towards her.
She was carrying an empty bucket of feed back to the barn when a strange sight caught her eye. There was a woman who had features of a bee going around, sticking her fingers into the flowers which grew around the outskirts of the farm.
"Uh ... hey?" Applejack called for her attention.
"Mmm?" The woman turned to her.
"Could Ah, uh, ask wut yer doin' there on mah farm?"
"I am, mmm, harvesting the pollen of the flowers. I, mmm, hope this is not a source of distress for you."
"Uh, no." Applejack said.
"I will take what I can from these flowers and be on my way." The bee-woman said.
"Uh ... all right, I guess." Applejack was still a bit befuddled. But she knew there were plenty of things in Equestria she hadn't seen. This bee-woman didn't appear to be hurting anyone and her family wasn't going to use the pollen for anything, so she let her be.
Applejack continued with the bucket, meaning to put it away in the house until it was needed again. She heard something rustle in the grass. She looked over her shoulder, but the bee-woman was gone.
"Hmm." Applejack exercised caution, walking to her house at a slower pace. Something was out here, she could feel it.
She could also feel when a slimy tail shot out from the night air and coiled around her waist, binding her arms. She dropped her bucket and was lifted up into the air.
"What - hey! Let go of me!"
"Mmm, mmm, mm! What do we have here?"
"What?" Applejack was surprised at the face of her attacker. "Hey, aren't you that model from Canterlot?"
"I aaam!" Fluer-De-Lis drawled. "Rarity kept me from finishing her induction once already. Sooo ... I decided to come here and do it to her friends instead!"
"Induction?" Applejack struggled in Fluer's coils, trying to squirm her way out from the appendage. But it was strong. It held together a molecular cohesion which refused to break, no matter how hard Applejack tried. Like trying to punch through jell-o.
"Quit sssstruggling!" Fluer-de-lis said, lifting Applejack up. "You're not gonna manage anything but tire yourself out." Fluer-de-lis lifted her dress and connected her tendril to her breast.
"No." When she saw Fluer-de-lis lift her tendril, Applejack's resistance faded as a trauma relived itself inside her mind. The incident with the Pipe Slime, with Rarity ... where she was pumped so full of milk ... she couldn't bear to live through it again. "Please, stop! I'm beggin' ya, please. Please, don'- MMFP!" Applejack's cries were silenced when Fluer-de-lis stuck the tendril into her mouth. As per the normal routine, milk flowed through the slimy tube from Fluer's breast into Applejack's mouth. Applejack's tastes buds were soon washed over with the aroma of Fluer's milk.
Fluer-de-lis popped the tendril out from Applejack's mouth, spilling a little milk on her face. Fluer brought her face down to Applejack's. "What do you say, Applejack? Had enough?"
"I've had too much already, ya varmint!"
"Oooh ..." Fluer made a noise of disappointment. "Not the answer I was hoping for." Fluer wrapped her tendrils around Applejack in a great big hug and lifted Applejack higher.
"Hey ... hey! Wut are ya doin'-" Applejack protested as Fluer foisted Applejack onto Fluer's breast. Applejack resumed her attempts at struggling, but Fluer's tentacles held her too tight. She was helpless to do anything as Fluer's breast poured milk into her. Fluer breathed and moaned, taking in deep breaths and exhaling, allowing the milk to flow freely.
Applejack swallowed the milk and guzzled it down - it was either swallow or suffocate. Given the choice, she was going to swallow. As she swallowed, Applejack's body lost tension and began to relax. She closed her eyes and opened them again, her eyes turning glassy and unfocused.
Seeing the change in her eyes, Fluer-de-lis smiled. She pulled her breast out of Applejack's reach. "What about now?"
Applejack blinked, trying to focus. "Mm ..."
"Hmm?" Fluer-de-lis tilted her head. "I can't hear you."
"Mm-more." Applejack moaned, breathing heavily. "I want more."
"Now what's what I wanted to hear."
Fluer-de-lis curled her tendrils around her breasts and squeezed them together. She inserted the tips of both into Applejack's mouth and let her milk spill out from both at the time, flooding Applejack's tongue with the taste of her new addiction. While Applejack was distracted with feeding, Fluer's tendrils split off. Two tinier tendrils appeared and worked their around the larger ones until they could reach Applejack's chest. As the Citrus Slime had done to Fluer-de-lis, the little feelers forced their way inside Applejack's breasts through the ducts meant for natural lactation. There, they vibrated without stopping to trigger, to trick Applejack's mammary glands into opening themselves and beginning the production of milk. Applejack's breasts grew up and out, filling up with milk in what felt like seconds.
By this point, Applejack's stomach was filling up and milk was splashing all over her face - it was hard to keep up with the rich output of two breasts, let alone ones as large and full as Fluer-de-lis'.
Fluer-de-lis separated Applejack from the source of her nourishment, teasing her a little more. With Applejack hooked, Fluer-de-lis relaxed the grip of her tentacles. "What do you think, Applejack? Good stuff, right?"
Applejack panted and moaned, desperate to have more. She wasn't done. She would never be done. She wanted more - she needed MORE! Panting, Applejack lifted up hers and rolled over her chest, bending down to suckle the milk out from her breasts. She moaned, enjoying the wonderful taste of milk raising up from her own breast into her mouth.
Fluer-de-lis cooed. "Oooh. Would you be willing to share a bit?"
Applejack nodded. Giving herself a few more strong suckles, she let her breast pop out of her mouth. Fluer-de-lis rose Applejack into the air and turned her over, holding her upside down so Applejack could reach over and suckle Fluer's milk out while Fluer suckled Applejack's upside-down hanging chest. Applejack's spare breast dropped milk to the ground as she shaken and stimulated. The two of them engaged in a symphony of moaning and milking.
"Mmmm ..." Fluer moaned, enjoying the taste of Applejack's milk. A few drops trailed down Fluer's chin. But it was still nowhere near the amount of milk on - and in - Applejack.
"GET AWAY FROM HER!"
Fluer-de-lis was blasted by an intense powerful spell. It blew her back some distance, dropping Applejack to the ground. Fluer-de-lis growled at Rarity.
Rarity was unafraid and hurled spell after spell at Fluer, pushing and throwing her back. Fluer-de-lis raised her arms to block the incoming barrage, but it was still too much for her. Rarity cast her spell and ripped chunks of the earth out from the soil and tossed them at Fluer, caking her with dirt and conniving her to retreat. She turned around and slithered away into the night. Rarity let her go, more concerned with her friend.
"Applejack!" Rarity cried out, rushing to her friend. Applejack was oblivious to her, too busy suckling herself for milk. Rarity collapsed next to her, forgetting about the things Sonata said. "Applejack ... oh, Applejack, I'm so sorry." Ignoring Applejack's indecency, Rarity pulled her into a hug and cradled her body, even while Applejack continued to nurse herself. Tears rolled down Rarity's cheeks, eventually dripping onto Applejack's shoulders. "If I could have been here sooner ... I could have fought her off. I'm sorry, Applejack. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry ..." |
Last Glass of Poison | Caustic | Rarity cradled her arms around Applejack, holding her tenderly for a brief moment. Grunting and heaving, Rarity hefted Applejack onto her shoulder so she should carry Applejack away. Rarity walked in the direction of the library - even if Twilight wasn't home, Rarity figured it was a better place to heal Applejack than in her barn.
"Mmm ..." Applejack groaned, scrunching her eyes as Rarity moved. "R-Rarity? What's going on?"
"You were attacked by Fluer-de-lis." Rarity answered. "I drove her off, but ... oh, Applejack, I'm so sorry I couldn't have been sooner."
"It's okay. It's not ... your fault."
Rarity halted.
"I'm very glad to hear you say that, Applejack. Thank you."
Applejack let out a grunt and stretched her head up. "Rarity ... I'm thirsty."
This worried Rarity, but she continued walking. "We can get you some water at Twilight's house."
Applejack grunted in protest. "Rarity ... I want milk."
"You can't have milk right now."
"Oh, come on, Rarity." Appplejack felt around Rarity's body, before reaching over and clutching Rarity's breast in her hand. "I KNOW y'all have got some in your breasts ..."
"Applejack, please, control yourself!"
"I'm sorry ... but ... I want it so bad." Applejack rubbed and squeezed Rarity's breast, trying to tease the milk out. "Just a little bit?"
"The answer is no!" Rarity insisted. "My breast milk is reserved for Rainbow Dash. And on occasion when I'm feeling particularly kinky or generous, Coco Pommel. Either way, the point remains, Applejack, that you cannot have any!"
"Please ..." Applejack shuddered. "Please ..."
Rarity sighed. It distressed to hear her friend brought to such a sorry state, begging for milk, but she knew giving Applejack so much as a drop was the worst thing she could do right now. "No. Just ... just try to hang on until we get to the library, and then if you still want it, and I mean really want it, I'll give some to you then. How does that sound?"
Applejack grunted, but accepted. "Okay ..."
"Excellent ... Applejack? Please take your hand off my breast."
"Sorry ..."
Rarity managed to get her way to Ponyville, though it took her some time. She needed to get Applejack somewhere she could recover, but wasn't willing to go knocking on strangers' house. If a strange woman showed up, knocking on her door in the middle of the night with an half-conscious woman on her back, well, Rarity might have reservations about letting her into her house. So alone she traveled.
"Ugh ..." Rarity groaned. Having to carry Applejack all this way was beginning to take a toll on her. Another thing she could have done was drag Applejack by the wrists, thus sparing herself from the need to bear Applejack's weight on her back, but what if someone saw them? It would be easy to mistake as though Rarity was dragging Applejack somewhere against her will, or worse. Especially given recent arguments they had.
Rarity managed to get within sight of the library, but it was far as she was going to go. Her will left her.
"Applejack ... I'm sorry. I can't go on."
Rarity collapsed to her knees, throwing Applejack off her back and sending her rolling onto the ground. Rarity put her hands on the ground to steady herself.
"Y'all could have taken a break, you know ..." Applejack mumbled. "Didn't have to try to carry me all the while in one sitting ..."
"And give you a chance to slip away and go after Fluer-de-lis or someone to feed you milk? I think not." Rarity breathed heavily. "Help. We need help."
Help. It was a funny word. Rarity didn't think it was a naughty word or anything, but for some reason, saying it now left a bad impression on her tongue.
"HELP!" Rarity screamed, waving her arm around. "Help, somebody, anybody! We need some help over here!"
Rarity fell forward, too weak to even stand on her knees. She looked up at the library and felt as though it was mocking her. She had gotten so close, yet she was still so far. If she could have gotten a few more steps, she might have made it.
Rarity experienced a brief surge of hope as the light in the window of the library came on. She heard the door creak open and saw someone coming out towards.
Spike. It was Spike.
"Rarity?" Spike asked as he ran towards them, appropriately panicked. "Are you okay? What happened to you two?"
"Applejack ..." Rarity pointed to Applejack, who was already beginning to crawl away in the hopes of getting her tongue satisfied with white poison. If not from Rarity, then from someone. "She needs more help than I do. Keep ... keep her away from my breasts."
Rarity realized how weird her words must sound to someone who lacked the proper context for them.
"The milk ..." Rarity said. "Don't let her drink ... the milk."
Spike bent down and did his best to support Rarity and help her up. "I know. Come on. Let's get you up."
Rarity reacted quickly and badly to this and pushed him off. "Forget ... about me. Help her!" Rarity let out a groan and collapsed.
"Okay, okay." Spike waved his hands. He looked at Applejack and was thankful she could only crawl. "I'll get her somewhere safe. Lock her up for her own good, and then I'll go get our friends and some extra help, okay? I'll be right back for you, I promise."
"Thank you ..." The last thing Rarity could see was Applejack mustering the strength to stand up on her own two legs, with Spike coming up and grabbing her from behind, wrapping his arms around Applejack's waist. Spike was successful in subduing her, and the last detail Rarity could make out was Spike dragging Applejack by the wrists to the library, before her eyelids got too heavy for her to keep open.
The next thing Rarity knew, there was some warm, flavorless liquid was being poured down her mouth, with the edge of a cup pressed against her lips. She wanted to bolt upright and throttle the offender doing this, thinking they were feeding her fresh white poison from a cup, but she was still too weak. After a minute, she realized it was only warm water.
"There you go ..." Rarity heard someone say. "That should help." Rarity could hear footsteps moving away from her.
Rarity soon felt a hand on her cheek. "Get better soon, Rarity." Rainbow Dash. It was Rainbow Dash speaking, and Rainbow Dash who had a hand on her cheek. "You did good last night ..."
"Guhmm?" Rarity had meant to say something a little more coherent than "Guhmm?" but she was still tired.
"Hey." Rainbow Dash shouted. "Hey, guys, she's waking up!"
"Is she?"
Rarity opened her eyes. The first thing she noticed was how painfully bright all the lights in the room were. It was if they were trying to burn her eyes. The second thing she noticed was Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie hovering over her.
"H ..." Rarity muttered. "Hello."
"Oh!" Fluttershy put her hands on her chest after refraining from having an attack of some kind. "I'm so glad you're okay! You had me and the girls awfully worried there for a minute."
"How ..." Rarity's functions were returning to her, though everyone knew what she meant.
"How did you get here, you mean?" Pinkie Pie said. "Well, it's simple, really! Spike found you exhausted by the library and then he dragged Applejack inside and made sure she couldn't escape, and then he came and got us and we all helped carry you inside! And Fluttershy has been nursing you ever since!"
Rarity's eyes widened.
"Not that kind of nursing!" Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash shouted in unison, knowing exactly where Rarity's mind had went.
"She means nursing you to health." Rainbow Dash said. Rainbow Dash rubbed her hand on Rarity's cheek.
Rarity was silent. She raised her own hand and put it over Rainbow Dash's, guiding Dash's hand as it continued to rub her cheek fondly.
"Applejack." Rarity said. She bolted up, tossing the blanket which had been draped over off. "Where's Applejack?"
"She's upstairs, resting." Fluttershy said. "Spike is watching her right now. You can just relax."
"Oh. Okay." Rarity only now noticed they had set her down on Twilight's couch. "I'm going to go see her."
"Okay." Fluttershy said.
Rarity tossed the blanket off and went up the stairs. She hesitated before entering the room. Was she sure she could bear to see Applejack in her current state? Deciding she to had risk it, Rarity knocked on the door to warn Spike, then entered.
"Hey." Spike said. He was sitting on a chair by the bed, where Applejack lay.
"Hello, Spike, darling." Rarity said. She looked to Applejack. "Is there a spare chair?"
"Yeah, sure." Spike pulled up a chair next to him. "Knock yourself out. Not ... literally, of course."
Rarity chuckled at Spike's awkwardness and took the seat. Rarity placed her hands together. "How are you feeling, Applejack?"
"Better." Applejack said. "But ... I still want some breast milk. Some nice, warm-"
"Yes, yes, very nice." Rarity said, cutting Applejack off before she could go on. "Listen, Applejack, I want to apologize for something. Last night ... someone approached me. They told you had been saying awful things about me, even though I thought we had made up. And I ... I believed them. When I came to your farm last night, it wasn't because I knew Fluer-de-lis was there. It was to confront you. But after all that happened, with Fluer-de-lis there, I should have known ... you would never say those kinds of things, or you would at least have the gall to say them to my face. So for that ... for believing this person ... I'm sorry. I hope you can forgive me."
Applejack rolled over to face Rarity. "Well ... it was a good thing you did believe them, or y'all might not have been there to save me last night."
Rarity made a nervous smile.
"Ugh." Applejack groaned and clutched at her stomach. "I still want it, though ... the milk ... I want it so badly."
"Well, I'm sorry, Applejack, but you can't have any." Rarity snapped. She would remain firm on this. As long as she was on the watch, Applejack would not get a drop of milk. Rarity stood up and turned to Spike. "Spike, whatever you do, make sure she does not get any breast milk."
Spike nodded. "I understand. Hey, do you think giving her some normal milk would help?"
Rarity rubbed her chin. "I hadn't thought of that. On one hand, it might help her with her cravings ... on the other hand, it could make things worse. Or it could not do anything. Best not to risk it, I think."
"Okay." Spike looked at Applejack. "How long do you think this will last?"
"Honestly, Spike, I don't know." Rarity said. "Recovery from ... the slime infection can vary on a number of things. The length of time of exposure, the amount of milk consumed ... the strength of the individual. For some, simply going cold turkey will help. Others require external aid." Rarity looked at Applejack. "All we can do is make sure she doesn't get any breast milk and hope for the best."
Rarity left and walked down the stairs. She returned to the couch and wrapped herself up in the blanket. She raised her eyebrows when Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy proceeded to crowd her.
"Um, Rarity ... we've been meaning to ask ..." Fluttershy said.
"Rarity, what happened last night?" Rainbow Dash asked.
Rarity was about to answer when the front door slammed open.
"Rarity!" Shining Armor, flanked by Silver Lens - as Rarity liked to think of her, Shining Armor's crony - marched into the room. "What did you do?"
"What- what do you mean, what did I do?" Rarity pulled the blanket up over herself, as if it would defend her from Shining Armor's accusation.
"I heard about what happened last night." Shining Armor said. "Word travels fast. What did you do to Applejack?"
"What did I do to Applejack? I saved her! I rescued her! I saved her from Fluer-de-lis!" Rarity stood up, defiant and eager to challenge Shining Armor.
"Fluer-de-lis?" Shining Armor asked.
"Yes! Fluer-de-lis!' Rarity said. "Fancypants' wife? Infected with the slime? Oh, for goodness' sake, Shining Armor, does anybody tell you anything?"
Shining Armor didn't give her the dignity of a response.
Rarity paused. She began to laugh. "No. No, of course they don't. You're the Captain of the Royal Guard! Celestia forbid it if some Guard should lose his job because he told you something you didn't want to hear, because it didn't match with your presupposed, jumped to own conclusion of events!"
"If you're trying to imply my men don't report accurate information to me because they're afraid of me demoting them for telling me something which doesn't match my own views-"
"I'm not implying it; I'm telling it to your big, fat, presumptive FACE!"
Shining Armor grimaced.
Fluttershy threw herself between them before they came to blows. "Um, all right, everyone. That's enough. Why don't we all just separate and take a deep breath before someone says something they'll regret?"
"Someone's already said something they'll regret." Shining Armor snarled.
"Yes, yes, you have." Rarity countered. "I, on the other hand, don't think I've said enough, but I'll leave you be. We wouldn't to make a mess of Twilight's home, would we?" Rarity tossed the blanket off again and stomped out the door.
"You ..." Rainbow Dash raised a fist and prepared to strike Shining Armor. Pinkie Pie stopped her, grabbing Rainbow Dash's arm. Pinkie shook her head, and Rainbow Dash, looking at Fluttershy, lowered her fist.
Rarity closed the door to the library, her hands lingering on the knob. Her eyes got watery. She walked to the side of the door and sat on the grass, using a hand to balance herself as she curled up. She wrapped her arms around her knees and buried her head into her arms, crying softly. After everything she had done, everything she had been through ... some, Shining Armor first and foremost among them, still saw fit to call her a monster.
Rarity didn't raise her head from her arms. If she did, she might have noticed something suspicious about the pair of footsteps which walked past her and opened the door, going inside and closing the door behind them.
Everyone inside was surprised to see Rarity back inside the library, so soon after her and Shining Armor's argument.
"Uh ... hi." Shining Armor said.
"Hello, darlings." Rarity put her hands together, smiling pleasantly. "Where is dear Applejack?"
"She's still upstairs with Spike taking care of her, just like the last time you asked." Pinkie Pie answered.
"Oh, good. I think I'll relieve Spike and give him a break, hmm?" Rarity went up the stairs. The girls could a conversation occur between her and Spike, and Spike came down.
" ... Wait a minute." Shining Armor said. "Rarity already asked us where Applejack was ..."
Pinkie Pie was having the same thought. "And it's not like we're going to move her the way she is right now!"
"So why did she feel the need to ask again?" Shining Armor said.
"I'll go talk to her. See what's up." Rainbow Dash went up the stairs. Her hand on the safety rail, Rainbow Dash's steps slowed to a halt when she heard muttering from the other side of the door.
"Yes, that's it ... "
Rainbow Dash didn't like the sound of it. It sounded the same as when Rarity got to feeding her. Rainbow Dash barged into the room, and what she saw shocked and horrified her.
Rarity was holding Applejack up, arms around Applejack's back, while Applejack's mouth was placed on Rarity's breast, suckling it to her heart's delight.
"Drink as much as you like." Rarity said.
"Rarity? What the Pony Hell are you doing?" Rainbow Dash was hurt and betrayed on two fronts. First, Rarity had said they needed to avoid feeding Applejack any milk. Second, Rarity always promised Rainbow Dash that her milk was reserved for Dash (pity sex with Coco Pommel notwithstanding).
Confused, Rainbow Dash did the only thing she could do; she charged.
"Get off of her!" Rainbow Dash ran towards the bed, meaning to tackle Rarity off, but Rarity raised her hand and a green light flashed through the room.
Rainbow Dash was thrown across the room into the wall. She grabbed hold of a hat rack to stabilize herself and groaned. Looking up, she saw a long-haired woman wearing a corset and dress where Rarity was. Dash recognized her. "Chrysalis!"
"Easy, now." Chrysalis spoke, her voice echoing it on itself like a demon. While her magic dealt with Rainbow Dash, Chrysalis lifted Applejack up off the bed, proving herself strong enough to support Applejack's body weight with only arm. "We wouldn't to interrupt dear Applejack's lunch."
Rainbow Dash got up and made fists.
"Ah, ah, ah." Chrysalis waved her finger. "I wouldn't do that." She placed her free hand on her other exposed breast. "One squirt of my milk gets on you, you'll be helpless before me, just like Twilight Sparkle was. You wouldn't want to betray Rarity by nursing some woman's milk, would you?"
Rainbow Dash wanted to tell Chrysalis she was full of it. Twilight would never abandon them. But she realized Twilight would - Rainbow was an expert on the effects of white poison. The kind of things it could do to a woman ... to her clarity of mind, to her mental health ...
Cursing herself, Rainbow Dash lowered her fists.
"That's a good girl." Chrysalis began to walk out of the room, carrying Applejack. "Just behave and no has to get hurt."
Chrysalis reached the bottom of the stairs, and everyone was right to be alarmed to see her.
"Chrysalis!?" Shining Armor exclaimed.
"How she'd get in here?" Pinkie Pie asked.
"Oh my ... she was Rarity! That's why she had to ask where Applejack was a second time!" Fluttershy realized.
"Yes. Pity you couldn't have figured that out sooner. If you'll excuse me, I'll be making off with Applejack." Chrysalis said, continuing towards the door.
"Oh yeah?" Pinkie Pie made fists. "What makes you so sure about that, huh?"
"Don't."
Rainbow Dash came down the stairs, Pinkie and Fluttershy watching her.
"She's got some crazy thing with her breast milk going on. If you try something, she'll hit you with it."
"Yes." Chrysalis smiled. "So you can try and stop me, and I can make you all my slaves, or you can let me walk away with only Applejack."
Shining Armor tensed his fingers and grimaced. He hated being caught between a rock and a hard place.
Chrysalis opened the door with her foot and walked outside. Shining Armor, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie followed her, to keep an eye on her.
Outside, Rarity heard the sound of footsteps and raised her head up. "What's going on?" She saw Chrysalis carrying Applejack and gasped.
"That's it. Be good boys and girls and just let me escape ..." Chrysalis turned around to walk away, no longer facing them.
Rarity stood up. She looked at the others, at her friends ... at Shining Armor. She looked to Chrysalis, stepped towards, and reached a hand out for her.
"Wait. There's one more thing."
Chrysalis turned back around, giving Rarity an impatient glare. "Yes?"
Rarity took in a deep breath. "Take me with you."
"What?" Rainbow Dash shouted.
"You can't be serious!' Shining Armor said.
"Rarity, no!" Fluttershy squealed.
"Uh, come again?" Even Chrysalis shared in their confusion.
"I want to join you." Rarity said. She walked closer towards Chrysalis and further away from her friends. "My friends, the people of Ponyville ..." Rarity gestured to the surrounding suburbs. "I've seen the way they look at me. I know what they cal me. My friends and I have been having some ... difficulties. And it seems like even if they want to forgive me and get along, they seem unable to. Unable to let go of my past ... and some are convinced I am up to no good, despite a lack of evidence or even evidence to the contrary." Rarity tossed Shining Armor a bitter glare. "So I reason, if I'm still going to be treated as a monster and a outcast, I may as well go with you, a fellow monstrous seductress, to a place where I can belong."
Rarity bent over and rubbed at the tracking bracelet Shining Armor had placed on her leg.
"A place where I can be free." Rarity continued to shoot Shining Armor glares.
Chrysalis rubbed her chin. "Having one of Twilight Sparkle's friends join me willingly of her own accord would be a dream come true ... but how do I know I can trust you? How do I know this isn't a trick?"
Rarity spun her hand through the air and put it behind her back, bowing. "You will have my loyalty. All I ask ..." Rarity got down on one leg, putting the leg with the bejeweled bracelet forward. "Is that you remove this dreadful thing."
Chrysalis put a finger to her chin. She rocked her head, thinking about it. "Done." She pointed at the bracelet and fired a beam of green green magic from her finger.
The bracelet cracked and shattered in half, falling off Rarity's legs.
"Ah." Rarity sighed and rubbed at her legs, feeling the air on her skin again. "That is so much better." Rarity stood up and turned 'round to her friends. "So long, darlings! I'll miss you all so very much." Rarity blew a kiss at them. She pointed a finger at Shining Armor. "Except for you. The next Chrysalis tries to brainwash you, I will be happy to help her."
Rarity took her place by Chrysalis' side. Rarity and Chrysalis exchanged smiles with each other before walking into the distance.
"Rarity, why?" A tear escaped Rainbow Dash's eye, going down her cheek. "You!" She rounded on Shining Armor, grabbing him by the shoulders and shaking him. "See what you did? This is all your fault!" Fluttershy tried to intervene, but before she could do anything, Rainbow Dash pushed Shining Armor to the ground on his back.
Rainbow Dash walked away from him. "Why?" She sank to the ground with her knees bent, tears dripping down her cheeks. Fluttershy sat down next to her and tried to comfort her.
"Why?" Rainbow Dash turned to Fluttershy. "Why would she leave me? Why? Was I - was I not good enough to her?"
"Rainbow Dash, I'm sorry ... I don't know."
Chrysalis led Rarity and Applejack to a cave far outside the south end of Ponyville. At some point, Chrysalis concluded Applejack had enough milk and set on her feet, leaving a groggy Applejack to be guided by Chrysalis' hand like a drowsy puppy. Rarity would almost find it cute if she didn't find it so uncomfortable.
"Here we are." Chrysalis walked them into the caves. They didn't get far before Rarity saw a frizzy-haired woman she didn't recognize come running up to greet them.
"Chrysalis!" Adagio Dazzle exclaimed. "You're back! Ooh." She smiled at Rarity and Applejack. "New toys?"
"Somewhat, yes. This one you can play with." Chrysalis pushed Applejack forward. "This one, however, is named Rarity, and she has chosen to join us."
"Has she now?" Adagio Dazzle asked with a smirk. Rarity wasn't sure why, but way Adagio asked made her uneasy. "Nice to meet you, Rarity. I'm Adagio Dazzle." Adagio offered her hand to Rarity.
"Pleased to meet your acquaintance." Rarity took the hand, but when she did, Adagio Dazzle grabbed by the wrist and pulled Rarity towards her as if they were doing a tango.
"Why don't you come to the back and we can get more ... acquainted?"
"Er, I'd really rather not." Rarity said. "I'm still settling in, as it were."
"I'm here!" Trixie shouted, coming into the room. "I heard talking. What's with all the noise?" Her eyes locked on to Rarity, and she became offended.
"Trixie?"
"What is she doing here?" Trixie pointed to Rarity while turning to Chrysalis.
"Rarity's agreed to join us." Chrysalis said.
Trixie glared at Rarity.
"I know why I'm working with Chrysalis." Rarity said. "Why are you working for her, Trixie? I can't possibly imagine a good reason why ..."
"Because!" Trixie snapped back. "I want revenge on Twilight Sparkle for embarrassing me during that Alicorn Amulet fiasco!"
"You embarrassed yourself with that fiasco, dear." Rarity said. "The last time you tried to get revenge on Twilight didn't work out well in your favor, did it? Did you learn nothing? No. Surely there's more to it than that."
Trixie turned away from Rarity. "Well ... Chrysalis also promised that if I helped her schemes, she would give me everything I ever wanted."
"And what do you want, Trixie?" Rarity asked.
"Adoration." Trixie said. "Hundreds and hundreds of adoring fans, cheering me on the stage and loving my every performance."
"You know ... you could get that without Chrysalis' help." Rarity said. Chrysalis glared at her.
"Really?" Trixie asked.
"Yes. All you have to do is perform well." Rarity said. "If you do that, they'll come flocking to you."
"Rarity ..." Chrysalis was displeased with Rarity suggesting the idea of Trixie getting what she wanted on her own. "Tread carefully."
"Huh." Rarity looked around, examine Chrysalis, Adagio Dazzle, and Trixie. She couldn't be treading more carefully. She was a sheep in a den of lions.
No, no. Sheep don't lactate copious, unnecessary amounts of breast milk ... not more than they need to feed their young, anyway. Rarity thought. They also don't control the slime ... oh, now there's a thought.
"Chrysalis?" Rarity asked. "I haven't seen any slimes around. You do have some, don't you?"
"It's in storage." Chrysalis said. "Until such a time I deem we require its services."
Drat. Rarity snapped her fingers. Well, it was worth a shot ...
Rarity looked around the cave. "You know what else is bothering me, Chrysalis? You said you had Twilight Sparkle, yet the entire time we've been here, I haven't seen her anywhere in this cave. Where is she? Surely you didn't ... lose her, did you?"
Chrysalis narrowed her eyes and sneered. "Rarity ..." Chrysalis walked over to Rarity, bending over to emphasize the difference in their heights. "Did you promise to serve me loyally?"
"As loyally as I ever did promise." Rarity held one had while holding the other over her chest.
"Then you will stop asking questions that I find upsetting." Chrysalis said. "You let me worry about Twilight Sparkle. Understand?"
"Perfectly."
"Good. Now, I need to go draw up some new plans. You can have fun with Applejack while I'm away."
"Oh, goody." Adagio Dazzle grabbed Applejack and pulled her close.
Rarity grabbed Applejack and pulled her away from Adagio. "Actually, do you mind if I have the first turn with her? I'm still settling into my new role, and ..." Rarity ran a hand through Applejack's hand. "It would be nice to have something to remind me of home."
"Fine. I will allow it." Chrysalis said. "But you better not be planning something with her." She pointed a very determined finger at Rarity.
"I wouldn't dream of it." Rarity said as Chrysalis walked deeper into the cave. Trixie left with her.
"Come on." Adagio Dazzle placed a hand on Rarity's shoulder. "I'll show you around."
Adagio Dazzle was a bit too willing to touch her for Rarity's comfort, but she appreciate Adagio showing her around. Chrysalis' group had actually made a comfortable little dwelling inside the cave, complete with beds with mattresses and benches hammered to the edges of the wall.
"And here is a good place to get in with your ... intimate healing." Adagio Dazzle gestured Rarity to a bench in one room. "I'll give you two a minute alone." Adagio Dazzle left out the cave entrance, leaving Rarity and Applejack alone.
Rarity put a hand on Applejack's back and guided towards the bench. Helping Applejack to sit down, Rarity put her hands in her lap and waited for awhile.
"Ugh ..." Applejack groaned, coming out of her funk, her mind clearing up. "Rarity? What happened? Where are we?"
"You were fed white poison." Rarity said. "By Chrysalis. She turned into me and waltzed right in under our noses, and then I defected and joined her side, and she brought us both here."
"You did what? Rarity, why?"
"Calm down." Rarity said. "I haven't really joined her side. And be quiet. If Chrysalis or her cronies hear you talking and thinking clearly, they'll know something's up and it won't be long before they realize my deception."
"Oh. Okay." Applejack said. "So, what do we do?"
"Well, for the time being, we try to make them think you're still helplessly addicted."
"Okay. How do we do that without making me, you know, actually addicted?"
"Simple." Rarity said. She presented her breasts to Applejack, gesturing to them. "Stick your head between my breasts and pretend to suck."
"Do I have to?" Rarity glared and Applejack groaned. "Ugh. Okay." Applejack took in a breath deep breath and plunged her head into Rarity's cleveage, pretending to make slurping noises with her mouth.
"Mm-mm!" Applejack lifted her head up. "This milk sure is good!"
Rarity facepalmed. "Applejack, darling, we have got to get you some lessons. Why don't you leave the acting to me?" Rarity put a hand on Applejack's neck and gently coaxed her back into cleavage.
"Ah-ha!" Adagio Dazzle came back into the room, putting her hands on the 'doorframe.' "I knew it. You haven't really joined us, have you, Rarity?"
Rarity blushed and turned away from Adagio. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh, Rarity, don't try and play dumb with me." Adagio Dazzle walked into the room. "I heard you and Applejack talking."
Rarity grimaced. "All right, fine. What of it? Go tell Chrysalis. I'm not afraid of you."
"Oh, no, no!" Adagio Dazzle said, pacing around the room. "You misunderstand, Rarity. I don't want to tell Chrysalis on you."
Adagio Dazzle sat on the bench. "I want you to join us for real."
"I ... what?"
"I've heard a lot about you, Rarity." Adagio Dazzle said. "The things you're capable ... the things you can do ... and I know you've haven't been on the best terms with your friends lately."
"We're ... getting better." Rarity said.
"Ah, but are you? What about that Captain fellow? He put a bracelet on you, didn't he?" Adagio Dazzle got up and began walking around the room. "Come on, Rarity. You're pretty. You're sexy. You're seductive and oh, the things I hear you can do with your breast milk!"
Adagio Dazzle got behind Rarity and whispered into her ear. "You belong with us. Just imagine it. With your knowledge of your friends and your close connection with Celestia, between you, me, and Chrysalis, we could take over all of Equestria with our wits, good looks, and charms. We could become the sex queens of Equestria. Ha! "Sex Queens of Equestia." Now there's you a good name for a rock band!"
Adagio Dazzle separated from Rarity.
"Think about it." Adagio said.
Rarity was silent. Applejack kept her head down in Rarity's cleavage, trying not to draw attention to herself.
"Tell you what." Adagio Dazzle examined her nails. "I'll tell you what I'm gonna do. In thirty minutes, that is, half an hour, I'm going to tell Chrysalis about your deception either way. In that time, you can decide whether you escape with Applejack, or if you want to join us for real. Your choice." Adagio Dazzle walked out of the room, her hips swaying back and forth.
When she was gone, Applejack dared to raise her head up. Applejack looked towards the entrance, then back to Rarity. "So ... what are y'all goin' to do?"
"I don't know, Applejack." Rarity said. "She does bring up a good point ... Shining Armor has been giving me a bit of grief."
"Aw, Rarity, you can't let a thing like that convince you to turn your back on friends! On Equestria!"
"I know, I know." Rarity said. "But still ... it's difficult." She scooted to the side of the bench. "I continue to be called a monster for things that were done years ago. Shining Armor is determined to see me in prison, and some of Ponyville still fear me ... and if they don't fear me, they mock me and call me names."
"Rarity ..." Applejack brushed Rarity's hair up so she could look her in the eye. "What's your real face? Monster? Milk addict? Femme fatale? Abuser?"
"Why?" Rarity asked.
"So we can all quit lying and pretending everything is okay when it isn't, it really isn't. So can we all quit lying to each other. So we can all quit lyin' to ourselves - so you can quit lyin' to yourself. And that would be a heck of lot of easier if we all knew what you really are. So ... what's your real face?"
" ... I don't know, Applejack."
"I see." Applejack looked at the ground. "Hey, listen ... I know we haven't all treated you the best lately, if y'all decide you want to go with Adagio ... I understand."
Rarity joined Applejack in looking at the ground. "I ... appreciate that, Applejack."
"So," Applejack decided to ask the question again, hoping it would net more results the second time. "What are y'all gonna do?"
Rarity straightened up and looked at Applejack. "Isn't it obvious?"
"Oh, I knew it was too good to be true!" Chrysalis ranted and swore as Adagio Dazzle led her to Rarity's room. "I should have known better!"
"Now, now." Adagio Dazzle said. "If you'll give Rarity the chance to explain herself, she might surprise you. If she admits she wronged you, will you still accept her?"
"I suppose."
"Great. Glad to hear it." Adagio Dazzle smirked. Brimming with confidence Rarity would chose their side, she stepped into the room. Her eyes widened and she grimaced when she saw both Rarity and Applejack had disappeared.
"Darn." Adagio snapped her fingers. "I was really hoping she would choose us ..." Adagio looked at Chrysalis, who was shaking with rage.
"Hey." Adagio placed a hand on Chrysalis's cheek. "I know what will cheer you up. Why don't you use your transformation magic to turn me into Celestia, and then we have some fun together? Huh? Doesn't the idea of Celestia kneeling at your feet appeal to you?"
"That ... does sound appealing." Chrysalis said. "Oh, all right." She waved her finger and zapped Adagio Dazzle, who was transformed instantly into a perfect physical double of Celestia. Smiling, Adagio Dazzle wrapped her arms around Chrysalis, pressing their chests together in a squishy, affectionate display.
Out in the forest, Sunset Shimmer yawned and stretched after having a good night's sleep. "Hey, Honeycomb." Sunset Shimmer noticed Honeycomb had built several, well, honeycombs into a structure on the ground. "What's all this?"
"These are, mmm, honeycombs for the conversions." Honeycomb said.
"Conversions?" Sunset raised her brow. "What does that mean?"
"Conversions." Honeycomb said as she carried a block of honeycomb shells over to the structure, setting it down on top. "For turning others into fellow bees for the hive."
"Uh-huh." Sunset nodded. She wasn't going to try and pretend like she understood Honeycomb's weirdness. "Hey ..." She noticed something a bit ... odd about the honeycombs. They all individually quite big. Big enough to hold an adult person ...
As if confirming her developing suspicions, Sunset Shimmer saw Twilight Sparkle, crawling inside one of the honeycombs at Honeycomb's urging.
"That's it ... good girl." Honeycomb told Twilight. Twilight, still in a trance with blank, unthinking eyes, nodded. A waterfall of honey fell from the top of the honeycomb, which dripped down and solidified into a golden, crystal wall, sealing Twilight Sparkle inside. The honeycomb began to fill with honey, oozing and dripping golden liquid from its walls until Twilight was covered in the substance up to her knees. The level of honey continued rising until Twilight was submerged in the liquid.
"I ... didn't ask you to do that." Sunset Shimmer tensed her fingers, getting a little worried. Maybe recruiting Honeycomb to her side hadn't been the best idea.
As she was worrying about this, she felt something grip her by the arm.
"In you go."
"What? Hey!" Sunset Shimmer yelled as Honeycomb tossed her inside one of the people-sized honeycombs. Sunset tried to get out, but it was too late; the waterfall was already flowing and beginning to solidify. Sunset Shimmer banged her fists on the honey casing, trying to break it. "Let me out!"
"I thought this was, mmm, what you wanted, Mistress" Honeycomb said. "I thought you, mmm, understood what you were dealing with."
"I never said I wanted to be drowned in honey!" Sunset Shimmer banged on the casing again. The honey began to flow inside her prison.
"My apologies, Mistress. But it's too late to stop it now." Honeycomb flapped her wings and flew away, off to gather more honey and more victims.
"Honeycomb!" Sunset Shimmer banged her fists on the casing, despite her efforts being fruitless. "Let me out!" The honey had gotten so deep as to reach up to Sunset's neck. Sunset, terrified, began to cry. She continued banging on the casing. "LET ME OUT!"
Realizing it wasn't going to work, Sunset gave up on banging the basing. Crying softly, there was nothing she could do as the honey continued to rise, leaking into her mouth as it submerged her whole body.
In the cave, Adagio Dazzle and Chrysalis rolled around on the large, smooth rock they used as an improvised bed. Adagio Dazzle, wearing Celestia's form, giggled, enjoying herself, though Chrysalis paused after she was on her back, losing herself in thought.
"Chrysalis?" Adagio pressed her chest into Chrysalis's. "What's wrong?"
Chrysalis frowned. She raised a hand and counted off her losses. "I've lost Rarity as a potential ally ... I lost Twilight Sparkle ... I lost the Citrus Slime for a time before regaining it ... my plans will never come to fruition at this rate if I keep getting sidetracked by these distractions. I need to gain an edge and press my advantage with that."
Chrysalis continued thinking, apathetic to Adagio Dazzle's hands digging into her cleavage.
"I've got it." Chrysalis snapped her fingers. "I was able to kidnap Cadence and imitate her, and no one was the wiser except for Twilight Sparkle. Twilight Sparkle is now more or less out of commission, so if I could get in and kidnap Cadence again ... no one would have a clue. Playtime's over, Adagio Dazzle. We're going to the Crystal Empire. My spies report Cadence has been hanging around there as of late ..."
Chrysalis pushed Adagio Dazzle off her, sending Adagio rolling. Adagio grunted when she hit the cave floor. "Oof."
Adagio stood up and rubbed her head, watching with concern as Chrysalis marched off. "Chrysalis, are you sure that's a good idea? Not that I'm questioning your strategy, but ... I can see you're frustrated. I just want to consider the consequences of acting rashly. Think about it. Is this really what you want to do?"
Chrysalis looked to Adagio Dazzle.
"I've thought about it. We're still going. Go grab Trixie and get ready." Chrysalis snapped her fingers.
"Your wish is my command ... however ill-advised a wish it may be." Adagio bowed.
In the forest, Aria Blaze returned to Sunset's camp site.
"All right, I'm back from meeting with some friends." Aria rubbed her hands, ready to get down to business. She noticed the stack of people-sized honeycombs. "Whoa. What's with the construction project there?"
"It is for, mmm, conversions." Honeycomb answered. "Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer are in the process now."
"Huh. Really?" Aria asked. "You're ... not gonna do that to me, are you?"
"Mmm ... I was, but when I placed Sunset inside, she was most upset, so, mmm ... I think not. Unless you want to."
Aria cast her gaze on the honeycombs.
"Not right now ... but maybe later." Aria tapped her chin. "I like to keep my options open."
The honeycombs let out gurgling noises, and the golden membranes covering them began to stretch.
"Oh!" Honeycomb put her hands together. "It's time! They're ready."
The honeycombs released a huge splash of golden liquid, spitting out both honey mixed with conversion fluid and releasing Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer. Twilight and Sunset slid around on the liquid, needing a moment to adjust to their new bodies. They both were near-exact matches for Honeycomb's body, except for retaining their original faces, hair, and proportions of their limbs. Sunset Shimmer had antennae on her head which ended in in white fuzzy limps, which bounced as Sunset sat upright.
"Hmm." Sunset put a hand to the lumps, wincing when she touched them.
"Careful." Honeycomb warned her. "Those are sensitive."
"So ... we're both bee-women now." Sunset said. "Now what's our plan? Bzzt!" Sunset covered her mouth as though she was experiencing a bad case of hiccups.
"I'm, mmm, not sure. I did not, mmm, plan that far ahead." Honeycomb said.
"You know ... I haven't seen my friends in a long while." Twilight said. "Oh! Oh!" She raised her hand. "I have an idea! We should go to the Crystal Empire."
"The Crystal Empire? What's there for us, bzzt?" Sunset asked.
"Mm-hmm." Aria nodded. "So is having some weird verbal tic like, a species trait for you?" She asked Honeycomb.
"Mmm, it's common, but not always."
"My old foalsitter, Cadence, is in the Crystal Empire." Twilight said. "And the best part is, we can just walk right in! We'll go up to her, tell her that we know there's a cure for us, and then manipulate her into advancing our goals while thinking it's all to help us." Twilight swiped a fist through the air.
"It's devious. It's manipulative. It involves you lying and tricking somebody who loves and trusts you. I love it! And I know there's got to be a magical artifact or two in the Empire ..." Sunset raised her fist. She turned around and observed the huge stinger making up her abdomen. "A cure, huh? ... that would be nice." Sunset shook her head. This was what the path she had chosen to go down on had led her to, and she was going to stay the course.
Sunset stood up and pumped her fist, putting on a crazed grin. "Ladies, looks like we're going to the Crystal Empire!"
Chrysalis, Adagio Dazzle, and Trixie made their way to the Crystal Empire. Adagio was back to her regular appearance; given what she was doing, it would be easy for Cadence to figure out she wasn't the real Celestia, so what would be the point?
With Chrysalis's guidance, the three of them were able to slip by unseen and go around to the side of the Crystal Castle.
"Here we are." Chrysalis said. "We'll get in by climbing. The Guards are less likely to see us that way. Hup!" Chrysalis yelped and jumped onto the side of the castle, digging her hands into and climbing up.
"Um ... Trixie does not do so well with climbing." Trixie said.
"Very well, Trixie. Perhaps you would to grab on to my foot and hold on to that while I climb?" Chrysalis asked.
Trixie was unsettled by the mental image of such an action. She imagined Chrysalis banging her on rocks and loose stones, ignoring her cries of protests. "No."
"Then shut up and start climbing."
Trixie gulped. Though nervous, she followed Chrysalis's lead. Adagio Dazzle soon joined them.
"Chrysalis, are you sure this is the best idea?" Adagio Dazzle asked. "It still seems like you're acting rashly ..."
"Yes, I'm sure, and I'm going to tell you the same thing I told Trixie; shut up and climb."
Adagio Dazzle sighed. "As you wish, Mistress ..."
High, high up in the castle, with several floors between them and the invaders whose presence they were unaware of, Cadence, Shining Armor, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash got together in a meeting to discuss the recent developments of Rarity's defection.
"So, let me make sure I have this right. You're trying to tell me that Rarity ... joined Chrysalis?" Cadence asked, holding her fingers up.
"Yes! What about that is so hard to understand?" Shining Armor said.
"Mainly the part where Rarity has any reason to join Chrysalis - who, it should be remembered, has the capacity to brainwash people. Why would Rarity do that?"
"Why?" Rainbow Dash asked, cradling up on a chair. "Why would she leave me?"
"I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash, I don't know." Cadence said. "I don't know why Rarity would leave you. From what I've heard, despite the ... problematic origins of your relationship, you've been nothing but good to her."
"Rainbow Dash, I'm sorry." Fluttershy put a hand on Rainbow Dash's shoulder. "I don't know what you could have possibly done ..."
"Yeah ..." Rainbow Dash lifted her head up, her tears drying."Or maybe it wasn't anything I did." She glanced at Shining Armor. "Maybe it was something someone else did." Rainbow Dash unfurled from her position and got up, walking towards Shining Armor.
"What are you implying?" Shining Armor asked.
"I'm implying Rarity leaving was because of something you did, you jerk." Rainbow Dash said, walking up to Shining Armor. "She told me about the bracelet. How you put a tracking device on her because you thought she kidnapped Twilight."
Cadence raised an eyebrow. "Shining Armor? Is this true?"
"Well ... yes." Shining Armor said. "I didn't have any other good suspects at the time!"
"Oh, Shining ..." Cadence placed a hand over her eyes, though she sounded more as though she was putting up more with Shining Armor's wacky antics than dealing with his violation of a citizen's rights.
"She also told me about how you had two Guards and the bracelet ready to go at the snap of a finger." Rainbow Dash said.
"Yeah? What about it?"
Rainbow Dash walked up to Shining Armor, getting into his face.
"You were never going to give her a chance, were you?"
"Ugh!" Pinkie groaned. "Enough! I'm tired of hearing you guys fight! Rarity's still on our side, you guys!"
Rainbow Dash waved her hand, keeping her hate-filled eyes on Shining Armor. "What side Rarity is on isn't the issue anymore, Pinkie Pie, it's about Shining Armor carrying out his grudge. Wait ... did you say Rarity was still on our side?"
"Uh, yeah?" Pinkie Pie said.
"Pinkie, how could you possibly know that?" Shining Armor said. "I mean, you saw what she did, right? Heard what she said?"
"Yes! Didn't you?" Pinkie threw her hands in the air.
"Um, Pinkie Pie? I'm beginning to get the sense you know something we don't." Fluttershy said.
"It's looking like it!"
"Okay. Do you, um, care to share what that is?" Shining Armor gestured for Pinkie to take the floor.
Pinkie Pie raised a finger, willing to tell them whatever it was.
She was interrupted by the door to the room being blown open, engulfed by an explosion of green magic and emerald flames.
"Ah-ha!" Chrysalis announced, marching into the room. "Cadence, we meet again!" Chrysalis was as surprised to see everyone there as they were to see her. "Okay, um ..." She pointed to Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Shining Armor in turn. "You, you, you, and you weren't supposed to be here for this."
"Sorry to disappoint." Cadence clenched her fists, blue fire surrounding them."Get behind me, everyone!"
Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash complied.
Shining Armor stepped forward and raised a magical force field between Chrysalis and them.
"Oh. That's cute." Chrysalis said. "But it won't save you." She snapped her fingers, and Adagio Dazzle and Trixie came into the room.
"Trixie?" Rainbow Dash asked. "And some ... weird hair metal singer?"
"What are you doing with Chrysalis, Trixie?" Pinkie Pie asked.
"Does it matter?" Rainbow Dash asked. "She's clearly on her side! Hey ... where's Rarity, you jerks?"
"Rarity could not be present for this outing." Chrysalis said, trying to hide the fact she lost control of Rarity. It wouldn't look good to her reputation, and it could embolden Cadence and her friends to know.
Chrysalis and Trixie opened fire on the force field, pelting it with magical blasts. They had minimal effect, and when Shining Armor saw their chance, he opened up a hole in the force field, allowing Cadence to retaliate with blue bolts of magic.
Chrysalis, Trixie, and Adagio Dazzle split up and ducked for cover around the room. Chrysalis snarled and fired again, achieving nothing as the force field absorbed her blasts.
"Come on, let me out." Rainbow Dash. "I can take one or two of them!"
"Sorry, Rainbow Dash." Cadence said. "Too risky. I'm not letting them hit you with something to warp your mind."
"Yeah." Shining Armor said. "According to Rainbow Dash, Chrysalis has - ugh - breast milk similar to the Slime's which can brainwash on contact."
"On contact? That's not good." Cadence said. "At least with the slimes, you had to ingest it."
Shining Armor opened up the force field again, and Cadence did her best to hit Chrysalis with a spell. This stalemate might have gone on forever, or at least until both parties got fed up and agreed to a ceasefire, where it not for a trio of bees and one passenger crashing through the window and into the force field.
"Are you sure this is a good ideaaaaaaa?" Aria Blaze asked, riding on the back of Honeycomb, her question coming too late to stop her party as they smashed through the window and ended up with their legs against the force field, their faces flattened into it.
"What the?" Shining Armor asked. The sight of Twilight's face startled him enough he dropped the force field, which had the effect of dropping Twilight, Sunset, Honeycomb, and Aria to the floor.
"Shining Armor! Cadence!" Twilight said, pushing herself up, no worse for the wear for having smashed through a window and being dropped to the floor. "I'm so glad you're here! We could really use your help. See, we all got turned into this bee things you see, and we need your help to cure us!"
"O ... kay." Cadence said. "I'll be happy to help you and your new friends, Twilight, but can it wait?" Cadence tried to look over Twilight's shoulder at Chrysalis. "I'm kinda in the middle of something here."
"Hey ... wait a minute." Adagio Dazzle. "I recognize that bee-woman there." She pointed to Honeycomb. "She's a creature Chrysalis summoned who decided she'd rather hang out with that red-haired women there instead! And she wasn't a bee before! Don't trust any of them, Princess Cadence!"
Twilight turned around, offended, her stinger raising up. "And why she should trust your word over mine?"
"That's a good question." Cadence asked. "Why should I trust your word over Twilight's? You're a stranger working with Chrysalis, and I've known Twilight most of my life."
"True." Adagio Dazzle. "So, what would it take to get you to trust me?" Adagio Dazzle flashed a grin.
Cadence could only react in confusion.
"Oh, forget this. Twilight, your plan is never going to work at this rate." Sunset Shimmer said. She deployed the finger-stingers which came with her new form and pounced on Cadence, aiming to sting her and inject her with delicious honey. Cadence was too fast for Sunset, kicking Sunset Shimmer in the stomach before the stingers had a chance to make contact.
Following this, the room descended into a free-for-all melee.
Aria Blaze went up to Adagio Dazzle and locked her hands with her, getting into a grapple.
"Say, have I seen you somewhere before?" Aria Blaze asked coyly.
"I've never seen you before in my life!" Adagio Dazzle, making sure to to let the whole room hear her so no one outside of Chrysalis's circle got suspicious. With the two of them fighting each other, they could "take care" of each other in the sense of the fight while making sure neither one of them got injured.
Fluttershy tried to stay to find somewhere to hide - fighting wasn't her style - but she ran into Honeycomb. "Eep! Umm, hello, Miss Bee Woman. Say, I'm really good at talking to animals, so if you want to sit down and have a nice talk instead of fighting -"
Honeycomb cared not about what Fluttershy had to say, attempting to strike Fluttershy with her finger-stingers.
"Eep!" Fluttershy squealed and backed away, managing to dodge the stinger.
"Hey!" Pinkie threw herself between Honeycomb and Fluttershy. "You leave poor Fluttershy alone!" Pinkie proceeded to keep Honeycomb at bay with an impressive-seeming display of wild punches and kicks, but Honeycomb saw through her ruse and realized Pinkie had no idea what she was doing. Honeycomb lunged forward and grabbed Pinkie, wrapping her arms around her throat.
"Oh, you will make a fine specimen, mmm, yes ..." Honeycomb raised a hand to inject Pinkie Pie with a golden substance.
Fluttershy saw this and her jaw dropped. Rage and fear for Pinkie's safety overtaking her natural tendency towards cowardice and non-combative roles, Fluttershy ran over and picked up the recliner Rainbow Dash had been sitting in.
"Get your hands off my friend!" With adrenaline surging through her, Fluttershy threw the chair at Honeycomb.
It was Honeycomb's turn to squeal. Seeing the chair fly after her, Honeycomb tossed Pinkie Pie to the ground and flew away to avoid it. The chair flew over Pinkie Pie and smashed into Honeycomb, bringing her down to the floor.
Rainbow Dash went up to Trixie. It was a bad match-up for Trixie, as Rainbow Dash was more than willing to turn Trixie into a punching bag for her frustrations.
"Fool!" Trixie gloated. "You are no match for the magical show-stopping ability of the great and powerful -"
Rainbow Dash interrupted Trixie by slugging her hard across the cheek. Before Trixie could recover, Rainbow Dash grabbed Trixie by the shirt and rammed her into the wall. Rainbow Dash braced an arm against Trixie's neck to keep her pinned. Not taking any chances, Rainbow slammed a fist into Trixie's stomach, knocking the wind out of her.
Chrysalis and Cadence continued to exchange fire. Chrysalis fired a beam of green energy which Cadence jumped over, using her wings to extend her air time before blasting Chrysalis in the stomach with a blue bolt.
"I have had enough of this. It's time for a change of tact ..." Chrysalis reached a finger into her dress and ran her finger across her breast, getting a little bit of milk on it. Aiming her finger at Cadence, Chrysalis fired a blast from it - with the magic touching the milk as it left her finger, the milk's properties would transfer to the spell. Or so Chrysalis hoped. Chrysalis fired another bolt, hoping to distract Cadence so the first one would hit her.
Cadence saw through Chrysalis's deception. Cadence raised both her hands and fired, not at Chrysalis, but at the bolts themselves. Cadence's blue bolts hit Chrysalis's green bolts in mid-air, causing them to splinter into several, smaller, less powerful bolts which flew off into eight different directions. Some of the magical shrapnel hit Chrysalis in the gut. Some of it - including the milk-touched portion if it - struck Cadence in the side, causing Cadence to bend over in pain.
Chrysalis smiled at the opportunity. Chrysalis raised both her hands, preparing spells in both of to hit Cadence with it and end her, or at least claim victory. Cadence looked up to see Chrysalis looming over her, green fire in her hands and a mad grin on her face.
Chrysalis's grin disappeared when something struck her in the back, sending her forward and interrupting her spells. Cadence wondered who did such a thing, but she wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Putting both her hands out, Cadence let out two huge blasts from her palm which smashed into Chrysalis's midsection and sent her flying, throwing her out the door and into the hall. With Chrysalis out of the way, Cadence could see Rarity standing in the doorway.
"Rarity?" Cadence asked. Was Rarity the one who saved her?
"Girls!" Chrysalis screamed. "We're done here! We're fighting a losing battle! Let's go!"
Rarity gathered magic in her hands, preparing to hit Chrysalis with a powerful spell. Rarity fired and Chrysalis rolled out the way, causing a small explosion to rock the hallway. Chrysalis fired at Rarity, who ducked and dodged.
Chrysalis fired into the room, hitting Rainbow Dash and throwing her to the ground, getting off Trixie. Trixie took the chance to escape.
"Okay, Aria, you can stop now." Adagio Dazzle said. Aria continued to hold a tight grip, glaring at Adagio. "Aria? Aria Blaze, you can stop now. Really."
Aria said nothing. If anything, she tightened her grip.
Adagio Dazzle, seeing little other choice, kicked Aria in the stomach, pushing her away and allowing Adagio to escape. Adagio Dazzle proceeded to join Chrysalis and Trixie, and with the three of them together, they ran down the hall, evading massive blasts from Rarity's magic.
"GUARDS!" Cadence screamed. "THREE INTRUDERS IN THE HALLWAY ATTEMPTING TO ESCAPE!" Even though Cadence thought the Guards being able to handle Chrysalis was a long shot. Judging from the sounds of magical fire being exchanged in the hallway, she was right.
Rarity came into the room, holding Applejack. "Go get them, tiger." Rarity tossed Applejack into the air and proceed to use her magic to hold Applejack suspended in the air before flinging her onto Sunset Shimmer.
Applejack wrapped her arms around Sunset Shimmer's throat, attempting to choke her into submission.
"What? Hey! Bzzt! Get off of me, bzzt!" Sunset clawed at Applejack's arms, trying to pry her off.
"Stop saying 'bzzt'." Applejack said.
"I can't - bzzt - help it. Bzzt!"
Sunset Shimmer was successful in prying Applejack off and threw her to the ground. Her victory didn't last long, as Rarity struck her in the back with magic. Rarity lacked the raw power of Cadence and Twilight, or Twilight's skill, but she made up for it with precise aiming and repeated blows, seeking to wear her foes down by sustained firepower and attrition.
"Gah!" Sunset clutched at her back as Rarity hit it again. "That's it! Let's get out of here!" Sunset and Honeycomb flew over to Aria Blaze and picked up her by the arms, holding her by one arm each, and flew out the window. Twilight joined them.
Rarity continued to fire on them, pursuing them all the way to the window with a calm stride to her movements. Seeing the bees fly away from the castle, Rarity fired through the open window, though she only succeeded in hitting Twilight Sparkle and sending her into a tailspin, off-course from the other bees.
Twilight, thus separated, proceeded to fly in a different direction than the rest of them.
"Twilight, no!" Sunset Shimmer yelled. "Don't get separated from the rest of the hive!"
"Sorry, Sunset Shimmer." Twilight said. "But there's something I want. Something I didn't realize I wanted as badly as I did until Chrysalis showed me the light. I'm going to go see Celestia, ha-ha!" Twilight continued flying her own way, and Sunset, dividing Aria Blaze's weight with Honeycomb, couldn't do much about it.
Rarity watched as all of them faded into specks in the distance. She turned around to face the group, who were, except for Pinkie and Applejack, all regarding her with equal parts awe and fear.
"You're ... you're back." Rainbow Dash said.
"I know."
Rarity walked up to Rainbow Dash, placing a hand on Rainbow's cheek.
"And I am so sorry I left you, my love."
Rainbow Dash, unable to bear the thought of being separated again, grabbed Rarity's wrist to hold her close.
" ... don't do that to me again."
"I'll try not to."
"Whoa, whoa, time-out." Shining Armor made a T-shape with his hands. "Not that this isn't very sweet, but Rarity, you've got some explaining to do. I thought you were on Chrysalis's side?"
"I was never on Chrysalis's side." Rarity said.
Shining Armor was reduced to unintelligible stammering. "But - at the library! You ... and Chrysalis ... and Applejack! With the bracelet!"
"The bracelet you unjustly put on me, I might add."
Fluttershy walked up and put a hand on Shining Armor to help him calm down. "We all heard what you said, Rarity. So how can you say you were never on Chrysalis's side?"
"Yeah." Rainbow Dash said. "I'd like to know that myself."
"Oh, COME ON!" Pinkie Pie yelled. "Am I the only one who noticed she had her fingers crossed?"
A din of silence fell over the room.
"Thank you, Pinkie Pie." Rarity said. "I'm glad at least one of you noticed that ..."
"What?" Shining Armor swore.
"When she was talking to us and making all those gestures," Pinkie mimed the movements Rarity made while she offering her feigned fealty to Chrysalis, "she had one hand to Chrysalis and one hand to us. Like this, see? When she was going, 'I'll miss you all so much, darlings!' She had one hand here ..." Pinkie mimed blowing a kiss the same way Rarity did with one hand. "And her other hand here!" Pinkie wiggled with her other hand, placing it in front of her stomach the way Rarity had, with the index and middle fingers crossed.
"Yes." Rarity said. "I had hoped to infiltrate Chrysalis's organization and learn more about what she was up to. But unfortunately, Adagio Dazzle figured out what I was up when she overhead me talking with Applejack, and I had to cut that plan short. It was, however, not a complete loss."
Rarity reached into her cleavage. She pulled out a dark-colored book with intimidating sculpting on the cover.
"You store things in your cleavage?" Shining Armor said. "I'll never be able to get over that. How did you even fit an entire book in there?"
"Is that ...?" Cadence asked.
"The book the slimes were summoned out from? Yes. I was able to swipe it away from under Chrysalis's nose."
"Rarity, that's great!" Cadence held out her hand. "Give it here and we can burn it."
Rarity wrapped her arms around the book. "Actually, Cadence, I was hoping I could keep the book. You know, for research. Study it, figure out potential ways to fight the slime."
Cadence furrowed her brow. "Rarity, don't play this game with me. You don't want it for research. You want it for leverage."
"Goodness!" Rarity held up the book up. "Something that makes Shining Armor afraid? What could I possibly want with that? I mean, it's not like Equestria's highest-ranking law official is gunning after me for something I wasn't responsible for!"
"What about that time you tried to force-feed Applejack?" Shining Armor asked. "You know, a few days ago?"
"That was ... a mistake." Rarity admitted. "I was under some pressure, and it seem like everything around me was falling apart. A sensation, I'll add, that you've not done much to help with, Shining Armor."
"Oh, a mistake, huh? Is that how you justify it?" Shining Armor asked. "Just a little tiny mistake where you forced your breast into your friend's mouth?"
"I never said it was a tiny mistake." Rarity countered. "You know, I've been thinking, Shining Armor, and something's occurred to me. When you came to my house recently, demanding to know the location of where I allegedly took your sister, you already had two guards and a bracelet ready for me."
"Yeah. So? What's your point?"
Rarity affixed Shining Armor with one of the coldest glares Shining Armor had seen.
"You were never going to give me a chance, were you?" Rarity asked.
Shining Armor was shaken, while Rainbow Dash felt smug and satisfied.
Shining Armor recovered. "Not to someone who force-feeds her own friends, no. I'm not."
"Aw, hey now ... Rarity and I talked that out. Sure, I didn't appreciate getting my face stuffed with milk, but we decided to forgive each other." Applejack said. "So quit throwin' it in her face. Besides, Rarity's not a bad sort, she's just ..." Applejack looked to Rarity and turned silent.
"Just? Well, come on, Applejack. Spit it out. What am I?"
Applejack gave her a stare.
"You're ... broken. That's what."
"Broken." Rarity repeated. She tossed the book up in the air and caught it. She proceed to walk out the door. "Broken. Huh." Holding the book, Rarity walked out the door.
"Rarity?" Cadence said. She marched after Rarity, shaking her fist. "Rarity Belle, give me that book! Ogh ..." Cadence groaned, clutching at her side where Chrysalis's magic hit her earlier. Shining Armor and Applejack rushed to prop her up and give her physical support.
Aria Blaze walked into the cave. Adagio Dazzle was helping Chrysalis over to a place where she could rest after the failure they had today.
"I got your message. You wanted to see me?" Aria Blaze asked.
Adagio Dazzle was surprised. She evidently wasn't expecting Aria to arrive so soon. After making sure Chrysalis was comfortable on her bench, Adagio Dazzle joined Aria.
"Yes. I wanted to ask you about the battle we just had." Adagio placed her hands on her hips. "Specifically, why you didn't stop when I told you to? My part in the fight was over."
"What ... can I say?" Aria shrugged. "I was ... in character."
"Hmm." Adagio frowned, not satisfied with this answer.
"Will that be all?"
"Mmm. For now. But don't do it again." Adagio Dazzle directed a pointed finger at Aria, warning her not to try something like this again.
"Oh, rest assured. I won't."
Aria and Adagio turned and walked away from each other, Aria exiting the cave and Adagio returning to Chrysalis.
Adagio paused, having a spark of an idea. "Oh! I just had an idea!"
"What?" Chrysalis asked.
"Well ... as we were running away from the castle, I thought I overheard Twilight Sparkle say something about going to see Celestia."
"Yes. I heard it too, through the window. What of it?"
"Well ..." Adagio swept one leg in front of the other. "I know you liked having Twilight Sparkle in your possession ... and we both know that you can turn me into a perfect copy of Celestia."
"Where are you going with this?"
"Where I am going ... is that you can turn me into a copy of Celestia, and then I can find Twilight Sparkle and bring her back here." Adagio approached Chrysalis, draping an arm on Chrysalis's shoulders. "It's a simple plan. All I have to do is make sure no one sees me and the real Celestia together, and it'll be as easy as pie."
"Hmm." Chrysalis rubbed a finger against her chin. "Given how well the last plan I had involving duplicating someone went today, you can understand why I might be hesitant ... but on the other hand, at this point I'm willing to try anything." Chrysalis waved her finger around, encircling it in green flames.
"I won't come back empty-handed." Adagio Dazzle assured Chrysalis, seconds before Chrysalis zapped her with the spell.
Shining Armor and Applejack carried Cadence to the bedroom, lying Cadence down on her back on the bed and pulling the blanket up over her.
"Just hold on." Shining Armor told his wife, taking her hand. "We'll figure out what's wrong with you."
"Y'all get plenty of rest, ya hear? Y'all probably need it after that fight." Applejack said.
"Stay in bed, okay?" Shining Armor asked.
"Okay ..." Cadence answered.
Shining Armor and Applejack left the room.
"Hey." Shining Armor called to a passing Guard. "Cadence is in our room, resting. We're going to try and figure out what's wrong with her. Would you mind standing guard and checking up on her every few minutes?"
The Guard nodded.
"Thanks." Shining Armor and Applejack left to join the other girls and discuss what could be afflicting Cadence.
The Guard stood in front of the door, his serious expression never faltering.
Inside the room, Cadence began to groan. "Ooh ... ugh." She twisted and turned.
The Guard stood at his post, resolute. He was determined he would not leave this spot. He shivered when a cold air blew out from behind the door. When he heard the sound of what seemed to be cracking ice, he grew concerned. He turned around to open the door and was startled to see ice climbing out from the doorway onto the walls.
Fearful, but vigilant to his duties, the Guard opened the door and peeked his head inside. "Princess Cadence? Is everything all right?"
Cadence was sitting upright on the bed, shivering and rubbing her arms together. Her skin was turning pale and bluish, as if she had been holding her breath for too long.
Cadence turned towards him with a bitter, irritated glare. "Why is it so warm in here?" She growled at him, her voice hoarse.
The Guard stepped inside the room. The first thing he noticed was his boot coming down on some ice, which had covered the floor. "The room is covered in ice, Princess. I don't see how you can think it's so warm, unless you're running a fever. Are you feeling okay?"
"I'm fine. Just a little warm, that's all." Cadence hissed.
The Guard looked around the room. "Come to think of it, where did all this ice come from?"
"That's not important." Cadence said. "Go back to your post."
"Okay ..." The Guard grew concerned. He closed the door. He stood by the door, wondering if he should report this to Shining Armor. Ice growing on the walls was little strange, but the Princess had told him it wasn't important.
The Guard's uncertainty was addressed by an icy breeze blowing out from around the door, sending snow into the hallway. He was about to dash off and get Shining Armor when Cadence spoke.
"Actually ... Guard?"
The Guard opened the door by slight amount, only enough for him to peek inside. "Uh, yes, Princess Cadence?"
"Would you get me Shining Armor? I want to see him ..."
"Oh. At once, ma'am."
"Thank you ..."
The Guard closed the door. He had already determined he needed to get Shining Armor, but hearing Princess Cadence ask for him by name made him feel better about the decision, somehow. He ran down the hallway and found Shining Armor, bringing him back to the room.
"This better be good ..." Shining Armor muttered, not pleased at having to leave his conversation.
"Trust me, sir." The Guard said. "You're gonna want to see this." He opened the door for Shining.
Shining Armor went inside and gasped. "Cadence?" Her ... condition, for lack of a better word, had gotten worse. Ice was covering every part of the room, including a thin, clear sheet on the bed and icicles on the ceiling. Cadence's skin had turned from an unhealthy shade of tinted blue to an terrifying shade of solid light blue, and she was half-undressed.
"Shining." Cadence said dreamily. She laid back on the bed, pulling her dress away to reveal her breasts. "Come over here ... I want you to nurse my breasts."
Oh, you have GOT to be kidding me. Shining Armor thought. It was bad enough putting up with this kind of stuff from Rarity doing to Rainbow Dash; now he had to tolerate it from his own wife?
"Uh ... can it wait, sweetie?" Shining Armor asked. "I have to go, uh, do paperwork. You know. Royal Guard stuff."
"Oh, fine." Cadence groaned, covering herself up. "But make it quick!"
Shining Armor nodded to show he heard her. He eased the door at first before slamming it shut, pressing his back against the door with a mortified frown on his face.
"Get the girls." Shining Armor told the Guard. "We have a problem."
"Hehehehehe ..." Twilight giggled in delight and anticipation to herself as she flew into Canterlot Castle unnoticed. She went up to the side of the building, lifted up a window and climbed inside. The huge stinger on her backside got stuck in the window, making it difficult for her to get in, but she was able to wiggle it through.
"Oof!" Twilight grunted as she hit the ground. She got to her feet and grinned. "I'm in!" She turned and smiled. She knew her away around the castle, so she knew what window to get into to put her just outside Celestia's throne room.
Twilight pulled open the doors to the throne room and went inside. Celestia was talking to a pair of Guards about some affair.
"Make sure they sign it everywhere. One signature out of place, and I won't be able to make this tax cut. And let the ambassador from Maretonia know we'll set arrange a meeting shortly." Celestia turned away from the Guards. She wasn't expecting the visitor she had. "Twilight Sparkle?"
"Princess Celestia!" Twilight cheered.
The two Guards stepped in front of the Princess, their spears raised to defend her.
"Twilight Sparkle, what happened to you?" Celestia asked. "What are you doing here?"
"A lot of things happened, but that's irrelevant." Twilight said. "What matters now is that I get what I want."
"Uh-huh." Celestia knew to proceed with caution. She didn't think Twilight Sparkle would ever hurt her, but she could tell Twilight wasn't in her normal state of mind. "And what do you want?"
"I want you, Princess!" Twilight exclaimed. "I want to suck your breasts for milk. After that dream I had that I told you about, Chrysalis came by and made it happen. And then a bunch of other stuff happened which ended up in me suckling some other things from other girls' chests. But I'm tired of doppelgangers and pale imitations, like cider and honey. I want the real thing. I want milk. I want your milk, from you."
"I see." Celestia said. "And ... are you determined to have it?"
Twilight nodded. "I'm determined. I want it, and I want it! So don't even try to talk me out of it."
"I understand." Celestia said. "Very well. Let me take care of some royal affairs real quick, and then you have me all to yourself. Stand down, Guards."
"Princess, are you sure about that?" The Guard asked. "Twilight Sparkle does not seem ... stable right now. You can't give her what she wants, so how will she react to that?" Twilight heard what he said and seemed shocked.
"Oh, it's no trouble." Celestia assured him. "I know a lactation spell."
"What - really?" The Guard asked. "A lactation spell? How?"
"Well, when I was a teenager, I had some advisers who wanted me to be prepared for every potential emergency and crisis. One of which was 'What if every cow in Equestra suddenly stops producing milk?' Thus, a lactation spell. Perhaps I should have listened to them more. Leave us. We'll be fine."
"What?" The Guards exclaimed.
"Princess, you can't be serious!"
"I just need to write a note, Twilight Sparkle, and then we can be alone." Celestia went over to her throne, pulling out some parchment and a quill. She wrote something down on it and handed it to one of the Guards. "Take this and be gone."
"Princess!" The Guard exclaimed. "Are you sure about this?" He read the parchment and what Celestia had written.
GO TO PONYVILLE;
FIND TWILIGHT SPARKLE'S FRIENDS
FIND ZECORA AND DESCRIBE TO HER WHAT'S HAPPENED.
SHE'LL KNOW WHAT TO DO.
The Guard looked up at Celestia, who looked back at him with a grave face.
Celestia raised her hand and snapped her fingers, pointing at the door. "Leave us." She repeated.
The Guard nodded, crumpling the parchment in his hand. He bowed. "As you command, Princess." He and his partner left the room.
"Are you ready?" Twilight asked with eager rubbing hands as the Guards left.
"Almost." Celestia's hand glowed with a golden aura. "I still need to cast the spell after all, Twilight Sparkle." Celestia waved the glowing hand over her chest, which, Twilight was happy to notice, was quite massive.
"Ah-ha!" The doors swung open and another Celestia stepped inside"There you are, Twilight Sparkle! I've been looking all over the castle for you."
Twilight and Celestia regarded the imposter with odd looks.
"What ... again, really?" The second Celestia asked upon seeing the first. "That's the second time today our plans have been derailed by someone being there when they weren't supposed to! How does this keep happening?"
"I do not know, though perhaps asking me about the flaws in your plan - which are clearly deceitful in nature, if not outright nefarious - is perhaps not the best idea." Celestia said.
"Whatever." The second one said.
"What ... two Celestias?" Twilight asked, turning her gaze back and forth between each one.
"Ignore her, Twilight." The second Celestia walked towards Twilight. "I'm the one you really want. I have this nice, big chest full of milk, all just for you ..." The second Celestia gestured to her cleavage.
Twilight turned back to the first Celestia.
"She's clearly an imposter, Twilight Sparkle." Celestia said. "But no, no, you go ahead and suckle her. It will give me a chance to study your technique ... perhaps I can offer you a few tips on improvements before you and I get started." Celestia rubbed her chin.
Twilight smiled, delighted at the thought of getting to nurse two Celestias, even if one of them was an imposter. She went towards the fake Celestia. The imposter Celestia disrobed and allowed Twilight Sparkle to suck on her breasts.
"My, my." The imposter Celestia said. "Is Princess Celestia something of a pervert?"
"I meant what I said about giving me a chance to study." The real Celestia began to walk down the steps from her throne. Celestia walked back and forth, observing and making notes as Twilight Sparkle sucked the breasts of her double.
"You seem to be taking the fact your student is nursing your doppelganger rather well." The imposter Celestia said.
"Mm-hmm." Celestia said. "As a ruler of Equestria, I must try to keep my cool."
"Hmm." The imposter Celestia smirked. Twilight Sparkle broke off from her breasts, needing to breath. Milk dripped down Twilight's chin.
"Did you like that, Twilight?" The imposter asked in a teasing voice. "Did you enjoy your milk?"
"Yes ... yes, I did." Twilight wiped the milk off her chin with her elbow.
"Well, there's more where that came from." The imposter said.
"I think not." Celestia snapped. "I have been using you for study. You were most helpful. You've helped me to understand the depths of how far Twilight's gone and that she will not stop until she gets the milk she wants. However ... now that I understand this ..."
Celestia raised a glowing hand. The imposter Celestia was encased in a golden glow and lifted up into the air.
"I have no further use for you."
At Celestia's command, one of the windows in the room opened up. Celestia flicked her wrist, tossing the imposter out the window with nary a second thought.
Celestia proceed to undress and disrobe for Twilight, exposing her breasts in a black brassiere. "Come here, Twilight Sparkle ... no more interruptions." Celestia coaxed Twilight over. "That's it ... come closer ... closer ..."
Twilight stood in front of her mentor. She took in a deep breath, unable to believe this was really happening. She placed her lips firmly on Celestia's light-colored nub and began to suck.
"Princess?" A Guard entered the room. He reacted about as well could be expected to seeing Twilight Sparkle suckle Celestia's breast.
"Yes?" Celestia asked.
"Uh ..." The Guard covered his eyes with a hand, leaving a space between his fingers to talk. "We've received word from Twilight's friends that Cadence has apparently suffered a transformation into some sort of ... ice queen, or something. She keeps demanding for the heat to go down and for someone to suckle her breasts. Um ... like you're doing."
Upon hearing Cadence had a transformation and was demanding to be suckled, soon followed after seeing Twilight had been transformed and was demanding to suckle, some might grow exasperated. Celestia, however, saw the chance to hit two birds with one stone.
"Go to Ponyville and get to Zecora. Explain the situation about Cadence to her, and tell her that there are two she has to cure now. She'll know what you're talking about. Go!"
The Guard nodded and left.
Celestia looked down at Twilight Sparkle, who had closed her eyes as enjoyed sucking the milk out from Celestia's breast.
With her messengers to Zecora, Celestia had everything she needed to get Twilight and Cadence cured. Now all she had to do was wait and wonder how much of Twilight's suckling she would have to put up with before they came back ...
Shining Armor and Twilight's friends got the message from Celestia. They visited Zecora, grabbing the cures she had whipped up from her, and returned to the Crystal Empire to get Cadence. It took some convincing to get Cadence to leave her iced-over room, but they were successful and on their way to Celestia's throne room now. Though trying to keep Cadence under control was proving to be a chore.
"Why is it so warm? Why?" Cadence demanded, flanked by Applejack and Rainbow Dash. " Did you hear me? Somebody turn off the heat!" Cadence turned and flexed her hands, blasting at the wall with a sustained beam of magic, covering it in ice. "That's better."
"Gee ..." Shining Armor bit his lip. "I hope those cures from your friend work ..."
"They'll work. Don't worry." Fluttershy said. "This is Zecora's specialty."
"I still don't understand how this happened to her ..." Shining Armor scratched his neck.
"It probably has something to do with Chrysalis's magic during the fight earlier." Rarity said.
"Where are we going?" Cadence demanded.
"Don't worry, Cadence! We're going to take you to someone willing to suck your breasts!" Pinkie Pie did a cartwheel, ignoring the awkward stares from passing Guards.
"I would rather have Shining Armor do it ... but I guess I'll have to settle." Cadence said.
They arrived at Celestia's throne room and went inside.
Celestia sighed in relief. "You're here. Finally." Celestia pushed Twilight Sparkle off, popping her mouth off Celestia's nub. "Twilight Sparkle, I need a break. But Cadence will be more than happy to give you something to nurse in the meantime."
"Cadence?" Twilight turned around. While Twilight was looking, Celestia walked away, rubbing her breasts. Twilight had been sucking on them for so long, they were sore.
"Hello, Twilight." Cadence approached Twilight. "Are you the one who's going to nurse me?"
"Well, Celestia needs a break, so ... I guess I am."
Twilight and Cadence wrapped their arms around and embraced each other. Cadence pulled down her dress, letting Twilight place her mouth on Cadence's breast and suckle it. What came out wasn't milk so much as icy slush.
For Shining Armor, seeing his wife and his sister engage in such an intimate act was awkward in the extreme.
"Blah!" Twilight separated her mouth from Cadence and spit out the slush. "It's so cold ..."
"Oh." Fluttershy giggled. "Of course. How could I forget? Bees don't like it when it's cold."
"Mmm, well, that's too bad." Shining Armor said. "I mean, I was really hoping that Twilight would be to nurse Cadence for a good, long while - NOW!"
"What?" Twilight struggled to break free as Applejack wrapped her arms around her neck. Shining Armor did the same thing to Cadence.
"Come on, Twi. Snap out of it." Applejack raised up a glass vial filled with a thin red liquid. She popped the cork off and forced the vial to Twilight's lips, pouring the liquid in. Shining Armor had a similar vial which he forced Cadence into drinking. Neither of them let go until Twilight and Cadence had drunk all of the vials' contents.
"That should do it ... hopefully." Applejack said. "Assuming these little vials Zecora cooked up work ..."
"Agh ..." Twilight and Cadence stumbled around. They groaned and clutched at their stomachs before falling to the floor. There, they continued to roll around.
Shining Armor moved to comfort his wife, but Applejack grabbed him by the arm and held him back. "Just let 'em be, Shinin' Armor."
Hissing trails of steam were let off by Twilight's and Cadence's bodies. Water flowed out from Cadence and made a puddle on the floor as her transformation was undone, the ice on her body melting away. Twilight's body let out strange, disgusting noises. The stinger on her back rumbled before breaking apart peeling off her body as though she were molting. The rest of the bee-based anatomy wilted up and fell off, leaving Twilight normal again. Cadence was cured, too.
"Um, eww." Shining Armor commented on Twilight's apparent molting.
"Ugh ..." Cadence groaned and pushed herself up. Shining Armor went to help her. "Why am I lying in a puddle?"
"Ugh ..." Twilight groaned and sat upright. "What happened?" This was the first time in almost two days where her mind felt completely free of influence ... and she felt hungover.
"A lot." Applejack answered Twilight, helping Twilight up to her feet. "But it's over now and y'all can get some rest."
"Somebody is going to need to clean up this mess." Cadence observed the puddle she left.
"I'll get someone on it." Celestia said.
"I can't believe Twiley wanted to suckle your breast so bad, Princess ..." Shining Armor said.
"I did what?" Twilight yelled. "Oh, Princess Celestia, I'm so sorry! And you, too, Rarity." Rarity was surprised. "Recent events have made me realize lately ... I haven't been a very good friend to you. I hope you can forgive me. And you're stronger than we give you credit for."
"Don't worry, Twilight Sparkle. It's fine. All is forgiven." Celestia assured her. "Besides, can you blame her?" Celestia held her chest up, showing off. "They are quite nice, aren't they?"
All of the room burst into chuckles. All of them, except for Rarity and Rainbow Dash.
"What?" Rarity hissed, clawing at the air. "You see Celestia breastfeeding Twilight Sparkle and you laugh, but you so much as hear that I might be breastfeeding Rainbow Dash, and you put me under house arrest at the first excuse you get? You're disgusting, Shining Armor, and a hypocrite. But I suppose I should know better." Rarity looked down, rubbing at her shoulder. "I've seen the way all of you look at me. Like I'm ... some sort of criminal."
Rarity exited the room. Rainbow Dash went up to the door and stopped to turn around and give them all an angry glare. She followed after Rarity.
Everyone in the room felt awkward and guilty now. They averted each others' gaze, and Shining Armor scratched his head.
"Shining Armor!" Celestia snapped.
Shining Armor spun himself around and saw Celestia looking down at him with her teeth bared. She had yet to have the chance to pull her clothes all the way up. Shining Armor had to give Celestia credit; not every woman could look intimidating while half-dressed, but Celestia pulled it off.
"Is there something about the way you've been treating Rarity that you would like to tell me?"
"Uh ... no?"
"Oh, I think there is."
Adagio Dazzle groaned and rubbed her head, lifting herself up out of the royal garden's bushes. "That ... did not go according to plan."Adagio staggered out from the bushes. She saw she was still wearing her Celestia disguise, so at least the illusion couldn't be dismissed by impact.
Adagio looked around, trying to figure out what her best way out was. She was sure Celestia would tell the Guards to be on the lookout for a doppelganger, so she had a limited window of time to escape before the Guards caught onto her scheme and arrested her.
Adagio heard footsteps coming around the corner.
"Princess Celestia?" A Guard asked. "What are you doing here?"
Adagio thought fast. "Oh, um, hello. I was just admiring the flowers. What are you doing here, um ... what was your name again?"
"Flash Sentry." The Guard answered. "I'm on patrol. You know, like my job says?"
"Oh. Well, keep up the good work." Adagio told him.
Flash Sentry turned his head away. "Excuse me for noticing, Princess, but ... you seem to be shirtless."
"Oh. Am I?" Adagio Dazzle looked down to see her breasts were still exposed. She grinned, having an idea. "No, no, Flash ... it's okay. You can look."
Flash Sentry blushed. "Really? Are you sure?"
"Yes. In fact, I'm glad I bumped into you ... I could use your help."
"With what?"
"My breasts are just so full of milk right now." Adagio grabbed her breasts and juggled them around. "They're so heavy. It's weighing me down! I could use a big, strong man like yourself to relieve the pressure ..."
"Um ... Princess ... I'm not so sure Twilight would approve of that ..."
"Twilight also wouldn't approve of you letting your Princess go unaided in her time of need." Adagio Dazzle countered. "Think about it. What will she say when she hears that I needed your help, and you didn't provide it?"
"Okay. Fair point." Flash Sentry put his spear down and went over to the Princess. He raised his hands up and paused.
"Go on. It's okay." Adagio said.
Flash Sentry grabbed what he thought was Princess Celestia's breast and put his mouth on it. He gave her a light suckle and was rewarded with a trickle of creamy milk. Delicious creamy milk.
"Oh, wow." Flash Sentry pulled his mouth and wiped his chin. "This is really good ..."
"Isn't it?" Adagio told him. "Have some more ... help yourself."
Flash Sentry, entranced by the milk's taste, did as she commanded. Adagio wrapped her arms around him and began to guide him away from the castle, continuing to feed him the mind-warping milk as she walked backwards and made her escape from the castle grounds.
Much later in the day, after night had fallen and the moon had risen, Rarity was sitting on her bed in her house, thinking to herself.
With everything which had gone on since she went out the night before, Rarity had never gotten a chance to confront Rainbow Dash about her suspicion she was cheating on her with Silver Lens. It seemed unlikely, sure, especially after seeing how broken Dash was during her fake defection, but she'd rather hear Dash tell her the truth rather than simply assuming it.
Rarity lifted a hand and clutched her breast. It had been awhile she had any milk in it. It felt so empty .. .
Rarity was experiencing something. What was it?
Withdrawal?
Rarity shook her head. No, no, not withdrawal. Withdrawal was for addicts, and she was not an addict.
Rarity reached over to the nightstand by her bed. She pulled out a bowl of the special powder. She idly stirred the spoon in it. She heard footsteps coming up the stairs.
"Hi." Coco Pommel peeked her head in the door. "Can I come in?"
"Of course, darling. What do you need?" Rarity put the bowl and spoon away.
Coco Pommel held up a sketchbook. "Well, I had come up with some designs for dresses. I was hoping you could take a look at them and tell me what you think."
"All right." Rarity said. She felt the emptiness in her chest again. It almost felt wrong, having her breasts so dry. "Coco Pommel, would you ...?" Rarity began to pull at her shirt. She was so tempted to ask Coco Pommel to nurse her on the spot.
But after thinking for a moment, Rarity thought better of it. Just because she thought Rainbow Dash might have been cheating didn't mean she should go and cheat on Dash.
"Would I?" Coco Pommel asked.
"Never mind. It's nothing." Rarity said. "Here, let me look at those designs ..." Rarity took the sketchbook and flipped through it. "Why, Coco Pommel ... these all look lovely." She smiled, closing the book and handing it back to Coco.
"You think?" Coco Pommel asked. "Maybe if they're good enough, I can start up my own business! You know ... get my own place ... get out of your hair. I imagine you don't want me around for too much longer ..."
"You take as long as you need to get back on your feet." Rarity said. "You are always welcome here."
"Really? Thanks!" Coco Pommel gave Rarity a hug. "But, um, really. I'm working hard so I can get something set up. I am!"
"I believe you, darling."
Coco Pommel separated from Rarity. "Well, good night!" She went out the door and down the hall, almost bumping into Diamond Tiara. "Oh, I'm sorry. Excuse me."
"Eesh, Rarity." Diamond Tiara stopped in Rarity's bedroom doorway. "Is this a boutique or a homeless shelter?"
"I don't know." Rarity answered. "Perhaps I need to get an extension to the building . Where are you going?"
"I was just on my way to brush my teeth." Diamond Tiara said. "Why? Do you ... need something?" Rarity could sense Diamond was struggling with being polite.
"Actually, yes. I could use someone to talk to." Rarity swung her legs over the bed. "Perhaps you're not the best person to ask for this, but ... what would you do, if you thought someone had done something that would upset you severely? That would just make you so mad, mad beyond compare? But you can't just ask that someone about it because you're afraid it will hurt their feelings?"
Diamond Tiara scratched her head. "I don't know. I do know that when I get really mad at my dad, or if he's about to tell me something that will make me upset, he'll try to calm me down or butter me up with a gift."
Rarity raised a hand to her chin. "That's ... not actually a bad idea. Thank you, Diamond Tiara. That will be all."
"Glad I could help?" Diamond Tiara said with a bit of confusion.
Rarity decided what her plan would be. She reached over and dug the powder out from her nightstand. She was going to need several spoonfuls for her plan to work ...
Rarity spent the next hour in the bathroom. Yes, it was going to take her a whole of work and effort, but it was going to be worth it.
Sweetie Belle was passing by the bathroom when she heard grunting coming from inside. "Rarity?" Sweetie Belle pressed her ear to the door. "Are you in there? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Sweetie Belle."
"Uh-huh." Sweetie Belle put a hand on the doorknob and opened the door by an inch.
"No, no, don't come in right now!" Rarity yelled. "I don't want you to see me like this. Actually, while you're out there, would you go and get me Rainbow Dash?"
"Sure." Sweetie Belle left and got Rainbow Dash. "Rarity wants to see you." Sweetie Belle brought Dash to the bathroom door and left, minding Rarity's words about not wanting to be seen by her.
"Hmm." Rainbow Dash wondered what Rarity was up to. She pushed open the door and went inside. What she found went way beyond anything she was expecting.
"Hello, darling."
Rarity was sitting in a tub full of milk, having drawn up a milk bath. Bubbles swam around on the white liquid's surface. Rarity herself sat in the tub, covered in a white sheen of milk. It dripped down her body, trailing down her shoulders, her chin, her stomach, and her breasts. Some of it traveled down her breasts before dripping off the ends of her milky-white nipples.
"I'll give you a moment to pick your jaw up off the floor." Rarity winked.
"Yeah ... I ... uh ... uh." Rainbow Dash was taken off-guard, but Rarity could tell she was delighted. Rainbow Dash grabbed her chin and pushed her jaw back into place. "I, uh, it ... wow. That is ... really sexy."
"I thought you'd like it." Rarity smiled and waved a hand, inviting Rainbow Dash in.
She didn't go for it.
"Rainbow Dash ..." Rarity crossed her arms, leaning on the side of the tub. "I'm not sitting in this tub drenched in my own milk because I'm posing for a modern art project. Are you coming in or not?"
"Uh, yeah, yeah." Rainbow Dash said. "Um, can you wait just one second? I need to go do something ..."
"Very well."
"I'll be right there." Rainbow Dash closed the door.
Rarity was baffled. This was Rainbow Dash's cup of tea. She should have went for it Rarity could tell it aroused her and pleased her. She should have jumped right in as soon as Rarity made the offer. So why didn't she?
Rainbow Dash came back. "Sorry about that. Uh, personal stuff."
"Uh-huh." Rarity didn't believe it, but she was going to press the issue now. It would ruin the moment.
Rainbow Dash locked the door and proceeded to the process of removing her clothes. She pulled her pants down first, before making a show off taking her shirt off and tossing it to the floor.
"Oh, yes. Encore! Encore!" Rarity applauded.
Rainbow Dash smirked. She lifted one leg up and made her way into the tub, sinking into the milk bath. She sat down opposite of Rarity.
"That's it, darling." Rarity touched a finger to her cheek. "But I can't help but think you're missing something ..."
"What?"
Rarity scooped up the milk into her palms and splashed Rainbow Dash's chest with it.
"Hey!" Rainbow Dash yelled, but she was chuckling.
"And a little more ..." Rarity ran her hand through the milk and splashed Rainbow Dash again. "And a little more ..."
Rarity pushed Rainbow Dash, making her turn around. She scooped up another handful and dropped down Rainbow Dash's neck.
"Ooh!" Rainbow Dash moaned as the liquid poured down her back. She turned back to Rarity and reached her hands out, ready to grab Rarity's breast and suck with more vigor than she ever had more.
"Ah, but I'm not quite done." Rarity said.
This earned Rainbow Dash's curiosity. "Oh?"
In what Rainbow Dash could only think of as mocking her, Rarity grabbed one of her breasts and pushed it upwards. Rarity placed her lips on it, suckling on her own milky-white nipple until she had a mouthful of milk.
Rarity dropped her breast, letting it bounce and jiggle. Rarity raised her hands up and swished the milk around in her mouth like mouthwash.
Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow.
Rarity spat the milk out, spraying Rainbow Dash with a jet of milk. It sprayed all over Rainbow Dash's chest and face, the milk dripping off Rainbow Dash's chin.
A smiling, enamored Rainbow Dash put a hand to her cheek. "I have never been so turned on and so disgusted before."
"Oh, like getting some of my saliva on you is something you're not used to." Rarity said. She leaned over and licked Rainbow Dash's neck. After a few licks, she proceeded into nibbling on it.
"Ooh ... Rarity ... please." Rainbow Dash couldn't handle the wait anymore. She grabbed Rarity's breast. "I want it ..." Rainbow Dash wasn't even going to ask, but she couldn't get to Rarity's sweet, sweet milk with Rarity nibbling her neck.
Rarity pulled away. "Of course."
Rainbow Dash swung her head forward and latched onto Rarity's breast. She began to suck and nurse with a vengeance, meaning to make every drop inside Rarity's chest hers.
"My, my ..." Rarity blushed. Rainbow's intense suckling was stimulating her more than usual. "Someone's eager today."
Rainbow Dash stopped to speak. "Can you blame me? You kinda got me all pumped on ... plus, you know, it's delicious."
"Oh, you're just saying that." Rarity laughed. "But go on."
Rainbow Dash resumed suckling. She grunted as she worked to turn Rarity's chest dry, her lips traveling up and down on Rarity's ... Rainbow Dash wanted nothing more than to suckle and nurse until Rarity's breast was a shriveled, dried-out husk. But she knew it would never happen. If Rarity ran out, all she had to do was take another spoonful of powder to refill.
Load moans escaped Rainbow Dash's lips. Her wings flexed up and down. Her cheeks turned a bright shade of cherry-red. Rainbow Dash took in a deep breath before suckling intensely.
Rarity took in a deep breath and exhaled, relaxing and squirting a large jet of milk down Rainbow Dash's mouth. Just as Fleur-de-lis had shown her.
"MMM!" Rainbow Dash moaned as Rarity's product jumped into her throat. Rainbow Dash took her mouth off with a pop, shivering and shaking.
"Rarity ... I'm ..."
"Quiet." Rarity closed her eyes and embraced Rainbow Dash in a hug, running her hands down Dash's milk-soaked back. "It's okay. It's nothing you haven't done with me a hundred times before. Let go. Rainbow Dash ... let go."
"Oooooooh!" Rainbow Dash moaned, her body contracting as she reached orgasm.
"Mmm ..." Rarity enjoyed it as Rainbow Dash's orgasm was poured into her. There was this distinct sense of sanctification, of ... ownership whenever Rainbow Dash did this.
"Yes ... that's it." Rarity moaned. As soon as it happened, it was over. Rarity took in a deep breath and let out a much more than satisfied sigh.
"Thank you for this, Rarity." Rainbow Dash pulled away. "This was ... amazing."
"You're welcome, darling."
"It's too bad all this milk is gonna have to go to waste." Rainbow Dash scooped up a handful, letting it drip through her fingers. "I mean, would you want to drink your milk after you've been swimming in it?"
"I suppose not." Rarity said. "But on the bright side ..." Rarity reached up and pulled down the shower head. "We're already in the shower."
After draining the tub and rinsing it (and themselves) of milk, Rarity and Rainbow Dash dried themselves off and put their clothes back on.
As Rainbow Dash was running a towel through her hair, Rarity's mind went back to what Rainbow Dash did before joining her. She decided to ask the question.
"Rainbow Dash?" Rarity asked.
"Yeah?" Rainbow Dash wrapped the towel around her shoulders.
"Have you been ... cheating on me?"
"What?" Rainbow Dash put a hand on her chest. "No. No!" Rainbow Dash put a hand on Rarity's cheek. "Rarity, no matter how bad things ever got between us, I would never cheat on you. I've got that whole "loyalty" thing, remember? Why- why would you even ask that?"
"Last night." Rarity said. "You came home with Silver Lens, and you seemed so ... depressed about something. I guess I just assumed the worst."
"Oh." Rainbow Dash's mood became deflated. "That. Yeah ... hey, who asks that kind of question after having sex with their partner? Who does that?"
"I suppose I do." Rarity said. "Before you got into the bath with me, you said you had to go something personal. What was it?"
Rainbow Dash looked away.
"I ... went to ask Silver Lens if it was okay."
"What?" Rarity shook her head, trying to process this. "You just told me you weren't cheating on me! So why in the wide-wide world of Equestria would you need Silver Lens' permission to take a milk bath with me?"
Rainbow Dash withdrew her hand. "It's, um ... a little ... embarrassing. I think you should go ask her..." Rainbow Dash opened the door and gestured for Rarity to go through.
Rarity marched out the window. Rainbow Dash could feel her anger burning from a foot away.
They caught up with Silver Lens, who was talking with Diamond Tiara at the table.
"Oh boy." Silver Lens saw Rarity's expression and sent Diamond Tiara. "Diamond Tiara, why don't you go elsewhere for a moment? Rarity and I need to talk ..." After Diamond Tiara got up and left, Silver Lens turned to Rarity. "Hello, Rarity. What is it?"
"Hello, Silver Lens." Rarity answered. "I'm curious about something ... in my worry and fear, I had thought Rainbow Dash might have been cheating on me ... with you, after you two came home one night and Dash looked depressed, as if she just done something she didn't want to. Rainbow Dash assures this is not the case. So I'm curious ... if she's not cheating on me, why your approval should matter at all before she's allowed to join me for a milk bath in the tub! Care to explain?"
Silver Lens adjusted her glasses. "If you know where we'd been, you understand."
"And where have you been?" Rarity asked.
"I ... think it would be better for Rainbow Dash to tell you herself." Silver Lens said. Rarity thought she was trying to be tactful, but there was also a note of fear in her voice.
Rarity turned to Rainbow Dash for an explanation. "Well, Rainbow Dash? Where has she been taking you?"
Rainbow Dash was shy and bashful before answering.
"A support group." Rainbow Dash answered. "A support group for addicts. That's where she's been taking me."
"Addicts ...?" Rarity asked.
"Yeah." Rainbow Dash said. "I didn't believe Silver Lens at first either, but she badgered me until I agreed to go. Then when I got there, and heard what they all had to say ... I realized she was right. That's why I needed to make sure it was okay with Silver Lens before jumping in ... to be sure a little indulgence was okay."
"You should try it sometime, Rarity." Silver Lens said. "Having an ... interesting sex life with your breast milk is okay, but you and Rainbow Dash take it way too far."
"No, thank you." Rarity crossed her arms. "Support groups are for people who have problems. I do not have a problem. It's everyone else who has the problem!"
"You keep telling yourself that ..." Silver Lens said.
Rarity growled.
"I will, thank you. Silver Lens? At your earliest convenience ... get out of my house."
"Believe me, I would like nothing better." Silver Lens said. "But I can't go until either Shining Armor sees fit, or I declare you mentally sound, which we both know would be lying."
Rarity growled again and turned away, marching out of the room.
"Oh, hey." Rainbow Dash reached for Rarity. "Don't forget Pinkie Pie's throwing that anniversary of the Slime party tomorrow."
Rarity stopped and rested her hand on the door frame. She looked back to Rainbow Dash.
"I haven't forgotten."
Rarity continued on her way, going upstairs and to her bed.
"You've lived together a long time, haven't you?" Silver Lens asked.
Rainbow Dash was unprepared for the question. "Yeah. Why?"
"Do you think she'll come around?"
"I don't know. I mean, she might ... but she can be pretty stubborn." Rainbow Dash said.
"I think it might help her mental state if you were to consider ... normalizing your relationship." Silver Lens said.
"What do you mean by that?"
"She's right, you know."
Rainbow Dash looked up to see Sweetie Belle in the doorway.
"You're practically a big sister to me." Sweetie Belle said. "You've more or less effectively moved in. Don't you think it's time you consider making it official?"
"Official?" Rainbow Dash thought about this. After a moment, she nodded, agreeing with Sweetie Belle. "Yeah, yeah, you're right."
The next day, everyone in Ponyville, including Twilight, Applejack, and Fluttershy, gathered around Rarity's boutique, as it was where Pinkie Pie had decided to host the anniversary party. Pinkie had breathed a touch of life to it; there was balloons and streamers and confetti, punch and cake set up on tables. A banner was hung up reading "10th Anniversary" though tactfully not mentioning what it was a tenth anniversary of.
"Wow." A woman told Pinkie Pie. "This is a nice party, Pinkie Pie."
"Thank you!" Pinkie Pie said. "I got Discord's help to make sure it was a good one!"
The woman and her companion, hearing this, looked down at their cups full of punch. They reconsidered how good of an idea drinking the punch might have been, knowing Discord was involved.
"Okay. Attention!" Pinkie Pie walked the center of the room. She clinked a spoon against a cup, calling for attention. She continued until the room was silence. "Your attention, everyone! I have an announcement to make."
"As you know ..." Pinkie Pie said. "Today is the tenth anniversary of when, ten years ago today, the awful creature known as the Pipe Slime attacked Ponyville. This party is to commemorate that."
The guests hung up their heads in silence, closing their eyes as they remembered what a dark it was.
"But! With Discord's help, I intend this anniversary party to be a thing of joy, not of depression."
Discord, standing in the corner, used his magic to produce DJ sunglasses and a record table. He laid out a beat.
"Like my sister Maud says in one of her famous poems ..." Pinkie continued. "'Let us not lament the fact we were attacked. Let us celebrate the fact that we survived.''"
The room burst into applause.
"Well said, Pinkie Pie." Twilight clapped.
"I read that poem, actually. She was talking about erosion." Fluttershy said.
"So, with that said ... are you ready to PARTY!?" Pinkie Pie screamed. The crowd let out a cheer.
"Okay, okay." Rainbow Dash tapped a spoon and glass together. "Now I have something I want to say before I get too much alcohol and nobody takes me seriously." The crowd chuckled. "Specifically, I have a message for Rarity."
Rarity felt awkward as the entire crowd turned its gaze on her.
"Rarity Belle ..." Rainbow Dash said. "For the last ten years, I have been more or less living with you, under your roof. I've gotten to know you and your sister. I've learned your habits. I've learned how to read you and how to live with you. For a while there ..." Rainbow Dash walked around. "We tried to keep this relationship a secret. We were afraid our friends would react badly if they found out and would get - what's the word? - alienated from us. But ... in doing so ... we caused the very thing we were afraid of and almost lost our friends. But we're better now. All our friends known, and our relationship doesn't have to be a secret anymore."
Applejack, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Twilight and Rarity were moved to tears. Even Rainbow Dash was affected as saying the words aloud made her realize how much weight there was to them.
"Rarity ... you are one of the most generous, giving souls I know." Rainbow Dash said. "You're smart. You're fashionable, and we may not always realize it, but you're tough. Not to mention one of the most beautiful, gorgeous ... sexiest woman on the western half of Equestria."
"Only the western half?" Rarity said. "But do go on, darling."
"Rarity ...despite, you know, a few ups and downs, living you with you has been a wonderful experience. That's why I want to say this. Rarity Belle, under the providence of Celestia and the laws that govern Equestria ..."
Rainbow Dash got on one knee, holding up a dark blue box, opening it to reveal a ring.
"Will you marry me?" |
Last Glass of Poison | Inoculation | The entire room was dead silent.
"Rainbow Dash ..." Rarity put a hand over her chest, right where her heart was. "I don't know what to say!"
"Uh," Pinkie made her way out from the crowd. "You could try "YES!" for starters!" This idea was met by approval and applause from the crowd.
Rarity took the box from Rainbow Dash. She picked the ring out from the box and examined it. "It's beautiful ..."
"Uh-huh." Rainbow Dash nodded.
Rarity examined the ring in silence, rolling it around in her fingers.
"Rarity." Rainbow Dash said through a grin which was becoming more forced and faltered. "You're not saying anything."
"I ... I don't know, Rainbow Dash." Rarity cupped the ring in her palms. This was met by groans in the crowd.
"WHAT?" Pinkie Pie shouted. "But you love each other!"
"Rarity?" Rainbow Dash said. She said nothing else; the devastation forming in her eyes spoke all she needed to say.
"I want to, Rainbow Dash. But I'm just not sure it's the best idea right now. Things are complicated with Diamond Tiara and Silver Lens, not to mention that awful slime is still loose ... I just don't think a wedding is safe right now."
"Of course it's not safe!" Rainbow Dash snapped. "It's never safe! Things are always complicated!" Rainbow Dash took Rarity's hand, curling her fingers around it. "But you can't let that stop you from doing what you want to. Especially when it comes to the person that you love."
The crowd let out a collective "Aww!" of adoration.
"You know ..." Pinkie Pie said. "You could yes now, and then just set the wedding for a later date after all this stuff is sorted out."
"That is an excellent point!" Twilight Sparkle interjected.
Rarity held the ring up in her fingers, rolling it between them. "She's right. I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash. I should have done this from the beginning, and I shouldn't have let all my worries and fears come between us."
Rarity took in a deep breath, holding the ring close to her chest.
"Yes, Rainbow Dash." A tear formed in Rarity's eye. "I will marry you."
The crowd burst into applause, which only doubled as Rainbow Dash took the ring from Rarity, and gently slid it on to Rarity's finger. Rainbow Dash held Rarity's hand for a tender moments, admiring the wedding ring - the wedding ring she had placed on Rarity's finger.
Rarity admired the ring as well, for a few moments, taking notes about its construction and the diamond on it. Rarity disregarded it in favor of grabbing Rainbow Dash by the cheeks and lifting her head up, giving Rainbow Dash a big kiss on the lips.
The crowd went wild.
Rainbow Dash and Rarity continued to kiss with all the passion in their flaming hearts, sliding back and forth on the chair, pushing each other back as they wrestled for dominance. They fell off, Rainbow Dash landing on the floor with Rarity on top of her, Rarity's large breasts crushing Rainbow Dash's tiny-in-comparison chest. A feeling which Rainbow Dash loved - it made her feel so ... inferior to Rarity; So controllable, like she needed Rarity to teach her what a proper woman was like by pressing her breasts against her Dash's and showing Dash all the tricks in the bedroom a proper lady was expected to know.
Granted, the embarrassed blush Rainbow Dash had suggested she might not have liked this as much in front of the crowd, who had gone from their previous stunned silence into an awkward silence. Some of them turned their heads and coughed.
Rarity separated from Rainbow Dash, pushing herself up. "Why don't we take this to another room?"
"Make way for the happy couple!" Pinkie began shooing the crowd away, but they needed no coaxing to depart and allow Rarity and Rainbow Dash the room go upstairs to their bedroom.
"Rarity and Rainbow Dash decide they're going to get married ... and of course they celebrate it with sex." Twilight shook her head.
"Um, well, Twilight ... just because it's not the most, um, seemly way to celebrate getting engaged, that doesn't make it ... wrong, does it?" Fluttershy said, taking Rarity's side.
"Yeah." Applejack said. "Y'all don't think Shining Armor and Cadence never -"
"I'm gonna stop you right there." Twilight held out her hand. "Just out of curiosity, what would be a 'wrong' way to celebrate getting engaged, Fluttershy?"
Fluttershy thought about it. "Cheating on your partner."
The girls burst into laughter.
"Well ... I guess I can't argue with that." Twilight said. She raised her glass of punch. "Bottoms up, to our newly engaged friends."
"To our newly engaged friends." Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie, and Twilight clinked their glasses together and took a swig.
Upstairs, Rarity closed and locked the door to her room. For her part, she was eager to put Rainbow Dash back in the position she belonged;
With her mouth sucking the exquisite milk from Rarity's breast.
Shining Armor grumbled and muttered as he took a brush to the latrine in the castle's lavatory, while Cadence watched, in part to keep him company, in part to watch over him and made sure he finished the job.
"Ugh." Shining Armor groaned, pulling the brush away from the bowl and being disgusted by the dark-colored goop dripping off its bristles. "I don't understand why Celestia is making me clean up all the restrooms."
"Well, you kinda trample all over Rarity's rights as a person to privacy and due process. That really upset Celestia." Cadence said. "I understand you being suspicious after the slime incident, and the fact that there's another slime running about, but you still went over the line, Shining."
"Yeah, but after what she did -"
Cadence narrowed her eyes and growled at him. "Mrmm."
Shining Armor sighed and went back to scrubbing.
Silver Lens walked up to Fluttershy's cottage. She stopped and ran her hand over her clothes, making sure they were prim and proper before knocking on the door.
The door was opened not by Fluttershy, but by Discord. "Can I help you?"
"Er, yes." Silver Lens said. "I was hoping to get to talk to Fluttershy?"
"Well, why didn't you say so?" Discord moved aside and gestured for her to come inside. "Come in, come in."
Silver Lens entered the building, where Fluttershy was pouring tea on the table.
"Silver Lens! What are you doing here?" Fluttershy asked. "We were just about to have tea. Um, I made it for myself and Discord, but we can share if you want some, and ... I can make more if I need to." She ran a hand through her hair.
"That would be lovely, thank you."
Silver Lens pulled out a seat while Fluttershy poured out tea for all of them. Discord, floating on the air, floated by and angrily snatched up his cup and saucer, glaring at Silver Lens and proceeding to float around the table in circles.
"So, what brings you around here?" Fluttershy asked. "Aren't you supposed to be, um, observing Rarity?"
"I figured Rarity could use a little break from me." Silver Lens took a sip of her tea.
"This isn't supposed to be some sort of ... free complementary counseling session, is it?" Fluttershy asked, holding her cup up.
"No. Well, maybe." Silver Lens said.
"Oh. Well, I don't I have anything I really need to talk about ..." Fluttershy shifted her head to hide her face behind her hair. As she did. "But I appreciate you coming by to check on me. That's a very generous and caring of you."
Silver Lens let out an airy laugh. "Thank you, Fluttershy. It's good to hear at least someone understands the value of talking to a counselor ... that's something Rarity could stand to learn, especially given your ... shared addiction."
Fluttershy perked up, shaking her hair out of her face so she could focus on Silver Lens.
Discord raised a piqued eyebrow. "This should be interesting." He muttered.
"Addiction? What are you talking about?"
Silver Lens sipped her tea. "Why ... your addiction to breastfeeding, of course."
"What - addiction? That's not an addiction." Fluttershy rubbed her shoulder. "I mean, just because I happen to like being nursed on, that doesn't make it an addiction ..."
Silver Lens waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, Fluttershy, I understand you trying to hide it, but you don't need to hide it from me. There is no reason to be ashamed."
"Ashamed!?" Fluttershy narrowed her eyes,
"Just because Rarity doesn't acknowledge it as an addiction, doesn't mean you shouldn't." As she continued to talk, Silver Lens didn't notice Fluttershy get increasingly angrier, tapping her fingers on the table and balling up a fist. "Your solidarity for your friend is commendable, really, but there's no reason to suffer just because she is. With my expert treatment plan, you can get the help you need and be free of this terrible, infectious addiction."
Fluttershy gently set her cup down. She slammed her hands on the table and stood up, startling Silver Lens. "Would you like some?"
"W-what?" Silver Lens adjusted her glasses.
"Would you ... like ... to try some ... of my milk?" Fluttershy asked, speaking in slow, deliberate pauses. When she was done speaking, she gave Silver Lens an unnerving, psychotic grin, her fingers clawing into the table.
Silver Lens looked around, not sure what to say in response. How many responses were there for when someone for this situation?
Silver Lens' eyes were drawn to Discord, who floated behind Fluttershy with a worried expression. He held up a wooden sign, with black letters reading "YOU SHOULD GO NOW. I DON'T NORMALLY SEE HER THIS UPSET."
"Uh ... why don't I just finish my tea and leave?" Silver Lens chuckled nervously, lifting the cup to her mouth and proceeding to drink the rest of her tea in one gulp.
Fluttershy seemed to calm down, easing herself back into her seat. "Yes. I think that would be a good idea." She confidently lifted her own teacup up and sipped, keeping a knowing eye on Silver Lens.
Silver Lens put the empty tea cup down on the saucer, then dashed out the door.
"Huh. I wonder what all that was about." Fluttershy sipped her tea.
"I don't know." Discord said with a tone of false innocence, floating by Fluttershy. The two of them shared glances and broke into laughter, each of them knowing exactly what had gone on.
Silver Lens walked along on Ponyville's path, holding her clipboard to her chest and wondering where she had went wrong with Fluttershy. Was it wrong of her to want to try treat her patient's illnesses? Or was something more going on? Something she couldn't - wouldn't let herself see.
Maybe she really IS just enjoying it, thought Silver Lens.
Of course, where else would she wander than by Carousel Boutique, when who else should she bump into but Harshwhinny? Silver Lens bumped her forehead onto Harshwhinny's shoulder, her eyes too focused on the ground to notice Harshwhinny.
"Oh. Sorry, Inspector." Silver Lens separated herself, rubbing her forehead. "I wasn't paying attention to where I was going."
"Never mind that." Harshwhinny crossed her arms. "It's been four days since you said you would put Rarity under observation. What has been you conclusion, doctor?"
"Uh ... oh." Silver Lens adjusted her glasses, caught off guard. "Well ... I can definitely say ..."
"Yes?"
Silver Lens thought to when Rarity was stabbing a milk carton with a knife.
"She's unstable." Silver Lens said.
"Perfect." Harshwhinny pumped a fist. "That should be all the excuse we need to lock her behind bars where she can't hurt anyone. Shining Armor will be so happy. You go contact Shining Armor and Princess Twilight. I'll stay here and make sure Rarity doesn't go anywhere. Go!" Harshwhinny pushed Silver Lens away.
Silver Lens stumbled and fixed her misplaced glasses.
Harshwhinny noticed Silver Lens wasn't moving. "What are you waiting for? Go!"
"Inspector, I'm not sure what you're planning to do is in everyone's best interests." Silver Lens said. "It almost sounds like you want to arrest Rarity, and I don't think ..."
"Shining Armor and I will decide what is in everyone's best interests." Harshwhinny pointed her finger. "Now go!"
Silver Lens nodded and left.
Sometime later, Silver Lens, Harshwhinny, Shining Armor, and Twilight Sparkle were present and gathered outside Rarity's house.
"Okay, Harshwhinny." Twilight rubbed her head in exasperation. "You brought us all here. What do you need us for?"
"I'm glad you arrived. After consulting with Silver Lens, it is my professional opinion that Rarity Belle should be placed under arrest for the safety of everyone in Ponyville, especially her friends and family."
Twilight's eyes widened. She calmed down and glared at Shining Armor, placing her hands on her hips. "Did you put her up to this?"
"No! Maybe. Kind of." Shining Armor said.
Twilight crossed her arms. "I'm not convinced Rarity needs to be arrested for anyone's sake."
"Then perhaps we should go inside." Harshwhinny said with a smirk, twisting the doorknob to Rarity's house. "I'm sure, if we barge in unannounced, we'll find her off her guard and doing something which proves her ... instability." Harshwhinny glared at Silver Lens, who hid her face behind her clipboard.
"Mmm." Twilight wasn't too sold on the idea, finding it questionable, but said nothing and joined them in going inside, hoping to keep the situation from getting out of hand.
Upstairs in Rarity's bedroom, Rarity and Rainbow Dash were lying on their bed in the opposite direction of each other, fully garbed, with Rarity resting her head the foot of the bed and Rainbow Dash having her head propped against a pillow, looking up at the ceiling.
Rarity raised a hand up, examining her nails. "What were you thinking for the venue?"
Dash brought her head down. "Venue?"
"Well, of course." Rarity placed her hand down and rolled over to face Dash. "Just because we're going to wait until things are a bit calmer around here before we do it doesn't mean we can't start planning for the wedding."
"Hmm." Dash pursed her lips. "How about Cloudsdale?"
Rarity glared. "Now, darling, you know that would be inconvenient for some of our friends, not to mention the staff. The photographer, the D.J., ... we will hire the same people who Cadence used, won't we?"
Rainbow Dash shrugged. "Eh. I don't know. We could just elope."
Rarity chortled. "That would be romantic, wouldn't it? And it would help us get away from a few ... unpleasant acquaintances. But no, I don't think it would be practical. Despite everything, I do still have a reputation and a business to run. I don't think I could rebuild that from scratch if I had to start from the ground up ..."
The door clicked.
Rarity stood up from the bed while Rainbow Dash leaned forward.
"Now who could that be?" Rarity asked. "I wasn't expecting any company today."
The door opened, and Harshwhinny stood in the hallway, a serious expression on her face.
"Ah, yes. Harshwhinny." Rarity crossed her arms. "One of the several people who have made it their solitary focus to make my life miserable. What can I do for you today?"
For a moment, Rarity thought she saw Harshwhinny flex a satisfied smirk, but it went away as quickly as it appeared. Harshwhinny entered the room, followed by Silver Lens, Shining Armor, and Twilight Sparkle.
"You know, it's rude to enter someone's bedroom uninvited." Rarity said to Harshwhinny before turning to the rest of Harshwhinny's company. Rarity placed a hand over her face, gritting her teeth. "Oh, great. Just great. What do you want? What you all here for?"
Twilight rubbed her hands together. "Rarity, we've ... heard a few things, and we're concerned about you."
"Forget that!" Shining Armor said. "We're here to take you down and settle this, once and for all."
"Oh, is that it?" Rarity raised an eyebrow while Rainbow Dash got up from the bed and pounded a fist into her palm, getting ready to fight.
"Is that what this is about?" Rarity asked. "Your little feud, your grudge against me? You're not even bothering with trying to come up with a flimsy excuse about following some protocol or procedure? Just here to arrest me because you don't trust me, and that's that?"
"No!" Twilight said. "No, it's not like that!" She glared at Shining Armor. "Is it?"
Shining Armor grit his teeth, breaking a sweat under Twilight's glare.
"I doubt Princess Celestia will be very happy about this." Rarity said. "I heard she made you scrub the latrines. Maybe after this mess, she'll wise up and just flush you down one of them and get a captain who will actually do his job competently instead of chasing ghosts and vendettas!"
Shining Armor rose his finger to say something, but was cut off by Harshwhinny.
"We have more than sufficient reason to place you under arrest, Miss Belle." Harshwhinny said.
"How? Name one thing I've done since the last time you were that justifies my arrest." Rarity said.
"Permitting a tenant to squat without paying rent ..." Harshwhinny said, counting off on her fingers.
"Are you ... are you talking about Coco Pommel?" Rarity asked, taken aback. "This is my house, and I will allow who I want to live here, with or without rent, thank you very much!"
"Keeping a child here against their will ..."
"I don't know what Suri fed you, but Diamond Tiara is here of her own volition."
"Exposing a minor to sexual content ..."
Rarity's eyes shifted around. "I'm afraid I don't remember that one. Explain."
"There was a recent occasion where your sister Sweetie Belle had developed lactation in her chest." Harshwhinny said. "The reports suggest she accomplished by using a special lactation powder in your possession."
"Sweetie Belle did that despite my wishes, not because of them." Rarity pointed an accusatory finger. "And how do you know all of this anyway? How much does Silver Lens really report to all of you?" Rarity narrowed her eyes at Harshwhinny. "Have you been ... spying on me?"
"I am not the one on trial here." Harshwhinny said. "And my methods are all above board."
"Yes, of course. Because it's not like Shining Armor would authorize unsolicited monitoring of me without due cause - OH WAIT! That was exactly what he did." Rarity flexed her leg, rubbing the area which she had a tracking bracelet on until recent events.
"Rarity ..." Shining Armor said.
"Hold on!" Twilight Sparkle said, stomping her foot. "If you or Harshwhinny have been spying on my friend, then I think I have a right to know! She has a right to know!"
"Twiley ..." Shining Armor said. "I know you might not understand this, but ... it's for the best."
"Not understand what? That my paranoid brother hasn't forgiven my friend Rarity for something she did ten years ago, and thinks it would be better to lock her up and throw away the key instead of giving her the chance to prove herself and redeem herself? In fact, I'd say she's already shown several attempts at redeeming herself, and you're just ignoring them because they don't match with your pre-conceived narrative of her as this criminal mastermind!"
"Thank you, Twilight Sparkle." Rarity said. "It's nice to know at least someone is on my side." She gave a pointed glare at Silver Lens. "Really? Nothing? Not even a word?"
Silver Lens meekly hid behind her clipboard.
Shining Armor sighed. "Rarity, I have a question."
"What?" Rarity asked.
"Where's the book?"
"What book?"
"The book." Shining Armor said. "The book with the monsters in it. The one you took from Chrysalis."
Rarity smirked. "I hid it."
"Okay. Where?"
"I'm not telling you." Rarity said.
"What? Why not? Rarity, that book is dangerous!" Shining Armor snapped.
"Indeed it is." Rarity said.
"Rarity ... why would you even want to keep that book?" Twilight asked. "After everything its contents did to you ..."
"Oh, gee." Rarity said, tapping a finger to her chin. "Now why would I want to keep something that the Captain of the Guard, who has been hounding me and harassing me, is afraid of? It couldn't possibly be for leverage, could it? Something to threaten him with and make him back off? Hmm?"
"She's making an implicit threat against the Captain." Harshwhinny said. "What are we waiting for? Arrest her now!"
"She's describing a hypothetical situation, and I don't appreciate your insistence that we arrest her." Twilight Sparkle said. "Frankly, if this is how she's going to be treated, then for all I care, she can keep the book!"
"Rarity has shown a history of lying and manipulation." Harshwhinny said.
"Yeah, but that hardly proves she needs to be kept in a cell!" Twilight said. "How would you like it if you told one little untruth, and suddenly everyone in the Royal Guard seemed to want you arrested for something you didn't even do?"
"She's still shown signs of mental unwellness." Harshwhinny said. "Silver Lens, didn't you say she stabbed a milk carton?"
"That only proves she needs to be in an asylum, or at least on some medication, not in jail!"
"Twiley ..." Shining Armor said.
Twilight held out a hand for Shining Armor to hush.
"Rarity, step away from the window."
Rarity had moved to the window, and had one leg out the window, her thigh exposed.
"Why should I?" Rarity asked with a bored expression. "I thought we were past this. I thought we were finally at the point where I would be allowed to make amends. But what's the point? It's clear to me now that ... none of you are ever going to forgive me. None of you are ever going to trust me again. You'll keep coming back. You'll keep hounding me. You'll keep going, because you've constructed all these narratives in your head that I'm somehow the villain, that I did wrong, or that I'm at least not well enough to be trusted by myself. And if that's the case ... if I'm going to be hunted for the rest of my days, always looking over my shoulder, targeted by the head of the very system swore to uphold justice ... "
Rarity looked out the window.
"What's even the point of living?"
Rarity fell forward, throwing herself out the window, everyone else in the room in too much shock to stop her, even as Twilight reached her hands out.
"NO!" Rainbow Dash shouted, jumping towards the door with her wings flared.
Rarity's leg hit against the tile of the roof first, bouncing and displacing shingles. The rest of her body follow, sliding against the roof. She got as far as up to her waist on the roof before Rainbow Dash grabbed her by the arm and kept her from falling any further.
"I got'cha." Rainbow Dash cried desperately, pulling Rarity up. "I got'cha."
Rarity closed her eyes, letting out a groan and shaking her head as she was hoisted back into the bedroom. Rainbow Dash adjusted Rarity's body and carried her, bridal-style, over to her bed.
"You're safe now." Rainbow Dash set Rarity down, stretching her across her bed. "You hear me? You're safe now."
Twilight Sparkle clapped her hands and turned towards everyone else. "Okay, everyone out. Let the lovers have a private moment."
"Twiley, she just tried to jump out a window -!"
Twilight gave a murderous glare which made very clear, that if anyone said one more word in protest, she would not hesitate to subject them to long, slow, torturous and painful deaths.
Cowed, Shining Armor, Harshwhinny, and Silver Lens went out the room.
"You." Twilight grabbed Harshwhinny by the collar. "Later, I want to have a talk with you." She pushed Harshwhinny aside before guiding Harshwhinny and the rest down the stairs.
Rarity continued to groan, while Rainbow Dash held her hand.
"Ooh ..." Rarity brought up one hand to her face. "Why did I do that? ... Why did I do that?Sweetie Belle still needs me. Oh! And we were going to get married. I'm so sorry, Rainbow Dash ... I don't know what I was thinking."
"It's okay." Rainbow Dash said. "I forgive you."
"Ugh ... " Rarity removed her hand and looked down at her body. "I think my leg is broken ... and my arm."
"It's okay." Rainbow Dash tried to assure her. "It's okay. The doctors will fix it. They have all kinds of magic in the hospital. We'll get you fixed up, okay?"
Rainbow Dash got up to get the paramedics, but Rarity grabbed her by the wrist.
"Rainbow Dash ... don't leave me."
Rainbow sat back down, wrapping her hands around Rarity's hand. "I won't, okay? I'll be right here, and I'll stay as long as you need me to. I'm ... sure Twilight's going to get help anyway."
"Mmm. Rainbow Dash?"
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry ..." Rarity closed her eyes and rolled her head away.
"I know." Rainbow Dash rubbed Rarity's hand tenderly. "I know. You said that already."
"I'm sorry ..." Rarity repeated again. She repeated herself again and again, deliriously apologizing over and over ...
Until, to Rainbow Dash's surprise, Cadence entered the room.
"Ugh ..." Rarity groaned, waking up in a room she didn't recognize. She looked around and saw the window had been boarded up, with planks nailed into it. Her right arm was in a sling, and she looked to the left and saw Cadence sitting by her bed on a stool.
"Hey there." Cadence said with a smile. "I'll ... bet you're wondering where you are, aren't you?"
Rarity looked around the room again. "The Crystal Castle."
Cadence nodded. "After you ... jumped, Twilight got me. I brought you here and the surgeons here fixed you, and then brought you here while you healed. I'm going to be placing you under mental institution watch while you recover both physically and mentally."
"Mental institution watch?" Rarity sat upright, wincing and regretting her decision, clutching at her arm. "Ow. Cadence, you can't do that! I don't need to be under watch!"
"Rarity, you tried to jump out a window."
Rarity bit her lip. She sunk back under her covers.
"I ... suppose it wouldn't hurt to rest for a few days."
"Glad we understand each other." Cadence said with a smirk before getting up and leaving. "We'll be locking the door when we leave. The orderlies will come by and check on you regularly. If there's anything you need, just let us know."
Rarity nodded.
Cadence smiled and shut the door, and Rarity could hear the click of the latch as Cadence locked it.
Rarity rested her back against the wall. She began to reflect on her actions. What had driven to such a point? What had compelled her, urged her, to take a drastic measure? What had convinced her it was a good idea?
Rarity turned her head towards the window. For a moment, she thought about going over and inspecting the boarding to see if there was a weak point she could exploit and use to escape this place and Cadence's watch.
Her arm burned. Rarity rubbed at the tingling skin around her wrist, her flesh remembering what happened, still able to feel the scraping of the shingles against her skin ... the bruises ... the desperate clutch of Rainbow Dash's hand as she tried her hardest to keep Rarity from plummeting to her doom.
Rarity looked away from the window. She continued to rub her wrist.
"Guard?"
A Guard poked his head through the door with a cautious, neutral face.
Rarity gave him a warming smile to assure him she would do him no harm, but knowing Rarity's reputation for using charm to get her way, it only made him more uneasy.
"Could I have a glass of water?"
The Guard was puzzled by this simple request, but after getting over the unexpected innocence of it, he nodded. "Sure ... I'll have to monitor you to make sure you don't, you know, do something with it."
"Of course." Rarity said. "But whatever would I do with a glass of water?"
"You could try to choke yourself on the water, you could break the glass and use it to hurt yourself or others ..." The Guard said, before leaving when he noticed Rarity's annoyed gaze. "I'll get right on it."
"I'm not that badly damaged." Rarity huffed, turning over on to her side and pulling up her covers, careful not to agitate her sling arm. "Am I?"
Over the course of the next three days, Rarity remained remarkably calm and well-behaved for someone who had tried to jump out of a window a mere seventy-two hours ago.
She laid back on her bed, patiently waiting for the Guards to bring her lunch. While she waited, her mind wandered ... and as it did, it wandered back to a moment from a long time ago ... back when she was still under the direct influence of the Pipe Slime.
Of course, given the way her life was right now, who's to say she wasn't still under the influence of the Pipe Slime now? Albeit more ... subtle, more ... implicit and more shadowy and long-reaching, consequential influence?
Were the others right? Was her relationship with Rainbow Dash ... toxic?
She thought back to when she and Rainbow Dash were in front of the cave. They had just sent Twilight Sparkle and Fluttershy in to be tainted by the Pipe Slime itself, and were taking the chance to enjoy some private time together. And over the course of the proceedings in said private, Rarity ... slapped Rainbow Dash.
Rarity slapped her.
"I slapped her."
It wasn't a light slap, either, the kind one gives to a friend at a party in front of friends to let the friend they were being rude or offensive and give subtle discouragement of further inappropriate remarks. No, this was a hard slap. It hurt. It stung. It was punishing.
It was cruel.
It had been a reprimand to Rainbow Dash for trying to Rarity's sweet nectar before Rarity had given her express permission.
Rarity was left wondering why she had done such a thing. She had never slapped Rainbow Dash before, had she? Even while under the Pipe Slime's control? Why did she feel the need to punish her this one time? Didn't she like it when Rainbow Dash nursed her, both with the Slime inside her and without? What made this time different?
No ... it wasn't me. Rarity thought. It wasn't me. I didn't hit her. It was the slime ... wasn't it?
Were the things some were saying about her and Dash right? Was her relationship with Rainbow Dash as ... toxic as they claimed?
She rolled on the bed, her mind still awash and racing with questions. Why could she control the slime as well as she did? Why did she hurt Rainbow Dash? Was it the slime, or her? Could she be trusted not to do it again?
That's a stupid question. Rarity thought. We've been together ten years now. I haven't laid a hand on her.
Rarity paused.
Rough play in the bedroom doesn't count.
The door clicked, and Rarity sprang upright. Two Guards entered the room, one of them carrying a tray with her lunch on it.
"Hi, Rarity. We've got your lunch for you."
"I see. Thank you, darlings." Rarity smiled at them as the Guard set the tray down on her bed.
Rarity wrapped her arms around herself, clutching at her breasts. Her empty, hollow, weightless breasts ... "Oh, for Celestia's sake, not now."
The Guards looked at each other. One of them gestured his head at Rarity to indicate the other should ask what was wrong.
"What's bothering you?"
"Oh, nothing." Rarity closed her eyes and shook her head. "It's just I've been empty for so long ... I'm wanting for my special powder."
"Your ... special powder?"
"Yes." Rarity said. "It's ... um, it's ... a special powder which ... lets me lactate." Rarity turned her head away from them in embarrassment, before turning back to them and smiling, fluttering her lashes. "Would you two dears be so kind as to help me procure some?"
"Gee, I don't know ... would we have to steal it from somewhere?"
Rarity laughed airily. "Ha ha ha! No, darlings. I can recall the recipe by heart. All I need you to do is bring the ingredients."
"Well ..."
The other Guard slammed his elbow into the Guard's shoulder, giving a disapproving glare.
"I'm not sure Cadence would approve of us giving you something like that."
Rarity narrowed her eyes. "Well, what Cadence doesn't know won't hurt her, will it?"
"I'm sorry, Rarity." The Guard said. "We can't help you with this. Enjoy your lunch."
One of the Guards left, while the other went into the corner.
Rarity looked down at her lunch. In anger, she gave a backhanded swat to a bowl, making it topple, but she calmed down and reached over, stopping it from tipping over with her palm.
"Hmm." The Guard said in observation. "Say, can I ask you kind of a weird question? Hypothetically ... if we did get you your powder, which we won't, would you do something disgusting like suck on your own breasts, just to get your fix?"
Rarity squinted off to the side.
"Maaaybe." She answered. "Still, you shouldn't ask a lady something like that, darling." Rarity protectively brought her arm over her chest. "What a lady does with her assets is her own business."
Rarity gazed down at her lunch, contemplating a situation where she had access to her powder, and she could suckle and feed herself with her milk out of spite so she wouldn't have to rely on Cadence's servants for sustenance. Recognizing such a scenario was unlikely to happen, she set about eating her lunch.
Later, much later in the day, night had fallen on the Crystal Empire, and Rarity was lying in her bed, resting her head on her pillow, closing her eyes and attempting to go to sleep.
Her attempt to go to sleep was interrupted by the sound of dripping, one of the worst sounds to be trying to fall asleep to. Most of the time, it meant someone had left a faucet on, and one couldn't get used to the rhythm and go to sleep ignoring it, because one could never tell how much time there would be between drops.
Rarity's eyes shot open.
Her room didn't have a faucet.
Her eyes drifted over to the boarded-up window, where, once she focused, she was quite certain was where the noises were coming from.
"Guards!" Rarity shouted. "GUARDS!"
The Guards burst in, flicking the light on. They reared up, aiming their spears and getting ready for a fight. "What is it?"
"I think - I know there's something by the window." Rarity pointed to the window, clutching at her blanket. "I can hear dripping coming from it."
"Dripping?" The Guards asked. They lowered their spears and went over to the window to investigate.
"It's completely boarded up." The Guard said. "How could anything get in?"
The Guards did a thorough inspection of the boarding, running their hands over it, feeling for anything which felt out a place. A loose nail, a spot of condensation.
"We're sorry, Rarity." The Guard said. "We can't find anything. There's nothing to show any signs of disturbance ... or dripping. There's not a single wet spot on there."
"I know there was something there." Rarity said.
The Guard. "It was probably just your imagination."
"Yeah. Spending so much time locked up in here is making you go stir-crazy and see things." The guard twirled his finger in a 'cuckoo' motion. "Like, cabin fever or something. We need to get you outside one of these days."
The Guards left, turning the light off on their way out.
"I know something was there." Rarity said. She laid down and rested her head on her pillow. Perhaps the Guards were right. Perhaps she was imagining things because she hadn't had fresh air in too long.
But if so, why could she sense - why she could feel there was something on the other side of the window?
The next day, Rarity was reading a book on her bed with a pair of reading glasses. Evidently, she had behaved enough for the Guards to trust her not to try to pop out the lens and make them into in a makeshift glass dagger of some kind.
Cadence herself came by and visited, pulling up a seat and sitting next to Rarity's bed.
"Hello, Cadence." Rarity closed her book to give Cadence her attention. "What can I do for you today?"
"I'm just checking on you." Cadence said. "It's amazing how well you've behaved, Rarity, considering what you did."
Rarity shrugged. "What can I say?"
"You haven't fought the Guards, you haven't tried to hurt yourself or cut yourself, you never refused to eat your food ..." Cadence went on. "It's ... pretty amazing."
"Yes, well ... I thought about it, and I decided I don't want another sling on me. I mean, look at this one." Rarity pointed at it. "The color is all wrong. It totally clashes with my complexion!"
Both she and Cadence laughed.
"Oh, of course. It's always about fashion with you, isn't it, Rarity?"
"It is." Rarity said. She threw her legs off the side of the bed and stood up. "Now, if you don't mind, I think I'll check myself out now."
"Whoa there." Cadence said. "Just because we're talking and laughing does not mean you are free to go."
Rarity's face grew sour. "I assure you, Cadence, I am quite fine." Rarity stood up.
"Where do you think you're going? Sit. Down." Cadence's hand glowed, and she pointed a finger at the floor, using her magic to force Rarity back on the bed.
"Rarity, this isn't just something you can talk your way out of. It's not a test where you have to say just the right thing that we want to hear and then we'll let you go. You tried to jump out of a building. You're not well. You need help. You need observation. You need to be cleared by a professional before we let you go. Maybe even a review board."
"I see." Rarity crossed her arms. "And will this board include Harshwhinny and Shining Armor?"
Cadence looked shamefully away. "I can't change what happened with Harshwhinny and Shining Armor. But I can keep you here, and I can decide whether or not you're mentally unfit."
"And what qualifications do you have to decide whether I'm mentally unfit or not?"
Cadence's reply was sharp and brisk. "I'm the Princess. The Princess of Love."
Cadence got up and left the room, exchanging bitter glances with Rarity on her way out.
Rarity sat back in her bed, seething. Her eyebrow perked up, and her body went from tense in anger to tense in fear when she heard the sounds of something dripping again. From the boards.
She could see it this time. It was something slipping through the boarding ... something ... orange.
"Cadence!" Rarity screamed.
Cadence walked back into the room, adopting a gentler tone when she detected the fear in Rarity's voice. "What is it?"
Rarity pointed at the boards.
"The dripping again?" Cadence gave a soft smile and shook her head. "The Guards told me. Rarity, you're probably just imagining things, or ... hearing condensation drip off. It wouldn't be out of the ordinary for you to be delirious after sliding on your roof like you did."
Rarity put a finger to Cadence's lip before making a shush gesture by putting a finger to her own lip.
Rarity pointed at the boards, gesturing for Cadence to listen.
After a few moments of silence, Cadence heard the dripping noises, and she recognized what they were.
"Cadence," Rarity said, speaking in a loud and melodramatic voice to make sure the eavesdropper heard, "why don't you go and wait in the hall?"
"Good idea, Rarity." Cadence said woodenly. "I will go and do that." Cadence went out into the hall.
"We have got to work on her acting." Rarity muttered to herself. She turn towards the window.
The boards shook. They rattled as something pounded on them from outside, knocking nails out and out to the floor.
The boards bent backwards as the intruder pounded again, knocking all the nails and planks out, where they fell to the floor with a clatter, the planks banging against each other, the nails rolling around on the floor, a cloud of sawdust rising up from the destroyed wood.
Fleur-de-lis hung outside the window, her slime appendages allowing her to cling to the wall.
"Finally!" Fleur exclaimed, her tail wriggling as she writhed and slithered her way inside. "I thought she'd never leave us alone!"
Fleur dragged in her tentacles from the window, resting her tail on the floor. "Now we can have a private moment ... just between you and me."
Fleur slithered towards the bed.
"I've been looking all over for you ..." Fleur whispered. "I've been wanting to have some private time together with you ... with just us ... and we can take turns drinking milk out of the other's chest ..."
"Sounds lovely." Rarity nodded before turning head towards the door. "CADENCE! NOW!"
Cadence burst into the room, her hands glowing with blue magic. She fired out a blizzard gusts from her palms, coating Fleur in snow and ice. Fleur shivered and seemed bothered by the ice crystals and frost forming around her hair, but her slime remained agile and mobile.
"It didn't work." Cadence said with disbelief. "It didn't work. It's supposed to work! It's supposed to freeze her!"
"Chrysalis must have cast a spell on the Citrus Slime to protect from the freezing weakness." Rarity quickly deduced. She rubbed her chin. "The slime is still mostly liquid, though, so it would be weak to ... quick! Shoot her with a lightning spell!"
"I can't do that!" Cadence protested. "I could kill her!"
"Fine!" Rarity said. "If you would rather stand here and let her ravish us, have it your way!"
Fleur raised up her tentacle menacingly at Cadence. "You interrupted mine and Rarity's private time."
Cadence bit her lip. "I'm sorry, Fleur-de-lis. Please forgive me."
Closing her eyes and looking away, Cadence fired bolts of lightning with her magic, striking Fleur-de-lis and electrocuting her, the electric charges spreading through the slime. The sound of smoke and charred flesh permeated the room, the lightning flashing a blinding light.
There was a disgusting squelch noise, and the slime exploded off Fleur-de-lis' body, spraying all over the walls and floor, painting them with little orange flecks. Fleur laid in the center of the room, resting on her hands and knees, covered in black soot, and thin smoke coming off her body, but she was alive.
Cadence swirled her finger, using a spell to gather up all the droplets of slime. She manipulated them, coalescing them into one huge orb which she levitated into the air. "Whelp, I've got to go find something to do about this before it causes any harm. Stay here." Cadence pointed a stern finger at Rarity.
"I'm not going anywhere." Rarity said, looking at Fleur. Cadence carried the sphere of slime out of the room, holding up the gelatinous mass with her magic.
Fleur shivered and curled up, wrapping her arms around her legs as she sniffed and cried.
"Fleur?" Rarity asked, getting off the bed and approaching, gingerly reaching a hand out.
"Get away!" Fleur snapped at her, tears flying from her eyes.
"Fleur ..." Rarity said.
"I said get away!" Fleur snapped. She turned away, crying into her knees. "You don't want to be near me ... I'm ... I'm a monster."
"No, you're not." Rarity said.
"How would you know?" Fleur snapped, turning towards Rarity with a fist. "You don't know what I'm feeling right. You don't have any idea what I've been through!"
"Actually, I can say, without a doubt, that I am one of the few people in Equestria who know exactly what you've been through." Rarity said. "That gurgle feeling in your chest ... the rich, creamy milk filling you up in more ways than one, never feeling whole unless you had something to take the excess off you. The question, deep down, about whether or not you enjoyed it ... that feeling of power knowing you all had to do was stick your tentacle in someone and they would be completely under your control ... wondering how much of was the slime whispering into your ear, and how much of it was your own idea?"
Fleur-de-lis sniffed. "Yes ..."
Rarity sat down next to Fleur, putting her hands on Fleur-de-lis' shoulder.
"I ... almost kinda liked it." Fleur said.
"I know." Rarity rested her head on Fleur's shoulder. "Believe me, I know."
"Ooh ... I'm a monster." Fleur-de-lis groaned. "Fancypants is going to hate me."
"You're not a monster. Fancypants has been worried sick about you. All the time you've been infected, all the time you've been gone ... all he's wanted to know is if you would be okay." Rarity said. "He'll be relieved to know that you're unharmed."
"What ... do I do?" Fleur asked, sniffing and wiping away at her tears. "It's not like I can just hop back into my life like nothing's happened!"
"No." Rarity said. "But you can have friends you can rely on who will support, like Fancypants. Like myself."
"Fancypants is more than a friend ..."
Rarity cupped Fleur's chin and made Fleur look at her. "Which is why he'll be the first to forgive you ... after me, of course."
Fleur giggled.
"If you ever need someone to talk about your ... experience, I'm here for you." Rarity assured her with a smile. "In a way, Fleur-de-lis, I envy you. If I had had someone to talk to, someone who knew what I was going through and could relate to it ... things might have gone differently. My friends and I would have still trusted each other like we used to without second-guessing everything I have to say ... instead of hiding all our reservations ... and I might not be where I am today."
Rarity sat there, continuing to rub Fleur's shoulders in comfort. While Fleur rested her head on Rarity's shoulder, Rarity stared off into space, reflecting on recent events in her life.
Unseen by Fleur, Rarity clenched her fist, making a vow to herself.
On my word, once I get out of here, I will start making amends for all my transgressions. I'm not innocent in all this. I've made mistakes. I've lied. I've obfuscated and used half-truths. Well ... it's time to stop lying. From now on, I will tell everyone the exact truth, for good or for ill, with no dilution or censoring.
Rarity looked at Fleur-de-lis.
And ... I'm going to help those around me who need my help. Maybe I'll start a group for people in mine and Fleur's situation. Ha ha!
Rarity continued to comfort Fleur, giving her a shoulder to cry on until Cadence returned.
"I must say, Rarity, I'm impressed." Cadence said, the three of them going to a desk. "Comforting Fleur-de-lis the way you did ... not a lot of people who have been through the days you've been having would be able to do that."
Rarity shrugged. "What can I say?"
"Caring for and empathizing with others is a sure sign of good mental health." Cadence pulled out a quill. "It's a remarkable sign of improvement."
"So ... I'm free to go?" Rarity asked.
Cadence nodded. "Yes. Fleur-de-lis will need to be checked out a bit more thoroughly, just to make sure there's not any consequences from the slime, but you're both free to go."
Fleur and Rarity exchanged smiles with each other.
Cadence slammed her hand on the crystal desk, making them both spring to attention.
"On one condition." Cadence said. "You and Fleur both come back regularly to check in for mandatory evaluations."
"But of course, darling." Rarity said.
"Excellent." Cadence handed Rarity the quill and tapped a paper on the desk. "If you'll both just sign here showing your voluntary agreement to cooperate to my terms and conditions, and you'll be on your way. I'll let your families know you'll be coming back home." She smiled at Rarity and left the desk.
Rarity sighed the paper for herself before handing the quill to Fleur.
"Do you think Fancypants will be happy to see me?" Fleur asked as she signed her paper.
"Darling ..." Rarity draped an arm over Fleur's shoulder. "He'll be elated."
Fleur shrugged, uncertain. "I hope so ..."
Fancypants laid in his bed, staring at the ceiling as he waited for the agonizing hours to pass by. Cadence had sent him a letter saying Fleur-de-lis was on her way home, and she would arrive by train. It was hours ago when it had arrived. How long did a train take?
Fancypants tapped a finger to his head. If he was less despondent, he'd be less questioning. In a better state of mind, he knew how long a train took to get to Canterlot from the Crystal Empire, but each hour he waited felt like ten.
He heard a knock on the door.
"Coming!" Fancypants declared, putting on his monocle. He opened the door and gasped when he saw Fleur-de-lis, standing with a demure, reserved posture.
"Hello, Fancypants." Fleur-de-lis said. "I'm ... I'm back." She turned away from him. "I'm ... not sure if you can forgive me for what I did while I was ... infected. I destroyed your house, I attacked Rarity and Rarity's friends, I didn't listen to anyone ... so if you don't want to see me right now, I understand ... dang it, Fancypants, say something."
Fancypants was silent. He spread out his arms and walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her body, pulling her close in a tight embrace.
Fleur gasped. She gave a smile, even though her eyes were watery, and she returned the hug.
And that was all that needed to be said between them.
Rainbow Dash, Coco Pommel, Sweetie Belle, and Diamond Tiara crowded the foyer of Rarity's house, gathered around at the door, awaiting Rarity's arrival with a big welcome planned for her. Sweetie Belle held up a cake with a lit candle, with 'welcome home' written on it in frosting.
"Okay." Rainbow Dash made a shush gesture. "Everyone be super quiet. I want this to be a surprise for her. A good one."
Rarity walked up to the front of the house. She stopped and looked up. Something was missing. She needed a grander entrance for her return.
"Hmm." Walking around to the side of the house, Rarity waved her hand out, opening the window to her room with her magic.
"What is she doing?" Diamond Tiara wondered, seeing Rarity's silhouette in the window.
Rarity winced, remembering this was the same window she had tried to jump out of, but she carried on. Reaching her magic around, she felt around the room, sticking her tongue out in concentration as she tried to grab what she couldn't see. After knocking a few things over during her blind rummage, her face lit up when she felt what she was looking for.
Being careful not to drop or spill, she levitated the item out from the window and brought it down. The bowl of her powder.
Rarity stuck her fingers up, picking up a small sample, and placed it on her tongue. She swallowed and waited for her breasts to fill up.
"Come on. What's taking so long?" Rainbow Dash asked.
To everyone's surprise, the door swung wide open, and Rarity reached in, grabbing Rainbow Dash by the shoulders and pulling her close.
"Oh my." Coco Pommel said, realizing what Rarity's intentions were. She covered Diamond Tiara and Sweetie Belle's eyes.
"Hey!"
"I'm sorry, children, but you two shouldn't see this."
"We're legal adults!" Sweetie Belle protested, but Coco remained firm.
Rarity tossed Rainbow Dash against the door, landing her on her rump, and pinning her.
"Hey, what's the big idea here?"
Rarity silenced Rainbow Dash by pulling her dress down and stuffing her veiny breast into Rainbow Dash's mouth, forcing her tip onto Rainbow Dash's tongue. Rarity took her hand and squeezed herself, squirting several jets of milk into Dash's throat.
"Mmm ..." Dash moaned when Rarity finished and pulled away.
"Oh, darling ... you have no idea how much I've been needing that." Rarity said as she pulled up her dress. She blushed and chuckled, noticing Coco Pommel standing inside the house and looking at her, trying to determine if it was safe to take her hands off the two girls' eyes or not.
"Heh heh. I apologize, darling. I got a little carried away."
Coco Pommel nodded and removed her hands.
Rarity moved to go inside, but Rainbow grabbed her by the arm.
"I have a surprise for you too." Rainbow Dash said. "Later, when we're alone. Right now, go and say hi to everyone."
"Hello, everyone." Rarity said as she and Dash entered. "Oh my. I see a big welcome was prepared for me."
"Yup!" Sweetie Belle presented the cake to her. "We even made you a cake! I baked it myself."
This was cause for Rarity to grow concerned.
"Don't worry." Coco Pommel assured her. "I supervised."
"Well, it looks lovely." Rarity took the cake, and everyone followed her into the kitchen where she set it down on the table. She retrieved a knife and began to cut a slice off the cake.
Rarity noticed she was earning stares from Coco Pommel and Sweetie Belle.
"What?" Rarity asked. "Do you think, just because it was made for me, I'm supposed to dig in and eat it with my bare hands like an animal?"
Coco and Sweetie Belle looked at each other.
"Kind of, yes." Coco said. "Sorry. I guess you learn bad habits when you grow up in a poor neighborhood like mine."
"That's how I'd do it." Sweetie Belle said.
Rarity rolled her eyes. "So uncivilized." Rarity set the slice on a plate before noticing everyone was standing around. "Well? Grab a plate. I'm not going to eat this whole cake by myself. I'd lose my voluptuous figure!"
Everyone laughed before fetching plates for themselves.
Once they were all served and eating, Rarity looked down at her plate, regarding the half-eaten slice of cake on it. She looked towards Sweetie Belle.
"Sweetie Belle, join me on the stairs, would you?" Rarity asked.
Sweetie Belle raised an eyebrow. "Uh, okay."
Though puzzled by Rarity's odd request, Sweetie Belle followed her sister onto the steps, where Rarity sat down on the stairs and patted the stairs, gesturing for Sweetie Belle to sit next to her.
Sweetie Belle sat down. She ate another bite of cake before asking the obvious question. "What's up?"
"Sweetie Belle ..." Rarity said, resting her plate in her lap. "While I was at the Crystal Empire under Cadence's watch, I made a promise to myself. That I would start helping those I saw in need, quit lying, and speak the honest, whole truth."
"Okay." Sweetie Belle said. "What does this have to do with me?"
Rarity rested her arms on her lap. "You say you've been infatuated with Scootaloo for some time now, yes?"
"Yes? Why?"
"Why is that?" Rarity asked. "What is it about Scootaloo that draws you to her? That makes you love her and want to be with her?"
Sweetie Belle sat her fork down on her plate. "Uh, well ..."
"It's not because of me, is it?" Rarity asked. "You've modeled several of your behaviors after me, after all. I have a relationship with Rainbow Dash. Scootaloo is a lot like Rainbow Dash, or tries to be, anyway, so then ... it makes sense that you would try to start a relationship with her, patterned after Rainbow Dash and I."
Sweetie Belle looked down at her plate before looking at Rarity despondently. "Rarity ... what are you trying to tell me?"
"Just to be clear, I'm not trying to tell you to stop your pursuit of Scootaloo." Rarity said. "But I want you to be sure you're chasing after her for the right reasons. I want you to be sure that it's Scootaloo that you want, and not just a mirror of my relationship with Rainbow Dash." Rarity placed a hand on Sweetie Belle's shoulder. "While I can certainly try and make a guess, I can't ultimately know for sure what it is you want and decide that for you. Only you know, and you have to decide it for yourself."
Sweetie Belle looked at the floor. She nodded. "Okay. I understand."
"Good. I'm glad you do." Rarity patted Sweetie Belle on the shoulder before standing up. "Chin up, Sweetie. There's someone waiting out there for you ... even if Scootaloo might not be the one."
"Hey." Rainbow Dash walked into the room. "If you're done with your little lecture with Sweetie Belle, I'm ready to give my surprise for you."
"I think I am." Rarity said. "What is this surprise you're so eager to give me?"
"Come on." Rainbow Dash said. "Let's go upstairs for it."
"Ooh, mysterious." Rarity cooed, walking up the stairs, Rainbow Dash following behind her, leaving Sweetie Belle alone on the staircase to contemplate what Rarity said.
Rainbow led Rarity to their room. "You go first." Dash gestured.
"Such a gentleman." Rarity entered the room. "So, what is this big surprise?"
Rainbow Dash closed the door and locked it behind them. "Well, after you got sent away for the Crystal Empire, I figure you could stand to do something really special to welcome you back home."
"And what would that be?"
"Well ... I figured out something special, so I ..."
Rainbow Dash lifted her shirt up, peeling it off over her head, unclipping her undergarments to expose her enlarged breasts, which were spilling milk from their tips.
"Took some of the powder."
"Ooh." Rarity rubbed her fingers in anticipation. "I like this idea."
Rainbow Dash braced herself against the wall. Rarity leaned over and bent down to place her mouth on Dash's teat and prepared to suck her for all she was worth.
"Mmm ..." Rarity said between gulps of milk, the white fluid dripping down her cheeks. "After we finish this ... we should go find Spike."
"Spike?"
"Yes. Mmm ... I need to talk to him."
Rainbow Dash nodded. "Okay. I'll go get him ... after we're done here." Rainbow Dash cupped Rarity's cheek. "And no sooner."
"Hmm." Rarity smiled and nodded in agreement.
Long after they had finished their session, Rarity was left waiting by the door to the Boutique, waiting for Rainbow Dash to bring Spike to her. It was getting late. The stars were coming out.
A knock Rarity recognized as Rainbow Dash's banged on the door.
Rarity opened the door, finding Rainbow Dash and Spike outside.
"Well, it took me a long while." Rainbow Dash said. "But I found Spike. He's all yours." Rainbow Dash waved and went inside, passing both of them.
Rarity crossed her arms and rested against the door. "Hello, Spike."
Spike stood with his hands in his pockets. "Hello."
Rarity turned her head and smiled. "I've been needing to talk to you about this for a while, haven't I? ... You've needed to hear this for awhile." Rarity closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. "Spike ... darling ... I know you have feelings for me. And I'm flattered that I would catch your eye in that way, and I want you to know that no matter what, I deeply appreciate your friendship ... but ... I don't think it would-"
"It'll never work out between us." Spike said. "You're with Rainbow Dash now. I know. You've been hiding her in your house for a long, long time. There's no way I can compete with that."
Rarity smiled apologetically. "I'm glad you understand. I'm sorry."
"I knew." Spike said. "I guess I always knew. But still ... just hearing it, out in the open like that ... still kinda hurts." Spike cringed.
"You'll get over it." Rarity said. "You'll have to heal, and you'll get over it."
"Yeah, probably." Spike said. "See you around, Rarity."
"Good night, Spike."
Spike waved at her and left, walking off into the night. Rarity closed the door and let out a deep breath. It might have hurt to do, but a burden had been lifted off Rarity's shoulders.
Spike walked along the road, staring at the ground. He raised his head up when Sonata Dusk came bouncing up to him, skipping on her feet, her breasts jiggling around in a pleasing way.
"Hey there, sweet boy." Sonata Dusk greeted him. "Why so glum?"
"Hey, Sonata." Spike said. "What are you doing out here so late?"
"Oh, I just got lost on the way home again." Sonata Dusk said. "This may come as a surprise to you, but I have a terrible sense of direction."
"Not as surprising as you think." Spike said.
"Anyway, you still haven't answered my question." Sonata said. "What's got you down, Spike?"
"Oh, nothing ..." Spike said. "I just came from a friend's house, and we had a talk. We ... said some things that needed to be said, but ... I don't know ... they were all true things, things I needed to hear, but ... it still stings a little bit."
"Oh, you poor boy." Sonata Dusk took Spike's hand, placing one hand over it. "Why don't you tell Sonata Dusk all about it? As a bonus, you can walk me home along the way."
Spike looked up, considering whether or not he wanted to open up to Sonata Dusk about this. He decided he did. "Well ... it all started with ..."
Rarity let out another deep sigh, relaxing after finishing with her dirty business with Spike. She walked through the foyer, ready to begin preparing for bed, to brush her hair and teeth ...
Rapping came from the door.
"Now who could that be at this time of night?" Rarity asked. She went up to the door and opened it, surprised to a see a fuming Suri and a stern, serious Filthy Rich standing outside her door.
"Hello." Rarity said after getting over her initial shock. "What can I do for you, Mister Rich?"
"Rarity, let's get down to brass tacks." Filthy Rich said. "I'm here to retrieve my - our daughter."
"I see." Rarity said. "Just a minute. Diamond Tiara! There's someone at the door for you!" She shouted into the building.
Rarity crossed her arms. "If she wants to leave, I won't stop her, but what makes you think she'll go with you?"
"She's my daughter." Filthy Rich said. "That's reason enough."
"While she's here?" Rarity pointed to Suri. "I don't think it will be."
"How dare you." Suri said. "I'll have you know that I am just as loving -"
Rarity laughed.
"As Filthy Rich, and care about Diamond Tiara-"
Rarity snickered.
"Just as much, and am looking forward to-"
Rarity chortled.
"Restarting a new life with her." Suri said, gnashing her teeth at Rarity's laughter.
Rarity guffawed. "Oh, don't make me laugh. Wait a minute, you already did! But really now, darlings, do you really think Diamond Tiara is going to come home with you? I'll bet you don't even care. You're just pretending to be be mad to stay on Filthy Rich's good side."
"Who's at the door for me?" Diamond Tiara asked, entering the room from down the stairs. She halted when she saw Filthy Rich and Suri. She crossed her arms. "What do you want?"
"Diamond Tiara ..." Filthy Rich spoke in a level, but serious voice. "It's time to come home."
Diamond Tiara huffed. "No. I don't wanna. I want to stay with Rarity"
"Diamond Tiara, there's enough fun and games. It's time for you to come home." Filthy Rich said, a bit more forceful.
"I'm not playing any games." Diamond Tiara said. "I'm staying with Rarity. As far as I'm concerned, this is my home, and I'm not going to set foot in your house while she's still in it!" Diamond Tiara pointed at Suri.
"Diamond Tiara-" Filthy Rich began to speak, but Diamond Tiara turned around and walked back up the stairs.
Filthy Rich hung his head, while Suri stood there befuddled, biting her lip.
" ... I see." Filthy Rich said. "Suri, I can't deny it's been lovely having you around the house these last few days ... but for the sake of our daughter, I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
While Suri's jaw dropped, Filthy Rich turned and left.
"You ..." Suri fixed her jaw and glared at Rarity. "No, you. This is somehow your fault. It has to be. You - you've been brainwashed Diamond Tiara or something."
Rarity chuckled. "Is that what you think?"
Suri raised up her finger. "Yes, and if wasn't for Diamond Tiara being under your control, I'd-"
"You'd what?" Rainbow Dash asked, leaning over the handrails of the staircase, her wings flared out. She cracked her knuckles.
Suri was scared into silence. She lowered her finger and backed away from the door, giving a forced chuckle before turning and running away before Rainbow Dash decided to pounce on her.
"Well, glad that's over." With no more apparent threat to Rarity around, Rainbow Dash let her guard down, showing she was tired. "Rarity, would you come to bed already?"
"Right away, darling." Rarity closed the door.
"Although ..." Rarity tapped a finger to her chin, thinking about Suri. "Hmm ..."
"What?"
"Nothing." Rarity said. "I'll be right with you, darling."
The next day ...
"What? No. Rarity, I get that you're trying to get into this 'help everybody' thing, but that's a terrible idea."
"I have to try to get through her, Rainbow Dash. I have to try. You won't begrudge me one try, will you?"
"Grr. Fine. But don't expect me to be there, and don't come crying to me when it all goes south."
"Thank you, darling ..." ...
A few hours later, Suri Polomare received a card inviting her to lunch at one of the finer restaurants in Ponyville.
"Hmm. Seems a bit fishy, but I won't say no to free food." Suri said, examining the card.
She found the restaurant it listed and walked in. She walked up to the register. "Reservation for Suri Polomare?"
"Ah, yes." The attendant said. "Right over there. The purple-haired lady said she was expecting you."
"Purple-haired?" Suri questioned, but she didn't think too much of it. Lots of people in Equestria had purple hair.
Though when she arrived at the table, she wasn't expecting to find Rarity sitting there with bowls of food laid out, even if perhaps she should have been. After all, several Equestrians had purple hair, but of those, how many of them besides Rarity had reason to invite them to lunch?
"Oh, it's you." Suri growled and crossed her arms. "I don't know what game you think you're playing, but I'm not falling for it."
"I've already put in an order for you." Rarity gestured to the food.
Suri looked at the food before glaring at Rarity. "And it doesn't have anything in it that will make me throw up?"
"What? This isn't a private meeting. You think I would do something like that at a restaurant, with dozens of potential witnesses?" Rarity gestured to the other restaurant-goers.
Suri continued to narrow her eyes at Rarity, but she pulled out a seat and sat down. "You're lucky I can't say no to free food, or I'd be out of here."
"Oh, I know you can't." Rarity said. "After all, it's hard to pay for your food when you're a talentless hack who steals from others, and your sugar daddy is about to kick you out."
Suri stopped the bite which was about go into her mouth. "What do you want, Rarity?"
"I want to talk to you." Rarity said. "Let me start with a question. Why do you think Diamond Tiara resents you so much?"
"Because ..." Suri said. "Because ... she's ... an ungrateful ..." Suri threw her fork down and rubbed at her temples, unable to even convince herself of her life. "Because I left her. I left her, and I didn't look back. I didn't write. I didn't call. I did nothing to try to include myself in her life."
"Well." Rarity said. "I'm surprised to hear you admit that so readily. This conversation is already going much better than I expected." Rarity said. "So, tell me, why do you think she's unwilling to let you try to be part of her life again?"
"Would you?" Suri asked.
"Good point." Rarity said. "Now, how do you think you could make it up to her and repair your relationship?"
"Make it up to her?" Suri asked. "Okay, one, that assumes I even want to make it up to her. Two, there is no making it up to her. I wasn't part of her life for years, and I didn't come until after she was almost an adult. And it wasn't to go see her, either. It was ... it was to lounge in with Filthy Rich after my business collapsed again." Suri placed a hand over her forehead. "Don't you dare tell her this, but I can't manage my business without Coco Pommel helping me."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. I'm not that good at business smarts." Suri said. "Oh, sure, I can be underhanded and devious, and steal and cheat ... but when it comes to things like budgeting and buying the right amount of materials, I'm kind of terrible. Anyways, the only way to make it up to Diamond Tiara would be to travel back in time and start all over again."
"Hmm. I have a friend who might be able to help you with that. I'm not sure she would approve, though ..."
"Let me guess." Suri said. "Your little Princess friend? 'Ooh, look at me, I'm Rarity, I'm so smart with my business, and I never have to worry about anything because I'm best friends with a Princess'!"
"My business has never collapsed the entire time I've had it, and I never needed Twilight's help to do that. It was all me." Rarity took a sip of her drink.
"Humph."
"I'm not saying I didn't have a few close calls along the way." Rarity said. "But most of the time, I was able to lift myself without having to ask Twilight Sparkle for any ... favors."
"Well, goodie for you." Suri said. She leaned back against her chair. "Like I'm going to take advice on how to handle a business or an estranged child from a big-breasted floozy."
Rarity chuckled, taking Suri's insult in stride. "Suri ... I'm trying to help you."
"That's funny, because for the record, I don't remember asking for your help or needing it."
"Asking? No, you didn't. Needing? I'd beg to differ." Rarity said. She looked to the side. "You know, it's funny ... a long time ago, I met a friend. We've ... fallen out of touch since then, but when we talked, we were ... discussing how to get cute boys, and she said she heard that if you drank plenty of milk, you would get big breasts." Rarity examined her cup. "Now, I don't know if that's true or not, but that's what I did. Every breakfast I ate under my parents' roof from then, I always made sure to drink double glasses of milk. But whether the milk did it or not, you can't deny I certainly ... developed well."
Rarity took a sip of her drink before noticing Suri giving her a dumbfounded look. "What?"
"Rarity ... I'm pretty sure I was the friend who told you that." Suri said. "Remember? We met once before the competition in Manehatten? Remember that?"
Rarity's eyes widened in surprise, but she recovered and chuckled. "Well then ... I guess maybe I have you to thank for my voluptuous chest, don't I?" She raised up her cup. "A toast. To rediscovering long lost friends and tracing back unexpected developments."
Suri shirked in her chair. She passively clinked her glass to Rarity's.
Rarity smirked. "You still don't think they're natural."
"Not really, no."
"Would you like to feel them?" Rarity teased. "It might change your mind."
Suri's cheeks turned an extremely bright red. "I'll ... pass, thank you."
"Suit yourself. You don't know what you're missing." Rarity took another swig while Suri chuckled awkwardly.
Rarity set her drink down and stood up. She walked over to Suri and tossed a stack of papers onto the table, along with a pen.
"What are these?" Suri picked up the papers. "Adoption forms ...?"
"I mean it, Suri. You need to think carefully and seriously about how you're going to handle the situation with Diamond Tiara. I'll get the bill. Waiter! Check please!" Rarity ran off.
Suri was left alone to contemplate the adoption papers. She lifted them up to her face, thinking about the significance they had, and the impact they could make on a young girl's life.
Why did Rarity even have these in the first place ...? Suri thought. Hmm ... was she ... no, couldn't be. Surely not. Surely she wouldn't go that far ...
Would she?
It was there Suri realized, if she wanted to make up with Diamond Tiara, and perhaps Coco Pommel, she needed to be willing to go that far as well.
Rarity returned home and went up to her room, where Rainbow Dash was lying on the bed.
"How'd it go?" Dash asked.
"Much better than expected." Rarity said. "I do believe I got through to her."
"Great. Hey ..." Rainbow rolled over. "I've been thinking ... maybe we should try to stop using the powder and wean ourselves off it."
Rarity was appalled. "Stop? But you love my milk! And I love it when you suckle me for my milk!"
"I know, I know." Rainbow Dash said. "But still ... we are kinda ... addicted to it."
"Addicted?" Rarity squealed. "We're not addicted! Silver Lens has filled your head with nonsense."
"Rarity ..." Rainbow Dash said. "You were in the Crystal Empire for three days, and the first thing, the very first thing you did when you got back home was to shove your breast into my mouth. Not that I mind, but still."
"We are not addicted." Rarity insisted. "Neither of us are addicted. You're not addicted. I am not addicted."
"Oh yeah?" Rainbow said. "Prove it. Act like you're going to some of the powder, and then don't." She gestured her head at the drawer where the powder was kept.
"Fine. I will. And I'll prove to you that I am not addicted." Rarity said. She got onto the bed and laid next to Rainbow Dash. She pulled out the drawer and the bowl of powder, and scooped a spoonful. She made to lift the spoon to her mouth and stopped. Her hand shook, her mouth open and ready to consume the fine powder, but she resisted and put the spoon down into the bowl.
"There. See?" Rarity asked. "Not addicted. Not addicted or dependent at all."
Rarity crossed her arms, smirking at Rainbow Dash in satisfaction. Her mouth twitched. She tapped her fingers on her arm. She crinkled her nose and looked to the side.
She dashed towards the drawer, despite Rainbow Dash reaching out to stop her, and grabbed the spoon. She lifting it up to her mouth, shoving it and swallowing all of the powder on it, tears flowing from her eyes as she realized Rainbow Dash was right.
"I ... I am an addict." Rarity realized. "I am addicted." Rarity turned around and nestled her head into Rainbow Dash's chest. "I'm sorry ... you were right, Rainbow Dash. I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." She wailed. "You were right."
"Hey, hey, it's okay." Rainbow Dash assured her, rubbing and patting Rarity on the back. "It's okay. We can fix this. We can go get help, okay?" Dash lifted Rarity's head up by the chin. "You didn't do anything wrong. It's not your fault. We'll go over to the support group tomorrow, okay?"
Rarity nodded, her sparkling tears dripping onto Rainbow Dash's chest. "Okay ..."
The day after, Rainbow Dash brought Rarity to the support group meeting.
Rarity stood outside the entrance to the building where the meeting was taking place. She hesitated to go in, even as Rainbow Dash strolled up to the entrance.
"Hey." Dash noticed Rarity's refusal to move. "Come on. I know these people. They're not gonna hurt ya."
Rarity rubbed at her wrists, still nervous. She went inside.
Rainbow Dash led her into the meeting room. It was set up the way one would expect the meeting to be, with a circle of chairs set up, most of which were occupied.
"Hey, guys." Rainbow Dash waved.
"Hello, Rainbow Dash." Chorused through the room.
"Where's Silver Lens? She usually comes with you."
"Eh, she couldn't make it today. Here's the new member I told you about." Dash gestured to Rarity. "My fiancee, Rarity. Have a seat, Rarity."
Rarity sat down at the empty seat.
"Hi there, Rarity." A familiar woman said.
Rarity squinted at her. "Blueberry Bite?"
"Yeah, it's me." Blueberry Bite answered. "You remember me?"
"Yes. One tends not forget the face of someone who aimed a shotgun at your face. What are you doing here?"
"Well, this may come as a surprise, but I used to get into a lot of mischief when I was younger." Blueberry Bite. said. "Got into drugs, alcohol, all kinds of bad stuff ... needed a group like this to get me back on a good track. Now, I know you, but the rest of us don't, so, Rarity, why don't you start by introducing yourself and why you're here today?"
"Hello, everyone." Rarity waved. "My name is Rarity Belle, and ... I have an addiction to breastfeeding my partner."
Everyone in the shifted uncomfortably.
"Oh, now, well ..." A man said. "Just because you have an interesting kink doesn't mean y'all have an addiction."
"Except ... except it does." Rarity said, tears forming as she remembered what happened in the cave all those years ago. "You don't know the story behind it. You don't know what's gone on. I ... I have to do it. That's what makes it an addiction. If I don't, I feel incomplete ... I get crabby and cranky, and I need my fix. I need to stuff my breasts - my disgusting huge breasts into Dash's mouth and make her work and squirm for every drop of white poison inside my spheres."
Rarity crossed her legs, putting a hand over her face.
"I need it. I need it, and I want it to stop. I've hidden it this whole time, for ten years, because I was afraid of what my friends would say and think ... that I would be ostracized and alienated. .And now, because I hid it, that exact thing happened, and people - people whose jobs are to help, to protect ... have been after me. Because of something I did years ago. Because of what I did when my mind and body were completely my own, because I did something sexual ..."
Rarity placed her face her into a palm. The room stayed quiet, giving her the time she needed.
Rarity removed her hand and took in a deep breath. "My name is Rarity Belle, and I'm a victim lashing out a world that doesn't understand me or my pain."
Rarity curled her fingers against her forehead. The entire room sympathized with her. |
Last Glass of Poison | Relapse | Rarity and Rainbow Dash walked out of the building, the support group meeting an apparent success, though Rainbow Dash noticed Rarity wouldn't take her eyes off the ground.
"Hey, why so glum?" Dash put a finger to Rarity's chin and tilted her head up. "Wasn't it nice to talk about your feelings and what you're going through with the others?"
"I suppose." Rarity flicked her head away from Dash's finger. "But ... I don't know, Rainbow Dash. I mean, how am I supposed to talk about all of this with them? Are any of them going to really understand what I've been through?"
Rainbow Dash put her hands on Rarity's shoulders. "Yes. They'll know exactly what you've been through, Rarity. They're all ex-addicts. That's what it means to be part of an Addicts Anonymous meeting. You understand that, right? They all know what it's like to have your head muddled by a substance, and for your friends to talk about you behind your back for something that might not even been your fault, or for doing something you wouldn't normally do ... "
Rarity crossed her arms and rubbed her shoulders. "I admit, it ... was nice to get all of that off my chest. But I'm still not convinced coming here again is really the best choice for me."
"Are you even listening to yourself? You sound ridiculous. 'Ooh, it was nice, but I don't want to do it again, ooh! Look at me, I'm Rarity, and I like to spend my wallowing in my own self-misery instead of talking about it with friends!'"
"Given how well some of our friends have handled the situation, I think I am well within my rights to be skeptical." Rarity said.
"Rarity, I wasn't told sold on the idea either at first." Rainbow Dash said. "I had to go a few times before I realized how much it was helping. Have I been cranky recently? Have I clawed at your chest, wanting some more white poison? Did I seem bitter and guarded around anyone? No ... well, aside from Shining Armor. The point is, Rarity, that it helps."
Dash held Rarity by the shoulders. "Promise you'll go a few more times before you blow off the idea entirely."
Rarity pursed her lips. "Very well. But what about Blueberry Bite? Won't she be ... resentful considering what I did to her and her sons all that years ago?"
"Rarity, if there's anyone in there who's going to understand exactly what you were going through - aside from me, of course - it's going to be Blueberry Bite. She got infected, too, you know. She'll know what it's like."
"Hmm." Rarity gave a soft smile, reassured by Rainbow Dash's encouraging words. They turned to walk back home, hand-in-hand, but their feet stopped on the grass and their smiles disappeared when they saw Twilight Sparkle standing in front of them.
"Hi." Twilight waved, keeping one hand behind back. She rocked on her ankles. "I was, uh, in the neighborhood and passing by ... I saw you come out of the building, so I walked over and figured I would say hi and ... " Twilight sighed. "Look, Rarity, I wanted to talk about what happened at your house."
Rarity crossed her arms. "I have nothing to say to you."
"And I can accept that, but just ... let me say what I have to say, okay?" Twilight asked.
"Why should I?" Rarity snapped. "What possible reason could I have to trust the word of my so-called friend who stood back and did nothing as I was accused of crimes I did not commit and of being a dangerous maverick?"
"Ugh." Twilight put a hand to her forehead. "You're right."
Rarity blinked. That hadn't been the response she was expecting. "I'm sorry?"
"You're absolutely right." Twilight said. "I'm a Princess now. I could - should have done something. All I needed to say was a few words and everyone would have cleared out the room. But I didn't. I was caught by surprise by how much vitriol Harshwhinny had to say against you, everything got heated and hostile, and I didn't think to do anything until it was too late and you ..." Twilight's voice broke, and her eyes welled up with tears. "You almost went out the window ... Rarity, I'm sorry. I understand if you don't want to forgive me. You don't have to. But I won't stop trying to make it up to you, and I promise you, I'll be ordering a thorough investigation into Harshwhinny and see it to it that she's properly reprimanded."
Rarity looked away before looking back to Twilight. "My apologies, Twilight Sparkle, but that isn't-"
Rainbow Dash grabbed Rarity by the wrist. "Rarity ... think about what you're about to say, and think about what Twilight is saying."
Rarity's jaw hung open.
"I understand why you feel the way you feel right now, how angry you are ... but Twilight is trying to apologize." Rainbow Dash said. "There is no reason to be this venomous towards her. If you keep acting like this, even when our friends are trying to help and apologize ... it's no wonder we keep alienating everyone."
Rarity grimaced and turned to Twilight. "I ... thank you, Twilight. That's ... a good start." She turned back to Rainbow Dash. "Those sessions really did help you clear your head, didn't they?"
Rainbow Dash shrugged and smiled. "What can I say? Talk may be cheap, but it helps."
Rarity chuckled.
Twilight, standing feet away, shirked and smiled, happy to have to laid the first brick in mending broken bridges with Rarity. Her smile faded and she looked around. "Say, do you either of you hear buzzing sounds?"
The three of them searched around.
Rarity pointed to the sky, detecting the source of the noise. "There. Take cover!"
Sunset Shimmer was buzzing over their heads, her wings flapping with fury. She landed on the ground, slamming her feet and a fist into the dirt, honey dripping from her body as she raised her head up.
Sunset panted, glaring at Twilight Sparkle before charging at her. "You!" Sunset lunged her with claws raised. Twilight was able to keep her wits about her and use a teleport spell, appearing behind Sunset.
"Everything I've suffered through ... all the things that were done to me since I came back here ... it's all because of you!" Sunset snarled, lunging at Twilight again, her arms crossing in a desperate attempt to grab Twilight before she teleported away again, but to no avail, as Twilight slipped out of Sunset's reach by teleporting once more.
"How?" Twilight asked. "How has anything that's been done to you my fault? Did I turn you into a bee? Did I tell you to partner up with that weird bee-monster lady? Explain to me, Sunset Shimmer, how you can say I am the direct cause of anything that's befallen to you ... and how it's not just the consequences of your own actions."
Sunset bared her teeth. "It ... it just is, alright?" Sunset flew at Twilight, wings buzzing, meaning to ram Twilight at full speed, but Twilight ducked and hit the ground, and Sunset passed over her.
"No, I don't think that's it." Twilight got up, purple fire surrounding her fists. "I think you're looking for someone to blame. A scapegoat, someone you can pin all your failures and faults on so that you don't have to face that maybe, just maybe, you should have made different choices in your live."
"No! NO! Raaaaaah!" Sunset roared and charged at Twilight Sparkle again, but was hit from the side by a blast of sapphire flame from Rarity's finger and sent tumbling. Sunset regained her balance and growled at Rarity, meaning to lunge at her next. Twilight fired a fireball from both her hands, striking Sunset Shimmer and knocking her to the ground, where she landed on one of her wings, crumpling it.
"Grr ..." Sunset winced, her eye twitching. She stood up, clutching at her damaged wing. She growled and charged at Twilight again, reaching a claw out to slash despite the obvious pain she was in.
Twilight dodged Sunset's blow by stepping to the side. Sunset ran straight past her without stopping. The injured wing was throwing off her balance and her focus.
"What happened to you, Sunset?" Twilight asked. "I thought I left you in good hands. I thought I told everyone in the town to try to make friends with the new you. What happened? How could you have let it all go so wrong?"
"Shut up!" Sunset Shimmer snapped. "Just shut up! Don't act like you know me! You don't know anything about me! About my life!"
Sunset ran towards Twilight again. Twilight waved her hand, holding Sunset's entire body in her magic and pulling Sunset back. Before Sunset could move again, Rarity contributed another blast, hitting Sunset in the side of her ribs and knocking her down to her knees.
"You know what I think?" Twilight said. "I think you were lying. I think you never actually 'rebuilt' your empire, did you?"
Sunset faced away from Twilight, tears in her eyes while clutching at her shoulder.
Rarity walked up to Twilight's side and raised up a hand, preparing another magical spell. "Are we sure this isn't a trick, so she can strike while our guard is down?"
"No." Twilight grabbed Rarity's hand and forced it down. "I can understand being paranoid, but I'm not letting you attack until we're sure one way or the other. Sunset?"
Sunset bit her lip. She looked up at Twilight, and for a moment, she seemed like she was going to talk ... but she turned her head away.
"Sunset ..." Twilight got down on one knee. "Tell me what happened."
"No."
"Fine." Twilight said. "I was hoping I wouldn't have to resort to this, but ... did you know Flash Sentry is missing?"
This got Sunset's attention. "Flash is missing?"
"Yes." Twilight nodded. "He disappeared a few days ago. We haven't been able to find him, but we think we know who took him. If I know anything, I'd bet you still have feelings for him. Help us rescue him, Sunset Shimmer. Be the good guy."
Twilight offered a hand towards Sunset. "I could help you, Sunset, I can't help someone who's not willing to help themselves."
Sunset regarded the hand with caution, a waterfall of tears pooling down her fact. She let out a heavy breath.
"Okay. Fine. I admit it. I was exaggerating." Sunset said. "Everyone ... everyone tried to be nice to me, like you asked them to. But ... I couldn't stop thinking about you. I thought I had everything I could ever want, and that everyone would obey my every wish ... and then you came in and knocked me off my throne. You tried to show me another way, and ... while I tried to be friendly to everybody, I was still mad. I thought my way was the best way, and for you to tell me it wasn't ... infuriated me. So I came here. I thought I would mess with you and your friends a bit, maybe humiliate you for awhile, but I never ..."
Sunset stared at her hands.
"I never thought this would happen. I never expected to be ... turned into a monster. Again. And it made me ... it made me realize I was stuck in a loop. A vicious cycle, where I just repeated my mistakes over and over again because I was resentful of somebody ... it didn't matter if it was you, or Celestia, or whoever ... and I was just so mad, I thought I'd hurt you ... and then the cycle would end, and I would ... I would stop hurting myself."
Sunset looked at the ground in shame before turning her eyes up to Twilight. Sunset raised up her hands, deploying the finger-stingers from her nails.
"Can you make me not a monster? Can you ... fix me? Can you ... cure me?"
"Only you can decide whether or not you're still a monster, Sunset Shimmer." Twilight said. "Being a monster isn't about what you are. It's what you do that defines."
"Oh please." Rarity scoffed. "Have you told this little heartwarming lecture to Shining Armor? I think he could use it." Rarity huffed, turning her nose up, but her natural empathy got the better of her. "Sunset Shimmer ... not too long ago, I met someone in a similar situation to the one you're in now. Only ... they weren't quite as mean before being turned into a monster, but still. And I can safely say, if I could help them ... maybe I could help you. If you're willing to try, of course."
Sunset stared at the ground. She nodded.
Twilight offered her hand again. This time, Sunset took it, and Twilight helped Sunset Shimmer to her feet.
In short order, Twilight got Sunset to Zecora's hut, where Zecora whipped another vial of her all-purpose antidote, which at this rate, seemed to be able to cure all ills.
"Ugh." Sunset groaned as her bee appendages fell off her body with squelchy noises, the rotting carcass of her carapace getting all over Zecora's floor. "Ew. Still ..." Sunset put her hands together and stretched upwards. "Glad to be back to my old self."
"I'm glad you're back, too." Twilight said. She grabbed Sunset by the arm, with Sunset's eyes widening in surprise. "But there's no time to for you to sit around and get comfy. We've got intelligence reports indicating Flash Sentry is in the Everfree Forest."
Twilight Sparkle dragged Sunset with her as she ran out the door.
"Oh, and, uh, we'll help you clean that up later, Zecora, okay?" Twilight said, referring the parts of bee-monster scattered over the floor. Twilight swept her hand and set the vulnerable insect parts on fire, to Zecora's consternation.
Adagio Dazzle was out in the forest, with her thrall Flash Sentry, standing in a field of blue flowers.
"Ooh ... I can't believe Flash has been taken in by a floozy like that." Sunset grumbled, hiding in the bushes with Rarity.
"Now ... do be careful, Flash." Adagio Dazzle bent down and plucked one of the flowers. "Poison Joke can affect you if you don't handle it properly." She put the flower up to her nose and smelled it. "Aah. Whoever came up with the idea of using this to induce lactation was a diabolical genius. If we could get enough of it, I'm sure Chrysalis would be able to put it to good use ..."
"She's still stealing my idea!" Sunset exclaimed, "Still, it's nice to hear I am a genius."
"Sunset." Rarity tapped Sunset on the shoulder. "Focus."
"Right."
Adagio Dazzle laid the Poison Joke across her arm and prepared to pluck another flower, but two fireballs - courtesy of Sunset Shimmer - flew by and hit her, knocking her off balance.
"What?" Adagio exclaimed. "Who did that?" She growled, but another fireball - this one from Twilight Sparkle - knocked her over.
Rarity jumped out from behind the bushes, wrapping her arms around Flash Sentry and pulling him away.
"What?" Flash questioned, his eyes glassy while Rarity's chest squished against his back. "What's going on? Could I have some more milk, mistress?"
"You can have all the milk you want once we get you home." Rarity said. "Just not breast milk."
Once Rarity had safely pulled back behind the foliage, Twilight gave a hand signal to Sunset from around the tree. Sunset nodded to to acknowledge, and she and Twilight ran out of the forest before Adagio Dazzle could get her bearings.
Sunset Shimmer stopped running. She turned around and stared at the field of flowers. Even without Flash Sentry to help her gather it, there was a lot of harm Adagio could do with so much Poison Joke. A fireball burning in her hand, Sunset hurled a fireball through the field, setting the Poison Joke aflame.
"Uh ... what just happened?" Adagio asked, sitting upright and rubbing her head. She was alarmed by the burning flowers and quickly fled the scene.
Flash Sentry rubbed his head as the mist of Adagio's enchantment cleared from his mind. He examined his surroundings and observed he was in Ponyville. "Whoa ... where am I? What happened? ... Sunset Shimmer? What are you doing here?"
Sunset Shimmer stood coquettishly in front of him, her hands put together and off to one side. "Hi, Flash."
"What's been happening? Why am I in Ponyville?" Flash asked.
"You got enchanted by a mystical creature summoned from an evil book." Twilight answered sharply. "We rescued you just a few minutes ago."
"And here I thought as a Royal Guard, it was my job to do the rescuing." Flash wryly commented.
"Noo, don't be silly, darling. Your job as Royal Guard is to be an incompetent, ineffectual -"
"Rarity, enough." Twilight scolded.
Rarity turned her head away. " ... Sorry."
"Twilight, listen ... I know there's probably a lot you want to ask me, and plenty of things you want me to catch up on, but ... would you mind if we walked on out of here?" Sunset grabbed Flash's arm. "Flash and I have some catching up of our own to do."
Twilight nodded. "Of course. Go ahead."
With a confident smile, Sunset walked Flash off, holding him by the hand. "Come on, you. There's a lot we need to talk about."
Twilight smiled as she watched them go, happy Sunset Shimmer was finding her place in the world ... and rekindling old flames.
Twilight turned to speak to Rarity, but she stopped short, seeing Silver Lens approaching them in the distance. "Oh. Her."
"Princess Twilight?" Silver Lens asked, walking up to them. She stopped and hesitated at the sight of Rarity. "Er ... I was hoping I could talk to you."
Twilight locked her arms. "That's good, Silver Lens, because I was hoping I could talk to you. What was that back there at Rarity's house?" Twilight gestured to Rarity. "What were you thinking? Did you even know what you were doing when you walked inside?"
Silver Lens averted her gaze. "No ... no, I didn't. I had no idea what Harshwhinny was really trying to do. I'm ... truly sorry for that, Princess."
"Don't apologize to me." Twilight gestured her fingers at herself before pointing at Rarity. "Apologize to Rarity! There were plenty of times you could have spoken out against Harshwhinny and save Rarity a load of trouble. Why didn't you?"
"I ... I wasn't sure." Silver Lens answered. "I had seen so many different behaviors from Rarity, I wasn't sure what would have been the best thing for her and everyone. I wasn't sure what to recommend, and I thought ... maybe Harshwhinny might have been right. Maybe it was better if Rarity was somewhere where she couldn't hurt anyone."
"You're a MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL! Making recommendations is YOUR JOB! The very job Cadence and I and everyone else hired you to do and expected you to do! If you didn't know what to do, you should have told someone. Me, Cadence, Celestia, anyone, and maybe we could have prevented this and gotten Rarity where she needs to be."
Silver Lens fell silent for a time. Twilight began to walk away.
"Princess, it's my recommendation that Rarity be put in a mental ward."
Twilight turned back to Silver Lens, leering at her with narrowed eyes. "Really? What makes you say that?"
"I saw her ... stab a milk carton with a knife."
"A milk carton. With a knife." Twilight repeated. She rubbed her temples. "And why didn't you see it fit to, I don't know, report this to Cadence, like you were supposed to?"
"I ... I was afraid ... that Rarity might focus her anger on me if I reported anything that might have lead to her being taken from her home or restricted of her rights."
Twilight and Rarity glared at her.
"Really?" Twilight asked. "One, Rarity was already being removed of her rights simply by having to allow you in her house, not to mention Shining Armor putting the tracking bracelet on her, and she didn't do anything more than be sarcastic with you. Two, you know Rarity's history, her ... unique trauma, and why she might have a hostile reaction to milk. A milk carton isn't even a person. It's a box, and a box that Rarity can do what she wants with. If she needs to go out and buy more milk because she was having a fit and destroyed her only carton, that's on her. Three, after the time she's been having, being institutionalized and locked up again is the last thing Rarity needs."
Silver Lens began to say something.
"And furthermore, after your poor conduct and failure to report in, I'm not sure I would trust any recommendations you make! You're lucky I don't have you disbarred this minute! Hmph!"
Twilight turned and walked away. Rarity glared at Silver Lens before joining Twilight.
"I ..." Rarity halted as she and Twilight walked along the Ponyville path. "Thank you for that, Twilight. I ... needed to hear someone stick up for me like that. You know, besides Rainbow Dash."
"No sweat." Twilight said. "I figure it's the least I can do, since I ... haven't really been the best friend lately to you, either. Especially since I could have stopped what happened at the Boutique at any time. I mean, we keep saying we'll try to open up and quit making you feel so ... alienated and left out, but then stuff like this keeps happening."
Twilight stopped and turned her. "Well, I say it's time we start putting our money where our mouth is. Tell you what, you get Rainbow Dash, I'll grab the rest of the girls, and we'll all meet up for lunch today. How does that sound?"
"That sounds lovely, darling."
"Great." Twilight waved goodbye and left. "See you in a little bit!"
"Goodness, is it that close to lunch time already? I suppose I have had a bit of a busy morning ..." Rarity placed a hand to her cheek in contemplation. "You know, between going to a support group, fighting a corrupted bee-woman, and staging a rescue mission ..."
Rarity, dressed in her little white sun dress, arrived with Rainbow Dash to the outdoors restaurant she and the girls frequented so often.
"It's amazing this place has stayed open as long as it has ..." Rainbow Dash observed.
"There's our group." Rarity pointed to the table where Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Applejack were already seated, with glasses of water set out for all six of them.
"I must be honest ..." Rarity said as Rainbow Dash was a gentleman and pulled out her seat for her. "I wasn't expecting all of you to show up." She glanced at Applejack, for obvious reasons.
"Are you kiddin'? After the rough time you've been havin'?" Applejack raised up her glass. "We wouldn't want have missed this for the world."
"Yeah!" Pinkie Pie said.
"I know we may have been doing a really bad job of it as of late ..." Fluttershy nervously ran her hand through her hair. "But we're always here for you."
"I'd like to propose a toast." Applejack waved her glass around. "To burying the past, making amends, and getting the old gang back together again. With a tight-knit friendship and thick as thieves ... you know, like we used to be."
"Yeah!" Pinkie Pie agreed. "The Magnificent Six! That's us!"
The rest of the girls chuckled.
"Hear, hear." Twilight agreed, and all six of them clinked their glasses together and drank from them in unison.
Some distance away, they were observed by Spike and Sonata Dusk sitting on a bench.
"They seem like they're having fun." Sonata observed.
"Yeah." Spike agreed before taking another bite of his sandwich."
"They didn't invite you?" Sonata asked, crossing her arms.
"No, Twilight did, actually, but I decided not to go." Spike said. "This is something that's between them. After all, it's to make amends for all the times that weren't there for Rarity when she needed them, but I was never not there for Rarity when she needed me." Spike cracked a smile, a soft tone of arrogance slipping into his voice.
"Really?" Sonata wrapped an arm around Spike's shoulders. "Well, if that's true, then you're a really good guy, Spike."
Spike blushed. "Thanks." He rubbed his cheek, trying to think of what to say in response. "You're a really good girl, Sonata Dusk."
Sonata's red eyes looked straight at the ground. "No, I'm not ..." She muttered under her breath.
"Hmm?" Spike asked, not hearing what she said, but detecting her voice. "Oh, uh, here. Do you want some of my sandwich?"
Sonata held her hand up. "I'm not hungry ..." She glanced to the side. "Well, maybe a little bit ... Spike, can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
"Are you going to give up on Rarity?" Sonata asked. "Like, really, really mean it give up forever?"
"Well, yeah, of course ..." Spike said, putting his sandwich down on the bench in its wrapping. "She was with Rainbow Dash in secret all that time. There's no way I can compete with that."
"Good." Sonata said, smirking. "Then surely you won't mind if ..."
Sonata placed a hand on Spike's cheek, turning him towards her. She leaned in closer, and the two of them blushed.
"Sonata ... what are you doing?" Spike asked.
"I meant it when I said you must be a good guy, Spike." Sonata said. "And ... you're awfully cute ... a girl ... would be lucky to have you ..."
"I ... I ..." Spike stammered.
"Oh, shut up and kiss me already."
Sonata grabbed his other cheek and pulled him close, leaning in and giving him a kiss on the lips. Spike moaned as they embraced, kissing back and enjoying Sonata's smooth lips.
Sonata moaned and leaned back, wrapping her arms around Spike's body and pulling him back with her.
Sonata grabbed Spike's hand by the wrist and pulled it towards her, dragging it around and placing it firmly on her breast.
Spike's eyes widened, and he reared back. "W-what?"
"Come on, Spike." Sonata said, pressing Spike's hand into her chest. "Since you're not waiting for Rarity anymore, there's no reason why we can't ..."
"Right here? Right now? We're in public! What if someone sees us? What if Twilight sees us? She'll kill both of us. First you for having me do something sexual, and then me for doing something sexual without letting her know what I was doing!"
"Good point, though you had me convinced at 'What if someone sees us' without the death threats." Sonata stood up and and pulled Spike up with her. "Let's go somewhere a little more private ..."
Sonata dragged Spike away. Spike reached out to grab his sandwich as Sonata towed him.
"Hang on to that sandwich, Spike." Sonata said. "You're going to need it once I'm through with you ..."
Spike wasn't entirely sure why Sonata saying this sent a shiver of excitement through his bones, but he was looking forward to finding out.
Sunset and Flash's walk came to a stop by a lake.
"So that's it, huh?" Flash asked. "Wow ... that's ... a lot to take in."
"Don't I know it." Sunset said.
"So, are you and Twilight like, friends now? For real?"
"I don't know. I think so, yeah.'
"Alright then. Well, tell her I said hi." Flash said. "I'd better get back to Canterlot and let Celestia know where I've been and that I'm okay." Flash walked away.
"Oh, and Sunset? You could have something great here. Don't mess it up."
"Don't worry. I won't."
Sunset Shimmer waved as Flash Sentry left.
She continued waving after he was gone, her smile fading as she put her hand down.
"Okay, Trixie, you can quit hiding now. Come on out."
Nearby rustled as Trixie popped out from behind him. "You could see me?"
"I'll be honest, good subterfuge requires subtlety ... and subtlety is not your strong suit."
"Hmph. Well, you're looking better than the last time I saw you." Trixie quipped.
"Yeah, I decided the whole black and yellow stripes look wasn't for me. What are you doing here?"
"Nothing." Trixie said. Sunset glared at her. "Spying. Just spying on you. You know, to see if you had anything useful for Chrysalis."
"Uh-huh." Sunset nodded.
"Adagio Dazzle's upset you took away her plaything."
"Well, Adagio Dazzle can file a complaint with my employee relations officer."
"You don't have an - oh."
"Now you're getting it." Sunset said. Trixie huffed.
Sunset rubbed her chin in thought. "Trixie, can I ask you a question? Why are you working with Chrysalis?"
"Chrysalis has promised to give Trixie everything Trixie's wanted if she helps Chrysalis with her revenge and taking over Equestria."
"And what is it you want, Trix?"
"Why, revenge, of course!" Trixie exclaimed, spreading her arms out. "Twilight Sparkle and her friends humiliated me when I came to Ponyville! They made me a laughingstock. No one in any town took me or my show seriously anymore. I was ruined, ruined! And it's all Twilight Sparkle's fault. She must pay." Trixie shook her fist. "And don't call me Trix!"
Sunset shook her head. "You know, Trixie, there was a time where I was in the same place you're in, the same mentality that Twilight was somehow to blame for everything wrong in my life. But will getting revenge on Twilight Sparkle really bring back your career? Is it worth selling Equestria out to a monster just to get revenge on one girl?"
"W-what do you mean?"
"You should do what I did, Trixie." Sunset Shimmer said. "Instead of trying to get revenge on Twilight, I let her help me. I made friends with her, and I learned to ..." Sunset took in deep breath and exhaled. "Let go of all my resentment and my grudges against everyone. You should try it. You'll feel so much better afterward. The kind of weight just ... letting go and forgiving your enemies lifts off your shoulders ... oh! It's indescribable."
Sunset snapped her fingers, walking away with her hands pocketed in her blazer. "See you around, Trix."
"I thought I told you - oh, never mind. It's not like you'd listen anyway ..."
Trixie turned her attention to the other side of the lake, noticing Rarity and Rainbow Dash approach it.
"Although ..." Trixie rubbed her chin as Rarity sat by the lake. "That does give me an idea."
Rarity rested by the lake, admiring its sparkling surface and listening to the calming sounds of the water to relax. She and Rainbow Dash were alarmed when Trixie's shadow fell over Rarity.
"Hello, Rarity!"
"Hello ... Trixie." Rarity stood up. "To what do I owe the ... pleasure?"
"Oh, nothing, nothing." Trixie said. "I was just wondering if ... maybe you could help me reform?"
"Reform?" Rarity asked. She looked at Rainbow Dash, who shrugged.
"You know, reform!" Trixie said. She brought an arm over her forehead in a dramatic fashion "Give up my criminal ways. Cut ties with that awful Chrysalis and her minions. You have no idea how much she works me, making me work to the bone!"
"Oh, I have a pretty good idea of how she works you." Rarity said.
"So, what do you say?" Trixie asked. "Maybe I can even help you destroy that evil book. All you have to do is tell me where it is."
"Is that right?" Rarity chuckled, seeing right through Trixie's ploy. "What do you think, Rainbow Dash?"
Rainbow Dash held up a thumbs-down.
"Come here, Trixie." Rarity beckoned with her finger. "I'll whisper the book's location to you."
Trixie put her ear up towards Rarity, eager to learn the location of the book.
Rarity grabbed Trixie by the shirt and pulled her over.
"Now, you listen here." Rarity whispered. "I know exactly what you're trying to do. I'm not telling you where the book is. If you want to know, you're going to have work very hard to convince me that you genuinely are interested in turning over a new leaf, and aren't just trying to get the book to make Chrysalis happy. Now, if you want to change your ways, then good for you, but don't expect me to so gullible as to tell you where the book is just because you asked. Now, if you near me and try something like this again ..."
Rarity slapped Trixie across the cheek, hard enough to knock Trixie over.
"I will cut you."
Trixie wiped the dirt off her chin with her arm. She glared up at Rarity with bitterness before getting to her feet and scampering away.
"Shouldn't we chase after her?" Rainbow asked.
" ... No, no." Rarity answered. "She had her one warning. She won't get another. If we see her again ... we will break her. Come along, Rainbow Dash. Suddenly, sitting by this lake doesn't seem so appealing to me." Rarity turned her back to the lake and walked away,
"I know there's a creek nearby Fluttershy's place ..."
"Perfect. Let's go there."
Out in the darkness of the forest, Honeycomb flew over the bushes and trees, her wings buzzing over her body.
"Hmm."
Honeycomb stopped and turned to Chrysalis, who was resting against a tree.
"You seem a woman down ... maybe two." Chrysalis observed.
"Yes, that does appear to, mmm, be the case." Honeycomb said.
"I warned you running off with that red-head was a bad idea, didn't I?" Chrysalis asked smugly.
"As I recall, you, mmm, warned me of no such thing, merely attempted to have me stay with you instead." Honeycomb said.
Chrysalis pouted. "Alright, fine. But still, you're out here ... all alone." Chrysalis sauntered towards Honeycomb. "With no one to help you or protect if things go awry ... suddenly teaming up with me doesn't seem like such a bad option, does it?"
"As a bee, I am more used too, mmm, operating a hive. To be, mmm, by myself is ... distressing." Honeycomb wrapped her arms around herself.
Chrysalis offered her a hand, smirking. "Well? I'm here for you."
Honeycomb looked at the hand. She took it without hesitation, and she and Chrysalis shook on it. "Excellent. Welcome to the team, Honeycomb."
Later in the day, as it approach the evening hours, Rarity and Rainbow Dash returned to the Carousel Boutique. Rarity took out a key and unlocked the door.
"Well, that was nice." Rainbow Dash said. "Sitting by the creek, with you ..."
"Indeed." Rarity opened the door. "Are you coming in?"
"Nah." Rainbow Dash said. "I promised Scootaloo a flying lesson, for old time's sake. I'll catch up."
"Very well." Rarity smiled and watched as Rainbow Dash flew off.
Rarity went inside and went to the kitchen. There, she washed her hands under the sink and began preparing to make dinner for everyone. She hummed to herself, pulling out silverware, cutting boards, and bowls.
"Ah ..." Rarity sighed as she carried a bowl over and set it on the table. "Chrysalis is running out of resources, and Twilight should be working on keeping her idiot of a brother out of my home ... yes, everything is looking up."
As she made her way around the kitchen, she heard the door to the front entrance click open.
"Back so soon, Rainbow Dash?"
There was no answer.
"Rainbow Dash?" Rarity asked again, closing the cupboard she was looking into. "I don't remember inviting any guests over ... Sweetie Belle, is that you?"
Still no response.
"Diamond Tiara? Coco Pommel? ... Silver Lens?"
No answer, no answer, and ... no answer. It occurred to Rarity, even if she was addressing them by the wrong name, the people she was allowing in her house would have the courtesy to reply and clarify who they were, to assure her there was no wrongdoing going on in her house. Even Diamond Tiara in a bad mood would at least oblige and respond to confirm it was her.
Thinking of that, Rarity reached over to the counter. She dug around and pulled out the biggest knife she could find.
Rarity hid the knife behind her back as she approach the kitchen entrance.
"Hello?" She called out into the foyer, peeking her head over. She didn't see anyone ... she didn't hear anything.
Being careful to remain light on her feet, lest her footsteps alert the intruders to her presence, Rarity walked into the foyer. She clutched the handle of the knife behind her back, sweeping her eyes over the room to make sure no one was there.
"Huh." Rarity relaxed and let her guard down, the knife going to her side. "I suppose it must have been my imagination. The stress must be getting to me ..." Rarity rubbed her head, before thinking about when she was under Cadence's care.
It wasn't her imagination then ... why would it be now?
Reaffirming her grip on the handle, Rarity lifted the knife up.
The knife did her no good, as a pair of arms approached from behind, unnoticed, and wrapped around her neck and began to choke her. Gagging and gasping for air, Rarity tried to aim her knife at her attacker.
Aria appeared from behind her, looking at Rarity with a smirk. Rarity changed the course of her knife, flipping it over and attempting to stab Aria in the shoulder.
Aria grabbed Rarity's wrist, holding it still, and she wrested the knife from Rarity's hand. She tossed it on the floor, and grabbed both of Rarity's wrists to keep her from fighting back.
Rarity struggled and flailed. She tried to kick Aria in the gut, but lodging her foot into Aria's stomach seemed to have no effect.
Rarity let out a loud gasp for air before her body went slack. As she faded into unconsciousness, her attacker let go and let her fall to the ground. On her way down, as her eyes began to close, she got a good look at Adagio's smirking face before her eyelids shut together.
Their prey subdued, Adagio Dazzle and Aria went to work on lifting Rarity up, Adagio taking lifted her by the shoulders while Aria lifted her up by the legs. They proceeded to carry Rarity out the door.
Rarity groaned as she stirred back into consciousness. Groaning, she blinked a few times before opening her eyes and seeing Adagio Dazzle standing in front of her and grinning.
"Hel-lo, Rarity." Adagio purred.
"Hello ... Adagio Dazzle, was it?" Rarity replied. She tried to pounce on Adagio, but her arms and legs were tied to a wooden chair. She looked around and saw they were in a cave. Aria and Sonata were on either side of her.
"Sonata Dusk?" Rarity asked. "What are you doing here? Oh ... you're one of them, aren't you? I should have known. I should have known all along."
Sonata fiddled with her fingers.
Rarity looked down at her bindings to inspect them. It did not appear she was going to be able to get free of them by struggling. "What do you want?"
"Where's the book, Rarity?" Adagio asked, her sultry tones replaced by a harshness in her voice.
Rarity huffed. "I buried it somewhere ... just in case of the event I decided I needed it, for whatever reason. Admittedly, it was more a tactic to scare Shining Armor, really ..."
Adagio laughed. "Ha ha ha ... cute, Rarity. But knowing that you buried it somewhere doesn't help me. I need to know where it is."
"And why do you need to know?"
"Because it will make Chrysalis happy." Adagio said. She lurched over, placing her hands on the back of the chair. "Now where is it!?"
Rarity huffed again. "I'm not telling you."
Adagio stared at Rarity before recomposing herself and chuckling. She stood up and walked away from the chair. "Alright, fine. You don't want to tell me. But you will want to tell me. I was hoping it wouldn't - well, that's a lie. I was so hoping it would come to this."
Adagio pulled off her vest, slinking it off with a flirty shake of her body. She pulled up her shirt, revealing her engorged breasts, with her large, dark nipples leaking milk.
Rarity's eyes widened in panic.
"Do you like?" Adagio asked, rubbing her nails. "Chrysalis's spell for milk really does some good for your cup size, doesn't it? I happen to know you like milk, Rarity, so ... pucker up."
Rarity flailed in vain, still trying to work her out of the rope. Adagio leaned over her and chuckled before plunging her breast into Rarity's mouth, forcing her nipple through Rarity's lips. Adagio took her hand and wrapped it around her breast, giving it a squeeze and spewing milk into Rarity's mouth. Rarity closed her eyes and winced.
"That's it ..." Adagio purred, massaging and squeezing her sphere, her flesh rippling beneath her fingers. "Just accept it, Rarity. Be a good girl, won't you? You know you can't resist ..."
"Mmmmmnnn." Rarity gave out a weak, frightened noise.
Adagio chuckled again. "Heh. You know there's no escape ... there's no one to help you. No one even knows you're gone yet, and by the time they do, they'll never be able to get here in time. So why not make it easier on yourself? Accept it. Give in."
Rarity let out another pitiful whine. She began to suckle Adagio's nipple, moving her head back and forth on the breast, making the milk in her mouth slosh around.
"Yes!" Adagio growled, cracking a frightening grin. "Yes, that's it! Suck! Suck! You know you want to. You know this is everything you want. Yeesss ... milk is your favorite, isn't it, Rarity? Especially when it's warm and fresh, straight from the source, ha ha ha!" Adagio sighed and relaxed, letting Rarity nurse her teat.
Aria raised up an eyebrow. "Adagio ..."
"What?" Adagio snapped. "Can't you see Rarity and I are busy here?"
"Yeah, I know, I know, but ... Adagio, she's not swallowing."
"What?" Adagio looked down and saw Rarity's cheeks were swollen. Milk was dripping down her chin ... but there wasn't a single lump in her throat, and come to think of, Adagio couldn't remember hearing Rarity gulp.
Rarity jerked her head, and the milk inside her mouth went sloshing and bouncing around ...
Right up to where it struck her square in the uvula, triggering an instant reflex. Rarity's mouth snapped open, and a surge of white, bubbly fluid of questionable nature gushed out, a mixture of Adagio's milk and Rarity's own fluids. It sprayed all over Adagio's breasts, covering them in Rarity's spit and vomit.
Adagio had an understandable reaction to getting her chest vomited on, grimacing and tensing her hands up while the fluid dripped off her. Aria chuckled, while Sonata expressed concern.
Rarity made a satisfied smirk, even though white fluid was dripping off her chin. "Heh. See, I wasn't worried ... because I knew, if I could just get up enough, I could make it hit my uvula, so I didn't have to swallow your poisons." Rarity glared at Adagio.
"I've just spent the last morning digging myself out of that pit. You'll not drag me back into it again."
"You - you - you!" Adagio stammered, at a loss for words. She slapped Rarity hard across the cheek, knocking Rarity's head to the side.
Adagio heaved a big sigh. "I'm going to go clean this off. You two, figure out a way to break her while I'm gone." Adagio turned around and walked further into the cave.
"Chrysalis's milk is supposed to be foolproof." Adagio muttered as she walked away. "It can bend someone to her will on contact. How did she resist it?"
"Maybe she's immune?" Sonata Dusk suggested.
Rarity lifted an eyebrow in thought. Given her experiences, acquiring an immunity to any drugged, brainwashing breast milk certainly wouldn't have been the least crazy thing to happen to her. It seemed a reasonable theory.
"Don't be stupid, Sonata." Aria said. "It's obviously not that, obviously she ..."
"Well?" Sonata asked. "I'm waiting."
"Shut up." Aria said. "I'll figure something out."
"Uh, gee ... Rarity sure made a big mess." Sonata Dusk said, changing subjects. "Hey, Aria, I think Adagio might need some help cleaning that all of. Why don't you go help her?"
Aria gave Sonata a questioning glare before agreeing. "Yeah, alright. Maybe I can figure out what Rarity did while I'm there."
Aria left the room, such as it was, following after Adagio's path.
Once she was gone, Sonata grabbed the knot holding Rarity's hands together. She tugged at it, trying to untie it. "Uh, nope. I'm not gonna be able to figure this one myself. That's why Aria does all the knots, I guess ..."
Sonata Dusk began to look around the cave. She got on her knees and ran her hands over the bedrock floor. "Ah! This should do it."
Sonata Dusk picked up a rock of sufficient jaggedness to make a decent cutting instrument. She began to hack at the ropes binding Rarity's, digging the rock into the fibers, banging the stone into the knots until it came undone and Rarity's hands were free. Sonata went to do the same to the ropes binding Rarity's legs.
"Go." Sonata told her, tossing the rock to the ground. "Go on. Get out of here."
Rarity stood up. She rubbed her wrists and looked at Sonata Dusk. Rarity reared up her arm and hooked it around Sonata's neck, pulling her close in a chokehold.
Rarity leered at her with suspicion. "Why are you helping me?"
Sonata grunted and tugged at Rarity's arm, trying to pry off. "For ... Spike." Sonata choked out. "He knows there's no chance of you being with him anymore, but ... he still cares about you. He wants to be your friend, and ... I want to be with him, and he would be ... so upset if he found you were captured by my sisters and I didn't do anything to help you."
Rarity relaxed and began to ease her arm off Sonata's neck. She smiled. "You know, Sonata ... maybe you're not such a bad girl after all."
Sonata smiled back. "Thanks. Now, go, get out of here."
"But what about you? Won't the others get upset when they find out you helped me?"
"I'll tell them you overwhelmed me and were able to escape."
"Ah, good, good ... and ..." Rarity glared at her. "This isn't some kind of ploy to get me to trust you, is it? You've haven't planted something on me, have you?"
"No."
"Good."
Rarity slugged Sonata across the cheek, knocking her into the chair.
"Ow! What was that for?" Sonata rubbed her cheek.
"You said I overwhelmed you, right?" Rarity answered. "It'll be a lot easier to believe if you have some kind of bruise."
Sonata made a little round 'o' with her mouth, appreciating Rarity's cleverness. She waved goodbye as Rarity ran and darted out of the cave.
"Sonata!" Adagio exclaimed, returning with Aria, having cleaned herself off and put her clothes back on. "What happened?"
"Rarity ..." Sonata gasped, making sure to play up her fake injuries. "Rarity managed to get out of her bindings. She overwhelmed me and escaped."
"How?" Aria asked. She went over to the rope and inspected them. "I made sure those knots were as tight as possible ..." Aria picked up one of the ropes. "It looks like she cut them somehow ..."
"Are you okay?" Adagio asked, placing a hand on Sonata's cheek.
"Yeah." Sonata answered as Adagio help lifted her off the chair. "I'm fine."
"Ooh ..." Adagio clenched her fist. "Rarity is going to pay for this. But for now, dear why don't we get you something for your cheek?"
"Yeah, sure ..."
At her most recent base, Chrysalis was pacing, Honeycomb at her side, brainstorming how she could best utilize Honeycomb's talents now the Changeling Queen had the bee under her control.
Adagio Dazzle approached Chrysalis, shuffling on her feet, biting her lip, and leaning over in a position ripe to bend down and beg for forgiveness.
"Ah, Adagio Dazzle." Chrysalis said. "I'm glad you're here. Say hi to Honeycomb, our newest member."
Adagio gave a half-hearted wave, not paying attention to Honeycomb. Honeycomb responded in kind.
Chrysalis noticed Adagio's worried expression. "What's wrong, dear?"
"Chrysalis, forgive me ..." Adagio got to her knees. "I'm sorry. I lost Flash Sentry ... and I lost Rarity before I could coax her into telling me the whereabouts of the book. I lost them both in one day. I'm sorry ... please forgive me."
"Ooh." Chrysalis cooed. She braced her fingers against Adagio's chin. "It's okay. I forgive you, dear." Chrysalis lifted Adagio's head up and gave her a kiss. "We'll find some other way to get at Twilight Sparkle."
Adagio beamed. She stood up, bowed to her mistress, and walked away to rest.
Aria kept a suspicious eye on Adagio Dazzle as she passed by.
"Oh no." Aria groaned, making a realization.
"What?" Adagio asked, crossing her arms.
"You're falling for her." Aria said. "You're falling in love with Chrysalis, if you haven't already."
"And so what if I have?" Adagio asked. "What, may I ask, is so wrong with falling in love?"
"Everything." Aria said. "We're Sirens, Adagio. We're not supposed to fall in love. We're supposed to feed on it, to consume it and swallow it whole and eat artificial love. Falling in love, real love, that's ... that's the nasty stuff. It's a synthetic, and it tastes gross." Aria sniffed the air and glared at Sonata. "Oh ... and you've fallen for it, too. Ugh."
Sonata shifted uncomfortably on her feet. Aria stuck her tongue out and left in disgust.
"Just ignore her, Sonata." Adagio said. "She's just jealous. So, who's your lucky girl?"
Sonata blushed. "I'd ... rather not say."
"Oh, a secret romance, huh?" Adagio said. "That's okay. I understand. You don't have to tell me." Adagio patted Sonata's shoulder before leaving and continuing on her own way.
()()()()() ()()()()()
The next morning, Sweetie Belle stood out by a bay, her dress billowing in the wind, the sea spray splashing around the sand and filling her nose with the scent of salty waters.
She stared into the water, thinking on what Rarity had said to her.
Sweetie Belle began to cry and sniffle, her tears curving around her eyes. She thought she knew what she wanted ... she thought she wanted Scootaloo, but now ... she wasn't sure anymore.
"Sweetie Belle?"
Sweetie Belle turned around and was elated to see Scootaloo standing behind her. "Scootaloo?"
"Yeah, it's me." Scootaloo said, holding her arms out. "I know things haven't been easy the last couple of days, but I'm here now. I'm here for you. We can be a couple, like you wanted."
Sweetie gasped and sniffed, covering her mouth to reign in her emotions. "Oh, Scootaloo!"
Sweetie Belle ran up to Scootaloo to embrace her. She buried her head into Scootaloo's chest.
Scootaloo smiled and let Sweetie Belle come to her, wrapping her arms around Sweetie Belle's back.
Sweetie Belle opened her eyes when she felt heat radiating off Scootaloo's body. She looked up. She was horrified when she saw a green fire coming off Scootaloo's body, and the disguise melted away, revealing the Changeling underneath.
The Changeling reached out and grabbed Sweetie Belle by the shoulders ... and there was no around to hear her scream. |
Last Glass of Poison | Vaccination | "Uuughh ..." Rarity groaned, opening the door to her house. She had meant to swing it wide open and slam it against the wall to grab someone's attention, but she was so tired after being tied up and running as fast she could to get away from the cave. She limped inside, her legs staggering, her bunch hunched over, and collapsed against the door in exhaustion. This, at least drew the attention she was wanting.
"Rarity?" Rainbow Dash came out of their bedroom and looked over the rail, rubbing her tired eyes. "What are you doing coming back so late at ... night?" Rainbow's eyes widened when she saw Rarity's injured, tired state, and she rushed down the stairs to comfort her beau, running up to the door and wrapping her arms around Rarity, letting her rest her head on Dash's chest.
"Oh my gosh, Rarity, are you okay?" Dash asked. She cupped Rarity's cheek. "What happened?"
"Chrysalis' little pets came by and kidnapped me." Rarity answered. "They ambushed me in the kitchen and overwhelmed me. Through some stroke of luck, I managed to escape ... with some help." Rarity nuzzled her head into Dash's chest.
"Oh, Rarity, I'm so sorry ..." Dash closed her heads and rested her chin on Rarity's scalp. "I should have been there ... I should have been able to protect you."
"It's quite alright, my love." Rarity assured her. "They were so quiet, I barely noticed them ... I don't think anybody was expecting them to come to our house and be able to sneak in the way they did."
"Aaauuh." Dash groaned. "We need to do something about Chrysalis and her little band of - of - of guppies."
"Agreed." Rarity said. "But what can we do?"
"I don't know." Dash shook her head. "
"We'll try to figure out in the morning."
"Yup." In the meantime, you could use some rest. Let's get you to bed and ... hope no else comes to cause us trouble for the rest of the night." Rainbow Dash began to walk Rarity towards the bedroom. "You've been through a rough night. Are you hungry? Could you use a snack? Maybe some ... um, milk? But not, like, the pervy kind, you know, the carton stuff. The one you get in the store."
"No, no." Rarity said. "I just want to go to bed ... with you. Although ... I have a question for you, Rainbow ..."
"Shoot."
"'Guppies'?"
Rainbow Dash blinked. "Look, it's late and I'm tired, okay? It was all I could think of."
"Okay." Rarity smiled. She cupped Dash's cheek. "My little guppy."
"Staaaahp." Dash complained through a smile and a blush.
"I can't help it, Dash. You're so cute when you're embarrassed ..."
"Heh." Rainbow Dash chuckled and carried Rarity the rest of the way to bed, where they could both sleep for the rest of the night.
To Rarity's and Dash's mercy and relief, no else came to their house in the middle of the night trying to enact any more kidnapping schemes. After waking up and making sure they were both presentable, the first thing they did was they went up to Twilight's house and knocked on the door.
"Oh. Hey, girls." Twilight greeted them upon opening the door. "What can I do for you?"
"It's Chrysalis." Rarity said. "Her little cronies kidnapped me last night. I managed to escape, but ... I think this has gone on long enough, and so does Rainbow Dash. Don't you?"
Dash nodded.
"We need a plan." Rarity said.
Twilight, worrying, dug her teeth into a lip, bringing her knuckles up to her chin. She nodded. "Okay. I'll go get the rest of the girls, and we'll start working on a plan. It might take me awhile, since it's still the morning ... they'll probably have just woken up, and Applejack will want to do chores."
"I understand. Take all the time you need." Rarity said. Twilight smiled and closed the door. Rarity promptly turned around and walked away. "And as a bonus, that will give me the time to attend some things I need to do ..."
"Rarity?" Dash asked. "Where are you going?"
"I'm off to a meeting, Rainbow Dash." Rarity said. "Honestly, you can't expect me to just hang around doing nothing while Twilight gathers the rest of friends, can you? I have appointments to make, promises to keep!"
"But ... you just got back." Dash said. "You were kidnapped last night, Rarity, kidnapped!"
"Yes, I was." Rarity said. "Which only makes all the more important I get this done before something else unfortunate happens. Don't worry. I'll be careful."
Dash's wings sagged and she frowned. "Promise me you won't take too long?"
Rarity spun back around and put her fingers on Dash's chin. She gave Dash a kiss. "I promise. Now if you'll excuse me, I really must be off ..."
Elsewhere, Fleur-de-lis made her way towards the building where the support group attended by Dash met. As she walked, she held up an enigmatic card in her hand, inviting her to the building.
Dear Fleur-de-lis
Please attend the seminar at this address, which will begin at 11 in the morning.
I hope to see you there.
Why the card was so vague on purpose was odd to Fleur, but she recognized the handwriting as Rarity's, so she trusted it, even if she wondered why Rarity felt the need for the obfuscation.
Entering the building, she made her way inside to the room Rarity had specified.
"Oh." Fleur said, seeing Sunset Shimmer sitting on a chair inside the room. "Hello. I wasn't expecting anyone else to be here."
"I wasn't either." Sunset said. She stood up and offered her hand to Fleur-de-lis. "Sunset Shimmer. You are?"
Fleur hesitated, as handshakes were not the preferred method for Canterlot ladies to greet each other, but shook Sunset's hand and introduced herself. "I'm Fleur-de-lis. Fancypants' wife."
Sunset gave an awkward smile. " ... who?"
"Fancypants?" Fleur said. "Only one of the richest, most-influential, non-royal people in all of Canterlot? That Fancypants? Wears a monocle which he pretends is for show, but he does actually have bad eyesight?"
"I'm sorry." Sunset said. "I've been ... away from home for a long time, so I'm not entirely abreast of what's happening on the social scene."
Fleur winced. She wrapped her arms around her chest, thinking back to her recent experiences. "Did you have to say 'abreast'? You couldn't have just said 'up to date'?"
" ... sorry." Sunset rubbed the back of her head. She should have known better. She had been a honey-lactating bee-creature for the last few days.
"Ah!" Rarity appeared in the doorway and slid her way around Fleur. "Fleur! So glad that you managed to come! And Sunset Shimmer is here too, I see."
Fleur smiled while Sunset grew impatient.
"Yes, yes, we're all here. Now, Rarity, if you wouldn't mind explaining why you called us up and what it is we're doing here?" Sunset asked.
"Of course." Rarity said, putting her hands together. "I went to a support group for those. suffering with addictions. As much as I hate to admit it, it ... it really helped. So, I got to thinking. I was inspired. Going on from their example, I made this; I'd like to welcome you both to the first monthly meeting of Rarity's Ex-Monsters Support Group."
"'Ex-Monsters?'" Sunset asked.
Fleur looked at Sunset before turning back to Rarity. "Rarity, I don't know if you've noticed, but we're not monsters."
"Oh really?" Rarity crossed her arms. "So, Sunset, you weren't a bee-woman until fairly recently, and Fleur, you weren't infected by a mind-controlling slime parasite inside you? And neither of you have any trauma from that? Or did you both just happen to forget those tiiiny little details?"
Fleur and Sunset grimaced in embarrassment.
Fleur quickly changed the subject. She held up her card. "And why were you so vague on the invitation?"
"Because I thought if you two knew what this was supposed to be about, you might decide to not come, even though you both need this."
"And you didn't think not telling us might also lead to us deciding not to come?" Sunset asked, raising an eyebrow. "Some of us prefer to know where we're going. You can't always expect our curiosity to beat our caution."
"Ah, but you came, didn't you? Enough. Come, sit down." Rarity said, gesturing to the chairs. She took the lead, being the first among them to sit. Fleur and Sunset did as they were told. "Talk to me, girls. Tell me what's been on your mind. What's bothering you? And I know something has to be bothering you. Trust me, girls. I've been through the exact same thing you have." Rarity gestured a hand to her heart. "Tell me what's wrong."
Fleur and Sunset looked at each other.
"Don't be shy." Rarity said.
"I guess I'll go first." Sunset Shimmer said. She took a deep breath and sighed. "After ... Twilight did what she did, I felt ... humiliated. I was embarrassed. I was just so angry, and I blamed her for anything in my life that went wrong from that point on. I ... I made up and sold myself this false narrative about me taking back the old life Twilight took from me, and I just kept telling it to myself over and over until I believed it. I was convinced that was what happened, when ... it wasn't." Sunset looked at the ground.
"And I got so ... so caught up in trying to take back what I thought I lost, I came back here ... even though I had a perfectly good life waiting for me in my new home. I came back home to take my anger out on Twilight, and I was so consumed by the thought of taking petty revenge on her that I ... I didn't realize that what she took from me was something I was better off without, and I let myself get turned into a bee monster. Into a drone. Into a weapon. I had my body ... changed against my will, and instead of being the domineering, sultry, manipulate mistress I thought I was, I was a stinger for someone else to point at whatever they wanted."
Sunset took a deep breath and sighed. She gave a bright smile.
"Wow." Sunset put a finger to her chin. "Thanks, Rarity. That really did help. I had no idea confessing all that could take so much weight off my shoulders ..."
"I know." Rarity said. "I felt the same way after I confessed to my other group." Rarity turned to Fleur. Fleur-de-lis, that makes it your turn."
Fleur's eyebrows raised. "Why does it have to be my turn? Why can't it be your turn?"
"Because I've already been through all of this and gotten through it. Well, more or less ..."
Fleur hung her head and sighed. "Fine." She looked up at the ceiling, her pink locks falling on her shoulder. "I guess ... I guess I'm just worried."
"About?" Sunset gave Fluer a needed prod.
"Worried it's going to come back again." Fleur said. "Worried my infection will be back. That one day, without warning, a little bit of orange will drip out of my mouth, and the next thing I know, I'll be force feeding Fancypants milk until he vomits."
Rarity pursed her lips and looked away.
"That maybe I enjoyed it too much. That maybe I'll do it again, that I'll want to do it again, that I'm ... I'm a bad person because I enjoyed it. I liked it. I liked feeling powerful. I liked being able to make others do what I want and taking control of them with my tentacles and my milk."
Fleur teared up.
"I ... I liked being the hunter. The predator. I liked when found Applejack out alone in her orchard, I liked barging in and tearing down the boards of your room, Rarity ... I ... " Fleur's voice broke, and her tears pooled down the sides of her face. "I'm a bad person, I'm a bad person ..." Fleur put her hands over her face as she sobbed. Sunset Shimmer wasn't sure what to do.
Rarity got up and walked over to Fleur. She grabbed Fleur's wrists and took her hands off her face. Fleur looked up at Rarity with an open jaw, not sure what to think of what Rarity was doing. Rarity wrapped her wrapped her arms around Fleur's head and pulled Fleur into her chest.
"It's alright." Rarity said. "Let it all out. Let out your tears." Fleur wrapped her arms around Rarity's waist and sobbed her into chest. "It's okay. That's what we're here to do. To release all those horrible feelings inside."
Rarity nuzzled Fleur's head.
"I forgive you. Applejack forgives you. You're not a bad person, Fleur-de-lis. You're just as much a victim as Applejack or even myself. You are not a bad person. Okay?"
Fleur took her head out of Rarity's chin. Fleur taking her arm and wiping away the tears from her face. She looked up at Rarity and nodded.
"Well, I think this has been a rather successful test run for our first day." Rarity said. "But after that display of waterworks, I think it would be best to call it for the day, before another one of us shares something that makes us break down into tears. I think one emotionally heavy moment is enough for one meeting, don't you?"
Fleur chuckled. She and Sunset both nodded.
Rarity clapped her hands. "I hereby declare the first meeting of Rarity's Ex-Monsters Support Group concluded ... and a success."
Fleur and Sunset got out of their seats.
"Thanks, Rarity." Fleur said. "That ... that really did help."
"Think nothing of it, darling."
Fleur put her hands on Rarity's shoulders. She and Rarity gave each other kisses on the cheek. They looked towards Sunset Shimmer, who wasn't participating in the goodbye ceremony.
"Oh, um." Sunset held up her hands and backed away. "I'm not really the 'cheek kisses' kind of person. A simple wave will do." Sunset waved goodbye, making her way to the door before Rarity and Fleur forcefully dragged her into partaking in the smoochin'. "Bye!"
"Hmm." Rarity chuckled at Sunset's obvious avoidance.
Fleur put hands together over her chest. She looked up at Rarity. "Are you really sure I'm not a bad person?"
Rarity put a hand on Fleur's shoulder. "No worse than I am, dear."
Fleur smiled. "Alright ... bye, Rarity. I guess I'll see you again soon. When's the next meeting?"
"Honestly, I haven't decided yet." Rarity said. "But when I do, you and Sunset will be the first to know."
Rarity waved goodbye as Fleur left the room.
After Fleur had gone, Rarity left the building and went outside. She stopped in front of the building, resting one hand on her hip.
"You know ..." Rarity said. "Come to think of it, it's just occurred to me I haven't Sweetie Belle all morning ... I would think I would have surely at least seen her somewhere ... "
There was a knock at Carousel Boutique.
Rainbow Dash zipped to the door and opened, hoping it was Rarity. It was Suri.
"Oh." Rainbow said. "It's you. What do you want?"
"Hello." Suri smiled nervously. "I was wondering if ... maybe I could talk to Diamond Tiara?"
"You can try." Dash said. "Diamond Tiara! It's for you!"
"What? What is it?" Diamond wondered as she came to the front. She saw Suri and had the expected reaction. "Oh. It's you." Diamond crossed her arms.
"It's me." Suri said. "Um ... I understand if you say no, but, I was wondering ... Diamond Tiara, if you would join me for lunch?"
Diamond pursed her lips, evidently thinking about it.
"Fine." Diamond said, walking up to Suri and moving past her out the door. Diamond pointed at Suri. "But understand I'm just coming with you for free food, nothing else."
Suri nodded and let Diamond pass. She gave Dash an apologetic smile for the awkward scene. Dash rolled her eyes and began the close the door, which Suri took as a cue for her leave before Diamond got too far ahead of her.
Rarity returned to her home, locking the door behind her. Rainbow Dash, enthused to see her, rushed out and bent over the side of the stair rail.
"You're back!"
"Yes, darling, I am." Rarity said. She looked around. "Say, where is Diamond Tiara?"
"Suri came over and invited her to lunch." Dash said.
"And she said yes?" Rarity was surprised.
"Yup. Twilight's still gathering the rest of the gang." Rainbow Dash said. "Apparently, Discord decided now would be a good time to pull off some kinda prank ... I've been told Fluttershy's house is covered in orange pulp.:
"Of course he did. I'm sure he only meant to provide amusement, and was just trying to give her a good laugh. Celestia knows we could all use one. Have you seen Sweetie Belle today?"
"Sweetie Belle?" Dash said. She rubbed her chin. "Now that you mention it ... I don't think I have."
"Mmm. Troublesome." Rarity said. "Between everything that's happened, especially with Chrysalis and company, not seeing her doesn't bode well ..."
"You don't think something's happened to her? That they have her?"
"It's a definite possibility, and we can't rule it out." Rarity said. "But I want to look around town and ask if anyone else has seen before we start to panic."
Rarity and Rainbow Dash went outside and split up to search the town.
"Scootaloo?" Rarity asked, finding Scootaloo hanging out by a luncheon. "Hello, there, darling. Given what's happened between you two lately, I understand if this is a terribly awkward question to ask, but have you seen Sweetie Belle lately?"
"No." Scootaloo said. "Why? Is she missing?"
"It's starting to look that way ..." Rarity said with a grimace.
Rainbow Dash went to the place where neither she nor Rarity liked to visit or think about. Thinking outside the box, she went to Silver Lens' building and knocked on the door.
Silver Lens answered with professional haste, surprised to see Rainbow Dash there. "Oh. Hello, Um ... what - what can I do for you, Miss Dash?"
"Have you seen Sweetie Belle?" Rainbow asked. "She's been going through a lot lately, and Rarity and I figured she might have come to you to talk about it in a session."
"I'm flattered you think so highly of me." Silver Lens said. "But no, I'm afraid I haven't seen Sweetie Belle. She certainly didn't schedule a session with me."
"Not good." Dash clenched her fist. "Thanks." Dash turned to leave.
"Rainbow Dash, wait!"
Dash looked over her shoulder.
"I'm ... sorry." Silver Lens said. "About what happened, and the role I played in allowing it to happen."
Dash turned away from her. She scoffed.
"Yeah, alright ..."
Dash resumed walking.
Having searched everywhere around Ponyville they could and combing through all of Sweetie Belle's usual hangouts, Rarity and Rainbow Dash met up at the front of their house, both of them with slight panic, Dash's wings bristling uncomfortably.
"I can't find her anywhere." Dash said. "I tried their old clubhouse. I tried all the restaurants I know she likes. Heck, I even tried their old school, just to see if maybe she was feeling nostalgic, but the teacher said she hadn't seen her."
Rarity made fists. "Oh no ... I looked everywhere I could. I tried the ice cream joints, the arcade, everywhere I know Scootaloo likes in case she might have been trying to study her ..."
Rarity rested her hand on the door and leaned against the Boutique. She ran a hand over her forehead and through her hair.
"There's no denying it." Rarity said. "My little sister Sweetie Belle is missing."
Sunset Shimmer walked around the forest, hands in the pockets of her leather blazer, ready to head on home and leave this whole mess behind her.
At least until the next meeting, I guess. She thought.
Sunset stopped, hearing something coming from the woods.
"Aaaah ... aaaah ... aaaah ..."
Sunset was immediately entranced. She didn't notice the thin tendrils of green mist seeping out from the trees, slipping between branches and going towards her as if they were reaching out to grab her. A green glow in her eyes, Sunset, hunching over, walked towards the source of the noise. Such melodious music, such wondrous sound! It enchanted her. It called to her. It was the most beautiful singing Sunset had ever heard, even if was just the same few lyrics repeated over and over. The repetition did nothing to diminish its beauty. If anything, it enhanced it, showing how its grace and allure could overcome the fallibility of infirm, feeble songwriters.
Sunset arrived at a swampy part of the forest. She walked through the mud, stomping her boot into the muck, not caring about filth as long as she could find the source of the music.
It was a gorgeous woman clad in purple, resting against a tree with her hands over her chest.
"Aaaah ... aaaah ..." Adagio Dazzle continued to sing, before stopping, taking notice of Sunset Shimmer. "Oh, hello. And you are?"
"Sun ..." Sunset stammered, still taken by her beauty. "Sunset Shimmer."
"Sunset Shimmer." Adagio nodded. "Nice name." Adagio walked up to her.
Sunset stared, transfixed. She paid close attention to Adagio's shaking hips as Adagio made her way over. Adagio put her fingers on Sunset's chin, causing Sunset to moan in pleasure. She was overwhelmed that a beauty like Adagio would even take notice of her, much less recognize her presence with a physical gesture.
Adagio drew her finger around Sunset's chin, walking in a circle around her. She cupped Sunset's cheek and ran her hand through Sunset's hair before completing her loop.
"Hey ..." Sunset said, beginning to recognize Adagio. "Haven't I seen you somewhere before? With Chrysalis?"
Adagio, not losing her cool, chuckled. "Maybe you did, but don't take that to mean anything. She was just someone I was with because it was convenient for me. I'm no longer with her. Oh, no, no, no, see, now ... " Adagio pinched Sunset's chin. "Now you have my interest, Sunset Shimmer."
"I - I do?"
"Oh, yes." Adagio hissed in a low, low octave which made Sunset's heart absolutely melt into a puddle, and turned her knees to jelly. "You, Sunset Shimmer, with your beauty, your lovely body, your gorgeous red hair ..." Adagio flicked one of Sunset's bangs. "You have my ... undivided attention, Sunset."
Adagio walked Sunset again, brushing her fingers along Sunset's shoulders.
"But there is one thing." Adagio said. "Aren't you friends with one ... Twilight Sparkle?"
"I think so, yeah ... yes. We're friends." Sunset moved and sniffed Adagio's shoulder, taking in her scent.
Adagio chuckled. "Would you mind telling me ... where and when I can find Twilight at her most vulnerable? What's her schedule? What are her habits? What are her weaknesses, her strengths?"
"Vulnerable?" Sunset asked. "No ... Twilight's my friend."
Adagio went behind Sunset Shimmer. She reached her hands up Sunset's body before wrapping her hands around Sunset's breasts, curling her fingers on them one by one before giving Sunset a tight squeeze.
"I want to be your friend, too, Sunset Shimmer ..." Adagio whispered into Sunset's ear. Adagio massaged Sunset's breasts, rubbing her palms up and down. "But to do that, I need to be sure you can be honest with me. What can you tell me about Twilight Sparkle?"
"But ..."
Adagio stuck out her tongue. Hissing with anticipation to continue her seduction of Sunset Shimmer and take her, in mind and body, Adagio gave Sunset's ear a long, drawn out lick.
"Ooooh-whoa." Sunset moaned and shivered.
A massive blue blast flew in from the west, striking Adagio Dazzle and knocking her off Sunset Shimmer, throwing her into the mud.
Sunset groaned and rubbed her forehead. She stood where she was in a daze, beginning to come out of Adagio's trance without Adagio's teasing and exciting her.
Rarity marched in, her hands burning with blue flame. She stepped in front of Adagio, slamming her foot into the muck to make splash and get Adagio's attention. Adagio groaned and rubbed her head.
"Where's Sweetie Belle?" Rarity asked.
Adagio looked up at Rarity and chuckled. "I don't know. What makes you think I have her?"
"I'm in no mood to play your games, Adagio Dazzle." Rarity said. "You kidnapped me last night. I escaped. It stands to reason that, if you couldn't get me, Chrysalis put you up to kidnapping my sister."
"Actually, Chrysalis and I are no longer working together." Adagio said with a smirk.
"Hmm. For some reason, I don't believe you."
Rarity reached out her hand to the forest. Enveloping a large tree limb with her magic's blue glow, Rarity snapped the tree branch and brought it 'round, twirling it like a boomerang before she bludgeoned Adagio in the face with it.
"I am not going to ask you again. Where is Sweetie Belle? What have you done with her? Where is my sister, you tart?"
Adagio kept up her arrogant smile, only interrupted when she wiped the blood trickling off her chin. "Like I told you, I don't know. I didn't have anything to do with your sister ... and I don't where Chrysalis might be keeping her."
"I thought you said you were no longer with Chrysalis?" Rarity asked. Adagio's smile faltered, but she resumed it, looking up at Rarity with a confident expression.
Rarity adjusted the branch. She aimed the sharper tip of the branch at Adagio's neck, taking aim. This was enough deterrent to wipe the smile off her face completely.
Rarity wiled the branch to rear up and back.
"Oof!" Sunset Shimmer tackled Rarity from the side, bringing them both into the muck and causing Rarity to lose her focus, making her lose the telekinetic hold of the branch and drop it into the water next to them, where it splashed. Adagio, not one to waste an opportunity, got to her feet and dashed off into the forest.
"Ugggh! Aaaugh!" Frustrated both at being covered in grime and losing Adagio, Rarity sat upright and threw Sunset Shimmer off. Rarity stood up and dusted her clothes off, while Sunset got to her feet.
Rarity turned to and glared at Sunset. "You shouldn't have interrupted me."
"What was I supposed to do, Rarity?" Sunset asked. "You were going to kill her!" She gestured her arm out.
"Well, yes! That was the idea!" Rarity snapped. She pinched the bridge of her nose.
"So what, I was just supposed to stand by and let you take a life?" Sunset asked. "That goes against everything Celestia taught me."
"Celestia isn't here right now!" Rarity barked. "Honestly, Sunset Shimmer ... you say you've changed. I want to believe you've changed. But after that little display and saving her life, how I do know you're not actually one of them? One of those siren ... monsters?"
Sunset gasped and covered her mouth in shock at the word. Her eyes watered and she sobbed. Sunset shook her head to clear her thoughts, wiping the tears away on her leather sleeve. She socked Rarity in the cheek, knocking Rarity back into the mud.
Sunset turned around, clenching her fists.
"I did the right thing." Sunset said. "The morally ... right thing. Even if it was a little inconvenient to you. Taking someone's life isn't something you should do lightly, Rarity. It's not something you do on impulse."
Sunset walked off, trekking through the muck.
Rarity growled and pushed her hands down into the mud, trying to push herself up. She called after Sunset as she walked away. "Traitor."
"Psychopath." Sunset shot back.
Rarity turned away. Glancing her eyes back at Sunset only once, she glared at the air, lying there in the mud and fuming, yet recognizing Sunset had a point. She needed to sit, cool off, and calm down before she did something there was no going back from.
"Chrysalis! Chrysalis!" Adagio complained, clutching at her head, running through to the forest to Chrysalis' current location.
"What is it, dear?" Chrysalis as Adagio ran up to her and embraced her, wrapping her arms around Chrysalis' body and resting her head on Chrysalis.
"That mean, nasty Rarity hit me with a branch!" Adagio complained, sounding like a child. She put her hand back on her head. "And it really hurt, too!" Adagio moved her head, and her eyes shrunk in fear when she saw blood on her fingerless glove.
"Ssh." Chrysalis leaned down and gave Adagio's wound a kiss. Chrysalis separated from Adagio.
Sweetie Belle was sitting on a rock, entranced. Her eyes were wide open and tinted green.
Chrysalis put a finger beneath Sweetie Belle's chin and waved her hand in front of Sweetie's face. Sweetie Belle's mouth gasped and opened like a dispensing machine, green mist flying out from inside. Chrysalis weaved her hand through the mist, coiling it and spooling it around her fingers. Chrysalis went back to Adagio, touching the spooled mist to the wound on her head. The mist winded its way into the wound and healed Adagio, sewing the wound up and regenerating her skin.
"Don't worry, my dear." Chrysalis stroked Adagio's chin. "Soon, you won't have to worry about Rarity any longer ... none of us will. None of us will have to worry about Twilight or any of her friends any longer."
Adagio smiled, happy to simply have Chrysalis' touch upon her.
Aria Blaze stuck her tongue out in disgust. Sonata curled her hands uncomfortably. Sonata hopped down from the rock she was on, continuing to rub her hands together.
"Well, um, if you'll excuse me ..." Sonata Dusk said. "I'm gonna go be ... somewhere else. Yeah." Sonata walked off.
"That's fine." Chrysalis waved her hand, not really paying attention.
Aria glared at Sonata as the latter made their departure. Sonata could feel Aria's eyes burning on her back until she was out of sight.
"Ugh." Aria groaned, disgusted with Adagio slobbering over Chrysalis like a malnourished puppy who only got treats from her and no one else, and suspicious of Sonata Dusk. "Hey, Chrysalis?"
"Yes?" Chrysalis said.
"I got a suggestion for you." Aria said. "Don't trust Sonata Dusk. Keep an eye on her."
"Hmm. Noted." Chrysalis said before turning her attention away.
"Well." Aria rubbed her hands together, getting ready for action. "I'm the only true siren left. I guess that leaves it up to me. I need a plan ... and I have one.
Aria swiveled on her seat and jumped off her rock perch with much more enthusiasm and energy than Sonata's dainty hop down. Not bothering to let Chrysalis or lovesick Adagio know where she was going, Aria Blaze snuck away, tiptoeing.
Rarity rested on her kitchen table, burying her head in her arms, sobbing and crying while Rainbow Dash patted her on the back. She was having a bit of a breakdown in regards to Sweetie Belle.
"I ... I should have been able to keep better track of her." Rarity cried. "I should have been able to protect her, to keep her safe."
"I know, I know." Rainbow Dash said. "I know exactly how you feel, Rarity ... how did you think I felt when you come last night and told me you'd been nabbed?"
Rarity continued on, ignoring Rainbow Dash's attempt to console her. Considering emotional state right this second, Rainbow Dash let it slide.
"And now my little sister is gone, and who knows where she is!" Rarity shouted. "If Adagio was lying, she's with Chrysalis, and if she is, unlikely as it may be, telling the truth ... well, she's still probably still with Chrysalis."
The door creaked open. Rainbow and Rarity glanced to the kitchen entrance. Sonata Dusk made her way inside, her shifty body language dripping with unease.
"Hi." Sonata Dusk waved at them.
"You're one of those sirens, aren't you?" Rainbow Dash got up from her seat and moved towards Sonata, fists bared and ready to give out a beating. Rarity held Dash back, grabbing her by the wrist.
"It's alright, darling." Rarity said. "We can ... I'm not sure I'd say 'trust,' just yet, but there'll be no harm in listening to what she has to say." Rarity intertwined her fingers on the table. "She helped me escape."
"Hmph." Dash huffed. "The token good Siren, huh?"
Sonata smiled awkwardly and shrugged. "I ... guess?"
"Say what you came to say, Sonata, was it?" Rarity said.
"I know who took Sweetie Belle." Sonata said.
"We know who took Sweetie Belle." Rainbow Dash said. "Unless you have some actually helpful information, I suggest you get out."
"And I know what she's planning on doing with Sweetie Belle." Sonata Dusk said. "And where she's keeping her. And where she's planning to move her next."
Rarity pushed her chair out. She stood up.
"Where?"
In Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack came in from doing her chores. She slumped down at the dining room chair, having finished her labor and ready to unwind with some food and a drink. Apple Bloom, also at the table, had already gone through the trouble of making Applejack some fritter and pouring her a glass of orange juice.
Applejack looked down at the meal set out for her. "Did y'all make this for me, Apple Bloom?"
"I did." Apple Bloom said.
"Well, that's sweet of you." Applejack picked up the fritter and took a bite. She noticed Apple Bloom staring at her. "Ooh no. I recognize that face. That's the face you make when you want to talk about something that you know I don't want to talk about." Applejack sighed. "What is it, Apple Bloom?"
"What's happened to my friends?" Apple Bloom asked. "I can barely get ahold of them, and it seems like even when I do, I can only get them to hang out with me for a few minutes before they make up some excuse to leave! And why does Scootaloo seem like she's tryin' to avoid Sweetie Belle?"
"Hoo boy." Applejack adjusted her hat. "Now listen here, Apple Bloom. Your friends are going through a bad patch. It happens to the best of us. Heck, it even happens to me and Twilight."
"You mean like you and Rarity went through a 'bad patch'?" Apple Bloom asked, raising a skeptical brow. "A bad patch where you barely talked to each other for years?"
Applejack chuckled nervously. "Eh-heh, yeah ... something like that. Look, anyway, the point is ... sometimes your friends just need a break. These things take time. Scootaloo is needing a breather and some room to, uh, breath after everything that's happened, especially after what happened at Rarity's house."
"And what happened at Rarity's house?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Oh, I didn't tell y'all 'bout that? ... no, of course I didn't." Applejack said. "I'll tell you more later. For now ... I've been trying to avoid telling this cause I thought it might upset you, but ... Sweetie Belle has been after Scootaloo. She's been pining after her, crushing hard on her."
"So that's why they've both been acting so weird." Apple Bloom said.
"'Fraid so." Applejack said. "But the thing about crushes is, sometimes, you get crushed. So far, Scootaloo hasn't accepted any of Sweetie Belle's advances, and I bet at this point, Sweetie Belle has figured Scootaloo ain't interested. She's probably off somewhere, trying to get over it."
Their table talk was interrupted by a knock on the front door.
"Come in." Applejack said.
The door opened and shut, and Twilight came into the dining room.
"Oh. Hey there, Twi."
"Hello, Applejack." Twilight said. "Have you finished your chores for the morning? And could I get you to come with me?"
"What fer?"
"Chrysalis almost managed to kidnap Rarity last night." Twilight said. "She, Dash and I are all of the opinion this has gone on long enough. We're trying to get a meeting together to plan and decide on how we're going to launch a counter-offensive."
"That sounds mighty interesting, Twilight, and right up my alley, but Apple Bloom and I were in the middle of a conversation." Applejack said. "You and the rest of the girls go on ahead without me. I'll catch up and meet with y'all later."
Twilight nodded. "Oh, and you should know Sweetie Belle's -" Twilight paused, looking at Apple Bloom. "Uh ..."
"She's what, Twi?"
"She's missing." Apple Bloom said. "She's missing. That's it, isn't it? Probably kidnapped, I bet."
Twilight nodded. "I'm afraid so, yes."
"Well, that's just great." Apple Bloom complained. "On top of everything else that's been going on with them, one of my best friends gets kidnapped, and the worst part is, I know Applejack won't let me help because she'll be worried about my safety!"
"Glad we understand each other after all these years." Applejack said.
"I'm sorry, Apple Bloom. But don't worry. We're going to do everything we can to get Sweetie Belle back." Twilight assured her before leaving.
"Yeah, yeah ..." Apple Bloom said. She slammed her forehead on the table in in defeat. "Ugh. I need a drink. I'm gonna go get a glass of water." Apple Bloom got up from her seat and left the room.
"Okay. You do that." Applejack said, her eyes tracking her sister as she left. Applejack lifted the orange juice to her mouth and sipped.
The front door opened again.
"Consarn it, Twi." Applejack said, slamming her cup down. "I told y'all, I was in the middle of talking with Apple Bloom."
"Hurk!" It wasn't Twilight Sparkle, but Aria Blaze, as Applejack discovered when a purple arm wrapped around her throat from behind. Aria put a hand over Applejack's mouth to keep her from screaming, and pressed her arm against Applejack's throat, choking her until she fell unconscious. The thrashing Applejack made caused her chair to scrape across the floor, but it wasn't enough to get Apple Bloom's attention. Applejack's eyes closed and she slumped against the chair.
Aria chuckled. "You should really get better security on that door. It is way too easy for someone to come in and rob the place, or even ... kidnap someone." Aria admired her hands, appreciating a job well done.
Aria picked up Applejack up and lifted Applejack up, hoisting Applejack over her shoulders. Aria let out a grunting groan.
"Ooh, you're heavy, aren't you?" Aria asked as she carried Applejack towards the door. "Ever think about going on a diet? Of course, that's probably mostly muscle, isn't it?"
Aria continued out the door, uninterrupted and going unnoticed, Twilight being long gone.
Apple Bloom came back into the dining room and saw Applejack was absent. "Applejack? Aaaapplejack? Where'd she go? Maybe she went with Twilight after all ..."
Apple Bloom went to the front of the house and ran up to the nearest window. She saw Aria Blaze carting Applejack off over her shoulders and dropped her glass, where it shattered on impact with the floor.
"APPLEJACK!"
Aria Blaze went out to the Everfree Forest, going deep inside and propping Applejack up against a tree. Aria reached behind her and pulled out a bottle of cider from her pocket, popping off the lid. She pressed the tip of the bottle to Applejack's lips and lifted it upwards, pouring the cider into Applejack's mouth.
Applejack coughed and sputtered, swallowing some of the cider while coughing equally as much onto the sides of her mouth. She woke up and opened her eyes, feeling tired and groggy. Her vision was blurry before it refocused, Aria coming into view.
"W-who are you?" Applejack asked. "Where am I?"
"I'm nobody." Aria Blaze said. "And where you are isn't important right now. But you know what is important, Applejack? Cider. And lots of it."
"Cider?" Applejack asked.
"I did a little studying up on you." Aria Blaze said. "You and your family make cider, and need to profit off it enough to keep your house financially afloat in the winter. Well, I did a few little calculations, and guess what! You won't have enough apples to make enough cider to make it through the winter!"
"Oh no!" Applejack's eyes widened with fear. "It can't be! It just can't! I won't let that happen."
"You won't." Aria said. "But you're gonna need a little help, and you have to be willing to do whatever it takes."
"Whatever it takes to keep my family safe ..." Applejack murmured, her head tilting to one side.
"Good." Aria said. She presented Applejack with the cider. "Drink this. It'll help you make lots of cider. Lots and lots of cider ... from your breasts." Aria smirked.
"Ooh!" Applejack groaned. "More lactatin'? Do I have to?"
"Yes! You need to be able to produce enough cider the makeup the difference in your harvest this year. Drink up." Aria smiled.
Applejack sighed. "Fine, I'll do it." Applejack swiped the bottle from Aria and chugged it down. She groaned and moaned as her breasts began to swell out, stretching out her vest. The vest quickly became soaked as cider leaked out of Applejack's chest. Aria Blaze set to work, untying the laces and taking Applejack's vest and shirt off her. Aria cupped Applejack's breasts and rubbed them, squeezing them together to get more cider out of them.
"Yes ..." Aria hissed. "You need to make cider, Applejack. You need to lactate out lots and lots of cider from your breasts to keep your family safe ..."
"Lactate ... lots and lots of cider ... keep my family safe." Applejack murmured, rolling her head back. She didn't notice Aria begin the process of catching her cider in bottles and capping them.
"Yes." Aria said, twisting a cap onto a bottle. "Lots and lots of cider, which we'll mix into your regular brew, and then we'll have all of Ponyville drink it all up ... and then they'll be slaves to you and your cider product, and by extension, through you, slaves to me." Aria cracked a wicked grin, showing sharp teeth.
Applejack put her hands on her ballooning, swelling breasts, rubbing and squeeze to get more cider to pop out of her flesh. "Ooooh ..."
"Yes, that's it ..." Aria purred, capping another bottle and setting it aside with the others. "Just keep squeezing ... keep producing. Because you need to produce lots of cider, don't you?"
"I do ..." Applejack said.
"Heh." Aria chuckled. "I'll tell you, it wasn't easy, figuring out what Sunset Shimmer did to you. But the real trick was figuring out how she did it. Thankfully, I have my methods, and I found out how she used the Poison Joke combined with cider to make this ... cider lactation potion." Aria watched with satisfaction as the cider from Applejack's breasts became frothy and fizzy, covering her chest in foamy bubbles. "Hmm."
"GET AWAY FROM MY SISTER!"
"What?" Aria stood up and turned around. Her eyes widened when she saw Apple Bloom charging at her, stampeding like a rampaging oxen. Apple Bloom tackled Aria in the midsection and brought to the ground, where Apple Bloom started to lay a pounding on Aria, punching in the face repeatedly to pummel her.
"You - ugh!" Aria rolled over and was able to toss Apple Bloom off. "You shouldn't mess with things you don't understand, little girl. You have no idea who you're dealing with."
"I'm not a little girl! I'm a young adult!" Apple Bloom protested.
Aria chortled. "You're still a spry little sproutling compared to me. You have no idea how old I really am."
Apple Bloom socked Aria in the cheek.
"Old enough to be slow." Apple Bloom retorted.
Aria rubbed at her struck cheek. She growled at Apple Bloom. "I told you not to mess with things you don't understand. Do you even understand what I'm doing to your sister?"
"Don't know. Don't care." Apple Bloom said, rearing up her fists for another round of slugging Aria's face.
"Let me you ask you a follow-up question ... once I'm done beating you ..." Aria shot her hand out and wrapped it around Apple Bloom's throat. Apple Bloom choked and gasped. Aria's fingers had the crushing grip of iron blacksmith tongs. "Do you understand what I'm going to do to you? No? Let me explain. First, I'm going to choke you into submission." Aria stood up, bringing Apple Bloom with her. "Then, I'm going to do the same thing to you I'm doing to your sister, and make you pour cider out of your breasts. I'm going to suckle them and drink from them, and then I'm going to throw you over a waterfall on a cliff where if the fall doesn't kill you, either some pointy rocks or drowning will."
"A-Applejaaack!" Apple Bloom wheezed out, reaching a hand towards her sister. "H-help!"
Applejack blinked, stirred by the sound of her sister's voice. "Ap ... Apple Bloom?" In her disoriented state, Applejack had to squint to focus on Apple Bloom. Her eyes widened, and she felt a shot of adrenaline go through her when she realized her little baby sister was in danger. "Get your filthy hands off my little sister!" Unburdened by her leaking chest, Applejack got up and charged Aria, slamming her elbow into Aria's back. Aria gasped and released her grip on Apple Bloom by reflex.
Applejack didn't let up, striking Aria in the back of the head. Applejack grabbed Aria by the shoulders and lifted her up, throwing her into a nearby tree. Applejack marched up to Aria, who was trying to recover and push herself off the bark.
Applejack punched her again, then pinned her to the tree with one arm. She brandished a fist and began pummeling Aria in the face, punching her over and over, producing a grunt of pain with each blow. Aria reached over and squeezed Applejack's breast, causing a spurt of cider to come bursting out, distracting Applejack and giving Aria the chance to sucker-punch her and make her stumble.
"Applejack!" Apple Bloom exclaimed in worry. She growled, putting on her best 'tough face,' and lunged at Aria Blaze, kicking her in the stomach and knocking her back into the tree.
Aria growled back and lunged forward, grabbing Apple Bloom by the shirt. She lifted Apple Bloom up and headbutted her, smashing their foreheads together. Despite the fact this should have been equally debilitating to both of them, only Apple Bloom seemed to feel any pain.
"Aaaah!" Applejack did a football tackle and charged, slamming her shoulder into Aria's back and pinning her against a different tree.
"Apple Bloom, y'all stay out of this!" Applejack shouted as she worked to keep Aria pinned. "Let your big sister handle this!"
"What?" Apple Bloom was aghast. "No! I can help! Y'all still be sitting there rubbing your own chest if I hadn't come along!"
"Don't argue with me, little miss!"
"Darn it, Applejack, I'm not some scared little girl anymore!" Apple Bloom said. "I'm grown! I can handle myself! I can help!"
"No, y'all can't." Applejack insisted. "You did good, Apple Bloom, but now it's time for you get to safety and go home!"
Aria took advantage of Applejack being distracted with yelling at Apple Bloom and was able to slap Applejack with the back of her palm, making Applejack lose her focus enough for Aria to wriggle her way free and buck Applejack off. Aria turned and grabbed Applejack by the shoulders and threw her to the ground. Aria smiled deviously and advanced on her.
"Okay ..." Aria said. "I'm ready to bring it down and really start hurting you now. I am going to put you through so much pain ... "
"No one does that to my big sis!" Apple Bloom declared. She yelled and jumped up in the air, twirling around and giving Aria a devastating, painful roundhouse kick right in her spinal column. Aria jerked and staggered forward.
Applejack was shocked and impressed, regarding Apple Bloom with an open jaw. She recomposed herself and smiled at Apple Bloom to assure Apple Bloom she understood, and they were going to do the rest of this as a team. Applejack got to her feet and gave Aria an uppercut, throwing her back.
Apple Bloom reared up her fist and slammed it into Aria's back, making her stagger forward, where Applejack hit her again. Aria suspected this was what it felt like to be a yoyo.
Apple Bloom and Applejack closed in on, closing the gap, and they both began pounding her, striking her with their fists, kicking her, kneeing her in the stomach and groin, never giving her a an chance to rest and catch her breath. Any opening Aria might have had to counterattack one sibling, was quickly taken care by the other sibling hitting her again, throwing her counter off course.
Aria fell to her knees. She crawled away from them as fast as she could.
"Aww, don't leave just yet." Applejack cooed mockingly. "We haven't finished giving you enough bruises and shiners yet!" Applejack raised up her fist.
Aria reached forward and picked up one of the cider bottles. She got to her feet, shaking and stumbling, her knee giving out on her and almost making her fall back down. Apple Bloom and Applejack approached her.
Aria uncapped the cider bottle. She reared the bottle back and raised it up, splashing Apple Bloom's eyes with the fizzy drink.
"Aaah!" Apple Bloom groaned and turned away.
"Apple Bloom!" Applejack exclaimed. "Why you no-good, lowdown ... I'm gonna ..." Applejack was interrupted from whatever threat she was going to make by Aria Blaze shattering the bottle against the side of her head. The pain of the blow and the resulting stinging headache was enough of a distraction to let Aria flee into the Everfree Forest.
"Ugh ..." Applejack groaned, rubbing the side of her head. She noticed Apple Bloom staggering and went over to pick up her shirt off the ground, going up to her sister and using the shirt as towel to dry the cider out of Apple Bloom's eyes. "Y'all okay?"
"Yeah ..." Apple Bloom said. "Think I will be, after I get some water to rinse my eyes. You?"
"I'll be fine ..." Applejack said. "Gonna need a little help from Rarity and Zecora to flush and drain my chest out, but I'll be fine."
"Speaking of which ..." Apple Bloom blushed and turned away. Only after the heat of combat had ended did she realized she could see her sister's bare breasts. "Would y'all mind putting something on, sis?"
"I know, I know ..." Applejack said, picking up her vest and wrapping it around her, tying it back. The vest barely fit on with her swelled-up breasts pushing it up and out, exposing her midriff, but it covered the parts Applejack needed to cover. "Come on. Let's go find the girls and tell them about this ..."
Applejack reentered Ponyville proper, and she made a straight course for Twilight's library, opening the door without even stopping to knock. Twilight, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie were all there.
"Hey, Applejack." Twilight said. "Glad you could join us."
"Yeah ... I am, too." Applejack said. "Where's Rarity and Rainbow Dash?"
Twilight shrugged. "We don't know. But this was their idea ..."
"Never mind that for the moment." Applejack waved her head. "There's something y'all should. I just got nearly nabbed by one those of siren girls Rarity's been complaining about."
"They nabbed you?" Pinkie Pie asked.
"In broad daylight?" Twilight asked.
"Yeah ..." Applejack rested her elbow on the door frame. "They nearly got me, too. I tell ya, I would have been their cider fountain if it weren't for Apple Bloom ..."
"They're getting bolder ..." Twilight said. "Alright, that does it. This may have been Rarity's idea to begin with, but we're having this meeting and coming up with a plan, Rarity or no Rarity. This has definitely gone on long enough. Come in, Applejack. Sit down."
"I do believe I will, thank you." Applejack said, coming inside and sitting on a stool. "I could use a seat after what just happened ..."
No one wanted to comment on the obvious.
"What? Oh." Applejack looked down at her chest, which was still ridiculously huge for a normal woman, but had been shrinking since she made her way to Ponyville. "Never mind that. We'll go the bathroom and take care of it after we come up with our plan. So ... what's the plan?"
"Well, that didn't work out." Aria muttered to herself, returning to Chrysalis' base camp. "I'd say it's about time for a different approach ..." Aria noticed Honeycomb lounging on a boulder. "And there it is." Aria said to herself with a smile.
Confidently, she strolled up to Honeycomb. "Hey, Honeycomb, what'cha doing?"
"I am, mmm, currently resting on this rock until Chrysalis has, mmm, need of my services." Honeycomb answered.
"Chrysalis? Please." Aria crossed her arms and laid against a rock. "Do you honestly want to be spending the rest of your time taking orders from that bore? Nah." Aria pointed a thumb at herself. "You should team with me. Stick with me. I'll show you a real good time."
Honeycomb bent her head down, regarding Aria. Aria found it creepy to see her reflection in Honeycomb's faceted compound eyes, but she kept to her course.
"You would not be, mmm, the first to convince me to join with you instead of Chrysalis. Yet ... that did not work for me last time. Sunset Shimmer ultimately proved, mmm ... disappointing. Why should I sign up with you instead, when, mmm, Chrysalis is still a viable option?"
"Because I'm not some lame-o like Sunset." Aria Blaze. "And I'm not a stuck-up like Chrysalis who can't see beyond her own personal glory. Nah. Me? I want to have fun, and I want to dominate others while doing it. Whaddya say? Stick with me, girl, and it could be you and me against the world." Aria offered Honeycomb her hand.
Honeycomb cupped her chin, considering it. She smiled.
"You make an, mmm, compelling case. Bees are a usually a hivemind. It might be, mmm, nice to try something different and be an, mmm, rebel for a change ..."
Honeycomb took Aria's hand and shook it.
"Great." Aria said. "Now, I need you to do something for me, Honeycomb ..."
Honeycomb raised an eyebrow.
"Do the process to me you did to Sunset Shimmer." Aria said. "Make me into a bee-woman."
Chrysalis sat on the rocks, continuing to stroke Adagio's hair. Sweetie Belle remained in her trance state, and Trixie thumbed through a paper booklet, going over the magic tricks she would perform once Chrysalis had taken over Equestria and she had a captive audience to perform for.
"I'm going to need so much grander tricks to entertain the audience after we take over ..." Trixie murmured, flipping a page.
"Yes." Chrysalis said. "It will be important for you to entertain the audience fabulously, Trixie ... you will need to be the circus in 'bread and circuses.'"
"Oh, you don't need her for that, Chrysalis." Adagio said. "You have me. Everyone will be entranced by my singing."
Trixie glared, not appreciating Adagio's put-down.
"Oh, Adagio.' Chrysalis said. "You'll be the bread."
Adagio raised an eyebrow. "Is that an innuendo for something?" She smiled. "Because I think I like it. This is going to involve milk, I assume?"
"Mm-hmm."
Chrysalis looked upwards. She gently lifted Adagio's head off her lap and laid Adagio down on the rock. She jumped off.
"Trixie." Chrysalis said.
Trixie snapped her booklet shut and stood at attention, saluting. "Yes ma'am?"
"Having Sweetie Belle gives us an advantage, true ... but I want more advantages. I want to stack the deck in our favor." Chrysalis said. "To that end, I want to be able track Twilight's movements and predict where she and her friends are going to go. I want a spy."
"Couldn't you just have one of your Changelings do it?" Trixie asked.
Chrysalis shook her head. "My Changelings are excellent imitators, but when it comes to their acting, I'm afraid their skills are lacking. I want someone who knows how to act natural in a crowd. I want you to do it, Trixie. Go up to them. Tell them you want to reform. Work to gain their trust, and then tell me everything they do."
"What?" Trixie balked. "Chrysalis, they've already seen me working with you! They'll never believe me or accept me. And didn't we try something like this already?"
"Oh, I'm sorry." Chrysalis. "I guess you don't want that audience to worship you after I've taken over Equestria and given you your own little slice of the pie after all, do you? I'm afraid I must insist, Trixie."
"But ..."
Chrysalis leaned towards Trixie and growled.
"Do as I say."
Trixie gulped. She nodded. "Yes ma'am."
"Good." Chrysalis said. "Now, if it will make you feel better ... I will make one slight adjustment to the plan. Loathe I am to admit, you are probably right in that this won't work, thus ... " Chrysalis' hand glowed. "Instead of you coming to them crying about feeling sorry, I'll turn you into someone else."
Chrysalis thrust her hand out in a dramatic gesture and struck Trixie with a ball of magic. In a burst of light, Trixie was transformed into a perfect duplicate of Fleur-de-lis.
"We're going to pack up and move." Chrysalis said. "One can't be too careful, and one mustn't stay in one place for too long when you're trying to secretly subvert and ultimately overthrow the regional government. We will extract you to meet once we've found a new camp, and you've made it into the good graces of Twilight's friends."
Chrysalis pointed a finger in the direction of Ponyville. "Now go."
Trixie saluted and marched off.
Trixie, in her Fleur disguise, arrived at Ponyville. Finding a building with some bushes growing in front of it, she snuck by and hid herself inside the grass. She scanned around, watching the unpaved dirt road for any persons of interest who might have been passing in the stragglers of the crowd, most of whom were attending their own business.
Trixie's eyes swept over the crowd twice, trying to spot someone for her to spy on. She pursed her lips when a shadow fell over her, blocking the sun. She looked up to see Rarity looking down at her with a smile.
"Oh, uh, hello, Rarity." Trixie said, worrying her Fleur disguise wouldn't be enough to fool her. At least Chrysalis had changed her voice.
"Hello, Fleur." Rarity said sweetly. "If I may ask, what are you doing in those bushes?"
"Oh, you know me." 'Fleur' said. She placed a hand on the bushes. "I just looove bushes and foliage and flowers, heh heh heh."
"Oh, I see. I didn't know you a plant lover, Fleur." Rarity said. "There's one other thing, too. One ... small thing that's been bothering that I've been meaning to talk to you about for some time."
"Shoot." Fleur said.
"I was out with Rainbow Dash and ... an acquaintance earlier today. We tried to find Sweetie Belle. I don't know if you know that she's missing. We couldn't find her where this acquaintance said she was, and apparently the ... 'performing troupe' carrying her moved ahead of schedule. You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"
"I'm afraid not." Trixie said.
"So we went back to my house to think about what to do next." Rarity said. "We went back out to search for her again, and that's when I saw you go into the bushes. And it's the funniest thing, really ... while we're at my house, I received a letter from Fancypants telling me you appreciated our meeting and were having a good time with him. So how on Equestria did you slip from here and get all the way here from Canterlot in that time? How are you in two places at once?"
"Umm ..." Trixie stammered.
Rarity gave a smile which betrayed killing intent.
"Don't bother." Rarity said. "You know why the 'troupe' moved, don't you? And you already know Sweetie Belle was missing. Because Fleur doesn't know that yet, and she would have been concerned."
Trixie's eyes widened as she realized she'd been found out.
Rarity held out her palm and fired a massive burst of blue magic in the form of a blast, throwing Trixie against the building, the force and power of the spell dispelling Trixie's illusionary disguise.
"Hello, you small-minded, would-be spy." Rarity said, walking up to Trixie as she fell, Rarity's hands glowing with magic. "Tell me something; are there no depths you won't sink to? Torture, theft, even kidnapping, even setting Equestria on fire and allowing it to the burn to the ground, are worth it in your mind if it gets you the recognition you think you deserve? Well, let me tell you something, you shrew. You might not have any qualms about it, but I draw a line at you kidnapping my sister. Targeting family is the act of cowards too afraid or feeble to attack their enemies directly."
"The Great and Powerful Trixie is not a -"
Trixie was shocked, both physically and mentally, when Rarity kicked her in the chin.
"Save it." Rarity said. "You're a coward, plain and simple. A spineless, sniveling coward content to take orders from people more powerful than you, if you think it will get you what you want. It won't, Trixie. If Chrysalis succeeds - and I assure you she won't - and you get the audience, the 'recognition' you so desire ... it will be false. They won't cheer for you and applaud and clap because they like your half-baked showmanship. They'll cheer for because the alternative would be to admit that they have a problem with the current reigning tyrant and her choice in entertainment, and they don't want to be seen as a 'problem' and sent to a dungeon. Now ..."
Rarity raised her hands up.
"Tell me where you've taken my little sister."
Out on the side of the road, Diamond Tiara sat, scrunched up, her arms wrapped around her folded up legs.
Suri arrived, carrying ice cream cones in both hands, wearing a big, but uneasy smile. She handed Diamond Tiara one of the cones.
Diamond took it gruffly, wrapping her hand around it so hard the cone began to crack, the ice cream squeezing out and getting onto her fingers. Suri took the seat next to her.
Diamond glared at the scoop. She glared at Suri. "Do you really think you can buy me back with just some ice cream?"
Suri's smiled faded, and she put a finger to her forehead.
"No."
"Huh?"
"No, Diamond Tiara, I do not think I can 'buy you back' with some ice cream." Suri said. "But I hope that this can be a start to giving you the reparations you deserve for me being gone all those years. I hope this can be a step down a path where I can be allowed to work for your forgiveness. I know ... deep down ... no matter what I do ... you'll never be able to forgive me completely ... but all I can do is try, and try to get you to forgive me a little. Being gone all those years, you ... you're owed a lot from me, I know. And I'm not sure I'll even be able to pay off all that debt."
Suri looked away.
"But I'm trying. The least you can do is let me try. I've ... I've made a few mistakes over the course of my lifetime, I won't deny. But recently, I had someone talk to me and they made me realize something, that I needed to change. My business is in shambles, I don't know how to run things myself, and your father ... "
Suri paused.
"His speech also made me realize a few things. And even though I'll never admit to anyone else your father is the only person I can turn to for shelter. And he won't have me as long as you continue to resent me. So if bending over backwards and spending the rest of my life, trying to earn your forgiveness and paying off an unpayable debt is what it takes to make sure I have a roof over my head ... then darn it, that's what I'm going to do."
Diamond Tiara huffed.
"I'm trying, Diamond." Suri said. "I really am. And on some level, you have to be willing to let me try. Otherwise you wouldn't have agreed to come to lunch, and you wouldn't have taken the ice cream. You could have left after lunch, and you didn't."
Diamond Tiara was silent.
"Of course, if you hadn't taken it, I would have just forced it into your hand." Suri said, resting her head back. "Now eat up."
Diamond pursed her lips. She had to admit Suri ... her mother had a point. She stuck out her tongue and took a lick of the ice cream, regretting the fact she cracked.
Suri licked her ice cream and glanced off to the side. She noticed something.
"Now that's interesting ..." Suri muttered. Rarity was in the distance, standing by the garden row of a building and leaning over a silver-haired woman Suri had never seen before. Suri made a face of shock when Rarity took her arm and charged, slamming the woman against the side of the building.
Rarity held out her palm, glowing blue with magic. She fired a relentless barrage of magic fireballs at the woman, pelleting her. Rarity clenched her fingers and grabbed the woman with her magic, lifting her up in the air before slamming her on the ground. The resulting thud could be felt all the way to to Suri and Diamond's bench.
"What was that?" Diamond asked, puzzled by the odd vibration in the bench.
"Diamond ..." Suri said, getting up. "Stay here." She pointed a commanding finger at Diamond Tiara.
Diamond regarded Suri with surprise, wondering what was so upsetting to Suri she insisted on Diamond staying put, in addition to being surprised at the fact Suri could find it in her throat to work up an actual, scolding tone worthy of a mother.
Rarity grabbed Trixie by the throat, wrapping her fingers around Trixie's neck.
"I'm going to ask you one more time. Where is my sister?" Rarity growled.
"I don't know!" Trixie cried, tears slipping through her closed eyelids, one of eyes black from Rarity's beating. "I swear to you, I promise, Rarity, I don't know!"
"And we all know how good your word is." Rarity said, engulfing her free palm in blue magic again to threaten Trixie.
"I don't!" Trixie insisted. "Chrysalis disguised me as Fleur and sent me here to spy on you and your friends, and then she started packing up and moving her camp! She said she'd come retrieve me later after I had finished making my way in and ingratiating myself! I don't know where she took your sister, I swear! P-please ..." Trixie begged, her voice raspy and hoarse, tears continuing to fall down. "No more ... I don't know where she is ..."
Rarity paused. She was terrifyingly silent for a moment, during which Trixie thought she might be intended to beat her up some more.
"As crazy as it sounds ... I almost feel pity for you, and I think ... I actually believe you." Rarity said, letting go for Trixie's throat, where Trixie fell back and hit her head on the building, clutching at her sore neck.
Before Trixie could get too cozy to recover, her eyes were focused on Rarity's burning blue finger pointing at her nose.
"But make no mistake." Rarity said. "This will be your last warning. If I see you around here again, acting in the name of Chrysalis' will, if I see you engaging with her, or have reason to suspect you're doing her bidding ... or doing anything that might be related to helping her ... then next time, I won't let up. Understand?"
Trixie nodded, her eyes still wet.
"Hmph." Rarity huffed and turned her nose up, closing her eyes as she walked away.
"Eeesh ..." Suri murmured to herself, cautiously walking up to the silver-haired woman. Suri considered herself lucky she had never angered Rarity enough for an all out physical confrontation. She had no idea Rarity could be so vicious a fighter.
Suri stepped in front of her.
Trixie sniffed and cried, feeling abandoned, broken, humiliated, and maybe a little mutilated. She sniffed and wiped away a tear before acknowledging Suri. "What do you want? To beat me up some more?"
"No, I -" Suri began before someone else made their presence, stepping out of the shadows and crunching the grass.
"Oh." Sunset said. "Hello. I didn't see you there."
"Hi." Suri said. "What are you doing here?"
"I followed Rarity after I saw her nearly kill Adagio- oh ... you probably don't know who that is. Anyway, after witnessing her lack of self-restraint, I figured it would be a good idea to tail her and make sure she didn't something stupid she would regret later." Sunset looked down at Trixie. "And it looks like my hunch was right."
"Right." Suri said. She looked at Trixie. "We should get this woman to a hospital." Suri bent down, meaning to reach over and help Trixie up, but Sunset stopped her, putting an arm to her stomach.
"Wait." Sunset said. "I recognize this woman. She was working with Chrysalis."
"With ... who?" Suri asked. "I'm beginning to feel a bit like a third wheel here ..."
"Chrysalis?" Sunset asked. "Big, scary Changeling demon Queen? Summoned the Citrus Slime, Honeycomb, and the Sirens from her little book?"
"I'm not familiar." Suri turned to Trixie. "What should we do with her?"
"Well ..." Sunset said. "She probably has valuable information, so we should take her prisoner and interrogate her ... but she's hurt pretty bad, and it would be immoral of us not to do anything for her."
"So ... we should take her to get medical treatment, and then take her hostage?" Suri asked.
"I like the way you think." Sunset Shimmer said. She offered her hand to Suri. "Um, I'm sorry, I don't think I got your name?"
"Suri." Suri shook hands with Sunset. "Suri Polomare."
"Sunset Shimmer."
"And I'm Trixie Lulamoon." Trixie said before curling into a ball and turning her head away. "You know ... if either of you care ..."
At the library, Twilight drew on a chalkboard to visualize and map out their strategy, using what they knew for certain.
Their primary enemy was Chrysalis. Their objective was to rescue Sweetie Belle, and ideally, defeat her in the process. Chrysalis had Changeling minions working for her, as well as Adagio Dazzle and Aria Blaze, not to mention the Citrus Slime. Honeycomb was drawn off over on the other side of the board, with question marks underneath her. She was a wild card. There was no telling where she would be or what she would be doing or whose orders she was following, if anyone's, at the time they attacked.
"Let's see ..." Twilight drew a figure of herself and drew a line between herself and Chrysalis to represent magic. "I'll handle Chrysalis ... the biggest problem I can see is that Citrus Slime ... we need to be able to freeze it."
"I thought Rarity said when Fleur attacked her and Cadence, it was immune to freezing?" Fluttershy said.
"Shoot, you're right." Twilight deflated and hung her arms. "Didn't they say they electrocuted her instead? We'll have Rainbow Dash ... "
Awkward silence ensued. Scanning around the room, neither Rainbow Dash nor Rarity had arrived.
Twilight grunted, frustrated. It was Rarity's sister on the line, and it was their idea to have this meeting. Was it too much to expect for them to show up themselves?
"Okay." Twilight said. "Fluttershy, you're the one with weather magic. Think you find a cloud and bring down the lightning?"
"Oh, I don't know, Twilight." Fluttershy said. "Thunderclouds can be very dangerous if you don't handle them correctly, and besides ... lightning scares me." Fluttershy tapped her fingers together.
Twilight was about to shoot back that she had seen Fluttershy handle other, far more nerve-wracking situations, but the door opened with the event of the hour; Rainbow Dash and Rarity finally arrived. They both looked tired and worn, and Rarity seemed a bit beat-up, her hair an unbrushed mess, dirt covering her face, and she seemed uncharacteristically undisturbed the stains in her dress.
"Hello, everyone." Rarity waved her fingers. "I apologize for being so tardy. Rainbow Dash and I were busy pursuing a potential lead. Do forgive us." Rarity and Dash made their way inside and took a sight.
"Alright." Twilight said. "I'm still mad you're so late, but I guess I can let it slide."
"Um ..."
Everyone's attention was drawn to Sonata Dusk, standing in the doorway.
"Do ... do I come in now, or ...?" Sonata asked, pointing at nothing in particular, her question directed at Rarity.
"Come on in, darling." Rarity said. Sonata walked inside. "Everyone, I know you some of have already met her, but this is Sonata Dusk. She's been helping me and Rainbow Dash in any way she can. She used to be working for Chrysalis, but she's changed her mind and is helping us. That's why we were so late ... we thought she could lead us to Sweetie Belle."
"And why didn't she?" Twilight asked, crossing her arms and getting suspicious.
"Chrysalis knows she needs to keep on the move to keep from being discovered." Sonata said. "So she hides Sweetie Belle with her, and makes sure to rotate her base around every so often. She must have changed her schedule, because when I took Rarity and Dash to where I knew she was last, she wasn't there. She had told me and my fellow sirens where she was moving next, but she was either lying or had a change of plans, because she wasn't there either."
"That's a bite bit convenient." Applejack said. "Chrysalis not being in either of two locations you said she was gonna be."
"What I'm telling you is the honest truth, I swear." Sonata said, bringing a hand over her chest.
"We can trust her, Twilight." Rarity said. "She helped me escape, even though she didn't have to."
"How do we know that wasn't just a ploy to earn your trust?" Applejack asked.
"Applejack, stop, you're being paranoid." Rarity said. She rested her head on her hand. "Though I suppose it's a genuine concern, given some of the dirty stunts Chrysalis' team has pulled ... Sonata?"
"I'm a Siren." Sonata said. "I'm designed to feed on love. For the longest time, none of us knew what ... real love was like. But then I met Spike, and that changed. I know what it's like to have real love, a real ... lasting relationship. I'm not content to just keeping sucking up emotions like they're cheap drinks you buy at bar. I want this to last. I want to be with Spike."
"Please." Sonata said. "Let me help you. Give me the chance to earn your trust. I promise, I won't let you down."
Twilight regarded Sonata suspiciously, though it was hard to say whether it was because she still didn't trust her, or her mothering instincts were kicking in and she disapproved of Spike being with anyone.
"Okay." Twilight said. "What information can you tell us, Sonata?"
"The first thing you should know." Sonata raised a finger. "You don't need to worry about Sweetie Belle being hurt. Chrysalis never told us what her plan for was ... but whatever it is, it requires Sweetie Belle being safe and uninjured."
Twilight nodded. "Okay ... okay ... that's good news, I guess. Well, no, actually, it's kind of terrifying, because I'd hate to imagine what that plan is. Anything else?"
"A few things ..."
"Ugh ..." Twilight groaned, rubbing at her eyes. Her hair was getting frazzled, and bags were forming under her eyes. "It's been hours, and despite the information Sonata's told us, we still haven't come up with a good plan!" Twilight smacked the chalkboard in frustration, causing it to spin wildly.
Twilight heaved a sigh. "Maybe we should take a break. Call it in for the night and go to bed ..."
"Go to bed?" Rarity asked. She looked towards the window. "It's not even dark outside."
"Is't not?" Twilight muttered, raising her head up. "Huh. So it's not. Well ... maybe we should go out for food, or something."
"Every minute we spend in here planning, breaking, and resting is another my sister is in that monster's clutches." Rarity growled.
"Rarity ..." Rainbow put a hand on Rarity's shoulder. " Trust me, I want to get Sweetie Belle back almost as much as you do. We all do. But we can't come up with a good plan if we're all tired and on empty stomachs."
Rarity inhaled, understanding Rainbow Dash's point, yet still wanting to disagree with Dash. She wanted to insist they carry on, and they all march through their grueling task until they saw it to completion. But she knew insisting they carry on would backfire, and leave them all tired, cranky, and angry at her.
Not the kind of state one wants their team to be in when they're trying to stage a rescue mission.
"Fine." Rarity said. "I guess we could go out to eat ... but I want us all to meet back here when we're done."
"Actually ..." Applejack rested her hand on her knee before getting up. "That makes me think. There's been a lot of successful nabbin' attempts lately. We should stick together for safety. Maybe even ... you know, have a sleepover at Twilight's." Applejack looked around. "Between the orchard, it, and the Boutique, I'd say it's the best at inconveniencing any kidnapping attempts."
"That's a good idea, Applejack." Twilight said. "New rule; until we have this crisis settled, nobody goes out by themselves."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Rarity stood up next. "Rainbow Dash and I will grab a few things from our house, and then we'll meet up at the restaurant, if that's acceptable."
"Acceptable." Twilight said.
"I'll go get Apple Bloom and Scootaloo ... criminy, I should have done that in the first place. Pinkie Pie, you're with me."
"Okie-dokie!" Pinkie Pie joined Applejack in leaving. Rarity and Rainbow Dash left after them.
"Don't you two have anything you need?" Twilight asked.
"I should probably make sure my animals have enough food for me to stay the night." Fluttershy said. "And let Discord know what's going on."
"I ... don't really have a proper home at the moment." Sonata said. "I'll come with you, Fluttershy."
"Oh, um, okay ..." Fluttershy said. "I'm ... not sure my animals will trust a stranger, especially a siren ... they're very good at that ... but Rarity trusts you, and that's good enough for me."
The two of them left.
Rarity and Dash returned to their home.
"I'll pack." Rarity said.
"I'll help."
"We won't need much. Just a few essentials. You can take a moment to relax." Rarity said before going into the back without giving Rainbow Dash the chance to argue.
"Yeah ..." Dash said. "Okay ... I probably need a boost anyway ..."
Rainbow Dash went into the kitchen. She opened the fridge door and pulled a bottle of white poison. She sat down at the counter, twisted the lid off, and took a sip.
The front entrance clicked open. Dash slammed her bottle on the counter, flaring her wings up, ready for a fight, recalling how many opening doors had been preludes to kidnapping in recent hours.
Actually, why wasn't that door locked?
Shining Armor and Harshwhinny made their way into the kitchen, answering Dash's question. She wouldn't put it past them to have picked the lock. They walked up to the counter and took seats.
"Oh no." Rainbow Dash rubbed her temple up and down. "Not you two. We don't ... we don't have time for this right now. Sweetie Belle's been kidnapped by Chrysalis."
"Hey, I didn't even want to be here! But I figured it would best if I did for, uh, legal reason and to keep things from getting ... out of hand." Shining Armor said.
Things are definitely going to get out of hand. Dash thought.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know ... about Sweetie Belle ... why didn't you tell me? I'll go get Cadence. She can help." Shining Armor got up.
"Stay." Harshwhinny said as Shining Armor said. "While this kidnapping is ... unfortunate, it does not change the business we came here to conduct."
"Unfortunate?" Dash asked. "Someone's little sister is missing, and all you have to say is 'unfortunate'?"
"So!" Shining Armor interrupted, sensing the conversation was about to get tense and hostile. "Rainbow Dash, what's going on with you? Aside from the whole kidnapping thing, I mean. What are your life plans now?"
"What do you mean?" Dash asked, happy to oblige Shining Armor and change the course of the conversation.
"Well, I ... I heard you were got engaged to Rarity recently." Shining Armor said. "You've been missing out on a few mortgage payments ... what are you gonna do with your old cloud house?"
"Don't know." Rainbow took a sip from her bottle. "Was thinking of giving to Scootaloo ... she's a big girl now, she can look after it ... "
"Uh-huh." Shining nodded. "Uh ... pardon me for asking, but I can't help but notice you seem to be drinking, um, milk. Do you mind I ask what - what's up with that? Is that still the healthiest thing for you? Isn't it a drug?"
"Maybe it's not the healthiest thing." Dash admitted. She rocked the bottle in her hand, looking down the opening into the fluid. "But I'm getting better. I've been weaning, pun not intended, myself off it ... but I'm still allowed a little indulgence every once in awhile, right?" Dash grinned. She sighed and looked into the bottle again. "This bottle is a bottle of contradictions. It's my rock. My drug. It drives me crazy ... and it keeps me sane. It make sure I always come back ..." Rainbow Dash glanced towards the back of the house. "To her."
"You don't have to stay here." Shining Armor said. "You're not her property."
Dash pointed her pinkie from her bottle. "I got a dog collar around here that says otherwise."
"A dog collar?" Shining Armor sputtered. "You ... you can't be serious. She doesn't get to keep you, Rainbow Dash. You're not a dog."
"I want her to keep me." Dash said. "I like her. I love her."
"Yeah, but ..."
"Let me see if I can find it ..." Dash began opening drawers and rummaging through them. "Ah, here it is." She pulled a purple dog collar with her name and instructions to 'return to Rarity if found' on the tag. Disregarding Shining's words, Dash unpopped the collar and wrapped it around her neck, clicking it back together. "What do you say to that?"
Shining Armor stammered. Rainbow Dash, cool as an icebox, sipped her milk.
Harshwhinny cleared her throat. "Enough of this."
Harshwhinny pulled out a piece of paper. "What I have is a court order. I expect you and Miss Belle to be there on time."
Dash took the paper. "Hearing ...? A court date?" Rainbow Dash threw the paper down on the counter. "What is this?"
Harshwhinny was bothered by Dash's rough treatment of the legal papers. "It is a order and date competency hearing. We're going to be holding a competency hearing to test Rarity Belle and determine if she is, in fact, still sane and not a danger to herself, and others, and is mentally and emotionally fit to take care of herself and her family." Harshwhinny turned away and pulled out a hand mirror. "The fact her sister has been kidnapped on her watch will not reflect well on her."
Dash was stunned. "Wow." Dash said. "Harshwhinny, I knew you were a stick in the mud with an ax to grind ... but I didn't realize you were total filth. Rarity's sister is missing. My future sister-in-law is missing and held hostage by an evil, powerful queen ... but all you care is dragging us to court? Wow. I mean, just wow. Talk about your priorities."
Shining Armor began to shrink away from the table. "Like I said, Rainbow Dash, I don't want to be here ... not after what happened ... what Twiley said ..."
"Regardless of any extenuating circumstances, however unfortunate, I expect you and Miss Belle to be there on time for the court, present and appropriately dressed." Harshwhinny said. "You should be leaving your sister-in-law's recovery up to law enforcement anyways."
"Uh-huh." Dash got up, pressing her fists on the table. "No, you listen to me. Here's what's gonna happen ... "
Rainbow Dash flew over to the windows and closed the blinds, submerging the room in darkness. Using her exceptional speed, she flew over to the counter and slammed Harshwhinny's and Shining Armor's heads on the table, pinning their necks with her palms.
"You're gonna take that court order and shove it." Dash growled. "Burn it. Trash it. Stuff it in your mouth and eat if for all I care."
Dash bent down and talked right into Harswhinny's ear.
"Rarity and I are sick of you coming after us because you have bone to pick, and apparently nothing else better to do, despite your high-ranking positions." Rainbow Dash said. "I have had to put up with enough of your horse apples. Shining Armor, how good are you with teleportation spells?"
"Oh, gee ... teleporting has always been more of Twiley's thing ..." Shining answered.
"Good." Dash said. "So you'll understand the risk when I say ... if either of you pull any stunts like this again, I'm gonna fly you both somewhere very far away, drop you from a great big height to break your legs, and then, I'm gonna take you both for a long walk off a short pier. Understand?"
Shining Armor nodded. "Yeah, no, I understand."
"Harshwhinny?"
" ... fine." Harshwhinny grunted out.
"Good." Rainbow Dash said. She walked over to the other side of the counter and picked the court order up. She ripped it in half, tearing it straight down the middle. Harshwhinny's jaw dropped in shock. Dash let the paper halves float to the ground. "Now get out of here."
"We're leaving." Shining Armor said.
"But ..." Harshwhinny, though shaken, tried to protest. "She just destroyed legal documents ..."
"We're leaving!" Shining Armor grabbed Harshwhinny by the back of her shirt and pulled along, making a hasty escape towards the exit. "Don't worry, Rainbow Dash, I'll come back with Cadence as soon as I can! We'll make sure nothing happens to Sweetie Belle!"
"Yeah ... yeah, sure. Make sure you lock the door on your way out." Rainbow Dash said.
"Got it!" Shining Armor saluted. He locked the door before leaving.
"Rainbow Dash!" Rarity came running into the room, holding the door frame and panting. "I heard thumping and I came as fast as I could. Are you alright? Why is it so dark in here?" Rarity turned the light on. "Oh, I see. The blinds are closed."
"I'm fine." Rainbow Dash said, going up to open the blinds, before deciding it would be better not to, given Chrysalis might be spying.
"What happened?" Rarity asked.
Rainbow Dash turned towards Rarity. She looked away from her.
"Nothing." Rainbow Dash said. "Nothing happened. I just ... tripped, that's all."
"Oh." Rarity exhaled sharply, resting on the door frame. "Oh, that's a relief. For a moment there, I was worried something might have happened ... anyways, I think I've got everything packed that we need. We'll drop it off at Twilight's and then ... let's go eat."
"Let's."
Twilight, Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie, Sonata, and of course, the lovely couple, after dropping some things off at Twilight's library, went out to one of their old favorite restaurants to eat. They were a bit dismayed to learn they only had outdoor tables open for them, as that made them more vulnerable, but they decided to live with it.
They were seated, with Rainbow Dash being a gentleman and pulling out Rarity's seat for her, to Rarity's delight. They were given menus and left to decide what they wanted.
"Hmm ... what do I want?" Rarity wondered. "It feels like it's been forever since I last had nice warm meal ..."
Rarity froze up. She put her menu down. She heard a gurgling. A familiar gurgling noise. "Does anyone else hear that?"
"Hear what?" Twilight asked.
"That gurgling." Rarity said. She rested her hands on the side of her head. "That awful, awful gurgling ..."
"Sure you're not imagining it?" Sonata Dusk asked.
"No. I hear it, too." Rainbow Dash said. The explanation of Dash and Rarity being able to hear it because they had a stronger connection and longer history with the slime seemed too logical to not make sense.
Patrons began screaming, fleeing their seats and exiting the restaurant.
Orange tendrils rose over the outdoor fence, sliding and slithering up the side of the fence. The Citrus Slime climbed up, pulling itself up and throwing itself over the fence. Chrysalis stood atop the mound of gel, poised like a great commander of olden warfare perched on a horse-drawn chariot.
"Chrysalis!" Twilight exclaimed. Sonata Dusk ducked under the table, fearful of what Chrysalis might to do her if she received visual confirmation of her betrayal and turning turncoat.
"Alright, you." Chrysalis asked, willing the Citrus Slime to raise up its tendrils. "What have you done with Trixie? Where have you taken her?"
"What?" Twilight said. "What is she talking about?"
"We don't know anything about where Trixie is." Applejack said.
The Slime, at Chrysalis' command, brought its tendril down on the table they were sitting at, knocking it over, The girls all hit the floor, avoiding the blow and debris which fell off the table.
"Don't play games with me!" Chrysalis said. "I know you must have done something with her! I sent her into Ponyville to spy on you, and I haven't heard back from her since!"
"Games?" Rarity chuckled. "Oh, Chrysalis, you're such a hypocrite."
"Takes one to know one."
"Granted, but please." Rarity waved her hand. "You don't really expect us to believe you actually care about Trixie, do you? She's just another disposable pawn to you. Just like everyone else you manipulate or ever had under your control."
"Trixie has been an invaluable asset to my plans." Chrysalis said. "After all, it was she who brought the book. She helped get close to Twilight Sparkle, back when that was the only plan that needed to work, and it didn't. Tell me where she is!" Chrysalis had the Slime raise its tendril up menacingly.
"Alright, alright, fine." Rarity said. "I found Trixie in the see-through transparent disguise you put in her by a building down near the east of town. I spoke my peace and ... gave her a little bit of a well-deserved thrashing, and I left her there with a warning. I don't know she might be or where she could have gone after that."
Chrysalis bared her teeth, growling. "You must by lying. Liar! If you didn't take her, who did?"
"I don't know." Rarity said. "But if you're going to keep being a hypocrite, projecting on me and accusing me of all the things you're guilty of, I'm afraid I'm going to have to insist you leave at once."
Chrysalis chuckled. "My, my, my, someone's feeling confident. Have you looked around? Do you realize it is I who controls this beast beneath my feet? You are in no position to make threats."
"Oh, but that's where you're wrong, Chrysalis." Rarity said. "I am in the perfect position to make threats. You're underestimating me."
Rarity walked forward towards the Citrus Slime.
"I don't know what it is, but I have a special connection with the slime. Maybe it's destiny. Maybe it's fate. Maybe I'm the chosen one. Or maybe it's just something in my genetics that I have unique to me. Or perhaps the slime bonded with me more than any of its' other hosts - Rainbow was infected as long as I was, and she doesn't seem to have the same control over it. But whatever it is, whatever it may be, the point being ..."
Rarity took another step forward.
"I am Rarity Belle, Mistress of the Slime. I command it, Chrysalis, not you."
Rarity lifted her arms up and plunged them into the Citrus Slime.
"Rarity, what are you doing?" Twilight exclaimed.
Chrysalis gave a hearty laugh. "Ha ha ha... it's so good of you, Rarity, to surrender yourself to the Slime and me so willingly. Now if you don't mind, dear, come along... I'm going to have to think up something special for you."
Chrysalis looked around. She grew annoyed.
"Why aren't we moving?"
The Citrus Slime gurgled and burbled apologetically.
"I know, darling, I know." Rarity cooed to it, massaging it with her hands. "I forgive you. It's not your fault the big nasty Changeling woman made you do bad things. Now, if you would be a dear for me and be so kind as to get rid of her ..."
"Ha!" Chrysalis scoffed. "You can't honestly expect this little trick to work, can you?"
The trick worked, as the Slime gurgled and formed piston on its top, which it launched upwards, ejecting Chrysalis off and throwing over the fence onto her back.
"Okay ..." Chrysalis rolled to her stomach and pushed herself up. "I wasn't expecting that."
"Clearly." Rarity said. She turned to the Slime. "Now, if you wouldn't mind, slimey-dear?"
The Citrus Slime raised up its tendrils. It brought them together and merged them, before turning them into one gigantic axe. The Slime reached its tendril over the fence and swung the ax like a pendulum, trying to chop Chrysalis in half.
Chrysalis rolled out of the way in time. Scowling, she aimed a hand at Rarity and shot forth a green projectile, blasting Rarity clear across the pavilion and into the wall, separating from the Slime and breaking her control over it.
"Well, obviously, this is something I'm going to have a figure out a way to counter and work around ..." Chrysalis muttered. She blasted the Citrus Slime with a green mind-altering beam from her palm, bringing it back under her thrall. She grabbed the Slime's core body with magic and lifted it up, bringing over the fence and onto the ground with her.
Chrysalis climbed up the Slime to resume her position on top of her.
"Tell you what." Chrysalis said. "I'll make you a fair trade, Rarity. Your little sister for the book."
Rarity pulled herself of the wall she'd been lodged in. She would never give Chrysalis the book. She knew how much damage and destruction Chrysalis could cause with unfiltered access to the book and all its secrets and monsters to summon. "That ... is not going to happen."
"Well, then, I guess I'll be keeping your sister for a little while longer." Chrysalis made the Citrus Slime turn around and crawl away. Rarity and Twilight hurled spells at Chrysalis to make her stop, but the Slime formed a square shield to protect Chrysalis from them. Chrysalis was able to escape and make her way off.
"Rarity ..." Twilight asked, as all of the girls gathered around. "How did you do that?"
"I don't know." Rarity said. "I just ... did. I just ... knew I could." Rarity said. She placed a hand to her head as she thought. "It ... it happened the first time when Fleur, infected attacked me and Suri in Canterlot. I was able to - to connect her and get her to heed my commands long enough to let Suri escape. Right then, it just ... came naturally to me. I quickly realized I could ... I could still control Slime-infested things and people, even though I am ... no longer one of them."
"I wonder if that would explain why you weren't affected by my singing ..." Sonata said, earning her odd looks from Rarity and the others. "Um, you know, back when I was still on Chrysalis' side."
"It seems possible ..." Rarity said.
"Ugh." Twilight groaned, surveying the damage done to the pavilion. "I'm gonna have to take the repairs for this out of the royal treasury ..."
"Or, you know, you could include it in the tip." Rainbow Dash said. "After all, we still didn't get our food."
"You're right, Rainbow Dash." Twilight said. "I think we'll do that." All of them but Rarity went over to a table which was still standing upright, smiling and nodding, acting as if nothing happened. "Waiter!" Twilight called. The waiter, though a shivering wreck, peered out the door and came out to collect their order.
"You know ..." Fluttershy said. "Chrysalis said she was looking for Trixie ..."
"Yeah." Twilight said. "Where is Trixie, anyway? Where could she be? ... Rarity?" Twilight leaned over. "Aren't you going to join us?"
"No." Rarity said. "I'll go find something else later. You'll understand if my appetite is a bit ruined after that ..."
Rarity stared at her hand, drops of orange slime on her fingers.
"Enough is enough." Rarity said to herself. "This won't end. It can't end. Not until I address the problem at its source ... not until I confront my abuser." Rarity curled her slime-soaked hand into a fist.
"Rarity?" Twilight said as Rarity walked away. "If you're going somewhere, make sure to take someone with you."
No, Rarity thought, where I am going is somewhere you cannot follow. None of you follow me.
"Fine." Rarity said with a smile.
Suri, Sunset, and Trixie walked into a hotel. The clerk at the front desk was surprised by Trixie's appearance. She was covered in bandages, adhesive strips, and had a bag of ice tied around her head to cover her black eye. Sunset Shimmer kept a faintly-glowing palm against Trixie's back.
"Hi!" Suri said, resting her elbow on the counter. "Room for three, please? Our friend got into a nasty bar fight and needs a place to rest up."
"Um ... sure, of course." The clerk said, taking out a key. "... Do I need to call the Guards?"
"No, no." Sunset said. "Right, Beautrix?"
"Yes!" Trixie said, glancing nervously at Sunset. "Let I, the Great Trixie, be the first to assure you that I am here willingly, of my own accord, with and having given consent to these two ladies to ..."
"I think he gets it." Sunset said.
"Okay ..." The clerk handed Suri the key. "Room 103."
"Thank you." Suri and Sunset hurried Trixie up the stairs and ushered her into the room, the clerk remaining suspicious.
Suri threw Trixie onto the bed, getting her to take a seat on the mattress.
"We need to hurry." Sunset said. "That clerk is probably gonna figure out something's wrong and call the officials anyway."
"Yes." Suri said. "So, Trixie, what have you been up to? Don't leave out a single detail."
Trixie crossed her arms. "Trixie does not have to tell you anything."
"Oh, she doesn't?" Sunset Shimmer said with a smile. "Okay. I guess Trixie doesn't appreciate the fact we took her in to receive care after Rarity beat her up ... and she won't mind if we ... remove that care." Sunset walked over to Trixie and pinched her elbow, making Trixie's sore arm hurt.
"Ow ow ow! Okay, okay!"
Sunset let go of Trixie's arm.
"I've been trying to find a book. A very powerful, old, ancient spellbook." Trixie said. "For a woman... who's promised me to give me everything I've ever wanted if I get it for her and help her plans succeed."
"Gee." Sunset looked aside. "I don't know what that's like, to take advantage of people to help with nefarious plans. Except I'd bet even during my bad girl days, I was still more trustworthy than whoever you're working for."
"Whatever." Trixie said. "Our most recent plan, which is what led to Rarity beating Trixie up, was to kidnap her sister and trade her for the book ... that's ... backfired, so far."
"Wow." Sunset raised a brow. "You and your group are real despicable, aren't you? And I should know. I have first hand experiencing being horrible enough to do that kind of thing."
"Hey." Suri glanced out the window. She walked up to it. "Sunset, come look at this."
"What?" Sunset asked, going towards the window.
"Look." Suri pointed.
"That's Rarity." Sunset said. "She's walking with a woman who is exceptionally pale... and it looks like she's going to the Everfree Forest."
"What could she want in there?" Suri asked.
"Don't know." Sunset said. "Maybe looking for her sister?"
"Should we follow her? Or them?"
Sunset slowly nodded. "I'm thinking we should. Trixie, come on, get up. We're going for a walk."
"What?" Trixie asked. "But I just sat down!"
Sunset and Suri grabbed the cowl of Trixie's cloak and lifted her up. "Come on." Sunset insisted. Trixie groaned as Sunset and Suri walked her out of the room and out of the hotel, leaving behind a confused and worried clerk.
Rarity and Sonata Dusk reached the edge of the Everfree.
"Oh? The Everfree Forest?" Sonata asked. "What are we doing here, Rarity?"
"Sonata ..." Rarity said. "Thank you so much for agreeing to accompany me. And I want you to know, that I greatly appreciate all the help you've given to me, even if we couldn't find Sweetie Belle. I want you to know ... I'm sorry. But if you realized the true stakes of what I'm about to do, I know you would try to stop me."
"What?"
Sonata grunted when Rarity hit her in the back of the head with a tree branch. Sonata fell down, crumpling over a tree trunk and its roots. "Oow ..."
"I'm sorry." Rarity tossed the branch down and ran in another direction, leaving Sonata, groaning.
The main thought going through Sonata's head was Twilight and the others weren't going to trust her when she came back without Rarity, and wouldn't believe her when she tried to tell them Rarity did it, and she'd be separated from Spike. "Ooh ..." Sonata groaned before letting herself go limp.
Suri, Sunset, and Trixie entered and made their way through the forest.
"So what does Rarity want in here, I wonder?" Sunset said. "What do you girls think?"
"I don't know." Suri said. "It could be anything."
"Maybe ..." Trixie said. "You don't think she could be after the Alicorn Amulet, do you?"
"The what?" Suri asked.
"The Alicorn Amulet." Trixie said. "It's a mystical artifact of vast, dark power. Whoever wears it has their magic enhanced almost to the level of a Princess, but it slowly drives the wearer crazy and mad. I know. I wore it when I tried to beat Twilight. They managed to get off me. The last thing I knew, some zebra who lived in the forest had taken it."
"I don't think Rarity would go that far and use anything like that." Sunset said, laughing it off.
"Yes." Suri agreed. "I've known Rarity to be willing bend the rules and play a little dirty now and then, but I wouldn't think she would go so far as use something as evil and dark as that."
The trio stopped in place, an explosion rocking the ground beneath them.
"What was that?" Suri asked.
"I don't know, but we'd better go find out!" Sunset said.
They were able to follow the sound of the explosion and trace it back to its source, made easier by the fact smaller, quieter booms followed in its place. They traced it back to a hut in the Everfree.
The girls gasped. The hut's windows were all shattered. The door was broken off its hinges, and shingles were displaced from the roof. The hut had seen better days.
The trio made their way inside. Zecora was lying on the floor, nursing her head and grimacing. Rarity was making a mess of the place, ransacking the shelves, using her magic to knock them loose and make their contents slide off, crashing to the ground.
"Where is it?" Rarity asked. "Where is it, Zecora!?"
"Wanting to rescue your sister is surely a noble goal." Zecora said. "But answer me this. To save your sister, are you willing to sell your soul?"
Rarity glared at Zecora.
"Yes." Rarity answered without blinking or flinching. She used her magic to toss aside the items and clear another shelf. "Ah ... here it is." Rarity levitated up a box to her hands and opened it. Inside was a black necklace, with the front of it sculpted to resemble a winged, horned horse, and a red jewel set in the center. The Alicorn Amulet.
Rarity took the Amulet out of the box.
"Rarity, wait!" Sunset reached a hand out. "Think about what you're doing!"
"I have thought about it." Rarity answered. "And I've thought it through."
"Rarity ..." Trixie said. "Take it from me. I know, out of the three of us, you have the most reason trust me the least, but listen to me. I used the Amulet myself once. I thought I could handle it. That I could control its power. I couldn't. Instead, it controlled me. It consumed me. And it'll do the same thing to you if you put it on! So please ... don't put it on."
Rarity narrowed her eyes at Trixie. "That's the difference between you and I, Trixie. You thought you could control it. I know that I can't. But if it saves my sister - if it gives me the strength to do what I need to do - then that is a price I'm willing to pay."
"Rarity ..." Sunset clenched her fists, enveloping them in a yellow aura. "You know we can't let you do this. We won't."
"Funny. I don't seem to recall asking your permission."
Sunset Shimmer and Trixie flung spells at Rarity, a pair of yellow fireballs and a sparkling firework of a spell, respectively. Rarity was able to duck and evade the spells, making them hit the wall.
"I may not have as much raw power as Twilight ... but that doesn't mean I don't know how to use it."
With magic, Rarity lifted up all of the things she had knocked off the shelves. She pointed them Sunset and Trixie and tossed all of them forward, striking Sunset, Trixie, and Suri with a barrage of knick-knacks, tribal masks, and miscellaneous boxes. Sunset tried to fight her way through them, punching and pushing the knick-knacks out of the air. She began blasting them, shooting golden rays from her palms to blast the debris away.
While Sunset and her friends were distracted, Rarity threw the Amulet back into the box and closed it up, clutching the box to her chest as she made her way through the window. She lifted the broken pane up and crawled through, hopping out the window and running towards Ponyville.
"Oh, ponyfeathers!" Sunset swore. She crossed her hands across each other, letting out a massive burst of golden fire which knocked the remaining projectiles down and to the ground. She turned around and sprinted out the door.
"Where are you going?" Suri shouted as Sunset ran.
"To contact Celestia!" Sunset answered. "This is a problem!"
"You can do that?" Suri and Trixie asked in unison, surprised to learn Sunset was influential enough to contact the Princess. Sunset paid them no heed.
Sunset Shimmer made her way into Ponyville and reached Twilight's library. She slammed her fist on the door, knocking furiously.
Twilight opened the door cautiously, cracking it open to see who was there. Sunset, in a hurry and needing to get through, had no patience to ask why Twilight was being so cautious and barged her way in, throwing the open and knocking Twilight aside.
"Spike!" Sunset shouted. "Where's Spike?"
"Here I am." Spike said. "Oh. Hi, Sunset Shimmer. What's up?"
Sunset grabbed him by the shoulders. "I need you to send an express message to Celestia with the best postage available, now, and I need you to get it to her as fast as possible."
"Okay, okay! Just let go of my shoulders! Yeesh ..." Spike rubbed his shoulders after Sunset let them go.
Rarity trudged her way through Ponyville, having unburdened herself of the box and tossed it aside. She walked briskly, but calmly, to avoid anyone spotting her and catching on she was in the midst of doing something she probably shouldn't.
Rarity's excellent poker face skills became a moot point when Celestia landed in front of her, descending from the sky.
"Hello, Rarity." Celestia said.
"Hello, Princess." Rarity said.
"I just got a letter." Celestia said. "A letter from my ex-pupil Sunset Shimmer, of all people. Can you imagine that? She tells me that you've stolen the Alicorn Amulet from your friend Zecora."
"You know about the Amulet, then?" Rarity asked. "I do not deny or admit to stealing anything."
"Rarity ..." Celestia said. "You know I cannot condone allowing you to use an artifact as dark and powerful as the Alicorn Amulet."
"I know." Rarity said.
A flash swept over Rarity's eyes.
"That's why I already put it on."
Rarity fired a tiny red energy beam from her fingers. It was diminutive, but it was packing enough power to blast Celestia away, striking her in the midsection and knocking her off her feet. Whether or not the blast had hurt was irrelevant to Rarity; she only required Celestia be incapacitated long enough for her to teleport away. Rarity disappeared in a sparkling flash of white light with a red trim around it.
Rarity teleported herself in front of a cave in the Everfree Forest. A particular cave. A special cave.
Rarity walked towards the cave, stopping a patch of dirt which had been disrupted recently. It had a circle dug around it, man-made, almost the way someone would bundle dirt up to protect the base of a plant. Someone had wanted to mark this spot for later use.
Rarity plunged her hand into the dirt patch. The dirt was loosely pack enough she had no trouble pulling out the contents inside the hole - the book. The book Chrysalis had wanted. The book Rarity hid.
Funny. Rarity thought. I buried this here to hide it .. and to use as a tactic to scare Shining Armor. I never dreamed I would actually be ... using it.
Rarity wrapped her arms around the book, holding it to her chest as she entered the cave. Around the cave entrance were outlines of soot and ash tracing where vines had been once, long ago, before Shining Armor and his men came and burned them. They burnt them all, as a part of a massive cleanup operation in the wake of a slime infection.
Making her way inside, Rarity looked around and saw crystals inside the cave. Each of them were broken and shattered, with holes punched through some of them. Pickaxes had been taken to them, by Shining Armor's men.
The plants and crystals had been part of an expansive set up to trap victims and bring them to the monster living inside the cave, with the plants encircling them them and seducing them with tickles and kisses, and then the crystals, with their shimmering and humming, hypnotized them. It was an amazing set up, from an evolutionary point of view. Everything would have to evolved in precisely the right way to make it happen, and one has to wonder what the symbiotic nature was; it was obvious the benefit to the monster previously dwelling inside the cave, but what where the plants and crystals getting out of the deal?
Rarity pushed the thought aside. She arrived at the edge of an enormous pit.
Back where it all began. Rarity thought.
Rarity opened the book. She brushed her finger on her tongue before flipping through the pages, until she found what she was looking for.
"Ah."
Rarity held the book to the side, keeping her eyes on the words as she raised a hand towards the pit. A red glow formed around her hand. Rarity went to work casting the spell from the back. The glow around her hand increase in size, before turning sickly shade of pinkish-purple lavender. Her hand produced a wavy, hollow beam like one from a cartoon flying saucer which fell into the pit and filled it up with its magical presence.
A rumble shook through the cave. A loud, roaring gurgle came from the pit.
With a dramatic flourish, Rarity tossed the book aside to the cave floor. She took her foot and stomped the book down.
A purple, spherical mass began to rise out of the pit, going further and further up until its top hemisphere brushed the ceiling. It reached out its tendrils, each of which wriggled and writhed. A massive monster of purple slime, a system of tubes from which the creature took its name visible inside its mass. Its name of ...
The Pipe Slime.
"Hello." Rarity said, placing a hand on the Pipe Slime's surface. "Do you remember me? Of course you do. My torturer ... my abuser ... but things are going to change, oh yes. Things are different now. You're not going to hurt me. You are not going to control me any longer. I am going to control you. Lower yourself for me, will you?"
The Pipe Slime did as Rarity asked, sinking itself into the pit.
Rarity climbed up its side. She stood on top of it. She turned around and spread her arms out before falling backward on to the Pipe Slime's surface.
The gem of the Alicorn Amulet glowing, Rarity began to sink into the Pipe Slime, her body slowly lowering, being covered inch by inch by the purple ooze until she was submerged and all but drowned inside of it.
"Princess!" Twilight exclaimed, running up to Princess Celestia in the street. She took Celestia's hands and helped Celestia to her feet. "Are you alright?"
Celestia groaned, but stood. "I'm fine ..."
"Strong enough to fight?" Twilight asked. "We've been planning all afternoon, and we finally figured out a way to locate Chrysalis' camp. The girls and I are about ready to stage an assault on Chrysalis, as soon as we can find her. It would be great if you could come help."
"Nothing would please me more." Celestia said. "I would love nothing more than to help you finally squash that bug once and for all ... but ... I'm afraid I can't. Rarity has the Alicorn Amulet, and I do not where she has gone, or what she is planning to do ..."
"I know." Twilight said. "I know about all that. But we should deal with one problem at time. We need to move, and fast. We should deal with Chrysalis as quickly as possible, and then we can worry about Rarity. The Alicorn Amulet won't drive her crazy right away."
"I suppose you're right." Celestia said. "Still, I wonder what possessed her to take so drastic an action ..."
"Who knows?" Twilight said. She moved, dragging Celestia by the arm, but Celestia planted her feet firm on the grass.
"Wait." Celestia said. "What is that?"
Celestia pointed to an alley. Twilight turned to see what it was.
It appeared to be a long-haired woman, but ... made out of green slime, the lower half of her body and her hands sinking and melting into a puddle of green slime which trailed her movements as she crawled along the ground. It crawled towards them.
Twilight insisted on standing in front of Celestia to guard her. Celestia, being older, wiser, and taller than Twilight, picked Twilight up and moved her behind where Celestia could guard her.
The slime woman stopped at their feet. It looked up at them, regarding them.
"Ssssswwww."
"Ssssswwww?" Twilight asked.
The slime woman repeated itself. "Ssssswwww."
"I'm sorry." Celestia said. "We don't understand. Can you explain?"
The slime woman tilted her head at them, as if puzzled by why it couldn't understand them and didn't have what it wanted. It turned to the right and began crawling down the road.
"What is that?" Celestia asked.
"There's no time to figure it out." Twilight said. "We'll come back to later, after we deal with Chrysalis ... besides, it ..." Twilight watched the thing go. "It doesn't seem to be hurting anyone, so ... we can hope that it is harmless."
"I hope you're right." Celestia said. "Twilight ... if we get back from dealing with Chrysalis and find out that thing has hurt someone, I'm going to be very cross with you. Understand?"
"Yes, ma'am." Twilight said. "But that's a risk I'm willing to take. Chrysalis has been threatening us and our families, and she's going to ruin our lives if she's left unchecked for much longer. Let's go." Twilight jerked her head and ran off. Celestia followed her.
Honeycomb watched over Aria Blaze's cocoon, making sure no harm came to it while Aria completed her transformation.
Aria Blaze emerged, punching a hole through the film of the honeycomb before it ripped open and dumped her out. Now a bee of Honeycomb's species, Aria stood up from the honey she was drenched in and examined her fingers, deploying the stingers from under her fingernails.
"Awesome." Aria Blaze said. She flapped her wings and got off the ground. "We're off to Ponyville, Honeycomb. Let's paint the town red. We'll sting as many as we can and bring them over to turn them into more bees."
"I like the way you, mmm, think." Honeycomb flapped her wings and flew off with Aria.
They buzzed their way to the outskirts of Ponyville.
"Whoa." Aria stopped midair. "Check it out."
Multiples of the slime woman Celestia and Twilight had encountered were roaming through Ponyville. They crawled around until they found someone, where they went up to them, buzzing their 'ssssswwww' noise until it became clear no one had any idea what they were trying to ask about, and left. The residents were freaked out, hiding indoors and cowering behind whatever cover they could find.
"Eeugh." Aria stuck her tongue out in disgust. "Maybe now isn't the best to try and stage a takeover ... everyone will be on edge and have their guard up as long as these things are around. Not the state you want your victims to be in. Come on. Let's go back." Aria turned and flew away. Honeycomb cast a glance at the slime women, perhaps in consideration of joining them instead before deciding to stick with Aria and leaving with her.
Trixie and Suri, lagging way behind Sunset Shimmer, arrived at Ponyville.
"Whoa." Trixie expressed on seeing the slime woman running around. "What... what are these these things?"
"I don't know." Suri said. She narrowed her eyes. "They look like ... woman made out of ... slime?"
"Slime?" Trixie's eyes widened. "Oh, that's not good."
"Why is that not good?"
"I know things." Trixie said. "Things you don't know, Suri. I know about slime, and I know slime is definitely not good."
"Really?" Suri said. She looked around town. "But they don't seem to be hurting anyone ..."
One of the slime woman came up to them.
"Hello." Suri said awkwardly.
Trixie jumped behind Suri to hide. "Don't trust it, Suri!"
Suri elected to ignore her. "Hey there, little fella ... can I help you with something?"
"Ssssswwww?" The slime cooed.
"Oh, I'm sorry." Suri said. "I don't know anything about a ssssswwww."
The slime woman hung her head, crestfallen. It moved away from them, crawling off to find someone else and see if they could answer her query.
"Ssssswwww?" Trixie asked. "Hmm ... you don't think ...?"
Twilight Sparkle and her assembled force, including her friends, Celestia, Sonata, Shining Armor, Cadence, and a quickly-roped in and briefed Sunset, gathered under some oak trees.
"Is everyone here and ready?" Twilight asked.
"Ready." Was the unanimous reply.
"Wait a minute ..." Twilight said. "Where's Discord? Fluttershy, I thought you were going to go talk to him?"
"I did." Fluttershy said. "I, um, asked him if he would help. He, um, told me he didn't want to, made up an excuse, and left through some kind of ... chaos void after putting on a fishing outfit."
"Of course he did." Twilight sighed. "Well, we've gotten this far. We'll make do without him. Heck, he might have even made things worse, the way his magic works. Does everyone understand the plan?"
"Mm-hmm."
"Get in, extract Sweetie Belle safely ..." Shining Armor said.
"And then stomp Chrysalis and grind her bones under our heels until she's dust." Cadence growled.
"Uh ... maybe not so violent?" Shining Armor suggested.
"Princess, you're up." Twilight said.
Chrysalis and Adagio lounged about on a smooth rock, cuddling together.
"You know ..." Adagio said, making flirty eyes at Chrysalis. "Have I ever told you how much I appreciate you, Chrysalis?" Adagio moved her hand over Chrysalis' chest.
"Oh, I don't think you have." Chrysalis smiled "Why don't you ... appreciate me a little bit?" She took Adagio's hand.
A whistle from a firecracker blew overhead. A massive, sun-like sphere of energy launched over Chrysalis and Adagio in an arc, smashing up the side of the mountain they were resting against. Chrysalis and Adagio barely got of the way of the rocks which fell from the blast in time.
"You!" Chrysalis exclaimed as Twilight and her fighting force emerged. "I see Sunset is wit you, aren't you missing a member? Whatever happened to your little 'slime mistress'? Aren't you at a disadvantage without her?"
"You forget about what's going on with her and worry about us." Rainbow Dash said, brandishing a club at her.
"We're only down one Rarity, whereas you're down a Siren and a Trixie." Twilight said, infuriating Chrysalis with her mention of Trixie. "I'll take those odds."
"Hmph." Adagio huffed, noticing Sonata. "So I guess Aria was right about you after all, Sonata, hmm?"
Sonata couldn't bring herself to do more than smile and chuckled awkwardly.
"How did you find me?" Chrysalis asked.
"Well, it took us awhile ..." Twilight admitted. "Until we realized we could just use a locator spell to find Sweetie Belle. You didn't properly guard Sweetie Belle from that kind of magic. We figured it would lead us to you, and here we are."
"Here we are." Chrysalis reaffirmed. She pointed her finger out. "Changelings, attack!"
A number of hidden Changelings jumped out from hiding places. Cadence and Sunset blasted them with magic, while Rainbow Dash went forward and beat them up with her club.
Celestia and Twilight, working together, raised their hands and doubled on Chrysalis, blasting her with spells from both of them and knocking Chrysalis on her back.
Adagio Dazzle, paying the battle no heed, walked up to Sonata.
Sonata chuckled uneasily. "Eh heh heh ... so ..."
"So!" Adagio agreed. "Traitor."
Adagio hit Sonata with one of the most ineffective, but emotionally painful combat moves of all - a hard, piercing slap to her cheek.
"Hey!" Aria Blaze and Honeycomb flew in, Aria landing herself by Adagio and Sonata. "Don't start the party without me!"
Adagio was taken aback by Aria's change in appearance. "Aria? What are you doing? Why are you a bee?"
"Haven't you heard?" Aria said. "After seeing you two fall for that fake love stuff, I decided to split before I became infested with it. I'm a solo act now! Now c'mere, you two!" Aria grabbed Sonata and Aria by the foreheads and banged their heads together, all with a grin on her face.
"Ugh ..." Chrysalis groaned, sitting up. She saw Honeycomb pursuing and chasing Fluttershy, trying to get her stingers in her. She also saw Aria. "Honeycomb? ... What are you and Aria doing?"
"What I, mmm, want to do!" Honeycomb. "And what I want to do is make everyone into, mmm, bees like myself! Aria will let me do that!"
"Hmph. So it looks like Honeycomb's defected again. Too bad. I liked her. No matter." Chrysalis hopped to her feet. "I'm sure I can get her back on my side once this mess is over."
"What makes you think there's still going to even be a 'your side' for her to go back to when this is over?" Celestia asked.
"We're not letting you get away this time, Chrysalis." Twilight said. "Today will only end with your complete and utter defeat ... or ours."
Celestia fired a ray at Chrysalis, knocking her over again.
Chrysalis, despite being humiliated, got up and chuckled. "Oh, my dear, Twilight Sparkle. You don't realize ... I am the one holding all the cards!"
Chrysalis raised her hand up, glowing an intense green aura. The Citrus Slime burst through the mountain, Sweetie Belle entranced and lifeless in its tendrils. The Slime lowered Sweetie Belle down to Chrysalis, where Chrysalis wrapped her arm around Sweetie's neck and held her up. Celestia growled.
"What's the matter?" Chrysalis asked. "Upset that you realize you can't hurt me without also hurting one of your precious subjects, which the loving, noble Celestia just cannot bring herself to do? I, however, have no qualms with playing dirty and making the occasional sacrifice play."
Chrysalis fired a beam at Celestia, blasting her into a tree.
"Princess!" Twilight reached out in concern, but the Citrus Slime lowered its tendril and swatted her away.
"Ha ha ha ha!" Chrysalis laughed.
Celestia recovered, getting herself out of the tree, her hands burning brighter than ever with a golden plume.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Chrysalis said, shaking Sweetie Belle in her grasp. "You can't hit me, remember? Not unless you want to risk hurting Sweetie Belle."
Celestia, enraged and fighting mad, fired a beam at Chrysalis. Chrysalis raised Sweetie Belle up, making Sweetie Belle take the hit in her stomach. The blast still pushed Chrysalis back, but the main damage was all on Sweetie Belle, her shirt smoking.
Celestia covered her mouth and gasped, shocked she had done to Sweetie what she did.
"I knew it." Chrysalis smirked. "You can't do it. You don't have it in you. You can't hurt someone innocent to get at me."
Celestia growled and huffed, staring daggers at Chrysalis ... only to hang her head, dispelling the magic from her palms.
"Princess!" Twilight said.
"There's no use. What we can do, Twilight Sparkle?" Celestia asked. "If we decide it's acceptable to harm Sweetie Belle to get to her, we're no better than she is."
"But ... but ... no!" Twilight glared at Chrysalis, her hands glowing. "We can still beat her! We can still -!" Twilight put her hands together and prepared to fire a burst, but the Citrus Slime swatted her again and knocked her down.
"Hahahahaaaa!" Chrysalis laughed heartily. "Now this is how it should be! My monster, beating you down, while you two are helpless to fight back. Bwa ha ha!"
The Citrus Slime lifted up its tendrils for another pass. It struck Twilight in the side, sending her rolling as though she were a golf ball, and slammed into Celestia, sending her flying to the side. The Slime reached down and picked the two of them, lifting them up and bringing them over, where it dumped them at Chrysalis' feet.
"Now ..." Chrysalis said. "I think it's time for something a little more punishing, don't you? Yes ... something humiliating for the dear Princess Celestia."
Chrysalis snapped her fingers. The Slime picked Celestia up by the arms and dragged her up, lying her on her back. The Slime reached its tendril and began to envelope Celestia's chest.
"No!" Twilight screamed. Chrysalis reached down and struck Twilight in the face with her elbow.
Cadence saw what was going on and attempted to intervene. She fired a spell intended to freeze at the Citrus Slime, but thanks to Chrysalis' antifreeze charm, the bolt bounced off the Slime, and hit her, covering her in midsection in ice. Cadence lurched and staggered backward. Shining Armor went over to aid his wife, allowing a Changeling to sneak up on him and strike him in the back of the head.
"I got it!" Sunset declared, shooting a wispy comet of fire hurtling at the Citrus Slime, but the fire hit the side of the Citrus Slime's tendril and dispersed, the Slime unbothered by the heat or spell.
"Hahaha ..." Chrysalis laughed again. "Well, if you don't mind saying ... it looks like I win! You lose, Celestia. Sorry, Celestia. I guess you just weren't heartless enough to win."
Celestia closed her eyes and gritted her teeth, bracing herself as best she could for what was to come. She prepared herself ... first it would be the suckling ... next would come the injection to milk and slime into her mouth ... after which would begin the process of losing her mind to the desire to feed milk and spread slime to every woman and man she laid eyes on.
The first step didn't come.
"Hmm?" Celestia opened her eyes, noticing the tentacle planted on her chest wasn't nursing her.
"What's going on?" Chrysalis asked. "What are you doing? What's the holdup!? Suckle her and infect her already!" Chrysalis shook an angry hand at the Citrus Slime.
The Citrus Slime lifted its tendril off Celestia's chest. It began to slither away.
"What are you doing!?" Chrysalis screamed. "Get back here and finish the job!"
The Citrus Slime continued to leave, unbothered by Chrysalis' scream. Chrysalis fired a beam at the Citrus Slime to take control of its mind, but it had no effect.
The ground shook hard, throwing every combatant two inches into the air. It shook again, and again, tremors coming from an unknown source.
A figure emerged from the distance, coming into shape.
"What is that?" Adagio Dazzle asked.
"It looks like ..." Sonata said.
"No ... it can't be." Twilight said. "Is that ... Rarity?"
Rarity arrived, slithering her way onto the battlefield. She had summoned the Pipe Slime, and merged with into some horrible creature beyond imagining, beyond anything Twilight or Celestia or even Chrysalis could think to describe.
Purple slime coated her body, keeping her high in the air. It gathered up around her body in a mass before going down and tapering downwards into a tail in a distinct mermaid shape. Her arms were massive, hanging lumbering tentacles which were the source of the tremors a moment ago. A mass of enormous spikes made from slime jutted out from her back. The Citrus Slime crawled up her back and merged with the fusion, becoming another set of orange spikes nested on top. The only visible, recognizable as human part of her left was her face and hair, which were was dripping with slime from every orifice imaginable. It drooled out of her mouth, it dropped her nostrils, it bled from her ears ... it even leaked from the tear ducts in her eyes. What appeared to be an enormous block-shaped scab covered and formed her chest, appearing to be some kind of chest armor.
"Where ... is ... my ... siiiissster?" Rarity groaned, her voice distorted and garbled. The best description Twilight could give was it being whale song recorded on sub-par sound equipment, which was then played through a radio with a choppy, flaky signal.
"Where isssss she?" Rarity demanded, slime burbling and dripping out from her mouth.
"Whoa." Aria Blaze walked up to Rarity, holding her hands up in surrender. Everyone could tell she was afraid. "Calm down, Rarity. You're - you're a reasonable woman. I'm sure we can work this out. There's, heh, no need to get upset ... we can ... we can work something out."
"BLEAAAAUGH!"
Rarity vomited out a massive amount of lumped-together slime, which it splashed and contorted, taking on different shapes before settling into the shape of the slime woman which had been terrorizing Ponyville.
"Whoa!" Aria Blaze jumped back in surprise, landing on her bottom. She crawled backward as the slime woman lumbered towards, reaching out a hand towards Aria Blaze as if it intended to drag Aria down into the depths of Tartarus. It grabbed Aria's ankle and pulled her forward, and Aria couldn't escape the slime's grip, even by flapping her new insect wings.
"Sssswwwweeeeetttttie Belle!" The slime woman hissed.
"You shouldn't have kidnapped my sister." Rarity said, speaking more clearly without her slime woman spawn forming a lump in her throat. "Oh, any of my friends, sure, I wouldn't mind as much ... Twilight ... Fluttershy ... they're all big girls. They can handle it. The slime and the mind control and the milk. But my sister? My sister, who's never had a serious sexual experience in her life? That is a step too far. I cannot forgive that. Anyone else, I'd be content to just beat you for the day and let go, but now ... now I'm afraid I won't be satisfied with anything less than your imminent and painful deaths."
Rarity dropped the black scab on her chest, revealing it wasn't a scab at all - it was knives. Lots of them. Every knife and bladed object from Rarity's house - and maybe a few other houses, dangling from her chest like stalactites, dangling and bouncing on thin, stringy strands of slime.
Rarity twirled the knives, aiming them at the villains, and launched her tendrils forward. |
Last Glass of Poison | Antidote | The knives of Rarity's tendrils went scattering about in every direction. Some of them stabbed into the ground, missing their targets as Rarity overshot or under-compensated. Others of them were reflected by defensive spells, with Twilight and Chrysalis creating shields out of magic.
Aria Blaze fluttered her wings, achieving lift-off, but the slime woman clung to her ankle, keeping Aria tied down to earth.
Rarity glared. She calmly yanked the knives out of the ground and twirled them, rearing them up for another pass. Raising an eyebrow, Rarity noticed Chrysalis attempting to escape.
"Well, now, we can't have that, now can we?" Rarity asked. Not once losing her calm, Rarity launched a tendril at Chrysalis, wrapping it around her midsection, cutting a wound into the side of her waist. Rarity lifted Chrysalis up and brought the Queen towards her.
"I will grant you one mercy, Chrysalis." Rarity said. "Celestia knows you wouldn't grant the same for me. I am going to let you choose how you die. So how do you choose to die? With a knife to heart? Suffocation? Or perhaps you'll want me to simply lift you up and snap your neck?"
"Rarity, stop!" Twilight cried out, running up to her.
Rarity gave Twilight a dull but curious expression. She didn't care what Twilight had to say, but wanted to hear it anyway.
"This isn't like you!" Twilight cried. "You're not some unrepentant murderer! It's not worth it!"
"It's worth anything to get my sister back." Rarity said. "Do you know where she is? Do you have her?"
Twilight looked around. "She was right here just a minute ago ... where did she go?"
"Do you know where to find her?"
"Um, well ... no."
"Then I don't care for anything you have to say!" Rarity took the bulky tendril on her arm and swatted Twilight aside, sending her flying into a tree, where Twilight let out a grunt. Rarity slithered.
"Rarity, please!" Sonata Dusk ran up to her. "Listen to what Twilight Sparkle is saying! Listen to your friend!"
Rarity raised up her arm-tendril and batted Sonata Dusk away the same way she had done to Twilight,, hesitating and stopping for only a brief second as she recalled how had Sonata had helped her before. Rarity heard the buzz of insect wings. Looking up, she saw two Changelings carrying Sweetie Belle by the arms, flying and trying to ferry her away.
"Ah. I see." Rarity pulled up Chrysalis to her face. "You had your Changelings come and get Sweetie Belle to take her away. I won't allow that." Rarity shot out two of her tendrils, swatting the Changelings in the midsection, making them kneel over and drop Sweetie Belle. Rarity caught Sweetie Belle in her tendrils, looping them around Sweetie Belle's ankles and letting Sweetie Belle hang and dangle from them.
Another pair of Changelings flew in to replace their crippled brethren. They took hold of Sweetie Belle and were able to pry her out of the thin tendrils, goop splashing everywhere.
"NO!" Rarity roared, spitting purple slime from her mouth.
Aria Blaze grunted and continued flapping her wings. They buzzed and buzzed until she was able to break free, her leg popping out through the slime's woman gasp. The pop from Aria's escape distracted Rarity, causing her to turn over to the sound. Chrysalis seized the opportunity of the distraction, taking out her palm and firing a blast which cut through Rarity's tendril, chopping it in half and allowing Chrysalis to land on her feet.
Rarity turned back around to chase her as Chrysalis ran away on foot. "Arooo!" Rarity howled before slithering after Chrysalis.
Twilight joined Chrysalis in running away from Rarity, jogging up to Chrysalis' side.
"Chrysalis!" Twilight shouted. "You need to hand over Sweetie Belle! You have to!"
"No!" Chrysalis shouted back. "I will not give up Sweetie Belle! My victory hinges on trading Sweetie Belle for the book! Rarity is the only one who knows where it is! Besides ... if nothing else, my pride won't allow for it. I refuse to admit defeat so easily!"
"Dammit, Chrysalis!" Twilight snapped. "Your 'pride' is less important than our lives! Give Sweetie Belle over to Rarity, or you're going to get us all killed!"
"I don't see what the problem with that would be, so long as I take all of you with me." Chrysalis replied. "Didn't you say this was going to be the final battle?"
"I did." Twilight stopped running. Purple fire formed in her hands. Chrysalis, accepting her challenge, stopped as well, flexing her fingers as she conjured a green ball in her palm.
The duel between them was cut short, as one of Rarity's tendrils launched out and rammed Chrysalis, picking her up and throwing her against a tree and digging a knife into her shoulder.
"Urg." Chrysalis groaned as the knife was pulled out, slowly and painfully. "On second thought, I've changed my mind. Dying would be kind of terrible and painful."
Rarity took the tendril off Chrysalis, letting her slide down the tree, and twirled the knife in her tendril, ready to stab at Chrysalis a second time. Twilight raised up her fists and got next to Chrysalis, blasting Rarity's tendril away, meaning to stop her friend's rampage, even if it meant sparing Chrysalis' life. Rarity narrowed her eyes at Twilight, feeling betrayed, but Twilight held her ground.
"I won't let you kill her." Twilight said.
Everyone else involved began to gather around, intending to band together and stop Rarity's trail of destruction, whether it was due to moral concerns, concerns for the effect killing would have on Rarity, or for their own selfish reasons, seeing it as in their best self-interest.
Rarity surveyed the assembled force laid out below her. Undaunted, Rarity raised up and let out a deep, raging roar.
Inside the Ponyville Library, Apple Bloom rested her head on her hands. She let out a groan. She stood up, catching Scootaloo's attention.
"This isn't right." Apple Bloom began to pace around the room. "My big sister knows I can handle myself in a fight. She's seen me do it. We should be out there, doing something!"
"Like what, exactly?" Scootaloo asked.
"I don't know!" Apple Bloom threw her arms in the air. "We know they're all out there, trying to find Sweetie Belle and take out the bad guys. We should go help them!"
"Twilight told us to stay in the library." Scootaloo reminded her.
"Scoots, y'all can't tell me y'all are really happy sitting here, doing nothing?"
Scootaloo crossed her arms and grumbled. "No ... but Twilight will take care of it, won't she?"
"But we could be helping!" Apple Bloom insisted. "Heck, we could go out there and find Sweetie Belle ourselves!"
Scootaloo turned away.
Apple Bloom sighed. "Look, I know things have been awkward between you and Sweetie Belle lately, but she's still our friend, ain't she?"
"Yeah ..." Scootaloo admitted, looking down guiltily at the floor. "She is."
"The sooner we can find her, the sooner you and her can talk things out, and we can all put this awkward phase behind us. Especially me." Apple Bloom muttered under her breath.
Scootaloo was convinced. She stood up. "Okay. Let's do something."
"Great!" Apple Bloom pumped her fist through the air. She opened the front door. "Let's go!"
Celestia and Chrysalis worked together, hurling barrages of spells at Rarity. The slime protected her like a rippling kevlar vest, each spell causing nothing but a distance in the slime's surface tension, ripples travelling out from where the spells hit before the slime reconstituted itself into a solid surface. Rarity slithered forward.
Twilight threw her own blast at Rarity's chest, which threw Rarity's top half backwards and made her stagger, but only barely, as she soon righted herself and advanced.
Twilight looked around. She pointed. "Quick! Into that cave!"
"How many fragging caves are there in Ponyville?" Aria Blaze asked.
"You want to to stay out here and talk about that, or do you want to get some cover between you and Rarity?" Sunset Shimmer asked.
Aria nodded, conceding the point. Led by Twilight, the group fled and hurried into the cave, gathering up and huddling inside.
Once everyone was inside and after a check to make sure Rarity wasn't out there, Twilight took a breather rested her back against the cave wall, panting and breathing heavily. "We need to come up with a plan."
"Here's one." Sunset Shimmer said. "Make Chrysalis give Sweetie Belle back like Rarity wants."
"Never." Chrysalis hissed.
"I hear you down there, darlings!" Rarity called. She soon appeared outside the cave entrance and hunched over to look inside. "Or did you think I wouldn't notice you fleeing to the inside of this cave? I'm practically 20 feet tall! I would notice a few small objects running away from me."
"Whatever." Aria Blaze sulked, before grinning. "There's no way you can fit in here. Not with all that slime on you."
Rarity grinned back, wiping the grin clean off Aria's face. "Oh, can't I? I beg to differ, darlings." Rarity pulled up her arm tendril and slimmed it down before sliding it into the cave, the slime making squishy sloshing as Rarity slid it around the lip of the cave entrance.
"But why would I want to fit inside the cave ..." Rarity pulled out her arm out. She raised her arms up and shifted the tips of her arms into massive hammerheads, the size of a small house each.
"When I can simply drop the mountain down on you? Ooh hoo hoo ooh hoo hoo ha ha!" Rarity asked, wearing a psychotic grin. She laughed and giggled like a maniac, banging her hammers into the side of the mountain. Rubble and dust fell from the roof of the cave, and a few stalactites broke and dropped to the cave floor. The Sirens all bit their lips, concerned for their lives.
"Rarity, stop!" Twilight shouted, coming out of the cave as Rarity knocked more dust loose. Rarity continued hammering the mountain, oblivious to Twilight. "Rarity, if you cause a cave-in, you'll kill all of us!"
"You and the rest of our friends can leave, darling!" Rarity said, grinning as she continued bashing the mountain. "I'm not stopping you!"
"O ... kay. Not what I wanted to hear." Twilight said. "But Rarity, if you kill Chrysalis, there'll be no one who can tell you where she ordered her Changelings to take Sweetie Belle!"
Whether bringing this up would have gotten through to Rarity and gotten her to stop was a moot point, as Aria Blaze ran up behind Twilight and tackled her out of the way, throwing her onto the rocks while Aria made her way out of the cave, taking flight.
"Oof! Hey!" Twilight groaned.
Chrysalis joined Aria, running out of the cave and spreading her wings. Rarity turned and followed them, attempted to hit each of them with her knife tendrils, but she missed. Chrysalis and Aria spun and weaved around to further throw off Rarity's and flew up to the top of the mountain. They descended and perched themselves on the mountain top, nestling themselves between the rocks.
"Okay." Aria Blaze rested her hands on her knees and turned to Chrysalis. "She shouldn't be able to get up here, right?"
"She shouldn't." Chrysalis said. "But then again, she shouldn't have been able to take control of the slime like she did."
"Rraaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Rarity roared, Turning her tendrils back to their natural tapering shape, Rarity dug her slimy arms into the side of the mountain and attempted to clamber up. Though she was able to make her way up the mountain somewhat, she slid back down, and the side of it became too smooth to grip and find purchase on the mountain's rocky, jagged surface.
"Ha ha!" Aria taunted her, blowing a raspberry at Rarity. "You can't get up here!"
"Aria, maybe you shouldn't taunt the slime monster witch that managed to trap us on a mountaintop." Chrysalis said.
"What's she gonna do? She can't get up here." Aria grinned.
Rarity growled at them. She arched her head down, and a ball of purple slime vomited from and crawled out of her mouth. Droplets of pink slime dripping from her lips, Rarity threw her neck back and lifted her head up. Gagging and choking the purple slime out of her mouth, Rarity launched and fire the slime up like a cannonball, where it traveled in an arc until it landed on the mountaintop. Aria Blaze backed away from the edge, and the slime ball splashed in front of her. Rarity fired again, launching wads of slime out. The purple slime on the mountain was soon joined by a green and a red slime.
The slimes gurgled and warbled before reforming themselves, taking the shape of the slime women Rarity had grown fond of summoning.
Rarity's eyes flashed red, and a thin wisp of red smoke escaped her mouth as she activated the Alicorn Amulet, the gem of which was shining and glowing.
The three slime women on the mountain were enhanced by the Amulet's magic. They got off of their arms and legs and stood up straight, their hands solidifying and feet forming on their legs, their limbs no longer confined to the insides of their slime puddles. Rarity, and by extension the Amulet's magic, went further in upgrading them. The red one formed a spear and a circular shield from the slime in her hands, the green one grew massive, meter-long blades from its knuckles, and the blue one formed a harpoon in one arm and a morning star in the other. The three slime warriors stalked forward, encroaching on Aria Blaze and Chrysalis, who backed away in fear.
Twilight peeked her head out of the cave and looked up at Rarity, seeing she was preoccupied. "Come on." She gestured for the others to follow her, leading them out of the cave.
Rarity happened to glance down and notice them. She turned towards them. "And just where do you think you're going?"
"You said we could leave." Twilight Sparkle reminded Rarity, pointing a finger. "You said our friends could leave, and you wouldn't stop us."
"At no point do I recall extending that offer to Trixie Lulamoon or Adagio Dazzle!" Rarity cast her hate-filled gaze on Trixie. "Bleaugh!" Rarity spewed out another slime woman egg, which landed in front of Trixie. It hatched and took shape, grabbing Trixie by the ankle. Rarity spat another trio of slimes, one to take hold of Trixie's other ankle and two more to guard Trixie and keep Twilight or Celestia from trying to interfere and rescue Trixie. Rarity spat out more, these ones going over to capture Adagio Dazzle, securing her with ease.
Rarity growled, her mouth drooling out purple slime while she imagined what she was going to do with Trixie.
Twilight Sparkle ran across the field, circular around Rarity's tail and going unnoticed. She reached the base of the mountain and hopped on, climbing up a few feet before using a teleport spell to place herself directly on the mountain top.
"Chrysalis!" Twilight shouted. "You need to hand over Sweetie Belle!"
"No!" Chrysalis snapped. She crossed her arms and turned her head away. "I refuse!" She and Aria continued to back away from the slime warriors. Twilight held out her hand and fired a blast into the midsection of the clawed slime, keeping it at bay.
"By all rights, I should just let these things kill you, Chrysalis." Twilight said. "But I can't. I won't. Because my mother raised me better than that. Celestia raised me better. Because, despite everything you've done, and the fact you deserve whatever horrible fate Rarity has in store for you ... I can't just condone the act of murder and allow you to die."
"Oh! So very noble." Chrysalis rolled her eyes. "Truly, I would be dead by now if not for your tender mercies, Twilight Sparkle!"
"Yes." Twilight stomped forward, blasting the slimes back again. "You would be."
"Chrysalis, quit being so stubborn!"
"Well, pardon me! What would I ever do without your nobility, Twilight?"
"Chrysalis!" Adagio Dazzle shouted from below the mountaintop, struggling and wrestling with a pair of slime woman as they attempted to drag Adagio Dazzle inside of their gooey bodies. "Listen to her, Chrysalis! You're the only one who can stop this! Please! I'm begging you!" Adagio teared up, droplets sliding down her cheeks. "Do it for me ... please? How much do I really mean to you?"
Chrysalis appeared puzzled by Adagio's pleas and took a step back.
"If what we had was worth anything, you'll do it!" Adagio shouted. The slime began to crawl up her arm and submerge her shoulders.
"Chrysalis." Aria spoke. "You know there's no love lost between me and Adagio, or between me and you, for that matter, but what Adagio is saying ... she kinda has a point. You are the only one who can stop this. None of us know where you told those Changelings to go take Sweetie Belle. If you don't stop it here and now, then ..." Aria's eyes widened as she realized something she nor anyone else hadn't considered as a definite possibility before." Rarity will probably be stricken by grief at the loss of her sister, and ... she'll go on a rampage which won't stop until she's destroyed all of Equestria, at least, and she might even go as far as the lands beyond. I want to take over Equestria too, like you do, but I still want something left to, you know, actually rule over!"
Twilight placed a hand over her mouth in horror. "Sweet Celestia ... you know what, Aria? You're probably right. You are absolutely, positively right. I ... hadn't even considered that much." Twilight shook her head. She lifted her arm over her shoulder, blasting the armed slimes away again off-hand, almost on reflex.
"I ..." Chrysalis gritted her teeth. In the face of everyone turning her against and overwhelming odds, she relented, stomping her foot. "Fine. Changelings! Your Queen has need of you!"
A pair of Changelings buzzed on over the side of the mountain, flying up to their queen.
Chrysalis began to instruct them. "Go and -"
"Aroooagwaaah!"
Rarity, having not born witness to the conversation Chrysalis and Twilight had been having, launched up her tendril over the mountaintop, able to slim it down and stretched it out until it arced over the cliff face, where it pounded the Changelings out of the way and took hold of Chrysalis, pinning her to the ground and wrapping around her.
"Uh-oh." Chrysalis remarked.
"Uh-oh." Twilight agreed.
The tendril lifted Chrysalis up and brought her down to Rarity, whose mouth was now covered in slime, forming a mouth guard. As she pulled Chrysalis toward her, Rarity screamed out whale song, of all things, until she and the Changeling Queen were face-to-face.
Rarity slammed Chrysalis against the side of the mountain, throwing her back against the mountain wall. When Rarity next spoke, her voice was garbled and distorted.
"Wheeeere ... iiiis ... ssssheeeeee?"
Rarity lifted Chrysalis and threw her against the wall, repeating this process, beating Chrysalis while she demanded the whereabouts of her sister.
"Where? Where? Where?"
Apple Bloom and Scootaloo made their way through a forest, sneaking by and using the trees as cover, trying to get to where the action was happening without being discovered and found out before they were ready.
"Are we sure this is a good plan, Apple Bloom? Are we even going the right way?" Scootaloo asked.
"Look, Blueberry Bite said she saw Twilight and the gang go this way." Apple Bloom said. "So I'm hedging my bets that this way will lead us to the bad guys, and what better way to try to find Sweetie Belle than to get it out of the bad guys who nabbed her in the first place?"
"I'm not disagreeing with your logic." Scootaloo said. "But it's one thing for you to team up with Applejack and take out one Siren or whatever she was. It's another for you and me to take on a Changeling Queen by ourselves and whatever help she might have with her!"
"Quiet!" Apple Bloom held a hand out. "I think I hear somethin' ..."
Looking around, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo found two Changelings flying through the forest, carrying Sweetie Belle by the arms, her head and legs wobbling and dangling back and forth like a ragdoll, her body limp and lifeless.
"There's Sweetie Belle!"
"Yeah, I noticed." Scootaloo said. "What are we gonna do about it?"
Apple Bloom paused. "How good are your wings?"
Scootaloo turned and flexed her wings. "Better than they used to be when I was young, that's for sure."
"Perfect." Apple Bloom rubbed her hands together. "Give me a boost, will ya?"
Scootaloo got underneath Apple Bloom, lifting Apple Bloom up by the feet. Apple Bloom grabbed onto the tree and began to climb up. "I'll take one, and you take one."
"Is that such a good idea?"
"Do you want to save Sweetie Belle or not?"
Scootaloo sighed. "Yes."
"Then quit your belly-achin' and go with my plan!"
The Changelings flew forward on their path, intending to take Sweetie Belle to a hive and cover her up with goo, per their Queen's instructions. They stopped, hearing a rustle in the tree branches overhead. They saw nothing and so shrugged it off, going on their way.
"Yaaaaah!" Apple Bloom dropped down from the branch, grabbing one of the Changelings and taking it to the ground with her. The other Changeling scrambled to react, trying not to let Sweetie Belle out of its grip as she dropped down without the other Changeling holding it up. Now having to try and carry her entire weight by just the one arm, the Changeling wrapped both its hands around Sweetie Belle's arm.
Scootaloo came flying and roaring out from the bushes, tackling the Changeling and knocking it off, where Sweetie Belle dropped to the ground with a thud, laying out flat. Thankfully, the Changelings had been flying low enough the fall was too short to do any serious damage, and what pain Sweetie Belle would have felt, the spell on her made her numb to.
Apple Bloom sat on top of the Changeling and pummeled its face, alternating between punching it from the left and the right, until it submitted and passed out.
Scootaloo was not having as much luck or success with her Changeling, barely able to grab it by the neck and keep it pinned. It wrapped its claws around her wrists and tried to pry her hands, hissing and snapping its jaw at her.
"Aah!" Scootaloo groaned, rocking to and fro as the Changeling struggled beneath her. "I wish Rainbow Dash had taught me more on how to fight!"
"Use your wings!" Apple Bloom shouted.
"What?"
"Use your wings! Smack it, swat it, I don't know, just do something! You have extra limbs - use 'em!"
Scootaloo flared her wings up, examining them and wondering how she could make use of them. Getting an idea, she reached her wings over her shoulders and pressed them down on the Changeling's face, covering its eyes and mouth.
"Now I really wish Rainbow had taught me more on how to use my wings! Guahh!" Scootaloo cried out when the Changeling was able to escape her stranglehold and sit upright, reaching its claws at her neck. Only her wings pushing back on its face kept the Changeling from connecting its claws from their target of Scootaloo's throat.
While Scootaloo and the Changeling grappled with each other, Apple Bloom snuck by and got around them. Rearing her hand up, she gave the Changeling a well-placed strike to the back of its neck with the side of her hand, knocking it out. The Changeling fell back.
"Whoo." Scootaloo sighed and wiped her forehead. "Thanks for the save."
"No problem. Don't mention it." Apple Bloom. She turned her attention on Sweetie Belle. "Now we just got to find Rarity and let her know we got Sweetie Belle back ..."
Apple Bloom and Scootaloo rushed towards Sweetie Belle. Apple Bloom placed her hand on Sweetie Belle's neck and rocked her. "Sweetie Belle? Sweetie Belle, it's Apple Bloom. We're gonna take you back to Rarity now, okay?" Sweetie Belle didn't respond.
"What's wrong with her?" Scootaloo asked.
Apple Bloom grunted and heaved, lifting Sweetie Belle and propping her up. She saw Sweetie Belle's eyes were giving off a green glow.
"She's under some kind of spell." Apple Bloom waved her hand in front of Sweetie Belle, trying to get her attention. Scootaloo gave it a try, putting her hand in front of Sweetie Belle's face and snapping her fingers.
"Aah, we don't have time for this right now." Apple Bloom dragged Sweetie Belle up to her feet, holding her by the hand. "We'll find Rarity, and then we'll take her to Twilight so she can figure it out. Come on, Sweetie Belle." Apple Bloom told her.
Scootaloo took Sweetie Belle's other hand, and the two of them walked her along.
"Mm-hmm ..." Sweetie Belle nodded, responding to Apple Bloom's instructions and giving her just the barest minimum of a reply.
Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo made their way out of the forest, dragging Sweetie Belle the entire way. They arrived at the mountain where the action was happening and let go of Sweetie's hands in shock, gasping at what they saw. Rarity, covered in slime, mutated into an enormous monster worthy of disaster movie, slamming the Changeling Queen against the mountain, beating her until she was broken and bloody, with blood running down Chrysalis' forehead and shoulders, the arm of the shoulder Rarity had stabbed earlier painted entirely green with Changeling blood.
"Whoa now! What's going on here? Is that ... Rarity?" Apple Bloom asked, holding a hand over her eyes and squinting to be sure she was seeing what she thought she was.
"Whoa." Scootaloo repeated Apple Bloom's expression. She grabbed Sweetie Belle by the shoulders and shook her. "Okay, Sweetie Belle, I know things haven't exactly been the easiest between the two of us lately, but it would mean a lot to me if you would me a big favor and wake up right now."
Twilight looked down from the side of the mountain. She saw Sweetie Belle with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo and gasped. She pointed at Sweetie Belle.
"Look! Chrysalis! Sweetie Belle is right there! Cure her and take your spell off her right now!"
"Are you nuts?" Chrysalis replied, indignant. "I tried to cooperate and play nice with you once already, and look where it got me!" She gestured to Rarity's tendril. "Forget it!" She'd cross her arms again if she had the freedom of movement to do so.
"Where? Where?" Rarity repeated, continuing to pound Chrysalis into the mountain, knocking off loose rocks and pebbles from the mountain's ledges.
Hearing Rarity's voice, Sweetie Belle began to stir. She blinked. "Rarity ...?"
Scootaloo grimaced and shivered. "You're gonna have to do better than that, Sweetie! Seriously, wake up right now!" Pulling a desperate maneuver, Scootaloo grabbed Sweetie Belle and pulled her into a kiss, locking their lips together. Sweetie Belle's eyes widened, and the green glow popped and faded away from them.
Rarity banged Chrysalis against the mountain two more times. She coiled her tendril around Chrysalis tighter, and wrapped it further up her body, where she began to coil it around Chrysalis' neck, applying pressure.
"Laasst ... chaaance." Rarity groaned out, pulling at Chrysalis' neck slightly, ready to pull harder and snap her neck at the slightest provocation if she didn't like the answer Chrysalis gave her. "Wheeere ... is she?" Rarity curled the tendril tighter and tighter, beginning to crush Chrysalis' body. Her arms and legs were going to be broken beyond repair, if not popped off entirely, before Rarity broke her neck.
"RARITY!"
Rarity's eyes went wide, losing all trace of the hate and malice they had in them up til now. "Sweetie Belle?" The mouthguard melted off, and Rarity's voice became clear. She turned and saw Sweetie Belle standing some distance away, smiling nervously and reaching her arms out at her. "Sweetie Belle!" Rarity dropped Chrysalis, letting her fall to the ground and slithered over to Sweetie Belle's position, standing a few feet away from her to avoid accidentally sucking Sweetie Belle up in the slime's mass.
"Oh, Sweetie Belle, I'm so glad to see you!"
"I know." Sweetie Belle smiled and nodded. "I know. I'm glad to see you, too."
"Are you alright?" Rarity asked. "Are you unhurt?"
"I'm alright." Sweetie Belle answered. "Scootaloo and Apple Bloom saved me. I'm not hurt. I'm safe now. Your little sister is safe now, okay? I'm safe. And you did good, big sis, and I know you never stopped looking for me ... you did everything you could to save me and protect me, that everything you did, you did for me. But I'm safe, and you need to stop now, okay?"
Rarity cried, tears - genuine tears, ones made or born of slime - trailed down her cheeks. She nodded. "Okay."
"So, um." Aria Blaze leaned over the edge with Twilight. "Is this like the part in a horror movie where she tries to stop, but can't?"
"All I wanted ... all I ever cared about ... was getting you back safe, Sweetie Belle." Rarity sniffed, her tears fogging and murking up her version.
Rarity slithered and scooted towards Sweetie Belle. Proving Aria immensely wrong, Rarity willed the slime away. The slime dispersed off, exploding into billions and billions of droplets, all of varying colors and size, which scattered all over the battlefield. The slime women, the armed slimes on the mountaintop, the ones holding down Adagio Dazzle and Trixie, all of them, popped and exploded in the same way, losing their cohesion and leaving behind colored puddles. Rarity, back to normal, ran towards Sweetie Belle, taking the Alicorn Amulet off and throwing it aside.
Rarity embraced her little sister in a hug, wrapping her arms around Sweetie Belle's back. Sweetie Belle returned the hug, smiling. Rarity sniffed, her face still wet.
"Rarity? Why are you crying?"
"I'm not - I'm not crying." Rarity insisted, sniffing. "These are tears of joy, Sweetie Belle."
"Okay. Well, knock it off, alright? You're getting my eyes all wet." Sweetie Belle rubbed at her eyes to remove the joyful tears coming from them.
Chrysalis staggered to her feet, stumbling and struggling to stand. She clutched at her arm. "Ooh ... I think she broke something ..." Chrysalis lost her footing and almost fell back down, but she was able to recover nicely. "Several somethings, actually ..." Chrysalis rubbed at her stomach while her cheeks turned green. She imagined she was going to throw up. Her eyes fell on the discarded Alicorn Amulet.
Chrysalis staggered towards the Amulet. She broke into a run for it, going as fast she could with her limping, injured legs, and made a dive towards the ground, reaching for the Amulet.
"I don't think so!"
Rarity cast her hand out. The Amulet was enveloped with a blue glow and was slid away, snatching it out of Chrysalis' reach. Rarity levitated the Amulet over to herself, taking it into her hand.
"Hmph." Rarity said. "Apple Bloom, take this back to Zecora, would you? Tell her I'm sorry about taking it ... and for the mess I made out of her hut."
Rarity dropped the Amulet into Apple Bloom's hands. Apple Bloom saluted and left the area. Rarity turned her attention back to Chrysalis.
"Grr ..." Chrysalis growled and got to her feet, glaring at Rarity. She smirked. "Well, you may have kept the Alicorn Amulet from me, but I can still use the slime!" Chrysalis gestured to the slime strewn all over the ground, then winced and clutched at her ribcage.
"Actually, no." Rarity scanned the area. "While some of this mess may still be your Citrus Slime, most of it is from the Pipe Slime, the Slime I summoned, that I made, and..." Rarity smiled. "Slime that doesn't have your frost protection spells."
"What does that mean?" Chrysalis demanded.
Rarity held out her hand and blew out a gust of blizzardry wind from it, freezing most of the slime droplets in the immediate vicinity, turning them into pieces of ice. Rarity levitated hundreds of shards of ice into the air and pointed them at Chrysalis. Chrysalis' face paled, realizing Rarity's intentions and what was about to happen next.
Rarity hurled the shards forward, propelling them towards Chrysalis. Chrysalis' body was struck with the shards, her midsection being impaled by the icy splinters, the shards stabbing her the front, in the back, in the chest, in her arms, and in her legs. She was beginning to resemble a porcupine. Rarity flashed a smirk, deriving a perverse sense of satisfied pleasure at seeing Chrysalis impaled with so many tiny, icy daggers.
"Rarity, stop!" Adagio Dazzle pleaded, throwing herself in front of Chrysalis and standing between the way of Chrysalis and more ice shards. "Please ... just stop."
Rarity, coldly, cruelly, uncaringly, continued flinging the ice shards, embedding them into Adagio's stomach, not bothered by the change in her target from Chrysalis to Adagio at all.
A hand wrapped around Rarity's wrist, catching her attention.
"Rarity." Sweetie Belle pulled Rarity's hand away and wrapped both her hands around Rarity's wrist. "Please. Stop."
Rarity closed her eyes. She bowed her head. "I ... I'm sorry. Of course." Rarity raised and twirled her hand around, causing the ice shards to pull out of Adagio and Chrysalis and drop to the ground, where they shattered into pieces.
Aria Blaze spread her wings and flew down the mountain, joining Chrysalis and Adagio, who were themselves soon joined by Honeycomb and Trixie.
Celestia and the others came forward, joining the gathering.
"I have an announcement to make." Celestia addressed them. "Chrysalis, Aria Blaze, Adagio Dazzle, Honeycomb, and Trixie Lulamoon will be imprisoned for their crimes. In return for her help, and because I can see in her that she wants to make penance for her part in this, Sonata Dusk will be pardoned. The same applies for Sunset Shimmer. If anyone has any objections, speak up now, or hold your peace."
Chrysalis, Aria, and Honeycomb all looked away. Adagio gritted her teeth, while Trixie stared at the ground.
Aria huffed. "Why aren't we fighting back?" She took another look at her fellow criminals. Chrysalis was covered in blood, bleeding, and had more holes poked in her than Swiss cheese. Adagio wasn't much better, covering her stomach and keeping pressure on the wounds Rarity's cluster of ice had lodged in her. Trixie was simply stunned, and Honeycomb kept glancing at Rarity.
Aria understood. There was still ice everywhere. Chrysalis had lost her main advantage of the Citrus Slime, and Celestia was free from it. After witnessing what she was capable of when pushed, Aria Blaze wouldn't want to risk taunting Rarity's wrath again either. If any of them tried to fight back, Aria doubted Sweetie Belle could plead enough to keep Rarity from shredding them apart with blades of ice. Besides, they were in a bad position. With Twilight, Rarity, Celestia, Sunset and Cadence on all sides of them, any attempts at resistance would be quickly met with focused, concentrated magical blasts from all directions. They'd be lucky to so much as simply survive so much magical power combined without being scathed.
Seeing there was nothing any of them could do, Aria Blaze sighed. "Fine ... whatever." She crossed her arms, sulking like an angsty teenager.
"We'll have Zecora whip another antidote for your transformation." Celestia told Aria. "We definitely we don't need you to have any more power than you have in your base form when we have you locked up. I'll also tasks my researchers to see if there's some way to banish Honeycomb back where she came from."
"And we'll need to figure out a way to gather up all this slime and safely dispose of it." Cadence said.
"Wait." Adagio Dazzle raised up a hand. "Before you decide on anything ..." She walked towards Celestia and got down on her knees, putting her hands together. "Whatever you do, please, please don't take Chrysalis from me. Don't us be apart. Lock us up together. I love her. And she loves me ..."
Adagio turned her head to Chrysalis, her eyes wavering. "Doesn't she?"
"I ... um. Oh. Well." Chrysalis felt awkward, having not expected this. "I'm sorry, Adagio Dazzle, but after seeing that display, I can say that your love for me runs far deeper than my surface-level attraction to you and your body."
Adagio closed her eyes. She hung her head.
"Wow." Rainbow Dash remarked. "I almost feel bad for her. Almost."
Rainbow Dash walked up towards Adagio Dazzle and kicked her in the chest, knocking her down, to Celestia's and Twilight's shock.
"That's for kidnapping my fiance, you tart!" Rainbow Dash snapped. She walked away and was surprised by the disapproving looks she was being given from almost everyone, bar Rarity, Sweetie Belle, and Sunset.
"What?" Rainbow Dash shrugged. "I said 'almost,' didn't I?"
"Rainbow Dash ... that was cruel of you." Twilight said.
"Needlessly cruel." Celestia added.
"Well." Rarity went up to Rainbow Dash and took her by the hands. "I, for one, appreciate having a fiance who is willing to defend my honor and act out retribution against those who would harm me on my behalf." Rarity gave Rainbow Dash a kiss, making Rainbow smile.
Rainbow rested her chin on Rarity's shoulder. "I don't care what anybody else thinks ... as long as it makes you happy."
Celestia and Twilight cooed. They couldn't deny this was rather sweet of Rainbow.
Sweetie Belle rubbed her shoulder and turned to Scootaloo. "Hey, Scootaloo? I ... I know after everything that's happened, there's no chance of there being a relationship between us. Not a healthy one, anyway. I think Rarity might have been right ... maybe I was just imprinting on her. But ... could I have just one kiss?"
Scootaloo crossed her arms. "I already gave you to snap out of Chrysalis' spell, remember?"
A hand clasped Scootaloo's shoulder. She turned to see Rarity smiling at her.
"Please, Scootaloo?" Rarity asked. "Just as a pittance?"
Scootaloo sighed. "Fine. Alright. Okay ..." Scootaloo took in a deep breath and closed her eyes. Sweetie Belle wrapped her arms around Scootaloo and pulled her close, embracing their lips together. Sweetie Belle began to moan, rocking her body to and fro, bringing Scootaloo into a dance.
Scootaloo, feeling Sweetie Belle was going out of bounds of the original agreement, pushed her way. "Alright, that's enough of that. One kiss, remember? I don't remember agreeing to any dancing."
Sweetie Belle nodded.
Rarity chuckled. "Feel better, Sweetie?"
"Yeah."
The three of them turned their attention back to the villains. Shining Armor put Trixie and Aria Blaze in handcuffs, while Cadence and Twilight conjured cuffs of crystal to put on Adagio, Chrysalis, and Honeycomb to make up for the fact Shining hadn't brought enough sets for all five of them. Plus, this way, it allowed Cadence and Twilight to enchant the restraints with anti-magic spells to discourage any funny business from Chrysalis or her pals. They were rounded up, put into a single file line, and Shining Armor walked them away.
While Twilight aided Shining Armor and the Princesses in finding a safe place to lock the criminals up, the rest of them returned to Ponyville. Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Sweetie Belle waved goodbye to Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo and headed home to Carousel Boutique.
"Ah." Rarity exhaled in relief, flicking the light on as she entered the building. Sweetie Belle bid them goodnight before heading straight to bed. "It's so nice to be home again, and not have anything to worry about. No fears of kidnapping, no slimes crawling in the windows ..."
"No psyche evaluations or mental assessments by legal inspectors who don't know what they're talking about." Rainbow Dash spoke with some contempt as she wrapped her arms around Rarity from behind. "No ignorant, incompetent cops caught up on a single target ... no court orders that do more harm than good."
"Yes." Rarity took Dash's hands off her and twirled Dash around as if preparing for a tango. "The worst is certainly behind us now, isn't it? Most, if not all our problems ..." Rarity threw Dash across her arm and held her by her back. "Dealt with, disappeared, or locked up."
Rarity let go of Rainbow Dash, and Dash stood upright. They made their way to their bedroom and changed into night clothing, putting on sleeping gowns. Rarity made her way under the blanket while Rainbow Dash sat on the side of the bed and let out a yawn, stretching her arms and covering her mouth.
Rarity's eyes widened, and she bolted upright. "Oh my! Rainbow Dash, darling, do you know what this means?"
"We can go to bed and get some sleep?" Rainbow Dash asked dryly, wanting to go to bed.
Rarity took Rainbow Dash's hands. "It means everything is less complicated now. It means Chrysalis and all her goons are gone. It means we have nothing to fear. It means ..."
Rainbow's mouth dropped slightly, realizing the implications of what Rarity was saying. "You don't mean ..."
"Yes, Rainbow Dash, my love. It means we can get married. Oh!" Rarity threw her legs off the side of the bed and jumped off.
"Where are you going?" Dash asked.
"To start writing and sending out invitations." Rarity said. "We're going to have to get a lot of work done in very little time if we want everything to be ready by tomorrow!"
"T-t-tomorrow?" Rainbow Dash made an expression of fear and bewilderment. "You want to do it tomorrow?"
"Why not? It's not like we have anything to fear."
"Rarity, I'm all for doing it as soon as possible, but there is no way we can't get everything ready in time for tomorrow!"
"Oh, pish-posh, Rainbow Dash. It can be done. We just have to be willing to put in the work for it. I'll get Pinkie Pie to start the cake. We all know she'd love an excuse to stay up all night. How are your parents? How far would they have to travel to get to Ponyville?"
Rainbow Dash grumbled before cooperating and answering Rarity. "Pretty far."
"I'll make sure to send them their invites in the first batch, then." Rarity said. "Why don't you stay in bed? You're going to need to plenty of rest for our big day tomorrow."
Rainbow Dash sighed. She brought a hand over her forehead. "I can't believe I'm doing this ..." Rainbow Dash got up. "No. If you're gonna insist on doing this ..."
"And I am."
"Then you might as well have all the help you can get." Dash pointed a finger at Rarity. "But don't be surprised if I have bags under my eyes are on our wedding day. No complaining, got it?"
"Oh, Rainbow Dash, I would never allow that!" Rarity put a hand over her chest. "You know I would find some kind of makeup to cover that up for you."
Rainbow Dash groaned and rolled her eyes. "What do you need me to do?"
"Well, first, use your speed to get these to your parents." Rarity handed Rainbow Dash a handful of envelopes.
"You have this many done already?" Rainbow Dash was puzzled and surprised Rarity had gotten so much work done while they were still talking.
"Yes, yes! I design custom clothes for a living, Rainbow Dash, I know how to get a lot of work done in little time for a tight deadline! Now, hurry, hurry!" Rarity shooed Rainbow Dash out the bedroom window, where Rainbow Dash took flight and raced away, disappearing as a rainbow bolt streaking across the night sky.
Rarity smiled, watching her go. She turned her attention back to the task at hand of doing up more invitations and getting them to the rest of their Ponyville friends.
The next day, all the people were gathered at a artificial aisle, quickly built up outdoors. White sheets were thrown over the ground, a red carpet was rolled out, and decorations were placed on a gazebo to pretty it up and make it a building worthy of hosting a wedding. Passing Ponyville citizens who hadn't been invited stopped to stare at the set-up before either moving on, or sitting down on the grass at a distance which let them view the affairs, but still respected the couple's privacy in their decision not to invite them.
Rainbow Dash and Rarity's friends and family stood just outside the gazebo. Twilight kept glancing nervously as Pinkie Pie continued to adjust the wobbling cake, trying to keep it from falling over and collapsing the supports she had used to make the cake multi-layered. Shining Armor stood tall next to his sister in his full uniform, though feeling a bit awkward, given who was getting married.
Celestia stood inside the gazebo, a great big smile on her face she hunched over a podium. Her eyes fell on Rarity and Rainbow Dash as they walked down the red carpet in outfits Rarity designed and sewed together, Rarity in an elaborate wedding dress worthy of an empress, and Dash in a plainer (by her request) dress with pink trim which forewent the crown-like headdress and long train of Rarity's, which exposed her shoulders and her thighs between her skirt and her leggings - Rarity had drawn on a sports outfit for inspiration.
Pinkie Pie and leaned over and whispered to Twilight. "Does anyone else think Dash's dress makes her look like she should be part of the wedding cake?"
"Pinkie, don't be rude and don't ... be Pinkie." Twilight said. "Rarity designed that dress especially for Rainbow Dash ... and she did it less than eight hours, so it may not be her best work. Uh, don't tell her I said that, or she'll kill me."
"Can do." Pinkie saluted and winked.
Rarity and Rainbow Dash walked up the steps, the band playing music. They stood in front of Celestia and smiled. When Celestia spoke, the band stopped playing.
"We gathered here today to witness a holy union. A union between lovers, and a love as strong and durable as any other you'd care to name. Today, two lovers decide to take their love out of the shadows. They hid it away for so long, as their relationship had ... well, let's say a rocky beginning and leave it at that." Rarity and Dash both blushed. "They feared being ousted and ostracized from their social circles if they came out with their love for each other, but I myself have seen, and I have witnesses who can attest to the strength of their bond. And now, the vows."
"Rainbow Dash." Celestia turned to Rainbow. "Do you agree to look after Rarity, in sickness and in health, under any kind of weather, fair or unfair, and take her as your lawfully wedded wife, until death do you part?"
"I do."
"Rarity." Celestia turned to her.
"Get on with it."
Celestia chuckled and nodded. "I know what the answer is, Rarity, but custom dictates I ask anyway. Do you agree to look after Rainbow Dash, in sickness and in health, under any kind of weather, fair or unfair, and take her as your lawfully wedded wife, until death do you part?"
"I do."
"Excellent." Celestia said. "Now, pending any last-minute objection, cough, speak-now-or-forever-hold-your-blah-blah-blah ..." Celestia swept her gaze across the crowd. "You may kiss the bride."
Rainbow Dash turned to Rarity. She lifted the veil off Rarity's face. Rarity took the initiative from her, pulling Rainbow Dash towards her and embracing her with a kiss. Rainbow Dash moaned, and her hand made its way up to Rarity's chest, gently cupping the underside of her breast.
"Rainbow Dash!" Rarity blushed and pushed Rainbow Dash away. "Not in front of Sweetie Belle!"
The crowd laughed. Rainbow Dash gave an unapologetic smile.
"Evidently it being front of Sweetie Belle is more of a concern than any of the guests." Shining Armor whispered to Twilight.
"Or in front of Princess Celestia." Twilight chimed back, grinning.
The party went into the after-wedding festivities. Pinkie Pie cut open the cake and the band resumed playing, cranking out background noise. Most of Rarity's friends congregated around the table serving refreshments, each of them with punch in their hands.
"Oh, no." Twilight noticed Pinkie Pie hauling out a large firework. "I'd better go stop her." She went to exactly that.
Rarity and Rainbow Dash giggled at Pinkie's antics. They were both hushed when Silver Lens appeared before them, holding her clipboard to her chest as if were a teddy bear, and she were a child looking for protection from her stuffed animal.
Rarity set her cup of punch down on the table and walked towards Silver Lens.
"You're an adult, Silver Lens. Speak your mind. Say what you came to say."
"Rarity, I ..." Silver Lens adjusted her glasses. "I'm so sorry about everything that's happened. I ... should have known, I should have done my job better. I should have realized that I wasn't... that Shining Armor and Harshwhinny wasn't interested in respecting your privacy or actually trying to help you. I should have said something, I should have done something. And I didn't, and I ... I let Harshwhinny use me as a tool and a pawn. I'm sorry, and I hope you can find it in your heart to-"
Rarity lunged forward and pulled Silver Lens into a hug.
"Rarity, what's the meaning of this...?"
"I forgive you." Rarity spoke into Silver Lens' ear. "They say the first step towards healing is forgiving others. Well ... I like to think I've moved well beyond the first step, and that I've healed, but I refuse to stew and linger in resentment of anybody any longer, and that means that, yes, I forgive you, Silver Lens."
Rarity parted from her, taking hold of Silver Lens' hands. "I understand, at least now, that you, in your own way, were just trying to help. It's not your fault others took advantage of you. But I hope you've learned something from this endeavor, and that in the future, you will raise your voice and speak up when someone is doing something that you think is wrong. Promise me that, and we'll call it even, okay?"
Silver Lens stuttered. "Okay. I promise ... Rarity."
"The fact that you were willing to admit what you did was wrong and apologize for it means a substantial amount to me. Unlike some others ..." Rarity turned and glanced at the gazebo, where Harshwhinny was sitting next to Celestia. "What is she even doing here? I don't remember inviting her ..."
"Come on." Rainbow Dash led Rarity away. "She's not worth thinking about."
"Oh!" Rarity turned back around. "One more thing, Silver Lens. During one of our sessions, you said you saw shards when you looked at me. I'm curious. What do you see when you look at me now?"
"Now?" Silver Lens looked down and smiled. "I see a beautiful, healthy bride who is going to make an excellent wife and make someone very happy."
Rarity grinned and chuckled, as did as Rainbow Dash. "That's a satisfactory answer. Alright, Rainbow Dash." Rarity raised her arm out. "Take me away."
"With pleasure, mi'lady."
Silver Lens remained by the punch table. She was startled and let out a yelp when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Hey." Cadence said. "I heard what you said back there."
"Y-you did?" Silver Lens asked. "Do you-do you think that was good enough? Should I apologize more?"
"Were you honest? Did you speak from your heart?"
"Well, yes, but ..."
Cadence grabbed Silver Lens' hand. "Then trust me. What you said was good enough. It's just like Rarity said. The fact that you were willing to admit you did wrong and apologize in of itself really means a lot. That signifies a lot about your character, about who you are ... "
Cadence patted Silver Lens on the shoulder. "You did good work, Silver Lens. I commend your performance. Even if there a few bumpy spots on the road. I'll be sure to look to you, whenever I might should be in need a therapist do something for me again." Cadence trailed her hand away and walked off.
"Oh. Um ... well." Silver Lens' bumped her knees together. "I ... don't really feel like I deserve it, but thank you, Princess Cadence."
"Hey." Cadence snapped her fingers. "Rarity got better in the end, right? That's all I asked for. All I wanted from you."
Silver Lens blushed. She bowed. "Thank you again, Princess Cadence."
"Don't mention it."
Up in the gazebo, Harshwhinny surveyed the wedding-goers, feeling repulsed by their frivolity and casualness.
"Look at all of them." Harshwhinny crossed her arms and groused. "I wish all of them would stop being so ... frivolously and jolly. Don't they realize a wedding is supposed to be a formal affair? Talk formally! Respect your distance. Quit enjoying yourselves in the wrong manner inappropriate for a wedding!"
"Is that right?" Celestia asked, leaning back against the gazebo wall.
"Yes, that's right. That is not proper formal etiquette and behavior." Harshwhinny glared at a trio of friends who were enjoying themselves and having a good time.
"You get to decide what is and is not appropriate at weddings, I take it, Harshwhinny?"
Realizing the implications of what Celestia was asking, Harshwhinny blushed. "Er, no, I ... never meant to imply that, Your Majesty."
"You also get to decide who's fit to have weddings, and whether or not someone is fit to host a young adult in their house, or whether someone is mentally safe and sound to take care of others in their house or needs to be hospitalized for mental illness and have their siblings taken away from them, especially while that sibling is missing, possibly kidnapped, with no say in the matter. Isn't that right, Harshwhinny?"
"Well, I ..." Harshwhinny stuttered, putting a hand to her mouth, at a loss for words.
"I brought you along as my guest to this wedding as a sparing. Something for you have to a good time at so as to soften the blow. Inspector, you seem to have developed an overreach of where exactly your responsibilities lie. You not a legal inspector, or a mental health inspector, for that matter. Your responsibilities are to make sure events are being hosted properly, with proper safety measures, the correct decorations, and accommodations are in place. Events, Inspector. Not people."
Celestia turned her gaze to the crowd.
"I'll expect your resignation shortly."
Harshwhinny hung her head, bringing her hands together on her lap. "I understand."
"Well." Rainbow Dash grabbed Rarity and tilted her over, lifting her up bridal-style, causing Rarity to yelp. "I don't know about you, but I think it's time we head home and ... consummate our union."
"My, my." Rarity fluttered her lashes. "Between the incident at the gazebo and this, someone's feeling eager today, aren't they?"
"What can I say?" Rainbow Dash asked. "You put me in the mood."
"Without even doing anything? Goodness, I must be much more attractive than I initially realized."
"Well, we won't stop you!" Pinkie Pie tipped her hat to them. She rubbed her chin, pondering ideas. "Or will we?"
Rainbow Dash snorted like a bull. She and Rarity gave Pinkie Pie a death glare. "No. You won't."
Pinkie got the message and backed away, holding her hands up in the air.
Rainbow Dash carried Rarity to their house, holding her in the bridal fashion the entire time on their way.
"Someone's been working on their strength and stamina, I see." Rarity observed as they reached the house. She raised and pinched Rainbow Dash's cheek. "Do try and save some of them for when we get to the bed, will you?"
"I'll try, but I can't make any promises." Rainbow Dash replied with a smug smile. Rarity rolled her eyes, even if she was wearing the same facial expression, and Rainbow Dash set Rarity on her feet.
Rarity opened the door and went inside. Any and all thoughts of lovemaking and carnal acts were pushed from her mind as she noticed a piece of paper on the floor. "What's this?" Rarity walked towards the paper and picked it up.
"Looks like a letter." Rainbow Dash said, looking over Rarity's shoulder. "Whoever put it there probably put in front of the door to make sure we would notice."
"It ... it's from Coco Pommel." Rarity said, moving the letter over to where Dash could read it.
Dear Rarity & Rainbow Dash,
Thank you so much for everything you've done for me. I appreciate every last little thing. You didn't have to take me away from Suri - again. But you did. You didn't have to invite me and let me stay at your house, but you did. And you definitely didn't have to invite me to share in with your's and Rainbow Dash's ... activities. But you did.
As you know, I've been working on my dresses. I started showing them around, and I got a job offer from Sapphire Shores to work on the play she's doing in Manehatten. It seems like no matter where I go, all my roads eventually lead back to Manehatten, huh? I took the job. Got a nice office in a nice space down from the train station. I'm going to work and work and work my Cutie Mark off to make Sapphire Shores happy ... and make you proud of me.
Once again, I appreciate everything you've done for me ... and I appreciate all the kinky things you taught me. I can't wait to try them out.
-Coco Pommel.
The letter was signed with a winking face and a heart next to it.
"Huh." Dash said. "So Coco flew the coop, huh? Struck on her own ... left the nest ..."
"Yes, it would appear that way." Rarity said.
"Heh." Dash wiped a slight tear from her eye. "You know, she might not have done a whole lot around the house, but I'm kind of gonna miss her. They grow up so fast, don't they?"
"We can always visit her in Manehatten, darling." Rarity said.
"Hey ..." Rainbow Dash looked around the house. "Speaking of growing up fast, where's Diamond Tiara?"
"Diamond Tiara? I think she went back home."
"Really?"
"Yes. I think she told me something about having 'resolved the issue' while we were at the wedding ..."
At the Rich household, Suri ran her hand over her hair, trying to make sure her ponytail was straight. She put her earrings and grabbed her suitcase.
"Bye, Filthy! Bye, Diamond Tiara!" Suri called from the front of the house. "I'm off to the train station for my commute to my first day at my new job!"
"Bye." Filthy Rich went up to Suri and embraced Suri, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "Remember our agreement."
"I know, I know. I can live here, but I have to work so I can't just mooch off your money. Did I get that right? You've only told me 120 times." Filthy Rich regarded her sheepishly. "I counted."
Suri looked at Diamond. Diamond Tiara sat on the couch in the living room, crossing her arms and being surly. She puffed out a sigh.
"Bye ... " Diamond Tiara's face contorted, as if she was literally have to choke the word out of her throat and it was causing her physical pain. "Mom." This grueling task of obligation done, Diamond Tiara got up and went to her room.
Suri gasped and covered her mouth. "D-did you hear that?" Suri placed a hand on her chest, a tear coming from her eye. "She called me mom ..."
"Yes, I heard it." Filthy Rich said, smiling. "See? You're making progress."
"I ... I've never felt like this before." Suri wiped a tear from her eye. "What ... what is this feeling? It is love? Pride? Joy? A sense of accomplishment at the fact she one day might be happy to see me for a change?"
"You'll have plenty of time to figure it out later." Filthy kissed Suri on the head. "Now go. Go, go on, or you'll be late for work for your first day." Filthy ushered Suri towards the entrance and Suri dashed out the door, sprinting towards the station. Suri waved goodbye to the house.
"Goodbye ... my beautiful daughter."
Suri smiled to herself, a spring in her step as she headed to the station.
Coco Pommel spun around in the swivel-mounted chair of her new office and looked out the window. Sapphire Shores gave her an office on one of the higher floors, giving her a nice view of the Manehattan streets from her office window, where the people traveled back and forth. Dressed in a pinstripe business suit, with a spinning leather chair, Coco Pommel felt like a bigwig. A real billionaire fatcat.
"Oh." Coco's attention was drawn by the squeak of her office door opening. She spun her chair to face it. "Can I help you?"
"Your new assistant, reporting for duty, Miss ..."
Suri's voice trailed off. Her hand slowly inched down from the salute she was making.
She and Coco Pommel stared at each other in shock. Coco rather liked Suri's choice of dress - a black leather vest over a white shirt and a wide, black skirt, with a purple handkerchief stuffed down the shirt, topped off with a beret.
Suri blinked and tried to recall in her head. How did she not know the boss of her new job was going to be Coco Pommel?
I remember. Suri thought. It's because the ad I replied to was from Sapphire Shores asking for an assistant. It didn't specify an assistant for whom. Well, at least Shores must have liked my resume.
They might have stood there for hours if Suri hadn't cleared her throat. Pressing and trying to to ignore the awkwardness of the situation, she resumed her salute.
"What can I do for you, boss?"
"Suri?" Coco Pommel asked. "But that's not... you can't... how?"
Suri cleared her throat. "Ahem. I'm afraid I'm going to have to insist you we focus on business. What can I do for you, boss?" Suri repeated, adding a bit more force and bluster to her tone.
"Oh. Um." Coco cleared her throat. She spoke in rapid fire. "Sapphire Shores' play is in six days, and we need to get everything ready. I need you to put in an express order of 50 bolts of woolen fabric, preferably yak wool, with expedited shipping. I need a two dozen pins and tacks each to start working on making the props, and I need you to find me a graphic designer to paint up a flyer -we had one, but they flaked out - and buy the papers to start printing copies of the flyer. Oh. And I've learned a lot of freaky, kinky things from Rarity during my stay at her house ..."
"Yes?" Suri asked, raising an eyebrow and growing nervous, sweat beading up on the side of her head.
"So I want you to find me a pretty lady to flirt with and try them out on."
Suri sighed. Whoo. Dodged a bullet. "Anything else I can get for you, boss?"
"No, I don't think so. That should be it." Coco Pommel said.
Suri nodded.
"You know ..." Coco rested her elbow on the desk. "It's funny ... after all this time, we've switched places. The assistant has become the master."
"That is funny." Suri said. She turned to leave and start working on all the things Coco asked for.
"Oh, wait, Suri. I just remembered something. There is one more thing."
"Yes?" Suri peeked her head back in the door.
Coco smiled and pointed her finger for emphasis. "Go get me some coffee."
Suri gave an earnest smile back in reply and saluted again. "Sure thing, boss."
Sunset Shimmer and Flash Sentry, clad in his Royal Guard armor, stood by the fountain in the Canterlot Royal Gardens. Flash saw Sunset staring into the running water as if it was holding her life inside, bringing all her burdens to bear, all her sins remembered. In order to get a conversation going, Flash made a wry comment.
"You know, I'm supposed to be on duty right now ..."
Sunset, not as spaced-out as Flash assumed her to be, chuckled and turned to him. "Hey, don't look at me. You were the one who wanted us to hang out together."
"True. So ... what have you been up to?"
"Oh, well, not much." Sunset replied, hands in her pockets. "I fed myself a false narrative, started making farmers lactate cider because I'm a pervert, got myself turned into a bee-woman, then fought a Changeling Queen before running away from an Amulet-empowered slime queen monster. You know, the usual."
"That is ... pretty unusual, Sunset." Flash said.
"Oh, do you have a problem with it?" Sunset asked. "Are you gonna call the Usual Police on me? The Department of Muggle Affairs, or something?"
"No, no."
Sunset moved away from the fountain. Flash and Sunset walked through the garden, Sunset never taking her hands out of her pockets.
"So ... what are you gonna do now?"
"Don't know that entirely myself, if I'm honest." Sunset stopped walking. "Honestly, I'll probably just head back on home. Maybe become a magic teacher."
"Home?" Flash said. "Sunset, I thought this place was your home? You just got back here."
"I'm sorry, Flash, but I've been away from 'here' too long. Everything is different and feels so strange and bizarre and new." Sunset brought her hands over her chest. "My heart belongs elsewhere."
Flash Sentry bit his lip. "Excuse me." He left.
"Flash?" Sunset turned to him. "Flash, where are you going? ... oh." Sunset saw Celestia walking down the garden path. "Hello, Princess Celestia."
"Hello, Sunset Shimmer."
Sunset kicked her foot on the ground. "I guess you probably want to talk to me, huh? Especially seeing as you haven't seen me in years ..."
"Not at all." Celestia shook her head. "Sunset, I'd be hard-pressed to think of anything I'd want to say to you myself that my student Twilight hasn't already said to you in some way."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes. She might be a bit awkward at time, but Twilight is a prodigy at friendship. Though when it comes to magic, I think you two were evenly matched. You certainly were far more ambitious, though."
Sunset chuckled and looked at the ground before being able to bring herself to look up at Celestia with a relaxed grin."I was, wasn't I?"
Celestia waved her hand. "All of this talk is completely rudimentary and unnecessary for what it is I came to ask you. We are going to burn the summoning book that has caused all of us so much trouble and strife, the one Honeycomb and the Sirens came from. I understand the monsters inside have caused you some distress as well, despite your initial malignant intentions when you first arrived. I was wondering if you would be interested in joining us?"
Sunset stared at Celestia, unsure if she was being serious with her offer at first. She gave Celestia another small smile. "I would."
"Great."
Cadence watched from a window as Celestia wrapped an arm around Sunset Shimmer's shoulder and walked her off.
"Hmm." Cadence mused, before hearing scrubbing noises come from down the hall. "What's that?"
Cadence followed the noise to its source. The men's bathroom. Reasoning she was a Princess and could get away with it, and besides, investigating mysterious noise was a legitimate reason to intrude, she went inside.
"Shining?" Cadence asked, finding Shining Armor scrubbing the bathroom tile on his hands and knees.
"Yup, that's me."
"What are you doing here?" Cadence asked. "I thought Celestia said you had fulfilled your latrine cleaning punishment and could stop now."
"I know. I can. I ..." Shining Armor turned his head. "I'm doing this to myself as punishment. Let's be real here, I was ... well, I was kind of a fathead to Rarity there for a while, huh?"
Cadence rested against the door, smirking. "You were."
"So, I'm going to keep scrubbing the latrines until I've gotten rid of my guilty conscience." Shining Armor said.
"Alright." Cadence reached for the doorknob. "Suit yourself. You should probably be informed Celestia's planning on burning the book soon."
"Oh, really?" Shining Armor scrambled to his feet. "Forget this bathroom, then! I want to be there for that!"
"But what about scrubbing the latrine as your penance?" Cadance asked with a joking tone of voice.
"I'll get back to it later!" Shining Armor exclaimed as he ran out the door.
Cadence shook her head and followed after him. "Guys. I'll never understand them."
Later in the night, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Pinkie and Fluttershy gathered around a table in Twilight's house.
Twilight idly rocked a salt shaker on its side. "So ... what do we want to do after our lovely couple gets off their eventual honeymoon? They've been through a lot lately, and we've ... not always been there to support them through like we should have. We've been through a lot, too. I should mention that, before I get swallowed up with pity and forget it. They deserve something nice, and so do we."
Twilight set the salt shaker upright.
"I'm thinking we find a nice restaurant." Twilight said. "Take them out to dinner. Have Applejack whip up a special batch of apple cider, if she has the spare apples for it."
"I reckon I do." Applejack said.
"Regular cider, not the - you know."
"I know. Twilight, do you honestly think I would put myself through and serve something as gross as that to you and all our friends by choice?"
Twilight bit her lip. "... you're right. I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking."
Sonata Dusk barged in on the conversation. "Hello! I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
"You're not. Come on, Sonata. Sit down for a spell." Applejack gestured to an empty chair.
"That's nice of you to offer, Applejack, but I won't be staying long. I just came to ask Twilight a question."
"Sure. One of the first things you'll learn about me, Sonata, I love answering questions." Twilight swiveled on her seat towards Sonata. "So, what do you got for me?"
"What size does Spike like?" Sonata asked.
"... I'm sorry, what?"
"You know, what size does Spike like?" Sonata repeated. "I might not still be here if not for him. If not for him, I might have stayed with Adagio and Aria, and ended up in a cell just like them, probably next to them. I owe him for helping take me off that dark path, and I want to give him a little reward, and before I do that, I want to know what size he likes."
Twilight still didn't seem to get it.
"You know, size." Sonata waved her hand up and down over her chest.
Twilight's cheeks turned a shade of red which could have won 'Ripest Tomato' at a country farm.
"That is not appropriate behavior for Spike to be doing! I don't want to talk about this with you!" Twilight ducked under the table.
"Twilight, I'm pretty sure Spike is an adult. If he wants to do this with Sonata, that's his choice. It's also his choice if he doesn't." Applejack said.
Twilight stuck her finger out from under the table. "Additionally ... there's the fact that I don't know. I mean, he had crush on Rarity before he really understood ... that sort of thing."
"I'll assume he likes them the same way most men like them; big." Sonata pumped her fist.
"Probably not the worst idea." Applejack said. "He's an adult, but he's still young."
Sonata nodded and left.
Twilight slowly brought herself out from under the table, raising up inch by inch, stopping when she could see over the table. "Is she gone?"
"She's gone." Applejack replied.
"Hoo." Twilight sighed. "I'm glad that's over. Let's hope nothing else awkward happens for the rest of the night ..."
There was a flash of light and a hum, and Discord appeared over the table.
"Hello, everyone!" Discord stretched his arms out far beyond the limits of any normal being, scooping the four friends up into a hug. "Sorry I'm late, I was busy un-cleaning my house. Oh, and sorry I couldn't be there to help with that whole Changeling-slash-Slime fiasco. Truly I am." Discord let go of them and kicked back in the air, conjuring up a saucer and cup of tea. "From what I've heard, it turned out to be quite the party. I truly and earnestly do regret missing it. Seems like I might have been able to have a lot of fun there!"
Twilight sighed, irritated and in no mood to put with Discord's ... Discord-iness.
"Well, at least he regrets not helping, even if he does regret it for the wrong reasons ... right?" Applejack asked, offering Twilight consolation.
Discord sipped the cup around his tea, then split the tea up into four cubes, turning it into coffee-flavored gelatin in the process. He began to juggle them, and dropped one on Twilight's head.
Twilight let out another sigh, annoyed. Fluttershy was amused. She put a hand to her mouth, trying to be polite and suppress her laughter. It wasn't nice to laugh at her friends.
Elsewhere in the library, Sonata Dusk dragged Spike into the guest room, throwing him inside and locking the door behind him.
"You still haven't told me what it is we're doing, Sonata ..."
"That's because it's a surprise, silly!" Sonata Dusk exclaimed. "Go, get on the bed."
"Alright ..." Spike remained uncertain, but did as she ask.
Sonata Dusk walked up to the side of the bed. "Now, lay down ..."
"Okay."
"And close your eyes ... and think about your love for me."
"Um, alright." Spike continued to do as she asked, closing his eyes.
Sonata Dusk let out a deep breath. She vocalized quietly, holding up her amulet. The amulet glowed, and a green mist escaped from Spike's mouth and flew into the gemstone.
"Oooh ..." Sonata moaned, feeling her breasts jiggle and wobble as they increased and expanded in size, growing to the size of soccer balls.
Sonata climbed up on the bed, the mattress creaking as her weight was put on it. Spike opened his eyes to see what was going on, and wasn't expecting to see Sonata lying on top of him, her now-huge breasts swaying gently back and forth.
Sonata blushed. "Do you like them? I tried to ask around, but I wasn't sure what size you liked ... I hope this is okay."
"Y-Yeah, no." Spike said. "They-they're great. No, really. They're ... they're perfect, Sonata." Spike smiled at her. She smiled back.
"But, um, what are we doing again?"
"This is a reward for you!" Sonata leaned over as she explained, cupping Spike's chin. "For being such a good boyfriend for me, and showing me the path of the light."
"Oh. Um, okay. That- that's really nice, Sonata, but I don't know I'm ready for this." Spike said.
"You're not?" Sonata asked, confused.
"Yes! No. Maybe! I don't know. It's confusing." Spike said.
"Hmph." Sonata huffed and turned her head, only to smile. She smirked and swayed her body, making her breasts swing back and forth. "You know what, Spike? I think you are ready.
"W-why are you smiling?" Spike asked. "W-what makes you say that?"
"I can see a bulge in your paaaa-ants." Sonata sing-songed. She reared back and began to bring her breasts down.
"You wouldn't." Spike said.
Sonata flashed her teeth and lowered herself, bringing her chest down on Spike's zipper. Spike let out a moan.
"Okay, okay!"
Spike rose up.
"I'm just ... nervous, okay?" Spike said. "This ... this'll be the first time for me. At least, that I can remember, that wasn't done while I was under some kind of mind control, and I don't actually remember if anything like that happened and now that I'm talking about it I'm getting kinda paranoid about it. But ... I'm ready, for sure."
"Are you sure? I wouldn't want to force you ..." Sonata placed her hands on Spike's shoulders, pinning him. "Just seduce you."
Spike nodded. "I'm sure."
"Wonderful." Sonata leaned down. She and Spike closed her eyes as she lowered her lips onto Spike's for a kiss. They began to moan. Spike wrapped his arms around Sonata's back, her breasts digging into his pecs.
There was a knock on the door, and their eyes widened in alarm.
"Spike?" Twilight called from the other side. "The girls and I are going to a book-burning. We're going to burn that evil, wretched book. Do you want to come with?"
"Kind of busy in here, Twilight!" Spike exclaimed in dismay.
"Okay. Suit yourself!" Twilight waved. Spike heard the front door open and close seconds later. He briefly wondered how Twilight could bring herself to allow any book to burn, ever, even an evil one, before Sonata's chest quickly took his mind off the subject.
Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, Twilight and Pinkie Pie, as well as Shining Armor, Celestia, Cadence, Sunset Shimmer and Fleur-de-lis made their way into the Pipe Slime's cave. It might have been an ordinary, innocent cave once, at least by the standards of the Everfree Forest, but now it would be forever known and tarred and marked as the Pipe Slime's dwelling.
"Hey ..." Shining spoke to Fleur-de-lis. "Are you sure you want to be here for this? Would you rather be at home, relaxing with Fancypants? I realize this can be kind of tough, and I'm sure he'll worry about you doing this, so ..."
"I was affected by the slime as much as any of you." Fleur-de-lis said. "Maybe not for as long as some of you, or quite to the same degree, but that doesn't make my suffering any less valid. It doesn't make my hurt less real. I need to see this. I need this."
"Okay." Shining Armor nodded.
"Rarity, are you certain you left the book in here?" Celestia asked.
"Yes." Rarity said. "I tossed it around here, at the pit, and I made sure to avoid trouncing on it when I came out after my ... merger with the new Slime. Ah, there it is."
Rarity ran towards the book sitting by the edge of the pit, lying right where she left it. A bit crushed from when she had stomped on it, but still an intact, readable book.
It could not be allowed to remain that way.
Rarity picked the book up off the ground.
"You know ..." Twilight said. "Normally, I'd be against the burning of any book, but this one is so evil and wretched that I agree that it's completely warranted."
Shining Armor pulled out a match and handed it to Twilight. Twilight moved towards the book.
"Ahem." Rarity cleared her throat.
"Oh. Of course. Rarity, you and Rainbow Dash being the ones most affected by what happened here and the consequences, you should do the honors." Twilight moved aside, handing the match to Rarity. Rainbow Dash took the book and held it up.
Rarity struck the match, lighting against the thick cover of the book. She touched the lit match to the book's pages, and its paper began to burn and wilt. Dash handed her the book, and Rarity threw the book and the match down the pit.
Shining Armor, Cadence, and Fleur came forward, all holding up bundles of burnable material in their arms, from paper shreds to dry twigs. They all tossed their piles down the pit, where the fire made a boom as it spread and consumed, becoming a massive flame which lit up the inside of the pit. Smoke rose up from within while the flame crackled gently.
"Good riddance." Shining Armor bidded to the book.
Everyone stayed for a time to watch over the fire and ensure the book was thoroughly burned beyond repair, and also to keep the fire from getting out of control. Only once and after the flame had died down, and after the last embers of it burned and danced away until they put themselves out, having nothing but ash left for it to burn on, did any of them turn to leave. Shining Armor was the first one out, followed by Cadence and Celestia. Twilight and Pinkie Pie left after them, and Fluttershy lingered only a second longer than them. Sunset was the next to go, having all she wanted out of this place. Fleur, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity stood there by the empty pit for some time, watching the smoke rise as they contemplated what they had been through. By the time Fleur left, the smoke had begun to fade. Dash noticed her departure and put a hand on Rarity's shoulder, gently encouraging her they should leave as well.
Rarity cast one last look down the pit. She leaned over and spat into it, giving into her impulse to deliver one last spite, one last humiliation to the pit and the memory of what had been inside it. She joined Rainbow Dash in leaving, leaving it all behind. For good, they hoped.
Rarity and Rainbow Dash returned home.
Rarity let out a sigh. It felt like such a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She felt so relieved. The best part of it was, no one was ever going to have to live through and endure what she and Rainbow Dash had been through ever again.
"You coming to bed?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"You go on, darling." Rarity said. "I want to freshen up first."
"Okay. Don't see why you need to do that before going to bed. We're all a mess in the morning. But I will be a good husband and respect your decisions." Rainbow Dash bowed, and contrary to what Rarity was expecting, it didn't come across as mocking. Dash left the room.
Rarity went into her workroom. She looked around, scanning for bottles of makeup and blush. Her eyes fell on her table. An idea came to her. It might even have compelled her, possessed her, because she once got the idea, she knew she wasn't going to stop until she had done it.
"Hmm ... say ..."
Rarity began rummaging through the house.
"I know I have ... an old one of these ... somewhere." Rarity grumbled, digging through her one of her closets and tossing anything that wasn't related to what she wanted aside. "Ah ... here it is."
Rarity grunted, heaving an old model of typewriter out from her closet shelf. Grunting all the way she carried, she hefted the typewriter onto the table, where it fell down with a slam.
"Oof." Rarity lurched. This thing was heavy.
"Rrraaa ..." A mutter came from upstairs.
Rarity grimaced. She hoped the typewriter slamming on the table hadn't woken up Rainbow Dash.
Rarity scooted out her chair and set down. She began to type into the machine. Her first words were the title.
The Life of Rarity Belle:
Sex and Seduction For The Greater Good
Rarity continued to write, clacking away on the typewriter's keys, until she had finished the introduction which would set out the basic premise of the book for the reader.
"Hmm." Rarity mused, drawing a blank for what would be her first words after the opening paragraph. "You know what?" Rarity snapped her fingers and got up. "I think I'm going to need some coffee for this."
Rarity went into the kitchen. She set up the coffee machine and had it make her a cup.
When she returned to the work room, holding a cup of coffee in her hands, using a towel to protect herself and keep the cup from burning her palm, she was blown away to see Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash all sitting or standing at the table, leaning over the typewriter.
"Wha-what are you all doing here?" Rarity asked, barely able to keep from dropping her cup.
"When you dropped this thing on the table, it woke me up." Rainbow Dash pointed at the typewriter. "So I came down here to investigate. I went over and looked at this thing, and when I saw what you were working on, I went out and gathered our friends as fast as I could so they could come over and proofread for it. Initially, I was gonna stop at just Twilight, but she convinced it'd be better to make an entire friendship affair between all of us."
"Well, I ... I truly don't know what to say, darlings."
"Say you'll make us some coffee to help us as we bear through your terrible prose." Applejack quipped. Twilight smacked her on the back of the head.
"Actually, Rarity, you haven't written a whole lot yet, but we've already come up with some improvements that you could make."
"You have? Well, let's see... " Rarity returned to the table and took her seat. "What are they, then?"
"You're missing a period right here." Fluttershy pointed to the spot on the page where the missing period was.
"Okay." Rarity set the paper back and worked on making the changes.
"This sentence would read better if you would move this part over here." Twilight said, tracing her finger along the page.
"Oh, I see. That does make it look better, doesn't it?" Rarity observed.
"And then there's this part." Applejack said. "It's a bit flowery."
"Yeah." Dash smirked. "What, are you writing an autobiography, or an epic fantasy novel?"
"I have a flowery manner of speaking, darling." Rarity defended herself, crossing her arms.
"No, no." Twilight said. "She might have just been trying to get under your skin, Rarity, but Applejack has a point. If you introduce this kind of fancy talk this soon into the book before the readers have a chance to get familiar with you and comfortable with your manner of speaking, it might turn them off."
"Really? I ... hadn't thought of that." Rarity put her hand to her chin.
"That's what we're here for." Twilight said.
So Rarity worked on her autobiography into the late hours of dusk, listening to and taking her friends' advice, their chatter about what to improve, what to say, and how to say it lasting long into the night.
The End. |
Future Progressive: The Speedfics and Drabbles of Present Perfect | pre | Twilight was right, they did need to clean up the library. But he couldn't force his limbs to move for some reason. Sorry, Twilight; I'll help clean up just as soon as take a I nap, I promise.
He thought he could see mom right in front of him. She was sitting up late, like Twilight tended to, poring over photo albums rather than studying. Maybe that was why she looked so sad. Maybe she had a glass of wine.
It was port wine, actually, and the glass was half empty, which didn't matter much, because the bottle was still half full. Velvet sighed and took another swallow, not even pretending to sip in temperance anymore. The wine was rich and woody and warmed her from the inside without burning; it was good stuff. Night Light had conked out in bed hours ago, his share of the wine drunk, and she was once again alone with her photographs.
This was not a good ritual to keep, but it was always New Year's that sent her back to these albums, moreso than Hearth's Warming or even the kids' birthdays. Maybe it was the close proximity of Hearth's Warming to the new year that sent her into a whirlwind of nostalgia and loneliness, a tidal wave of emotion that took until this day to finally break.
Her hoof passed over Shining Armor's first Nightmare Night dressed up as a guard. Next to it, Twilight hugging her Smarty Pants doll, her face alight with wonder at Velvet's ability to repair missing eye buttons. Twilight's first cutie mark picture, taken after an entrance exam to the School for Gifted Unicorns that Velvet did not entirely recall, lay nestled beside the first of a series of photos from their trip later that year to Baltimare. Twilight had been ecstatic at seeing the beach. Velvet felt laughter burst forth as she recalled her daughter rushing out to the tide pools and bringing a new creature, one by one, back to her, just to let her know what its scientific name was.
That had been their last vacation as a family, she realized with a soft sickness. That fall, Twilight had started at the School, while Shining had continued with his second year of guard training. It was just her and Night Light now in a Canterlot two-story that was far too big to hold them. Visits from her sisters were infrequent, and Night's family was all too far away to stay over, so it really was just them.
This had especially been true since the wedding. Cadance used to visit even after Twilight was too old and too involved in her studies to require a foalsitter. It was fortunate, Velvet thought, that she'd gotten so close to her future daughter-in-law so early. After all, she'd only ever wanted the best for either of her children, and Cadance definitely fit that label. It amazed her how easy it was to forget that Cadance was royalty.
Another swallow drained the glass and after a moment's hesitation, she lifted the bottle for a refill.
"No more than one bottle this time, I swear," she said to the unmoving house. It gave no reply, instead letting her have her space, her time.
Velvet leaned back in her chair and felt the wine add flush to her cheeks. Closing her eyes, she breathed deeply and felt the cold dryness of winter creep into her nostrils. It took her three painful tries to adjust the thermostat, after which she also swore off magic for the remainder of the night.
She was, upon reflection, quite lucky to have such a remarkable family. Yes, they were all away on their own adventures and living their own lives, but that was what children did. You raised them from birth, taught them everything you knew, and then hoped that they wouldn't need you anymore. If that was the measuring stick for parental success, then Velvet was perhaps the most successful mother in history. She'd given birth to a mare who was already the personal protege of Princess Celestia, who had saved Equestria twice by virtue of being the bearer of an ancient magical artifact, and who, judging by common opinion, was destined to become the greatest unicorn mage since Star Swirl the Bearded. Her other child, no less impressive, was the youngest pony ever to hold the title of Captain of the Royal Guard, and had married a mare among the elite few who called the Princesses "aunt". Velvet was quite nearly the sister-in-law of Celestia herself.
She couldn't blame her children for not visiting during the holidays. That she missed them nevertheless meant she was a pony. That they were away for her to miss them meant she had done well by them.
A smile passed across her face and she wiped at a tear that was not born of emotion, but of relief. Then drunken clarity hit her and she wondered if the Princesses ever felt this way. Like most ponies, even those Canterlot-bred, Velvet really didn't know much about her regents' personal lives. There had been Luna's 'return' just two years ago, three if one counted the new year coming, but it was an event so shrouded in secrecy that few truly understood what it meant. Velvet had heard something from Twilight about it, and knew that her daughter had been entangled in the happenings of the event, but had never pried, never having wanted to use her daughter's privilege to her own advantage. The only suggestion of the truth was the disappearance of the Mare in the Moon, but even that only left more questions for the normal ponies.
No doubt, Velvet thought, her sister-in-almost-law was cooped up in the palace, enjoying one of the few nights of the year when ponies would likely not be demanding things from or promising things to her. She could not have been further from the truth, of course.
Celestia was busy watching the Mare, a silent reminder of what she'd done to her younger sister. Two years had passed, three if one counted the coming new year, but she still felt the burden of guilt like a yoke that weighed her inexorably to the ground any time she so much as looked at Luna.
Her sister didn't blame her, had never blamed her. Celestia had tried time and again to convince herself of this, but she couldn't believe it. The guilt was all her own making, all of it projected onto other ponies. It was becoming more than she could bear, and keeping up centuries-old rituals like this one weren't helping her alleviate it.
Every year since that first one, on New Year's Eve in the dead of winter, she would remove her raiments, returning her mane to its natural state, don a scarf, and hide her wings with a spell. As a pink-maned unicorn she would then join in the revelries carried out by her subjects through the night. Inevitably, she would look up at the moon, the very same moon that to her still featured that familiar shape staring coldly back at her, and simply watch it.
For her, it was not the desolate prison so many believed she had banished Nightmare Moon to, but a living symbol of her sister's legacy, a legacy she had only recently handed back to its rightful owner. It was good, not having that extra burden to bear, coincident as it was with the rising and setting of the sun, but at the same time, she missed it. Every night when she had raised the moon, it had been like taking her sister's hoof and pulling her up to a high ledge, like when they were fillies and Luna was just learning to fly. Lowering the moon so the sun could come out thus felt like tucking her sister in to bed. That's what she'd told herself at the time, anyway: that she could still touch her sister with her magic, however far away she might be.
"Tia..."
The Mare in the Moon vanished and Celestia turned, surprised to see the midnight-blue unicorn, her lighter mane hidden under a knit cap.
"Lulu!" She needed a moment to compose herself from the surprise; it was not often she needed these moments, and thus they tended to last. "What a pleasant surprise to see you out here tonight!"
Luna gave a half-smile, tilting her head slightly. "I thought it odd that you had left so late in the evening. You aren't normally awake at this hour."
Celestia nodded, her breath curling out in vapors. "I always come out to look at the moon on this night."
Luna turned her head upward and slightly away from Celestia, a small smile on her face. "Even now that I am back by your side, sister?"
For a moment, Celestia took in her sister's profile, let the reality of their sharing this moment wash over her. Then she looked up at the moon as well, its great silver body shining back down at her. Luna existed only as a real pony beside her.
"Old habits and all that, Lulu."
"You know I've forgiven you, yes?"
"I do." Celestia sighed. "And I don't."
Celestia saw motion out of the corner of her eye, then felt a warm body press against her. Flashes of light began to color them as ponies kicked up a rousing cheer and a loud countdown.
"Let us pay tribute to the moon together."
Bells tolled midnight and fireworks began to rise into the sky, exploding and showering Canterlot with light. The first salvo roused Twilight Velvet from her drunken stupor, and she panicked for a brief confused moment, until her clock began striking twelve. The darn thing always ran slow, no matter how they tried adjusting it.
Her bleary eyes rested on a near-empty wine bottle, then on the opposite wall of the room being lit up by numerous colored bursts. She groaned slightly, rubbed her forehead just under her horn, hopped off the chair and wobbled to the door. Remembering the headache had made her vow against using magic for the remainder of the night, she grabbed her scarf from the rack with her teeth and set it in a slack loop around her neck.
She felt like she needed a walk.
The cold night air was almost enough to snap her back into sobriety, and she shivered against it. The streetlights had been dimmed, to let the fireworks and full moon illuminate the city during the festivities, and she found she enjoyed the effect of seeing everything around her change color once or twice every few seconds.
She trotted aimlessly through the streets of Canterlot, now and then passing other ponies who wished her a happy new year and received the same in turn. Everypony was smiling; most were enjoying the festivities in silence. Near a fountain, she saw a pair of tall unicorn mares, one white and the other nearly black, leaning against one another in a way that suggested close family reunited after a long separation rather than the embrace of lovers, and her eyes filled with emotion.
There was, however, one pony in Canterlot who was not having a good time, and it was just Velvet's luck that she would come upon her.
"Why, why, why..."
Velvet happened to live nearby a liquor store, the very one that had supplied the port currently fueling her purposeless meandering, and in front of that store there stood a magenta mare, slightly older than Velvet's daughter, who wailed softly at the ground.
Velvet considered herself a compassionate pony, a trait compounded by motherhood. So it was with this in mind, as well as her current lack of good decision-making skills, that she approached the mare and said, "Why dear, whatever is the matter?"
The mare looked up at her with forlorn, watery eyes as she said with complete seriousness, "I'm outta booze."
Velvet raised one eyebrow. "Really? Is that all?"
The mare nodded sadly. "An' I got here a hour late to get more! They closed for the holibay!"
"It really isn't worth getting worked up over, you know. It's the new year, after all. You should celebrate what you have and what's coming instead of--" When the mare frowned at her and began working on a new wave of tears, Velvet let out a sigh. "I've got some wine back at my place still. Nopony should be alone on New Year's; would you like to join me for a glass?"
The mare sniffed and scrubbed at her nose. "What kind?"
Velvet could not believe what she was hearing. "It's... port."
The mare's eyes lit up with more than just fireworks. "Oh, that's my favorite! I shall most humbly accept your offer, madame!" She attempted to bow, but nearly fell over, remaining upright only due to Velvet's reflexes, which weren't all that hot, either.
"What's your name?" she asked as they got underway back to her house.
"Berry. You?"
"You can call me Velvet."
Berry smiled. "Thank ya, Velvet. I camed up to Cannerlot to see my family, but... Not too many ponies want nothin' to do with a drunk like me, even on a holiday."
Velvet blew a disparaging razz. "I'm hardly the pinnacle of sobriety myself."
"But you can say pimmacle," Berry said with utmost solemnity. Velvet burst out laughing.
"You'll have to be quiet," she said after a few moments had passed. "My husband went to sleep early tonight."
"Aw, tha's a shame," Berry said, then added, "You ain't, y'know... Pickin' up mares so you can..."
"Oh, heavens, no!" Velvet was too drunk to be offended, and she laughed again. "Though if he wakes up still as drunk as he was when he went to sleep, he might very well ask us to put on a show. You know how stallions can be."
"I sure do, sister!" Berry giggled and pushed Velvet playfully, and she responded with a shoulder-check. The mares passed by an antiquities shop as they wobbled to and fro down the street, their progress noted by an older stallion in a four-cornered toque and pince-nez.
He turned from the window, walking back to a door with a large dragon emblazoned on it, whose metallic scales caught the reds, blues and greens of the fireworks display and threw them back against the walls in little sparkling needles of light.
"Did you find what you were after?" he asked softly as he passed through. The unicorn mare on the other side of the counter looked up, startled, and dropped the milk carton on the countertop.
"I... Yes." She swallowed, then forced a smile. "I'm awfully sorry to have bothered you, sir, but... Thank you. Thank you so very much for letting me see this. What do I owe you?"
He held up a hoof. "Oh, you needn't worry about that. The carton I bring out only when it's needed."
She smiled, and her horn glowed. "At least let me compensate you for lost sleep if nothing else. It is New Year's Eve, after all." Three coins clinked onto the countertop beside the jewelry tree and rolled to a stop.
"You mean New Year's Day, madam," he corrected her, and her eyes widened.
"Oh my goodness! How long was I..." She turned and bolted to the door, stopping momentarily to look back over her shoulder.
"I have a friend out there who needs me. Thank you, again, sir, and happy New Year to you."
She pushed the door open, then vanished into the alley from whence she had come. He trotted to the door, turned the sign so that "Yes, We're Open!" faced inward, and drew the tattered bamboo shade over it.
"Happy New Year," he said softly. "And best of luck." |
Future Progressive: The Speedfics and Drabbles of Present Perfect | The Heart Holds Grudges With Gravity | The Heart Holds Grudges With Gravity
by Present Perfect
"Dagnabbit, Rarity, that is the last straw!" Applejack stomped, leaning down and snorting. "I've plum had it with you!"
Rarity sniffed, lifting her head away from Applejack. "I will apologize only for the timing of my statement, not for what I said."
Twilight's head swiveled back and forth between her two friends. She took a step forward. "Rarity... Applejack..."
A hoof on her shoulder stopped her. Looking back, she saw Rainbow Dash shake her head.
"Let them, Twilight," Rainbow said gravely. "This is an old argument. They... they've been fighting about this since before you met any of us."
Twilight felt tears sting the corners of her eyes. "But... I can't just sit here and watch my friends hurt each other..."
Fluttershy stepped forward. "Rainbow Dash is right. They need this, Twilight."
Twilight felt she had no choice but to watch, given the weight of her kindest friend's words. Applejack and Rarity had stepped toward each other, noses separated by mere inches.
"You ready to do this?" Applejack growled, eyes glinting.
"I've been ready," Rarity huffed.
Applejack tossed her head back. "Pinkie Pie!"
"On it, AJ!"
Pinkie appeared between them, carrying a blue and silver boom box. Setting it down, she popped it open and inserted a cassette. She pressed play, and the area was filled with a rapid bass beat that was quickly accompanied by a synthesized melody.
Applejack was first to react. She reared back, placing her forehooves on her hips, and shook them at Rarity. Rarity spun about and began to step backwards in time with the beat. Applejack tipped her hat brim over her eyes, her other hoof shooting skyward. The hoof began to pump up and down, also in time with the beat.
Twilight gasped. "I've read about this, but I never thought I'd actually see..."
"Shh." Rainbow Dash grinned. "It's just gettin' good."
Rarity stood, moving her shoulders back and forth and giving Applejack a smoldering pout. Applejack's hat whipped upward as she performed a backflip, then landed squarely on her head as she slid onto her back, curling up and spinning in a tight circle. Rarity shook her shoulders, stepping closer to Applejack, who finished her spin, posing on her side.
Fluttershy began to clap her hooves, smiling, and Rainbow Dash kept time with her left front. Even Twilight had to admit, her friends' moves were pretty fresh.
Rarity segued into a series of graceful leaps, posing her arms during each, while Applejack began to soft-shoe. The music hit a pause, and they both stopped, resuming precisely where they had left off after the beat picked up. The two mares performed a simultaneous flip, spinning on a forehoof and moving their hind legs in sync with the music.
Pinkie kept her eyes glued to a stopwatch, sweat pouring down her face. About the time Rarity began to Cabbage Patch, she yelled, "Time!" and the music cut out.
With laughter and smiles, Rarity and Applejack embraced in a tight, back-slapping hug, then wandered off, chatting amiably. Twilight gave her friends a confused look.
"Wait... that's it?"
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "Twilight, I thought you said you'd read about this."
"Having a dance-off is just as a good as saying, 'Our problems are solved,'" Fluttershy explained.
This did not seem to sit well with Twilight, but she couldn't come up with an appropriate objection before Pinkie hopped over, carrying her boombox.
"C'mon, girls!" she cried. "We're gonna go get ice cream!"
The boombox transformed into a giant blue robot, who scooped the ponies up and flew off to get them ice cream. |
Future Progressive: The Speedfics and Drabbles of Present Perfect | Burdens of the Throne | Burdens of the Throne
by Present Perfect
The Princess of Love was angry.
Her horn hurt from maintaining the spell keeping Sombra at bay. Such pain shouldn't even be possible, but then few spellcasters were ever required to keep up such extreme feats of magical stamina. If not for her alicorn physiology, she would have given out days ago, and even that was being taxed now that Sombra had reached the barrier.
At the same time, she could see, far below the Crystal Palace, a sextet of ponies including her new sister-in-law singing and dancing as they set up... She wasn't sure, actually.
"What do they think they're doing?" she grumbled. Somepony jerked beside her.
"Huhwha? Cadie, you okay?"
Cadance turned her head towards her husband, who was trying very unsuccessfully to stifle a yawn. Shining gave her a tired smile, standing and stretching.
"Shining, you're supposed to be keeping me awake."
He winced. "Sorry, baby, I'm trying. It's just... I have to be honest, it's really boring."
Cadance sighed, biting back a retort. Exhaustion was creeping in, misdirecting her emotions. "Well, could you maybe tell me what your sister's friends are up to?"
Shining Armor trotted to the window and surveyed the scene. His eyes lit up with understanding after a moment.
"Oh! They're montaging!" He turned to her, smiling. "Twilie wrote a letter to mom and dad about it once, after Winter Wrap-Up. It's how they get big tasks done in Ponyville!"
"By singing and dancing and having fun?" Cadance narrowed her eyes. "Shining, do they understand just what a threat King Sombra is, not only to the Crystal Kingdom, but to Equestria as a whole?"
He moved back toward her and put a hoof on her shoulder. The touch calmed her boiling rage.
"Trust me, Cadie, they know. They're good ponies, from good lives, and this is how they deal with dark, dangerous things. They'll get the job done, I promise, and then you'll see that calling for them was a good idea."
At that moment, his stomach gurgled audibly.
"Whoa!" he laughed. "Guess I shouldn't've eaten that fifth corndog last night. Be right back, babe."
She leaned away from his intended kiss, scowling. "You can't just leave me!"
"I said I'll be right back." Shining rolled his eyes. "Just gotta take a quick dump. And, y'know, since we're not in a warzone or anything, it's probably better if I go to the little colts' room." He turned to leave.
"But," Cadance's eyes searched back and forth, desperate, as she tried to think around her spell. "What if I pass out? What if Sombra comes back? Can't you find a servant to bring you a chamber pot? I'm sure there's one somewhere in this castle who isn't too depressed to do menial work!"
"Seriously." Shining gave her a look. "Cade. Won't be a minute. Nothing will happen."
She couldn't hold it back any longer. "And have you ever even been in a war?"
That got his attention. He stopped, mid-stride, turning to face her with a glower.
"Listen up, soldier!" he barked. "Do you think this is a war or a fillies' sleepover? You don't have time to worry about what's happening next, you just do, understand me?"
He walked up, pressing his nose against hers. "The fate of the Crystal Kingdom, neigh, the entirety of Equestria is on. Your. Head! Are you gonna let a two-minute interruption in your schedule break your concentration?"
"N-no..."
"I can't hear you!"
Cadance drew up straight. "No, sir!"
"That's better." Shining smirked, taking a step back. "Now you just sit right there on your pretty little derriere and keep that spell going. I'm gonna drop the kids off at the pool, and if you so much as bat an eye while I'm gone, I swear to your Aunt I will throw you off a balcony. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, sir!"
Shining relaxed, grinning at her. "Yeah, I've had my share of field training. Love ya, Cadie."
And, blowing a kiss to her, he trotted off to the little colts' room. |
Future Progressive: The Speedfics and Drabbles of Present Perfect | The Summer of the Giant Moth | The Summer of the Giant Moth
by Present Perfect
From the depths of the Mareiterranean there rose the great lizard Celestiazilla. Its teeth dripped ichor. Its scales scraped the clouds. Its roar shook the earth.
Unfortunately, at that moment, in the Everfree Forest, the mane six (and Derpy) were busy blasting King Sombra's newest robot, the CrystalTron 5000, to bits with the Elements of Harmony (and a muffin cannon). The Rainbow Beam of Death™ cut a swath of carnage and friendship through the treeline and out into the ocean, straight through Celestiazilla's big, dumb, scaly face.
With a croak of harsh finality, the great beast toppled over into the sea.
But the thing they never tell you about death is, your bowels loosen and evacuate upon the moment you shuffle off the mortal coil. Yeah, it's not all lighted tunnels and visits with dead relatives. Unfortunately, Celestiazilla had been asleep for centuries and didn't really have any food in his stomach. So instead of a tremendous death poop, it was more a tremendous death fart.
And that's how the giant moth was born.
"Saints alive," Applejack said, dropping her cider to the ground.
"...So it's still there?" Twilight asked. Applejack nodded.
"Plastered to the side of the barn." Applejack nodded again I guess. Twilight almost hadn't recognized her, on account of her friend being nearly totally white, and sober.
"What're we gonna do, Twi?" AJ shook, licking her lips. "Ah got all mah crops 'n money 'n cider 'n hats in that barn!"
"There's only one thing for it," Twilight said, maring up and putting on her warface. "We need Fluttershy."
"That's a really big moth," Fluttershy said quietly, which was the only way she knew how.
"That's what Ah said," Applejack said again.
Twilight paced along the length of the moth's wingspan: twenty paces easy. It was, no doubt about it, a big moth.
"Do you have any ideas what to do about it?" she asked her friend.
"Umm, well... We could try to shoo it away..."
One round of gentle shooing later...
"Well, that sure didn't work." Applejack frowned and stomped the ground.
"Why not leave it there?" Pinkie Pie asked, suddenly appearing in the scene.
"Ah can't get in my barn!" AJ snorted.
"Actually," Twilight noted, "you can. You've got another door on the mothless side."
"Oh," said Applejack.
"Um," said Fluttershy.
There was a pause.
"It'll probably get bored soon and leave," she added.
All that summer -- the Summer of the Giant Moth, Pinkie called it -- Applejack learned to ignore the moth. It made a daily circuit of the barn, following the sun, but otherwise seemed content to just stay there. Big Macintosh didn't go in the barn. Apple Bloom thought it was fun, but her friends were warned not to mess with it. Granny Smith never noticed it was there.
Rain or shine, the moth remained. Applejack started telling time by which wall it was clinging to. The Running of the Leaves came and went.
Applejack named it Claude.
"Oh, Claude told me a funny joke the other day," she said once to Rainbow Dash, who refused to speak to her for a week afterward.
"Claude's been feelin' a little under the weather," she remarked to Rarity, who took refuge beneath a taffeta dress and wasn't seen by anypony but Sweetie Belle for a month.
Then, on the fateful day of fate, there came a sound like a tremendous death fart, and Claude fell.
"Claude!" Applejack rushed to the barn, tears in her eyes. She stood in shock over the form of the moth, upside-down on the cold earth. "Hold on, buddy, Ah'll get help!"
But there was nothing Fluttershy could do. He didn't even have eyelids to close dramatically. She just shook her head and walked away.
Then she stopped! "Oh!"
"What is it, Fluttershy?" asked Twilight, who was totally in this scene. She's nosy.
"Look."
Fluttershy pointed to a pile of big white things, the size, shape, texture and flavor of ping-pong balls.
"Are those... eggs?"
Applejack's face set in determination.
"Mah path is clear."
She gathered the eggs together and kept them in the cider cellar. She sat on them all through that winter, despite Fluttershy's exhortations that moths and chickens do not hatch their eggs in the same manner. Apple Bloom brought her soup and apples, while Big Macintosh disposed of Claude in the town dump. It was a fitting tribute.
In spring, Applejack awoke, having missed Winter Wrap-Up, to the feeling of fluttering under her hooves.
"Land's sakes alive!" she breathed.
"But moths hatch caterpillars from eggs," Fluttershy protested, before being ejected violently from the scene.
And then Applejack's farm was eaten by baby giant moths.
And as they chewed on her apple trees and gala dress simultaneously, Applejack let out a wistful sigh.
"I'm the happiest mother," she said. "Fifty times over. Thank you, Claude."
Dear Princess Celestia,
Today I learned that giant moths are a biological anomaly.
Oh, and sometimes a tragedy can become a blessing after it's passed.
Also, some ponies really shouldn't have their boutiques so close to giant moth breeding grounds.
Your Faithful Student,
Pinkie Pie I mean Twilight Sparkle |
Future Progressive: The Speedfics and Drabbles of Present Perfect | Rusty in the Giddyup | Rusty in the Giddyup
by Present Perfect
"My dear, I..."
Persnickety gazed through his monocle across the table into her sparkling eyes. They matched the orange bandanna she wore around her neck, and shone with wisdom beyond their years. The sight of her pristine green coat and flowing white mane beckoned words from his lips.
"We have spent so little time together, yet I feel I must let my heart speak." He reached out one well-manicured hoof and grasped hers, eliciting a giggle from the mare he had shared a gourmet meal with not half an hour ago.
"It was your radiant beauty which drew me to you, but I have since come to understand your true beauty... within."
"Ee-hee-hee!" the mare giggled, batting her eyelashes. "Why Persy, you know just how to charm a lady."
Her voice was not the most pleasant, slightly raspy around the edges, but he had surmised that she'd smoked in her youth. Surely, they were none of them perfect, and she had obviously quit, judging by her pristine white teeth and the pleasant aroma of lavender and lime that emanated from her.
"And such a lady you are." He drew forward, voice growing husky with fervor. "Your wit, your humility, your country charm... I had thought Ponyville a town devoid of beauty, yet I see now how utterly foolish I have been.
"I may be more foolish yet to ask this after such a brief acquaintance, yet I feel I have no choice." He sank to one knee, still holding her hoof, and gazed into her eyes. "I would be the happiest stallion in Equestria if you would consent to be my bride."
"Yee-hee-hee!" his companion cheered, wrenching her hoof free and standing on her chair, whereupon she performed a sprightly jig. "I still got it! I still got it!"
"Granny, there you are!"
The voice made Persnickety turn, to see an orange mare and a large red earth stallion running toward him. The mare tipped up her leather Stetson and nodded to him.
"Dreadful sorry, Mister, if she's been botherin' ya any. She got away from us after the spa treatment and we been lookin' for her all day."
Face a picture of abject confusion, Persnickety looked from the strange new mare to the one dancing on the tabletop, feeling a strange numbness overtake him.
"Granny? But she cannot be older than I!"
Just then, "Granny" slipped from the table, landing with a crash beneath the tablecloth, still chuckling to herself. The earth stallion rushed forward and helped her up. She shook her head to clear it, and in doing so, her perfectly smooth features unsettled, melting grotesquely into layer after layer of thick wrinkles over her face.
"Aw, fiddle-faddle! There goes mah facial!" The wrinkled old mare pouted, then grinned and began advancing toward him. "Nevermind! C'mere, Persy and give us a smooch!"
In the history of emasculating screams heard in Ponyville, Persnickety's was second only to that let out by Caramel, after a mishap at Fluttershy's cottage had launched a trio of shaken and traumatized mice into his bedroom. The beefy aristocrat's eyes rolled back in his head and he fainted dead away.
Granny Smith frowned and stuck out her tongue. "That's the problem with stallions these days: no fortitude!"
"Granny, please, let's just go," Applejack said as Big Macintosh got behind her and began to push. "It was plum nice of Rarity to get you them spa tickets for your birthday, but next time would ya kindly let the gentlepony know what he's getting' inta before he proposes?"
"Ahh, yer just jealous!" Granny huffed but allowed herself to be pushed towards Sweet Apple Acres. Then she started chortling.
"Next time, I'll let 'im know what he's getting' inta all right! Ah-hee-hee! Ah-hee-hee-hee!"
Applejack and Big Mac's faces registered equal levels of shock and disgust, and they shouted in unison.
"Augh, Granny!" |
Future Progressive: The Speedfics and Drabbles of Present Perfect | A Chance Encounter on Route 66 | A Chance Encounter on Route 66
by Present Perfect
"Rassafrassin' carburetor!"
The sun broke over the Sierra Neighvadas, reminding Wild Fire just how far she'd come from Los Pegasus, and how far was left till Las Neighgas. Her wrench slipped, landing on the gravel shoulder. As she retrieved it, she clipped the hood latch, which came down on her head.
"Stupid son of a piece of junk!" She kicked the front bumper of her souped-up red Camareo, sending the license plate clattering off onto the stones.
With a wordless cry of blind fury, she stomped around the car, kicking rocks into the distance and throwing everything she could get her hooves on. The land around her drank in the sun's rays, and her body succumbed to the temperature before her tantrum could burn itself out. Moaning, she sank to her haunches beside her car, and then to her knees.
"What am I gonna do?" She thought of beef jerky and despaired.
Her misery shattered at the sound of a horn approaching. Wild Fire's head shot up, her face animating.
"Another car!"
With a whoop, she sprang to the double yellow lines, waving at what seemed to be a fairly distant car. She squinted, unable to make out just what, exactly, was coming down the road. As the object neared, her face fell.
"It can't be!"
The other driver was not, in fact, driving a car. As details sharpened, there could be no doubt that this was actually a pony with wheels for hooves. Bright green and yellow mane stood out over a grey coat and feathers, and there was absolutely no mistaking the rainbow racing stripes curving up over her flanks.
"No, no, nononononono!" Wild Fire leapt into the air, darting for cover behind her Camareo, but it was too late. The sound of rubber chewing the pavement slowed to a stop and there came a familiar honking.
"Honk honk!"
Wild Fire groaned before poking her head up and glaring daggers at the wheeled pony. "Why did it have to be you?"
"Hoot beep beep! Honk vwoo?"
"Yes, I'm having engine trouble." Wild Fire gritted her teeth. "And no, it's not nice to see you."
"Whoop?"
"You used me!" Wild Fire's eyes nearly caught flame. "You betrayed me! I can't believe you'd have the gall to show your face--"
"Honk honk, beep beep, whomp!" The other pony wheeled around to the front of the car, looking under the hood. "Whoo, whoo, honk honk!"
"Don't wanna hear it, Wheely." Wild Fire crossed her hooves over her chest, ignoring her unwanted companion. "I don't need your help."
Wheels crunched on gravel, approaching her. She squeezed her eyes shut as a tire reached out and pressed gently against her foreleg.
"Hooonk."
One eye opened, and Wild Fire glared down at the other pony. Wheely Bopper looked up at her, face clear and apologetic.
"No!" Wild Fire snapped her eye shut. "I'd rather--"
Rather what? Rather die alone in the sweltering desert than accept help from a pony you thought was a friend? Images of racing over sand dunes and through muddy creeks together sprang to her mind. Wild Fire found it increasingly harder to hold her anger as she recalled high-fives after stunt races and evenings spent drinking milkshakes and giggling about stallions. There hadn't ever been anypony else she could connect with on that level, before or since. That's why their fallout hurt had so much.
Was all that worth throwing away? Wasn't Princess Celestia always harping about friendship and forgiveness during her radio fireside chats?
Wild Fire looked down at Wheely, her expression softening. The other mare smiled hopefully.
"Can I trust you?"
"Whoo!" Wheely spun about, presenting her back. She turned her head and grinned.
Wild Fire relaxed, stood, and clambered onto Wheely's back. "Okay. But this doesn't mean we're friends again, all right?"
"Honk!" Wheely nodded and took off, speeding toward Los Pegasus. The wind whipped through Wild Fire's mane and the road hummed beneath them, soothing her temper and her tired, overheated body.
"Honk honk, whoo!"
"Yeah. You said it." |
Future Progressive: The Speedfics and Drabbles of Present Perfect | Pareidoilia, or the Importance of Crochet | Pareidoilia, or the Importance of Crochet
by Present Perfect
Just look at this doily, would you? Rarity would be proud of it, I think, and proud of me for having finished it. Times past, I never could sit still enough for art, but these days I haven't got the pep or the spirit for doing much of anything. Pronking is no fun with arthritis, and traveling is no fun without pronking. So here I sit with my crochet to keep my mind and hooves busy until my grandchildren decide to visit.
Why thank you, dear. Believe it or not, it took me five whole doilies to get this good. Applejack's was first, just these circles that look like her cutie mark if you squint. I don't know that she would have approved of making something so fancy to represent her, but then she didn't live long enough to lose that youthful fire. It's what I admired about her, you know. They're apples, dear. Her cutie mark was apples. So were her pies. Oh, I miss those pies!
Yes, well, practice makes perfect. For instance, putting the butterflies into dear Fluttershy's doily was almost easy once I knew what I was doing. Lace really suits her, you know, soft and pliable but still warm and comforting to touch, and she loved doilies. Had them all over her cottage and had to keep making more when her animals ate them. Trust me, you don't want to see what happens when a rabbit gets a tummyful of yarn. Yes, it's just as icky as you're thinking.
Now look at this. See the itty-bitty stars there? That's Twilight's. I got brave enough after Fluttershy's to start doing straight lines, and it came out almost perfect. She'd have appreciated the symmetry, I think. Twilight did like mathematical things. And just like her magic and her friendship letters, I got inspired by my success with making her star, so I tried the irregular pattern next.
Can you believe your Granny got mad at a doily? I mean, really now, it's such a silly-filly thing to do, especially at my age. But as many times as I had to stop and start over with a whole new pattern in mind, is it any wonder I got so frustrated?
Wonder. Wonderbolt. A bolt of lightning for the best of the Wonderbolts, for my poor, sweet Dashie. She could frustrate sometimes, yes, but she really was the best of us. That's why she had to go first. The world can't handle that much awesomeness, not without spreading it over the clouds like jam for everypony to share.
I'm sorry, where was I?
Oh yes, Rarity. You see, your Great-Great-Granny Pie tried so hard to teach me crochet when I was your age, but I always thought it was boring. So of course when I started doing it myself, I had to make something worth noticing. Cutie marks are nice and all, but I wanted to capture her likeness in lace loops. Lace loop likeness, do you like that? I wanted to do it for all of them, but for Rarity, nothing less would suffice. That's how she talked.
What do you think? Really looks like her, doesn't it? Take a look at this picture, she's there with the rest of us. I think I really got the curl in her mane, don't you? She did always fuss over those curls, even after she'd gone gray.
Now I'm thinking I'll start over and do another for each of them, with their faces. Maybe even something a little more metaphorical, what do you think? That way, I'll have something to remember them by that I can hold in my hooves, not just pictures or memories. I can line them up here on the mantel so they don't get lonely, or maybe act out little plays with them.
But you didn't come here to watch your grandmother get all saddy-waddy about doilies, now did you, Persimmon? What's that? The pegasi at school are still bullying you? Yes, that's awful! I think I know just the thing, if you feel like risking some trouble, that is.
That's my girl! Now you take the one with Rainbow Dash's cutie mark, and I'll take Applejack's, and we'll make a little play right now while I tell you the story of the Mirror Pool. It was a lovely summer day and I had wanted to go swimming with Rainbow Dash, but Applejack was having a barn raising at the same time... |
Future Progressive: The Speedfics and Drabbles of Present Perfect | Somepony Still Loves You, Trixie Lulamoon | Somepony Still Loves You, Trixie Lulamoon
by Present Perfect
So I find myself in Equestria, which is strange for a number of reasons.
Reason number one: Equestria is a fictional kingdom in a cartoon show. I am a real person. This shit just does not happen.
Reason number two: I am not a pony. Everyone knows that if a human goes to Equestria, they turn into a pony; it's in the fanfiction. But here I am, standing in Ponyville town square, looking distinctly, unfailingly human. Still fat. Still beardy. Thankfully clothed. I take this as a sign that I will not be stuck here forever and ever, and also that I won't have to learn how to do everything with hooves eventually.
Reason number three: I did not particularly want to go to Equestria. I may be obsessed with the show, but I am now too old for the whole escapism via fantasy worlds shtick.
Also, I have no idea how I got here. All I know is that one moment, I was not in Equestria, and the next moment, I was. I'm an unemployed English major and I do stuff with languages. I definitely did not create or get caught in any kind of reaction that might break the fabric of space-time and shunt me into a cartoon.
Reason number four: There are ponies all around me, and they are not freaking out.
Corollary to reason number four: These ponies are not what you'd call friendly. They in fact seem to be regarding me with some level of apathy, perhaps even disdain if I read their expressions right. That's definitely unusual. Everyone knows when you end up in a terrible self-insertion "Human in Equestria" story, the ponies either freak the fuck out at your presence or welcome you with open arms -- hooves -- and neither is happening to me.
The mood around here is, in a word, muted. Foals are not cavorting through the streets. Salesponies are not shouting their wares. There's hardly any conversation going on at all, actually. I guess I'm not in a self-insertion fanfic, then. At least I don't have to worry about being mobbed by Pinkie Pie. What I do have to worry about is whether or not I can even communicate with them. I've seen that issue come up in numerous fics before, and fanfiction, as we all know, is basically a travel guide for realms of the fantastic.
I choose a target for my first attempt: two ponies seated on a bench to one side of the square, pony-watching and definitely trying to ignore me. And yes, one of them is sitting upright. I pick my way through the herd -- the streets aren't exactly crowded, but these guys only come up to my waist, so I'm gonna trip over somepony if I don't watch out -- put on my best "I'm not going to eat you, I swear" smile and approach the bench.
May it please the court.
"Lyra and Bon-Bon, right?" Boy, that sounds stupid.
Bon-Bon continues to ignore me, while Lyra groans rolls her eyes. "Yeah, whaddaya want?"
They speak my language! Joy!
"Umm... I'm not sure, really. I just got here. I am not sure how." Fidgeting. Wide grin. "Could use some assistance. Don't mean to be a bother."
"Uh-huh." Lyra waves a hoof off to my left and I turn to see what she's pointing at: city hall.
I try to defuse the mounting silence with a nervous laugh. "Isn't there, uh, a conversion bureau or something I should be going to? I mean, who handles interdimensional visas around here?" The humor, it does nothing.
Bon-Bon scoffs and climbs down off the bench. "Let's get out of here."
"Yeah." Lyra slides forward onto her hooves and they move off.
"Thanks, I guess!" Fanon, you have led me astray.
So, city hall then? Do I really want to meet the Mayor? I mean, is that a good idea?
To keep my mind off my bizarre infatuation with Ponyville's number one cougar, I try taking in the sensations of things around me.
First of all, I can't tell if I've been made into a cartoon person, or if Equestria is realistic. It's like I've lost my depth perception as well as my mental frame of reference for the way things are supposed to look. I remember what My Little Pony looks like on TV, but I'm not sure if that's what I'm seeing or not, no matter if I'm looking at the ponies or at myself. It's extremely disconcerting.
The ground crunches under my shoes. That's interesting; it at least sounds like I'm walking on real dirt or gravel or whatever. The air is moving against my skin, ruffling my shirt and what little hair I have left. It smells... fresh. Like, I shit you not, a load of laundry. Though, I guess that would be a load of laundry freshly washed in detergent meant to smell like a summer day, just not all fake, you know?
Sun's warm, check. Celestia's rays shining down on me and all that garbage. Ponyville, uh, sounds like a real place? There's not much besides ponies around to make noise.
What am I doing? Standing awkwardly around, smelling the air and getting funny looks from passersby. I need to go see someone and figure out what to do next. Someone like... Twilight.
Yes. Twilight will know what to do. Plus she'll be full of friendship, not like the strangely aloof ponos around here. And it should be pretty easy to find a huge tree in the middle of a small town, right?
It is not easy to find a huge tree in the middle of a small town, especially when no one wants to give you directions and you're in Tree City, Equestria. I've tried to amuse myself by naming everypony I see walking around, but the plethora of sour looks as I rattle off names are making that game no fun at all. I have to wonder what Pinkie Pie would do if she saw me. I mean, if anypony is gonna act closer to how I expect them to act, it'd be her, but I suppose she could also just throw a cupcake in my face while shouting "Welcome to Ponyville!" and run off.
Thankfully, despite having noticed Sugarcube Corner hereabouts, I see neither hide nor hair of her. Suddenly, I'm wondering if maybe the mane six aren't off saving Equestria or something. That would suck lots, because I'd be stuck with no money or food or friends for at least a little while, until they finished beating up Chrysalis or Sombra or the Lord of the Flies or something.
I wonder momentarily what season I'm in.
I step off the main road to let a cart full of apples -- big, uniformly red, and looking extremely good -- pass by, and then I see what I think might just be my goal. Yep, that's definitely a tree with a door in front. Lots of little balconies in the branches. Sign outside that says... actually, I'm not sure. Equestrian writing just looks like sparkles and horseshoes. Fuck, man, I can't get a break here.
Anyway, this has to be the place, so I go up to the door, knock a few times, and then crouch down because fuck me, I'm over six feet tall and fat and there's no way I can fit through this shit.
Someone's moving inside! I've got butterflies. Time to make a good first impression. God, I hope I don't smell.
The top half of the door opens inward and a purple and green face pokes out.
"Hell--whoa!"
I grin. This has got to be the best thing that's happened since I got here. "Hi. You must be Spike."
He blinks at me a few times. At least he doesn't seem upset. Yet.
"Yeah, uh... Lemme go get Twilight, hang on."
The door closes -- not slams! -- and there's more movement from inside, plus some voices. Then I can hear Twilight yell, "A what?" through the tree wall, and more movement, and finally the door opens again.
"What are you doing here?"
Whatever I was about to say dies an untimely death. I'd hoped we were past that. Dropping all pretense of being polite, I say, "I dunno. I was kind of hoping you'd help me out with that. Y'know, do the friendly thing."
The lower half of the door opens. "Get inside so nopony else has to see you."
I crouch down on all fours and crawl my way into the library. There's thankfully enough room to stand, but I need to keep toward the middle of the room to avoid scraping the ceiling.
Twilight lets out a cry of frustration. "I don't need this right now. Every time one of you 'bronies' comes to Equestria, you expect us all to just drop what we're doing and cater to your every whim. I've seen too many of my friends hurt by you creatures and your sick fantasies, so don't you go lecturing me on what is and isn't friendly, all right?"
Oh. Okay, that more or less explains everything. I clear my throat. "Sorry. Look, I'm just as in the dark as you are though, honestly. I have no idea how I got here, I didn't particularly want to come here in the first place, and I think I'd just like to leave now, since everypony's got a giant stick up their ass."
She snorts. "Well, unfortunately for you, it's not that easy." Sighing, she grabs a rather thick book off a high shelf and slaps it down on her coffee table, sending dust everywhere. Oh god, my allergies, you have no idea.
"Once you're here in Equestria, the only way to get back to human land is to do whatever it is you set out accomplish by coming here."
"But I--"
She holds up a hoof and glares at me. "Since you ended up here by accident, that means you essentially have carte blanche to do whatever you want and fulfill the requirement."
I frown. "Which is?"
"Fifteen minutes with a pony." I can hear her teeth scraping together. "You can do whatever you want with them for that time. Once that period is over, you go home." She takes a deep breath between each sentence, like saying this is causing her physical pain. "To get started, I just need your name."
Immediately, I answer, "Present--" and am cut off by her hoof slamming down on the book.
"Not your sun-damned made up fucking pony name!"
"Uh." In between heart beats, I give her my real name. She scrawls it into the book, closes it, and shoves it back into its spot.
"There. Fine. Now, decide what you want to do, and please don't tell me I'm your favorite pony."
Not anymore you ain't, Sparkle. Of course, Fluttershy's always been top of my list, but... I don't know what I'd do with her. Plus, I don't think I could stand my view of her tarnished by whatever awfulness exists in this Equestria of regret.
So who else? Lyra I saw already, and fuck her. Chrysalis would be... probably awkward and weird and I really should not tread down that path. The more I think about it, the more I realize that tarnished image problem is going to ruin just about any interaction I have.
"I'm waiting!"
Not that I have much choice. "Uhh, look, how much do most ponies know about us?"
Twilight snorts. "Not much. The further you get outside Ponyville, the less they're likely to know."
It suddenly hits me. "I think I've got it, then." I tell her my plan, and she displays a new level of disgust that I would not have thought possible a moment prior.
"You know that's going to require a lot of effort on my part to track her down."
I shrug. "The sooner you do, the sooner I'm out of your mane."
She stares at me for a good long moment, just enough for me to start sweating. That's most likely what she was waiting for, as she snorts once more and trots off to the library's lower level, calling back, "And don't touch anything while I'm gone!"
Well. That was dumb.
I have a seat on the couch, which is of course way too small for me, forcing knees up against my chin. I take a look around the inside of the library, but other than being way close to stuff, it looks pretty much like it does in the show. Which makes the wrongness of this situation all the more palpable. Why did I end up in crapsack Equestria?
Spike emerges from the kitchen, drinking something with a straw. He glances over at me, and then very obviously starts checking the room.
"Hey," he says, as casually as possible.
"Hey," I say back, feeling dumb thanks to knee-beard. "D'you, uh... Hate bronies too?"
He shrugs. "Nah. I mean, Twilight's got good reasons to be wary around you, no lie, but me? I'm cool so long as she's not watching."
Wow. Way to go, Spike. All I can think to do is hold out my fist. He looks at it for a moment, then waddles over, smirks at me, and bumps it with his own.
Oh man, so many people are gonna be jealous. I hope that doesn't count as part of my fifteen minutes. Although if it did, I wouldn't complain.
Spike sits down on the arm of the couch and finishes his drink. Then he excuses himself and heads off to do some chores, and that leaves me alone. Waiting.
Great.
I close my eyes and try to see if I can remember anything about how I might have gotten here. My memory's not that great, after all. But then I somehow get Winter Wrap-Up stuck in my head, and then the Flim Flam Brothers song, and then it's just all over. I resist the urge to stomp my feet or sing or anything. I'm sure it would annoy Twilight, and as much as I'd like to do that right now, I refuse to sink to her level.
Also I'm hungry. I wonder momentarily if I could even gain sustenance from cartoon food. What would it taste like? It's not likely I'll find out, since I doubt Twilight would be willing to feed me for any length of time, and I don't think Spike wants to test her patience any more than I do.
I get up and stretch, walking around where I can fit and inspecting things. Moving to grab a book off a shelf, I remember Twilight warning me not to touch things. Again, that rebelliousness wells up in me, but in the end I figure it's not worth it. It would be interesting to see what Equestrians write about, of course, but I probably won't have time to get too invested in anything. Browsing the titles seems the best way to keep myself occupied.
I get to the P's before Twilight shows up again, my stomach growling fit to wake the dead.
"All right," she says plainly, "I found her."
We saddle up, as it were, and hop a carriage to Manehattan. Oh boy, big cities, just lovely. The carriage driver is rather leery of me, or maybe just leering at me, but Twilight's explanation was that a train would have been too expensive, not to mention the logistics of trying to get me onto one, and a sky chariot wasn't even in the equation. I am privately thankful that I won't be added to her list of airsick brony experiences.
The ride is probably the most awkward one I have ever been on, and this is speaking as a lifelong nervous passenger. She spends it pointedly avoiding looking at me and giving curt answers to the few questions I muster up the courage to ask. Eventually, I give up and just try to ignore her.
That feel when you will never stroke Twilight Sparkle's pretty purple coat.
Manehattan as it turns out is neither as far away as I expected nor as large, though it's larger than Fillydelphia, which we pass in between. It's like everything in Equestria is scaled down for pony use. This isn't to say the buildings aren't looming skyscrapers, it's just that there are fewer of them and they don't loom quite so much. It helps that the streets are fairly broad and filled not with noisy cars but with noisy ponies and carriages like the one we're currently on.
Also thankfully, we seem to be headed not for the center of the city but to what I can only assume is an artisan district. There are murals absolutely everywhere, and strangely those are the first things I've seen that really make me feel like I'm not in an entirely different world. The art styles are as numerous as the paintings themselves, and they all tend toward bright colors even if some are more abstract and frankly more terrifying than others. I don't think they mean to be, given the overall upbeat subject matter depicted in them, it's just a style thing.
We disembark from the carriage, Twilight pays the driver, and then she tells me to keep an eye out. My height doesn't give me any advantage, because our target is nowhere to be seen.
"What if she's not here?"
Twilight frowns. "She will be. She always comes here on Thursday afternoons. We're probably just early." She blows a lock of mane off her face. "The sooner she shows up, the sooner we can get this over with and go back to our lives."
As I keep looking, fruitlessly, I notice something weird.
"They must not get a lot of humans here in Manehattan, huh?"
"I told you as much."
"I mean, they're all kinda staring at me." Silence. "Do we always show up in Ponyville first?"
"Yes." Her irritation is palpable. "Do you ever stop talking?"
"Do you ever stop being a bitch?"
Ooh, I can't believe I just said that. She whirls on me and her eyes are like fire. Twilight gallops two steps over to me, collides with my knees, knocks me over and then clocks me in the arm, which, no lie, hurts like a mother.
"Fuck!"
That feel when you will never be horsepunched by Twilight Sparkle.
"Don't you even judge me!" she shouts, attracting a lot more attention than I had alone. "My life was just fine before you people started showing up in it! Do you have any idea what your kind has done to Fluttershy? To Rainbow Dash?"
"I can guess," I say, holding my arm and gritting my teeth like a champ. "You know we're not all like that though, right?"
"I know you're all more trouble than you're worth!"
Nope, hurts too much. I roll onto my side, still clutching my arm and hissing through my teeth. "The show's about friendship and shit! Can't you at least act civil?"
Purplebitch gets right up in my face. "The 'show' is a load of horseapples! I just want you people to leave me and my friends alone!"
"Fine," I say after I've rolled onto my back. "Fine, Twilight. Whatever. I don't know what you've been through. So you keep on being bitter and I'll shut up now."
"Just what seems to be the problem over here?"
That voice! Finally! I roll over to see Trixie moving up to us. She appears the way I expected her to, cape and hat and everything. She looks at me, then her eyes flick over to Twilight and she raises an eyebrow.
"Is this what I think it is, Sparkle?" she asks.
"Yes." Twilight backs off from me. "This brony wants to meet you. Now please give him his fifteen minutes so he can leave."
For a second, Trixie does nothing. I have to wonder if she can say no or something. Then she flicks her head and says, "Very well, human. What do you wish from Trixie?"
Twilight backs off more and I take a deep breath. "Got any Tylenol? I'm kind of in a lot of pain right now."
Trixie, believe it or not, gasps in horror, her mouth dropping open as she looks from me to Twilight. My arm heats up and out of the corner of my eye I see a glow. Holy shit, magic! Feels awesome, bro, like liquid soap mixed with quantum glitter or something. And once it's gone, my arm doesn't hurt anymore. I poke it just to be sure. Nothing.
"That should last fifteen minutes easily. Feel better?" Trixie casts a little smirk at Twilight for some reason. I wonder just what her reaction is, but I've decided to focus on my fifteen minutes here.
"It is, thanks!" I smile. What in the heck could I actually do right now? "Uh, what else can you do?"
I hear Twilight groan, and the sound of what I'm pretty sure is a hoof hitting a forehead. Trixie takes a step back and launches seamlessly into a quick magical display. It's nothing much, considering, just a bunch of fireworks and light drawings, but... I'm one of those people who's always wanted there to be magic in the world, and it's just really amazing to watch up close. Maybe I did want to come to Equestria and just didn't know it.
"How was that?" she asks, with a flourish and a bow.
"Bravo!" I exclaim, applauding lightly. "You really are talented!" I figure a little ego-stroking can't hurt. After all, she doesn't seem to be as awful as Twilight, so I might get brownie points.
"Trixie likes this one, Sparkle," she practically purrs at Twilight. "Can she keep it?"
"No."
Not surprising to hear. I'm actually slightly thankful for that, though. No way do I want to end up Trixie's slave or something. Trixie makes a noise of disgust and turns back to me.
"Well? There is still time for the Great and Powerful Trixie to regale you with feats of magic. What else shall she do?"
I get a dumb idea.
"Uh. How about I do something for you?" I take a look around the courtyard. Twilight's got a book out, facing away from us but glancing over now and then. Since the fighting stopped, ponies around the plaza are shuffling back into their usual routines. It looks like Trixie even caught the attention of a couple passersby with that little display. Over to the side, I see what I'm looking.
"'Scuse me," I say as I wander up to the earth pony, "would you mind lending me that for a minute?"
He gives me a look of pure terror as he cranes his head up at me.
"S-sure," he says, holding his guitar up. "H-here you go."
Feels bad. "Don't worry, I won't hurt it." He doesn't seem reassured.
I take it back over to Trixie and sit down. Everything seems in tune -- not that I'd know, I always use an electronic tuner -- so I go ahead and start playing the song I wrote about her. Of course, pony guitar and hands, so it sounds awful. And I feel a little stupid playing it, since, y'know, stage fright plus singing about someone to their face, plus it's really, really season one. But she listens to the whole thing, and Twilight chokes on her own spit when I get to the line about shipping them, so it's all good. When I'm done, she applauds softly, with her hooves, not by stomping on the ground.
"That was..." Trixie's obviously searching for something nice to say. "Admirable. Trixie appreciates that you would write a song about her."
I smile. "I thought you might."
She glances at Twilight. "How... Er, how much time do we have?" Twilight just shrugs.
Trixie starts to look uneasy. I suddenly wonder if she might think I'm buttering her up for something unseemly.
"This doesn't happen often, does it? For you, I mean."
Probably not the best thing to ask. She turns away from me for a second, clearing her throat.
"Trixie will admit, she has not had as many... admirers of your sort. Not as many as Twilight Sparkle suggests other ponies have." She meets my gaze again, smiling but somehow not meaning it. "Which is not necessarily a bad thing, of course, given the stories Trixie has heard. The other one only wanted a magic show, and Trixie appreciates being appreciated."
"Well, uh..." I scratch the back of my neck. "I know you've had it kind of rough and stuff. Like, if what I know about you is true and all. Pretty much all I wanted to do, since I had the opportunity and stuff, was just let you know that there's someone out there who cares."
Her smile relaxes. I guess it gets more natural? "Thank you for saying so."
Better get it over with. "Could I have a hug?"
It's obvious that she's thinking about that. It takes a few extremely awkward moments for her to make up her mind.
"The Great and Powerful Trixie accepts."
I kneel down and hold my arms out and she trots up against me and then pony hugs. Wait'll I tell the guys back home, right? Well, I'm not going to, and I'm not going to describe what it was like here, other than "nice". I just went through a good deal of mental and physical turmoil, so the way this feels is my reward to myself.
She whispers into my ear, "You're not going to do anything creepy, are you?"
"No."
Goddammit, bronies, this is why we can't have nice things.
Once the hug ends, me not wanting to be greedy, I start getting tingly all over, kinda like when Trixie numbed my arm. I look down at my hands. They're doing that glowy disintegration thing.
"Aw, butts," I say eloquently. "That was not fifteen minutes just now." Sadly, my unintentional referential joke is lost on my audience.
Trixie smiles at me. Twilight moves into my view as I slowly fade from this reality. The last thing I do before leaving Equestria is give her the double deuce, because seriously, fuck her. Trixie wins at everything.
And then I'm back home.
Just, like, standing in my living room, nothing untoward having happened.
I check myself over, finding nothing amiss. I poke my arm and notice I can feel stuff, not pain thankfully, whereas before it was numb. I guess both the magic and the pain wore off when I came back here.
"Fucking shit!" I yell, twitching like an autist.
"What?" comes the voice from the other room.
"Nothing." I look around the room, just to remind myself where I am if nothing else. "Just the usual."
I pull out my desk chair and plop my ass down into it.
"Fucking ponies," I say into my palms. "Fuck."
My computer's already on. It's like I got up for a drink and stepped through a portal into magical pony land. All that stuff might as well not have happened.
But, lest I forget any details, I open up a Word document and start typing up a recap. And now here I am.
That fucking sucked. |
Future Progressive: The Speedfics and Drabbles of Present Perfect | No Jobs Tonight | No Jobs Tonight
by Present Perfect
Let me tell you about my best friend in the whole wide world. Her name is Pinkie Pie and she is my favorite pony and by pony I mean she is a magical colorful talking pony from a television show who goes on friendship adventures with her magical colorful talking pony friends. She is my favorite pony because she throws the best fun parties in the whole world and I like parties and having fun and she is happy and wacky and she smells like strawberries. She is my best friend because she goes everywhere with me. This is good because all my other friends are in the Box and I am not sure if they are real but Pinkie Pie is here and real and that is good.
My Box Friends call me PinkPartyPony which I like because Pinkie Pie is a pink party pony and she is my favorite pony. I like talking with my Box Friends because they make me feel good when I am not feeling good but I cannot always talk with them because the Box needs to be Plugged In and that means I have to go Inside and sometimes they do not let me bring Pinkie Inside with me so I have to choose between my real friend or my Box Friends who may not be real. But when the Box is Fully Charged then I can talk to my Box Friends not Inside and Pinkie can be with me there and that is good.
Pinkie does not talk to my Box Friends though. Sometimes she will tell me to say something to them for her but usually she prefers to rest against a wall and watch me talk to them. This is one more reason I like Pinkie Pie. She is usually kind of really hyper but sometimes she can just relax and be quiet when it is the right thing to do and it is nice to be together then because I can think a lot more better. Sometimes I think about ponies.
Today is a day when the Box needs to be Plugged In and I am trying to decide where to go Inside so that the Box can be Fully Charged. It rained last night and Pinkie smells more like a wet floor today than she did yesterday so I will have to find some more strawberries for her too because she likes to put them in her mane which she keeps in tight braids.
Strawberries can be hard to find. The strawberry fields are inside big cans and sometimes they have more bananas than strawberries and sometimes they have no strawberries at all and the stuff in the can just stinks really bad. I think there was a time when I could get strawberries and bananas from Inside but I forget.
I tell Pinkie that she will have to stay home today and that I will find her some strawberries while I am out but I do not tell her that it is because she smells bad because that would hurt her feelings. She smiles at me and nods and something tells me she will spend the day planning a party because that is what she usually does when I am not home. My home is my Cardboard that I share with Pinkie Pie and when she throws a party she always knows how to decorate it just right so that it becomes super cheerful instead of plain and brown. Now I am going out and I am excited at the idea that I will come home to a party and now I just have to remember where I was going.
I leave my Cardboard and there is a noise out of my mouth like loud choking and I have to stop for a second because I do not know why this happens but sometimes it does. When it happens I have to stop and listen to the choking and sometimes my neck hurts on in the inside and sometimes my chest. But then it stops and I shake my head and walk because I remember where I am going.
I walk and I walk and eventually there is the place that smells like hamburgers and sweat and it is open today and so I go Inside there. I do not really like the hamburger smell but the ponies who work there are nice. I sometimes give them bits for a small milkshake and then they do not mind if I am there all day so the Box can be Plugged In.
I have an idea and that is if I get a strawberry milkshake I can save it for Pinkie and then I do not have to worry about finding strawberries in the big cans. Also she likes milkshakes so I buy her a milkshake and that way I will be able to surprise her when I go home by giving it to her and that will be kind of like saying thank you for throwing me a party. Today I do not know how many bits is the right number because I cannot remember numbers but the ponies who work in the place with the hamburger smell help me when that happens like the one who is at the counter who says come on don't you know what two fifty is. He is a nice pony except he is not a pony and I do not know what these ponies are except they look like me except I am a pony.
I am a green pony even though my name is PinkPartyPony but my mane is pink. It is not pink like Pinkie's it is more like the color of a piece of raw fish. I am an earth pony because I cannot fly or use magic and I know this because I have tried both and the flying hurt a lot. But it is okay I like being an earth pony because that is what Pinkie Pie is. My cutie mark is a Cardboard because I can make things out of Cardboard very good and also that is where I live with Pinkie Pie.
I get my milkshake and sit down by a window and the Box is Plugged In so I look at the Box Boards where my Box Friends talk. Today they are talking about how exciting it is that there will soon be more ponies on the television. I do not have a television at home in my Cardboard but I know where to find one Inside. Going Inside is not so bad when I know I am going to watch television and sometimes I can be not Inside and watch television through a window except then I cannot hear the ponies talk but sometimes I have to. Usually Pinkie does not come with me to watch ponies because she feels embarrassed when she is on the television. And they do not let her Inside anyway or me when I am with her.
Also my Box Friends are having a contest to see who can take pictures of ponies at different interesting places. I will have to ask a pony to borrow a camera so I can take a picture of Pinkie. Maybe I will take a picture of her on the bridge where my neighbor tried to fly and he disappeared once. I tried to investigate where he disappeared to but then I forgot and I tried to fly on a building and that hurt. It is a nice bridge and will make a good picture.
Some other of my Box Friends are talking to a pony who says she is sad because her mother kicked her out of their house and she has nowhere to go. I think that is sad and I make words on the Box Board to tell her that I think this is sad but I know that she will find other ponies who will love her if she just tries hard enough and I think that is a good and helpful thing to say to a sad pony.
I think of my mother because I am certain I have one. She is probably an earth pony like me. I got my piece of raw fish-colored mane from her and so my father is green like me. I cannot imagine what color his mane is or what color her coat is. I do not know what their cutie marks are because I do not know what their names are. Maybe one of them is an artist and has a cutie mark of a painting on an easel or a painter's palette. Maybe one of them is a pegasus and that is why I tried to fly when it hurt. A pegasus father and an earth pony mother can have an earth pony foal so this is probably true.
There are more words on the Box Board from a colt who says that his job is shit. I do not know what that means because I do not know what is a job and so I try to remember. I think about a place where many ponies sit all together in rows with walls in between and there are ponies who yell at you to work faster and your output is shit this quarter and I can't believe we hired you you moron and there are big empty windows and hot lights and white walls that are dead dead dead and I want to get out please somepony help me and I slam the Box closed and I am on the floor and there is water in my eyes and a pony comes over and asks are you all right and I cannot say. The pony helps me up onto my hooves and I sit back down and say I am sorry and thank you and the pony says that's okay just making sure you're okay and then she goes and I try and try and try to forget.
I hope I did not hurt my Box. That would be very bad. I touch it gently and whisper to it I am sorry I did not mean to hurt you and it says nothing back but that is normal so I think it is not hurt. I see that the Box is Fully Charged and it is getting late and now I do not feel so good so I say thank you to the nice ponies who are not ponies who work Inside with the hamburger smell and they look at me and one says jesus christ get lost already and I take my Box and leave Inside.
I am confused for a minute because I do not know whether am I in Ponyville or Manehattan or Canterlot and home is different directions depending on where I am so I always forget. I stop a pony on the sidewalk and ask where I am is it Ponyville or Manehattan or Canterlot and they say get the fuck away from me you crazy bum and then I remember that have been in Manehattan for two months and I am still there. Home is away from the sun from the place with the hamburger smell.
Manehattan is a very nice city I think even if it has big scary dragons that belch smoke in the street and sometimes yell at you for being in front of them. There are lots of ponies and even if they call you a crazy bum some ponies will give you bits or just smile at you and that feels good and when I feel good I like to sing and sometimes ponies will smile more because I am singing and that makes me feel gooder. Pinkie is a great singer and she taught me how to sing. Today is not a singing day although I am feeling kind of good and I sit down and I forget.
A pony passes by and tosses two bits on the sidewalk next to me. There are nice ponies in Manehattan like I said. Then a pony comes out of the hamburger smell place and stands next to me and says hey look do you need some help.
I do not know this pony and it is strange that she is talking to me except oh you helped me up Inside you are a nice pony and she says yes I helped you that was me are you okay. I say yes and I remembered I am just about to go home and she says where is your home and I say away from the sun and my home is my Cardboard and she says I can find you a warm place to sleep tonight if you need it. She says I always see you in the diner and you look hungry I can help you if you want and I do not know what she is talking about because I am not hungry. The loud choking happens again and my insides hurt and she says jesus are you all right and I cannot say and there is just more loud choking and she says come on I'm gonna get you some help and she takes my hoof and we go towards the sun which is okay because I do not feel like going home just yet and Celestia has the sun still in the sky.
We walk a little ways and the choking stops and she says seriously I think you need a doctor. I am okay I say I have my Box Friends and my Cardboard and Pinkie Pie she is my friend. The pony smiles at me and that is nice because she is a nice pony and I knew this because she helped me. She says do you have a job or anything and I say no no no job I do not know what a job is and she makes a whoosh sound and I do not say. Then she says I should really take you to saint mary's but saint joe's is closer come on. I do not know what these are so I do not say and we just walk.
I like this pony and I think she could be my friend. Her coat is light blue and her mane is short and black and I cannot see her cutie mark but she sees me looking and she makes a quiet choking sound and I ask if her insides hurt. She shakes her head and I think she is a unicorn but I forget.
We go to a building that is large and old and brown and cracked and the door is very big and wood and dark. We walk up to the door and I see that it has many shapes on it like bits and cups and Cardboards and she says okay I can't be out after dark but they can help you here just go in and ask. Then she gives me a little card and says my name is Florence Florence Washington and I work at saint mary's if you ever need help just go to this address and we'll get you a warm place to stay. She goes down the steps and I say thank you Flower Wishes you are a good friend and she shakes her head again and I am pretty sure she is a unicorn. Then she walks away down the street and I am here.
I think that since Flower Wishes brought me here I should go Inside even though I was already Inside once today but that is what friends do they follow each other's advice so I go Inside. It is dark and big and stone and very quiet so I can hear my hoofsteps a lot. I look at the card I got but it does not say what to do so I put it on the ground and then I see a sign that says work center and an arrow points one way so I go. The halls are narrow and dark and it is kind of strange in here and I do not feel so good but then there is a door and it has a handle so I turn it and there is a pony.
He is fat and bald and he looks at me and shakes his head because he is a unicorn. He is wearing an apron. He says sorry mac no jobs tonight come back tomorrow. And I say but July told me to come here. And he says sorry mac but I said we're closed come back tomorrow. So I say okay and then I go and he says close the damn door but I do not hear him because the loud choking is back and it is even louder and I do not like this.
Now I am out of the door of the place somehow and there are stairs and I can see the sky and the ground and the sky and then there is a police pony and he says whoa easy there are you all right and I say nothing because the loud choking. The police pony helps me up and he grabs me and says come on with me to the station let's get you looked at but I say no please can you tell me which way is home I just need to go and he says you're coming with me but I say no and I run.
I am an earth pony so I run good but it is dark and Princess Luna has raised a new moon and I cannot see good. I should not run from a police pony because they just protect the law but Pinkie will be worried about me if I do not get home and I tell him this but he just says something to his shoulder and I run.
A dragon belches smoke at me and somepony yells and I run down an alley and I hear the police pony's hoofsteps as he runs past and then away and I am safe now and I remember this alley so I can get home now and that is good. It takes me a long time to get home but when I find home there are two ponies there who I do not know and they are dressed in dark clothes and they look mean. One of them has Pinkie by the neck and I say stop you scoundrel unhand her because that is what action heroes say when they are about to save the damsel in distress and the other one laughs and they are making Pinkie have a party with them and not me.
I get angry.
Anger is not good for friendship which is what I learned from the television when I saw the ponies but right now these scoundrels are hurting Pinkie so it is okay if I get angry so I can save her because I also learned that it is good to stand up for what is right. The first scoundrel rears up on his back hooves to attack me but I buck him in the teeth and he howls and gallops away and there is red all over. The other one still has Pinkie and he says what you want this mop so bad go get it and he heaves her against the wall and I am now very angry and I pick her up and ask if she is hurt and she says no but she is angry too now and the scoundrel is charging at us so I help Pinkie to her hooves and we party with the scoundrel. ss consider changing to 'dance' or something, since that's necessary for parties
He is a good partier. Pinkie's mane slaps against the scoundrel wetly and we have to party ten or eleven times before he stops moving and turns red and then I search his pockets for bits and find a wad of paper and some candy in a bag. The candy is white powder which is not my favorite kind of candy but maybe I can sell it for more bits. I do not like doing that because the ponies who like the white powder candy are skinny and pale and smell bad and one time I had to have an anger party with one of them because he tried to take my candy and my bits. I make sure Pinkie is okay one more time and she says yes I am okay thank you for saving me and I smile big because I am her hero and she gives me a kiss.
She says she is sorry because the party was ruined and I say that is okay and I am sorry too because I forgot the milkshake. She says this is okay there will be other days to get milkshakes and we laugh and go into our Cardboard. The party with the scoundrels was a lot of excitement for one night and I am tired and Pinkie agrees that we should go to sleep because it has been a long day and we are tired. We will have to clean up the red tomorrow and I hope the scoundrel is not still there but Pinkie says she will clean up if I cannot do it and that is good.
I lay down on my Cardboard bed with Pinkie Pie. I remember living Inside with another pony only she was not a pony because she looked like everypony else and I was not a pony because I went to the place with the dead white walls and then she said something to me that was like knives everywhere and then she was gone. I am pretty sure after she was gone that I was very alone. But then I built my Cardboard and I saw the ponies and I met Pinkie Pie behind a building where somepony had left her in a bucket and I got all my Box Friends and things are good now because Pinkie is my best friend in the whole wide world and I am not alone.
I try to sleep but there is more loud choking and I sit up and it is very hard to see and breathe and there is more choking and Pinkie says are you okay what's wrong and I forget I forget and I cannot say. Everypony wants to know if I am okay and that is good but it gets tiring to hear all the time. I say I am okay Pinkie and I make sure I am not angry when I say it because I am not angry at her. And then I look at my hoof and everything is okay because I finally found some strawberries so I go to sleep. |
Future Progressive: The Speedfics and Drabbles of Present Perfect | Handy-Dandy | Handy-Dandy
by Present Perfect
"Well, well," Rainbow Dash said as she backwinged and landed beside the small lake. The unicorn sitting on a red and white checked cloth beside it startled at her voice. "If it isn't the Great and Powerful Trixie."
Trixie spat out what she had been chewing. "Excuse me, do I know you? You know, it's very rude to interrupt a quiet picnic for two."
Rainbow scowled. "Uh, yeah. Rainbow Dash? Ring any bells? I'd kind of expect you to remember a mare you humiliated twice in a year."
Trixie's eyes widened and she stood. "Oh, you're this world's..." Then, looking as though she'd swallowed a pair of scissors, she sighed. "Please accept my apologies on her behalf, Rainbow Dash. She doesn't often tell me what she gets up to in this world, and I know she can be rather... abrasive."
Rainbow Dash blinked. Then she blinked again. Then she sat down, still blinking. "Okay. I think I'm missing something here. You are Trixie, right?"
"Yes, I am." Trixie gave her a soft. "And, more complicatedly, I am the Trixie who was born in Equestria."
She motioned to the blanket and, when Rainbow Dash shook her head, shrugged and sat back down. A small plastic package emerged from her picnic basket and she pulled a layer of film off the top. From within the container came a red stick with a dollop of brown glop on the end, which Trixie spread on a rectangular cracker. Dash frowned and tapped her hoof against the ground while Trixie brought the cracker delicately into her mouth and bit down, her eyes rolling in ecstasy.
"Can you maybe explain yourself sometime today?"
"What?" Trixie startled once more, nearly dropping her cracker. "Oh, yes. Well, the simple, if not most believable, explanation is that every thirty moons, I trade places with a copy of myself from another realm populated by strange creatures that walk on two legs."
Rainbow's eyes widened. "Wait, you don't mean the mirror, do you?"
Trixie finished her cracker, brightening. "Yes, that's the one! I'm surprised you've heard of it." She lifted a napkin and wiped it delicately across her lips. "You see, I just adore these creations, and you can only find them there, inside special machines."
She held the package up so Rainbow could see the top.
"'Handi-Snacks'? Just what are--"
"And, while I'm there, the me from that place comes here as a pony. She enjoys performing with real magic, and I get to partake in these lovely treats, not to mention enjoying things like having hands."
"Uh, but--"
"It's quite the mutually beneficial arrangement." Trixie clicked her tongue and frowned. "Only it seems she's been making something a fool of me in my absence. I will have to have some words with her come the next moon cycle."
"Now hold on!" Rainbow lifted herself up off the ground, glaring at Trixie. "Will you shut up for two seconds and tell me just what in the hay 'hands' are?"
The sound of somepony yelling came from nearby and swiftly grew louder. Rainbow turned her head just in time to see the cloud of dust coming around the lake before the pony who had been yelling collided with her.
"--AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANDS!"
Shaking the stars from her vision, Rainbow righted herself, only to get a face full of mint green unicorn. Said unicorn stood on her hind legs. At the ends of her front legs, instead of hooves, were two monstrous appendages the like of which Rainbow Dash had never before seen. She couldn't even find words to describe them. The unicorn grinned at her and shoved the things into Rainbow Dash's face.
"Those," Trixie said plainly.
Rainbow Dash's eye twitched. And then, with a deafening boom and a multicolored shockwave that leveled trees in the immediate area and sent both unicorns sprawling onto their backs, Rainbow Dash exploded.
Coughing and sputtering, Lyra pushed herself to her hooves. Rainbow glitter coated every surface in sight and there was a thick haze of colorful smoke in the air. At a strangled cry, she turned to look at Trixie, who was covered in pastel marshmallows, some of which had landed in her gaping mouth.
Lyra bit her lip and clasped her hands behind her back.
"Mistakes have been made," she said quietly.
Trixie fainted. |
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