//------------------------------// // Changeling Matters // Story: Guardians of Light: A Shadow Forms // by Alphadude007 //------------------------------// Guardians of Light: A Shadow Forms Chapter 29-Changeling Matters -Ponyville- Speedy huffed in frustration. "We're almost at the end of the street and still no sign of Chassis. Why don't we just go to the party right now?" He begged. "It's going to be starting any minute." Palm Spring sighed. "I realize you don't want to spend the time looking for him, but we need him." "Why?" Speedy complained, giving his partner a questioning look. "Why can't we just leave him be? You know he's just going to try to kiss up to Chrysalis and take the credit anyway." Palm tried to not show the agitation she was feeling. Yes, she agreed with Fang, but at the same time, they needed to value Chassis as a fellow accomplice in their plan. She turned and gave Speedy a stern look. "That may be. But when this is all over, you won't have to work with him again." She responded, trying to ease Fang's mind. "Because that would be such a tragedy if I stopped working with you." A voice said from behind the building the pair of disguised changelings were walking past. Palm and Speedy stopped in their tracks and turned to look into the alley to see who'd spoken to them. A black stallion with a short silver mane and tail stepped out of the shadows, Silver Star's green eyes regarding the pair with disdain. "Hey there, Silver." Palm Spring said, a strained smile tugging her features while she tried to find a way to make up for the things that Chassis might have heard. Fang didn't try to mask his anger. "Where have you been?" Speedy asked impatiently. Silver's scornful look never faded as he responded. "What does it matter to you? I could've been talking to our queen and giving you a bad report for all you know." Any thoughts of trying to make peace with the mercenary changeling vanished from Cipha's mind. "You wouldn't dare." She growled. Silver snorted. "Would I? After all, all I do is kiss up to our queen. So why would badmouthing you behind your backs be any surprise?" He retorted. Speedy shot Silver a sneer. "It wouldn't be. So what were you doing today after you left the house? Scouting the town looking for the first ones to feed off of?" "I found myself doing it at a few times." Silver countered. "There was one mare in particular. Smooth orange coat, deep green eyes, and a long blonde mane. And that hat on her head, whew! It made her look simply appetizing." He said, a smile spreading across his face. Speedy's sneer turned into a purely murderous look. "Let's get one thing straight here, Chassis." He said, getting up in the disguised changeling's face. "That pony is off limits to you. Have any other you want, but just not her." Silver regarded Speedy with contempt, his eyes then moving from Speedy's face and the saddlebag he just noticed on the disguised changeling's shoulder filled with apples. Silver's look of contempt softened as he gave Speedy a smile. "Aww, does wittle Fang have a cwush?" He asked in a babyish tone. Speedy grit his teeth and prepared to jump the indignant changeling when a cinnamon blur shot between him and Silver. "HEY!" Palm Spring shouted, looking back and forth between the two stallions. "Put a lid on it, Fang. I don't want to hear any more of your bellyaching today. And Chassis, I don't want to hear another snide comment leave your mouth tonight or so help me I will report you both to Chrysalis for inhibiting our progress." She snarled in a dangerous tone. Both Chassis and Fang gave Cipha a surprised look before giving each other a hateful stare. "Now we are going to go to the party, find that unicorn, and get out of here first thing tomorrow morning. I don't want to hear another peep out of you two unless it's something pertinent to the mission or of extreme importance. Got it?" She asked, baring her fangs at the pair of changelings she stood between. Without taking his eyes off of Silver, Speedy spoke up first. "Fine. Shall we go to this party and have a good time, Silver?" He asked begrudgingly. "I couldn't think of a better way to spend my evening, Speedy." Silver replied venomously, neither changeling taking his eye off the other. "Well what are we waiting for? Let's get going." Palm ordered, motioning for the two to follow her to the party. Slowly, Silver and Speedy turned towards Palm and began following her, their stares slowly becoming focused on the road ahead of them. It was a long and silent walk to Sugarcube Corner that evening. BRAAAP! The sound rang throughout the library as Spike made known his appetite's appeasement from the meal he'd just eaten. That amethyst and sapphire sandwich with a glass of milk and one of Pinkie's cupcakes did wonders for his hunger. "That was a big one." Spike commented on his belch, patting his stomach with a look of satisfaction in his eyes. "Hoo." An owl sounded behind him. Spike turned around to see a look of disgust on Owlowiscious's face. "Oh don't you have a mouse to go eat or something?" Spike asked, giving the bird a glare. "Besides, Twilight isn't here to say I couldn't do that." "Hoo. Hoo hoo." Owlowiscious said, flapping his wings in disapproval. Spike sighed. "Alright, alright. I won't do it anymore. Besides I need to get the library ready for the meeting tonight anyway." He said as he began walking towards the atrium of the library. "Hoo hoo?" Owlowiscious asked, flapping off the windowsill and began following the young dragon. "Yeah. Twilight's arranged some sort of meeting tonight with the girls." Spike responded, his mind beginning to wonder about what would be discussed. Well the Elements of Harmony are a guaranteed subject. But what about those 'Guardians' that I read about in that book? And didn't Princess Luna say something about her having a dream too? Why not ask her to join us? He pondered. "Hoo?" Owlowiscious asked as the pair exited the small tunnel that led from the kitchen to the atrium. "Nah. I've already gotten it all taken care of. Thanks though, Owlowiscious." Spike said, giving the owl a slight smile. "You can go on and do what ever. I'll just make a final go-through of the preparations." The owl nodded and flew out one of the open windows. Spike turned and looked at the atrium, his mind going over the list of things he did to get the place ready. From what he could see, everything was set. The books he'd picked out for the girls to use in the meeting were neatly stacked next to the wooden horse head statue in the middle of the room. All the books he'd taken off the shelves were placed in their correct spots. The glass case that contained the Elements stood proudly on the other side of the room. Something about the Elements drew Spike over to the case, his green reptilian eyes fixated on them. Such power, such pure good force in the form of five necklaces and one big crown thingy. If we have these things, why even bother with those Guardians. Spike figured. Suddenly darkness enveloped Spike's vision. The glass case containing the Elements faded from view and into the blackness. Spike's eyes widened as he looked around, only to see nothing. A voice sounded from overhead. "There will come a time when peace can only be achieved through violent actions, young dragon." Spike jumped at hearing the alien voice. "Who are you?" He asked nervously, his eyes darting to and fro in the black. "I am one who is of the same mind as you, Spike. I seek to help others just as you help those around you." The voice replied, its words beginning to ease the dragon's mind. "O-okay." Spike replied uneasily. "But… where are you? I can't see anything in here." "It is hardly of any concern, young dragon. But to answer your question, let's just say that I'm buried with history." The voice responded. "Buried with history." Spike repeated, his eyebrow cocking at the phrase. "What does that mean?" The voice chuckled. "Forgive the cryptic response, but the answer to that question will be answered in due time." "Wait. Are you the one that gave Twilight that vision was talking about earlier?" Spike asked, his eyes lighting up with realization. "Yes I was." The voice replied. "I spoke to Twilight as I am now speaking to you, Spike." Spike's eyebrow rose. "How do you know my name?" "There is only one that I do not know completely." The voice replied, its voice hinting disappointment. "For everyone else, however, I know them completely." "So are you going to give me a vision like you did to Twilight?" Spike asked, a hint of fear in his words. "No, Spike. What I have to say to you is far more important." The voice said, Spike's eyebrows rising at the words. "Twilight is calling for a meeting to discuss her vision, is she not?" "Yeah. She should be back any minute now. How'd you know about that?" Spike asked. "My eyes can see far beyond the temple I currently inhabit. But that is beside the point. Who is coming to the meeting?" Spike ran over the list of ponies in his mind. "I don't know if you know them, but excluding myself and Twilight, they're Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie." He listed. "Is Princess Luna not coming?" The voice asked in a concerned tone. "Not that I know of." Spike replied. "Should she?" "It is of absolute importance that she acquires the information I am about to give you." The voice said urgently. Spike nodded. "I'll make sure she gets the message. Now what is the information you want me to give?" "And you're sure you'll remember it?" The voice checked. "You can count on me, weird voice in my head." Spike said confidently. "Very well. Listen closely and ask for the first verse at the meeting before repeating this information." The voice said, Spike nodding in response. "Very well. Here is the message: "In the desert sand and the wizard's tomb, Lies the answer to darkness's doom. When the West is shaken to its core Shall come the beckoning call to war. With a union of hoof, horn, fang and beak On both light and dark, havoc shall wreak." Spike blinked. What did he just hear? Was it some sort of riddle or poem? "Remember those words, Spike the dragon. And do not fear when the mountains ring, for the ringing is the the death knell of our enemy." The voice said in an assuring tone. "Enemy? Who's our enemy? We're not fighting anyone." Spike pointed out. "In due time. Until then, Spike, I bid you farewell." The voice said, Spike seeing the blackness beginning to fade. "Wait! What was that about mountains ringing? And what did those phrases you said mean?" Spike asked, but no reply came. "Fine. I guess I have one more thing to ask Twilight and the others tonight." His green eyes narrowing in thought. What did all those things mean? Spike blinked to find the darkness was gone and a view of the ceiling was in its place. Spike's eyes looked to his side and saw a pair of scared purple eyes staring back at him. Standing over the dragon was a rather concerned looking Twilight. "Spike! You're awake." The alicorn breathed a sigh of relief. "I came back to the library and saw you lying on the ground. I thought you were just exhausted from working but when I came inside and got a closer look, it looked like you were under some sort of spell. Are you alright?" She asked in a concerned tone. Spike gave his guardian a reassuring grin. "I'm fine, Twilight. I don't know what just happened, but I'm alright." He said, grunting as he got up off the wooden floor. "So you don't have any idea as to how you got on the floor?" Twilight asked, one eyebrow cocking up at the dragon. Spike rubbed his head as he got up off the floor. "I was just looking at the Elements and next thing I knew some sort of darkness covered my eyes. I guess that was when I fell on the floor." He replied. "I also saw your eyes when you were on the ground. They weren't your normal green." Twilight said, her assistant giving her a surprised look. "They were glowing purple." A connection sparked in Spike's mind. "So that was the same thing that gave you the vision." He concluded. "You must have just had a vision by the same thing that gave me one this morning. What exactly did that voice say?" Twilight asked, narrowing her eyes in thought. She could only imagine what the being had told Spike. A prophecy? A riddle? "He said for me to ask for the first verse before saying it. Any idea what that means?" Spike asked, Twilight disappointingly shaking her head. "Oh well. It sounded like a riddle or something though." Twilight sighed. "Well then I guess we'll just have to wait for the meeting tonight to hear it. So is everything ready?" She asked, shifting the focus of the conversation. Spike nodded. "Yep. I've got some books ready for the meeting and tidied up the place while you were out." Twilight gave the dragon a smile. "Thanks, Spike. Now come on, let's make some dinner. The others will be here soon and we can't have a discussion on an empty stomach." She said, walking down the tunnel to the kitchen. "I'll be right behind ya." Spike said, turning his eyes to the Elements. There will come a time when peace can only be achieved through violent actions…. The voice rang in his mind. -Mountain cave, Northern Equestria- "So you have confidence in the changelings that you sent?" The Shadow asked, his yellow eyes glowing with anticipation. The changeling queen straightened. "Actually it was my captain that picked them out. If you wish to ask for their credibility, he would be the one to ask." She said, casting a glance at Raspian. Raspian looked from Chrysalis to the swirling mass of blackness in the corner and back again to his queen. "Well I sent three specific scouts that are trained in how to blend in with the populaces of Equestrian societies." He said, hoping his words appeased the shadowy figure before him. "Describe them." The Shadow said, earning a confused look from the changeling captain. "What are their names? What is their character like? Describe them to me on a personal level." Raspian mustered what courage he could scrounge up and looked squarely at the shadow. "And why would you want to know, Lodestar?" He asked, immediately expecting some sort of rebuke. "I merely wish to know who it is that will be setting me free and how I can best thank them. A look into their personalities can help me with that." The Shadow asked, to Raspian's surprise. Raspian cast his gaze at the cave floor for a moment. "Hmm." He looked back up at his inquisitor and responded. "The first one I picked was a female changeling named Cipha. Then after that I picked two male changelings named Chassis and Fang." He said. "Interesting name. Continue." The Shadow said. Raspian began to think on the character of each of his scouts. "Cipha I'd probably say is the most professional of the three. She's always focused on the task at hoof and doesn't really allow much wiggle room for distractions to get in the way." The Shadow nodded. "And what of Chassis?" He asked. Raspian rolled his eyes. "What hasn't been said about him?" He said, Lodestar's eyebrows rising in response. "Sure he can get results, but he's a bit of a loose cannon. Usually tries to look his best whenever authority is present." "So what do you mean by your first statement?" The Shadow asked. "Does he not have a good reputation among the others?" Raspian sighed. "Well he doesn't really gain favors with the those he works with. He isn't usually a team player and mostly just looks out for himself. Some call him a mercenary, but I just call him an opportunist." He said. "I see." The Shadow replied. "And your final scout? Fang, you said, right?" Raspian nodded. "Yes. If Chassis and Cipha were put on opposite ends of a spectrum, Fang would be somewhere in the middle." He said. The Shadow began to think. Maybe I can persuade both him and Chassis, should he have the right character traits. "Interesting. How so?" "He usually stays focused on the mission when he is given one, but that doesn't mean he won't go out of his way to make his case very convincing. Out of the three, he's probably the best at blending in an Equestrian society." Raspian responded. The Shadow reviewed the three changelings in his mind. "Hmm. And you trust these changelings to be effective?" He asked. Raspian gave Lodestar an inquisitive look. "I do not know how that is relevant, but yes. They have my confidence that they are loyal scouts who will get the job done." "Sounds like this mission will be a success based on what you've said of those three." Lodestar said confidently. And what do you think of your captain, my queen? Lodestar's voice rang in her mind. Chrysalis's eyes narrowed at the black mass of shadow. How are you able to do this? She asked. Communicate telepathically? I have always been able to. It's a little fun to go into somepony else's head and have a chat. Lodestar's voice said in a lighthearted tone. Well stop it! Chrysalis thought, giving the shadow a stern look. Knowing you can read my thoughts does not help me trust you. I'm not asking for your trust, Chrysalis. However I did ask something you haven't answered yet. Lodestar pointed out. Chrysalis thought back to earlier in the conversation. Was it something about how I view my captain? Precisely. Describe him in the way he just described his scouts. Lodestar said, almost sounding like an order. Why should I do that? Chrysalis demanded. What is it with the sudden interest in our personalities? Like I said. I simply want to know you better. Lodestar responded calmly. Chrysalis looked down at Raspian, who was still staring at Lodestar, almost as if waiting for him to make a move. He's certainly one of the more loyal changelings in my hive. She thought. He is always available to help and his skill in combat is without question. Loyal, is he? How loyal? Lodestar pressed. Chrysalis sighed. To the point of death, if I may dare say it. It is good that you have such good changelings around you, Chrysalis. Lodestar said. I can't say I've had anypony like that. My only experiences with allies was that one got sidetracked by the gift I'd given him and the other thought that what I had to offer was not worth the effort. Chrysalis snorted. Ponies in the past you tricked? Or ones that volunteered to help? She asked. They volunteered. They knew what they were doing when they accepted what I had to offer. Would you do the same, Chrysalis? Lodestar asked. What I am giving you in exchange for my freedom is an opportunity that is seldom found. Would you take advantage of it or try to find a chance that may not even work? Chrysalis looked at the ground in thought. My captain and I wouldn't be working towards freeing you if there was a safer way of recovering from the famine my hive is experiencing. And they will not be hungry for much longer, my queen. Lodestar said reassuringly. Upon my freedom, their hunger will be a thing of the past. -Canterlot- Discord looked out at the mountains to the north, sadness filling his gaze. He'd seen the thing was imprisoned somewhere in those snowy cliffs. He'd seen what it was capable of. The worst part of this whole thing was that he knew that monster would be free this time tomorrow. And when the Shadow would be free, not even the spirit of chaos could imagine the destruction he would rain down upon the world. When he's out, Canterlot will be his first target. Discord thought, his eyes turning to the city below the balcony he stood upon. Thousands of ponies were going home or getting ready to depart their workplaces as the day was coming to a close. Fillies and colts were probably doing homework before dinner, couples would be turning in for the day to be together, and the elderly would get ready to watch the sun set on yet another day. So much will change when he comes here. He'd ruled over Equestria at one point a thousand years ago, but not like he knew the Shadow would. Discord knew that one difference between himself and the Shadow was that at least he had a system of personal honor to abide by. Discord would toy with his enemies and bring them to their knees before him without uttering a single threat. The Shadow's tactics, however, were much more drastic. Discord knew that the monster in those mountains would not hesitate to kill anyone that stood in his way. And this city will be between him and his targets. Discord thought, heaving a sigh. There must be something I can do to help. "Discord?" A feminine voice behind him asked. Discord's ears twitched at hearing the familiar voice. "Good evening, Celestia." He addressed the sun goddess, turning around to see her. "What brings you to this balcony?" "I could ask you the same thing." Celestia said warily. Discord gave Celestia a defeated look. "Oh come now, Celestia. Even after all we've been through, you still don't fully trust me?" He asked, giving the alicorn his best puppy eyes look. Celestia shook her head. "Don't make this a question of trust, Discord. I do have confidence that your actions are for the betterment of Equestria now that you've been reformed. But you must excuse me if I have my misgivings." Discord nodded. "Understandable. So have you come to lower the sun?" He asked, gesturing to the low hanging sun to the left him. "I have. Now if you could be so kind as to step aside so that I may carry out my duty." She said, motioning for the draconequus to move. Discord took a few sidesteps in compliance. As he watched Celestia lower the sun, he couldn't help but think about what the Shadow will do when he reigns. To think this will be one of the last times I see this happen. No more sun, moon, or stars. Just darkness. When those mountains ring, the long night will soon be upon us all.