Chapter 14: *Sigh* Changelings
"So... who's in charge now?" James asked everypony around.
"Well as I would deem, the two Alicorns would it be between." Zecora stated.
"Makes sense to me." Anti agreed.
"I was born an Alicorn, Princess Twilight was made one. She deserves to choose. So who will it be Miss Sparkle? Me or you?" Rogue asked.
"Well, you are older and have more experience, but I know the strength and weaknesses of my friends better than anypony." Princess Sparkle began.
"Come on Twi we all know it should be you!" Rainbowdash blurted.
"Well I guess it's settled then." Shadow sighed. "So Princess Sparkle, what should we do next?"
"We need to get to Celestia and the Elements as soon as possible." Twilight explained. "So we will need you to guide and guard us until we get there."
"Makes sense to me, let's go we haven't a moment to lose."
***
"I, I, I think we made it..." Flashburn panted, "Pleasure to meet you all, sorry for the rude introduction. I know your names from reputation but I'm too tired to recall them, so introductions are in order, hello! I'm Flashburn nice to meet you."
"I'm Pinkie Pie!"
"I'm Twilight Sparkle."
"I'm Rainbowdash! But you probably already knew that."
"I'm Applejack."
"i'm fluttersh..."
"So, you're Pinkie, Twilight, Rainbowdash, Applejack, and... I assume you're Fluttershy." Flashburn affirmed.
"Yes that is correct." Twilight reassured.
"But how can we know you're the real ponies that you claim to be?" Flashburn asked. "Tell me somethin only the real Twilight would know!"
"Well, umm, you see... my brother played with Smarty Pants before I did?" Twilight said.
"Pfft as if I could tell if you made that up, besides if it were something only the real Twilight would know, then how could I know? I trust you." Flashburn laughed.
"Oh, well oka..." Twilight was at this time interrupted by being hit by a sudden laser, to the face. "OW!"
"What's the meanin' a this?" Applejack yelled as she and Rainbowdash ran in between Flash and Twilight.
"Oh well, you see a changeling drops its guise if surprised by physical trauma so I had to lure her into a false sense of security then attack her to see if she was a changeling, on top of that I used a weak spell that is more powerful against changelings and other shape shifters so she should be fine." Flashburn explained. "Either that or she's a changeling in which case she'll be very injured."
"I don't buy it..." Rainbowdash growled.
"I'm okay girls, it's fine really, I'd have done the same thin..." Once more Twilight was interrupted but this time laser struck Flashburn in the face, not her. "Hmm, okay, you're not a changeling either, glad that's out of the way."
Auto flew towards them, "I saw two flashes of light, is everything okay down here? I don't think we're being followed."
"Everything's fine Cappin'! We just confirmed that we aren't changelings." Flashburn smiled. "Oh, everypony, this is Captain Auto Tomaton! He's my fearless leader. Also the only reason we are all standing here at this moment!"
"Nice to meet you, Captain. How are you doing? Can you wait to get back to Ponyville? I can't wait to get to Ponyville! Oh, I could give you a tour! We could go see SugerCube Corner, Sweet Apple Acres, The Bell Tower..." Pinkie went on, and on, and on, and... on. "and Town hall, and the Air Balloon port, and... well that's about it!"
"I'm sorry to have to inform you all of this but, the Elements have been stolen. We cannot return to Ponyville, we must go to Cantorlot at once." Auto informed them.
"What do you mean stolen!?" The all gasped.
"Well, some Freezers broke into your homes, wrecked the place, and made off with your elements!" Flashburn blurted.
"What about my animals?"
"What about the Cakes?"
"What about my Family?"
"What about Spike?"
"Tank can handle himself, I'm sure he's fine. My house is made of cloud it'll be easy to fix up."
"To the best of my knowledge Nopony was hurt." Auto assured them.
"Oh thank Celestia, how extensive were the damages?" Twilight asked.
"Well, Twilight you live in the library, a public building so it got fixed up, Applejack, your family cleaned your room, Pinkie, it honestly was cleaner after they trashed it, Rainbowdash, just some furniture and clouds, but Fluttershy... I'm sorry to say your cottage was frozen solid. It was still melting when we left and water damage will be horrendous I recommend hiring somepony to fix it while you stay at a friend's house." Auto recounted.
"You're always welcome in Sweet Apple Acres. We even have enough space for your animal friends." Applejack comforted Fluttershy.
"Thanks..." Fluttershy sighed. "Um, but, Auto... what about... Rarity?"
"Oh no... If you're the real ponies then that means... Rarity, Zecora and the rest of my team now have changelings amongst them! We need to intercept them!" Auto commanded.
***
"We have to hurry! I want to put as much distance between me and that place as possible!" Twilight commanded.
"It's strange, Twilight normally isn't like this..." Rarity whispered to Shadow. "I wonder what has her so frazzled... She hasn't even tried organizing her pack!"
"Hmm, do you know any spells of revealing? Or maybe a laser?" Shadow whispered back.
"Oh of course not dear, whatever would I use it for?" She whispered in return.
"I just wanted to know what we have at our disposal if we are attacked." Shadow lied.
"Sorry, but I'm not much for fighting, but if it comes down to it, I'll think of something." Rarity smiled.
Shadow stared at Twilight looking for anything out of the ordinary, some possible discrepancy but alas she couldn't find even one flaw that would even hint at her being a changeling... Well she was imprisoned for all that time... It would make sense if she was "frazzled" as Rarity pointed out. But the threat of her being a Changeling is too great to just be ignored, she would keep a close eye on all the others from now on.
***
Snowchaser gathered his cloak about him as the rain pelted down. "Leaving that nice cave was the worse decision I have ever made..." He grumbled in discontent. Why did it have to rain today, here of all places... but still he had to move onward. Bringing this element to her would certainly prove his loyalty and he would be accepted with open arms! That will show Absol... He'd have revenge on that backstabbing brute soon enough. Luckily he was only a few miles away. He saw a strange light pierce the cloud layer... It was bright red and it gave him sight on several flying individuals in Cantorlot Guards armor. "Maybe this storm is a boon in disguise... It may have just hidden me from discovery..." A thought rushed through his head. "I must be near the Cantorlot Caves! I'll take shelter there, for now at least." He felt the reassuring weight of the Element of Kindness in his pack and searched for the entrance.
***
"And you shall hold the Element of Laughter in your vault. Guard it with your lives as it is more important to victory then you can comprehend!" Absol growled at the leader of the final fortress of the North. "What soldiers are you dedicating to the Waxing of the Moon?"
"Squads 3 through 17 sir. Each number twenty soldiers. We are keeping Squads 1 and 2 to protect the elements and 18 through 20 so as to train them and reinforce when necessary." He responded quickly.
"Humph, The other Forts gave me more, but I guess I can't expect you to recruit or train as quickly this far from my Queen's influence can I?" Absol angrily asked.
"I'm sorry Sir, but we haven't had the provisions to tra..." It was at this time he promptly ended his excuse after receiving the mightiest glare accompanied by a similar punch.
"I don't want excuses, I want results. I'm taking Squad 18 as well now clean yourself up." Absol left the leader drifting in and out of consciousness. "Impudent fools, all of them."
***
"Auto... I think I see smoke over there... A campfire maybe? We should check it out!" Rainbowdash pointed out as they flew scouting the area about them.
"Maybe... we should inform the others before just running off to check it though." Auto replied as they flew back to the camp.
"All clear Cap?" Flashburn asked.
"We saw some smoke not even three miles from here, we think it may be the rest of our group." Auto answered.
"We need to check this out fast!" Rainbowdash blurted.
"Okie dokie Loki!" Pinkie yelled as she zoomed out of the camp toward the smoke.
"Oh no, if she get's seen by one of the changelings before she can explain herself to the others she could be in some serious trouble!" Twilight warned.
"I'm on it!" Rainbowdash called as she *cough* rainbowdashed *cough* after Pinkie.
"Oh great now two ponies have split from the rest of the party! Come on Y'all let's get after them!" Applejack said as the rest followed as quick as possible.
A few moments later Fluttershy walked out of the bushes. "Hello? Is Anypony there? Hello? What did I miss? I just saw a cutsie wutsie little squirrel that I had to go say hello to... Fluttershy you mess everything up... Well... All the branches are broken that way... maybe that's where they went?" She then slowly and cautiously followed down the path of destruction caused by her friends chasing down Pinkie.
***
Flashburn smelled a very familiar scent, old burnt wood. He also heard what sounded like Rainbowdash... "Soon we will be in Ponyville and then we will capture the Elements for the Queen..." he heard whispered. Hmmm he thought, That must be the changeling Rainbow... but where is the real one? Wow that burnt wood smells bad... it must have been soggy from the swamp water when they put it in... Where's the real Rainbowdash? He looked around, Oh I think I see some pink fur over by that tree... better check it out... OH SWEET CELESTIA WHERE DID THEY FIND THAT WOOD!? He stealthily approached the tree feeling more and more nervous. He peeked around the corner and saw Rainbowdash holding Pinkie's mouth shut.
"Remember to stay in character! That Shadow pony is suspicious already... If she overheard you blab something like that, we'd be done for..." Some changeling that sounded oddly like Applejack hissed. "We wouldn't want a repeat of the wedding now do we?"
"Shhhh! If we are overheard talking about not being overheard it will be just as suspicious." What sounded like Fluttershy whispered.
There was a rustling through the undergrowth and dense brambles as Anti-Freeze, James, Shadow, Rogue, and Zecora walked back into the camp. "We found better firewood... Oh, what were you discussing?" Shadow asked as one whom is suspicious does sound.
"Oh we were just wondering how everypony in Ponyville is doing..." CFluttershy lied.
"Everypony should be fine, last we heard Nopony even noticed the robberies until after the robbers left." James assured them.
"Robberies!?" CTwilight yelled in shock. "What robberies!?"
"Oh, yeah, we haven't told you yet... about that... as it would happen..." Rogue began.
"We were hoodwinked. Bamboozled if you will, a squad of Freezers made it through our lines and spirited away the elements of harmony." Anti put quite bluntly.
"So, the Elements aren't just waiting for us in our homes?" Rarity panicked, "Of all the worst possible things that could have happened this is the worst possible THING!!!!"
"I have to say I agree with Rarity, how could you let this happen?" CFluttershy scolded them. Until she saw how confused Rarity looked. Pony... Feathers...
"Fluttershy darling, what's wrong?" Rarity comforted her, "Normally you'd just burst out in tears or not say anything, come now, if there is anything we learned from that thing with Photo Finish, it would be to be honest with each other. You can trust any of us, no matter how embarrassing you think it is. We will still be your friends."
"Well you see...!" A voice emanated from the woods.
***
"That was exciting, but terrifying to say the least." Data Core whispered to Power Hacks.
Power Hacks looked around to assure they were alone before hissing back, "We were sworn to secrecy remember!"
"I know but still, I can't believe she was able to do that... And still basically destroy the throne room before finally relinquishing the amulet..." Data Core gossiped back.
"Data, what part of Sworn To Secrecy do you not understand? Keep the data in your core and stop risking our positions in the castle!" Power snapped.
"Fine... so, how long before she's well again do you think?"
"Oh, I don't know could be a week could be a month... wait, that is just close enough to what we were SWORN TO NOT SPEAK OF!!!"
"What were you sworn to not speak of?" Swift Code asked.
They both turned around and saw their co-worker coming out of the control room for the Device. "Nothing!" Power blurted.
"Oh well the Princess Mmmphfmmphf..." Data Core began before Power covered his mouth.
" Looks like you have a case of hoof and mouth, better be careful or you'll end up in the infirmary..." Power threatened.
"Okay, okay! Sheesh..."
***
"Robberies!?" CTwilight yelled in shock. "What robberies!?" Oh yeah they don't know about those... Flash contemplated.
"Oh, yeah, we haven't told you yet... about that... as it would happen..." Rogue began.
"We were hoodwinked. Bamboozled if you will, a squad of Freezers made it through our lines and spirited away the elements of harmony." Anti put quite bluntly. Smooth one Anti...
"So, the Elements aren't just waiting for us in our homes?" Rarity panicked, "Of all the worst possible things that could have happened this is the worst possible THING!!!!" What about... actually yeah this is kinda bad...
"I have to say I agree with Rarity, how could you let this happen?" CFluttershy scolded them. Until she saw how confused Rarity looked. Oh you are in for it now Changeling! Flash cheered on the inside, Maybe they'll see through the disguise without our help!
"Fluttershy darling, what's wrong?" Rarity comforted her, "Normally you'd just burst out in tears or not say anything, come now, if there is anything we learned from that thing with Photo Finish, it would be to be honest with each other. You can trust any of us, no matter how embarrassing you think it is. We will still be your friends." OMC really? Really? I've spent only a few days with the real Fluttershy and she'd never say anything like that ever! That's it!
"Well you see...! She's a Changeling!" Flash yelled as he bolted from the trees and blasted CFluttershy with a fiery spell of revealing that stings Changelings especially.
The clearing filled with smoke. "What in the wide world of Equestria is going on!?" Rogue yelled as she very quickly cleared the smoke with her huge wings. Only to reveal Flash pinned on the ground by a Changeling mid transformation back into Fluttershy. "She's a Changeling!" Rogue yelled as she charged to help her friend. Suddenly she was on her back though, feeling quite winded, and getting more and more crabby.
"They all are! *ack*" Flash choked as CFluttershy pushed her hoof into his throat.
James and Shadow immediately drew their blades but were disarmed just as quickly when CAppleJack and CRainbowdash Magic charged them. Very quickly the fight turned on them until Captain Auto Tomaton flew in and knocked out CFluttershy and pushed her off from atop Flashburn. With Auto's leadership the battle was quickly resolved every pony receiving only light injuries and the Changelings all unconscious or tied up. "Well that's that." Flashburn coughed as the last Changeling was restrained. Quickly everypony caught up to them and order was once again restored. "Where's Shy?" He asked.
"She was right behind us..." Twilight sighed. "I'll find her."
"No, you need to get caught up on something's I assume, I'll do it. Flashburn you tell them before Anti does." Rogue flew high up in search of Fluttershy.
"I will, I saw you telling Rarity and that was a debacle." Flash laughed, "Ow... It only hurts when I laugh, Hahaha, ow... Okay well down to business. Twilight all of your homes were broken into and your elements of harmony were stolen by Freezers. Now before you panic, Nopony was hurt."
"Spike wasn't there was he?" She asked on the verge of panic.
"No, in fact I hadn't even seen him mentioned in any of the reports..." Auto answered when Flash was at a loss. "Where is he?"
"He must've not gotten back yet then..." She sighed in relief.
"Back from where?" Flash asked his curiosity perked at the mention of Dragons.
"Oh, well when we went to get the staff I needed somepony to deliver a package to my Mother and Father, and well to tell the truth, ever since I had a piano dropped on my head, I'd never trust a package that important to the regular mail service." Twilight explained. "He should be back there right about the time we get back if he took the route I now think he took."
"That's wonderful I've always wanted to see a real life Dragon up close and personal! Is it true that they eat gems?" Flash asked.
"Yes, but I think we need to focus on the missing elements." Twilight reminded him.
"Oh yeah... good call."
"I found Fluttershy!" Rogue called.
***
Hmm these caves are really nice... These gems must be worth a fortune. Snowchaser thought to himself as he made his way deeper into the caves. He noticed something odd... That's strange... it looks like somepony has been through here recently... There were tracks leading further into the cave, it looked like a semi well worn path but... who could be down here? He started sneaking around carefully nullifying any and all sound his hooves produces and utilizing as much cover as possible. Then he saw a light. "Scootaloo, why can't you just let bygones be bygones and come visit me in Manehatten? I haven't seen you since you abandoned the Cutie Mark Crusaders and left Ponyville!" A white mare with a purplish mane said to a very disgruntled Orange mare with a very purple mane. Assumedly "Scootaloo."
"How'd you even find me!?" This "Scootaloo" Shouted back.
"I got a letter from a friend of mine whom you forced to break into a vault telling me you'd be here."
"I don't even see why you came..."
"Scoot, we were best friends, the three of us... well and Babs too... We wanted to still be friends even though you hadn't gotten you cutie mark yet! I understand things got a little tense after Applebloom got hers but we worked through it. Please just give us another shot." Luckily their conversation had bought him enough time to slip past and through and open manhole into Cantorlot itself...