Twilight Sparkle was quite anxious, to not say nervous.Her mentor had called them to Canterlot, again, in a span of less than a month, the letter she had received clearly indicated that whatever was happening was taking it’s toll on Celestia, the usual prim and proper way her mentor is used to write wasn’t present, instead the letter was short and to the point.
She and her friends were to go to Canterlot, and the situation involved the changelings.
The mention of those creatures sent a shiver down her spine, she still remember that day where Canterlot almost fell and her confront with their Queen.The only thing that wasn’t bad about the whole thing was that they had won at the end, thanks to her brother and Cadence.
Despite her nervousness she smiled, she had her friends, and she would be supported by them, no matter what was going to happen.
The entire trip was spent talking in small chat, none of the Bearers, save perhaps for Pinkie, were happy to see the changelings again.And the only reason Pinkie was happy was because she may be able to throw a party for them.
Arriving in canterlot, they were quickly escorted by guards to the Castle, that was unusual, but they weren’t going to complain, if the pace of the guards was telling anything, was that they had to hurry.
Soon enough, they reached the Castle, and right there on the entrance stood Princess Celestia.
“Princess!” Twilight exclaimed, running to her mentor.A simple bow and a nuzzle were exchanged before she spoke again, “It’s nice to see you again, although the situation isn’t the best…”
“It’s good to see you too Twilight, and you too Girls,” she turned to the rest of the Bearers, who were smiling at her, “Let’s go inside, our guest is supposed to be arriving soon, and it would be best if you all were there to be with us.”
They entered the castle, the guards moving besides them to continue escorting them.
“Our guest, who is him, her? is it another changeling?” Twilight asked.
“Guards, you can continue your patrols, no need to escort us further,” saying that, Celestia returned her attention to Twilight, “Her, if the letters are anything to go by, and I’m not sure of which species she is.She is helping the changelings, on a way that she didn’t explain, and it seems that she is also trying to build her own city.”
“Helping the changelings!? who the hay would help the changelings?” Rainbow Dash was almost hovering on Celestia’s face, who simply chuckled at the mare’s antics and Twilight’s disapproving glare.
Her mirth however didn’t last long, Celestia’s smile turned into a frown, and she spoke with a twinge of sadness on her voice, “If what she wrote me is true, then their Queen died on the same day she invaded our palace.Without her, the changelings would surely die off, Chrysalis hadn’t left a heir, and only a Queen can give birth to a Princess.She seems to be acting as their Queen for now, gathering the stray changelings and housing them in her city, but she hasn’t told me all her ambitions and purposes, the only thing I’ve gathered from her is that she likes to help those in need.”
The mood became quite bad when they heard that Chrysalis had died, she had invaded them, true, but they didn’t expect the Queen’s demise.
“Did… did any other changeling die as well?” Fluttershy asked next, her voice wavering at the word ‘die’.
“I’m not sure, the guard’s report was that their carapace was quite sturdy.Blows that should’ve crushed a Guard’s armor tended to be stopped by their chitin, and I’m sure you all saw they attacking by falling into the ground and high speeds.The report also disclosed that there wasn’t any deaths, I’m not sure how Chrysalis ended up deceased.”
They walked silently, mulling over the news.Soon enough they reached the throne room, where Princess Luna stood, reading something.When she saw them however, her stoic face rapidly changed into one of happiness, and she walked to them.
“Greetings! ‘tis good to see you again, Bearers.Although the situation could be much better…” the six bowed to her, which only made Luna annoyed, “no need for bowing and scraping, we are in friendly company.Now, Tia, when is this Firefly character supposed to show up?”
“She said she would be arriving when everyone was present, so I suppose any time now she may appear.”
Just as Celestia said that, a guard briskly trotted into the room, did a curt bow and spoke, “Princess, a… pony by the name of Firefly has appeared in the kitchen’s balcony, she said she had an audition with you and the Bearers.
The kitchen’s balcony? “Well, speaking of Cerberus… call her in, she is expected.”
The guard disappeared behind the double doors.While they waited, they kept glancing at each other.The tension in the air was quite palpable, and it didn’t help that Pinkie Pie was bouncing around, happy that she was going to meet somepony new.
Sooner than they expected, the doors opened, and from the outside trotted in a… pony.She was quite small, and had a light, creamy brown coat, her legs gradually went darker as they approached her hooves, which were a reddish brown color.A lion-like white mane covered her neck, and her back sported two quite large dark brown insectile wings, tucked inwards, pointing at her back which had a white, short tail.Her head sported two red eyes, not unlike those of the changelings, her mane was also white and two antennae sprouted from the top.
She looked like a mix between a moth, and a pony.
They heard her laugh, it was quite strange, possibly the strangest laugh they had heard in their life.
“I get that look a lot.”
It was then that they noticed they were all staring at her, mouth slightly agape, trying to salvage the situation, Celestia spoke.
“Ahem, well, you must be Firefly then.It’s a pleasure meeting you in person, although you’re much more… different from what I was expecting.”
She chuckled as she approached them, “I also get that a lot, well, It’s also nice to meet the rulers of these lands.Celestia, Luna, It’s an honor.” she did a curt bow, one of her forelegs held nearby her torso, “The elements as well, Twilight, Rainbow, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack, and finally, Pinkie.”
They all waved a hello, Pinkie hopped forward, examining the newcomer.
“Soooo… what exactly are you? and do you like parties? are there changelings with you right now? do they also like parties?” if it was thought to be possible to say all that in a second, then Pinkie Pie did prove it was indeed, possible.
“Not sure, there wasn’t any information about me or my kind when I came to be.Yes, I like parties and no, no changelings with me.And they too like parties, there’s a lot of good emotions floating in the air you see.”
Satisfied with her answer, Pinkie bounced back to her group, before anypony could start questioning her guest, Celestia spoke.
“It would be best to talk over a cup of tea would it not? come, accompany me.”
With that said, the entire group was led to the Princesses’ private dining room, anxious to have their questions answered.