Finishing Touches
"Have you been able to learn anything about their language?" Setae sat on a freshly made throne in what used to be the Princesses' throne room. The previous occupants' seats had been removed and presumably destroyed, if his orders had been followed.
"Yes, Highness. I have been able to learn enough that I think I could conduct the interrogation."
"And our ... guests?"
"Conscious, and adequately cooperative."
"Then let us proceed."
The enormous king stood and started toward the castle's dungeon. He glanced out a window as they walked.
This city was no longer recognizable compared to what it had been in the past. He smiled as he looked out on it. No more would changelings be in the shadows. Now they had this, what used to be the capital city of the ponies, converted to their own. The damage from their Queen's attack had been repaired; most buildings had been demolished and replaced with new, less-sickening designs from his hive's structural corps. The city's defenses had been bolstered, and an outright siege was nearly suicidal. His guards, ever alert, patrolled the new battlements that had been erected. There was only one location where his drones were permitted to land and to take off. Any who did not use that location were subject to immediate arrest. Infiltration would be the only way anybody could get in, and there were means of detecting any ponies who attempted to use magic to disguise themselves. It would be foolishness to try and out-changeling a changeling.
Spires of black rose from the ground, illuminated in a faint purple glow. More eggs and larvae were being brought from the hive every day. When his scouts had discovered the massive caverns beneath the city, he had made up his mind that this would be an excellent place for them to relocate. Those caverns would be the perfect shelter for the growing brood, to say nothing of the rich mineral veins from which materials could be excavated. He guessed that this site would be adequate for a few decades before relocation even needed to be considered.
The gauche stained glass windows had been removed and replaced with more sensible mosaics. One detailed the attack on this city, another detailed the King's glorious victory over the pony Queen. The majority of the others depicted various stages in the conversion of the city from its old and drab state to the powerhouse it was now. Changelings had, for too long, been subsisting in the shadows, stealing what they could, hiding like animals. He was going to bring about a revolution. He would industrialize, expand, and bring his influence to all corners of the world. It had already started, and it was beautiful. There was no point in resisting, and he was sure the ponies would see that eventually. He would be a benevolent ruler. The ponies wouldn't be killed, they would be allowed to live their lives, to have their farms, to tend to their fields, to enjoy their jobs and one another's company. After all, happy subjects would make more productive cattle, and his changelings needed their love to survive. Things might be tough for a while, but eventually his pony subjects would come to appreciate him, as he would keep them safe from the Griffon kingdoms, incursions from the dragon lands, and any other threats. When they saw how his might was able to provide them happy lives, they would bow. They would come to love him.
He was sure of it.
He just had one little problem to tend to.
"Have you been able to find anything out about their Queen and her princess?"
"Ah, yes, your Highness," the drone who had been assigned to research their language replied as they continued walking, "it confused me at first, but I am sure that this is accurate; they have no Queen. Both the ones we captured and the big one's sister are considered Princesses. The stallion is, as best I can tell, a Prince, but of Kings or Queens I have been able to find nothing."
"That's absurd. You must have missed something."
"Yes, sire. I am hoping that today's interrogation may shed some light on the issue."
The guards at the dungeon door saluted sharply as the King approached. He gave them each curt nods, at which point they opened the doors and allowed him and the drone entry. The dungeon had remained largely unchanged. The heart shaped wrought iron of the cell doors was left intact, the pink banners. The only things removed were the emblems of the previous rulers.
He was not a cruel King. He would let them keep some memories of their homes, even if the design choices were truly awful.
Toward the end of the cell block, in the largest available cell, the Queen, or rather Princess, had been deposited. In the cell opposite, the other Princess and Prince had been left. Separating them was unconscionable; even in this situation the amount of love they produced when in close proximity was a font of energy unlike anything he'd ever seen. He knew better than to let them get close enough to touch, however. They were all three kept suspended in cocoons, but the Prince and Princess were kept separated by several meters.
When they came to a stop outside the big one's cell, she glared at him with an intense hatred. He grimaced; it was bitter.
"Ask her what her name is."
"Yes, Sire." He began to speak.
* * *
"What name?" The drone asked in a very heavily accented and broken English.
"Celestia," She replied curtly, "My name is Celestia."
The drone relayed everything she said back to the King after she said it. At least, she assumed that's what he was doing.
"Where king?"
"Right next to you."
The drone seemed displeased by this answer. "King of Celestia."
"There is none."
"Queen of Celestia."
"There is none!" She repeated more emphatically.
"You Princess."
"Yes!"
"Then need King or Queen."
"I assure you, I need no such thing!"
The drone again relayed the information to the king, who snarled and barked something to the drone. He nodded and turned back to Celestia.
"Celestia, we kill friends. One each hour until you answer. We start with other Princess? Maybe we start with Prince?" He gestured to the cell behind him. Both Cadance and Shining Armor obviously heard, but their faces were resolute.
Celestia, for her part, was still smart enough to know that was a bluff. "Those two have got to be the only source of love you have in this city right now. I'd wager they're the only thing keeping you all fed. Want to kill them? Be my guest."
The two lovers nodded in response, ready to take the risk.
The drone relayed this all to the King again, who growled in rage and nearly roared something at Celestia.
"He say pain?"
"Pain? Oh, did the big bad changeling get a boo-boo?"
"What means boo-boo?" He shook his head. "No, he say if you not tell where king is, you pain."
"Torture?"
The drone nodded. "Big pain."
"Torture me all you want. It won't change the fact that there is no King or Queen."
The King's horn lit up, and he withdrew a hot iron from a nearby fire that was graciously being used to warm the dungeons for their prisoners' comfort. It glowed yellow at the tip, and bright orange halfway up. He slid it through the bars and brought it slowly closer and closer to Celestia's cocoon, eventually sizzling through it and bringing it up an inch away from her left eye. She stared at him, holding her eyes steady, and saying nothing. Even as the cocoon's contents drained, boiling slightly around the super-heated iron, she didn't flinch.
She was definitely telling the truth. Either that or she just had the most incredible willpower of any creature he'd ever encountered. He withdrew the iron, and the cocoon sealed itself. He tossed the piece of metal back into the fire.
"I believe you," He said, and was translated by the drone, "nobody withholding information could be so resolute under threat of such torture... but I am not a cruel King. I will not bring harm to you if I do not have to. Your city is already captured," he gestured around himself, "and the battle is already won. Anything more would be uncivilized. Indeed, I hope that soon you will stop fighting us, and we can release you from this cell. The sooner you help us find the ponies who escaped, the better this will go for everyone. We have no desire to harm anyone else."
"I'm quite sure," Celestia grumbled, "you've been positively magnanimous thus far."
"I not know that word." The drone said, irritated.
"Doesn't matter. Tell him I said 'fat chance', and that'll get the point across."
The drone, being unfamiliar with that idiom, translated literally.
"She say big chance."
The King smiled. "I'm very glad to hear it," He turned and started to leave the room, "tonight, cut her head free of the cocoon, and bring her some actual food. Cooperation will be lavishly rewarded." He left the room feeling very satisfied with himself and his diplomatic skills.
* * *
"Mom!" Scootaloo beamed and ran over, hugging Echo tightly. Tears were streaming down her cheeks already. "I missed you!"
"Oof!" She laughed as she was hugged. "You've seen me every day."
"Yeah, but I haven't been able to hug you." The filly nuzzled into her mother's neck. "I missed you so much."
Echo's heart melted and she nuzzled her daughter back. "I missed you too, featherduster."
"So," Twilight started, "Ricochet. I'd like to talk to you about something, if I may?"
"Oh, is this about the library? Don't worry, Princess Luna already said you can have free reign over it."
"Well, that's good to know," she did seem to perk up at that news, "but that's not what I wanted to talk to you about..." She started to pull Ricochet over aside from everyone else.
"What is it?" He asked once they were out of earshot.
"You're in love with Echo?"
"Oh... she told you about that? Look, I shouldn't have said anything, it's just that I --"
"Isn't that dangerous for you? I mean, changelings loving other changelings?"
"Dangerous?"
"I mean, you need love to survive, and sometimes it's pretty hard to come by. If you're in love with her, doesn't that basically mean you're going to be involuntarily giving up some of your own food supply?"
"Well, yeah, but --"
"Ricochet, you're gonna starve yourself to death."
"It's gonna be fine, Twilight, I have eno--"
"I can't let you do that. What kind of Princess would I be if I let any of my subjects starve to death?"
"Okay, but--"
"I need to find some new way for you to get love. There's got to be a couple somewhere here who'd be willing to let you spend some time with them."
"Twilight, will you please let me--"
"I've got to go try to find something," she turned to leave, "I'll be right--"
"Twilight!" Ricochet shouted, getting her attention. "Would you please listen to me? I'm gonna be fine."
Twilight stopped and turned back around. She looked at Ricochet sadly for a moment. "How do you know that?"
"Because, I've been worse off than this, and I've made it all this time without any trouble. If I were gonna start starving, I'd have started a long time ago. Maybe changelings aren't so bad at sharing love as we thought?" He shrugged. "Bottom line, Twi, is that there's no problem. I'm fine." He smiled. "Really."
"Are you sure?"
He laughed a little bit and shook his head. "I'm gonna try to say it for the seventh time. I'm fine, I'm gonna be fine, you don't need to worry."
Twilight hesitated for a moment, but nodded. "So, um... she doesn't feel the same way about you then?"
"No. She made that quite clear."
"Are you sure? Because from what I learned about changelings, you should be starving by now."
"Maybe you made some errors in your studies?"
"I don't do that." She seemed almost offended.
"Okay. All right. Well, um... maybe someone has a crush on me?" He shook his head. "All I know is, I'm fine. Nothing's wrong." I mean, it feels like my heart is breaking in two every time I look at Echo, but other than that, peachy keen.
"If you're sure, Ricochet. Just... if you need help, you know where to find me." She patted him on the shoulder and headed back toward the castle. The library was still in need of re-cataloging. Such a wealth of knowledge that had been sitting on those shelves for a thousand years, untouched. She practically salivated at the idea alone... and with that, she was off.
Ricochet sighed heavily and walked back over to Echo.
"What was that about?" She asked, as though she didn't have an idea already.
"Just Twilight being Twilight. You know how she gets." He laughed a little nervously. "Anyway, it's good to see you back up and on your hooves, Echo."
"Thanks, Ricky." She smiled a little. "I'm gonna miss my wings, but I think all things considered, my recovery has been outstanding."
He nodded. "You had us pretty scared there for a while."
"You were scared?" She let out a chuckle, "You have no idea how much it hurt when I woke up... I kinda wished I'd just died for a few minutes there... that is a scary thought to have."
He seemed to whimper a little. "I can imagine so." He tried to fight it, but couldn't anymore. He pulled her in for another hug, which she returned slowly.
"Hey, it's all right, Ricky. I'm gonna be fine, even if I can't fly anymore. You kept Scoot safe, and somehow kept Mother from turning all of this that you've built into rubble."
"Honestly, that's probably mostly Luna and Twilight."
"I'm sure you helped."
"Not really." He waved a hoof as he let her go. "Anyway, um... I don't really want to leave, but we finally have enough stone cut that I can start rebuilding the parts of the castle that have fallen apart over the years."
"Need any help?"
"Do you know how to make valite?"
She winced. "Nah, they never really taught us that."
"Then don't worry about it. I'll be fine." He smiled and started walking off through the little village toward the castle. "I'll see you later, okay?"
"Yeah, see you, Ricky." She waved as he left.
Scoot leaned against Echo's side and raised an eyebrow. "Y'know, I don't know much about how this whole dating thing works, Mom, but I'm pretty sure he's nuts for you."
"Yeah. He is." She nodded.
"Ohhhh. So you're not nuts about him?"
"He's a sweet kid, Scoot, but he's closer to your age than he is to mine."
"Whoa, really?"
"Yeah, really." She smiled. "Besides, I really just never had much interest in romance, aside as a source of food."
"Freaky bug-mare." Scoot chided playfully and nuzzled Echo's neck.
"Speedy feather-butt." She chided back. She did have to wonder if Ricochet would be all right, though. He'd seemed thoroughly crushed by her rejection. He is kinda cute though. No! No, I can't be thinking like that. It's not fair to him. "Let's go get you some food, I can hear your stomach rumbling from here."
"All right, Mom!" She smiled and followed alongside Echo.
* * *
Ricochet flew the rest of the way once he was out of Echo's view, and came to rest at the stone quarry. Over the past couple weeks, he'd had crews of ponies with brand-new tools, and a few unicorns helping to cut stone bricks from the side of a nearby mountain. They had, Ricochet estimated, at least 300 cubic meters of granite carved out into bricks that were about 50 centimeters long, 25 centimeters wide, and 25 centimeters deep.
"Outstanding, mares and gentlecolts! Color me impressed." Ricochet smiled. Truthfully, a changeling hive would have accomplished this task in much less time, but he could tell these ponies were working their hardest and he wanted to give them some encouragement. "I'll be talking with the princess about getting each of you a little extra rations for your dinner tonight." There was a cheer that came from the workers, which only made Ricochet smile brighter. "Now then, let's see if we can't load these bricks up onto a cart and move them over to the castle so we can start patching up the areas that need it. How are we on mortar?"
"We've got three carts full of it, sir." Sawdust said proudly. With the amount of time that had gone by and the results Ricochet had managed to bring out from his crew, the changeling had garnered a great deal more respect from his forestallions. They no longer second-guessed any of his directions; he'd proven himself well enough that they had no reason to question his decisions. Even if it made no sense at the time, there was always a reason for it. Sometimes it just would take too long to explain, and was better to demonstrate.
"Excellent, that's fantastic, Sawdust. Let's get it all moving, shall we?"
"Aye sir. You heard the stallion, let's go everyone!" He clapped and turned around.
Things were coming together. Ricochet flew up a ways, so he could see the castle in the distance. Their little village was now appreciable even at this distance, two or three kilometers away. Smoke rose from chimneys, the faint distant sound of village life rang through the thick Everfree air, and aside from looking like it was a few centuries behind the times...
He was proud of what he'd put together.
Once their new capital was finished, then he could start worrying about how he was going to help them recapture their old one.
"Ponies really aren't so bad after all."
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that ok and i love this chapter
8954814
Thanks for the kind words, Dream1990. Even though I don't feel like I deserve any of this loyalty or any of the compliments, lol.
8954816 your welcome and you deserve everything
media1.tenor.com/images/062b0072b9006b2b0578054a0850860b/tenor.gif?itemid=4795022
Wow an update after a whole year. Better late then never, I'd about ready to forget this fic
8954831
Yes, thank you, Fire. <3
-Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
Yay new chapter! I missed this story
Also I like the changing king, he seems pretty swell for a conqueror
A surprise to be sure, but a welcomed one
"Capital".
(Capitol with an "o" specifically refers to a building where a legislature meets. while Capital with an "a" refers to a seat of government in general. Basically, since Equestria isn't a democracy, you don't use the "o" one.)
8954745
I am but onepony you have several following this story that i am sure will be happy to see the new chapter.
Better late than never. thanks for keeping at it
8954862
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed. The King isn't an evil mustache twirling villain. He has his own agenda, but he doesn't intend EVIL. He also knows that if he wants to be accepted as the new ruler of Equestria, it would help if he is seen in a positive light.
8954869
Oh, I know what the ladies like.
8954891
Thanks; the perils of being your own editor.
8954939
I can only hope that's true, lol. Thanks for reading.
8954967
I know it's hard to believe, but I really don't intend to abandon this story. Things just got in the way is all.
a good chapter for re-starting a story things are looking really strong.
i will be watching and weighting for the next installment.
I didn't get a notification that a new update was out. Even though I am following. I had to reread a little bit, but it all came back. Glad to see this hasn't became another story lost. Keep up the good work.
Wah, it's a zombie! Wait... No, this story's alive! *gasp*
Glad to see you back and nice chapter. I was starting to run out of stories where Chryssie isn't the villain.
Ooooh, they should totally make Echo badass magitek wings!
Poor Ricky... And now I'm thinking about Story of Ricky.
well done to you .on this very fine chapter.each one is well worth the wait.
Well, it gave me a reason to reread the story. And right now I really want to plant my size 11 steel toe boot right on that "king" right where the sun dont shine.
Squee!!!
Took a few paragraphs, but we quickly remembered this story.
The King is definitely resolute and confident in his actions. If only he knew the truth... Actually, no, it is good he learns slowly, it would seep deeper and stronger that way.
In any case, the assimilation efforts seem well in the refugee village. Wouldn't it be fitting they name it Everfree City?
Keep going! ;)
8955039
I hope it lives up to your expectations.
8955467
Notifications are a bitch, aren't they? Glad you found it at least! Thanks for still reading.
8955475
Yep, it's a zombie and it's comin' for ya. Best protect those brains.
8955563
You flatter me. I really don't think my writing is all that special.
8955890
Everyone resents a conqueror at first. You think the Caesars were well-loved in the far reaches of Rome? Eventually he'll bring STABILITY and ADVANCEMENT to the Empire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oRzIHxZKnA
8955942
Eeeeee!
8956120
Who knows, let's wait and see! Thanks for reading.
8962317
well I have already dropped the story. I wish they wetn with the orignal sequel then this one.
oh boy, I am back on track with most of my unread chapter pile! Good chapter my man!
Yay he lives! Good chapter, I had to read the prior one again to catch up but it was worth the wait
This is a great story so far. Keep it up!
Good to know that Echo isn't interested in Foalcon. But now we get to see Ricochet build up a ship that we can get behind via building up emotional attachment to the ship. Or simply leave that in the background. Still all in all, not a bad chapter.
Great fic, hope it gets finished.
Awesome story, hope it makes it out of hiatus
Finish the story.
Love this. I hope you continue it someday
I will place a tracker on this story. Then i will be informed should you return. I hope you come back.
I really do hope one day you finish this one. Its a wonderful story and a very interesting concept with the characters
I do hope this story does not end here. It's great and it would be a shame for it to forever be unfinished. Good luck to you, CoAlFire, should you ever decide to continue this story, you most definitely have my support.
Well meh.... Was looking forward to this one getting finished