Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 2
By TDR
A Claw-terlot Wedding,
Epilogue 2
[ Woods around the base of the Maneterhorn. Below Canterlot.]
A lone earth pony stallion trotted through the woods at the base of the mountain. The nondescript pony had a brown coat and black hair with a gray horse shoe as a cutiemark.
Every part of him screamed, 'ignore me, I'm not important.'
Which is why Chrysalis knew who it was. Pheidole, poor bug, was never a good infiltrator, he was a good adviser though, unless she asked him what disguise to take.
“Report Pheidole.” a fallen log demanded before it shifted with a flash of green fire into Chrysalis.”I've been out here a bit too long.”
“My Queen, we have recovered all of those ejected from Canterlot, team C managed to do enough damage that the Royal Guard are unable to pursue. Minor injuries to report, but as calculated the love filling that shield was more than enough to heal any major injuries the invasion team took as they were pushed out.”
“I should hope so, it took me a week to adjust his shield enough where it wouldn't hurt us. I was worried Cady wouldn't catch on and I'd have to trigger his shield myself for our escape. Really all she had to do was remove the dampener, but I liked her idea.” Chrysalis grumbled twisting a bit and popping her back.” What about Gamma Swarm?”
“In position already my queen. Phase two is go and they are spreading the rumor that the shield flushed out all the changelings in the city. Should make it easier for a host of visiting wedding guests suddenly wanting to settle down in a 'safe' city. At least it won't arouse any more suspicions. By that token neither will an influx of new Guard recruits. The mission was a success.”
“Partially, it will make infiltrators and gatherers every where else have a harder time, but we'll have a secure hold in Canterlot now and the love the populace has for cake flank and her sister will be a great boost.” Chrysalis sighed. “I also saw what Twilight used as a spell to 'out me'. Not something I considered before but hardly a threat to me. Get a couple of the better infiltrators in other places to be exposed by the spell so the Guard thinks it works every time. Back ally, Blackmarket, and Fence should be able get away easily enough if they are revealed.”
“Given the result, I take Plan A was unsuccessful?”
“Never expected A to work once the Sparkles showed up, besides that plan was boring no matter how annoying it would have been to Celestia. While I didn't convince Cady to come with me this time, I got to chop off Celestia's head and get a measure of the Sparkle's power, so that was nice. I love sitting down to play chess then suddenly switching to water polo.”
“And?”
“Let the council know they are still not to do ANYTHING that might draw the Sparkles ire. I don't know what sunbutt was training that mare for, but she's scary. In fact, keep away from her parents too and any of the Element bearers. Kindness and Laughter in particular. There's nothing I can think of that would be worth the cost of having that lot against us right now.”
“Understood, do you need an escort back to the hive?”
“No. just tell the council what I said goes. I'm going to take a little vacation until the heat dies down.” Chrysalis smirked, turning into a gray unicorn pony with streaks of blond and red in her mane and tail, a cutie mark with a green heart appearing on her flank.
“Of course my queen.”
[Ponyville train station, the next day]
The Mane Six, plus the Sparkle brothers, Big Mac and CMC stepped off the train headed for home. While Princess Celestia had offered them a few more days to recover in Canterlot, they had all refused once Twilight shared the spell she used to out Chrysalis.
Twilight had been ranting non stop on the trip.
“Alright so every pony make sure to keep an eye out for anything suspicious. We know changelings are among us now and we have to remain vigilant.” Twilight rambled.
The other girls nodded with various degrees of interest in her rant, mostly it was automatic as this had been going on for a while.
Rahs still felt like crap, Spike and the CMC were all tired, with Applebloom already passed out over her brothers back.
“Hey Spike!”
The whole group turned to the one shouting spotting a changeling walking up to them.
“Hey Kevin, whatcha need?” Spike asked.
“Yeah you still doing that O&O thing? My cousins gonna be staying here a while. Firefly wondered if I knew if there was any one who ran stuff around here and I remember you saying something about it so I figured I'd ask for him.” Kevin shrugged ignoring Pinkie Pie's glare.
“Huh, yeah let me know when he comes into town. Be nice to have a full set of the four basic monster food groups for once.” Spike shrugged.
“Alright thanks, I'll let him know. Any way stuff to do so I won't keep you.” Kevin nodded before trotting away.
“Huh cool, a fourth player.” Spike considered.
“Right any way remember girls, changelings could be any where, so keep your eyes open.” Twilight continued.
9649627
Sorry 'bout that.
Kevin's power is over nine thoussaaaaaaaand!!!
It's going to be hilarious when they finally find it out.
I just love how Kevin's just yo we got a 4th you still doing the game while undisguised and no one cares hes the best inflitrator as he's out in the open and no one cares
Sparklebutt one just walk up to you guys and just ask spike to join his O&O session with others changelings
Constant Vigilance!!!
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That's Kevin. Somehow, no-one notices.
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Don't ask about Kevin. No one understands Kevin.
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Have you seen 321 penguins? Used to watch that show a ton when I was a kid For some reason, this Kevin reminds me of that Kevin.
So that's the plan...
This story plot give me better background as why the second invasion was done swiftly and better than the first.
However, this raises more questions. Council? Are you saying there are other hives in this story?
Kevin Obviously has so few fucks to give that he causes those around him to lose their fucks to give about him being an undisguised changeling.
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Undisguised no less.
Ponies really are like the borg. They will ignore you until they consider you a threat.
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I believe this would be appropriate.
Yes, yes they are.
So Kevin....
Hmmm, things are going to well for Chryssie... well okay she failed at her main goal but still
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He's like a black fuck hole
Kevin's Cousin? Is that a reference to youtuber Sketchy the Changeling?
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I...umm....hmm.
Ah, so Chrysalis planned the whole thing as a tactical retreat disguised as a rout, with the intention of giving her opponents/prey a false sense of security. Yeah, okay, I'll buy that.
Kevin is another story. I'm sure there's a perfectly reasonable explanation, but I don't know what it is.
9652173
*fuck black hole.
The other way is both very gay and so so l0od.
My theorie for Kevin is that it's a form of reverse psychology where he acts relaxed and normal so they just thinks he's some weird pony, very easy to do in ponyville.
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And the harder Twilight tries to find "dastardly" changelings, the less she notices one right next to her...
Kevin reminds me so much of Three from An Exercise In Management, rolling critical successes on every social encounter. I'm certain there's a trope for the, "But it's a giant chicken!" wallflower effect.
...Now I'm wondering who else Spike has in the epic O&O games?
9652019 EASY to say hard to do and the longer you do it the hard it becomes to maintain. The military knows this which is why they tend to prefer not to stay at levels of heightened alerts for days and weeks on end.
Chysssie in this story is acting more intelligent than the mad queen from canon but I still expect it to backfire
9652398
Bless your heart
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Nope, not more intelligent. Just cleverer, and lacking in the narcissism and megalomania that the original indulged in.
Lol, love the Xanatos quote at the end.
9652484
Like most big brains, Twilight can be incredibly dense.
Besides, that changeling is 'Kevin'. He's been so much a part of Ponyville's background that it probably doesn't register that he's a changeling.
So Chrysalis's plan is supposed to be successful and so much better than what everyone else is doing? I call bullshit. She revealed the existence of changelings while simultaneously antagonising everyone and burning her bridges with those who called her friend. How is that supposed to be a grand master plan? It seems to me her supposed competance is being inflated.
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Other than property damage there was very little antagonizing of the changelings for the masses.
I would love to see a spin-off about Kevin just to see what kind of shenanigans he gets himself into
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No it's more like Celestia's group of advisers,Chryssy hates handling the day to day of running things, so she's got leaders who are under her.
9652181 No just one of the Changelings that was pretending to be scootaloo to fool Spike. He got really interested in the gaming stuff.
9652484
Right now he just has the CMC and the upcoming Changeling. He can never get his sister or Bigmac to play long Rahs will occasionally play, but he doesn't have as much interest when the girls play as Spike still has them going through low level stuff, and 'Rhaspohdy the bard' , is a higher level char.
9653042
Oh God. Rahs plays a BARD? I've heard stories on how BROKEN Bards can be if played right. Is Rahs one of THOSE Bards? Because if so that would be glorious.
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Of course he is
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Actually, if changelings do better job than the usual aristocrats, Celestia might consider hiring them herself. No need to do it in secret.
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I am actually surprised no one ever did that. It's a bit late considering how long ago the Cranky/Matilda wedding episode was however.
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I would have linked this exact thing, but you beat me to it. This is the theme song to my life, lol.
Kevin is the best changling
New Ponyfinder stuff is always good!
The Princesses, playing O&O.... with Spike..... ALL OF THE YES!!!!!!
Genre Savy Spike is awesome!
On the plus side, at least it is that easy to tell if it's Twilight or not.
And an interesting twist on what was making Rahs sick, and what Chryssi's magic tastes like. So clearer him being sick is because of her magic, but she didn't know this, so finally get a good answer, Changeling magic just does not agree with him. Though, all lings, or just Chryssi? Be a mark against Saturnia if it's all of them.
The universal emergency mental gear shift of "Oh shit, if I say the wrong thing she's going to hurt me." And nice subtle foreshadowing of what Chryssi's plan for dealing with Twilight was here.
And at this point I broke out laughing... do not fuck with the farm pony. GO AJ!
Wow, Rahs is really out of it. He's drama dog enough that name should have tipped him off right away.
Ehhhh, we've seen Twi ain't quite up to moving the heavens, even after ascending. She's about on par with Starswirl right now, and he struggled to do it just for one day and had lasting effects on him to do so. It's pretty much been made clear by this point that moving the Sun and Moon is less about Tia and Luna's raw power, and more they simply have such a natural affinity for it that it's easy for them specifically.
Hehehehehehehe, Spike may be small, but he's tough. And it says alot that the when doing threat assessment on Spike, the fact he's a demi-god is ignored for the more worrying fact, he's related to Twilight Sparkle.
CMC not leaping at Crusading...... Worst. Imposters. EVER!
And Spike just aced his intimidation check.
And cutting that line of T/M really close here story.
Wow... Rahs just has great timing for ruining 'special moments doesn't he?
And nice reference to out of breath spike trying to explain things.
And he follows through on the test, awesome.
Poor Chryssi, no, no reward is worth pissing off the Sparkles.
'pink duty'. Pffffft,those poor, poor drones. And damn... yeah The pink One is freaking terrifying.
Smart lings, going for a bluff on who they think is an imposter. But not smart enough, you still let one of them into your base.
CUTIE MARK CRUSADER CAVALRY YAY! A cry that would strike fear in the heart of any force...... no matter which side they are coming to help.
And you messed with the parents, wow Chryssi, you really fucked up.
And good point, the CMC are experts at getting out of 'sticky situations'.
I. AM. FREE!
They, Are. Screwed!
So, dig at canon for the whole, no one believing Twi scene? Cause that wasn't just 'dismissing her suspicions', that was, every single scrap of evidence at the time pointed to Twilight just freaking out over jealousy.
Yeah, nobles would be rather less the helpful. Unless you have a nice big sack you can stick them in 'for safety and then use to bludgeon bugs with.
And...... this time they tricked Cadance into taking a spa retreat, that is so freaking awesome!
Snarky Chryssi is awesome.
And just, the banter between Tia and Chryssi is so damn fun.
Chryssi, it's too late, you fucked with her friends and family, you gonna pay.
And yay! See, kind of hard for Tia to go all out Sol Invictus with that many squishy, flammable ponies that close.
And now time for Chryssi to screw herself through getting cocky.
Break time for the invaders... that is so absurdly hilarious and I LOVE IT!
Some ponies, you just don't fuck with.... no idea who they are, but awesome.
And then there is Derpy, and her family.... ohhh dis gonne be gud! And adorable, so damn adorable. Like, ALLL THE DAAAAWWWWWWW! But also all the badass!
Smart cops. Just stay nice and safe.
And filed trip for the grubs, just... so awesome.
Wow, and yet, not surprised an ass like Jet Set would try to use the invasion to commit insurance fraud.
And, just, wow...... good use of immortal deities to really go all out on the slice and dice.
And also, nice thinking on Chryssi, using other ponies around as power limiters.
Yeah, but then not taking the chance to gloat about your plan.... this really isn't the real Chryssi.
And an ex of Cadance...... well, did not see that one coming.
And Chryssi went just a bit too far, then again, as kinky as Candance could be.......
Shining Armor.......... that s the most awesome bad thing ever said.
Good job Big D! Love him just, popping up for small bits of fun.
Yeah, kind of forgot the pissed off nexus of magical pain and suffering you unleashed.
And Twi blasting away Tia like that is to damn funny to not love.
And very true, for all Twi's got a ton of raw power, she does kind of suck at fighting. All she does is through magical haymakers wildly.
So... Shining Armor is pretty much a Green Lantern with his shields then?
And,well, mostly the same idea as the kiss and all, just, a more direct way of pumping up his power. Poor Rahs.
And the epilogue is pure Avengers Shwarma scene and I love it.
And story, how can you not see how awkward 'Twilight Velvet Sparkle is as a name?
Luna's on a coffee binge....... crap...
So...... Tirek is back in his cell... this... well then... ummm... okay then.
Ehhhh, kept Cadance's canon mostly the same, just over a longer time I guess? Though the time line for her being in Canterlot fits.
And, Cadance, no being a hypocrite, no getting mad at Shiny for rutting Chryssi, when you were perfectly fine with the idea of you doing it.
Luna..... no.. no puns.... bad Luna!
But good, Cadance isn't mad atall, YAY! Kinky time aheads!
Well, that part of the plan makes a little sense as a backup but at the same time..... not really. Ponies would be more alert for lings now and trying to detect them better....
Except Kevin, see, Kevin no one will ever suspect, because everypony knows Changelings always hide what they are and pretend to be other ponies, therefore, Kevin can't be a changeling, because he looks just like one, and no ling would ever do that. (See also, that D&D story about the guy who rolled up a regular, ordinary Bear as his character and managed to convince the whole kingdom it wasn't a bear.)
So yeah, I loved this, a nice change on the original, while still close enough to count. Chryssi, seemed a bit too competent in some ways. Chryssi has always been really good an planning, her issue has been getting over confident, and vastly over estimating her own abailites. The moment she things she's won, she needs to feed her ego and take time to gloat about how awesome she is.
A Changeling...... with some kind of Notice-Me-Not field around them? Kinda redundant, isn't it? Is it passive, or active?
And Chrysalis' plan... was to insert more spies in Celestia's Guard and Court? Well, I guess the next question then becomes, "Why?"
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Kevin is the best infiltrator. Even his own kind don't know he's there. They're probably convinced he's a half mummified husk dumped in a ditch somewhere between Manehattan and Trottingham after he waltzed out of the hive undisguised talking about a meet up with Laughter.
So yeah, Kevin is the best infiltrator but his method might as well be patented since last his hive saw of him they were calling him an idiot with a death wish. Noling would ever take tactical inspiration with a suicidal moron or a lost cause, and they called Kevin both. Apparently the name that didn't fit the entomological theme of the hive was the last straw of the latter.
So yeah, Chrysalis down a prodigy, RD up a drinking buddy, Spike up a game partner, Mac up a rock.
This is kind of how I see cadence and Chrysalis arguingi.pinimg.com/originals/7c/ef/b8/7cefb89e15e147ee6eff2f2de62fda1b.jpg
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All good observations.
Kevin confuses me greatly...
Still thinking Kevin is not what other think of him... To be...
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But with cake
10694054
Having reread it recently, yeah that's pretty much spot on.
yes the changlings could be aaaaaaannnnnnnnyyyyyywhere
Celestia loves to play Chessmaster ♤
Chrysalis is a Chessmaster ♡
11247848
Just good we have Kevin to keep Bugponys away...
Kevin will possibly be a god of deception one day, unless he is already one...