At least I’m with a pony who spends almost as much time pretending as I do, Harlequin thought, as she made her way into the single unmarked door between two fancy shops. On either side ponies moved—one sold food, with a line running out onto the streets filled with eager ponies.
How easy would it be for her to slip off into that group, change into somepony else, and vanish completely? She could be free of this entire world forever—leave Canterlot, not look back.
She didn’t feel the same loyalty to Hydrus as she had to the queen. But even so, there was something to stop her—Codex, trapped underground. He deserved better than to be left behind. And if she screwed this up, he might suffer.
So she went where she was told, keeping her head down.
Through the door was a series of thick metal locks, which Blueblood began to open one after another with his magic. “You can’t imagine the worth of what is before you, Dewdrop. Can’t imagine the opportunity you’ve been given with this contact between us.”
“You’re right,” she admitted. “I don’t know. Hydrus didn’t tell me… much of anything. Just that I’d be going with you.”
“That’s part of the test,” Blueblood said, his voice conversational. The closest thing to normal he’d sounded like since she met him. “I didn’t want to see what a pony he’d carefully trained would be like. I already know you can imitate a pony of culture, just as well as the rest of Equestria. But I don’t require you to pretend to be an Alicorn, or anything like one.”
She nodded weakly. “I’m a… that’s good. I’m not as good as Hydrus. I only recently learned how to transform.”
“Really?” He turned; eyebrow raised. “You seemed competent enough to me. But no matter, that only serves our purpose.” The final door opened—a heavy metal one, which squeaked as it permitted them inside.
Through the gloom was a set of shelves, each one packed with identical little boxes filling every inch of available space. They were packed in tight—a storage room of some kind. But why would she be brought here?
Blueblood strode forward between them, ignoring the shelves, ignoring her even. “Do you know why you failed to take Canterlot, insect?”
He’s not afraid of being overheard in here. Not now that we’ve got all those locked gates behind us.
“I, uh… no.”
“Well, at least you’re honest.” He passed through an opening between the shelves, into a tiny open space. There was a mirror on the wall, some bright lights, and a few mannequins standing to one side. They held… was that a suit? A suit with a sword and little gemstones encrusting everything. Blueblood removed his robe, then began to dress in front of her.
“It’s because you lacked vision,” he went on. “We didn’t. My family could see what value you might really have. It was obvious you made terrible rulers. But there are other purposes you could serve. Purposes that every family needs.”
“I don’t need to feed,” she said, mostly by reflex. Would it stop him even if she said it?
The stallion in front of her was already wearing his trousers. He froze, levitating the jacket beside him. Then he laughed. “I don’t think you know me very well if you thought you needed to say that. I’ve no interest in junk food.”
He meant it, she realized. She could feel his emotions perfectly—and she didn’t sense a drop of attraction. None of the hunger she’d felt from the guard, resulting in such a terrible time for her. He was thinking about her, but in a way that was far more calculating. He saw her not as a pony at all, but as a tool. Whatever he was going to gain from her, it would be indirectly.
“Oh.”
“Don’t sound so disappointed,” he said. “I’m sure you get enough of that working in that pit, don’t you? That is what you do.”
“No,” she said, more definitively than she’d said anything in her life. “I hate being used to harvest love.”
The words were as shocking to her as her first denial of the Queen—but they were just as true.
Blueblood didn’t seem to notice. “Well you’re here to be used, insect. That’s why you’ve been given to me. Used for an experiment. You don’t even know what that experiment is, because it would compromise the test. But you’re about to, and I think it’s going to be very interesting.”
He was now properly dressed—jacket, belt, sword and all. In his own way, he was a pony just as frightening as any changeling with war paint on their shell and rage in their eyes. Maybe moreso, since there was no swarm for him to tell her what he was thinking.
And though Blueblood’s pony emotions were open before her, the message she saw still confused her. He wanted something from her very much, but not her the way the guard had.
Then he turned, removing a photograph from beside the mirror and showing her. There was a mare there—an earth pony mare, with curled hair and a fancy dress.
“I have a purpose for you,” he said. “If you succeed, then my family will do as your Hydrus has asked. If you fail, then… well, you’ll be dead, and Hydrus will be out of luck. Do you care what happens to your imprisoned brothers and sisters? I don’t, but…” He watched her. “Yes, you do. You don’t want them to suffer, do you?”
She winced, avoiding his eyes. How do you know what I’m thinking without me saying anything? You’re not a changeling.
“Be her,” he ordered. “That’s your first assignment. Do it now.”
She stared at the photo, taking in its every detail. A few weeks ago, she would’ve been amazed by its simple existence. Ponies could create such amazing things, including perfect recreations of the real world frozen on flat sheets.
But now there was no time for amazement, only fear.
Harlequin blinked, staring down and trying to concentrate with everything she had. It was no easy task, but… yes, it wasn’t that complicated. Just an earth pony, she only had to remove some of the stuff she was used to. A few subtle adjustments to match her dark splotched coat, and she was finished.
“H-how’s… this, uh…” She winced again. “What am I supposed to call you? You told Hydrus not to use your name.”
“And you were listening. Points for that, I wasn’t sure you could. I suppose for the sake of this business, you should just call me ‘Uncle.’ Master would be more correct, but also a little too obvious for the streets of Equestria. Ponies would get the wrong idea.”
He levitated the picture in the air beside her, comparing it with a frown. “Hmm. You haven’t done a perfect job with her face. I have a few more images, perhaps these will help. You aren’t going to be fooling her father, but you will need to convince the servants of one of her households. That job simply won’t do.”
She looked at the other photos, then up at the mirror. It seemed like it was here more for Blueblood’s needs than for her own, but she could use it. Her reflection was enough help to see what she should be doing.
She changed over a dozen times before she finally settled on something Blueblood liked. Each transformation burned a little more of her magic, eating through the reserve of what she’d harvested that day and into her earlier supply. It’s okay. I can get more if I need it. She hated Hydrus’s system, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t eat if that was the only love she could find.
“That will do,” Blueblood said. There was little approval in his voice—she wasn’t sure he even could demonstrate a positive trait like that. “Now your assignment, come here.”
He gestured to a stack of papers, lifting one from the bottom and spreading it on top for her to see. “House Irongate has a small manor located just outside the town of Ponyville. Know it? Never mind, I don’t care. The real Lady Irongate has suffered a bit of an accident. She’s going to be out for a few more days, and when she returns, she won’t remember where she’s been. In the meantime, you are going to take her place. That property is one she rarely visits, so it shouldn’t be too difficult for you to fool them.
“You will take the train from Canterlot to Ponyville, rent a carriage to the house, then enter it. Your ‘father’ is on business in Griffonstone, and shouldn’t present any difficulty to you. Go inside his study, and obtain or memorize his map of future expansion for EQRail Limited.”
Blueblood stepped in front of her, eyes harsh. It wasn’t unlike what Hydrus had done, only there wasn’t even a trace of concern for her. “Repeat the mission I just gave you in exactness, now.”
She did, as best as she could remember. She might not be smart, not be a trained infiltrator, but Harlequin could still copy like a pro.
“Well, the wording wasn’t perfect, but I’ll accept that.” He looked away. Still nothing like an emotion she could harvest. Was Blueblood even capable of showing her compassion? “Now, understand that the involvement of my house is contingent upon your success. The changelings locked up in Canterlot Castle will keep rotting where they are without me.”
“I understand,” she muttered, looking away from him. Everything she had learned during her brief time with Apple Cinnamon, now she was unlearning it.
“And not just that,” he went on. “Your kind are known as infiltrators and kidnappers all over Equestria. That is what makes you such a perfect scapegoat for this adventure. Should you be detected, I will do nothing to protect you. So long as you do not mention my name to the authorities, I will leave the other changelings alone. If you do forget your discretion suddenly, then expect swift retaliation for your kind. And worse, you can be assured that nopony will believe you. There are no traceable connections between my house and you. If you are caught, the smartest thing for you to do is die quietly. Understand?”
She gulped, then nodded again.
“I didn’t hear you.”
“Y-yes Uncle.”
He grunted, levitating another mannequin out of the shadows and depositing it in front of her. It modeled an expensive dress, though nothing like what Blueblood himself wore. There were no gemstones, but it still looked like something that a pony had loved. That made it worth something, right?
“Wear this now. When you are finished, you may exit down that hallway.” He pointed with one leg. “You will find it leads several streets over, then connects to an unmarked apartment building’s service stairwell. Take those stairs to the first floor, then travel to the railway.”
He dropped a bag of metal pieces on the counter next to her, undoing the ribbon so she could see inside. He evidently expected her to be impressed, so she made a show of backing away, eyes wide. Hydrus had taught her that much.
“That will be more than enough for you to travel in luxury. I would rather send you in a fruit-crate befitting your stature, but alas. Lady Irongate must be seen as a young mare of distinction. If she suddenly appeared without traveling the path between, then our espionage will become obvious to later investigators.”
She started getting dressed. Harlequin had never worn a fancy dress before, but she could see the holes, and by now her copy of the pony’s body was pretty good. The dress fit snugly once it was on, and somehow she felt… taller? Was that possible? How could just changing her outfit make her hold her back straighter, and look Blueblood in the eye a little more.
“One more thing,” he said. “You didn’t ask about where to go when you were finished. You are to take a train back to Canterlot. I will have a stallion join you. If he gives you a rose, then you trade him the information. If you aren’t able to make the return trip in disguise, then I will obtain the information from Hydrus after you return to the hive. Which you will do, or else I will consider your mission a failure, and your bugs will rot. Are we clear?”
“Yes, Uncle.”
Insult to Harlequin this may have been, but nevertheless my estimation of Blueblood has gone up just a smidge. You have to respect a villain that maintains at least some standards. Plus it’s amusing to know that my “Blueblood wants Harlequin to wash his dishes” joke actually came true, albeit partially.
Also I’ve had a soft spot for Blueblood ever since I managed to somehow believably ship him with Pinkie Pie.
And in a strange way my estimation of him goes up again, albeit as a villain, not a person. He recognizes that a single 2D photo isn’t enough for a changeling and doesn’t berate her for failing, but rather recognizes the problem and helps her correct it.
Not that he doesn’t berate her at other times, but what’s the point of being a villain if you can’t berate your minions? Plus the changelings did just mess up his home city, so a bit of hostility is expected.
Also, yeah. Blueblood is smart. He knows how to use changelings. It’s also nice to know that he isn’t interested in creating a body count, that the filly he presumably kidnapped is going to be okay.
Does he though? I mean, yes, his knowledge of changelings could prove instrumental in the long term, but he's still a whiny ass. (Some of it's understandable given what he's been through, but not all of it.)
As for Harlequin, her mission does make sense. Of course players of the Great Game would salivate at shapeshifting spies just waiting to be properly exploited. However, there's a rather large wrench in the plan that Blueblood hasn't considered: Ponyville.
Even putting aside the usual hazards of the Chaos Capital of Equestria, Harlequin's going right into the clutches of The Pink One. This might well be mission impossible, though she has no choice but to accept it.
9676122
Little did we know that Harlequin, on getting to Ponyville, would change her name to Kevin.
Damn, I really have to give Blueblood some credit here. He definitely comes across much 'better' than the usual whiny ass we tend to see him portrayed as. This is gonna be good.
I question his decisions in not coaching her more on how to act etc. Still I doubt that will be the fly in the ointment.
9676212
I think Blueblood wants to test how good changelings are at improvisation, whether training is needed or if they just have a knack for infiltration.
Harsh, but lol.
Hmn. Domestic espionage, maybe? Going after another noble family?
Ahhh, so it's corporate espionage. Not particularly salacious, but arguably a pretty good use of changeling abilities.
I'm gonna guess mercenaries. It's mercenaries, isn't it? That seems like something a noble family like Blueblood's would pursue having.
Oh, like she's not being "used" in Hydrus's brothel either...still bitter about that.
At least he's honest! I still think Hydrus striking any sort of deal with him is a bad idea, even if Hydrus is planning to use Blueblood as a pawn for his own plans, as I'm sure he intends to do.
Oh, I've got the "wrong idea" here, Blueblood, and not in the fashion I think you're implying...
So yeah, basically a mercenary, a paid hire to conduct a bit of almost certainly illegal industrial espionage. Honestly, I'm a little relieved that's all--for a moment there, I was worried Blueblood wanted her to assassinate someone, or some like. Not that this is really much better, of course, but honestly I don't see how Harlequin's going to get out of it, especially since she's doing it selfishly. She wants to help her fellow changelings, and, assuming he keeps his word (and oh boy do I have doubts about that), Blueblood promises to assist with that if she does this one small thing. Honestly, any person in Harlequin's position would be tempted to justify this one small immoral act for such a cause, don't deny it.
Not that I still don't want Blueblood's little attempt at espionage caught and brought to justice, of course. But a goal to mull over working towards later.
9676136
Heh, I almost want to see that happen now.
9676257
Makes sense.
9676106
Well yeah, he's going to give enough resources so the mission that will benefit him won't fail. Only a stupid villain would be petty enough to inadequately prepare his men for an important mission just because of some sort of prejudice or superiority complex. And Blueblood (at least here) is not petty. There's plenty of time to berate the changelings in-between missions.
9676772
Certainly an asset worth having.
It may no longer be voluntary or if it still is, Blueblood can as they say "Alter the deal". Looks like he has the cards and can upend Hydrus's little operation whenever he pleases.
Uncle...
Can totally imagine some of our brothel patrons wholly into this sort of... uh... you know.
Interesting to see ponies can be all sorts of uh... well...
At this point, it's not even a choice. The only issue might be possible layoffs due to the monetary damage but other than that, the goods obtained through this act far outweigh the harm.
9676890
I was actually thinking that Blueblood sees Harlequin (and all changelings for that matter) as little more than slaves or the potential for slave labor.
I phrased it the way I did because I figured everybody else was sooner going to interpret "master" in the sexual sense instead...because I've been on this site for entirely too long to know better than to not expect that.
That depends on just what, exactly, Blueblood intends to do with this information, but at this point, we can only speculate.
This is fucked up. How the hell haven't anyone of prominence noticed this!?
Love the story dude! Just that these ponies are pissing me off.
Is there really no other pony to object or disagree with this? Does none of importance know of this shadowy way of things?
what kind of stupidity is this? they didn't even brief her about irongate's personality and mannerism.
9680128
that's typical fanfic stuff