A week after the failed attack on Canterlot, the changlings are relying on a council to lead them before selecting a new leader. Of course, one changling could care less. Since they put a prize for his head for desertion.
Turrok, a changling caught up in the lunacy of the former leader's desire for land and power, was conscripted into the changling army and sent to Canterlot. But he denied the ideas of his leader. Being a nonviolent creature, he escaped before reaching the city. After the attack failed, a bounty was put out on him. A fork now stands in the road for him, either rely on the enemy of his people for protection or return home and be put on trial and possibly sentenced to death. Fate helps him choose the former.
Takes a few months after the story Return to Society. You may be confused if you don't read that first.
A grey stallion trots down a path aimlessly, or that's what most would see. This stallion's name is Turrok, he is a changling. Turrok has been slipping from town to town trying to find some place safe to hide. What could a changling possibly need more than a clever disguise to hide from? Other changlings, of course. With a prize on his head, any in the area would no doubt try to seek him out and collect. Two have already tried, once in Manehatten, and again in Cloudsdale. How he managed to get out of that one was still beyond him.
I need to find a small town, somewhere that I could slip into and settle in without being noticed by too many. Turrok noticed a fork in the road with a sign, the right side pointed to a town called Ponyville and the left directed to Canterlot. Looks like I'm heading to Ponyville.
After taking a decisive step down the right path a green blast came from behind narrowly missing his head by an inch. He pulled a 180 degree turn to see a disguised changling in front of him standing ten feet away, no doubt sizing up his target. Turrok dropped his disguising, prompting his assailant to do the same. The two now looked almost identical, a jet black shell covering their entire bodies, a pair of blue translucent wings, a horn and legs littered with many holes and a pair of sharp fangs and telltale green eyes. The true form of a changling.
"Turrok Galvann," the changling spoke through a series of clicks and hisses, their native language. "I seek to collect the bounty placed upon you by the high council. Surrender, or risk death."
"Why must you all attack me?!" Turrock replied. "The crime I committed has never warranted capture before, why now!?
"That's not something that concerns me, you left your brothers on the march on Canterlot. You betrayed them, and now Yanu has suffered because of it."
"Hold your tongue!" Turrok shouted. "You have no right to speak of my young brother, let alone speak his name! Your mad queen killed him when she sent him to fight a pointless battle!"
"Queen Chrysalis was a good leader, you traitorous worm! She sought to improve the lives of her people."
"No you fool, she sought to increase her own power, and you all were blind enough to believe her!"
The attacker took a step back, "This talk is getting me nowhere, if you will not come quietly I will use force."
He jumped back and fired a green blast again, but Turrok was prepared for it. Using his wings to launch himself skyward, dodging the blast quite easily. The enemy just kept firing, many missing their mark without the need to dodge. He is going to burn himself out at this rate.
One beam came a little too close for comfort, forcing Turrok to strike back. His horn gave a green glow, focusing his magic on the ground beneath his assassin. They jumped up as a large spike popped through the ground where they stood. An opportunity presented itself or him with his opponent was recovering. He fired a green energy beam that caught the changling off guard and sent him into the ground with a heavy thud.
Turrok flew down to make sure the attacker was finished, there was a long trench from the impact that led up to a loan tree near the path. They propped themselves up against the tree, a small crack in the shell covering their chest. "Do you submit?" He asked, wishing to avoid anymore fighting with the injured being. The response was a very quiet hissing, he couldn't quite make it out.
Hesitantly, he approached the tree. "What did you say?"
"I... said... NEVER!" The changling closed the distance between them and punctured Turrok's left shoulder with his horn. He slammed them back against the tree, feeling his shoulder writhing in pain.
"You little wretch!" Out of anger and adrenaline, he slammed their head against the tree hard enough to put them out cold. Damn it, I can't believe he just did that! But, I'm no murderer. He left the changling there and tried walking again, but found the damage to his shoulder was too much to continue by walking. His wings began beating quickly enough to lift him off the ground a few inches. As he pressed on he put on his disguise, a simple grey pony, with the addition of wings to avoid any suspicion. Although, he was losing blood from the wound that he received by desperation. That would have been pretty suspicious, to say the least.
He passed the fork in the road leading toward 'Ponyville' with hopes that he could hide there for a while. Continuing down the road his thoughts drifted to something that was pointed out by his assailant. Yanu, if only you could have gotten out in time... Yanu Galvann, Turrok's younger brother, was going to escape with his older brother the night before the attack. A patrol of their camp stopped him shortly after Turrok slipped away. The window passed and he was forced to abandon his morals and attack Canterlot. If that wasn't bad enough, he met what was described as the ponies' 'champion.' A being that took the form of a pony, but controlled lightning similar to that of a god.
There were many victims of that creature, although most were simply wounded. Some were a bit more severely hurt, but were not in danger of dying once they received medical attention. Yanu was one of two victims of the siege. The other being Queen Chrysalis, who was turned to stone if the rumors were indeed correct. She was fully deserving of her fate, though. Claiming the attack would benefit her subjects, complete bullshit if he ever heard it. She was just a greedy monarch, seeking to increase her own power. But little Yanu, he was not deserving of death, he should never have even been apart of such an assault. But the conscription of the two made it so.
Ever since that day, the two planned to slip away before going to battle. Only one of them managed to do it. It should have been him! He should have gotten away, not me! He never deserved such a horrible fate! Why didn't I make him go first!? Tears freely fell from his eyes, fully gripped by anger and remorse.
After an hour of painful travel, two things happened: the town of Ponyville came into view, and the blood loss from his wound had taken it's toll. Well, I have one shot. I just need to get to a hospital, from there... I'm really at their mercy. Turrok laughed at the pure irony, relying on the enemy of his people for salvation. He must have really been light-headed from the lack of blood.
Going into town, he noticed how there were few ponies actually in the town. It made his task of getting to the hospital unnoticed that much easier. He saw a large building with a red cross on it, that had to be a hospital. The wings that had carried him so far were at there limit and forced him to limp through the door into an empty lobby.
"Oh my, sir stop right there!" A nurse shouted as Turrok limped through the door. He followed her directions, did she see through my cover? "You shouldn't be moving with that injury, Doctor we need a gurney!" He gave a sigh of relief, before feeling everything become fuzzy, then black.
***
Dusk had been enjoying a lazy day in Ponyville, like every other day since they got back from Canterlot. He didn't have any immediate goals like he did before, he had everything he wanted right there. His parents visited regularly, he had become engaged with the most beautiful mare he had ever met. He had literally nothing to do. When one's special talent is conjuring lightning, job prospects are a little unlikely.
He was sitting on the couch of his home, when a frantic knock came from the front door. Being home alone for the time being, Dusk opened the door to find Twilight with a fearful look in her eye. "Hello, Twilight, how are you?"
"Uh, not good, I need you to come down to Ponyville Hospital right now!" She started pulling him down the path.
"Who's there, Rainbow Dash?!" She has been there before, even gave me a concussion a while back.
"No, no one we know, at least not right now!" She kept pulling him, despite his willingness to go.
"So, why do we need to go there?"
"Because, everyone's lives could depend on you being there!"
"It's not like we have another changling invasion to deal with." She gave him a very serious look, one that told that he hit the nail square on the head. "Dear Celestia, where's Fluttershy!? I will not let her go around by herself if there are changlings here!"
"No time! We need to hurry!"
"I'll make time! You get to the hospital and we'll meet you there!" There was no persuading him about it.
"Fine! But you better hurry!" She ran off as quickly as she could back into town.
She has to be in the market, Dusk concluded and started running toward it.
He heard many greet him as he ran through town, but he had no time to reply. He was too focused on finding her for anything else. He stopped in the center of the town square surrounded by vendors offering a variety of produce. He spotted a familiar pegasus talking to her friend at an apple stand, and immediately ran up to them.
"Rainbow, AppleJack, have you seen Fluttershy anywhere?!"
"Yeah, she just picked up some apples a minute ago," AppleJack explained Think she said somethin' about gettin' asparagus, why?"
"Twilight just came by the cottage, she said I needed to get to the hospital. The only thing I gathered was it had to do with changlings. Just head down to the hospital, we'll meet you there."
"I'm gonna go get Rarity and Pinkie, AJ, you go to the hospital and tell Twilight what's going on."
"Right."
The three took off in completely opposite directions, Dusk sifting through the market as quickly as he could. Where is that stand?! After a few minutes of searching, he came across the vendor and gave a sigh of relief. She was there discussing the price of the asparagus she picked up. Not a strand of her flowing pink mane out of place, nor a scratch on her pale yellow coat. She started to walk away from the stand, satisfied with the price she paid, and immediately noticed him.
"Dusk, what are you doing here? Not that it's a bad thing, it's just I told you I was going to do the grocery shopping this week."
"No time to explain, we need to get to the hospital. The rest of our friends are meeting us there."
"Is someone hurt?"
"Twilight said she needed me at the hospital, mentioning only one thing, changlings."
"Let's go."
The two rushed to the hospital to find that Twilight and AppleJack were there, as well as someone else.
"Ah, my student, so nice of you to join us." Her voice carried the regal tone, but there was a hint of irritation present as well.
"Sorry, Mentor, but if what Twilight said is true, I want to make sure that my fiance is safe. Nothing would have convinced me otherwise."
"Your heart was in the right place, now come, you need to see this." She turned and motioned for the two to follow. The three made it to one room of the hospital where a sign on the door handle read: Authorized Staff Only.
Celestia turned the handle and pushed the door open just enough to get through as Dusk followed behind her with Fluttershy being the last to enter. The window was covered by the blinds, leaving the room fairly dark. A single bed could be seen, but it was too dark to see what was laying on it. A lamp that sat next to it, came on, and showed the thing that Dusk feared more than most anything else.
A changling was laying there on the bed, unconscious and bandaged up around it's shoulder, but there. "What is it doing here?" It was all he could manage to say.
"According to the doctors, it passed out from blood loss when it came in. It was disguised when it made it through the door, but it collapsed and revealed it's true form. The medical staff thought it better to take it in and hide it, keep the masses calm about it."
"Fine, so what do we do? It's in no condition to be out on its own, do we just kick it out?"
"We can't just do that... can we?" Fluttershy replied, approaching the edge of the bed.
"She's right mentor, we do have a moral obligation."
The princess said nothing, appearing deep in thought. "Let it rest here for now. When it wakes up, it will be questioned. From there, it would be best to play it by ear."
"Thank you, Princess." Fluttershy bowed to the monarch.
"Do not thank me for making a simple judgement call, you both are correct. We can't toss it out into the streets, not like this." I can't believe this, I suppose I should be grateful though, my morals outweigh my fears.
"Dusk, are you okay? I know last time you encountered one of these things, things didn't end too well." He glanced over at Fluttershy, looking at him with a worry look in her eye.
"Don't worry Fluttershy, I'm fine." He wore his bravest face, her worrying on top of everything wasn't going to do any good.
"Please don't try to act tough for my sake, it's alright if you're scared." She held his hoof with hers, " I know I am."
He pulled her close, "So am I. Just promise me you'll be careful around this thing. I've only seen you visit me in the hospital, I don't want to see it the other way around."
"I'll be careful, I promise."
The two held each other for a short time before the rest of the group slipped through the door.
"Thank you for joining us," Celestia stated, probably because of the awkwardness of being a third wheel.
"So this is it? The changling?" Rarity pointed a hoof at the bed.
"Yes, when it wakes up, I will question it and see what should be done."
The conversation ended when the creature began to stir, it was waking up.
Turrok had been sweeping the area surrounding Canterlot for the past two hours. He wasn't sure what had happened in there, but he had heard that the Queen had been defeated, and was presumed dead. He didn't care about that though, all cared about was finding the last living family member he had. He found his little brother, Yanu, wheezing and struggling to breathe. He had been tossed into a tree, he didn't have much longer to live. "Yanu! Gods above, what happened?!"
The small changling attempted to laugh, coughing up a small amount of blood as he did. "We were no match for it, the thing looked like a pony. But, there was no way that it was one of them, a monster, a god maybe, but no pony could do what it did."
"What are you talking about? No, that can wait, we're getting you help, you're in no position to try to talk."
"No brother, I'm not going to make it. Listen, the thing may have looked like one of them, but it was like a god."
Turrok picked him up, causing his brother to groan in pain. "Stay with me, Yanu! You are not going to die on me!"
"Stop, brother, my time is coming quickly... I need you to hear this. It controlled lightning with it's horn, created a storm and took out most of the army."
"What are you talking about?" Turrok carried him in the direction of the camp where the injured were being patched up.
"It's blue coat and black mane, completely untouched by the bolts it summoned. I've never seen anything so amazing and terrifying in my short life."
"Come on, little brother, it's just a little further, you can make it!" His love and fear were being channeled into Yanu as much as his body would allow.
"Turrok, there's no reason to be afraid, my time is at hand. I'm not afraid, I'm ready to see our parents again."
"Don't talk like that, you'll get patched up and you will be fine." He couldn't hold back the tears any longer.
"Goodbye, brother, I will be waiting for you on the other side. Live your life... for both of us." He started coughing up more blood, until his breathing stopped.
"Yanu?" He turned to see his brother ceased moving.
Silence.
"Yanu, wake up."
No response.
"No, no, no, Yanu you better wake up! You better not be dead!"
He slipped off his brother's back, and laid on his side. Turrok couldn't feel him give off anything, love, fear, hate, pain. None of those emotions reached him. It was over, he had just been taken from him, just like his parents. There was no one left that he cared about.
He picked up his brother's body and said a prayer that the gods would treat him well on the other side. He carried his remains over to the camp. He deserved a ceremony, to be honored as a hero that gave everything for his people.
"Dear gods, what happened to him!" A medic checked Yanu for vital signs, as pointless as it was.
"I don't know, he kept talking about a pony that could control lightning. I have no idea if he was just delirious or if he was right.
"Oh. he was right about that pony. Everyone here has seen it, all of them suffering some injury. Although, no one has died before this young one." The medic thought for a moment before coming to a realization, "Where were you stationed? The Hall of Elements or the throne room?"
Turrok debated for a moment, "The throne room."
"And what was his name?"
"Yanu Galvann... my brother."
"Ah, I see," he gave a sigh. "I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to detain you. Only the ones stationed in the Hall of Elements was spared his wrath. You will be tried for desertion when we return home."
Turrok was forced to toss Yanu's body of his back and take to the sky. No one gave chase, too concerned with the wounded. He had been running for three months since that day. He never even got to attend Yanu's funeral service. To make matters worse, he was attacked multiple times. The gods didn't give any form of mercy to him.
An unfamiliar voice called him from his memories and back to reality
***
"Fluttershy, get behind me." The voice called.
Turrok forced his eyes open to find himself in a dimly lit hospital room. A group of ponies were standing around his bed, two of which he could recognize. Princess Celestia, the primary monarch of the ponies, and something that he had only heard of. It can't be, black mane, blue coat, horn, that's gotta be coincidental.
"Can you understand us?" The tall monarch asked.
Thankfully, Equish was a second language to him. "Yeah, yeah I do. I take it your Princess Celestia."
"Indeed changling, do you know where you are?"
"I presume the hospital in a town called Ponyville, at the mercy of you and your people." He was fully aware of the situation he was in.
"Correct, now I'm going to have to ask you some questions. How you answer them determines what is to be done with you."
"Can I ask one first?" He requested.
"I believe that is fair."
"You," he pointed toward the black unicorn, a pale yellow pegasus was hiding behind him. "You were in Canterlot during the attack weren't you?"
"Yes, I take it you were one of the changlings in the attack."
"No, but my brother was. You certainly met him, after all, you did kill him."
"What?" He shook his head in disbelief. "But I made sure I didn't kill any of them, just hurt them enough to keep them from attacking."
"If your intent was not to kill, you did a pretty good job. The assault ended with only two casualties, the other being the Queen." He gave the pony a cold stare, "But, you threw my little brother into a tree, I saw him just before he... he passed. He gave a description of a pony with a black coat, horn and blue mane. Certainly sounds like a description of you," he scoffed.
The unicorn started to shake, "I... I'm so sorry. I really didn't want to kill anyone." My brother's murderer, is sorry?
"Did I just here you say you're sorry?"
"You changlings may have wanted to take over Equestria, but you still are living things. I had no right to take a life." Tears started to form in his eyes. Remorse, poured from him and channeled into Turrok's body, giving him a small amount of energy.
"Tell me, what is your name?"
"Dusk Light, yours?"
"Turrok Galvann."
"What was your brother's name?"
"Yanu... Yanu Galvann." Dusk turned his head away, not attempting to look in the general direction of the bed.
The energy grew coming from the entire group, filling his changling body slowly. "Dusk? Are you okay?" The yellow pegasus asked.
"No, no I'm not. I'll be back in a minute." He quickly made his way to the door, the pegasus was right behind him. Giving him a chance to take note of the other's in the room. A lavender unicorn with a purple mane and tail, a pink earth pony with a wild darker pink mane and tail, an orange earth pony with a blonde mane and tail with a brown stetson hat, a light blue pegasus with rainbow mane and tail, and a white unicorn with a well styled royal blue mane.
"Well, although I'm sorry for your loss, I still need to question you." The princess announced.
"Proceed."
"What left you in such a state to rely on my people for help?"
"Would you believe me if I said another changling?"
"Another changling? Why?"
"Because I refused to follow a mad queen in her quest for more power."
"Chrysalis, you didn't believe in her goal to take my land?"
"No, she managed to rally most saying it would benefit everyone. She said that the ponies could be slaves to us. Used for work, entertainment, whatever we wished. Ha, absolute shit if I ever heard it. She was just a greedy monarch believing she could take over the world. Both Yanu and I knew it too."
"Sickening. But, if you both didn't believe in her cause, why did your brother go?"
"Do you know what conscription is princess?"
"Oh, I'm aware, yes."
"Conscription?" The white unicorn asked.
"A declaration of enrollment into an army. The queen decided to conscript any males in good enough condition to fight. Anyone conscripted had to go or risk being tried for desertion." Turrok answered the mare.
"Oh my, that's terrible!" She replied.
"Indeed, but back on topic, what happened to your brother? If you didn't fight and he did, you must have been separated."
"You're right princess, he and I planned to escape since the day we were forced to join as soldiers. The night before the attack there was a camp set up not too far from Canterlot. The perfect opportunity to vanish in the land of our enemy had presented itself. I went first, slipping into forest just outside the camp. Before he could, a patrol caught him and stopped him and made sure he wouldn't get another chance. You heard the rest."
"So, you left the camp. Does that have anything to do with your injuries?"
"Kind of, after the failed attack, I was labelled a deserter and had a prize put on my head." He gave a light chuckle, "This is a result of the latest of a string of attacks by changlings attempting to collect." He could feel the energy increasing as it poured into his body.
"My sincerest apologies, but I'm afraid I must ask some more questions before I may leave you."
"Continue."
"Why should I let you stay in my kingdom?" I have a plan for this, hopefully it works.
"Because, I can help you."
She raised an eyebrow, "How?"
"Do you have anyway to identify a disguised changling?"
"No, no we don't," she sighed.
"Well then, I think we can help each other out."
"I'm going to regret this but, what do you propose?"
"You have no way of finding spies in your town and I need to hide from others that seek to capture me. If you let me stay here, I can keep an eye out for disguised foes. Keeping both your town and myself safe. What do you say?"
"I say... this requires advisement. Excuse us for a moment." Turrok raised a dismissive hoof to show that it was fine and the room became empty once more.
One minute passed...
One became two...
Two became five...
Five became ten...
Twenty minutes later the group reentered.
"So?"
"You may stay, until you are healed enough to leave. From there it will be decided based on how well you kept everyone safe." Good enough.
"So, am I staying here the entire time?"
"Oh no, we are going to discuss that now. You will be staying with someone in this group here. It's only fair that you are apart of this. So who absolutely cannot support someone else staying with them?"
The pink pony raised a hoof, "Sorry Princess, no room at Sugar Cube Corner."
"That's fine Pinkie. Anyone else?"
Silence.
"Okay, who would refuse to have him at their home."
Dusk raised a hoof, "No way Mentor, I may have a debt to him, but I will not have him anywhere near Fluttershy. Especially not in the same house."
"I understand. That leaves four, anyone unable to support another in their home?"
This time the orange earth pony and the blue pegasus both raised a hoof.
"Being on the weather team doesn't pay enough to support anyone other than myself." The pegasus explained.
"And we already got four mouths to feed. Can't afford a fifth." The earth pony stated, through a very southern accent.
"Twilight, Rarity, you're both fine?" Celestia questioned.
"Yes, Princess, you give me funding and I have the spare room of the library. A little cluttered but I can fix that." The purple unicorn answered.
"I as well, I get plenty of extra bits and I have a bedroom not in use at my shop." The white unicorn replied, a very Canterlot accent compared to her earlier response.
Celestia turned to the bed, "You're choice Turrok."
He pondered for a moment, both sound equally unpleasant being stuck living with a mare I have never met. "I have one question for you both. I'm living in either a shop or a library, which one is more likely to have ponies coming and going at any time?"
The two looked at each other, slightly perplexed. They started whispering to themselves for a minute before answering.
"My library is more likely to have ponies coming and going, it is a public and free service." The one believed to be Twiligt answered.
"Okay, Ms... Rarity was it?" The mare nodded, "It appears that I will be staying with you."
"I will prepare the guest room when I return home."
He turned to the monarch once more, "When am I leaving?"
"Can you disguise yourself now?"
"Yes..."
"Then right now, according to the medical staff you should be fine so long as you don't walk for a few weeks." Wonderful...
"Come then, Mr. Galvann. Allow me to show you where you're going to be staying." Rarity offered him a hoof to get off the bed. The energy she was giving off, it wasn't pity, possibly sympathy. Whatever it was, it was positive enough to know she wouldn't drop him, yet. He hesitantly accepted, being pulled of the bed onto his three good legs. He propelled himself of the floor a few feet with his and disguised himself as a grey pegasus, much like the disguise he had when he entered the town. Only this time, he had the forethought to add a cutie mark. A bag of bits, simple enough.
Rarity led the group out of the hospital, the doors opened and allowed the sun to graciously burn Turrok's retinas.
"Rarity, everyone is going to the library to discuss our next move. Are you going to be okay alone with him?" Twilight asked.
"Darling, I'm sure I can handle myself. I thought after the Diamond Dog incident, you learned that I can handle myself." Darling? What did I just sign up for?
I killed someone. That thought played in his head over and over from the moment he left Turrok's room.
All he picked up in the conversation that followed was that they were going to the library for some reason and Rarity and Turrok were suppose to meet them there.
"Dusk?" Fluttershy called.
"Yes, dear."
"Are you going to be okay? You've been quiet ever since your conversation with him."
"I don't know Fluttershy, I don't know. I took a life, an innocent one. I'm a murderer that doesn't deserve to have you as a wife."
"Dusk, stop talking."
"I'm no better than that queen of theirs."
"Dusk, stop."
"I should just go back in the forest."
"SHUT UP!" She shouted, it was the loudest her voice had ever been. She had everyone's undivided attention. "Don't you ever talk like that! You think this changes how any of us feel about you!? It doesn't, you're still the sweet unicorn I bumped into six months ago! Nothing's changed! I still love you as much as I did when I left this morning!"
She took a gasp of air. "The fact that you even compare yourself to that queen of theirs is almost too much to bear! You have a heart of pure gold! You laid your life on the line just to keep everyone safe! You will never be anything like her!"
"And don't you dare say that you're going back into the Everfree, either! If you do go back I will personally drag you back out with my bare hooves! I love you Dusk, and you better not say you don't deserve me because I just might lose it if you do! For the love of Celestia Dusk, snap out of it! I will not let you sit here and talk yourself down!" She ended it with a slap across the face followed by a deep kiss.
She pulled away with a tear in her eye, "Please tell me I got through that skull of yours."
"You did. Thanks, I needed that." He pulled her into his embrace, "I'm sorry, I lost it there for a minute."
"You found it again. With a little bit of help."
"Ahem, can we get to the library. You two are starting to draw a crowd." Twilight pointed out.
To his surprise a number ponies had gathered to see what all of the shouting was about. "All right, show's over everyone." The crowd disbanded quickly and the group made it to the library. Spike was there to greet them.
"Hey guys, what happened? Twilight left before she could tell me what was going on."
"You aren't going to like it." Dusk replied. He explained the situation with Turrok and how he was going to be staying with Rarity.
"Wait, WHAT!? You let him stay with her? Are you insane?!"
"I offered the library and Rarity offered her boutique. We let him pick which." Twilight explained.
"Of course he was gonna pick Rarity! Why did you let him pick!?"
"It was only fair, after what happened to his brother." Dusk stated.
"What happened to his brother?"
"I... I killed him in Canterlot."
"I thought you managed to keep them alive."
"I thought so, too."
"You did what you had to do, Dusk. But, more on topic, how long is he staying with her?"
"I needed to hear that, thanks. But Turrok is staying there for a month or two, at least. Maybe longer."
"This is a bad idea."
***
The pair spit off as everyone else headed for the library. "So, Ms. Rarity, I must thank you for opening up your home to me while I recover. I will try not to be a burden."
"Please darling, I have a younger sister. It will take a lot for you to be a burden."
"I understand, my little brother used to always get into trouble when he was young." He gave a light chuckle, always found a new way to anger our parents.
"Oh dear, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to 'rub salt in the wound' as it were." More sad energy flowed from her.
"Ms. Rarity, I've come to terms with his death. It's been a few months since the attack, after all. It's just, meeting the one responsible reopened the wound a little."
"I still can't believe that Dusk killed someone."
"To be honest, he's half responsible."
"Half responsible, how?"
"The queen sent him to his death. He didn't want to fight, he was forced to. The fact that Dusk happened to be the one that physically did it means little."
"Well if that's the case, I could always take you to her petrified body in the Canterlot Gardens." She had a mischievous smile on her face and a trickle of happiness flowed into him.
The smile was infectious and tugged at the corners of his mouth. "It could be enjoyable Ms. Rarity."
"Oh, please Turrok, such formalities are not necessary. Rarity is fine."
"If you wish M- Rarity."
"So, how old was your brother?" The trickle of happiness was washed out by sorrow once more.
"He was sixteen, the youngest age one could be conscripted."
"So young, and sent into war. I'm sorry I keep bothering you about it, I'll stop."
"Rarity, you are probably the first to even talk to me about it and be sorry. Every changlong to attack me always brought up how I was responsible for his death. Even the one who delivered this injury on my shoulder."
"How did they do that?"
"When they were slammed into a tree I approached them hoping for a surrender. Instead, I was stabbed with their horn."
"What did you do to them?"
"Knocked them out and left quickly."
"You left them alive?"
"I'm no murderer."
"Oh, that's very admirable."
"I suppose."
"No, it is. You manage to stick to your morals despite everything that happened. Take pride in that fact."
Turrok had to think about it for a few minutes. I guess she's right, others would have been broken by now. I must be strong to be morally right for this long.
"Ah, here we are," Rarity announced in a sing-song voice. The sign read Carousel Boutique and the home was a purple building with a large dome on top. She unlocked the door and let him in and closed it quickly behind her. "Excuse the mess, I wasn't expecting company today."
He immediately saw the shop, a rack of outfits sitting behind a counter. "A fashion designer, huh?"
"Yes, oh you can drop that silly disguise. My shop's closed today, so no one will come without knocking."
He did as suggested, and stood on his good three legs. "Thank you, Rarity, It gets annoying after a while."
"Do not mention it, follow me upstairs and I will show you where your room is." She waved for him to follow up the stairs.
He fired up his wings again and went up the stairs behind his host. The hall showed three rooms were connected to it. Two on the left, one on the right.
"Your room is first on the left, bathroom is on the right and my room is next door to yours. Bathroom comes complete with a shower."
Turrok saw an opportunity to have some fun, "Shower? What's a shower?" He tilted his head in confusion.
"You've never heard of a shower? How do your people get clean?"
"We use a river to bathe once a month."
"ONCE A MONTH!?" She all but fainted right there.
"Whoa, Rarity, calm down, I know what a shower is and my people bathe regularly." He was laughing too hard to notice the death glare he was receiving.
"That is NOT funny!" Her cheeks were red with embarrassment.
"Sorry, but you have to admit, the look on your face was priceless."
"Oh, ha ha ha." She was fighting a smile, and losing.
"Should we head to the library now?"
"I suppose that's best." Turrok took on his disguise once more. "Actually, come with me, we need to fix that before we go."
"Fix what?"
"That facade of yours, dear. You can do better, come on, I have an idea." With a roll of the eyes, he followed her back downstairs into a workshop. Every kind of fabric of every color was littering the floor in a completely random fashion. She pulled a large mirror for him to view the grey pegasus he made himself appear to be. "Now, why do you have that color?"
"Because, I focus on making it so I can blend in better."
"Do you really see that many grey ponies?"
"No."
"Okay, so what if you changed your color?"
"To what?"
"Whatever you want. If you're staying here for a while, you should take advantage of your ability."
"I don't follow."
She gave an annoyed sigh, "What's your favorite color?"
"Blue."
"Can you be more specific?"
He thought for a moment, "Midnight blue."
"Well then," she waved a hoof in his direction.
Giving another eye roll, he change his coat and mane to midnight blue.
"You should know not to roll your eyes at a lady. Also, that's not going to work."
"What?"
"That mane and tail, it's just so bland. It's the same color as your coat."
"And?"
"It should be a different color. Do you really see anyone whose one solid color?"
"I guess not."
"Okay then, what do you want them to be?"
"I don't know, I've never put much thought into it."
"What other colors do you like?"
"Well, what's you favorite color?"
"Well, that would be red."
"Could you be more specific?" He couldn't help mimicking her.
"Rosewood." In a flash the mane and tail took a dark red hue.
"Anything else?"
"One last thing, your cutie mark. A bag of bits is too simple, you need something better."
"What should it be?"
"Well, what do you like to do in your spare time?"
"I use to tend to the family garden."
"You planted flowers?"
"What? Oh no, no, no. My people live in the deserts, plants don't really grow there other than some cacti. My family owned a zen garden."
"A zen garden?"
"Yeah, using gravel, sand and rocks to create designs in a landscape."
"Ohh, I've seen a few of those in magazines. You're family has one?"
"Had one, yeah."
"What happened to it?"
"That's... a story for another time."
"Okay, but can you work that gardening into a cutie mark?"
"I can see if that will work." He replaced the bag of bits with a rock and wooden rake. "There, satisfied?"
"Hmm, I suppose that will do, for now. Come, we need to get to the library." The two left the building and began their trip to the library. Turrok noticed a few glances being thrown at him but chose to ignore all but one. A spring green pony sitting at a nearby cafe was eying him. Or at least that's what the ponies saw, to him it was a fellow changeling.
He pretended not to notice, preferring to set a sneaky little trap for them. The pair walked up to a tree that someone had carved out and was living in. How is the tree alive?
The sign on the door said closed to deter any passerby. Rarity knocked just to be safe.
"Who is it?"
"Rarity and company."
The door swung open, the entire group from the hospital was there.
Twilight looked behind the two. "Rarity, where's Turrok? And whose that behind you?"
"Good to know you're on top of the whole changling disguise thing." He replied.
Rarity elbowed him, in the wrong shoulder. "AH! Damn, that hurts!" He nearly fell over from the sudden blow.
"Oh, I forgot about that shoulder! Are you okay?"
"If you had a problem with what I said... pointing it out might be a bit more effective, and less painful."
"Can you two get in here before you draw the wrong kind of attention?" Twilight ushered them in quickly and closed the door behind them. Locking it to make sure no one would try to enter.
"Oh, right, about that attention... I spotted a changling not too far from here. They are probably going to make a move when I leave."
"Please tell me that's another bit of terrible humor." Rarity pleaded.
"Nope. I wouldn't joke about that since it's the only reason why I can stay here."
"Okay, we'll deal with that in a minute. First, you need to know who will be keeping an eye on you here." Twilight pointed to everyone for introductions.
"You know Dusk and the Princess, now." She pointed to the yellow pegasus that left with Dusk. "This is Fluttershy, she lives with Dusk at a cottage outside of town."
"Hello." Fluttershy greeted.
"Pleased to meet you, I take it that you and Dusk are together."
"Y-yes." She answered, shying away and avoiding eye contact.
"It's alright, I just assumed. I have no intention of hurting anyone. Well, anypony, that is." She gave him a smaill smile,
Twilight pointed to the cyan colored pegasus with the rainbow mane, "This is Rainbow Dash, she lives in a cloud home over the town. She's usually flying around town so you will see her often."
"Sup?"
Turrok looked up. "Uh, a ceiling, I think."
She started laughing, "That's a different answer than usual. I don't think we'll have too much of an issue." She glanced over him quickly. "You seem cool enough."
Next was the orange earth pony, "This is AppleJack, her family owns and works the apple orchard outside of town."
"Pleased to meet ya."
"You as well."
The pink earth pony, "This is Pinkie Pie, she works at a bake shop called Sugar Cube Corner."
"Hi! It's really fun to meet new ponies, even though you aren't a pony I'm really glad to meet you!" The energy poured out of her constantly.
"Likewise."
She gasped, "WE SHOULD THROW A PARTY!"
"Are you insane? I need to lay low, until the others give up trying to capture me."
"Pinkie, we talked about this, like with Dusk, he can't have a party. At least, not yet."
"Aww," Pinkie pouted.
She pulled a young dragon out of the kitchen, he had purple scales and green spines going down his back. "And finally, this is my assistant Spike. He lives here at the library with me."
"So, you're Turrok huh?" He help out one claw.
"Yes, nice to meet you." He put out his good hoof and was pulled close to Spike.
"If you hurt Rarity, or any other of my friends, I will bake you alive. Got it?"
"I've had three attempts made on my life. I don't plan on hurting anyone here, so such a threat is simply that. Death doesn't scare me anymore, can you say the same?" Turrok replied coldly. The two nodded in understanding and separated.
"Now that introductions are out of the way, you said you saw another changling out there?" Celestia inquired.
"Yes ma'am, they tend not to hesitate in secluded areas but will exercise caution in populated ones."
"What do you suggest?"
"Use myself as bait, wander someplace where he can be easily ambushed and captured."
"That sounds like a terrible idea! You're already injured from the last attack and you want to waltz right into another one!?" Rarity protested.
"Do you have another proposal?" Turrok asked. She shook her head.
"If you're putting your life on the line like that, then I'm coming with you." Rarity declared.
"You're insane if I'm going to willingly let you walk into the cross hairs."
"You're even more so if you think I'm letting you go out there alone!"
The two started an intense staring contest, neither side wanting to back down.
Surprisingly, it lasted for about twenty minutes before Turrok blinked, "Fine."
"Ha, I win. Now, how are we going to do this?"
Everyone else in the room was fast asleep. "HELLO?" She shouted.
The room woke up again, "Did somebody finally blink?" Twilight asked, getting off the couch.
"Yes, I'm going to be with Turrok when he leads the changling out into the open. So, how are we going to do that?"
"Since I lost the battle of going alone, I might as well tell you the plan I cooked up over the past twenty minutes. Is there any kind of open field around we can lure them to?"
"Yes, just outside the Everfree Forest next to our cottage," Fluttershy answered. "Is that where you want to lure the attacker?"
"Yes, but I don't want to do it with just myself and Rarity. Mostly because I'm injured and can't guarantee I can protect both her and myself. I need some volunteers to tail them to the open field. That way they get jumped when they try to jump me."
"I'm in," Dusk volunteered. "I am a living lightning rod, after all."
"Me too," Twilight followed.
"Okay, so you two will follow us out to the location. Just try to stay hidden, I don't want them to run off to try again later. Rarity, I know we just met but..." How in Tartarus can I word this?
"But what?"
"I need you to pretend to be my... marefriend? Yeah, marefriend."
"You want me to act like I'm your marefriend?"
"Yes, can you do it?"
"...Yes, lucky for you, I know how to act very well."
Turrok rolled his eyes again before hovering through the door. "Wait." Rarity demanded.
"What?"
"Put your wing around me."
"What? Why?"
"Because it's what couples do, plus you can't walk normally without having something to support you when moving, so you might as well."
"Come on, love, I want you to meet my friend Fluttershy!" Rarity proclaimed loudly, pulling Turrok out of the library.
"Why do I get the feeling you're enjoying this too much?"
"Because, you gave me a chance to use my acting skills." She had a mischievous smile on her face. Gods, be merciful. You owe me that much.
"Alright, dear, I'm coming!"
The two trotted quickly through the town, Turrok glanced behind him periodically to make sure that he was being followed. The spring green imposter was not too far behind them.
"You and Fluttershy are going to be good friends. I can tell. Oh, we can go on double dates with her and Dusk! Doesn't that sound fun?!"
"Absolutely, Rarity, I can't wait." She kissed him on the cheek as the field came into view next to the path to Fluttershy's cottage. That was a little excessive. I know that it was apart of the act but still.
"Follow my lead. You don't sound excited about meeting my friend."
"Well, to be honest, I'm not."
"What!? Why not!?"
"It doesn't sound like she and I will get along."
"Ridiculous! You two will get along well."
Turrok stopped halfway into the field. "I don't want to meet her right now."
"Well, maybe I do!"
"Ahem, excuse me for interrupting your little 'lovers quarrel' but I have business with your coltfriend here." The imposter announced.
"What do you want with him?"
"Just to have a little chat, be and dear and clear out, would you?"
"Oh, well if you insist." She began walking, but stopped as if an idea popped in her head. "Actually, dear, I have a much better idea. Why don't you clear out? After all, you are a little outnumbered here."
The changling blinked and looked around to find it was just the two. "I think I can handle an injured deserter and a little mare."
"Shut you mouth!" Turrok shouted, he was enraged at that comment. Whoa, hold up. Why did I just let that get to me? I've been called a deserter so many times, hell, I've been called much worse. Why did it bother me that much this time?
"Oh, did I strike a nerve? What are you going to do about it?" A smug grin grew across his face.
He took a calming breath before giving a retort. "Well, I don't have to do anything. You already lost."
"Are you mad? I have you right where I want you."
"And we have you right where we want you." With that a bolt of lightning flew through the air and made contact with the target. His disguise failed and he struggled to stay standing. Dusk and Twilight appeared around the corner. "Nice job you three, especially you Ms. Actress." Turrok walked up to the paralyzed changling.
"You weren't too bad yourself," Rarity had an infectious grin on her face. "Now what do we do with them?"
"Well, I'm sure we're all against murder," Turrok stated, Rarity, Dusk and Twilight all nodded in agreement. "So, can we use them as a prisoner?"
"Possibly, do you think they know much?" Twilight answered. "The princess could question the changling."
The four stood around the victim like a prized kill, clearly muted by the overdose of electricity. "Is there a way to get our little friend to the library quietly? No need to cause a scene."
"I have a plan, does anyone have a burlap sack?" Dusk asked.
"Fluttershy does, I don't suppose you would have a key on you." Rarity grinned, knowing full well he did.
"I'll be right back." Dusk walked off toward the cottage.
"So, you lost your temper a little, I noticed." Rarity pointed out.
"Huh? Oh yeah, when he was resorting to name calling."
"It certainly got to you more than simple name calling." She noted.
"What are you getting at?"
"Curiosity, dear, nothing more, I'm going to let everyone know we got him with no problems."
"Alright, just be careful. Where there's one, there's usually more." Turrok advised.
"Please, dear, I'll be fine." She walked back into town, leaving him and Twilight with the prisoner.
"You know that she caught that, right?" Twilight questioned.
"Caught what?" He tilted his head in confusion.
"That little burst of anger, how it had nothing to do with him talking about you."
"What? What else could it have been?"
"Calling Rarity a little mare. That's why you suddenly flared up right?"
Turrok pondered about it for a few moments. Could that really have been the cause? Hearing him insult her? That would explain why, since 'deserter' is probably the weakest insult they could throw at me.
"I suppose, since 'deserter' is something I'm called often enough."
"That's what I thought, and that's what she knows."
"Is that all to this observation?"
"You don't see it?"
"See what? I'm starting to think you might be reading too much into one act."
Twilight gave an annoyed sigh. "You like Rarity!"
Turrok was taken aback, "Well of course, she opened her home to me. How could I not like someone who does that?"
"She means as a love interest you idiot?!" The prisoner shouted, completely annoyed by his obliviousness.
"Shut up you!" Turrok reared back his hoof about to deliver a blow right into his side. But immediately stomped the ground as a familiar face slipped out of the town.
"The girls are preparing a sort of interrogation room at the library. So, did I miss anything?"
"No," Twilight replied.
"Not really," Turrok confirmed.
"This idiot's in love with you!" Their prisoner defiantly shouted. If he was a prisoner, he was going to stir up as much as he could, whenever he could.
"Turrok, can you please kick him? I know you wanted to a minute ago." Rarity asked.
"It would be my pleasure." He bowed slightly before kicking the prisoner in the ribs, eliciting a groan of pain. It wasn't hard enough to do any real damage. Just remind him of his current position.
"Thank you, darling." She leaned down to the cowering victim. "You should have listened to him, dear. I don't appreciate you trying to play with my heartstrings. My friend here appreciates no more and, as he just demonstrated, doesn't have a problem with being a bit rough with you."
"That is correct. Would you like me to drive the point home?" Turrok offered.
"No, I think he fully understands, don't you?"
He nodded quickly. Well,she put him in his place. I like this mare, although, not quite in the way Twilight thinks.
"Good, ah here comes Dusk. Now we can get to the library."
"So did I miss anything?" He asked as he approached.
"Nope." Twilight answered.
"Not really." Rarity replied.
"Nothing worth mentioning." Turrok confirmed.
The three looked to the cowering creature on the ground, following the advice that they had been so graciously given.
"Sorry it took so long. I had to find an extra item of use."
"What might that be Dusk?" Twilight asked.
He levitated a piece of cloth from the sack. "Something to keep him quiet."
"Excellent, although, I wish we had that a second ago." Rarity commented.
"Why's that?"
"Oh, no reason."
"Riiiiight." Dusk replied.
"Anyway, can we get going?" Turrok asked quickly as he disguised himself once more, hoping to move things along.
"Sure." Dusk wrapped the cloth around the changlings mouth on the off chance he tried shooting off his mouth again. He opened the sack and tossed the prisoner inside and carried it above his head.
The four walked back as quickly as possible. When someone asked about the sack, Twilight answered, 'a new experiment, really top secret.' Removing any suspicion of a changling being inside. When they reached the library, everyone was waiting.
Dusk threw him out of the sack in front of the group. "I hope so, I worked hard to find this sack and gag."
Celestia took him downstairs, when everyone began to follow her, she gestured that she was to do this alone.
***
I obviously missed something back there. Dusk walked up to Turrok, "I wish to speak with you, privately."
The two walked into the kitchen, "So, what happened out there?"
"I have no idea what you are talking about." He denied.
"Turrok, what's said here doesn't leave the two of us. Unless, you decide it should."
"Fine, our little friend got a little mouthy."
"Could you possibly give more detail?"
"Remember when I lost my temper?"
"Vaguely, something about calling you a deserter and then calling Rarity a little mare. Yeah, right after he said that, you did become a bit more angry. What about it?"
"Twilight talked to me about why I snapped like that. She assumed that it was because he insulted Rarity. But, at the time, I had no idea what made me say that."
"Is that why you snapped?"
"I guess, but anyway, Twilight decided to randomly ask me if I liked Rarity."
"What did you say?" Now, this is what I was expecting.
"She's a good pony. But then our little friend implied that I was in love with her. I was about to kick him in the ribs before Rarity came back. He then shouted that I was in love with her."
"Wow, how did she respond?"
"That's the kicker, she asked me to kick him!" Turrok started laughing, "I was more than happy to oblige, she shut him up good. She really knows how to take care of business."
Dusk joined in his laughter for a moment, now I have to ask. "Turrok, how do you feel about Rarity?"
He had a look of skepticism, "Why do you ask?"
"Simple curiosity, I won't say a word to anyone."
"Fine," he sighed. "She's... I don't know."
"Okay, let's take this one step at a time. Physically?"
"Well, beautiful. Have you seen her? She takes pride in how she looks."
Well, one for one. "I know, now, personality?"
"Well, she opened her home up to a complete stranger, a changling no less. That's admirable for someone to just do. And she likes to take charge of a situation. She's also really understanding. She actually apologized for bringing up my brother in a conversation. No one's actually apologized like that, granted everyone before her was a changling trying to catch me, but still."
Two for two. "Last thing, what happened when she kissed you?"
"I don't know, I figured she just got into the act. She do that to anyone else?" Well, time to see if it's true.
"Well, she did kiss me once. When we went to Canterlot together for two days."
"She WHAT!?" Three for three.
"Yep, she just assaulted my lips. Caught me totally of guard."
"What about Fluttershy?"
"Oh, we were seeing each other at that point, she knew as well."
Turrok fell silent.
"And that confirms my theory." Dusk announced.
"What theory?"
"You have a little crush on Rarity."
"Why do you all keep saying that?"
"I won't tell anybody, especially not Rarity."
"Oh, what's the point? Fine, she's a really great mare, alright. I admit it, I really like her. Will everyone leave me alone about it now?"
"Not quite, I just want to know what you're going to do about it?"
"I'm not going to do anything." Is he serious?
"You're kidding right?" Please say yes.
"What do you want me to do? I'm a changling remember. Why would she settle for a monster like me?"
"How are you a monster?"
"My people terrorized your people's capitol!"
"You were never a part of that!"
"No, but I didn't try to stop it. All my focus was getting myself and my brother out and I couldn't even do that! I'm just a pathetic creature that can't protect anyone I care about! Not my parents, not my brother, not even myself!"
"You protected Rarity."
"No, you did that. I was just the one who dragged her into it."
"She volunteered. She can be really stubborn when she wants to be. That just proves that she cares about you."
"Or she could just be protected her friends from the changlings that I am bringing here by simply existing. Did you consider that?"
"Hey! Your are bringing them here so they can't terrorize someone else. If it weren't for you they would probably be leeching off someone who is less fortunate."
"Less fortunate?" Turrok scoffed. "I am the least damn fortunate being in this damn world! I have no family, no friends, no home, no hope of having anything! Everyone would rather me be dead than alive! I will be executed if I try to go back to my homeland! I can't even see my brother's grave!"
Dusk fell silent.
"Exactly, you can't retort because it's true. I am alone, that's my fate. The second that I am well enough to leave, I will be evicted. Forced to wander until I am eventually hunted down and killed."
"Turrok, you are an imbecile. No friends, if you didn't have any friends you would be limping to the nearest town hoping you aren't targeted again. The fact that you aren't using a disguise to talk to us says that much, right?"
"No, it says that you all have a conscience. That you can't leave some poor sick animal on the side of the road without trying to nurse it back to health. You all have good hearts, changlings can't really have those. It's a rare commodity that only a handful can afford. I know that's a very cynical way to look at things but I have lost everything. I can't have any positive outlook with nothing to look for."
"That doesn't mean you can't find something."
"What do you know? How can you sit here and tell me to have hope?"
"Because, you're not the only monster in this room! ...You know what I did, you know how I killed someone. Do you think that's easy for someone to accept? I killed an innocent kid. I am no better than that queen. Taking something that did not belong to me. Sure, she was evil, but she didn't kill anyone."
"How can you say that? If I'm an imbecile, you're downright brain dead! You have family, friends, you even have someone to share your life with. I don't have any of those luxuries. If you were truly a monster, you wouldn't have any of those things either."
"How do you know that? The world is not that black and white. Your queen proved that."
"Then go out there, walk right up to Fluttershy and tell her that it was all fake. Tell her you never loved her."
"Never!" Dusk answered angrily at the thought.
"See, only a monster would fake love. That's the specialty of a changling, to take love through lies and deceit. That's all we know."
"What about Rarity? Is that fake?"
"No."
"If what you say is true and you will be kicked out when you are healed, you shouldn't waste this time you have."
"....When did we start this argument?" Turrok asked, annoyed at his own stubbornness.
"A-about ten minutes ago." Fluttershy answered quietly from the doorway.
"Fluttershy, you heard all that?" Dusk asked, shocked that she had been standing there the entire time.
"Yes, I'm sorry it's just we heard you two yelling and I offered to see if you were okay. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, I just didn't want to interrupt. Please don't be mad." She turned away from them.
"Hey, I could never be mad at you." Dusk answered softly.
She turned to the changling, "Turrok?"
"How much did you hear?" He inquired.
"E-everything after Dusk said... 'you protected Rarity'."
He took a calming breathe. "Nothing said leaves this room."
"Right."
"O-of course."
"If you'll excuse me, I have had a long day and I just want to sleep." He walked through the door in between the two.
"Wait, Turrok." Fluttershy called, he simply turned to face her. "You're not a monster and you should just tell her. I waited one day before talking to Dusk here, and I couldn't be happier."
He just nodded and walked away, whispering something to Rarity before taking up his disguise and departing with her.
"I'm sorry you had to hear all of that. It somehow warped from talking about what happened today to comparing ourselves in a competition to see who was more of a monster than the other."
"I shouldn't have eavesdropped, but I can tell you both that you will never be monsters. Do I need to remind you of what happened earlier this afternoon?"
"No."
"Good, now are you going to keep me company while waiting for the Princess?"
"Did you really need to ask?"
"Nope." She answered with a smile on her face.
The two joined everyone who questioned what happened between Dusk and Turrok. Of course, the only answer they received is 'sorry that's a secret.' That evening passed slowly as the seven sat and waited for any news. Celestia emerged from the stairs, "Sorry my subjects, not done with him yet, just need to lower the sun." The sun fell and she returned to the interrogation.
An other two hours passed and most everyone had left except Dusk and Fluttershy, Spike went to bed while Twilight was stubbornly staying awake to wait for her teacher.
Fluttershy finally fell asleep and Dusk saw it as a good time to head home. He was just about to bid farewell before footsteps came from the lab.
"Oh my, how long were we down there?" Celestia asked, noticing the lack of an audience.
"About... two hours." Twilight answered, fighting the urge to sleep.
"It looks like it's time for everyone to turn in. I will explain everything tomorrow. For now I'm returning to Canterlot with the changling. Go and get some rest, he gave me some useful information I need to share with you in the morning."
The changling emerged from the stairs tightly gripped in golden the aura of the Princess. She walked out the door and took to the air with prisoner in tow.
"Well, Twilight, we'll be going now if that's alright with you." Fluttershy was picked up and placed on his back. "Have a pleasant night."
"You...too." She closed the door behind them.
Dusk quickly walked through the moonlit town and made it to the cottage without any hassle. He laid his fiance on her side of the bed and pulled the covers over her shoulder before getting in bed himself before falling asleep as well.
Rarity? No, no, no! Turrok leaped from his bed and barreled through the door. Sliding on the floor and slamming his good shoulder into the hall before nearly tripping down the stairs. He raced to the door to see Rarity laying on a small sofa.
"Rarity, what's wrong!? Were you attacked?!"
"No, but I found out that we're needed at the library as soon as possible!"
"That's what the screaming was about?" He deadpanned.
"Well, I can't shower this morning before we leave!"
Turrok face hoofed. "You nearly gave me a heart attack, over a shower?"
"Yes, I... did you just say 'heart attack'?"
"Yeah, I thought someone broke in or attacked you or something."
"Oh, heavens no. But, it is nice to see you care so much."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you were so concerned with my safety, that you didn't think twice about racing down here."
"I- well..." He had no real counter. "True, I'm not going to deny it. The last thing I want is for someone to suffer for my sake. Especially, someone as nice as you."
"That's sweet of you to say."Her smile made him forget her over reaction and he couldn't help but smile back.
"So, uh, you said we need to get to the library?"
"Oh, yes, of course. Shall we?" She walked out of her home with her disguised changling in tow, wrapping a wing around her to walk.
"So, did you sleep well last night?" Turrok asked.
"Yes I did, having a big, strong stallion protecting me helps."
"What did Dusk come over during the night?"
"I was referring to you, darling."
"How am I strong? I can't even walk without something to support me." Which in this case, was Rarity.
"I'm not complaining. It's like having a feathery coat in this chilly morning air."
"Glad to see you take full advantage. So, why are we going to the library so early?"
"The princess wants to share what she had learned from our little 'friend' yesterday. Everyone else should already be there waiting for us."
"Excellent, I hope that information is worth the trouble we had to go through."
"I'm sure it will prove useful. But, I wanted to ask you about your argument with Dusk yesterday."
"What about it?"
"Who started it?"
"Well... it wasn't a normal argument. In all technicality, I guess I started it."
"Well, that's a little better than Dusk starting it."
"Why's that?"
"Because, you're my friend, dear, and the last thing you need is someone yelling at you for no reason." She answered.
"Ha friend, I don't have friends."
"Then what am I?"
"The really nice pony that's putting up with me."
"Is that really all I am to you? The one who gave you a place to live?"
"No, to me you are the one that's giving me a chance to heal. I'm just the sick animal that you took off the side of the road." He received a firm slap upside the head.
"I'm sorry to have done that but, you were being an idiot."
"What did I say?"
"You compared yourself to a sick animal. You clearly needed that."
"Then answer me this, if I wasn't injured when I came here, would you give me a chance?"
Rarity pondered a moment. "Of course. Granted, I would be a little more defensive about you, I would give you the opportunity to explain why you were here. All of us, even Dusk, would welcome you, albeit we would be hesitant we would welcome you."
Her answer was the exact opposite of what he was expecting. "You really mean that?"
"I do, dear. Now come on, everyone is waiting for our arrival."
The library came into view, and the door ominously opened. It beckoned them to enter, I have a very bad feeling bout this. "It seems their tired of waiting," Rarity noted, "shall we?"
"We shall. I'd offer to let you go ahead but..."
"I know, the gesture isn't as important as the thought."
The two walked through the door before it closed behind them. Everyone was accounted for, the five mares, Dusk, Princess Celestia and the dragon, Spike.
"Geez, took you two long enough. You just get back from a date?" A certain cyan pegasus asked, in a less than cheery mood.
Turrok gently pulled his wing off Rarity, don't even dignify that with a response. "I take it you aren't a morning person?"
"Hey, I like my sleep, okay? And this affects you the most out of everypony, being the very last one to show."
"My sincerest apologies, but I would like to ask to skip these... pleasantries and get straight to the point. I would like to get some breakfast and I know a certain mare would like to shower as soon as she can." Hinting he remembered his less than pleasant rise.
"Right then," Celestia began. "I spent a good amount of time with this changling and they broke quite easily, I didn't even have to rough him up that much. Nor did I have to get my pyro mask from Nightmare Night, I'm a little disappointed about that."
Dusk and the others remembered the costume and shuddered at the thought of it. It came complete with a full fireproof red suit, working flamethrower and ax, it definitely made her the most feared pony in Ponyville and Canterlot. It took Dusk a whole day to get Fluttershy to leave the house. Even longer to pry her off of him when she got scared and clung to him for dear life. Turrok, on the other hand, was lost by Nightmare Night and shrugged it off as an unnecessary detail.
"He was not professional in the slightest. But, the information he gave me was useful. First, the prize on your head is pretty small, meaning no trained assassins will come after you, since it would not be worth the trouble."
"Oh, thank heavens." Rarity interjected.
"That is good news, but this also means anyone who is desperate enough will seek you out. You won't be officially safe until we figure out a way to ensure that they won't come here."
"Is that all?" Turrok asked. "Not really all that new information. I had come here knowing all of this, I appreciate summoning me to make sure I knew." He turned to face the door.
"That's not all."
"What else is there to tell me?"
"You're family, tell me of it."
A tightness pulled at his chest. "What did they tell you?"
"Enough for me to want to hear your answer before drawing any conclusions."
"I suppose I can't hide from it any longer," the changling admitted.
Turrok took a deep breath in preparation, "I had my mother, father and younger brother. My family was one of nobility. Though the queen acted as a ruler, those of higher stature are placed as heads of each individual state. My father was a leader of one of these states. Many of these leader's are stricken by greed and their greed is fueled by the queen's greed. Taking as much as they could from the ones they ruled over."
"My father was nothing like them, always taking the least he could from the working families. Sometimes giving up some of our own family's money in order to make sure everyone could live comfortably. The ones he was responsible for cared for him greatly. His praise was slowly spread throughout the land. Eventually, it reached Chrysalis. She ordered a heavy tax upon our people. More so than what we could cover. So, my father did the only thing he could."
"What was that?" Fluttershy spoke, just above a whisper.
"He refused to pay it. He had too much support to be simply removed from power. Riots and revolution would definitely begin to dethrone the vile witch. But, the witch found... other methods." He couldn't help getting choked up at this point. "Yanu and I were returning from the market one day to find our estate in flames. My mother and father were both trapped inside, autopsy report stated death from smoke inhalation. That fire was deliberately set, she had ordered it to keep him from gaining too much support, all because he wasn't affected by greed, he was just being a good leader... That's all that should be said. You already heard about what happened to little Yanu." He fought the tears, but they still showed the urge to form.
"Princess, I think that's enough." Rarity turned to Turrok and reached out to him, "Come, let's get some breakfast."
He nodded and the two walked out the door.
***
Pinkie Pie ran out shortly after, it must have been too sad for the party pony to handle.
"What hasn't that guy been through?" Dash asked.
"Not much good, maybe we should consider givin' him a permanent home here. He don't really have anywhere else to go." AppleJack suggested.
"He hasn't exactly led us astray." Dusk supported.
"It's a bit early for that, I'm afraid. He has seen many tragedies, but we need to see how well he protects this place. I must return to the castle though, I will check in frequently for updates. Good day to you all."
"Good day, Mentor." Celestia took her leave.
"This is unbelievable, how can someone lose their parents, then lose their brother and have no where to call home?" Twilight asked.
"I don't know, but I know he blames himself as much as he blames Chrysalis for everything," Dusk stated.
"How could he blame himself as much as that maniac?" Dash asked.
"He couldn't protect them. Not his parents, not his brother. He couldn't have known what she was planning to do with his parents and his brother was trapped. Nothing could have been done for any of them but still he blames himself."
"Well, what can we do about it?" Twilight asked.
"Not talk about it." Dusk answered simply.
"That's it!?"
"That's it."
"There has to be something else we can do!" Twilight proclaimed.
"What else? What else can you do for someone who has lost everything?" Dusk questioned.
"Give him something that he needs."
"Like what?"
"Friendship, what else?"
"Good luck with that," Dusk replied.
"Why's that?"
"I talked to him privately, he thinks that we are just helping him out of pity."
"Well, ain't that what we're doin'?" AppleJack questioned.
"Exactly, if he wasn't injured we would just tell him to leave. I know I wouldn't let him set one foot here without a fight." He confirmed.
"But, now we actually got to know him, and how he isn't a monster or a threat. He's just had a hard life and really needs a friend." Fluttershy chimed in.
"Oh, I think he has more than a friend, now," Rainbow pointed out slyly.
"What? Who?" Twilight asked.
"Come on, Twilight, you're the most observant one here. Who has spent the most time with him since he got here?"
"Rarity?"
"Duh, no doubt there's something going on between those two."
"Dash, stop." Dusk stated.
"What? It's obvious."
"How?" Twilight inquired with a raised eyebrow.
"Well, they live together right?"
"That means nothing Dash, I offered up the library too, remember?"
"Yeah, but you have that guy in Phillydelphia."
"He has a name you know!" Twilight shouted.
"Anyway," she rolled her eyes. "He picked Rarity, that says enough."
"It says that he didn't want to be too exposed," Dusk explained. "That he didn't want to be somewhere that anyone could walk into with no one being the wiser."
"W-well, what about when they left together yesterday?" She stammered.
"She probably locked the door when they left, and she has the only key to get in," Twilight mused.
"But...but..." Dash trailed off.
"But nothing Rainbow," Dusk interrupted. "Spreading rumors like that won't help either of them."
"...Fine." She groaned.
"Good, now, back on topic. We need to be his friends if he's ever going to even begin to heal."
"I suppose if you want to try." Dusk submitted.
"Um, Dusk?" Fluttereshy spoke.
"Yes, love?"
"I need to go feed the animals."
"I'll come with you."
"No, you don't need to do that."
"Hush, changlings could be here. I do not want you to go off alone if I can help it."
"Okay, goodbye everyone." Fluttershy said.
"Alright, be careful you two." Twilight advised.
"Twilight, did you forget I have the champion of Ponyville here to protect me?" She smiled, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Still, we're dealing with an infiltration not a invasion. They could disguise themselves as anyone, even us." Twilight explained.
"Then we need a way to test each other, a password, something that only we would know." Dusk suggested.
"I have an idea," Fluttershy said.
"What's that?" Rainbow asked.
"The name of our daughter. It would be really hard to guess wouldn't it?"
"Wait! YOU'RE PREGNANT!?" The three mares shouted.
"What? No, no, no! At least, not yet!" The pegasus explained. AppleJack and Twilight gave a sigh of relief, Dash on the other hand got right up in Dusk's face.
"You better not be pregnant! Otherwise, this one's going to the hospital again!" The rainbow maned mare threatened, rearing back a hoof in preparation to knock Dusk on the floor.
"Please stop, Dash, he won't even entertain the idea until we've said 'I do'." Fluttershy pleaded, trying to pull her away.
"I Pinkie Promise." The unicorn followed the ritualistic motions, completely unphased by the threat of violence.
"Okay, but, if you break that promise, both myself and Pinkie are going to be coming after you." She turned around to face the mare that was trying to pull her away. "But why did you say the name of your daughter if you aren't even pregnant yet?"
"Haven't you ever thought about settling down and having kids?" Dusk asked.
"Nope." That would be the typical answer from her.
"Well, anyway we've been talking about if we have a son or a daughter. We're still talking about the name of a boy, but a girl would be Radiant Dawn."
"Radiant Dawn? Pfff. That's so..." Dash started, until the future parents glared at her. Much more venom carried compared to her threat from a few minutes ago. She decided to choose her words carefully. "...so ...great! Awesome name, I love it! Couldn't have picked a better one myself!"
"Anyway," Dusk did the best he could to ignore the censored comment and shut out the multitude of insulting things that could have been said about it. "We should tell the others the password."
"I can get the word around quickly," Dash volunteered.
"Wait a few minutes before taking off. Pinkie's not really used to such sad news, and Turrok goes without saying."
"Got it, wait a few and head to Pinkie first."
"Great, we will see you later." Fluttershy and Dusk left. "I thought it was a nice name."
"Dusk, we both knew full well that Dash was going to have something negative to say about anything that wasn't 'Rainbow Dash' related."
"I know but still, it took us so long to come up with it."
"Just know that I love the name. And she will too."
"Just let it all out." Rarity assured. Turrok complied fully, sobbing uncontrollably. All the pain and sorrow from years of tragedy pouring out freely. He never let his emotions show before, at first it was to keep a strong front for his little brother. That strength turned to weakness, leaving him numb to the fact that his last living family member had passed right in front of him. After building for so many years, the dam burst. Nothing was going to stop it, not even the burning in his eyes.
"I just... I just couldn't protect them!" He spoke through the sobs.
"Hush! There was nothing you could have done!" She tightened her grip on the changling.
"You don't... you don't know that..."
"But I know you, and I know you would have taken their place given the option."
"Yeah... in a... in a heartbeat." Turrok started to calm down.
"That's just the kind of pony you are."
"But... but I'm not a pony..." He pulled away from her embrace.
"Yes you are." She placed a hoof on his shoulder. "You're more of a pony than half of the ponies I know."
"That... that really means a lot. Especially from you." His episode had officially subsided.
"I'm no pony special."
"Heh... you're kidding right?"
"A lady never kids."
"Does a lady also sell herself so short?"
"Whatever do you mean?"
"You are taking care of mental case. Your letting him sleep in your house and eat your food. Your also letting him thoroughly soak your coat with tears." He had been crying on her shoulder and back for more than an hour.
"It's nothing, I assure you. I need to bathe anyway, don't worry."
"You're also the Element of Generosity, no?"
"How did you know that?"
"Word get's around after a failed invasion. The soldiers mentioned seven ponies that had repelled the invasion. Well, six ponies a 'thing.' The details of each bearer were taken and recorded. One unicorn was mentioned as a beautiful mare, even by my people's standard, being the Element of Generosity. A very appropriate name if you ask me."
"Oh stop, you're going to make me blush." It was too late for that, her cheeks turned crimson.
"It's the truth."
Rarity's smile faded a little when a loud knocking came from downstairs. "Oh dear, will you be alright if I go downstairs for a minute?"
"I'll be fine, thank you."
Rarity took her leave, Turrok laid his head on the pillow alone with his thoughts.
She really is something special.
Something that I can't have a part of my life, that's for sure.
Why not try?
What could I give her, what could I possibly give to Rarity?
Protection, comfort, love.
Ha, protection? How? Wake up and smell the desert roses! I can't even keep myself safe, let alone someone else! Dusk could keep her a lot safer than me!
It's more than physical protection, emotional protection is something Dusk can't give her. You can be the one who helps her through that.
Ha, any stallion could do that.
Can you willingly let someone else walk off with her?
If she's happy and safe, then yes.
You are lying to yourself, you are fully aware of this, right?
Enough!
No. You will listen! You will go over the edge if you miss this chance! The gods know that you're on that edge already and she's the only reason you haven't fallen off it yet! Ask her dammit!
If she says no!? I wouldn't stay here, the situation would be too awkward for me to want to stay! I don't want to risk that!
Now you're just making excuses. That's an over reaction and you know it.
Okay, I'm done arguing with myself. I knew I was insane a while ago, but this is too much.
You owe it to both of you to try, if not for you then do it for her, she deserves to know.
"Turrok? Is everything alright?" Rarity asked as she stood in the doorway.
"I would be lying if I said yes." He replied, staring at the ceiling.
"Do you want to talk about them?" She sat on the edge of the bed.
"That's not bothering as much as now compared to earlier."
"Then what's bothering you so much?"
Turrok was silent. Tell her!
"Turrok, please tell me. Maybe I can help."
Turrok gave a heavy sigh and sat up right. "Rarity, I think..."
"You think..."
"I think that I..." He fought to form the words
"You...
"I think I... love you." He shut his eyes tightly, fearing the response.
...
"Rarity?" He opened one eye to see the mare staring blankly at the wall with her mouth gaping. Great, I put in a state of shock. He waved a hoof in front of her face, no response. He gave a heavy sigh and stood up. "I'm sorry. I knew telling you was a bad idea. But before I take my leave, I just want to say 'thank you' for everything you've done for me."
He left the room and headed down the stairs with a heavy heart. He put up his disguise and walked out the door for the last time. His destination was obvious, the home of the two ponies that convinced him to tell her. The pain in his heart made the sting of his injured shoulder almost nonexistent.
Luckily, no one in the town did more than glance at him. Not that Turrok really cared, his eyes were fixated on the ground in front of him. Eventually, he reached the path from the trap from the day before. He followed it to a small cottage outside of town, the place where Dusk and Fluttershy lived.
Upon reaching the doorway, Turrok took a deep breath before knocking on the door. After a few moments, a familiar pegasus cracked the door to see the changling.
"Turrok? Is that you?"
"Yes, can I come in?"
"O-of course." She opened the door fully. "Is something wrong?"
Turrok walked inside and sat down on the couch. "I messed up."
"Oh, dear. What happened?" She sat down next to him.
"I told her." He admitted coldly.
"What?"
"I told Rarity."
"Oh my, was her response that bad?"
"I put her in a state of shock."
"That isn't that bad is it?"
"How could it be anything but that bad?"
"She didn't outright say no, did she?"
"She didn't need to."
"Turrok, you can't give up that easily." Fluttershy put a hoof on his shoulder.
"What else would I be able to do?"
"Go talk to her. She didn't say 'no', right?"
"Not directly..."
"Well, there you go. It's not over." She smiled.
"I guess."
"Trust me, she doesn't handle romantic surprises too well." She laughed a little, "Of course, I can't handle surprises of any kind."
Turrok felt a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Really?"
"Oh yes, one Hearts and Hooves Day a colt asked her if she would be his special somepony."
"How did she react?"
"She, uh, fainted."
"You're joking."
"Oh no, it was quite a few years ago but she actually fainted." Turrok couldn't help laughing.
"So what did the colt do?"
"He did what you did, he just left. Even though, after she came to, she wanted to talk to him. But she couldn't find him, not surprising considering her reaction."
"So, she just needs to snap out of it?"
"Exactly."
The conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door. "Fluttershy?" Rarity?
"One second."
"Is Turrok in there?"
"Yes. he's here." Fluttershy opened the door and was passed by a white flash.
"Can you please explain to me what in Tartarus you were thinking!?" Rarity shouted, inches away from Turrok's face.
"I'm sorry, Rarity. I never should have asked." He couldn't keep eye contact with her, though he could tell she was trembling.
A hoof violently struck him on the cheek, he was now looking her in the eyes. Eyes that were filling with tears. "How dare you!? What gives you the right to just tell someone 'I love you' and then just leave before they can give a response!?"
"I... I saw how stunned you were... I thought that the idea was so ridiculous that... that it couldn't even be considered." He admitted.
The unicorn took a breath and gave him some distance. "Okay, granted I was a little surprised. You never gave me a chance to reply. I want you to think about that, but I expect you back before sunset. Do not keep me waiting, we will discuss this when we have both given this some thought."
"Of course." Rarity left the house.
"I told you so." Fluttershy spoke.
***
"Goodbye, Fluttershy. I will be back soon with groceries." Dusk walked out of their home with a list and some saddle bags. The day had been good so far returning from the meeting. Minus Rainbow Dash's reservations about the name of a daughter.
What does she know? I doubt she will ever want to settle down and be a mother.
He wandered through the maze of stalls, picking up everything from apples to zucchinis. Before he was finished, a familiar body was navigating the market.
"Dusk? Dusk! Darling I need your help!" Rarity was frantic.
"Rarity? What's wrong? Is someone hurt?"
"No, thankfully. It's Turrok, he ran off."
"What!? Why would he just up and leave? Did he say anything to you before he left?"
"Well... yes but, can we discuss it in a less populated area?"
"Of course." The two slipped out of the crowded market to the park, where there were far less ponies. They found a bench and sat down, Dusk put the saddlebags on the ground next to him. "Okay, from the beginning, what happened?"
"Well, we just got back from the meeting, and he was just... broken. We barely got inside the house before he ran up to his room and just started crying."
"Well, I expected as much."
"Of course, after what he had to talk about I would have been concerned if he wasn't letting his emotions out."
"So, what happened next?"
"I gave him a shoulder to cry on. He cried for about an hour before he calmed down. We started talking and he got his emotions under control. Then Rainbow came by to tell me the code word, adorable name by the way, and then when I went back to the room something... happened."
"Can you be a little more specific?"
"Well, he seemed... worse than when I left. Bear in mind I was gone for maybe five minutes. I asked him if he wanted to talk about his family. but he said that something else was bothering him. I asked him what that was... and he told me something really surprising." He didn't.
"What was that?" These's no way...
"Before I do, I need you to swear you won't say a word to anyone, not even Fluttershy." Dear Mentor, he did.
"I swear, not another soul will here of this."
"He said he loves me." I knew it! Ha, he took my advice... so why did he leave?
"Wow."
"I didn't see it happening, I didn't know he had such feelings. Did you?"
"Actually... yes. So does Fluttershy."
"When did you find out about this!?"
"Yesterday, during Mentor's interrogation."
"Oh sweet Celestia, Fluttershy overheard something in that argument, didn't she?"
"I'm afraid so. All we did was tell him to go for it. Just tell you how he felt. I'm assuming things went downhill from there."
"As if it were a sheer cliff side. I was speechless, I didn't know what to say, what to do, what to think. Turrok took notice and just... left! He didn't even wait, he just left. And I don't think he plans on coming back. So I need to find him and bring him home, even if he's kicking and screaming!"
"Okay, there's only a two places he would go. The library or our cottage, most likely the cottage."
"I will go see if he's with Fluttershy. If you find him at the library, bring him back to the boutique. I will meet you there."
"Okay, if he's not there I will head back home."
Rarity nodded before bolting toward her goal. Dusk took the saddlebags and headed for the library. I can't believe that he did it. He's a braver pony than I, that's for sure. I really hope he's at the library, otherwise... he's toast.
With that thought, he picked up his pace considerably. By the time he made it to the library he was running as fast as his legs could carry him. I really need to learn how to teleport! He took a minute to catch his breath before knocking on the door.
Spike opened it, "Oh, hey Dusk. You need to talk to Twilight?"
"Not right now, I just need to know if Turrok is here."
"I haven't seen him since this morning during the meeting."
"Darn, that means he's at the house. Thanks Spike."
"Wait, what's going on?"
"I'll fill you in later. Right now I need to go." Before Spike could say 'goodbye' he was already running down the street.
Gotta hurry, she might just blow the door off it's hinges if he's there. He ran across town back to the house. I am going to ask for some lessons in teleportation first thing in the morning! Upon reaching the path, he noticed Rarity walking toward him.
"Did you find him?" He asked.
"Yes, but I need to ask a favor."
"Which would be?"
"If he is not back by sunset, can you help me hunt him down?"
"I... suppose, I can lend a hoof."
"Thank you." She walked back into town.
So, is that a good thing? Or a bad thing? He noticed the door being intact and gave a small sigh of relief. He entered to find the changling sitting on the couch. Fluttershy sat next to him with a smile
"So, you did it?"
"Yes, yes I did. I knew it was a bad idea."
"I think the bad idea was leaving so quickly that she couldn't even reply." Dusk countered.
"Yeah, that didn't exactly help."
"No it didn't, but Rarity asked me to make sure you are home by sunset. So that's a good sign."
"But, what do I do? What do I say to her? What's going to happen when I go back?"
"I can't say, but I have an idea."
"Well, I'm all ears."
"Just go out, get her some flowers and just tell her how you feel."
"Really?" Turrok raised an eyebrow in suspicion.
"Sir, do you have a better idea?"
"So, what kind of flowers?"
"I would say red roses."
"But... I don't have any bits. I lost all of my things before I came here."
Dusk shook his head and pulled out a small bag. He tossed it on the couch. "That should be plenty."
"I can't accept this." He took the pouch and opened it. "No way."
"I helped make this mess. I should help clean it up."
"I... thank you."
"No thanks are necessary. Just go and make up for earlier."
The changling nodded, put on his disguise and walked out the door.
"Am I going to be getting any roses?" Fluttershy teased.
Why didn't I ask for directions? Turrok pondered to himself wandering the streets looking for a florist. After ten minutes of searching aimlessly, he was about to give up. Until a hoof tapped his shoulder.
"Excuse me, sir. You look a little lost." He turned around to see a mare with a creme colored coat and dark red mane looking at him curiously.
"Um, yes I am very much so. I am looking for a florist and having very little luck," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Well, convenient for you I am a florist coming back to my stall after taking a short break. Follow me." She led him through the maze of stalls when he noticed her mark being a rose. The gods show me favor? When did this happen? "So, what are these flowers for? An apology or a date? If you don't mind my inquiry."
"To be honest, a little bit of both," he admitted.
"Ah, I see," she replied. "My name is Roseluck, by the way."
"T-" Turrok stopped himself. Come on, pony name, pony name... you made up plenty of them. "Sand Shifter."
"Nice to meet you. I take it you haven't been in town long?"
"No ma'am, this is my second day in Ponyville."
"You haven't met Pinkie Pie yet, then?"
"Oh yes, I met her when I first came into town."
"How come we haven't had a welcome party for you yet?"
"Well... I'm not the most comfortable in that kind of environment. I managed to convince her to let me chose when it happens."
"Well don't worry, her parties might be a little loud but they are definitely a blast," she encouraged.
"I'll keep that in mind, Ms. Roseluck."
"Please, the Ms. is a bit informal around here."
"Yeah, you aren't the first to tell me that. It's just hard-wired I suppose."
"Don't worry, this place will get that out of your system pretty quick," she grinned.
"I take it you've been here a while?" Turrok asked.
"Oh yes, I've been selling flowers here for a couple years now. Things are always happening around here, some of which are just crazy. But, it's a bit better than living in a completely boring town."
"Things can't be that crazy," she doesn't know about the changlings coming here, right?
"Well, there was Nightmare Moon, an Ursa Minor, a napping dragon, a swarm of parasprites, Discord running amok, a lightning pony, et cetera, et cetera."
"And, that doesn't bother you in the slightest?"
"Not really, once you see everything, it kind of loses affect. I have found that nothing really surprises me anymore." I can think of one thing... although it's not worth blowing my cover. "Ah, here she is."
The two reach a flower stand with several different types of flora on display. Daisies, carnations, lilies and daffodils to name a few. But, the most noticeable thing being the bouquet of red roses among the rest.
"So, what kind are you looking for?" she asked, stepping behind her stand.
"The roses seem most appropriate."
"Ah, good choice. That will be twenty bits for a bouquet, two bits for a single flower."
Turrok pulled out the pouch he was given. Let's see, I count... twenty five bits. And I don't think he expects to receive any remainder. "I will take a bouquet if it's quite alright."
"Of course, twenty bits please," she requested.
He placed the pouch of coins on the stand. "Here you go."
Roseluck counted the bits. "Uh, Shifter, there's twenty five in here."
"Keep the change, you've been most helpful."
"Are you sure?" she placed the bouquet in front of him.
"Of course," he picked up the bouquet in his teeth, careful to avoid cutting himself on any of the thorns.
"Well, thank you! Be sure to come back, and if you get the chance can you let me know how it goes?"
He gave a nod to avoid talking around the flowers and walked back to his temporary home. His smile immediately faltered when he turned around. I just hope that it will be enough.
...
The changling stood before the dreaded structure for a moment. The Carousel Boutique, he never understood the name but right now it was the very least of his worries. After taking a minute to relax himself, he opened the door and shut it quickly after he entered. He levitated the roses out of his mouth before calling.
"Rarity?" Turrok asked as his disguise fizzled away in a green flame, flowers hidden behind himself.
"In here Turrok," she called from a room in the back of the building.
He followed the voice to the room and entered what appeared to be her work room. Unlike the rest of the house, it was a complete mess. Bits of fabric of all colors were strewn across the room in random fashions, balls of paper with scribbled designs covered the floor and the most notable thing about was the completely frazzled white unicorn levitating a needle and thread in front of what looked like a model of a pony.
"Am I interrupting your work?" he asked hesitantly.
"No... I just... I just can't work right now," she admitted with a hint of frustration.
"Anything I can do to help?" his hesitation was masked by genuine concern.
"You can go sit down in the living room, I will join you in a minute," it was obvious that he was the source of said frustration.
Turrok backed out of the room careful not to reveal his 'sorry for being an idiot' gift. Once he left he saw the door swing shut and gave a sigh of disappointment. Well... this is going well... He found a chase lounge sitting in the main room and sat down on a small red couch. Deciding against pulling the bouquet in some romantic gesture, he just held it in his hooves and waited for his gracious host to join him and possibly continue her lecture from earlier.
Said host left the work room with a more composed and calm demeanor. She had a weak smile on her face as she sat down on the couch. The changling gave her the roses. "This is just me saying 'I'm sorry' for what happened earlier."
Rarity took them in a light blue aura carefully and inhaled the aroma. "Before you say anything more about what happened this morning, I want you to know that I am not angry with you or anything. I am far from pleased about what happened but I can't really blame anyone besides myself for this," she laughed a little. "Ever since I was a filly I wanted to be swept off my hooves," she swung her leg out to demonstrate. "But, when any stallion summons the courage to try I sort of..." she trailed off trying to find the right words.
"Blank?" Turrok finished.
"I suppose that works, yes. But the point of this discussion is not my inability to handle romantic surprises. But, before we go any further down this path I need to know something."
"What do you need to know?" his voice carried a curious tone.
"Are you sure about what you said? Are you certain that you... love me? I mean, you've been through quite a lot recently and that came with a lot of emotional turbulence and I was probably one of the first ponies to actually give you the chance to live here. Is it entirely out of the question to say that these emotions being stirred up again could have made you think that you feel that way about me?" The question perplexed him, he wasn't sure how to answer. Either one could have detrimental affects on their current situation. But, after a moment of debate he came across a terrifying realization. He didn't know. He didn't know if his heart was speaking when he said that, making him feel even worse about the situation.
After a few minutes of pain-staking silence, he found the strength to answer. "I... I'm not certain... it seemed so clear at the time that I just accepted it as a fact."
"Then, you need to answer that for yourself. If you still have feelings toward me at the end of the month, when things quiet down again, we will talk about it. Okay?" he voice was soft and comforting.
"Okay, but before we end this discussion, I need to know. What are your feelings toward me? And please don't try to lie. I can sense emotion even though I am trying to suppress it while I am here." It seems a little unfair to use my ability, since I'm the only one who can use it here.
"Well... just know that you are my friend and nothing will change that and that no matter what happens my door is always open." The unicorn placed a comforting hoof on his shoulder and smiled confidently.
"That's good enough for me," he smiled, at least until I get my answer.
"Splendid, how about I fix us some dinner?" She rose from the couch and moved to the kitchen
"That sounds pleasant, thank you."
***
"Please Twilight?" Dusk begged.
"For the last time, no! Teleportation spells are very tricky to learn, not to mention dangerous."
"Do you remember who you are talking to? I've nearly died at least three times in my life."
"Why do you want to learn so badly?"
"Because chasing down our guest today made me realize how much of a run it is to go from here to the edge of town and back. Unless I magically sprout wings, magic is my best bet to solve this problem."
"My answer remains the same."
"What sort of gain is there from with holding such a powerful tool so I can't use it?"
"Because if you end up being stuck in a wall or something it would be my fault!"
"It won't be abused, I promise! It will be for when I need to be across town quickly!"
"I said no, Dusk!" she stomped the ground to show that she was not going to budge on the matter.
"Twilight, I need to learn how to do this!"
"I won't make you any better than me and that's final!" Twilight immediately covered her mouth and went silent.
"Okay," Dusk sighed, sitting down in front of her. "What is this really about?"
"It's just- you're the favorite!"
"Favorite? What do you mean?"
"You're Celestia's favorite, okay?"
"What in the name of Tartarus are you talking about, Twilight?"
"She's raised you for years, she's been there every step of the way for you. She raised you like she would a son and I... I just can't compete with that."
"And she's raised you like she would a daughter, what's your point?"
"She's been paying more attention to you than she has me, ever since you showed up I feel like I'm in your shadow. Especially after the wedding, Celestia would always ask me about how you were doing when we got back. She never once showed as much concern for me as she did you. She rushed to the hospital to see you, she never asked me if I was even okay after what had just happened! And after what happened when we first met, she wasn't furious... she was livid! I couldn't even get a response from her for about a week after that happened! She just... she loves you more than she could ever love me..." Twilight just broke down and started crying.
"Twilight, listen. I can't speak for her, but I can say that is ridiculous."
"How?"
"Well, from a metaphorical standpoint, you are saying that we are both children of Celestia, right?"
"Y-yes."
"Okay, so you're saying that she picked a favorite child, even though she cares for us both the same way."
"I-I guess."
"Does that sound like our 'mom'?" Dusk air quoted the word mom, to show that the term was being used in a metaphorical sense.
"N-no, but she does show more concern about you than she does me..."
"Twilight, how many times have you been admitted to the hospital, excluding birth?"
"Um, zero."
"Well, I have been there three times, the last time being a few months ago. She doesn't worry about you because you don't give her any reason to worry. I on the other hoof, give her a lot of reason to worry," he couldn't help laughing a little about that. She worries about me as much as my parents do... I guess she is like a mother to us. "It proves that she is confident that you won't give her any reason to feel worried about your well-being. How long have you felt this way?"
"Since... since you came to town... and that's the reason why I was so harsh that night. I felt like... like you were going to replace me or something!" She didn't stop crying yet, but she was beginning to calm down and that was a start.
"Twilight, no one short of Celestia herself could replace you... you know that right?" he asked, the concern all too apparent in his voice.
She gave no answer, but the silence lasted no more than a minute.
"You are the physical embodiment of magic, Twilight. You are an amazing pony, I could never hold a candle to you," Dusk told her.
"You're just saying that..." she wiped a tear off her cheek.
"No I'm not. To be honest, you're like a sister to me. We can be at odds with one another, but I feel like you are the one who can help me when I need it most. That's why I came to you with this request. Sure I could ask the Princess, but I wouldn't want to trouble her over something like this. And besides, I thought you liked teaching magic?" He asked with a smirk on his face, knowing that it was a point she couldn't refute.
"...Just get in here and start reading 'little brother'," she couldn't fight the smile that was forming.
"Sure thing 'big sister'. But, you should really send a letter to the Princess about this. I had no idea that you felt like I was given her favor over you."
"I'll do that right now, Dusk."
The two walked inside the library, their bond changed from simple friendship to a bond between a brother and sister.
It had been a week since Turrok started living in Ponyville and things were going well. He and Rarity got along fine, the town had grown accustomed to seeing him around and his persona made him part of it. Changling sightings were minimal and none warranted more than a simple warning to send them away. Things were going well.
Turrok woke up in the guest room as he always did and ventured downstairs to make some breakfast. Unlike most mornings, it was silent. Normally, his host was either running around her shop filling orders or simply enjoying a cup of tea at the table.
"Rarity?" he called. She never sleeps in and she's not here. She might have some business in town, probably left a note before leaving. Nothing to warrant concern at the moment. Of course, the minute he entered the kitchen, there was immediate cause for concern. Sitting on the table was a dagger with a piece of parchment underneath it's blade.
The solid black dagger was pushed aside and the letter was pulled up to eye level. The note itself was written in a language that was unknown to any who was not changling. It read:
Mr Galvann,
You've caused quite a stir in the capitol in the passed week. Your bounty has increased tenfold and I wish to collect, alive, if you could simply cooperate. As for the mare you have quartered with, I do not intend to hurt her. I simply wish to speak like the civilized beings we are. Meet me at the inn, top room to be exact, so that we may discuss the situation in closer proximity. Do this, and the mare will be released without a hair our of place. Good day, and I will see you soon.
The note dropped lazily to the floor as the changling holding it felt numb, before succumbing to a primal emotion. He took her... and I intend to punish such a mistake. His eyes rested coldly on the dagger, consuming it in a green aura and picking it up. He couldn't fight the sinister grin pulling on the corners of his mouth. A foolish mistake, with most dire of consequences. But first I need a plan before going after a trained assassin. He looked around and found a pair of pure white saddlebags with Rarity's mark as the clasps. Perfect.
He placed the bags on his back and slipped the knife in the left side. Before leaving, he quickly wrote a note and placed it on the table in the kitchen. With a deep breathe, his body was consumed by green flame and 'Sand Shifter' left the boutique. Usually he enjoyed the sight of Ponyville, but this time, he knew that returning would be an impossibility. There was no turning back, nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. But, he was done running and he was done hiding, he could only submit.
At a brisk pace, he walked through town toward with one thought in mind. I have to keep her safe. He approached his destination and put on a calm demeanor before entering.
"Hello, can I help you?" An older mare asked in an annoyed tone, not even bothering to look up from her cup of tea.
"I was told to come visit a friend in the top room."
"Go right ahead, just know that the window up there is broken."
"Thank you," he slipped up the staircase quickly and found himself at the front door. He placed an ear against the door and listened.
"You know that you've dug your own grave here, right!?" Rarity shouted.
"Miss, please silence your tongue. Or must I silence it for you?" A cold voice replied.
"Don't you touch me!"
"Miss, I have no ill will toward you, but I will do what I must to collect my pay."
"So you are one of those so-called 'bounty hunters'?"
"I prefer the term 'assassin.' Only if the target can be taken alive, I spare them."
"Oh, please forgive me 'assassin'," she spat. "I had no idea I was talking to an even lower form of filth!"
"Miss, you force my hoof."
Not wasting a moment, Turrok pushed the door open, breaking the lock as he did so.
"Don't you dare touch her!" He warned.
"Turrok!?" Rarity cried from the corner of the room.
"Ah, I assume you are Turrok?" The owner of the mystery voice replied, he didn't even bother with a disguise.
Turrok dropped his own disguise. "Yes, now release her."
"Now, now. There is no need to be so crass, in due time my friend." The door shut behind him and the assassin sat down at a table. He invited his target to sit on the opposite side.
Hesitantly, he dropped the saddle bag next to the chair and sat down. "What is the point of this discussion?"
"Please, must we be so hostile?"
"You have Rarity here against her will, 'hostile' would be putting it lightly."
"Fine, fine, I suppose we can get right to the point. Now, the reason for this little meeting is to show you that I am not a 'bad guy' here. I am just doing my job."
"Some job, chasing pennies for those who pull your strings like a marionette. You must be so proud to be in this field."
"Oh, you misunderstand the nature of my work. I catch criminals and enemies of the state that would otherwise be free to do as they wish."
"And yet, here you are."
"Here I am, with an enemy of the state."
"Oh really? An enemy of the state? Wow, I am honored to see the state lower itself so much to call me an enemy. Tell me, what 'war crimes' have I committed?"
"Let's see: desertion, conspiring with the enemy and espionage. You have betrayed your country in many ways and the council simply cannot allow you to continue to live freely. Do not take this personally, I'm simply doing my job."
"So, you have me, what now?"
"Now, we leave and I take you to the capitol to answer for your crimes."
"I'm not going anywhere until you release Rarity."
"Who? Oh yes, that mare there, of course." With a flare of his horn, Rarity jumped to her feet.
"I should teach you a lesson you ruffian!" She would have jumped across the table if it wasn't for Turrok.
"Rarity, please, go home,"
"I am not leaving you here!"
"Rarity! There's nothing you can do and I will be responsible for you getting hurt! Just please listen to me," he begged.
"My, my, such a touching scene. You should listen to him you know, I am much more skilled than the two of you."
"When will you be coming back?" she wrapped her hooves around his waist tightly.
"I'm not Rarity," he replied wrapping his hooves around her neck gently.
"Hush! Don't talk like that!"
He kissed her forehead and spoke softly. "It's okay, I'm done fighting this. It's only going to put you in danger and I can't let that happen."
"I can handle myself," she replied.
"That's not the point, Rarity. I won't put you in harm's way, I won't. That means I have to go, no matter how much I want to stay here, with you."
"Does that mean?" she was on the verge of crying.
"Yes, I figured out the answer. All the more reason for me to do this. Just go, and don't waste any tears for my sake."
Clap... clap... clap. "Bravo! Encore! Encore! You two are really too much! Now I have a schedule to keep, so if you don't mind."
"Goodbye, Turrok. I'll never forget you!" She kissed him on the cheek before leaving.
"Well, now that, that is settled. Shall we be off?"
"You first, I insist," he picked his saddlebag before following his captor out the door. Step one, complete.
The two put on disguises, Turrok went with his Sand Shifter persona and the assassin went with a unicorn look with a night black coat with a steel colored mane and tail. They left town quickly and slowed their pace once on the outskirts, Turrok hung his head low.
"Chin up, Turrok. Soon you won't have to worry about that mare or anything else."
"Easy for you to say, do you even know what an emotion is?"
"Clever, I hope you weren't thinking that would wound me."
No, but I know one thing that can. When we make camp at nightfall, then I will wait for my opportunity.
"Excuse me! You two!" A very familiar voice called. No...
The assassin turned around to confront the owner of the voice. "You wish to speak with us?" You idiot! What do you think you are doing!?
"Yes, if I could have a moment of your time." I have to do it...
"I suppose, but we do have to get moving." One...
"Thank you, I promise to be brief!" Two...
"Now, what can we do for you?" Three! "AH!" The assassin keeled over and Turrok ran.
"Turrok, wait!" The calls fell on deaf ears, he just kept running. They'll forget about me, eventually. I'm just glad that step two out of the way. That one was the hardest, three won't be so bad because it's the last step.
***
"Wow, you're learning faster than I thought! A few more of these lessons and you should be one hundred percent ready!"
"Thanks, although, it's a lot more taxing than I thought it would be," Dusk replied, slightly winded.
"Hey, you wanted to learn so badly!" Twilight retorted.
"I know, but I don't care how hard it is, it might be necessary in dire straits."
"That's true, now take a breather. We will pick back up with teleporting objects once you feel ready."
"Sounds... good!" he walked over to the nearest chair and slumped in it.
"So... how are things with Fluttershy?"
"Umm... fine," he answered simply.
"Really? Just 'fine'?" Twilight gave him a skeptically.
"Is it so hard to believe?"
"Dusk, it's either been amazing or strained. And right now it's not amazing."
"It's nothing."
"What's wrong? Trouble in paradise?"
"It's just... everything's been put on hold."
"What do you mean?"
"Two weeks ago we were planning on meeting with caterers and looking at candidates for the song bird choir. Now, everything's been halted because of these changlings!" He threw his head back and groaned.
"You two seem a bit in a hurry."
"What is that suppose to mean?"
"You two dated for about three months and then you proposed to her. Now you two want the wedding to be this spring. Shouldn't you two slow it down a bit?"
Before he could retort the door was practically torn off it's hinges. "Dusk! I need your help!"
"What happened this time Rarity?" he asked in annoyance. Last time she asked for his help they searched the town for their changling guest when it turns out he just went to the market for her groceries.
"No time to explain just read this!" she pulled out a piece of parchment with a bunch of random symbols.
"Uhh, Rarity, unless you are a good translator this isn't going to help us."
"What?" she looked at the note before balling it up and throwing it across the room. "Read this note!"
This time the note could be read:
Dear Rarity,
I hope you can forgive me but I need to do this. Turns out that bounty had gone up quite a bit recently and now trained assassins seek to collect. I have one option, turn myself in. If these so called councilors are at all true to their word you should have a hefty sum sent to your home. Don't worry about my captor, I have a plan for him. But know that I can't return, not unless I am released by the council and let's face it, that will never happen. Just know that my capture secures your safety. I love you Rarity, I really do and I wish it didn't have to be this way. Just take care of yourself, okay? And don't cry over me, you don't look as pretty when you're crying.
Love, Turrok
"Twilight, you said a few more sessions would get me to one hundred percent, but what about now?"
"Now!? Dusk that's a very stupid idea!"
"What other option do we have!? It's either I do this or he walks right up and fits himself for the noose!"
"...Fine. Just don't lose focus okay? Can you picture the edge of town? Right where you came in?"
"Yes," Dusk closed his eyes and visualized it.
"Good, now just like I taught you."
His horn gave a white glow and his hooves left the ground. In an instant, he felt the grass on his hooves and opened his eyes. I did it? Ha! I did it! But celebration can wait! Scanning his surroundings he spotted a dark blue pegasus and a solid black unicorn. That's them alright, but I need to get in close.
A less thoughtful part of his brain decided to shout, "Excuse me! You two!" Darn it, why did I do that? Whatever make it work!
"You wish to speak with us?" The black unicorn turned around, Turrok just froze in place.
"Yes, if I could have a moment of your time," Dusk called walking slowly towards them.
"I suppose, but we do have to get moving." the unicorn said impatiently.
"Thank you, I promise to be brief!" he was within range to strike, but didn't want to risk it yet.
"Now, what can we do for you?"
Before he could come up with a convincing lie, he was Turrok turn around and strike the unicorn with something small. He gave an audible cry of pain before keeling over. Meanwhile, Turrok bolted of down the path.
"Turrok, wait!" Dusk shouted in a useless attempt to get him to stop. He knew full well that nothing was going to stop him.
"H-help me!" The former unicorn shouted, a black dagger halfway sticking through his shell. He left me to clean up this mess? Turrok I'm going to kick your sorry flank when we get you back here! Mark my words, you will pay for this!
"Oh, I'll help you. After you agree to a certain set of conditions."
"A-anything!"
"Excellent, first you will tell me everything you know."
"O-of course!"
"Second, you are at my mercy, I hold your life in my hooves."
"O-obviously!"
"And thirdly, you are going to help me get Turrok back."
"N-no way! I am not helping a traitor!"
"Aw, don't look at it like that. Look at it like you are helping literally the only pony willing to save your sorry shell. But, if you really want to chance it..."
"Okay, okay! I'll help you!"
"That's all I needed to hear," Dusk smirked before levitating the changling and sending him away in a flash of white light. Now, let's see if I did this right? He levitated himself and repeated the process, and found himself back in the library with his new captive. Looks like I mastered it.
Dusk looked around to make sure he was at his intended destination. But, the two unicorns staring at him in utter shock was evidence enough.
"Dusk, please for the love of Celestia tell me that's not who I think they are!" Rarity pleaded.
"He took off right after stabbing this one. There's no way I was going to catch him and this one is about to prove his usefulness."
"I-I will do w-whatever you say! Just please don't let me die!" He pleaded, doing his best to keep from moving.
"My, my, how the mighty have fallen. Taken down by the one you had sought to collect on, that must hurt your pride as much as the knife in your back hurts your body," Rarity stated coldly.
"Okay, let's stop with the taunts. Twilight, get the first aid kit for me, will you?"
"Yes, of course," she rushed up the stairs.
Dusk placed a hoof on the knife, causing the changling to wince in pain. "What guarantee do I have that you won't turn and run once you've been patched up?"
"Oh, well other than the deep, stab wound between my shoulder blades, absolutely nothing." The sarcasm was very unsubtle.
"Fine. But note that the minute she gets back, I am going to have to remove the knife."
"Gee, are you a doctor or something?" Sarcasm was simply oozing from his words.
"I can rip it out now if you like," Rarity said, darkly.
"No, no, no! Terribly sorry, I didn't mean to be so crass!"
"Don't try my patience, you took someone I care deeply about away from me. If I need to get my hooves dirty to keep you cooperating, believe me I won't think twice." Wow, she really cares about him... all the more reason to get him back.
"It might be wise for you to stay silent, until we start with the questions," Dusk suggested. The changling's reply was a frightened nod.
"Okay, I got it!" Twilight shouted, carrying a white box with a red cross behind her.
"Good, now I don't suppose you know any kind of spell that can stop him from using magic?"
"Spell? No, but I do have a helmet in the lab."
"Okay get it, until then we need to wrap this wound before it gets infected. Rarity, I know that this is going to be tough to ask. But can you hold his mouth shut without hurting him?"
"Please, I might have some ill-will toward him, but I wish to keep my hearing and allow him to speak when the interrogations begin."
"Okay, ready?" He lifted the changling two feet off the ground and Rarity gave a nod.
The knife was pulled from his back causing the patient to cry out. Of course, with his mouth forced shut it was very muffled. The kit was open and a rag was floated up along with a bottle of peroxide. The rag was dabbed with the peroxide and cleaned the wound, the poor soul continuing to attempt crying out in pain. A roll of bandages was pulled out and wrapped around the torso several times until the wound was covered.
Twilight came up from the basement with a bronze helmet and placed it on the changling's head. "This should keep him from trying anything."
"Should?"
"Celestia said she tested it on the first one and it was successful. He shouldn't be able to do anything, not with that wound so close to his shoulders and wings"
"T-thank you..." he managed to say.
"Oh don't thank us yet, we still have a lot of questions for you. First, you name?" Dusk asked
"E-enok, Enok Tehran."
"Well Mr. Tehran, you have caused quite a mess here you realize? So you are going to help clean it up. Where's the capitol city from here?"
"Ha! Why should I tell you?"
"Have you ever heard the term 'pay through the nose' Enok?" Rarity asked.
"No Miss, I haven't."
The blade floated up and rested just beneath his nostril. "Well, I assure you it is a quite literal phrase. So please, just answer our questions before I have to resort to such an act."
"O-okay, it's a trip to the Southwest. It will take a few days to make it there. Why do you want to know? Are you planning to attack the city?"
"No, Turrok is on his way there to turn himself in," Dusk answered.
"If that's your reason then there is no way for you to catch him with the head start he has. The desert will also be very treacherous so if you plan on going to make the trip you need to be prepared."
"Oh no, you are coming with us," Rarity corrected, pulling the blade away.
"What!? No, no no I never agreed to guide you there!"
"Oh... yes you did. You did the second you said you would do anything if we saved you," he quoted.
"I am going to regret ever coming here, aren't I?"
"Nope, you're going to regret ever hearing about our little town," Twilight answered.
"Wonderful," Enok deadpanned.
"Now we need to know everything about the capitol city. Alley ways, main streets, guard positions, everything."
"Do you have any blank paper? It would be a lot easier to just draw it out instead of giving haphazard instruction." Twilight gave a quick nod and gathered the materials.
"I'm going to go inform the Princess about what's going on," Twilight explained before heading up the stairs
"Proceed."
"Okay, we need to enter under the dark of night..."
***
"Councilors, we must get the situation under control!" The High Councilor Korran bellowed, his voice echoing throughout the chamber.
When Korran was given the position of High Councilor, he was pleased. Of course, being the head adviser for the late queen made him the obvious choice. A choice that he now regretted with the state of their country. All of his problems managed to stem from a single changling. Turrok Galvann, that worthless deserter that normally wouldn't have been bothered with. Of course, with his father being the most respected noble Giovanni Galvann, he was a special case. His name brought up the incident of many years ago in which the queen ordered his death and covered it up in a fire. Same with the funeral of his young brother Yanu after the failed attack. All of these decisions were coming back to haunt the leaders of the country. The queen wasn't there to take the blame and the people were growing restless and impatient with the council.
"How do you propose we do that!? We've done everything we can! We've raised the price and provided all of the information we had on him!" A lesser councilor shouted.
"Something! Anything! The people are growing restless and divided on the issue! If we don't get things under control soon things will continue to spiral downward until it's too late!"
"We can't appease everyone! There are those who have succumb to paranoia and there are those who sympathize with him as well. We could create more propaganda but that would fuel the paranoia. We could downplay his crimes but that would create more reason to sympathize with him!"
Before further discussion could commence, the doors to the chamber creaked open and silence consumed the chamber. A single guard entered.
"What reason could you have for interrupting the High Council!?"
"Sir, word comes from a scout on the border," a piece of parchment was carried up to the High Councilor.
"Is this report correct? Are you sure it's him?" This is too convenient.
"Positive, he's on his way here."
"What does the note say!?" a councilor shouted.
"Is he alone?" the High Councilor ignored him.
"Affirmative, sir. He has made camp at the forest on the border. No one was with him so he wasn't captured."
"It appears that he is coming here of his own free will. Escort him here when he reaches the gates, we will publicly announce his capture and decide whether he is to be executed or incarcerated."
"By your command."
"Thank you, return to your post."
"Of course, sir," the guard took his leave
"I have excellent news! Our problems will soon be ended!" He announced.
The room went deathly silent for a moment.
"How!? Was he captured!?"
"No, he chose to come to us! He will be here on the morrow, to answer for his crimes!"
The room erupted with cheers for a few minutes before the High Councilor raised a hoof for silence. "Since our biggest concern has been dealt with, this meeting shall be adjourned. Go home and rest, tomorrow we shall have our traitor."
With that, the councilors filed out of the room quickly, eager to return to their loved ones. Korran left after everyone else and was approached by another member.
"You still believe this will solve our problems?"she asked.
"Councilor Kara, how are you this fine evening?"
"Just answer the question, I've no time for pleasantries."
"Very well, yes I think it will. We will make an example of him and restore order to the country."
"Are you sure it won't do the opposite?"
"What are you talking about?"
"If you go through with this, how do you know that this won't completely turn on us?"
"Please Kara, just know that this will be taken care of tomorrow."
"You don't, you have no idea what's going to happen tomorrow! Korran, I have been telling you that going after this changling is a fool's errand, and whatever happens tomorrow will be on your head! And if the people cry for blood, they will want yours the most!" She left as quickly as she appeared, leaving Korran standing there.
Tomorrow will be an important day... I need some sleep. He quickly slipped through the streets with the hood of his cloak pulled up, making sure he wouldn't be recognized. Everything will be fine, Kara is just being her paranoid self... right?
***
Scouts on the border? Either they're paranoid or they've been expecting me. Either way that makes getting into the city much easier. These fools will just march me right through the city to the council chamber. Then, I can implement step three, hopefully it works. Otherwise, there really will be no seeing her again.
He laid on his back to stare at the setting sun, I just hope she can forgive me if that's the case. As the sun dipped below the horizon, stars began to dot the night sky. His fire being the only other source of light and heat for the night. It would have been calming, if not for the turmoil that was taking place inside his head.
The uncertainty of the next day was enough to keep his mind from gaining peace, but the addition of leaving Ponyville like he did nothing to help. Worst of all, his thoughts always found their way back to the mare that gave him the chance. He couldn't help but feel ashamed for just leaving like he did, whether or not he could was irrelevant. So many things left undone, so many words unsaid, his regret weighed heavily.
Briefly, he considered turning back, even if it was for just a day, an hour, even a minute to go back and see her again. But he knew it would solve nothing and cause greater problems. He couldn't run any longer from his fate and he wasn't going to try to. Running away back in Canterlot put him on this path, now he was going to walk it.
The only way I could see her again is if she came... here... and that's something she and Dusk would do. They are going to completely throw my plan out of the window if they come here! I need to stop them! I'll... I'll leave a message! That's what I will do, just... carve it into this tree. Hopefully, that will get there attention and better yet, convince them to turn around and give up on me.
After ten minutes of scorching the bark of the tree, he had a well thought out and meaningful message carved out in such away that a blind pony could stumble upon it. Deciding that would be enough, he curled up next to the fire and did his best to sleep...
After about an hour of flying through the desert, Turrok reached the city gate and walls. Once there two guards approached him. Unlike the pony Royal Guard, that wore golden armor, changlings used armor made of titanium with an obsidian color. The golden armor is forged to be curved and smooth. While titanium armor is forged with short spines of along the shoulders and back, used to designate rank. He still was spiteful about the queen claiming that the use of armor in the invasion would be a gross misuse of resources. One of the many poor decisions with that incident, all because she wished to keep the metal for those who protected her. It made him all the more satisfied about the fact that she was the latest edition to the Canterlot Gardens. It also made him feel a little bit of regret for not seeing the statue first hand.
"Turrok Galvann, we have been ordered to escort you to the High Council chamber," one announced. The second pulled a pair of iron shackles and chained his forelegs together. "Just following procedure, we do not feel it to be necessary."
"I will have come willingly, I want to see this council as much as they wish to see me." He followed the guards as they walked slowly through the city streets.
They passed many buildings crafted from sandstone in square shapes. The street was immediately parted with citizens on each side of them. Some were shouting and insulting Turrok, but at least that many were shouting at the guards as well. Something that he might be able to use as leverage.
After dodging a few pieces of trash, the escorts took flight and Turrok followed suit. From the sky, most of the smaller buildings looked identical and systematically placed. One building stood apart from the rest, a large dome covered building where the council gathered. The council acted as a governing body for matters that concerned the people while the queen took matters that concerned the country. But since the queen was a decoration for the pony capitol, they were the new governing body.
"Galvann?" one guard called.
"Yes?"
"I know it's not my place to ask but... is it true?" one guard asked.
"There are a number of things you could be asking about, can you narrow it down?"
"Your father, was it true that he was... murdered?"
"Senti! Show some respect!" the other guard shouted.
"Sorry, Barri. But, I just want to know, you don't need to answer."
"Doesn't your council say what happened?" Turrok replied.
"That doesn't mean they are right," Senti replied.
"Very well. All I know about the incident is, my father lead a state for a number of years, and he would be hard pressed to die in a fire. I can't say for certain that his death wasn't more than an accident, but it was very suspicious."
"Hm," after a few moments of contemplation, he gave a nod before preparing to set down in front of the large building.
Through the doors, many changlings could be seen swarming through with stacks of papers, pens and other stationary equipment. When the escort was acknowledged and Turrok was recognized, the room was still. Not one of them daring to breathe, lest they break said silence.
After a few moments of painstaking stillness, the two guards continued with their prisoner following closely behind them. Once they left the room, everyone returned to their tasks and rushing to do errands. The three entered a long hallway with doors lining each side of it. At the end of the hallway was a pair of doors that reached the ceiling. No doubt that it was the council chamber.
They stopped at the large steel doors, they had intricate designs carved into the metal surfaces. Two guards stood attention and opened the doors slowly to reveal a large vacant space surrounded by several levels against the walls. A least a hundred seats filled these levels and each one was occupied by a councilman in a brown, hooded cloak. Adjacent to the door, a large seat comparable to a throne was occupied by an older changling. Despite his age, his voice was quite loud in the silent room.
"Turrok Galvann, so kind of you to return! Guards leave us, there are many matters to be discussed and they would be better to be between us!"
The guards took their leave, doors slamming hard enough to cause Turrok to jump. He scanned the room and saw the sheer number of glares and looks of contempt being directed at himself.
"Before I continue, it is only common courtesy that I give you my name. I am Korran Arbon, head of the Council of the People." He paused, waiting for a response.
"Am I suppose to be impressed?" Turrok asked.
"Oh please refrain from attacking my character. If you think you can wound with your words you are sadly mistaken. It does not matter what you're opinion might be, you are here to be tried for your crimes."
"Why do they matter? It seems that you've made your decision, just fit the noose around my neck. Or do you still wish to hold some facade of being fair and just?"
"There is no facade, everyone deserves a chance to explain themselves. You will be no exception."
"And just how would this 'trial' be held? And when would it happen?"
"You will explain what your life has been like these past few months to the council. We will find out just how much you have done against your people. We also will see just how much information you have given our enemies. If the crimes are unfitting for an execution, we will stay the hoof and simply hold you for the rest of your mortal days. As for the when this will be decided, tomorrow would be sufficient."
"And until then?"
"You will be held in the cells of this hall. No need to drag you to the prisons if we are just going to drag you right back."
"Am I to escort myself?" Turrok scoffed.
"Speak to the guards and you will be escorted there."
"Then I bid you farewell, Councilor." Turrok gave a slight bow and turned to see the doors swing open. Once he left the room, the doors swung shut behind him.
One of the two guards approached him. "Follow me," he ordered. With no hesitation, the guard led him down the hall to one of the many doors that lined the walls. The sign on the door read Restricted and the guard pulled out a ring of small iron keys and twisted one of the keys inside the lock. He pushed the door open and gestured for the prisoner to go inside. The room was occupied by a several spacious cells, all of them unoccupied. Another key was used to unlock the cell in the middle of the room and Turrok walked inside to hear the door click shut behind him, followed by the turn of the lock.
"May the gods be merciful," the guard said before leaving. It was a prayer for those who were going to face their own mortality in a short time. The door locked and he was left alone, the cells were bare of anything besides a cot and a bucket in the corner. Above him, a small square hole was carved out to act as a window. Three grey bars ensured anything bigger than a newborn changling would stay in the cell.
With nothing else to do, he simply lay on the cot and let his thoughts wander. The most prominent thing on his mind was that Korran Arbon. What was his reasoning for not killing on the spot? What would this trial accomplish? Is he really sincere about being fair and just?
Before speculation could begin, the door unlocked on the other side of the room. He sat up to greet this visitor and saw someone with one of the councilors in the dull brown cloaks enter.
"Mr. Galvann, I wish to speak with you," she spoke, approaching the cell.
"Well, I've got nothing better to do, Ms..."
"Chitin. Kara Chitin."
"So, what can this traitor and prisoner do for you?" he asked.
"I need your help," Kara admitted.
"How could I help you?"
"I need you to kill Korran," she whispered.
"...Come again?" he attempted to process her request. She wants me... to kill the Head Councilor...?
"I need your help to remove Korran from the council."
"Before we go into any further about this... request, what could you give me in return?"
Kara pondered for a moment. "How about your freedom?"
***
"You three are crazy if you think I'm not coming."
"Ah'm comin' too."
"Me too, we can't let those meanies hurt him."
"If you really do insist on going, I'm going with you."
The four put their hooves down to punctuate their point.
"This is a first contact scenario, we need to extend an olive branch if we are going to get him back," Dusk explained.
Before he could continue further, the door to the library flew open revealing a very worried Celestia. "Good, you're all still here."
"Mentor? What are you doing here?"
"Stopping you from doing something extremely foolish. You all cannot go get Turrok back, I won't allow it."
"So what can we do?" Rarity asked.
"Nothing," Celestia answered simply.
“You know what will happen to him right?”
“My answer remains the same.”
"You cannot be serious, Princess! After all of the good he's done, how he kept us safe and protected the town in exchange for a soft bed, you are content to let him go home and be executed!?"
"It's out of my hooves, I will not send my people into a war over a single changling. I am telling you to give up this fool's errand. And release that assassin, he's of no use to us."
"No..."
"Rarity, I'm sorry but-"
"NO! You are simply telling me to forget about him! To act like he never existed! To completely ignore all of the good he's done! And to that I say no! I'm sorry but, with or without your approval I will get him back!"
"I can't afford to lose any of you over this!" the Princess shouted. "I understand that he has done a lot of good and doesn't deserve his fate. But all of you are important and I can't have you risking your lives like this. This country needs you, all of you, to be here."
"Then I'll go, I'm not important."
"Dusk, no, you are important. I don't want you going there, I mean it."
"Why not? I don't have an element, I can handle myself and I would be the most prepared to do this."
"I. Said. No."
"Give me a reason."
"Because I'm not going to be the one to tell your family that you died on some hopeless suicide mission to try to save a dead changling!"
"You don't know if that is the case."
"I don't have to, I can dispatch a group of guards to keep you here if need be. Don't leave the country, or I will be forced to track you down myself." She stormed out of the library and slammed the door behind her.
"I've never seen her that... emotional," Twilight commented.
"So, do we stick with the plan?" Rarity asked.
"The plan is done, we aren't going."
"Don't you turn your back on him as well!"
"If we go, we just get dragged back here and placed under constant watch. We can't do anything more, we just have to hope he can find a way out on his own."
“You have to…” she pleaded.
“No. No I don’t.” He turned away, refusing to make eye contact.
“You owe this to him! Did you forget that!? After what you did!?”
“Rarity, please back off,” Fluttershy requested, putting herself between the two. “He doesn’t need this right now.”
“No! He does need to hear this!” The unicorn pushed passed the pegasus. “After what you did in Canterlot!? You owe him for killing his brother! You took his last family member! You cannot just ignore that fact!”
“...Don’t you think I know that? Don’t you think I know that I’m a murderer!? That I killed a kid, not a soldier, not a monster, but a kid! That no matter what I do I can never make things right! I couldn’t save his brother and I can’t save him!”
“What’s stopping you from trying!? The Princess!? Or your fear of disappointing her!?”
“Rarity enough! He can’t do anything for Turrok so stop screaming at him! Who are you to judge him? Who are you tell him what he needs to do? What gives you the right!?” Fluttershy noticed Dusk shaking and calmed down. “Are you okay?”
“I’ll be fine, I just need… I just need to get some... get some air.” He made his way out of the room quickly.
“Are you satisfied Rarity? Did screaming at him do any good for you? Was he a good enough punching bag?” She left to find Dusk before getting a reply.
“If this is some kind of joke, I do not find it funny,” Turrok deadpanned.
“I have too much to do to waste it on comedy,” Kara retorted, looking out the window. “I am a ‘ling of little time right now. Do you want to be free or not?”
“Wait. What would I have to do? I’m not following along blindly.”
“No time to explain, now. If you are really interested I can return later when there are less changelings to hear.”
“Fine, but you better not be wasting my time.”
“Ha, implying you have any time to waste, good day to you.”
“To you as well.”
And, as quickly as Kara appeared, she was gone again. That changeling was a mysterious one, that was for sure. But her arrival brought many more questions than he could have ever wanted.
Could he really be free again?
Did he even want to be?
What would this freedom cost him?
These were but a few of them, and answers would have to wait until Kara returned. It’s not like he didn’t have other things that could occupy his brain.
Like the fact that the universe couldn’t just let him live simply. He never was one to seek out anything very grand or ambitious. The gods seemed it more fitting to throw him into these situations where his life was plagued by uncertainty. Especially now that he had finally decided to turn and face the enemies that sought him.
There was something poetic about it. The son of a noble tossed into war and persecuted for refusing to fight it. Dying for his beliefs, and turning into a symbol of hope for the future.
But no, now it was fitting to dangle the key to his cage out in front of him, as if it were a bone and he a mere dog.
But if that wasn’t enough of an insult by the Cosmos, he would receive an even bigger insult from the mockery of going back out to Equestria. If he didn’t go back to Ponyville immediately he would most certainly be dragged back there the second anypony there found out. It was painfully obvious that he would be berated for trying to just get himself killed without any of them getting a say in it.
But two ponies would hold this over him longer than any of the others. Rarity would probably remind him at any given opportunity and so would her little sister.
Of course that filly would use it as a guilt trip to get him to help her and those friends of hers. Like those puppy eyes weren’t sufficient.
Turrok would never forget the first time she used that look on him.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
As if the world knew that Turrok was having a pleasant dream, he was awoken by the sound of metal clanging.
His eyes snapped open as he sat upright in his bed. Shaken by a noise that so thoroughly pulled him from his slumber.
A quick look out the window showed that the sun had only just risen. After her working binge last night, he didn’t think Rarity would be able to get up so early. Regardless, she probably was going to need help if that noise came from an attempt to make some coffee.
With a grunt, the changeling climbed out from under his covers and stepped onto the cold, wood floor. After stretching out for a moment, he worked his way out of his room and stopped at the stairs.
You won’t get me this time.
He fired up his wings and lept over the offending structure before sticking the landing. Unfortunately, his small victory was short lived.
Just to his right, a white, unicorn filly was staring at him with eyes as wide as dinner plates. One scream and he could see an angry mob breaking the door down in seconds.
“Okay, I know this looks bad. But let me explain!” the changling pleaded.
“W-what are you doing here!? W-where’s R-Rarity!?” the filly squeaked.
“She’s fine I swear!” He paused for a moment to let his panic subside. “She is upstairs, most likely asleep.” Even though the changling appeared calm on the outside, inside he could feel his heart thumping loudly in his chest. But such is a natural response when your life is in the hooves of a foal.
“You promise?” She asked skeptically, an eyebrow raised incredulously.
“I promise. She’s in her room.” He put a hoof over his rapidly beating heart.
“Okay, I believe you… for now. But I want to talk my big sister about this.”
Wait... Big sister? Oh right! She has a little sister. What did she say her name was? Sweet Pea? No. Silver Bell? Closer but no. Sweetie Pie? Sounds like a relative of Pinkie… Sweetie Belle! Ha! Fourth time is lucky I suppose.
“Of course Sweetie Belle,” he said as calmly as possible. “When she wakes up she will explain everything.”
“How… how do you know my name?” The filly asked shakily, keeping as much distance between herself and the changeling as possible.
“You kidding?” Turrok smirked. “She talks about you quite often.”
“What does she say about me?” Sweetie Belle leaned forward a little, her curiosity showing.
“Oh just about you and your friends and how you all try to find your cutie marks.”
“Oh,” he excited expression immediately deflated. “Like all of the times we messed up?”
“Well… yes.” That deflated expression started to border heartbroken. “But she also told me something else.”
“W-what was that?”
“Rarity told me that it was only a matter of time before you found that special talent. That determination to find it is something that she admires and tries to capture in her own work.”
“She really said that?”
“Yes she did. You’re lucky to have a big sister like that.”
“Yeah, she is a great sister. But, why is she still asleep? She’s usually working by the time I get here.”
“Well… you see… last night she experienced an ‘inspirational epiphany’ or something to that effect and was adamant about continuing her work. If it weren’t for me she would have collapsed in her inspiration room or worse, worked through the night and crashed in the morning.”
“That’s my sister all right. She loves her designs and fashion a lot. But, who are you? And what are you doing here?”
“My name is Turrok. And why I am here… that is a long and complicated story.”
“You’re not Rarity’s coltfriend, are you?”
“No, no, no. Nothing like that I promise you. It’s a bit more complex than that.”
“Oh, well can you tell me?” Her request would have been granted if not for the sounds of Turrok’s stomach.
“After breakfast, Sweetie Belle,” He chuckled.
Once the changling walked into the kitchen, he saw a pile of kitchenware sitting on the floor.
“Was this the source of that noise earlier?”
“Um… maybe?” she answered sheepishly.
“Well,” he sighed, “accidents happen. Let’s get this picked up and get some breakfast. Now I’m not the best cook, but I can make some decent pancakes and scrambled eggs if that sounds good.”
Before the filly could say anything, her stomach decided to speak for her.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
With that, Turrok waved for Sweetie Belle to follow him into the kitchen. They scrubbed the pots and pans that had been unceremoniously dumped all over the kitchen floor. He ran each piece of dishware through the sink, scrubbing each with a soapy sponge before rinsing it off and passing off to his helper to dry them off and stack them neatly on the counter.
Once all of the dishes were clean, the changeling gathered various ingredients for breakfast. Fresh eggs, flour, baking powder, butter, milk, sugar and salt. A large bowl was filled each ingredient and mixed thoroughly. Two pans were set on the stove above a low blue flame and covered in a thin layer of oil. One had a small amount of butter melting in it
While waiting for the pans to heat up, the cook began whisking eggs in a separate bowl with some milk. He couldn’t help noticing Sweetie watching with rapt attention. Once the melted butter was hot enough and the eggs reduced to a pale yellow liquid, Turrok added the eggs to the pan and let them cook.
With the eggs cooking, the changeling took the flour, baking powder, milk, egg and melted butter into the mixing bowl. The contents were turned into a thick batter. Some of the batter was then poured into the pan to form a decently sized circle.
With the pancake cooking, the changeling turned his attention to the eggs. He took a spatula from the drawer and stirred the eggs in the pan.
He turned his head to see the filly had moved a few feet closer and continued to watch him. Turrok couldn’t help noticing how cute she was being. But he didn’t let her distract himself too much to neglect the stove. Speaking of which, it looked like the pancake was ready to flip. He enjoyed this part of cooking.
He gripped the handle in a faint green aura and took a deep breath. The pan was flung upward, launching the flapjack in the air. One... two... three flips! It landed in the pan face down. The changeling couldn’t help smiling, and the look on Sweetie Belle’s face only helped increase his pride.
“That was amazing!” the filly cried.
“I suppose it was a little bit impressive,” Turrok agreed.
“Are you kidding!? I wish I could cook like that!”
“Well… would you want to give it a try?” the changeling asked.
“Really? You would let me try?”
“Sure, who knows? You might get your Cutie Mark in cooking.”
“Yeah… I could get my Cutie Mark!”
“Well here, why don’t you don’t try?” He took a chair and put it in front of the stove and motioned for the filly to stand on it.
Sweetie Belle darted up on the chair and gave Turrok a confident nod.
“Okay, what you want to do is focus on the handle with your horn. Once you have a good grip, you are going to want to fling the pan straight up a short distance. After that it’s just making sure the pancake lands back in the pan flat. Think you can do that?”
“Sure, doesn’t sound too hard.”
“Alright, let’s see what you got.”
Sweetie stared at the pan, her horn emanating a green light. It was similar to the changeling’s magic. When the handle began giving off the same glow, he knew she was ready. The pan went up and the pancake was tossed in the air.
But instead of going straight up, she lifted it at an angle. The flapjack was sent flying to the other side of the room.
Acting quickly, Turrok grabbed a plate off the counter and leapt after the runaway hotcake. His wings buzzed quickly as he sped to the other end of the room to intercept it.
He managed to save it, at the cost of experiencing some trauma. Once the pancake was secure, he slid back and felt his skull impact the wall.
“Are you okay, Turrok!?” Sweetie shouted.
He rubbed the back of his skull, shaking his head and trying to alleviate the ache that was quickly forming.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” he groaned. “I could use an ice pack, though.”
“There’s one in the freezer.” The filly pushed the chair in front of the refrigerator, hopped on top of it and pulled out a small bag of ice. “I got it.” She hopped down and placed the ice pack against the back of the changeling’s head.
“Thanks, Sweetie Belle.” He held the pack in place as he stood back up.
“Why are you thanking me?” she questioned. “I was the one who caused it in the first place.”
“Like I said, accidents happen, right? You didn’t mean any harm and nothing too bad happened. And hey, the pancake is safe too. See?” He lifted the plate up to show the golden cake was unharmed.
“I guess. But this is why my big sister never lets me try to cook,” she sighed. It was clear that Turrok was going to need to try harder to cheer her up.
“So you messed up once. That doesn’t mean you can’t try again, does it?”
“No… I think?” she replied, with a confused look on her face.
The changeling crouched down. “What I meant was, even if somepony fails at something they can always keep trying. But we should have breakfast, sound good?”
“Sure,” Sweetie shrugged.
“Turrok, I know I said make yourself at home but I didn’t expect you to be so—” Rarity failed to finish her sentence as she entered the kitchen.
“Sorry Rarity,” the filly apologized. “It was an accident.”
“Sweetie Belle?” the mare rubbed her eyes. “What are you doing here?”
“Mom and dad dropped me off before going on vacation,” the filly explained.
“That was today!?” the mare exclaimed. “Oh Celestia I’m sorry, it completely slipped my mind.”
“That’s not all you should be sorry about,” Sweetie explained sullenly. “I thought sisters told each other everything.”
“Look, I can explain,” Rarity defended.
“Really?” the younger sister scoffed. “How do you explain hiding the fact that you’ve had a special somepony and didn’t tell me?” She pointed an accusatory hoof toward the changeling in the kichen.
“Special somepony?” Her face turned slightly red, before shaking her head quickly. “Oh… no no no, no. Turrok is not my special somepony.”
“Then why is he here?” Sweetie pressed with a raised eyebrow.
“That is a long story, unfortunately,” Rarity sighed, rubbing her temple with her hoof.
“I’m not doing anything right now,” she replied.
“Actually, why don’t we have breakfast first?” Turrok suggested, gesturing to the prepared meal on the table.
“Fine,” the filly agreed begrudgingly. “But I will find out one way or another after breakfast.”
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
That she did, even if the puppy dog eyes were overkill.
“Are you sure you want to do this, Rarity?” the butter yellow pegasus asked, struggling to keep up with her friend.
“For the fourth time, yes I’m sure I want to do this Fluttershy! And I am doing this! Right now!” The unicorn snapped, showing no sign of slowing her pace.
“Could you please slow down and think about what you are doing?” Fluttershy requested in a slightly sharper tone.
Rarity stopped and sharply turned in place. “What I am doing, is saving a friend. A friend, might I add, who has actually helped make life safer for everyone here. And what did he get in return? Abandoned by the one who promised to give him a chance.”
“You know the Princess can’t get involved in this,” the pegasus retorted.
“What good is a leader if they cannot keep their word?” The unicorn turned and began walking again before her companion could give a response.
“Rarity, stop.” The soft-spoken mare demanded. To hear such a tone from her was unbelieveable.
“Why?” the hot-headed mare asked, not missing a step. There was a fire in her that would not be extinguished.
“Because getting yourself killed won’t help him!” Fluttershy rushed in front of her friend, forcing her to stop. “You have too many ponies here that care about you to just risk your life like this! For all you know he could be-—”
“Don’t say it.” Rarity cut the pegasus off. “I’m going, and you can’t stop me. I appreciate your concern but I am not helpless.”
“No one is saying you are,” she placed a hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “But please think about this. How do you think Sweetie Belle would feel if she had to grow up without you? What about your parents? The rest of our friends? Me?”
“I will be careful, Fluttershy,” she pushed past her friend. She couldn’t stop now, not until he was home.
“And if I tell everyone what you are doing?” she questioned.
“Then…” she gave a heavy sigh. “Then I won’t be able to forgive you,” the alabaster mare spoke coldly. She couldn’t let anyone stop her.
“I can’t just let you do this!” She pulled her friend’s purple tail.
“Let go of me, Fluttershy.” Rarity scolded, she was getting annoyed at her friends newfound assertiveness.
“No!” The pegasus cursed through the tail. Biting down even harder.
“If I’m not back in five days,” she started. “Then you can tell the others. But not a minute before.”
“...Fine.” Fluttershy sighed, releasing her teeth begrudgingly.
“And I will bring him back, I promise.” She started walking again.
“Just make sure you come back, too!” the pegasus called.
“Of course, darling. Just make sure the others don’t try finding me yet.” With that Rarity disappeared down the path.
She couldn’t help grinning at her own ingenious planning.
Using the changeling to take her place while she slipped out of town, taking her newest fabric creation with her to get into the city, and now with Fluttershy helping keep her cover she had nearly all of the things she needed to do it. Now all she had to do is get through the Everfree Forest, cross a desert, infiltrate the city and drag him out of prison and escape without anyone discovering them.
Simple.
With luck, she could make it to Zecora’s before nightfall and pick up the trail in the morning. The zebra might have a strange sense of style and a strange home, but she had adapted to life in the forest and a good friend none the less.
The path led straight to her house, and thankfully, nothing tried to jump her on the path...
The unicorn rapped her hoof on the door. It swung open a few seconds later, revealing the black and white striped Zecora.
“Ah Miss Rarity, what a surprise! What brings you before my eyes?” she asked in sight shock.
“I need your help. We need to go right away!” the fashionista replied quickly, fighting the urge to drag her friend out of the house.
“With what is it that you need? Is it Spike again with his greed?” she asked in her usual rhythmic fashion.
“No, he’s been very good about that after last time, thankfully,” Rarity sighed. “What can you tell me about the Everfree?”
“I’m afraid there is little to tell, it came from the effects of an ancient spell.”
“I know that much, but I need to know the best way to get through it!” she exclaimed. Fluttershy had used up most of her patience.
Zecora blinked, processing what she had just heard.”I do not quite understand, just what is it that you have planned?”
“There’s a… there’s somepony I need to meet just passed the forest,” the unicorn lied, hoping that her hostess wouldn’t pry.
“Hmm… just who is this there that you must meet, and why can’t you simply meet them down the street?” she questioned, crushing the hope that Rarity held.
“A very special client outside of the town,” she made up quickly. Her facade was crumbling, it was obvious.
“...Do you take me for a fool? Or do you see me as merely a tool?” the zebra asked, slightly upset at the blatant attempt to lie to her face.
“No no no! Zecora I would never take advantage of you like that!” Rarity waved her hooves defensively. “Believe me, I learned my lesson when we first met!”
“Then why must you lie to my face, when I had invited into my place?” her tone shifted from anger to sadness.
“Because if you knew the real reason why I need to go... you wouldn’t even entertain the idea of giving me assistance,” she sighed heavily. She’s never going to help me now, how am I suppose to get past the forest in my timeline without her?
“You won’t know unless you try, but I know there is more here than meets the eye.” The zebra saw the sadness in her friends eyes.
“There’s a desert on the other side of the forest,” she began, clearing her throat nervously. “From there…” she hesitated. “I need to get to the…” she trailed off in a series of mumbles.
“Hmm…?”
“I need to get to… the changeling capital city...”
“You wish to go to the city of changelings!? To the very heart of those wicked things!?” Shock took hold of her. “The thought of going is quite insane, if you desire my help you will explain!” She stomped the ground insistently.
“Zecora listen, I wouldn’t be going there if I didn’t have a very good reason,” the fashionista explained. Trying to formulate her thoughts for stating her plans.
“That remains to be seen, I would be lying if I said I was very keen.” She sipped her cup of tea, calming herself.
“I have a… friend who’s been captured and imprisoned there.” Rarity finally admitted, she was waiting for the claims of insanity, the attempts to persuade her, the outright stating how she wasn’t strong enough to do this.
“So you wish to save a friend,” Zecora stated calmly. “How do you know you won’t meet your end?”
“I’m not as helpless as everyone thinks I am,” she stated, sipping her own cup of tea. “I can handle myself in ‘sticky’ situations.”
“This isn’t an attack on your strength or skill,” she defended. “More so a look at your very will.”
“Are you saying that I don’t have enough reason to go?” the unicorn accused.
“You say you that with an accusatory tone, but I wonder ‘why are you doing this alone’?” she asked.
“No one else wants to help him. Everypony else thinks he’s a lost cause.” Rarity finished her cup and poured herself more.
“What else aren’t you telling me? How important to you is he?” Zecora questioned, she was trying to get more out of the unicorn. She wasn’t trying to hide it anymore.
“What else is there to tell? I can’t just let him die, he’s too good to just have that happen. So can I rely on your support?” she asked hopefully. This was her make or break moment.
“Hmm… I think I will help. No sense in letting you continue to yelp.” The zebra grinned at her light teasing.
“Ooh…” Rarity’s face turned slightly red as she nearly tackled her in a tight hug. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” The two began laughing lightly, Rarity more so than her hostess.
“Now let us get some rest, tomorrow you should be at your best.” Zecora advised, slowly prying herself out of the unicorn’s grip and stifling her laughter.
“Oh yes of course. Er, where would you like me to sleep?” She glanced around to see there wasn’t anything in terms of furniture other than the table and chairs they used when she was served tea and a small bed built into the side of the wall, only large enough for one pony or zebra.
“Well, I have a possible solution. But it doesn’t the most cushion.” She warned, reaching under her bed and pulling out a small sleeping bag.
“I will take whatever you can offer, Zecora.”
She took the bag and laid it out on the floor. After climbing into the bag, she watched the lights go out and fell asleep. Hoping that she wouldn’t be too late.
