Now that Scootaloo has a family they need to get used to each other. What could go wrong.
Scootaloo was an orphan until she accepted a changelings offer to become a family. Now that all the craziness with the changelings is over it should be smooth sailing as Scootaloo and her family try to live their life but nothing's ever that easy. (Sequel to Lightning Strikes)
The train rolled along the track as it sped toward its destination. The only sound throughout the private car was the gentle snoring of the ponies that slept inside. One of the cars occupants was awake, and staring at the two that slept just inches away from her.
Scootaloo just couldn’t sleep for some reason, and decided now was as good a time as any for some thinking. The filly stared at the two changelings that she now called her parents, and was only now really thinking about what that meant.
Is this really gonna work out? I mean, I’m glad I’ve got a family, but what’s it gonna be like? Lightning’s been good to me, but with what she said, it was mostly just her doing a role. I know she cares, but still can we be a real family?
And then there’s Shiv... Yeah she needs a new name. Besides that, she’s a girl. Can I have two moms? How can two mares be together anyway? Ugh! Why is this so hard to figure out!?
Scootaloo let out a heavy sigh as she realized her current line of thinking wasn’t helping her solve anything. So she tried to think of the things that worked so far.
Well, Lightning’s been a good mom so far. I mean, she came to the rescue and everything for me. She made sure I did my homework and junk, plus taught me to fly, so that’s good. Maybe I don’t have to worry too much about her.
Scootaloo nodded, satisfied with how Lightning was as a parent and turned her mind to the newest addition of the family. Shiv.
Shiv helped Lightning, so that puts her in the green I guess. She did say she’d give the family thing a try and I guess Shiv’s pretty cool. But what do I call her? I already got Lightning in the mom slot so do I call Shiv dad?
The filly sighed again. She wasn’t sure how the three of them would work out in the long run, but all the crusading she’d done with her friends taught her that you never knew if something was gonna work till you saw how it went.
I just hope this doesn’t end up with me covered in tree sap. Giving a small chuckle at the thought, Scootaloo laid down and tried to get some sleep. Choosing to let things work themselves out, then spend time worrying about it.
Lightning was taken from her sleep by the loud screech of the train as it slowed to a stop. Giving a wide yawn Lightning turned to look out her window and smiled as she saw where the train had stopped.
Turning her attention to the two other occupants of the train car, Lightning chuckled. Scootaloo was on her back with her limbs sticking out in random directions, while Shiv was snoring rather loudly on her side. Losing another yawn, Lightning rose to her hooves to wake the two.
“Come on you two, we’re home.”
The only response Lightning got was a few incoherent mumbles from the two sleepers. Rolling her eyes Lightning tried again, this time lightly shaking Shiv and Scootaloo.
“Wake up guys. We need to get off the train.”
Scootaloo groaned as she rolled onto her stomach and opened her eyes. Shiv rose her head and popped her neck while yawning.
“What’s up, mom?”
Lightning smiled at the filly. “We’re back in Ponyvile, so we need to go.”
Scootaloo nodded and Shiv yawned again as they followed Lightning out of the car and onto the station platform. From the sun’s position, it looked like they’d arrived sometime around mid morning. As Lightning looked around, she noticed Twilight and the others talking to the Princesses a few car lengths away.
Lightning turned to Shiv. “Watch Scoots while I talk to the others for a bit.”
Shiv nodded. “Sure thing.”
Lightning trotted over to where the Element bearers were standing around the Princess and caught the end of a conversation.
“Twilight I want you and the others to act as observers for Ponyville. Try to help the integration of the changelings go smoothly.”
Twilight nodded to her mentor. “Of course, Princess.”
As the alicorn turned to re-enter the train, she noticed Lightning standing just behind the group. “Lightning, did you need something?”
Lightning nodded. “I was just wondering what was going to happen to the changelings who wanted to stay here.”
Celestia nodded. “Twilight can fill you in on the particulars, but basically my hope is to integrate the changelings into our society.”
Lightning nodded again but her face was marred by a look of worry. Luna picked up on this and stepped closer to Lightning.
“You needn’t worry Lightning. The ponies are very accepting and will warm up to the changelings eventually. You must have faith in this.”
Lightning sighed. “You sure about that?”
Luna chuckled. “Yes. I know from personal experience.”
Applejack put a hoof on Lightnings shoulder and smiled. “Now don’t you worry none Lightnin’. Ya already go us fer friends and we’ll help ya out. Won't we girls?”
The others gave similar reassurances and Lightnings worry eased from her mind a little. “Thanks, girls. Anyway, I’d better get Scoots and Shiv home?”
A few brows rose at the mention of Shiv, but no one said anything about it.
Lightning walked back to where Scootaloo was waiting with Shiv, and she began leading them back home.
The walk home had been mostly uneventful. Only a few ponies shot curious glances toward the trio, and thankfully none seemed to be angry or hostile.
When the odd family was inside the confines of their home, Lightning spoke up.
“Ok, I think we need to go over a few things before we do anything else. That sound ok to you?”
Scootaloo sat on the floor facing Lightning while Shiv rose a brow.
“What kind of things?”
Lightning held up a hoof. “I’ll get to that, but first I think Scoots should say whatever she needs to about us.”
It was Scootaloo’s turn to look confused as she addressed Lightning.
“What d’ya mean, mom?”
Lightning sighed as she took a seat on the floor. “Well from what you said when we all decided to try being a family, I just thought you had some other things to say. So do you have anything to say?”
At first Scootaloo was just going to say nothing, but she did have a few questions and other things to get off her chest so she figured now was as good a time as any.
“Ok, you remember when I told you why I called you mom?”
Lightning nodded.
“Well what I said was true. I call you that so I can really believe you’re my mom. Like when someone psychs themselves up before doing something. So what I wanna know is, does that bother you? That I’m still not one hundred percent about you being my mom?”
Lightning shook her head. “No, that’s fine. I’ll admit I’m still not sure of myself when it comes to being a parent, so we’re in the same boat.”
Scootaloo nodded. “Ok, now I’ve got a few questions for you two ok?”
Lightning and Shiv glanced at each other before nodding for the filly to continue.
“First off if, Lightning’s my mom then what’s Shiv?”
Lightning rose a brow. “What do you mean?”
Scootaloo sighed. “Well you’re both girls, so what do I call her?”
Shiv chuckled. “I’m ok with being “Dad” if it helps.”
Lightning smirked. “Oh trying to be the one in command again, huh?”
Shiv returned the smirk. “Why, you wanna be the dad?”
Lightning laughed and shook her head. “No. I’m the prettier one so I’ll be mom.”
Shiv scoffed. “Ouch, way to make me feel loved, Lightning.”
Scootaloo rose a brow as the two talked. “You guys are weird.”
The two changelings shrugged, and didn’t say anything to discredit the accusation.
Scootaloo chuckled a bit. “Now that that’s out of the way, I wanna ask if we can give Shiv a new name.”
Shiv cocked her head to the side. “What’s wrong with Shiv?”
Scootaloo rolled her hoof through the air. “It’s not very.... pony-ish. And if you’re ok with it, I think you need a new name to fit in better. Like mom did.”
Shiv Shrugged. “Eh why not? So did you have anything in mind?”
Scootaloo smiled. “Yeah I did. I was thinking Quicksilver. Cuz when you were fighting with Chrysalis you were pretty fast. Plus it’ll go along with mom’s name.”
Shiv turned to Lightning. “What d’you think about the name?”
Lightning turned the name over in her head a few times. “Sure. I think it fits.”
Shiv nodded. “Well then I guess I’m Quicksilver now.”
Scootaloo started hopping up and down in excitement. “Oh oh I know! You should make a pony form to go with the name like mom did!”
The newly dubbed Quicksilver rose a brow at the filly and Lightning laughed. “That is a good idea. It might even make the other ponies warm up to you more if you had your own pony skin.”
Quicksilver rose to her hooves and began transforming. Her coat turned to an off beige color while her mane and tail became angularly spiked with electric blue as the main color with streaks of gray running through it.
Lightning noticed that instead of a pegasus, Quicksilver had become a unicorn. The last thing that changed on Quicksilver’s body was on her flank appeared a three pronged silver arrow head encircled by a ring.
Quicksilver opened her eyes to reveal they were amber colored and smiled.
“So do I clean up nice or what?”
Lightning nodded, but Scootaloo tilted her head.
“Why’re you a unicorn?”
Quicksilver shrugged. “Just wanted to mix things up.”
Scootaloo nodded. “Ok. Well I guess there’s only one other thing on my mind then.”
Scootaloo looked from one parent to the other before sighing. “I’ve tried to figure this out but I can’t so I’ll just ask. If the two of you are girls then how can you love each other? I always thought it was a mare and a stallion who got together.”
Quicksilver turned to Lightning. “You wanna field this one or should I?"
Lightning chuckled. “You take this one and I’ll answer when she asks where foals come from.”
Scootaloo rose a brow. “Doesn’t the hospital just deliver them?”
Lightning grinned. “I’ll tell you about it later Scoots.”
Scootaloo nodded then turned her attention to Quicksilver.
Quicksilver cleared her throat and began. “Well, Scootaloo when two people love each other it doesn’t always have to be a boy and a girl. Sometimes it’s two girls or two boys. The only thing that matters is that they want to be together.”
Scootaloo tilted her head. “So you loved mom before this?”
Quicksilver looked up in thought. “Well not the way that I think I do now. Back then it was all about being physical and not really about love.”
Scootaloo still looked confused but let it go for now. “Well that’s all I needed to know, so what’d you wanna say mom?”
Lightning stood. “Just a few basic things.” She turned to Quicksilver. “You’re going to have to find a job soon. If there’s three of us, we need a bigger house.”
Quicksilver nodded and Lightning continued. “Second, until we get your room fixed up, you’ll be in our room, ok, Scoots?”
The filly nodded.
Lightning smiled. “That’s really the only things for now. If anything else comes up, we’ll all deal with it, ok?”
Receiving nods from her family, Lightning walked toward the stairs. “I think we’re all still a little tired from the craziness recently, so let’s just relax for the rest of the day, and tomorrow we’ll get to business.”
The three headed upstairs and into Lightning’s bedroom. Once there, Lightning took her pegasus form and climbed onto the left side of the bed. Quicksilver took the right side and Scootaloo nestled between the two. Before they drifted off, Lightning unfurled a wing and laid it across scootaloo.
The filly sighed contentedly as she felt the soft feathers surround her and she nuzzled into them before falling asleep with a small smile on her face.
Scootaloo groaned as she rose from her place on her parent’s bed, giving her limbs a stretch as she awoke. When the filly was fully awake, she noticed both Lightning and Quicksilver were absent from the bed. Quirking a brow in confusion, Scootaloo looked out the window to gage the time.
Huh, looks like it’s morning. We slept like twenty hours or something.
Figuring that her parents had gone downstairs, Scootaloo hopped off the bed and made her way to the lower level of the house. As she came to the bottom of the stairs, Scootaloo heard Lightning and Quicksilver talking.
“For the last time, Silver, stop worrying about it.”
Scootaloo stopped just short of the kitchen entrance to listen in on what sounded like a serious debate.
Quicksilver sighed. “It just doesn’t make sense to me. I know we’re all just going with the flow here, but can the three of us be a real family? Think about it, Lightning. If Scootaloo has us for parents then others will treat her differently.”
Lightning groaned in frustration. “No they won’t. Sure it’ll be strange, but from what I’ve seen, the ponies are really accepting once they get used to something.”
Quicksilver gave a bitter laugh. “Right, so it’ll be all smiles and rainbows for us then?”
Lightning scoffed. “Now you’re just being cynical. I know that things will be a bit... rough at the start, but soon everything’ll be fine.”
Scootaloo heard nothing but silence from the kitchen for a few moments until there was a weary sigh.
“How are you so optimistic? With all that’s happened, after everything we’ve done, no matter what justification we give, how can you just...”
This time Lightning sighed heavily. “Because I want to change. I know what I, what we all did. It doesn’t matter if Chrysalis was controlling us or if we just never thought to live another way. We can’t change the past. All that matters is what we do now. Just trust me, ok?”
Scootaloo sat on the floor outside the kitchen. What she just heard caused her to start thinking about what was happening and how it would affect her in the long run. Would she be treated differently because she had changelings for parents? How would she be treated?
And then one thought she had made her eyes widen with worry. Would her friends not like her anymore? She’d been keeping the fact that she was an orphan from them for two years now. Would this change things?
Scootaloo shook her head to clear her thoughts. She sighed and stood up. Whatever happens, I’m not gonna solve anything by worrying about it. With that thought, the filly walked into the kitchen.
“Morinin’ mom, mornin’ dad.”
The two adults at the table turned to Scootaloo. Lightning looked surprised for a second before a small smile settled on her face.
“Morning, Scoots. You hungry?”
Scootaloo nodded. “I could go for some breakfast.”
Lightning nodded. “Ok, I’ll get to making something.”
As Lightning went over to the fridge to check what they had stocked, Scootaloo hopped up onto a chair at the kitchen table. All the while, Quicksilver gave the filly a scrutinizing look.
The filly raised a brow. “What?”
Quicksilver smirked. “You heard us didn’t you.”
Scootaloo’s eyes widened. “Wha.. How’d you know?”
Quicksilver’s smirk grew. “Little ticks in the way you move. I was pretty good at figuring out who were great targets for replacing.”
Scootaloo tilted her head. “What about mom? She didn’t say anything.”
Quicksilver chuckled. “She’s too nice to say anything. Even in the swarm she never worried about much. If it didn’t cause problems she didn’t bring it up.”
Scootaloo’s eyes narrowed. “It sounded like this was a big deal though.”
Quicksilver loosed a small sigh. “Not really. It was more or less just me worrying about every little detail of our situation.”
There was a laugh from Lightning as she sat a plate of sandwiches on the table.
“She’s always worried about something. Even when she was a commander, Silver was always trying to see every angle of a mission.”
Lightning picked up a sandwich and bit into it. “Ya know, It’s good to see you two getting along.”
The mentioned two looked at eachother and Quicksilver spoke, “Why wouldn’t we?”
Lightning chuckled. “It’s just nice is all.”
Scootaloo took a sandwich and turned to lightning. “With all the stuff that happens in Ponyville, you get used to new things easily.”
Lightning nodded, remembering what her friends had told her about Ponyville.
“Anyway, Scoots, you should get ready for school. Silver can walk you there while I head to work.”
Lightning ate another sandwich and headed for the door. Before opening the door, she turned to Quicksilver. “After you take Scootaloo to school you should look for a job, ok.”
Getting a nod from Quicksilver, Lightning exited her home and flew toward her weather squads airspace.
========================================
Scootaloo waved to Quicksilver as the faux unicorn left her outside the schoolground. The filly turned towards the schoolhouse but before she got even to steps She heard familiar voices call out to her.
“Scootaloo! Where in tarnation ya been? Applejack told me you got kidnapped!”
“Yeah, and you weren’t at school the other day when Rarity came home so I was worried.”
Scootaloo turned to her friends. “Oh hey, girls.”
Scootaloo wanted to tell her friends everything. Right then and there but she knew that school wasn’t the best place for that.
“Look I’ll explain everything later. Right now I...”
At that moment fate decided to kick sand in Scootaloos face. Said sand came in the form of two fillies. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.
“Look at that Silver Spoon. The blank flank pegasus with no family.”
Scootaloos head whipped to the side as she heard this. Her eyes wide in disbelief. How do they know!? And why them of all ponies, Celestia why!?
“Well she does have that monster of a mom but that’s all she is. A monster.”
Scootaloo stood, frozen, unable to react. Thankfully her friends weren’t. Apple Bloom came to her friend’s side and glared at the two bullies.
“Where do you two get off talkin’ to her like that? Scram!”
Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon glanced at each other before Diamond rose a brow.
“You gonna make us stop?”
Apple Bloom grinned. “Nope. I’ma let Sweetie Belle use her magic on ya.”
At this Sweetie smiled widely. “I can make lemons explode.”
The antagonising fillies brows shot up as they looked to Sweetie Belle. They tried to see if she was bluffing, but all the unicorn did was smile innocently. They decided not to risk it.
Diamond Tiara huffed. “Whatever. You losers are no fun anyway. Come on, Silver Spoon.”
As Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon walked away Scootaloo came to her senses.
“Thanks guys. But can Sweetie Belle really make lemons explode?”
Sweetie Belle’s ears flattened and she blushed. “Well it only happened once and Apple Bloom never lets me forget it.”
Scootaloo rose a brow at Apple Bloom who shook her head. “Ya don’t wanna know, Scootaloo. Trust me.”
The pegasus nodded. “Well anyway thanks for helpin’ me out.”
Sweetie Belle grinned but it faltered. “What did they mean anyway?”
Scootaloo sighed. “I’ll tell you after school. Ok?”
Sweetie Belle nodded but Apple Bloom squinted at her.
Scootaloo shook her head. “I promise I’ll tell you everything. Just....not now.”
Apple Bloom stared at Scootaloo a bit longer before shrugging. “I’ll hold ya to it then.”
With that the three friends headed into the schoolhouse.
============================================
Time seemed to crawl at a snails pace for Scootaloo. With her promise to tell her friends everything looming over her like a dark cloud, Scootaloo could barely focus on Cheerilee’s lesson. Luckily Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon didn’t bother her anymore, and at least Scootaloo could be grateful for that.
As school ended, Scootaloo sighed heavily. She gathered her things and walked outside to see her friends waiting for her. Saying nothing, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle followed Scootaloo as the pegasus led them to their clubhouse.
The walk to their secluded headquarters was quiet. It seemed that even without knowing what was going to be told, the unicorn and earth pony fillies knew the weight this held for their friend.
Once inside the clubhouse, Apple Bloom spoke up.
“Ok, Scootaloo, what’s the deal? Yer actin’ like what you’re gonna tell us is the end of the world.”
Scootaloo shook her head. “I’m just nervous, ok.”
Sweetie Belle tilted her head in confusion. “About talking to us? But we’re your friends, you can tell us anything.”
Scootaloos head lowered and she couldn’t meet her friends eyes. “I’ve kept this from you ever since we met and I just...”
Apple Bloom came to Scootaloo’s side and threw a foreleg over her friend’s shoulder.
“Look, Scoot, whatever ya got ta tell us it’ll be ok. We’re the Cutie Mark Crusaders after all.”
Sweetie Belle nodded. “Yeah, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders stick together!”
Scootaloo smiled a bit and lifted her head to look at her friends. Seeing the smiles each of them wore eased Scootaloo’s nerves.
“Well, ok then, here’s the whole story.”
“For as long as I can remember I’ve never had a family. My earliest memory was standing in a line of other foals while grown ups looked at us. I’ve lived most of my life in an orphanage.”
Applebloom and Sweetie Belle stayed quiet, simply letting their friend tell her story. They wanted to interrupt and ask questions but didn’t know where to start.
“When I got old enough to go to school I hid who I was from everypony. The caretakers didn’t really get involved with any of us so it was easy to pretend I was like everyone else. Then after that whole thing at the wedding, I met Lightning.”
Scootaloo sighed heavily at this point. Time to let the cat out of the bag.
“Lightning is a changeling and she offered to be my mom in exchange for me loving her. After that attack on Ponyvllle she had to save me from the changeling hive and I got another parent, also a changeling. And that’s it.”
Scootaloo looked to her friends to gage their reaction. Sweetie Belle had her mouth hanging open while Apple Bloom stared wide eyed.
Scootaloo gulped. “So... Any questions?”
Apple Bloom was the first to come out of her stunned silence.
“So lemme get this straight. You were an orphan and then Lightnin’ offered to be yer mom, and then the changelings attacked, you got kidnapped, Lightnin’ saved ya and to top it all off you got another parent who’s also a changeling?”
Scootaloo nodded. “Pretty much.”
Apple Bloom was silent for a minute before shrugging. “Eh, good ‘nough fer me.”
Sweetie Belle turned to the apple filly. “You followed all that?”
Apple Bloom nodded. “Sure. An’ far as I see it, Lightnin’s been a good mom. I guess her bein’ a changeling is kinda weird, but she seems ok to me.”
Sweetie Belle. shrugged. “I’m not really sure about everything but what the hay. Scootaloo seems ok with, it so I’m good.”
Scootaloo stared slack jawed at her friends, who chuckled.
“Come on, Scoot, did ya really think me ‘n Sweetie Belle would be worried about this.”
Scootaloo tilted her head. “Well I just expected.... I don’t know, more of a reaction.”
The unicorn and earth fillies chuckled as they pulled their friend into a group hug.
Sweetie Belle spoke first. “We’re best friends, Scootaloo. We’ll always be there for you.”
Apple Bloom nodded. “Yep. No matter what, yer stuck with us.”
Scootaloo smiled and hugged her friends. “Thanks guys. You’re the best.”
The three stayed that way for a while, just hugging and giving support to a friend who had been nervous about losing them. Scootaloo know that there’d be other ponies who wouldn’t understand her family. But as long as she had her friends with her, she knew she’d be ok.
Quicksilver left Scootaloo at school and headed back into town to look for a job.
Quicksilver sighed. What would I even be qualified for? I doubt any of these ponies need my skill set. Not much call for a siege drone with nothing to... siege.
As Quicksilver was wandering town, thinking about what she could possibly do for work, she bumped into someone. The collision knocked the pony to the ground, a pony Quicksilver knew.
“Sorry about that, Twilight. I’m a bit distracted.”
Quicksilver offered a hoof to the unicorn who shook her head and gave Quicksilver a confused look.
“Have we met? Or are you one of the other changelings living here?”
Quicksilver dropped her disguise. “Remember me now?”
Twilight nodded. “Shiv, right? You’re the changeling that came back with Lightning.”
Quicksilver nodded and continued walking, followed by Twilight. “Actually I changed my name to Quicksilver.”
Twilight glanced at the changeling. “Why change it?”
Quicksilver sighed. “Well I figured it’d cement the fact that I’ve got a new life. Also, Scootaloo said it would be more pony-ish and help ponies get used to me.”
Twilight hmmd in agreement as she listened to Quicksilver.
“Anyway, now I’m looking for a job to help Lightning in the finance department. Problem is I’m not sure where to go.”
Twilight smiled. “Well I think I can help with that. Follow me.”
With that statement, Twilight broke into a fast trot, Quicksilver followed, not far behind.
===============================================
Quicksilver rose a brow as she watched Twilight dart around her personal study. The unicorn had led them back to the library that served as Twilight’s home and work area, but when Quicksilver questioned Twilight, all she’d said was, “You’ll see.”
After a few more minutes of Twilight running around, the unicorn stood in front of the changeling with various writing materials and a large smile.
Quicksilver’s brow stayed elevated as she eyed the papers, journals and quills.
“Are you going to tell me what all this is or are we gonna play twenty questions?”
Twilight chuckled. “Well ever since Lightning became a friend I’ve been more interested in the changelings. So when I heard you needed work I had an idea. If you’re willing, I’d like to ask you questions about the changelings as well as do some experiments on you.”
Quicksilver tilted her head. “What kind of experiments?”
Twilight perked up eagerly, happy that Quicksilver seemed to be interested in being a test subject.
“Oh, nothing invasive. I just want to do some magical scans of your body. It’ll help me see at what level various stimuli affect you and your mana absorption rate. Oh and maybe we can even see if I can tap into the same frequency as the hive mind! This could be a scientific breakthrough!”
Quicksilver chuckled at the look on Twilight’s face. The unicorn looked like a foal on Hearths Warming day, complete with a huge smile and eyes that seemed to sparkle.
“Well I guess that could be interesting. But how will you pay me?”
Twilight cleared her throat and adopted a more professional tone. “I get a stipend from Princess Celestia for scientific research. It’s all part of being her student.”
Quicksilver nodded. “What about after you do all the science and ask all the questions you want? Where do I go for work then?”
Twilight grinned. “Well I am in need of an assistant. I have spike, but he’s not suited to help me with scientific research. You on the other hoof are perfect for that.”
Quicksilver tilted her head. “How so?”
Twilight grinned wider. “With what I learned from Lightning, I know changeling bodies are resilient and because you can shift into a unicorn I can use you as a magical focus for more advanced research.”
As Twilight spoke she began heading downstairs, followed by Quicksilver and her note taking materials.
“Also I’d assume you’re very detail oriented, given you were a commander of an attack cell. Am I right?” Quicksilver nodded and Twilight continued. “Add all that up and it makes you a perfect research subject and research assistant. So, you on board?”
Quicksilver grinned. “Sounds easy enough. Where do we start?”
Twilight smiled and dipped a quill in an inkwell, bringing the inked utensil above a fresh sheet of parchment.
“First we’ll start with some questions. Now these questions will get a little invasive, so be prepared for that.”
Receiving a nod Twilight began. “Lightning once mentioned the changeling lay eggs. Would you say you’re more insect or mammal?”
“The changelings aren’t either one. We’re more of a hybrid.”
Twilights quill scrawled the paper as she went on. “A hybrid? How so?”
Quicksilver tilted her head in thought. “I heard from some of the older commanders that we probably evolved over time from something called Breezies. Some forgotten race of ponies I think. It’s probably why we resemble ponies.”
Twilight gasped. “Breezies? Celestia mentioned that they just disappeared when I asked about them. Apparently, though they preferred living apart from us, they would trade knowledge with ponies until one day they vanished. This explains one mystery, but do you know anything else about the possible evolution?”
The changeling shook her head. “No. Like I said, the older commanders would talk about our history, but it’s been so long I think it’s mostly speculation.”
Twilight nodded. “Well at least that’s something of a solution to an Equestrian mystery. Moving on, how do changelings reproduce?”
Quicksilver rose a brow. “Twilight, we may be hybrids but we breed like regular ponies. There’s no ovipositing if that’s what you’re getting at.”
The unicorn chuckled. “Just making sure. Well then what about if you and Lightning wanted to have children? Would one of you, change the plumbing as it were?”
Quicksilver sighed. “You weren’t kidding about these questions being invasive. Anyway, yes one of us would be the giver and the other the receiver.”
Twilight nodded. “Ok let’s change gears now. Can you describe how your changeling magic works?”
Quicksilver nodded. “There’s the transforming part, which you know about, but there’s a few other things we can do. One of them is that flame up we can do. Another is our body alteration.”
Twilight shot the changeling a confused look. “Body alteration? Like how you can make your forelegs into a blade?”
Quicksilver shook her head. “That’s only part of it. We can change little things about ourselves too. Our skin strength, bone density, things like that.”
Twilight wrote furiously as Quicksilver spoke. “Fascinating. Now what about nourishment? Can you eat regular food or are emotions the only thing that sustain you?”
Quicksilver folded her forelegs in thought. “It’s not as cut and dry as that. We can eat regular food and it does give us some energy but emotions are our main food source. It’s a sort of secondary failsafe when we can’t get emotions.”
Twilight nodded. “Like if I ate nothing but junk food, it’d fill the need for sustenance but wouldn’t be the best thing for me, or is there more to it then that?”
The changeling nodded. “You’re almost right. We can live of regular food for a while, but we need emotions to live. And from what I’ve learned with living with Lightning and Scootaloo, emotions directed at us specifically are more then enough to keep us going.”
Twilight rose a brow. “What about all the other changelings? The ones who don’t have friends or relationships yet?”
Quicksilver waved a hoof dismissively. “They can survive on the residual positive emotions around here. You ponies have a lot of indirect positive emotions that just float around.”
Twilight chuckled. “We are pretty friendly. I think that’s enough for now, let’s move on to the tests.”
Twilight set aside the notes she’d taken and rose from her position on the floor and began walking to the back of the library. Quicksilver followed as the unicorn led her down a set of stairs and into a room with all types of machinery and chemical tables. Twilight trotted over to a large machine and used her magic to levitate several electrodes.
Twilight turned to Quicksilver with a grin. “Now let’s strap you in and get to testing!”
After several hours and various tests, both magical and non, Twilight was satisfied. For today anyway.
Twilight unhooded the helmet on quicksilvers head. “Well you’ve got some very interesting brain waves. It’ll take a while to compile all this data so tomorrow you can help me with that.”
Quicksilver nodded. ‘Sure, but when do I get paid?”
Twilight chuckled. “You’ll get paid every two weeks. That sound ok?”
“Yeah, that’s fine. You need anything else?”
Twilight shook her head. “No, you can go if you want.”
The changeling nodded and headed for the door. “See you tomorrow then.”
Quicksilver left the library and headed home with a smile on her face. I’ve got a job and it only took me all of ten minutes to find it! Talk about luck.
Quicksilver trotted through town happily until reaching her home. Walking through the door, she was met with an upset Lightning. Suddenly her good mood then took a severe nosedive. “Lightning, what’s wrong?”
Lightning huffed, a grimace set firmly on her face. “We’ve got trouble.”
Quicksilver rose a brow. “What kind of trouble?”
Lightnings paced exasperatedly. “There’s a group of ponies in town that don’t want us here, and from the day I’ve had, I think they’re going to be a problem.”
Quicksilver shook her head. “Is Scootaloo home yet?”
Lightning glanced at the stairs before looking back to Quicksilver. “Yes, but she doesn’t know about it. She’s been with her friends since school ended.”
Quicksilver nodded. “Ok. Let’s try to keep her out of this.”
Lightning scowled and lowered her head, her eyes narrowed in annoyance. “How’ll we keep her out of it? The town she calls home doesn’t want us.”
Quicksilver used a hoof to lift Lightning’s head, giving her a small smile. “Hey, we can figure it out. Like you said, when they get used to us, it’ll die down.”
Lightning nodded, smiling a bit herself. “Ok. So how’d your day go?”
Quicksilver’s smile widened as she began to tell Lightning about her job with Twilight. The news Lightning had given her weighed heavily on Quicksilver’s mind. So soon after coming to Ponyville and already things were getting tense. But for now she knew the only thing to do was wait. And hope things didn’t get any worse.
Lightning left home and flew above Ponyville. Spotting a weather team in the distance, she flew toward them, her pegasus skin in place. As she approached the weather team, Lightning noticed that most of them were nervous as she flew closer.
Lightning sighed. “Look guys, I’m a changeling, that’s been established. But you’ve worked with me and I did help save the town so can we just get to work?”
Rain Drop, a female pegasus, hovered closer to lightning and shook her head.
“It’s not that Lightning. We don’t really care what you are, it’s just that....”
Lightnings brow rose. “Just what?”
“Dash told us to send you to the weather office if we saw you.” Rain Drop lowered her head.
“The office? She never uses the office.” Lightning’s head tilted in confusion.
Rain Drop’s rose her head and locked eyes with Lightning. “She does when things are serious. And by the way she looked, this is as serious as it gets.”
Lightning only nodded before rolling midair and start gliding toward the weather office. And possibly toward the start of a lot of trouble.
=============================================
Lightning stood outside Rainbow Dash’s office in town hall, anxious about why the chromatic mare wanted to see her. As she’d walked down the hall Lightning saw more of the weather ponies she worked with give her worried looks. So that had just added to why Lightning stood outside her friends office, trying to steel her nerves.
Taking a calming breath Lightning lifted a hoof and knocked on Rainbow’s door.
“Come in”
Lightning entered the office.and was surprised to see that not only was Rainbow sitting at her desk but that a stallion she’d never met sat in one of the two chairs in front of the desk.
Rainbow turned her attention to Lightning. “Have a seat, Lightning.”
Lightning sat in the unoccupied chair and spoke. “What’s this about, Boss?”
Rainbow motioned to the stallion in the other chair. “Mr. Rich had some concerns about you and suggested you be brought in.”
Lightning glanced to her left to get a better look at Mr. Rich. He looked to be middle aged with a black mane and tail. His coat was brown and the cutie mark on his flank was a bag of bits.
What got Lightning’s attention though was the look in the stallions eyes. She knew that look. This stallion was afraid of her, or more likely, afraid of changelings. And fear was a great motivation to get rid of something.
Lightning narrowed her eyes slightly as Mr. Rich began speaking.
“That’s right Miss Dash. I wanted Lightning to be here so she could face her accuser.”
Lightnings eyes widened as Mr. Rich went on.
“I feel that while Princess Celestia had good intentions when she decided to have the changelings live with us, I don’t think they should be allowed to run free range in our town.”
Lightning grit her teeth and was about to tear into the stallion when Rainbow spoke up.
“Your concern is noted Mr. Rich, but I still don’t see what Lightning has to do with any of this.”
The stallion cleared his throat. “I was just getting to that. This changeling infiltrated our town and deceived all of us. All the while she was holding a filly captive and worming her way into the good graces of you and your friends. This could all be one big take over and I’m worried that...”
Rainbow dash held up a hoof, stopping Mr. Rich’s speech.
“Mr. Rich let me make this clear. I trust Lightning. I had my doubts about her at first but she’s proven she’s on our side. This baseless fear you have of her and her fellow changelings is, in all honesty, unfair.”
The stallion sputtered before finding his voice. “You can’t be serious. These monsters tried to destroy us!”
Dash smirked. “And they were stopped. By Lightning.”
Mr. Rich was about to speak again when dash continued.
“I realize you’re afraid of the changelings, so if it makes you feel better I’ll keep an eye on Lightning and all other changelings that work for me.”
Mr Rich growled. “That’s not enough! They should all be quartered off and watched constantly.”
The stallion pointed a hoof at Lightning. “And the filly being held by this one should be placed in proper care.”
Lightning bristled and shot off her seat to glare at the stallion. “What!?”
Rainbow stood, leaning forward on her desk. “Lightning, sit down.”
Lightning looked to her friend and was about to argue but the look in Dash’s eyes silenced her. Rainbow wasn’t her friend right now, Rainbow was her boss.
Lightning sat down and watched as Rainbow Dash turned her attention back to Mr. Rich.
“Mr. Rich, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t rile up one of my weather crew. Now let me tell you what’s going to happen.”
Rainbows eyes hardened as she stared down the stallion.
“You are going to leave, Lightning is going to get back to work and we are all going to get along. Understand?”
Mr. Rich narrowed his eyes. “What? You can’t just brush me off! Do you know who I am?!”
“I don’t care who you are. You don’t tell me what to do with my workers. Now you and your opinions about changelings can leave my office.”
Mr. Rich stood and stepped angrily to Dash’s door. Before he left he turned and glared at Lightning, while growling in a low tone.
“This isn’t over, changeling.”
The irate stallion slammed the door as he left. When the sound of hoofsteps faded, Rainbow sat back in her chair and rubbed her temples.
“I’ve been dealing with ponies like that all morning. Sorry you had to be here, Lightning, but that guy just wouldn’t back down when he wanted to see you.”
Lightning sighed. “Why didn’t you just tell him to leave like you did just now?”
“I’m the manager of this whole area and that also means I’m the PR pony around here. I’m kinda obligated to hear the concerns of the citizens about my workers. It’s all a bunch of political horse apples if ya ask me.” Dash said, shaking her head.
Lightning nodded. “So I gotta ask, you think I should worry about what that guy said?”
Rainbow walked from behind her desk to stand next to Lightning, putting a hoof on her shoulder.
“He’s got a lot of pull around here. I think he and those other ponies, who don’t want changelings around, are in some kinda anti-changeling group. My advice, be careful. I didn’t like that look in his eyes.”
Lightning sat in her chair, turning the situation over in her head. Meanwhile, Rainbow went back behind her desk.
“Look, Lightning, for now you should just act like nothing’s wrong. I’ve got paperwork to take care of thanks to all this and you’ve still got a job to do. If anything comes up, I’ll let you know.’
Giving a nod, Lightning rose from her seat and left Dash’s office. All the while wondering how this was going to affect her family.
Lightning finished the first half of her shift and felt better about the relation between ponies and changelings. Mostly due to the fact that several changelings had been integrated into her shift and everyone got along great.
Lightning flew into town to take her lunch break and the good feeling she had began to slowly but surely fade. While there were the ponies that gave her a friendly greeting as she walked toward Sugarcube Corner, she noticed that just as many ponies would glare or cross the street to avoid her.
Lightnings ears lowered a bit. Even after all she’d done for the town there were ponies that saw her as nothing but a monster. Something to be feared and shunned.
Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Lightning arrived at Sugarcube Corner and noticed that the lunch rush had hit the place hard. The Cakes and Pinkie were rushing around to fill orders and deliver the orders to the tables of waiting ponies.
Lightning chuckled as she found a secluded table off on the far side of the bakery. As Lightning sat she let her pegasus skin melt away and did some pony watching.
Lightning’s lunch breaks were often spent like this. She would come to the bakery and just watch the ponies interact with each other. As she did, Lightning would bask in the palpable atmosphere of positive emotions. This time though it looked like she would have some company at her table.
A pegasus mare with a gray coat, blond mane and offset golden eyes sat across from her with a grin.
“Hi, you’re Lightning, right?”
“Yeah, but how’d you know?” Lightning asked while tilting her head in confusion.
The mare chuckled. “I saw you come in, and I was there when you revealed yourself after that attack. But I haven’t introduced myself yet have I. I’m Ditzy Doo, but my friends call me Derpy.”
Lightning nodded. “Oh, the mail mare right? You helped when we were short hoofed putting a storm together before all the craziness happened.”
“I’m glad you remembered. I wanted to talk to you for a bit, if that was ok.”
Lightning motioned for Derpy to continue and the mares grin faltered a bit.
“I’ve heard all the things about changelings, but I wanted to talk to you personally before I decided what I thought about you. So I want to ask, why’d you help us?”
For a few moments silence was the only answer Lightning gave. Derpy shifted uneasily as Lightning closed her eyes in thought. When Lightning’s eyes opened she smiled.
“Because I found a family.”
Derpy cocked her head to the side questioningly and Lightning continued.
“After the failed takeover at Canterlot, I was cut from the hive. Without the hive I wanted to find something to live for, and that’s when I found Scootaloo.”
Lightnings smile grew. “I wasn’t sure why at the time, but I found her alone, with these emotions of longing and sadness coming from her, and I just had to make it stop. I wanted to make her happy. So we became a family, and the rest is history.”
Derpy nodded with a soft smile on her face. “I feel the same about my little filly, Dinky. She needed me like Scootaloo needed you.”
The two sat for the rest of Lightning’s break, talking and by the time the two parted ways both were happy to have made a friend. Lightning rose from her seat, reverting back to her pegasus form, and headed for the door. Lightning would have liked for fate to let her enjoy this high note but there was one more thing, it seemed, fate wanted to throw at her.
As Lightning left the bakery she came face to face with Mr. Rich.
The stallion had a self satisfied grin on his face as he walked towards Lightning.
“Just who I was looking for. Could I have a word with you, Miss Lightning?”
“Make it quick. My break’s over and I need to get back to work.”
The stallions grin became cheshire like as he motioned for Lightning to walk with him.
“As I’m sure you’re aware, I and many others are... werry of the changelings in Ponyville and we-”
“Spare me the sales pitch slick. Just say what you want so I can get back to work.” Lightning cut in viciously.
Mr. Rich chuckled. “Direct I see, fine I can cut to the chase.”
The stallions face darkened. “You and the rest of the changelings can either leave or my friends and I make your lives miserable. Understand?”
Lightning starred at the stallion before bursting into laughter. Mr. Rich tilted his head at the laughing changeling. And when Lightning got control of her laughter, she took one look at his confused face and it sent her into another bout of hysterical laughing.
When her second laughing fit ended she smirked and looked at Mr. Rich.
“Oh that’s priceless! You actually believe you’re a threat.”
Mr. Rich scowled and opened his mouth to say something but Lightning held up a hoof.
“You see this face?” She pointed to herself. “This is my ‘not giving a buck’ face.”
The stallion bristled. “Now listen, you little-”
“No, you listen you self important blowhard. I’ve taken on my own kind, faced off against the Queen of my race and been in so many close calls before then I can’t even count them. And you think you can threaten me? I’m done here.”
Lightning was about to fly away when the stallion said something that actually gave her pause.
“That little orphan you have. I can take her away.”
Lightning rounded on the stallion, a look of disbelief on her face.
A smile settled on Rich’s face again. “I know how you forged the records at the orphanage. You didn’t cover your tracks as well as you thought. I’ve got the statements of workers that saw the Orphanage’s manager in two different places that day.”
“You’d bring Scootaloo into this? She’s just a filly that didn’t do anything!” Lightning shouted.
The stallion scoffed. “You’re the one that brought her into this. So what do you say? You and your kind leave and I don’t involve her.”
Lightning stared into Rich’s eyes, and her tone grew dark. “I faced things worse than you to get her back. You’re insane if you think you can take her away.”
The stallion turned and started walking away. “Then I suggest you get a good lawyer. Good afternoon miss Lightning.”
Lightning watched as Mr. Rich trotted away. When the stallion was out of sight, Lightning lowered her head and sighed heavily, She couldn’t tell Quicksilver or Scootaloo about this. At least not until she was sure there was no other choice.
For now, Lightning decided it was better to keep this to herself.
Lightning sat at her desk, her eyes fixed on the script of a court letter bathed in moonlight. You are requested to come before Judge Mercy on the 30th day of this month to face accusations from one Filthy Rich.
The changeling sighed and shook her head. She’d been up for hours trying to come up with some way out of this mess with Filthy Rich. Finally turning her eyes away from the document, she focused on the two sleeping forms atop the bed.
Scootaloo was cuddled close to Quicksilver and both were snoring softly. Completely oblivious to the world and the possible problem their family faced. Heaving a sigh Lightning closed her eyes and reclined in her chair. Yet again trying to come up with a plan.
Lightning had gone over their finances and knew that their was no way she could hire a lawyer, not a good one at any rate. She’d briefly considered finding these witnesses Rich claimed had seen her and using the changeling mind spell on them, but that idea was thrown out as fast as it had come to her. Doing that would only hurt her case if she was found out.
The darkest part of Lightning, the part that had tempted her when she was saving Rarity, had told her to deal with the problem directly. To get rid of Filthy Rich. She’d shuddered at how easily the thought had risen and how she’d almost considered it.
Lightning’s eyes opened and she turned back to her desk. The document seemed to mock her, throwing the fact she could lose Scootaloo in her face. Growling softly, Lightning shoved the sheet in a drawer. Even with it out of sight, the frustration she felt didn’t ebb.
It’s been four days since she’d received the letter. Four days of acting as if nothing was wrong around others. Four nights of sleepless worry, and still not one viable plan came to mind. Deciding to try and sort through her thoughts again, Lightning rose from her chair and toward her window.
Opening the window as quietly as possible, Lightning assumed her pegasus form and fluttered through the open portal. After closing the window, Lightning gained altitude and began a lazy flight around Ponyville.
Putting her body on autopilot, Lightning went down the list of her options again. Could I afford a lawyer? No, even with Quicksilver and I working we make enough to pay bills and get a few niceties for our home but that was it.
Can I turn to anyone for help? Not really. My best bets are Rainbow dash or Rarity. Rainbow is my boss and a good acquaintance but we’re really not that close, not more than any of her other workers. Rarity is grateful for the part I played in rescuing her but still, we’re just friends in passing and not very close.
The other four elements of harmony are out as well. Yes we’ve fought alongside each other, knew each other, but that was all it was. We’re not close enough for me to go to them.
Spying a lone cloud drifting in the night sky, Lightning flew over and settled on it. Looking across the vista that was Ponyville she realized that while she knew some of the ponies, none were very close to be motivated to help.
Thinking of nothing else she could do, Lightning took flight and headed back home. If she was going to be up all night anyway, she wanted to be around her family.
“Watch it, Lightning! You’re supposed to break the clouds, not break my neck.”
Lightning shook her head tiredly and her dull eyes met those of her shift manager, Cloudkicker.
“Sorry, I’m just a little tired is all.”
The other pegasus sighed. “What’s up, Lightning? You’re usually one of the best workers on this shift.”
“Nothing I’m just...” The rest of lightning sentence was cut off as she yawned hugely.
Cloudkicker shook her head. “Look, I know it’s more than you being tired, but it’s none of my business so I won’t pry.” Her eyes narrowed. “But you’re not going doing any good up here. So until you solve whatever it is that’s going on I’m suspending you.”
“What?! But I..”
Before Lightning could protest Cloudkicker held up a hoof.
“Don’t even argue, it won’t help.” Giving a sigh the mare continued. “I know things are rough for you right now with a lot of the ponies not accepting you’re a changeling, so until you get your head on straight I think it’s best you take some time off.”
Lightning wanted to protest but she saw where Cloudkicker was coming from. She wasn’t going to be any help to her shift with how she was now. With a reluctant nod to her manager Lightning flew down towards Sugarcube corner. Maybe some pony watching would help her think.
Lightning sat at her secluded table in a corner of the bakery. She’d been here for nearly ten minutes and could still think of nothing that could help her.
If I can’t think of anything, might as well try and sleep a bit.
Closing her eyes, Lightning lay her head on the table and tried to get some rest. The best she could do was fall into a half conscious state before a voice she recognised drew her attention.
“You ok, Lightning?”
Raising her head, Lightning gave a small grin at the new arrival. Derpy was seated at the other end of the table, concern showing in her bright golden eyes. After their first meeting a week ago, the two had met regularly at lunch and Lightning was able to let go of a bit of her worries around the bubbly mare.
“Not really, but I’ll manage.”
The concern in Derpy’s eyes grew at the answer. “Can I help at all?”
A polite refusal died on Lightning’s tongue as she was struck with a sudden realisation. Lighting had thought she couldn’t turn to anyone because she wasn’t a close friend, but Derpy... Derpy was a friend. Looking back it should have been obvious to Lightning. She spoke openly with Derpy, was relaxed and happy during their time talking.
Armed with this realisation Lightning decided to open up about her problem. She told the wall eyed pegasus about Filthy Rich and how she couldn’t think of a way out. After Lightning finished Derpy crossed her forelegs and her brows knit together in thought.
After several moments of silence the mail mare met Lightning’s eyes.
“I think I can help. I’ve got a friend that helped me when the EFPA wanted to take Dinky because they thought I was unfit to be a parent.”
Lightning’s face split into an overjoyed smile. “Really? You know someone that can help?”
Derpy rubbed the back of her neck nervously. “Well she’s a little particular about who she helps, but I think she’s the only one that could match any of Filthys lawyers.”
“I don’t care if it’s a long shot. It’s the only shot I’ve got right now.”
Derpy left her seat and motioned to the door. “Then follow me.”
Lightning rose quickly and followed derpy out the door. And possibly, to a solution to her problems.
As Derpy led Lightning to this mysterious friend of hers, Lightning noticed that the two had entered the high scale part of Ponyville. The houses weren’t overly large but anyone could tell that the owners had to be fairly wealthy to afford them.
This caused Lightning to worry a bit. If the pony Derpy wanted her to meet lived here, then that meant the help Lightning hoped to get wouldn’t be cheap.
Derpy stopped at a house at the end of the street they were on and turned to Lightning.
“Ok, this is her place. Just tell her what’s going on and I’m pretty sure she’ll help you.”
“Who exactly is this mysterious mare?” Lightning asked with a raised brow.
Derpy chuckled. “You’ll see.”
Rolling her eyes at the hype Derpy was trying to build for the meeting, Lightning stood beside her friend as the gray mare knocked on the home’s door.
There was the muffled sound of scurrying hooves and a lock being undone before the door flung open. The mare who answered the door wore a lopsided grin as she leaned on the doorframe regarding her visitors.
“Yo, Derpy, what brings ya here?” The mare noticed Lightning and quirked a brow. “Who’s this?”
“Hey, Berry. This is my new friend Lightning and we needed to talk to you about something.”
Berrys grin widened and she waved the two inside. “Sure thing, just follow me to my office.”
As the trio walked through the house Lightning took notice of the various pictures dotting the walls. She’d expected expensive paintings, but most of the walls were occupied by photos of the Berry and a little pink filly.
Turning left at the end of a hallway found the three in a spacious office with large bay windows. At the back of the office a large mahogany desk sat, framed on either side by large floor to ceiling bookcases. And situated off to the side of the side was a mini bar that Berry was currently standing by.
The mare was standing on her hind legs and beginning to put various liquids into a mixer.
“You guys want one?”
Receiving a head shake from Derpy and Lightning, Berry shrugged and began shaking the mixer vigorously. “Oh well, more for me then.”
After pouring her drink into a martini glass, Berry walked, still on her hind legs, over to the chair behind her desk and sipped her drink. Humming in appreciation of her mix Berry turned her attention to her guests.
“So what’s the exact reason you’re here?”
Lightning took a step forward. “I asked Derpy for some help and she said you might be able to solve my problem.”
Setting down her glass Berry leaned forward on her elbows and rested her chin on her hooves. “What sort of problem?”
“I need a lawyer. One that can go against someone hired by Filthy Rich.”
Berrys features became more serious. “Explain.”
Lightning flashed out of her pegasus skin. “First off, I’m a changeling. Are you still willing to help?”
Berry’s brows rose in surprise. “If anything, that makes me more interested. Tell me everything.”
Lightning nodded and went into how Filthy Rich was taking her to court because she’d refused to leave and convince other changelings to do so. Lighting even went into how she forged documents to get custody of Scootaloo, and anything else that could be brought up.
As Lightning’s story ended Berry grabbed her drink and downed the entire thing.
“That’s some story. Now before we go any further, I’ve got one question.”
Berry stood and returned to the mini bar. Replacing the martini glass for a shot glass and grabbing a bottle of what looked like whiskey before sitting behind her desk again.
“Why should I help?”
Lightning sighed and lowered her head. “Because you’re the only chance I’ve got. Derpy’s the only close friend I’ve got and her idea’s the only one that had any chance of working so far.”
Lightings voice hitched slightly. “I can’t lose Scootaloo, but I’ve got no idea how to get out of this. I need your help.”
Berry said nothing. She deftly removed the cap on the bottle and poured a shot. After downing it she poured another and slid it across her desk.
“Drink.”
Lighting wanted to question Berry, but instead shook her head and took the shot.
When the glass left Lighting’s lips she looked at Berry again. The lopsided grin was back on the mare’s face and her green eyes were bright.
“Congratulations. You just took a shot and hired the best lawyer to come out of Baltimare university. Berry Punch, attorney at law, at your service.”
Lighting could only tilt her head. “Bluh?”
Derpy chuckled. “Yeah she’s a bit strange, but Berry’s the best there is.”
“I’m pretty good but my vineyards are my true passion.” Berry poured another shot and drank.
Lightning shook her head to clear her thoughts. “So you’ll help me? How much do I pay you?”
Berry waved a hoof as if to dismiss the issue. “You’ll just need to be my new drinking buddy and we’ll call it even.”
Berry rounded her desk and stood beside Lightning holding out a hoof. “Sound fair?”
Lightning smiled and shook Berrys hoof. “Deal.”
Berry went to a cabinet in a corner of her office and pulled out a briefcase and a folder. “Now there’s some paperwork I need you to fill out and a few documents I need you to give me copies of.”
Berrys grin became predatory. “That Rich won’t know what hit him.”
Quicksilver watched as Lightning flew off to work, the same as every morning, but she could tell something was up. For the past week, Lightning had been acting odd. Quicksilver noticed that Lightning had been staying up at night. For what, she had no idea, but now Lightning seemed to be more relaxed. That however didn’t explain why she felt that Lightning was keeping something from her.
Maybe it’s got something to do with that group she said didn’t want changelings here?
Whatever the reason she was sure Lightning would tell her when and if it became important. Right now Quicksilver had to get over to Twilight’s. The lavender unicorn had said they would be working on some of Twilight’s personal research for a while and to arrive as soon as possible.
Putting her questions about Lightning to the back of her mind for now, Quicksilver began trotting toward Twilight’s library.
Twilight studied the arcane symbols scrawled in her notes and nodded.
“Ok, give me the crystal, and remember, I need you to keep it shielded from outside mana while I work.”
Quicksilver nodded and levitated a marble sized pale blue sphere over to Twilight who began focusing on it. After a few minutes glowing symbols began hovering around the crystal. The symbols swirled and melded into the crystal, imprinting themselves on it’s surface.
With a smile, Twilight turned to her assistant. “Now for the test. You’ve practiced the binding spell I showed you?”
“Not that it was easy, but yes, I’ve got it down.”
Twilight’s smile widened. “Ok let’s start then.”
Twilight took hold of the crystal in her magic. Giving the little gem a flick upwards, Twilight tilted her head back and as the crystal came down, she swallowed it. Once Twilight ingested the crystal, Quicksilver began forming the binding spell. Chains of arcane energy solidified in the air and began wrapping around Twilight’s body.
After securing the unicorn’s body, the chains sank into the floor, anchoring themselves to the mana of the world. The spell was simple by design but very powerful and taxing on the caster. Making sure her chains were correctly formed and connected to the worlds natural mana, Quicksilver released her hold on the chains.
“The spell’s set.”
Twilight nodded and closed her eyes. almost instantly the chains started cracking. Glyphs, the same cast on the crystal, glowed on Twilight’s body as the chains snapped and dissolved into the mana they were made of.
When the last ethereal link faded away, Twilight opened her eyes and smiled hugely.
“Wonderful! The focuser worked!”
Quicksilver chuckled. “So the chains didn’t stop it’s magic at all?”
“No, there was no resistance at all. It’s not completely practical yet but with more research I think I can work out how to contain more than one spell in a crystal at a time. Then magic could be available to all pony races.”
Quicksilver tilted her head. “Won’t they still need a unicorn to activate it?”
Twilight shook her head as she wrote down some final notes in her research notes.
“No. All they need is physical contact and a bit of focus. The crystal does all the work. Better yet, since the crystal is like a container, the spell won’t rebound.”
After jotting down a few more things Twilight gathered her notes and started to go upstairs when Quicksilver stopped her.
“Don’t forget about that crystal you swallowed.”
“Oh, right.” Twilight stopped and made a few swallowing motions. She stuck out her tongue with the crystal resting on it. After placing the crystal on a nearby table, Twilight continued upstairs, followed by Quicksilver.
As the unicorn and the changeling were taking a break, Quicksilver decided to strike up a conversation.
“Twilight how can you get someone to talk about something that’s bothering them?”
Twilight's brow lifted. “What brought this on?”
“Lightning’s been keeping something secret. I don’t know what it is, but I feel it’s important.” Quicksilver sighed.
Twilight tapped her chin in thought. “Well why not just be direct? Maybe she’s just worried about your reaction, so show her she doesn’t have to be afraid to tell you what’s going on.”
Quicksilver lowered her head. “I don’t know about that. I’m not sure how I’ll react.”
Twilight looked confused. “But you’re together right? Shouldn’t that be enough?”
“It’s....not as simple as that. We feel for each other but neither of us has ever loved before. Lightning and I are still trying to build something.”
Twilight nodded. “Then what I said stands. Be direct, if you want to build anything you need to be honest and supportive.”
Quicksilver sighed. “I’ll try.”
The two sat in silence for the remainder of their break and didn’t talk much for the rest of the time Quicksilver was there. Twilight was focused on her work and Quicksilver was occupied with her thoughts on Lightning.
=================================================
After working on Twilight’s crystal for the rest of the day, Quicksilver was now sitting in the living room of her home, still wondering how to question Lightning about her odd behavior. Luckily, fate decided to intervene and make her decision for her. There knocks sounded from the front door and Quicksilver moved to answer it.
Opening the door, Quicksilver was met by a pegasus stallion wearing a suit.
“Hello, miss, does a changeling named Lightning live here?”
Quicksilvers brow furrowed in confusion. “Yes she lives here. What’s this about?”
“Please give her these papers. Good day.”
The stallion hoofed over a manila folder before turning and flying away. Left with nothing but questions and a folder that could answer them, Quicksilver closed her door and returned to her seat in the living room.
She stared at the folder. After heaving a sigh Quicksilver opened the folder.
==========================================
Quicksilver was sitting at the desk in her bedroom, the contents of the folder spread out over its surface. She shook her head and turned as she heard the door open. Lightning stood in the doorway.
“Hey, Silver. Why’re you up here? Scootaloo said you’ve been up here since she got home.”
Quicksilver left the desk, levitating the folder and it’s contents beside her.
“Close the door.”
Lightning stepped into the room fully and did as Quicksilver told her.
“What’s up?” Lightnings brow rose questioningly.
Quicksilver tossed the folder on the bed, spilling the papers inside across the comforter. Lightning read over a few of the papers illuminated by the bedroom light. Lightnings eyes widened and she frantically turned to quicksilver.
“I can explain. I-”
“You what Lightning? You hid this from me, from Scootaloo. Why didn’t you tell me about this? Don’t you trust me?”
Lightnings head lowered, her ears flat against her head as she moved closer to Quicksilver.
“I didn’t want you to worry. I didn’t want Scootaloo to worry. I wanted to protect her.”
Quicksilver sat on the floor and sighed again.
“Lightning, you said you wanted to try and build something. we can’t do that if you keep secrets. I can understand that you didn’t want to upset Scootaloo so I’ll forgive you. Next time though tell me, I’m here for you, Lightning.”
Quicksilver leant forward and gently nuzzled Lightnings neck before turning to look at the scattered papers on the bed.
“So what’ll we need to do for the trial?”
“Well, Berry, our lawyer, said she’d be looking into some laws about foal adoption and extenuating circumstances.”
As Lightning went on explaining about what Berry had already told her, neither noticed the door was open slightly. Nor did they notice the quiet hoofsteps leading away from their door.
Scootaloo paced the length of her room, it had been fixed and she’d been glad to have a space of her own again. The orange filly was especially thankful she had the room so she could digest what she’d just overheard, namely that there was a trial in the works that could decide her fate.
Halting her frantic pacing, Scootaloo inhaled deeply to try and reign in the hectic swirling storm of thoughts in her head.
I don’t need to panic. Mom and dad will handle this. But what if they don’t? What’ll happen to me?
As the question entered her mind, Scootaloo’s eyes widened in fear.
Will I go back to the orphanage, or will they just stick me somewhere else? No. No, no no no! I can’t leave! I like it here, I like Lightning and Quicksilver and...
Realising that she was panicking, Scootaloo shook her head and began pacing again.
There’s gotta be something I can do, but what? There’s not much I can do by myself so....
Then it hit her like a train. She didn’t have to do anything alone.
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle can help me! Yeah, I’ll tell ‘em about this and we’ll figure something out. Maybe we can even keep the trial from happening, it’s perfect!
With a solid idea finally worked out Scootaloo hopped into her bed to get some sleep. She knew that if she wanted to pull off anything she’d need all the energy she could get.
===================================
When Scootaloo woke up, she rushed through breakfast and out the door before Lightning or Quicksilver could ask what the filly was up too. Foregoing her scooter, Scootaloo flew as fast as she could toward the CMC clubhouse. Being a weekend, she was sure Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were already there.
Said earth and unicorn fillies were sitting around the table of the clubhouse when Scootaloo rocketed through the window. Scootaloo collided with the wall opposite the window, bouncing off it and landing on the table where Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle sat.
Before her friends could ask if she was alright, Scootaloo shot to her hooves and fixed the two with an urgent look in her eyes. “Girls, I need your help!”
Apple Bloom stood and quirked a brow at Scootaloo. “Why, what’s goin’ on?”
Scootaloo shook her head furiously. “No time to explain right now. We need to get some stuff.”
Scootaloo pointed at Sweetie Belle. “Sweetie, I need you to go to town and get as many lemons as you can fit in your saddle bags.”
Sweetie Belle was confused but nodded and left the clubhouse, heading towards town. Scootaloo then turned back to Apple Bloom.
“Apple Bloom, you’ve got rope at your house right?”
The apple filly nodded. “Well yeah but Ah don’t see...”
“Good, I need you to get a couple yards of it.”
Apple Blooms eyes narrowed and she stomped a hoof in annoyance.
“Dang it Scootaloo, what the hay’s got you so worked up? Yer actin’ all crazy.”
Scootaloo groaned at her friends stubbornness. “I’ll tell you when we’ve got what we need. Right now I’ve gotta get our diving gear and three black jumpsuits.”
Not giving her friend a chance to retort Scootaloo leapt off the table and flew out the window, leaving Apple Bloom staring after her friend.
Apple Bloom ran to the window, trying to get more information from her friend. “Scootaloo, why do Ah need to get rope? What’s lemons got to do with anything? Scootaloo!?”
Seeing that Scootaloo either didn’t hear, or was ignoring her Apple Bloom groaned and threw her forelegs up in frustration. ”Aww there she goes.”
Leaving the window Apple Bloom muttered to herself. “When she gets back I'mma give that filly a piece o’ mah mind.” Still muttering Apple Bloom made headed toward Sweet Apple Acres to get the rope. ===================================
Scootaloo exited Pinkie’s room and descended the stairs leading to the bakery, waving to Pinkie as she reached the bottom.
“Thanks for keeping this for us, Pinkie, and for lending us the jumpsuits.”
The party pony giggled. “No prob, Scoot. And if you happen to see a sea pony when you’re diving, say shoo be doo for me.”
Deciding not to ask when Pinkie had ever met a sea pony, Scootaloo left Sugarcube Corner and began trotting down the road. As she rounded a corner and started cutting through the Ponyville Park a familiar and unwelcome voice stopped her.
“So blank flank, what’s the latest idea to get your cutie mark? Maybe you should ask your parents how they got theirs. Too bad theirs are fake.”
Turning her head to face her tormenter, glaring pointedly at the filly.
“What d’you want Diamond Tiara? I don’t have time for this today, so just hurry up.”
Not phased by Scootaloo’s glare or tone, Diamond Tiara smirked, chuckling lightly.
“What’s got you all mad, Scootaloo? Is it the fact that you still don’t have a cutie mark, or that your parents are monsters that need to be thrown out of town?”
Scootaloo considered herself a pretty mellow pony. It took a lot to get under her skin and she’d normally just let whatever Diamond Tiara or any other pony said roll off her back. But with the threat of losing Lightning and Quicksilver, the only family Scootaloo had ever known, Scootaloo snapped.
Her heated glare became cold and sharp as Scootaloo walked closer to Diamond tiara. At first the spoiled filly wasn’t intimidated, but as Scootaloo got closer the look in her eyes made Diamond Tiara take a step back. Even when Diamond tried to keep space between them, the pegasus just kept stalking closer, the same cold look in her eyes.
When Diamonds back hoof connected with the trunk of a tree she gasped. Realizing that she was caught, the only thing she could do was watch as Scootaloo closed the last few inches between them. When the fillies were muzzle to muzzle Scootaloo spoke. And just like her eyes, Scootaloo’s voice was sharp and cold.
“You think this is funny? You think that it’s fine for me to lose the only family I’ve ever had just because they’re different? What if you were going to lose your family, huh? No home, no friends, just a bunch of random fillies and colts that only look out for themselves and caretakers that barely give you the time of day. I won’t go back to that, I got away from the orphanage for a reason and I won’t go back.”
Diamond shivered slightly but she was confused. “What... What are you talking about?”
Scootaloo quirked a brow and then chuckled darkly. “You don’t even know, do you? You don’t know how your dad’s trying to ruin my and my parents’ lives. And you’re joking about everything as if it’s no big deal? You spoiled little brat.”
Diamond was shocked. Her father wanted to take Scootaloo from her family? What else was he doing she didn’t know about? Diamond had thought her father wanted to get the changelings separated from Ponyville, but Scootaloo made it sound much worse.
“Scootaloo I...”
“Shut it, Diamond. You’re just like your dad. You act all nice for the public but then you bully anyone different from you.”
Diamond Tiara hung her head. Seeing that the filly wasn’t going to say anything else Scootaloo turned got back on route for the clubhouse.
=================================
Scootaloo trotted through the clubhouse door to find Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom had gotten what she’d asked for. Setting down her items, Scootaloo turned to her friends, taking a seat at the table the other two were.
“Sorry for not explaining things right away but we need to get this done quick if it’s gonna work.”
Sweetie Belle’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What’s gotta get done? I don’t even know what we’re doing!”
Apple Bloom nodded. “Sweetie’s right, I think y’all owe us an explanation. What’s got yer tail in a tangle anyway?”
Scootaloo sighed heavily. “I found out last night that Filthy Rich is trying to take me from Lightning and Quicksilver. He’s taking them to court.”
Apple Bloom’s jaw went slack and Sweetie Belle blinked slowly before leaning forward a bit.
“You wanna run that by us again?”
“I was walking to my room when I heard Lightning and Quicksilver talking about something. I thought maybe they were getting worried about living here again so I decided to listen in. It looks like Filthy Rich is in a group that doesn’t want changelings in Ponyville so he’s trying to use the both of them like some kinda example. I’m not really sure but I do know that if he wins I’ll probably get sent back to the orphanage and I’m not gonna sit back and let that happen.”
“Well that’s fine and dandy Scoot, but what’re you gonna do about it? It sounds like there ain't much ya can do.”
Scootaloo grinned at Apple Bloom. “Simple. We’re gonna take Filthys’ evidence. No evidence, no trial.”
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle traded looks before the earth filly spoke.
“Not ta rain on yer parade but how in the hay do you think we’re gonna do that?”
Sweetie Belle nodded. “Yeah, and besides that what do lemons, rope, diving gear and jumpsuits have to do with any of this?”
Scootaloo’s grin widened a bit. “It’s all part of my master plan. See I figure Filthy Rich is keeping whatever he’s got on mom at his house. So all we have to do is get in, get what he’s got and get out.”
Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. “Well how exactly is that gonna go down then?”
Scootaloo left the table and headed for the trunk that the crusaders kept in the clubhouse. After digging through it for a minute, Scootaloo returned to the table with a map they’d gotten from Twilight months ago. Seeing as their hoof drawn map had been marked excessively with red X’s, they needed a replacement. This map however was more detailed, showing all of Ponyville and not just a few landmarks.
Scootaloo unfolded the map and pointed to a large house on the northeast edge of town.
“This is Diamond Tiara’s house. Remember how she bragged that it was like a castle cuz it’s got that big pond around half of it like a moat? That’s our way in.”
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle focused on the house Scootaloo pointed at, and noticed that a pond did partially circle the house. The body of water actually coming quite close to the rear of the residence.
“Now before you ask how we’re gonna do this, here’s my plan..” ======================
After listening for several minutes as Scootaloo explained her “genius” plan Apple Bloom was giving her friend a look that said, “You’ve gotta be kidding me.”
Meanwhile Sweetie Belle nodded approvingly. “You know that’s not half bad.”
“Not half bad? That there plan’s all bad. Yer not actually thinkin’ of goin’ along with this are ya?” Apple Bloom asked while directing the look she’d previously focused on Scootaloo to Sweetie Belle.
“Well why not? We’ve gotta help, this is Scootaloo’s family on the line.”
Apple Bloom shook her head. “Ah cain’t believe what Ah’m hearin’. Scootaloo wants ta break into somebody's house and yer goin along with it?”
Scootaloo braced her forehooves on the table, leaning towards Apple Bloom.
“Wouldn’t you do whatever you could to help your family?”
The question caused Apple Bloom to pause for a second. When she decided to answer her voice was unsure.
“Well ‘course Ah would. But ain’t there a better way than just bustin’ into the guys house?”
Scootaloo’s shoulders sagged and her head lowered. “Maybe there is but I can’t think of it. The trial’s in three days, I can’t just sit around and wait. I need to do something and this is the best I’ve got.”
Sweetie Belle moved next to Scootaloo and put a foreleg around her while throwing a pleading look toward Apple Bloom. After a few seconds Apple Bloom groaned in defeat.
“All right fine, we’ll do this but Ah still think this idea’s screwy.”
Scootaloo’s head rose and she smiled widely. “You’ll do it?”
“Yep”
“Thanks, Apple Bloom! You won’t regret it, this is gonna solve everything!”
With that Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle went through what they’d gathered and talked about parts of the plan while Apple Bloom shook her head lightly.
“Ah got a bad feelin’ that this is gonna bite us all in the flank. Guess the only thing to do now is get on with it.”
As the sun drifted lower in the sky the three fillies worked out how best to accomplish their mission. Telling each of their families that they were having a sleepover in the clubhouse, the three waited for nightfall. =================================
The night was calm in Ponyville. The houses were dark and the the ponies inside slept soundly. The only thing odd was a cloud that moved across the skyline. The cloud wasn’t odd because it moved but because it moved against the wind. The cloud continued it’s path until it hovered near the home of the Rich family.
When the cloud stopped, Scootaloo poked her head from inside and quickly looked around. Seeing all the lights out in the house, she grinned and drew her head back inside the cloud. Seconds later Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom, both clad in jumpsuits and diving gear, were lowered from inside the cloud on rope.
Apple Bloom turned to Sweetie as they were lowered to the water below.
“Ah still can’t believe Scoot was able to hold us up and push that cloud at the same time.”
Sweetie Belle shrugged. “We were tied to her so all she had to do was stand and flap her wings. Good thing she finally learned to fly or someone could’ve seen us walking through town.”
Apple Bloom nodded then turned her head down to see that the waters surface was only a few inches away. The fillies took a breath before untying themselves and diving into the water.
Feeling the rope go slack, Scootaloo poked her head through the cloud again and watched the water below. After a while she was barely able to make out two black figures crawl onto the bank of the pond and slink to the back of the house.
Scootaloo grinned, happy that the jumpsuits made them harder to see. The pegasus then gathered the rope and coiled it around her body before hopping out of the cloud and gliding to where her friends had gone.
When Scootaloo got to the back of the house she found her friends beside the back door.
“Ok guys now we need to get in. Sweetie, you got the lemons?”
Sweetie nodded and tilted her head. “Yeah but what should we do with them?”
“Well duh, we need to get the back door open and you can make lemons explode.”
Apple Blooms eyes widened. “We cain’t do that! The door’d come of the hinges!”
Scootaloo’s brows shot up in surprise. “Really? I thought they’d pop like a firework.”
Sweetie chuckled nervously. “Less like a firework and more like Pinkie Pie after drinking coffee black with twelve sugars.”
“That bad?”
Apple bloom nodded. “Yup.”
Scootaloo scratched her head in thought. “Shoot! That was supposed to be our way in. Wait, what if we use pieces of the lemon instead of the whole thing?”
Sweetie Belle shrugged. “Maybe.”
Sweetie Belle hoofed a lemon to Apple Bloom who tore off a chunk of the lemon and wedged it between the door and the curved handle just above the lock. Moving away from the door Sweetie Belle focused her magic on the lemon piece. Concentrating on levitating the piece, it glowed the same light blue as her magic before bursting with a low pop.
The three fillies waited anxiously, wondering if the sound had woken anyone. After hearing nothing, and seeing no lights come on the friends approached the door. As they got closer Scootaloo smirked, giving a cocky glance to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle on either side of her she said one thing as she walked through the now open door.
The three fillies crept down the halls as quietly as they could. Going at a pace that was half the speed of a normal trot, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle made there way through the Rich family house searching for wherever Filthy Rich kept important items.
After retreating from a recently searched room, that turned out to only be for storage, Apple Bloom turned to Scootaloo and whispered.
“You sure Mr. Rich even has this evidence yer lookin’ for? Wouldn’t his lawyer have it or somethin’?”
Scootaloo shook her head. “No way, he’s definitely got it.”
“How do you know?” Sweetie Belle questioned with a brow raised.
“Think about it, if he’s going through all this trouble to try and get mom and dad punished or whatever he’s gotta be keeping the important stuff with him.”
Apple Bloom sighed. “Maybe, but Ah still think all this is a bad idea.”
Scootaloo chuckled. “You worry too much Bloom. Just focus on finding the evidence.”
Sweetie Belle tilted her head. “Would it be in a safe or something?”
“Probably. But enough chatter, we’ve got work to do.”
After that statement Scootaloo peeked into another room while her friends took different ones and the search continued. =====================================
Time dragged on as the fillies continued their search. Through tea rooms, sitting rooms, closets, a kitchen, a den, a dining room and even a rather large home library there was no sign of anything, anywhere that Filthy would keep what the three friends were looking for.
Scootaloo sat on the plush carpet of the foyer with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. All wore similar looks of fatigue.
Scootaloo groaned quietly in frustration. “I didn’t find anything. What about you guys? Any luck?”
Apple Bloom shook her head. “Nope.”
Sweetie Belle sighed. “Me neither. What now?”
Scootaloo rose a hoof and pointed behind the two. “Lets try upstairs. I read in Daring Doo: A Nobles Secret, that rich ponies live on the upper floors of these big houses. Maybe Filthy Rich has an office or something where he’s keeping the evidence.”
Sweetie Belle shrugged. “it’s worth a look but won’t it be harder to look around up there?”
Apple Bloom nodded. “Yeah, if they live on them upper floors then that means they sleep there. Explains why no one came runnin’ when we blew that door Ah guess.”
Scootaloo stood and made for the stairs, throwing a smile to her friends.
“Don’t worry, if we’re quiet then they won’t even know we were here.”
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle followed after their friend. Both equally worried that something could go wrong but determined to help Scootaloo no matter the risk.
Once at the top of the stairs the trio was faced with a three way divide. Ahead of them was a short hall that led to a pair of double doors. To the left and right hallways went around the staircase and branched off to other parts of the house.
Scootaloo scratched her head while looking from one path to the next before going forward.
“Let’s search this room first. Since it’s the only one this way, it shouldn’t take too long.”
Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom nodded as they followed Scootaloo to the large doors. Using her magic Sweetie quietly turned the handles of the doors and eased them open. When the doors fully opened Scootaloo smiled.
At the back of the room facing the door a desk sat between a pair of pillars that held a bust of Filthy Rich. And above the desk was a large portrait of who Scootaloo guessed was Stinkin’ Rich, the founder of the Rich family fortune.
Aside from that the room housed a few end tables and chairs as well as a safe to the left of the desk. All in all Scootaloo was sure this was an office if she ever saw one.
“Come on, let’s get at that safe.”
Apple Bloom rushed in front of her friend and fixed her with a hard stare.
“Scoot, Ah know yer only trin’ to help yer folks and Ah can respect that but don’t ya think this’s gone to far?”
Scootaloo tilted her head. “Huh?”
Sweetie Belle stepped up and stood beside Apple Bloom.
“She’s right Scootaloo. I mean what are we gonna use to get in the safe anyway?”
Scootaloo nodded to Sweetie’s saddle bags. “Lemons.”
Apple Bloom huffed and rolled her eyes. “Oh sure let’s do that. Come on Scootaloo, if Sweetie explodes them lemons Ah just know someone’s gonna hear us. Face it, we can’t get the evidence so let’s get while the gettin’s good.”
Scootaloo grit her teeth in frustration. “I didn’t come this far to...”
Suddenly Scootaloo turned her head towards the open doors and pitched her ears forward. After staring for a few seconds she turned to her friends with a look of panic.
“Someone’s coming! Close the doors and hide!”
Sweetie Belle lit her horn and closed the doors then joined her friends in franticly looking for a hiding place.
Apple Bloom turned in a circle before focusing on Scootaloo. Her voice hushed but thick with panic.
“There ain’t nowhere to hide! What do we do!?”
Scootaloo scanned the room and noticed the pillars beside the desk. They were decorative and wide. Wide enough to hide behind safely if no one looked to closely.
Hearing faint hoof steps outside the doors Scootaloo pointed to the pillars.
“You two hide behind those. I’ll just hover close to the ceiling and hope whoever’s coming doesn’t look up.”
Her friends nodded and scurried behind the pillars just as the door began to open. Not wasting a second more, Scootaloo shot up and hovered over the door frame.
The door opened and Filthy Rich strolled in dressed in a nightshirt. The stallion yawned and headed for his desk. Not wanting to risk being seen Scootaloo followed Filthy just overhead and out of sight, hoping that nothing made him look up.
When Filthy reached his desk he pulled a stack of papers from a drawer and flicked on his desk lamp. Retrieving a pen from its holster to his right Filthy began filling out paperwork while muttering to himself. Unaware that he had three sets of ears listening in.
“I can’t believe the bits it took to set up this trial. But I guess sending a warning to these changelings is worth it. Anything to keep my town safe from those monsters.”
Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle listened as Filthy kept working and muttering to himself. Each sentence the stallion uttered was either related to the trial or the changelings in general and made Scootaloo wonder, was Filthy really just trying to ruin the changelings lives? Or did he believe he was doing the right thing.
Scootaloo shook her head lightly as she watched Filthy.
Maybe I was wrong about him but either way I need to do something to stop this trial.
Scootaloo’s thoughts were derailed as a voice came from the doorway.
“Daddy, what’re you doing up so...”
Scootaloo starred, eyes wide at Diamond Tiara. Diamond was standing in the doorway and staring right back. Scootaloo clenched her eyes shut and waited for the inevitable.
It’s over. I couldn’t help mom and dad. I failed.
Filthy Rich looked up from his work and rose a brow at his daughter who seemed to be staring into space.
“Diamond, what’s wrong?”
Diamond Tiara blinked and focused on her father.
“I, uh.... What do you think of the changelings?”
Scootaloo opened her eyes and stared questioningly at Diamond. Of all the things Diamond Tiara could have said, that wasn’t anywhere near what Scootaloo thought she’d say.
Diamond Tiara flicked her eyes up to Scootaloo and winked quickly before focusing on her father.
“The changelings?”
Diamond nodded. “Yeah. Why do you want to get rid of them so bad?”
Filthy walked around his desk and sat in front of Diamond.
“I want to get rid of them because they could hurt someone. I know the Princesses want to make peace with them but they’re just too dangerous to trust. Why so curious?”
Diamond shook her head. “Just asking. Could you get me a glass of water?”
Filthy smiled and ruffled the fillies mane. “Sure thing sweetheart. After that it’s back to bed ok.”
Diamond nodded as Filthy left. When her father was out of sight Diamond motioned for Scootaloo to come down.
Giving Diamond the benefit of the doubt, Scootaloo fluttered down next to Diamond Tiara.
“What was that about?”
Diamond Tiara glanced at Scootaloo before trotting to Filthys desk. After rummaging through a drawer for a few seconds Diamond came back with a large folder.
Diamond put the folder at Scootaloo’s hooves. “Here’s the evidence for the trial. I found it after you and I.... talked in the park. You’re here for this right?”
Scootaloo looked from the folder to Diamond.
“Yeah, but why’re you...”
Diamond waved a hoof dismissively.
“No time right now. Just take this and get out before Dad get’s back.”
Scootaloo nodded and put the folder on her back.
“Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle let’s go.”
Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom left their hiding spots and rushed out the office doors. As Scootaloo went to follow Diamond Tiara spoke up.
“We’ll have a talk about you breaking into my house later.”
Scootaloo was about to defend herself but settled for a quick nod and a smile before turning and following after her friends. =========================================
When the three fillies made it outside Scootaloo put the folder in Sweetie’s saddle bag then flew up to the cloud she’d left over the rich house. Getting her friends secured to her body with rope again Scootaloo navigated the cloud back to their clubhouse.
Once inside Scootaloo set the folder on the table and looked to her two friends.
“Well... That wasn’t how I thought things would go but I’ll count this as a mission success.”
Sweetie Belle nodded. “Yeah. It was nice of Diamond Tiara to just give this to you.”
Apple Bloom just shook her head as she gave the folder a quizzical look.
“It sure was. But what Ah cain’t figure out is why she did it.”
Scootaloo shrugged. “We’ll have to ask her later.”
Receiving a nod from her friends the three began getting out of their jumpsuits.
Sweetie Belle got out of her jumpsuit first and glanced at her flank. Heaving a sigh she turned to Apple Bloom and Scootaloo.
“No cutiemark. Oh well.”
Apple Bloom chuckled. “What? You wanted a breaking and entering cutiemark?”
Scootaloo brought a hoof to her face. “Aww! I didn’t even think of that! We could have gotten cuttiemarks in like spy stuff or something!”
Apple Bloom shook her head. “Heh, if it’s all the same to you Ah’d rather not have a cutiemark for that kinda thing. Way too stressful. Anyway, why don’t you pop open that folder and see what’s in it?”
Scootaloo nodded and reached for the folder. Flipping open the cover She began reading through some of the papers.
“Yep, looks like everythings here.”
Sweetie Belle yawned. “You sure?”
“Yeah. I can’t understand most of this stuff but it’s got mom and dad’s names in here so it must be it.”
Sweetie yawned again. “Well then I’m going to get some sleep. Night you two.”
Apple Bloom followed after Sweetie Belle and helped her set up the sleeping bags the three kept in the tree house.
After skimming a few more pages Scootaloo closed the folder and crawled into her own sleeping bag.
Before she fell asleep Scootaloo gave the folder a final look and smiled.
Scootaloo was sleeping peacefully, curled up in her sleeping bag on the clubhouse floor. As far as the filly was concerned all was right with the world. Untill she was rudely awakened by a hoof poking her forehead.
Groaning, Scootaloo cracked her eyes open and saw the blurry outline of a pony standing over her.
“Who?....”
The pony shook it’s head and trotted to the nearby window, pulling the shutter cord and letting in the morning sun.
“Come on blank flank up and at ‘em.”
Hearing that line, it took Scootaloo all of three seconds to become fully awake. Focusing on the previously mysterious pony Scootaloo rubbed her eyes to make sure she was right.
“Diamond Tiara? How’d you find the clubhouse?”
Diamond Tiara rolled her eyes and smirked at the pegasus.
“I keep tabs on you guys, well I keep tabs on everyone really but that’s beside the point. Wake up the other two, we need to talk.”
Scootaloo was about to question Diamond but knowing how the rich filly was she simply sighed and roused Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. After some not so gentle prodding, grumbling, and pulling the three friends were up and sitting at one end of their clubhouses table while Diamond sat opposite them.
Apple Bloom yawned and turned her groggy stare on Diamond.
“So, what’s so important you gotta wake us up so early in the mornin’ to talk about?”
Diamond gave the apple filly a flat look. “You three broke into my house.”
Scootaloo and Apple Bloom chuckled nervously as Sweetie Belle spoke up. “Oh yeah, we did. Sorry about the back door.”
Diamond Tiara waved a hoof in dismissal. “Never mind the door. Just tell me why you decided to break into my house of all things when you could've, oh I don’t know, asked me for help.”
Apple Bloom scoffed. “Yeah cuz you’ve been so helpful and understandin’ in the past. What were we thinkin’?”
Diamond Tiara’s ears dropped and she cast her eyes to the floor. “Ok I guess I deserved that.”
Sweetie Belle got up and moved to sit closer to Diamond. Putting a hoof on her shoulder as she spoke.
“But she’s kinda right Diamond. You’ve never been very nice, or helpful, or considerate, or....”
Diamond’s head rose and she gave Sweetie Belle an annoyed look. Sweetie Belle coughed awkwardly and continued.
“What I mean is, you’ve never been friendly to us before so why help us now?”
Diamond gestured at Scootaloo. “She gave me a few things to think about. But even before that I.... thought about how I’ve been to you three. And to a few others.”
Diamond looked at each of the others in turn before lowering her head again . “What I want to say is.... I’m sorry.”
After Diamonds apology, silence dominated the clubhouse. Apple Bloom was staring slack jawed at Diamond while Sweetie Belle sat with a confused look on her face. Scootaloo meanwhile, was staring at Diamond with a look of concentration. After a few seconds of looking the rich filly over, Scootaloo stood and moved to sit beside Diamond.
“Well if you’re sorry then how about we be friends?”
Diamonds head shot up to look at Scootaloo who was holding a hoof in her direction and wearing a smile. After glancing at Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, who wore smiles of their own, Diamond took the offered hoof.
As Scootaloo released her hoof Diamond tilted her head.
“Thanks but why would you want to be my friend after everything I’ve done?”
Scootaloo shrugged. “I gave a changeling the chance to be my mom so why not give you a chance to be my friend?”
Diamonds confused expression melded into a smirk. “Well it might hurt my reputation but I guess I can hang out with you blank flanks.”
The other three fillies rolled their eyes and Apple Bloom bumped Diamonds shoulder with her own.
“You ain’t ever gonna change are ya?”
Daimond chuckled. “Nope.”
Sweetie Belle giggled. “Well now that we’re friends how about we go to Sugar Cube Corner to celebrate.”
Receiving nods all around the four fillies vacated the clubhouse and headed toward town. ==================================
As the fillies went about their day Lightning and Quciksilver were sitting in their living room chatting.
“So Silver, why aren’t you at work?”
Quicksilver shrugged. “Same reason you’ve been reassigned. Looks like the elements went on some mission or other. At least that’s what I’d guess.”
Nodding, Lightning rose from her chair and trotted towards the door.
“Since we’ve got some time to ourselves how about we enjoy the nice weather?”
Quicksilver smiled as she moved to follow Lightning. “Sure. Let’s have some fun.”
After exiting their home the pair headed down the street Quicksilver glanced at Lightning.
“Any idea where you want to go?”
Lightning nodded with a smile. “I was thinking the park. sound good?”
“Yeah, let’s go.”
Turning right onto main street Lightning and Quicksilver continued down till they were at the more rural part of Ponyville. Arriving at Ponyville park the two found a tree to recline under while watching the other groups of ponies around them.
Quicksilver chuckled as she saw a group of fillies and colts playing tag. Watching the group a bit longer she turned to Lightning with a smirk.
“Hey Lightning, feel up to a game of tag?”
Lightning rose a brow. “Tag?”
Quicksilver stood and poked Lightning in the forehead. “Yep, and you’re it.” Before Lightning could react Quicksilver galloped away shouting over her shoulder. “Catch me if you can slowpoke!”
Lightning stared blankly for a second before springing up and chasing after Quicksilver. “Oh it’s on Silver!”
At first the two remained in their pony forms as they chased each other around the park but soon they flashed to their changeling forms and used the ground and air. Jumping, rolling, zigging and zagging all around Ponyville like a pair of foals at play.
Lightning had no clue what Quicksilver was thinking when she started this game but all she cared about now was that she was having fun. More fun than she’d had in a long time. Doing something as simple as chasing Quicksilver, or being chased when Silver was it, felt really good to Lightning.
After playing for the better part of an hour the two sat down to rest, laughing lightly as they did.
Lightning leaned against Quicksilver as she caught her breath. “I needed that, thanks Silver.”
Quicksilver threw a leg around Lightning, holding her close. “I thought you could use a little fun after all the stuff you’ve been through.”
Lightning nuzzled Quicksilver, smiling. ‘Yeah, sorry again for keeping it a secret from you.”
Quicksilver shook her head. “Water under the bridge. I understand why you hid the truth. Next time just let me help, it’d save you a lot of stress.”
Lightning made an affirmative noise before leaning up and kissing Quicksilvers cheek. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks again for the game.”
Smiling the pair relaxed against each other, just enjoying each others company and watching as a few clouds rolled by in a lazy breeze. ==================================
At Sugarcube Corner, four fillies sat at a table chatting happily, that is until a certain gray glasses wearing filly interrupted them.
“Diamond? What’re you doing with these losers?”
Diamond Tiara glanced at her long time friend before turning to Scootaloo and the others. “Excuse me for a second.”
As Diamond hopped off her seat and lead Silver Spoon away Sweetie Belle looked at her friends worriedly.
"You think Silver Spoon will be mad at Diamond for hanging out with us?”
Apple Bloom shrugged. “Beats me, Ah’m still surprised she’s bein’ as nice as she is. Usually Ah cain’t stand her for more than a minute er two but she’s been pretty ok today.”
Scootaloo chuckled. “Hey who knows, maybe she’ll even convince Silver Spoon to be nice to us.”
Sweetie Belle smiled at that. “That’d be nice. It sure would be a lot more fun without them being bullies anymore.”
As the conversation between the three drifted to different topics Diamond had led Silver Spoon to a quieter corner of the bakery to talk.
Silver Spoon gave Diamond an annoyed look. “So Diamond, what’s up with you? Are you friends with those three now?”
Diamond flicked her mane and adopted a bored expression. “Well maybe I am, is that such a bad thing?”
Silver Spoon rolled her eyes. “Oh come on Diamond. They’re just some nobody blank flanks. Why would you even want to be around them, let alone be their friend.”
Diamnod’s head lowered as she sighed tiredly. “Spoony, how long have we been friends?”
The use of her foalhood friends nickname for her made Silver Spoon’s expression soften and become serious.
“Since we were foals Diamond. You’ve always been my best friend.”
Diamond nodded. “And since then how many other friends have you or I had?”
Silver Spoon tilted her head in thought. “Well....”
Seeing her friend rack her brain in a feudal attempt to think of anyone Diamond continued.
“See? Spoony, I’m not just your best friend I’m your only friend. And your my only friend. What does that tell you?”
Silver spoon scoffed. “Well obviously everyone else is just intimidated by how great we are.”
Diamond sighed in frustration. “Really? Think about how we’ve treated everyone else. Even when they did nothing to us. Like Twist. First we teased her for not having her cutie mark but even when she got it did we stop?”
Silver Spoon stared at Diamond, stunned, as the pink filly spoke. Her tone rising in volume and anger.
“No, we didn’t. We just kept finding more reasons to tease her. And not just her, we do it to everyone! We push everyone else away and I’m tired of it!”
Diamond was breathing hard as she finished, earning a few stares from the other patrons who’d heard her. For her part Silver Spoon was still unable to say anything to rebuff what her friend had said. She knew that her friend was right, they did tease the other fillies and colts their age but they weren’t that bad. Right?
When Diamond calmed down a bit she continued. “Spoony. My dad’s going to try and get Scootaloo’s parents kicked out of Ponville. And he’s going to take Scootaloo away from them. Scootaloo called me out when I teased her about it and I got to thinking. Should I be the way I am just because somebody’s different then me? My dad thinks he’s right but he’s not. Just like I’m not right for teasing other ponies.”
Silver Spoon swallowed nervously before she finally decided to speak. “Does this mean that....that you don’t want to be my friend anymore? You’re gonna be theirs?”
Diamond shook her head. “No Spoony, I want all of us to be friends. I want to be a better pony then I’ve been. So what d’you say? You think you can be their friend?”
Silver Spoon looked to the table that Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootalo sat before turning back to Diamond.
“I’ll try Diamond. But one question. Have we really been so bad to them? To the other ponies in our class?”
Diamond nodded, her ears low. “Really bad Spoon. I thought about it the rest of the day after Scootaloo talked me down and the truth is we’ve not been very good ponies.”
Silver Spoon nodded then sighed. “Like I said, I’ll try to get along with them but they kinda annoy me.”
Diamond chuckled. “Don’t worry Spoon, they still annoy me but they’re not so bad after a while. Come on.”
Leading Silver Spoon back to the others, the five fillies talked and within a few minutes the bakery was full of laughter coming from the table as the group of five began joking and teasing one another. Pinkie looked across the room from her post at the counter and giggled.
“Not to sure about how this works with canon but hey, it’s nice when somepony makes new friends. Nice work author.”
Mrs. Cake, who’d come out to restock the display at the counter, gave Pinkie an odd look.
“Who’re you talking to dear?”
Pinkie just giggled again. “Oh nobody Mrs. Cake. Just a “friend”.”
Giving a shrug and a small smile Mrs. Cake went back to the kitchen to continue baking. ==============================
Meanwhile at the law office of Pokey and Pierce, Filthy Rich was sitting at a desk with Pierce and was smiling broadly as the two talked over a glass of scotch.
“Well Mr. Pierce, soon this trial and hopefully these changelings will all be behind us by tomorrow.”
Pierce smiled as he patted a thick folder that sat on his desk. “Indeed Mr. Rich, everything’s certainly looking to be in our favor.”
Filthy nodded as he took a drink. Yes everything was going his way, and he had the evidence to prove it. Although he was confused as to where his copy went it didn’t matter. The trial was tomorrow, he would burry Lightning and then move on to getting the rest of the changelings out of his town.
The morning of the trial was a tense one for Scootaloo’s family. Lightning and Quicksilver sat off to one side of their living room while Berry, who’d come over early to go over their strategy, was explaining things to Scootaloo for what they thought was the first the filly had heard of the trial.
“So basically we might need you to be a character witness for your parents. You think you can do that?”
Scootaloo nodded with a grin. “You bet. I’ll tell everyone how awesome mom and dad are.”
Berry laughed and ruffled the fillies mane. “That’s the spirit. Now let’s head down to the courthouse. While we’re in the main chamber Scootaloo will be in a waiting area if or when we need her.”
Getting nods of confirmation, Berry led the family outside and toward the Ponyville justice building. ==================================
In the private office of Poky and Pierce, Filthy Rich was pacing anxiously.
“You’re sure this’ll work? I’ve put a lot of bits into this.”
Pierce sighed as he arranged papers into his briefcase. “Yes Mr. Rich I’m sure. What I plan to do is backed by law both solid and old enough that there’s no way to contest or dismiss it. Have no fear that by weeks end this changeling problem will be delt with.”
Filthy scoffed. “That’s something to look forward to. Honestly, I respect the princess but this is too much. Being allied with the griffons is trying enough but integrating the changelings into Equestria?”
Pierce chuckled. “Well that’s what ponies like us and our associates are for. To protect our fellow ponies in the light of royal oversight. Now let’s head out. Wouldn’t want to be late would we?”
Closing his briefcase Pierce and Filthy left the office, and trotted off to what they were sure was a trial already won in their favor. ==========================================
Twilight was going over the last of her notes before she placed them in her saddlebags. Humming in satisfaction at her work she turned to the kitchen and called for Spike.
“I’m headed out now Spike. Keep an eye on the library while I’m gone.”
The baby dragon walked into the main room to see Twilight off.
“Sure thing Twi, but why’re you going again?”
“I told you Spike, Celestia put me in charge of the integration of the changelings into pony society in Ponyville. I need to see what this trial will mean for that. Also I’ve been called as an expert witness.”
Shrugging, Spike held the door as Twilight walked out. “Well either way, good luck.”
As Twilight trotted down the rode to the courthouse she smiled. “I don’t need luck. I’ve got research.” =================================
Inside the courtroom Berry was sorting through her papers when Pierce walked in followed closely by Filthy Rich.
As Pierce sat his case on his table he turned and smirked at Berry.
“Good to see you Berry. You ready for the trial or are you nursing yet another hangover?”
Berry returned the smirk. “Not today, I wanted to be at the top of my game for this. Although seeing as it’s you I’m up against I could be drunk and win this.”
Pierce scoffed. “How you got a license to practice law I’ll never know.”
Berry laughed. “It’s called hard work Pierce. Not all of us had daddy pay our way through law school.”
Pierce growled and turned away from Berry who’s smirk widened at winning their little bout of words. Turning back to her own table Berry noticed Quicksilver and Lightning looking at her.
Quicksilver rose a brow. “Friend of yours?”
Berry chuckled. “I know Pierce from Baltimare law. He’s a rich boy who takes upperclass cases from other rich boys and girls. He was also my rival in law school.”
Lighting looked over at Pierce, who was talking to Filthy, before turning to Berry.
“Is he any good?”
Berry nodded. “He’s a good lawyer in that he knows what he’s doing, the problem with him is he’s arrogant. I’ve delt with him before, we only have to worry that he’s found some vague and obscure law that I might have missed.”
Before Lightning or Quicksilver could ask anything else the bailiff stomped his hoof loudly and called to the room.
“All rise for the honorable judge Mercy of Ponyville.”
As the bailiff said this a dappled orange and cream coated earth pony with a stark black mane came from a door behind the judges bench. She wore a pair of round wire rim glasses and a black jacket that was held closed with a belt that had the seal of Equestria as it’s buckle.
As judge Mercy sat, her bright yellow eyes scanned the court while her face held a neutral expression. Nodding once she rose a hoof then brought it down on the bench.
“All be seated.” When the shuffling of the ponies in attendance retaking their seats died, the judge continued.
“We are here today to witness the accusations brought by Mr. Rich against the defendants, Lightning and Quicksilver, on the counts of foalnapping.”
Turning to look at Pierce, Mercy continued. “Mr. Pierce you may begin.”
Pierce stood and trotted to the center of the court. “Thank you judge. Before we begin however I’d like to add to the charges by invoking the act of duality en masse.”
Judge Mercy rose a brow. “I’m not aware of this act or what bearing it has on this case Mr. Pierce. You’d better explain yourself and quickly.”
Pierce nodded. “Of course. The act I mentioned is a rather old but valid piece of Equestrian law whereby we can take the actions of a high standing member of a group and hold them accountable for the others of their kind. So I will restate, in addition to the charges of foalnapping I would like to make this case be a reflection on the changelings and use what is presented here to have them expunged from Ponyville if not all of Equestria.”
Berry rose to her hind legs and pointed a hoof at Pierce. “Objection! Judge I need not remind you or Mr. Pierce that this case was only brought to you on the pretense of my clients being charged with foalnapping. I would also think Mr. Pierce would have brought this case to a higher court if he wished to pursue this course of action. I motion that he be denied to railroad my clients and this court in such a way.”
Judge Mercy nodded. “Quite so Mrs. Punch. I agree that should Mr. Pierce want to continue his case it should be brought to a higher court. What say you Mr. Pierce?”
Pierce smiled. “Actually judge a higher court is not required. This act was put into effect during the Steel Hoof age. At the time there were many issues brought to court that needed a higher ruling and instead of going to a higher court the higher court was brought to the issue. As such I’ve taken the liberty of calling a Royal Magister to sit in on the proceedings and validify the outcome in this court.”
Giving a nod to the bailiff at the door, the pony opened it to reveal a deep blue unicorn stallion with an electric green mane. The stallion also wore a black jacket but it was embroidered with gold and silver lining, and the Equestrian seal on his belt was more stylized than the one judge Mercy wore.
The stallion walked into the courtroom and stood in front of the judges bench before bowing.
“Hello judge Mercy. I am Magister Justice, here to oversee these proceedings.”
For a few seconds the room was silent before Berry leaned over to Lighting and Quicksilver, whispering.
“Remember when I said we only had to worry about vague obscure laws? Well start worrying cuz I’ve never even read of this one.”
As Berry finished giving her clients that little warning she turned to the judge.
“Your honor, sidebar.”
Mercy waved the lawyers forward. As they approached Berry’s brow knit in frustration as she spoke in a hushed, agitated tone.
“Judge you can’t honestly believe or condone this can you? Pierce is blatantly trying to railroad my clients! How do we even know this “act” of his is even true?”
Pierce smiled and lit his horn. A paper flew from his briefcase and hovered before the judge.
“As you can see judge, This act bears the Royal seals of Celestia and Luna. This particular act was authorized by both sisters in a time when they had separate marks. It can’t be faked.”
As judge Mercy looked over the paper she turned to Berry with an apologetic look. “I’m sorry Mrs. Punch but he’s right. The mark here was made magically, if it was fake the seal or paper wouldn’t be as crisp as it is.”
His smile widening Pierce took the paper and floated it back to his case before addressing the judge.
“So judge, may we continue with the trial?”
Mercy rubbed her temple with a hoof before fixing Pierce with a stern look.
“Yes Mr. Pierce but if you bring in any more surprises I’m postponing the trial. Is that clear?”
Pierce nodded. “Crystal.”
Cursing silently Berry went back to her table and motioned a bailiff over to her.
“Check if Twilight Sparkle’s in the waiting area for witnesses. If she is tell her to get everything she has on changelings and get back here quick.”
The bailiff nodded then trotted away to do as he was asked.
As Pierce went into his opening statement Berry turned to Lightning and Quicksilver. Putting on a reassuring smile she whispered.
“Don’t worry. This might have been a sucker punch on Pierces part but you’ve still got Berry Punch on your side. We’ll find a way around this.”
Seeing her clients ease some Berry turned her attention to Pierce.
Well played Pierce. But the ball’s in my court now and I’m gonna spike it. =================================
In the waiting area Scootaloo was sitting on a bench with other ponies when the door opened and a bailiff walked in. At the same time Diamond Tiara darted in and ran up to Scootaloo looking frantic.
“Scootaloo, we’ve got a problem.”
Scootaloo tilted her head. “What kind of problem?”
Diamond leant in and spoke in a rushed whisper. “My dad’s lawyer had a copy of that folder I gave you. We didn’t do a thing to stop the trial!”
Scootaloos eyes widened. “What?! Then what can we do?”
Diamond looked over at the bailiff talking to Twilight then turned back to Scootaloo.
“I’ve got an idea.”
Before Scootaloo could question what Diamond was going to do the pink filly rushed over to the bailiff and spoke to him briefly. After the bailiff nodded Diamond went back to Scootaloo and took a seat beside her.
Scootaloo rose a brow at Diamond. “So what was that about?”
Diamond smirked. “You’ll see.”
Giving a shrug Scootaloo sat back and began thinking about this new development.
Well horse apples! This couldn’t possibly get any...... I’d better not think that. Anyway I hope we can still win. Otherwise it’s goodbye parents, hello orphanage.
Sighing at the fact she was powerless to really do anything Scootaloo sat and waited to be called. Maybe what she said in the courtroom would help. That’s really all she could do now. ==================================
Back in the courtroom, Pierce and Berry had given their opening statements and were now going through their less important pieces of evidence and character witnesses. When Pierces current witness, a clerk at the orphanage Scootaloo was from, was dismissed the judge turned to Berry.
“Mrs. Punch, you may call your next witness.”
Berry stood on her hind legs and walked to the center of the court.
“I’d like to call a surprise witness your honor.”
Receiving a nod from the judge Berry continued. “I call Diamond Tiara to the stand.”
Filthy Rich’s jaw dropped and Pierce sood quickly.
“Your honor I object. Calling my clients daughter, a little filly, to the stand is absurd. She’s not involved in this case.”
Mercy gave Pierce a bored look. “You had no objections when Mrs. Punch wanted her clients daughter to be put on her witness list. Why not let Mr. Rich’s filly speak.”
Pierce continued, trying to keep Filthy calm. “Diamond Tiara has nothing to offer. She’s not affiliated with this case.”
Mercy turned to Berry. “Well Mrs. Punch? What is the reason for calling this filly?
Berry turned to look at Pierce and Filthy as she responded with a smirk. “Diamond Tiara is a friend of Scootaloo and asked to speak on her family's behalf.”
Mercy smiled. “Then I believe she does have something to offer. Objection overruled Mr. Pierce.”
As the argument was settled Diamond was led into the courtroom and took her place in the witness box.
Berry walked, still on her hind legs, and used a forehoof to gesture to the court. “Daimond, would you please tell us why you wanted to speak here today?”
Diamond nodded. “I wanted to help Scootaloo and her parents.”
Berry smiled. “That’s very nice of you, to want to help a friend like that. Now what exactly did you want to tell us?”
Diamond glanced at her father before taking a breath to continue. “My dad wants to get rid of the changelings and I don’t think that’s right.”
Berry rose a brow. “So you mean he has something against changelings?”
Diamond shook her head. “I don’t think so. He’s afraid of them. He thinks they’ll try to hurt us again.”
“And you don’t agree?”
Diamonds head shook again. “No. Scootaloo’s been happy with her parents and I’ve seen other changelings working in town. I don’t think they’re bad, just a bit weird.”
Berry chuckled. “Yes I guess they are. No further questions.”
Mercy looked at Pierce and the stallion sighed. “No questions for this witness.”
Mercy nodded. “Fine then. Diamond you may step down. I’m calling a one hour recess for lunch. We will reassemble after that time.”
As Ponies began to file out of the courtroom Lightning turned toward Berry.
“Did you plan that?”
Berry chuckled and smoothed the lapels on her blue suit. “Nope. That little filly just volunteered to speak for us. Scootaloo’s got some good friends.”
Quicksilver and Lightning gave each other confused looks. As far as they knew, Diamond and Scootaloo were at odds but maybe they’d been wrong. Either way it looked like things were starting to go their way. For now.
When the hour was up everyone took their places in the courtroom to continue. Getting a nod from judge Mercy, Pierce stood.
“I would like to call the orphanage operator, Placeholder, to the stand.”
Hearing her name the mare, an older mauve colored unicorn, made her way to the witness box. When she was seated Pierce began.
“Miss Holder, you run the orphanage where Scootaloo lived correct?”
Placeholder nodded. “Yes, going on thirty years now.”
Pierce began pacing before the jury box as he continued. “And in all that time have you always done your best for the fillies and colts there?”
Another nod. “I believe I have, yes.”
Pierce stopped and pointed at Lightning. “And have you ever seen this....mare enter the orphanage to adopt a filly, namely the filly scootaloo?”
The aged mare shook her head. “No,”
Pierce grinned. “And do you think a worthy, responsible parent would simply take a filly and fake the paperwork?”
Berry stood quickly. “Objection. He’s leading the witness.”
Pierce turned to the judge. “Your honor I’m merely asking a question that reflects on the actions that were taken by Miss Lightning.”
Mercy nodded. “Overruled Mrs. Punch. Please answer the question Miss Placeholder.”
Placeholder shook her head. “No I don’t think a responsible parent would have done what this mare did.”
Pierce made his way back to his table. “No further questions.”
Berry stood and straightened her tie. “Miss Placeholder, you said that you’ve done your best to provide for the fillies and colts under your care?”
Placeholder smiled. “Yes, I try to make sure they’re taken care of.”
Berry sood on her hind legs and picked up a paper from her table. “Then can you explain this statement given by one Scootaloo. “The caretakers of the orphanage never had time for us. They gave us food and a place to sleep but for everything else we were on our own. I was miserable there.”
Placeholder sighed. “I’m only one pony. I can’t watch the children twenty four seven. I just have to trust that my employees are doing their job. I’ve not had any complaints from the children so why should I worry?”
Berry rose a brow. “Why should you worry? Isn’t it your job to worry for those under your care? For all intents and purpose, you are their mother. That these actions happened under your watch should say something about your mode of operation.”
Placeholder shook her head. “The paperwork, though fake, was all in order. I had no idea that Scootaloo had been foalnapped.”
Berry chuckled. “The paperwork was in order. So you mean to say that as long as it looks like it’s right then you shouldn’t check? Shouldn’t worry that one of your charges was taken and is possibly in danger?”
Placeholder stuttered. “Well I.... You see it’s not...... Um...”
Berry waved a hoof dismissively and returned to her seat. “No further questions.”
Mercy turned to Placeholder. “You may step down.”
As Placeholder walked away Mercy turned her attention to Pierce. “Do you have any more witnesses?”
Pierce nodded. “I do. I’d like to call Dr. Bones to the stand.”
Dr. Bones, a young cream colored earth pony mare took her place at the witness box.
“Dr. would you please tell the court what your profession is?”
Bones nodded. “Yes. I am a cultural anthropologist. I study cultures both domestic and foreign to collect data on what affects them for a given location.”
Nodding, Pierce continued his questioning. “Dr. can you tell us what culture most resembles the changelings?”
Bones nodded. “From what I can tell, the changeling society is very much like the Zebrican Ohm-Selia culture. Very war like and ruled by a single figurehead that is followed without question.”
“Anything further Doctor?” Pierce said with a raised brow.
Bones shook her head. “Other than what I’ve said, no. I would need further interaction with changelings to say more.”
Pierce nodded and went back to his table while Mercy looked to Berry.
“Any questions Mrs. Punch?”
Berry stood. “Dr. Bones, are you an expert on changelings?”
Bones shook her head. “No.”
Berry nodded. “So do you think it’s possible that while the changelings show some traits relating to this Zebrican culture, they could also be very similar to ours?”
Bones nodded. “It’s not an unreasonable consideration. I simply don’t have enough experience to say for certain either way.”
Berry glanced at Pierce and smirked. “Nothing further.”
Mercy nodded. “The witness may step down.” As Bones left Mercy turned back to Berry. “Your next witness.”
Berry stood. “I call Twilight Sparkle to the stand.”
Twilight was led in by two bailiffs that were carrying saddlebags and a chart stand while Twilight carried several books in her magic. After the bailiffs set up the stand and set the saddlebags by the witness box Twilight took her seat.
Pierce chuckled. “Your honor I still fail to see why a librarian is considered to be the most knowledgeable source on changelings. Or if she’s even qualified to study them.”
Mercy quirked a brow and looked to Twilight. “I’d wondered that myself.”
Twilight smiled. “Oh that’s easy to explain. I’ve been named the Archmage of Ponyville, and as such any research and discoveries I make are completely valid. I’ve got the paperwork right here.”
Twilight levitated a scroll to Mercy. After looking over the paper she gave it to Justice, who sat beside her. Receiving a nod from Justice Mercy returned the scroll.
“Well everything seems in order but what exactly is it you’re going to show us Miss Sparkle?”
Berry gestured for Twilight to begin and the unicorn began to do one of the things she did best. Lecture.
“Well you see, after Princess Celestia put me in charge of organizing the changelings integration with us in this area I took it upon myself to learn more about them. By chance I met Shiv, now Quicksilver, who agreed to be my research assistant slash test subject. From her I’ve learned much about changelings and their workings.”
Berry nodded. “So tell us Twilight, what do your findings tell you about the changelings? Are they as Dr. Bones said or are they different?”
“The changelings are aggressive in nature, that’s true but that‘s the only part that Dr. Bones was correct in. You see, changelings are an evolution of a species of pony called breezies thought to have disappeared long ago.”
Twilight levitated an illustration of a breezy onto her stand. “The Breezies were insect like in that they had butterfly wings and antennae so it’s easy to see where the changelings got that attribute from. The changeling magic and need to feed on emotions was an adaptation that was developed to survive after the first rule of Discord.
Twilight now showed an old map highlighting the vast Everfree Forest. ”The chaos that he wrought on the Breezies portion of Equestria, now called the Everfree Forest, caused all natural food sources to be destroyed, thus leaving nothing for the breezies to live on. With no other means in their harsh new environment the breezies empathic magic turned into the mode by which they now feed on emotion.”
Pierce scoffed. “And how do you know that you’re right about all this?”
Twilight levitated several charts, graphs and maps into the air. “I simply asked Quicksilver about the movements of the changelings as they went from area to area in search of emotions and then overlapped the areas with the last known location of the breezies. As you can see, all the areas that were used by changelings are within a reasonable distance to the Everfree. Even the hive that was destroyed not to long ago wasn’t more than 100 miles from it. And given that the Everfree is roughly at the center of equestria it’s not unbelievable.”
Pierce shook his head. “Even so, how can you be sure that the changelings are in fact these long lost breezies?”
Twilight searched through one of her saddlebags and brought out a small vile of yellow crystals.
“These are sun shards, a type of crystal that was refined by breezies as a power source. The crystals only reacted to their magic and are virtually useless to other ponies.”
Twilight levitated the vile over to the table where Lightning and Quicksilver sat and dumped the crystals onto it. The crystals immediately started to glow faintly.
“Even though they’ve evolved the changelings still hold the same magical signature of their breezy ancestors.” Twilight said with a smile.
Pierced rolled his eyes. “That still doesn’t tell us if the changelings are harmless or not.”
Twilight shrugged. “Is any creature truly harmless. In my experience I’ve seen individuals, both pony and non, that have been a danger to others. Just look at the Crystal Empire. Their greatest enemy was their own king.”
Pierce sighed and slumped in his seat. “Nothing further.”
Berry grinned and sat in her seat. “I’ve nothing further either your honor.”
Mercy dismissed Twilight and Pierce called his next witness.
After several more witnesses from both sides the trial was quickly coming to an end. Mercy asked for final witnesses and Berry stood.
“I have one final witness. I call Scootaloo to the stand.”
Scootaloo trotted into the courtroom and sat in the witness box with a slightly anxious look on her face.
Berry smiled. “ Feeling a bit nervous Scootaloo?”
The filly nodded. “Kinda.’
Berry chuckled. “Well just tell the truth and you’ll have nothing to worry about. Now can you tell us why you’re here?”
Scootaloo nodded. “I wanted to stand up for my parents.”
“They must mean a lot to you.”
Scootaloo smiled. “Yeah, they’re great.”
Berry chuckled again. “I’m sure they are. Could you explain how you met your first parent, Lightning?”
“Well I was out in the apple orchards outside town. I was alone cuz my friends were doing stuff with their families and then Lighting just came out of nowhere. I was kinda scared at first cuz I was at the wedding when the invasion happened but Lightning only wanted to know why I was alone and sad.”
Berry rose a brow. “Why were you sad?”
Scootaloos ears dropped. “I was upset because I didn’t have a family. When I told Lightning about being alone she offered to be my mom if I gave her emotions so I did.’
“Lightning didn’t force you to be with her?”
Scootaloo shook her head quickly. “No, I wanted her to be my mom. I wanted to have what my friends had. A real family.”
Berry turned to Pierce with a smirk. “Your witness.”
Taking Berrys position by the witness box Pierce began. “Scootaloo, you think of Lighting and Quicksilver as your parents right?”
Scootaloo nodded. “Yeah. The only ones I’ve ever had.”
“Are you sure those feelings are yours or are they what your “parents” want you to feel?”
Scootaloo tilted her head. “Huh?”
Pierce shrugged. “How can you be sure that they’ve not used their magic on you?”
“Are these glowing?’ Scootaloo asked while pointing at her eyes.
Pierce rose a brow. “No.”
Scootaloo folded her forelegs and smiled. “Then I’m not brainwashed. Changeling magic makes your eyes glow green.”
Berry stood. “That’s been proven your honor. It’s a side effect of changeling manipulation.”
Pierce sighed. “Nothing further your honor.”
With a nod Mercy dismissed Scootaloo. “Seeing as we’ve heard from all the witnesses I think it’s time to make a decision. The prosecution and defence will now give their final statements before the jury decides.”
Pierce stood and faced the jury. “My fellow ponies, you are faced with a decision that will impact our society for years to come. This case isn’t just about the foalnapping of one innocent filly. It’s about the safety of other fillies and colts like her. It’s about the safety of our way of life. The act committed by these changelings shows that they can’t be trusted. They will always pose a threat. So I ask you, find these changelings guilty and save us from what is sure to be a mistake of trying to civilize a race that can’t be civilized.”
When Pierce took his seat Berry stood. “My colleague, Mr. Pierce, spins a very convincing story. He would have you believe that all changelings are vicious, untrustworthy, and that we should not try to live beside them. But he is only trying to distract you from what’s really important. The fact is, my clients took in and are caring for a filly. A filly that only wanted a family and for the first time in her life has one. Now I’ll admit that the means by which Lighting came to be a parent of Scootaloo aren't fully in the law but should we punish her so harshly for it? You want her to be responsible for what she did? Fine, make her pay a fine for falsifying papers. But don’t let Mr. Pierce twist this case into something that condemns all changelings.”
Berry took a paper from her table and began reading. “Let it be known that in this, our sovereign land of Equestria, that all are welcome. Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, take heart that you shall be known as family. Let harmony reign, for we shall embrace you with love and tolerance.”
Focusing on the jury again, Berry continued in a firm voice. “That was the opening to the Tribe Unification treaty written over one thousand years ago. Those words, written by our founders, were meant to be an example for the generations to come. I don’t have to tell you the story of how our nation came to be, nor do I need to remind you the other nations with which we are allied. We have griffons, minotaurs, we even have good relations with the diamond dogs. Why should we turn our backs on the changelings? Whatever you decide remember this. Equestria wasn’t built by one race, one species. It was built and is great because it was built by many.”
After Berry took her seat, the jury filed into the deliberation room.
Berry sighed. “All we can do now is wait. And hope that these ponies don’t give into xenophobic tendencies.”
Quicksilver chuckled. “Well considering how easy you ponies get scared we might as well pack our bags.”
Berry rolled her eyes and turned to Lighting. “A real ray of sunshine ya got there.”
Lighting grinned. “Isn’t she though?”
Berry shook her head. “Seriously though I hope we come out on top.”
Lighting rose a brow. “You’re really worried? It looked like everything was in our favor.”
Berry sighed. “Sometimes juries aren't the smartest bunch out there. Just sit back and wait.” =========================================
Inside the jurors deliberation room, the gathered ponies discussed how they would rule on what they’d just heard. The fate of Lightning, Quicksilver and Scootaloo rested with these twelve. Lilly, Daisy, Roseluck, Doctor Whooves, Mr. Waddle, Caramel, Carrot Top, Aloe, Lotus, Lyra, Bon Bon, and Mr. Cake.
After several minutes of the group thinking in silence Mr. Cake decided to speak what was on everyones mind.
“So...How should we decide this?”
Caramel turned to the baker with a raised brow. “Well it’s obvious right? They’re guilty.”
Rose shook her head. “It’s not as simple as that. Sure Lightning did something wrong but was it really so bad in the end?”
Lilly turned to Rose with a questioning look on her face. “Are you serious Rose? She’s a changeling, how do we know that everything she’s said or done didn’t have an ulterior motive? Or that she’s not controlling her “friends” somehow?”
Carrot Top rolled her eyes. “Besides the fact that one of the ponies to speak on her behalf was the element of magic? I’ll admit I’m still a little unsure of her but Lightings not some monster waiting to pounce when we’re not looking.”
Lyra nodded. “She’s right. I was in Canterlot when the whole changeling invasion happened. Heck I was controlled by the Queen, but I don’t think Lightning is doing anything other than what she says she is.”
Bon Bon was the next to speak up. “And don’t forget, she did help defend Ponyville when the changelings attacked.”
Daisy frowned in thought. “But is it alright for a changeling to raise a pony? I mean, can Lightning and Quicksilver really provide for Scootaloo the way she needs?”
Aloe chuckled. “It seems to me that Miss Lighting is doing just that. I once heard Cheerilee saying how Scootaloo’s grades had improved with her mother around. Is that not proof enough?”
Lotus tilted her head. “That’s true but what do we really know about the changelings? We’ve employed a few at the spa and they do good work but I still feel....uneasy around them.”
Doctor Whooves smiled. “Well that’s the thing isn’t it? They’re so much like us but not really like us at all. It’s natural to be a bit weary around them but isn’t it a bit thrilling as well? A whole race thought lost to pony kind, and we get to interact with them. It’s all very fascinating!”
Mr. Cake sighed. “Fascinating or not, I’m just not sure what to decide. I’m a parent so I can see where Lightning is coming from when she did what she did to make sure no one questioned her about Scootaloo but does that make it right?”
Rose turned to Mr. Waddle who seemed to be deep in thought. “What about you Mr. Waddle? You’ve been awfully quiet.”
The aged stallion lifted his head and removed his glasses. After buffing them against his coat and replacing them he spoke.
“You know, I’ve been around since Ponyville was founded. I’ve seen all different types of ponies from all different walks of life come and go. I’m not sure about these changelings but I know one thing.”
Mr. Waddle paused and a small smile settled on his wrinkled muzzle. “Equestria was built on the idea of harmony. Now I might just be an old fool but I believe these changelings deserve a chance.”
When the others tried to rebut, Mr. Waddle held up a hoof. “I didn’t say let them off scot free. I’m just as jittery around them as any of you but I don’t think we need to send them away before really giving them a chance.”
The room fell silent for a moment before the Doctor stood and smiled. “Well if we’re done talking I think I’ve got a solution if you care to hear it.” ===============================
After two hours of waiting the sound of the door to the deliberation room opening caused everyone in the courtroom to turn their attention to the front of the room. Quiet murmuring floated throughout the room until judge Mercy spoke.
“Has the jury reached a verdict?”
Doctor Whooves stood. “We have your honor. We the jury find Ligtning innocent of the charges of foalnapping. We also find the changelings to not be a threat to us.”
At hearing a winning verdict for them, Lightning embraced Quicksilver as the ponies who supported them began chattering congratulations. Mercy clopped her hoof loudly on the bench to quiet them down.
“Please contain yourselves, Mr. Whooves has more to say.”
When the focus returned to him, the Doctor continued. “However, seeing as Lightning did break into a building and forge records we have decided she pay a fine.”
Mercy turned to Berry. “Is that acceptable Mrs. Punch?”
Berry smiled as she received emphatic nodding from both Lightning and Quicksilver. “That’ll be just fine your honor.”
Mercy odded. “Then I conclude this court and set the fine of 2500 bits to be paid by Lightning to the town of Ponyville. Dismissed.”
As the ponies began filing out of the courtroom Pierce alked up to Berry and held out a hoof.
“Good case Berry. Very stirring, for a drunk.”
Berry smirked and bumped Pierces hoof lightly with hers. “Thanks Pierce. That duality thing was a bold move, for a pompous jerk like you.”
After shooting a glare at Berry Pierce returned her smirk. “So drinks later?”
Berry nodded. “As long as you’re paying.”
Pierce rolled his eyes and turned to leave. “I’ll see you later then.’
Berry only shook her head and turned to her clients. The relieved changelings were talking with Scootaloo, who’d bolted toward her parents when the trial was over.
“So you can get the bits for the fine right?”
Lighting turned from her family and nodded to Berry. “I’ve got enough stashed away to cover it. Though I’ll need to work a few extra shifts to build our savings back up, it’s worth it.”
Lightning smiled as she looked back to Scootaloo and Quicksilver. “More then worth it.”
Berry chuckled. “Well just remember that you’re my drinking buddy for the weekend. I’ve wondered how much changelings can handle and now I can finally see for myself.”
Lightning nodded. “Sure thing.”
Giving a wave, Berry made her way out of the court room.
When Lightning turned back to her family Scootaloo smiled. “Can we go home now mom?”
“Sure thing Scoots. Let’s go home and relax.”
Quicksilver smirked. “Yeah, we need our rest for the next thing that comes at us don’t we?”
Scootaloo bumped Quicksilvers leg. “Don’t go jinxing us.”
Sharing a laugh the family exited the courtroom and made their way home. ==========================================
Meanwhile in Canterlot, Princess Luna was going over some documents, a quill in her magical grasp scrawling over the pages when a royal guard entered her chambers.
Giving a quick bow the guard addressed the princess of the night. “Princess, I have urgent news.”
Sparing the guard a quick glance Luna waved a hoof. “Well hurry then. I’ve got much to attend to and precious little time to do it in.”
Giving a huff Luna mumbled under her breath. “I just don’t understand Celestia sometimes...”
Seeing that Luna was flustered the guard was quick to get to the point. “It concerns the matter you tasked the Night Guard with.”
The hasty scratching of Luna’s quill halted and she looked up from her work.
Luna looked to the guard expectantly. “Somethings happened?”
The guard nodded. “Yes your majesty. The presence of yourself and Princess Celestia was.....requested.”
Luna trotted out from behind her desk and made her way past the guard and out into the castle halls.
“Find my sister and tell her that I’ll be waiting in the cavernes. After all, we mustn’t keep our guest waiting.”
Memories are interesting. You’re never sure what will trigger a memory. It could be a comment made by a stranger, an old photo, even when you think of nothing a long forgotten memory can spring forth. They show your mistakes, your failures, what you’ve lost. And try as I might I couldn’t stop the memories that haunted me as I lay in my prison. Memories I’d thought long buried.
==============================================
The sun shone brightly as I surveyed my kingdom, bathing it all in soft, warm light. I smiled as I watched my subjects go about their lives, working, playing, or just finding a suitable spot to sit and enjoy what the day had given them. I couldn’t ask for more.
“You’re looking happy today. Mind if I join you?”
I giggled. Well maybe there is something else I could ask for. “I wouldn’t be opposed to some company.”
The feeling of soft wings surrounded me as my beloved took her place behind me. I sighed in delight as she nuzzled my neck.
“Now what’s got you in such a good mood my love?”
I turned slightly to look at her. “My kingdom is thriving, my subjects are loving, and there is peace as far as I can see.” I smiled wider as I kissed her lightly. “Not to mention I’ve got you my dear.”
Her eyes shone brighter at that. Oh how I love those eyes. Those lovely magenta pools were always sparkling with love.
==========================================
I awoke violently. I wasn’t sure when I’d fallen asleep but something had disturbed me. I concentrated, straining my senses to pick up anything nearby. I lay in silence for what seemed like hours before I turned to a seemingly empty corner of my prison. I rose to my hooves and glared into the darkness.
“I know you’re there. Either show yourself or leave so I can get my rest.”
There was a faint glow as a figure emerged from the darkness. My eyes narrowed as the figure came into full view.
“Celestia. To what do I owe the honor of being graced by your presence?” I asked boardley.
Celestia regarded me cooly before using her magic to conjure a few magical orbs that lit the cavern I’d been in. I realized that the place I’d been bound to was the exact cavern where I’d held princess Cadence. Ironic.
Focusing on me agian, Celestia spoke. “I thought I’d offer you some light seeing as you’ve been here in the dark for some time.”
I scoffed. “Is that it?”
Celestia sighed. “Some thanks would be appropriate, but no that’s not all I’m here for. I wanted to see if you had considered what I offered you when you first woke here.”
I laughed, long and loud. “Now why would I consider your offer? We both know I’m only here because if I escaped you would hunt me and drag me back here.I’m content to rot in this place.”
Celestia shook her head and her eyes looked....sad? Yes I could feel the slight hint of sadness from her. I always loathed the taste and feel of sadness. It was like a cold oppressive rain.
Before I could think on her emotions for long Celestia came closer. Close enough that I could have touched her had I wanted to.
“Why are you so stubborn Chrysalis? Your kingdom is no more. Your subjects have chosen a new path. Why won’t you accept what I offer?”
I laughed again but this time it was hollow and broken. “Because I’ve lost. All I had you’ve taken. All I was is now gone.”
Celestia stomped a hoof and her words were heated when she spoke. “That’s not true! What happened wasn’t your fault it was..”
I closed what little distance there was between us and glared at the solar princess nose to nose. “Do not blame what I’ve done on a madness that was self inflicted! I may have been enthralled by my own machinations but they were still mine alone!.”
I backed away and my anger ebbed as I averted my eyes from Celestia. “I don’t need excuses or pity. I've brought ruin on myself and I’ll leave myself to that ruin.”
After I finished speaking I turned my back to Celestia, silently demanding that she leave me be. At first I thought she would continue trying to talk with me but after a few moments of silence she simply sighed and I heard her hoof falls as she walked away.
When I no longer felt her in my prison I laid down once again and tried to sleep. I knew that the only thing waiting would be more memories but if they were dreams they wouldn’t hurt as much.
===============================================
“Queen Papilio what’s going on? The forest is becoming overgrown and strange creatures are attacking the outlying settlements!”
Chaos. Utter chaos. The whole of Equestria was going crazy and I had no way to stop it. My subjects were confused, scared, and hoping that their queen could deliver them from this catastrophe.
The truth was I had no idea how to fix anything but I couldn’t let them know that.
“Remain calm and evacuate as many as you can to the palace catacombs. They should be safe there until this can be dealt with.”
“Yes my Queen.” With a quick salute the guard left to carry out his orders.
I meanwhile continued to try and contact the only one I hoped could save us. But no matter how hard I focussed my magic couldn’t locate her. And if I couldn’t find her soon I would have to take drastic measures.
“Oh beloved, where are you?”
I continued to try and find her but when I saw massive bolts of unearthly lighting on the horizon I knew I couldn’t wait any longer.
“Forgive me but I must save my breezies as you would your ponies.”
With one last thought of my love my horn lit an electric green as I cast my spell.
=============================================
When I woke this time it was to the sight of Celestia seated in front of me.
“How long have you been there?”
Celestia shook her head. “Not long. I have news for you.”
I rose and gave a questioning look to Celestia. “Is it important?”
“I believe so. it seems that the changelings are fitting in well with pony society pardoning a few hiccups here and there.”
I rolled my eyes. “Of course they’re fitting in. My changelings are adaptable.”
Celestia’s brow rose. “I thought you’d lost them. You still consider them yours?”
Giving a chuckle I grinned. “I may no longer be their Queen but that doesn’t change the fact that I made the changelings what they are.”
Celestia gave a wry smile. “Proud as ever, that’s not changed. Getting away from that I wanted to ask again about a decision to my offer.”
Again she insists with this offer of hers. Why does she persist after everything that’s happened?
“My decision is the same as the last time you asked. I want to be left alone.” I growled in annoyance.
Again I tasted sadness from the solar princess. Every refusal brought another bout of this distasteful emotion. It almost made me consider acquiescing to Celestias offer just so I wouldn’t have to tolerate it. Almost.
“Was there anything else?”
Celestia shook her head. “From me no, but Luna wants to talk with you.”
Celestia took her leave and no sooner had she gone past the edge of light in the cavern when Luna appeared and approached me.
Luna had changed. Perhaps she’d looked like this since she’d gotten free of her banishment but I wouldn’t know. The one thing that didn’t change was her eyes. Eyes never change.
“So Chrysalis, my sister tells me you still choose to remain here. Why?”
I laughed mockingly. “Oh I just love cold, dark caverns. Actually I was thinking of ordering some furniture but couldn’t decide on a style. Any suggestions?”
Luna scoffed. “I don’t see how you can joke about this. Celestia is offering you forgiveness, why won’t you take it?”
These sisters are so tiring. After the first few days of just Celestia coming to bother me Luna joined in.
“Like I said, I’ve lost. Now I’ll bear the consequences of my actions.”
Luna sighed and began walking away. “Think about this then. You’re not the only one suffering while you stay down here.”
I stiffened at Lunas words. They couldn’t be true, not after all these centuries. Not after what I’ve done.
Thinking on it for what felt like hours I finally sighed and let my mind begin to wander. With Lunas words still fresh in my head I wasn’t surprised where my memories took me.
==========================================
“Are you..... are you repulsed by me?”
I’d been wanting to ask the question for so long but didn’t for fear of the answer. I could feel the love she offered but she loved everyone, it was in her nature. I needed to hear her say it, say that she still loved me.
Her beautiful eyes softened and she drew me into a tight embrace. “Of course not. It’s different that’s true, but you’re still my beautiful little butterfly.”
Her words, her touch, the love from them assured me that it was all true. And oh how glorious it felt! I’ve always had empathic abilities but this was so much more than simply feeling her love. Her love gave me power. Such raw power!
Wait, what am I thinking? Why am I concerned with this new feeling then with my love? Maybe it’s just overwhelming me at the moment. Yes that’s it. I’m still getting used to this new form of mine. Everything's fine.
==========================================
Everything is not fine. I can’t think straight. I....what was I thinking about? Oh yes this new feeling. It’s consuming me. Making me crave one thing and one thing alone. Love. That glorious, intoxicating powerful emotion. I need it! More of it!
No! No, I’ve got all I need with my beloved. She’s all I need. But then should I tell her what I did?
No. I only did it once and that pony won’t even remember, I made sure of that. But what if it happens again? What if....
Argh! This is pointless! I’m worrying over nothing. I slipped once and it won’t happen again. I just need to...
“Chrysalis are you here?”
Ah good. She’ll take my mind off this mess for a while. “I’m in here.”
=========================================
So much power. So much delicious power! Oh why didn’t I think of this before? This solves all my problems! All I have to do is take the love of beings besides the ponies and everything will be ok. Now where to plan the next raid?
“My Queen. Your meeting with Celestia is about to..”
I turned a sharp stare on the drone that had entered my chambers. “I’ve no time for that. Have one of the senior counsel members speak with her.”
The drone bowed. “Right away my Queen.”
I sighed and went back to my maps. Now where was I....
===========================================
I need to leave. We all need to leave. After what’s happened we can’t stay here. It’ll be too easy for the princesses to find us.
“Veld, start organizing the cells. We move within the hour.”
“Yes my Queen.”
This experiment’s gone all wrong but at least now we know that we can’t just keep them in the cocoons indefinitely. Such a shame. All that love wasted.
=============================================
She stared at me horrified. The eyes that used to look at me with nothing but love now held disbelief and shock.
Her eyes widened as she scanned the ground littered with her royal guard. Seeing what my spell had done but not believing it.
“Chrysalis...... What have you become?”
I laughed, oh how I laughed. The power was unimaginable. One simple spell and the love an entire detachment of guards was mine!
“I’ve become powerful.”
=========================================
I woke with a start. My heart hammered in my chest and I could feel moisture in my eyes. Of all my memories why did I have to relive that one? The day I’d lost myself to the power I sought.
I brought up a hoof to clear my eyes and noticed that neither Celestia or Luna was in the cavern. I suppose work finally caught up with them.
The one time i want them here is the time they’re busy. Although I’m sure there’s a guard close by. Reaching out with my magic I sensed a guard just outside the light provided by the balls of light Celestia had summoned.
“Guard come here.”
I heard the rustle of armor on cloth as the guard moved and then he stepped into the light with a confused look on his face.
“How’d you know I was there?”
I laughed. “My horn is broken not gone. I can still use some forms of magic. But that’s beside the point. Bring Celestia and Luna here.”
The guard rose a brow but shrugged and went to do as I asked.
Before too long both princesses were standing in front of me with questioning looks on their faces.
Luna stepped forward. “Did you need something Chrysalis?”
I nodded. “I know that you’re the one that’s put the binding spell on this cavern. Your shadow magic would work best in this dark place. I’m asking you to dispel it.”
Luna turned to Celestia who, after a few moments of staring at me, nodded. Luna then waved her horn and runes the same midnight blue as her magic began to disolve into the air.
“Now please leave me with Celestia. I need to talk with her and only her.”
Luna looked unsure but began to walk out of the cavern. When I couldn’t sense Luna in the area I walked toward Celestia.
The princess of the sun stood completely still as i approached. When I was mere inches from her I lowered my head slightly.
“Tell me why you offered me a place in your court. Why you offered me freedom and forgiveness.”
Celestia was silent for what felt like hours before she replied in a barely audible whisper.
“Because you’re still my beautiful little butterfly.”
I rose my head and looked into her eyes. Even after all this time, after all I’d done. The love she had for me still shone in her eyes. More then that I..... I could feel her love still.
I shook my head as my vision went cloudy. It was unthinkable but there it was, shining just as brightly as her sun. She still loves me.
“Then I’ll accept your offer.”
Celestias eyes brightened and a small smile settled on her face. “I never gave up on you Chrysalis.”
I chuckled and started walking forward. “You’re a fool Celestia. And I don’t deserve you.”
Celestia laughed and fell in step beside me. Maybe this time her love would be all I need.
Over the next week things had returned to normal for Scootaloo and her family. Fluttering down the stairs Scootaloo found her parents in the living room.
“Later guys. I’m gonna hang with the others today.”
Lightning looked up from the weather papers in front of her. “Did you finish that essay for school?”
Scootaloo rolled her eyes but grinned. “Yeah mom, I got it done yesterday.”
Quicksilver chuckled. “Well then we’ll see you later. Remember me and your mom are going out tonight so be back by seven.”
After flying through Sweet Apple Acres Scootaloo touched down just outside the clubhouse. As she folded her wings to her side she winced a bit at the twinge of pain that ran through them. “I gotta work my wings more. These things get tired too easy”
Giving a shrug Scootaloo went up the ramp and into the clubhouse where her four friends sat around the table. Silver Spoon happened to glance at the door and smirked.
“Hey, the chicken’s here.”
Giving a groan Scootaloo joined the others at the table. “You know I can fly now right?”
Silver kept up her smirk. “Then you’re the first flying chicken.”
Scootaloo scoffed. “Better than having spooning be my special talent.”
Silver Spoon glared at the pegasus and huffed. “I told you it’s not spooning. I’m a silversmith!”
This time Scootaloo smirked. “You make spoons though right?”
Silver Spoon’s brow rose. “Well yeah, of course I make spoons. Why?”
Scootaloo’s smirk widened. “Then technically your talent is spooning.”
Silver stammered for a comeback before pouting. “Fine, you win.”
Applebloom shook her head at the exchange. “Ah can’t tell if they’re friends or they just like one upin’ each other.”
Diamond shrugged. “Spoon’s always been that way. She likes the back and forth.”
Sweetie Belle giggled. “Maybe they like each other.”
That remark earned Sweetie a glare from Silver Spoon and Scootaloo who responded simultaneously. “Do not!”
Sweetie Belle just continued to giggle as Applebloom and Diamond looked on. Diamond turned to Applebloom with a smile. “Did you ever think we’d all be sitting around and getting along like this?”
Applebloom shook her head and chuckled. “Nope. If ya’d told me a week ago that I’d be spending time with you and Silver and enjoyin’ it I’d have thought you’d gone nuttier than a peanut farm.”
Silver Spoon turned to Applebloom and rose a brow. “Hey, didn’t you have something to tell us when Scootaloo got here?”
Applebloom brought a large book out from under the table. “Yeah. Ah found this book in the library and it’s got all kinds of cool stuff we can try and do to get our cutie marks.”
Sweetie Belle leaned over and flipped the book open. “ One thousand and one exciting activities. Wow, there is a lot of stuff in here. It even looks like Diamond and Silver can help us out with it.”
“Joy.” Spoon said in a deadpan tone.
Diamond chuckled. “Oh lighten up Spoony. It won’t be that bad.”
Spoon rolled her eyes. “Say that after your the one that ends up covered in tree sap and your coat dyed green.”
Sweetie Belle gave a sheepish smile. “I said I was sorry. And Rarity had the solvent for the dye so everything turned out ok.”
Spoon shook her head. “Whatever, so what’s first on that list?”
Sweetie Belle smiled as she scanned the book. “First we’ll start with.....alchemy!” ========================================
At the end of the day the five fillies sat in the clubhouse, trying to recuperate from what had been an exhausting misadventure.
Spoon fixed Sweetie Belle with a half hearted glare. “Do you enjoy putting our lives in danger or does this just always happen?”
Sweetie Belle groaned. “Hey how was I supposed to know that alchemic liquid and varnish would be explosive?”
Scootaloo slowly lifted her head. “Why is it that you can make things explode when they’re not supposed too?”
Sweetie shrugged. “Luck?”
Receiving a groan from her friends Sweetie Belle giggled. “At least we got out of the Everfree in one piece. Though we didn’t get to crusade at all.”
Scootaloo rose from her spot on the floor and chuckled. “Well maybe next time we’ll try something that won’t blow us sky high.”
Silver Spoon scoffed. “I won’t hold my breath. You three are trouble magnets.”
Rolling her eyes Scootaloo moved towards the door. “Anyway, see you guys later. I’m gonna head home.
Giving her friends a last wave Scootaloo spread her wings and headed for home. ================================
When Scootaloo got home she lazily greeted her parents and started trudging up the stairs to her room.
Lightning rose a brow. “Have a tough day kiddo?”
Scootaloo yawned as she replied. “Yeah. I’m gonna get to bed early. G’night.”
Lightning and Quicksilver said their goodnights to Scootaloo and headed out the door for a night on the town, their pony forms in place. As the pair was walking Quicksilver turned to Lightning. “What d’you think Scoots did to tire herself out?”
Lightning chuckled. “Who knows. She and her friends always seem to find interesting things to do. And with all the strange things that happen in this town it could have been anything.”
Quicksilver nodded and smiled. “Well either way this just means we can spend some quality time together.” As she finished speaking Quicksilver bumped her flank with Lightning’s.
Lighting smiled. “That sounds nice. We haven’t really had much time for just us have we.?”
Quicksilver returned Lightnings smile with one of her own. “Yeah, that’s why I organised this date night.”
Lightning giggled. “Well look at you being romantic. Not going soft are you?”
Quicksliver smirked. “For you, maybe I am.”
Lighting blushed lightly and bumped Quicksilver’s shoulder with hers. “So, where are we going anyway?”
Quicksilver increased her pace as she answered. “Just follow me. I’m pretty sure you’ll like it when we get there.”
Eager to see just what Quicksilver had in mind for their night out Lighting matched her partners pace and let Quicksilver lead her through Ponyville. After a few minutes they had come to the outskirts of town and Quicksilver continued trotting down the road.
Raising a brow Lighitng questioned Quicksliver. “Ok now I’m really curious. Just where are you taking us?”
Flashing a smile Quicksilver dropped her pony skin and took to the air. “It’s just a bit further. Come on.”
Changing to her original form Lighting flew after Quicsilver, her curiosity rising by the minute. And just as she was about to question her partner again Quicksilver landed in front of a small lake. Holding her questions Lighting settled next to Quicksilver who started talking.
“Twilight had me do an experiment a few days back that involved seeing if I could change into something aquatic and she brought me here. After the test was done we took a break and I got a good look at this little lake and, well just see for yourself.”
Lighting turned her attention to the lake and she gasped at what she saw. The water reflected the stars and moon like a mirror and the slight mist that hovered over the surface gave it a shimmering afterglow. The effect was doubled as countless fireflies flitted to and fro in the calm night air.
Quicksilver chuckled at Lightings expression. “I saw this when the sun was just starting to set and thought, wouldn’t it look even better at night? With the stars and moon shining of the water. So I figured this was a good place for us to just enjoy each others company.”
Lighting turned to Quicksilver with a smile. “You figured right, this is a nice place. So what did you feel like doing?”
Quicksilver shifted closer to Lighting and nuzzled her. “Just sitting here with you and talking. Sound good?”
Lighting returned the nuzzle and wrapped a foreleg around Quicksilver. “Sounds good. Anything you want to talk about?”
Quicksilver sighed. “Yeah. It’s a bit of a heavy issue but I’d rather talk about it sooner than later.”
Receiving a reassuring squeeze from Lighting, Quicksilver continued. “Lighting.... Do you think we’re actually in love or are we just going through the motions?”
Lighitng turned to her partner and rose a brow. “Going through the motions? What do you mean?”
Quicksilvers ears flattened against her skull. “I’ve been thinking and I just don’t know if what we’re doing is actually us or if it’s just us doing what we’ve always done. Playing a part to get the love we need. I mean I think that what I’m doing is genuine but why couldn’t I do that before now?”
Lighting was silent as she thought about what Quicksilver had said. It was true that most times when the changelings had taken the form of someones loved one they had quickly fallen into whatever roll suited that person. It was almost second nature to changelings to change into a roll as for them to change their appearance. But was that what was going on now?
As Lightning was thinking she felt Quicksilver shiver a little as she continued talking.
“It scares me Lightning. To think that everything I’m doing is just to fill a need.That we changelings don’t have the capacity to love. That the ponies that do fear us have a reason to, because we can’t truly feel.”
As Quicksilver finished she heaved a shuddering sigh and fixed her eyes on the ground while leaning on Lighting.
Lighting used a hoof and lifted Quicksilvers head till their eyes locked. Lightning stared into Quicksilvers eyes and started to lean forward. When her lips met Quicksilveres she felt an influx of love mixed with confusion and fear. Pulling away she moved until she was sitting behind Quicksilver and hugged her, resting her head on Silvers shoulder.
“You’ve been carrying that around for a while huh? Just thinking about it in the back of your head?”
Receiving a nod Lighting continued. “I’ll admit, it is possible that what we’re doing is just part of our nature. But I don’t believe that it’s what’s driving us to stay together. Remember that night after the hive fell?”
Quicksilver nodded and placed a hoof on the forelegs that encircled her. “Yeah. I was just as confused then as I am now. Although for different reasons.”
“Well then tell me again. Why did you come to help me? What did you feel?”
Quicksilver turned her head slightly to look at Lightning. “I was worried that you’d be hurt. And when I thought of you being hurt it made me feel cold inside.”
“And when we decided to try and be a family?”
Quicksilver smiled. “I was happier than I’d ever been.”
Lighting nodded. “Well then I think you know that what you feel isn’t fake.”
Quicksilvers smile dropped and she gave Lighting a confused look. “What?”
Lighting chuckled. “I felt like that once. Not knowing my own feelings. Confused about what they meant and if they were real but Scootaloo helped me with that. She helped me see that what i”m doing is what I want to do and not because it’ll get me love.”
Quicksilver sighed again. “But how can you be sure?”
Lighting turned Quicksilver in her embrace until they were face to face. “Because you’re questioning yourself. And...”
Lighting learnt in again and kissed Quicksilver passionately, literally pouring the love she felt for Quicksilver into the kiss and Quicksilver herself. When the kiss broke Lighitng continued breathily.
“Because....I can feel how much you care about me. And I can tell you it’s just as real as any emotion I’ve felt from others.”
Quicksilver smiled and nuzzled into the crook of Lightings neck while putting her forelegs around her. “Thank you.”
Lighting gave Quicksilver an affectionate squeeze. “Anytime love.”
The pair sat by the lake for hours after. Talking and enjoying the closeness of one another. And when they finally make it home and settled down for bed they each wore a contented smile.
Scootaloo stared, wide eyed at her parents. She couldn’t believe what she’d just heard, nor could she understand how Lightning and Quicksilver simply sat in front of her like nothing had happened. Swallowing a lump in her throat, Scootaloo asked a question she feared the answer to.
“Wha..what do you mean you’re leaving?”
Lightning sighed and shook her head. “it’s that simple Scoots. Silver and I are Leaving. We just....don’t think this can work anymore.”
Scootaloo’s breathing hitched slightly as she listened to her mother, or who used to be her mother. She just couldn’t understand where this was coming from. As far as she thought everything had been fine. And now it looked like everything she had would be taken away.
“But, but why? Was it something I did?”
Quicksilver shook her head. “No it’s not anything you did. Look kid, we just don’t want this anymore. We don’t want each other, and we don’t want you. So this is goodbye.”
Lightning nodded and rose to her hooves, followed by Quicksilver. As they turned away Lightning looked over her shoulder as Scootaloo sat stunned on the ground.
She nodded to the filly. “This is just how it has to be.” And with that the pair of changelings began walking away.
Seeing the only parents she’d ever had begin to walk away from her snapped Scootaloo out of her stunned position on the ground. Leaping to her hooves, Scootaloo began galloping franticly after Lighting and Quicksilver.
She ran and ran as fast as she could but now matter how hard she pushed herself Scootaloo kept falling behind as Lighting and Quicksilver got further away. Thinking that flying would give her an edge Scootaloo began flapping her wings, but even going at her top speed, her parents just seemed to slip further ahead of her.
As the exertion of her frantic chasing caught up with her Scootaloo slowed and fell to the ground. As she sat, sides heaving and limbs shaking, Scootaloo watched helplessly as the only parents she’d ever known disappeared into the distance.
Scootaloo hung her head and began crying softly. “They’re gone....”
Uttering that simple statement seemed to flip a switch inside Scootaloo as she suddenly began sobbing loudly.
“Come back. Please come back. I...I don’t wanna be alone”
Scootaloo had no idea how long she laid there on the ground, sobbing and screaming at everything and nothing. All she could do, all she wanted to do, was curl into herself and cry.
Scootaloo woke violently, springing up in her bed and breathing heavily as tears ran down her face. Scootaloo brought a hoof to her temple and began rubbing while taking deep breaths to try and calm herself. After a few minutes she leant against her bed's headboard and sighed in relief.
“A dream. It was just a dream.”
As Scootaloo sat in her bed she began to wonder what could have caused her dream. She knew that Lightning and Quicksilver wouldn’t just leave her, and she didn’t doubt that they loved her but even so there seemed to be a voice in the back of her head saying one thing over and over that worried her. They’re not your real parents and they’re not even ponies. They could leave you whenever they want and you’d be alone again.
Scootaloo shook her head to try and dislodge the thought and try to get back to sleep but no matter how she tried the thought persisted and only seemed to get embedded further in her head as she tried to ignore it.
After trying and failing to get rid of the thought for what felt like hours, Scootaloo sighed resignedly and laid down in bed. She figured that maybe if she got a few more hours of sleep then she’d be able to push the thought out of her head. However before Scootaloo fell asleep one last thought assaulted her.
Scootaloo sat at her desk in Ms. Cheerilee’s class desperately trying to keep her eyes open and focus on the lesson for today. It had been a week since her first nightmare and she’d been plagued with them almost every night since then. And what sleep she did get wasn’t very restful at all. Just as Scootaloo was about to nod off, for the third time, the bell signaling the end of the school day jolted her awake. Scootaloo gathered up her school supplies and shoved them into her saddlebag, strapping it on she headed for the door when Ms Cheerilee called to her.
“Scootaloo could you come here for a second?”
Turning from the door and shuffling over to the teachers desk Scootaloo looked up at Cheerilee with groggy eyes.
“Scootaloo is everything alright? I noticed that you”ve had a hard time focusing and staying awake in class lately.”
Scootaloo shook her head and tried to put on a convincing smile. “Yeah everything’s...” Scootaloo’s response was cut off as she yawned widely. “...fine.”
Cheerilee’s brows knitted together in concern. “You’re sure?”
Scootaloo gave a weak nod. “Yeah,I’m just getting stuck on the homework this week and staying up to get it done. Math really isn’t my strong suit.”
Cheerilee nodded and smiled. “Well if that’s all it was then you’re free to go. And if the work’s hard you should ask a friend or parent for help. It’s a bit hard to learn if you’re nodding off in class.”
Scootaloo chuckled and smirked. “Sure thing Ms. Cheerilee. Bye.”
Scootaloo kept up her appearance until she was a few yards from the school before letting it drop and heave a weary sigh. Not only had she not gotten any sleep but throughout the whole day the little voice in the back of her head had been assaulting her. Making her start to question if Lightning and Quicksilver really loved her.
Scootaloo snorted in irritation. “Why am I worrying about this? It’s just some bad dreams. Why’s this getting to me?”
Coming up with no answers, Scootaloo decided to try and distract herself and hoped it would take her mind off the nagging little voice in her head. And what better place then her friends at the clubhouse. Smiling earnestly for the first time that day Scootaloo lightly kicked off the ground and flew towards Sweet Apple Acres.
Scootaloo wanted a distraction and what she had right now was more than enough. Diamond Tiara and Applebloom were going back and forth about the best way to spend the weekend
“We’re gonna hang out at the clubhouse an’ that’s that Diamond.”
Diamond Tiara flicked her mane haughtily. “I don’t think so Apple-blank. We’re gonna have a spa day. Spending every weekend out here is torture on my coat. Not to mention my hooves. ”
Applebloom’s nostrils flared. “So that means we gotta do what y’all wanna do?”
Diamond’s eyes rolled and she smirked. “Don’t be so touchy. All I’m saying is that we could all use a bit of relaxation.”
Applebloom facehoofed. “Y’all are impossible. Why should we spend all day in a spa when we could be doin stuff out here.”
Sweetie Belle rose a hoof to get the two arguing ponies attention. “Can’t we just do both?”
Applebloom and Diamond looked at Sweetie Belle before turning to each other again. After a few silent moments Diamond sighed as if she was conceding to torture. “Fine. I guess we can come out here first and then go to the spa later.”
Applebloom grinned. “Deal. An’ don’t try to act like ya don’t like the clubhouse. Ya spend almost everyday out here with the rest of us.”
Diamond’s responded with an eye roll. “Whatever. I’m headed home, I’ve still got homework to do.”
Sweetie Belle nodded. “Yeah, I should get home and finish mine too.”
Applebloom left with the excuse of needing to get some afternoon chores done leaving only Silver Spoon and Scootaloo in the clubhouse. Without the distraction of her friends scootaloo sat back in the beanbag chair she was on and sighed.
“What’s got you so down lately?”
Scootaloo glanced to Silver Spoon and waved the question off. “Nothing.”
Silver Spoon scoffed. “That means there is something. Spill.”
Scootaloo groaned in annoyance. “I don’t wanna talk about it.”
Silver Spoon got up from where she was sitting and moved in front of the pegasus with a determined glint in her eye. “That means it’s something big. Now tell me or I’ll just keep bugging you.”
Scootaloo drug a hoof down her face in frustration. “Can’t you just leave me alone?”
Silver Spoon smirked. “Do I really need to answer that?”
Scootaloo sighed and hung her head. “Right. Forgot who I was talking too.”
Scootaloo rose her head to look Silver Spoon in the eye hesitantly. “If I tell you, you’ve got to promise to keep it secret.”
Silver spoon quirked a brow but nodded. Scootaloo lent back in the beanbag and rubbed her forehead. “I’ve been having dreams that my parents abandon me.”
Silver Spoon’s one quirked brow was joined by it’s twin. “Ok, that sounds bad but I’m guessing there’s more to it.”
Scootaloo nodded. “Yeah. Since the dreams started I started thinking that..... What I mean is that.... I started to think....”
Seeing that Scootaloo was grasping for a way to explain Silver Spoon took a shot in the dark. “You started thinking that they actually would leave you?”
Scootaloo nodded limply. “Yeah. I don’t know why but now I’m just so... worried that they’ll just up and leave. That I’ll be....”
Silver Spoon moved closer and tilted her head. “Be what?”
Scootaloo’s head hung as she responded in a voice just above a whisper. “That I’ll be alone again. Like I was at the orphanage.”
Silver Spoon nodded. “Oh. Wait, how can you be alone in an orphanage?”
Scootaloo shook her head. “You wouldn’t understand.”
Silver Spoon put a hoof on Scootaloo’s shoulder. “Try me. I am your friend after all.”
Looking into Silver Spoon’s eyes Scootaloo could see that the grey filly was genuinely concerned and was offering a friendly ear to vent too. So after taking a breath Scootaloo began talking.
“In the orphanage I was at the other fillies and colts weren’t exactly friendly. Don’t get me wrong, they weren’t mean. Just....guarded I guess. Everyone just looked out for themselves because that’s all we had. Ourselves. And the caretakers were there but they weren’t like parents. They were just doing a job. The made sure we had food, and a bed, and that we were healthy but that was it. It was worse than having no one around because there were others around but it was like everyone just ignored everyone else. I’m not sure if that’s how it was for everyone but that’s how it felt for me. I ran away when I turned ten and never looked back.”
Scootaloo shook her head. “And now that I’ve actually got parents I’m terrified of losing them. All because of some stupid dreams I’m starting to question if one day they’ll just up and leave.”
Silver Spoon sat silently for a few seconds before she nodded. “Ok I think I can understand that. But if you know that they’re just dreams why’re you so out of it?”
Scootaloo snorted. “If I knew I wouldn’t be spilling my guts to you of all ponies.”
Silver Spoon scoffed. “Well there’s gratitude for you.”
Scootaloo sighed. “Sorry, sorry I’m just not sure what to do about all this.”
Silver Spoon rolled her eyes. “Gee I don’t know, maybe talk to your parents and solve the problem the easy way.”
Scootaloo chuckled. “Like it’s that simple.”
Silver Spoon nodded. “It is that simple. Just do it.”
Scootaloo shook her head. “They’ve got enough to worry about. I can deal with this.”
Silver Spoon facehoofed. “Oh boy, this is gonna be one of those situations isn’t it?”
Scootaloo gave Spoon a questioning look and the earth filly continued. “You’re gonna try solving this yourself and not tell them and end up making it worse until they find out and then everything gets solved in five seconds and you all have a laugh about it. Just save us all some time and talk to your parents.”
Scootaloo sighed as she rose from the beanbag. “Fine. If it’ll get you to stop nagging me I’ll go talk to them now.”
As Scootaloo got up to leave Silver Spoon threw her hooves up in mock celebration. “Low and behold she can be taught! It’s a miracle fillies and gentlecolts.”
Scootaloo rolled her eyes. “You’re a real pain sometimes.”
Silver Spoon waved Scootaloo off. “Oh just go solve your personal crisis already.”
Scootaloo chuckled and was about to take off when she turned back to Silver Spoon. After thinking for a few seconds Scootaloo trotted back to the grey filly and gave her a quick hug. After releasing Silver Spoon, Scootaloo coughed awkwardly. “Thanks for listening and everything.”
Silver Spoon smiled. “Y-yeah, friends in need and all that.”
Scootaloo waved and then took off towards Ponyville. Once Scootaloo was gone Silver Spoon started making her way home as well. The smile from before still firmly on her face.
Even though Scootaloo had said she’d talk to Lightning and Quicksilver, actually doing it was a different thing entirely. After she’d gotten home Scootaloo kept making excuses for herself to put off talking to them. First she decided to finish her homework before trying to talk to them. Then she’d decided to wait until after dinner. And now Scootaloo sat outside her parents door, trying to think of a way to begin talking to them. But even after several long minutes of thought Scootaloo was still coming up blank on ideas.
Maybe I should just do what Spoon said. Just tell them about my dreams and stuff. Seeing no other way to go about talking to her parents Scootaloo sighed and knocked on her parents bedroom door.
Quicksilver opened the door and gave the filly a questioning look. “What’s up Scoot? Shouldn’t you be in bed by now?”
Scootaloo stood and nervously glanced up at Quicksilver. “Well, I just wanted to talk to you and mom about something. it’s kinda important.”
Quicksilver nodded. “Sure thing Scoot.” Quicksilver stepped aside and Scootaloo walked into the bedroom and headed for the bed. Taking a seat on the comforter at the foot of the bed both parents watched the filly curiously.
Sensing that Scootaloo was nervous Lightning smiled reassuringly. “So, what’s on your mind Scoots?”
Scootaloo took a deep breath before looking up at both changelings. “I’ve been having dreams the past week. They’re about.... about you two.”
Two pairs of solid ice blue eyes widened as the filly continued, her voice beginning to hitch slightly as her emotions started building.
“In the dreams you both...... You said you didn’t want me anymore. That you didn’t want each other anymore and you left. I tried to chase you but....... But you got away and I was... I was alone.”
Lighting and Quicksilver moved closer to Scootaloo and Lightning spoke up. “Scootaloo. Do you think we’re going to leave you?”
Scootaloo shook her head violently and when she spoke her tone was somewhere between scared and angry. “Well why shouldn’t I think that? I’m just some orphan, just some random filly that you met by accident. You could live just fine without me!”
As Scootaloo paused to breathe, tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. When she spoke next her voice sounded broken.
“I just.... I know they’re just dreams but, but I can’t stop wondering if one day you’ll just leave me. If I’ll be all alone again and I..... I’m scared, just so so scared that it’s true.”
Scootaloo looked into the eyes of her parents. Her own eyes were red and tears flowed from them like twin waterfalls as she looked at them like she was lost.
“I.... I don’t wanna be alone. I...”
Before the distraught filly could continue she was swept up into a tight embrace by her two parents whose eyes had misted as they listened to Scootaloo. Scootaloo held onto her parents like a lifeline as she pressed her face into Lightnings chest, her mothers unusually soft carapace and steady heartbeat acting as a source of comfort as she cryed.
Quicksilver was the first to speak after several moments of simply embracing. She lightly began rubbing her hoof in small circles on Scootaloo's back to help ease the filly as she spoke softly.
“Why’d you wait so long to tell us Scoots? It must have been hard to carry that around for so long.”
Scootaloo hiccuped as she spoke through her tears. “I w-was sc-s-scared that you’d be m-mad or that you’d think I di-didn’t trust you.”
Lightning nuzzled Scootaloo. “Oh Scootaloo, you silly filly. You can always come to us when there’s something bothering you. Especially something like this.”
Quicksilver hmmed in agreement. “We love you Scoots. Never doubt that.”
Scootaloo nodded against Lightning. “I-I know but I...”
Lightning cooed gently to Scootaloo. “Shhh, it’s ok.” Lightning lent back slightly and used a holed hoof to tilt the fillies head up. “How about Silver and I show you how much we love you?”
Scootaloo tilted her head and sniffed. “H-how?’
Quicksilver chuckled. “Just close your eyes.”
Scootaloo nodded and closed her eyes. When she did she felt Lightning and Quicksilver each place a kiss on her forehead. Just as it happened Scootaloo felt like she’d been enveloped in a warmth that spread around and through her. The warmth seemed to fill her whole body and almost instantly she felt content. Like everything was right with the world.
After a few moments Lightning and Quicksilver withdrew and Scootaloo opened her eyes and glanced questioningly at her parents. “What happened?”
Lightning chuckled lightly. “When changeling nymphs are born they can’t leave the hive to get love or other emotions to feed them. So groups of us go out and gather love and other positive emotions and feed it to them.”
Quicksilver nodded. “And right now we used the same technique on you. You might not feel it the same way we do but you did feel it right?”
Scootaloo nodded and gave a tiny smile. “Yeah. it was so warm and made me feel like.... like everything was right. Like everything would be ok.”
The changelings nuzzled Scootaloo as Lighting spoke. “That’s how you make us feel Scoots. Every day when we feel your love for us you make us feel that way.”
Scootaloo’s eyes widened. “Really? That’s how it always feels?”
Quicksilver chuckled. “Yep. Though now I understand why Lightning and I kept sensing a lot of anxiousness coming from you the past week.”
Scootaloo’s ears lowered. “Sorry.”
Quicksilver shook her head and ruffled Scootaloo’s mane. “No need to be sorry kiddo. Just talk to us next time ok?” Quicksilver gave a soft smile. “We wanna make sure that you feel just as good as we do.”
Scootaloo smiled widely and the three sat contentedly with each other for several minutes before disengaging from their embrace. As Lightning and Quicksilver sat Scootaloo back on the bed the filly yawned.
Lighting giggled. “Looks like someone’s kinda tired. Feel like hitting the hay Scoots?”
Scootaloo nodded. “Yeah. I’m beat.”
Quicksilver rose a brow curiously. “You sure you’re ok now.”
Scootaloo nodded. “Totally.”
Quicksilver looked the filly over before smiling. “As long as you’re sure.”
Scootaloo shuffled her front hooves on the bed nervously and caught Lighting’s attention. “Something up Scoots?”
Scootaloo’s ears lowered in embarrassment and a slight blush darkened her muzzle. “Well I um... I wanted to ask.... Could I.... sleep with you guys tonight?”
Lighting smiled and patted the space between her and Quicksilver. “Sure thing Scoots.”
Smiling, Scootaloo nestled between her parents as they curled around her. As Scootaloo fell asleep her smile stayed firmly in place because the warmth of Lighting and Quicksilver wrapped around her reminded her of how their love felt and Scootaloo knew, without a doubt, that her parents would always be there for her. And so would their love.
The time after my release from the cavern was rather hectic at first but once my presence was explained, and sworn to secrecy, I freely roamed the less public parts of the castle. Much of my newfound freedom was spent close to Celestia. However, I knew I couldn’t monopolise the time of the ruler of a nation. Now matter how much fun it was. So when Celestia and I weren’t “cuddling” I’d taken to wandering the areas of the castle I remembered.
As luck would have it the more open rooms and corridors were newer than the halls I’d walked before my plunge into madness so I was mostly left alone. Today, however, it appeared I’d have company on one of my excursions through the castle. As I’d rounded a corner that led into one of the old archives I found Luna. Who seemed to be waiting for me.
The princess of the night strode over and came alongside me offering a smile.
“Good day Chrysalis. Your horn’s looking much better.”
I flicked my eyes up to my repaired horn and chuckled. “Yes. Celestia’s love really moved the process along.”
Luna nodded. “That was one of the first things Tia wanted to fix when you finally came to your senses and accepted her offer. She never was one to do a task halfway.”
I smirked at the perfect setup Luna unknowingly gave me. “I’ll say. She worked so vigorously I thought I’d pass out.”
Luna gave me a questioning look before her face suddenly turned an impressive shade of lavender. She glared weekly at me with her ears lowered. “Must you be so crude?”
I flipped my mane and smirked. “It’s part of my charm.”
Luna shook her head but grinned. “What Tia sees in you I’ll never know.” Lunas brow furrowed in thought. “Actually I’d never asked how the two of you first became partners.”
My smirk softened into a nostalgic smile as I nodded to a hallway to our left. “Follow me and I’ll tell you.”
As we walked down a corridor lined with old portraits of Equestiras past heroes and leaders I turned my head to Luna.
“Do you remember the period right after the three tribes signed the Equestrian Accord?”
Luna nodded. “Yes, that was a few decades before Celestia and I revealed ourselves to the ponies of Equestria. Until that time, everyone had thought alicorns were a myth.”
I nodded and stopped to point at a portrait of Clover the Clever. “After you and Celestia took over as the rulers of the ponies you sent several of them out to survey the new land they’d inhabited. Clover was the first to find my kingdom. Hidden away in what used to be Paradise valley.”
Luna hummed thoughtfully. “Ah yes, I remember her. Bright young mage. Never got out from under Starswirls shadow but made many advancements in the art of enchantments. She was the first pony you’d ever encountered?”
“Yes. She was so full of questions and admittedly so was I. I’d thought mine was the only race to inhabit Equestria. Soon after her visit I’d asked her to take me to her kind so we may become allies.”
I turned from the painting and started leading Luna through the halls again. “It took awhile to organize a formal meeting but eventually I did get an audience with “Her Radiance” as the ponies called Celestia.”
Luna giggled. “Oh I’d nearly forgotten those old titles Tia and I had back then. What was mine again? Oh yes, I was “Lady Umbra”.” Luna shook her head as she continued to giggle lightly. “What were we thinking back then?”
I chuckled. “I’m not sure but the first time I met Celestia, Radiance fit her very well.” A smile settled on my face as I remembered that day.
================================================
I stood outside the large doors leading to the throne room of Equestrias ruler. I’d taken extra time before this meeting to make myself as presentable as possible. After all, making a good first impression was the key in these situations. I gave myself another lookover as I waited. My long turquoise mane was perfect, as was the luster of my snow white coat. Seeing that nothing about my form was amiss i let a confident smirk settle on my face.
Seconds later I schooled my features into a more neutral state as I heard myself announced and the doors began to open.
“Presenting Queen Papilio. Ruler of the Breezies and sovereign of Paradise valley. Step forward and behold Her Radiance, Princess Celestia of Equestria.”
I made my way into the throne room and focused on the unicorn that sat on her dais at the far end of the room. Her coat was brilliant and seemed to shine with an ethereal light. Her mane flowed as if captured by a summer breeze. I had to admit, for a simple unicorn she was a sight to behold.
The princess smiled as I came closer, rising from her seat. As she did my breath caught as she spread a pair of wings I hadn’t noticed. The appendages were held aloft and spread outward forming a cloak of alabaster feathers that caught the light flooding from the windows. The whole effect caused a halo of light around this impressive mare and nearly froze me in my tracks. This Celestia seemed to exude confidence from her very pores and her mere presence all but demanded respect.
I was brought out of my stupor as Celestia addressed me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Queen Papilio. The mage Clover has told us much about you and her description does not do you justice.”
I shook myself mentally and bowed. “The pleasure is mine your Radiance. I must admit I was not expecting to be meeting with one such as yourself.”
Celestia laughed lightly and her eyes shone merrily. “You’re not the first to say as much. Although you fared much better than the griffon ambassador. The poor falcon nearly molted on the spot once he saw me.”
I smiled. “I imagine he looked quite amusing. But moving from that might we begin speaking about an alliance?”
Celestia nodded and gestured to a few maids standing to the side of the room. “Of course. Let’s make ourselves comfortable, the throne room is fine but I prefer to become acquainted in less formal surroundings. Follow me.”
Celestia led me to a rather large sitting room and the maids from earlier brought in a tray holding tea and various sweets.
As we took our seats Celestia levitated a cup of tea and a slice of cake to me. “I hope this is appropriate. I’m unsure of what a Breezie eats. Clover never seemed to learn that while visiting you.”
I grasped the cup in my own magical aura and took a sip. “Well we aren’t that different from ponies. We have a slight empathic nature but aside from that we are just like you.”
Celestia nodded. “Before we begin I do have one question that has puzzled me since hearing of you. And my curiosity has grown since meeting you in person. May I?”
I nodded and Celestia continued. “I’ve never met another alicorn, save for my sister and mother. When Clover mentioned you had both wings and a horn I’d thought you were an alicorn as well. But now I see you are something else completely. Forgive me for my bluntness but what are you?”
I laughed at that. The ruler of a nation and an alicorn but she looked at me with the curiosity of a foal. I found it endearing and decided I quite liked Celestia.
“I’m the breezie equivalent to an alicorn I suppose. I don’t know when or even where I was born. All I know is that one day I found the breezies and they accepted me as their ruler. I have spent my life since then trying to lead them as best I can. Which is why I wanted to meet you. I think we can benefit greatly from each other.”
Celestia smiled. “Well then I suggest that we get this alliance underway.”
Luna rose a brow at me. “It sounds as if you and Tia “hit things off” rather well when you first met.”
I chuckled. “It was easy to befriend Celestia. It helped that she wasn’t like the other rulers I’d met. The griffons were always so serious and the minotaurs were to single minded. The diamond dogs were easy enough to get along with but that was mostly due to them only wanting to dig for their jewels.”
Luna hummed in agreement. “You have a point. By the way, where are you leading us?”
I turned one last corner and used my magic to open the doors that stood in front of us. “It’s right through here.”
I led Luna into what once was a private sitting room. The furniture was covered in sheets as were several paintings. I approached one of the paintings and levitated the sheet away while summoning a ball of light.
“Celestia had this made years after our first meeting. I found it here a few days ago.”
Luna moved to stand beside me and studied the painting. In it Celestia and I were seated under a cherry tree in full bloom. We were leaning against one another as we watched the cherry blossoms dance in the midday breeze.
“Tia used to have this in her room. I’d wondered where she put it.” Luna turned to me with her ears lowered. “After you lost yourself she had it removed. It hurt her to look at this.”
My head lowered and I sighed. “I know. At the time I could care less about Celestia’s feelings but now.” I rose my head and took in the smiling face of Celestia from long ago. “All I can think about is how I’ve hurt her.”
Luna extended a wing and laid it across my back. “For what it’s worth, I believe you’re on the right track to atoning for what you did. Celestia forgave you and I must admit I’m starting to consider you a friend. You need to forgive yourself though.”
I scoffed. “Someday I might.” I turned to Luna and rose a brow. “Now that I’ve told you something why don’t you tell me why you were in these old halls? I doubt you were just taking a stroll.”
Luna chuckled. “It seems I’ve been found out. Celestia sent me to find you. She has something she wants to talk to you about.”
“Then I shouldn’t keep her waiting.” I lit my horn and in a flash of green fire was gone.
================================================
I reappeared in Celestia’s personal chambers and was rewarded with a light nuzzle from the solar princess.
“Hello Chryssie. Luna mentioned that I wanted to talk?’
I nodded. “Yes but she didn’t say what about.”
Celestia motioned for me to follow her. She led me into her study and levitated a scroll to me. “I was about to send out this letter and wanted your thoughts on it.”
I rose a brow but decided to read the letter before I said anything. After reading the letter I gave Celestia a dubious look. “Are you sure about this?”
Celestia nodded. “I think it’s the best way to go about things. So what do you think?”
I looked over the letter again before sighing and levitating a quill from it’s inkwell. After adding a sentence of my own to the letter I gave it back to Celestia. “If you’re serious about this then I think these two should know.”
Celestia read over what I’d written and smiled. “Very well.” Re rolling the scroll Celestia burned it with her magic, the ashes turning green before swirling in on themselves and vanishing.
I shook my head. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
Celestia giggled. “Have some faith in me. Now if you’ve nothing else to do I could use some help with my paperwork.”
Without saying a word I levitated half of the stack of papers on Celestia’s desk and a quill over to a side table and began working.
Celestia giggled again positioning herself at her desk and started in on her half of the work. The things I do for love.
======================================
Twilight was cataloging some data on her latest project when Spike, who'd been shelving books, belched a gout of green flame which formed into a letter.
Twilight trotted over to Spike who held the letter to her with a confused look on his face.
“Were we expecting a letter from the princess?”
Twilight shook her head as she unrolled the letter. “Not that I know of. Let’s see what it says.”
After reading over the letter three times Twilight lowered the letter wit a blank look on her face. Spike waved a hand in front of Twilight’s face.
“Twi? You alright?”
Twilight shook her head and sprung to her hooves. “Spike, get ready for a trip to Canterlot.”
Spike was confused at the abrupt declaration but saluted and was about to run out to get train tickets when Twilight called to him. “One more thing Spike.”
Spike turned back to Twilight as she continued. “Tell Lightning and Quicksilver that they need to come with us.”
“You’re sure you don’t mind watching Scootaloo on such short notice?”
Fluttershy giggled and offered Lightning a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry about it. I’m happy to help.”
Lightning nodded and turned to Scootaloo. “You make sure to behave for Fluttershy ok kiddo.”
Scootaloo nodded. “No worries mom.”
Quicksilver tapped Lightnings shoulder. “Come on, we’ve kept Twilight waiting long enough. Whatever it is that’s going on in Canterlot sounds important.” Turning to Scootaloo quicksilver ruffled the filly’s mane. “See ya Scoot.”
Scootaloo waved as her parents walked away. “Later guys, be safe.”
When Lightning and Quicksilver were out of sight Scootaloo turned to Fluttershy. “Is it ok if I go hang out with my friends now?”
Fluttershy nodded. “Just be sure you get back before dark.”
Scootaloo smiled and hopped onto her scooter. “Thanks Fluttershy, see ya!”
Fluttershy laughed lightly, waving as Scootaloo sped towards Sweet Apple Acres.
Twilight sighed heavily and leaned back against her seat in the train car she shared with Lightning and Quicksilver. “I’m sorry but I really don’t know what the princess wants. Her letter just told me it was urgent that I come to Canterlot and that I should bring you two.”
Lightning huffed and crossed her forelegs. “Is it always like this? The princess just sends a letter and ponies come running?”
Twilight shrugged. “It’s worked out for the rest of us so far. I wouldn’t worry about it.”
Quicksilver chuckled. “Don’t mind her Twilight. Lightning’s just worried about Scoots.”
Lightning quirked a brow. “And you’re not?”
Quicksilver shook her head. “She’s with Fluttershy. Ya know, element of kindness?”
Twilight chuckled. “I understand you’re worried, any good mother would be but you just need to relax. We shouldn’t be gone more than a day or two.”
Lightning sighed. “I guess you’re both right. I just wish I knew what was going on.”
Twilight pointed out the trains window. “You’ll find out soon enough. We’re coming up to the station right now.”
Lightning turned and, sure enough, the Canterlot station was only a few hundred yards away. Once the trio exited the train Twilight took the lead and they began making their way towards the castle.
When they came to the front gate Twilight walked up to the unicorn guard and motioned to Lightning and Quicksilver with her hoof. “My friends and I have an appointment with Princess Celestia.”
The guard nodded. “We’ve been expecting you.” Turning to the gate the guard’s horn glowed as he opened one of the large doors. “The princess will be waiting in her personal chambers.”
Twilight rose a brow in question but said nothing as she walked forward, lightning and Quicksilver not far behind.
As they turned down a hall Lightning came up beside Twilight. “I saw the look you gave that guard after he said the princess was waiting. What’s up?”
Twilight’s eyes narrowed in thought. “I’m not sure but I think this meeting is going to be more serious than I’d thought. Celestia’s always met me either in the throne room or some other common part of the castle. This is the first time she’s ever wanted to meet in her personal chambers.”
Quicksilver’s head tilted. “So should we be worried?”
Twilight shook her head. “I don’t think so. We’ll just have to see what she wants.”
The three continued on in silence as Twilight led them into the castle's main spire. Once at the top Twilight stopped in front of a pair of large ivory doors with a golden sun emblazoned on it. Using her magic, Twilight pulled a velvet rope hanging beside the door. After a few moments the doors were enveloped in a golden aura and opened to reveal Celestia smiling calmly.
“Thank you all for coming on such short notice. I know this must be inconvenient but I felt that this was the best way to go about things.”
Twilight rose a brow. “Go about what Princess?”
Celestia motioned for the three to follow her. “Please, we should discuss this inside. The walls have ears as they say and I’d rather this not get out before the proper time.”
Lightning, Quicksilver and Twilight shared a confused look as they followed Celestia into her room. Once inside the doors were surrounded by Celestia’s magic and closed. The sound of multiple locks being engaged sounded from the door as Celestia walked over to a circle of pillows.
Taking a seat on one, Celestia motioned for the others to sit before she spoke. “I apologize for the secrecy but this is a sensitive matter. Only myself, Luna, and a select number of the royal staff know what I’m about to tell you.”
Celestia paused, collecting her thoughts and inhaling deeply before she continued. “After the destruction of the changeling hive I had my personal guard begin sifting through the rubble. Three days later they found Chrysalis and brought her to the castle where Luna sealed her in the crystal caverns.”
Twilight held up a hoof. “Wait. You’re saying the Chrysalis survived not only having her horn removed and suffering a magical rebound loop but also the entire hive falling on her?’
Celestia nodded. “She did.”
Twilight shook her head in awe. “Wow.”
Lightning got over her stunned silence and narrowed her eyes. “There’s more isn’t there?”
Celestia nodded. “Yes there is. Once she recovered I offered Chrysalis something.”
Twilight gulped. “What did you give her?”
Before Celestia could answer, Lightning and Quicksilver shot up from their seats and turned to a door at the far end of the room.
The door glowed an acid green as it opened and Chrysalis stepped out. “She gave me my freedom.”
Twilight was about to question Celestia when she noticed a deep rumbling sound coming from beside her. She turned to look at Lightning and Quicksilver, finding them both baring their fangs and flaring their wings.
Twilight stared at them curiously. “Are you two growling?”
Chrysalis stepped closer and chuckled. “We changelings are rather feral.” She turned her eyes to her former subordinates. “But I’m not going to do anything so why don’t we all calm down and talk civilly?”
Lightning and Quicksilver sat and tried to relax but they kept their eyes locked on Chrysalis.
Seeing that things wouldn’t escalate, Celestia cleared her throat. “I assume you all have questions.”
“That’s the understatement of the year.” Lightning muttered under her breath.
“I know this isn’t what you expected but I’d like you to try and bare with me. Chrysalis is a different mare now. And I trust her.”
Twilight, Quicksilver and Lightning turned to look at one another. After each of them giving a shrug Twilight spoke. “I’m willing to give her a chance. But can I speak to you privately Princess?”
Celestia nodded. “Of course my student.” She turned to Lightning and Quicksilver. “And what do you two have to say about this?”
Lightning huffed. “As long as she explains herself I’ll give Chrysalis a chance.” Lightning turned her eyes and glared sharply at her former queen. “But if you try anything I’ll cut off that horn again.”
Quicksilver nodded. “What she said.”
Chrysalis grinned. “Fair enough.”
Giving a nod Celestia stood. “Very well. Lightning, Quicksilver I’ll leave you to talk with Chrysalis. Twilight if you’ll follow me we can have that talk now.”
As the princess left with Twilight in tow Chrysalis focused her attention on Lightning and Quicksilver. “You wanted answers to your questions no doubt. Well ask away.”
Lightning stood and began pacing in front of her former queen. “Ok then. First off what are you playing at? What’s the plan you’ve got this time?”
Chrysalis rolled her eyes. “I’m not planning anything.”
Quicksilver scoffed. “And I’m the queen of Griffhala. Why not just tell us everything and we can stop playing twenty questions.”
Chrysalis sighed. “That’s not as fun as watching the two of you try and figure out what’s going on but fine. The short answer is Celestia and I are lovers and I’ve no desire to conquer anything anymore.”
Lightning stopped her pacing and rose a brow. “Wait that’s it? After the years of going around and draining the love out of countless places you’re just.....done?”
Chrysalis nodded. “It’s not as simple as you make it but yes that’s it. I’m done.”
Lightning sighed. “You know what? I’m just going to see how things go. I don’t care what you do as long as you stay on the up and up. But like I said, you try anything and I’ll take your horn again.”
Chrysalis laughed and gave the two changelings with an amused look. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Celestia walked with Twilight and led the to the lavender unicorns old tower. Once they were inside Celestia turned to Twilight. “So my student, what did you want to talk about?”
“Well first Princess, do you think it was a good idea to leave those three alone?”
Celestia chuckled. “I wouldn’t worry. The conversation will be short, if a bit agressive between them. Then I suspect Chrysalis will go somewhere private to be by herself.”
Twilight sighed. “Well that’s fine I guess. Now um.... Princess can I be completely honest?”
Celestia grinned. “I’d hope you could while talking to me.”
Twilight nodded. “Why are you trusting Chrysalis? Discord I can sort of understand given his abilities but why are you letting Chrysalis just roam around?’
“She’s not just roaming around. She’s helped me with work and I plan on making her a member of my court.”
Twilight’s jaw went slack for a moment. She snapped it shut and gave Celestia a confused look. “But why?”
Celestia sighed. “Twilight, do you know what I am?”
Twilight tilted her head. “An alicorn. The ruler of Equestria. Right?”
Celestia shook her head. “That is part of who I am not what I am.”
“I don’t understand.”
Celestia walked over to the large window in the tower and motioned Twilight to join her. “My little ponies look to me for guidance. They look to me and see me as their ruler, as their protector. Some even view me as a goddess.” Celestia sighed sadly. “The truth is that while I’m immortal I am still only a pony as they are. I’m not infallible and over my long life I’ve made many mistakes.”
Celestia turned to Twilight. “I'm still just a pony."
Twilight stared up at her teacher. “Why are you telling me this?”
Celestia turned her attention back to the view out the window. “Because the reason I decided to give Chrysalis another chance is because I love her.”
Twilight whirled on her hooves to face Celestia fully, her eyes wide. “What?!”
Celestia rose a brow at Twilight’s exclamation and Twilight cleared her throat. “I mean, what are you talking about?”
A small smile settled on Celestia’s face. “I know it’s hard to imagine but even I can fall in love. And long ago when Luna and I first came to rule Equestria I met with Chrysalis because her kingdom of breezies was fairly close. After our first meeting we began to interact and became good friends. And as the years past our friendship grew into something more.”
Celestia sat and turned to face Twilight. “What I felt for her blinded me to how she was being consumed by her insatiable need to acquire love once she changed herself and her breezies into changelings. I didn’t realize until it was too late that I’d lost her.”
Twilight’s ears lowered in sympathy. “That’s why you weren’t more surprised when she revealed herself at the wedding. You knew her.”
Celestia nodded. “To be honest I never thought I’d see her again. But after the wedding and her second attack I thought it would be the only chance I had to try and get through to her.”
Celestia giggled. “Lightning certainly helped with that part. When her horn was removed it gave her system enough of a shock to bring her into a better state of mind.”
Twilight shook her head and sighed. “I’m still not sure about this Princess but like I said, if you trust her I’ll give her a chance.”
Celestia leant down and nuzzled Twilight. “Thank you Twilight. I’ll need your help to design the best way to reveal Chrysalis to the rest of Equestria.”
Twilight chuckled. “I’m happy to help Princess.”
Celestia and Twilight made their way back through the castle to Celestia’s chambers. They had work to do.
Celestia, Twilight and Chrysalis sat at a round table in the princess’s chambers going over a plan to introduce Chrysalis to the public and, by Chrysalis’s request, Lightning and Quicksilver had stayed as well.
When Lightning asked why they needed to stay, Chrysalis had given them a bored look and said.
“Perspective.”
Quicksilver had taken the vague answer well enough but Lightning only got more irritated as time wore on. When asked about a specific part of the plan or if they had anything to add Quicksilver would give her opinion but Lighting would either stay quiet or excuse herself to “get some air.”
After leaving for the fourth time Chrysalis stood and made to follow Lightning.
Celestia quirked a brow. “Are you sure about following her? She doesn’t seem to be in the best of moods.”
Chrysalis turned and grinned at Celestia. “It’s fine. Trust me.”
Celestia nodded and went back to looking over their work.
Twilight turned to Celestia. “Why’s Chrysalis going after Lightning?”
Celestia sighed through her nose while shaking her head. “Most likely to try and talk to her. Despite how she acts, Chrysalis respects Lightning and would like her opinion. However I fear that if she tries talking to Lightning it may come to blows between the two.”
Quicksilver chuckled. “There’s no may about it. Those two are gonna fight.”
Twilight gasped and turned to the changeling. “What!? Then we’ve got to go make sure they don’t hurt each other.”
As Twilight started to stand Quicksilver shook her head. “That won’t do any good Twilight.”
Twilight shot a confused look at Quicksilver. “Why not?”
Quicksilver sighed. “Lightning’s.....angry with Chrysalis.”
Twilight tilted her head. “What’s Lightning got to be angry about?”
Quicksilver shook her head. “I’m not sure. All I know is that she’s angry. The emotion's radiating from her like heat off a sidewalk in July.”
Twilight sighed. “But you’re in a relationship. You really don’t know anything?”
Quicksilver rolled her eyes. “She’s keeping it to herself. She’s like that. When it matters she plays it close to the vest. She’s gotten better with sharing, relying on me to help her, but she still has her secrets.”
Twilight turned to Celestia. “What do you think about this?”
Celestia sighed. “I trust Chrysalis.” As Twilight opened her mouth to protest Celestia rose a hoof to stop her. “I trust Chrysalis, but that doesn’t mean I approve of her methods. Let’s just stand back and see what happens.”
Twilight sat with a huff. “Whatever happened to talking through differences? Those two shouldn’t fight.”
Quicksilver chuckled. “You can’t change generations of social culture Twilight. Changelings solve problems one of two ways. Subterfuge, or hitting the problem till it’s gone.”
Twilight gave the changeling a flat look. “How fascinating.”
Celestia chuckled. “Don’t worry Twilight. I’m sure things will work out for the best.”
Twilight nodded and went back to her seat to continue going over the plans.
There was a few moments of silence before Quicksilver spoke up.
“So, anyone wanna take bets on which one of them gets beat the worse?”
Celestia and Twilight gave Quiksilver an incredulous look. Quicksilver looked from Celestia to Twilight before tilting her head. “What? Something I said?”
Lightning paced, stomping furiously from one end of the small palace garden to the other. Every so often pausing to punch or kick one of the gardens stone columns in frustration.
All the while a grimace etched firmly on her features. Two days. She’s kept us here two freakin’ days! And for what? Perspective. What’s that supposed to mean? I’ll give her perspective, right up the side of her head!
Again Lightning lashed out at a stone column, chipping a small piece off as she struck.
“I’m sure whatever the stonework did it’s very sorry.”
Lightning whipped her head around and saw Chrysalis standing at the gardens entrance. An easygoing grin on her face.
Lightnings sour expression deepened and she huffed as she turned to face Chrysalis. “What do you want?”
Chrysalis moved forward, her tone becoming airy. “Oh I just wanted to have a little chat with you.”
Lightning snorted. “I’ll bet.”
Chrysalis stopped several feet from Lightning and tilted her head. “Well why else would I be here?”
Lightning rolled her eyes. “I don’t know and frankly I don’t care. Like I said before, do whatever you want and as long as you don’t cause trouble I won’t give your horn a trim.”
Chrysalis nodded. “Oh yes about that. Do you really think you could challenge me again? Last time you had help and I wasn’t very sound of mind.”
Lightning’s eye twitched. “Whatever, just get to why you’re here. I’m starting to get a headache.”
Chrysalis chuckled. “Ok then. I want to know why you aren’t contributing to my reintroduction plan. I need the perspective of my subjects.”
Lightning rolled her eyes and started walking toward the gardens exit. “You want their perspective? Here it is. Chrysalis gone, chance at new life, everybody happy. Glad I could help.”
As Lightning passed Chrysalis, the former queen spoke. Her voice low and serious. “Why don’t you take a swing?”
Lightning froze. “What?”
Not moving Chrysalis spoke in the same tone as before. “Take a swing at me. With all the anger you’re giving off I can tell you want to.”
Lightning grit her teeth. “You want to start something? Here? Now?”
Chrysalis fluttered her wings. “If not now, when?”
Lightning said nothing and the two stood in silence. Side by side and facing away from one another as the seconds ticked away. The late afternoon air was cool and calm as the pair stood, waiting for the other to make any kind of move.
A stray leaf floated on the wind and passed between the two when it was suddenly split apart by the holed leg that Lightning bucked at Chrysalis. Chrysalis evaded and soon the two were a flurry of motion. Lightning striking out with punches and kicks as fast and with as much force as she could muster. Chrysalis, either evading or blocking the attacks sent at her and commenting as the fight went on.
An uppercut dodged. “Very nice, if a little slow.”
A two legged buck shoved aside. “That made my foreleg a bit numb.”
A strong right countered and held in place as Chrysalis pushed back. “I’d forgotten how strong siege drones are. You might win in a fair fight.”
Suddenly Chrysalis’s horn lit in her acid green aura and Lightning felt herself suspended, restrained, in mid air. “Too bad this isn’t a fair fight.”
Lightning struggled as best she could. Gritting her teeth as her muscles strained against the magic that held her.
Chrysalis shook her head. “Give it up Lyse. You can’t....”
Lightning snarled angrily and her own horn became surrounded in an electric green aura. Shouting as she exerted her magic Lightning was able to shatter the magical hold on herself and lunged at a surprised Chrysalis.
Lightning began repeatedly striking the former queens face. Each punch was accompanied with an angry declaration.
Lighting paused and brought her right foreleg up, changing it into a blade as she did. “My name is Lightning!”
She brought her bladed limb down, racing toward Chrysalis’s face. Lightning was breathing heavily as she left her limb buried in the soft earth next to Chrysalis’s head. Her sides heaved and her eyes misted as angry tears gathered in her eyes.
Chrysalis lay still, looking up into the face of the changeling over her as she spoke.
“You threw me away. You threw so many of us away. If you thought we were too weak. If we failed you. You’d throw us away like we were nothing.” Lighting shook her head angrily as the tears began to flow from her eyes. “All we ever did, ever wanted, was to serve you. To serve the hive. I did everything I was ordered to without question. And you still threw me away. Why?”
Chrysalis slowly, sadly, shook her head. “I can’t give you an answer.”
Lightning glared down at Chrysalis. “Why not? Aren’t you the all powerful, all knowing, eternal ruler of the glorious changeling empire?” Lighting brought her face within an inch of the queen’s as her voice became a venomous growl. “Tell me, my Queen, why you threw us away like we were nothing but tools for you to use and abandon. I can’t wait to hear how you...”
“I’m sorry.”
Lightning’s rant stopped and her eyes widened. When she spoke it was barely above a whisper. “Wh...what?”
Chrysalis stared up at Lightning. Here ears lowered and her tone mournful. “I’m sorry. I know it can’t make up for what I did and I don’t expect forgiveness but I am sorry.”
Lighting shook her head and glared. “No. No! You don’t get to apologize. Not after what you did. You used us. You used your own subjects for your little power game and made us into monsters.”
Chrysalis tilted her head. “Did I?”
Lightning blinked in confusion. “Huh?”
“If you were a monster would you have let me live just now? You had me by surprise, you could have finished me.”
Lightning brought her bladed foreleg up and looked between it and Chrysalis. After glancing from her leg to Chrysalis for a few moments Lightning changed her leg back and moved off of Chrysalis.
Chrysalis sat up and turned to face Lightning. “I might have made myself and our kind into monsters but you didn’t stay that way. So tell me, what are you?”
Lightning sat and stared ahead in thought focusing on nothing in particular. After several long minutes Lightning turned to Chrysalis. “I’m Lightning.”
Chrysalis nodded and stood. “Yes. You are.” Chrysalis started to walk away when Lightning called out to her.
“Then what are you?”
Chrysalis turned her head to Lightning, showing a small smile. “I”m the former queen of the changelings. I’m the lover of Princess Celestia. And I’m a mare looking for redemption. I’m Chrysalis. Is that enough?”
Lightning looked away and nodded. “I’m still pretty ticked at you though.”
Chrysalis chuckled. “Fair enough.” And with that Chrysalis left Lightning alone and entered the castle.
As Chrysalis made her way through the castles halls she rounded a corner and came face to face with Celestia. The princess came forward and gently took Chrysalis’s chin in her magical grip, examining the injuries.
Celestia sighed. “Well at least it’s not as bad as I’d thought. Did you really have to do this?”
Chrysalis chuckled. “She was too angry for anything else to work. Lightning needed to let her anger out before she’d try and see me as anything other than the Queen that abandoned her and my people.”
Celestia shook her head and grinned. “Well as long as you’ve worked things out. Just try to be more diplomatic in the future.”
Chrysalis smirked. “I at least got the guards surrounding the gardens to leave for a while.”
Celestia rose a brow. “How’d you manage that?”
Chrysalis’s smirk widened. “I imitated you.”
Celestia giggled. “What am I going to do with you?”
“I can think of a few things.” Chrysalis said as she wiggled her eyebrows.
Celestia nudged Chrysalis with her shoulder. “You’re impossible.” Chrysalis just kept smirking.
===============================================
Lightning returned to Celestia’s room and found everyone going over ideas for Chrysalis’s reveal again.
Lightning cleared her throat. “That Summer Sun Celebration is coming up soon. Why not try introducing Chrysalis to everyone then?”
Twilight nodded. “That could work. What do you think Princess?”
Celestia nodded. “I’ll begin making arrangements.”
Lightning sat beside Quicksilver and pressed herself into her partner's side. Quicksilver nosed Lightnings cheek. “You good now?”
Lightning nodded. “I will be.”
Quicksliver hummed thoughtfully then quirked a brow. “Hey I just thought of something.” Lightning tilted her head as Quicksilver continued. “You think Scootaloo’s gotten into any trouble while we’ve been gone?”
When Lightning and Quicksilver were out of sight Scootaloo turned to Fluttershy. “Is it ok if I go hang out with my friends now?”
Fluttershy nodded. “Just make sure you’re back before dark.”
Scootaloo smiled and hopped on her scooter. “Thanks Fluttershy, see ya later!”
Speeding down the dirt road Scootaloo made her way towards Sweet Apple Acres, eager to share an idea she’d come up with the night before.
As she came to the outer orchards of the apple farm Scootaloo turned off the road and made her way through the lines of trees, headed for the little clearing that had the CMC clubhouse. After rounding one last line of trees, Scootaloo headed straight for the ramp at the base of the tree. Parking her scooter, Scootaloo trotted up the ramp and threw open the door.
“Stop what you’re doing cuz I’ve got an idea!”
Diamond Tiara rolled her eyes. “Oh boy, another fantastic idea by Scootaloo. Good thing my will’s up to date.”
Scootaloo ignored the comment and walked to the center of the room. “Today we’re going to have an adventure.”
Sweetie Belle tilted her head. “An adventure? What kind of adventure?”
Scootaloo grinned and struck a dynamic pose. ‘We’re gonna explore the Everfree forest!”
There was a beat of silence before Apple Bloom spoke. “Anybody else wanna tell ‘er what’s wrong with that sentence or should Ah do it?”
Silver Spoon held up a hoof and hopped eagerly. “Ooh let me do it. I wanna do it!”
Apple Bloom motioned for Spoon to go ahead and the grey filly stepped forward.
Clearing her throat Silver Spoon turned to Scootaloo. “Did you take one to many spills on that scooter of yours or do you really think that going into the Everfree forest, a forest filled with all kinds of pony eating beasts, is a good idea?”
Scootaloo sat and put her hooves together in a pleading gesture. “Just hear me out. I promise this is a good idea.”
The other fillies thought over giving Scootaloo a chance to explain what she was talking about and after thinking it over for a few moments each nodded and Silver Spoon turned to Scootaloo.
“Ok, we’ll bite. What’s this idea of yours.”
Scootaloo grinned and motioned for the others to follow her as she headed for the stairs leading up to the observatory at the top of the clubhouse. When everyone filed into the upper room Scootaloo went to the telescope and began positioning it while talking.
“The other day I was looking through the telescope up here and found this.”
Scootaloo continued to move the telescope until she spotted a what she’d been looking for. Scootaloo stepped back, “Have a look.”
Apple Bloom put her eye up to the telescope and saw an oddly shaped tree that rose above the surrounding forest. Arching a brow, she turned to Scootaloo.
“What am Ah lookin’ at here?”
Scootaloo rose a hoof and adjusted a knob on the telescope. “Look again.”
Apple Bloom took another look. At first she couldn’t see anything different but then she noticed that half of the tree’s trunk was actually stone. Apple Bloom stepped back and turned to Sweetie Belle, Diamond, and Silver Spoon. “Hey y’all, ya gotta see this.”
As each filly looked through the telescope Scootaloo started talking again. “I found that the other day when I was up here. I thought it was kinda interesting so I went to Zecora and asked her if she knew what that was. She told me that is was some old ruins and it’s pretty close to the edge of the Everfree. It’s only about as far in as Zecora’s hut so we should be able to get there and look around with no problem.”
Sweetie Belle turned to Scootaloo with a nervous look. “Are you sure it’s safe?”
Scootaloo waved a hoof dismissively. “Zecora said she goes there all the time to get a kind of moss and she’s never seen anything.” Scootaloo looked to her friends with a wide smile. “So are you guys in?”
Apple Bloom nodded. “Ah’m all for it. I go in the forest all the time to visit Zecora so this shouldn’t be all that different.”
Sweetie Belle sighed. “I’ll go but we need to be careful.”
Diamond snorted in annoyance. “Do we really have to go into that dark, dank forest just for some “adventure”?”
Scootaloo’s smirk widened. “We don’t have to go in there for adventure. We get to.”
Diamond rolled her eyes. “Whatever, I’m in.”
Silver Spoon put a hoof to her forehead and sighed. “Once more into the breach I guess. Why do I always follow you guys?”
Scootaloo went up to Silver Spoon and threw a foreleg around her withers. “Cuz we’re awesome. And the fact that no matter how much you complain, you love every minute of what we do.”
Silver Spoon chuckled. “Yeah, yeah. You’re all just a barrel of fun. Let’s just go to the deep dark forest already.”
Apple Bloom nodded and started down the stairs. “Right, let’s get our flanks in gear girls. Move out!” Galloping down the ramp, Apple Bloom was quickly followed by the others as they made for the Everfree forest.
Apple Bloom stood in front of the rest of her group looking over a list they’d made. She scanned down the paper before turning to the others as they all stood just outside the forest.
Apple Bloom arched a brow. “Flashlights?”
Scootaloo nodded. “Got them in the saddlebags.”
“Map?”
Sweetie Belle saluted with a smile. “Check.”
“Canteens?”
Diamond Tiara rolled her eyes and nodded. “Yes. Now can we stop with the Twilight routine and get this crazy train rolling?”
Apple Bloom chuckled. “Sure thing yer highness.” She turned to Scootaloo. “This is your show so lead the way.”
Scootaloo nodded with a smirk. “Ok, follow me.”
Scootaloo began trotting toward the path that led to Zecora’s hut. Scootaloo knew that they would have to follow the path almost all the way to where the zebra lived before they’d need to turn right, leaving the path. From there it would be up to them to navigate through the forest and find what they were looking for. Scootaloo hoped that Sweetie Belle was good at drawing their course once they strayed from the path or this little outing could get a bit complicated.
While the group walked there was the usual idle chatter about what was going on in town, at school, and things in general until Scootaloo saw the trail start bending left.
Scootaloo turned to her friends and nodded her head to the right. “We gotta go this way. Sweetie, start marking where we go on the map.”
Facing forward again Scootaloo grinned. “Ok girls, this is where the fun starts.” With that Scootaloo led the group off the path and through the untamed flora of the forest.
“Are we close yet?” Came Diamond’s whine from the back of the group.
Scootaloo rolled her eyes. “Just a bit further.”
Silver Spoon huffed. “You said that hours ago.”
Apple Bloom chuckled. “It’s only been half an hour. Sweetie Belle, what’s the map say?”
Sweetie looked over the map, measuring the distance they’d travelled with her hoof. . “We should be close. The place Scootaloo marked is only a hoof tip away now.”
Apple Bloom nodded and trotted up beside Scootaloo. “You see anything up here yet?”
Scootaloo nodded. “Yeah. Awhile back I started seeing that moss Zecora talked about growing on one or two of the trees. We should find those ruins in a minute.”
No sooner had Scootaloo said that then the group started to see collapsing stonework among the trees and shrubs of the forest. And before long the soil under their hooves gave way to the remains of a cobblestone road that led them into what looked like an old village. Collapsing buildings of all sizes surrounded them and in the middle of it all was the tower that a massive tree had grown around.
After glancing around for a while, Scootaloo turned to the others. “Ok I think we should split up so we can look around more.” She pointed at Apple Bloom. “AB, you take Sweetie and Diamond and go look at some of those buildings.” Scootaloo then turned to Silver Spoon. “Spoon, you’re with me. We’re gonna go check out that tower. We'll all look around for an hour or so then meet back here. Any questions?”
Diamond rose a hoof with an annoyed look on her face. “Yeah, I got a few. Who put you in charge and how come I gotta go with these two?”
Scootaloo rolled her eyes and smirked. “Because this was my idea and I put you with Apple Bloom cuz she can keep ya in line.”
Diamond huffed while Apple Bloom chuckled, tapping Diamond on the shoulder. “C’mon Diamond. Let’s go see what we can find out here. You too Sweetie Belle.”
As the three walked off Scootaloo turned to Silver Spoon. “I’m surprised you didn’t have anything to say.”
Silver Spoon chuckled. “I could think of worse places to be.” Spoon brought a hoof up to her chin and tapped it. “Although the Everfree forest does rank pretty high on bad places to be.” She shrugged. “Maybe I’m finally as crazy as you now.”
Scootaloo just shook her head and grinned. “Whatever you say Spoon. Now let’s check out that tower.” Silver Spoon nodded and the pair headed for the center of the ruins.
It took Scootaloo and Silver Spoon some time, what with the collapsed buildings and several spots of dense plant life, but they eventually reached the tower. Going through a collapsed section of wall to the towers interior Scootaloo brought out her flashlight and shook it to make sure the charge was full before turning it on. Sweeping the beam of light around Scootaloo saw a set of stairs on the far end of the room.
“Let’s head that way. Maybe there’s something cool further up.”
Silver Spoon nodded and the two walked toward the stairs. As they crossed the halfway point of the room a loud groaning sound made them stop in their tracks. When they heard a cracking sound come from underneath them Scootaloo shined her light at their hooves. Seeing a large crack beginning to form in the floor they froze.
Scootaloo turned to Silver Spoon worriedly. “Ok let’s try to slowly inch over to the...”
Before she could finish another cracking sound echoed through the room and the ground sunk a few inches as another load groan came from the floor.
Turning to each other, Silver Spoon gave Scootaloo a deadpan look. “I blame you for this.”
And just as the grey filly finished her sentence the ground gave way and the two began tumbling through the air as they fell.
The initial fall caught Scootaloo off guard and she began flailing in the open air before she remembered she could fly. Just as she opened her wings and started to ascend she saw Silver Spoon fall past her and Scootaloo was suddenly struck by a very obvious, and in this case very dangerous, fact. Silver Spoon couldn’t fly.
Quickly aiming herself downwards Scootaloo shot after the plummeting Silver Spoon. Scootaloo stretched her forelegs out as far as she could and shouted to her friend.
“Spoon, reach for me!”
Hey eyes wide with fear, Silver Spoon reached out as far as she could to Scootaloo. As the seconds ticked by Scootaloo grit her teeth as she pushed her wings to flap harder, trying to close the last few inches to Silver Spoon. With a few more strong flaps Scootaloo was able to grab Spoon’s outstretched hoof and pulled the filly close. It looked like the pair was home free until Scootaloo tried to fly upwards. Her wings seized and pain shot through her flight muscles. Her wings began to slow and the two fillies began dropping again.
Chancing a look down, Scootaloo could barely make out the shadowed parts of the ground below rushing up to meet them. Straining her wings Scootaloo slowed their decent as much as she could before going into a spiraling glide. The speed of the fall reduced but as the ground got closer Scootaloo could tell that their landing would be rough. Just before they met the ground Scootaloo flipped herself over and curled around Silver Spoon.
After the first impact with the ground Scootaloo’s grip loosened a bit causing herself and Silver Spoon to roll in different directions as they landed.
At first the two laid still where they’d stopped rolling and tried to catch their breath. After a few moments Scootaloo shakily got to her hooves and walked over to Silver Spoon. Wincing at the pain that went through her wings.
Scootaloo nudged Silver Spoon when she reached the gray filly. “Hey. You ok?”
Silver Spoon groaned and got up but when she put weight on her right leg she yelped in pain and held the limb to her chest. “Ow. I hurt my leg but I think everything else is fine. You?”
Scootaloo sighed. “My wings don’t feel right. They’re not broken but they really hurt. I think I must’ve pulled something.”
Silver Spoon nodded then turned her head in every direction. “What is this place?”
Scootaloo shrugged. “I guess this place was built over a cave or something.”
Silver Spoon suddenly went rigid. “Wait. If we’re stuck in a cave and you can’t fly us out does that mean...”
Scootaloo put a hoof on Silver Spoon’’s shoulder. “Hey don’t worry.” She pointed her other hoof further into the cavern. “It looks like this place goes further in. If we follow it there’s bound to be a way out.”
Silver Spoon looked to Scootaloo with wide, worried eyes. “You sure?”
Scootaloo grinned. “Trust me.”
Silver Spoon stared into Scootaloo’s eyes and the confidence she saw in the pegasus calmed her worries slightly. She nodded. “Ok.”
Scootaloo turned her head and rummaged through the saddlebag that had fallen off of Silver Spoon. After a few seconds her head came up with a flashlight in her mouth. She flicked the switch and was rewarded with a bright beam of light.
Scootaloo's grin widened. “Well thank Celestia for small miracles.” Strapping the light onto a loop on her Saddlebag Scootaloo offered a hoof to Silver Spoon. “Come on. Let’s find a way out of here.”
Helping up and steadying Silver on her hooves Scootaloo turned and started to make her way into the cavern. Silver Spoon staying right beside her.
Silver Spoon kept turning her head at every sound she heard around her and Scootaloo as they walked through the cave they’d fallen into. The sole light being from the flashlight Scootaloo had gave them enough light to see by but the darkness around them still made her nervous. Silver Spoon could swear that she could see something skitter by just outside the edge of the light every so often.
Silver Spoon turned to Scootaloo with a worried frown. “Do you have any idea where we’re going?”
Scootaloo glanced at Silver and grinned. “Sure I do.” Scootaloo twitched her wings. “I might not be able to fly right now but I can still use these to find air currents.”
Spoon shot Scootaloo a surprised look. “Really?”
Nodding, Scootaloo explained. “Yeah. Mom taught me how.”
Silver Spoon arched a brow. “But I thought she had bug wings.”
Scootaloo chuckled and shook her head. “Well yeah, when she’s not transformed. She gave me flying lessons when she was a pegasus. Anyway, I feel air from this way so sooner or later we should find an exit.”
Silver Spoon nodded and fell silent, continuing to follow close beside Scootaloo. However, once she didn’t have conversation to distract her Silver started to focus on the sounds she heard just outside the light Scootaloo provided. Needing to take her mind off of what, if anything, was stalking them in the darkness Silver turned back to Scootaloo.
“So, what’s it like having changelings for parents?”
Scootaloo’s brows shot up as she turned her head to Silver Spoon. “Why the sudden interest?”
Silver Spoon shrugged. “Just curious.”
Scootaloo turned from Silver Spoon and a thoughtful look settled on her face. “Well I’ve never really thought about it.” She focused on Silver Spoon again. "I mean, I don’t have anything to compare them to so it’s just normal for me.”
Spoon’s ears lowered. “So when you said you were in an orphanage. It was for your whole life?”
Scootaloo sighed. “Yeah. As far back as I can remember. I was told they just found me on the doorstep.” Scootaloo’s ears fell and her head lowered as she stopped walking. “There wasn’t even a note.”
Seeing how the conversation had affected her friend Silver Spoon sat beside Scootaloo and used her good leg to embrace the pegasus. “Sorry I brought it up.”
Scootaloo shook her head and smiled a little. “No problem. I guess it just gets to me sometimes.” Returning the hug, Scootaloo looked up at Silver Spoon and her smile widened. “At least I’ve got a friend that can cheer me up when I need it.”
Silvers face flushed pink and she looked away with a smile. “Yeah.” Silver turned back to Scootaloo with a smirk. “Can’t have you all mopey when we need to find a way out of here.”
Scootaloo chuckled and stood. “Whatever Spoon. Anyway we need to turn left here.”
Silver followed Scootaloo as she turned and headed for the cavern wall. When the two were a few feet away the light fell on a crack in the wall just big enough for them to get through.
Stepping to the side, Scootaloo motioned for Silver to go first. “I’ll help you in.”
Giving a nod, Silver Spoon walked up to the crack and stood on her hind legs. Scootaloo came up behind the Silver and steadied her as she squeezed through to the other side. Scootaloo then got herself through the crack and panned the room with her light.
Seeing various tunnels Scootaloo arched a brow. “That’s weird.”
Spoon came up beside Scootaloo and tilted her head. “What’s up?”
Scootaloo’s wings twitched and her brow furrowed in confusion. “Well first off, I can feel air coming from all the tunnels.”
Silver Spoon smiled. “Well that’s good news right? It means we’re almost out of here.”
Scootaloo shook her head and narrowed her eyes. “Not really. I think air’s coming from all these tunnels because someone lives here. Or something. And whatever it is dug air passages.”
Silver Spoon paled and gulped. “What? How do you know?”
Scootaloo slowly started to move towards one of the tunnels as she explained. “When I was kidnapped by the changelings, when they were still bad, they took me to their hive. These tunnels look like those ones did. The look like they were dug out by something.”
Silver Spoon moved closer to Scootaloo as a tremor entered her voice. “S-so we could b-b-be in the den of some m-m-monster or s-something?”
Scootaloo glanced at the scared filly and put on a confident smile. “Hey don’t worry. I just said these tunnels look like they were dug. There could be nothing in here. It just might take a bit longer to find our way out is all.”
Silver Spoon glanced hopefully to Scootaloo. “Really?”
Scootaloo’s Smile widened and she winked. “Yeah. What with the air ducts and all it might be hard to get out but we’ll find a way.” At least I hope we can. Pushing the thought aside for now Scootaloo began leading Silver through the tunnels. Hoping that what she’d said was true. That whatever had dug these tunnels was gone and something worse hadn't decided to move in.
Diamond Tiara tapped her hoof as she, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle waited for Scootaloo and Silver Spoon where they’d first split up. Growing more impatient, Diamond huffed and turned to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.
“Where are they? It’s been over an hour already.”
Sweetie Belle shrugged. “Maybe they found something interesting and they’re still checking it out?”
Diamond rolled her eyes and scoffed. “Yeah, as if there’s anything interesting around here.”
Apple Bloom giggled at Diamond’s attitude and turned to the pink filly. “Listen DT, how’s about we go to the tower and look for them if yer in such a hurry.”
Diamond Tiara nodded and started walking towards the tower. “First sensible thing I’ve heard all day.”
Rolling her eyes at Diamond, Apple Bloom followed after Diamond Tiara with Sweetie Belle not far behind.
As the three got closer to the tower Apple Bloom turned to Sweetie Belle. “Get yer light out Sweetie Belle. There ain’t no windows on that tower so I bet it’s gonna be dark.”
Getting the light, Sweetie Belle strapped it onto her saddlebag and turned it on as they entered the tower. Not seeing Scootaloo or Silver Spoon right away the three fillies walked further in until Apple Bloom shot ahead of the others to the edge of the light.
Turning her head back to her friends she gave them a worried look. “Ah think I know why Scoots an’ Silver Spoon didn’t come back yet.”
Curious about what Apple Bloom was seeing, Sweetie Belle and Diamond trotted up to either side of Apple Bloom and gasped at the gaping hole that was at their hooves.
Angling the light down Sweetie Belle tried to see into the hole but could barely make anything out. And what little light came in through the tower’s opening and various small cracks didn't help much.
Not seeing anything, Sweetie inhaled and yelled into the hole. “Scoots! Silver! Can you hear us!”
The three fillies turned their ears forward and waited several seconds. Hearing nothing Diamond Tiara began to frantically pace, her ears low and an anxious frown on her face.
“I knew it, I just knew coming in here was a bad idea. Why did I listen to that feather head? Why!?”
Apple Bloom went over to Diamond and laid a hoof on her shoulder. “Diamond, we can’t be worrying right now. We gotta..”
Diamond rounded on Apple Bloom, pushing her hoof away and scowling. “What do you mean we shouldn’t be worrying? This is the perfect time to worry! Our friends fell down what could be a bottomless pit!”
Apple Bloom took hold of Diamond’s shoulders and shook her slightly. Giving Diamond a stern stare Apple Bloom tried talking to her again.
“I know that they could have fallen in there. But right now we gotta try an’ get them some help if they need it. We gotta go back to Ponyville as fast as we can and get some help.”
Diamond’s lip quivered. “But they could be hurt. Or, or...”
Apple Bloom’s eyes softened. “I know. But if we wanna help them we need to go get help. We can’t do much on our own.”
Diamond nodded. “Ok, so what do we do?”
Apple Bloom let go of Diamond and began galloping out of the tower. As Diamond and Sweetie Belle followed, Apple Bloom gave out instructions. “When we get back to town I’ll head to the acres to get AJ, Big Mac and a few of the other farmers around us. Sweetie, you and Diamond go into town and get who you can. Now let’s hurry.” The three fillies galloped as fast as they could towards town, hoping that their friends weren’t hurt. Or worse.
Scootaloo led Silver through the tunnels, taking turns whenever she felt a stronger shift in the air with her wings. The strange thing was, it seemed that the air currents were leading them further down. Scootaloo considered turning back and taking paths that she’d seen leading up but something her parents told her once kept Scootaloo following the currents.
Scootaloo’s parents had told her that if she wasn’t sure of something, she should follow her instincts. And Scootaloo’s instincts were telling her to trust her wings.
Taking another turn, the two fillies nearly tripped when the floor suddenly slopped downwards. Standing at the top of the earthen ramp, Silver turned to Scootaloo with an arched brow.
“You sure we should go this way?”
Scootaloo narrowed her eyes and focused on feeling the air with her wings. After standing for several long seconds Scootaloo sighed.
“Yeah. The air flow is stronger from this way.”
Silver shook her head. “But we’ve been going down this whole time. Shouldn’t we be going up?”
Scootaloo shrugged. “I don’t know. I mean, that makes sense but with what I’m feeling from the air it’s coming from down here.”
Silver Spoon sat heavily and groaned. “This is ridiculous. Why’d this have to happen?”
Scootaloo sat next to the distressed filly and nudged Silver with her shoulder. “Hey, I know this isn’t what you wanted to happen but we can’t sit here and mope about it. we gotta keep going.”
Silver Spoon glanced at Scootaloo and her ears dropped. “But I’m scared. What if we get stuck down here? Or whatever dug these tunnels gets us?” Silver used her good foreleg to gently stroke her hurt one. “On top of that, my leg still hurts.”
Scootaloo’s head dropped and a frown settled on her face. And as the minutes slowly went by the two just sat there in silence until scootaloo lifter her head and turned to face Silver Spoon.
“I’m sorry.”
Silver turned to Scootaloo and quirked a brow at her. “What?”
Scootaloo sighed through her nose and looked away. “It’s my fault we’re down here. I just wanted to have some fun with my friends and I wind up getting us stuck down here.”
Silver Spoon turned to Scootaloo as the pegasus sat and stared at the ground, her ears drooped and a frown on her face. Silver Spoon slowly started to smile and a giggle escaped her.
“You feather head.”
Scootaloo turned to Silver and noticed the smile on her face. At Scootaloo’s confused look Silver Spoon giggled again. “Look, this isn’t my idea of a good time and I’m still pretty worried that we’re stuck here but..” Silver’s smile widened. “You’re trying to get us out of here.” Silver placed her good hoof on Scootaloo’s shoulder. “And you saved my life when we fell. So don’t apologize just use that feather head of yours and get us out of here.”
Scootaloo’s frown morphed into a grin and she nodded determinedly. “You got it silver.”
Turning back to the sloping tunnel Scootaloo led Silver down. As they continued Scootaloo noticed that crystals started to appearing on the walls. As she continued the frequency of the crystals grew until they lined the walls in large bunches. Stopping and looking at one of the crystals a thoughtful look settled onto her muzzle. Seeing Scootaloo examining the crystals she walked up beside the pegasus.
“What’s up?”
Glancing at Silver, Scootaloo tapped one of the crystals. “I’ve seen these before. Watch.” Saying that scootaloo flicked the switch on her flashlight and the tunnel was plunged into darkness. Seconds later a dull glow began to come from the crystals, slowly growing in intensity until the the tunnel was bathed in luminescent green light.
Silver Spoon glanced around before turning to Scootaloo who smirked as she pointed to the crystals. “These were in the changeling hive. But I wonder what they’re doing here?”
Just as Scootaloo finished her sentence a skittering sound came from further down the tunnel and a shadow passed over the the wall at the end where the tunnel turned to the right.
Making a shushing gesture Scootaloo crept forward with Silver right behind her. As they came to the corner and peaked around it the two saw what looked like a giant spider creature. It’s body was one large, furry, teardrop shaped mass about the size of a filly with the fatter end serving as it’s face. It had six large sickle shaped legs while two smaller ones were positioned near it’s mouth. Luckily the creature was occupied with munching on one of the crystals sticking out of the wall.
Not wanting to see what a creature who ate gems could do to a pony Scootaloo motioned for Silver to follow her and pointed to a tunnel halfway between them and the spider thing. Creeping forward as silently as they could the fillies edged towards the other tunnel.
Just as they were halfway to the tunnel Silver stumbled on a rock sticking out of the floor. Trying to catch herself she accidently used her injured leg to try and steady herself but as soon as she put weight on the leg a lance of pain shot up it causing Silver Spoon to yelp in pain.
Scootaloo, hearing the pained noise, looked to Silver who’d fallen on the floor clutching her injured leg. Whipping her head around to look back at the spider Scootaloo’s eyes shrank to pinpricks as she saw the creature looking directly at the fillies. It’s six red eyes staring at them as it’s mouth, which looked to have several rows of razor sharp teeth, seemed to curl into a smile as it let out a chittering sound and rushed towards the fillies.
Silver screamed in fright as the creature came closer and Scootaloo moved to stand protectively over Silver Spoon. Scootaloo braced herself as the creature leapt at them.
Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Diamond Tiara had gathered the ponies they could and had led them back to the ruined tower. As other ponies were out in the ruins, searching for Scootaloo and Silver Spoon, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie and Rarity were descending down the pit.
Applejack shook her head exasperatedly. “Ah swear, these fillies get inta more trouble than anypony Ah ever knew.”
Rainbow Dash chuckled as she carried her friend. “Aw, come on AJ. Don’t you remember all the trouble you and me got into when we first met?”
Applejack scoffed. “That was different Rainbow.”
Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Sure, keep telling yourself that.”
Fluttershy whimpered and shook her head. “Oh I hope that Scootaloo’s alright. I was supposed to take care of her and now she’s lost somewhere.” She stiffened slightly. “What’ll Lightning and Quicksilver say? Oh they’ll probably never forgive me!”
Rarity looked up from her place in Fluttershy’s forelegs and nudged her friends chin with her horn. “Now don’t you fret darling. I’m sure that neither Lightning or Quicksilver will hold anything against you.”
Fluttershy looked to Rarity as her brows rose. “Really?”
Rarity titered lightly. “Of course. Afterall, I’m sure they know how...trouble prone Scootaloo and the others are. They’ll be concerned that this happened of course but as long as Scootaloo is fine they’ll be happy.”
Pinkie giggled as she sat on her flying machine. “Of course they’ll be happy! Scootaloo found a secret underground cave. Plus old ruins! How cool is that?”
The others rolled their eyes but smiled at Pinkie.
Touching down, Rarity lit her horn and cast a blue glow around the cavern. As the four friends scanned the ground Rainbow called the others over.
“Hey guys, I got crash marks here. Looks like Scoots caught Silver cuz there’s two different roll marks.”
As the other three came over Rarity rose a brow at her prismatic friend. “Rainbow Dash, how could you figure that out from some marks on the ground?”
Rainbow scratched the back of her head and chuckled. “Well I may be kinda familiar with crash marks.”
Applejack smirked. “Cuz ya make so many of ‘em yerself?”
Shooting Applejack a glare, Rainbow continued. “Anyway, I think they went down this way.” Rainbow pointed further into the cavern. “Probably looking for another way up top.”
Rarity started walking further into the cavern, calling over her shoulder to the others. “Then what are we waiting for? We’ve got fillies to find.”
Pinkie hopped ahead. “Yeah, let’s go!”
Flowing after Rarity, the four made their way deeper into the cavern.
Scootaloo sat dumbfounded and turned to Silver Spoon. “What’s going on?’
Silver Spoon shrugged with an equally puzzled look on her face. “I guess it’s....nuzzling you?”
Scootaloo cast her eyes down to where the large spider creature was sitting in her lap. Rubbing itself against her chest and letting out what could best be described as a purr.
Lifting a hoof, Scootaloo placed it on the creatures back and started petting it like a dog. As she did the purring grew louder and Scootaloo shook her head while beginning to laugh.
Shaking her head, Scootaloo turned to Silver Spoon again. “Has today been weird or what?”
Silver shrugged as a smile formed on her muzzle. “You’d think we’d stop being surprised after a while with what goes on in Ponyville.” She gestured to the creature in Scootaloo’s lap. “But here we are.”
As the two shared a laugh footsteps came from down the tunnel. Turning to the tunnel they’d been heading for when they thought the spider was dangerous Scootaloo and Silver Spoon watched as a diamond dog came into view.
Scootaloo had heard about diamond dogs from Sweetie Belle, after the whole incident of Rarity being taken by them, but this one looked different then how they’d been described. While it was a bipedal dog it had a face more like Winnona did then a bulldog face. It also seemed to be wearing some type of duster coat. Turning to look at them the diamond dog raised a questioning brow.
“How in the world did you fillies get down here?”
Before either Scootaloo or Spoon could answer, The spider in Scootaloo’s lap hopped up and skittered over to the diamond dog. Climbing up it’s body and settling on it’s shoulder to nuzzle the dog’s face.
The diamond dog smiled as he petted the spider. “Oh there you are Jazzy. Did you find these two?”
Jazzy seemed to nod as it chittered happily. The diamond dog nodded and turned to Scootaloo and Silver Spoon. “So, what are you two doing down here?”
Scootaloo stood up and pointed behind her. “We fell down a hole that opened up in the ruins and found our way in here. We thought we could find a way back up.”
The diamond dog nodded. “Well that explains it. Anyway you were going in the right direction.” The dog extended a paw to them. “I’m Gene by the way.” He gestured to the spider. “And this is Jazzy.”
Scootaloo shook the offered paw with a grin. “Scootaloo, and this is Silver Spoon.”
Silver Spoon waved and stood. Gene noticed how the gray filly kept her left foreleg raised and went to kneel in front of her. “Can I take a look at that?”
Silver looked hesitant but extended her leg as Gene took it gently in his paws.
“Hmm, looks like a sprain, and a bad one at that.” Gene stood and turned, motioning for Scootaloo and Silver to follow him. “Come on, I’ll lead you back upstairs. Did you have any others with you?”
Silver Spoon nodded. “Our friends were in the ruins too.”
Gene nodded and turned to Jazzy, still perched on his shoulder. “Jazzy, can you get up there and try to get their friends attention? We’re headed for the opening at the south of the ruins.”
Jazzy gave a salute with one of her legs and skittered down the tunnel at an amazing speed.
Gene nodded to the tunnel Jazzy had gone down. “Let’s head up. I’m guessing you’d like to get home as soon as you can.”
Scootaloo and Silver Spoon hurried after Gene as he walked ahead, finally giving them a sure road upwards and back to their friends.
After thoroughly searching the cavern Rarity and the others had found the crack that led into the tunnels. Finding no other way the fillies could have gone the four squeezed through the crack and started looking through the tunnels. After wandering through the tunnels for a while the four friends heard a skittering sound coming from ahead of them. A few seconds later a large spider appeared and stopped in front of them.
The Spider looked at each of them before it began chittering and gesturing with one of it’s legs down the tunnel.
Fluttershy stepped forward and picked the spider up. “You’ve seen two fillies? And you can take us to them?”
After some more chittering Fluttershy put the spider down and turned to her friends with a smile. “She says that they’re down this way. Headed for the surface.”
Applejack shrugged. “I guess we’re following a spider then.”
Rainbow dash chuckled. “Man, our lives are interesting.”
Pinkie bounded forward as Jazzy started skittering away. “Hey, wait up spider thing.”
The others followed along as Jazzy led them through the tunnels. After a few minutes the group rounded a corner and came face to face with Gene who was flanked by Scootaloo and Silver Spoon.
As the two groups approached each other Gene rose a paw in greeting. “Hello. You must be friends of these two. I’m Gene.”
Scootaloo shot forward as she saw Rainbow and the others. “Hey you guys. I guess the others found out we were missing huh?”
Applejack steped forward and gave the filly a stern look. Making Scootaloo shrink down under the intensity of the farm ponies gaze. “Darn right they did. What were y’all thinkin’, comin’ to some old ruins? This place ain’t safe at all.”
Rainbow laid a hoof on Applejack’s shoulder. “Come on AJ, cut the kid a break.”
Applejack glanced at Rainbow before sighing. “Aw fine. I’ll let her parents give her the business when they get back.” She turned back to Scootaloo and smiled. “I’m just glad she’s ok.”
Rarity stepped forward and used her magic to examine Silver Spoon’s leg. Rarity gasped as she got a good look at the leg. “Oh you poor dear, this must feel simply horrid.”
Pinkie walked up beside Rarity and pulled a sling out of her mane. “Here ya go Rarity.”
Rarity blinked as she took the sling from Pinke. “Why do you....”
Rainbow shook her head. “Better not to ask Rarity.”
Applejack chuckled. “She’s right Rare. Best ta just take what she gives and not ask why.’
Nodding, Rarity pust Silver’s leg in the sling and turned to Gene. “Before I forget, we really should thank you for taking care of these two.”
Gene waved a paw in dismissal. “Don’t mention it. I know what it’s like to be lost. I just wanted to help.” Jazzy climbed up onto Gene’s shoulder and nuzzled him. Gene Smiled. “And you did a good job too Jazzy.”
Fluttershy giggled. “Is she yours?”
Gene nodded. “Yep, found her down here a few years ago. She started following me around and we just kinda clicked.”
Scootaloo nudged Rainbow’s leg to get her attention. “Not to sound pushy but can we get outta here? Me and Silver have been down here a while and we’d like to get out.”
Silver Spoon nodded. “We’d really like to get out.”
Gene nodded. “Ok then. Follow me.”
As the group followed Gene, Applejack came up beside him. “Hey partner, just wanted to thank ya again for helpin’ them two. And if ya ever feel like it you’d be welcome in Ponyville.”
Gene smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
The group continued on, chatting as they went. And before long they’d come back to the ruins. Leading them to the group of ponies searching outside Gene was taken aback as Scootaloo and Silver Spoon were tackled by three other fillies. As Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Diamond Tiara hugged the two Silver groaned.
“Yeah, I’m happy to see you guys too but my leg’s killing me so could you loosen up a bit?”
As the fillies backed off and they all began rattling off questions Apple Bloom cut through the conversation. "So Scootaloo, was this the kind of adventure you had in mind?”
Scootaloo chuckled and scratched the back of her neck. “Well, not really. But it all worked out.” She turned to Silver Spoon. “Right?”
Silver rolled her eyes. “Maybe, but next time I get to choose what we do.”
Scootaloo threw a leg around Silver’s shoulders and smiled. “Deal.”
The group of friends shared a laugh before splitting up and going with their respective parents and caretakers Scootaloo turned to Fluttershy.
“Sorry about getting everyone so worried.”
Fluttershy smiled at Scootaloo. “Well you’re ok so everything’s fine.” Fluttershy’s eyes became stern and her voice raised slightly. “But you really need to think things through more. I was so worried and so was everyone else.”
Scootaloo nodded sadly. “I know.”
Fluttershy smiled again and nudged Scootaloo. “As long as you learned your lesson.”
Scootaloo grinned. “Sure did. Next time we go exploring ruins I’m gonna make sure we bring rope!”
Fluttershy shook her head and giggled. “Oh boy.”
Scootaloo and Fluttershy laughed as they continued on their way to Fluttershy’s cottage.
Scootaloo lay belly down on Fluttershy’s couch as Fluttershy checked her wings. Since the incident at the ruins Scootaloo’s wings had been aching and when she flew the would begin to hurt just like when she’d caught Silver Spoon. Worried that she’d injured her flight muscles, Fluttershy had insisted on checking the filly’s wings.
Fluttershy pressed her hoof lightly into the exterior flight muscle of Scootaloo’s right wing. Noticing the wince this evoked from Scootaloo, Fluttershy sighed.
“I think you’ll have to go to the hospital Scootaloo. I’m not a doctor but it seems like your wings are really hurt.”
Scootaloo sat up and frowned. “Do I have to?”
Fluttershy smiled kindly. “Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll only have to hold off on flying for a few days but it’s always better to check with something like this.”
Scootaloo nodded. “Ok.”
Fluttershy turned and headed for the stairs. As she started up she called to Scootaloo. “I’ll just get my saddlebags and we’ll head over to Ponyville General.”
Doctor Stable looked at the MRI he’d taken of Scootaloo’s wings with a neutral look on his face. After examining the image for a few minutes Dr. Stable turned to Fluttershy and Scootaloo with a smile.
“Well it looks like you just put too much strain on your flying muscles Scootaloo. Just give your wings a few days rest and you should be fine.” He turned and gestured to the door where a nurse was waiting. “Nurse Coldheart will just take you to an examination room to get a blood sample and we’ll be done.”
Scootaloo rubbed her hooves together anxiously. “Blood sample?”
Dr. Stable chuckled. “Don’t worry, we’ll only take a little. We just want to make sure everything’s ok.”
Nurse Coldheart came into the room as Dr. Stable finished. “Scootaloo, could you follow me to the examination room please?”
As Fluttershy and Scootaloo went to leave, Dr. Stable spoke up again. “Fluttershy, could you stay a moment?”
Fluttershy nodded and turned to scootaloo. “I’ll catch up in a second.”
Turning back to the doctor, Fluttershy took her east again. Dr. Stable turned the monitor Scootaloo’s MRI was on to face Fluttershy.
“Ms. Fluttershy, do you know when Scootaloo started flying?”
Fluttershy arched a brow at the question but nodded. “Yes, she started earlier this year. Why?”
Dr. Stable sighed. “Well as I said this looks like just the muscles being overly strained but..” He pointed to the area between Scootaloo’s wings on the monitor. “I’m worried about how some of these areas look.”
Fluttershy gulped. “What does that mean for Scootaloo?”
Dr. Stable shrugged. “I’m not sure. I’m going to run some tests and then I’ll have a better idea of what, if anything, is going on.”
Fluttershy nodded. “Do you want me to contact her parents?”
Dr. Stable shook his head. “Not yet. If anything turns up from the tests I’ll let the family know.”
Fluttershy nodded and headed for the door. “Ok doctor. Thank you for telling me.”
Dr. Stable waved as Fluttershy left. And as Fluttershy walked toward the examination room to meet up with Scootaloo she hoped that the doctor was just being overly cautious and that nothing was wrong with Scootaloo.
After getting back to Fluttershy’s cottage, Scootaloo got her scooter and started down the road to Sweet Apple Acres. Her wings might not have been one hundred percent but just flapping them to propel her scooter down the old dirt road didn’t cause her the same discomfort as trying to fly.
Reaching the clubhouse, Scootaloo opened the door to find Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara talking as they played a game of cards.
Noticing Scootaloo, Applebloom lifted a hoof in greeting. “Hey Scootaloo. What’s up?”
Giving a shrug Scootaloo trotted over to the table and sat down. “Not much. My wings still hurt though. Deal me in.”
As Apple Bloom dealt out cards Scootaloo quirked a brow. “Where’s Silver Spoon and Sweetie Belle?”
Diamond Tiara turned to Scootaloo. “Sweetie’s hanging out with her sister. I guess Rarity got worried after the whole you getting lost in the ruins thing and wanted to spend some time with her. Silver’s at home today. Her leg’s still pretty bad.”
Scootaloo’s ears lowered as she heard this. “How bad?”
Diamond shook her head. “I’m not sure but bad enough to where she just wanted to stay home.”
Turning to look at her cards, a thoughtful frown settled on Scootaloo’s face. The frown remained firmly in place as the three friends went through several hands of cards, and became deeper as time went on.
After the tenth hand Scootaloo tossed her cards to the center of the table and stood up. “I’m out. There’s somewhere I need to go.”
Before either Diamond or Apple Bloom could question Scootaloo, the pegasus was out the door and buzzing down the road towards Ponyville.
When Scootaloo was out of sight Apple Bloom smirked and shook her head. “Well, don’t that beat all.”
Diamond turned to Apple Bloom with a questioning look on her face. “What?”
Apple Bloom dealt herself and Diamond cards as she answered. “Looks to me like Scoots an’ Silver are getting pretty close.”
Diamond Tiara picked up her cards and tilted her head. “What d’you mean?” She threw out a few cards. “Two.”
Dealing Diamond her cards Apple Bloom continued. “Well ever since we all decided to become friends those two’ve been gettin’ along better ‘n Ah’d thought they would.” Apple Bloom threw in some cards. “Dealer takes four.”
Getting her new cards, Apple Bloom went on. “And haven’t you noticed that they pick on each other a lot?”
Diamond shrugged. “Well yeah, I guess. But what’s that got to do with anything?”
Apple Bloom shrugged. “Maybe nothin’ but it just seems to me that they click pretty well.” She gestured between herself and Diamond “Kinda like me ‘n you.”
Diamond Tiara looked up in thought. “Ok, I guess I can see that but what’re you getting at?”
Apple Bloom giggled lightly. “Sweetie Belle teased ‘em about it before but Ah’m startin’ to think she was right.” A smirk settled on Apple blooms face as she laid her cards down. “They like each other. Royal flush.”
Diamond sighed and tossed her cards to the table. “Beats my baby straight. Anyway, you really think they like each other?”
Apple Bloom shrugged as she shuffled the cards. “Maybe. She did just run out after we told her about Silver. We’ll just have to wait an’ see.” She dealt the cards. “Ok, aces high, jacks wild.. You sure ya don’t wanna play go fish?”
Diamond huffed haughtily. “No way, I’ll beat you at this game sooner or later.”
Apple Bloom chuckled. “Not if you don’t watch yer tells. Dealer takes two.”
Scootaloo buzzed through the highclass part of Ponyville looking for a Silver Spoon’s house. After going down several streets Scootaloo stopped outside a large brick mansion. She’d only been to Silver Spoon’s house once before to pick her up but Scootaloo was pretty sure that this was the house.
Parking her scooter inside the home’s fence, Scootaloo walked down the walkway to the mansion’s door. Reaching up, Scootaloo knocked on the door and waited. After a few seconds the door was opened by Silver Spoon’s father.
Scootaloo smiled. “Hello Mr. Sterling. Is it alright if I see Silver Spoon?”
Sterling Silver nodded with a small smile. “Of course. I’m sure Silver Spoon would like some company. She’s up in her room.”
Scootaloo nodded and followed Sterling through the house and to a door with Silver Spoon’s cutie mark etched on it.
After Sterling walked away Scootaloo knocked on Silver’s door before going inside.
“Hey Silver, I wanted to see how you were doing.”
Silver Spoon smiled and put down the book she’d been reading. “Hi Scootaloo. How’re your wings?”
Scootaloo looked back at her wings and flexed them. “I can’t fly still but I can at least use them to get around on my scooter.” Scootaloo turned back to Silver Spoon. “But I should be asking you how your leg is.”
Silver Spoon looked down at her leg still held in a sling. “It hurts when I try to walk on it and a bit when I move it. The doctor said I just need to stay off it for a week or two and it should be fine.”
When Silver Spoon looked back at Scootaloo, she noticed that the pegasus’s ears had lowered.
“Sorry again for...” Scootaloo rolled a hoof in the air. “Well everything yesterday.”
Silver Spoon shook her head and giggled, moving to sit in front of Scootaloo. “I already told you it’s fine. If it wasn’t for you I’d have had worse then a bum leg.” Silver Spoon reached out with her good hoof and put it on Scootaloo’s shoulder. “I’m lucky to have such a great friend.”
Scootaloo blushed and scratched the back of her head. “Well I couldn’t let ya just fall.” Scootaloo smiled at Silver Spoon. “You’re a really good friend too.”
Silver Spoon returned the smile. “Thanks. Anyway, what d’you feel like doing now that you’re here?”
Scootaloo shrugged. “Got any board games?”
Nodding, Silver Spoon pointed to her closet. “On the second shelf in there.”
Scootaloo dug through the closet for a bit and came back with a box of battle skies. “You any good at this?”
Silver Spoon smirked. “Good enough to beat you.”
Scootaloo rolled her eyes and set up the game. “We’ll see.”
As late afternoon rolled around Silver Spoon and Scootaloo had played various games, chatted about whatever came to mind and Silver Spoon had even convinced Scootaloo to have her mane braided. Said braid was then promptly undone after much ribbing from Silver Spoon.
Looking at the clock on Spoon’s dresser, Scootaloo stood and stretched her legs. “I should probably head back to Fluttershy’s house now.”
Silver Spoon nodded and moved toward her door. “Ok, I’ll walk you out.”
Scootaloo quirked a brow. “You sure you can get down the stairs?”
Silver Spoon rolled her eyes and smirked. “I’m not that fragile. Now come on feather head.”
Chuckling at her friends attitude, Scootaloo followed Silver to the house’s main entrance.
As Scootaloo headed out the door Silver called out to her. “Thanks for keeping me company today. You really didn’t have to.”
Scootaloo smiled at Spoon and hopped on her scooter. “No prob, I had fun.”
Silver Spoon returned the smile. “Me too. Later.”
Nodding, Scootaloo sped away on her scooter and made her way through Ponyville. And as she sped towards Fluttershy’s cottage a wide smile settled on her face. She’d been able to make Silver Spoon happy. It’d been a good day.
Twilight let out a relieved sigh as she walked through Ponyville. “Wow, I knew setting up the summer sun celebration took work but Celestia does that every year?”
Quicksilver chuckled. “I thought you liked paperwork. You do enough of it when you’re researching something.”
Twilight rolled her eyes. “That paperwork is fun. What we did the last few days was a red tape nightmare. I mean, we needed three different forms and a permit to increase the stage size by five feet.” Twilight threw her hooves in the air exasperatedly. “Five feet! The stage has extensions for up to twenty additional feet and if we wanted that much space we could have just done it. What sense does that make?”
Lightning smirked. “And that’s why I’m glad I was a siege drone. My whole job consisted of me smashing into things.” Lightning laughed lightly. “Even my new job has me smashing clouds.”
Lightning turned to Twilight with a smirk. “Nothing like having a consistent partner huh?”
Twilight chuckled. “I suppose. All joking aside, I’m really glad to be home.” Twilight turned down her street and looked over at Lightning and quicksilver. “I’m this way, later you two.”
The two changelings waved as Twilight headed towards her home then continued through Ponyville. As they came closer to the edge of town, and the road leading to Fluttershy’s cottage, Quicksilver turned to Lightning and quirked a brow.
“You think Scootaloo’s been ok? We’ve been gone almost a week.”
Lightning smiled. “Don’t worry. It’s not like she was in any danger around here.”
Quicksilver nodded. “Yeah I guess you’re right.”
Turning onto the small path that led to Fluttershy’s, Quicksilver started looking around for Scootaloo. Coming a few feet from the cottage Quicksilver quirked a brow.
“Where is she?”
Lightning opened her mouth to answer when she and Quicksilver were tackled to the ground. Looking at what had hit them, Lightning smiled as she saw a messy purple mane.
Lightning turned to look at Quicksilver with a smirk. “Found her.”
Scootaloo used a foreleg to hug each of her parents around the neck and smiled widely.
“Hey guys! What took you so long? What’d the princess want?”
Before either of them could answer, Fluttershy came running around the corner of her house. “Scootaloo, why’d you run off?” Seeing the two changelings pinned by Scootaloo, Fluttershy giggled. “Oh hello Lightning, Quicksilver. I guess Scootaloo saw you coming.”
Lightning’s horn lit and lifted Scootaloo. Placing the filly on her back Lightning turned to Fluttershy. “Saw us? But she came out of nowhere.”
Scootaloo stood up on Lightning’s back and pointed above Fluttershy’s house. “I was practicing on those clouds to see if my wings were better.”
Quicksilver threw Scootaloo a questioning look. “Better? What d’you mean better?”
Scootaloo fidgeted slightly. “Well, ya see, um.....”
Lightning’s horn lit again and Scootaloo floated in front of Lightning. Squinting sternly, Lightning’s voice became firm. “Scootaloo. What have you been up to?”
Scootaloo laughed nervously and rubbed her hooves together. Before Lightning or Quicksilver could ask again Fluttershy cleared her throat.
“Why don’t we let Scootaloo get her things and I’ll tell you what happened.”
Lightning hmm’ed before she set Scootaloo on the ground. As the filly scampered away she shot Fluttershy a grateful look before heading into the house. When Scootaloo was out of sight Fluttershy nodded to the table at the right of her house.
After they’d sat, Quicksilver quirked a brow. “So what’s our little angel been up to?”
Fluttershy sighed. “First, can you promise not to be too upset with her? What happened really wasn’t her fault.”
Lightning leaned forward. “We wouldn’t be mad either way. Worried maybe, but not mad. Now, what happened?”
Nodding, Fluttershy went into what had happened a few days ago, telling the two everything that’d gone on. But when she got to mentioning the hospital, Fluttershy hesitated.
Lightning tilted her head, a worried frown on her face. “You took her to get her wings checked out? Was everything alright?”
Fluttershy looked away anxiously. “Well, no. I mean yes. I mean....maybe?”
Quicksilver put a hood on Fluttershy’s shoulder. “Hey, calm down. Just tell us what’s up.”
Fluttershy nodded and took a calming breath before she continued. “The doctor said her wings seemed like they were just over strained but that he was worried about how they looked. I gave the hospital your address so they could contact you if they found out anything.”
Lightning tilted her head in confusion. “But she was flying before we got here. That means she’s fine... Right?”
Fluttershy shook her head slowly. “I don’t know. She looks ok and her flying’s perfect as far as I can see, but it’s best to check with the doctor.”
Quicksilver nodded. “Thanks for telling us, and for looking out for Scootaloo.”
Fluttershy smiled. “No problem. She was very well behaved.”
Scootaloo came out the door with her saddlebag, drawing the attention of her parents. When Scootaloo met their eyes she pawed the ground nervously. “So.....Fluttershy told you?’
Lightning nodded and trotted over to the filly. “She did, and we’re going to have a talk when we get home. But I want you to know we’re not mad.”
Scootaloo tilted her head. “Really?”
Quicksilver chuckled. “Yep. But you will have a bit of a chewing out coming your way.”
Lightning smirked. “That’s for sure.”
Scootaloo groaned but smiled. “But I learned my lesson.”
Lightning rolled her eyes. “Maybe, but we wouldn’t be good parents if we let you off the hook without a bit of lecturing.”
Lightning turned to Fluttershy. “Thanks again for watching her. Bye.”
Scootaloo and Quicksilver gave their own goodbyes as Fluttershy waved them off while the family made their way home.
Lightning tilted her head as she listened to Scootaloo. “Wait. So you got help from a friendly diamond dog and his pet spider?”
Scootaloo nodded. “Pretty much.”
Quicksilver shook her head and laughed. “I’ve said it before, but the weirdest things happen around here.”
Scootaloo laughed with her. “You can say that again.”
Lightning gave a light chuckle and stood from her seat. “Well that was interesting. Anyway I’ve got something to check out. Silver, you can make dinner right?”
Quicksilver nodded. “Sure. Later.”
Scootaloo waved as Lightning headed out the door. “Bye mom.”
Waving a hoof as she left, Lightning stepped out of her house and headed in the direction of Ponyville general hospital.
As lightning walked through town she began to finally think about what could be wrong with Scootaloo. Fluttershy had only said that something might be wrong with her wings and with only that bit of information to go on, Lightning’s imagination was offering up more than it’s fair share of possibilities.
Scootaloo’s wings could be stunted and it could mean that the filly wouldn’t be able to fly as well as others. Or her wings could be unable to handle the strain of flight and could make her grounded for long lengths of time between flights. Lightning almost stopped in her tracks as one very disturbing thought came to mind: What if, in time, Scootaloo would be unable to fly at all?
Lightning shuddered at the thought. She remembered when she’d taught Scootaloo to fly, remembered the joy the filly gave off as she zipped through the sky. If that was taken away, how would it affect Scootaloo?
Lightning shook her head to try and derail that line of thinking. I can’t jump to conclusions. I just need to ask the doctor what’s going on and hope it’s not serious.
Sighing, Lightning continued towards the hospital, hoping that nothing was wrong. I really can’t catch a break can I?
Lightning sat in the hospital’s waiting room, leafing through a magazine to pass the time until she was called in. After several more minutes a nurse approached her.
“Ms. Lightning, Doctor Stable will see you in his office. Follow me please.”
Tossing the magazine on the table with the others, Lightning followed the nurse.
After coming to the door of Doctor Stable’s office, Lightning knocked. Hearing a muffled “Come in.” from behind the door, Lightning walked in and sat at one of the chairs in front of the doctor’s desk.
Doctor Stable turned from a file he was reading and adjusted his glasses. “Good day Ms. Lightning. I’ll assume you’re here about your daughter?”
Lightning nodded. “Have you found anything out about what might be wrong with Scootaloo?”
The doctor steepled his hooves and sighed. “Yes and no. I’ve got an idea, but with what could be wrong it’s hard to tell.”
Lightning tilted her head. “What do you mean?”
Pulling out another file, Doctor Stable opened it and put an MRI photo in front of Lightning. “You see the exterior and interior muscles of Scootaloo’s wings here?” He pointed to a few circled parts of the photo. “The damage shown by these dark areas looked like simple muscle strain at first, but after running some tests, I think Scootaloo may have Spontaneous Wing Atrophy.”
Lightning held up a hoof in question. “But don’t muscles atrophy from disuse? Scootaloo might not have been flying for as long as other pegasus foals but she’d been using her wings on her scooter. From what I can see her muscles were fine. I didn’t even have to train up her wing power, only teach her the correct wing positions and movement for flying.”
The doctor nodded. “That may be but this illness is a bit tricky. You see, it’s a genetically transferred illness. It’s passed from mother to foal and only affects females. Add to that the various mutations of the illness makes it both unpredictable and hard to diagnose.”
Lightning’s ears lowered. “So even if her wings are healthy this could cause them to....”
Doctor Stable held up his hooves in a calming gesture. “Now don’t go thinking the worst just yet. It’s true that this can cause damage to Scootaloo’s wings and may permanently ground her, but I can’t say anything for sure yet.”
Lightning’s eyes narrowed. “Why not? Didn’t you say you ran tests?”
Stable sighed and massaged his temple with a hoof. “Like I said, this illness is tricky because of the various mutations it can take on. For example, one mutation of the illness can simply do a bit of damage and then goes dormant for the rest of a pony’s life. Another could continue to get worse until the pegasus’s wings are useless. And then there are the mutations that affect how quickly either one of those situations happen and if it will happen at all.”
Stable focused on Lightning again. “The only way I can know for sure is to examine her birth mother and find out what type she had. This way I can narrow down the strain and prescribe treatment if any is needed.”
Lightning’s head dropped. “But I’ve got no idea where her birth mother is.”
Doctor Stable nodded sadly. “I’m aware of that. Sadly, it’s the only way to narrow down what strain I’m dealing with. We get so few cases of it that there’s no way to catalog all the possible strains until we actually encounter them. My only advice for now is to keep an eye on Scootaloo and see if her wings get any worse.”
Lightning grit her teeth glared at the doctor. “So I just sit back and do nothing while my daughter could be losing her wings? Do you have any idea how much flying means to her?”
Stable recoiled slightly. “I’m sorry but that’s the best I can offer. We simply don’t have the technology right now to discern what strain of the illness this is.”
Lightning sighed. “Ok, I understand. Sorry about snapping at you.”
Doctor Stable smiled slightly. “It’s quite alright. Believe me, I hate giving bad news just as much as patients hate hearing it.”
Lightning stood and turned to leave. “Thank you for telling me about this.”
Stable nodded. “You’re welcome. Like I said, just keep an eye on your daughter for now. I’ll keep trying to find out what strain we’re dealing with but it’ll be slow going without the birth mother’s information.”
Lightning nodded and exited the doctor’s office and headed out of the hospital. Once outside she sighed heavily and decided to go for a short flight to clear her head. Flapping her translucent wings she lifted off and began making a lazy circuit of the town.
Lightning finally went home after flying for the better part of an hour and didn’t feel much better than when she’d started. Opening her home’s door she walked in to see Quicksilver sitting on the couch in the living room.
Lightning walked over and sat next to Quicksilver, leaning into her partner and putting a foreleg around her waist.
Quicksilver embraced Lightning and looked at her concerned. “What’s wrong?”
Lightning sighed and nuzzled into the crook of Quicksilver’s neck. “I got some bad news from the doctor.”
Quicksilver’s brows shot up in surprise. “About Scootaloo? What’s wrong, is she sick?”
Lightning squeezed Quicksilver and spoke in a whisper. “She might lose her ability to fly.”
Quicksilver gasped. “What? How?”
Lightning buried herself further into Quicksilver’s neck. “She’s got some kind of illness that affects pegasi. And the only way to get answers about it quick enough is to find her birth mother.”
Quicksilver sighed. “And we’ve got no idea where she could be do we?”
Lightning shook her head. “None.” She lifted her head and stared up at Quicksilver. “What do we tell Scootaloo.”
“I don’t know Lightning. I mean how do you tell a kid who loves flying that she might lose her wings?”
Neither of them spoke for several long minutes, choosing to simply hold each other and try and think of a way to solve this. Eventually Quicksilver yawned and shook her head.
“Well, we won’t think of anything if we’re tired. Let’s go to bed.”
Lightning nodded and let go of Quicksilver. “You go ahead. I’ll be up in a bit. Where’s Scootaloo?”
Quicksilver motioned to the stairs before heading that way. “She’s in bed. She’s got a quiz tomorrow and wanted to get some sleep.”
Lightning nodded and leaned back against the couch, resting her head on the back of it. Quicksilver walked over to Lightning and kissed her cheek. “Don’t stay up all night worrying. You need sleep if you wanna help Scoots.”
Lightning gurnted and closed her eyes. “I know. I just wanna sit here for a bit.”
Quicksilver nodded and headed up the stairs to their bedroom. Lightning sat silently, processing everything doctor Stable had told her and trying to think of a way to help Scootaloo. After a few minutes Lightning got up and walked up the stairs. As she passed Scootaloo’s room she paused and turned to the filly’s door. Finding it open a crack, Lightning quietly slipped in and smiled a what she saw.
Scootaloo was sprawled out on her bed with the covers kicked off to the side of her. Lightning gently repositioned Scootaloo and pulled the covers up to the filly’s middle. Scootaloo turned in her sleep and snuggled into her pillow, mumbling incoherently.
Lightning smiled and stroked Scootaloo’s mane. After watching Scootaloo sleep for a few seconds Lightning turned to leave. As she closed Scootaloo’s door she made a silent promise to herself and the sleeping filly.
I’ll find a way to help you Scoots. Even if I have to go to the ends of Equestria to do it.
Lightning pushed the last of the storm clouds into place for her section of sky and hovered back to take a look at her work. Seeing that all her clouds were connected and ready for the main storm engine, she turned and headed for the weather office. Opening the door to the weather office, Lightning went to the storm room and poked her head inside.
“I got my section done Rainbow. Mind if I clock out early?”
Rainbow Dash turned from a weather chart after marking off a section. She nodded. “Sure thing. All that’s left is to hook up the main storm engine and I can do that myself.”
Lightning smiled and waved to Rainbow. “K, later Boss.”
Bolting out of the office, Lightning leapt into the air and flew through town. Dodging ponies and various street vendors, she eventually slowed down and stopped in front of town hall. Making sure she looked presentable, Lightning walked into the lobby and up to the receptionist’s desk.
The pony behind the desk looked up from her typewriter and smiled politely. “Hello. How may I help you today?”
Lightning returned the smile. “I’d like to get the mayor’s permission to go through the towns residency records for twelve years ago.”
The receptionist quirked a brow and pressed the intercom button at her desk. “Madam mayor, I have a citizen who’d like to view some town records. Should I send her in?”
The intercom buzzed. “Send her to my office.”
The receptionist turned to Lightning and pointed down a hallway. “Go to the end and turn left. The mayor’s office is the fourth door down.”
Thanking the receptionist, Lightning made her way to the mayor’s office. Once there, she knocked and waited. After a few seconds of silence she was about to knock again when the door opened to reveal the mayor.
Mayor Mare smiled and stepped aside. “Please come in.”
Lightning entered the mayor’s office and sat at a seat in front of her desk. Mayor Mare took her own seat and went back to filling out paperwork as she spoke.
“It’s not often that I get someone coming here who wants to look over some old files. May I ask what you want with them?”
Lightning nodded. “I wanted to check over the residency list of twelve years ago. I’m looking for a mare that might have lived here around that time.”
The mayor looked up from her work. “Why’re you looking for this mare?”
“I’m hoping she can help me help my daughter.”
The mayor quirked a brow. “Your daughter?”
Lightning nodded. “Yes. Scootaloo.”
Mayor Mare’s mouth made an o as she realized who she was talking to. “Oh, you must be Lightning. Well that seems like a good cause but why would you need to find some random mare to help your daughter?”
Lightning shook her head. “She’s not random. I’m hoping to find Scootaloo’s birth mother. You see, Scootaloo recently went to the doctor and he said that she has an illness that is hard to diagnose because there’s so many types of it. But if we can get Scootaloo’s mother’s information it could help figure out what type she has.”
Mayor Mare nodded and began filling out a form. “I see. Well then I’ll approve your request and give you a pass to go into the town’s records. I hope you find what you need.” She gave the form to Lightning. “Give that to the receptionist and she’ll take you to the records.”
Lightning smiled and took the pass. “Thank you very much Mayor Mare.”
The mayor smiled and waved lightning off as the changeling left.
Lightning narrowed her eyes at the papers in front of her. She’d sifted through the records for hours and had finally narrowed the possible choices down to three ponies. Two unicorns and a pegasus.
The first unicorn was called Velvet Dream. She was a mauve color with a navy blue mane and teal eyes. Her cutie mark was a typewriter and her job listed her as a journalist. Lightning put a hoof to her chin and studied the other information on the page: Age, time she lived in Ponyville, and a forwarding address. Manehattan.
Lightning shook her head and mumbled to herself. “She’s the right age but she wasn’t here very long. She only lived here a year.”
She pushed the paper aside and looked at the information of the other unicorn. Her name was Suncrisp. She had a honey colored coat and a mane that was stripped cream and gold. Her eyes were the same color as her coat and her cutie mark was, conveniently, a suncrisp apple. She was listed as being a farmer on Sweet Apple Acres but the paper also said she had left Ponyville.
Lightning arched a brow as she read further and discovered no forwarding address. “No forwarding address? Could she still be here?” Lightning shrugged. “I’ll ask Applejack if she knows Suncrisp.”
Turning to her last lead, Lightning scanned the information about the pegasus. Her name was Mayfly. She had a coat that was blood red and a mane that was sandy blond. Her cutie mark was a pair of wings on a shield and she was listed as being a royal guard. Her re-assigned station was in Fort Trotterdale.
Lightning was fairly sure this mare was Scootaloo’s mother but she’d heard of non pegasi having pegasus foals so she’d have to check all of them just to be safe. Sighing at the prospect of all the legwork she still had to do, Lightning took the papers and exited the records room. Walking up to the receptionist’s desk, Lightning placed the papers down.
“Could I have copies of these made and sent to my house?”
The receptionist nodded. “Of course. Your address?”
Lightning gave the mare her information and turned to leave. “Thanks for the help um...” Lightning paused before letting out an embarrassed chuckle. “I never asked your name.”
The receptionist giggled. “No sweat. It’s Script.”
Lightning sighed as she landed on the porch of the Apple family house. She shook herself to get rid of the water that soaked her as she’d flown to Sweet Apple Acres.
Lightning blew a stand of mane out of her face. “Can’t believe I forgot about the storm. At least I won’t have to look around the orchard for Applejack though.”
Lighting knocked on the door and was surprised when it was opened almost instantly. Applejack stood there wiping her hooves on an apron. “Lightnin’? What in tarnation are you doin’ out here in this weather?”
Lightning chuckled. “Believe me, I’d rather be home where it’s warm and dry but I needed to talk to you about something.”
Applejack nodded and stepped aside. “Well come on in outta that rain. Ah’’ll get ya some warm cider and we can jaw in the livin’ room.”
Lightning stepped in and followed Applejack into the living room where Big Mac sat with a book in his hooves. As the two came in he looked up from his book and gave Applejack a questioning look.
Applejack gestured to a room of to the side. “Hey Big Mac, can you get the rest of lunch goin’ while Ah talk with Lightnin’?”
Big Mac sat his book on an end table and headed toward the kitchen, giving one of his signature monosyllabic answers as he went.
Applejack followed after him and looked over her shoulder. “Take a seat an’ Ah’ll be back in a second.”
Lightning moved to a small table at one end of the room with three chairs around it. Settling into one of the chairs, she stared out a nearby window and watched the rain as she waited for Applejack.
A few minutes later, Applejack came back into the room balancing a tray with two glasses on it. Sliding the tray off her back and onto the table, Applejack sat with a sigh. “Sorry ‘bout the wait.”
Lightning took one of the glasses and smiled. “No problem.” Taking a sip of the warm drink, Lightning hummed appreciatively. “Oh I needed that.”
Applejack chuckled and took her own glass. “Thought you’d like that. Now what’s this you wanted to talk about?”
Lightning took another gulp of cider before talking. She explained the situation with Scootaloo and that she was trying to find the filly’s mother. Applejack nodded along as Lightning talked. “Anyway, I found this one mare who lived in Ponyville at the time Scootaloo would have been dropped off at the orphanage and her information said she worked at Sweet Apple Acres.”
Applejack tilted her head in confusion. “That’s weird. Ah know all the workers here and ain’t one o’ them ever mentioned havin’ a filly before. What’s her name?”
“Suncrisp.”
Applejack tilted her head. “Suncrisp? Unicorn, apple cutie mark?”
Lightning nodded. “You know her?”
Applejack laughed. “Course Ah do. She is my mom after all.”
Lighting cocked her head. “Your mom? But her information said she left about twelve years ago.”
Applejack nodded. “Yeah. Her and Pa travel around Equestria and oversee the whole Apple family operation. They come back every now and again for birthdays and such.”
Lightning sighed and her head dropped. "There goes the easiest lead I had.”
Applejack chuckled. “Ah’m guessin’ you found some other candidates and they’re all pretty far from here?”
Lightning nodded. “Yep. One’s all the way in Fort Trotterdale and the other’s in Manehattan.”
Applejack whistled. “Hoo boy, sounds like you got a good amount o’ legwork ahead of ya.”
Lightning chuckled and left her seat. “Yeah, I do. Better get started on it then.”
Applejack walked Lightning to the door. “Good luck with tryin’ ta find Scootaloo’s birth mom. Ah hope things work out for ya.”
Lightning nodded and waved. “Thanks. Bye AJ.”
Applejack waved as Lightning lifted off and made for home.
Lightning exited the weather office and started flying towards Sugarcube Corner. Cashing in a few vacation days, she’d arranged for three days at the beginning of next week to look for the two other ponies she’d found. Having gotten that out of the way Lightning was headed to the bakery for a snack. Emotions were good but Lightning appreciated the taste of good food just as much.
Shaking off after she landed under the awning, Lightning pushed open the door. Even with the weather the way it was, the sweets shop was packed as usual.
Approaching the counter, Lightning smiled at Pinkie. “Hey Pinkie. Could I get a devil’s food cupcake?”
Pinkie nodded with her usual cheerful smile. “Sure thing Lightning. Take a seat and I’ll get it to you.” Pinkie then pointed to the right side of the bakery. “Oh and if you’re interested, Gene’s here.”
Lightning tilted her head. “The diamond dog who helped Scootaloo?”
Pinkie nodded. “Rightorooni. He’s sitting over there with Jazzy.”
Lightning nodded and started walking in the direction Pinkie pointed. As she scanned the tables, Lightning saw the diamond dog seated at one of the center tables talking with Rarity while the spider, who Lightning guessed was Jazzy, munched on a bowl of gems.
As Lightning got closer she caught the end of a conversation.
“So you mean there’s a whole library in there?”
Gene nodded. “Yeah I found it not long after I moved into those tunnels.”
Rarity put a hoof to her chin. “I’ll have to tell Twilight about that. She’d be absolutely ecstatic about the possibility of what could be down there.” Rarity turned and waved to Gene. “Goodbye darling. Do try to keep dry when you leave.”
Gene waved and smiled as Rarity walked away. Lightning chose then to walk up to his table. She gestured to the seat opposite Gene. “Mind if I sit here?”
Gene nodded. “Go ahead.”
Lightning sat and offered Gene her hoof. “I’m Lightning by the way. I wanted to thank you for helping my daughter a while back.”
Gene took the hoof and shook it with a smile. “Oh, Scootaloo right? No problem, I was happy to help. So what brings you here?”
Lightning sighed. “Just taking a break. I’ve been running around all day and I’ve got more running to do later.”
Gene arched a brow. “What for? Business?”
Lightning propped her head on a hoof and waved the other back and forth. “Yes and no. I’m looking for someone and it’s gonna take a while.”
Gene nodded. “If you keep having trouble I can help.”
Lightning tilted her head. “How?”
Gene smiled. “I’m a pretty good rune crafter. I could make a locator spell if you have trouble finding who you’re looking for.”
“But I thought only unicorns could use magic.”
Gene waved a paw. “Runes work differently. All I need is the right rune and a suitable gem to channel the magical energies.”
Lightning nodded. “Ok, I’ll keep that in mind.”
Pinkie came to the table and sat down Lightning’s order. Lightning pulled a few bits from one of the holes in her leg. “Here ya go Pinkie.”
Pinkie smiled and bounced off to serve another customer. Gene arched a brow. “You keep money in your leg holes?”
Lightning shrugged. “Where else would I keep it?”
Gene chuckled. “Fair point.”
The two then spent the rest of their time chatting about whatever came to mind until they decided to part ways.
Lightning arrived home to find Quicksilver cooking. When she stepped into the kitchen, Quicksilver turned and smiled at her. “You’re finally back. What kept you?”
Lightning returned the smile. “Had some business to take care of. I’ll tell you about it later. Where’s Scoots?”
Quicksilver nodded to the stairs. “Doing homework. I’ve still got a bit to do for this soup so you can head up and give her a helping hoof.” Quicksilver chuckled. “That filly really doesn’t get along with math.”
Lightning nodded and started up the stairs. When she got to Scootaloo’s room Lightning found the door open and Scootaloo sat at her desk. The filly had a pencil in her mouth and was tapping it on the desk as she propped her head on a hoof. Scootaloo’s eyes were narrowed and the look on her face said she’d rather be going through a root canal then doing her homework.
Lightning grinned and knocked on the doorframe. “Hey kiddo. Need some help?”
Scootaloo dropped her pencil and smiled at Lightning. “Hey mom. Yeah, I’d love some help.” Scootaloo scowled at her homework. “I think math was made to be some kind of torture.”
Lightning chuckled. “Ok, let’s see what we’ve got here.”
Lightning walked over and sat behind Scootaloo. “Oh joy, fractions.”
Scootaloo nodded. “Welcome to my world.”
Lightning pointed to a part of Scootaloo’s homework. “You’ve got it mostly down but you forgot to simplify this part.”
The two went on going over the work and correcting it where needed until Quicksilver called them for dinner.
Lightning sighed as she served Scootaloo her breakfast. “No Scoots, you can’t skip school to come with me.”
Scootaloo’s wide eyes and pleading smile deflated and she pouted. “How come? Going to Manehattan sounds more fun than school.”
Lightning rolled her eyes. “Listen kiddo, I’m not going there for fun. It’s a business trip. And I’m going to be running around a lot.” Lightning smirked. “Besides, if you came with me, you’d miss out on the flying lessons I asked Dash to give you.”
Scootaloo’s pout evaporated and her face lit up. “What, really? You got me flying lessons with Rainbow Dash!?”
Lightning nodded. “Yeah. Since I’m gonna be gone for a few days she agreed to give you your weekly lesson. You’ve been doing great in our sessions and who better to teach you some new stuff then the fastest pegasus in Equestria?”
Scootaloo launched out of her seat and latched onto Lightning’s neck, hugging her tightly. “Oh thank you, thank you, thank you! You’re the best mom!"
Lightning chuckled and returned the hug. “No problem kiddo. Now eat up so you can get to school.”
Scootaloo released Lightning and took her seat again. As she ate, Lightning left the kitchen and went up to her and Quicksilver’s room. Finding her partner going over some notes Twilight had given her, Lightning cleared her throat to get Quicksilver’s attention.
Quicksilver looked up from the notes and smiled. “Getting ready to head out?”
Lightning nodded. “Yeah. I told Scoots about the lessons with Dash I arranged, so that should distract her while I’m gone.”
Quicksilver sighed and looked back to the notes. “If Twilight wasn’t giving me all this extra work I’d go with you. But she just had to make a breakthrough in that crystal project of hers.”
Lightning chuckled. “Don’t worry about it. Scootaloo needs at least one of us here. We can’t just have Fluttershy watch her all the time. I’ll be back before you know it.”
Quicksilver nodded then arched a brow. “Anything you want me to do while you’re gone?”
Lightning thought for a moment before nodding. “When you have time try and look for more clues about Scootaloo’s birth mother. If this trip’s a bust we’ll need something else to go on."
“Sure thing. Now you’d better get going. After you walk Scoots to school you should fly to Manehatten if you want to get there and Trotterdale all in three days.”
Lightning kissed Quicksilver before getting her saddlebags and heading back downstairs. “See you in a few days.”
After dropping off Scootaloo, Lightning leapt into the air and began flying towards Manehatten. As she flew, Lightning was getting her timeline organized in her head. Ok, it’s eight o’clock now, so if I fly at top speed I’ll get to Manehatten at about ten or ten thirty. Hopefully I can find Velvet quickly and get to Trotterdale if she turns out to not be the one I need.
With her timeframe mostly in mind Lightning flapped her wings harder and sped to Manehatten as fast as she could.
Lightning touched down in the middle of one of Manehattan’s parks and trotted to a nearby bench to catch her breath. As she sat, Lightning brought a map out of her saddlebag and looked it over. After doing a bit more digging, Lighting had discovered that Velvet Dream worked at the Equestrian Bugle, one of the largest news distributors in the nation, second only to Equestria Daily. Scanning the map, she found the building’s address.
Putting the map away Lightning stood and approached a pony that was jogging on the path next to the bench.
“Excuse me, can you give me directions to the Equestian Bugle from here?”
The pony, an earth pony stallion, nodded. “Yeah, no prob. What ya wanna do is go down dis path till ya get to da street. Den ya go down 55th street, when ya get to da corner of 21st an’ Main, yer there.”
Lightning smiled and nodded. “Thanks.”
Turning down the path that the stallion had pointed out, Lightning made her way there. Taking the turns down the streets, Lighting quickly came to stand in front of a large triangular building with a large sign on the roof. Going through the door and into the lobby area Lighting searched the directory for which floor the editor was on.
Finding the information she needed, Lighting entered the elevator in the lobby and pressed the floor she needed. After a short ride, the doors opened into a bustling room full of ponies at typewriters, going through file cabinets, and arranging photos on corkboards. Seeing an office on the other side of the chaotic room, Lightning fluttered her wings and sailed over the other ponies' heads.
Landing in front of the office door Lighting knocked. After several seconds a gruff voice answered from the other side.
“Whoever it is, get in here!”
Lighting stepped back slightly at the volume that the pony on the other side of the door was able to muster, especially if she could hear him over the constant noise from the ponies behind her.
Composing herself, Lightning opened the door and stepped into the office. Closing the door behind her, Lighting found the occupant of the office, a tan-colored stallion with a brown mane that was beginning to go grey, looking over pieces of a newspaper.
Noticing her standing in front of his desk, the stallion turned to Lighting and held up what looked like different versions of a front page.
“Which one of these looks better to you?”
Lightning tilted her head. “The one on the left?”
The stallion looked at the one Lightning had picked and nodded. “Right.” He pushed a button on his desk. “Tracy! Run the front page about the governor's scandal tomorrow.”
Lighting arched a brow as the stallion went back to looking at the papers on his desk. “I picked the other one.”
The stallion glanced at Lighting. “Which is why I ran the opposite.” He turned to face Lightning fully. “Now since you didn’t leave after that I’ll assume you’re here for something else.”
Lightning nodded. “I was wondering if you could tell me where Velvet Dream is right now.”
The stallion arched a brow. “Velvet? Why do you need to-"
Before he could finish, another pony walked into the office. “Mr. Journal, I’ve got those pictures of Spidermare for you.”
Journal scowled. “Yousee Dee! You’re late, I wanted those pictures an hour ago!”
Yousee Dee quirked a brow. “But I didn’t start work till an hour ago. And the piece on Spidermare isn’t running till thursday.”
Journal rolled his eyes. “Whatever, what ya got for me?”
Yousee took a folder from her saddlebag and placed it on Journal’s desk.
Journal flipped through the pictures. “Crap. Crap, Mega crap.” He threw the file to a corner of his desk. “I’ll give you one hundred for the lot of them.”
Yousee shook her head. “Two hundred and I get to work that story about the changeling running for mayor.”
Journal sighed and nodded. “You’re a real extortionist, you know that?”
Yousee Dee smiled and left the office. Once she was gone, Journal turned back to Lightning. “You’re still here?”
Lighting gave him a flat look. “You never told me where Velvet Dream is.”
Journal nodded. “Right. She’s at the stadium today working a story about the first baseball team made of ponies and changelings.” He chuckled. “Didn’t know the bugs could even play the game.” He glanced back at Lightning. “No offense.”
Lightning sighed. “None taken. Anyway, thanks for telling me where she is.”
Journal waved her off and went back to the papers on his desk. “Yeah, yeah. Tracy! Where’s that story on the sanitation department!?”
Lighting left the office and entered the elevator again. “I would not want to work for that guy.”
As she exited the building Lightning got her map out again and looked for the Manehatten stadium. Finding the shortest path from here to the stadium Lightning put the map away and started on her way.
After making it to the stadium Lightning walked out onto the field where a baseball team was gathered and talking to Velvet Dream. Approaching the group, Lighting tapped Velvet’s shoulder.
Velvet dream turned and arched a brow. “Are you another member of the team?”
Lightning shook her head. “No. I just wanted to speak with you after you were done here.”
Still giving Lightning a questioning look, Velvet nodded and pointed to the dugout. “Wait over there and we’ll talk once I’m done.”
Nodding, Lightning trotted to the dugout and sat in front of it while Velvet continued interviewing the team.
After waiting the better part of an hour, Lightning was relieved to finally see Velvet dream put away her writing materials and turn in her direction.
Lightning stood as Velvet Dream came closer. “Did you want to talk here or somewhere else?”
Velvet Dream nodded to one of the doors leading out of the stadium. “Let’s head out of here and to a cafe I know around here. It’s about lunch time and I could go for a latte and a daisy sandwich.”
Lightning nodded and the two made their way out of the stadium and onto the crowded Manehatten streets.
After arriving at the cafe and getting her order, Velvet dream and Lightning sat at a table in the back of the cafe.
Velvet dream took a sip of her latte and gestured a hoof at Lightning. “So what’s a changeling want with little old me?”
Lightning rummaged through her saddlebag and brought out the sheet of paper with Velvet’s information on it. “You lived in Ponyville about twelve years ago, right?”
Velvet nodded and bit into her sandwich. “Yeah, so?”
“I was wondering if you might have dropped a filly off at the orphanage there.”
Velvet dream quirked a brow. “No. I’ve never had kids and I was only in Ponyville to cover a story about one of the veterans of the royal guard. But why do you wanna know if I dropped a filly off at the orphanage?”
Lightning sighed. “My daughter, Scootaloo, has a wing illness that is hard to treat. But if I can find her birth mother and get her information, it’ll help the doctors narrow down what could be wrong.”
Velvet dream nodded and gave Lightning a sympathetic look. “Sorry I couldn’t help you.”
Lightning smiled and waved off the apology. “No problem. Just means I’ve gotta keep looking.”
Velvet chuckled. “You’re really dedicated to that kid of yours.”
Lightning smirked and left her seat, making for the door. “You better believe it. Thanks for your time. Later.”
Velvet waved as Lightning left. “Happy hunting.”
Exiting the cafe, Lightning sighed and leapt into the air. As she gained altitude and plotted a course for Trotterdale she looked at the position of the sun. I should be able to make it to the fort before nightfall, but I’ll have to bunk there tonight. She shook her head and chuckled. Fort Trotterdale here I come.
Lightning landed at the outer limits of Fort Trotterdale late into the night. As she touched down, Lightning yawned and shook her head to relieve some of her drowsiness. Spotting a building that still had a fair amount of it’s lights on, Lightning headed for it.
Walking through the door of the building, Lightning saw an earth pony guardsman seated behind a desk. As she walked up to the desk the grey stallion turned to her and nodded.
“Evening ma’am.”
Lightning returned the nod. “Could I sleep somewhere here for the night? I’ve got business with a sergeant Mayfly and I doubt she’d appreciate being woken up right now.” Lightning yawned again. “And I could use some rest after flying here from Manehatten.”
The guard nodded and walked out from behind his desk and started down a hall to the left. “Follow me.”
Walking a short distance down the hall the guard opened a door. “This is the barracks for the new recruits, but we won’t be getting any till next week. You’re free to use it for the night.”
Lightning nodded. “Thank you sir.”
The guard turned to leave and looked over his shoulder. “One more thing ma’am. We assemble at dawn around here so you’ll get about three hours of sleep.”
After the guard left, Lighting sighed and dropped into the first cot she came to. Rolling onto her stomach, Lightning closed her eyes and was asleep in seconds.
Lightning felt no sooner than had she fallen asleep that she was woken by the morning revelry. The sound of the bugle echoed around the room and caused Lightning to pin her ears tightly against her head.
Rising from her burrowed cot, Lightning groaned in a mix of discomfort and annoyance. “What a wonderful way to start the day.” Gathering her saddlebags, Lightning left the building and began looking for someone who could tell her where Mayfly might be.
After an hour or so of aimless wandering, Lightning decided to ask one of the officers if they knew where Mayfly was. Walking into a building marked as the officers’ quarters, Lightning walked up to an earth pony mare doing some paperwork.
“Excuse me, I’m looking for Mayfly. Would you know where she is?”
The mare put down her quill and nodded. “Mayfly was deployed to the Griffonia, Equestrian boarder. There’s been some tension there and our commander felt that Mayfly could handle it best.”
Lightning arched a brow. “When will she be back?”
The mare shrugged. “I’m not sure. She’s been gone four days now and we’ve gotten no reports from her.”
Lightning sighed. “That’s just perfect. Where is she exactly from here?”
“If you go south from here you can reach where Mayfly is in a day. With an airship that is.”
Lightning shook her head. “And if I fly?”
The mare tapped her chin in thought. “If your wingpower is at least fifteen you could get there in two days. A day and a half if you don’t stop.” The mares eyes widened. “Wait, you’re not thinking of going there are you?”
Lightning nodded. “I need to talk to Mayfly and I don’t have time to wait for her to get back.”
As Lightning turned to leave the mare ran in front of her. “Are you crazy? If something’s happened and there’s trouble you could get hurt. Have you seen what a griffon can do to a pony? It’s not pretty.”
Lightning scoffed. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a changeling. And I was an accomplished siege drone. I can handle myself.”
Lightning walked past the mare and exited the building. As the door closed, Lightning turned south and leapt into the air. Gaining a good amount of altitude, she began flapping her wings as fast as she could.
Hours later, Lightning’s flight muscles felt like they would tear themselves apart if she flew anymore. Panting as she exerted herself, Lightning descended and landed in a field below. After taking a few moments to catch her breath, Lightning exhaled heavily and tested her wings by fluttering them. Wincing as pain shot through the overworked limbs Lightning’s eyes narrowed and she began galloping as fast as she could in the direction she’d been flying in.
Lightning kept galloping even after the sun set and the moon rose into the sky. Her lungs bellowed faster and faster as Lightning pushed herself to keep running, one thought driving her forward: I need to do this. For Scootaloo.
Gritting her teeth, Lightning pushed through her growing fatigue and continued making her way to the Griffonia, Equestrian boarder.
After near constant running and flying for hours, Lightning finally caught site of an airship in the distance. And under where the ship was anchored, tents spotted the area. Sighing in relief, Lightning made her way towards the camp. Once there, Lightning was approached by two guards.
Holding up their spears, one of the guards fixed Lightning with an intense glare. “Halt, and state your intentions!”
Lightning panted and held up her hooves. “Wait....I..I need....to talk to Mayfly.”
The guards arched a brow. “You mean the Captain? What business do you have with her?”
Lightning sat heavily. “Personal business.” She wiped her brow. “Could I get some water?”
The guards looked at eachother before shrugging and one of them walked away. The other lowered his spear and stepped closer to Lightning. “I’m afraid I’ll need more then that if you want to see Captain Mayfly.”
Lightning nodded. “It’s a medical emergency. I need to ask her some questions. It’s confidential so that’s all I can tell you.”
As she finished talking, the guard that had walked away returned with a waterskin. Taking it in her hooves, Lightning gulped down several large mouthfuls before setting the skin down and sighing happily.
“Thanks.”
The guard Lightning had spoken to nodded and inclined his head. “You’re welcome. Now follow me. I’ll take you to the Captain but you’ll be under our watch until she tells us otherwise.”
Lightning nodded and followed the two guards as they led her through the camp. Before long the guards had led Lightning to one of the larger tents and as they came to the door built into the tent frame one of the guards knocked.
“Ma’am, permission to enter.”
The door was opened and Lightning got her first face to face look at Mayfly. As Lightning tilted her head up to get a look at the pegasus, her mouth dropped slightly. Holy tartarus, she’s huge!
The pegasus mare towered over them by a good two heads and had a build that would put Big Mac to shame. Lowering her head, Mayfly eyed Lightning for a few seconds before nodding. “Let her in, and get back to your posts.”
One of the guards hesitated. “Ma’am, the changeling could be a threat. Are you sure you want to be alone with her?”
Mayfly scoffed. “I think I can handle myself, Private. Dismissed.”
Saluting, the guards marched away and Mayfly stepped to the side of the door. “Please, come in.”
Lightning nodded and walked into the tent. Inside were a few simple furnishings. A desk, a few small collapsible tables, a cot and three chairs. Mayfly walked passed Lightning and sat on one of the chairs. She motioned to the other empty seats. “Have a seat and tell me why a lone changeling would come all the way out here to find an old guard mare.”
Lightning sat and reached into her saddlebag, pulling out the page with Mayfly’s information. “You lived in Ponyville about twelve years ago right?”
Mayfly nodded. “I was stationed in that area and lived in the town. But why does that concern you?”
Lightning sighed. “I was wondering if you had a foal while you were there and left it at an orphanage.”
Mayfly’s brows shot up. “And why would you need to know that?”
“I adopted a filly, Scootaloo, and I’ve recently found out she has an illness that is passed from mother to foal. I wanted to know if you were her birth mother and if so what strain of the illness you had so scootaloo could get treatment.”
Mayfly nodded. “I see. I’m sorry to tell you but I never had a filly while I was in Ponyville.”
Lightning slumped in her chair. “Great.”
“However.”
Lightning’s head shot up as Mayfly continued. “My sister did.”
Lightning tilted her head. “Sister? But I wasn’t able to find any other records of ponies that matched the timeline for Scootaloo being left at the orphanage.”
Mayfly nodded. “And you wouldn’t have. My sister is part of the Solaris task force. An organization started by Celestia. I can’t say any more than that.”
Lightning leant forward. “What? But if she was scootaloo’s mother I need to know where she is.”
Mayfly sighed and shrugged. “Sorry. The members of Solaris are secretive. They’re the princesses eyes and ears in Equestria and other places. All I know is that while was in Ponyville I met with my sister and she’d told me she’d had a foal. I don’t know anything else.”
Lightning groaned in frustration. “Perfect. Can’t something in my life ever be simple? Just once?”
Mayfly chuckled. “If life were simple there wouldn’t be a need for ponies like us who go to the lengths we do to keep our lives.”
Lightning sighed but smiled. “I guess.” She shook her head. “Anyway, I need to get going. I’ve got to get back into Ponyville in twelve hours if I want to get back in time to work.”
Mayfly arched a brow. “Did you fly here?”
Lightning nodded. “Flew and ran when my wings got tired.”
Mayfly stared at Lightning incredulously. “How are you still standing?”
Lightning laughed. “Force of will mostly. I’m nearly out of energy.”
Mayfly shook her head in amazement. “I wish more of my troops had the dedication you do. I wish you the best of luck in trying to find my sister.”
Lightning nodded and exited the tent, making her way through the camp again. Once she was at the edge of the camp, Lightning pulled out her map and found that if she headed northwest she’d be in Ponyville in a day. If she went at a fairly fast pace. Sighing at the task ahead of her Lightning put the map back in her saddlebag and started her way back home.
Lightning glanced from side to side, examining the work her crew had done as she sat on a nearby cloud. “Flitter, move those ceris higher and Raindrops, spread out the lower hanging clouds. It’s not supposed to be so overcast.”
Flitter saluted. “You got it boss lady.”
Rolling her eyes, Lightning smirked at her teammates antics as Flitter adjusted her clouds while Raindrops began spreading out the clouds letting more light shine on Ponyville. Seeing that her team mostly had the cloud arrangement handled, Lightning reclined on her cloud.
As she lay back, still supervising her team, Lightning began thinking about the last few days. When she’d made her way back home, Lightning all but collapsed. Quicksilver had rushed out and gotten nurse Redheart and after being examined by the medical pony, Lightning had been told she would need to take it easy for a few days to give her strained muscles time to heal. When Lightning had told Rainbow Dash, the weather manager put Lightning on supervising duty until further notice.
Lightning flexed her wings and winced at the throb of pain that ran through them. Blowing some of her purple mane out of her face Lightning lightly flapped her wings and set her cloud drifting across the sky towards the second area she needed to supervise that day.
After making sure the weather was up to par in the last area she’d been assigned, Lightning dismissed the weather team and with a flutter of her wings angled her cloud toward to ground. As the cloud reached the ground, Lightning stepped off and gave the cloud a light kick to dissolve it. And deciding to keep her pegasus form on for a bit longer Lightning made her way to sugarcube corner for her daily round of pony watching.
Making her way down Ponyville’s market street Lightning wondered, not for the first time, how she would go about finding Scootaloo’s mother. She’d asked Quicksilver to go over the records Lightning had gotten from town hall but that didn’t turn up anything new. And neither she or Quicksilver could find anything on the group Solaris other then they were the top tier of Celestia’s guard. All and all, they’d found nothing but dead ends and were no closer now than when Lightning had gotten back.
Lightning sighed heavily and stepped into Sugarcube corner, hoping that she could get a few minutes of relaxation before she went back to thinking of ways to track down this mysterious mare she didn’t even have a name for. However, no sooner had the bell on top of the door stop ringing then Lighting found herself muzzle to muzzle with Pinkie Pie.
“Lightning! I’ve got a message for you!”
Lightning squeaked and took a step backwards. “Pinkie! Give a mare some warning when you just pop outta nowhere.”
Pinkie giggled. “But then it wouldn’t be a surprise and everybody loves surprises.” Pinkie’s expression suddenly went serious. “But that’s not important right now. Gene was here a while ago and he told me to tell you that he has something to tell you.”
Lightning arched a brow. “That’s it?”
Pinkie shrugged. “He said something about Solaris. Whatever that is.”
Lightning’s face split into a huge smile as she turned and trotted briskly out of the sweets shop, giving quick word of thanks to Pinkie as she left.
Gene was poring over a dusty tome in his library when Jazzy skittered up onto his shoulder and pointed to the entrance with one of her legs. Turning, Gene smiled. “You found your way down here ok?”
Lightning nodded and walked further into the library. “Jazzy was waiting for me at the surface so I didn’t have much trouble.”
Gene nodded. “Well anyway I..”
The sound of a few books falling interrupted Gene and Twilight emerged from around a corner, coughing at the dust that was kicked up. “Sorry about that. I was reinforcing the shelf with magic when it caved.”
Gene chuckled. “Thanks Twilight, but it can wait until we get done here.”
Gene looked to Lightning and motioned for her to follow him. “After you got back and told me how things went I started working on something to help you.” They entered an adjoining room and Gene pointed at a table with various maps and gems on it. “Twilight helped me get the last bits sorted out and I think it’s finally done.”
Lightning looked over the maps and found them to be parts of Equestria. Everything from a general map showing all the major areas to more detailed maps of individual places in Equestria.
Lightning arched a brow. “What is all this exactly?”
Twilight waved a hoof over the maps and smiled proudly. “This is the most sophisticated locating apparatus in Equestira. Gene had the idea and I had the knowhow on how to put it all together. If it works, you should be able to find Scootaloo’s mom.”
Lightning’s questioning expression didn’t change. “Ok, but how does it do that?”
Gene reached into his coat and brought out a golfball sized gem shaped like two cones joined at the base. “I put a standard locating rune on this and layer it with the magical signature of someone we want to find.”
Twilight pointed to the maps and gems. “Then I feed it a constant stream of mana so it and the supporting gems can search accurately enough to give us an exact location.”
Lightning tilted her head. “But we don’t have a magical signature for this mare. We don’t even have a name to go on.”
Twilight nodded. “We thought of that. If you bring us one of Scootaloo’s feathers, we can use her signature to link with her mothers and use that.”
“But wouldn’t that just make it lock on to Scootaloo?”
Gene shook his head. “No. You see, I’m also going to etch the runic word for mother onto the gem. That way when the mana powers the spell it’ll work like a chain. First going through the rune for “locate” and then the rune for “mother”.”
Twilight gestured to the gem. “It’s the same concept as when layering various spell parts to alter how a spell will cast.”
Lightning smiled. “So all I have to do is bring you a feather from Scootaloo and I’ll be able to find her mother.”
Gene nodded but a worried expression crossed his face. “About that. I was wondering if you’d let me handle the finding her part.”
Lightning cocked her head. "What, why?”
Gene sighed and went to stand beside Lightning, crouching slightly to look her in the eyes. “Lightning, be honest. Do you think you’re ready to go on a trip again so soon after nearly running yourself ragged?”
Lightning’s eyes narrowed. “You saying I can’t?”
Gene shook his head. “Quite the opposite actually. But do you think it’s best to be away from Scootaloo again so soon after getting back?”
Lighting’s ears dropped and her eyes softened. “I have kinda been obsessed with finding her birth mother. I haven’t even spent much time with her, not really anyway.”
Gene put a paw on her shoulder. “And that’s why I should go find this mare after we do this. You just worry about taking care of your family.”
Lightning smiled. “Thanks. You’re a good guy Gene.”
Gene smiled. “I try.” he stood and turned to Twilight. “Can you take her home and bring the feather back here?”
Twilight nodded and started leading Lightning out of the subterranean library. After waving to the pony and changeling as they left, Gene went back to looking over the maps. Making sure the supporting gems were placed properly.
Gene moved his claw slowly over the gem, etching the rune onto its surface deeply and precisely. Bringing his claw away from the gem, Gene looked over the finished rune. Nodding at his work Gene set the gem aside and double checked the positioning of the supporter gems.
As he repositioned one of the gems at the left edge of the map he heard the clopping of hooves behind him.
“You have the feather?”
Twilight came up beside Gene holding an orange feather in her magic. “Yeah. Now to see if all our work pays off.”
Gene hummed and gestured at the locater gem in the center of the table. “I hope it does. I just finished the rune before you got here. Give it a look and if you think it’s good we’ll start.”
Twilight nodded and picked up the gem in her hoof. After a few seconds of scrutinizing the rune she put it down. “The rune’s fine as far as I can tell, let’s get to it.”
Nodding, Gene moved aside as Twilight levitated the Gem and Scootaloo’s feather in her magic. Closing her eyes she began focusing on imprinting the magical signature of the feather into the gem. After a few moments the gem began to glow a soft orange color while starting to spin in place. Feeling the imprint join with the gem, Twilight focused now on feeding mana to the gem and the smaller supporting gems around the map.
The supporting gems began glowing the same orange color as the locater gem and floated slightly above the maps spread out on the table. Arcs of mana flowed between the gems and up to the locater gem, creating a spider web of arcane energy suspended just above the maps. As Twilight continued to feed mana to the gems, the locater began moving over the maps one by one. First it hovered over the large map of equestria, strafing back and forth over the northern border before moving on. The next map showed just the regions in the northern parts of Equestria and the gem repeated it’s strafing motions before finally hovering over Stallionguard.
Gene moved closer. “Almost done Twilight. It’s found the region she’s in.”
Twilight grunted slightly and continued concentration on giving a constant flow of mana to the gem. The locater gem’s glow brightened and it spun faster as it moved over a map that showed every city and town in Stallionguard. After making a circuit of the map a few times the gem stopped over Mareskow and stopped spinning. The gem hovered in place before it started to pulse rhythmically.
Gene smiled. “We did it Twilight, we’ve got a location!” Gene moved over to the map and placed a small triangle shaped gem just under the locater. “Ok, transfer the energy to the marker.”
Twilight nodded and her horn’s glow brightened. The orange light coming from the locater gem then stated to funnel into the smaller gem under it. Once the locator's energy left it, Twilight used her magic to place it off to the side while breathing a sigh of relief.
Seeing that the transfer was done, Gene slid the marker gem to the far side of the map. After taking his finger off the marker it immediately started sliding back across the map and stopped in the same spot as before.
Gene’s face split into an ecstatic grin. “It worked! The marker gem can follow the signature now. If I put this on a map of Mareskow it should be able to guide me right to Scootaloo’s mother.”
Twilight smiled. "I’m glad everything worked out.” Twilight lifted a hoof to cover her mouth as she yawned. “Wow, that took more out of me then I thought. I’m gonna head back home and rest. You need me to do anything else?”
Gene picked up the marker gem and put it into one of his coat pockets while shaking his head. “No, you did wonderfully. Go home and rest, I can take it from here.”
Twilight nodded and started on her way back home. As Twilight left, Gene began moving swiftly, going through various rooms before coming to his personal quarters. As he started gathering various things around his room, Jazzy skittered in and chittered at him.
Gene turned to her and pointed to the shelves that lined the wall. “Help me gather up what we’ll need for a trip. We’ve got a long journey ahead of us Jazzy.”
Jazzy skittered up the shelves and started carrying things over to Gene, which he promptly stuffed into a good sized rucksack. After the packing was done, Gene slung the rucksack over his shoulder, tightened the leather strap and held an arm out to Jazzy.
Once Jazzy was perched on his shoulder, Gene made his way to the surface and in the direction of Ponyville.
Lighting was playing a game of chess with Scootaloo when a knock sounded through the house. Lightning was about to get up when Quicksilver walked by and waved a hoof at her. “Don’t worry, I got it.”
Lightning nodded and went back to her game as Quicksilver opened the door. Quicksilver arched a brow as she looked at the visitor. “Gene? What brings you around here?”
The diamond dog smiled. “I just wanted to let you and Lightning know that I’m headed off to find...” Gene noticed Scootaloo sitting with Lightning in the living room and leaned forward to whisper. “To find Scooaloo’s birth mother. Twilight and I finished the location and I’m going out to where she is.”
Quicksilver nodded, smiling gratefully. “Thanks for this.”
Gene waved a paw. “No problem. See you guys when I get back.”
Quicksilver nodded and closed the door as Gene turned to leave. Stepping away from the house, Gene turned toward the north and made his way through town. As he came to the edge of Ponyville he looked out over the hills and plains. Jazzy hopped onto his head and chittered.
Gene chuckled. “Yeah, this is gonna be one heck of a walk, but it should be fun.”
Jazzy chittered again and batted one of Gene’s ears with a leg. Gene rolled his eyes and started walking. “You’re such a nag sometimes. But yes, I’ll take this seriously.” Gene sighed. “I just hope this mare’s willing to cooperate when we find her.”
Jazzy made a trilling sound and moved to Gene’s shoulder, pointing a leg in the direction they were headed. Gene nodded and quickened his pace. “Right, we should get there as soon as we can. Don’t want whoever it is we’re looking for to get further away.”
And as the sun began to dip lower and lower, Gene continued his trek north, hoping things would go smoothly for him in his search and, if he was lucky, that nothing would get in his way.
Gene looked over the Mareskow cityscape, trying to get the lay of the land before turning his attention back to the map in his paws and the gem that slowly slid across it. He’d watched the locator gem’s movements over the last couple of days while resting from his journey and he’d noticed a pattern in it’s movements. The mare he was looking for tended to stay in the west end of town near the entertainment district.
Rolling the map up and pocketing the gem Gene turned to the stairs of the observation deck he was on and started heading down. Jazzy jumped off the railing she’d been perched on and scurried up Gene’s shoulder, chittering and throwing a look back to the city.
Gene nodded. “Yeah, we’re going to look for her today. By the time we get there she should be close to some place called the Hyperion Resort.” He patted the pocket that the locator gem was in. “And once we get close enough I can just take this out and use it like a divining rod.”
Jazzy trilled while flicking one of her legs against another and Gene sighed. “I hope she’ll cooperate and not just A, run me off, or B run off herself.” Gene paused before slapping a paw to his face and groaning. “And now that I’ve said that she’ll probably do one of those.” Continuing down the stairs Gene shook his head. “I can just feel that something’s gonna go bonkers when I find this mare.”
Taking a crosstown bus and walking several more blocks, Gene found himself outside the Hyperion and just lie he’d hoped the locator gem was staying put over the map marker for the resort. Storing the map in his coat and taking the gem in a paw Gene made his way into the building. Once inside he could see that not only was this a resort hotel but also a casino, and one of the higher end one’s at that. The whole lobby was marble and gold and silver and even sported a large crystal fountain at it’s center. Moving forward to the main hall through a veritable mob of ponies, gryphons, and donkeys Gene tilted his head upwards and nearly went slack jawed at the many other levels of the building he could see in the large open area.
Regaining his composure gene turned to one of the casinos staff and smiled. “Excuse me but do you have a directory for this place?”
The stallion in the suit gave Gene a bored look and pointed back to the front desk. “There’re maps offered to guests when they check in. Just ask the attendant."
Gene went back to the front desk and retrieved a map. Moving to a less crowded area of the main floor he unfolded the map and set the gem on it, watching as it climbed the levels untill settling on one of the executive suite floors. Knowing he’d need a key to even get to that level Gene went back to the front desk and payed for a room before taking the key he’d been given and heading for the elevators.
Sliding the key through the reader Gene sighed. “Four large rubies. I just gave away four large rubies for a roomkey that I’ll probably only use once.” Jazzy chittered while making a motion that was her equivalent of an eyeroll. “Oh lay off Jazzy, I might not be as greedy as some of my kind but I’m still a diamond dog and I like my gems. A lot.”
Giving another eyeroll Jazzy lept from Gene’s shoulder to the elevator's wall and pressed the button for the level the locator gem had stopped on. As the doors closed Gene watched as the numbers clicked by on the dial. “Let’s hope we catch her in a good mood.”
Gene walked the hall of the suite’s floor while holding the gem to each door, waiting for the glow to intensify. After several minutes the gem began to glow brighter as Gene came to two large double doors at the end of the hall. Putting the gem back in his pocket Gene lifted a paw to knock when he heard a thump come from inside.
Gene’s head tilted in confusion. “Hello? Is everything al..” Gene was interrupted as more noises came from inside the room, growing lowder and joined by the occasional muffled yell. Deciding to act first and ask questions later Gene backed up before ramming the doos as hard as he could. The door splintered and gave way letting Gene see exactly what was going on. A cloaked gryphon was wrestling with a pegasus mare and looked to be trying to slash her with it’s talons. Not wanting to take the time to clear the distance and risk the pegasus getting hurt Gene grabbed Jazzy and cocked his arm back. “Sorry about this.”
Jazzy screeched as she sailed through the air and impacted the gryphon’s head. When she hit, Jazzy latched on tightly with her legs causing the gryphon to yell in surprise and begin rolling on the floor to dislodge the spider.
The pegasus mare stood and shook herself before looking over to Gene. “Thanks, now help me get him restrained.”
Gene stepped forward. “But I wanted to..” Gene was interrupted by Jazzy hitting mim in the chest, knocking him to the ground. While trying to catch his breath he heard glass shatter followed by a muttered curse. Getting up he saw the mare standing next to a smashed floor to ceiling window. Laying a stunned Jazzy on a nearby otomen, Gene went to stand next to the pegasus and looked out the window. In the distance he could make out the form of the gryphon flying between buildings before disappearing into the city.
The mare next to him sighed and sat down heavily. “Well there goes the best lead I’ve had in days.” She turned to look at Gene, her eyes narrowing. “What exactly is a diamond dog doing here and why were you coming to my room?”
Gene turned to the mare finally getting a good look at her. Her coat was a dark orange that could have been taken for brown and her mane was a deep navy color. “Well I wanted to ask you a few questions.”
The pegasus stood and backed a few steps away. “Questions about what?”
Gene held up his paws. “Hey don’t get the wrong idea, I’m not gonna try and jump you I just wanted to know if you had a filly in Ponyville.”
The mare’s eyes widened before she scowled and leapt forward, tackling Gene to the floor. Gene groaned as his head impacted the floor. “I think I’m beginning to see a trend in how the rest of this day’s gonna go.” Gene then felt a hoof lightly press into his windpipe drawing his attention to the suddenly agitated mare standing over him.
“Tell me how you know about that filly right now or I’ll make your day really bad, really quick.”
Gene coughed and nodded hastily. “Ok, ok just calm down! I’m a friend of hers. Well her parents actually. They sent me to find you. That is if the filly you’re talking about and the one I’m talking about are the same one.”
The mare’s scowl lessened and she stepped off of Gene, letting him sit up she spoke. “Is the filly’s name Scootaloo?”
Gene nodded. “Yeah. Little orange filly with a purple mane.”
“You said her parents sent you after me?”
“Yeah. They wanted me to find out about your strain of SWA so they can treat Scootaloo.”
The mare’s ears folded against her head and she looked away. “So it’s started to show in her huh? Well for all the good it’ll do my strain is MX237-B5.”
Gene arched a brow. “That was oddly specific and readily given.”
The mare shrugged. “You hear the same thing from doctors for enough years and you never forget it. Plus if there's a chance it'll help her then why not tell you. And if you’re wondering my name’s Cloud Jumper.”
“I’m Gene and…” Gene found himself unable to talk when Jazzy chose that moment to latch herself onto his face, giving him the best glare a spider could. The diamond dog chuckled nervously and pulled Jazzy off his face. “And this is my good friend Jazzy, who wouldn’t hold it against her best friend for using her as a projectile when it was to help out someone who needed it.” Jazzy growled before hopping out of Gene’s paws and scurrying up a wall. Gene sighed and shook his head. “I’m gonna pay for throwing her later.”
Cloud Jumper cocked her head and looked between Gene and Jazzy before shaking her head. “Was that all you needed? Because if it was I need to get going and see if I can find the guy that just flew out of here.”
“You don't want to ask anything about your daughter? How she's doing, who her parents are, anything?”
Cloud Jumper sighed. “Look, it’s better if I don’t know about her and she doesn’t know about me. Guy’s like the one that was just here come after me all the time and I’d only put her in danger." Her shoulders slumped. "She’s got parents now and a home, that’s all I need to know.”
“Well….Ok I guess. Come on Jazzy.” Before Gene could get to the door Cloud Jumper ran in front of him. “Wait a minute, how’d you find me?”
Gene reached into his pocket and took out the locator gem. “I used this, why?” Cloud Jumper eyed the gem. “Can you leave that with me, or get rid of it? I don’t want anyone else to be able to find me.” Gene nodded and offered the gem to Jazy who promptly ate it. “Anything else?”
Cloud Jumper opened and closed her mouth a few times before sighing. “Just….Is Scootaloo… Is she happy?” Gene was silent for a few moments before nodding. “As far as I can tell. She’s really happy, has a family and some pretty good friends from what ponies have said about her.”
Cloud Jumper nodded and stood aside. “That’s good then. Can you give her parents a message for me?” Gene nodded. “Thank them for taking care of her.” Nodding again Gene turned and made his way out of the hotel. Once back in the city, Gene headed for the outskirts of Mareskow where he hitched a ride on a trading caravan to the nearest town with a train and bought a ticket for Ponyville.
While he and Jazzy sat in their seats waiting for the train to leave Gene shook his head. “I was kind of hoping she’d want to meet Scootaloo or at least come to Ponyville but I guess she had a point about it being dangerous for her and Scootaloo to meet.” Jazzy chittered and curled her legs under her where she sat. “I know there’s no use thinking about it but…” Jazzy made a trilling sound and moved to sit in Gene’s lap causing the dog to crack a smile and pet her. “Thanks. It just brought up some memories. Anyway lets just get home and tell the others what we found out.”
After a few more minutes the whistle blew and the train began the journey home.
Several days after Gene had returned to Ponyville and Told Lightning and Quicksilver what he’d found out he was in a cafe talking to Fluttershy.
“And I’ve heard her treatment’s going very well. The information you gave them was just what they needed to help Scootaloo.”
Gene smiled. “That’s good to here. I…”
“Excuse me Gene do you have a second?” Turning to the new voice Gene was about to answer whan he got a look at who had just spoke. Before he could say anything the mare turned to Fluttershy and smiled apologetically. “Sorry to interrupt but Gene here promised that he’d show me around. I’m new here.”
Fluttershy shook her head and stood to leave. “Oh it’s not problem I’ll just catch up with him later. Enjoy your stay in town.”
When Fluttershy was gone the mare sat down in the empty seat and Gene finally found his voice. “Cloud Jumper?”
Cloud Jumper grinned. “The one and only. Now before you start asking questions I have a favor to ask.” Gene’s mouth snapped shut and he gestured for her to go on. “Could you show me where Scootaloo lives?”
Gene nodded and got up. “It’s this way, follow me.” The two left the cafe afte gene paid his tab and made their way through Ponyville. After walking for a bit Gene turned to Cloud Jumper. “What changed your mind?” Cloud Jumper grunted before answering. “I couldn’t get the idea of coming here out of my head. Besides, you went a long way to find me so I think the least I could do is come here and...see where she lives.” A few minutes later the two were standing outside Scootaloo’s house, Cloud Jumper eyeing the door with a worried look on her face. After standing there for a few seconds Gene turned to the mare. “Are you gonna knock?”
Cloud Jumper shuffled back and forth on her hooves while biting her lower lip. “I want to but I don’t know if I should. Do I even have a right to? Is this even a good idea?”
Gene shrugged and gave Cloud Jumper a sympathetic look. “I don’t know what to tell you. There’s only two choices here, either you knock and see what happens or you walk away and leave it at that.” Gene turned and began walking away. “It’s your choice Cloud, you’re the one that needs to decide what to do.
As Gene left, Cloud Jumper’s head dropped and she sighed before focusing on the door again. Taking a deep breath she lifted a hoof and knocked on the door.
Cloud Jumper wasn’t a mare that spooked easily, doing the work she did she couldn’t afford to be, but the two changelings sitting across from her were making her nervous in a few different ways. The biggest reason for Jumper’s unease was that she was in the presence of her daughter’s adoptive parents and she had no idea what to say. Beyond introducing themselves, Lightning and Quicksilver hadn’t said one word. So for the last ten minutes after being let in the pegasus and changelings had sat in silence.
What could I possibly say? Hi, I’m the mare that abandoned Scootaloo for twelve years and decided now was a good time to see how she was doing. Cloud Jumper did a mental facehoof. Even if I did say something that’s probably how it’d sound to them. What have I gotten myself into? Cloud Jumper turned her attention to her hosts and found them giving her the same passive stare that they’d given her since she’d shown up at the house. The lack of any conversation or even expression from either Lightning or Quicksilver was just adding to Jumper’s anxiety.
Thankfully before Cloud Jumper could work herself up anymore than she already was Lightning caught the pegasus's attention by shaking her head and sighing. “Could you calm down please? The guilt and anxiety coming off you is leaving a sour taste in my mouth.”
Cloud Jumper was caught off guard by the abrupt request and before she could collect her thoughts enough to respond, Quicksilver gave Lightning’s side a light shove. “That was kind of rude you know. You could’ve just said something to calm her down.”
Lightning scoffed and pointed a hoof at Cloud Jumper. “She’s the one getting worked up over nothing.”
The two went back and forth for a while before Cloud Jumper cleared her throat loudly to get their attention. “Are you two about done talking as if I’m not sitting right here?” The pair of changelings paused in their banter before looking down sheepishly and apologizing. After the exchange, Cloud Jumpers nerves had relaxed enough for her to try talking to the pair.
“So you two know who I am?” The pegasus asked, getting an affirmative nod from both changelings.
“Gene told us about you when he came back.”
Cloud Jumper’s ears dropped down a bit. “Does Scootaloo know?”
Quicksilver shook her head. “No, we decided that she didn’t need to. We’ve only just told her that she actually had a problem with her wings.”
Lightning smiled slightly, picking up where her partner stopped. “She was worried at first but once we told her it was treatable she nearly hit the roof. That filly loves to fly and the doctors say that her condition was caught early enough that it won’t interfere with her flying in the future.”
Cloud Jumper mirrored Lightning’s smile and sighed wistfully. “At least I helped in that regard then. She’ll never have to know what it’s like to be grounded.” This comment caused Lightning and Quicksilver’s smiles to drop and focus their attention on Cloud Jumper’s wings. Seeing where the two were looking, Cloud Jumper spread out her wings to their full span and the changelings were surprised at the size. They were easily as large as Celestia’s and looked rather well taken care of. Cloud Jumper chuckled at the looks and pointed to one of her wings. “Impressive right? I was proud of these babies for a long while but then….” Cloud Jumper shook her head while folding her wings and leaning back into her chair, her voice taking on a melancholic tone. “Then one day when I was a teenager I started feeling a weird pain in my wings when I flew. I didn’t think much of it at the time since it would only last for a second or two and I was starting training for the royal guard. I thought I might have just over exerted myself.” Cloud Jumper’s eyes glazed slightly as she seemed to get lost in a memory. “Boy was I wrong on that one.”
Lightning exchanged a glance with Quicksilver before turning back to the pegasus. “What happened?”
Cloud Jumper started slightly, coming out of her daze. “Oh, well about a year later I’d graduated and was on patrol with my sister when my wings seized up and Mayfly had to catch me. The pain in my wings had never been this bad before so she rushed me to a doctor in Canterlot and that’s when I learned about SWA. The worst part was that if I’d gotten my wings checked a few months earlier I might still be able to fly, or at least hover.” The three remained silent after Cloud Jumper had finished. One reflecting back on what she’d lost and two wondering what they could say after hearing the story. Cloud Jumper was the first to find her voice and grinned. “But that didn’t stop me from working as hard as I could at my job. I could still use my wings to glide and I was pretty good at investigating things so after a few years I was put into a team in Solaris and the rest is history.”
Lightning shared a look with Quicksilver, both deciding that now was as good a time as any to ask a question that was on their minds.. “But what about Scootaloo?” Cloud Jumper tilted her head as Lightning went on. “Well you never mentioned how she came into the mix.”
Cloud Jumper’s eyes turned to the floor again as she worried her front hooves together. “The short answer is that she was an accident.”
The changelings both gave frustrated sounds at the answer but before either of them could say anything Cloud Jumper continued. “I’d been assigned to Ponyville because we’d heard rumors that some anti monarchy cell was hiding here and planning to cause trouble. It only took us a month or so to find them and after that my team was given a two week recovery period. I’d decided to go celebrate closing the case by getting a few drinks. A few drinks became a lot and , sparing a bunch of embarrassing details, I found out I was pregnant.”
Quicksilver stared wide eyed at the pegasus while Lightning pointed a hoof at Cloud Jumper. “Really? What… And you…….Really?”
Cloud Jumper nodded in a somber fashion. “Yeah, it threw me for a loop when I found out. I wasn’t ready to have a foal, and with what my work has me doing I knew that even if I was ready that the foal wouldn’t be safe.”
“What about your sister Mayfly?” Quicksilver chimed in only for Cloud Jumper to shake her head.
“She was focused on her career and she’s a few years younger then me so she was even less prepared than I was. I decided the best thing for everyone would be if I put her up for adoption.”
Lightning’s eyes narrowed at this. “You left her on the steps of the orphanage. In a basket. With no note.”
Cloud Jumper winced and her shoulders slumped in shame. “I didn’t want anyone to be able to link her to me. I did it to protect her.”
Lightning was about to say something when Quicksilver put a hoof on her shoulder and shook her head. “Let it go Lightning. We can’t do anything about what she did.” Quicksilver turned her attention back to Cloud Jumper. “What we can do is decide if we should let her see Scootaloo.”
Cloud Jumper’s ears wilted and she shrank in on herself a bit. “That seems fair.”
Lightning caught the feelings of remorse coing from Cloud Jumper and after taking a few moments to think about it turned to Quicksilver. “I think that it’s really Scootaloo’s decision to make.”
Quicksilver nodded as she left her seat on the couch and headed for the door. “I can agree with that. I’ll go get her from the clubhouse then, see you in a bit.”
As Quicksilver left, Cloud Jumper gave Lightning a surprised look. “You’re ok with me talking to her?”
Lightning shrugged and got up as well. “Like I said, it’s Scootaloo’s decision. I’m still not sure about the whole thing but Quicksilver and I know that this is something that still bugs Scootaloo.” Lightning opened her door and looked over her shoulder at Cloud Jumper. “When she gets here it’ll just be the two of you so you might want to think about what you’re going to say.” With that Lightning stepped out and shut the door leaving cloud Jumper alone with her thoughts.
=================================================
Scootaloo trotted alongside Quicksilver as the went through Ponyville and the filly was just as confused as when she’d been picked up by the changeling. Only being told that she needed to come home for something important. Despite all her questioning, and several uses of Sweetie Belle’s patented sad eyes technique, Scootaloo hadn't gotten anything out of Quicksilver. Deciding that she’d be patient, Scootaloo followed Quicksilver home wondering what could be so important that her “Dad” couldn’t tell her anything about it. Her thoughts about the “important thing”, which had been getting more and more grandiose by the minute, were derailed when she and Quicksilver came to their home and found Lightning standing by the door.
Scootaloo ran ahead of Quicksilver and called out to Lightning. “Hey mom, why’re you outside?”
Lightning turned to Scootaloo and smiled a bit. “Waiting for you kiddo.” Lightning’s smile dropped as she turned to look at the door to her home before looking back to her daughter.
Quicksilver went to stand by Lightning, putting a reassuring hoof on her wither, and motioned to the door with her head. “Someone’s inside to see you Scoots.”
Scootaloo tilted her head in confusion. “Ok but why’s mom outside?”
“Because we wanted to give you two some privacy. The mare inside….” Lightning paused to take a breath, holding it for a second before exhaling. “She’s your mother.” Scootaloo first looked confused and her parents could almost hear the gears working in the filly’s head as her expression went from confusion to realization and then to shock as Scootaloo turned to look in the direction of her homes door.Scootaloo just stood, rooted to the ground it seemed as her eyes went from the door to her parents several times before she shook her head hard enough to make her ears whip the sides of her face and focus on the door again. Scootaloo ran a hoof through her mane a few times before speaking in a small voice. ‘What….What should I do?”
Lightning put a foreleg around Scootaloo and brought the filly against her side. “I think you should go in and talk to her. Just see what she has to say and then after that you can decide what you want to do.”
Scootaloo looked up at Lightning as her brows knit together. “You’re not coming in with me?”
Quicksilver went around and sat on the other side of Scootaloo. “We’ll be out here the whole time but we think that you need to talk to her on your own. This is something only you can make a decision on Scoots.”
Scootaloo nodded and gave a shuddering sigh. “I’m scared though. What am I supposed to say?”
Lightning stood and smiled at Scootaloo while nudging her forward a bit. “Just ask her all the questions you ever wanted to ask her. All she wants is a chance to talk.”
Scootaloo gulped as she put a hoof on the doorknob, turning to look at her parents. “You’ll be right outside?”
Lightning and Quicksilver smiled while nodding. “Right outside.” Scootaloo returned the smile and turned the pushed the door open.
Cloud Jumper heard the door open and froze in her seat. Meeting the adoptive parents of Scootaloo had made her jittery but hearing the hoof falls of the filly she’d let go of coming closer and closer had her downright terrified! Cloud Jumper’s wings were twitching and she was doing her best not to visibly shake as she waited for Scootaloo to sit down.When Scootaloo actually came into her field of view Cloud Jumper’s breath caught in her throat. The little bundle of orange and purple she’d last seen had grown into a very healthy, athletic looking filly. As Scootaloo took a seat across from Cloud Jumper the first thought that came to her mind was, She’s got my eyes.
Cloud Jumper and Scootaloo sat across from one another silently, neither one ever really making eye contact. Cloud Jumper wasn’t sure how but she found the nerve to speak first and was proud of herself for keeping the tremor out of her voice.
“Hi Scootaloo. I’m Cloud Jumper I uh….Well I’m your birth mom.”
“.......”
Cloud Jumper wilted slightly at the silence. “You look healthy. And I hear that you’re quite the flyer. Have you learned any good tricks yet?”
Again Scootaloo stayed silent only giving a nod to Cloud Jumper’s question. Cloud Jumper appeared to deflate after another non response from Scootaloo and sighed sadly. “I….That’s good. You..um, that’s…….” Cloud Jumper shook her head and got out of her chair, moving to sit right in front of Scootaloo. Cloud Jumper looked up at the filly from her new seat on the floor before resting her forehead on the cushion Scootaloo was perched on.
“I”m sorry.”
Scootaloo’s eyes widened. “You’re sorry? Why?”
“I abandoned you. I had all these reasons I was going to tell you for why I did it. I wasn’t ready, I wanted to protect you, I wanted you to have a normal life. But….” Cloud Jumper’s voice hitched and she started trembling. “But when it comes right down to it I abandoned you and I…..”
Cloud Jumper looked up at Scootaloo, tears slowly rolling down her cheeks. “I’m sorry. I know it doesn't make up for anything but I am so, so sorry.” Cloud Jumper bowed her head and for a long while the only sound in the room was her quiet sobbing.
All this time Scootaloo had wondered what her birth mother would be like and what she’d say once she met the mare that had given her up. What she’d do when she was face to face with the pony that had left her at the orphanage. Scootaloo knew what she was going to do now, what she was going to say.
Scootaloo hopped off the couch and stood on her hind legs, wrapping her forelegs around Cloud Jumper’s shoulders she nuzzled the crying mare and said only five words.
“Just don’t abandon me again.”
Cloud Jumper’s eyes widened in surprise before she smiled softly and returned the hug, her tears now flowing because of the second chance she’d been given. “Thank you.”
Scootaloo sat under a tree near the edge of Ponyville and watched as the preparations for the summer sun celebration were finished. as she watched the last banners go up and the finishing touches being put on the stage she thought back on the whirlwind of a year she's had. First she gets a changeling for a parent, Ponyville is attacked, she gets kidnapped, then she gets a second changeling parent, her two biggest enemies join her group of friends and to top it all off her birth mother comes into her life. Scootaloo could only shake her head and grin as she went over it all again.
Is this what Rainbow and her friends go through all the time with their crazy adventures? Now I understand why she naps so much. After a few more minutes of watching ponies go about their work Scootaloo got up and flapped her wings. After a couple of beats she was up and flying at a leisurely pace toward Silver Spoons home. Since the incident in Gene's tunnels Scootaloo had felt closer to Silver and would often go over to hang out with her. And Silver seemed to really enjoy the one on one time with her newest friend. Or so Scootaloo thought given the small smile she always saw on her friends face when she was over.
When Silver Spoons house came into view Scootaloo veered up and hovered outside her friends' bedroom window, tapping on it to get Silvers' attention. The grey filly inside turned toward the window, noticing Scootaloo she trotted over and opened it with a smile.
"Hey Scootaloo. What's up, besides you?"
Scootaloo rolled her eyes at the well used joke. "Just came over to see if you wanted to hang out. Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Diamond are all helping their families with some part of the celebration and I figured we could go have some fun since we're free."
Silver nodded and put her forehooves on the window sill. "Sounds good to me. Think fast." As she said this Silver Spoon hopped up and out the window at Scootaloo who caught the grey filly while rolling her eyes.
"You're lucky I expect you to do that now. The first time I nearly dropped you."
Silver Spoon giggled. "You caught me once so I know you'll always catch me. Besides anyone would want their own flight service."
Turning in the air, Scootaloo started in the direction of the crusader clubhouse. "You're the only one I do this for."
Silvers' smile turned into a smirk and she cocked a brow up at her friend. "And why is that?"
Scootaloo flushed slightly and cleared her throat. "Well I.... it's cuz well....... Shut up."
Silver Spoon giggled again. "Take your time feather head. I can wait."
Scootaloo huffed exasperatedly. "I could just drop you ya know. That'd solve a lot of my problems."
Silver Spoon gasped dramatically and put a hoof to her forehead. "How cruel of you! And just because I wanted to fly with you and share a part of your world. You wound me."
"I really regret letting Sweetie Belle talk us into doing those acting classes. You're such a ham."
Scootaloo landed and set Silver down at the base of the clubhouse ramp. The grey filly smirked and started up the ramp while throwing one last comment over her shoulder. "I'll quit being a ham when you admit what we both know about why you let me fly with you."
Scootaloo watched Silver Spoon go inside before she sighed and cracked a small smile. "I'll tell you as soon as I actually figure it out myself."
Wanting to get back to more familiar territory, Scootaloo trotted inside and the two began trying to find ways to spend their time before the summer sun celebration started in a few hours.
Twilight walked through town checking off items on her list as the preparations were completed and chuckled to herself. "Wow, total deja vu." Scanning her list she shouted up to a few ponies on the stages' scaffolding. "Are the lights ready?"
A stallion holding a wire splitter in his magic aura shouted back. "Nearly there. Just a few more connections and we'll be good to go."
Twilight nodded and thanked him before continuing on to see how the other ponies were getting on in their work. As she neared the edge of the town square Lighting flew up to Twilight and handed her a scroll. "Spike said that the princess and our 'special guest' will arrive on time and that this is the speech they're going with."
Twilight unrolled the parchment and read it over, nodding once she was finished. "Ok, that should be fine. Could you tell Spike he can take the rest of the day off before you get back to weather detail?"
Lightning gave a little salute and smiled. "Sure thing."
As the changeling flew away Twilight took a moment to look at all the ponies and changelings working together to get everything ready and a soft smile spread across her muzzle. "Look how far we've come. And with a little luck we'll go even farther." As she said this she noted the time and started making her way to Pinkies'. After all, what was the summer sun celebration without the all night party?
The party was in full swing, DJ Pon-3 was blasting music all throughout the town square and Pinkie had set up tables of food at the east side of the square. Everyone was dancing, talking and living it up as the night went on and gave way to the first traces of dawn. As the sky grew lighter and changed from navy to purple and pink there was a bright flash that caught everyone's attention. The music faded and as the sun came up over the horizon the light flared outwards and as it died down Celestia hovered above the stage with Luna by her side. When the two touched down on the stage the crowd of ponies and changelings let out a cheer that lasted until Ceestia waved a hoof and the roar slowly bleed into silence.
Celestia looked out across the square and beamed as she spoke. "My subjects, it is with the utmost joy and pride that I stand here and see how you have accepted our new allies, friends and citizens, the changelings. I had not thought we could come together as quickly and smoothly as we have but again I am impressed and humbled by the friendship and acceptance you've shown. For that I commend and thank you."
Celestia bowed deeply and held her position for a few seconds before rising. "With what I have seen I feel confident that Equestria will continue to grow not only as a nation but as a people and that we can continue to show the same amazing qualities I have witnessed form you so we might inspire others to do the same. With that in mind I have an announcement."
As Celestia said this she stepped aside and let Luna take center stage. But instead of speaking, Luna erupted in emerald fire and when it subsided, Chrysalis stood in her place. Gasps issued from the crowd but before anyone could voice themselves Celestia held up a hoof and spread her wings to keep them silent. Though the ponies and changelings murmured and chittered they stayed relatively quiet and when she was sure no one was going to speak out Celestia spoke.
"I know this may come as a shock but Chrysalis has surrendered herself, both Luna and myself have accepted her and would wish you to do the same. But before you decide anything I ask that you hear her out."
Another round of muttering went through the crowd but again they stayed mostly quiet. Seeing this as a good sign Chrysalis cleared her throat and addressed them.
"You all know who I am and what I've done so I won't waste time on that. What I want to say first and foremost is that I am sorry for what I've done. What happened was the result of my foolishness many years ago that led me down a dark path. One where I would do anything to gain power. I'll admit that I was mad, mad for power, mad to obtain all the power I could. I could have made other choices, could have caused things to go differently but what's done is done and we're here now and must move forward in some way. I hope that when we do it can be with mutual understanding. I accept that I won't be forgiven easily, if at all, but I will try and be better then I was. I will try to be as good as the ponies and changelings I see now. And I hope one day you can call me friend."
The crowd stood, unmoving and silent for some long moments before, from somewhere in the mass of bodies a filly flew above the others and made her way toward the stage. As she came closer Chrysalis stepped back, giving her room to land. Chrysalis recognized the filly as Scootaloo, the child she'd captured. The two just stared at one another for a time until Scootaloo walked up to Chrysalis and held out her right hoof.
"I'll call you friend."
Chrysalis's eyes widened a bit in surprise but she still had the presence of mind to step forward and take Scotaloo's hoof in her own.
"Thank you."
After the small exchange the crowd surged to life and began clapping their hooves and whistling in approval. As the noise rose so did the emotion in it and Chrysalis was amazed at the feel of it. It was like a swirling mass of equal parts joy, excitement, and apprehension. But even so the former queen could tell that the apprehensiveness was tinged with optimism and it caused her to smile widely.
"Sometimes your best friends are the ones you'd never expect."
Chrysalis looked down at Scootaloo, who had taken a seat beside her on the stage, as the filly met her eyes and spoke.
"And when you give them a chance they can be some of the most important parts of you."
Chrysalis nodded and smiled warmly at Scootaloo. "Very profound for such a young filly."
Scootaloo smiled wide enough to show her teeth and scratched the back of her head. "I might be young but you'd be surprised what I've learned in the last year."
Chrysalis nodded and her smile widened. "True enough. Any advice on what I should do now?"
Scootaloo tilted her head in thought before giving Chrysalis a thoughtful look. "Never let what you're afraid could go wrong stop you from trying to be better or asking for help. Take my word for it, you'll save yourself a lot of trouble."
Turning back to look out at the crowd chrysalis nodded again. "I'll keep that in mind."
Scootaloo stood and fluffed her wings. "Cool. See you around, I've gotta get back to my friends. The party ain't over yet." Giving a short wave Scootaloo launched herself off the stage and flew to a group of fillies before they all ran off to join in on the fun still going on.
Chrysalis sat there, looking out over all the ponies, changelings, a few mules and even a large sea serpent that were enjoying themselves. She wondered if this could last, if so many people who were all so different could stay together. She knew there would be problems. That even though they had all agreed to try that things could still go wrong. But for the first time in a long time. Chrysalis was optimistic. She knew, somewhere inside herself that this could work. That one day, maybe someday soon or many years in the future any differences all these seemingly different people had could be overcome because in the end they were all the same. On the most basic of levels where it mattered most, they were all beings of emotion. And through the good and the bad they could come together in harmony.
"Are you ok?"
Chrysalis turned her head at Celestia's whispered question. The solar mare had a look of slight concern on her face and Chrysalis figured that was due to her long moment of silence as she was lost in thought. Now that she was back in the moment she smiled and lightly brushed her muzzle against Celestia's
"I am. I'm the best I've been in a while." Chrysalis stood and smirked at Celestia. "Now let's enjoy the party. I bet I can eat more cake then you."
Celestia mirrored Chrysalis's smirk and narrowed her eyes playfully. "You're on." And the two raced to the food tables and began shoveling cake into their mouths as onlookers cheered them on.
