My name is Comet Tail, and I have died many times.
The first time I died was for a little filly known as Twilight Sparkle.
"I think you're pretty neat." I remember saying all those years ago on the playgrounds of Ms. Kindle's Magic Kindergarten. Twilight Sparkle, the then outcast and target of bullying by foals who didn’t know any better, turned to me with fresh tears in her eyes and no small look of surprise.
“R…Really?”
“Yeah!” I squeaked hopping off the swing set and marching over to help the lavender unicorn dig in the playground sandbox. She was in the middle of unearthing her books and school supplies buried by pranksters who, again, didn’t know any better.
“I mean, you’re really good at magic and stuff. You can use telake…tele…”
“Telekinesis?” Twilight offered helpfully.
“Yeah that! You can telekinate books and stuff, and I think that’s really cool.” As I dug around the sandbox, I spotted the corner of a story book sticking out of the sand. From the Binding I recognized it as the book of old mare’s tales, Twilight loved carrying around. I went for it like I was bobbing for apples, stuck my head in the sand and everything. I pulled it out with my teeth and gave Twilight my best winning, albeit sandy, book filled smile.
“Mpphttt…mmmh...phrmm!” I sputtered. Twilight giggled. I’ll never forget that look of joy on her face. If I hadn’t already gotten my cutie mark months ago, I would have gotten it then. I liked making ponies smile, especially her. My eyes wandered to her blank-flank and wondered why she of all ponies hadn’t gotten her cutie mark yet. She was clearly talented at magic just like me. But I shrugged those thoughts off. It’s just like Ma said, you can’t rush things, especially cutie marks.
Twilight gently wrapped the book with her magic and tugged but I refused to let go. I gave her a playful look and crouched low before jumping out of the way of Twilight’s magical grasp. I crouched again like one of those farm dogs who wanted to play, complete with the tail wag. Twilight looked upset at first but giggled again, then mimicked my stance. The two of us tussled in the sandbox. Laughing. Hollering. It was fun. I wanted it to last forever.
Not even a minute later.
“Twilight dear! It’s time to go!”
Her mother. Twilight Velvett, if I recall. Was waving at her from across the school yard. Twilight looked at her mother then back at me a little sad. “I have to go now.”
“it’s okay.” I said, finally releasing the book from my mouth. “We can play tomorrow.”
She nodded. The last of her tears now dry and forgotten. Twilight lit up her horn and pulled the rest of her school supplies from the sandbox in a magical display that made my jaw drop.
“Take care Comet, and…thanks…” She said, giving me a quick hug before galloping off towards her mother. I stood stunned for a moment with the sudden display of affection. I felt light on my hooves as I watched her go. Then I realized that I still had her book at my hooves. I called out to her, took the book in my mouth and ran after her.
This is where things went wrong. And my destiny changed forever.
I don’t know if you’re familiar with Ms. Kindles Kindergarten. It’s located at one of the lower levels in Canterlot. There is a main road that ends at a T section right where Ms. Kindle’s was located. The road is supposed to be for hoof traffic only, mostly because of how steep it is. That doesn’t stop the occasional business pony, or some noble from trying to take a shortcut with their fancy carts and wagons. As fate would have it. Some noble pony had left a wagon of goods unattended at the top of that hill. And the wind, or fate, or the hooves of…something else... Decided to inch that wagon over the top.
That infernal rattling, I hear it in my dreams sometimes, reminding me of how it all started. But I digress. The cart rattled loudly as it careened down the steep road. It took seconds to cross the distance to the kindergarten. But I heard it in time. I saw it and Twilight saw it too, but she was frozen stiff. Mere seconds before impact I dropped the book. I lunged. The only sounds I could hear was that infernal rattling, the shouts of Twilights mother and my own scream even as I shoved Twilight out of the way, just as the cart burst through the fencing that surrounded the playground. Then my world became pain.
Such an unbearable pain. I’d like to say you get used to it. But that would be a lie. As a young colt I lay there dying for the first time. Unable to breathe. I remember not being able to feel my hooves. But that wasn’t the most memorable thing about that first time. I’ll never forget her face. That pretty, young, innocent face. Twisted in fear and shock as she looked at me from a safe distance in the magical grasp of her mother. They both stared at me. Her mother was shouting something, maybe calling for help, I don’t know. All I remember about the next few seconds was thinking about how I didn’t want to die yet.
But I did die that day and woke up with that same sandy book in my mouth. Right back at the sandbox with Twilight trying to tug it out of my mouth with magic.
Now I hope you can forgive me, a young colt, for reacting the way I did. I spat the book out, hard, and started freaking out at the top of my lungs. “Old Mares Tales and other Ancient stories Volume 2” impacted Twilight Sparkle right at the tip of her horn, sending her reeling backwards, fresh tears flying from her eyes as she cried in pain. Unicorn’s horns are sensitive you know.
I think she called me a jerk right after that, and she said something else. But I couldn’t hear it. I was too busy screaming. All that pent up emotion from all that pain was too much for a young colt and it had to go somewhere. I jumped back, still screaming as I landed on the swing seat. The seat, of course, is on chains designed to swing back and forth so naturally I fall backwards, hard. Getting the wind blasted from my lungs brought me back to my senses. Funny how it takes pain to bring things into focus, anyway I digress again. My panic subsided and my mind focused even though Twilight Sparkle was a little blurry as I recovered from the fall.
“I thought you were different!” She yelled angrily.
“You told me you thought I was neat! And then you go off and hit me right in the horn!”
“Twilight dear! It’s time to go!” Came her mother’s voice.
“I’m telling mom!” And then she leapt off, her things forgotten in the sandbox. My eyes were glued to her as she ran off. I lay there frozen unsure of what I was seeing. Then the infernal rattling came again. My head turned to the top of the hill as the cart had started its deadly descent. Scrambling to my hooves I found my voice and croaked out a yell.
“Lookout!”
Twilight stopped. Looked back at me, then at the rattling cart. She barely registered a look of surprise and terror before she was no more. Crushed as the wheels of the cart went round and round. I let out a scream. But my screams were drowned out by the screams of her mother. Between that infernal rattling and Twilight Velvets screech of maternal agony, I’d pick the rattling every time.
I stared silently at Twilight’s maimed body. I had run out of screams at this point, all the feeling drained from me like I was practically dead. I think there was commotion around me, but I couldn’t focus on anything but Twilight’s bloody body. Then my heart broke and everything went black.
When I said my heart broke, I wasn’t being cute. My heart felt like it was literally being torn in two. This is the second time I died. The pain was excruciating but, mercifully, it only lasted a few seconds. I woke up again with that blasted book in my mouth. Sand and all. This time I clamped my mouth shut. Hard. So hard in fact that my teeth no doubt made indents in Twilight’s beloved book.
“Um. Comet? Please let go?”
I did the opposite. I clamped down harder. Twilight’s magic increased in power. Twilight was just a filly not much older than me, and she was stronger than even my own mother! The raw magic of that filly was so strong that there was no doubt I wouldn’t be able to fight it forever. Forever was not the objective though, I just had to hold on long enough. My Jaw grew sore, and I felt like my teeth were about to fly out of my mouth, but I had to hold on. I had too. For Twilight’s sake, and my own. I didn’t know why I was doing this. It’s not like I had a plan or anything. Instinct took over, I think. My poor little colt mind wanted to avoid more trauma, I guess. Didn’t want to see my friend hurt.
“Comet! You’re going to ruin my book!”
My eyes kept flickering to the top of the hill, dreading that terrible rattle. Twilight grunted, her horn sparking. Her power seemed to have doubled and I couldn’t hold it any longer. She finally ripped it out of my mouth.
“Twilight dear! It’s time to go!”
In an act of pure desperation, I called forth the magic inside me, and without realizing what I was doing, I had wrapped my magic around Twilight’s aura and yanked back. The first time I ever did telekinesis. If it had been any other situation I would have been prancing in celebration. Obviously, this was no time for celebration.
So no kidding there we were, our auras wrapped up in a magical unicorn tug-o-war over a stupid book. Twilight’s power waned and then flared, and my magic threatened to wink out, but I dug in my heels as she dragged me across the sandbox. I tried to tell her why I was doing this. Why I was being a huge jerk, after what I said to her earlier, but every time I tried to open my mouth my concentration threatened to break. It would fail anyway, when the rattling started.
I was so startled after hearing that dreadful rattle that my concentration failed. Seeing her opportunity, Twilight gave one final yank with her magic and freed the book from my magical aura.
“Ha!” She exclaimed. Trotting towards her mother.
“Victory is Mi…”
What else could I have done? I tackled her of course. Her muzzle ate sand as I struggled to keep her still. She twisted and turned. Until she faced me. Bucking and striking. I just kept her still.
“Get off me! MOM!”
The rattling was louder now. She got me good, right in the stomach, and I flew back over the sandbox, once more getting acquainted with the impact of my back to the cold hard earth. Twilight Ran. What should I do? Should I call out to her? Tell her to stop like last time? Have her keep running and miss that rattling death trap some pony’s negligence had sent our way? No. This was not happening again. I’m not sure if I unconsciously used a haste spell or something because I was up and running, even without air in my lungs. I lunged after twilight just as the cart crashed through the fence. I bit down on her tail hard and yanked her back, using my momentum to swing her around, somehow, my momentum caused me to spin, and while I had successfully managed to pull Twilight out of the way, I had somehow ended up in her place.
We made eye contact then. Her vision flashed from anger to fear and then to shock. I’d like to think that at that moment she understood what I was trying to do. I smiled despite it all. Right up until the cart smashed me into the dirt.
I didn’t die right away this time. I made it to a hospital. I heard lots of crying. My Ma and Pa. I’ve heard my Ma cry before but never my Pa, he was a tough old royal guards pony and they’re not supposed to cry, that hurt a lot more than I thought it would. I don’t remember their final words to me. I don’t remember how long I was even there. But it was a good long while. The last thing I heard I think was beeping. Then a tone. Then nothing.
So that was number three. Getting repetitive I know. See. I had a good long think at the hospital. About what I could have or should have done. I grew up a lot. Death and dying does that too you, I guess. Now I want you to know, in hindsight, I could have handled things differently. Maybe I could have asked Twilight to stay for longer or maybe tried to get her to chase me with the book. But I wasn’t thinking clearly you see. Dying does that to you sometimes. Not to mention I was a little colt. If only I had another chance. I kept thinking to myself. Of course, I would get my wish. I wouldn’t be here talking to you if I hadn’t. Anyway. Same book. Same mouth. Same sand. Same Twilight trying to yank the book from me. Instead of the tug-o-war I spat it on the ground. The scenario I rehearsed over and over in my head played out like clockwork.
Twilight Sparkle let her magic fizzle out and bent over to pick up her book with her hooves. I kicked the book away.
“Run.”
“Comet…What the…”
“Run you stupid blank flank! I hate you!”
I thought I could handle it. I could hate her for making me hurt, for making my ma and pa cry. I kept telling myself it was her fault that the cart rolled down that road even if I knew that wasn’t true. I wanted to keep that hatred to force myself to do what I needed to. But that look on her face broke me. Ears folded back. Fresh tears welling up. The quivering lower lip. I wanted to apologize. Say I didn’t mean it. But there was no time for that. My Pa always said. “When protecting the princess, you must be willing to sacrifice everything in their defense.”
“Comet, I don’t know what you mean…” Twilight stuttered confused.
My magic gripped the book of Old Mares Tales and with magical strength and control I didn’t even know I had, whipped that book across the playground towards where Twilights mother would be coming from.
“Your telekinesis aint nothing special! Even I can do it!”
Twilight followed the trajectory of the book. Wide eyed, maybe even impressed, I looked away and steeled my nerve.
“I said run! Get out of here! Go home! I don’t want to play with you anymore!”
I shoved her towards her mother, who at this point had appeared at the edge of the playground. At any moment
“Go! Get out of here!”
Twilight obeyed slowly at first. I kicked up sand onto her back and she yelped as her slow movement turned into a full gallop.
“Go on. Go on. Keep Going.” I muttered hopefully. I wanted to chase her. To make her run faster. But I didn’t…I couldn’t go though that again. Twilight spun around to get one last look at me.
“KEEP GOING!”
And she did. She had reached her mother just when the rattling started. The cart was on its way and Twilight was free and clear. I watched her longingly. Even after the cart came barreling through the fence and toppled harmlessly into the side of the sturdy walls of the kindergarten. She was crying and her mother was comforting her. I wanted Twilight to look back, I wanted to tell her I was sorry. But she didn’t. She didn’t even come to school the next day, so I could say I was sorry, say how much she meant to me. Why? She got accepted into Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns.
Somehow, I got popular that year. Some of the snooty foals saying how I gave that blank flank “what for.” Of course I hated that kind of attention, but it didn’t matter what I wanted. That reputation followed me you know and I was somehow known as the kindergarten bully. It didn’t help that Twilight became Princess Celestia’s prized student. Then every pony turned on me, and started picking on me because Twilight became popular. Fillies and Colts can be tremendously cruel sometimes. Boy. Foalhood got rough from then on let me tell yeah. Gave my ma and pa the biggest hugs from then on though. A year later they wanted to enroll me into Celestia’s school, only, the thing is I never used my magic since all that happened, don’t know why, more trauma, I guess. Never saw Twilight again either, well except for in the papers.
Comet Tail sat on one of many of Canterlot Castle’s kitchen counters. Wearing an apron and serving attire. His pristine white sleeves a contrast to the chaos and green bug blood all around him. The once towering decorative wedding cake he had been so painstakingly working on for the last 4 days of his life lay in ruins amidst the carnage. His contemporaries, well, those that weren’t changelings, had fled long ago right into the changeling invasion of Canterlot. Such rude timing for them to invade. During a wedding no less.
“Because my dear…er…what was your name?”
“Ro…Rotex.”
“Thank you.” Comet bowed in thanks much to the Changelings confusion. “Because my dear Rotex. You asked me how I knew you were a changeling. And Instead of lying to you I thought I’d tell you the whole story. It’s far more cathartic that way.”
“How does…*Cough* *Cough*…” Rotex, formerly known as the baker Minty, lay broken on the ground. Literally broken. All four legs. She coughed up more of her green blood all over the floor while Comet Tail waited patiently for Rotex to stop.
“How does…telling me all that hogwash about dying and coming back to life…*Cough* have anything to do with finding out how you…you knew I was a changeling?”
Comet’s eye twitched. It was slight but it was enough for Rotex to notice and whimper in fear.
“Because Rotex. You and your friends have killed me.”
Comet hopped off the counter and sat down next to the bug. Careful to avoid the broken chitin scattered all over the floor.
“Many. Many times.”
Comet Tail stretched, popping several joints. He rubbed his temple with his forehoof carefully to wipe sweat from his brow, but not the sleeves. Signs of a good kitchen employee? Clean sleeves.
“Tell me. Minty. Sorry…Rotex. Over the past few months you’ve known me have you known me to be a very martial pony?”
The changeling coughed. Or was it a scoff? Comet couldn’t tell. He didn’t care.
“You said it yourself during your Tenure as Minty that my magical skill is abysmal. Not to mention that you called me…what was it? Ah I remember. Nooooodle hooves!” He said waving his hooves around like one of those wacky inflatable tube things on Mainstreet. Comet allowed himself to laugh and Rotex responded with another cough and a whimper.
“So how do you think I single handedly took down not only you, but all the rest of your well-trained warrior bug friends in the kitchen staff?” Comet kneeled next to the changeling and placed both hooves on either side of his head looking like he was having the largest headache.
“Think Rotex. Think!” I’ve become a super pony out of nowhere! I am nothing but a stallion with perfect timing and EXCEPTIONAL MENTAL FORTITUDE!” Comet yelled that one so loud it reverberated down the hall.
“And here’s the thing you see. We’ve done this song and dance before.”
Comet moved fast. Faster than Rotex could follow. He kicked up a skillet and launched it with his magic towards the entranceway to the kitchen. At that moment a heavily armed Changeling wearing royal guard armor stepped into view before being promptly wrecked by the cast-iron club. The said club proceeded to beat the ever-living snot out of the changeling even as Comet resumed talking.
“Oh yes. I’ve gotten pretty good at magic you see. I’ve had lots of practice these last…er fifteen minutes. Well. Fifteen minutes for you. For me…it’s been a while.” There was that twitch again.
The skillet kept beating the now motionless royal guard changeling, as Comet gathered all the cutlery around him in a display of deadly magical prowess. Rotex was so scared she was shaking now. She could have sworn that she heard a dark laugh somewhere in the distance.
“We’re running out of time. You see no matter what I do even if I escape you and your friends here, at around 2:16 pm. 1416 military. Don’t ask how I know that. I will suffer a rather sudden and deadly heartbreak, and if you had been listening to my story at all that only happened when?” Comet let a pause linger, expecting the changeling to fill in the blank.
“When Twilight *Cough* died.”
“Bingo!” Comet applauded the sound of clapping hooves going in time with sloshing noises as the cast-iron skillet turned its victim into mush.
“Ah Minty. You were always a great listener.” Comet looked off into the distance as if nostalgic before snapping back to the helpless changeling
“So. Tell me everything about your little invasion. But specifically, and most importantly.” Comet launched itself at the bug, until they were practically muzzle to muzzle.
“Where is Twilight Sparkle?”
Rotex the changeling spilled everything she knew. Invasion plans. Where they were holding the bride princess Cadence. Where they were going to place Twilight or any other prisoners they captured. The grand plan to harvest Canterlot and then all of Equestria of emotional resources. Their other spies in other cities. What worried Rotex is that no matter how much she spilled. Comet was always unimpressed like he had heard it all before. Rotex was in the middle of listing out their saboteurs in Manehattan when Comet finished it for her.
“….and finally Mithrax as Cool Breeze the Pegasus Custodian at Manehattan Middle School…yadda yadda…” Comet sighed and slumped down against a clean section of kitchen cabinet.
“You really don’t know anything else do you.” Comet looked sullen. Defeated even. He closed his eyes for just a moment, and the Cast-Iron Skillet finally stopped its grim work and clattered on the ground.
“Hey.”
Comet winked an eye open at Rotex, who once again took the form of Minty.
“It’s okay. You can rest now. You’ve beaten me. You’ve beaten us. Please. Just leave me alone. You can still escape.” Minty whimpered in that cute way she does when she wanted something. She always got it. Comet laughed sadly, thinking of the times he and Minty shared in the castle kitchen. It was no comfort knowing that the real Minty wasn’t even in Canterlot but was working far away on the border of Yakyakistan as a surveyor. The changeling had taken her identity and transferred to the castle on a spy mission. The real Minty didn’t even know who he was.
“I’m sorry Rotex. It’s too late now. We’re all going to die.”
Minty looked concerned about this but still played off her persona.
“It’s never too late. No one else has to die today.”
Comet chuckled and Minty could see the cold air coming from his breath and suddenly realized how much the temperature had dropped.
“You don’t understand. There are three rules I have come to know about this curse of mine.”
Comet turned to look at the doorway where it looked like smoke was pouring into the kitchen. Minty struggled to move but couldn’t due to the lack of working limbs. The smoke wasn’t from a fire. It was from something worse.
“My life rewinds to an earlier fixed point in time. When either I die, Twilight Dies and whenever I reveal my story.”
Minty. Now Rotex felt something coming. Dark. Horrible. Evil. The strongest evil she had ever felt. It tasted bitter and it was forcing itself into her very being. The smoke dissipated revealing a dark lavender alicorn with black regalia and glowing red eyes. Rotex yelled in terror just as she expired in a shower of chitin and gore.
Comet Tail closed his eyes and waited for the end to come. The being was in front of him. He could hear her. Feel her ice cold breath. She gave a faint yet strangely familiar tither. Comet tried to ignore it. He tried to think of his next course of action, using the information he had just confirmed from Rotex.
The door looked like it was about to fly off its hinges from all the knocking.
"Did you fall in Noodle Hooves? Come on, this cake isn't going to ice itself!"
I hastily shut off the water and dried my hooves with a towel. I rolled down my sleeves properly, just far enough to where they wouldn't get in the way and double-checked that the fancy Canterlot Castle cufflinks would display correctly as I served guests. Finally, I checked my image in the mirror before patting down my neatly trimmed mane and flashing my best-winning smile. I was going to have to work hard to buck this up.
"On my way, Mints!"
I pushed open the restroom doors and walked into the Canterlot Kitchens. Standing there to greet me was this beautiful mint-colored earth pony mare. Her normally curly ice blue mane was wrapped up in a hair net, and she wore an apron that marked her as one of the lead bakers assigned specifically to the Royal Wedding Cake. Today, we were going to finish it together.
"Bout time. I didn't figure you for a stallion to keep the mares waiting."
"We've known each other for months now, Minty; you know I’ve got no game." I winked at her.
Minty giggled and swaggered up to me. This back-and-forth flirting had been a regular occurrence whenever we worked together. I used to think it was all in good fun. But lately, she had been a little more aggressive than usual. I can't help but wonder if she was waiting for me to stallion up and ask her out. It had been a long time since I felt any kind of feeling towards a mare. My last crush, well, I chased her away, and that was years ago.
"Tell you what. If the walking disaster known as Comet Tail survives tonight…" She placed her hooves on my shirt and straightened the collar, intentionally letting her muzzle close to mine.
"Maybe I could have you all to myself. And you can practice your game on me all you want."
I held my ground, though admittedly, I was on the verge of panic. My mind raced, and my heart feels like it’s going to leap out of my chest. Is she serious? She looked at me with that half-lidded look and then gave a hearty laugh.
"That face never gets old. Seriously, Comet, let's get to work. Grab that pastry bag." Of course, I was disappointed, but I didn't let it show. Instead, I try to take it in stride.
"Oh boy. You'd better slow down. I almost proposed just then." I quipped.
"PUH-lease. We both know you don't have the backbone."
She's right. I didn't. I grabbed the pastry bag filled with delicious buttercream frosting sourced from Prance. I moved with Minty to the Seven-Tiered monstrosity that was Princess Mi'Amore Cadenza, and Shining Armor's wedding cake. Six ponies were already working on it. Sparky and Slender Vine worked the middle with their magic. Humming and Swifty hovered around the top while I joined the earth ponies, Berry Mix and Juniper, working on the very large bottom. Standing a short distance away, supervising, was Minty.
"C'mon, ponies! Soul Warden wants this cake done within the hour!"
"Whose bright idea was it to redo the cake anyway?" Juniper grumbles as she expertly dispenses buttercream in intricate patterns around the edge.
Minty ran a hoof through the portion of her mane that wasn’t in a hair net and sighed.
"Her majesty can be quite fickle. She wants everything to be perfect." I raised an eyebrow but didn't say a word as I filled in frosting behind Juniper with well-practiced hooves. The original had been planned weeks ago, long before Shining Armor's bubble shield was placed around Canterlot. Now, at the last minute (last week), the order was changed. I had met Princess Cadence only once before. It was when she toured the kitchens for the first time to discuss plans for the wedding cake. The original design was more modest. Only three tiers, less decorative icing, and way more chocolate, a stark contrast to the seven tiers of vanilla with more flowered icing than actual cake.
"Weddings can make a mare crazy, I guess," Swifty said, putting the final touches on his section before flying over to help the less experienced Humming with her side.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Hummingbird, or as we all called her, Humming shot back with a dangerous look. Swifty just raised his hooves in a placating gesture. "All I'm saying is she wasn't like this when the wedding was still far off. I heard those poor mares from Ponyville run in circles, trying to keep her happy. Pinkie Pie practically lives in the guest kitchen now.”
A yes, Pinkie Pie. The baker from Ponyville who had reached semi-legendary status among the staff here in Canterlot Castle. Her confectioneries put some of the castle bakers to shame earning herself both Ire and admiration. I, for my part had never met her, but I would certainly like to. Soul Warden, the House Master of the castle damn near hired her on the spot, but she declined.
Minty slapped a spatula on the table catching everypony by surprise. "Less talking. More icing."
I redoubled my efforts to ice the cake to avoid attracting Minty's wrath. The mare could get painfully serious when it came time to work. I could feel Minty's eyes following my hooves as I carefully finished my section. Then I felt something strange: It's like a pulse rippling through the air. I turn and look around. A few of us did likewise. The rest, well, their reaction was a little stranger.
"Hmmm. Her majesty is early," Minty said. She walked up to the window overlooking Canterlot. I carefully placed my pastry bag on the counter and joined her out of curiosity.
"Hey, wait a minute," I say, noticing one crucial detail about the skyline. "Where's the magic shield?"
There was a flash of green and a loud crash. I turned and see that Swifty had somehow smashed himself into the pots and pans cabinet. He gave a soft and painful groan before falling and collapsing on the tile floor unconscious; a scattering of pots following in his wake. My eyes shoot to the wedding cake, and there, looking quite pleased with herself, was Humming.
"I've been waiting months to do that." She turns to me and flashes a fanged grin, and my heart leaps into my throat.
I stand, frozen in place, eyes as wide as saucers as I notice the change. She looked, hungry. Even feral. Apparently, I was the only one to notice, yet I was too afraid to say anything. I backed up until my rump hit a counter edge. Juniper scrambles over to Swifty, too worried about him to notice the sudden transformation her colleague had undergone.
"Humming have you lost your mind?! He didn't deserve that!”
Another flash of green and Juniper falls over limp. Her eyes were wide, pupils dancing everywhere before finally locking onto mine. They screamed, "Help me," but I just stood there like the damn coward I am. Slender Vine, Berry Mix, and Sparky took her by the hooves and dragged her behind the counter. A sickening glow emanated from beyond what I could see as the three ponies performed some sort of magic on her. Their cackling fills the room.
"M…Minty. H…help!" I finally find my voice and turn to look at my friend. She stands there giving me that same half-lidded look she always gives me, except this time, it looks hungrier than usual. It's the same kind of look a predator gives to her meal right before it tears into its flesh. There was a flash of green, and I topple over, my head hitting the counter on the way down.
"Sorry, Comet. It looks like you're not going to make it through the night after all." Her voice sounds wrong, like the buzzing you get when you speak through a whirring fan. Minty's body shimmered with an ethereally green energy. The mint coat disappears, in its place was a black hardened shell. Her, correction, its eyes flash green, morphing into green insect-like eyes and a wicked black horn appears on its head.
"I have been looking forward to this Comet." The thing that was minty toyed with my mane, drawing circles as her magic enveloped me.
"I know how you feel about me. It's always so delicious. The way your heart beats. The way you yearn for something more. Your fear of rejection. Your shame and insecurity."
She laughs.
“Your cowardice.”
The bug-thing snarled. All I can do is follow its movements with my eyes. I try to scream for help, but my voice just dies in my throat.
"It's a shame that something is holding you back from devoting yourself to me. It truly would be a feast worthy of the hive."
The changeling lay beside me, petting my mane and basking in my fear.
"Don't worry. I’ve changed my mind; I won't kill you. No. You'll live a nice long life as cattle; I'll make sure to water you and feed you every day." It gave a cackling laugh. Before its magic increased in power. I felt something pulling at my very soul. Memories and feelings flashed through my eyes. The way Minty and I met. The nights out at the bar with the rest of the cooks. The acceptance letter to the Canterlot Royal Kitchens. My Ma, the baker, was so proud, and my father was disappointed in me for not joining the guard instead. Then there was Twilight Sparkle, the filly that I saved all those years ago, who by now was doing wonders as Celestia’s faithful student…
My vision goes black, and I fall unconscious. I wake up just in time to feel my heart tear itself in two.
I wake up staring at myself in the mirror. Cold water running over my hooves. My eyes are bloodshot, and the look of terror is fresh on my face. What happened?
Was it a dream? My eyes drop to the cold water. It wasn’t a dream. It couldn’t have been. It felt so real. My mind races trying to make sense of it all. Co-workers were bugs. They captured Juniper and damn near killed Swifty. The events keep running through my brain. I lift my hoof up to my head where I hit it on the counter on my way to the floor. No sign of any bump or any kind of pain. Next, I recall what was once Minty gloating then…
Suddenly I remember the pain before I woke up and it all comes together.
I try to open my mouth to scream, but my lunch decides to come back up instead. With great effort I held it in long enough to make it to the toilet and puke my guts into it. Broken down hay fries and a myriad of other stomach fluid drains down the toilet. The acrid smell makes me dry heave a few times before I regain control. Finally, I find the strength to get back up on four hooves, shaking.
"This can't be happening. Not again. Not like before." My voice trembles as I cling to my denial. Suddenly everything I had tried so hard to forget rushes back all at once. Years of work sweeping trauma under the rug is gone in an instant. Suddenly I feel like a little colt again, back at that blasted kindergarten.
"Comet!"
The door felt like it was about to fly off its hinges from all the knocking. I whip my head to the sound, hardly believing my ears.
"Did you fall in…?" I whispered under my breath while staring at the door, dreading the words I knew were coming.
"Did you fall in Noodle Hooves? Come on, this cake isn't going to ice itself!" Confirmation. It wasn't a dream. This is really happening. No matter how much I want it not to be. I try to steady myself and move towards the door. Slowly, I push the door open. A concerned Minty was waiting on the other side.
"It's about time." She gives me a once-over, looking me up and down. “Uh, Comet? You don't look very good. You okay?"
I don't respond right away. I glance over at the cake, or rather behind the cake where Juniper had been working. She’s icing her section of the bottom layer smiling broadly, completely oblivious to what had happened. Swifty, likewise was running his mouth like he always did. The rest of his co-workers, the bugs, were all working diligently like he had always known them.
“Yeah Mints. O…of course I’m okay.” I lie, avoiding Minty’s eyes like the plague.
Minty paws the floor with her hoof in worry pursing her lips in a pout.
“Well. You don’t look okay. Why don’t you get some air. We can take it from here.”
I try not to sigh in relief, but minty catches it anyway. Minty gives me that friendly smile, all playfulness and mirth gone from her eyes. Moving from the bathroom doorway I head towards the kitchen entrance. It takes all I have not to bolt through the threshold. I pause just long enough to glance outside the window. Shining Armor’s shield still stands for now. I let out a slow breath as I leave the kitchen.
Then I felt it: The rippling pulse.
The hair on my back stands on end and I bolt through the threshold of the Canterlot castle kitchens. Adrenaline courses through my veins as I turn a corner and slam headfirst into a guard. My ears ring as I try to recover from the blow. The audible clang would have been comical if the situation weren’t life and limb.
“Are you Alright!?”
The guard asks alarmed as he helps me back onto my hooves.
“This is why we have no running rules in the castle!” He scolds, but his tone changes when he sees the look of absolute terror on my face.
“Oh thank Celestia. Guard, please, you must help. B…bug things are attacking the kitchen. The shield…the shield…” I blabber on, damn near yelling at this point. A crash from the kitchen causes me to jump and I begin to run. The guard turns and runs with me.
“Sir! Please come with me! I’ll keep you safe!”
I needn’t be told twice as I pivot on my hooves to follow the quicker and more capable guard down the hallway away from the kitchens. We reach a large storage room, one used for towels, toilet paper and other supplies. He opens the door with his magic and motions me inside.
“Get inside! I’ll deal with…what did you say it was?”
“Bugs!” I stutter. “I…I think they call themselves changelings!”
The guards’ eyes widen, and he nods in understanding.
“I’ll take care of it. Now get inside!”
I rush in and immediately stumble over something as I cross the doorway. Flailing my hooves I intend to catch myself but, being the uncoordinated mess that I am, slam horn first into a shelf. I grasp my horn in pain, hissing a curse through my teeth, and then I make the mistake of opening my eyes.
A Royal Guard Unicorn Stallion lay sprawled out before me. A gaping wound on his head. His breath was shallow. Barely breathing. My eyes grow wide and I turn to the doorway. The guard who led me into this closet just stands there, smiling. There was a flash of green and my head hit the floor. The only thing I can move are my eyes, just like before. I hear the door slam, and I am surrounded in darkness.
By the time I wake up in front of that mirror, I had finished screaming. (for the most part). I feel my lunch come back up and I don’t bother moving to the toilet this time. The putrid mess splashes all over my pristine white sleeves. I turn to the door and eye a deadbolt in addition to the regular lock. I Immediately slam it closed, ensuring that the door remains shut. I collapse to the floor and curl into a ball. The pounding on the door grows louder as I desperately try to Ignore Minty’s faux concern even as she calls out my name.
I shudder as her knocking grows louder.
“Please. Just stop.” I whisper.
The knocking ceases.
“Comet…what’s going on?” Minty asks. I can hear her through the cracks in the door.
“Is it something I did? Something I said?”
Suddenly I wanted to scream again. My eyes dart around the bathroom. Anything to distract myself. Seeing only useless objects, I shut my eyes, wishing for all of this to be a bad dream.
Moment’s pass. Then the pulse happens. I hold my hooves over my ears. Wishing for this hell to end. I do nothing as they start breaking down the door. I can feel their eyes lingering on me. There is a flash of green. Then they start to feed. My life is draining away. I can feel myself growing weaker and weaker. Memories of who I once was drain away from me. This happens for what feels like an eternity, and I am almost relieved when my heart finally explodes.
I find myself floating in a void. Was this it? Was whatever abomination that granted this poor excuse for immortality tired of me? Had I truly died? The void shifts into an image of an all too familiar office. A tall yellow stallion in royal guard armor was there, talking to me. I couldn’t make out what he said before he entered the principal’s office. I finally recognized Glass Shard; My father. He was the strongest, most dependable pony I knew. Sure we fought plenty of times, but he always had my back. I start to remember that day clearer and clearer, until I was viewing the dream from the perspective of my younger self.
Ah I remember now.
Some years after the incident at Ms. Kindle’s. I had been called into the school’s office for refusing to use my magic.
“I’m sorry Mr. Shard.” I remember overhearing the principal through closed doors.
“But a colt that continuously refuses to use his magic can hardly be a proper fit at a unicorn school. He may have more luck at a public school.”
I couldn’t see his face, but I could tell my father was furious. There’s a kind of biting cold in his voice. No sarcasm, no malice. Just pure coldness.
“So, what you’re telling me is: The great Canterlot School for Gifted Unicorns is giving up.”
There was a snort from the principal, and I winced. The disrespect was obvious. The Canterlot School for Gifted Unicorns was a step down from Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. It was known behind closed doors and in hushed whispers as the “reject” school. Unicorns who were not good enough to make it to the top. The school staff and even Celestia herself tried to squash this idea but it had already taken root. For some ponies. Being second is worse than being last, and principal Leavenworth was one of those ponies.
“I’ll have you know. We never giveup, and that’s part of the problem.” Principal Leavenworth replies in a heated tone. “Your son gives up before he even tries! Hardly a fit for our prestigious school. Besides, there’s also his reputation to consider…”
I hear something like a mix between a tear and an explosion. I wince again.
“M…. Mr.…Shard…. please. Control yourself.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. Did I obliterate your desk? Silly me. Hear let me fix that for you.”
There’s a flash of light, and I sink lower and lower into the waiting room couch. The principal’s secretary throws a glance at me then at the door to the principal’s office with a worried expression on her face.
“There’s no need to bring my son’s bullying record into this. It was one time, and it was years ago. The fact that it was Princess Celestia’s future protégé should have no bearing on his future. For you to sink so low, it truly is unbecoming.”
There was a pause. A softness in my father’s voice that I rarely heard. It almost made me cry.
“He’s just a young kid. Kid’s do dumb things sometimes. He shouldn’t have to pay for it for the rest of his life.”
That did it. I was crying now. Full blown ugly crying.
“Be that as it may.” The principal’s voice held a note of finality. “The board has decided his fate. To keep him here and force him to work magic when he truly chooses not to is wrong. Regardless of what you think of me personally, I will not force this on your son. I hope you can understand that.”
The scene grows hazy and shifts to my walk home that day. I was still crying. Silently this time, following in my father’s hoof steps. It was quiet and uncomfortable. I wanted to say something. Anything to break the silence. I reach deep into my soul to find the words. I wanted to share with him what I experienced. Why I did what I did. But I knew in my heart of hearts that he wouldn’t believe me. No one would.
Still. I had to say something. There were several false starts. But I finally managed to squeak the word out.
“Pa…”
Somehow that was enough. Glass Shard spun around on his hooves and pulled me close into a hug.
“I don’t want to hear it son.”
“But…but I got expelled…”
“I know. I won’t lie to you. I’m disappointed. But I won’t hate you. I’ll never hate you.”
I embrace him back. The tears threaten to return. After a while we separate, and he lowers himself down to my level.
“Why are you afraid to use your magic son?”
There it was. The question that kept coming up. Normally I clam up. Say nothing. Until my father gives up or something forces the topic to drop. This time, I open my mouth to speak, but stop myself. The rattling of the cart returns. Twilight’s maimed corpse. The fury in my words and ill intent in my magic. The pain of death over and over and over again.
*no onE will beLIeVe you*
I wince.
“I hurt her dad. I was awful. I don’t want to hurt anyone ever again. I hate my magic. Is that enough?”
My father didn’t buy it. Of course he didn’t, I was always a terrible liar. But still, when a unicorn says he hates his magic. It’s the same thing as saying he hates himself. I knew that, even at this young age. For the first time in my life, my normally unreadable father showed concern.
“My son. It’s okay to be afraid.”
“WHY!?” I yell. Loud enough where several passersby turn their heads.
“WHY IS IT OKAY!? I HATE BEING SCARED! I DON’T WANT TO BE!”
*I will only say this once. Speak and everyone dies*
My Father ponders this question for a moment. Before leaning in close and whispering in my ear.
“Because I’m afraid too. I’m afraid I might lose you. That you might do something to hurt yourself.”
I say nothing.
“My Son. You may be afraid. But being afraid is part of what it means to be a stallion. In fact, you know what else you are?”
I tilt my head confused.
“What?”
“You’re a Warrior Comet. Warrior blood runs in our family.”
Now I was even more confused. Being a warrior is an alien concept to Ponies. Gryphons had warriors. So did minotaur society. Warriors are Soldiers bread for the express purpose of war, hence the name. Being a warrior is the exact opposite of the Equestrian Guard. Ponies are natural protectors and cultivators. We avoid war at all costs. To be called a warrior is the same as being called an uncouth barbarian in some circles. My father grins, I can tell whenever he suppresses a chuckle, like when my mom does something funny, and laughing at it will get him in trouble.
“Warriors? Aren’t they, you know…the bad guys?” I retort.
My father sighs.
“There was a time in our history when being a warrior was a good thing. It was needed. It wasn’t a happy time. But it was needed. The world was a dangerous place back then, and we can trace our lineage back to some of the fiercest battle mages of that time.”
My eyes were wide as I listened to my father speak.
“It may be a mares world son, but I think you need to start having the mindset of a Warrior. Because you know what a warrior does?”
“What?” I reply.
My father looks left and right, the ponies that had once stopped to listen had carried on. He leans close to my ear.
“A Warrior stares fear, even death, right in the face. Then tells it to go buck itself.”
My eyes grow as wide as saucers.
“Oooooh you said a bad word! Mom’s not gonna like that!” I exclaim. My father laughs. The dream shifts. I remember my dad telling me not to tell my mom about what we had talked about. I remember disobeying him and telling her anyway. My Ma was furious and squashed any idea’s of being a warrior from my mind. My father was angry and argued with Ma but he ultimately relented. My Ma certainly had a way with words.
“How dare you fill my sons head with such tribalistic nonsense!” I think were her exact words.
My Ma tried extra hard from then on to teach me about baking since my education had fallen through. Soon I found a new life and shoved dreams of being a warrior to the farthest part of my mind. Along with everything else.
Cold water runs over my hooves. I let my hooves linger as I contemplate the dream. My father was likely on duty right now. Somewhere in Canterlot Castle. He could fight. But would he win? I splash water on myself and clear my head of that idea. There was no way I could rely on my father to save me now. I was alone. But his words rang true. It didn’t take much thought to realize the choice that lay before me: I could stay as I am and cower in fear, or I can take my life in my own hooves and at least try to make it work.
The door sounded like it was going to fly off its hinges, with how hard Minty was knocking.
“Did you fall in Noodle Hooves?”
I grit my teeth and slammed my hoof into the mirror shattering it .
“GO BUCK YOURSELF MINTS! IM DOING MY BUSINESS HERE!”
My own voice surprises me. I don’t think I’ve ever been this angry. Not since Twilight. The knocking stops.
“Geez Comet. Sorry.” I hear Minty whimper as I hear her turn and leave.
Oh, that felt good. The rage. The release. The elation was amazing. Does this make me a warrior? BUCK no. But it seems like death is coming for me either way. I have died a total of three times now, just like with Twilight. How would I manage to get myself out of this one? How many times would I have to die?
My lunch decides to come up again. This time I catch it in my mouth and with gargantuan effort I swallow it back down. Absolutely disgusting. The bitterness in my mouth is foul. I use it to fuel my rage. I steady myself. Legs are jelly. Knees weak like Ma’s spaghetti.
“Comet…This is a terrible bucking idea.”
With every amount of grit, I can muster. I await the pulse.
That’s all that comes to my mind right now as I lie broken on the kitchen floor. My front hooves are bent at an odd angle, several of my teeth are missing, and my left eye is swollen shut. I’m pretty sure I’m bleeding out from somewhere in my gut because I can feel something warm spread across my chest.
I gaze upon my distorted reflection on a saucepan that had fallen during the struggle. What in the hell was I thinking? Of course, these changelings weren’t going to be pushovers, I knew they would put up a fight, but I had no idea how outclassed I was.
It made sense. These changelings had infiltrated the castle; it likely took months if not years of planning and preparation. Of course they would know how to fight. They were soldiers planning and executing an invasion for a cause that was yet unknown. I on the other hand, am a scrawny kitchen employee, who can’t do magic. The closest thing to a fight I’ve been in was a table flip over a game of Monopony. How could I hope to defeat these monsters. Speaking of monsters, the changeling that was once Berry Mix didn’t look happy and Minty wasn’t backing down.
“Back off Zasz! He’s mine for the harvest.”
“The Queen’s orders are clear. Any ponies in the castle that resist violently are to be killed. We have our orders Rotex. Now move aside...!”
Resisting. Was that what I was doing? I remember dodging one of their paralyzing spells and charging the fake Minty. What happened next was kind of a blur. Lots of flailing hooves on my part. Wasn’t much of a fight really. All Minty had to do was keep her distance before the rest of her goons dog piled me.
An angry hiss broke me away from my brooding as I looked up with my good eye. The changeling that was once Minty stood between me and another changeling. Now that I was no longer a panicked mess, I got a good look at these changelings. Black, armor like chitin, with a seemingly soft underbelly and joints.
“Let her have her prize Zasz. I know I’ll be enjoying mine.” Snarled a changeling beyond my field of view. There was a dark cackle and a muffled scream as the changeling was currently feasting on Juniper. I gulped involuntarily and swallowed liquid that tasted like copper.
“No. The orders are clear. Stand aside Rotex. You have led us well, but the signal is given and now we follow the Queen.”
“I have spent months cultivating this prey. You will not undo months of work just because he grew a spine.”
I developed a spine huh. Progress, I guess.
“Rotex…”
There was movement beyond my field of vision. For some reason I wanted to call out a warning. Lingering attachment to my best and only friend, I guess.
"Get off me!" I hear her hiss.
“Subdue her!” Somepony else hisses back.
A scuffle. I got kicked, most likely by accident but it still hurt like Tartarus. I took the momentary distraction to begin crawling, by pushing myself along the floor with my hind legs trying to get to safety. My hind legs slip on the wet surface and the smell of urine made it to my nose. I realize that the warm feeling, I felt wasn’t my blood, but urine. I wet myself. Fun. I barely reach the threshold of the bathroom when a chitin hoof grabs me and turns me over.
“If you don’t struggle. I’ll make it quick.”
The changeling called Zasz held a butcher knife in his hoof. My eyes go wide as I realize what was going to happen to me. I kicked my rear hooves, but they were merely swatted away by the changeling. I try to scream, maybe beg for my life but I gurgled on that copper taste instead.
I don’t want to die.
IdontwanttodieIdontwanttodieIdontwanttodie.
The changeling frowned as if sensing my thoughts. Any thought of mercy must have been quickly dismissed as he brought the knife down quickly. Before I could meet my end, time slowed. My eyes are focused on the knife point as a faint aura surrounds the knife’s tip. The sleek blade jerks to a stop barely scratching my fur above my heart. After years of neglect, my magic was still there, answering me during my hour of need. Any sense of surprise or joy was squashed by my desire to live. The changeling tilts his head confused but then shakes his head.
“And here I thought you couldn’t do magic.” He hissed. “No matter.”
The changeling simply grasped the knife with his other hoof and leaned forward. Placing all his weight upon the hilt. The blade began to sink, drawing blood and going deeper.
“No. Please. Stop.” I spit out blood as tears ran down my cheek from my good eye. Begging for my life. How pathetic.
“I’m sorry. I’ll do anything. I’ll… …”
No matter how much magic I poured into the knife, It just wasn’t strong enough. I felt my heart hammer itself against the tip of the knife as my magic failed. Then the changeling, feeling no resistance, shoved it forcefully into my heart.
*Urk*
Then he twisted the wicked blade.
“….oohh…”
I gurgle out as fresh blood fills my mouth with my death rattle. The pain wasn’t better or worse than having my heart ripped apart, just different. But you know. Details.
Cold water runs over my hooves. I withdraw them from the cold and not bother to turn off the faucet as I make my way to the door. I swing it open with violent force.
“Oh!” Minty says with a hoof raised, as if about to knock. “I was just about to get you. We need to get started on…Uh…Why are you looking at me like that?”
I regarded minty for a moment, biting back the vitriol that threatened to spew out of my mouth. Instead, I force a smile.
“Oh. You know. Dead set on getting to work.”
Minty recoiled slightly, not liking my emphasis on the four-letter word.
“Don’t need to get all serious on me. Once we’re done with the cake, the hard part will be over. Then it’s just mingling with the nobles and serving champagne.” She stopped for a moment, tilting her head down and pawing the tiled floor. “Maybe afterwards…you and I could do something fun?”
I laugh out loud at this.
“Yeah. Fun. Sure.” I brush past her, not bothering to look at her shocked expression. Looking at the ponies who were decorating the cake, I pick up my pastry bag and begin working on my section. My eyes wander ever so slightly to Berry Mix, who was diligently making decorative floral patterns on his layer. My eyes then dart to the cabinet underneath me. After a moment I place the pastry bag down and give myself a little stretch. Juniper is eyeing me strangely probably wondering what I was doing. I open the door casually and look at the number of pans neatly stacked inside. Tentatively I try to lift one with my magic. A decent sized saucepan lifts slightly before my magic fails, and it clatters noisily to the ground. I sigh. This is going to take some practice.
“Oh ho! The stallion CAN use magic.” Chuckles Berry Mix.
“Better late than never I always say.” I respond with a chuckle of my own, perhaps a little too enthusiastically.
“Less talking, more Icing!” Shouts a pissed off minty. She’s giving me the death glare. I’ll deal with you soon. Don’t worry. I think to myself. Berry Mix winces and heads back to icing. I lift the saucepan with my hoof and test its heft. I know there’s a cast iron skillet here somewhere…
Then I felt the pulse rippling through the air.
Meh. It’ll do. Berry Mix barely had the time to smirk as he turned around to face me, or rather the saucepan I held in my hooves. The sound of metal meeting Zasz’s, er, Berry’s face was satisfying to say the least. I daresay I broke something.
Zasz toppled over to the floor and tried to scramble to his hooves. I didn’t let him. Bringing the saucepan up with my hooves, I brought it back down with extreme prejudice. The changeling, still in pony form, brought up its hooves to protect itself, but it was useless. I connect with several satisfying hits before I get tackled to the floor by Swifty.
“Comet stop! WHAT THE BUCK HAS GOTTEN INTO YOU!?”
I struggle hard against him, but the hotshot Pegasus was strong having been a wonder bolt candidate prior to his tenure as a royal kitchen employee.
“Let me go Swift! They’re going to kill us!”
I yell out for all the good it would do. I probably should have waited until they made their grand reveal. Ah well. Live and Learn I suppose. Swift didn’t have time to reply, as he was struck in the back by a bolt of green, he toppled off his hooves and I took the opportunity to scramble away. Green bolts fly over my head as I use the center kitchen counter for cover.
Berry Mix, now in his true form as Zasz, was recovering from my previous blows and managed to get up on all four hooves. He was charging a green bolt on that wicked horn of his.
“Oh no you don’t!” I yell and tackle him with all the strength I have. I am successful in catching him off balance and we tumble to the floor. Zasz’s paralyzing spell goes wide in the air. I can hear Juniper scream as the other changelings subdue her, she must be putting up a fight, but I know I can’t help her right now. There will be time to save her later. Hopefully.
Right now, I am more concerned with holding my adversary down. He strikes me with his black hardened hooves trying to kick me off. I manage to hold on for dear life, not knowing where I should go from here. I scan around the kitchen for something useful. I find it. A steak knife that had somehow gotten dislodged from its hanging space over the stove. I reach for it with my magic, and it flies to me, albeit unsteadily. I grab it with my hoof. The bug doesn’t notice until it’s too late. Its eyes go wide as I plunge the knife deep into its soft underbelly and twist.
Repeatedly.
“We Were friends!” I cry out. Tears leaking as I violently withdrew the weapon from his underbelly drawing green blood with it.
“We went out for drinks!” I stab him again, and again, and again.
"We sang songs drunk off our flanks!" Tears are flowing freely now.
Something hard clashes with my face and I can feel the bones in my muzzle break. I look up. The Royal Guard pony from the hall had arrived. His form shifts with a green shimmer as he transforms into his bug form, and he looks at me with pure fury. I held the knife out with my hooves daring him to come closer. The other changelings form a protective circle around the now dying Zasz. I give a weak battle cry, or as much as I can with my broken muzzle. The changelings’ approach in unison snarling. The changeling I vaguely recognize as Minty, charges me. I lash out wildly. She grabs my hooves and disarms me and with slender movement I had only ever seen in those cheesy martial arts films. Having rid me of my only defense, she flips me onto my side before grabbing me in a chokehold.
I struggle, but to no avail.
“You were my friend Mints. I trusted you, I thought I…” I couldn't get my last words out as she clamps down tighter on my neck.
“I’m sorry.” She whispers.
For what? I don’t get to contemplate it. With one clean movement, she snaps my neck. Have to say, least painful way I’ve died so far. Things are looking up.
I wake up and immediately move to the bathroom door, again not turning the faucet off.
“Wait for it.” I whisper. Adrenaline coursing through my body as the need to avenge my death overcomes all thoughts of self-preservation.
The door looked like it was about to fly off its hinges as Minty Knocked. Right on Cue I kick the door open with violent force, I hear a satisfying crack as it connects with my target. The girlish scream of pain made me flinch. For barely a second, I remembered the last time I saw Minty get hurt. It was a bar fight with some drunkards. She kicked their flanks. I, of course, did nothing and watched the whole event unfold. The nostalgia fell away as quickly as it came, and I snarled.
“Buck my life. Buck you bugs and BUCK YOU MINTS!”
I charge out of the door and connect with a bloodied Minty on the floor. Without hesitation, I grab the petite mare around the barrel and heft her out the window before she can react. Glass shatters as she makes contact. I follow her fall. She tries to transform. But not before being flattened on the stone six stories below.
I can feel everypony’s eyes on me as I slowly turn around. The look on my face must be fascinating, because theirs sure as sugar was…
I regain consciousness to the sound of crashing waves and the feeling of pleasantly warm sand beneath me. My eyes flutter open to make sense of these sensations and I find myself on my side. A vast and dark ocean lies before me. The sky is cloudless and adorned with streaks of oranges, pinks and blues. I look up and barely see the stars. Is it after sunset or right before dawn? There’s a proper word to call this time of day but I can’t recall it right now. Ah well. I’ll think of it later. Right now, there was no death. No changelings. No pain. Just this beautiful view, and the feeling of a brush going over my coat and mane.
Wait…
So enamored am I by this view and sounds on this magnificent crashing of waves that I only now realize that I am not alone. Somepony behind me was brushing my coat. I tense as I feel this stranger moving a fine brush up and down slowly and gently. Suddenly I feel like a little colt again. Whenever I was feeling terrible about life as a colt, which was admittedly a lot back then, my mother would brush my coat and mane. It wasn’t so I could look better, it’s just that she knew I enjoyed the feeling of a brush on my coat.
Then I could hear humming. It was a mare, and it sure as Tartarus didn’t sound like my mother. Shifting, I try to lift my head to get a good look at the mystery mare, but a firm hoof holds me down.
“Do not look at me Comet Tail. The consequences for doing so could be dire.”
I tense even more at the word “consequences.” The mare, after noticing my unease changes her tune and tries to reassure me.
“Don't fret. You're safe. For now.”
This mare does not sound familiar. Her voice was kind, but firm. There was power behind it. The kind of power I only ever heard when Princess Celestia or Princess Luna addresses their subjects. Not the Royal Canterlot voices, this was the exact opposite of that.
“Who are you?” I dare to ask. The response was preceded by a pause and then a quiet and somehow bitter laugh.
“A friend, I think.”
I raise an eyebrow at this but let myself relax regardless.
“Where am I?”
“Heaven. You died remember?”
“Bout time.”
Another laugh. This one sounded more sincere.
“It was a jest Comet.”
“Darn.”
I stayed quiet for a bit after that. Despite the many questions I had buzzing my brain I let the peace of the moment heal my frazzled psyche. I don’t know how long I stayed like this. It felt like hours, all the while the mare stayed with me humming her tune and brushing my fur. Sometimes she’d move up to my mane and straighten it.
The entire time I resisted the urge to get good luck at her. Not that I wasn’t curious. It just felt rude to deny her wish when she asked so nicely. Instead, I turn my attention to the beautiful picture before me. What was that word that described this period between night and day? Ah. I remember now.
“Twilight. That’s the word.” My voice is raspy and quiet.
The mare freezes her brushing halfway past my shoulder. I clear my throat trying to get the cobwebs out.
“This twilight setting is beautiful.” I say relishing the ability to make small talk without somepony trying to kill me. I felt the mare relax as she rested her brush on my shoulder. I hear her sigh.
“I’ve seen better.”
I frown. Though her voice sounds level, somehow, she sounds incredibly sad. I don’t want to push her, so instead I try to change the subject.
“Seriously though. Where are we?”
“A place of rest. You’ve been pushing so hard. You came dangerously close to going insane. There are many things magic can fix, but a broken mind is not one of them. Magic can help, but, if you’re too far gone…”
She let the silence between us speak for itself. I, for my part, was doing my absolute darndest not to freak out. This mare knows what is happening to me. I feel equal parts overjoyed and terrified. Overjoyed at the fact that there was at least one pony who recognized my struggle. Terrified at the fact that, if she knew what was happening to me. She could be responsible. I prayed she couldn’t feel my heart hammering against my ribcage. I gulp down some air as I gather up my courage.
“Why is this happening to me?”
There was a pause. The mare had stopped brushing me as well. There was a long and deep sigh.
“I don’t know how much I can say without ruining everything. Even in my advanced years, I lack full knowledge about the functions of chrono magus. In my experience, the best way to figure things out is to experiment.”
I feel her hoof leave me and she waits, at least I think she’s waiting. She hasn’t said anything for a long while. Does she want me to turn? I think to myself. She said the consequences COULD be dire, so maybe this is what she meant by experiment. Hoping to not come across as rude I slowly shift. I pause before I look back, waiting for her to stop me. When she says and does nothing, I force myself to turn away from the beautiful twilight view to get a look upon the mare behind me. I freeze. It was an alicorn. An alicorn I had never seen before. She was dark, beautiful beyond any mare I had ever seen (even Celestia) and yet I couldn’t help but scream in complete and utter terror.
You see it wasn’t so much that seeing royalty terrified me, it was the vast landscape of death and destruction that was behind her. Corpses of various creatures. Some fresh, some so old they had become bone. Ruins of towns, cities and carriages. All of this wouldn’t have been so bad, had she not been sitting on a throne made of bones and flesh. I backed away so far and so fast that I fall into the ocean.
“Oh my. This might not have been the best idea after all…”
She says apologetically.
I wanted to ask, “who are you really?” But fresh screams come out instead.
“You are not a strong pony Comet. In fact, you are weak. But you must become strong. Everyone is counting on it.” Her eyes give off an ethereal green glow. Her pupils dilate red.
“Brute force is not always the answer.” She appears to be fighting something internally, but that is the least of my concern as I continue to backpedal further and further into the water.
“Trust in what little magic you have left and remember…”
She gives a girlish giggle which slowly turns into a loud and hearty laugh.
“…you’ve got a friend in me.”
I bolt into the ocean and start paddling, choking down saltwater as I fight the waves to get away. I used to fear the ocean and what lay beneath it. I fear it far less now than the mare cackling behind me.
I awake as if from a bad dream, yet somehow refreshed.
What was I dreaming about? I can’t really recall. Dreams always seem to slip away from me much like this cold water slipping over and around my hooves. Still. It must not have been too bad because I somehow feel myself to be in a rather good mood, despite my situation. I turn off the water and take stock as I look at myself in the mirror.
I had been at this for a while, and I was getting closer to clearing that kitchen. I wasn’t getting physically stronger, but my reaction time had been improving slightly. Still reaction time can only get me so far. There are occasions where my brain moves faster than my muscles can keep up with causing problems and more than one painful mistake.
I sigh as I remember my latest mishap. The enemy had gotten hold of that blasted butcher knife somehow and threw it at me. I saw it coming from a mile away and I quickly tried to move it out of the way, but I wasn’t fast enough. The knife buried itself in my eye socket. This was the first of a long string of events during that run that led to my very painful death. I wince a bit but push the memory aside. Pain was just a fact of life now. I had finally accepted that. More important than reaction time was anticipation. Being able to know what each changeling was going to do is a very important factor in my success.
Nine out of ten times, the changelings would react the same way. There were always a few outliers, but those were few and far in between. There are a few things that stay consistent. For one, they always target Swifty first. They obviously consider him to be the biggest threat.
I chuckle. I make them regret that every time. It’s obvious that these changelings have been doing their homework. The other thing that stays consistent is that they always try and capture us alive, unless of course I react with lethal intent.
One final thing. Whenever they do capture me. They drain me of something until I pass out. I always wake up before something kills me again. I always thought they drained me until I died but, now I’m not so sure.
I frown. Come to think of it, Minty said when all this first started that she was going to use me as cattle. What did she say? She would water and feed me everyday. Somepony killing me later doesn’t make sense. My frown intensifies. There are many things about this whole changeling invasion I don’t know. There’s a Queen, I know that. Where she is I do not know. What were the changeling’s battle plans? Were my friends’ changelings the whole time or had they been taken out and replaced shortly before today. My heart leaps into my throat as I realize that it was possible that the real Minty was already captured and stuffed in a closet somewhere, much like that guard I had tripped over in one of my earliest runs. Also…there was something else I needed to verify…
The door looked like it was about to fly off its hinges from all the knocking.
“Did you fall in Noodle Hooves? Come on, this cake isn’t going to ice itself!”
Horsefeathers. I need more time to think!
I take a deep breath. It was time to try it again. The gambit that never quite works out. I open my mouth as wide as I can before sticking a hoof in it to activate the gag reflex. It doesn’t take much to throw up all over the sink. Hello hay fries, my old friend. I make sure to exaggerate the throwing up noises.
The door swings open.
“Oh, my goodness! Comet are you alright?!”
Minty comes galloping up to me, careful to stay away from the putrid mess all over the sink and the floor.
“Sorry Mints. I don’t think…I feel very good. Must’ve been lunch.” I really ham it up. But I am convincing enough to where Minty brings over a towel to help clean me up.
“It’s okay. Let’s get you to the castle nurse. You’ll be fine I promise.” She’s doting over me. She’s always like this whenever I get hurt. Guess she doesn’t like it when her “cattle” gets injured. She tries to escort me out of the kitchen, but I gently wave her off.
“It’s okay, I can make it on my own. You need to finish that cake.” I open a cabinet slowly and reach into it, grabbing a frying pan.
“Mind if I take this, in case I throw up again.” I pant slightly and wobble on my hooves as if I was fighting the urge to hurl again.
“Of course, Comet. Take your time.” She rubs my back. I nod before making my way out of the kitchen. Out of the corner of my eye, Berry casts me a curious look before going back to icing. The first checkpoint passed. It happened only once, but Berry called me out for faking being sick. Not sure what triggered it, but it doesn’t matter now as I clear the threshold of the kitchen. I walk a little faster now, awaiting the guard’s pony that I knew was coming.
The royal guard unicorn rounded the corner right on cue. He was the reason why this approach never worked out. Even if I could outrun or escape him. He always found me or came out on top in the end. What makes it even worse is that this changeling’s fighting ability was miles ahead of Minty and her changelings. I could not hope to match his speed or combat ability, no matter how often I tried. Even if I caught the pony by surprise, the armor he wore made it difficult to incapacitate him.
Trust what little magic you have.
Huh? Where did that thought come from? Oh well might as well give it a shot.
I pass the changeling posing as a Royal Guard in the hallway. I begin the countdown.
Three.
Two.
One.
Right on cue. The pulse ripples across the castle.
I hold up the frying pan, trying to keep it steady with my magic. Besides my reflexes and foresight, I had also been getting better with my magic. Every advancement was purchased at the cost of grueling trial and painful error. Thank Celestia the art of magic was at least fifty percent mental power. The rest was about forty percent magical aptitude and ten percent sheer power of will. If I work hard enough, I may be able to use my telekinesis somewhat reliably. I lift the pan with my magic as if I’m pretending to hurl into it. It was shaky, which only added to the act. I watch the solar guard imposter’s reflection in the stainless-steel pan. He stops, turns around and flashes that fanged grin.
“Halt. Citizen.” He commands. I see the flash of green light in the reflection. Without turning, I whip the pan around to the back of my head with my magic. Hoping against hope that my aim will be correct this time. My magic fizzles out as the spell makes contact, but the desired result is achieved.
As my pan drops, I spin around to view the effects. The guard was hit, square in the face and was visibly trying to shake off the effects.
“Score.” I say smiling like a mad pony.
The changeling guard looks at me surprised. He recoils at the look on my face. I should check myself out at some point. My war face must be terrifying when I get down to business. No more contemplation. I grabbed the handle of the stainless-steel frying pan and swing it up in an uppercut motion. I connect, with hard chittin in the armors gap in the neck perfectly. The guard recoils and staggers back. I charge him and pin him against an open window. With one mighty effort I heft the paralyzed guard up and over. The poor changeling was too paralyzed to scream as he fell all six stories. It was always satisfying hearing bugs get crushed by gravity. Extra points for the sound he made because of his armor.
“Booyah.” I whisper as I moon walk backwards in a little jig. Something I picked up from Berry at one of the earlier royal kitchen parties. The sound of violent commotion in the kitchen stops my little celebration. As I pick up my frying pan and bolt through the hallway.
This was the furthest I had ever gotten. I’m not going to waste it. The sounds of battle echoes around the castle as I move quickly, but carefully. I make sure to stay far away from the sounds of ponies screaming for help, or flashing lights of green.
I avoided a group of ponies who looked panicked and were looking around confused. They were more than likely changelings trying to lure me in, I told myself. I took a hard right down a small stairway in the direction of the closest guest bedroom. The diplomat room specifically. This was one of the only rooms in the whole castle with privacy spells in place. Luckily, as a member of the royal kitchen staff I knew how to activate them. I opened the first door I could find, and would you know my luck? It was empty. I threw myself inside and immediately close the door.
Thinking quickly, I scan the door frantically for what I knew was there, somewhere. Eyeing green gems by the door hinges I press a hoof on it. The door glows blue briefly before the magical glow dissipates and the noises of battle die down to nothing.
I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding and take a moment to catch my breath. I let the frying pan clatter to the stone floor and move to the dead fireplace intending to curl up on the oversized comfy pillow reserved for dignitaries of foreign nations. I freeze for a moment before a thought occurs to me. I turn back to the door and start placing every piece of furniture I can physically move to bar the door. The privacy enchantment should reinforce the door, but just to be sure…
A shadow passes the oversized window behind me, and I turn in panic. Thinking quickly, I sprint over and tear the curtains closed. Trying to ignore the horde of bugs that were quickly descending onto Canterlot.
After looking around bug eyed for any more points of entry I moved to the fireplace. I briefly consider lighting it before I dismiss the idea. Smoke would surely give me away. Finally satisfied that I was safe, I move onto the massive pillow and try to get comfortable. Perhaps a little too comfortable as I feel sleep threatening to overcome me.
I give an annoyed huff as I get up and begin pacing the floor, desperately ignoring the siren calls of the king sized four poster bed and fireplace pillow. Instead, I look at the ornate grandfather clock ticking quietly in the corner. 1:05 in the afternoon.
I occupy my mind with pleasant thoughts.
“Maybe If I hold up here, Celestia and her guard will get a handle of this situation.”
I grin. Hope swelling in my heart.
“Yes of course, and if not Celestia, then maybe Luna. Surely, she’ll wake up from all this ruckus. She’ll come down, save the day and everything will be over.”
Tears well up in my eyes.
“That would be ideal, wouldn’t it?”
However, my heart of hearts told me it was not to be. Still, it was nice to hope. There was still something that had been bugging me though. No pun intended. All I had to do was wait to confirm it.
I occupied my thoughts by practicing my magic, using the various items in the room. I stuck mainly to telekinesis because that was the only spell I knew. I had lost the ability to perform most spells when I stopped using my magic. I couldn’t even perform the signature spell that gave me my cutie mark. I frowned.
Dropping the items I had been levitating, I lift my head and focus the magic in my horn, trying to imagine that wonderful and happy day when I got my cutie mark. My horn gave a few sparks, but nothing more than that. I sigh defeated. Maybe one day. Picking up the various items I had been using for practicing I resumed my telekinesis training.
Every so often I glanced at the clock.
1:30
1:33
I sense somepony at the door. I hold my breath for a full minute as I fear the worst. After that minute. Whoever it was had moved on. I let out the breath I was holding.
1:49
2:15
Then I feel it.
My eyes bug out.
2:16
An invisible force is digging into my fur. Grabbing hold of my still beating heart. I let out a cry of pain at the familiar sensation before my heart is torn in two.
I scream as I shatter the mirror, and almost rip the sink out of the wall. Of course it didn’t make sense for the changelings to kill me. I was a food source! Why would they kill their food source! It was likely what they were doing here in the first place!
“Comet what’s wrong?” Minty comes charging in.
“GET OUT OF HERE MINTS!”
Minty to her credit took the hint, probably from the crazed look in my eyes, and shut the door.
I lock the dead bolt and begin pacing furiously.
“This is exactly like before. EXACTLY. Twilight and I are LINKED!”
I buck the wall causing decorative tiles to shatter. It makes sense. Twilight Sparkle was a national hero. An element of harmony. A defender of Equestria. She would be a threat to be reckoned with. The bugs would go for her. She would resist. She would be killed. Somewhere, somehow at 2:16 PM, Twilight Sparkle would be killed.
They would kill Twilight Sparkle.
A hero of Equestria. My hero.
They would kill her.
That sweet filly turned into a national hero all grown up.
They will kill her.
My sacrifice. My regret.
They will hurt her.
I smell smoke, but I don’t care. All I see is red.
The pulse ripples through Canterlot castle. With fury, I kick open the bathroom door, shattering the dead bolt. The changelings had already transformed. Swifty and Juniper were already paralyzed and lying in a heap on the floor. The rest of the changelings turn to me. The one I recognize as Minty turns to me surprised by my aggression but gathers her resolve.
“Surrender Comet. You are surrounded. I promise you won’t be hurt.”
She must see something scary because she takes a few steps back. A burnt lock of my mane flutters down. Huh my mane caught fire at some point, how did that happen? Oh well. Bugs to kill.
With one swift motion I rip off the cabinet doors to the cutlery and levitate two frying pans, one cast steel and the other stainless. They float menacingly to my side as if I wielded two legendary swords. I crouch into a comfortable fighting stance. I had a clear objective now. But first. I needed intel.
“The only thing I am surrounded by…” I grumble. My voice sounding strange for some reason.
My two trusty weapons clatter to the floor. My head reels from the magical expenditure. I find ignoring pain relatively easy considering my increasing tolerance to pain.
“How can you get information...”
I take a withering step forward, nearly slipping on what passes for brain matter in changeling anatomy.
“…if every changeling is dead.”
My eyes linger on my final enemy. The Royal Guard changeling. He lay dead against a wall. Knives wedged in his soft underbelly like a pincushion. The fight with the other changelings had been a blur of fury and violence. After fighting them for so long it almost seems routine. I can confidently say that I am intimately aware of how each one of them fights and moves. But the fight with this guard pony was something else altogether.
He came charging in like a yak in a potions shop. His armor banging around the relatively crowded kitchen. He interrupted me just before I was about to splay ex-berry’s teeth all over the counter. Lucky for me, I’ve been getting quicker on my hooves. I managed to vault over the center counter still holding my two impromptu weapons in my magical grip. I then took the opportunity to whip a staggering Minty and Humming with passing blows from my improvised weapons. Humming got Steely (my nickname for the steel frying pan). Minty got Casty (my nickname for the cast iron pan). So what if I named them? It helps me stay sane.
Fighting with Magic makes a world of difference. I thanked whatever force returned my magic to me, no matter how badly performing magic hurt. All I do is will my trusty weapons to go hither and tither and they obey. The force of my blows appears to be directly linked with my emotions, which is great. There’s plenty of emotion to go around. Particularly the angry variety. Every so often my magic would wink out and I’d have to use my hooves long enough so that what little magic I had could recover.
That big lummox in armor chased me around the kitchen like a deadly game of tag. I knew from my previous attempts at fighting him in an open hallway outside the kitchen, that I stood no chance in hoof-to-hoof combat. The armor also made it difficult for Casty and Steely to make any difference. I didn’t have a plan, it just worked out that when he finally caught up to me; the kitchen knives had made it onto the floor. All within easy magical and hooves reach. I don’t understand why these changelings don’t expect me to use knives. It’s like they don’t expect ponies to fight back. Maybe it’s because their natural defenses make them resistant to sharp points and blades. Resistant, not impervious. Whatever the case, I had killed the guard and everypony else in my fury.
So, no kidding here I am, hooves deep in bug blood and guts. With no pony alive to interrogate. Buck me sideways. I stagger in my hoof steps. Angry at myself for losing control. It’s much harder to subdue one changeling when every other changeling is trying to kill you. It’s much safer, not to mention less painful, to kill every changeling until the last one. It just so happens that the final pony was the Royal guard, and there was no way I was going to subdue him with my own two hooves. I sigh and scan the battlefield for any survivors. I meet two sets of eyes.
“Oh. Hello.”
I cringe and then grin sheepishly. There laying in a corner, completely paralyzed by the changelings’ spells, were Swifty and Juniper. Other than the paralysis and the look of sheer terror they were giving me, they were completely fine. Their eyes remain locked with mine as I approached limping.
“Are you both okay?”
They just stare at me breathing slowly and steadily.
“Oh right. Paralysis. Sorry I don’t know how to undo it. I think it goes away with time.”
I frown as I consider what to do with them. I can’t just leave them in this ick, but I’m running out of time. Or rather, Twilight is running out of time. I suddenly remember the bathroom and thank my lucky stars that I didn’t completely break the door when the fight started.
“I know where to put you two to keep you safe, but you’ll have to forgive my rudeness.” I say with an apologetic smile directed to Juniper. This would probably be embarrassing for her. I limp around to their flanks and grab Juniper’s tail with my teeth. Grabbing a mare’s tail is certainly a big faux pas for a stallion to do. It’s borderline assault. But considering the circumstances, I hope she’ll forgive me. I drag her with all the strength I have left across the tile floor and…all over Minty’s blood…oops.
Finally, I got her through the threshold of the bathroom. I bow my head apologetically.
“Sorry Juniper. I’ll make it up to you I promise.”
I returned to where Swifty lay and grabbed him by his tail. It was far easier than trying to push them, and my magic won’t wrap around anything larger than the handles of frying pans (or knives). He was far heavier than Juniper even for a pegasus. I had to yank at times to get him over humming’s dead body.
In so doing I accidentally slid him across the floor into the corner of the kitchen counter hard. I wince.
“Sorry.” I mumble through gritted teeth.
It happened again.
“Sorry…”
It happened two more times before I finally got him set up in the bathroom with Juniper. I make sure that the lights are on and that they were comfortable. The looks of terror in their eyes seemed to subside, but the fear was still there.
“You should be safe here. I can’t lock the door, but at least you’ll be out of sight.” With one final apologetic smile I shut the door. The looks on their faces cause my mind to swim. It’s not like they could change their expression. They were already terrified when the changelings attacked. But why did it feel like their fear was directed at me? As I was thinking this I slipped and almost faceplant into the mush that was once Berry’s head. Frowning in disgust I pick myself up and walk out of the kitchen into the pristine hallway to contemplate my next move. On my way out I picked up Casty and Steely with my teeth. Can’t forget them.
====
“Darn it. I’ve wasted so much time.”
I acknowledge out loud as I consider my options. So I failed to gain any information. I ponder whether I should just jump out the window and try again. I shake my head. No, I can’t start thinking like that. This is the time where my dance with death ends. I may have failed to retrieve any intel, but that doesn’t mean I can’t still save Twilight. That idea sounded ridiculous almost as soon as I thought of it.
Who am I kidding? I have no idea where she even is, and Canterlot Castle is massive. If she were here for the wedding, which I presume she is, she would certainly be at either the banquet hall or the throne room where the wedding was supposed to take place. The wedding was scheduled to start at 4pm, so maybe the throne room?
A horrible thought occurs to me. What if she’s not even in Canterlot? What if she is so far away, I will never be able to reach her in time? My heart pounds as the fresh fear of a never ending loop grips my heart. Just when I think I’m about to lose it. Steely gives me a light tap across the face, and by light tap I mean solid hit hard enough to crack teeth.
“You’re right . I need to keep it together.”
So, finding Twilight would prove a challenging task. But that wasn’t my only option. My eyes turn to a window. The same window I had heaved that guard pony out of on the last run. My eyes linger to the largest spire in Canterlot Castle. Luna’s Tower.
In the past few months, I have made many trips to the Princess’ tower. Often it was to deliver noon time snacks or the occasional message from my boss, Soul Warden. I knew the route like the back of my hoof, and it avoided all the main throughways. The changelings are surely aware of the second alicorn. If the bugs had somehow captured Princess Celestia or otherwise prevented her from intervening, they would surely go for Luna. I frown. The princess would be asleep at this time of day, so the possibility of her capture was almost certain. There were plenty of enchantments that protected her royal tower from disturbances, but would it be enough? There was only one way to know for sure. Sitting here would accomplish nothing.
With a clear objective I begin to run. I take care to make as little noise as possible. I don’t want any changelings to hear me. My fighting skills have increased, not to mention my magic, but that didn’t mean I wanted to fight the whole bucking changeling army.
It was fairly encouraging that as I headed towards Luna’s tower, the sounds of fighting seemed to decrease. I didn’t let my guard down; however, I checked every corner. Paying attention to every noise. I Took no chances and took several servant passages that avoided the main halls on the way. It was all going so smoothly, a little too smoothly.
Wouldn’t you know it? I turn the corner and almost run right into two armored changelings, one of which was armed with a spear. They’re facing away from me so that’s lucky and I could have kissed the soft carpet on the ground that ran in the center of these marble halls that allowed me to move through the castle relatively unheard. Could you imagine if we didn’t have these carpets? The sound from hoof traffic alone would probably drive ponies crazy. I hold my breath and wait for them to move.
Ten minutes pass, and I’m about to lose my bucking mind. 1:31 PM. Plenty of time. Or it would be, if these changelings would move from their bucking positions! They were tense and appeared to be fixed on surveying any threats coming from the direction of Luna’s tower. Occasionally, they’d glance behind, and I made sure to stay out of sight when they did, ready to bolt if they started heading my way. But they didn’t. They stood there. Like faithful guard ponies…
I was just about to consider doubling back and finding a different route when a voice makes my hair stand on end.
“Hello. Meat.”
I spin around and find a black armored hoof to my muzzle. I sprawl onto the hallway bouncing off the carpet and in full view of the armored changelings.
“Buck me sideways.” I groan in defeat as I try to stand. The changeling, of course, complied. And I found myself getting launched across the way and into a wall.
The changeling that found me stood over me hissing his hatred. Oh yes. I could feel his hatred for me. It was palpable. The two royal guard changelings startled by the commotion moved up and flanked my attacker on either side.
“Finally found you.” The changeling growled.
I try to raise Casty and Steely in my defense, but they are swatted away before my magic could take hold. Another hoof goes into my muzzle, and I taste blood.
“Good find Mox.” Said one of the changeling guards. “Can’t believe we missed one.”
I could see the guard’s horn begin to light up in a green aura. A telltale sign of a paralysis spell. I sighed inwardly. Better luck next time I suppose. But Mox the changeling stopped him.
“Are you blind!? He’s covered in changeling blood! He’s not meant for saving. Only execution.”
The other guards had a shift in posture, but the one guard kept his spear steady, ready to slide into my ribcage at the slightest provocation.
“Our orders are clear. All ponies are to be captured alive, if possible, for feeding.”
“Not those who violently resist.” Mox’s eyes narrowed, and I could see him staring at my hooves. My gaze goes from his face to the carpet where a thin trail of changeling blood could be seen leading back the way I came. I look at my coat. I was covered in blood that had yet to dry. If I could face hoof right now, I would. The guards suddenly looked nervous and glanced at each other.
“Dangerous Ponies are to be put down. Our Queen demands it.”
Mox points a hoof in my direction.
“And this pony is dangerous.”
As I listen to this conversation. I try to call upon my magic, to see if I can’t sneak in a cheap shot with Steely. But the spear digs deeper drawing blood. I grit my teeth and let my spell die on the horn.
“That’s right little pony. Move and die.”
“Kill him now!” Mox yells. “Before he casts a spell!” But the guard hesitates. In fact, his hooves are shaking. Interesting.
“Thorax, for the love of the Queen. If you don’t shove that spear into that pony’s heart right now, I’ll have you on minimum rations for the rest of the year!”
Is it weird that I’m kind of getting impatient? I kind of want to die already so I can start over. I briefly contemplate shoving myself into the spear but think better of the idea. There’s still a part of me that is holding me back. Instead, I find myself empathizing with the poor bug.
“Ah. I see. First time?” I find myself saying. It’s strange how calm and cool those words are as they come out of my mouth. Am I even Comet Tail anymore?
“It’s okay. It gets easier with time.”
Thorax and the other guard take a half step back. What is it with these changelings and fearing little old me? I’m just trying to offer some advice.
“Thorax. This pony killed Rotex and her team. I followed the trail of blood to the kitchens. They’re all dead Thorax!”
This did not help Thorax’s grip.
“I’ll paralyze him. Then we can work on killing him!”
“No! Save your spells! We don’t have the empathic energy to cocoon every pony!”
Ah thanks for that bit of information. They can only cast their paralysis spells a certain number of times. I’ll remember that. I begin tapping my hoof impatiently. Eyes flicking towards the clock. The guard called Thorax seemed to be gathering his nerve. Then. Just as he finally works up the courage. There was a shimmer of air. Thorax’s head snaps sideways and he lands on the carpet, unmoving.
What?
The other guard pony barely has time to scream before his head snaps backwards much in the same way as Thorax’s did, almost simultaneously. Mox stands in shock and locks eyes with me. I am just as shocked as he is and shrug my shoulders. Mox turns to run but his hooves leave the ground as he is hoisted into the air by an invisible force. Well. Not quite invisible. II can barely see it, however briefly, a very faint ethereal shimmer.
“Help!” is all Mox the changeling could say before something stops his breath. The changeling struggles for a moment, then grows limp before being dropped to the floor unmoving. Then the shimmer is gone. I lay there frozen. Mostly trying to process what just happened.
An invisibility spell maybe? One of Luna’s guards? It's possible. For a solid minute I do nothing but listen and watch. I don’t see it, but something tells me it’s still there. Whatever it is. The ticking of the clock starts pounding at my senses. Finally I decide to break the ice.
“Um. Thank you?” My voice is low and slightly shaky. There he is; Comet Tail the coward.
No response. I call out again and dare to ask for whatever saved me to reveal itself. Despite my gratitude there is no response. Did it leave?
I scan the area with a critical eye and freeze as I notice it. It was faint. Barely perceptible to the unparanoid eye. A slight distortion in the way the light curves by the wall. I trace the distortion and come to the unnerving realization. Whatever it was. It was not a pony.
For the first time in a long while I feel true, primal, fear. It’s nostalgic, like I’m being reunited with an old friend. I stagger to my hooves and bolt down the hallway towards Luna’s tower. I try not to think of the overbearing presence following me. Like it was about to reach out and grab me at any moment. I finally reached the large spiral staircase leading up to Luna’s bed chambers and start the climb at a dead sprint.
I pass some changelings on my way up who seemed to be on the hunt for new victims. I barrel through them, and not turn around as I hear them scream in absolute terror as I imagine the shimmer of light dispatching them. I run even harder. My legs and lungs burn but I can’t stop. The thing behind me was going to get me if I stopped and I'd be dead. After an insane number of steps, I finally reach the landing of Luna’s bed chambers.
The large and ornate double doors were supposed to shimmer with protective enchantments. But there was no such shimmer. What was worse, the door was cracked open, and it sounded like a monster lay in wait growling. Menacingly.
“No. Princess. Please No.” Did the changelings have monsters under their employ? I wouldn’t put it past them. What kind of fowl beast could take on an Alicorn? My imagination threatened to run wild. But there was no time. I shake my head and once again gather what little courage I have left. I charge inside the room and slam the double doors closed. I use my magic to slide the dead bolt sealing the entrance...and my only route of escape. After a moment to collect myself, I turn to face whatever monster the changelings have in store for me. Only to find...
“Um…”
Princess Luna’s room is dark, but not so dark that nothing was visible. Dim blue orbs that mimicked stars hovered at the ceiling illuminating the room in a soft blue light. Every so often a shooting star would fly by providing some extra illumination. I briefly follow the path of one and feel a tug at my heart for the magic that revealed my cutie mark. I stowed it away or later. The stars illuminated a navy blue rug on a stone floor that had a design mimicking waves. In the center of that rug was a large pillow like mattress where several blankets had been rolled and tossed haphazardly around the edges. The pillows were also scattered. In the center of it all, was Princess Luna. She wore no regalia; her mane was a complete mess. It was a little strange seeing the princess of the night so vulnerable. I would have blushed if it weren’t for the growling. No. Not growling. Snoring.
Sweet Celestia. Her snoring. It sounded like a bug bear was trying to shag an ursa major and was getting brutally murdered in the process. Oh, blessed harmony, my ears.
My ears fold back as I press forward. I notice some bodies on the floor. Changelings. They didn’t look dead, but they were definitely out of action. Asleep maybe? As I venture forward into the rhythmic cacophony of abominable labored breath I take note of the surroundings. It certainly looked like a battle had taken place here. Though not a life and death struggle. More like a pillow fight. When I got closer to the bed, I noticed things I couldn’t earlier because of the dim lighting. Furniture debris. Broken chairs and slashed pillows. I also notice of several holes in the wall where it looked like spells had been fired off. Okay. Scratch the pillow fight. There was an actual battle, but why was the princess still asleep? It briefly crossed my mind that Princess Luna had awoken to fight the changelings and then go right back to bed. I frowned. Would she be that lazy? Obviously if there were changelings she would think that something larger like, i don't know, an INVASION was taking place.
I make it to the bed. After a quick glance at the double doors to make sure they were still sealed. I lifted a hoof and prodded Princess Luna in her side trying to be as respectful as possible.
“Princess.” I whisper, trying to be polite. No response
“Princess Luna please wake up. Canterlot is under attack by Changelings.”
Again, no response. The blue alicorn continued to defile the very concept of breathing itself. I decided to forego politeness and wake her by any means possible.
“Princess Luna! The castle is under attack! Please. You must wake up and help!”
Nothing. I tried yelling a few more times. At one point I yelled directly into her ears. Nothing. Finally, out of desperation a try shoving her off the bed. The lunar princess is heavy, not that I’d say that to her face. Even as she tipped over the bed and collapsed on the rug, she did not awaken.
“Oh, this is ridiculous.” I half yell. An Idea comes to me, and I do not like it one bit. I would probably regret it, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I look at the princess with an apologetic look. I look at the beautiful features of her highness. Her beautiful lips were parted just slightly exposing her perfect teeth and light pink tongue.
“Forgive me my princess. But I need to wake you up.” I raised a trembling hoof to the side of her muzzle feeling her soft fur, terrified of what I was about to do. With a nervous gulp, I brought my hoof up and with all the pent-up frustration I had available, struck her across the muzzle.
I wince at the noise the contact made, and for a moment I thought I had finally gotten through. But no. The snoring continued.
“Oh come ON!” I yell in frustration. Everypony at the castle knew that Luna had the reputation of a deep sleeper, but this was ridiculous. I repeat the strike.
*SLAP*
Nothing.
*SLAP*
“Wake…”
*SLAP*
“…UP!”
*SLAP*
“Your…”
*SLAP*
“…subjects…”
*SLAP*
“…need…”
*SLAP*
“…you!”
*SLAP*SLAP*SLAP*
Panting in both frustration and exhaustion, and nursing a sore hoof, I sat on my haunches. Screaming my frustration to the ceiling.
“We’re running out of time…WHY WONT YOU WAKE UP!?” I yell in fury.
“Any minute now, Twilight is going to die! Don’t you care!? She SAVED YOU! Saved you from yourself. Now I need you to save her. Save us. Save me!”
I collapse on my haunches and look around the room. The only clock in the room was a grandfather clock that currently had a changeling wedged inside of it. Very much not among the living If the blood was any indication.
“Do I even have time before everything resets? What time is it?" I say searching the room for another clock. It was for all intents and purposes, a question for no one. Imagine my surprise when no one replied in a deep unnatural voice.
“It’s 1350.”
I swear my heart exploded right then and there as the air around me shimmered. A firm pressure of cold steel, not sharp, it felt more like armor and cloth wrapped around my entire neck as my hooves were lifted off the ground. I couldn’t breathe and the lock around my neck and mid-section was such that I couldn’t even flail my hooves or buck my hind legs. I was just about to black out when there was a sudden flash and Luna’s room disappeared.
==================
Cold hard dirt greeted me as whatever force that gripped me let me go. I rolled with the momentum ready to fight but couldn't find my opponent. My mind quickly started taking stock. We teleported, so that meant a unicorn. Then I remembered its shape. Okay, not a unicorn but somepony capable of using magic. I looked for that tell tale shimmer. As I scanned my surroundings I took in my environment. It looked like an amphitheater, or coliseum from ancient times only it was underground and covered in junk: There were bookshelves filled with ancient tomes, statues, contraptions and miscellaneous items large and small. In other words. Plenty of cover. I had the nagging feeling like I was about to meet my death yet again, but by Celestia was I gonna put on a show.
"Stop Hiding and fight me like a stallion!" I yell.
My eyes scan the amphitheater as I expect an attack from any direction. I catch a shimmer out of the corner of my eye. At that first sign of movement I react completely out of instinct and kick up the dirt and dust with my hooves. The dust particles covers my attacker. Giving me a glimpse of where it was
"Got you!"
I yell, and grasp the closest thing to me with my magic. It was globe of the planet. I sent the object flying with lethal intent, but the effect seemed negligible as the invisible monster caught the globe with ease, before gently setting it down.
"You've got guts kid. Careful though. Some of this stuff is priceless." Came that deep unnatural voice.
My jaw nearly dropped, as the monster spoke with me. It sounded almost cordial. Like it wasn't going to grab my spine and snap it in two. The next thing I heard however, sounded like it was about to do just that.
"Comet Tail."
I whip my head around to that familiar voice. A voice who belonged to the one pony I both feared and respected in my career at Canterlot Castle. Moreso even than the princesses. A navy blue unicorn stallion in a sharp looking butlers outfit stood behind me looking quite pissed. Soul Warden. The House Master of Canterlot Castle stood before me in all his terrible glory. He was a stallion of few words, but when he spoke, every pony listened. There were only two ponies that commanded such respect other than the princesses: The Royal Secretary Raven Inkwell and House Master Soul Warden. The only two ponies that could scold the princesses to the point where they would bow their heads in shame. Many of us in the kitchen would sooner deny Princess Celestia free access to the dessert freezers than suffer his wrath. Right now, it looked like I was about to suffer his and boy did I start to sweat. He approached me and looked at me as if I had personally led the changeling invasion.
They say when you go insane your're always the last pony to know. But I swear, I had just gone insane and I loved it. Time line? Did he just say "bucking up the time line?" Does that mean that somepony else knew? That Soul Warden, the most dependable of ponies in Canterlot, knew? For the first time in what could have been days for all i knew; I did not feel alone. There was somepony else to bear the burden. My legs wobble before they buckle and I collapse on my haunches.
"You...You know?"
The change in Soul Warden's face was immediate, but subtle. From disappointed dad about to whoop your flank to disappointed dad who was about to buy you an ice cream to make you feel better. Oh blessed harmony and stars above. I can't stop the tears.
"How long have you been looping?"
How long? What kind of question is that? I lost count somewhere around death 19. Why bother counting after that? It's just Tartarus on Equis over and over again...is what I wanted to say, but instead it sounded more like blubbering and I'm certain no pony could make out what I was saying. The House Master of Canterlot Castle seemed to get the picture though.
"I see...so it's that bad."
"It is." Came the deep and gravely voice from somewhere to my rear.
"I've seen the kitchens Ward. This pony took out an entire changeling infiltration team by his lonesome. Ain't no way he did that the first time. Wasn't difficult to track him down from there. Kinda left a trail..." It continued to say. Whatever it was, it was something bipedal judging by the sound of the steps. I felt a heavy...paw? On my head. It started to move back and forth. The sensation was strange, like I was being put under a spell, but it had the effect of calming me down. The tears and blubbering still wouldn't stop though.
Soul Warden nodded and tapped his chin with his hoof. He was eyeing me critically. I wish he wouldn't. My snot and tears leaking from my face as I wailed like a newborn foal didn't look very professional.
"Comet Tail. Only child of Glass Shard and Magnolia Sky. Personally scouted and hired by myself for his professionalism and demeanor along with Minty from Sky's Bakery in Canterlot. No outstanding academic achievements. No criminal record to speak of. No military training. No military aptitude despite his pedigree..."
He narrowed his eyes as he eyed my horn suspiciously.
"...and no magical talent whatsoever."
"Y....you....d...d...don't have to....r...rub it in...sir."
I laugh cry as I can finally make word noises out of my pathetic maw. Soul Warden ignores me. His horn lights up and I can feel his aura wrap around me. It felt very much like the scan he did when we first met. When he was done he sighed deeply and lifted my chin so he could meet my eyes.
"Do you know where you are Comet?"
"N...no sir."
He considers me a moment, then looks over my shoulder
"Commander, what do you think?"
"He's telling the truth Ward." The being called Commander withdraws his paw. Darn shame too, it felt kind of nice. "One hundred percent clueless."
I chuckle at that.
"That's me...bucking clueless."
"Language."
"Sorry sir." I say finally getting myself under control, relatively speaking. A sudden thought hits me like a bucket of cold water. My eyes grow wide.
"Sir! Princess Luna! We can't just leave her up..."
Soul Warden's Horn flashes white. Directly behind him was the princess of the moon. Still asleep and about 30 hooves in the air. She barreled down with all the grace of a free fall, before slamming down into several book cases sending dirt, books and wooden debris everywhere. The Lunar princess slept soundly, still making those abominable noises with her mouth. To say that I was flabbergasted would be an understatement.
"Commander. Care to demonstrate further?"
I heard a laugh from somewhere behind me.
"With pleasure."
The shimmer of light moves past both of us dispelling whatever spell kept me from seeing it. What walked before me was a bipedal resembling a minitour except, if its strange armored helmet was any indication, it didn't have any horns. It wore a strange cloak with an even stranger design. It shimmered with some type of energy which gave me the impression that the cloak was what bended the light making him almost completely invisible. Any further observation was derailed as I saw him draw a long and wicked looking dagger.
"What are you doing?" I yell and try to move, but the House Master holds me back.
The Commander brings his weapon up high over his head, and then straight down.
"No!" I yell as I struggle against Soul. But Soul is stronger and restrains me easily with his magic. I stand helplessly as I watch my beloved princess be murdered before my eyes. Except, that's not what happened. As the knife makes contact, there's a sharp sounding snap as the knife breaks at the hilt.
"Well crap." The Commander sighs "That was my good knife too."
The commander kicks aside the snapped weapon as Luna lay there oblivious to the attempt on her life.
"Wha...what just happened?"
Soul Warden raises an eyebrow.
"The princess had a hard time sleeping after returning from banishment. Going from complete silence on the moon for a thousand years to the sounds of a busy city during the day is quite an adjustment don't you think?"
I nod, urging the House Master to continue.
"So she cast's a spell every morning to help her sleep. Nothing will wake her. And I do mean nothing. What you just saw is me trying to demonstrate a point. Princess Luna is an Alicorn. She and Princess Celestia are for all intents and purposes, indestructible and immortal. It will take a lot to hurt her, but she wont die. No matter how hard we try. It's a state secret of course, so I trust you will keep these facts to yourself. Wouldn't want any would be assassins to be discouraged now would we?"
I looked at my boss confused Soul Warden had a look on his face that mimicked the thousand yard stare. It ended as quickly as I noticed it.
"Why would you try..." I tried to ask, but Soul Warden wouldn't let me finish.
"A question for another time. Right now you need to take a walk with me. I imagine your time is short?"
"Time?" I question then immediately facehoof. "Yes of course! Time. Listen I have so much to tell you! There's so much to do!"
Soul places a hoof on my shoulder.
"Yes of course. But first I need to show you something. Commander, protect the sanctuary entrance and it's immediate surroundings please. The last thing we need is another surprise. Oh." He turns to the unconscious Luna. "Would you bring her back to her room? If she woke up down here I think she'd be asking too many questions me 'thinks."
The Commander turns revealing the face of his helmet. It was strange to say the least. There were slits to where the eyes should be, and these slits glowed a vibrant blue. It was hard to make any other detail on the armor as the Commander reached for a hood over his back and pulled it over. The cloak shimmered and the Commander disappeared from my sight.
"You got it boss."
Soul, satisfied with the answer nods once and motions for me to walk with him. Amidst the silence (aside from Luna's snores) i get to ask one of the several questions that has been bugging me.
"Who is that guy? And what is he?"
"Really? Of all the things that is happening right now, that's the question you ask?"
"Er...fair enough sir."
I remain quiet as Soul leads me to a door at the edge of the amphitheater. On the way we pass several oddities. Strange boxes that hummed music on its own, a black amulet with a red diamond embedded into it, a strange mirror that offered no reflection, a few crossbow looking items, a statue of a draconequus. A hole in the ground and another statue, this one shattered, among many things.
"You are currently in the most well guarded secret in all of Equestria." Soul says watching my eyes wander from item to item. "It is where the Special Magical Artifact Research and Recovery Team store their finds. It is also the previous resting place of the Elements of Harmony..."
The Special Magical Artifact Research and Recovery Team. Or S.M.A.R.R.T. for short. I've heard of them of course. They were the research wing of the castle staff. We just referred to them as Celestia's eggheads. Their members were few but basically acted as the castle librarians. You would always see them carrying some sort of book or trinket or paperwork around. If you ever pinned one down to have a chat, it was always, classified this or sworn to secrecy under pain of death that. We always thought it was just for show. Like they were making themselves sound more important than they actually were. Clearly we were wrong.
Soul Warden opens a door on the far side of the amphitheater and ushers me inside. What lay beyond was a room with an arched ceiling lit by your standard magical candle light spells. The only thing in this room, was a massive and ornate hourglass, except there was no sand in it. Surrounding the hourglass was a circle of magical glyphs. I, being the magical incompetent that I am, have no idea as to its purpose. The most I can recognize are the magical glyph's for numbers and dates.
"What you see before you is Chrono Magus. A magical artifact that pre-dates even the Ancient Terrans."
I feel like I should be in awe. But its hard to call up such feelings, mainly because all I was staring at was an empty hourglass.
Large and pretty to look at sure. But an empty hourglass all the same.
"I take it this doesn't look familiar?"
"No sir."
Soul Warden took a moment to think. He gave a deep sigh.
"This artifact, if it still worked, has the ability to rewind time. Does THAT sound familiar?"
I stand there for a solid few seconds as I place the pieces together in my brain. Soul Warden must see the look of realization on my face because he doesn't give me a chance to recover. He steps in front of the hourglass and points to the magical glyphs surrounding it.
"Comet. You need to learn to ask the right questions. Aren't you the least bit curious as to how I know you've been looping?" He jabbed at the glyphs again. "This is a spell constructed and emplaced by Princess Celestia herself. Consider it a failsafe spell. The princess wanted a way to track if some pony used this artefact. When in use everything in the world would be rewound, including memory. Up until about sixteen years ago the glyphs read zero. Then at this specific date, it ticked up to one."
He pointed his hoof at a traumatic numerals for the date. I looked at it, yet something told me not to. As if deep down I knew what the answer was. Soul pointed again growing impatient.
"Does that date mean anything to you? Anything at all?"
I didn't want to say it. I couldn't say it. I did not want to relive that day at Ms Kindles Magical Kindergarten.
"No." I lied. Why did I lie? Why the buck did I lie? This could be the answer to all of my ills, why am I having a hard time just admitting to what happened that day?
*SPEAK AND EVERYONE DIES*
Soul Warden knew I was lying. I could see it in his face. He persisted.
"Since then, it had been a mystery: Who used it? None of Celestia's security measures were tripped so somepony had to have legitimate access in order to use it. We all assumed that the user of the artifact would at least keep their memories, but since none of us remembered using it we scratched off that theory, and the whole incident was categorized as an experiment gone wrong. We finally get the guts to try the Chrono Magus out and these were the results: A rewound world where no one could remember anything of how things used to be"
The House Master gave a short and bitter laugh and it nearly frightened me out of my coat. This was the first time I had heard him laugh.
"Pretty useless don't you think? What's the point of rewinding time if you can't remember to change anything?"
I remain silent. Sweat was beginning to pour down my brow.
"Then. A few hours ago. During routine checks and sensitive item inventory, we discover the Chrono Magus empty of sand and this." He references the empty hourglass along with a glyph that I recognized from my days at Canterlot's school for gifted unicorns. What it meant gave me a sudden feeling of dread. Ad Nauseam. A symbol that means repetitive, or another way of describing a number that was incalculable.
Soul gestured to the glyphs again.
"Somepony with the knowledge to do so has been modifying the spell on the glyphs as per protocol." He pointed with his hoof to more floating glyphs in the circle. Some numbers that looked a lot like...
"Room numbers." I say, recognizing the numbers for the kitchen and guest quarters specifically. Part of the training for the kitchen staff was to memorize the numerical designations of most of the rooms.
"Exactly. It didn't take long for me to realize what was going on. I was following the emergency procedure put in place by Celestia herself. The failsafe would store the change I made and be ready for myself again during the next loop. The message was quite clear. Find the pony responsible. The commander and I have been systematically searching through each room on the glyph for clues along with times of access. Eventually, we found you." His hoof rises to me.
"You are the only pony that remembers everything. Which gives me a good reason to believe that you are the one who used it."
I shake my head.
"No! Why would I? I've never set a hoof in this place before in my life! Why would I do such a thing? I just want to live a nice normal life. Free from pain and death. I had it! THEN THOSE DAMNED CHANGELINGS RUINED EVERYTHING! Death is a preferable outcome to this! If I could...I'd die and stay DEAD!" My outburst didn't seem to surprise Soul. But it sure as heck surprised me. Just where did I get off talking to my boss like that? How rude.
"I believe you. No pony can lie to me. It's an element thing." Soul said placating me with both hooves as if telling me to calm down. "But you need to tell me everything if were going to stop this invasion. On the off chance that a changeling had access. How are you looping? What are the conditions?"
I hesitate.
"If I say anything, everypony will die."
"Do you know that for certain?"
"No."
"Then how do you know?'
"It's like a deep gut feeling. I just know it."
Soul lifted my chin again so I could look him in the eyes even through the tears.
"We wont know unless we try."
"That's not very comforting."
"Comfort is for the weak."
I wince.
"O...Ok."
Soul Warden lets go of my muzzle and takes a few steps back. The space helps as I gather my courage to tell my boss something I wouldn't tell the therapists, or my Pa and Ma.
"I return to a very specific point in time every time I die. But there's something else. What time is it?"
Soul brought out a pocket watch from his fancy jacket.
"1405 guard time. Why do you ask?"
I sigh.
"in about ten minutes time. Twilight Sparkle will be killed. I don't know how, where or why she will die, but she will die. Then when she dies. I will die. Then everything resets."
I raise a shaky hoof to that first date on the magic glyph circle. The day at Ms. Kindle's magic kindergarten.
"That date you mentioned. It happened back then too. I was just a little colt then..." I was interrupted.
"Twilight Sparkle? You're certain?"
Soul grabbed my shoulders with his hooves. His strength is surprising, especially for a unicorn. What was even more surprising was the tone in his voice. It was the tone of alarm, even fear.
"Y...Yes sir. Twilight Sparkle and I are linked somehow.
Soul Warden sat back and stared at me for a minute or so. He was staring at me. Or rather staring past me. I could see the gears turning in his head. Confusion. Recognition. Realization. It was fascinating to watch. It also scared me a little.
"Celestia. What have you done?" He whispered.
"Sir?"
"When you mentioned ascension. I thought you were joking." The color in Soul's face drained incredibly quickly. I was beginning to grow even more terrified.
"She'd be the only one to get past your security. You'd probably teach her how."
Soul started to shake. Was it fear? No. It was anger.
"Absolute power corrupts absolutely. What in Tartarus were you thinking Celly."
A sudden beeping interrupts Soul's thoughts. I whip my head around looking for the source of that strange noise. Suddenly I realize it's coming from Soul's jacket. It takes a moment, but Soul reacts to it by grabbing the offender, a strange rectangular box, from his pocket.
"Commander. What's the situation?" He says, I can tell he's forcing himself to remain calm. I can hear the commanders voice over the box. It must be an enchantment. The voice was garbled but I can still hear him. It did not sound good.
"Ward we have an Omega class threat tearing through Canterlot. SHIT! She's killing everyone! I mean EVERYONE. Ponies and Changelings alike!"
I hear what sounds to be screams and loud popping noises, like fireworks and explosions.
"Do you have visual on the threat?" Soul Warden responds quickly.
"Fuck yes I do! She's staring right at me!"
More of those firecracker noises, then a cackling laugh.
"Current means of subjugation ineffective. Switching to stronger ordinance!" I hear the commander scream through the box. Soul Warden darts out of the room. I follow him. His horn lights up and the entire amphitheater is awash in bright blue glow. The spell resembled Shining Armor's shield spell, but it looked less refined.
"Commander. Report!" Soul yells focusing all his might on the spell. I can see the beads of sweat form on his brow. I stand by helpless not knowing what I should be doing.
"Blast it all Commander. You'd better respond! You can't die on me yet!"
There was static. Then the line went dead for a moment. Another beep. Soul answers it immediately.
"Commander?" Thankfully, the commander responded but it was pained and barely a whisper.
"Still here. But not for long. Ward. It's another fucking alicorn."
Soul sighed in defeat.
"I know."
"Is it who I think it is?"
"Yes."
There was a long pause.
"I'll do what I can Ward. But she's coming for you and your new friend. Nothing that worked on Celestia or Luna is working on her. I am initiating hammer down protocol. Get your new friend to reset already. It's been an honor. Commander out."
Soul dropped the talking box before stomping on it with a hoof. I wince at the crushing sound. Soul twists his hoof in the dirt making sure the box was even further pulverized before sitting on his haunches. I move next to him almost scared to speak. But I must. I need to know what to do next. How to end the cycle.
"Sir? What's the plan? Who's attacking Canterlot now?"
A massive quake shakes the ground. Several artifacts and book shelves topple over. I can barely keep myself still. Soul Warden however was unmoving.
"What the buck was that?!" I exclaim as I recover myself from the ground.
"Hammer down."
"Huh?"
Soul turns to me and makes eye contact. He's wearing a sad and tired smile.
"The original plan was to wait until the evening, where Luna's sleep spell would wear off and she would awake to raise the moon. I would stay here to protect the sanctuary while the Commander, Luna and her guard would systematically clear Canterlot Castle and then Canterlot Proper. But that's no longer in the cards I'm afraid."
"Why not?" I protest. "All i need to do is find you again. Explain the situation. Convince you to help me find Twilight Sparkle and together stop this invasion! So just tell me where we are and I'll find a way to reach you!" I put my hooves together, practically begging Soul Warden for help.
"Please. I can't keep doing this alone. I'm going to lose my bucking mind!"
Soul Warden gave me a look that resembled pity, for all the good that would do me.
"Unfortunately, I can't do that. There are things in this place that cannot fall into the wrong hands. Things here that coud end the world as we know it. Maybe even wipe out our timeline from existence if rumors are to be believed. Even if you were to find me I suspect she will not allow me to intervene now that she knows what you know."
"I AM SICK AND TIRED OF ALL THIS MYSTERY YOU CRANKY OLD STALLION!" I bellow finally losing my self control. Soul, didn't even flinch. "Who? Who will intervene?"
* I WARNED YOU *
Suddenly, Soul Warden turns to me and pulls me close, not quite an embrace, but enough so that he can whisper into my ear
"I'm not sure I can say without making things worse."
"Does it have something to do with Twilight? I mentioned her and you got all weird."
Soul says nothing. Instead he speaks with more fervor even as something is clawing it's way through the walls.
When you reset, find princess Celestia. Tell her I sent you and then use these exact words in this exact order: Memetic
Threat Sierra Delta. She'll know what to do. It's another failsafe code for a contingency."
"Memetic...what?" I stutter.
"Memetic. Threat. Sierra. Delta."
"Assuming I'll remember that, even if I manage to find her, and beat all the Changelings probably holding her hostage... How is this going to help me find Twilight?"
"Where Celestia is, there Twilight will be."
I look up at him with a raised eyebrow. Soul Shrugged.
"At least that's how I learned to find her when she was living in the castle." The earth shook again. I feel something hit me in the side of the head. It all goes black
"Oh dear. He's still alive isn't he? No worries. I'll kill him and reset later."
Soul Warden, to his credit, maintains his professional demeanor despite the situation. He is cradling Comet in his hooves, a nasty gash on his head. He gently lowers him to the ground, careful not to injure him further. Soul Warden takes a step in front of his employee. Shaking off the blood on his broken hoof. Turns out, limbs aren't good shields against flying debris. But he still had to try and protect his subordinates. Rule number one take good care of your soldiers. Once Comet was secure he turns towards his attacker.
"Oh Twilight Sparkle. How much you've grown." There was no pain in his voice. Only crushing disappointment.
The tall dark alicorn gives a laugh. It would have been cute had she not been covered from horn to hoof in both changeling and pony blood.
"Why you flatter me House Master. But I'm afraid I must correct you. I'm not Twilight. I haven't been for a long, long, time." She laughs again then extends her wings from her slender figure. Each feather was a wisp of death that extended further and further into the amphitheater. The temperature drops dramatically until every exhale was a puff of cloud. The tell tale sign of magic being sucked from the air. A rolling mist begins to flow behind the dark alicorn, consuming everything in its path.
"Oh really? So what should I call you then?"
"It doesn't matter silly." She tithers before suddenly growing very serious.
"Nothing matters."
Black Tendrils shoot forward from her wings, a blue light parries them before forming a solid shield around Comet and himself.
"Impressive." Laughed the dark alicorn. "I wonder who taught you that spell?"
"Consider it my special talent."
The black tendrils grow in number as the combined force causes the size of Soul's spell to shrink. Soul grit his teeth. But he refused to show weakness, even as the shrinking shield forced him to his knees in front of Comet. Then, like music to his ears, there was the tell tale sound of charging ancient esoteric terran weaponry.
"Oi!"
There was a blast of hot energy and what sounded like the wrath of an angry dragon. The dark alicorn was blown back several hooves as the power of the sun blew her away. Dark limbs retracting back into her wings.
"Yeah! How'd you like that?"
There limping up to Soul Warden was the Commander. Armor broken, helmet half shattered, exposing a bleeding face, and not a trace of a camo cloak in sight. Soul smiled despite his appearance.
"You crazy Terran. I thought you were a gonner."
"Yeah well, she parried my tactical nuke right into the mountain man. She parried a NUKE. I mean who does that?"
The commander drops his now useless weapon on the ground, the only shot from his fusion blaster spent. Grunting he bends over and draws a small knife from his boot and settles himself into a fighting stance. For a moment Soul thinks it's over. But only for a moment. The dark alicorn rises from her mist and laughs.
"Oh my stars. That actually hurt. Well done."
The Dark Alicorn was missing half her face, but her flesh knitted itself back together, even growing fresh hair.
"Unfortunately that means you're a threat."
She frowned.
"I can't abide a threat. I wont allow you to interfere. Before I kill you all very painfully, I must ask, why not just let Comet die? Let him die and this is over. Everything resets and he'll try again. Eventually he will succeed."
Soul knew that all three of them were dead, his magic was all but spent. The Commander for all his bravado was probably bleeding out, but just for fun, like tugging on that feeling in his gut, he raises his hoof like a school foal in class. For a brief moment he sees something click in the dark alicorn's brain. She raised a hoof to call on him. Ah twilight. You're still in there after all.
"Because ma'am. I'm not in the habit of killing my fellow ponies. But I must ask, why are you doing this? Why him?" The dark alicorn's eye twitched as she met Soul's gaze. But then she smiled almost lovingly.
"Oh House Master. That's for me to know and you to die wondering. In fact. I'll make sure you and Celestia's pet over there, can never interfere with Comet Tail and his development ever again."
The Commander motioned with his knife towards him as he limped forward and in front of Soul Warden and Comet Tail in a protective stance.
I wake up staring at myself in the mirror. Cold water running over my hooves. My eyes are bloodshot, and the look of terror is fresh on my face. What just happened? One minute I was talking to Soul Warden and the next I was out like a light. Then I must have died and ended up here. I sigh. Well there was at least a few silver linings in the rain cloud I call my life. Number one. It was a painless death, so that's something. Number Two? I am not alone. I grin. I am not alone. I pump the air with my hoof. I could almost cry tears of joy. Sure they would be a pain in the flank to find, but once I find out where Soul Warden and the Commander were hiding, I could enlist their help and Twilight and Canterlot would be saved! So what if Soul refused at first? All I needed to do was convince him. I could tell him about the magical glyphs and the ancient magus chrono thingy. Not to mention that special code I was supposed to tell Celestia. What was it again? Ah never mind, I'll remember it later.
The door looked like it was about to fly off its hinges from all the knocking.
"Did you fall in Noodle Hooves? Come on, this cake isn't going to ice itself!"
I almost sing in response.
"Just a minute Minty!"
"Okay well hurry up! Everypony already started working on it!" I hear her walk away.
Lets see it was around 1330 in that hall before Luna's tower when I first encountered the Commander. If I head there at that exact time, I could meet up with him and the House Master again. Then the convincing could begin. I bolt out the bathroom door.
"Oh Minty! I COMPLETELY forgot! Soul Warden wanted to meet with me before the ceremony starts. Something about extra duty. I'll be right back."
"Uh...what?" Minty looked at me confused. I brush past her immediately almost at a run. She runs after me. Well buck. This happens sometimes. Oh well, I'll just have to deal with her when the pulse begins. I run out of the kitchen and past the guard. Well buck, I guess I'll have to deal with him too.
"Comet! Wait up!"
"Business as usual minty! Gotta find Soul Warden! No need for an escort!"
I book it past several windows and by chance I look outside the window to get a glimpse of my objective. Then its like a bucket of Ice cold water is dumped all over me as I try to process what I see. Or rather what I don't. I slow to a halt, not believing my eyes.
Minty almost slams into me.
"Comet. What gives? Who's this Soul Warden guy? Are you making up excuses to get out of work? Because if so that'd be a first and doesn't reflect well on..." I place a hoof on her mouth to silence her.
