TThe Halfling
MLP: FiM
Dark
Drama
On a clear night, a certain changeling mother makes her way while under hot pursuit to the newly built Temple of the Sun in the Crystal Empire. Her kingdom is shattered, her loyal followers are few and scattered. What does she want?
Alt. Universe
OC
Cadance
Shining Armor
Chrysalis
Changelings
Scarheart · 135k words · 533 31 · 7.8k views

Chapter Teaser! · 7:44pm May 8th, 2017

*****Unedited and subject to change!*****

“That doesn’t make sense,” interrupted Shining as he set his cup down. His ears were splayed out and he appeared frazzled, “How does showing subordination to her make us look like good parents in her eyes? I could have taken her, put her in a containment sphere, and charged her with attempted foalnapping with intent to do harm.”
Cadence gave him an incredulous look before shaking her head, “That would be like trying to take down either of my aunts, Shiny. Your shield spell might have worked, but the trick would be putting her in a position to be able to use your magic.”
Shining Armor glared at his wife, then gave out a little frustrated sigh.
“She would have fought you, unleashing her might with restraint only for her son.” Wilda took another sip of tea and winced at Shining, “You needed to make sure she felt there was no need to lash out. I appreciate you held yourself in check. You are a formidable warrior, Prince Consort, but the Queen was in no mood for a battle. She wanted to see her son, to touch him, and give him her love. Her magic is powerful, very powerful. I do not think Reign Cloud’s health will be a serious issue for at least a little while longer.” Wilda buzzed her wings and flicked her tail. “Zeala has much to answer for. Queen Chrysanthemum exposed her, but this dark magic...It is beyond my knowledge, Cadence. I’m sorry, but I never dabbled too much into the higher magics. I’m just a Broodmother.” She gave her friend an apologetic smile.
Cadence returned the smile, then sighed as she rubbed her temples with a hoof. “Dark magic. Sombra’s influence on Zeala must be strong. Very strong. How is it we never noticed the connections before?”
“Dark magic,” Shining began, hesitating and letting his words slip out with careful slowness, “dark magic can be used in persuasion spells. I think,” he blinked, wrinkled his muzzle and sighed, “ah, dark magic can be undetected if it is masked. Not all magic is understood by us. I was only given enough knowledge in dark magic so I could counter it, but this is old stuff. It might even predate the Princesses. Twilight might know more about this branch of magic. I’m good, but she’s a master.”
“Her knowledge isn’t as good as Celestia’s or Luna’s. Starlight Glimmer dabbled in a lot of dark magic,” Cadence said.
“Oh, yeah,” Shining Armor grunted, “Twilight’s former student. I remember her mentioning her not too long ago. Something about finding her controlling an entire town some time back. She was considered a terrorist until she went straight. I read the reports. I knew she had used forbidden magic, even abusing it to the point of stealing Cutie Marks. I wasn’t going to grant her permission to step hoof in the Crystal Empire until Twily vouched for her. I sometimes wonder if our society is at times too forgiving.”
“You are herd animals,” Wilda told him, arching her brow, “you ponies can’t stand one of your own straying from the path the rest of the herd follows. Those that stray from your path are almost always encouraged to come back and be a part of the whole. It makes it easy for you to protect those who would be weaker by themselves.”

Mandatory Changeling Picture!