//------------------------------// // Interrogations and Aftermath // Story: Imprisonment of a Changeling // by Southern Wing //------------------------------// Wing woke up to his new surroundings in the Canterlot dungeon. He heard that someone was talking to him through telepathy. He soon realized it was Sev, but there was much interference with the connection. “Wing! Are you alright?!” Sev screamed through the telepathic link. “I think so,” Wing replied. “I was beginning to get worried. You were out for a while.” “I need to contact Mother. She’s probably getting worried.” “Go ahead, bro.” Wing stopped the communication with Sev and tried contacting Queen Chiton. “Mother? This is Schkitz. Do you read me? Over.” Wing only received silence in response. “Mother...if this is a joke it’s not funny.” Only silence came in reply once again. “MOTHER!” Wing screamed telepathically. Nothing. It was then that he realized he could not only not hear Chiton, but he also couldn’t hear the rest of the hive. The changelings that had raised him and been in his pony persona, his family. Northern Wing was known by changelings as Thorx. Bon Wing, known by changelings as Silethix. Autumn Wing, known by changelings as Jilethix. Summer Wing, known by changelings as Zilethix. The youngest was Diamond Wing, know by changelings as Cilethix, they were all silent on his end. He began to worry about their safety; once word had gotten out that he was a changeling, they all would be in danger. His thoughts then turned to Fluttershy and Winter, and what would happen to them. “You hanging in there, buddy?” Sev communicated. “I...I’ve been cut off from the hive…” Wing answered. “What?!” Sev exclaimed. “How is that possible?” “Love overload, spell going wrong… there are many ways for it to happen.” “Now what are we gonna do?” “We gotta wait it out somepony is bound to come get us to questions us or something.” “Guess so…” The sound of hoofsteps got Sev’s attention. As he looked to the cell door, Shining Armorcame into view. “Sev Divine...never in all my years would I have thought you’d do something that stupid.” Shining signaled the guards to open the door. The guards unlocked and opened the door, then grabbed Sev. They followed Shining to one of the interrogation room. The group entered the room, the two guards forcing Sev to sit in the chair before going to the door and closing it. “What are you doing?” Sev asked. “I want to know why you were defending a changeling!” Shining snapped. “That changeling is Wing, refer to him by his name!” “Why were you defending him?” Shining pressed on. “You think I’d leave my best friend like that?” Shining shook his head when he heard that. “So you admit to defending a changeling that was part of the attack? Do you realize how this sounds?” “Wing wasn’t part of the attack, you idiot! He was defending Canterlot!” “Sure he was.” “But Cadence heard Chrysalis call Wing a traitor to all thing's changeling! Ask her!” “Cadence is recovering from her experience. I’m not going to force her to relive this now.” “Shining, you’re being a complete idiot! Can’t you see the big picture?” “I have. Chrysalis brainwashed me, pretended to be my wife, and used me to invade Canterlot. We were this close to losing everything...” “Shining Armor, you’re letting Chrysalis get to you. There’s more to this than you know!” “Stop it, Sev. I know what’s going on…” “No, you don’t! You don’t know anything about what’s going on! If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re still being brainwashed by Chrysalis!” Shining had it up to that point. He lunged at Sev and got into a brawl with him. It took the guards inside the room to pull the stallions off each other. “Take him back to his cell,” Shining Armor ordered, wincing from the blows that Sev landed on him. “And bring that changeling in here!” “Yes, sir,” the guards said, carrying Sev back to his cell. Once they got there, the guards laid Sev on the floor and locked the door. “Ow…” Sev muttered. “You OK, Sev?” Wing asked telepathically. “Yeah, just got back from the interrogation by Shining.” “How’d it go?” “As well as you’d expect.” “Dammit, Sev! Being hostile isn’t going to help.” “It helps me. Oh, and be careful. You’re up next.” “You know, I should start calling you Motormouth. It is a fitting nickname for you.” “Bite me.” “You’re next, bug!” The first guard said, unlocking Wing’s cell door. “You’ll find, I won’t be as combative as my colleague,” Wing responded. “Come along!” the second guard said. The two led Wing to the interrogation room. They forced him to take a seat with an impatient Shining Armor waiting for him. “So...Southern Wing, if that really is your name,” Shining Armor said. “Yes Shiny, it’s me. Though, if you want my birth name, it’s Schkitz.” “Don’t call me that. It’s...it’s a name I never really liked,” Shining sheepishly admitted. He was looking like an embarrassed schoolfilly before going back to business. “Alright then...Captain Armor,” Wing said, shrugged. “That better?” “That’s better. Now then...have you ever been part of Chrysalis’s hive?” “No. I was part of another hive from day one.” “Did you replace Southern Wing?” “No, I am Southern Wing. Like I said, Southern Wing is my pony persona, but my real name among my people it's Schkitz.” “How many changelings are in Canterlot?” “I can’t answer that.” “Can’t...or won’t?” “Both, Captain Armor.” “How many know you are a changeling?” “Few.” “An exact number, please.” “Four.” “Their names?” “Sev, my wife and I am not going to name the other two.” “Why not?” “Because I choose not to. Now, can you let me go?” “Why would I do that?” “I’m not a threat! Look, I know I might not be saying much, but trust me, you’re hearing things most ponies never know.” Shining sighed. “Do you realize what would happen if I did that? For all we know, you still could be one of Chrysalis’s changelings!” “There’s no evidence that I am one! On top of that, do I even look like I’m one of Chrysalis’s changelings?” “That may that, but I can’t take any risks after what Chrysalis did! Not to mention, with the sentiment about changelings that Equestria will have now. It’s safer for you here. If you mean what you say, I don’t want to see you get hurt for something that’s not your fault.” “You do make a fair point. I want to keep my wife and child safe.” The two stared at each other for a few moments in silence. “I understand.” “If direct evidence comes out that you’re telling the truth other than your appearance... I will do everything in my power to make a case to free you.” “I understand, Captain Armor.” “One more thing. Where did you get this?” Shining went to the side and placed Wing’s sword on the table. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” “Try me. It’s been a crazy month.” “It was a gift from an alternate universe...from myself. Or rather, the me living in that universe.” “That’s crazy, even for me.” “Told you that you wouldn’t believe me.” “I’ll have to know how you got to an alternate universe one day, but I have a job to do right now. Guards, take the changeling back to his cell.” Wing got up and followed the guards back to his cell. “So how’d it go with you? Any better than me?” Sev asked Wing as soon as he felt Wing’s presence. “I think it went better than yours. He didn’t completely hate my guts.” “Good to hear. I can’t believe it, but still good to hear.” “We’re missing the wedding, though.” “I know. Not fun.” “Hope they don’t worry too much about us.” The two friends sat in silence for the rest of the day. They listened to the sounds of the wedding coming from outside. The whole experience reminded Wing of one of his Ogres & Oubliettes campaigns. from the beginning to the invasion to this moment. A week passed as Wing and Sev sat in their cells, finding ways to pass the time. On one of those days, the two guards approached Sev’s cell and unlocked the door. “Well looks like you’ve got friends in high places. You’re free to go,” The first one said. “What about my friend?” Sev asked. “Your friend is staying in his cell for the time being.” “Then I’m staying too!” “Listen, you idiot, you got your freedom back, you should take it while you still can!” the other guard barked. “And I said I’m staying!” "Just go, buddy. I’ll be alright. Besides, I need somepony else on the outside to talk for me," Wing told Sev. “Alright then, just be careful.” “I always am.” “This is your last chance out of here,” the guard pressed on. Sev nodded his head. He proceeded to follow the guards to where he could reclaim his belongings minus the weapons. He walked outside into the blinding sun, seeing the Mane 6 waiting for him out there. “What did you do this time, Sev?!” Rainbow Dash demanded. “Calm down, Dash, I’m sure it was a misunderstanding. It’s a misunderstanding, right?” Twilight asked. “Any of y’all seen Wing lately?” Applejack asked. “Ah ain’t seen him since the night ‘fore the wedding.” “He’s still in prison,” Sev sighed. “Oh no!” Fluttershy cried. “What happened?” “Why wasn’t he released with you too, darling? Surely you did nothing wrong,” Rarity inquired. “Well, you see--” “It’s because Wing is actually a changeling. But not one of the changelings that attacked Canterlot. He’s actually from a different hive that’s been a long time enemy of the ones that attacked Canterlot. And that only you, Fluttershy, Zecora and one of your old friends from Cloudsdale high know that he's a changeling.” Pinkie Pie said, then took a deep breath. “Right?” A few of the Mane 6 blinked their eyes. “How…” Sev started. “As if!” Rainbow Dash said. “If Wing was a changeling, he’d have told me!” “Except...he didn’t because he couldn’t.” Sev replied. “What!?” Dash exclaimed. She acted like she had been shot in the gut. “Ah knew he was lying ‘bout something! He must be with them changelings that attacked Canterlot!” Applejack snorted. “Buck you, Applejack! He wouldn’t do anything like that!” Sev retorted. “What’d ya say, cityslicker?” “You heard me!” “I can’t believe you’re defending him! Changelings just attacked Canterlot, and I bet he was with them!” Dash shouted at Sev. “They weren’t with Wing’s hive though! Why does everypony in Equestria think he’s a bad guy the moment they find out he’s a changeling!” Sev shouted. “Everypony, calm down!” Rarity interjected. “She’s right. We don’t need this right now,” Twilight said. ”I...I just want my Wingy back…” Fluttershy muttered “Wait, you knew Wing was a changeling and you didn’t tell anyone?!” Rainbow shouted at Fluttershy. “Don’t you dare yell at her!” Sev shouted, getting between Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash went silent for a moment in thought. “Wing must’ve put some kind of spell on her like Chrysalis did with Shining Armor!” “That’s one of the silliest things I’ve ever heard. That must mean he put one on me too,” Sev stated. “You know what? I’m outta here!” Rainbow Dash took off like a bullet and flew off. “Ah’m leavin too!” Applejack also stormed off ,leaving the others there. Fluttershy started crying and hugged, Sev while Pinkie’s mane started to deflate. Twilight and Rarity watched Rainbow and AJ storm off. “Sev, take me to my husband. I want to see him,” Fluttershy said. “Alright.” Sev looked to Pinkie, Rarity and Twilight. “You’re free to come with us if you want.” Sev lead Fluttershy inside the prison. The three remaining Elements of Harmony looked at each other for a moments. they then followed Sev inside. ---- Meanwhile, at the red changeling hive Queen Chiton was giving a speech to the entirety of the hive. They gathered in the main square of the government section. “My children, my comrades, Queen Chrysalis has made her move. We were able to blunt her attack on Canterlot and fend off her attacks on the hive. Several of our fellow lings in Canterlot died defending the city. We have word of one confirmed as captured. Those who have been identified, besides the one who was captured have been recalled. The defenders of Canterlot will be awarded with the highest honors! I announce the creation of a new medal to given to them. We will not allow Chrysalis one more victory!” A chorus of cheers filled the area. “Death to the lovists!” one changeling shouted, gathering many cheers. Queen Chiton raised her hoof for silence. “We must do what we can to not antagonize ponykind. While peace seems doubtful for the moment,we will do whatever we can to achieve it. The traitorous lovists started this war, but we will end it. We will not rest ‘til we win through to absolute victory! No matter the cost!” The entire hive applauded and cheered. The red changeling army paraded down the open area between Queen Chiton and the crowd. While above the hive, the aircraft of the red changeling air force roared overhead. They were ready to take on any lovist threat. The hive’s national anthem started playing. For our great queen may your reign last for twelve thousand years We pledge to honor you til our last dying breath of air We will protect harmony from all threats to it and us And if you require we will sacrifice ourselves for you Our own lives are one with the hive Our spirits one with you Under the light of Queen Zarkesh You lead us to harmony Queen Chiton saluted the troops as she watched them march. She knew the battle to defeat Chrysalis’s lovists would take a while. She also knew many changeling lives would be lost. They would be changelings that she had raised and given birth. During the intervening time after the peace treaty that ended the first war. Queen Chiton looked to the statue of Queen Zarkesh. She was the founder of harmonism and grandmother. She was also the original leader during the first half of the changeling civil war. As she did, rain clouds drifted into the area. When they hit the statue, it was almost as if the statue itself was crying. No matter the possibilities of achieving peace with ponies was still in question. Chiton hoped that it would happen if she persevered. Perhaps she thought Schkitz could help in achieving that peace. Though, for the moment, dark times were ahead for both changeling and ponykind.