//------------------------------//
// So that means... 
// Story: Changeling Doll: White Lie 
// by PiercingSight 
//------------------------------//

	"...It's a lot like normal hypnotism. It only works if the pony being hypnotized is trusting enough to be hypnotized. It would require that they not suspect anything. The way that Chrysalis accomplished this with the captain was by taking the place of the one pony he trusts without reservation, that being you."

Princess Cadence looked up from her contemplation, but only seemed to enter into a more intense state of contemplation, however this time she was staring directly at Stately Writ. "So how do we know if somepony has been replaced?"

"I can sense changelings who have replaced ponies, but with Chrysalis, I have to go with how they act. She's not very good at holding her temper, and so if I can flare it, then I'll know it's her. But..."

Cadence tilted her head. "But...?"

State looked away from the princess' intense stare. "She doesn't need to replace a pony in order to hypnotize them into giving away secrets. She only needs to take the form of somepony the target trusts for a small moment, long enough to talk to them alone, and that's when she would hypnotize them, only needing to ask one or two questions before ending the hypnosis and then leaving."

"So it could be any of us..." It wasn't a question.

"Yes," State nodded. "Though, as a changeling, I'm immune. Not to mention I was in the dungeon that she would have had to ask the location of at the time."

Fear and anxiety slowly built up in the room, and it wasn't only Cadence.

"So what can we do?" she finally asked.

State furrowed his brow. "I think the only thing we can do is check on everypony that the three of you trust. Did you or Shining talk to anypony else between me revealing myself and when Chrysalis arrived?"

The princess shook her head. "Shining wouldn't leave my side after that. I was actually outside the door of the dungeon when he spoke with you."

"And what about Damascus?" State asked, not hiding his anxiety.

A worried look overtook Cadence. "His wife came to walk him home, but he said he decided to stay-..."

"His family," State muttered.

Both of them ran for the doors.

"Cloak, are you there?"

"Yes, sir! What is it?"

"I need you to scout out Damascus' house, now!"

"Where is it? What are we looking for?"

"There should be a mare and a filly there. If they're missing or replaced, we need to find them!"

Shining Armor jumped as the doors slammed open. Cadence galloped up to him asking him where Damascus' family lived.

"Why? Are they in danger?" He tensed to run.

Cadence nodded vigorously. "We think Chrysalis may have replaced them to get information from him."

"Cloak, incoming address!"

After Shining gave the address he began to lead the way. "How do we know if they've been replaced?"

"I've already got my friends on it. Changelings can tell when a pony has been replaced." State nodded.

"Friends?" Shining asked skeptically.

"We communicate telepathically. So long as we are within a few miles of each other, we're connected."

Shining slowed to a trot. "Then what are we supposed to do?"

"I need to leave the castle," State said. It was a statement, not a question. State was already backing towards a window.

"What!? Like Tartarus you do!" the captain instantly had a bubble spell around Stately Writ.

"Captain, please! I can't let any more ponies die because of me! Not tonight!"

Cadence was beside Shining Armor at once. "Shining, trust him."

Shining Armor stared hard into Stately Writ, his eyes searching for a reason to keep State there. For a moment, State worried that he wasn't going to concede, until...

"You come back. We need you here."

State nodded, and was out the window as White Lie the changeling, flying into the night.

Please, don't let me be too late...