To say the entry into the griffon capital was triumphant would be a bit of an understatement. As the griffons arrived, the gates were pulled open, and crowds had gathered to cheer them home. Griffons of all ages waved flags, cheered, threw dirt in the air (confetti was prohibitively expensive) and threw old fruit and rocks at the ponies and changeling queen in the cage. Much of it missed. Some did not.
Their procession marched through the city, down the main streets and up to the main castle, where Grinda stood on a balcony overhead, watching, with a little smile on her beak. Two guards stood by her side.
General Griffith walked up to the base and held up his spear with both claws as if in triumphant offering, and the griffons behind him stopped and bowed in respect. “My queen!” he shouted, and then waited while the crowd quieted somewhat to hear him speak. He straightened up. “My queen!” he repeated, “we have done it! The changeling threat is no more!”
The crowd cheered again.
“And as a token of our success, we bring… the changeling queen, Twilight Sparkle.”
Boos and hisses rent the air. A new flurry of rocks were launched, and the ponies did their best to protest while shielding themselves with their bound limbs as best they could while being chained up.
Grinda nodded regally and waited until the crowd had quieted once more before speaking. “Bring them up here, General.”
The crowd cheered as the changeling queen was carried into the castle. A few more rocks were thrown, many of them clattering off the cage bars. They disappeared from sight, and two guards closed the doors behind the miserable procession.
Soon, they emerged on the balcony, once again in full view of the crowd. The griffons carrying the cage dumped the queen unceremoniously out; the chains still binding her and holding her down.
Grinda stepped back and snapped her claws. Another guard neared, carrying something that he gently handed to her. She took it and held it up, letting the crowd see the giant axe she now held (and letting them get a few more cheers and taunts in). She turned back to the bound changeling. “Twilight Sparkle, queen of the changelings. You stand accused of crimes against griffonkind. You have been tried and found guilty, and worthy of death. Have you any last words?”
Twilight looked down, not saying anything.
Grinda smirked.
And then she reared back and brought the axe down.
The ponies cried out in despair; but they were overwhelmed by the cheers from the griffons outside. Grinda ignored the sobs of the yellow pony behind her as the white one tried to comfort her, and the rainbow one’s fighting the chains angrily in a vain attempt to escape. She stepped up to the balcony again as two griffon servants appeared with mops to clean the blood up. “To celebrate the death of our enemies and the safety of our hatchlings, tonight, there will be…” She paused for emphasis. “A glorious feast!” She smirked as the crowd cheered mildly. “Paid for by myself, of course,” she added, and the cheers rose exponentially. She spread her claws wide, taking in the adulation. “Come! It is a national holiday, a day of celebration!” She reached into her pockets and threw two heaping clawfuls of bits into the air, sending the griffons below scrambling for them (and fistfights breaking out over them as well). “And there will be more where that came from!” she promised. “This will be a day our hatchlings remember for the rest of their lives!”
Letting the crowd cheer, she turned around. She made a waving motion with her claw, and the attending griffons closed the doors behind her.
The queen strode forward, stepping around the corpse of her fallen enemy, and placed herself on the throne. She looked over at some of the griffons nearest to the door and around the room, and pointed. “You, you, you four, and you, leave us,” she said with a dismissive gesture. “Prepare for the feast tonight.” A little smirk crossed her beak. “Bring empty bellies and empty purses.”
The griffons nodded and bowed, not sure why they were being singled out but not about to question it or complain, and left. As the doors slammed shut behind them, other guards stepped up, barring the door with thick, oak beams, and others stepped forward and closed the thick, light-blocking curtains in front of the windows. Now, the only light present came from the various candles in the walls.
There was a brief pause.
The queen slid off the throne and stepped down, slowly walking forward and then stopping when she stood in the middle of the room. She looked around, meeting the eyes of every griffon left in the room. One of the guards shuffled in place. Another licked his beak.
And then Grinda began to laugh. It started low, as a small chuckle deep in her belly, and grew until the force of the laughter shook her body. She threw her head back and laughed as green flames overtook her body and then dissipated to reveal one very exultant changeling queen. Around her, the griffons and captive ponies began to drop their disguises, bathing the room in eerie green light, and hesitantly join in on her laughter. The ‘corpse’ of the changeling queen burst into flames, revealing the tag team of Ithir and Nemri, neither the worse for the wear of their ‘fatal’ illusion. The ceiling fizzled and disappeared, revealing behind that false projection rows upon rows of cocoons hanging from the real ceiling, each containing a sedated griffon and guarded by numerous changelings, ready to inject more venom into or cast more slime over any weak spot in the cocoon at a moment’s notice.
And then Twilight stopped laughing, suddenly breaking down into coughing. The changelings stopped laughing as well, quickly shifting their attention to their hacking queen. Tinder took a small step forward (stumbling as he accidentally caught his hoof on the chains he'd worn when disguised as Fluttershy), and he wasn't the only one to do so. Was she ok?
“Memo to self,” she grumbled once she was able to stop. “Engaging in maniacal laughter should be limited for the protection of the larynx.” She rubbed a hoof against her chest one last time, then wandered over to underneath the largest cocoon and looked up. She recognized the nearest changeling. “Hrit, get her down here, please.”
Hrit saluted. With a burst of green fire, he formed his right foreleg into a large scythe-like blade, and sliced the strand binding the real Grinda to the ceiling.
Twilight gasped. “Not like-!”
The cocoon tumbled end over end through the air and landed on the ground with a soggy ‘thump’, rocking and rolling the griffon inside.
“…that,” Twilight finished, rubbing her temple with a hoof. “Never mind. Just, get her out of there. Gently this time, please.”
Hrit had the decency to look sheepish as he carefully sliced down the cocoon, thankfully having changed his scythe blade into a smaller, much more manageable blade. The griffon queen Grinda flopped out, spreading green goo on the tile floor, coughing as air replaced the cocoon fluid in her lungs.
“Congratulations,” Twilight said, taking advantage of Grinda’s current incapacitated state to talk freely. “The great queen Grinda has defeated the changelings, routed their armies, and publicly executed their queen; and now they’ll never infest her land again. Griffonia is safe and happy.” She stomped politely, as if applauding. “Excellent work.”
Ginda, still coughing, looked up at her with murderous eyes.
Twilight frowned. “Oh, what’s that for?” she asked innocently. “I certainly don’t want a war with the griffons, and I’m more than happy to pretend to have my changelings destroyed and me killed if it brings peace.” She smiled. “Besides, if the changelings are all dead, there’s no changeling threat to anywhere in Equestria; and we’re free to roam the land unchallenged, because, well, we don't exist anymore.” She turned around, as if thinking. “Really, I should be thanking you for this.”
Grinda snarled. She attempted to flex her claws and, to her relief, realized that whatever sedative was in the cocoon had for the most part worn off.
And Twilight’s undefended back was to her.
Instantly, she lashed out, claws outstretched, intending to eviscerate her. But she suddenly found herself trapped, unable to move; and now glowing a peculiar shade of green. Every changeling in the room had their horn glowing, and their magic held her firmly in place.
Twilight smiled, the sounds of magic letting her know that Grinda had reacted exactly as she'd expected. “Not this time,” she said, turning back around, “and not ever. It's all over, Grinda. The changelings have won, and this battle will never be fought again.”
“You think you've won?” Grinda spat. “You'll have to kill me, or I'll reveal you all; and even if you replace me-”
“Will you?” Twilight challenged, loudly cutting her off. She turned towards the window and took a few slow steps forward. “You will admit to the griffons that we changelings tricked them all, that their great queen who commanded the army that defeated the changelings and slew their queen was actually a changeling herself, the great General Griffith that everyone saw was a fake, and that we played the entire. Griffon. Nation. For fools?” She snorted and turned around. “Go right ahead. All the bits in Equestria wouldn’t be enough to buy back their respect after that.”
Grinda opened her beak and snarled… but no words came out. Twilight was right. She had no choice but to play along with the deception if she wanted any chance to remain the queen of the griffons.
And then she felt two fangs pierce her neck. She collapsed to the ground again, and though she tried desperately to push herself up, her body was simply refusing to obey her commands.
“Sorry about that,” Twilight said pleasantly, “but I'm gonna need you to stay right there for a while.” She lit her horn, and a ring of green fire burst into existence in front of her as the changeling who had bitten her stepped over her. “I've got a lot of changelings to move,” she finished pleasantly.
It was a portal. Frustratingly, she realized that it didn't even have to take the changelings very far; the griffons would be too focused on the coming festivities to be standing guard over anything.
About halfway through the process of teleporting changelings away, Twilight looked back at Grinda. “Oh, and I couldn’t actually figure out how the artifact worked in time; so the feast and all the bits I was giving out? Those bits actually came from your personal treasury.” She smiled. “Sorry about that! But do enjoy the party,” she added. “I even hired this griffon, Gustave Le Grand, to do the desserts. He specializes in éclairs. They're a pit pricey, but let me tell you: they're fit for a queen.”
The changeling about to enter the portal sniggered as he jumped through.
Once most of the changelings were gone, Twilight closed her eyes and burst into green fire. When it faded, General Griffith stood there. “Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a few hostages to release back to the pony land.”
In a few moments, any trace of changelings were gone; griffons and bound ponies were the only ones there. Only the rows and rows of cocoons overhead gave any indication that they had even been there at all.
The procession marched to the door, but suddenly Twilight paused. She looked up, as if having forgotten something and trying to recall what it was; and then she disappeared in a burst of green light.
Grinda didn’t have enough time to blink before Twilight suddenly appeared in front of her and drove a hoof into the side of her face.
“And that's for foalnapping my friends!”
By the time Grinda could see one again, they had left. As soon as she could force herself up, she half-stumbled, half-dragged herself over to the door. She tore it open to see her guards standing to the side, completely ignorant of what had just transpired.
“Stop him!” she croaked, pointing futily after where Twilight had left.
The guards seemed taken aback. Was she ok? Did she want the ponies back? Why would she want the ponies back?
Fine. She could speak their language. “Fifty bits to whoever brings me Griffith!”
Now they responded. In a flurry of armor and feathers, they tore down the hall and around the corner he had disappeared around.
'Disappeared' being the key term there.
Queen Grinda had managed to recover enough to get down the hall, and when she turned the corner, she saw her guards standing still, looking down in curiosity at the small flecks of green fire dancing on the stones. As they watched, it slowly faded from view.
Twilight had won.
* * *
In the Crystal Empire, two ponies waited by the balcony, watching towards the south. Both knew that Twilight was more likely to teleport in; but just in case she’d decided to fly, they wanted to see her right away.
Cadence groaned slightly and reached back to rub at the back of her barrel. Shining looked over in concern, but she silenced him with a small shake of her head. She was fine.
And then a burning ring of fire appeared in the middle of the room, burning brightly and green. A purple alicorn stepped out of the flames, completely unharmed. “I'm pleased to say that any rumors of my death have been highly exaggerated.” She grinned.
Shining Armor chuckled even as he and Cadence ran over to embrace her. She'd always wanted to say that.
“But in lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted for the Soft Hooves Orphanage on Third Avenue.”
That was a new addition to the speech, though. Shining pulled back. “So everything went well?”
“Exactly as planned,” Twilight said with a grin. “The griffons are partying, we’re home safe; everything went well.”
“Ah, I knew you could do it,” Shining Armor said, pulling her back into a hug.
“Me, too,” Cadence said, nuzzling her. “You’ve really grown into this leadership thing.”
“I had some good examples,” Twilight said pleasantly. “Thank you both. For everything.”
“You’re not the only one who should be saying ‘thank you’,” Shining muttered under his breath, earning himself a sharp smack from one of Cadence’s wings.
Twilight glanced between them. “Did I miss something?”
“Well, now is as good a time as any, I suppose,” Cadence said. She tellingly reached back and gently rubbed her barrel.
There was a pause.
“You… have a stomachache?” Twilight guessed.
Shining Armor slammed his hoof into his forehead. Even for his sister, that was a bit much.
“What?” Twilight asked, looking between them again. “What?” she repeated, a bit more desperately this time.
A few moments later, a delighted shriek rang out through the Crystal Empire.
* * *
Defeating the griffons and rescuing her friends had been easy enough. Convincing them to stay in the hive while changelings disguised as them went out in their place back to the capitol? That part had been a bit more difficult. But eventually she’d managed to convince all five ponies to stay at the hive. Besides, it was much easier to teleport changelings, what with their magic being on the same wavelength as hers now.
Still, it had been a lot of magic, and besides, flying was good exercise. Twilight landed by the entrance and the changeling standing guard bowed. Twilight gave a respectful nod back and continued inside.
As it turns out, her friends had actually adapted well in hive. Fluttershy had found working in the nursery enjoyable, but seemed to really enjoy being reunited with Tinder; the two sat high up in a corner, just talking. She waved at Twilight.
Others…
“Hey, Twilight!” Rainbow Dash darted over. “Look, it’s been fun here and all, but you know what this hive needs? A group of specialized fliers.”
Twilight raised an eyebrow.
“Hear me out.” She spread her hooves in a small rainbow-esque motion. “Rainbolts. Best of the best changelings, putting on shows across Equestria. Special guest: me.”
Twilight grinned wryly. “We’ll see,” she said. “Ready to go?”
“Yeah,” Rainbow said. “It’s been fun, but I’m ready to get back home.” She nudged Tank with her hips. “Tank is, too,” she added, and he agreed.
Twilight nodded. “Alright,” she agreed. “Let’s go gather everypony else.”
Over in one of the larger rooms, the mushroom farm was expanding. Changelings were scattered around, laying down just enough water to keep things moist. Applejack stood up from examining a new growth and wiped her brow, and when she heard somepony behind her, she brightened.
“Looking good!” Twilight said, looking around at the mushrooms that now carpeted this room. This was a vast improvement over what had been here before.
“I’m much better with trees,” Applejack admitted, “but it’s been going pretty well. Seriously, you really needed an earth pony in here.” She glanced around at the various changelings working, then looked back at Twilight. “How'd it go for you?”
“Great,” Twilight answered. “Let’s just say that I think the griffons will be leaving us alone for a very, very long time.”
“That’s great!” She looked around. “We ready to go home? As nice as this is, I’m really hankering for-”
“An apple?” Rainbow guessed snarkily.
“No,” Applejack said quickly, but she pursed her lips, pinned her ears, and was unable to supply an alternative (or meet anypony’s eyes). Rainbow Dash chuckled.
Rarity had also found something she enjoyed. And, of course, she’d gotten over the slime thing faster than Twilight had. Thus it was when Twilight entered the nymph chamber, there were many little nymphs running around, many of them wearing capes or false manes (many of which seemed to be styled after hers), made out of slime. Pinkie Pie was here, too, holding the little changelings in her hooves and making them fly (and squeak excitedly the whole time. The nymphs and Pinkie Pie, that is).
Rarity looked up from where she lay, holding a needle and thread in her magic. “This really is a fascinating material to work with,” she said pleasantly. “Very strong, very stretchy.”
Twilight grimaced. She still wasn’t so good with the whole slime thing. Maybe because it sortof looked like green melted cheese? “I’m glad you like it,” she said.
“Oh, it would never sell,” Rarity amended with just a hint of disappointment, “but it’s certainly fun to play with.” She stood up and stretched, forelegs out, her back arching not unlike a cat. “Mmm. I take it we’re about ready to go home?”
“Just about,” Twilight said.
There was murmured approval, broken only by Pinkie Pie. “Aw, do we have to?” she asked, her lower lip jutting out, eyes wide, holding the nymph under her chin. Even the nymph seemed to be getting into this, its eyes widening as well.
“Pinkie Pie, you can’t say you really enjoy being… underground like this?” Rarity asked, raising a hoof and looking around.
Twilight got the feeling that that had not been the first word that had come to mind.
“Oh, it’s not that,” Pinkie said cheerily. “I grew up on a rock farm, remember? I’m used to being underground and in caves! I’m just sad because if we leave now, we’ll miss the party that’s going on tonight!”
“There’s a party going on tonight?” Twilight glanced over, and a changeling nearby nodded eagerly to confirm.
“Duh,” Pinkie said as if it were obvious. She threw her forelegs wide, making the nymph she was still holding in one of them giggle. “The party we’re throwing for saving the changelings and making sure that the griffons never bother them again!”
“We didn’t do much,” Applejack said wryly. “Sat around, looked pretty, started a mushroom patch… mushroom, field?” She cocked her head, suddenly unsure. “What do you call them, anyway?” she wondered aloud.
“A party sounds good to me,” Rainbow Dash interrupted.
Twilight looked around. Rarity bobbed her head. Fluttershy, who had joined them but was still standing next to Tinder, nodded hopefully. Twilight couldn’t help but grin. “Alright. A party it is, then.”
“Woohoo!” Pinkie cheered. “That’s the best kind of decree, Queen Twilight.” She bowed jokingly. Her friends copied her, most of them chuckling as they did.
It might have been a joke; but Twilight was aghast at the implications. “Oh, no. No, no, no,” she said, walking over and quickly lifting up each of their heads with a hoof. “My friends. You bow to nopony. You are my friends… and I am Twilight Sparkle, Queen of the Changelings.”