//------------------------------// // Truth Concealed be Set Free. // Story: Long Live the Queen // by QueenChrysalisForever //------------------------------// Friendship Express- Outside Canterlot- Shiny Whistle The train car fell silent as Canterlot came into our sights. Even Nemoria and Acronicta were quiet as they gazed out the window with wide eyes, wings fluttering behind them a few beats every few minutes. Of course, I had recognized them the moment they took out their penny whistles and started to play. As nervous as I was about returning after all this time, I was quite glad to have them here with us. “We will be reaching Canterlot in ten minutes' time. Please make ready for departure.” A voice said over the intercom. “Oh goodie, time for the fun to begin!” Discord chortled, hovering into the air, and with a snap, brought forth a glass of chocolate milk. He sipped on the glass as everypony in our car grabbed their bags and we watched as Canterlot drew closer with every passing moment. Chryssy and her red pegasus friend, -likely a changeling as well if he was with the fillies- returned as we curved around the last bend, Canterlot straight in front of us now. Chryssy grabbed our saddlebags, stuffing an emerald into them, and placed them on her own back. As I walked up to her, I noticed her eyes were unfocused again, her ears drooped halfway, and she was muttering to herself. I laid a hoof on her shoulder, which made her jump. “Hey, it’s okay,” I grinned. “I’m here, as well as everypony else.” I gestured a hoof at those around us. “We won’t let anything bad happen to you.” She looked over at me, pupils small and nostrils flaring as she breathed heavily. “Thanks, Shiny,” she mumbled, giving me an awkward grin. “Hopefully that will be enough. I haven’t been back to Canterlot since...” “Yeah, I know.” I wrapped both forehooves around her and hugged her close. She jumped, letting out a startled squeak. I chuckled. “Just trying to comfort you,” I said, taking a step away. It was then I noticed the silence in the train car had grown even more if possible. Everypony was staring at us. I felt my cheeks grow warm as I blushed, making Cadence chuckle. The tension in the room seemed to fade at her chuckle, or at least lessen. Twinkleshine had returned to placing her book in her bag, but something seemed different about her. I couldn’t put my hoof on it, but she seemed to look at us differently. The red and blue stallions- whom Nemoria had whispered to me were Morpheus and Danaus- gathered Acronicta and Nemoria together, though they kept running back to the window. The train whistle blew again, and I felt the train start to slow down below us. We were here. I was home. I looked out the window, to see nothing had really changed much. For all the trouble that happened here, we were usually good at rebuilding within a few days. The castle looked as pristine as ever, its gold spires shining brightly in the sunlight. A pony could just barely make out the stained glass windows depicting great moments in Equestria’s history, shining like rainbows, but other than that you couldn’t tell one from another from this distance. The view changed as the train came to a stop at the train station. A few domes of the castle could still be seen, but as I stepped out onto the platform even they disappeared behind the building. The clock above the front doors read 6:02. How in the hay, with all that had happened, had we still arrived here early evening? Nemoria and Acronicta jumped out of the car, their saddlebags across their backs, and took a place to either side of me. The rest of our party slowly emerged, Cadence and Discord taking the lead, the former looking up at the sky as a crème colored pegasus stallion flew by, and the latter hovering in the air as he awaited the others. Chryssy stepped behind them, ears down and biting her lip as she looked around. Danaus put a comforting hoof to her shoulder on her left, while Morpheus stood to her right, nose in the air and chest puffed out. Twinkleshine trotted out last, coming to stand on the other side of Nemoria. “Well, we better get going, Auntie will be expecting us,” Cadence said, leading the way from the train station. We all followed at a silent trot, except for Nemoria and Acronicta. They bounced along beside us, wings unfurled behind them, giggling as they took in the sights. “It’s so much bigger than I imagined,” Nemoria said in awe, eyes sparkling in excitement. “Shiny! Tell us all about it!” “All about it?” I asked. Twinkleshine chuckled beside me. “Well, you are from here, correct?” I nodded, “yes, born and raised.” “Then tell us your favorite places,” Acronicta said softly, “place to eat, where you live, you know,” she shrugged, gasping when Nemoria tackled her in a hug. “Yeah, that is a great idea,” Nemoria beamed. “Out of the way!” A gruff voice shouted as the cream-colored pegasus stallion from a moment ago swooped past, nearly knocking Twinkleshine off her hooves. “Hey, watch where you’re flying!” she yelled, shaking a hoof at him as he soared back into the sky. “Catch him!” A dark blue unicorn stallion with a dark brown mane yelled, running past us. The sun glinted off of his golden armor, horn lit as he shot a bolt of magic at the pegasus, missing him but hitting a potted plant hanging from a house. “Careful, Shielded,” another stallion called, this one a pegasus, his fur an azure blue and mane a frosty white. His form was also covered in golden armor. He bolted into the air after the fleeing stallion, only to be hit by the falling flower pot the unicorn guard had hit right between the ears. Groaning, he rubbed his head and shook away the dirt and a little red flower, continuing on. “Sorry!” The unicorn yelled up at him, turning a corner and he was gone. The pegasus disappeared around a corner a moment later, hot in pursuit of the first. “What do you think he did?” Nemoria asked, looking up at me. “Who knows?” I shrugged, turning to look ahead of us. Danaus and Morpheus had spread their wings around Chryssy, who I could see was staring at where the two guards had disappeared to. “You okay Dew?” I asked, trotting up to her. “Yeah, they just surprised me, is all,” she snorted. “What an exciting turn of events this could be,” Discord grinned, tapping his fingers together, his eyes scrunched in glee. “I smell chaos in the air, think I will follow them.” He winked, and before anypony could say a word he snapped his fingers and was gone. Cadence paused, looking at the spot he had been floating, then back at the rest of us. Something in her eyes held a sad look as they fell on Chryssy. “The Royal guards will get their job done, whatever that pony has done. Let’s continue.” The crowd around us had already continued on their way. One bakery we passed had an angry-looking earth pony stallion, red-orange mane tied up with a togue placed between his ears. His olive green fur had a white apron tied around it. “Merry, the baguettes, hurry up!” he yelled. Nemoria nudged me with one of her wings, and I looked back down at her. “Well?” “Oh, right,” I looked around us, trying to think of what to point out to her. “A few blocks down that road is Restaurant Row,” I said, pointing a hoof to the left. “Most of its restaurants don’t have much difference between them, but there are the rare few that are delicious.” “Oooooh we should try some when we return,” Nemoria beamed. “I bet you could show us the best tasting ones!” “Er, yeah, right,” I mumbled, continuing on. I paused a few streets later, looking down it. Bluish-purple bricks lined the sidewalks, leading to nice two and three-story homes. Sure they weren’t those fancy mansions ponies closer to the castle had, but they were cozy. “Everything okay Shiny?” Acronicta asked, looking up at me. “Yes, it’s just-” I paused, sighing. “This is my street, Amethyst Avenue.” “Well, there is no time to visit home just yet,” Morpheus snorted. “The whole reason you are on this journey is to help with returning the one our queen loves.” He wrinkled his nose at me, wings twitching beside him. “Careful with your words,” Danaus warned, looking around them as a few ponies stopped to watch. “Wait, queen?” Twinkleshine said, looking over at him. “Oookay, think it is time we carried on,” I said, giving a hesitant laugh, and pushed Nemoria and Acronicta gently onward. “Indeed, all will be answered soon,” Cadence said and continued forward. “What did he mean, queen?” Twinkleshine hissed to me as the castle loomed before us. Before I could reply, there were gasps heard from behind us. A foal cried and his mother hurried to pick him up. Everypony around us was murmuring about something until one – a pale brown unicorn with a mint green mane- let out a shrill scream and fainted. “How dare they,” I heard Morpheus snarl behind me as from the crowds came the two stallions from before. Hooked to a short-chain pulled by the unicorn stallion, a magic suppressor ring clamped around his horn, was a changeling. A thick chain was tied around his barrel, holding his wings to his sides. This particular one I had not met, or at least he didn’t look familiar. The tip of his muzzle was stained blue, as if he had been eating blueberries, but was otherwise the usual changeling colors. Though the chitin around one eye was green and puffy, probably from a punch to the face. “Good riddance, they finally caught it,” sneered one unicorn stallion, pastel blue with a white mane and golden eyes, spitting at the ground in front of him. Twinkleshine stepped closer to me, her eyes wide with fear. Yet, they strangely seemed focused on the guards, not the changeling. For once Nemoria and Acronicta were still beside me, watching the guards push their way through the crowd as it slowly parted for them. “Calm down Dew,” I heard Cadence whisper behind me. Turning to look, I saw a flicker of green pass over Chryssy’s eyes. She breathed heavily through her nostrils, crouched down with her teeth bared in a silent snarl. Cadence stood beside her, one wing wrapped around her and running soothingly down her back. The unicorn guard paused, looking over at our little group. He raised one eyebrow, glancing between each of us, especially concentrating on Chryssy. Did he somehow know? He hadn’t seen her eyes flash green, had he? Danaus and Morpheus jumped in front of her, glaring at the guard and blocking Chryssy from his view. “Come on Shielded, we need to get back,” the pegasus guard said, bringing up the rear. At his words, the unicorn turned to face him. “I know that Midnight,” he sighed and turned to continue. “Wait!” Nemoria yelled. I turned to look for her to find she had grabbed Acronicta and together they had come to a stop in front of the unicorn. He stared down at them, frowning. “What?” he growled. “Why did you capture him? What did he do?” Nemoria lowered her ears, looking up at him with sad eyes. I facehoofed, what did she think she was doing? “What did he do?” Shielded repeated her words, ears going flat against his head. “He was stealing love from somepony! If I hadn’t spotted him he might have killed her! Just like he and his kind did at Princess Cadence’s wedding!” The pegasus stallion swatted a hoof at him, knocking off his helmet. “That is not the kind of thing you tell a foal Shielded!” It was too late now though. My eyes twitched at his proclamation, my mind whirling, the noise around me fading as I breathed in and out heavily. Yet another pony who claimed the changelings had killed ponies during the wedding. He was a guard too, so-so he probably saw it all happen as they fought. No, NO he must be lying. He had to be! I held a hoof to my head, feeling dizzy. I distantly heard the guard apologizing for his words, then I heard a pop and silence. I took a deep breath and opened my eyes, feeling a little queasy, to find our party was in the castle gardens. The tall wall of hedges around us blocked us from sight, while the smell of roses filled the air. “W-what happened?” I asked, looking around. Cadence looked over at me, her own eyes nearly as wide as mine. “I teleported us away.” Her ears drooped as she looked around at all of us. Nemoria and Acronicta were hugging Twinkleshine, who looked as panicked as I was. Danaus was pacing back and forth, watching Morpheus, who had his shoulders scrunched, biting his lip. Chryssy stood to the side of our group, slowly shaking her head in disbelief. Her mouth hung open, tail twitching. “How could you,” she growled. “Pardon me?” Cadence asked, stepping closer. “How could you just teleport us away like that?” she snapped whipping around. “We could have helped him!” Her eyes seemed unfocused again, her mane sticking up erratically. Cadence shook her head. “Not without giving everything away,” she said calmly. “I’d rather my aunties little ponies not be even more afraid.” Twinkleshine took a step backward, yelping and jumping forward a moment later. I looked back to her to see she had backed into the prickly hedges behind her. “I knew you smelled familiar,” she gulped, ears going flat against her head. She glared over at Chryssy, “is what they say true, Chrysalis?” Chryssy jumped upon her name being uttered, turning to stare at the mare. She sniffed the air, blinking her eyes, her mouth falling open. “How did I not sense it before… you were one of Cadence’s original bridesmaids,” she sighed, looking around us. Besides those of us in our little group, the gardens around us were silent. She lifted her head, staring off into the distance for a moment, then a smile appeared on her face. “If I remember correctly though, I am not the only one hiding such a large secret.” “S-secret? Nope, I have n-nothing to hide,” Twinkleshine said, backing a few steps away. She turned to look at Cadence. “Did you know about these deaths he mentioned?” For a moment, Cadence just stared at Twinkleshine, but then sighed and drooped her ears. “No, I really never heard anything about them.” “I knew it!” Chryssy crowed. “Those ponies will make anything up to try to make things worse than they are,” she snorted, still glaring daggers at Twinkleshine. “Just because I don’t know of it, doesn’t mean it didn’t happen,” Cadence said, looking back over at Chryssy. “There are- many- things I don’t remember about that day. For the longest time, I had nightmares about coming so close to losing my Shining.” She glared over at Chryssy, her wingtips twitching. “Eventually, I had Princess Luna cast a spell to help me forget the worst of it, otherwise I never would have had a good night’s sleep again.” Chryssy groaned, putting a hoof to her forehead. “Well, then I guess we’ll just have to ask Celestia then. She at least wouldn’t lie to you, would she? Or…” She looked over toward Danaus and Morpheus, to find both had disappeared while we had been talking. “Very suspicious,” she growled. At least she had let off on poor Twinkleshine, who looked like she was about to faint. “D-Danaus wouldn’t do that, would he?” Nemoria asked, eyes tearing up. “Let’s find out once and for all,” Twinkleshine said, shaking her head and taking a deep breath. She trotted toward the entrance of the garden. “I was in those crystal mines most of the attack, so if somepony died…” “Right, to auntie it is then,” Cadence nodded, catching up with Twinkleshine and leading the way out of the garden. Nemoria and Acronicta walked close to me, their little wings fluttering against their backs. Chryssy trotted in front of me, her steps pounding against the grass. Was it true? If so, did Chryssy deny it to get on my good side, or by some crazy chance did she really not know? My heart pounded at the thought she had lied to me. Nemoria and Acronicta both put a comforting wing around me best they could, their eyes full of worry as they looked up at me. Whatever had happened, we would find out. Canterlot Castle- Entrance- Queen Chrysalis “How could they just vanish like that?” Chrys growled. “Either one or both of them must know something, otherwise, they wouldn’t have run off. If I find out they went and found a way to break through a direct order I’ll-I’ll…” She paused in her tirade as a spear was held before us. We had made it to the entrance of the castle, two pegasus guards clad in their golden armor had lowered their spears to block the door. Cadence stepped forward, looking down at them. Smiling up at her and nodding, they lifted their spears and we stepped inside. My mouth widened in wonder as I took in the beautiful entrance hall. A red carpet was spread before us, displaying an eight-pointed golden star at a cross-section that led to other areas of the castle. Blue banners with gold tassels hung upon the wall, a grand staircase led up and forward in front of us. “Yes, it’s nice but need we focus on the décor?” Chrys sighed. “What about that Twinkleshine? I know there was something about her that seemed familiar, I just can’t put my hoof on it. But she is hiding something. Or what exactly are we going to tell Celestia? Those are the things we should be focusing on.” I groaned, shaking my head. She was right, there would be time later –hopefully- to check out the décor. Right now we had to concentrate. It had been surprising that Cadence had Luna meddle with her memory. Had we been that horrible at the wedding? Well, other than trying to steal her fiancé and take over Equestria… okay yeah from the ponies’ view of things, even just that would be bad. Cadence put out a hoof to pause us as we came close to a door. A single guard, fur green and mane a muddy red, stood still beside it. “Now, as a special favor to me, Auntie Celestia canceled court today so we wouldn’t have to wait when we arrived. But, it would probably be best if just- Dew and I- were to go in and talk with her.” “No,” Shiny said firmly behind me. He stepped forward, wrapping a hoof around me. “I didn’t travel all this way with Dew just to abandon her now. Twinkleshine can take care of the fillies for a bit. I, however, am coming along too.” He stomped his hoof on the ground in emphasis. “Well, looks like the ‘rumors’ going around haven’t hurt his affections for us,” Chrys chuckled. Cadence smiled softly, pondering on the two of us. “Very well, Shooting Spear?” she said, turning to the guard. He nodded and opened the door for us. “Be careful Shiny!” Nemoria called, trying to follow before Twinkleshine stopped her with a hoof. “We’ll be waiting for you here,” Twinkleshine said, scooping up the two fillies and taking them over to a bench. “Right, we will,” Shiny said. As the door closed behind us, I looked up to see we were in one last hallway, two plain, purple doors in front of us. “Now that we are alone, I need to tell you something,” Cadence said, adjusting her wings against her body. “Well, what is it?” I asked. “I told Auntie who you really were.” “WHAT?” I yelled, ears going down flat against my head. “I knew it, I just knew it!” Chrys yelled. “Why would she have had reason to trust us? Celestia probably has a good portion of her guard waiting beyond those doors to grab us and wrap us in chains, or worse!” “Why would you do that?” Shiny yelled, ears going flat against his head. “I-I thought we were friends Cadence.” “Do not misunderstand me Shiny, Chrysalis. I didn’t tell her so she could capture you, but because I wanted to be honest with her. Celestia trusts my judgment, and is willing to hear you out about what has happened.” “Ugh, ignorant foal. Celestia give us a second chance? Ha!” Chrys huffed. “That is laughable. Cadence is still young. Celestia probably just told her that so she would bring us straight into her hooves” “Well, I guess we have no choice, do we?” Shiny sighed. He turned to look at me. “I’ll do my best to protect you if need be.” He gave me a soft smile. “So let me guess,” I said, narrowing my eyes at Cadence. “She wants me to come before her in my natural form, is that it?” Cadence nodded. “I know you don’t trust her, but if you can show her she has reason to trust your words, that will help your cause.” I rolled my eyes, but nodded, dropping my disguise. “Happy now?” I huffed. “Yes,” Cadence said, raising one eyebrow as she looked at me. “You look… different from what I remember you. Almost younger-” she shook her head, turning to the door. “Shall we?” “To our end, we go,” Chrys sighed. “We finally made it here, so let’s do what we came here for.” “That’s the spirit Chryssy,” Shiny said, smiling over at me. Well, at least I had one pony here I was sure I could trust. Cadence opened the door and led the way inside, Shiny and I following right behind her. I tucked my wings in tight against my barrel, took a deep breath, and looked up. The throne room was quiet, gently lit in colorful hues by the stained glass windows around us. There was not a single guard in sight. “Chrysalis.” I looked to the throne at the far end of the room, to see Princess Celestia sitting tall and firm on it. Her mane swirled out behind her as she stared daggers at me. A shiver ran down my spine as I felt her powerful magic flowing in the air. Her lips were expressionless, ears standing tall. Her sheer presence emitted feelings of fear in all who may oppose her. She turned her gaze to Shiny, and he immediately bowed on one hoof, then stood up tall. I could hear his heartbeat quicken, but he stood firm, keeping close to me. “Shiny Whistle,” Princess Celestia said softly. “You come to support her?” Shiny nodded. “She has become a good friend to me Princess. I ask you to listen carefully and try to trust her.” “I will do what I can,” she said, then turned to look at Cadence. “I have done as you asked Cadence. Please, proceed.” “Yes, Celestia,” she nodded to her. “Chrysalis has some surprising things to tell you, but I’ll let her get to that.” I gulped as Celestia turned her gaze back on me. “Now is not the time to be afraid! We didn’t come all this way for you to chicken out!” Chrys yelled. “We might not be able to go with our original plan, but if we do this right, we can still get Leptostales released. Possibly even some help against Radiant Hope as well.” She was right, I could do this! I took a deep breath, held my head up high, and looked to Celestia. “Originally I journeyed here to rescue a good friend from your dungeons.” “The changeling, I presume?” Celestia asked, to which I nodded. “We shall see about that, continue.” “I’ve been gathering my changeling’s home, for we have recently encountered a great threat. One of your unicorns has obtained an object of great power, the alicorn amulet.” Celestia narrowed her eyes in disbelief. “That is impossible, Cadence should even be able to tell you so,” she paused, glancing her way. “The alicorn amulet is in safe hooves, with spells cast over it only an alicorn could break.” I lowered my ears, afraid she would say that. “Yes, that is what Cadence has told me. If it is still there under protection, then what she said was true, and Sombra made more than one.” “What who said?” Celestia asked, bending down closer to me, eyes sparkled with curiosity. “She’s not going to like this,” Chrys groaned. No, no she wouldn’t. “The unicorn who started this whole mess I’m being blamed for, Radiant Hope.” Celestia lowered her head, frowning. “Radiant Hope has been gone for many years. After the fall of the Crystal Empire, nopony saw her again. Not even when it returned could we find her. Why do you lie to me?” She asked softly. I couldn't believe it, she actually looked sad! Of course, if I remembered the comics right Radiant was her student for a time. Still, she had no reason to accuse me of lying. “I’m not lying!” I yelled, stomping a hoof. “I saw her with my own eyes down in Ponyville just a few short hours ago. Why would I come to you if I was just going to lie?” “She is telling the truth,” Shiny said. “I saw her as well, though didn’t know who she was.” He looked over at me, smiling. “It is impossible for her to still be alive, she was but a unicorn,” Celestia sighed, ears lowered. "I had even thought her princess material at one point. She would have become one for sure, if not for Sombra's influences on her." “Perhaps she found a way to continue living,” I shrugged. “She didn’t look very old, just heavily scarred. And if you want to blame anypony for the destruction of Hoofville, blame her and her Umbrum.” “Umbrum?” Celestia’s eyes widened. “What do you know of the Umbrum?” “Only that Radiant has full control over them, and that the last time they were here, things really did not go well for my kind,” I frowned. “I know not how many she has under her control, but she plans on using them and whatever other species she can find to help to take over Equestria.” “Strange,” Celestia said, rubbing her chin. “Luna and I locked them away many years ago, and they would have escaped again if we had not defeated Sombra. Why would Radiant have control over them? Why would she want to harm us?” “I would guess the amulet, being Sombra created it,” I huffed. “Though I have no idea how she might have released them. Nor entirely why she wants to harm you.” Celestia looked to Cadence. “Has there been any odd things going on in the Empire since Sombra was defeated?” “Well, now that you mention it,” Cadence said, ears twitching. “Ponies have seen mysterious shadows in the winds.” “What kind of shadows?” Shiny asked. “Ones that send a chill down the spine,” Cadence said. “Some have even started panicking thinking it is the windigos, back to take their revenge. But then, two ponies have gone missing as well, both unicorns, and we still haven’t found them.” “Sounds like last time,” Celestia said, barely above a whisper. “But you must be mistaken on who is leading them. Radiant Hope was a good pony,” she huffed. “As for a second amulet, I can see that being possible. Sombra was an evil pony, he would do anything to get what he wanted.” “Most ponies would do anything for love,” Chrys grunted. “She claimed she still loves him, perhaps this is her way of paying back those who hurt him.” That was a good point. “From what she said, she still loves Sombra.” “She did seem that way before, mind control I always thought,” she sighed. She looked down at me again. “Why come to me with this? After what you did at the wedding, I would have figured you would be one to join the side of whomever this unicorn is.” “Can’t a changeling change?” I growled. “Besides, she is murdering ponies. A dead pony is of no use to us.” “Then why, may I ask, did you tell your changelings to kill so many of my little ponies?” Celestia frowned. “I did no such thing!” I yelled, breathing heavily through my nostrils. “I gave a direct order for no ponies to be killed. Their love collected sure but not to the extent of killing anypony.” "Exactly,” Chrys snorted, though her voice sounded worried. “There was no reason to kill them.” “Di-did they really die, auntie?” Cadence asked, her voice hoarse and eyes widened. “Yes, dear Cadence. I’m sorry I have kept that from you these past two years. After you had Luna erase the worst of the memories, you recovered so well,” Celestia smiled softly at her. “I couldn’t bear for you to relive the pain.” “Bu-but how? How has nopony else heard of this?” Shiny yelped. “I was at the wedding, I read every single article that came out about it afterward. How do you hide the death of so many ponies?” Tears fell from his eyes, and he shook his head, taking a small step backward. “H-how many died anyway?” I asked. Celestia calmly looked at Shiny, then back at me as she frowned. “Forty-two ponies died that day, and many more suffered lasting injuries, both physical and mental. You caused a lot of harm that day Chrysalis, even if you didn't mean to.” “B-but how? How did they break through a direct order?” Chrys hissed. “When I get my hooves on Danaus and Morpheus….” “As for why hardly anypony knows, Luna and I are to blame for that,” she gazed at each of us, then lowered her head, taking in and letting out a deep breath. “We didn’t want anypony getting hurt going to look for your kind in revenge,” she said, eyes narrowed but sad looking. “So the only ones told, and allowed to keep their memories of such, were the families of those that were lost, or the doctors who worked to try to save them. They were sworn to secrecy, and to not go out to find you.” “No, no, NO!” Shiny yelled, stamping a hoof on the ground. Tears fell freely down his face now. He bit his lip, eyes closed as he shook his head. Twisting around, he galloped away from us, slamming the doors open as he left the throne room. “Shiny!” I yelled but he was already gone. “Shiny,” I whispered, lifting a hoof after him and lowering my ears. “I knew he couldn’t handle all of this for long,” Chrys sighed. “Though I didn’t expect him to just run away like that. Guess he couldn’t handle the truth. Ugh, how stupid was I to think we made a flawless attack? We will fix this though, to the best of our abilities.” What were we to do now? I turned back around, to see both Cadence and Celestia staring at me. I scowled, “hiding such a thing from your own ponies,” I snorted. “See what that kind of thing does?” “For Shiny, yes, but not all would react as he did,” Celestia said quietly, rising and walking over to come and stand beside Cadence and me. “As for your friend, I don’t believe it would be a good idea to release him. He caused too much harm.” “So you would rather slowly starve him to death?” I hissed. “I thought you ponies were above killing, especially you Celestia!” I pointed a hoof at her, shaking my head, trying to stop thinking of Shiny’s fleeing form. “Isn’t it always you proclaiming there are better ways to deal with your enemies than kill them? Even look at the recent enemies you have fought. Nightmare Moon, Discord, hay even me! Did you kill us? No!” Celestia sighed. “I understand where you are coming from Chrysalis, and you are right, I hate killing. Such a waste of life and potential.” “Then let him go,” I pleaded. “Surely he hasn’t done anything bad enough to warrant such a horrid death?” “He almost killed a pony, Chrysalis,” Celestia said, putting a hoof to my shoulder. “The mare he drained is still in Canterlot Hospital in a coma. Our doctors are doing everything they can for her but after nearly two months they are losing hope, as are her family.” “Buck, I was afraid it would be something like that,” Chrys groaned. “He’s always been one of my most loyal changelings, he must have been starving or it was an accident.” “He’s a good changeling Celestia,” I said softly. “What happened was likely an accident, and I’m positive he was not among my changelings that killed anypony at the wedding, for he was near my side the entire time. I had him in charge of the patrol that entered the throne room.” Or so Chrys informed me. “That doesn’t change what he did,” she said, shaking her head. “If I was to let him go, and the mare dies, her family will not be happy with me for releasing her murderer. Please try to understand.” “No, you need to understand,” I huffed, shoving away her hoof from my shoulder. “He has a child who needs him, our child.” “So he is your mate, is that what this is about?” Celestia asked. “Kind of,” I said, rubbing my forehead. “I do care deeply for him, he has been by my side for many years. I then… had a bad night and he comforted me through it. Now, we have a little filly who needs her father.” “Please let him go auntie,” Cadence said. “If the mare dies, I’ll take the blame for his release.” Celestia took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. “Very well, we shall see about it, but if I release him he will not be allowed back in Canterlot in any form, understand?” She looked at me. “Oh thank Celestia, literally,” Chrys chuckled. “We have a chance, let’s not break it.” “Yes, I understand. Thank you, Celestia.” “But his fate can wait a little longer,” Celestia said. “I want to hear more about what you have discovered.” “So she seems to believe us,” Chrys sighed. “At least enough to let us continue.” “Of course,” I said. What was I going to do about Shiny though? I had to go find him, explain things. Of course, finding Danaus and Morpheus should come first. “They were both on the front lines, so to speak, during the attack,” Chrys said. “If anyling knows what happened, they likely will.” “Cadence, will you escort Chrysalis’s friends to their own rooms in the east wing, and then meet us in the conference room?” Celestia asked, giving Cadence a small smile. “We’ll grab Luna on the way and I’ll send Twilight a message.” “Of course,” Cadence grinned and trotted out of the room. I looked back to Celestia. Would she believe everything that had happened? What Radiant had told me? Or even worse, what would Twilight think! I shook my head, smiling at her. Things were just starting to get interesting. Canterlot- Shiny Whistle I just couldn’t take it anymore, I had to run. Tears falling down my cheeks I burst through the second door, nearly bowling the guard there over as I raced past. “Shiny, what’s wrong?” I heard Nemoria ask but was past them moments later without saying a word. Thrusting open the main doors with my magic, I continued running, shouts of shock and complaint following me as I reached the castle gates and plowed through the crowd. It just couldn’t be true, it couldn’t! Yet as much as I tried to deny it, nothing would change the truth. Three times, three ponies, had confirmed it. Princess Celestia wouldn’t lie about something that hurt her little ponies. She might hide it from those who didn’t need to know, but- I groaned, closing my eyes. “So where are we going in such a rush?” I slid to a halt, barely avoiding tumbling into a fountain. Looking above me, I saw Discord grinning down at me, a small beaver in his taloned paw as he used its tail to file his nails. He snapped the beaver away and floated down to me, wrapping his tail around me. “What do you want Discord?” I sniffed, wiping away the tears from my cheek. “I’m not in the mood for your shenanigans.” “Aw, did I miss something important?” he frowned, patting me on the head. “I am dearly sorry. After I followed the guards chasing that changeling for a bit, I grew bored. So I went for a little snack at Twilight’s.” He snapped his fingers, producing a bowl full of shredded paper. From the looks of it, the paper had come from some book. “Twilight won’t be happy about you ruining one of her books.” “Nonsense!” he chuckled, spearing some pieces on a fork and popping them into his mouth. “Mmmm I love a good mystery!” “Can we do this later Discord?” I groaned, turning away from him. It was then I realized where we were. In my blind run, I had come just a few blocks away from home. To my right were the bluish-purple cobblestones that marked Amethyst Avenue. “If you want to know what happened, go ask the others,” I snorted, trotting down the avenue. “And miss whatever chaos you might be heading into?” “I’m not heading into any, just going home.” Mother was probably worried sick about me, Dew as well. I guess now I could go look for her. “Well, I shall accompany you then,” with a poof of magic he appeared in a formal black suit and red tie, holding onto a golden cane that strangely looked like Princess Twilight’s head. “Do I look fine for meeting your family?” He asked, stepping down the lane, tapping the cane against the ground. “You’re not meeting them. This day has already gone bad enough.” I pushed past him, my breath labored from my hard run. My cracked rib had started hurting again, but I trotted on. “Did Chryssy break up with you?” He asked, giving me a pouty face. “You should know changeling and pony relationships rarely work out. Something about sucking the love out of them and all,” he chuckled. I sighed, putting a hoof to my forehead. “Are you just here to torment me? You know we were never a couple.” No matter how much I might have wanted it. “If you must know, I just learned the truth about the wedding.” “What, you mean that some ponies died? Come on, everypony knows that.” He rolled his eyes. “Even me, and I was trapped in the gardens playing statue at the time.” “Wait, playing- never mind,” I shook my head and continued walking. “And no, not everypony knew. I didn’t.” Discord gasped, dropping his bowl on my head where it twirled around on my horn, the bits of paper inside scattering along the road. I tossed the bowl off, glaring at him. “Sorry dear Shiny,” Discord frowned, pinching the bowl between two fingers and bringing it up to his mouth, biting a piece out of it. I just rolled my eyes at him and turned a corner. Just a few houses down I could see my home. It hadn’t changed much since I was last here. A cozy two-story building, walls painted a creamy yellow, shutters a light brown. The door, cherry red, still had the sign my mother had made for it years ago hanging upon it. Painted in the colors of Celestia’s mane, it read Celestia Bless This Home. So much for that, I snorted, what kind of blessing had we had lately? “So this is your home?” Discord grinned behind me. “Nice, but I think it could use a little more-” “Don’t you dare!” I yelled, stomping my hoof and glaring at him. “It is perfect as it is.” “Fine, fine, if you don’t want my special touch,” he looked away, folding his forearms together. “You going to go in?” “Give me a minute,” I said, pausing by the door. How would they react? After all, I was coming home alone, without Dew. Would they blame me for her disappearance? She was my father’s ‘baby filly’ after all, the one he had always wanted. Sure he loved Velvet and me, but Dew was special to him. I looked up in surprise as Discord knocked on the door. Glaring at him, he just gave me a confused look. “What?” he said, giggling as he stepped down the stairs as the door began to open. Taking in a deep breath, I stepped forward, prepared for the worst. Standing at the open door, one of her yellow-orange wings still holding the doorknob, red-orange mane tied in a bun at the top of her head, stood my mother. I gave a hesitant smile, “Hello, mother.” “Shiny, oh my colt!” She glided down the stairs, wrapping her forehooves and wings around me in a tight hug. “Oh Shiny, you’re home!” She gushed, nuzzling against my neck as she hugged me. “I’ve missed you so much.” Pulling away, she tucked her wings against her barrel, her eyes glittering with tears. “Yeah, I am,” I whispered, ears lowered. I hated making my mother cry. “What happened to you? Why did you leave us honey?” she sniffed. “I’d rather not talk about it right now mom.” “Oh, of course, of course. You’re probably exhausted.” She reached a wing over and brushed it against my side. “And look at you, covered in dirt and dust. Why don’t you come in and get cleaned up while I finish supper?” “Okay mom,” I sighed and followed her inside. Mother let out a scream, and I jolted forward, to see Discord sprawled on our couch in the living room, flipping through a Mare’s Day magazine. “Hello there, Mrs. Shiny’s mom,” Discord said, winking, then returned to the magazine. “Ooooh, ten sassy scarves for summer, I must read that article!” Mother turned back to me, eyes crossed in confusion. “Is-is he here with you?” “Kind of,” I sighed, facehoofing. “Mom, meet Discord, Discord, this is my mom, Dancing Mystery.” “A pleasure to meet you, dear Madame Mystery,” Discord crooned, taking my mother’s hoof in his clawed paw and kissing it. “Oh, right,” mother laughed hesitantly, pulling her hoof back against her cheek. “Nice to meet you too, Mr. Discord. Very nice ensemble you have there.” “Why thank you!” he beamed, twirling the cane in the air. “See Shiny, at least somepony appreciates my taste in clothing.” He winked down at me. I just shook my head at him. “I’m going to go take a shower,” I said, leaving the living room and heading out into the hallway. Poking my head back around the door-frame, I pointing a hoof at Discord. “And none of your funny business while I am gone!” “ME?” Discord gasped, putting his lion’s paw to his chest. “Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it,” he chuckled. “Hurry back Shiny,” mother said, looking over at Discord as she took a step back. “Will do,” I said and trotted out into the hall. Right ahead of me were the stairs to the second floor and my bathroom. I climbed up, turned to the right passing our music room and Dew’s room, and trotted inside the bathroom. Both Dew’s and my towels were hanging on the rack, Velvet’s tossed into a corner on the floor as I walked inside. The blue floor tile sparkled, the mirror was smudged a little though. Stepping into the shower, I smiled to see my shampoo was exactly where I had left it, though I had to pick up Velvet’s nearly empty bottle from the bottom of the tub. Turning the taps with my magic, I sighed as the warm water cascaded down on me. It felt like it had been forever since I had a proper shower, even if it had only been a few days. Closing my eyes, I let it fall over me as I thought back to the events of the day. So much had happened in such a short time. My heart pounded with each thought of Chryssy. Why didn’t she tell me what really happened at the wedding? Why had she played dumb to what her changelings had done? Sure she might not have been involved with the killings, as far as I knew anyway, but she had kept insisting they hadn’t killed anypony. I levitated my shampoo bottle over and lathered some of it into my hooves, working over my face fur first and then moving to my chest. How could I have been so blind? Everything other ponies had said about the changelings, them being killers, seemed to be true. Except for the foals, Nemoria and Acronicta were innocent, I was sure. Would that last for long though? With their training, they could become killers like the rest of them. Levitating over a scrub brush, I lathered it up with shampoo and began to work on my back and flanks, wincing as it scraped over my bruises and cracked rib. A tear fell as I thought of Chryssy, her beautiful eyes, hilarious laugh, how she saved me from the Umbrum back in Hoofville. Could she really be this killer everypony thought of her as? Maybe she didn’t know about her changelings that killed other ponies. After all, she had been inside the entire time, right? Would they have hidden such a horrible truth from her this long? Finishing on my back, I poured a great dollop of shampoo on my tail and worked it into the roots. I couldn’t leave things this way, without saying goodbye. Apatelodes had been right, I wasn’t suited for this task after all. But, what was I to do? She probably hated me even more now, running away from her, when I had been there to help. I cringed, my chest hurting at the thought of never seeing her again. Colt was I such a foal. Running at the first sign of trouble. I stood up carefully on my hind legs, using my forelegs to pour shampoo into my mane and lather it in. That was it, I had to go back. Chryssy had been good to me thus far, only feeding on me when I practically begged her to, keeping me safe while I kept her company. I had to let her explain. If I wasn’t already too late. “Please Princess Celestia, please don’t lock her up,” I sighed. Turning off the water and stepping out of the tub, I wrapped my towel around me. That’s when the idea struck me. Discord! He for sure could help me out against Celestia if she had locked Chryssy up! I quickly dried off and hung my towel back up in its place. Looking into the mirror, I grabbed a comb and began to run it through my mane. A few minutes later I turned to the door, opening it and stepping out into the hall. I would finish this mission. Now was not the time to abandon the one I loved. As weird as it may seem, I still cared for her. Even if she never shared my feelings, even if she ended up hooking up with Leptostales again, I would return to her side. With that thought, I started for the stairs.