//------------------------------// // Running Late // Story: Thirteen Reasons // by canonkiller //------------------------------// "I didn't think you'd go this far." Chrysalis's voice echoed around inside the ball, the object itself resting in front of her face. Lying on the floor, Celestia presumed. The dungeons were not furnished. "In all honesty I thought you'd throw this out." She sounded much more tired. She had been in the dungeons for two days prior to her private execution, and it seemed to be taking it's toll on the Changeling. "Enjoying yourself? I assume you were smart enough to realize you were in a memory. Did you pick up any names? Well, anyway, you've done one of thirteen. It doesn't get better. "But go ahead." She continued. "Close your eyes." ----- Celestia was sitting on some kind of couch, surrounded by soft vinyl and punctuated with an occasional window. Celestia looked around, seeing many other foals close to her age were sitting nearby. What is this? She looked around again, trying to determine what could possibly be going on. A sudden lurch sent her a few inches off the cushion, landing again with a thump. "You okay there, Shimmer?" Celestia looked up, seeing Sky beside her. How did she not notice him before? "Fine." Celestia replied. She turned away from him, although she shifted closer to his side. His warm wing draped over her shoulder, holding her still as the cabin shook again. "Are you nervous?" "What?" Celestia asked, tearing her eyes away from her own blank flank, which she had just noticed. "Your first day of school, silly." His muzzle ruffled her mane. "It's a good thing you have me here. I'll take care of you." "No way!" Celestia replied, stomping her hoof. "I can take care of myself!" He laughed, hugging her tighter. "You do that, Shimmer. But I'm your big brother, it's my job to worry about you." Celestia snorted indignantly, an act which would normally leave the strongest dragon dignitary cowering. Sky laughed again, rubbing her mane around. Celestia frowned. ----- The memory fizzled out with a flash, and Celestia found herself floating back in the center of the orb. Chrysalis was nowhere to be seen. "Did I damage it?" Celestia worried, looking around. The familiar shiver came, along with a faint whisper; "Goodnight." ----- Black and green filled her vision, a more sinister drape then that of the orb. Celestia jumped onto her hooves, with a grace she realized was from the combination of an Alicorn's tall stance and short filly's legs. She was an average-sized pony. She looked down, trying to determine her coat color, see if this was the same pony she had been masquerading as. It wasn't. A Changeling. Celestia spun around, catching glimpses of her shell and gray, flimsy tail. "Yo, Cocoon!" She assumed this call was directed to her - as all other background noise was obliterated from the memories prior - and turned, coming face-to-face with another Changeling. "Hi." She replied quickly. "You want to come out and feed? That was quite a power nap." The Changeling laughed, waving a holed hoof at the ground behind Celestia. She glanced as well, seeing a deep depression in a pool of green goop. Trying not to look fazed, she grinned, suddenly aware of her fangs. "Yeah, I'll come." The Changeling turned around, scanning the craggy landscape. "Venom! Feed! Get your tails over here!" Two other Changelings buzzed up, grinning. "Hey, Cheesefeet!" The second glared at the first. "Greetings, Membrane." Membrane nodded at each in turn. "We're going out feeding. Are you coming?" "Anything for you, Membrane." Feed replied. Venom nodded enthusiastically. The two lifted into the air again, Venom rolling in the air a couple of times before stopping. "I hear there's a new town! Ponyville or something... nopony's been there yet!" "You two always know I'm up for an adventure. Come on, Cocoon!" "I'm coming." Celestia replied, buzzing her wings before rising into the air. ----- "Hey, there it is!" "That's a town?!" Membrane yelled over the wind. "I've seen day-cares bigger than that." Celestia had to agree; from here, she could see all four houses, barred on one side by the looming darkness of the Everfree, and on another by the rolling expanse of Sweet Apple Acres. There only looked to be twenty or so ponies there. And, from what she knew, perfect for an attack. The Changelings swerved as one, plunging for the edge of the Everfree. Venom was already changing form, into a pale blue Pegasus mare. She heard Membrane start laughing. Membrane and Feed landed, Membrane taking the form of an older Earth mare and Feed turning into a sophisticated-looking Unicorn. Celestia took the first form that came to mind. Magic Shimmer. Celestia looked up at the other Changelings, expecting to see disgust and anger at her choice. Instead, they were smiling. Membrane hooked Celestia's side with a hoof and dragged her over. "Good idea, Cocoon. Ponies love foals." Venom laughed. "You better stay with the widdle tiny fwoal and keep her safe." Feed kicked him in the shin. "I believe Cocoon here is smarter than you are." The Changeling shut up, unfurling his Pegasus wings. "I'll be going." He growled. "I'll keep an eye on him." Feed reassured Membrane and Celestia, trotting away. Membrane rolled her eyes. "Those morons." "I think they're kind of sweet on you." Celestia replied without thinking. "They probably are. But I don't bat for that team." The Changeling casually replied. "Of course, I'd never tell them that." Celestia nodded in agreement. "Should we go feed?" Membrane smiled. "Lead the way, little foal." ----- Celestia sat up quickly, her vision clearing as the moon was once again in place to wake her up. She had to find a way to get up on time again, or Luna might suspect something. Not to mention the mild moonlight might not be enough to wake her up. As she hurried to get ready, she had to stop and think about the Changeling Queen. "What are you trying to show me?" She whispered into the darkened room. "And why me?"