//------------------------------// // 18 - Warming Up // Story: Queen of Equestria // by BlackWater //------------------------------// Fluttershy gave out one of her loudest “eeps” she ever had. She would have hidden under the bedsheets if she weren’t already in them. The fireworks were the end of her life as far as she was concerned. BAM! BAM! Rainbow Dash, meanwhile, was flying to one corner of the room and then another. She quickly discovered the fireworks were magically coming from her for some reason and that they were not harmful. In fact, she even tested by quickly flying through what should have been a hot spray of sparks from one of the explosions. It didn’t burn. Clearly these were some kind of illusory magic fireworks. Harmless. But why? “Dashie!” Fluttershy whimpered while trying to stuff herself under the bed. Small explosions still popped around her, though they were dying off the same as Rainbow’s. “It’s cool, Shy,” the blue mare insisted while landing beside her friend and polyamorous lover. She had pulled her out from beneath the mattress by wrapping her hooves around the rear half that was still sticking out. They tumbled backwards onto the burgundy carpeted floor. “Is it over?” Fluttershy looked around worried. Rainbow just chuckled and then tossed the girl onto the top of the bed where they had started. “Yeah, and no I don’t know what that was all about. Ms. Queeny probably does and I’m guessing we’ll find out once she’s in range again.” “What makes you say that?” Fluttershy asked, her forehooves curled up against her chest as she laid on her back. “Intuition.” Before Rainbow could climb back up on the bed, a familiar voice reached them over the relayed hivemind. Got a minute? Spike asked in a somewhat nervous fashion. Fluttershy would have asked for what reason but the hivemind began transmitting over what Spike was seeing that prompted the question. Rainbow and Fluttershy were spending the rest of their last day in Las Pegasus by relaxing at the hotel and seeing a few sites – activities that had mostly been absent due to the recent upheaval of the city. Rainbow looked into Fluttershy’s knowing eyes. Time to cut the vacation short. We’ll be there in ten seconds flat. The snow had built up considerably in the Crystal Empire, but past the edge of the most distant roads and houses was significantly worse. Deep unforgiving tundra and ice formations that made for spectacular post cards. It was from one particular low cliff in the distance that the transports first became visible. Spike knew they were coming because of Twilight’s communications before she left, but they was still a fearsome sight to behold. The low cliff was a good thousand or so hooves out from the last building on the Empire’s western side, which happened to be the Crystal Syrup production house. The double-storied building’s sole street lamp cast just enough light to be noticeable, so it was the moon itself that provided the light necessary to see the massive transports barreling towards them. They were huge. Built only vaguely like wagons, they moved as if pulled by twenty stallions at breakneck speed. But no ponies seemed to pull them – they vaulted forward all on their own. Easily six times the size of the Apple family jalopy, they were built of heavy metal and braced by reinforcements on the front that could break down a city gate without slowing them down. In place of wheels, they had two pairs of treads on each side. Much like the special snow pushers the crystal ponies had invented, though quite a bit heavier and these vehicles were hardly pushed by a single muscular crystal pony. Spike began to hear the shouts of the ponies as they saw the growing number of the vehicles approach the city. The only reason he was aware sooner than they were was because of his high vantage point from the balcony of the Crystal Castle. Rarity was moving over to the town square below to assure them of their safety. Twilight is the diplomat, Spike thought. What am I even supposed to do? Show them the castle guest rooms? No worries, darling, Rarity bounced back to him mentally. You’re rather calm, Spike almost turned grumpy at his love’s strangely even demeanor. Got some idea you’re not sharing with me? Go with the flow, darling, Rarity tutted with a chin held high. She just arrived and began addressing the public. You mean “wing it,” Spike gained a small grin. Sounds enough like mom. Guess I’ll just go for it. If Twilight trusts them to hold to their word then we should give them the benefit of the doubt. Spike could see the transports now rolling down the widest road leading up to the square. Not wanting to bother going back through the castle to get down, the medium-sized drake spotted one of the thicker snow banks that had shored up against the castle. Rarity hated when he did this, but it was rather fun. “Look out below,” he called out even though nopony was around. With a casual mentality, he swung himself over the railing and plummeted the good distance to the snow pile. POOF! The powdery heap blew out in multiple directions. In only a moment, the dragon’s head popped back out of the deep hole he had created. “And Spike scores an amazing nine out of ten on the snow dive,” he commentated aloud. Rarity resisted facehoofing. The sound of the rolling treads became more pronounced once the craft got close to the main square. There was the usual crunch of snow but also the clack-clack of tread in tune with a throaty growl from inside the vehicles. The foremost of the large craft decelerated almost reluctantly and came to a halt only a dozen or so hooves from the square’s public bonfire. Rarity couldn’t help but gulp when it stopped. The clack and crunch of the treads ceased once the following transport machines stopped in turn behind it. However, the roar from their insides only dulled to a gurgling thrum. Since the top of the craft was just above twice her own height, she only heard a top hatch bang open. Her first sight of an exiting occupant was when a burly stallion hopped down from the top and foremost edge. “Ahhh,” the deep-voiced stallion breathed out before the bonfire. “Тепло.” Although Rarity dressed in a thick outer coat and warm ushanka to help maintain a comfortable inner warmth, she didn’t have on as many layers as this stallion. Even his hooves were bundled in some kind of heavy wrapping with a hard underside for proper walking and handling. In fact, he was so well bundled that only the short end of his tail and his eyes were visible. As Caretaker of the Crystal Empire, Rarity felt it was her duty to step forward from the honestly scared crystal ponies and address him. However, it was a second pony that jumped down from the transport that approached her first. This one had an obviously leaner frame, but it was hard to tell if they were a mare or just a thinner stallion since they were just as well covered. The voice was the give away. “Greetings, Crystals,” the mare waved a tad awkwardly and with a heavy accent of the northern tribes. “We bring your passengers. You are Rarity?” Rarity put on her best smile and stepped closer with confidence. “Yes, I am Rarity, Royal Caretaker of the Crystal Empire. We were informed of your arrival in advance by Queen Twilight Sparkle of Equestria.” “Good,” the mare replied. She might have smiled, but it was covered by the fabric wrapped around her face. “We do our duty. Passengers are yours.” It was then that Spike reached them, pounding on all fours until he came up beside Rarity. He stood high on his rear legs and looked down at the foreign mare. Her eyes betrayed no surprise, fear, or hesitation. “Welcome to the Crystal Empire-” he began. “Current ruler,” she spoke up evenly. “Steward and hero. Spike the Brave and Glorious.” The dragon’s face relaxed into a prideful but suave expression. “So you’ve heard of me.” Again Rarity wanted to facehoof. “Much,” she responded in a more cheerful manner. “How could we not? Such a strong and intelligent dragon ruling on our border. Handsome too.” Rarity’s jaw dropped. Was she coming onto her Spikey Wikey? “Commander of UA-5, Freezer,” the thickly-bundled mare raised her hoof to Spike. “You already know me, apparently,” he shook her hoof with a wink. Said wink was viewed by a deadpan Rarity. “I’ll get passenger leader for you,” Freezer said with a nod back to the stallion at the fire. “Then we get more comfortable.” Spike’s expression shifted about. This would be the hard part. Talking to a changeling leader had become routine for him in the form of Chrysalis, but she had been an ex-leader outcast. This was a current leader and he had no idea how many changelings were packed into the transports. A quick count revealed a total of six transports – five lined up behind the first in single-file due to the street width. He guessed the interiors were at least as big as four times his own size. Both ponies climbed back up to the top of the transport via a step build into a recess on the side. It was only seconds before a clang was heard from inside the vehicle that was followed by a screeching of metal. A huge door on the back of the transport swung downwards, as if the entire back wall of the thing was on an unoiled hinge. BANG! The back door hit the road. Freezer trot out first down the door that now doubled as a ramp. Behind her was a large stretcher being held up by six changelings (three on each side). On the stretcher was a somewhat larger changeling with a unique orange-colored mane and tail. She was obviously the royal leader even if she didn’t match Chrysalis in size. Her horn was only moderately longer than those on the ones that carried her. The northern mare directed them over to the bonfire so the recovering changeling would not be exposed to the cold for longer. It was interesting in Spike’s eyes to see each of the changelings covered in the same kind of heavy clothing the northern ponies wore. Likely they were merely standard supplies aboard the transports. The queen herself was covered in at least a few layers of thick blankets, which she peered out of. The sheets were decorated in mute red shapes over a richer red that had words along the edge that Spike couldn’t read. The dragon grabbed the quill and scroll Rarity had been carrying in her bag. This was something he was more used to: record keeping. He noted the changelings as they exited and followed to the bonfire, which more crystal ponies were stepping away from to make room – or simply keep their distance from the unusual sight of the changelings. One, two, four, eight, sixteen, thirty-two… He had the urge to go around to look into the back of the transport. They must have really packed them in or else the insides were designed exceptionally well for maximum capacity. When the last changeling came out, Spike concluded the record for the first transport with fifty-six changelings total, not counting the queen. Some quick mental math told him that if the other transports were fully packed, this was going to be a large crowd indeed. Rarity fidgeted about, also noting Spike’s unease he was trying to hide. There was no doubt these were the same changelings that had ambushed them during the Twenty Hours Coup while in route to Canterlot. They had been used by Sombra and, though no casualties had occurred in that particular scuffle to Spike’s knowledge, it was hard not to get an instinctual reaction against them. Not a single changeling gave them a hostile look as they went by, however. Those that did look to the side as they passed by did so with either hurt, sad, or defeated expressions. It was possible they merely reflected their hurt queen’s emotions, but the dragon and mare knew little of regular changelings. They only knew of the royal one that inhabited their pony hive and her accounts of the regulars when she was in charge. These changelings looked like they were starving. The queen was set down at a safe but warm distance from the bonfire. Spike carefully walked over so not to startle the carrier changelings, which guarded her on all sides. They parted to allow Spike close enough to see the queen’s resting head. “Queen Flux?” Spike asked, his voice soft but loud enough to carry over the crackle of the fire and hum of the transport engines. “That is me,” the changeling responded without moving her head. The words came out hollow but understandable. The dragon heard Rarity proclaim she would see to the other transports and begin work on proper accommodations. He kept focused on the queen, though. “You’ve agreed to live here peacefully?” “It was agreed,” she responded in the same manner but this time averted even her eyes. She didn’t seem exactly happy about the situation, but lacked the energy to display any spite. What would Twilight do? Spike thought, considering the happenings in Las Pegasus. Be kind and forgiving, Rarity answered while counting the next of the changelings. Spike went to move his claw, realizing only then that it had at some point clenched. He opened it and rested it gently on the shoulder of the changeling queen. Or at least where her shoulder would be under the many blankets. He breathed deep, letting his own tension out with a haze of thin smoke from his natural breath. “You are safe here, Queen Flux,” he willed himself to say. “Nopony will harm you or bear any bad feelings towards your hive.” “They are afraid. I can see it,” Flux had her sight resting on the distant crowd of crystal ponies. “They’re nervous, yes,” Spike agreed. “They haven’t interacted much with changelings. That’s going to change for the better. We will provide anything your people need.” “Food,” the queen croaked out. The shake in her voice on that one word made it sound as if she were about to break. About to cry. Her eyes had returned to the fire. Spike knew what was food to them. Of course he knew. He told her they would get what they needed and Twilight had negotiated as much with them previously. But he also knew it would take time and would not be easy. They would have to find a way of stepping it up. These changelings were in considerably bad shape. He had to do his part if not as the leader of the Empire then as someone who had a basic compassion for others. Even recent enemies. He breathed deeply once more, closed his eyes, and leaned forward. Thoughts of the attack came to mind and he consciously let them go, replacing them with thoughts of peace. The small changeling queen beneath him was a friend. Not a foe. He thought of Rarity and let feelings of love fill his mind. A faint trickle of light flowed from Spike to Flux’ jagged horn. It was not a direct line of love like the one shared between Twilight and Chrysalis, but it mixed with feelings of compassion that Spike did hold for her. It made her feel better. Not satiated, but better nonetheless. Tears formed in the corners of the queen’s eyes. Maybe, for the first time in her life, she had something to hope for. Maybe. “That was longer than ten seconds,” Spike smirked at the relatively smaller blue pegasus. “Hey,” Rainbow squeaked. “Las Pegasus to the Empire is not a short flight. And we had to keep stopping so Fluttershy could rest.” “Sorry,” Fluttershy whispered. “I’m just kidding,” Spike waved it off and led them back to Rarity’s bedroom. “I’m glad you two had a safe flight. It’s reassuring to have you over. I had no idea it would be this hard.” Fluttershy came up around him and sat with him before the warm fireplace that did so well at heating Rarity’s ornate bedroom. “You’re not talking about diplomacy. Forgiveness is what bothers you,” she commented more than asked. It was a simple prompt for him to let his feelings flow again rather than be tangled in their hivemind. He sighed and stared into the crackling fire much like Queen Flux had. “They could have hurt Rarity. Even if I’m immune to most harm, she’s not. Losing her would destroy me. Maybe they were just following orders, but then how could I ever trust this Queen Flux? She aided Sombra.” Rainbow Dash crawled up to Fluttershy’s other side and half closed her eyes in comfort when the yellow mare draped a wing over her. “Totally. But we have to trust Twilight. I mean, she knows what she’s doing. Well,” she corrected herself, “she usually winds up right in the end. Maybe staying in the Crystal Empire will change her and the rest of them in ways we haven’t thought of yet.” “That’s...possible,” Spike admitted. “Sunburst seems to have some ideas how that could come about, right?” Fluttershy suggested with a pleasant smile up at the dragon. He gave a huff of smoke to that. “And more. On one claw, I wish Rarity wouldn’t make such a fuss about it. On the other, it can be incredibly amusing to see her lose her temper over things that are perfectly okay. She’s the ‘cute when mad’ type.” “Oh really?” the white unicorn made an indignant appearance from the front door of the room. She trot in with a dead expression on her face. “I just get done with assigning rooms up to the fifth floor for these changelings and what do I come back to? This?!” “Thank you very much for taking care of th-” Spike began what was to his credit an honest expression of gratitude. “None of it!” Rarity dismissed him with a toss of her mane and a “hoompha.” After hanging her hat and overcoat onto their appropriate hooks, she turned back to the door. “I am off to the baths. At least some warm water might soothe my spirits where my dragon has failed.” Rainbow snickered after Rarity was gone. “Should we crash her bath time?” Fluttershy nodded. “Only to help her relax. No pranks, Dashie.” “Yeah,” Spike said while getting up to go with them. “I still need to sleep with her tonight.”