//------------------------------// // Sleepover Troubles // Story: Changelings of Harmony // by Prismfire Productions //------------------------------// The rest of the school day was uneventful for the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Mrs. Cheerilee had given the students an extra thirty minutes to play while she was giving Diamond Tiara a scolding that was so severe even Tirek himself would have been left with rose colored cheeks. After the afternoon class was finished, and their hivebrothers and sisters went home, the trio headed to Sweet Apple Acres to finish their preparations for the events planned later in the evening. “Sure we got everythin’?” Apple Bloom asked as she looked at all the things they had managed to do with their recently-expanded clubhouse. With help from their sisters, and Big Mac for ensuring the design work was stable and the trees could hold the weight, their hangout was now more like a tree fort than a clubhouse. The original space now served as their “HQ”, with a proper podium and sitting arrangement that had their group logo emblazoned on them. Behind the podium was a map of the known world, modified to now include the changeling hives and their respective cities. A short trot up a set of stairs let to their “operations center”, which housed logs of every attempt they had made to get their cutie marks right down to the last detail. Of course, since they were now changelings, they could not get one themselves since they already had one before their transformation, but they still kept the logs just in case somepony came to them asking for advice on how to get one. The wall that opened to the left of the log shelf, now on its fifth rendition after Pinkie broke the previous four, had a zip line that lead to a kitchenette room. The walls had been made flameproof, but there was an unspoken rule at only Scootaloo and Apple Bloom were to cook, a condition that Sweetie Belle acknowledged. That area was connected to a lounge room with ten sleeping pods just in case they invited some of their classmates, and a swinging bridge connected it back to the main room where the three close friends now stood. “I may not be Queen Twilight but I do like keeping lists,” Scootaloo replied as she started checking off the items one by one. “Soda, snacks, games, a movie, sleeping pods… Yeah Apple Bloom everything is in order, now we just got to wait for Silver Spoon to come and we can all start the fun.” Sweetie Belle, unlike her two companions in mischief and fun, was actually feeling nervous. “I got a bad feeling that I can’t seem to shake girls, and I know you both can tell just how nervous I am. Filthy Rich carries a lot of weight not only around Canterlot, but Equestria itself, and with him trying to kick all of us out plus a looming war has me rattled.” “Weird,” Scootaloo said as she circled the marshmallow colored drone in front of her, looking at her in detail. “you don’t have scales and aren’t a lamia so where’s your rattle?” The attempt at dry humor was justly answered, with Scootaloo recieving a double Gribs slap to the back of her head as Sweetie glared at her. “I could turn into one you know, but I would rather not face our Queen’s stare. That is, of course, if you would be willing to take the chance in my stead since it was your idea.” All the color drained from Scootaloo’s chitin as she gulped. “No! I don’t want to be stuck cleaning out the collection pits, last time was so bad that I swore I would never get that punishment again.” Apple Bloom tapped them both on the shoulder. “I really hate to interrupt, but I spot Silver Spoon headin’ this way, an’ it looks like somepony is coming with her.” That got the other two crusaders’ attention. Since none of their hive siblings had elected to join them, and with most of their classmates out of town for the extended weekend, it really was supposed to just be the three of them and Silver Spoon. Once they looked out the door and to the base of the entrance way, their jaws dropped. There, matching Silver’s stride, was a very peeved Diamond Tiara carrying a small overnight bag on her back that was bundled with a sleeping bag that had a built in pillow. “Hey girls!” Silver said in an almost-too-chipper tone. “Look who decided to join us for our festivities tonight.” “More like forced…” Diamond said with venom in her tone, which nearly made the three drones nauseous. “It was ultimately decided that my punishment from your bu-“ All eyes feel on Diamond as she shut up mid sentence, looking a little ill herself. After a few minutes of easing breaths, she proceeded to continue. “As I was saying, Queen Fluttershy decided that my punishment was to join in on the sleepover and clean out the… collection pits? Everyday during summer vacation and on the weekends. I tried to compromise, but she said it was either that or I would be put through the “juvenile reformation program” or whatever that means.” An ice cold sensation hit the crusaders, making them shudder just at the thought of the horrors their bully would have experienced. Each knew from their own, separate, Hive education that it was a way to effectively straighten out any who dared to oppose their queens’ authority. They knew a few who had went through the program, and from what they were told had deduced that they would be better off not causing as much trouble. Considering that Diamond Tiara was an Earth Pony and not a changeling, they did know if she would have gotten through the program intact. That alone made them feel sorry for her. “Well, this is unexpected, but come on in Diamond.” Apple Bloom said as she and her hivesisters stepped back, allowing their guests to enter and get their things in order. “Seems quite the upgrade from the last time I was in here.” Diamond said as she took in the renovations that had occurred since she and Babs kicked the same three crusaders out. “Could use a bit more upscale furniture, but it is still better than the dump it used to be.” “It’s still ah work ‘n progress,” Apple Bloom said as she brought the group some sparkling apple juice. “Still gotta long way to go before we can say it’s finished.” While the others started drinking Diamond just looked at her beverage, slowly swirling it with a doubtful expression. “There isn’t anything in this that will allow you to mind control me right?” The drones, who briefly looked insulted, proceeded to bust out laughing at the question. Diamond was about to snap as her rage and frustration boiled over but Scootaloo managed to get herself together to answer. “You’ve been reading way too much foalfiction and anti-changeling propaganda Diamond. Yes, what Chrysalis did to the citizens of the Crystal Empire was wrong, but Princess Cadance herself forgave the queen before she passed away. The method she used was outlawed ages ago, but she was desperate and greedy and Shining suffered as a result. Every changeling, including the three in front of you, knows how to do it but refuse to use it unless it is a last resort. Besides, if it was laced then Silver would have already fallen under the spell.” Diamond took this into consideration, and looking over to the unicorn she saw that Silver Spoon was silently sipping her juice as she listened to the conversation. “How do I know that she isn’t already under the spell?” Silver Spoon used the opportunity that was given to her full advantage, giving Diamond a coy grin that made the heir to Rich Industries shiver. “Really DT? Perhaps I should tell them about a certain embarrassing moment that occurred last summer.” “You wouldn’t!” Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo felt a sudden shift in Diamond’s emotions. Instead of uncertainty and anger were squashed by a bomb cyclone of pure fear that made their tormentor of countless days shake in place as she struggled to speak. “Y-you gave me your word that you wouldn’t tell another pony!” “You said it yourself DT, they are not ponies, they’re nothing but bugs so I wouldn’t be breaking the pact.” Silver Spoon replied, delivering the knockout blow. “Not only that, mom always told me that one’s word was as strong as their bond, and you have done nothing but take advantage of me for years. So here is what I suggest, you sit there like a good mare and let them clarify every single point that you are wrong about. Keep an open mind while doing so, we clear?” Diamond did not say a word, instead just nodding as Scootaloo gave her a very detailed explanation as Sweetie started to pass out the snacks. The lesson was not done in vain, for there were a few aspects that even Silver Spoon did not know that she made sure to remember, About an hour later, Scootaloo finished, but Diamond Tiara remained silent and deep in thought. Everything that her parents had told her was completely false, and the new information made her start to question several life choices. “As you see Diamond,” Scootaloo said as she finished her lecture. “They say “the grass is always greener”, but in fact it is not. The surface may look better, but it is what hides behind it that is the final factor. I have read several of your parents’ publications, can’t help but since they are all over Equestria’s newsstands, and each is just based on Queen Chrysalis. You should consider yourself lucky, because while cleaning the collection pools is a dirty job, it will give you valuable insight as to how the Elemental Hive actually operates.” Diamond nodded in agreement, finding no fault in Scootaloo’s reasoning. “I have another question, I won’t be turned into a changeling myself right?” “Not unless you want it Diamond,” Scootaloo’s reply was soft spoken, successfully easing Diamond’s nerves. “forced transformations are frowned upon and harshly punished. I suggest we drop this matter all together, we are here for a sleepover so let the games begin! Let’s start with a game of truth or dare to warm up.” The others nodded in agreement, and decided for Diamond to go first as an ice breaker. “Hmmm… Scootaloo, truth or dare?” “Dare,” The orange and purple drone said with a smirk. “Nopony or ling has ever done something that resulted in me refusing.” “Quite bold and prideful Scootaloo,” Diamond said with a gleam in her eyes. “I dare you to go to mommy and daddy’s house and scare them as Chrysalis.” Scootaloo, and every single ling in the hivemind, feel silent at the dare. Scootaloo didn’t need a lecture from her queens to know just how disrespectful it was, not only to Diamond’s parents, but also to the deceased changeling that was credited with the current vision of the changeling race. “I-I can’t do that Diamond…” Scootaloo said with her pride defeated. “I will do anything you ask as punishment, but you should never disrespect those that have passed over, and that crosses a line I refuse to do.” “Fine then, you are to be my personal maid for the next month.” Diamond’s tone was absolute, and Scootaloo looked at the floor and gave a nod of acceptance. “Good, now it is your go maid.” “Silver Spoon, truth or dare?” Scootaloo asked in a quiet voice. “Truth.” Silver replied feeling bad for her friend, putting a hoof on her friend’s shoulder. Scootaloo felt a little better at the jesture, giving a small hug before continuing. “Is it true that you were responsible for the anonymous truce between the nobles and queens by having your parents involved?” Silver Spoon, to Diamond’s absolute shock, nodded. “It was my idea, I presented the idea to them after I became friends you three. They were skeptical at first, just as speciest as everypony else used to be, then I brought you home for that study session and they saw just how right I was. Now look what that tiny bit of hope, that was as small as a mustard seed, has grown into.” Before Silver Spoon could ask her question, two masked pegasi came in and scooped them into thick, magically bound bags. Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom tried their best to charge up a spell, but their efforts were futile. “Quit squirming pests,” One of the pegasi said in a guff, Stalliongrad accent as he and his partner flew off into the night. “or else we will have to squash you earlier than what the boss wants. By the way, good luck contacting your precious queens, these bags as specially built to block any changeling hivemind connections, so sit tight and enjoy the ride.” Both pegasi chuckled as they flew off into the night. While they were celebrating, the fillies were fearing for their lives, unsure of what awaited them upon landing.