//------------------------------// // Chapter 20- Change-Ling-Ting-Tong // Story: Restart // by Alden MacManx //------------------------------// When I woke up again, I was in a real hospital room, but not a private one. I could see Black Sky in the next bed out of my right eye, my head still bandaged and covering my left eye. I tried to move my head, but the pain told me that was a bad idea. At my groan of pain, Encore Act came into my field of view. “Hey, Tristan,” he said quietly. I knew it could not be good news, because he, like Pinkie Pie, tends to talk in exclamation points. “Encore… how is everypony?” I managed to croak. He brought a cup and straw to my mouth and I sipped some liquid ambrosia. Okay, it is just water, but my throat thought otherwise. “Black Sky is doing better than you are. Low Note is not. Not only was he severely beaten, he was drained by an overeager changeling. It’s still touch and go for him,” he told me. I shut my eye and grieved for a few seconds- Low Note is not only a member of my Guard Force, he is also a good friend. I’m sure a tear or two leaked out, because Encore Act went on. “He’s being looked after by the best. Let’s not lose hope.” “Where is he?” I asked. Gently, he took my head in his glow and turned me to the left. Low Note came into view, bandaged up, asleep or unconscious, looking, well, to be frank, bad. “Princess Twilight has gone to speak with King Thorax, to find out what is going on with these changelings,” Encore told me as he rolled my head back. “Has anypony interrogated the prisoners?” “As far as I know, none of the survivors are talking. Out of an initial twenty-five, six were killed in the ruckus. You got one of them, by the way.” “How does anyone know that?” I asked, my eyebrow rising. “You left a senbon in its eye. Nice toss, by the way,” Encore said with a twitch of a grin. I frowned. “I regret the necessity of the deed. Where’s Strike and the others?” “Strike, I believe, is with Prince Shining Armor. As to the others, I would presume sleeping. It is four in the morning,” he told me. When I tried to tell him something, he was quick to add, “I got my three hours already. How are you feeling?” “Like I’ve been hit in the side of the head with Vectorex’s battle baton. What about the tour?” Now, a little life came back to Encore’s eyes. “I’ve cancelled the next stop, in Baltimare. We’ll pick it up at the end. The next two stops have been alerted to possible changes, in Fillydelphia and Manehattan. All depends on how the recovery goes.” “I knew I could count on you to get affairs done properly…” I sighed before dozing off again. I woke to find Twilight and Spike next to my bed, along with somepony I didn’t recognize. Since when did a pony have… antlers? “Good, he’s waking up” Twilight said. “How long this time?” I slurred, my mind and eyes not on speaking terms with me or my skull, which throbbed to the rhythm of Teen Beat. It was still dark on the left, too. “It’s been about twelve hours since you last woke, Tristan. Your skull took a serious whack. Another session with a healer should set that to rights, along with your eye,” Twilight reported. “How the others?” I asked, meaning the other two injuries to the Wonder’s members. “Black Sky should be out of here in a few hours more. Low Note is well on the road to recovery, and should not be too much behind Black Sky,” Twilight told me. “How that happen?” Last I saw of Low Note, he looked horrible. “That’s where Thorax here comes in. He was able to replace the emotional energies drained by the rogue changeling.” I flopped my right forehoof limply in Thorax’s direction. “Pardon my not rising. Don’t know which way is down. Thank you for Low Note.” I managed to get out before Spike held up a glass of water and a straw. I needed that. “No need to, Tristan,” Thorax said. He has such a nice voice. “We know now where those rogue changelings are from, and what they were wanting.” I looked at Thorax with my good eye. “Rogue? How?” “They are not from my hive, but that of the former queen, Chrysalis. She is trying to re-establish a hive and sent harvesters here to gather love energy. Your music generates a lot of love and good feelings, and they were attracted to it. They attacked so they could cover emotional harvesting with fighting. The survivors have been dealt with,” Thorax said, sounding both angry and apologetic at the same time. That, or my head was still not quite wired up right. “Thorax is a good friend of mine, and he wants to make up for the attack. We’re just trying to figure out how he can do so,” Spike said from where he was holding my glass of water. ‘Spike is right, Tristan,” Twilight added. “Thorax is a friend, and he’s ashamed of the attack on the Wonders. He’s also a fan of your music releases.” “You are?” I grunted. Thorax nodded, a faint smile dancing on his face. “Yes. I have most of your releases. They spread good cheer among those who listen, which makes my hive happy and content. Something we did not know we were missing.” “Thorax, will there be a chance for us to talk once I get out of this bed and can see with two eyes again? I will be happy to talk music with you, once I can remember which are the better songs to talk about,” I managed to get out. “Looks like you need a dose of Jeremiah Peabody’s pills, Tristan,” Thorax said, the smile on his face becoming a little more genuine. “You have that one, eh? I’ve liked it since I was a foal,” I managed to say. “It is funny. I can be contacted through Twilight. I intend to remain in the Crystal Empire for a few days still. We can talk more when you are released,” Thorax told me. “Plans like a sound to me, Kingie,” I said before I passed out again. When I next woke up, I could tell it was bright daylight outside, but somepony took care to make sure it did not shine in my face. Opening my eyes, I found myself in possession of binocular vision again, somepony was by my side, and I was hungry enough to eat a timber wolf, splinters and all. Without mustard or pepper, but with salt. I was craving salt. “whuh?” I grunted. Silver Strings' face came into my field of vision. I knew it was her, because of her royal blue horn and silvery face. Her eyes lit up when she saw my eyes open. “Hello, Tristan! Feeling any better?” she asked before giving me a gentle kiss on the cheek. On the right side. The kiss did indeed make me feel a lot better. I knew she cared about me, but with that kiss, I KNEW it, someplace deep inside of me. “If I’m not feeling better after that kiss, maybe I’ll need a second dose of medicine,” I said with a weak smile. Silver String’s laugh was like music to my ears. She delivered a second dose of medicine before taking a hoof of mine in her glow. “At least that weak excuse of a mind you have is waking up!” “Hey, I’ve taken so many knocks to the head, I’m surprised I still have two intact bones touching each other up there! Be kind to a battered pony and get me something to eat, okay?” I asked, with a bright smile on my face and a seismic rumble from my guts. “I’ll get you something light, but first I’ll get a doctor in here to unhook you from your lines so you can walk to breakfast like a pony should!” Silver Strings laughed at me before giving me another high-voltage kiss and departing to find a doctor. That’s when I noticed that I have an I.V. line going into my left arm, and another line… down there… ho boy. Glad I was asleep when THAT was installed. May the removal not be as painful as I have heard it can be. Strings returned in less than a minute with a local doctor, a crystal pony who freed me from the tyranny of the bed- painlessly. Fortunately for my modesty, Strings left the room while the catheter was removed. The doctor gave me a quick examination, finishing before Strings returned with Twilight, Cadance and Thorax. “You’re looking better!” Twilight exclaimed. “Feeling that way, too. How are Black Sky and Low Note doing?” I asked as I carefully got out of bed. I knew moving fast would cause dizziness, and I did not need that now. I was like that in the days before I… I froze in place, a look of horror coming across my face, which everypony picked up on. “Tristan? What is wrong?” Princess Cadance asked. “I think I should have my head examined…” I breathed cautiously. “I think IT is making its presence known.” “It? What is IT?” Thorax asked. “A glioblastoma, also known as cancer of the brain. Incurable and with a survival rate of a year or so. I’m feeling now like I felt before I went to the hospital before I came here,” I said slowly, Silver Strings moving close, sitting on the bed so I could lean against her. She felt so nice to lean against. “I can take a look, if you would like, Tristan,” Princess Cadance said. “With Twilight’s help, of course.” “Please do, Princess. This time, I want to be wrong. Please, let me be wrong. I don’t mind being wrong every now and again,” I started to rant, but Strings calmed me down by taking my hoof in hers and leaning against me. “Easy, Tristan. Let them look. I’m here with you,” she said in my ear, which DID calm me a lot. I just nodded in agreement before looking at Thorax, Cadance and Twilight. A combined pink and purple glow surrounded my head and penetrated it. I could feel slight tuggings inside my skull. Not something I am used to, but I know it was the combined magics looking around. My own magic accepted the combined glows and helped it along. This lasted for a long two minutes (well, it felt like that to ME) before fading. The two princesses then looked at each other, faces twitching as they seemingly thought at each other. Soon, the concerned looks faded to that of relief. “Do I dare hope?” I asked. “You can dare to hope, Tristan,” Cadance said. “What we found in there is that your balance centers are still recovering from the knock, and we could not find any cancer in there. There are some structures we don’t know about, but we are just princesses, not doctors.” I slumped against Silver Strings, much relieved. “Okay, that is something that can be dealt with. Now, if we are to talk, may we do so after breakfast?” Twilight smiled at my words. “Of course, we can, Tristan! Strings, help him up so he can go eat.” Silver Strings got me to my hooves, and I made my wobbly way to a room that had breakfast foods on it. I sat down at one end and grabbed the one thing I needed most first- a mug of coffee. Mixing in cream and sugar, I took a long sip, getting the caffeine into my system and letting the wondrous stuff work its magic. I then looked at Thorax. “Okay, Your Loftiness, you have hardly said a thing. You have something on your mind that involves more than your antlers. So, out with it.” Thorax looked at Twilight with a little confusion evident. “Is this normal for him?” he asked. “It’s a sign that he is awake, aware and alert. He has reasons to be suspicious, but he is open to making you his friend, if you can take it. I’m used to it. You should hear how he talks to Princess Luna in private moments,” Twilight advised. Cadance chipped in her two bits worth. “Something about calling her ‘Crater-Butt’.” Thorax then looked at me. “You call Princess Luna Crater Butt?” he asked, amazed. “When we’re among friends, yes. Never in public. So, speak your piece, Antler Attic.” I said while buttering still hot hotcakes. “I would like to put a changeling with your troupe, Tristan. She does know music, and will be able to let you know whenever one of Chrysalis’ drones comes near,” he told me, his manner going from amazed to professional. “The Princesses approve, as does your troupe. I’m looking for your blessing to do so.” I had a forkful of hotcakes and eggs while I thought. “You say The Wonders approve. Is it unanimous?” “Encore Act resisted a bit, but Accurate Strike argued him down. Low Note is solidly in favor, as is Black Sky,” Silver Strings told me. “Yes, it is unanimous. You are our leader, so your vote overrides all of us, Tristan. What do you say?” I drained my coffee mug and grabbed a glass of orange juice in my glow. “The only thing I can say is when will she be here, Thorax? We plan on leaving for our next stop soon, if my time sense is right,” I said out loud before looking at Strings. “Where in Tartarus is my watch?” “In safe keeping, Tristan. Don’t worry about it.” “I’m not worried, just how did you get it off my arm? Time Turner said the spell on it would not allow it to come off unless I allowed it!” I exclaimed. Silver Strings just gave me a long, slow Look. I then remembered that she is a formidable magician in her own right, good enough to be respected by the Solar Guard. “Forget I asked…” I muttered before I drained the orange juice and went back to the eggs and hotcakes before they grew cold. I hate cold eggs about as much as I hate cold toast. “I can have my agent here within an hour or two at most, Tristan. You’ll like her. She will travel with you as a changeling, to prove to the audiences that changelings like your music as well as they do,” Thorax told me, with Cadance’s and Twilight’s nods of agreement. “Okay, I’m in. Once I get my act together, I will be happy to chat with her, and see how I can fit her in to the group. Strings, that’s your job, once I talk to her,” I announced. Silver Strings kissed my cheek, to my embarrassment and Cadance’s look of approval. “Of course, Tristan,” she said while my ears heated up to just short of ignition temperature. The three nobles took their leave, allowing me to finish my breakfast, which for me was double normal size. Feeling much more human (okay, you know what I mean…) I allowed Silver Strings to lead me to the band. The reception I received is a lot more than I was expecting, unexpected but welcome. I immediately sought out Low Note and Black Sky, to check on them. Imagine my relief when I found them alive, well, and largely recovered from their injuries. I then looked for Vectorex. Fixing a baleful stare on her, I slowly approached the thestral. “You…” I growled. “What about me, Tristan?” Vectorex countered, not backing off one inch. “You… have a very hard baton! See Accurate Strike for more training. You MISSED your target and hit ME!” I snapped at her, my ‘rage’ building, pointing at my head. “You’re buying me another set of shades!” She reached into a saddlebag and pulled out a set, almost identical to the one I was wearing when she clocked me. “Already did. I was waiting for you to get off your fat ass and get them!” she fired back. I took the proffered glasses in my glow and put them on. I then moved up nose to nose with Vectorex. “You still have to undergo punishment!” I barked before launching into a tickle attack using my glow. Vectorex fell to the floor, helplessly giggling under the tickle attack until I stopped. “You still need refresher training. I’ll get with Captain Strike later!” I told Vectorex, helping her up to her hooves. “Understood, Tristan!” she said before hugging me. “Welcome back.” I got with Accurate Strike and Encore Act a bit later, catching up with and finalizing plans. The Baltimare stop was rescheduled to be the last stop of the tour, instead of the second. Leaving on the morning train tomorrow would have us in Fillydelphia the day after, well in time for the next show. Silver Strings stayed with me the whole time. I didn’t mind her presence, not at all. Our meeting was interrupted by the arrival of a changeling, one that has a black carapace with bright orange highlights as well as orange eyes. “Mister Tristan? I am Harmonium, your new team member,” she announced. She has a very pleasant voice. I got up, walked to her and gave her a welcoming hug. The changeling looked surprised at my action, but soon relaxed into the hug. “Hello, Harmonium. Welcome to Tristan and the Wonders. I’m Tristan. With me are Silver Strings, Accurate Strike and Encore Act. Nice to have you with us. Shall we go meet the rest?” I said to her. “Of course! I would like that a lot!” Harmonium replied. I took Harmonium out to meet the rest, Silver Strings at my side. The band, as I hoped, accepted her, even Low Note and Black Sky showed no holding back in their welcomes. Since everypony was present, we gave Harmonium an ‘audition’, testing her musical knowledge, as well as her knowledge of OUR music. Not only did she pass, she passed well enough to understudy just about every pony in the band, myself included, but only on our published stuff. With happier hearts, we packed up for our next show while welcoming our new member. So, she’s a changeling. So bloody effing what? She’s a good pony and will help prevent a repeat of what happened here in the Crystal Empire.