I got in touch with Celestia about my injury. She was more than understanding about it. We kept writing back and forth over the next few weeks. I’d provide insight when I could, but it wasn’t the same as being there in Canterlot. It was over one of our correspondence that she presented her idea.
Dear Shade,
Twilight told me about you helping her with her paperwork. It made me realize that Luna and I aren’t the only ones who can benefit from your talents. As Twilight is still gaining experience, and you’re pursuing your own relationship, I think it might be a benefit to everyone if you split your time between Ponyville and Canterlot. Think about it and let me know.
Celestia
I stared at the scroll for several minutes. Split my time? Would that work?
“I mean...I suppose they survived before I was around...”
When Rarity got in from her errands I showed her the letter. She perused it and her face lit up.
“So you’d be staying here more?”
“I suppose so!”
She pulled me into a hug.
“That’s wonderful news!”
As I let the situation sink in, I felt a smile growing. I embraced Rarity and sighed.
“This is good.”
I pulled away, still smiling.
“I guess I’ll go give Twilight the news then.”
Rarity nodded.
“Of course! She’ll be so excited to have you around.”
“What about you? You aren’t sick of me yet?”
She pulled me close again and kissed me. As our lips parted, she whispered in my ear.
“Does that answer that for you?”
I couldn’t help myself and whispered back.
“I don’t know. I think I need a little more convincing.”
She giggled and jumped away.
“You’ll have to catch me!”
I raced after Rarity as she ran up the stairs.
———————
After delaying myself the entire afternoon with Rarity, I’d decided to tell Twilight the next day.
When I woke up the next morning, Rarity had already left.
I went downstairs for some breakfast and found a note.
Starlight asked us over to Twilight’s. I’ll be back soon. Or I’ll see you there when you come to talk to Twilight.
Love, Rarity
I grabbed a muffin and scarfed it down. I wonder what Starlight wanted..
After a few more muffins I got ready to leave. I looked around the boutique, realizing that I’d be living here half the time. I couldn’t help but smile.
I left the boutique and walked through town towards Twilight’s castle. I was sure she’d be thrilled at the news of me sticking around more.
As I made my way through town, I saw Starlight walking along with her friend Trixie. They seemed to be going somewhere together.
“Where are you off to Starlight?”
She saw me and waved.
“Hey Shade. I’m actually heading to...my old village.”
I couldn’t help but look shocked.
“That’s a big step. You feel ready?”
She looked nervous.
“I honestly don’t know. They invited me back for a festival.”
“Well that’s not so bad! If they invited you I’m sure they’ve forgiven you.”
Her ears perked up.
“Yeah. I’m still nervous though.”
Trixie chimed in.
“The Great and Powerful Trixie has chosen to join her best friend on this journey! Starlight won’t be alone in her breakdown!”
We both turned and stared at Trixie. She forced a grin and stepped backward.
“I think I forgot to secure something in my cart.”
She disappeared and I chuckled.
“You’ll have to tell me sometime just how you two became friends.”
Starlight smiled.
“She’s a hoof-ful, but she has her moments.”
“Would I be right in guessing your trip is why the girls met up at the castle?”
She nodded.
“I just wanted their advice. They just saw us off a little bit ago.”
I began to walk away.
“I’m sure I’ll run into them then. Good luck! I’m sure everything will be great!”
I continued on my way to Twilight’s. I was proud of Starlight. It was a big step confronting the past.
My steps slowed as I thought more about it. That was a luxury I didn’t have. I couldn’t walk back into the hive and ask forgiveness. It wasn’t even something I wanted.
But the idea of some closure was nice. Would it ever be possible for me?
I reached Twilight’s and knocked on the door. It opened to reveal Spike. Or more accurately, Spike’s eye.
“Yes?”
“Hey Spike. I was coming to talk to Twilight.”
“Do you have an appointment?”
“What?”
“Well she’s a princess. She doesn’t just see anypony.”
I stared at him for a second. Then it hit me.
“Very...funny. Look Spike, I know we might not be in a great spot with each other, but I hope we can mend the fence and become friends again.”
He opened the door further, revealing his whole face.
“Right. Friends. We can be friends again.”
He started walking away. Weird...
I stepped inside after him and closed the door.
“Hello!”
I looked over and saw Twilight.
“How can I help you? Do you have a friendship problem?”
I froze. Something wasn’t right...
That’s when I felt it.
An overwhelming magic permeating the air.
Changeling magic...
I looked at “Twilight” and chuckled.
“You’re so funny Princess! I was just coming by to tell you that your new quills are in at the shop.”
“Ah. The quills. I’ll...pick those up later. Thank you.”
The door to the map room opened and Applejack’s head popped out.
“Is everything okay Twilight?”
I focused on Applejack. She was putting off the same energy. In fact...the map room was overflowing. It hit me what that meant.
They were all gone..
How? Starlight had just seen them. How had they moved so fast?
I slowly stepped back.
“Well...I’ll just be on my way Princess. I just wanted to deliver that message.”
She looked at me and nodded.
“Thank you.”
I turned to find “Spike” holding the door open. I nodded to him and walked outside. The door slammed shut behind me.
My heart was beginning to race. They were gone. Somehow the changelingns had taken them by surprise. What could I do?
My eyes lit up.
“Celestia.”
I hurried to the train station.
“When’s the next train to Canterlot?!”
The ticket pony jumped as I appeared.
“No need to shout. In a couple hours.”
“But I need to get there now!”
He shrugged.
“Sorry.”
I felt my heat in my throat. What was I supposed to do?
My head began to pound. It felt like the headaches I used to get.
“Come on! Think!”
I felt a spark from my horn. My mind raced, trying to find something I could use.
There!
My horn kept sparking. I had never used the spell before, but I had to try. For Twilight. For Rarity. For everypony.
‘FLASH’
Everything went white.
When the light faded, I was standing at the front gate of Canterlot. I couldn’t help but smile.
“Yes!!”
I ran into the city. I had to get to Celestia and Luna. I just hope I wasn’t too late..
———————
I burst into the throne room.
“Celestia!”
I looked up to the thrones and saw her sitting there. My heart fell into my stomach.
I was too late...
“Celestia” leaned forward.
“How can I help you?”
I took a deep breath and composed myself.
“Sorry. A little out of breath.”
I approached the throne, feeling the energy. It was a common foot soldier. I would have guessed Chrysalis would take front and center. Where was she hiding.
“I got those scrolls delivered for you.”
“I don’t recall sending out any scrolls..”
“Very funny. I’ve only been gone three days. Don’t act like your memory is that bad.”
“Oh. Yes. You got me!”
I faked a yawn.
“Well I’ll go let Luna know I’m back so our lessons can resume.”
“You don’t need to bother her!”
I stopped.
“Oh? Is she asleep?”
“...Yes. You wouldn’t want to bother her during the day.”
I nodded.
“You’re absolutely right. I’ll just go to my room and rest then. Let me know if you need any help with anything!”
I trotted away, glancing behind to see if “Celestia” was watching me. She was. Damn.
Once I was out of sight, I ran down the hall. The air was clearing up. Was it only her?
I made my way to Luna’s wing of the castle. The air began to grow thick with magic again. I slowed down and peeked around the corner to Luna’s room.
There were several changelings trying to get through the door. From what I could tell Luna had set up a good defense. They weren’t making much headway.
I stepped back and focused. With a flash of green my appearance changed. I hadn’t used the full ability of my magic in so long. I found a nearby mirror and checked myself over.
“Not bad.”
I glanced around the hall and realized something else. There weren’t any guards patrolling. They’d probably been sent elsewhere or locked up.
I hurried back towards my room and locked the door behind me. I had an idea, but it was a long shot. I thought hard.
Sleeping spells.
I cast the first one that came to mind. My vision became cloudy and I felt my body grow heavy.
————————
I found myself in a black abyss.
“Luna!”
My voice felt muffled.
“Luna!”
Everything was murky.
“LUNA!!!”
There it was! A point of light. I began running towards it.
Suddenly I burst into the meadow I’d come to know in my dreams. I collapsed, catching my breath.
“Shade!”
I looked up to see Luna running to me.
“I’m so glad it’s you! I thought they’d capture you for sure.”
We embraced for what felt like an eternity. I could feel her tears on my shoulder.
“They’ve got her. They’ve got Celestia.”
“I know. They got Twilight and the girls too.”
She pulled away, the shock evident.
“They’re moving faster than before.”
“I know. This is different. Chrysalis is trying to take out all the royalty before attempting a full invasion. It’s risky, but obviously effective.”
“We have to figure out how to fight back. But I’m trapped in my bedroom.”
I nodded.
“I saw that. How long can you hold them off?”
“As long as they don’t throw more changelings at the door, I think I can keep it up for a while.”
“How long have they been trying to get you?”
“A few hours.”
“They’ll probably double their efforts before long.”
I began pacing around the meadow.
“I haven’t sensed Chrysalis anywhere nearby. That makes me think she’s still at the hive. And I’d imagine that’s where she’s got everypony. But that’s no help to us. We have no way of helping while we’re stuck in here.”
Twilight and the girls would have been all over this if they were here. But they were the ones in trouble now. Who could help us?
“Wait...”
I turned back to Luna.
“Starlight!”
“Starlight Glimmer?”
“She was heading out of town when I saw her. They probably didn’t even think to take her!”
Luna’s eyes lit up.
“I know what to do! It’ll be night before long. I can get to her dreams! But...”
“But?”
“That will weaken my defenses...”
I sat down.
“So if you contact her, you’ll be gone too.”
She nodded.
“I know, but she may be Equestria’s only hope.”
We sat in silence for a minute as we came to terms with the plan. I spoke first.
“She’s the only hope.”
“Yes.”
“You realize you’re volunteering to be a hostage?”
“Of course.”
I nodded and pulled her into another hug. She whispered to me.
“Keep an eye on everypony for us Shade.”
“You have my word.”
————————
I woke up and made sure my disguise was still intact. From there I left my room and began patrolling the halls.
I began to hear voices as I approached a corner. Peeking around I saw two changelings. They weren’t disguised whatsoever. If they weren’t hiding, that could only mean they were in full control of the castle.
I emerged from the adjacent hall and walked towards them. They didn’t even take notice of me. I was blending in perfectly.
I rounded another corner and found “Celestia”. She paused as I entered her field of vision.
“I don’t recognize you.”
“I just arrived. You’re the one in charge.”
“Of course I’m in charge! That’s why I’m Celestia!”
A flash of green revealed the changeling. He bared his fangs at me.
“Who are you to question me?”
I hissed back at him. His eyes narrowed.
“Where are your fangs?”
I reached up and felt my mouth.
“Damn. How did I forget those.”
I lunged forward, catching him by surprise. A swift kick from my hooves knocked him out before he could call out.
I looked around to make sure nopony was around. All clear.
I dragged the changeling into the nearest room and conjured restraints. I made sure to gag him before leaving.
Before I stepped out of the room, I changed my appearance again. I looked in a mirror, double checking everything this time. I made sure the wings looked real enough. Without my own, they were just pure illusion. If anypony tried to touch them, I’d be in trouble.
After I was satisfied with my appearance, I I left the room and took a deep breath.
“I’ll protect the kingdom until you’re back. I hope Starlight is up for the challenge.”
I began walking down the hall. Even with the impending threat, I couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
“I could get used to your height Celestia. Maybe I should consider being an alicorn.”
I continued down the hall, fully confident in my Celestia disguise. No changeling would know the difference. Now I just had to make sure the horde didn’t destroy the castle.
“What a day..”