~Chapter 6 - A Tiny Mistake.~
5:30 PM, June 10, 2 S.E
Outside Fluttershy’s Cottage.
Twilight Sparkle paused, halting her hoof mid-way through a knock. She knew she had promised Fluttershy afternoon tea the other week but she hesitated announcing her presence. Would Fluttershy notice that she was different? For Twilight, it was still difficult to believe the reality of what she was, let alone what Applejack and Dash were. Despite the week that had passed, it was still jarring and unnerving sometimes.
Her thoughts were interrupted as she noticed a small detail she hadn’t realized earlier. Fluttershy’s home seemed empty, almost forlorn. Not a single animal was seen outside nor through the tightly shut windows. Curiously, Twilight wandered towards the closest window, peering through the tiny gap between the shutters. The entire house was drowned in darkness, nothing but inky blackness on the inside. “That’s strange.” She mumbled, thinking about the scenario. She moved around to the front, finally mustering enough courage to rap her hoof against the door as she shuffled her back hooves. The door eased open, a pale yellow muzzle peaking forward. Fluttershy opened the door just a crack, forcing Twilight to only see half of her friend’s face. “Hi, Fluttershy! I’m here for tea.” Twilight greeted, stepping forward with the intent to go inside. Fluttershy just raised a hoof, signally that the lavender mare couldn’t enter.
“I’m sorry but I’m super busy right now, Twilight.” The mare meekly spoke.
“Oh. Okay. Well, I’ll be in the library if you need me.” Fluttershy slunk back inside as she snapped the door closed. That was even stranger to the unicorn. The only time Fluttershy had pushed her away was during Nightmare Night. Glancing around at the summer flowers, some of which were already wilting in the summer heat, Twilight had no clue why the mellow pegasus was acting so strange.
How unusual.
10:20 PM, June 10, 2 S.E.
Twilight glanced up at the sky, a late spring drizzle falling from the star studded sky. She stuffed her book into her saddlebag, tossing her mane to the side to reattach it’s lock a moment later. The day had been somewhat uneventful. Dinner with Rainbow Dash was different yet manageable.
Street lanterns lined her sides as she glanced up at the moon. There was a tingling sensation growing on her body as she walked through the rain, trotting towards her home. She shut the door closed, shaking her body of the water that clung to her coat before biting her lip. Spike wasn’t home again.
The treehouse radiated emptiness, a vacant and uneasy feeling striking the mare. Twilight rubbed her horn, feeling the same tingling sensation growing. She felt a shiver creeping down her spine as she walked towards the light switch, flicking it on with an outstretched hoof. The lights flickered before shutting off. And then it hit her.
She was being watched.
There was a low creeeek as a floorboard squeaked. A pair of green eyes stared at her through the darkness. Before Twilight could react, a black hoof pinned her against the wall, a swirl of sickly green magic holding her by the throat. “Gahh!” She let out a strange cry, swiftly kicking a back hoof against her attacker. Without warning, a hoof came down against her skull, hitting her against her horn as Twilight witnessed stars. “Ah!”
“Stop it you worthless runt!” A familiar voice hissed. Through the haze and the dizziness, Twilight saw Queen Chrysalis emerging from the shadows.
“Y-You…!” Twilight managed to gasp out through the choke hold.
“Don’t you think I wouldn’t realize when I had another changeling in my midst? Why did you defect from the hive?!” Chrysalis demained, tossing the unicorn to the ground.
Twilight tried to spark a spell to fight back but a sudden spike of pain coursed through her horn when she tried. “Gah!” A painful throbbing followed as she remained on the floor. She let loose a mumble, the pain dulling her mind ever so slightly. “I’m not from your hive!” She grumbled, shivering where she lay.
“THEN WHO’S HIVE?!” Chrysalis striked her against the horn again, the pain doubling.
“Get away from her!” The was a familiar voice hissing above, a pair of hooves bucking Chrysalia in the side. Applejack stood there, completely lavender irises scrunched in anger as she let loose a hiss, baring what fangs she had. A second figure leapt from the ceiling, striking Chrysalis once more, a blur of red flames flying as Rainbow Dash landed behind the Xenica Queen. Wings flaring defensively, Dash stalked forward, razor sharp spikes appearing across her body, dipped in some kind of poison. AJ was equally as defencive as she slowly trotted over to Twilight, eyes not leaving the Queen in the centre of the treehouse library.
“Are yer alright, Twi’?” Applejack asked, eyes darting between her and Chrysalis. Twilight nodded, staring at the Queen who hadn’t moved. Utterly speechless, the still disguise Twilight just stared.
And at that moment, the door to the library swung open and the lights were turned on. An utterly surprised Spike stood in the doorway, mouth ajar with pure shock.