CH.8
On Tour! Part 2
Celestia and Luna sat across from Octavia and me in the lunar mare’s room. It was the only place that they could use that was close enough and sound proofed. Much to my surprise Luna had a table for us to sit at, and pillows. I was still looking around her room at the blue colors and night theme of it all. Even the crescent moon shaped bed with slippers was there, and it was still cute to see. Of course I was waiting for the two princesses to talk after dropping the same “truth” I gave Moondancer and Lyra. Only Octavia and Vinyl knew the real truth by now, and that was because I fully trusted them. Sunbutt hadn’t earned it just yet.
“So you’re here to protect the Eevee pack and this form is a gift by the old god?” Celestia asked in clear shock. “I’m so sorry for trying to push you into telling me the truth.”
“You’re only trying to protect your home and ponies. I can’t really be mad about it.” I said, sipping my tea. Luna was kind enough to make sure it was just tea. Hardcase was in the castle after all, and Midnight was in the room with us. “However, I do have the need to point out ponies like Hardcase, and you allowing them to be part of the guard. That’s part of the reason why you have trouble with other beings out there.”
“As I told you before, sister.” Luna said with a sigh. “Let us not forget the joke that most of the Day Guard are as well.”
“How can you say that?!” Celestia asked shocked. “They train so hard and keep up with what little crime we have! They also don’t have to hurt anypony to do their job!” She pointed a hoof at Luna. “While your guard has been rough on anypony that didn’t stop, or tried to hide from them!”
Luna snorted. “Oh yes. Letting them turn it into a game to get away with what was stolen, who they hurt, or worse. As of last night my guard stopped three murders, one kidnapping, and crushed a thief’s guild that planned on rubbing the castle.” She glared at Celestia. “Need I point out the ten guards that were part of that plan as well?”
“Wait, why were there guard part of it?” Octavia asked.
“They did it because they were both bored, and wanted to feel powerful.” Luna answered.
Celestia groaned with a face plant into the table. “You win, Lulu.” She sighed as she turned her head to look up at us. “I’ll have their training stepped up next week.”
“You’ll have it reworked and stepped up for their training before the weekend. It’ll make is easier to start them on the training next week.” I stated. “Where one Changeling is, a hive is not too far behind, and you have dealt with them before. Yes, this is me being blunt as Princess Luna did say we could be in her room.” I could tell Octavia wanted to say something, but she waited.
“And where do I find new training plans for my guard on short notice?” Sunbutt asked with a frown.
Octavia pointed to Luna. “Why her guard of course. Midnight over there is a great example of just how good they are.” She smirked. “She’s also a good teacher.”
Midnight chuckled. “Well, you and Vinyl learn will quickly as well. I didn’t think a Unicorn could be so tough.” She chuckled, rubbing her right wing. “Vinyl nearly broke my wing last time with that throw, too.”
“We rest our case.” I said with a grin, which got a groan from the solar mare. “Face it, Celestia. We either work on this, or you risk something happening that puts your ponies in danger. Which one sounds better to deal with to you?”
“I was going to ask why you let your sister be written out of history. However, I think you have enough to deal with now.” Octavia said with a grin of her own. “I wonder how deep the hole you would dig yourself explaining that to your sister.” I could almost feel the joy she was getting out of this.
Luna just waved a hoof. “We’ve already had that talk, and it was a very deep hole.” She smirked at her sister. “Right, Tia?”
“We missed out, and Vinyl won the bet.” Octy and I said at the same time. “Looks like we’re wearing that bikini around the house for a month.” We both thought with a blush, and knowing full well Vinyl was going to love it.
Midnight gave a weak chuckle. “Is now a bad time to point out I kind of want that biped spell?”
Luna rubbed her chin in thought, before grinning. “Sister, should we look into it ourselves? It could be a very fun thing for us to try, as well.”
“I’ll think about it, but I’m not sure we need it, really.” Celestia said. She blinked when Luna face hoofed. “Am I missing something?”
On the Train for Ponyville
I stretched out in the private cabin Octavia got for us after nearly a month in Canterlot, and Octavia’s tour. I had some fun in the city, meet a few ponies that liked me, and even got scouted to be a model by Fancy Pants. I had to turn it down, but Fleur said she’d keep a spot open for me. Something about Diamond Dog females being hard to find, and being more likely to be out scouting for the pack new homes. It would explain why it was rare for some packs to move through a town, and a few packs to stay in a town. Guess Rarity did better on my outfit then she thought.
“I still think you should have gone with Fleur to model.” Octavia said as she lay down on the other side of the cabin. “It would have been good for you.”
“Maybe sometime down the road, but I don’t think anyone is ready for an Absol like me just yet.” I said as I put my hat to the side. It was nice to let my hair down as I had let it grow out. It was down to the middle of my back, but I was thinking of cutting it. “It feels nice to relax some, but I’m not sure I’m ready to go home.”
Octy sighed. “Vinyl will most likely want us to wear one of those bikinis she had Rarity make for us.” The grey mare groaned. “I swear she’s a handful.”
“I’ll bet more than two handfuls.” I smirked seeing Octavia blush. “You two haven’t been very good about hiding your fun at home. I’m just glad we live so far from the town, or we’d have a lot to explain.”
Octavia giggled. “That is true.” A knock at the cabin door made us both sit up. “Who is it?” Octy asked as I moved toward the door.
For some reason my disaster radar was going off like mad as a child’s voice answered. “I’m a huge fan and was hoping to get an autograph. I also have a gift for you.” I felt like I knew the voice, but couldn’t place it.
Octavia joined me at the door and opened it. Standing there was a pegasus mare and I growled softly seeing her. There were two other ponies with her, both were earth ponies, and one seemed uneasy while the other watched the hallway. Octy barely dodged the mare as she tried to tackle her, and I got knocked over. This was either a crazy fan or something worse. I quickly got up to help Octavia fight the mare off all the same.
I grabbed the mare as she jumped at Octavia again and held her tightly with a bear hug. “That’s enough out of you! Keep fighting and I’ll have to get rough.” I warned letting my Shadow Claw dig into her sides some. “Got it?”
“You again!?” The mare asked and her voice finally clicked in my mind. “I wasn’t expecting you again, mutt!”
“Imago?! I should have known when I felt a disaster!” I snarled as the Changeling took her normal form. The flames hurt a little, but it wasn’t bad. “What’s your endgame now, nymph?” I felt something bite into my leg as Octavia cursed loudly. I looked down to see another Changeling with purple eyes and shine to his shell. “Let go of me, Pharynx! Let go now or I’ll fry you both!”
He let go as I charged a Thunderbolt and made Imago hiss in pain. Thorax however was pinned to the floor by Octavia. Not surprising when the earth mare was in her biped form, and wearing her battle outfit. A white tank top, black leather vest, brown leather on blue jeans, and mythril gauntlets with shin guards made her a deadly fighter. Octavia had her right hoof on Thorax’s back to keep him on the floor, and Pharynx growled seeing he couldn’t win.
“Fine. You got us, mutt.” Pharynx growled at me. “So now what?”
“Close the door and lock it. Next, I’m an Absol and if you call me a mutt again,” I growled back with hints of frost on my breath, “I’ll freeze you to your core. Got it?”
The normally bold Changeling gulped in fear and closed the private cabin door. “Yes, ma’am.”
Thorax spoke up. “She’s much scarier then you said she was, Imago. You sure we shouldn’t tell Queen Chrysalis about her? Also how did she know our names?”
“Bug bitch doesn’t know about me at all, or just my abilities?” I asked as I sat down and put Imago on my lap. “Because that can mean a lot about a few things I have been thinking about.”
That got a laugh out of Changelings. I guess they really didn’t like Chrysalis any more than I did, and that gave me an idea. Besides, it’s not like they have anything to lose. If things go right with my plan Imago, Thorax, and Pharynx will be on the road to being free of Chrysalis. “Is that purring?” I thought as Imago sighed. I had been petting her the whole time, and it was kind of funny.