Ch 1. Bad Luck to Good Luck
Exulus hid just outside of Canterlot. Since there weren’t any announced attacks on the horizon, there wasn’t a large bubble around the city this time. He could just trot right in. After their attack, however, the changelings were probably seen as public enemies. He’d just not have to be seen. He moved in, quickly getting into a dark and narrow alley and watched the passer-bys. What a bunch of rich snobs. He’d hate to impersonate one of these chumps, but he couldn’t see any way of getting around it.
At least, he didn’t see it yet.
He heard a little “meow” come from behind him. He turned his head to look over his shoulder. A little black cat was there, staring at him. Its ears were widely parted, ready to run off if Exulus moved in any way that might seem threatening. Exulus only smirked. This’ll do just fine, he thought.
It wasn’t standard procedure to change into lesser creatures, but there wasn’t anything wrong with it. Some ponies loved pets and loved animals and that was a perfectly viable way of harvesting love.
He took the form of the cat, while the cat itself scampered off. His eyes were now the glinting golden eyes of a cat. He was smaller, more vulnerable, but still rather agile. He held his tail high and perked his ears as he had nothing to be cautious about. He made his way onto the streets and walked about.
As expected, his presence as a cat didn’t raise any suspicions. He did get some looks though; apparently stray cats were a surprising thing in a pampered place like Canterlot. He toured the city, inspecting its inhabitants. None of them seemed particularly interesting or filled with love. Most seemed more interested in their own affairs and what others might think of them. Pitiful.
Exulus finally looked toward the most obvious place, Princess Celestia’s castle. It was a large complex, housing the multitude of guards at the very least, perhaps some guests as well. It was worth a look.
Exulus made his way to the front gates where a pair of guards stood in wait. He eyed them. They weren’t about to let strangers waltz in, not even a stray cat. Though to his recollection, there was a large garden somewhere inside the castle. That would be an easy place to hide in.
As he watched the guards and thought about ways to hop the wall, the guards started changing their shift. For a brief minute or two, there would be no guards at the front gate. How unprofessional, Exulus thought. He scampered his way in and dashed towards the garden.
Once in, he moved more freely. He was out in the open, but surrounded by trees and bushes and wouldn’t be spotted easily, especially since the sun was setting. Various animals in the trees and bushes popped their heads out to look at this new creature in the garden. He paid them no heed and made his way closer to the central palace. There were more doors and more guards, and with the shifts changed recently, he couldn’t expect another chance like that happening anytime soon. He looked upwards. Many of the windows were closed but there was one open window, and that was his ticket in.
He changed his form into a crow and flew up to the window without a sound. He perched on the window sill, looking in for anyone who might see him. It looked to be a private study of someone’s, a guest, probably. The room looked unused at present, which may be why the window was still open. It was no wonder how someone like the Queen got in, this place was so terribly guarded, as if asking to be invaded.
Exulus hopped in and changed back into his cat form and made his way into the hallway. He moved at a rushed scamper, but not a full run. He didn’t want to be caught but there was no particular rush to get anywhere just yet. He was only looking around.
He wandered and wandered and wandered about the castle. It was mostly empty aside from the guard patrols and the occasional maid. Ugh, where am I now? This palace doesn’t even have a map. Who designed this place? He criticized and criticized in his head and eventually found himself in the hall of the stained-glass windows.
He slowly proceeded along the way, looking at the various tales depicted in the windows. I remember this place, this is where those “elements of harmony” are. Pfft, guarding this place didn’t help anything. We prevented six ponies from getting their magic accessories and got foiled by only two. It’s almost insulting. He finally made his way to the two windows that depicted the mane six.
He gazed, first, at the window depicting Nightmare Moon. Hmph, I’ve heard about this one. Princess Luna turns evil and gets banished for a thousand years, comes back and wants eternal night time. She had a good plan and it would have worked, but surprise, surprise, she gathered her only weakness right where she was.
He turned his attention to the window depicting Discord. I heard about this guy. Unlimited powers of Chaos. He got rid of the Elements of Harmony and hid them in an obvious place. He even went as far as to render them unable to use the Elements. Then he just stood there and took his beating right in that cocky face of his. All these beings with power are complete idiots who fail and fail, time and again.
As he stared, a voice was heard down the hall, “Oh? There’s someone else here.” None other than Princess Celestia was coming trotting right up to Exulus, knowing absolutely nothing about his true form or nature. None the wiser, she approached him and looked up at the Discord window, “Do you like these as well? I come by every night and look at them before I sleep. I think they’re simply beautiful.”
Exulus only stared at Celestia, his ears parted and his tail hairs on end. This was a dangerous situation if she figured out who he was.
Celestia only chuckled, “I’m sorry if I’m scaring you. I bet you’re just lost. Come on now, this is no place for cats to play in.” She turned and headed for the doorway. Exulus could not believe this, here was the Princess of Equestria, possibly the strongest single unicorn in the world, turning her back on the enemy. He could ambush her right here and end her where she trots. However…Exulus was not here to murder, he was here to feed on love. He followed silently, but kept his distance.
She lead him into the main hall where she stopped and turned to him. She was still smiling and graceful as ever as she said, “You can leave through the front door over there. My room is over up the stairs. My sister Luna is in the tower in the west wing if you'd like to keep her company. I’m sure she would appreciate it, and so would I.”
I can’t believe this Princess! She’s leading me through this palace and telling me where everything is like some child’s tour! She’s taunting me! Wait…does she….know….who I am? But would she act this way if she did know? What’s her game? Maybe she’s just sick in the head. How old is she anyway? As he thought, Exulus simply tilted his head and twitched his ears.
Celestia only smiled and said, “Well, goodnight Mr. Cat.” She made her way to her bedroom for the night.
Exulus sat on the ground and contemplated what to do, then decided to go check on Luna. He went up the spiraling staircase and up to the observatory where Luna was with her telescope. As Exulus came off the stairs, he let off an agitated “meow.” He wasn’t sure what he was doing at this point, but for the time being, it wasn’t boring.
Luna turned to him and smiled, “Good evening my feline companion. Has thoust come to take a gander at the night sky?”
Exulus moved closer to the edge and looked upward at the various stars and the radiant moon hanging in the sky. He let off a more curious “meow.”
Luna looked out over the edge, she could see the castle and all of Canterlot as well as some distance farther. She looked down at the cat Exulus, “Yes, you are right. T’is a beautiful night it is. T’is a night that all may enjoy. All friends from across Equestria may enjoy such a beautiful night under the stars, wouldn’t thoust agree?”
Exulus only tilted his head.
Luna heaved a sigh and looked out over the city, “I do wonder how Twilight and her friends are doing. Perhaps I shall pay them a visit. What dost thou think, kitty cat?”
Exulus meowed while thinking, How the hell should I know? And What do I even care? Is it normal for royalty to talk to stray cats and ask them for advice? You’re all complete idiots.
Luna, unaware of the thoughts, sighed again and said, “Yes, thoust are right. I am very busy.”
“Meow.” Exulus replied.
“Hmm…that is an idea.”
“Meow.”
“Yes, I do think she would agree to it, if only once.”
“Meow.”
“Yes. Yes! I shall go through with it! I shall consult my sister to see if she will allow time for a short visit with Twilight and her friends. T’is an excellent idea, Kitty Cat!”
“Meow.”
“You are a very smart cat.” Luna reached out and rubbed Exulus’s head with her hoof.
The Queen was right, this place was simply overflowing with love. It made things very easy for Exulus. It was easy….but he didn’t mind one bit. Maybe….he thought, Maybe I’ll stay here, just a little longer.