“Sweet Celestia.” Quiver regarded the two Guardsponies with some surprise. “Now I get why you wanted a cone of silence. An assassination attempt.” The thought of such a thing got his inquisitiveness going, and the obvious questions leapt to mind. “Alright then, how did they know about the diplomatic visit? And who was the target, Princess Horaia or Prince Blueblood? If it was the former, then it had to be some sort of conspiracy, but the latter, well, it could go either way.”
The princess showed some concern at her friend’s attitude. “You’re not taking Rarity’s account of him that seriously, are you?”
He shook his head. “Not completely. Rarity told me about what happened that night once, and asked me if I had any thoughts. I suggested that it might not have just been him being a ponce and a twit.” At the expressions of Sunrunner and Flash Sentry, he explained, “Rarity went to the Grand Galloping Gala with the express hope of finding her Prince Charming and wooing him, based on his wealth and societal status. You have to wonder exactly how many gold diggers ponies like Blueblood find heading their way over the course of their social rounds, and from his perspective, she might well have been the latest in a long line.” He held up a hoof and noted, “I’m not saying that she is a gold digger, I know better. I’m just playing devil’s advocate, and to her credit, she at least considered what I had to say about it.”
Sunrunner then gave him a critical expression. “Anyone ever tell you that you’re too cynical?”
“Yes, and you and I both know life tends to give me reason think I’m on the right track.” She relented, and Quiver continued, “Anyway, I’m guessing the answers are forthcoming.”
Flash shrugged. “For the most part, at least, but you’ll have to wait a bit. Still a little drama to get through.”
Quiver rolled his eyes. “Is there never drama to get through?”
The pegasus stallion nodded. “True, but this was more serious than most.”
-
The party had made rapid haste towards the nearest train station, a trip which thankfully went without incident. The diplomatic party as well as its escort soon found themselves onboard the train, and they were soon on their way to Canterlot.
Sunrunner, for her part, could sense some rising tension. That wasn’t a surprise, given there had just been an apparent assassination attempt, but something told her that this particular mission wasn’t going to proceed nearly as well as any of them hoped.
“Well, I do apologize for the excitement you’ve had since your arrival.” Right now, she and her compatriots found themselves standing watch as Prince Blueblood, their commanding officer and the Farasian party took part in dinner on the train. “Obviously we try to avoid having things like that happen when we welcome diplomatic parties.”
“Obviously.” If she were in any way shaken by the experience, Princess Horaia did a good job of hiding it as their meal was laid out. “Still, we are on our way, and such dedication is to be commended.”
“With all due respect, Highness, I’m not impressed.”
Attention turned to one of the Farasian guards, her violet eyes intense with suspicion. Blueblood laughed, no doubt in an effort to defuse any tension. “Well, everypony knows that no plan survives first contact with the enemy. Metaphorically speaking.”
“And poorly worded.” The mare’s eyes narrowed. “Five ponies are all that you have for a security detail? What assurance do we have that anyone is even looking for the sniper, or that there might not be additional agents on the train targeting the princess?” They narrowed further as she added, “And that’s assuming they are even targeting the princess.”
Stormfront’s tone was combative as he responded to her complaints. “This train is perfectly secure.”
She turned her attention to her counterpart. “More secure than the airship which you used to rendezvous with us? The very same airship that could easily allow us to reach our destination in a fraction of the time this train could take us? I cannot tell whether your actions thus far are due to negligence, incompetence, or both. Or worse.”
“Colonel Aziza?” The other Farasian guard’s voice was firm and respectful as she spoke up, though she did flinch slightly when her superior regarded her. “With all due respect, perhaps we should tone things down?”
“Yes Colonel, that might be the wise course of action.” Aziza acquiesced to her monarch’s request, and Horaia turned her attention back to the meal. “In any case, this is an excellent dish.”
“It’s a griffon recipe, to be honest. I find it a safe meal to start on, neutral ground as it were.”
Aziza looked as though she wished to comment further, but kept herself silent. Sunrunner kept a straight face, but couldn’t help thinking that she had a point.
-
“How could she speak like that?” Twilight looked hurt as she considered what she had been told. “I mean yes, that was a bad first impression, but accusing all of you like that…”
“Isn’t unjustified.” Quiver waved his hoof with each point as he elaborated, “You want to put your best hoof forward with things like diplomacy, and show the other nation what you have to offer. Steam engines are nice and all, but compared to an airship, they’re pretty quaint. Plus, they’d just experienced what looked like an assassination attempt, and more priority was given to the mission itself than to figuring out who was endangering it.”
The young alicorn frowned as she processed her friend’s points. “Still, it sounded like she was accusing us of being behind it.”
“And I’d at least consider the same possibility were I in her position, though I wouldn’t volunteer it quite so readily.” The stallion crossed his hooves as he admitted, “Her being that blunt, however, implies quite a bit on its own, but I’ll hold judgment until I hear more.” He then sighed and prompted, “But something tells me she didn’t get a reason to ease up on her suspicions.”
Flash frowned. “She didn’t.”
Sunrunner smiled reassuringly. “Thankfully, however, not everyone in the Farasian party was against us.”
-
Pixie Dust let out a low moan after the door to their cabin closed behind them. “Is it just me, or was that the most awkward diplomatic dinner ever?”
“The most awkward we’ve experienced so far, anyway.” Sunrunner slipped off her helmet and shook out her mane. “And I can’t say what she said wasn’t unjustified. Why not have the Valiant ferry us back to Canterlot?”
The thestral shrugged, her own helmet removed and a perch claimed on her bunk. “Ain’t our place to figure out what’s going on in the heads of the politicians or the staff officers, Warbler. Just hope that it’s a good reason rather than a stupid one.”
A knock sounded at the door to their cabin, and Sunrunner opened it to find the second of the two Farasian guards on the other side. “Forgive me, I hope I’m not disturbing you. May I come in?” She waited for her comrade to sit up and make herself presentable, then invited the mare in. “Thank you. Major Raziya, of the Elite Guard of Farasi.”
“Second Lieutenants Sunrunner and Pixie Dust, Equestrian Royal Guard.” She invited the mare to sit. “If I may ask, what’s the reason for this visit?”
“Hopefully to smooth over troubled waters.” The major readied herself as she explained, “I agree with my superior’s concerns regarding this visit, but I and the princess both feel that her way of expressing herself was less than diplomatic. I hope that neither of you have taken it personally.”
Sunrunner shook her head and offered a reassuring smile. “We don’t. Sometimes it’s a good idea to have things like that out in the open, in any case. Thank you, however, for extending an olive branch.” That helped to put their guest at ease, and she opted to turn the conversation towards more pleasant topics. “So, missing home?”
“Yes, though I am glad for the chance to see your country. I don’t know how much you know of my homeland, but Equestria has been known to my people for some time. Over a thousand years, in fact.”
“We know a little bit about it.” Sunrunner opted against elaborating too much on the inadequacies of the Equestrian educational system. “I’m guessing part of that is due to the zebra colony that was present in what became Equestrian territory back then?”
“Yes. Quite a few stories from here made their way to my homeland as a result. I even learned of Equestrian healers when I was in school. It was a delightful surprise to be chosen by the royals for this mission, after all the stories I read as a child.” She turned to Pixie Dust and asked, “Forgive my asking, but have you ever met the Princess of the Night?”
The thestral tilted her head. “Sorry?”
“I’m sorry, I thought…” She shook her head. “Nevermind, that was a silly question. The stories I heard spoke of two princesses who ruled Equestria together. I hoped it was still the case, given how things are in my country, but clearly, things have changed.”
Sunrunner sighed. “About a thousand years ago, actually. There are stories, none of them fully confirmed, that there was a rift between the two sisters. It led to the Princess of the Night being banished. Equestria has two princesses now, but Princess Celestia is the one who handles the duties of government. Princess Mi Amore Cadenza has duties of her own, same as Prince Blueblood, but nothing compared to those of their aunt.”
“My condolences to Princess Celestia then, as she must have little time for herself. Each of our royals have duties of their own, but their responsibilities are equal and unique. The burden should not rest on one individual’s back alone.” Raziya offered a rueful smile as she added, “That is part of the reason the colonel is uneasy. This is the first time Princess Horaia’s duties have taken her so far from home.”
“Where do they take her normally, if you don’t mind my asking?”
“Usually to our neighbors in Minossos and the dragon lands. I think that might be part of the reason the colonel is anxious, however. We know what to expect with…” A loud whistle sounded, and they could feel the train rapidly decelerating beneath their hooves. “What’s going on?”
“Whatever it is, it can’t be good.” Sunrunner and Pixie Dust retrieved their helmets, and followed Raziya out of the cabin. They quickly took up positions near the diplomatic cabins, and were swiftly joined by their fellow guards. “Feels like we’re slowing down. Must be an obstruction on the track.”
“That’s the logical explanation.” Silver Bullet and Flash Sentry both looked as though they had rushed off from their meal, having gotten first shift to get their meal in on the way to Canterlot, though the latter appeared the worst of it. “Something tells me this isn’t going to help.”
-
“I’m very sorry, your Highness, but there’s nothing that we can do.” The train’s engineer gestured to the tracks ahead, which had been thoroughly ravaged to the point that the train was unable to proceed. To Sunrunner’s perspective, it looked as though a Tatzlewurm had burrowed under them just a little too close to the surface, and a hydra had mistaken them for a snack for good measure. “You and your party will need to find some other means to reach Canterlot, same as the rest of our passengers.”
Blueblood, to his credit, looked less frustrated at this news and more anxious, which given the current circumstances was entirely understandable. “May we at least have access to the train’s wireless?”
“Of course, but we’ve already sent word out about the trouble. Might as well be patient and wait for help to arrive.”
The prince nodded, then turned to address his party. “I apologize for this, your Highness. Something like this is completely unforeseen.”
Princess Horaia slowly nodded with acceptance. “You’ve no need to apologize, Prince Blueblood. This clearly isn’t your fault. Perhaps we should do as the engineer suggests, and wait in the train car.”
“I can’t support that option.” Colonel Stormfront turned to the prince and counselled, “Your Highness, it’s imperative that we get to Canterlot. There’s already been one potential attack against us, and in all likelihood, whatever caused the tracks to be wrecked is connected to it.”
“Then wouldn’t we be wise to…?”
“Your opinion wasn’t asked for, Lieutenant.” The colonel’s tone was a harsh growl as he regarded Sunrunner, and he turned his attention back to the prince. “If we remain here, we’re sitting ducks. We need to keep moving.”
The prince looked as though he wished to argue, but his hesitation was brief. “Very well. But we still need transport, and I’m not sure how soon…”
“Hey there!” The party turned as one towards the forests to their east to see a pair of covered wagons approach, one pulled by an aged donkey and the other by a grown earth pony stallion with a glossy blue coat. “Got an order to provide transport for a diplomatic party to the next town on the route!”
Blueblood heaved a sigh of relief and approached the newcomers with Stormfront in tow, Sunrunner couldn’t help but notice the Farasians looking among themselves uneasily. And she could certainly sympathize.
-
Quiver scowled. “So can I. Train tracks wrecked and then fresh transport suddenly appearing from nowhere? Bit too much coincidence for my liking.”
Sunrunner shared her coltfriend’s sentiment. “And ours, but the colonel had convinced the prince, and they were the ones calling the shots.”
“Would staying with the train have been the better idea, though?” Twilight wasn’t a soldier, and hadn’t delved much into military strategy, but she had picked up a little bit here and there from Shining Armor. “I mean, the train was at least a defensible position.”
Flash shook his head. “It was a catch-22, Twilight. The train might’ve been a defensible position in theory, but we had forests on one side and the start of a mountain range on the other. And that ignored the possibility that there was an agent onboard the train with us waiting to strike.”
“And like I said, the colonel and the prince were the ones calling the shots.” The pegasus mare frowned as she admitted, “And we still had a ways to go. Tempers flaring, pressure building, something was gonna give.”
Flash gave a dry laugh. “Just not in the way we expected.”
-
Fortunately for the party, the next town was a short distance away and was home to a bustling rail hub. Once they reached it, they would be able to catch a new train to reach Canterlot with little difficulty. Unfortunately, said short distance was much longer on hoof than it was via train, and things were steadily getting dark.
As she marched alongside the first of the two wagons carrying the diplomats, Sunrunner did her best to keep her thoughts on the mission, and not on memories from her foalhood. The Summer Sun Celebration was less than two days away at this point, and there was every chance that an old prophecy was due to come true. She hoped, all at once, that Quiver was alright, that his math was wrong, and that the story was just that.
All of that aside, she hoped that this mission wouldn’t run into any further complications.
“Alright, stop it right here!” The donkey pulling the lead wagon came to a halt, and as Colonel Stormfront stuck his head out to protest, he explained, “It’s getting too dark to keep going! We need to set up camp for the night!”
The colonel frowned before shifting his attention eastward. “There’s a clearing a short distance away to your right! We can set up camp there!”
The donkey grunted in acknowledgement, then shifted course towards the clearing. What dim light was available to her allowed Sunrunner to take a quick stock of the ground, and it looked serviceable enough for a campsite. Level ground, with some tall trees to provide shade and breaks against the wind and a stream flowing nearby for fresh water. It was probably the best they could ask for under the circumstances.
The group came to a halt, and the colonel emerged from the first wagon. “Alright ponies, pick a compass point! I want torches in each direction! After that, pitch your tents and prep your rations!”
As her comrades moved to unload their supplies from the second wagon, Sunrunner moved to help their new allies with their burdens. “Need help getting unhitched, sir?”
“Wouldn’t say no to it.” Sunrunner helped the aging donkey free from the wagon, and he took a moment to stretch himself out. “Thanks. And don’t call me ‘sir’. Name’s Cranky.” He pointed to his associate with his head. “That’s Gossamer.”
“Sunrunner, and we’re the ones who should be thanking…”
“Lieutenant!” The mare stood ramrod straight as her commanding officer approached. “I gave you orders to set up camp, not socialize! Now get on it!”
“Sir, yes sir!”
Sunrunner joined her comrades in setting up camp and weathered the odd scowl sent her way from both Stormfront and Silver Bullet. Perhaps she deserved it, but taking a moment to help someone who needed it was something that she felt a member of the Royal Guard should do, especially if they were assisting in a mission.
In any case, between four able-bodied ponies, a campsite was quickly set up. Torches were erected and lit at the four compass points, and tents were quickly built, starting with those for the foreign dignitaries and ending with their own. Finally, a fire was lit and rations were doled out, and things finally started to look reasonably peaceful.
Sunrunner soon found herself realizing that she needed to stop tempting fate, even if it was just in her head.
As she started diving into her own ration with Flash and Pixie, Sunrunner noticed Cranky’s associate seated a small distance away from herself and her friends. The stallion’s slender build and pained expression implied nothing pleasant, and she gently waved him over. “Gossamer, right? You can join us if you want.”
Gossamer looked at them in surprise, but accepted the invitation. “Thanks. Don’t take this the wrong way, but I tend to keep my distance around most ponies.”
“Nothing wrong with that.” She tore off a chunk of jerky between her hooves and offered it. “Hungry?”
He hesitated for a moment, then accepted the offering. “Famished, thanks.” He took small bites of the food and tipped his head towards the delegates. “Looks like you all have had an interesting time of it.”
“That’s putting it mildly.” She then made quick introductions and prodded further, “So you and Cranky been working together long?”
“Not very long, but we get on okay. He keeps to himself, I keep to myself.” The donkey in question took his own seat around the fire, his own food at hoof, and shot them a disgruntled look. “We aren’t saying anything bad about you, Cranky.”
He snorted. “Didn’t think you were.” He gave a weak grin to the three Guardsponies. “And I appreciate that gesture earlier. Rarer than it should be that folks treat others with basic decency.”
“Ain’t that the truth.” Sunrunner frowned as she admitted, “Too much hurt in this world. Part of my job is to lessen it if I can.”
“Being a soldier?”
“Being a sapient being.”
An unimpressed snort sounded from the other side of the fire, where Blueblood, Stormfront and the party from Farasi were seated. Despite the alarmed expression of her subordinate and the stern one from her superior, Aziza chose to comment. “I’m finding that somewhat lacking.”
Sunrunner scowled, but restrained herself. She had no desire to spark a diplomatic incident, even less to get further on the bad side of her commanding officer, and she wasn’t about to lose her cool over this.
“Where do you get off?” She, Flash and Pixie turned in surprise as Silver Bullet rose to his hooves and locked eyes with the mare. “You’ve been giving us nothing but attitude since you got here, needling us, accusing us…”
“And not without reason, given how incompetent…”
“Oh shove it! You’re biased against Equestrians in general!”
Before any of them could try and dissuade him from going further, the colonel managed another snort. “Finally figured that out, haven’t you?”
“Colonel, perhaps…” A scowl out of the corner of her superior’s eye instantly silenced Raziya, and the younger mare went stiff.
“Yes, I am biased.” Aziza turned back to Silver Bullet with a cold expression. “I am biased against arrogance, and against the self-importance that your people have placed upon yourselves. Tell me, how many maps have you seen with my nation on it, and how many of them were before this last week? There’s far more to the world than you ponies care to acknowledge and would rather ignore. But why bother to consider the world outside your borders when your monarch supposedly manipulates the very sun and moon?” She snorted again. “It wouldn’t surprise me if that was some convenient lie that your people cooked up for themselves, just to make themselves feel like they mean something.”
The stallion’s tone turned colder than ice. “Are you calling Princess Celestia a liar?”
“All monarchs and politicians are liars. Some are just better at being called out on their lies than others.”
That was the final straw, as Silver Bullet flexed his wings and deployed the blades hidden at their tips. These were standard issue weapons for pegasi in the Royal Guard, and augmented by their natural talents for weather manipulation. Aziza, meanwhile, seemed to produce a silvery spear from out of nowhere, then twirled it in one hoof. Her expression clearly showed that she was unimpressed at her apparent opponent.
Silver crouched low with his wings extended and blades pointed forward. His posture was not unlike a cat waiting to pounce.
“Hold on, both of you!” Sunrunner got to her hoofs. “There’s no need for…!”
“Stand down and leave them be, Lieutenant!”
The mare and her comrades turned to their commanding officer in shock. “Colonel!”
“I said to stand down, Lieutenant!” Stormfront barked, even as the diplomats looked at him in surprise.
Gossamer gave a pained grunt as he got to his own hooves and approached the pegasus colonel. “Alright, that’s enough, you don’t…!”
Stormfront promptly bucked the stallion away and sent him flying several yards into a dead heap on the ground.
“Hey!” Cranky called out in shock and moved to his own hooves to help his friend.
“Colonel Stormfront, I must protest! What…?!” Prince Blueblood’s exclamations were interrupted as Gossamer flashed with green, fiery light, and left something else in his place. “What in the Maker’s name…?”
All thought of the fight had left everyone’s minds as Sunrunner eyed the sight before her. Laid out on the ground unconscious was a creature with a build like a pony’s, black with some highlights of navy blue that reminded her of the carapaces of flies. Its wings and tail were gauzy and had holes in them, and further holes appeared to have been burned clean through the creature’s legs, large enough that it looked as though they could crumble at any moment. It had a horn, but its base was wider than that of any unicorn and it curved inwards, and what she supposed were ears were thin and narrow, and were it not for the fact that she could see ear canals she would’ve mistaken them for antennae. The thin, vampiric fangs were just final confirmation.
“Changeling.” Sunrunner almost didn’t believe her own voice as she realized, “He’s a changeling!”
-
“A changeling?!” Twilight’s exclamation would’ve attracted the attention of the whole restaurant if not for the spells she’d placed to ensure their privacy. “What was a changeling doing there?!”
Sunrunner rolled her eyes as though she expected the outburst, but managed a smile at the young princess’s surprise. “We’re getting to that, don’t worry.”
-
“Changeling?” Raziya kept close to her princess even as Stormfront broke off from their part of the group and approached the prone creature.
“They’re shapeshifters, able to impersonate creatures like ponies. They’ve taken part in multiple attacks on pony or pony-allied settlements. They’re also emotion eaters. They feed on love.”
“And it seems we’ve discovered the reason for all our troubles.” Stormfront extended one of his own wing blades as he approached the prone changeling with a cold look in his eyes.
Sunrunner’s eyes went wide as she realized what was likely happening, and she edged her way between the colonel and the changeling. “Sir, what are you doing?”
“Out of the way, Lieutenant.” She stood her ground, and the stallion growled, “That’s an order!”
“I’ll move aside once I’m aware of your intentions, sir.”
“My intention is to eliminate the cause of our troubles! These two are clearly agents against Equestria…!”
“Now hold on!” Cranky stepped forth and protested, “I’m no changeling! I sure as heck didn’t know…!”
“And I’m supposed to believe you?!” That got the donkey to move back before Stormfront turned to Sunrunner and declared, “The donkey needs to be restrained, and the changeling dealt with! Now stand aside!”
“Negative, sir. You are jumping to conclusions.”
“And you are committing an act of insubordination! Lieutenants, restrain her!” None of the ponies under his command moved to act, however, and he barked again, “I said restrain her, damn it! Or I’ll have all of you up on charges!”
The zebra colonel stood ready to act herself as she remarked, “Something tells me you have a bigger problem than four ponies who won’t follow your orders, Colonel Stormfront.”
“Stuff it, you filthy striped mudpony!” The colonel’s snarling slur was just the start as he finally let loose. “Bad enough we’ve got plenty to deal with on our own, between tribes mixing with each other and mongrels running around creating half-breeds, and now that bleeding heart mare sitting on the throne wants to let a different breed run around in Equestria? Worse that I seem to be the only one doing anything about it, even worse that I got saddled with a giant flying rat, a cripple, and another bleeding heart mare! This is why Equestria should’ve been run by the pegasi from day one!” He deployed his second wing blade and turned back to the changeling. “Soldiers know how to get things done.”
His blades were met by Sunrunner’s, and she gave him a two-hooved punch to the chest for good measure. That forced him back, but only by so much as she pressed her attack. Surprise and speed were the only advantages she had in this fight, and she knew it. Stormfront was larger, stronger and more experienced than she was, and any fight between the pair of them would likely end with her on the loosing end.
Fortunately, however, she wasn’t facing him alone, as Flash charged in himself and tackled the older stallion from one side. He managed two blows to the older stallion’s side before he was knocked aside and Pixie Dust intervened. Wing blades were, unfortunately, a tricker thing to equip for thestrals, but she’d nonetheless had the same training as the rest in terms of grappling, and even as she made her own attempts to join in the fight, Sunrunner regained the offensive and landed two blows to the old stallion’s face.
Stormfront, however, was not so easily felled. He shook off Pixie Dust’s attempts to push him down and continued to parry Sunrunner’s blade strikes. Before Flash could rejoin the fight, however, Silver Bullet beat him to it, and the grey Pegasus tackled the older one and succeeded in knocking him to the ground, where Pixie Dust and Flash rushed to pin him down.
Stormfront looked up at Silver Bullet, the former’s disgust mirrored by the latter. “You damn tribe traitor.”
One more blow to the older stallion’s head, and Stormfront was rendered unconscious. Silver Bullet stepped back and growled, “The only traitor here is you. Sir.” He turned to Sunrunner and admitted, “I think I owe the three of you an apology.”
“Consider it accepted.” Sunrunner reached into her pack with one hoof and withdrew some rope. “Let’s get him disarmed and tied up, just in case he wakes up.”
The four ponies immediately set to work, and in very short order, the older stallion was disarmed and bound. They moved him where they could easily see him from any vantage point, though admittedly, it was perhaps a better place than none.
“Well, this obviously did very little to improve our image with your government.” Sunrunner turned to the delegates and bowed. “My apologies for all of this, your Highness.”
Princess Horaia offered an understanding smile. “Your apologies are unnecessary, Lieutenant. You are not at fault for his actions. And while you’re correct in that this has been a less than perfect visit, you have demonstrated greater good than bad.” She then turned her attention to the prone changeling. “What of him?”
“Good question!” Blueblood was clearly more than a little rattled by what he’d experienced, between an admittance of treason and the presence of an apparent enemy shapeshifter among them. “Stormfront might’ve been behind the trouble we had on this trip, but how do we know the changeling wasn’t part of his own plot?! Others could be all around us in the woods right now!”
“And if there were and I were them, I’d have taken advantage of us being distracted and made a move by now.” Sunrunner turned to the unconscious changeling, and an idea slowly came to mind. “Let me try something. Pix, you keep me covered. Silver, Flash, you keep Stormfront covered.” She slowly approached the unconscious changeling, and quietly hoped that what she had in mind would work. There were no guarantees, of course, and it was little more than a theory, but she didn’t have many other ideas. She saw him start to stir, and as his eyes opened to reveal glossy, bright blue orbs, light patches in them suggesting pupils and irises, he turned towards her. “Easy, I’m not…”
The changeling hissed, fangs bared and a long, forked tongue extended from his mouth.
Sunrunner charged and wrapped her hooves about him in a tight embrace, eyes shut tight as she focused her mind on memories. Even as he hissed and struggled, she concentrated hard on the strongest things that she could. The love and comradeship she had with her friends in the Royal Guard, Flash and Pixie in particular. Thoughts of her parents, holidays and birthdays and all the little moments that made life worthwhile. Thoughts of those she’d lost, the love and longing for them.
The hissing halted, and soon was replaced with slow, careful breaths. Drained, Sunrunner released him, and stumbled back before he caught her and steadied her. Pixie Dust and the two zebra guards were quick to join him. “Steady, steady, it’s alright.”
The mare shook her head, then looked up at the changeling with a weakened smile. “You okay?”
He nodded, and it might have been her imagination, but she could see the tips of a smile on his muzzle. It did a lot to take away the fear factor from the fangs. “Actually, yeah. Better than I have in a long time.”
Raziya looked between the pair with an incredulous look. “What just happened?”
“Changelings feed on love, remember?” Sunrunner steadied herself and explained, “I just focused my mind on the ponies I love the most, and hoped for the best.” She turned to him and reasoned, “You must’ve been starving.”
The changeling nodded. “Like you wouldn’t believe. Thank you.”
“Damn treasonous little bitch!” Heads turned back to Stormfront, who had apparently managed to regain a measure of consciousness. “I’ll have you all up at court martial so fast…!”
The pegasus was silenced as a glob spat from the changeling’s mouth and congealed around his own, his nostrils just barely left unobstructed. The changeling scowled as he explained, “I knew there was something I didn’t like about him. Hate like his hangs around like a poisonous cloud.”
“So you truly had nothing to do with our misfortunes,” Aziza confirmed.
The changeling shook his head. “Cranky and I just got sent to get you from the train to the next town. Had no clue about why, and even if I had some foreknowledge, you’d think I’d want whatever you were doing to fail? Diplomatic ties between two nations just means more food for me and my kind.” He turned to the rest of the Guardsponies and assured them, “And before any of you ask, I’m the only changeling around for miles. And the odds of any of them looking for me are slim, given they probably think I’m dead.”
“Well that’s nice and all, but it doesn’t explain one thing.” Cranky scowled as he approached his so-called partner, having kept his distance during the scuffle. “Why in the Maker’s name did you keep me in the dark?”
“After how he reacted, you ask me that question?”
“You think you’re the only minority in this country?! Besides, I could’ve helped!” His voice dropped an octave as he grumbled, “Got some unrequited love of my own, after all.”
The changeling bowed his head. “I figured as much. Unrequited love has a bittersweet tang to it.” He turned to Sunrunner and noted, “Got some of that from you, too. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”
The mare shrugged. “We all have our burdens to carry.” She then tried to steer conversation elsewhere. “So, I’m guessing Gossamer isn’t your real name?”
“No, just one I picked out thinking most ponies wouldn’t bat an eyelash at it. My real name is Clypeus.”
“Cool name.”
“Thanks.” He tipped his head towards the colonel and asked, “So what happens now?”
“We’ll have to turn him in once we get to town, and Cranky hasn’t done anything wrong. As for you, well…” Sunrunner idly rubbed her chin with one hoof, then turned to the prince. “Your Highness? Correct me if I’m wrong, but Cranky and Gossamer were sent to make sure we got to the next town safely, am I right?” Blueblood cautiously approached as she continued, “Once we get there and board a train for Canterlot, then they can go on their way, can’t they?”
The prince seemed to mull over her proposal, then turned to Clypeus and asked, “You’re absolutely certain no other changelings are around?”
“If they were, they’d have shown themselves by now. As you can guess, stealth and ambushes are pretty much our forte. Besides, as far as the hive’s concerned, I’m long dead.” As if anticipating their next question, he explained, “Close to five hundred years dead.”
“Five hundred…” Sunrunner’s eyes went wide as she asked, “Were you at Trot?”
A slow nod. “Guilty as charged.” He raised one leg to indicate the holes and explained, “Got the scars to prove it.” He turned to the prince and asked, “So, do we have an agreement?”
Blueblood pursed his lips, then nodded. “On the condition that you restrain yourself from…feeding or whatever.”
“Accepted.” Clypeus tipped his head towards the bound colonel and asked, “So what’s the plan with him?”
“We turn him in, obviously. But for now, two of us will keep watch, then wake up the other two for relief.” Sunrunner frowned and decided, “I’ll take first shift.”
Silver Bullet immediately stepped up to join her. “I’ll join you.”