//------------------------------// // 125- Eirene // Story: Changing Expectations // by KKSlider //------------------------------// I sighed as I watched Cricket and First Lieutenant Spearhead leave the room together. They were going to go to Manehattan and oversee the release of the podded ponies there in a joint effort. The help was appreciated. Sorting out the release was bound to be a mess, especially with all those angry ponies being hoofed directly into Royal Guard custody. The vast majority of them were gangsters, after all. The odds didn’t look good on getting convictions, but at least we wouldn’t be dealing with the immediate aftermath of releasing them. I can’t imagine that they would be too happy when they find out that they were in pods for several months. The fact that we had little hard evidence for convicting them was a sour note. I didn’t think to catalogue anything like that when we took them in, so all we had was testimony of eye-witnesses– ourselves. “Thank you for getting this over with quickly,” Captain Shining Armor said. “I thought you’d be mad at me.” Shining cleared his throat, “I wasn’t exactly aware of the fact that the majority of your foalnapped ponies were criminals, and were taken in self-defense. That…. complicates things. So I appreciate your full cooperation in getting this fixed as quickly and smoothly as possible. That doesn’t mean I forgive you for burning Canterlot, though.” “I wouldn’t expect you to. We’ve yet to cover that in the negotiations, but you understand that orders are orders, right?” “Everypony has a choice.” “A choice between a slow death or making others suffer in order to survive? Sure, that’s a choice. But we both know what we would choose every time.” Shining sneered, “Don’t be so sure of that.” I raised an eyebrow, “Oh? You’d die before securing a future for you and your people?” “If the cost is too high–” “Oh stop your posturing. You know nothing of the alternative, Captain Shining Armor. I may have lived only half a year in the Hive, but I saw enough. I was put on rations myself. Need I remind you that every changeling alive save for myself is physically deformed from prolonged starvation?” “What?” “You think changelings naturally are full of holes? That’s our bodies taking shortcuts to conserve energy. I don’t have holes because Chrysalis gave me pure love while I was a larva. I imagine that was months of life for the Hive sacrificed for me…” Shining sighed, “I think all of this is beyond my paygrade, and that I am thankful I was never forced to make these kinds of decisions. But you tortured a foal, remember? Right in front of me. Don’t try to tell me that it was necessary, or that the alternative was worse.” “I did what I had to do in order to get you to surrender.” “You took a shortcut that hurt an innocent foal. It wasn’t necessary at all.” ‘How would you know what’s necessary?’ “Well excuse me for not being able to take five months to contemplate the necessity of the action. It was war, you weren’t surrendering, and our species’ survival was on the line. That alone justifies any action, yet I only ‘hurt’ a foal. A whole lot worse happens during war.” The door opened behind us, and Cadence stepped into the room. “You have to be better than that, King Phasma,” Shining said. “A king’s duty is to protect his–” “I was protecting my citizens!” Cadence paused, “What did I just walk into?” Shining held up a hoof, “That’s not what I– oh my Celestia. What I’m trying to say is that that kind of behavior isn’t acceptable, not for a leader. Maybe it was justified, or at least you couldn’t think too much about it and made a mistake, but you have to make things right.” “Ah, I see,” Cadence said. “It’s that conversation. We’ve gone over this, Shiny. He is willing to apologize and make things right.” Shining scowled, “That doesn’t feel like it’s enough.” “It’s going to have to be, Captain,” I scowled back. “The war’s not over, and a potentially worse one is on the horizon. Unlike you ponies, the world hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows for us changelings. How many changelings have died? How many will die? We have nothing. The Fourth Hive has practically no culture to speak of, and our history, what little we have of it, is fragmented. Things are going to get worse before they get better for us. Now that peace has been made between Equestria and the Fifth Hive, I have to figure out how to kill Chrysalis while sparing the lives of the changelings underneath her. Then, we have to deal with the Nightmares, and all their doom-and-gloom prophecies.” “Nightmares?” Shining asked. “Those things that possessed Princess Celestia and Princess Luna?” “Yeah those guys. They want to end the world.” Cadence sighed, “That’s a very simple way to put it.” Shining huffed, “Oh great, another thing you kept secret?” “Oh fuck off with that,” I groaned. “Telling her about my survival was practically a breach of my trust by Luna, let alone telling her anything else. Don’t put any blame on her on you not being in the know, as that was entirely my decision. I wasn’t about to tell the number one enforcer of one of my most dangerous enemies a single piece of information. Keeping you in the dark was entirely on me.” Shining half-smiled, “Considering that blaming you is easy, I’ll take you up on that.” “I’m sure you will. Now, back to the topic of war, the Nightmares are coming. Like some horrible off-brand Night King, Epitaph, the ruler of these demons,  is out there somewhere, and we can only hope that they failed to awaken him. But given my luck, I’m sure he’s sitting somewhere in some forgotten corner of Equus, plotting how to mass lobotomize the whole world. And you know its got an army lying in wait somewhere, just like the Prophet.” Shining sighed, “So let me get this straight, there’s another villain out there who’s going to invade Equestria? And they want to lobotomize us?” “Yep,” Cadence said cheerfully. I shrugged, “Possess, lobotomize, there’s little difference in the end, except that it’s reversible.” Shining sat down and put his head in his hooves, “Maybe I should take up a hobby... like alcoholism. It’s worked well so far for Celestia.” I smiled, “I can hook you up, if you do decide to go with that. There’s worse ways to self-destruct.” Cadence frowned, “Not many. You better keep yourself together, or else our– ahhh, nevermind!” She suddenly cut herself off, looking away. I raised both eyebrows now, “How did you manage to even keep my survival a secret?” Cadence cleared her throat as Shining sighed, “Well I simply avoided that topic. Besides, I wasn’t excited for you being alive…. That sounded mean. I didn’t mean–” I cut her unneeded apology off, “Ah, so you are excited for whatever this secret is?” “Alright Cadence, I don’t think you’re going to worm your way out of this one,” Shining said before turning to address me. “I am planning on proposing to her soon. She knows this because I asked what her response would be, as to not pressure her or anything if I pop the question in public.” Cadence sighed blissfully, “I would have liked to be surprised, but this is just…. healthier.” “Ooo, the Princess of Food is getting married?” I grinned. “This sounds like a particularly delicious event.” “Princess of Food?” Shining echoed. “Oh Celestia, don’t tell me you and your changelings are going to worship me as some harvest goddess,” Cadence moaned. “No promises are made.” “Am I going to have to account for additional uninvited guests?” she asked. “No promises are made,” I stressed. “Figures. Fine then, I know how to get around any disguising shenanigans. If my special– if our special day is going to host changelings regardless of our desire, then let’s get ahead of the issue. You can bring a small number with you. A very small number.” “That’s…. remarkably generous of you,” I admitted after thinking about it. ‘If she harbors any bad feelings for changelings, this is one hell of an olive branch. She implied that I am invited, which being the king and leader, makes sense. So the other changelings invited could easily be the First Fang but… perhaps it’d be better to hold some sort of raffle. A wedding is a very love-filled event, so if only a small amount of changelings are allowed in, it would be best if I didn’t play favorites. I would of course have to vet each invited changeling, but a chance for any drone to attend would certainly make them all happy.’ “I am just glad you are looking at this from my perspective,” Cadence said, interrupting my plotting. “All this arguing over war crimes and hurting foals… It is a nice reminder that you are a good pony at heart.” “Not a pony,” I reminded her, still half in my own mind. Cadence nodded, “Right, sorry. It’s going to take a long while to get used to saying things like ‘someone’ and ‘person’ like you and your changelings usually do. Though I am going to need you to keep this a secret for now. Nopony– no one can know about this…. for as long as possible.” Shining chuckled, “Cady is convinced that she will be the one to spill the secret, which given she’s telling you, she’s probably right about that. I am surprised that you are suddenly so understanding about the complications of attending a wedding, given the fact that it took you so long to admit that you were wrong to hurt that filly.” “Restricting the number of changelings present means less food gathered, but I understand that a wedding is one of the most important and memorable days in your life. We can get by with less food, if it means not pressuring Cadence during one of the most important events of her life. There’s quite a big difference between fighting for survival and attending a wedding. It’s a lot kinder to be kind when the alternative to being evil is death. ” Shining paused, “.... Then perhaps we’ll just have to make sure the changeling race is never this bad off ever again, if that’s what it takes to make sure you don’t do anything wrong.” I sighed, “Were it so easy…” The door to the sitting room opened once more, and Princess Celestia and Princess Luna stepped through. Luna wore her usual regalia, while Celestia had a shrunk-down version of her own set. Whether that actually was her set that was magically shrunk down, or an entirely new set that was created, I didn’t exactly know, but it was probably a safe bet that she didn’t rope some poor jeweler into making a completely new set overnight. They were also freshened up and had a new layer of makeup on, or whatever other arcane and mysterious rituals girls went through to appear presentable. In contrast, Shining Armor wore his Royal Guard Captain armor, and I just more or less washed up. I could alter my appearance at will, unlike the ponies, but there wasn’t anything to wear or do to make my normal self appear more presentable. ‘Perhaps I should get a set of ceremonial regalia created. I feel oddly naked standing next to four ponies in fancy jewelry and armor, despite the fact that we are all pretty much naked…’ “King Phasma, Princess Cadence, Captain Shining Armor,” Celestia acknowledged us each with a nod of her head. Shining bowed, “Your Highnesses.” “Hey.” “Aunties, you look lovely today.” Celestia smiled as Luna stepped over to my side, “Thank you, Cadence. You look rather stunning yourself. The Captain is a very lucky stallion.” Rather than focus on their conversation, Luna brushed off my shoulder, as if dusting it. “Hey, hot stuff.” “I see you have put considerable time and effort into your looks, Phasma.” I shrugged, “It’s not like I have a crown or anything, and changelings don’t exactly have a way of dressing themselves up. I suppose I could wear a tuxedo or something, but they don’t exactly carry my size on the rack.” “Then I suppose we shall have to assemble a wardrobe for you.” “You won’t hear any complaints from me. It took me a while to get used to the fact that no one on Equus really wears clothes, so wearing clothes is actually the norm for me. I just wish you guys considered the idea of wearing pants, the most important and practical piece of clothing. I was considering commissioning some sort of crown, and maybe other ornamental pieces like a peytral and boots like you and the other princesses. I’m probably just going to stick with the crown, though.” Luna shrugged, “If that is what you wish. Just be sure to not make a fool of yourself with something overly garish.” “Yeah, I know. The crown would have to be rather simple, like your own. The last thing I want is to look like some small-time noble spending their entire fortune on looks.” “It should also be representative of your species and kingdom in some fashion. But I am sure that I am just repeating things you have already considered. Are you ready for Equestria to see you?” “The less I think about it, the less nervous I’ll be. Am I expected to deliver a speech?” “Yes, just a few words. Say something nice, especially about friendship and standing against Queen Chrysalis.” I smiled, “Give the ponies a common enemy? I can do that.” “Excellent. I would have warned you about it, but the last thing you need is an overly-prepared and stiff speech. The more it comes from your heart, the better.” “That old, shriveled-up thing?” “It’s newer than anypony else’s who will be listening.” “I suppose you might have a point there.” I smiled, “I uh, suppose this is when I say something sappy about how much I love you, correct?” Luna chuckled, “It can be. Just do not kiss or nuzzle me. The last thing I want is to spend another half-hour putting on this blasted makeup again.” I scuffed my hoof against the ground, “Right. Uh…. thanks for everything, Luna. I really can’t imagine what this life would be like without you. You uh… mean the world to me.” Luna snorted and shook her head, “You would face down the greatest threat that has ever plagued Equus without a moment’s hesitation, yet you stumble and lock up at the idea of showing intimacy in public. I admit, I am torn between getting you to feel more comfortable admitting your feelings, or continuing to enjoy how adorable you are when you are shy. I love you too, Phasma.” “You take pleasure from my suffering.” “Should I stop...? I did not think so.” “Right right right– oh hey look, Celestia is coming our way.” I waved to the alicorn as she approached. Celestia looked amused when she arrived at our little corner of the room. “Am I interrupting something?” Luna shook her head, “Not at all, I am just enjoying my coltfriend’s company.” “.... I’ll choose to believe that. How are you doing, Phasma?” “I’m fine. Luna says I’m supposed to say a few words?” “Yes, only a few. I’m sorry to suddenly surprise you with this, if you haven’t predicted it, but I want you to speak genuinely and from the heart.” “I said as much,” Luna muttered. “Great,” Celestia nodded towards the door, “Then if we are all ready, let’s not keep our ponies waiting. Just a word of advice beforehoof, when you speak, do talk about friendship, and avoid the topic of war. Perhaps stick to the cooperation between our species?” “Avoid war? Luna suggested I mention Chrysalis to, you know, give us all a common enemy or whatever.” Celestia rolled her eyes, “I’m sure she did. Not to overrule her or anything, but you should completely ignore that piece of advice.” “I am standing right here,” Luna huffed. “I know, Luna. It’s called a joke. Listen, our ponies have heard nothing but war this and war that from the presses ever since I– ever since Daybreaker seized those presses. I think it’s a safe bet to say that they are tired of hearing about the war. Especially since all three of us princesses will be talking about the war. Give them something else to talk about, preferably something nice. Equestria is changing, and it is for the better. Our species will begin a close relationship… though save your relationship with Luna to be revealed during a press conference. That’s a complicated topic that should be addressed when we can explain it better.” “You will never hear me say this ever again, but I believe my sister is right,” Luna said. “Perhaps it is better to not speak of Chrysalis at all.” “Okay then, no war,” I said. “I’m good to go. Are you, Luna?” “I am.” Celestia nodded, “Then let us go. Come along, Shining Armor and Cadence, it is time.” The bearers of the Elements of Harmony were waiting for us at the entrance to the balcony. The six mares were wearing their magical Harmony-powered jewelry, having ditched their dresses during the past day. When they noticed our approach, they broke off from their conversation and bowed to the princesses. “Please, none of you should ever bow to us,” Luna said as we stopped before them. “Celestia and I both owe everything to you six. There is no need for you to bow, not now, not ever.” The ponies rose, and Celestia spoke next, “Luna is right. Words alone cannot express my gratitude for the service you all have done for Equestria.” “Aw heck,” Applejack said, “it weren’t nothin’, Princesses. We were just doin’ our civic duty ‘n all that.” Her five friends all nodded along, and Twilight Sparkle spoke up next, “Anypony would have stepped up and helped, if it fell to them. I’m just glad you’re back, Princess Celestia.” Celestia sniffed, “Thank you, Twilight. It’s good to be back, and it warms my heart to see that you’ve spread your wings, so to say, and learned more about friendship than I could ever teach you.” “Princess Celestia? Am I still… your personal student?” Twilight asked, her emotions tainted with fear. Celestia for her part was ashamed, “Only if you can forgive me for failing you, Twilight. None of this would have happened if I had not fallen to that Nightmare’s embrace.” I snorted out of disbelief, “If you didn’t get corrupted, we’d all be floating in pods.” The ponies all turned to me, the six bearers fully realizing that I was here. Despite being the tallest person in the room, I was also the least important when it came to pony society, so they had all their attention on the smallest pony in the room, Celestia. Luna stepped forward and gestured to me, “May I introduce King Phasma. You’ve all met before, but under less fortunate circumstances.” “This is the pony you wanted to save, right?” The bearer Fluttershy asked quietly. “Indeed. It took a while, and a lot of convincing, but he is a trusted friend now.” Applejack stepped forward to speak, but Celestia beat her to the punch, “I’m sure all of you have a lot to say, but let’s save that for after our announcement. The ponies are all gathered outside, and we mustn’t keep them waiting.” Applejack bowed her head and stepped back to stand with her friends. ‘Something tells me I’m not going to like what she has to say. Last time we met, I…. didn’t I kick her ass or something? Yeah, I’d be pissed at me if I were her.’ Celestia gestured to the large double doors that we had all gathered by, “Then let us go see our ponies. Elements, you will be on Cadence’s left, and King Phasma, you will be on Luna’s right. I shall stand in the center, since the ponies will be most familiar with myself, despite my… reduced stature.” Captain Shining Armor turned to leave, which caught me by surprise. “You’re not coming with?” I asked. He shook his head, “Royalty and heroines only.” Celestia frowned, “You are a hero of Equestria too, Captain. You should stand with us.” “Princess, I wouldn’t impose upon you–” “Get over here, Shiny,” Cadence ordered. Shining shut his mouth and briskly moved to Cadence’s side. They shared a nuzzle, spiking the amount of love in the room. “That’s not fair, how come they can nuzzle and we can’t?” I whispered to Luna. “Cadence is a magical witch whose cosmetics are never damaged. I have tried to glean her secrets in the past, but she guards them well.” Celestia cleared her throat, “Alright everypony, line up.” Then, she opened the doors with her magic. Beyond, a small rounded balcony overlooked the central plaza of Canterlot. As the doors opened, the noises from the crowd below grew, both in excitement and from the noise-cancelling enchantment being disabled by the door opening. All of us stepped through, and lined up at the balcony’s edge. I suppressed a snort of laughter when Celestia had to step onto a stool due to her shrunken size, and noticed that Luna had a similar issue of hiding her laughter. She glanced to her side, at me, and elbowed me once, winking. “Good Afternoon, my little ponies!” Celestia’s voice boomed across the city, silencing the crowd. “Yesterday was one of the most frightening we have seen since the invasion began months ago. However, through friendship and cooperation, we can fix the mistakes that were made. The pony known as Princess Daybreaker was indeed myself, Princess Celestia, but I was sick. An illness, not of the body, but of the mind had taken root in me, like it had once taken root in Princess Luna a thousand years prior. Thankfully, my sister saved me, something I could not do when she fell. It is thanks to the efforts of the Elements of Harmony that we stand here before you all in good health.” The Element Bearers all smiled and waved to the crowd as Luna stepped forward. “It is said that there are decades where history happens, and there are weeks where decades happen. So much has happened last night that entire volumes can be penned about its events. However, the end result is that Equestria has all three of its princesses back. But with the good, there is also the bad.” She stepped back, and Cadence moved up the railing, bringing the attention to her. “There is still much to talk about and contemplate, but it is agreed that both sides of this war have committed horrible acts against each other. Some of you may suspect and guess at what was done behind closed doors here in Canterlot itself, but rest assured, everything will be brought to light and properly explained and analyzed. We are all working together to end this horrible war.” Cadence returned to her spot next to her fiancé. Celestia addressed the crowd again. “Equestria moves ever onward. We have rebuilt Canterlot, and we will rebuild Equestria. Wounds will heal. Wrongs will be made right. Together, we shall overcome the hatred that was pitted against us. As proof of this, I am happy to announce that peace is now possible between Equestria and the changelings. King Phasmatodea of the Fifth Changeling Hive came to help last night, during our darkest hour. Without his help, I would still be Daybreaker, and all that entails. His break-away Kingdom rebelled against the invading Fourth Hive, and now will stand with us in this war.” Celestia nodded to me, and with no small amount of growing anxiety, I stepped up to the railing. I briefly peered over the balcony’s edge, and saw the sheer number of ponies below. Close to the castle’s edge, an area was sectioned off and a number of ponies with big, hulking cameras pointed them up our way. ‘Looks like this is going to be put to film.’ “Your voice will be amplified,” Luna explained, “speak.” ‘Here goes nothing.’ “The last time I was here in Canterlot, I was here with the duty to spread misery. It is only thanks to the unwavering dedication of these three princesses that I am here now, ready to make amends. Changelings have been dedicated to our collective cause of survival for countless millennia. It is only now, with your help, that we can break the cycle of pain that we are trapped in. It is only with your cooperation and kindness that we can be saved from our struggles, both from within and from without. I hope that today will be known as the first day of an entirely new era, one marked not by war and stories of those who suffer, but by cooperation between our species, and stories of success and kindness. We have a long way to go, and a lot to learn from you all, but together, we will both be more than the sum of our parts.” I stepped back, and Luna discreetly placed a hoof over one of my own. I let out a small sigh in relief. ‘There. Let’s hope that’s enough ass-kissing to avoid lynch mobs.’ Celestia closed the announcement. “There is a lot of pain to undo, and much of it by Daybreaker's hoof. I am proud of all of you who have stuck to the ideals I have tried to live by, and failed to uphold. You all are what make Equestria strong, and are the reason why tomorrow will always be a better day than the day before. Thank you all, and may your days be full of Harmony.”