Gaenorga grunted and stepped between the griffon and Bastion. “You’re his birth mother?”
“Yes. My name is Gytha.”
“Prove it.”
“I’m the older sister of the War Engineer Faux Pas. I was given a planted personality to infiltrate the griffons. It got stuck, obviously. My memory has only been coming back in little bits, but… I’m the one you’ve been looking for.”
“Anyone would know that story,” Gaenorga said.
“Bastion’s favorite flower is a dandelion,” Gytha added. “A flowering one, not when it’s covered in seeds. He likes bees a lot, too.”
“Again, anyone would know that.”
“Bastion’s training mainly revolved around obedience, with only minimal attention to combat or strategy skills, comparatively.” Gytha closed her eyes. “Once, shortly after my brother had chosen him as a successor, Chrysalis made him take a test of obedience, one of many. She told him to sit in a corner and stay, and not move for any reason. He ended up sitting in his own filth after nearly a whole day and night, with his joints locked in position.”
“That’s something any drone of hers might know.”
“Stop,” Bastion said, shaking his head. “It’s her. I know it’s her.”
“We can’t be sure.”
“I can. Bloodlines talk. I remember her. She’s my birth mom. Or she used to be, before she forgot.”
Gytha winced. “Please, I’m only here to do what’s right.”
He growled. “No! You can’t be here! You’re not supposed to be here! You left me, you’re gonna ruin everything! I can’t...”
“I’m not here to ruin anything,” she said, holding up a claw. “I’m not taking you away, I have no intention to. I’ve been talking to the mayor here and your teacher, and some of the local ponies. You’re quite a popular boy, you know.”
“Maybe we should get going,” the Mayor said. “This isn’t any of our business, really.”
“I agree,” Twilight added. “This is a private matter.”
“No,” Gytha interrupted. “No, I want witnesses for what I have to say to my son.”
“I’m not your son,” he hissed, before wiping his eyes. He wasn’t crying yet, not quite. “You left me, you forgot about me.”
Gytha closed her eyes and drew in a sharp breath. “Can we discuss this indoors, please?”
Gaenorga grumbled. “For his sake, I’ll allow it. But make no mistake, we will step in if you try anything.”
Gytha waved the threat away. “I just want to talk.”
Sunburst trotted out of the auction with a smug look of satisfaction and a fairly heavy load of antiques, not the least of which was the authentic healer’s mask.
“Hey, Sunburst! Hold up!”
Sunburst stopped. “Oh, Starlight, hey, I thought you’d be headed back home by now.”
“I just wanted to talk a little first.” Starlight bit her lip. “Look, I… I realise it’s been a really, really long time since we did anything together, but I was wondering if maybe, possibly, we could catch up sometime? Not today, obviously, but, anyplace? Are you doing anything soon you could use company for?”
Sunburst stroked his chin. “Now that you mention it, there is one thing. I’m a camp counsellor. Lots of foals around, lots of fun things to do, lots of time to catch up. Think you’re up for joining sometime?”
“Sure. Which camp, though?”
“Oh, umm, this one,” he got out a pamphlet and gave it to her. “I started volunteering a couple of years ago. It’s fun: you get to work with some interesting ponies and help out little foals. Might be good to talk about old times, if that’s what you want.”
Starlight nodded. “Sounds perfect. I think I can squeeze that into my schedule.”
“Sounds great. See you then!” He was already off.
“Yup, see you then!” the changeling called back while he wasn’t looking. After a few seconds, once he was out of earshot, Sapphire Gaze dropped her disguise and walked off to find a good spot to teleport from. She’d make sure to send the pamphlet to the right pony.
Bit of a cheat, I’ll admit, but it’ll be good for you, Starlight.
Bastion sat at the table, across from Gytha. Behind him, on his left, stood Gaenorga. On his right stood the four ponies: his mothers, Twilight Sparkle, and the mayor. The two male griffons flanked Gytha, in case she tried anything funny.
Gytha kept her claws where everyone could see them, drumming lightly on the table. She stopped before saying, “This is… not easy for me. I can’t imagine how hard it is for you.”
“It’s fine,” he said through clenched teeth. “I’m happy here.”
“I know, I gathered as much from the ponies around. I’m glad you’ve adjusted so well.”
Bastion kept his head turned so he couldn’t look Gytha in the eyes.
“Right,” Gytha said eventually. “I suppose I should cut to the chase. I’m really only here for two things. First, I wanted to clarify everything that’s happened. I’m sure you have a lot of questions about me and my family. Both families. You have a right to know.”
“I already know about your griffon family,” Bastion said. “Sapphire took me to see you when you wouldn’t come back. I saw your husband, and your babies. Twin boys.”
Gytha gasped ever so slightly. “The ponies mentioned something along those lines. I’m sorry, I never noticed. It never occurred to me anyone would try that.”
Lyra rubbed her son’s back. “Sweetie, what’s wrong?”
“Changelings can’t recognise each other through a disguise, not normally, but family bonds, they work differently for us than for ponies,” Bastion explained.
“Of course, you have morphic web ties, don’t you?” Twilight said, slapping herself in the forehead. “They would try that if they lost someone.”
“Beg your pardon?” Garwin asked.
Twilight shook her head as she gathered her thoughts. “A changeling senses shapes with a separate sense, like how you know whether you’re upside down or not. That same sense can track familial ties, along with certain… other magics, like talents and abilities.”
“They sent you to try and signal me,” Gytha said. “You had to get me back to the Hive.”
“And I failed. I tried, and I failed. I couldn’t get you back.” His eyes watered, his whole body shivered.
“Sweetie, that’s not your fault, you can’t blame yourself for that.”
“Yes, I can! You’re not a pony, so you don’t know, but I do!” he argued. “Love’s supposed to fix things. It fixed Nightmare Moon, it fixed the Cold Continent, it fixed Equestria. But it didn’t get you back. I couldn’t get you back. I failed because I didn’t love you enough, not like you loved me. I failed and all I had left was my uncle and Chrysalis.”
All around, the ponies started exchanging awkward glances.
“I thought no one knew who or where she was?” Gaenorga said. “The Archmage couldn’t try to undo the damage?”
“Chrysalis was the one who gave me my griffon persona,” Gytha explained. “The damage was too great, no amount of normal magic would have worked. Once I started having problems, the griffons treated me as a victim of magic. My body forgot how to change shape, so even a proper exam wouldn’t have worked. But a blood relative, that magic runs deep in our kind. I am so sorry you had to go through that. Chrysalis had no right to put that on your shoulders.”
“It doesn’t matter. I failed. I lost you,” he argued.
“Bastion, that’s not how it works,” Gytha said. “Chrysalis made me this way herself, she didn’t even let Sapphire plant any memories in me. You don’t know what kind of magic she has, you couldn’t know.”
“I could have,” he insisted. “I was supposed to.”
“No, you weren’t, and that’s Chrysalis talking,” Gytha insisted. “You can’t handle that kind of pressure, not at your age, not ever. The world doesn’t revolve around you, and it’s not going to land on your back. It’s not your fault my mind is broken. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
Bastion clenched his eyes shut. “Are you happy? With the griffons?”
“I was made to be happy, yes.”
“But are you?”
“I am. It feels distant, like I’m looking at myself through someone else’s eyes, but yes, I do feel happy. As happy as I was when I raised you, however briefly that was. I’m still a mother, Bastion, that much didn’t change. I couldn’t stand the thought of you being abused or neglected, and if I’d remembered sooner...”
He shook his head. “You’d have gotten your mind wiped and your love drained for feeding as soon as you came back.” Finally he managed to look her in the eyes.
His breath quickened, and the sadness made way for anger in his eyes. “Mom, you… you’re not real, either, are you? Griffon or changeling? It’s both planted. Everything I remember, that’s not how it happened, is it? All the times you hugged me, or made me feel better, that… that was planted, too. You’re just a drone, deep down. You’ve always been a drone. You’re fake.”
She shrugged. “A convincing fake, but a fake nonetheless. I’m sorry, but that’s always been true.”
“So when Chrysalis got those drones to replace you… there wasn’t any difference, not really.”
“No.”
“All the love you gave me, it wasn’t because you loved me. It’s because she made you love me. It didn’t come from you, but from Chrysalis.”
“I wish I could deny it, but yes, that is the long and short of it, I’m afraid.”
He growled. His horn fizzled with green sparks, until he felt a hoof on his back. Love flowed into him, real love. Not that that meant anything at this point. “I guess… I always kind of knew. I just didn’t want to.”
“I’m sorry if I upset you, Bastion. I didn’t mean to. But you have a right to the truth. I never meant to harm you, in any way, and no matter where that sentiment came from, it’s true. Maybe knowing that, you can move on. Make your own life, Bastion, you have a family that loves you and a village that welcomes you. You don’t have to stay stuck in the past, dwelling on things that aren’t your fault.”
Bastion exhaled, and for a moment Gytha flinched.
He looked to his left and right. Both the ponies and griffons were confused about her reaction, but he didn’t dwell on it.
“You said there were two things you’re here for,” he said, eyes locked firmly on the table. “What’s the second?”
She took out a set of papers and slid it over. One parchment went to him, one to his left, one to his right.
“Three copies. For you, for the ponies, for the griffons. This boy does not belong to me. I give up any and all claims to him, though he will always have a home under my roof if he should need it. And if it ever comes to needing my blood, I’ll do my part.”
He snorted with anger. “So you’re giving me up. You’re leaving me. Again.”
“It’s for the best. I wish it wasn’t, truly I do. I wish I could remember the pride, the joy. But I don’t. It’s like watching pictures through a foggy lens. I have a happy life now, Bastion. You deserve one, too. If I thought for even a second that you didn’t belong here, I’d take you away. But this place, this whole town loves you, it’s palpable, you can taste it in the air every time your name comes up. You have a home, a good home, here. You are wanted, here. You’re going to grow up strong and smart, and who knows where you might go, what you might see. I can’t stand in the way of that. You were never exposed to any magic to corrupt you, you’re still young, so your mind can recover from what’s been done to you. If I were to remain in your life, I’d only make things worse. I’m sorry. I’m not the mother you remember me as. I can’t fix this.”
His eyes shot up when he heard her say that. Tears started flowing freely, but he wiped them away.
She pushed away from the table, turned her back on him, and walked out with the two male griffons flanking her. She stopped when she heard him speak up.
“Thank you… for letting me say goodbye. Goodbye, mom.”
“Goodbye, Bastion.”
Twilight let out a grunt as she exited the house. “That should have been personal, private. Poor boy, he’ll be scarred for life.”
Gaenorga shook her head. “No, he’s been wounded, and it’s not the first time he’s been wounded. Whether he’ll be scarred depends on how he heals.”
“What do you think we should do?” Lyra asked.
“What have you been planning to do?” the griffon asked in reply.
“We kind of thought if maybe we should send him to summer camp for a little bit. Get him away from Ponyville, let him make some new friends on his own. Twilight’s brother suggested a camp.”
“It’s a little bit unorthodox, though,” Twilight said. “Like I said, it’s mostly Pegasi that go there. It might be too much of a shock?”
“No, the more unorthodox, the better. Let him adopt a new role on his own, let him practise being his own self in a new environment. I’ve seen this before: give them a new place to fit in for a while, they come back brand new like nothing happened.”
“But something did happen, didn’t it?” Lyra asked, looking over to the griffons, particularly the two males who kept Gytha flanked. “What exactly are you three?”
Gaenorga looked at Twilight, then back to the boy’s parents. “It’s better if you don’t know, you’ll only lose sleep over it. You did well today, everyone did, even with the interloper. Rest assured, everything will be fine now.”
Chrysalis could scarcely contain her joy. The spies in griffon lands had done their work perfectly, and the copy of the report told her she was ready to proceed with her plans.
A little roadblock, that’s all you were, Faux Pas. I was too quick for you, getting a replacement ready.
The boy still remembered his secret little visit to the royal cellar, and Faux Pas had been smart enough to back up his magic into the closest blood relative who could carry it.
Best of all, there wasn’t a soul in six kingdoms who had any idea of what she was planning, even if some of her game pieces had become exposed.
No matter. She was in pony lands now, with her next target in sight.
The Unicorn mare kept her eyes on the elementary school. Fillies and colts sat inside, waiting eagerly for the bell to ring. Young fillies and colts, mostly blank flanks, but not all.
Blank, blank, and not blank. There you are. I’d recognise that aura out of a thousand.
She felt the hum and glow of one of the cutie marks, almost calling out to her. It belonged to a pink Pegasus filly sitting by the window, one who, upon closer inspection, had a strange habit of speaking in an old-fashioned way, lots of ‘gollies’ and ‘goshes’ and all those other sickening words that added far too much sugar to normal conversation. Her green mane was done up in an old fashion as well.
The mare kept herself hidden, but her glare turned murderous and her ears perked.
The filly, apparently, noticed the change in the air, and turned to look out the window. With her senses so focused, the mare could hear everything happening inside.
“Cozy Glow? Is something the matter?” the teacher asked.
“Oh, no, nothing at all, Miss.”
You wretched little foal. You gave me the slip back in the twenties, but here we are, once again. Nowhere to run this time, nowhere to hide.
The bell rang, and Cozy Glow grabbed her books before flying up high enough for her cutie mark to be visible through the window.
It was a chess piece, and the sight of it sent shivers of anticipation through the spying mare. Specifically, it was a rook, or a tower, as it was called in olden days. A red rook, at that, almost blood red.
None of the ponies seemed to recognise the mark, nor divine its importance.
So much the better.
The foals scattered, and the mare followed at a respectable distance. She was in a backwater pony village, where a Unicorn didn’t stand out. Thankfully, the little Pegasus was still at the stage where she could hover, but not fly too far up. There would be no escape this time.
The mare walked up to Cozy Glow as the filly hovered along the path home.
“Hello, Cozy Glow,” she greeted, smiling as the filly happened to be just at perfect eye level to her.
The filly turned. “Oh, hi, Miss. I don’t think we’ve met.”
The mare grinned. “Haven’t we? Hmm, strange, you seem familiar. A past life, perhaps.”
The filly gulped. A ring of green magic appeared around her throat, and she desperately started kicking the air as her breath was cut off.
A quick grip, no chance for her to utter any last-minute spells, and not enough power left to perform a low-level Rite at the last second.
This was going perfectly.
Chrysalis bared her teeth and drew in a deep breath while the filly’s flailing slowed. Slowly, the cutie mark faded, and the filly’s struggles ceased.
Chrysalis licked her lips, preparing for a final draining breath to finish it. “Goodbye, Ivory Tower. Give my regards to Tirek when you see him, would you?”
Bastion sat in the Cutie Mark Crusader clubhouse, looking out the window, head resting on his arms.
The sound of hooves approaching made him turn.
“Hey,” Apple Bloom said.
“Hey,” he replied.
She went to sit next to him, and awkwardly pushed her face against his to fit both in the window. He didn’t push her away.
“I heard about what happened,” she started.
“Everyone’s heard by now.”
She patted him on the back, carefully so as not to spook him. “Do you want me to stay here, or do you want to be alone?”
Tears welled up in his eyes. “Stay. Please stay. I don’t know how-I… I...”
She grabbed him in a hug. His face felt warm as the Sun against hers.
“I know,” she said.
“I didn’t wanna believe it. I thought she loved me. For so long, I thought she loved me. I thought she was different. I thought I was different. But she wasn’t. It was all Chrysalis. It was all just planted. In and out, in and out, it’s all fake. It’s always been fake.”
“She still gave birth to ya,” Apple Bloom reasoned.
“I know. That’s what hurts so much. I thought I could fix it. All this time, I thought I could fix it, but there was nothing to fix. Chrysalis took her away from me before I ever had a chance. Why? Why can’t she leave me alone? She did this, too, I’m sure of it. I don’t even know what’s me anymore, and she still wants to spite me for leaving.”
“Come on, you don’t know that.” She squeezed him harder. “I’m sorry you had to go through that, Bastion. I’m sorry you had to hurt so bad.”
“It’s okay. At least I got to say ‘goodbye.’” He forced out a chuckle, and she smiled despite her own tears starting to well up.
“There ya go, silver lining. Not everypony gets to say goodbye.”
He squeezed her harder at that.
“It stops hurtin’ after a while, I promise,” she said. “You’ll be fine. If you need help moving on, you know you can always come talk to me, right? I ain’t goin’ anywhere.”
If Chrysalis doesn’t try to take you away, too.
He sighed and broke the hug. His eyes were red, and he wiped them with a forelimb.
I have to stop her.
“Is something wrong?” Apple Bloom asked.
I won’t let her take anyone else away from me again.
“No, nothing’s wrong. It’s just that… my moms said maybe I need a change of scenery. They’re sending me to camp for two weeks.”
“Oh? Well, that sounds like a great idea. Go someplace new, meet some interestin’ ponies.”
He nodded. Get stronger, so I can do what I have to.
“Where are you headed?” she asked. “Any place I know?”
He gave her a pamphlet, one Twilight Sparkle had given him. “It’s popular for Pegasus ponies. They call it Fight Camp.”
The End.