Ch 5. Identities Revealed
Exulus and Twilight made their way out the door and split up. The plan was for Twilight to go gather up her friends and brief them on the situation while Exulus went back to investigate the mayor's office. It bothered him that she went to her office and locked herself inside instead of calling for help or going to someone's home. She may have found something before she was chased out of the building.
He made his way through the front door and walked right into the office. Since the police unicorns had already found the body, there wasn't much need to keep the building locked down any longer.
Exulus stood in the middle of the room and looked around. If the mayor came in here to write something, what would she write it in, and where would she keep said document? His eyes scanned over the books on the floor. They all looked like ordinary books, but then Exulus remembered. One of the drawers on the desk was locked and perhaps that contained a clue. Where was the key? He moved books around, opened the other drawers, looked atop the bookshelves and behind them but could not find anything. Perhaps she took the key with her so that it would be found along with her? If that was the case, then it was never coming open.
He finally resorted to simply igniting the lock on the drawer with the Wil-O-Wisp spell to burn it open. As soon as the drawer became loose due to the burning of the lock, Exulus dispersed the fire and pulled open the drawer. Inside there were numerous folders and papers, most likely legal documents, and a small book. Exulus retrieved the book with his magic and opened the cover. It was the Mayor's journal. He turned to the first entry and began reading.
Journal Entry 1, Day 1
"It is my first day as the mayor of Ponyville and I'm very much excited. This place has been my home since I was just a little filly. Everypony here was always so kind and considerate of one another and I'm happy that I can now take care of such a wonderful little town. The Apple family has just..."
Exulus stopped reading; this wasn't what he was here for. He quickly flipped to the last entry and his eyes widened. The final entry was written with far less care and far more urgency, as well as the pen mark ran off the page abruptly. He decided to read the second-to-last entry.
Journal Entry 248, Day 1700-ish. I've lost count.
"Today started off as any other, nothing strange throughout most of the day until later in the afternoon. I had spotted Rainbow Dash and Derpy Hooves talking as I made my way back to my office from supper. I greeted them with a simple "Hello" and they both looked at me. Derpy's eyes were the first thing I noticed, they were normal, straightened and focused as a normal pony's would be. Then Rainbow Dash said to me, "Good Afternoon, Mayor!" It seemed very much unlike her usual attitude. I inquired as to whether something was wrong, if they weren't feeling well. Rainbow Dash said, "All hunky dory" and Derpy did not respond at all. I found this very strange. Without anything further I returned to my office and decided to write this entry. I'm not sure why, I just felt very uneasy around those two. I hope it's nothing."
Exulus figured he might now know who it is but looked to the final entry.
"I, the Mayor of Ponyville, am currently being pursued. I write this with no knowledge of what my pursuers intend to do to me. I thought they were Rainbow Dash and Derpy, but when I got closer, they weren't even ponies. They were some sort of monsters who began chasing me! I've locked the door but they're banging against it wildly! Whoever finds this, know that-"
The sentence stops there and is followed by only a pen mark connecting the cross of the "t" to the edge of the page. If it's true that Rainbow Dash is being impersonated, then she might be in danger, or she might have already been killed. Exulus was with her only a couple of days ago, was that the real one or the imposter? This was for Twilight to decide. Exulus rushed out of the office and as soon as he exited the front door, he spotted Twilight and the group, including Spike but minus Rainbow Dash.
The group eyed Exulus with suspicion. Everyone but Twilight couldn't believe that he could talk, that the mayor was killed, or anything. However, from the expressions on their faces, it was clear that some of them, namely Applejack and Rarity, thought that Exulus was a changeling and must've been the one to do it, if it was all true.
Exulus looked them all over, sighed and said, "The mayor's journal says that the last couple of people she saw were Rainbow Dash and Derpy Hooves, and that when she did see them, they were acting strange. Where is Rainbow Dash?"
Twilight stepped forward, "I was told that she went back to Cloudsdale and hasn't come back at all today. Do you think something happened to her!?"
"If they're impersonating her, it means either they've already gotten rid of the original, or they're going to."
"We have to go find her! And Derpy too!"
"Do you have any way to get up to Cloudsdale?"
"We have a hot-air balloon, it can get us there but not very quickly."
"Ugh, and it'd take too long to get the Princess's chariot sent over here. You all get in your balloon and head over, I'll go on ahead."
"Now hold on there partner," Applejack said, stepping forward now, "How can we trust that you're goin' there to help us and not try somethin' funny while we're not around?"
Exulus looked her in the eyes and merely replied, "I have spent a little bit of time with each of you. You can judge for yourselves whether I am trustworthy or not, but regardless of whether you decide to trust me or not, I am worried about Rainbow Dash's safety and I will go to see if she is safe. I'm sorry if this makes you uneasy."
That said, Exulus changed into his true form, his original changeling form. The surprise caused the group to step back. He wasn't a pretty sight to see and their expressions reflected that. Twilight's showed even more surprise as well as she added, "You're the changeling who was in the library the other day!"
"Yeah," Exulus mumbled, "That was sort of an accident. I fell asleep without putting myself somewhere hidden. I can't stay disguised while asleep. I'll tell you more when I return."
Exulus crouched and sprang into the air with his wings abuzz and flew off to Cloudsdale while the other ponies watched.
Exulus flew as fast as his wings could take him. He wasn't nearly as faster as Rainbow Dash, but he was faster than the other changelings. He reached Cloudsdale after some time, but then he realized that he didn't know where Rainbow Dash lived, let alone this "Derpy" pony.
He changed into a white male pegasus with brown hair. It wasn't one he'd seen before but he needed a disguise so he could ask around. He didn't realize it but he made his cutie mark a donut. He asked around with urgency, confronting every pegasus he saw and asking him where Rainbow Dash lived. Most responded by remarking how they'd never seen him before, but he eventually got enough information.
He made his way over and entered abruptly, shouting, "Rainbow Dash, are you he-...!?" He stopped as he saw not one Rainbow Dash but two. Exulus looked at them. He couldn't tell the difference.
The first Rainbow Dash shouted, "I don't know who you are, but help me out here! This imposter attacked me out of nowhere!"
The second barked, "Imposter!? YOU'RE the imposter and YOU'RE attacking ME!"
The two argued back and forth with Exulus unable to tell the difference. He hadn't spent enough time with Rainbow Dash to tell the difference. He then had an idea. He dropped his disguise and turned into his changeling form.
The two Rainbow Dashes had different reactions; the first had a shocked expression, then somewhat nervous fear; the second went to shock, then to anger.
The second Rainbow Dash shouted, "You! I remember you!"
Exulus smirked, "Oh? Where do you remember me from?"
The first Rainbow Dash snapped to attention as she knew where this was going.
The second Rainbow Dash replied, "You were in the library a couple of days ago! You called me a stupid shit, then ran off like a coward!"
"Bingo." Exulus said as he grinned at the first Rainbow Dash, "And where were you a couple days ago?"
"I was uhhh...busy! Working! With Derpy Hooves! The mayor can attest to that!" She replied.
"What!?" The second Rainbow Dash exclaimed, "I haven't seen Derpy or the mayor for like, four days!"
Exulus shook his head. He looked at the second Rainbow Dash, "Please back away from the other Rainbow Dash."
The second Rainbow Dash backed away, not just from the imposter but from Exulus as well.
Exulus looked at the first Rainbow Dash, "Didn't the Queen give you my warning?"
"Wh-what're you talking about?" The first Rainbow Dash became flustered, her eyes shifting around, looking for exits.
"I told the Queen that if I find her or any of you near me, that I'd kill you." Exulus said, his horn starting to glow.
"I...I didn't do anything wrong! I was just following orders!" She squealed.
"Pitiful," Exulus said lowly, "Cracking under the pressure. Farewell, little fool." Exulus's horn flashed and a burst of red flame erupted around the first Rainbow Dash.
She screamed and squirmed, pleading for help, trying everything to put the flames out to no avail. The first Rainbow Dash then suddenly dropped her disguise to reveal that she was, in fact, a changeling. The wings were the first to burn and eventually the screams died down as the burning body flopped dead on the cloud floor. Rainbow Dash was dumbstruck.
"Rainbow." Exulus spoke. Rainbow Dash immediately stood on alert.
"Who are you!? Why did you just kill that changeling!? Aren't you on the same team!?" Rainbow shot out.
"My name is Exulus, I killed him because he was going to kill you, and no, we're not." Exulus replied bluntly. "Now where is Derpy Hooves? There's a changeling after her as well."
"I dunno!" Rainbow said, still on alert, "She might be at her house or she might be delivering mail!"
"Can you take me to her home?"
"Why should I!?"
"I already told you, there's probably a changeling after her like there was with you. We need to go protect her before it's too late. The rest of your friends are on their way to Cloudsdale as we speak but we can't just sit here and wait for them."
Rainbow Dash continued glaring at Exulus in silence, then said, "Follow me." She flew out of her home with Exulus following.
In Derpy's home was a similar situation, there were two Derpys. However, one was sitting on the floor and reading a book with the book being upside down. The second Derpy was looming behind the first with her mouth open, about to take a bite in the back of the neck of the first.
Rainbow shouted, "Derpy, watch out!" and leaped forward.
The first Derpy's head jerked up and slammed into the second one's face while the first said, "Huh?"
Rainbow Dash tackled the second Derpy to the ground and pinned her, then shouted, "Who are you!?"
The second Derpy struggled. She looked directly at Rainbow Dash with both eyes focused. This was definitely the false one. The fake Derpy responded, "What're you doing you idiot!? It's me! Or....are you...?"
Exulus approached, "She's the REAL Rainbow Dash. We already dealt with your little friend."
"Exulus! What do you mean you dealt with him!?" The false Derpy said, now morphing into its changeling form since the jig was up.
"I burned him to a crisp."
"No!"
"Yes, it's the truth. Now tell me, were you two the ones who killed the mayor?"
The changeling looked surprised, "How did you know she was dead?"
"We found the corpse. Didn't you learn that if you're going to kill somepony that you have to hide the corpse?"
"Tch! We thought it'd be hidden enough in the Everfree Fo-"
"Enough!" Rainbow Dash shouted, "What're you punks doing here!?"
"We're here to remove the originals so we can take their place."
"Not here, here! I mean, why are you killing ponies like the mayor!?"
"Heh..." The changeling chuckled to himself, "We're collecting love. Queen's orders."
"Didn't she tell you about the warning I gave her?"
"Oh she told us," The changeling spat, "She also told us to travel in pairs in case we did find you. We were also given orders that if we were to find you, to kill you."
"Sounds like a suicide mission." Exulus scoffed.
"Yeees but you know how the Queen is. You also know WHY she's doing this."
Exulus stayed silent.
"She's doing it aaaall for you Exulus. You should have heard the tangent she went on as soon as you left. So much disrespect and how she'll kill you, blah blah blah. We all know she's just trying to bait you back and that the killing will just keep happening until you're dealt with."
"She really is so reckless when she's angry."
"So are you. The difference is that you're ALWAYS angry! What's your problem anyway? You're causing trouble for EVERYPONY!"
"Yeah..."Exulus said as his gaze turned to the cloud floor, "But don't worry, I intend to fix it all. The Queen will get what she wants, I'll get what I want, and you....well....Rainbow, could you step off of him for a moment?"
Rainbow Dash glared over her shoulder at Exulus, "What!?"
"Just move off of him for a moment. You can just kick him in the face if he tries anything funny."
Rainbow Dash groaned with frustration, but she stepped off. The Changeling smirked as he sat up.
"What's your game, Exulus?" The Changeling started, "Do you pi-"
Suddenly, the changeling was consumed in a red flame. He screamed in agony and pleaded for help, for mercy, for the Queen to save him. Nopony would save him as he burned.
Exulus stared with a careless expression as his used-to-be-comrade burned to death. Once the changeling stopped moving, Exulus put the fire out.
Soon, Twilight and the others came running in. As they each saw the dead changeling, they gasped and stepped back.
Twilight asked with a concerned expression, "What happened here?"
Exulus looked at her, "Derpy and Rainbow Dash are safe now. The changelings are dead" He said bluntly.
"Dead!?" Twilight exclaimed, "Why!?"
"If we let them go, they'd just cause trouble elsewhere, and I don't like the idea of prisons or banishments. I simply did as I felt best."
"You didn't have to KILL them! What makes killing them any better than them killing ponies!?"
"It doesn't," Exulus sighed, "But we're changelings, there are a hundred or so more just like us. It's not a huge loss."
"But-"
"Twilight," Exulus interrupted, "Just stop it. Go back to Ponyville, I'll dispose of the bodies. You should probably explain to anypony who saw me what's going on. I'll meet you back in the library."
That said, he grabbed the changeling body and heaved it on his back. The corpse was still warm, but that was due to the way it died, not from any sort of life. Exulus flew out the door with the changeling on his back while the other ponies stepped aside.
As they watched Exulus fly away, Rainbow Dash asked, "What're we gonna do, Twilight?"
Twilight thought for a moment, then turned her head to Rainbow, "I guess we should just do what he says. I'll ask him what he plans to do when we get back to the library, so for now, let's head back to Ponyville."
Night time came and each pony had gone home for the night. Twilight stayed awake, pacing about in a circle around the table, waiting for Exulus. Finally, the door opened and in came Exulus, hanging his head low. He perked it up when he saw Twilight and he spoke as straight-faced as he could manage, "Hello."
"Hey...So, what did you do with the bodies?" Twilight said, feeling uneasy and rubbing her leg with her hoof.
"I dumped them in Ghastly Gorge and piled some rocks over them. I don't expect them to be found."
"That's good...I guess. What are you going to do now?"
"I don't know. I could go all over Equestria to fi-"
"You're lying." Twilight said sternly.
"What?"
"You're lying, you do know what you're going to do, but you don't want to tell me."
Exulus sighed, "Nothing gets past you, huh? It's kind of annoying how smart you are."
"Stop it, Exulus. I know you're planning something dangerous, that you plan to kill more changelings. Please, isn't there another way? We could go to Princess Celestia and-"
"And what? Ask her for help? If this became public knowledge, everyone would be thrown into panic, paranoid of who's a changeling and who isn't and while everypony is frantic, more will die. We don't even know how many changelings are already in the royal guard. No, we can't ask her for help."
"Then maybe-!"
"Twilight, just let me handle this myself. I'll find a way where no more ponies or changelings need to be killed."
"But you're just one changeling. It'll be dangerous for YOU! Let us help."
"I'll think about it," Exulus grumbled, "But for now, let's get to sleep. Whatever we're doing, we're doing it tomorrow, so rest up."
Twilight sighed, "Fine. Good night Exulus."
Exulus paused a moment, then replied, "Good night, Twilight Sparkle."