//------------------------------//
// Ocellus gets traumatised 
// Story: Ocellus gets stranded 
// by Alank2 
//------------------------------//

‘Pride of Pingland’, the flagship of the Pingland navy, was cutting through the waves as the combined Alliance fleet travelled through the Pathalassic Ocean. High Admiral Olov Hagg stood proudly on deck of his mightiest ship, proudly looking ahead and ready for whatever danger may come his way.

Of course, the idea of small, flightless bird being dangerous in any way was considered laughable in most places around the world. Penguins were aware of their reputation, and long ago stopped fighting against it. In fact, it proved surprisingly useful. Their navy vessels were perceived as so harmless, that some foolhardy pirates even attacked them head-on. 
For that reason, waters around Pingland Republic were absolutely pirate-free. Pirates long ago started to avoid them, thinking the waters cursed, not believing that their ‘mighty’ vessels and ‘bloodthirsty’ crews could be soundly defeated by penguin navy patrols.

In fact, the Pingland Republic fleet was mighty and absolutely too big for a country their size. It was a matter of national pride, and while griffons may underestimate them, polar bears, changelings and even deer were well aware that these little birds were amazing sailors and dangerous in battle.

High Admiral, despite his earlier energy and outward happiness at finally having a chance to show off his fleet, was actually highly-intelligent strategist. He spent long hours with others, both admirals of other fleets and his own captains, pouring over everything they knew.

It wasn’t much, but some things were clear. Whoever it was, they were dangerous enough in the air to catch natural flyers like changelings and prevent their escape. Fast and numerous enough to make sure no one could escape by sea, and able to crush and destroy ships without leaving any trace. 
Either both fast and strong at sea and in the air, or with different types of specialized creatures in their army (if they even had a regular army). Intelligent enough to never be discovered by anyone who survived. Dangerous foe at any rate.

Fortunately for High Admiral, he knew he had strong allies he could count on. He looked to his left, right and behind him, where the rest of impressive naval force followed alongside his forces.

Polar bears and their powerful vessels, kept just behind the first line of ship to smash into any enemy who would engage the front lines. Changelings, who made said first line alongside penguins. And behind them, deer, with the most magic-heavy fleet. Some of the diviners joined the fleet for reasons known only to them, and were guiding the fleet ahead, ready to warn them if they sensed anything unusual in the foreseeable future.

High Admiral Olov never put much faith in magic like this. He knew his ships and his crews well, he knew tactics, strategy, supply lines. He left esoteric things to others. But if they wanted to come along, he definitely wasn’t going to say no to someone who at worst does nothing, and at best warns them of an ambush.

High Admiral did not know how close his train of thought was to someone else, on a different ship. Pharynx was no sailor, but he was a fast learner. He was going through everything they prepared for in his head, looking for any weakness. The fleet was not going at top speed; they slowed down soon after joining together, in order to allow an underwater and sea scout force in front of them. Whoever it was, would not catch them unaware. 
The result of going slower then he would like to was that it took much more time to reach Greneclyf, and Ocellus. As much as he would not show it outwards much, Pharynx was worried about the little bug. Alone, in a possibly hostile place, she must have been scared almost to death. That little bug had no combat training, all she had was some pony school of love or whatever, and now she was in great danger. He hated not being there to protect her. But at least with every passing moment they were closer to the island, after all those long days it took to prepare and coordinate their fleets.

Hold out a little longer, kid, Pharynx thought, looking towards horizon where Greneclyf was. I’ll save you no matter what.

His train of thought was interrupted by a shout behind him. “Message from the Deer Navy! They need to slow down, they have a leak on one of their ships!”

Pharynx quickly turned around. Unlike ponies and dragons, their fleet had no way of fast communication outside of flags and emergency flying messengers. However, in this situation, flags had some benefits. For example, someone looking at their fleet through some scrying magic (or just with good eyesight from afar) would see their fleet slowing down as the Deer Navy reported some small leaks.

Sea and air patrols were suddenly ‘interrupted’ by this, as they needed to adapt to the sudden change of speed. There were ‘holes’ in their defenses now, and someone from outside would not see anything unusual in the standard Deer Navy flag declaring a need to slow down.

Of course, that was the plan. For this journey, this flag was not supposed to be used in case of actual need to slow down. A different flag was assigned for this information, and important people on all ships were quietly informed of it. This flag reported that deer diviners sensed an ambush ahead.

One of the easiest ways to defeat an ambush was by counter-ambush. The fleet looked vulnerable now, but in fact it was all a tactical ploy. If enemies were indeed nearby and preparing an ambush, seeing their prey opening up to an attack was a perfect lure. Instead of going straight into an ambush, the fleet would be attacked by disorganized enemies trying to catch them unaware and abandoning their prepared ambush positions, when in fact everyone in the fleet was expecting exactly that.

Perfect plan. And like many plans, it did not survive first five seconds of contact with the enemy.

They indeed saw them. Weird shapes that made eyes hurt just by looking at them, bringing with them unnatural silence and cold as they swarmed through the ‘holes’ in defenses underwater, or shot out of the water and flew above. Birds flew away in panic, and fish disappeared in the depths of the ocean, swimming as far away as possible. Even the sea itself calmed somehow, and wind almost stopped. Everything was still.

Everyone in the fleet was in perfect position. All the attackers in the ocean were almost surrounded; just one moment was enough to catch them, overwhelm them, defeat them all.

But not one could move as the shadow of Death fell on the fleet.

A wave of unnatural fear came over them. And with it, unnatural calmness they could never explain afterwards; almost everyone present in the entire fleet was either paralyzed by fear, or lost in the false embrace of indifference. In the end, nothing mattered, after all. Death would came for them all. Why fight it? And for those paralyzed with fear, this calmness was even more tempting, promising respite from this horrible feeling. Just close your eyes, and let go…

Even the highest commanders in the fleet were not immune. Admiral Sunde almost let go of his smoking pipe – something that never happened before to him, or any other polar bear admiral before him – and the diviners among the deer lamented the coming end, for they, like none other, felt what was coming. Death was here, the grim reaper himself, and none would be spared his wrath.

Almost everyone fell under the spell. The fleet was doomed.

“Hey… you!”

Almost everyone.

“Yes, you! Whatever you are!” Pharynx’s voice, starting weak and whisper-like, grew in strength. Somehow, among the unnatural silence, the entire fleet could hear him as his voice grew ever stronger. “I do not care what you are! If you think you can keep me from Ocellus… You. Are. Wrong!” 

The creatures surrounding the ship were beyond ancient. They existed long before any living creature on Equestria, and were second only to gods themselves. They defeated the mightiest of knights, felled entire empires, and put an end to lives of unnumbered legendary heroes. They feasted on fear, indifference and apathy, on death. For them, everycreature was just food; after all, death is eternal. It comes for all.

But Pharynx had none of these. He was afraid, but he was fighting against his fear not through anger and bloodlust. Even at the height of fear, he cared only for the Hive. He could not afford to fear, or feel indifferent, when the lives of so many others depended on him!

This lack of bloodlust, of hatred, was so unusual, the ancient monsters were unable to feed on him. And soon, his example broke others out of their own fears. Among the crews, and those in the air and in the water, some broke out from under the spell, still afraid, but ready to fight.

Seeing this, the unnatural creations made a sound between hiss and a scratching yell, and attacked. Their spiked tentacles spread, claws spilled blood, and the battle started suddenly, while most of the fleet was still unable to act.

But not Pharynx.

He jumped overboard, transforming mid-air. He still could not see the creatures clearly – his brain rebelled every time he tried, like it could not accept the existence of such creatures – but he knew where they were. That was enough.

North Pole blue whale was the biggest animal he could change into. He travelled to Pingland to see one of these majestic creatures himself, in case he ever needed to change into one. It was his second-hardest form, and he proved to be the only one of the Hive to master it. Even Thorax couldn’t do it. It required dedication and stubbornness beyond any other changelig, and was extremely painful, unlike all other, small forms.

But it was also the heaviest he had.

One group of creatures was sticking their bodies out of the water, clearly getting ready to board his ship. However, unnatural might or not, they proved to not be resistant to equivalent of over 30 elephants falling on them.

With a huge explosion of water, Pharynx smashed into scattered the attacking group. Moments later, he transformed into a huge octopus and grabbed few stunned and still alvie enemies, throwing them up and away, scattering them even further and pushing them away from ship. He managed to break their attack and slowed them down, as more and more of others broke out from the spell and joined the fight.

Of course, he alone could never defeat all these creatures alone. They came back, more and more, surrounding him, getting ready to attack. But he did not hesitate. There was one thing ponies were absolutely right about – you can’t just win against evil alone. You can give example, lead, help, but you need to trust others as well.
And his trust was well-placed. Changeling soldiers jumped overboard, changing mid-air, and falling on their enemies. The real battle has begun.

At the same time, not just changeling ships were attacked. Admiral Sunde composed himself, and looked indifferently at the mutated monstrosity climbing his ship. He slowly bit on his pipe, activating a small smoke-producing spell put on it. He slowly blew the smoke out of his pipe, and, without letting it go, looked over the creature before speaking. “You, sir, madam or other creature, are ugly and uninvited. Please leave my ship.”

The demon screeched and tried to claw the admiral, who simply made one step back, making sure his pipe was undamaged. Then he continued looking indifferent, pondering on benefits of being an admiral.

Fleet and sailors under his command. A modest amount of money, enough for early retirement, not that he would ever take that option. But most importantly right now, highly-trained, elite bodyguards.

Said bodyguards jumped at the thing, showing repeatedly why the strength and claws of polar bears were so feared in combat. The thing made a noise that could be a sound of pain, but admiral did not particularly care. The important part was that it was decisively losing.

Instead of caring about this intruder, he lifted one of his legs and put it down hard, making sure the soldiers below heard him and helping them snap out of their stupor. Indeed, moments later, as more monsters climbed aboard, they were met with a small army of muscular killing machines.
This fight did not end well for them.

Deer, still at the back of the fleet, were left alone for now. But penguins were attacked quickly; it was obvious those creatures considered them to be the easiest target. Only one monster climbed aboard the “Pride of Pingland”, and was met with a mace to the face.

It was mostly a ceremonial weapon, passed down from High Admiral to High Admiral. But Olov Hagg would never accept himself not taking part in the battle, and he was too proud to be the last penguin to snap out of the magically-induced fear. And so, he hit the climbing monster with his ceremonial, golden mace again, and again.

The creature hissed, although the sound was closer to that of the breaking glass somehow, and swiped at the Pingland High Admiral with its spike-tipped tentacle. The smaller fighter easily dodged, shouting proudly: “You will learn to fear us today! Soldiers, to me!”

And others joined him, swarming the attacker in a black and white, fearless wave. It was an uneven fight; an ancient demon of death, unparalleled king of the sea on one side, versus a swarm of small, flightless birds. 

The demon fell overboard soon after, beaten and pecked almost to death. He could not understand how this could happen, but he was defeated so soundly, there was no other way but escape from the ship as penguins jumped overboard and gave chase.

And among the waves, for the first time in this part of the world, the fierce battle cry of the penguins was heard as all their ships went full speed toward the unsuspecting and surprised enemy, who could not grasp what kind of crazy bravery stood against them.

“NOOT NOOT!”

Pharynx, still in the middle of a fight, had limited view of what was happening on the entire battlefield. But even focused on his immediate area, he could hear the sounds of battle. It seems everyone snapped out of the spell, and the creatures, whatever they were, seemed surprised by both the courage of the fleet, and their ability to fight underwater and on the surface without any problem.

As he suspected before, the creatures were used to single ships trying to cross the ocean. And in that situation, everyone would be an easy target for such big group of dangerous monsters, especially creatures like ponies and griffons who were far from good at water combat.
The Alliance fleet had a massive advantage here. They were not only numerous, they were also trained soldiers and used to fighting in the cold waters. And with their fleet composed of many different creatures, they had no visible tactical weakness.

Polar bears, big, strong, but slower, could tear into any larger monsters or groups preparing to assault. And while normally their lower numbers and slow speed would make them easy pickings by numerous enemies around them, any who tried found themselves suddenly surrounded by swarms of penguins. 

Deer seemed to do nothing and everything at once. This was their unique battle tactic, something that made them the most annoying and unnerving opponent. They always knew where to appear and when; any time a ship was in danger, or a group of Alliance fighters cut off, suddenly deer were there, making a quick, precise strike, before falling back and moving to a different place. In truth, when fighting against deer, only reliable options of dealing with them were attacking the diviners (which were protected in the middle of a fleet) or attacking with such overwhelming strength that their foresight could not save them.

While their allies fought in the water, the air belonged only to Changelings. While some of them transformed and jumped into the water occasionally to help, most of their forces were focused on the aerial combat.
Whatever they were fighting, these creatures possessed unnatural, otherworldly abilities. Even with numerical advantage and all their training, it took their all to keep the air above the fleet clear of enemies.

The Alliance fleet was winning, slowly, but surely. Enemy reinforcements slowed and finally stopped, leaving them at a huge numerical disadvantage. One-on-one, they were nearly undefeatable. Short of a mistake, taking them in a duel was suicidal. However, against larger amount of enemies, their main protection was their aura of death; now that Alliance fleet broke from under it, the fight was slowly tipping in their favor. 

But this would not be enough.

A sudden explosion of water and a horrible, terror-inducing roar sounded. Far from the battlefield, but still clearly visible, a truly monstrous creature rose from the water. Even mostly submerged, it was still bigger than any ship ever built. Unnumbered spiked tentacles moved around it slowly, each big enough to crush a small vessel by itself. Underwater, hundreds of small, whip-like appendages swirled and moved, a net of death waiting for any creature unlucky enough to attack them.

The great demon slowly moved towards the fleet, savoring the newfound terror it induced. There was no doubt now who would win. The battle was effectively over. What remained was the reaping of souls stupid enough to oppose Death himself.

And so, with the naval battle decided, the eyes of darkness moved towards an equally important battle, fought with words and plans.





Ocellus looked at Bakara, the capital of the Bakaran Republic, with worry and anticipation.

Greneclyf did not have any fleet of their own. Being a nation that, until recently, prioritized being hidden at all cost they had no need for it. But now, as they opened to the world, it became more and more obvious they would need at least some ships, for trade if not for protection.

Ocellus would normally just fly there, but Queen Gytha raised a valid point against this idea; having changelings, one vastly different than they were used to, just descend from the sky after one of their race is suspected of murder could make ponies nervous. If not worse, a misunderstanding and panic.

Bakaran Republic had a limited amount of pegasi, with many of them moving to the neighboring, flyers-dominated Nimbusia. They were, however, the backbone of River Federation navy, with one of the best fleets on the continent. Approaching them by boat, and letting them intercept, identify and escort them to the capital would serve to ease any tensions.

Ocellus was a little ashamed she didn’t think of that, but others assured her it’s not her fault. She was not only young and not someone accustomed to local traditions, but she also didn’t have any advanced diplomatic training. 
She could definitely agree with that. And as their small boat approached the grand port of Bakara, she really wished she had her friends with her. Or at least Starlight.

“Cheer up, ambassador.” Ocellus turned to her co-passenger, who was somehow keeping her optimism up for the entire journey. She reminded her of Pinkie Pie at times, although more smiling then laughing. “I’m sure it’s a misunderstanding, and we can solve it all peacefully.”

Apterygota was another of Queen’s advisors. After the decision to open the island was made, she took upon herself to prepare for any foreign affairs that may arise. She visited many cities of the Riverland Federation and managed to smooth out the suspicions while convince many to open trade relations with Greneclyf.

Sadly, she just managed to come back home before she learned of the incident, and was forced to visit Bakaran Republic again. But her positive outlook on life and optimistic attitude never wavered.

“I wish I was as sure of it as you are.” Ocellus looked at the city, now so close she could see ponies walking on the streets and looking from the windows. It was, after all, the first time they saw someone like her. It made her want to turn into stone again.

“Comes with experience. The world is complicated and things are rarely easy, but in the end there is good in almost every creature. If we try, we can make the world a better place.” 

“… You remind me of my teachers sometimes.” Ocellus said as the boat finally docked. Two changelings, escorted by two Bakaran marines and two additional guards waiting in the port, entered the city of Bakara, causing a lot of whispers and staring. Everyone in the city was aware of the looming diplomatic crisis and a murder case, and the arrival of another changeling and a fascinating creature they’ve never seen before caused an unhealthy amount of interest in the two newcomers.

They were not under arrest, Ocellus tried to remember as they walked towards the government buildings. They were official ambassadors, and the armed ponies around them were there just for their protection. There was always a risk of an incident in tense moments like these.

One thing that was helping Ocellus stay calm was the nature of Bakaran Republic. It was one of, if not the oldest democratic states in the world. Not only that, it was also probably the most tolerant place outside Equestria. Every citizen of the Republic was taught that external looks matter little when it comes to character and, unlike many other countries around them, there were no limits on voting. Everyone old enough, regardless of race, could vote. Even prisoners! 

Bakaran Republic, in addition to being a founding member of River Coalition back in the day, was also the author of the Federation-wide Convention on Racial Tolerance. It was also known for just laws and fair courts.

All this information was going through her head, as Ocellus walked the stairs to the presidential building. It still felt overwhelming, becoming de facto official representative of the Changelings Lands, but at least she was in the best place for it. 
If only she arrived here in better circumstances.

President Water Lily awaited them in her office. “Ambassadors Apterygota and Ocellus, welcome. Please, take a seat.” 

President of Bakaran Republic was an earth pony. Her skin and eyes had a very light, blue-green color, similar to a shallow lake. President’s mane was vibrant violet, and looking at her, Ocellus had no doubts where her name came from. She really looked like a water lily.

Aside from both changelings and the head of state, there was another pony in the room. Ocellus could not recognize her as any of the advisors or ministers she read about. “Allow me to introduce captain of Bakara police force, Fall Line.” Water Lily answered an unasked question. “Since this is a matter both diplomatic and regarding our internal security, I asked her to also attend this meeting. I hope you don’t mind.”

Both changelings shook their heads and sat down. President and captain did the same, as guards left the room and closed the doors behind them. “I must say, I did not expect ambassadors of two different changeling nations to appear at my doorstep today. To say the truth, few months ago I wasn’t even aware of any of them. I have high hopes that this meeting is a sign of a future cooperation to come, between our nations and our people.” The President started. Her voice was gentle, but firm.

“I, I also hope we can become friends and allies.” Ocellus answered, stuttering slightly in the beginning. Water Lily looked more surprised than annoyed or amused by her stutter, and looked at her intensely. 

“My stance is the same as when I was here last time, and I hope it will never change.” Apterygota came to the rescue, focusing everyone’s attention back on her. “I want nothing more than to become friends with the entire River Federation, Bakaran Republic included. Especially now, that Greneclyf is in need of a fleet to help secure the sea around it for trade. In fact, Queen Gytha was vastly interested in securing Bakaran assistance, both by buying some of your ships, and asking for help with building our own shipyards.”

“I see. That can be arranged; I will ask Admiral Cobalt Wind to make some time for a meeting. He has vast experience in terms of building and expanding a navy. In fact, he recently helped our allies with modernizing their own fleets. I have no doubts he will be happy to help.”

“In the name of Queen Gytha, you have my thanks.” 

“And now, ambassador Ocellus. I heard that you came through the Panthalassic Ocean. Does this mean someone finally found a safe route through? Can we expect more visitors from your land? When can we expect a full-time ambassador in Bakara?” Water Lily decided to test a theory she had by asking so many questions at once; and indeed, she quickly noticed that the changeling was easily overwhelmed. 

Ocellus was, in fact, definitely overwhelmed. She barely had time to rest between traumatic loss of the entire ship, coming to realize that she is now the sole member of Changeling Hives on Gryphus, and then meeting all these important people. She tried to focus on answering these questions one-by-one, hoping she will at least manage to avoid saying something really bad. Fortunately for her, Apterygota again came to the rescue. “I am sorry to say it, but ambassador Ocellus is still very tired. Her ship was attacked by some horrible sea creatures, we suspect Dread League’s involvement, and she is the only survivor. She barely had time to rest yet.”

“I see.” Water Lily considered the implications. She felt really sorry for the – obviously very young and inexperienced – changeling sitting before her. Was that done on purpose? Her past as a teacher was well known, and it wouldn’t be the first time a kid was brought with a visiting official, hoping to soften her for negotiations. “Perhaps you want to go rest, ambassador Ocellus? We have some Greneclyf-related matters to discuss anyway, you could join us tomorrow when you have a chance to rest.”

It was really, really tempting. Ocellus really felt absolutely underqualified for what was happening. Still, she shook her head. “I would like to stay, madam President. I volunteered to help, and I’m not going to abandon our newest allies.” Water Lily’s eyes widened a little, and Ocellus continued. “Answering your questions, I don’t think the route I arrived through is safe. United Alliance is aware of my… situation.” Ocellus tried to push down the horrible memories, again. “I am sure that sooner or later, someone will arrive to Greneclyf, but it will take a while to move through entire Gryphus.”

“I see. In that situation, welcome aboard, ambassador. And since you mentioned volunteering to help, I take it you meant helping with the current crisis and murder case?” Water Lily asked, already knowing the answer. “In that case, captain Fall Line can probably help you more. I only ask that none of you try to complicate the matter. It is already a topic of debate, with the crime so severe so soon after the first changelings arrived in Bakara. Please do not make the situation worse.” 

“We won’t.” Apterygota promised. “We also want to see that justice is done and this situation does not damage our relations any further.”

“Very well. Rooms were prepared for you, ambassadors. Please rest, tomorrow you can visit the prisoner.”

“If I may, Madam President, I’d rather start now. You probably understand that I don’t want to leave our citizen thinking we forgot about him.” The older changeling said, getting up. “If captain Line would be so kind as to tell us where the prisoner is?”

“I will take you to him.” The pink-colored pony answered, also getting up. “Because the situation is so delicate, the prisoner is kept in high-security prison nearby.”

Ocellus also got up, and both she and Apterygota bowed slightly and exchanged polite goodbyes with Water Lily. Then they both left, following the captain, with guards still moving alongside them.

The prison was, indeed, not far. Captain led them to a small room, with just a simple desk and few chairs, and left. Soon after, he came back with a visibly scared changeling, who instantly brightened up when he recognized Apterygota. “Oh, you cannot imagine how happy I am to see you! You need to help me, this is all insane!”

Captain stood next to the door, not intent on leaving. Other changelings ignored her, focused on each other.

“Wait, who are you? You feel like a changeling, but… different.” The prisoner looked at Ocellus with surprise. “I never felt anyone like you!”

“That’s Ocellus, she’s an ambassador from the Changeling Hives, but let’s leave introductions for later.” Apterygota answered, directing the conversation to the topic at hand. “Mirid, what happened? I can’t imagine you actually killed someone, did you?”

“No, I didn’t! This was all set-up.” Mirid, the former merchant and now prisoner, shook his head. “It was all just wrong, you have to believe me!”

“Alright, alright, easy. Start from the beginning. I know that you acted in self-defense; did that stallion attack you?” Apterygota asked calmly.

“That, that was no stallion! It’s emotions were just so horrible. It was cold, and empty, but so, so…”

“Dead.” Both other changelings looked at Ocellus with surprise. “You felt like you were already dead, and death came for you. It was cold, but also calm, and it was like falling asleep.” Ocellus, trying not to shake, forced herself to relive her worst memories from just few days ago. 

“Yes exactly that, it scared me to death! It attacked me, and I punched back, but it wasn’t even harmed! It just played dead when other ponies arrive, and they didn’t listen to me. It, whatever it was, it was still alive.” Mirid looked at Ocellus. “Do you know these creatures from your homeland?”

“No.” Ocellus said, now feeling cold. Why? How could these demons be connected to a pony? It made no sense!

“Excuse me, captain Line. Can you tell me more about the victim?” Apterygota asked, looking at Ocellus with concealed worry. The captain, also noticing the sudden distress but not commenting on it, simply motioned for them to go outside the room. Only when two ambassadors, one still shaken, left and the doors were closed the captain answered.

“The victim was a merchant from Nimbusia. He was here with his wife before, they regularly travelled to trade. His name was Steel Fruit. There were never any problems with him or his wife, before you ask.” Captain provided them with information. “Nothing suspicious or unusual about him.”

“Was the victim examined for wounds?” Aperygota asked.

“No. He was already dead when closest witnesses arrived, after they heard him scream in pain. He wasn’t breathing, and no one managed to save him. He just wasn’t breathing anymore. The changeling took his form, but defended himself saying it was a reflex and he dropped the disguise when first ponies arrived on scene. He then started making crazy claims like the one you just heard.” Captain Line shook her head. “Changeling admitted to hitting the victim, the merchant is dead on the spot and the bug, I’m sorry the changeling is looking like the victim. This does not look good.”

“But the body was not examined.” Aperygota pressed.

“No, of course not. His wife was already in enough distress. Once it was obvious he was dead, she asked to take his body to be buried on a cemetery near the capital. Then she quickly left with their cart and everything.” Captain looked at the two changelings. “Evidently, you have some reason to believe that changeling. May I ask why?”

Ocellus forced herself to answer, despite the cold feeling in her stomach. “Can we see the grave?”





As they walked to the small cemetery outside of the capital, Ocellus felt horrible. He confided the reason why to the other changeling; right now, it was only them and captain Line with two guards, walking through the city. 

“I feel useless.” Ocellus admitted quietly. A gentle rain started to fall, not enough to be annoying, but enough to almost mask her whisper.  “Everyone around me is doing things. And I’m just stuck in my head. I didn’t even need to be here. You could’ve dealt with all this by yourself.”

“Don’t say that, Ocellus.” The older changeling protested. “Without you, we would never even try to save Mirid. And even if we did, he would just sound insane. Even knowing your story, I didn’t connect it to his.”

“If you had a moment, you would. It’s not really hard to realize it. And I’m sure you still wouldn’t leave him on his own.”  Ocellus sighed. “It really feels like everyone is just better than me when it comes to doing everything. I can know all these things, but when it comes to doing something, it feels like everyone is just better.”

“You’re young, Ocellus. Your time will come.” The older changeling tried to assure her younger friend. “You’ll play your part in some great things in the future, I have no doubt.”

“You should listen to her, ambassador.” Both changelings turned to her, and captain chuckled. “Sorry, I meant ambassador Ocellus. From what I heard, you’re young, and just lived through something horrible. I never went that far north, but I heard stories of Dread Peninsula. Always thought they were just myths and overblown stories from drunken knights, but if they are even half as scary as these stories make them out to be, well, let’s just say I hope I’ll never have to see anything like that.
But you still volunteered to come and help with someone else’s problem.”

“Of course! I can’t just leave someone to die!” Ocellus said, her voice regaining some of its strength. 

“Yeah, see? You are really braver then you think.”

“You… believe us?” Ocellus asked with surprise, only now noticing the way captain was speaking.

“You could still be the best liar I’ve seen in a while, and I deal with criminals a lot. But I think you truly believe in what you say. Mind you, you can be wrong, but I’m not dismissing anything without proof.” Captain answered as they closed to the cemetery. It was really old, beyond even furthest buildings in the city. It was just a small patch of land, with graves neatly lined through it, and a small forest behind it.

“You really aren’t how I imagined a police captain to be.” Ocellus admitted.

“I deal with politicians even more then criminals sometimes, what with all the embassies, trade and everything in Bakara. Now, let’s go see if the grave is still where it should be.” Fall Line entered through the small gate in the low wall surrounding the cemetery. “I asked, and apparently the grave should be… right there.”

They found the grave they were looking for. A simple tombstone was erected upon a patch of dirt, with the victim’s name engraved on it; there was nothing else. It was one of the most unassuming graves there, in fact. Nothing out of ordinary.

Captain Line walked around it, in a safe distance as to not muddle any signs of someone digging or moving the earth around. “This is strange… see these marks here and here? They don’t look like a shovel.”

“Then what?” Ocellus asked, feeling cold. The rain felt colder than earlier. 

“Claws.” Captain looked at the ground with suspicion. “No griffons were taking place in the funeral, and there were no new funerals since then. The funeral office’ workers were ponies, and they definitely used shovels. Someone came after them, and did their best to camouflage it, but whoever it was used claws.”

Suddenly, they heard a snapping sound. Everyone turned to the small forest next to the cemetery; with the now freezing rain, Ocellus could swear that in the weak, late evening light she could see some shapes moving.
Wait. Freezing rain?

“Bakaran police! Whoever is there, come out!” Captain called. No response. “Come out now. You have nothing to fear.”

“Captain.” Ocellus whispered, trying not to shake. “Can’t you feel it? The cold?”

Fall Line and both guards tensed momentarily. Now they also realized something else is going on, something Ocellus noticed just a moment earlier. “Stay were you are, I’m going in! Do not try to escape!” Captain pointed at one of the guards. “You, with me. You, guard the VIPs. Ambassadors, stay”

“We should run.” Ocellus whispered. She could feel it already. This feeling of death she already felt once. Captain and one of the guards already run into the forest. “Aperygota, we must run, now!”

“Captain told you to stay put!” The remaining guard protested.

Whatever any of them wanted to say, was drowned in a wave of unnatural fear. They all shook, suddenly feeling short of breath, like something was sucking life out of them.
Only then they heard screams.

Captain Fall was screaming in horror. It sounded like something was choking her, and she just barely had strength to scream; but it sounded bone-chilling. The other guard who went with her made a short shout, before a sudden snapping sound.
Then silence.

“Stay here!” The last guard ordered, running into the forest, trying no doubt to save the captain.

Ocellus didn’t wait even a second longer. She run as fast as she could, transforming mid-step to the fastest animal her mind could think of right now. Apterygota followed her just a moment later.

When the last guard screamed, both changelings were already halfway to the city.





Two drenched changelings once again stood in the Water Lily’s room. However, the atmosphere in it was much different than earlier, especially after the lengthy explanation Ocellus just provided.

“So you’re saying that some kind of monster, similar to ones who destroyed your ship, is hiding next to the capital.” The president of Bakaran Republic sounded skeptical. “Despite no one reporting anything like it, and despite this place being so close to the city.”

Ocellus could only nod, too shaken by experience. The other changeling, first time feeling the effects of the clearly magical fear, was unable to speak yet, shaking still. It was like nothing she ever felt, and Aperygota was shaken to her core.

Water Lily sighed, and looked at two fresh guards flanking ambassadors. “You must understand how ridiculous it sounds. Especially the claim that both guards and captain Line were just taken out like that, while you fled.”

“But it’s true!” Ocellus answered, feeling her fear give way to anger. “We’ve seen it with our own eyes!”

“I can’t just accept what you say without a proof. Especially since you’re another changeling who makes such claims!” President sounded more and more irritated. “If they are truly dead, I will make sure the creatures responsible are found. I will send another group to that forest to verify your claims, in the meantime… what now!” She turned to the door, hearing a commotion.

To the surprise of everyone in the room, captain Line entered it. She was covered in dried blood in many places, and was visibly limping, but she was alive!

“Captain!” Ocellus smiled, but was only met with cold eyes. She shuddered, feeling the emotions emanating from the pony. It was… not at all like Fall Line she knew. It was…

Cold.

Full of ancient malice. 

“I’m sorry for interrupting, madam President, but these changelings are traitors! When we reached the cemetery, they suddenly changed and they… they ripped the guards apart!”

Ocellus felt sick. This is it. Only changelings could feel this, and for everyone else in the room, it was Fall Line herself, accusing them. Without doubt, the bodies will be found, just like with that merchant. 
Everything was lost.

Aperygota managed to shake off the fear and started to protest. President was in shock, but it was slowly replaced with anger. The guards were tense, ready to arrest them. And whatever the creature posing as Fall Line was, it radiated satisfaction. It was clearly not the pony Ocellus got to know earlier.

Wait.

“Madam President, wait! Ask her something!” Everyone looked at her, but Ocellus was too focused to care. “Something only she could know! She’s not the captain, it’s an impostor!”

“What an absurd accusation.” Captain shook her head sadly. “Obviously, coming from a changeling. Only shows what they know. Guards, take them away.”

“Yes, you’re right.” Water Lily answered, but then she added offhoofedly; “But just in case, what was yesterday’s passphrase?”

“I’ll get back to you with that in a second. Guards, help me secure them. Be careful, they can change at any moment. Use any means necessary to keep them secured.” Captain ordered.

President’s eyes grew wide. “Fall Line, what was the passphrase?”

“Madam President, do not fall for it. They just want to divert our attention.” Captain answered, grabbing Ocellus. “Be careful, they are extremely dangerous!”

“Guards, secure Fall Line immediately.” Water Lily ordered, to the shock of everyone present. The creature posing as captain seemed the most surprised.

The guards were torn between conflicting orders. President was clearly above captain, but they were now confused for few moments. ‘Captain’ used this moment to close her eyes for a second, and when she opened them no one noticed a small red glare in them. “There was no passphrase, madam President, that was the passphrase. Forgive me, this whole situation really took a lot out of me.”

“I see. So real Fall Line is still alive.” Water Lily looked at the impostor with fury. “You thought that just because I’m an earth pony, I can’t recognize obvious telepathy being used? Guards, take her into custody. We will find out where the real captain is.”

Two guards grabbed the creature. It sighed and closed its eyes, before suddenly springing into action.

The guards were ready for their prisoner to try to escape. But it didn’t help them at all. The monster threw them off itself with such force, they were thrown against the walls in a split second. Moments later, the thing turned to the three remaining creatures in the room.

Its eyes were red. Nothing, but red. Endless ocean of fear and death. No one could even scream, as the monster closed the door and smiled coldly, fear emanating from it.

“Oh Ocellus, Ocellus. You couldn’t hold yourself back and had to make it worse, haven’t you?” The monster looked at the young changeling with satisfaction. “And to think, you almost succeeded. But you cannot fight Death, little creature.”

The monster took one step ahead. And then another, slowly walking towards Ocellus, savoring her fear. “Do not worry, little one. I bring calm. I bring peace. I am a merciful God. I will take away all your suffering now…” 

“No!” It was supposed to be a scream, but turned out more of a strained whisper. Aperygota stood before Ocellus, protecting her with her own body. “You won’t hurt her!”

“Hurt her? My dear, I do not intend to hurt anyone. I am the bringer of peace. Worry not. You will now know rest.” The creature again moved with unnatural speed. Now, standing so close to it, it looked… wrong. Like the body wasn’t even moving that fast, but somehow it blurred, and Ocellus couldn’t wrap her head around it.

She was still in shock when a body hit the wall. The monster sighed. “Such unnecessary struggle. There is nothing wrong with just accepting your end when it comes. Isn’t it right, Ocellus?” The creature looked at the frightened changeling. “You escaped me before, somehow. I need to thank you; now, with your help, I will know exactly how you did it. I will make certain… improvements. No changeling will ever escape me again.”

Ocellus shook in fear, unable to understand what was going on, but the creature wasn’t finished. “You see, if you didn’t intervene, the changeling would just be exiled to Greneclyf and forbidden from ever entering Bakara. No one had to die. And now, everyone will. One by one. You should have surrendered to me back then, in the ocean.”

Ocellus couldn’t take it anymore. She fell on the ground, sobbing. The weight of what just happened was just too much, all the fear, pain, death. The monster stood above her, smiling coldly. “Do not worry, little one. As I said before, I am a merciful God. I will grant you peace.” 

“Stay away from her.” The monster turned around, facing the Water Lily, who somehow managed to break through fear. 

The president of the Bakaran Republic was no warrior. She wasn’t a soldier. But she was a fighter of her own. She reached her position with determination to help and protect others.

But, long before that, she was a teacher. And, seeing this helpless child being tormented by this monster, she found in herself strength to face Death. “You will never win. You can strike us down, but more will come to fight you. Our bodies may break, but Republic will live on!”

The monster just shook his head. “You will not die, Water Lily. In fact, you are a crucial part of my plan. You will serve me, like all the others. Together, we will bring eternal peace to Bakara. And then, beyond.”

“I will never join you, or serve you! I will die free, rather than live as a slave.” She still did not have the strength to shout, but her declaration was filled with unwavering passion and conviction.

“Many knights fell proudly, like you will. All shouted their defiance, and all surrendered in the end. You will see. It all ends the same.” Monster moved in her direction, and looked her in the eyes. “Your soul will be mine.”

Water Lily could feel the icy stare like a physical blow. It crushed into her resolve, filling her with fear, and an unnatural calmness. Why continue fighting? She could feel her willpower slipping away. It was inevitable. And if she just surrendered, the pain would go away…

But then she heard Ocellus whimpered, and her resolve returned. It was obvious now, that she was played by this creature all along. She almost ended up throwing all changelings out of Riverland Federation, if not causing outright war with Greneclyf. 
Some small part of her was disappointed in herself. If not for this young changeling, now weeping on the floor, she could have done something monstrous. 

She knew she may never be able to tell Ocellus how much the little changeling achieved on that day, but she swore to herself that at least she won’t fail here and now. Her determination returned, banishing both fear and apathy. She was not going to leave Ocellus alone, and she would not allow this monster to just win. 
She would rather die.

“You truly are serious about it. Dying.” The monster said with calm voice, as Water Lily strained to fight a losing battle. “I can feel it. Do not worry. Death is easy. It is painless. And after it is done, the little one will join you. You will together forever.”

In response, Water Lily could only grit her teeth and fight back. It felt like pushing a rock up a steep cliff, but she was not going to surrender. She would fight until the end.

The doors opened. “Is everything alri… ALARM!”

The monster, still posing as captain Line, turned around instantly, but it was already too late. The guards were alarmed, and nothing could stop them now. It could, perhaps, confuse them, but not for long.

“Such annoyance. Do not worry, we will meet again. Soon.” Monster simply said, and then run out of the room, ramming through the guard blocking the way without slowing down.

Ocellus did not notice anything at this point. Later, she could remember some voices, ponies moving in and out, running, shouts. But the thing she remembered clearly was someone touching her gently on the leg, asking if she can help.

She hugged Water Lily, still crying. The guards, already on edge, jumped to her rescue, but the president waved them away and continued to give orders while hugging the poor, scared changeling.

This image, of the changeling ambassador and president of Bakara, hugging each other in the battlefield-like room, was what the presidential advisors saw as they entered. Undeterred, Water Lily held a council with her advisors, not letting go of Ocellus. Only when the exhausted changeling fell asleep, she ordered some blankets and pillows to be brought into the adjacent room, clean and not looking like a battlefield. And after the council finished, she stayed there with Ocellus.
It was the least she could do for a changeling that, just by arriving here, probably saved many lives.





In the middle of the sea, the fierce battle continued. The Alliance fleet faced the greatest battle in its history, against a merciless, dangerous enemy. 
And they were losing.

Hivesadmiral Lysander looked around, hiding a grimace. That was it. The Alliance forces were simply not enough to win at this point. Before that giant monstrosity appeared, they were slowly winning; now, the situation reversed. With every lost ship, with every group of soldiers gone, the battle was getting closer and closer to the end.

The huge, octopus-like monster was the greatest danger, and one that single-hoffedly led to their defeat. It was so big, armored, and capable of attacking everything around it at once, that no single attack could face it. Not the strongest of polar bears, not mightiest forms the changelings could take were enough. 

The monster simply took one of their ship at some point and tore it into pieces. How could any creature face something like this? Perhaps Celestia, Luna, or others like them could. But he doubted any mortal would ever be able to face it and win.

Not that he was going to surrender. If his first great battle is going to be his last, so be it. He will do his best, and if that’s not enough, he will go above and beyond that. And if that is still not enough, he will fight to the end.

Despite the aura of bone-chilling fear and death-like calm, his mind was still focused on finding any way to tip the balance. If only they could deal with this thing somehow. But how? In the heat of battle, there was no way to mount a force big enough to attack this thing and win. The skies were already falling to the enemy, as airborne changelings were forced to go down and support the breaking navy line. Even deer were no longer able to help, only postponing the inevitable. Polar bears were doing their best with stoic bravery, but it was simply not enough. And the moment enemies gain full air control, the battle will be simply over. They will be picked one by one, without any way to coordinate or form any defensive formations.

And the penguins… Lysander looked starboard. There, the „Pride of Pingland” was still afloat, with High Admiral on board. Both commanders had a similar idea, independently moving towards the middle of the fleet, trying to prevent the enemy from dividing their forces in two.

But it would be for nothing. The monster was already almost between them, going straight at the middle of their forces. And neither of them had enough forces to commence any kind of an attack that would stop it. They just didn’t have enough soldiers left on their ships. Both vessels were almost empty.

But the Lysander realized something. They may be empty, but they were still ships. Big ships. Biggest in the fleet, in fact. His own ship was the first, and only, superheavy vessel ever built by the Changeling Hives. Queen Chrysalis herself ordered it built, despite some (quite valid, as it turned out) concerns that it would be painfully slow, and wouldn’t offer much advantage over smaller ships.

And it was really heavy. Once it got going, it would not stop, even if it had to go through another ship on its way. It even had a battering ram installed, although the idea of something so slow ramming anything was amusing and likely impossible.

Hivesadmiral run some calculations in his head. If he could do this… it would require almost perfect coordination. Better than their flag system would ever allow for, especially since this maneuver would be, to put it lightly, suicidal. And High Admiral would only have moments to react.

But, Lysander got to know High Admiral well. Out of everyone in the fleet, they were the closest in the instant they spent some time together. Their visions for the fleet, their tactics, and their characters were remarkably similar.
Lysander would even dare to say that they became friends, as much as you can say that about someone you met just recently. The fact that until recently they were both preparing to fight each other was only making it more complicated.

“How do ponies say it…?” Hivesadmiral whispered to himself. “Friendship is magic, right? Alright, then, let’s see how it measures up against those monsters.” Out loud, he gave the orders. The ship started to slowly turn starboard.
I’m counting on you, Olov. Don’t fail me now.

On the High Admiral Olov’s ship, the situation was similar. Penguins were ready to die for their country, and fought fiercely to the end, but it was becoming obvious that the battle was lost. The huge monstrosity was just too much for the fleet to handle. Olov himself was desperately looking for something, anything that he could do. 

“High Admiral! Changeling flagship is turning starboard! They also raised flags, it’s… full ahead and collision warning?” The penguin responsible for communication looked at the other ship with confusion. “But they are not on a collision course with anyone!”

Olov looked at the ship with similar confusion. Was it a mix-up in signal flags? And why were they turning starboard? It would separate them from the rest of the fleet! He could not imagine why someone like Lysander would just suddenly break formation and send nonsensical messages.

But then, he realized it. He, too, spent enough time with his changeling counterpart to realize how similar their ideas were. It was obvious what the Hivesadmiral was doing. The penguin smiled. Oh, that was a crazy, suicidal idea. Chances of success, and survival, were almost nonexistent. 
He loved it.

“What is unclear there? Helmspenguin, put us on the collision course with them, full ahead!” High Admiral ordered, noticing with satisfaction the stunned looks of his sailors. “What are you, deaf? Get to it!”

In the meantime, the ancient monster of the seas was slowly approaching its victim. This would be the last blow needed to crush the Alliance fleet. But it was taking its sweet time. There was so much fear, death, suffering all around. It was such a sweet feeling. The ship ahead was unable to turn in time to avoid being hit, and the crew knew it. They radiated panic, and it tasted so alluring.

As the old saying goes, the bigger they are, the harder they fall. This saying referred not just to big creatures and gravity, of course.
It described arrogance. 

Undefeated for unnumbered years, the behemoth of the seas didn’t pay much attention to small flies around it. If any came too close, they were snatched by its barbed tentacles. Ships were torn apart if they tried to escape. Nothing mortal could face the giant and win.

That’s why it realized too late that the two ships on its sides were not trying to escape, or lure it away. By the time the massive monstrosity started to turn, it was already too late.

With a thunderous sound of breaking wood, and a roar of agony so loud it was almost deafening, the two ships hit the monster from two sides at once. It was not a perfect coordination; with such slow and not maneuverable vessels, it was already a miracle that they hit the moving target at almost the same time. The much heavier changeling ship hit first, its hull buckling and breaking in places from the force of the hit against heavily-armored enemy. Just moments later, the heavy penguin flagship hit it from the other size, crushing the monster between the vessels.

It was too much even for the ancient demon, and it screamed in pain. For the first time in its life, it was defeated; it slowly sunk under the waves. But this defeat did not come cheap. Changeling flagship was sinking fast; and while the penguin vessel seemed afloat, High Admiral had little doubt that it also had innumerable small leaks. 

For now though, the survivors had a moment to catch their breaths. With the huge monstrosity sinking under the waves, the planned attack on the central part of the fleet faltered. It would return soon; the enemies were already preparing a huge force of flyers and swimming monster to attack. This time, there would be no miracle left to save them.

Still, it was enough time for the Pingland flagship to pick up changelings form the fast-sinking ship they were on. Hivesadmiral Lysander was among those who survived and managed to get on board, and he saluted as he entered the ship. “Permission to come onboard, High Admiral?”

“Granted, Hivesadmiral. Welcome to the ‘Pride of Pingland’”. Olov smiled, although the smile waned slightly as the penguin looked at the incoming wave of enemies. “Just in time, I’d say, I don’t think she’ll stay afloat for long.”

“Longer then my ship.” Lysander answered grimly, looking at the sea that swallowed the broken remains of his flagship. “I always thought I will go down with her, you know? At the end of some legendary battle.”

“I know.” It was left unsaid that the High Admiral had the very same wish. “Say, Hivesadmiral, what do you say about a joined command? It just happens that a lot of members of my staff are missing, I think I could use some help here.”

Lysander looked at his penguin counterpart, surprised. “Are you serious? Just giving away command of your ship like that? To a changeling?”

“It’s not like we have much left to command, do we?” Olov looked slightly amused, somehow. “And besides, after this stunt you pulled? You may as well be an honorary penguin to me, Hivesadmiral Lysander. I’m sure my ancestors would agree.”

Somehow, this whole situation just seemed absurd. Lysander nodded his head slowly. “I accept.” And then he laughed. Seeing the confusion and slight hurt at the penguin’s face, he waved his hoof. “No, sorry, it’s just… I spent years thinking, how do I neutralize Pingland if they decide to join Equestria against us?”

“Oh? And what was your plan?” High Admiral asked, smiling widely.

“I actually told Chrysalis that attacking you and ponies at the same time would be suicidal. My Queen, I said, if we underestimate penguins, we’ll end up like the last six Polar Kings. Swimming belly-up in front of the Penguin Navy.”

“Oh, you totally would.” They both laughed, not able to hold it back anymore. It was just so absurd. Behind them, seeing their leaders friendly and even laughing, their soldiers also smiled with pride as they got ready for their final stand. “You know, if my grandfather knew that the future High Admiral would die, fighting wing in hoof with a changeling? I think he would have a heart attack on the spot.”

“Same here. I think Chrysalis would just choke to death on the idea.” The black swarm of enemies was almost at their ship. “Any last words?”

“Nah. I’d rather have my deeds speak for themselves.” High Admiral looked at his ceremonial mace, bent, and almost broken. But somehow, he felt better than ever.  “And I will make sure our enemies learn to fear us before we fall!”

“That’s the spirit! Alright, everyone!” The monsters descended from the sky, climbed over the deck, crashed into the ship. “For Thorax! For HARMONY!”

“For PINGLAND!”

“THORAX! HARMONY!”

“PINGLAND!”

And so they fought, with courage and honor, to the last living creature. They faced Death, in a battle they could not win, and they knew it. But sometimes, it’s not a matter of victory. It’s just a matter of fighting until the end, and refusing to give up.

Let it be forever known, that their ship broke long before they did.

By itself, it would not be enough to change the tide of battle. No one act of courage, no matter how great, could achieve that. No single hero, rising in the darkest hour, was enough. But the smallest act of fearlessness and courage among the sinking ship proved to be more than even the two commanders expected.

The attacking forces had to push more than they planned to defeat this small pocket of resistance. Nearby groups had to join the fight to finally crush this bastion of hope. And in doing so, they made an opening.

Pharynx was also aware that the battle was being lost. Even he was feeling tired, approaching exhaustion even. He had enough strength to fight on, at least for now, but at this rate it would be for nothing. He needed to do something. He even managed to formulate a plan, but for it to succeed he needed to get airborne. And the air above him was choke-full of enemies. He would never manage to break through them.

And then, suddenly, the flyers around him disappeared. Not knowing why, he just jumped up, transforming rapidly. The enemy moved too many flyers away; he managed to fly, interrupted, high, higher, above most of the battle.

He noticed the sinking ‘Pride of Pingland’. Of the changeling flagship there was no trace. For a moment, he worried about the Hiveasadmiral and High Admiral, but then forced himself to focus on the task at hand. 

Now succeeding at dividing the fleet in two, most if the enemy forces fell back. Only small amount of them remained, making sure the fleet could not join forces again. The rest started to gather as a massive attack force; it would strike one wing of the fleet, crush it with overwhelming numbers, and then move to the other. Alliance fleet was going to be crushed one by one, as others would be forced to watch helplessly, unable to help, just waiting for their turn to be destroyed. 

Pharynx would not allow it. He took a deep breath. What he was going to do would probably be the most painful thing he ever did. If he even succeeded. And he was so tired, he would probably fall out of the sky moments later. 
But if he managed, he could, maybe, save the fleet.

Pharynx took his duty as protector of the hive very seriously. As much as Thorax mocked him gently for his obsessive focus, the older changeling knew it was just a jest. Everyling appreciated his hard work.

Indeed, Pharynx even opened the oldest changeling archives, those sealed and forgotten on the orders of Chrysalis herself. Many of them were damaged, and he even heard that visiting Princess Twilight almost got a heart attack when seeing the extent of the damage, but he managed to find some intact books on old changeling ways of combat.

Aside from a title he found in some dusty book, that he only used to tease Thorax occasionally, he learned that greatest masters of the old ways managed impressive transformations. Inspired, he boosted security of the Hive and left on a long journey. He travelled to Equestria, and found little of use there, initially. Later, however, he trained with Wonderbolts and went adventuring with Daring Do. He made his way to Zebrica after the fall of Storm King, and trained with Zebrican monks, whose minds were open to everyone willing to respect their ways.
And on his way back, he visited the Dragon Lands.

The ancient changeling masters were distinguished by their ability to change into smaller dragons. It was a mark of mastery, a sign of a discipline and focus. Pharynx found this feat to be much easier than he expected; it was draining on his inner magic, but he had enough love for his Hive to refill it. He learned to change into a dragon, and sparred with some more open-minded inhabitants of the Dragon Lands. He even spoke with Torch, the former Dragon Lord.

A small dragon would not suffice, however. He was facing an army of creatures so large, a small breath of fire would be unnoticeable. And in a chaotic, aerial melee, he would be soundly defeated.

He needed something bigger.

Biggest he ever saw.

He focused his magic, and attempted a feat that no other changeling in history ever managed. His body suddenly grew in size, and continued to grow. And with it, came pain, and exhaustion. He was forcing himself to change in ways that even changeling magic was never meant to achieve, and he was already tired after all the fighting he did earlier.

He almost faltered here and there, but then he remembered.

“I trust you, Pharynx. If anyone can bring Ocellus home, you can.” Thorax patted him on the back, and smiled. “I have no doubt.”

Pharynx gritted his teeth. Even in pain and exhausted, he could feel the love and trust of Thorax still in him. He would not fail him! He pushed on. 

“And know that I will come and save you, if you need me.” He told Ocellus, the little grub looking at him with trust and admiration.

Pharynx continued to change. He was now as big as his biggest transformation to date, but it was not enough. Still not enough!

“Ah, yes. Many others ask me this question, but many of them do not truly understand my answer. Listen well, young one.” Torch, the former Dragon Lord, answered the question slowly and patiently. “The secret of becoming great and powerful is simple. Do not try.”

Pharynx grew.

“You need not focus on your hoard, on your glory, on your honor. If you live only for those, you will die young.”

Pharynx’s wings spread, shining in the sun.

“Focus on what is truly important. Family, I always said. Friends, I add now. You want to be strong to protect them, but you do not need to be the strongest. That way leads only to obsession with strength, not to strength itself.”

Pharynx became the light itself.

“In the end, the real fighter is not the one that fights against what they hate. It’s the one who only fights to protect what they love. In the end, that is a true strength that will triumph. Even if you were to fall, you will inspire others and lead them to be ever better.
Keep moving forward, young one, and one day, you will understand.”

And so, the fighting ceased.

The great deer diviners stopped, and as one turned their unseeing eyes towards the sky. Blind to the material realm, they could still see what was truly important. And they saw light, shimmering above them.

Pharynx changed. He now became a dragon, similar to Torch, but different. His body could not handle it, but in the end, it did not have to. This transformation was triggered not by pure strength and training.
It was love.

Pharynx’s pure love and dedication to the Hive. And, as much as he would deny it, it was slowly growing to cover the entire Alliance. He was loved, as a protector, and he loved in return. And all this love manifested on that day, above the sea.

His dragon form was not like other dragons. It was shining; it was similar in color to his natural form, if it was suddenly changed into a pure reflective surface. The ocean below him exploded in the color of rainbow, and the sky was alight, as the Harmonic vision of Torch, the Dragon Lord, appeared above it.

Both the Alliance and their monstrous enemies stopped fighting for a moment. But Death was not so easily discouraged. Pharynx was weak; the transformation would not last in a fight. And he was the last spark of hope left. A perfect target, barely able to defend himself.

A swarm of darkness and death flew at Pharynx.

And the defender of the Hive took a deep breath. And released it.

A huge stream of magical fire spread upon the sky. It was unlike any other fire; a living rainbow of Harmonic magic, similar to the power of the Elements, unstoppable in its tracks. It engulfed the evil before it, and purified it all in a split second.

Far away, Death flinched for the first time in millennia. He looked with something akin to disbelief, as if he could not comprehend what just happened. Deep within his cursed realm, souls long lost and forgotten stirred quietly, unnoticed.

Above the battlefield, Pharynx breathed last of the fire out, and his form shimmered. He lost consciousness, and fell out of the sky, too exhausted to even think.
His last thoughts being of Thorax and Ocellus.

And far below him, among a fast-sinking wreckage of a once mighty vessel, two creatures strained their exhausted muscles and wounded bodies to look above. All they saw was light, shining above them, gently covering them.
They looked at each other with a smile, and closed their eyes for the last time.

And the Light of Harmony welcomed them as heroes, as Death in its cold realm screeched in fury at the souls denied to it.





Ocellus was sleeping in her room, when the commotion started.

She did a lot of sleeping lately. Sometimes, like today, even in the middle of the day. She was just so exhausted, she sometimes just needed a rest, and more often than not rest turned into regular sleep.

It’s been few days since she returned from Bakara to Greneclyf. Queen Gytha was understandably shocked when she heard what happened. The fact that Bakaran Republic, and entire Riverlands in fact, were now open to alliance with Greneclyf was important and amazing news, but Gytha was much more worried about Ocellus at that time.

Fortunately, Bakaran ambassador proved to be understanding in that regard. Apparently, Water Lily gave very strict orders to focus first on Ocellus, and then on diplomacy. Therefore, the talks only started on the next day, when Ocellus finally managed to convince the Queen to leave her and take care of her royal duties.

Many things were achieved in that short time. The possibility of a hostile faction trying to cause tensions between River Federation and Greneclyf was a shock to many. And especially its ability to fool anyone, bar changelings. This ability probably explained why Greneclyf was targeted in the first place, to remove the potential for detecting any infiltrators.

To a surprise of many, Greneclyfians themselves proposed to help with designing spells hat could detect anyone with shapeshifting abilities. They abhorred using their abilities for evil, and swore to never do such a thing. Their willingness to work with others, and even helping to negate their main military advantage, was also a major reason why others found them trustworthy.
And of course, everyone wanted few changelings to come and check over their advisors, important military figures, and at some point everyone with any importance in the country. The idea of anything like Fall Line happening to anyone else was treated with utmost seriousness. 

Ocellus, in the meantime, spent most of her time resting. She really missed Luna; she still had nightmares, which was one of the reasons she slept badly during the night and had to catch up on sleep during the day. She took part in some negotiations the day before, but she mostly just sat there and listened. At this point, everything was finally turning out alright, although she had a feeling that her adventures – if you can really call them that – were far from over.

And indeed, when she was woken up by the commotion outside of her room, she instantly knew it’s not over. She considered staying in bed this time, instead of going to see whatever was happening, but in the end Ocellus just sighed and slowly got up from her bed. At least she had a nap, so she should be more awake, unlike in the morning when she almost fell asleep in the middle of some negotiations with Bakaran ambassador.

She made her way out of the room and into the throne room, only to find Gytha and her advisors already there, visibly worried. What’s more, there were multiple armed guards around the throne room, which was by itself pretty scary. “What’s going on?” Ocellus held the yawn back. “Is it another diplomatic incident?”

“No. I’m afraid this time, the trouble came to us.” Ixodida answered in worried voice. Scared, even. “A fleet of ships arrived in Blosmport today. They docked outside of the city, and are deploying troops on the beach. We send a scout, and they declared that they want to meet with the Queen and propose an alliance, but do not want to enter the city itself to avoid… problems.”

“Ships? Is it changelings?” Ocellus held some hope for a short moment, but quickly realized that her friends would not act in this weird manner. And what did they mean by avoiding problems? “Who is it?”

“That, Ocellus,” The Queen answered grimly, “Is exactly the problem. It’s not a matter of who, but rather what they are.”





It was a cool, but mostly sunny week. Some clouds were slowly drifting above them, but other than that, it would be a perfect day. The beach was full of soft, golden sand, and the water had a beautiful shade of light blue.
Sadly, both the land and the sea were tainted with black. Ships with black sails and flags were dotting the water, and on the beach itself, a dozen of soldiers stood, one carrying a black flag with white magical circle on it. 

It was not just a symbol; it was, in fact, a replica of the first necromantic circle ever made, or at least so the legends said. An ancient symbol, used by the countless necromancers through the ages. 
The Dread League.

The ‘soldiers’ on the shore were just bones. Living skeletons, mindless automatons, brought to life with dark magic and controlled by the powerful necromancer, who stood in in front of his troops, observing slowly approaching Greneclyfians with a smile. Unlike his mindless minions, he was a living unicorn, at least outwardly. He could as well be some kind of vampire, or other creature, and that thought was not at all comforting for Ocellus.

“Ah, Queen Gytha! I have been expecting you. My name is Vincent Firestorm.” The necromancer stepped forward, meeting the delegation by himself. The fact that his undead soldiers were left behind did not change the fact that changeling guards were tense and ready to attack at any moment. “Why this hostility? Surely you must appreciate the fact that I decided to meet here, as to not cause undue panic in your capital.”

“I would appreciate it more if you came alone, without your… escort.” Queen answered, unnerved. Truth be told, no one outside of Arcturian Order and some volunteers during the twelfth Black Crusade ever saw the inhabitants of Dread Peninsula. Many considered them to be a myth. The sight of an undead horde on her island was not something she ever expected to see. “This way, we could negotiate in comfort, and without risk of conflict.”

“Queen Gytha, you misunderstood. There will be no conflict here, I promise you.” The grey-colored unicorn spread his hooves innocently. “I am a bringer of peace. I came here to propose an alliance between two ancient powers. Greneclyf could well use our protection against their enemies. You must be aware that your neighbors do not trust you. They seek only to subjugate you, use you. If not for your usefulness to them, you would be already gone as a country… what happens when that usefulness ends?” He smiled coldly. “We know how it feels to be rejected by society based on who you are. You will face no hostility from us.”

“You are wrong.” Ocellus, to her surprise, was the one to answer. When everyone looked at her, she had no idea why, but her normal nervousness felt much lighter than usual. “Greneclyf will be allies with Riverland, Hillponies, and with United Alliance. They don’t need your protection.”

“And you, or creatures you created, attacked ambassador Ocellus and her ship.” Queen added with slight anger. “And now you bring an army here? You are not welcome on my island. Come alone to meet with me, and we may discuss it, but you committed an attack on our allies already. Greneclyf will not allow this.”

The unicorn sighed sadly. “I see. It seems that things will not be as easy as they should be. And all thanks to you, Ocellus. I really hope you are proud of yourself.”

“What?” Changeling looked at the necromancer, confused, while guards pointed their weapons at the unicorn. 

“It’s the third time we meet, od did you already forget? You really should have perished at the bottom of the ocean. Or in that room in Bakara.” The stallion looked emotionlessly at Ocellus, who suddenly felt cold. In fact, the wave of fear and calm, one she knew so well, spread suddenly upon the beach, almost forcing the changelings guard to fall back. “Now, even more creatures will have to die. What a shame, truly.”

“You… you did this!” Ocellus managed to say, barely. She was shaking, with fear and, to her surprise, anger. It was a hot fury, one that she never felt before. “You are a murderer!”

“I am Death.” The unicorn simply stated, without any emotions in his voice. “Calling me a murderer is, by definition, pointless. You will now it soon, just as your changeling friends did. Did you know they came for you? Oh, I see you do. You shouldn’t have asked Luna for help, little changeling.”

The necromancer slowly shook his head, as Ocellus suddenly felt her resolve break. “Their entire fleet is now dying, thanks to you. As we speak, they are losing, in this very moment. They never stood a chance. Worse, they even brought penguins and polar bears with them. Im fact, I need to thank you, Ocellus. Once again, you proved so useful to me. Now, with all their fleets gone, I will rule upon their oceans once again, as I always did.”

Ocellus was too overwhelmed to say anything. The mere thought of the death and destruction she brought was too much for her to bear. She jest fell down, shaking wordlessly.

“How… dare you!” Queen Glytha forced the unnatural fear away, her concern for Ocellus winning over the dark magic. “You will not harm her!” She stood between the shaking ling and the monster. “And you will leave my island at once!”

“Oh, but Queen, I only did it to make sure we can talk without… interruptions. We have so much to talk about.” 

“I… we will not allow you to do whatever it is you want.” Ixodida stood next to the Queen, shaking a little, but still facing the monster in front of her.

“Such bravery. Such effort. So pointless, in the end. A changeling assassinated Headmaster of the Arcturian Order. As we speak, their retaliation fleet is on the way to inflict their vengeance. These knights may be honorable, but they are also easily manipulated. In the name of their honor, they will kill you all.” Unicorn smiled without any happiness. “As you feared, Gytha. I know you oh so well, Queen.”

“You know nothing! If these knights truly arrive, we will talk with them. We already defeated you and your plans, we will do that again. Leave, or I will have my guards do it for you!” Queen answered, angrily. How dare this… monster try to force her hoof like that!

“You, once again, misunderstood me. I know you very well, because I was with you. All. This. Time.” The unicorn took a slow step forward. “Remember that night, just before you declared borders open? You were so ready for anything. You knew things will be hard. And you were even willing to trade your life for your people, remember? As you stirred in your bed, unable to fall asleep, with one grim scenario after another in your mind.”

“How…?” Gytha whispered, suddenly feeling weak. How could he have known that?!

“And when Bakaran incident happened, the night after. Alone, scared, you knew you have to abandon your citizen to die for the good of Greneclyf.” Another step forward. “And remember your plan? Take all the evil you have to commit upon yourself, and then just leave?” Another step. The unicorn was now so close, some shaking guards almost poked him with their spears. “Just like you idol did. Queen Dylis, poor Queen Dylis, just so tired, leaving Greneclyf behind, knowing that her sins are too great to be ignored. She left a successor, one innocent of old crimes, raised in a new world… you and Ocellus are so alike.”

He stood there, and his presence and worlds were enough to silence everyone in front of him. “Depressed. Cowardly. Willing to die for others, because it is the only way you can be as useful as they are. You are in luck, then. I came here to fulfill your wishes.” He moved forward, ignoring the guards, focusing only on the shaking Queen. No one was left to stand against him. Even Ixodida, shocked by the revelations about her Queen, was unable to fight the darkness anymore.

“No.”

And Death stopped, and looked at the small changeling. Ocellus slowly got up, and, on shaking legs, stood between the Queen and necromancer. “I can see it now.” She shook, but stood her ground. “You are just a big bully.”

There was a moment of silence. And then, a voice full of incredulity spoke. “Thrice now you changelings try to stop me. Thrice you have failed.
I have been called many names. Countless times. Those who faced me insulted me, begged me, tried to ignore me. I am a force more powerful than any of you can imagine.
I am not a bully. This is not your pathetic school of friendship.” 

The unicorn’s horn was alight with sickly, white-blue light, and Ocellus was pulled in the air, held helplessly in the air in front of the monster. “This is reality. Real life, real dangers. Not one of your friendship problems. You are here, alone, and you will die. Where is you harmony now? I am the only God left for you to pray. What say you?” 

“I… I am afraid.” Ocellus admitted quietly.

“Do not worry. I will bring you peace.”

“But I am not afraid of you.” The unicorn looked at her with his grey, emotionless eyes, but she continued in spite of fear. “I am not the strongest. I am not the bravest. But I don’t have to be. That’s what friendship is about. We are stronger together!”

“What a fitting last words for a coward hiding behind others.” The unicorn wasted no more time. He focused his magic, and simply crushed the defenseless changeling.
Or at least he tried.

A green beam of energy hit his horn with such power, he staggered back. His magic failing, he saw Ocellus fall down, released from telekinetic grasp.
And before the changeling, stood Queen Gytha herself.

“How fitting. Two cowards, hiding behind each other.” The unicorn smiled coldly. “Let me tell you a secret, oh Queen. Remember Dylis? How do you think I have so much knowledge about her? That is right.” He boasted coldly. “She is mine, for hundreds of years, since she left the island and found me. It was her who assassinated the Headmaster of the Arcturian Order, as she did with so many others. Do not worry… soon, you will meet her. You will be forever together, in my service.” 

The necromancer fired a beam of sickly light at the Queen. But, to his surprise, even in shock from what she just heard, she stood her ground. The light deflected harmlessly off the green shield she created. “If you are telling the truth, then you are a fool.” Her determination only increased, as she took a step forward. “I will avenge her, then. Free her from you. I am no longer scared. Do you worst, but you will never defeat me now!”

Every changeling looked at their Queen with surprise and awe. For all her wisdom and age, they never saw her like this. They could feel her determination like never before. Every changeling around her broke out of the spell, guards raising their weapons, and even the unarmed advisors looking at the necromancer not with fear, but anger. 

“You really are just a bully.” Ocellus said out loud, standing next to the Queen. “Your only power is fear! When we stand to you, you are powerless. It took me so long to realize it, but I see it now.” She remembered her lessons. “And since you are just a bully spreading fear… what do you fear?” Silence answered her question. “You are afraid, aren’t you? That’s why you do all this. You live in fear, and you force it on others. There is a better way. If you just look for it, you no longer have to live like this! We can be friends. You don’t have to be afraid anymore!”

There was a long moment of silence, before the unicorn answered. And when he did, his voice changed. He now sounded distant, like he was talking from far away; but his voice was unnatural, like a negative of the Royal Canterlot Voice. It was quiet, but seemed to suck all the sound around it, making all other sounds disappear.
And in this absolute silence, the Voice spoke.

“I existed long before any of you. I will exist long after you are all gone. I am Death. I am eternal. I fear nothing.” The possessed unicorn’s horn suddenly lit up with such brightness and cold, that almost everyone was forced to look away. Just looking at that light made everyone so cold, like their life force was fading away. “And you will all serve me. In the end, it is all meaningless.” 

Death reached for them.

And Queen answered.

Death and love clashed in a battle. The eternal, immovable force pushed forward, unstoppable, uncaring. Queen strained her magic, trying to protect everyone around her, when she suddenly felt love flowing into her. 
Ocellus smiled, free of fear, giving her love. It was sweet, and amazing, and the words were not enough to explain it. It just felt right.
And others. Ixodida, and her love for everyone. Mantodea, and her warrior spirit. Nepidae, and her pure unyielding will. Each and every one of her guards, giving her their all.

Even days ago, she would reject it. She was not worthy. She was not a great Queen, the one they deserved. But now, it all changed.

She promised herself to just be the best she could be. She will never be the best, the image she had in her head of a majestic Queen was not something she could ever reach.
But she would not let anyone hurt her lings. Ever. She will not take the easy way out.

And then, it happened.

When Thorax changed into true changeling form, it wasn’t just sharing love. Pharynx proved himself that it was not just an act of sharing that made the change possible. It was something else.

It was a feeling. A moment of being at his lowest, and then risking it all, not for himself, but for those he loved. Not a suicidal drive, but the opposite. The need to help others through himself, not despite himself.

Changelings of Greneclyf were almost all good creatures. But what was holding them back was doubt. It clouded their minds for centuries, was pushed onto them from the moment they could learn it. Are they cursed? Should they even live? They feed on love, does that make them evil, monstrous? 
Is there entire race irredeemable, in the end? That was the thought all of them had, even if some hid it better then others.

But it was not true. No one is cursed to be evil the moment they are born. They had a choice, and they followed it through it all. To be good. To defy their thirst for love. 
And now, Queen Gytha finally accepted herself. She no longer wished to die, she no longer thought of herself as cursed. She wished to live, and to lead her lings to a glorious future. 

She shined brightly.

The shield she created failed, in the end. No mortal magic could stop what was coming. Death touched them, grabbing onto their souls.
And was pushed back by the sudden light.

The Queen transformed.

It was like nothing she could ever explain. She was at peace, for the first time in her life. No more fear, disappointment, self-loathing. She truly become the best version of herself she could be, in that moment. But she also knew that this was just a beginning. She was born anew, and every day would be better than the last one.

And everyone could feel it. 

“NO!” Death shouted, but it was too late.

Changelings around the Queen transformed.

The light shined brightly, brighter than the sun above. It reached the city, and changelings in it could feel it. One by one, they transformed as well, adding to the veil of Harmony spreading through the island.

It swept away the doubt. It told everyone that they are special. Unique. They are blessed, not cursed. Their lives mattered, and they could change. They could make a difference in the world, just by being themselves.
They were all precious.

Death screamed, as the beam of pure light spread. He felt something moving inside of him, and tried to hold it in vain. What was happening on that moment was simply beyond him. The changelings inside him… started to change!

Small droplets of gold fell of his body, falling on the ground. Others joined them. Moments later, the necromancer became a fountain of gold, his dark magic gone. In his place, a pillar of light.

Golden, shining images appeared on the beach. Changelings. Polar bears. Penguins. All brave fighters to the end, taken away from the cold grasp of necromancy. They smiled gently, as the light spread around them.

Apterygota appeared before Ocellus, and hugged her. No words were necessary between them. She was sorry, but it was alright, she was proud of her, and she forgave her.

Two great admirals, a penguin and a changeling, stood proudly, hand in hand. Defiant to the end, they stood in front of Death without any hint of fear. 

The crew of the ‘Ocean Lily’, the ship who started it all by bravely trying to bring Ocellus here – and succeeding against all odds.

And in the end, the largest figure slowly manifested. A Queen, lost in the old days, stood before Gytha, now fully transformed. She looked at her successor, and bowed with respect. She quietly said something that only Gytha and Ocellus heard, but none of them ever said it to anyone else. It was a private goodbye, from one Queen to the other, and quiet words of gratitude for the young changeling who started it all.

And then, he light slowly disappeared. Not gone. Simply moving inside of every Greneclyfian, staying with them for the rest of their lives. The golden figures faded away, this time willingly, moving on. Some whispers were exchanged with their loved ones, friends, family. 
They would never be truly gone, as long as they were remembered. 

The former Queen and two admirals were the last to fade. Queen Dylis looked at Gytha with pride as she disappeared, and both commanders saluted wordlessly to those who saved them in the end. And then they were gone.

As the light receded, the full scale of Harmonic magic was seen. Just as the Chrysalis’s throne was shattered by it, so were the necromantic powers animating the bones. The forces of Dread League, their mighty Dread Armada, were simply gone. Bones were quickly disintegrating into dust, leaving no trace. Just empty ships remained their black flags no longer terror-inducing.

Every changeling on the beach looked at themselves and each other in euphoria. Their bodies just felt right, for the first time in their lives. Free of hunger, of the dysphoric feeling of being wrong somehow. They were finally as they were always supposed to be.

The entire island would celebrate for days. When the ambassadors from other nations arrived, they were swept in a country-wide party that would make Pinkie Pie proud. Greneclyf changed, and the world around it could only look with disbelief and happiness.

Harmony triumphed in the end.





United Alliance fleet, despite the boasting words of the necromancer (who disappeared without a trace), arrived soon after. Pharynx, still very weak and tired, was stubborn enough to force himself to walk down the plank connecting the ship to the port by himself. Behind him, deer, polar bear and penguin representatives followed, silently making sure the changeling wouldn’t trip and fall.

The United Alliance delegation was met by Queen Gytha, but she was not the person Pharynx was focused on. All his attention was on the small changeling next to her. 

“I told you, kid. I said I’ll come get you, and I did.” Pharynx said, pushing down tears. Nope, he was not on the verge of crying with relief at seeing the little grub. Not at all. 

Ocellus hugged him with all her strength. “You are late.” She said with a teary smile.

“Not my fault I can’t get you out of my sight for a day without something coming up. Harmony itself talking to you, crazy pony sucking out magic, and now this.” Pharynx returned the hug. “This pony school only brings trouble, I told you so.” His words had no bite.

“Ambassador Ocellus proved invaluable to us.” Queen Gytha said, smiling happily at the sight of teary reunion. “She solved many diplomatic issues and saved us from the Dread League invasion. You should be proud of her.”

“I always was. I always was.” Pharynx hugged Ocellus with all his strength. He was not crying. Not at all. “I never doubted you, little grub. I am so proud.”





As Ocellus finished her story with a hug from the past, she found herself also hugged in the present. All her friends, even Smolder and Gallus, joined. She smiled, happy to be back with her friends.

“Holy shit, Ocellus, when did you get so badass?” Gallus asked, still hugging her. “This crazy necromancer guy sound way, way worse than Cozy Glow.”

“He was really scary. But he is gone, and Greneclyf is now allied with all their friends. That’s what matters.” Ocellus answered wisely. Her friends could clearly see how the journey changed their friend.
She was still herself, shy, adorable, nerdy bookworm. But she now knew that, if the worst comes to pass, she will not fail herself or others.

“Damn, girl. Beware the nice ones, huh?” Gallus said, finally breaking the hug. “You were amazing.”

“Yona agrees!”

“This story is so crazy, but so awesome.”

“There is really more in you then I thought, Ocellus.”

Her friends showered her with pride and affection, and Ocellus closed her eyes, taking it in. Traumatic memories now buried under the love and friendship. They would never be truly gone, but they only made her stronger in the end.

“Yona, you were also amazing.” But she really didn’t want to hog all the praise for herself. “You stopped a war, and threw that Prince off a hill!”

“Of course! Yona yak, and yaks greatest! But Ocellus also greatest, and brave.” Yona actually hesitated for a split second. “Yona not sure she could do what Ocellus did. This creature sounds really scary.”

“Yeah, he reminded me of all those stories Grampa Gruff used to scare me with. About Maar the Reaper and all that.” Gallus shivered. “I am thankful I only got some politics to do instead.”

“You are all brave. I never doubted you. Many times I thought, ‘what would my friends do’, and it helped.” Ocellus answered, with small tears of happiness in her eyes at the memories. They all hugged again, despite weak protests from Gallus and Smolder.

Once they separated, Gallus first made sure that another enthusiastic yak hug didn’t break anything (like his bones) before speaking. “Crazy that we all had these adventures. You’d think it would be our teachers who had them.”

“Oh, they had.” Sandbar answered, smiling. “Our teachers barely got back in time for the start of semester.”

“Oh?” Gallus asked with curiosity. “Friendship missions?”

“Nah, us.” The only pony in the group actually laughed. “First they were all stuck in the swamps of Chiropterra. Then, while most of them stayed there, the rest had their own things to do. Pinkie Pie went to help me, Rarity spent the rest of summer break in Yakyakistan…”

“Professor loved our blue crystals!” Yona added happily. “She even turned blue like the shiny crystals!”

“You know, ponies turning blue usually means suffocation or freezing.” Silverstream said, smiling. She really missed her friends.

“Professor was hugged, not suffocated. And it was not that cold!” Yona answered, causing everyone else to laugh.

“And after that, professor Dash strained her wing, and professor Applejack got totally drunk for a week straight.” Sandbar finished, trying to hold back laughter.

“Wait, drunk?” Gallus asked, surprised. “She drinks alcohol?” 

“Ponies have alcohol?” Yona asked, equally surprised.

“I mean, it’s not popular here, but yeah, some do like it. It’s just that we don’t tend to drink ourselves under the table like some other places tend to do. Anyway, professor Rainbow Dash and Applejack went on a diplomatic mission, since they were the only ones who could…”

“Hey! Let me tell my own story, will you?” Smolder interrupted him. 

“Let me guess, you defeated the bad guys, were totally awesome, and all that?” Gallus jokingly asked.

“You bet! But I also met the badass guy who’s like, the best griffon I ever met!”

“Hey!”

“No offense Gallus, but you spent the summer with some boring politicians! Here, let me tell about an actual badass griffon. It all started when I heard of scared dragons…” She started. Gallus, still ostensibly offended, was of course listening, just like everyone else, as their dragon friend shared her own adventure.





Unknown to them, two important meetings, with vast consequences for the world, were taking place at a similar time, far away.

In Greneclyf, the small fleet of Arcturian Order docked in the capital. While originally it came with a mission of vengeance, the atmosphere, both on the ships and in the city, was now much more festival-like. Considering the reason for festivities, the knights were officially allowed to join them. After all, how could they not celebrate a major defeat for the Dread League, their hated enemies?

It became a truly multicultural moment. Hillponies, despite sharing their border with them, barely had any contact with the Arcturian Order. Riverlanders had virtually none. Seeing the legendary, stoic and honorable knights was something straight out of the fairy tale.

And, unlike the horrible so-called ‘knights’ of the Hellquil Order, the Arcturian Order barely had any ounce of racism in them. They admitted freely that not many ponies served among their ranks, and they could not understand the lack of knightly traditions among ponies, and their matriarchal traditions. But it was far from contempt, and it didn’t take long for them to admit that maybe, perhaps, the Order was not the only force capable of facing the undead hordes these days.

And there came the issue of changelings. The first meeting was tense, with the knights being understandably suspicious. However, they quickly realized that the situation was vastly different than expected. 
The former Dread Fleet, now converted to Greneclyfian Navy, was definitely a factor in this.

So now, in the entire city, the changelings and knights danced, they ate and celebrated. Ponies, mostly merchants and diplomats from Riverlands and Hillponies, joined them alongside penguins and polar bears.

At some tables, fallen were mourned. As it turned out, both the Order and Hillponies had similar traditions for honoring dead heroes, and they bonded over tales of the great battles, with the visitors telling stories of those fallen in fight against evil. And after each and every one, salutes were made and drinks were poured in their names.

In the throne room, Queen Gytha answered the latest question and looked at the griffons sitting on the other side of a table. It was the biggest table they could find, and it was still barely enough to fit the massive, armored figures.

Fortunately, their weapons were left unused, helmets taken off, and they were on much friendlier terms then their arrival suggested. William Steel Beak (one of two candidates for a new Headmaster) slowly nodded his head, deep in thought. “I see. I would like to once again apologize for our mistaken belief that you were the ones responsible for the assassination of Headmaster Torygg. It seems it was all part of a bigger and much more insidious plan. If anything, we owe you our thanks. If your island had fallen to the enemy, it would allow them to spread through the continent without breaching the Eastern Wall.”

“No thanks are necessary. We swore to never inflict evil upon others hundreds of years ago, and these words still stand today. The world changed.” Queen Gytha thought of the ephemeral spirit of Queen Dylis. “And we are changing as well. But some things remain unchanged. There are still things worth fighting for, and evil still exists, but so does the good.”

“It is rare these days to meet others who still follow their ancient oaths, as we both do.” William answered, still thinking about what the Queen of Greneclyf told him. Harmonic magic manifesting. Its effectiveness against undead. Ponies of distant lands, who felt that everyone deserves a second chance. 
And a young changeling, taught by said ponies, whose arrival put all of this in motion.

“Queen Gytha, if I may. Tell me more about these people from the east.”





And a different, far more menacing meeting took place in a dark, cold fortress of Magehold. Now inhabited almost only by powerful necromancers and their leader, alongside mindless undead, it was truly a cursed place. No one knew who even built it, but many legends spoke of these darker times, and of powerful creatures that created this mighty fortress and poisoned the land. But no one knew who they were, and no two legends agreed on that, only praising their might and power.

And in a chamber at the top of a highest tower, Vincent Firestorm – or at least someone looking like him – stood. He was severely weakened by the two sudden bursts of Harmonic magic, but he managed to arrive back in Magehold safely, and just finished reporting the situation to the highest of the necromancers.

Rosa Maledicta, the ruler of Magehold and Dread Peninsula, turned out to be a massive disappointment lately. Despite the knowledge that the Arcturian Order is getting ready for war, and her amazing early achievements in uniting the warring undead warlords, she was spending more and more time alone in her chamber. Even now, with assassination of Headmaster Torygg pushing the timetable even more, she focused her attention on dusty books and forgotten, archaic rituals that no one ever managed to use successfully. 

Perhaps it was time for him to consider an ‘accident’ as a solution. She was clearly not suited for leadership, after all. What a disappointment. He could still sense her drive and dedication, death always present in her mind, but she was not acting on it in the last month.

“So the Greneclyfian expedition was a complete failure. Worse even, they now see us as an enemy. And are close enough to be a danger to Magehold itself.” Rosa summed up, her voice disappointed. “Not only do they have powerful allies who may help them take revenge, we also lost most of the Dread Fleet. The plans of bypassing Arcturian Order are basically gone. We do not possess enough resources to rebuild our navy before the incoming war.”

“I am sorry for my failure, Lady Rosa.” He bowed. “It was unexpected that changelings possess such effective defensive magic. I could not have known that.”

Rosa did not answer. Instead, the unicorn turned around, ignoring her guest, and opened her balcony door. It was raining; the water falling from the sky was so freezing, it was more like small ice needles then liquid. She slowly walked on her balcony, looking ahead, seemingly lost in thought. “And I take it to be an accident that you, member of the Coven of Blood, took with you mostly forces belonging to the Society of Bones?” Her voice was barely audible over the rain.

“I assure you, my lady, it was but an unlucky accident.” He needed to play the part, after all, and power-hungry vampire would definitely make sure to waste his rival’s forces, not his own. “I deeply regret that this situation took place.”

She did not answer for a long time. “Have you seen Magehold lately? Even in this rain, it reminds me of our past glory.”

He rolled his eyes and came closer to the depressed-sounding unicorn. She was a total loss now. He half-considered throwing her off the balcony here and now. He could probably make it look like an accident and disappear before anyone realized. “I rarely have time to look over Magehold these days, my Lady.”

“You aren’t too perceptive in general, are you?” Suddenly, Rosa’s voice was like steel. He realized something was wrong, but she planned it well; he had no time to react. Suddenly, a well-hidden ritual circle lit up around him, trapping him. “Did you really think I was so stupid?” She turned to look at him, and her orange eyes were burning with anger.

“My lady, please, be reasonable! I have no idea what you mean!” He defended himself, surprised. “The Coven will…”

“Coven will do nothing, and you are not a vampire.” She silenced him coldly. “I do not know what kind of creature you are, but your disguise, as good as it may be, is not enough to hide it.”

He looked at her silently, before smiling calmly. “I see. I have almost considered you to be a lost cause, but you weren’t just wasting time here and in the library, were you? This is an impressive ritual circle.” He moved his hoof to the edge of magical prison, only for it to be pushed back by magical field. “I take it back, then. You may actually be worth it.”

“So you were manipulating me.” Rosa came back to her room, ignoring the frigid water dripping from her body. She looked at the trapped creature. “To what end?”

“Oh, my dear Rosa. All I ever did was to help you. If Greneclyf surrendered to you, you would have a perfect way to neutralize the Arcturian fleet that was preparing to visit it. With changelings on your side, imagine what could have been achieved. Infiltrating the knights, spreading our influence south…”

“And murdering the Headmaster of Arcturian Order?” Rosa interrupted him angrily. “Do you have a slightest idea what you’ve done? They will march against me now!”

“You were focused on your dusty tomes too much. You forgot the true calling of the Dread League. But worry not. Now, you will have no choice but to fight. A new Black Crusade will start, and this time it will spill far beyond the peninsula.” The creature looked supremely satisfied. “You should be thanking me.”

“We will see about that. For now, let’s see who you really are.” Rosa started slowly casting an ancient spell. “I know this body is just a possessed doll for you, whoever you are. I am Rosa Maledicta, the Necromancer Supreme. Master of Magehold, and Lady of the Dread League. Show yourself, coward!”

The ancient evil laughed. “Oh, Rosa. Worry not, we will get acquainted very closely, and very soon.”

“Sooner than you think.” The powerful necromancer slammed her hoof on the summoning circle, and the spell triggered, forcing the real creature to appear. Or at least, she tried to do that.

Instead, the circle overloaded and exploded, trying to enclose with creature far more powerful than it was ever designed for. Even on the stone floor a small crack formed, as it could not take all the power flowing through it. The many powerful seals and barriers around the circle barely managed to stop the explosion from hurting Rosa, or destroying her chamber.

Rosa looked at the burned remains of weeks of hard work. She clearly underestimated this… creature, whatever it was. She shook her head, annoyed by yet another problem on her long, long list.

The fanatical knights, readying to attack her. Greneclyf and their allies hating her. Whatever that old lich meant in their old diary about the ‘creators of Magehold’. And now this creature trying to manipulate her.

She was Rosa Maledicta. She would not fail. She would crush the knights first. Then, any allies they had would be forced to flee. After that, she will find this creature. And this time, it will not escape. 

But for all that, she needs to start somewhere. And the knights were to most pressing concern.

It was finally time for a Black Crusade to start.