//------------------------------//
// Dream Battle 
// Story: Rainbow Of Fate 
// by Lord Drayvon22 
//------------------------------//

I won't regale you with the secondary attempts to stop the tornadoes since it’d be redundant but, as stated earlier, the same ideas don't work twice and our heroes are eventually forced to withdraw for the night. Looming doom or not, trying to plan without any sleep is a recipe for disaster. Thankfully, with how much they’ve worked out today, they’re all basically dead to the world the instant they hit thier pillows. Luna meanwhile has had to cast a special spell where her body sleeps and rests whilst her mind protects her subjects’ dreams. Turns out that having tornadoes looming on the horizon that will kill you if not stopped within a few days can cause intense nightmares to even the most hardy of ponies.

However, the free ponies aren't the only ones having unpleasant dreams as a certain filly is making good on a promise made earlier. While she may be flightless in the real world, and crippled outside of Aurum's magic on top of that, just about anything is possible in the Dreamscape. Now where is it? Something must be blocking me from Princess Luna. 

The handy thing about Pegasi is that, largely due to factors dating all the way back to when the three tribes were in constant war with each other, they have incredible eyesight as they’re biologically designed to operate potentially miles in the sky. What were once supposed to spot enemy formations and weapons though now scan the sky and landscape for any form of inconsistency or momentary “glitch in reality” that could give away a weakness. There! Around the border of the Gildran Line, for only a second or so, she can see the tiniest possible crack of blue energy perhaps only half a hoof or so wide.

“Going somewhere?” A familiar shape appears high above, blocking her way to the crack. “Can’t make it too easy, can I?”

“How’re you here? Only Princess Luna can enter dreams!”

“While that may be true, what are dreams but a figment of the mind? To put it simply, dark magic can affect the mind in more subtle ways than outright corruption. Mental barriers is one of them.”

Scootaloo glares daggers into the smug Pegasus. “I dunno how things were a thousand years ago but one things for certain. I’m getting past you and altering Princess Luna. I’m gonna help stop you, whatever it takes or whatever happens to me.”

Aurum smiles. “The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Come on then, show me what the apprentice of the ‘greatest flyer in history’ can do.” 

For a brief moment, Scootaloo does nothing and it almost looks like she’s given up. Unlike the real world however, Scootaloo has three major advantages over Aurum here. 1. He doesn’t control her mobility. 2. It’s her dream so she can do what she wants and 3. If there’s one thing you should never underestimate, it’s the imagination of a foal; especially one determined to protect those they care about. 

The first of these lessons becomes painfully clear as Scootaloo suddenly appears next to Aurum and bucks him in the gut. As he grunts and spins on her, she’s suddenly on his other side and strikes him on the back of the head. This happens around twenty more times, the Pegasus becoming gradually more bruised until he manages to catch a strike mid-swing. “Impressive.” 

He tosses her towards the ground only for Scootaloo to vanish and Aurum abruptly finds himself in Sugarcube Corner. “SURPRISE!” Before Aurum can even turn, he gets blown back by a Pinkie Pie cannon blast straight to the face and strikes the forest floor once more. As he recovers, he finds himself in the middle of an apparent battle with the Wonderbolts where he manages to receive a black eye before blasting them all away. This is fun. Maybe I’ll even have to start trying. It’s considerably annoying having your power handicapped by being in somepony else’s mind but it’ll get the job done.

Looking up, he gets swept up in an Elemental Rainbow which, even in the dream, causes major pain until he manages to break free only to then get tackled and mauled by Timberwolves. A very sadistic imagination for a filly, I must say. Blasting them until even the wood disintegrates, Aurum receives an electric shock of at least 2,000,000 volts which is enough to knock him down and allow Scootaloo to get a considerable amount of distance into the air. Once he recovers though, he cuts her off and the battle commences once again.

A storm abruptly apparates but, this time, Aurum’s ready and manages to dodge the lightning only to be struck by Scootaloo going at the speed of a rocket. Knocked back, he gets caught in an giant spider’s web and then thrown to the ground via another collision to find himself face to face with an Alicorn Scootaloo. “Playing pretend?”

The only response is a magical wave strong enough to launch him back but he soon corrects himself with his wings and they launch at each other. In an indescribable mass of flailed limbs, both come off with only a few scratches and bruises and they continue making cheap hit and run attacks to little effect. After an apparent eternity, just as the time for sunrise approaches in the real world, both fire a final blast to try and overpower the others. However, with how worn down both are, they end up just cancelling each other out now matter how hard each pushes. With two opposing forces matching for an extended period of time, the power of good magic and dark magic, the end result is inevitable. 

From the epicentre of the two blasts meeting erupts a massive bright green energy wall which expands outwards with enough violent force to send both Scootaloo and Aurum flying back and slamming into the ground. As Scootaloo recovers, she is angered to see Aurum charred and winded but still strong, “Commendable, well done. If you were older and your technique more refined, you could even make for a worthy defender of Equestria. You’re certainly bullheaded enough. For now though, you’ve lost.”

Her ideas spent, Scootaloo just sits down in defeat as she reverts back to her normal Pegasus form. "Fine." She glares a hole straight through the triumphant ancient Pegasus. "Don't think you've won. I know the others will stop you."

"Sure they will." Aurum sits his flank down. "So, how'd you like to kill a few minutes until daybreak?"

Scootaloo thinks for several moments. "How'd you come to meet Princess Celestia?"

The older Pegasus smirks. "I first met Celestia seventy years before Moon devolved. Around ten years after Sombra was sealed away and the Crystal Empire vanished.”

"You don’t look seventy. My dad looks older than you."

Aurum laughs deeply at that. "in those days, I could have joined the Guard at an age not much greater than the age you are now. As for my rejuvenated appearance, the miracles of magic at its finest. Now, if you’ll let me continue, I met her when Trottingham was founded since she or Luna usually came to officiate foundings. Tradition and all that…”



1070 years ago, 1930 ADC.




The outskirts of Trottingham


Instead of travelling by chariot, Princess Celestia flies down with four Royal Guards in order to be more mobile if they were attacked. Over the last few hundred years, she and Luna have only grown; now more resembling her modern self and thier manes have gained the magical wind quality although Luna is still physically the same albeit a foot or so taller.

As far as small, newly founded towns go, Trottingham is rather unremarkable. A spattering of crudely built standalone houses, six shops of various types and a makeshift town hall which is little more than a large, glorified shed. Almost immediately upon arrival, a deep scarlet Earth Pony mare in a mayor's outfit and four lightly armoured ponies of assorted races walk over and bow. "Hail Princess Celestia! Princess of the travelling lamp and day! I am Municipal Manager, mayor of our humble hamlet."

Celestia laughs at the excess. "Rise.  There ist no want for that.  'Tis a time to unbend and bray out."

Municipal Manager chuckles and blushes with embarrassment. "Right, sorry." She turns to her guards. "Attennnnnntion!" They snap to it, stiff as a ruler. "Please pardon them 'em. We only hast two dozen ponies living hither and they're the meetest we hast.  They only finished training three days since." Going down the line, she lists them off name by name. "May I introduce Spearhead, Testudo, Chain Mail." She comes to the end of the line, standing in front of a young but sturdy looking bright silver Pegasus with a cobalt blue mane and golden eyes. "And this is Legionary Phalanx." All five nod respectfully before parting to let the Princess and her personal entourage through. 

As Municipal Manager talks endlessly about how grateful she is for Celestia's presence, the Princess slowly tunes her out. Thou hark this once, thou hast known 'em all. Within very short order, they come to a basic but fortified looking building with reinforced metal walls that make the building look like a mixture between a normal house and a fortress. "I be sorry yet, since 'tis getting late, we hast to postpone the celebrations till tomorrow. Prithee accept mine deepest possible apologies. This should'st be hopefully comfortable for thy majesty to sleep 'i tonight." After making sure that Celestia and her bodyguards are comfortable, the Mayor leaves for the night with Spearhead and Chain Mail standing guard outside the house.



The next morning


With a not very Princess-ey grunt, Celestia stretches out before applying her regalia and leaving the house to find that Testudo and Legionary Phalanx have already swapped shifts with thier comrades. The burly looking pair stare at her for a moment before prostrating themselves. "Good morn, Princess.  Didst thou sleep well?"

Rolling her eyes fondly, Celestia gestures for them to rise. Although they expect to be reprimanded for thier non-professionalism, Celestia just laughs to thier mutual surprise. "Surprised? Weret thou presuming something more formal?" They nod as she chuckles before casually walking off in the direction of Town Hall. Legionary and Testudo exchange mutual looks of 'what the hay?' as they scramble after her. 

It takes until they reach town hall for Celestia to turn to the Guards who appear to be trying to look anywhere but at her. “Is thither something wrong?”

Testudo looks at Celestia like she just accused him of high treason. “ N-nay, thine highness. Everything is just fine, ‘Tis just mine first day timorous.” Legionary nods hastily, tongue apparently too tied to speak.

For a moment, there is silence until they notice Celestia shaking like a tree in a powerful wind. For a moment, the think she’s angry until they notice she’s trying hard not to laugh. “Thou wilt both hast to get used to it an thou art to guard us. Thou both need to slacken.” Whilst she wanders off, the Guards exchange another look before scurrying right after.



An hour or so later


After an hour of preparation, the two dozen or so residents of Trottingham gather in what passes for Trottingham Square but is really more just like a large open field between the many houses. “Salutations and good morn, our little ponies. We trust thine all had good rests.” A deafening roar is her response. “Good, good, thou hast all built a quaint little community so far out. ‘Tis to be commended.” Another roar. “And without further delay, we henceforth christen this hamlet Trottingham. May it live long and prosperously.” She fires off a spell that generates fireworks, causing an absolute fervour from the crowd. “And may the celebrations commence.”




With the party in full swing, Celestia spends her time milling around and confetti with whoever she pleases. Out of the corner of her eye though, whereas Testudo is striking up conversations with anypony he can, Legionary is kinda just standing around awkwardly. “Ist everything okay, Legionary?”

The Guard jumps and tries to hide a blush. “Sorry, thine highness. I am not the most open pony; especially around fremde." Indeed, at least a hundred new ponies have turned out just for the sake of rubbing withers with royalty and perhaps finding new and lucrative opportunities to profit off the new settlement.

Celestia gives him a calming smile. "And what an thou art made acquaintance?"

Legionary shakes his head but she can both empathically detect and see in his eyes an interest. "Nay, I cannot. I am hither to protecteth thou."

Celestia chuckles. "We shalt seeth." Indeed, for the rest of the day, she would spend equal time conversing with the assortment of ponies whilst also introducing Legionary. At first, it had been slow since she needed to see if he was uncomfortable but he quickly hits it off with a few and they get on like a house on fire. After that though, due to shift changes, they don't interact again and Celestia leaves early the next morning. Little does she realise in that moment, that would be very far from the last time they'd meet.



Five years later


After the annihilation of Everfree City, the main Royal Guard headquarters has been moved to the edge of the developing large town of Canterlot. On this warm but overcast day, the Princesses observe thier newest recruits. It’s very necessary but it's an old standing tradition albeit one less common by the modern era due to the sheer numbers of recruits. “Greetings and salutations, new private of the Guard. ‘Tis an honour to welcome thou to the Guard, Steel-eye Span. We hope to see great things from thou.” 

With one swift and we’ll practised motion, the Unicorn removes his helmet before bowing fully to the ground. “Steel-eye Span reporting and awaiting thine command, Princess of the travelling lamp and Princess of the revolving body.”

After the 200th recital of the traditional if somewhat meaningless exchange, Celestia and Luna reach the end of the line. “ Greetings and salutations, new private of the Guard. ‘Tis an honour to-“ Celestia trails off for a very brief second as she notices the proud but respectfully stanced silver Pegasus before her. “-welcome thou to the Guard, Legionary Phalanx. We hope to see great things from thou.

Like his comrades before him, the Pegasus doesn’t miss a beat as he performs a full body bow. “Legionary Phalanx reporting and awaiting thine command, Princess of the travelling lamp and Princess of the revolving body.” With that, the training Captain marches the recruits away as Luna approaches her sister. “‘Tis something amiss? Thou reacted strangely to that Pegasus.”

Celestia chuckles as they head towards the makeshift dining room. “Twas nought, sister. Thou remember that we told thou about the nervous Legionary Phalanx?” She can’t help but burst out laughing at the intense confusion and then “oh” expression on Luna’s face.




Over the next few days, Celestia and Luna return to the Castle of the Theee Sisters with a small platoon of the new recruits on rotation. Very little worthy of remark ends up happening though as Celestia’s very busy finalising a treaty with King Grover. It’s only five days since when she’s strolling through the gardens that she bumps into Legionary again, literally. “I am sorry, thine highness. I shouldst hath been looking wherest I was going.”

Celestia smiles as she gestures for Legionary to follow her. “‘Tis fine, we art the bigger pony. An anything, we art the ones who should pray forgiveness. How hath these past few days been for thyself?”

The young corporal shifts nervously. “Good, good. Thineself and Princess Luna hath crafted a masterful training regiment.” He glances around. “How has it taken so long to build a castle though? Surely, thine castle wouldst hast been built right after the loss of Everfree City.” He flinches, feeling like he just stepped over a proverbial line.

Celestia glances around nostalgically. “Contrary to what many believe, the primary reason Luna and ourself are moving at all is because Canterlot is a better location. Being in the middle of a forest ist not conducive for our many subjects who cannot fly, hmmm?” She looks over at her impromptu companion with a motherly smile. “And what about thou? Surely, thou hast some stories to tell about thy past.”

Legionary blushes modestly. “Thither is nought to say, honestly. Mine parents are Earth Ponies that run a small rock farm outside Trottingham and I've nay siblings. Mine great, great grandfather was a Pegasus though.”

Before Celestia can continue the conversation further, the clock strikes two. “ Please accept our humblest apologies but court must recommence. We hope to seeth thou again.”

With a bow, Legionary watches her walk away. “‘Twas an honour, Princess.”



A few months la-




The present


Aurum snaps out of his reminiscence as he realises he’s been tricked; Scootaloo soaring into the sky. Okay, that was kinda clever, I’ll give her that.

Knowing that Aurum’s gaining on her, and needing some extra “oomph” to get through the barrier, Scootaloo pushes herself beyond what she thinks is possible. Which is saying something considering this is all one big dreamare. In moments, she feels a massive boost skywards and looks back to see a coloured dome of purpley-orange explode behind her. Even though it’s a dream, she can’t help but smile with proud delight as her momentum manages to smash through the barrier and into a white void filled with doors. Some embossed with the names of her friends and family, many she doesn’t recognise. “Now where am I?”

“The realm between dreams, the Corridor of Consciousness, Moon’s Path. Whatever you want to call it, it’s where your friend goes to travel between dreams.” She glances back to see Aurum looking simultaneously frustrated and very surprised. "I have to admit, that was a good idea but unfortunate. Eighteen hours to go and we've got new problems to take care of."

With no time to call out, and doubts Luna would even hear her if she did, Scootaloo tries to project her thoughts as hard as she can. As she fades back into the waking world, she has but one thought. I just hope Princess Luna got the chance to find me.



The next morning, Canterlot Castle


Princess Celestia has barely gotten up for the morning, done her daybreak ritual, had a stretch and gotten her regalia on when her door slams open which makes her jump easily two hooves into the air. For a split second, she thinks she's under attack as the door has hit the wall hard enough to leave a hole in the wall but she turns to see an excited looking Luna. "I've found them!"




Barely ten minutes later, the assorted leaders and protectors of ponydom have gathered in the throne room with newfound gusto. After a very brief explanation of what happened, Luna pulls out a map and generates a magic square over a large section of the southern Everfree. “She was cut off before I could track her any further but she’s somewhere here.”

Twilight stares disbelievingly at the map for a moment. “But the only place they could be in that part of the Everfree is the…” She trails off for a moment and then face-hoofs. “You’ve GOT to be kidding me!”



On the side of a cliff, somewhere in the EverFree

 
Scootaloo sits, looking out over the landscape with Aurum beside her. “Ironic, isn’t it? They search for us tirelessly and the last place they think to look is right here.”

“Where are we?”

Aurum looks at her with an unpleasant grin. “A partially forgotten cave which your friends probably last thought of well over two years ago. You surely remember how a dragon tried to sleep here and engulfed your little town in toxic smoke. We’re sitting right where your timid friend decided to make a stand.”

He looks back at the large cave opening behind them. “They brought down the ceiling to ensure it’d never happen again but it’s a simple enough fix with dark magic. I just needed to clear the rubble and rearrange the minerals and then seal the exit with rubble once more. For all intents and purposes, flying overhead or even trying to access the cave would prove useless.”

"Why here?"

Aurum laughs. "Because I felt it was fitting. It's one of the first place your friends properly bonded after-all; if I recall, the whole dragon incident was only around three weeks after Moon was 'redeemed.' They first became friends in the Castle of the Two Sisters but that's too open and obvious a place to hide and the ticket adventure was in Ponyvile itself." He shrugs. "That and the cave makes for a nice big hiding spot that's difficult to access."

And once that moment passes, he turns back to a defiant Scootaloo. “In some ways, I have to commend what you did. It was genuinely impressive and I’m smart enough to admit that. However, it’s pointless in the end.” He gestures vaguely towards the Sun. “They have eighteen hours left until my victory and it’ll be hard enough for them to get here with a tornado so close by. And then of course, you have my army and there there just so happens to be a convenient hostage they’d never wish to endanger.”

"You can't seriously believe you're doing the good thing, can you?"

"A necessary evil. Didn't you aunts ever teach you that what doesn't hurt you, only makes you stronger?"

It's almost sad to see such a noble goal twisted by evil. "Please, end this."

The much older Pegasus stares down the cliff, clearly preoccupied. "...No, I won't. You don't know the kinds of things happening around the world at this very moment. A magic eating centaur on the loose, an ice tyrant causing misery wherever he goes, a Cutie Markless cult led by a delusional sociopath, vines threatening to destroy the fabric of peace itself. If you saw it, you'd be helping me.{/color}{/i}"

Scootaloo just stares at him; not really sure what to make of him. For somepony trapped on the Moon for almost 1000 years, he oddly seems to know a lot. Aurum picks up on this as well. "As for how I know, it's surprisingly easy to use a prying spell or two. Enough of a concentration of misery or evil and it's practically screaming at me to look."

"Then help us. Help us protect Equestria."

The Pegasus finally turns to look at her with a dark look. "From the same foes over and over? They'll never stop and they'll only get more and more violent with each and every attempt. Everything you've grown to love is nothing before them and I'm not going to sit back and let my former home be destroyed when I can solve everything."

"And take out everypony in the process."

"Later to be reborn the same as ever, just with much fewer concerns. It's a blessing in disguise, a mercy frankly. When you're a physical embodiment of magic, time becomes irrelevant. Time is magic, magic controls time so perception can shift. The stronger your magic, the easier it is to predict or even see into the future. How'd you think Celestia always seems overly ready for threats?" 

Because the signs of them appearing have been pretty obvious? “You sure you won’t remove anything else you decide is… undesirable?”

“What your aunts and other like-minded ponies do with thier time is thier business. I’m a saviour, not a bigot.” He seems to be ignoring that this entire scenario kinda contradicts that but whatever. “Believe me, the future doesn't look pretty, even some time travel stuff in the slightly distant future. A quick reset and remoulding, that's all it takes. Think about it, no more threats or massive worries beyond the mundane; you'd even be able to fly. All dreams well within the realms of possibility. I don't want to utterly destroy Equestria; I want to rebuild it even better than ever."

"You'd be messing with every single creature's mind."

Aurum flashes his fangs in a smirk. "Evil is a mere matter of perspective, you know. From her perspective, Chrysalis has been doing the right thing. I'm at least leaving most intact, just removing the dissidents that can't be salvaged."

"This is just outright evil. Hurting everypony like that is unforgivable, whether you think you're doing the right thing or not."

"Like your beloved mentor was doing just a few days ago? Besides, very soon, it won't even matter." And with that, Aurum has apparently had enough of this conversation since they both end up heading inside the cave that immediately seals shut again.



Canterlot Castle


As tempting as it would be to just march up to the Dragon Cave and blast Aurum into the next millennium, the eight defenders have to tread carefully. Aurum's powerful, has the advantage of having had several days to booby-trap the area around his base, likely has his own army and then there's the matter of the hostage as well. 

Even if the lack of Flare makes the Elements useless, Twilight and her friends bring them anyway because it's entirely possible they have some unknown powers. They've never been used in a full-out battle before after-all and especially never without being used to banish or petrify. The suiting up is done in silence but the fact Celestia apparently had custom built armour for Twilight and her friends raises some slight alarm.

As a towering Alicorn in almost blinding shining armour, Celestia looks imposing aside from her gentle gaze. “Any questions?”

“Does Aurum have any weaknesses? A weak-point or limitation?”

Celestia smiles at her slightly nervous student. “Although he can use magic more directly than a Pegasus, he’s limited to magic attacks, some self-designed observation magic and the native abilities of Pegasi. Wing magic lacks the focus to grant telekinesis. As for weaknesses, they’re the same as any Pegasus; cripple his wings and he’ll be reduced to using his bare strength and wit. Be careful though, his attacks are powerful and he knows how to use them well. He won't go down easily even if his army does.”

Applejack shakes her head. "Ah hate to be a negative Nelly, Princess, but Ah see one majer problem. Outta the five’ve us, only Fluttershy can actually fly."

Twilight smiles. "Easily solved. I'll just case the butterfly spell again."

"Yeah, remember how well that went las' time? Rarity nearly met’er end there 'n' then."

Rarity blushes at the memory. “Only because I got too close to the Sun. I made the mistakes of Picarus Titanus once, none of us will again.” Applejack shrugs and accepts that answer because, realistically, they don't really have much of a choice unless all but one of them want to pretty much be sitting ducks.

"Are you... okay? It must be hard."

Celestia gazes out the window, not daring to meet anypony in the eye. "It's a lot easier than I'd like it to be. Legionary Phalanx died the day he became Aurum so this is no different than stopping Sombra or Chrysalis. But if I'm being honest?" She turns her gaze to Flutershy who feels her heart sink a bit at the sad look in the ruler's eyes. "It does hurt, of course it would. However, there's no other alternative and this is for his own good anyway. Maybe he'll finally rest in peace afterwards but that's all for later."

With that, there are no more questions as they complete final preparations. Just as they prepare to go and rally the Guard, Aegis Shield knocks and enters with a bow. “Pardon my intrusion but at least two full legions of Changelings have just arrived.”

Celestia resists the urge to regally face hoof. They seem to have an incredible talent of showing up at the worst possible times. “We’ll deal with them, just make sure Chrysalis stays imprisoned.”

To her surprise, Aegis isn’t anxious or worried about another invasion; more confused. “That’s the thing. They’re just lingering peacefully outside the city and thier Queen’s asked to see you.” The nine other ponies exchange confused looks.




Within a few minutes, they enter the throne room with defensive but not hostile stances because it's probably not a good idea to provoke an attack from the army right on your doorstep. If they come in peace, coming across as overly hostile and distrusting will only end badly and if they come to conquer, it's best to appear unprepared.

Waiting calmly opposite Celestia’s throne stands a Queen that bears a very striking resemblance to Chrysalis. Unlike the other Queen though, she’s much bigger; easily a good two heads taller than even Celestia and, whereas Chrysalis has a blue membrane, hers is a deep orange. Whereas the smaller ruler has a piecing gaze that looks right through somepony and makes “lesser” beings wither, this one has a more motherly but also calculating gaze that makes the recipient feel like she’s trying to find a weakness all times. 

Upon seeing them, the hulking Changeling smiles. “Good morning. Thank you for seeing me without lashing out first. Me and my Hive are truly thankful.” The Queen bows respectfully to the slightly bewildered Princesses. 

Most immediately striking to Celestia, besides the Queen’s appearance and very thick accent, is the incredibly stilted and formal way of speaking. “Who are you?”

The Queen adopts a proud royal posture. “We’ve been known by many names but our most well known is probably Queen Carapace.”

No way. Cadance trots forward. “You don’t happen to know Chrysalis, do you?”

The scowl in the Queen’s face that immediately follows the question makes nine collective withers rise. "Our treacherous granddaughter. She develops a pathetic petty grudge and then risks her entire Hive for the sake of payback. She couldn’t just wait in hiding and absorb love like the rest of us. No, she just had to endanger our whole species over triviality.”

Even Celestia is visibly surprised to be seeing the not-very-dead dead Queen. "How?"

The Queen laughs but, unlike her granddaughter, hers is far more warm and good natured even if it does carry some of the same regal arrogance. "With all due respect Princess Celestia, that's none of your business. I don't ask about internal affairs between ponies and I ask you extend the same courtesy.” Despite the less than friendly shutdown, her gaze and tone remain even. "I am here with a dual purpose however. To aid you against your scorned husband and to assess the viability of an alliance with the Greater Council of Changelings."

The Changelings seem to have become a train. You anticipate one, ten come at once apparently. "Just how many Changelings are there?"

Despite the exasperated tone in Cadance's voice, Carapace just smirks. "Far more than just Chrysalis and her Hive. She’s doesn’t even have the largest or even most powerful Hive. She's just the most vocal and open but it's all for later. In the meantime, we’ve got a Pegasus to catch.”

Although Celestia isn’t 100% comfortable trusting Carapace, knowing that she could be doing this just to take Canterlot for herself whilst the Princesses are vulnerable, she won’t look a gift pony in the mouth. A gift pony that could come back to bite her later when they’re not in mortal danger but “the enemy of your enemy” and all that. “Agreed. Your help is very much appreciated, Queen Carapace.” Carapace nods and bows respectfully.

And it is with that, not an an hour later, that a veritable army heads out of Canterlot. Twilight and her friends, the Princesses, Shining Armour, the Solar Guards (whilst the Luna Guards stand guard over Canterlot) and the Changelings all head for the Everfree.