//------------------------------// // Ch.8 - Release the Chaos! // Story: The Witching Hour - Looking Forward to the Past // by Chaotic Ink //------------------------------// The office felt oppressive to Umbra Shroud as the two ebony creatures looked her over. Silently the unicorn cursed herself for taking the path through the market that led her into the group of changelings shopping. Then again, she’d never seen the changelings shopping the market for breakfast. “So,” Captain Storm said, the tone of her voice making it clear she was not happy about what she had heard, “are you going to explain yourself or just keep sitting there like someone pulled out your tongue?” “Captain, I don’t think getting angry is going to help matters,” Queen Honeycomb said. While the captain was obviously angry, the queen simply observed her. “I was there when you told the recruits that they had signed up for the bearer guard and would be serving in it whether they liked changelings or not. I’m surprised it took this long for something to happen and this is probably the tamest issue we could have asked for.” Midnight grunted and some heat left her eyes but she still looked down at Umbra disapprovingly. “I had hoped that after getting to know them, having actually fought alongside them, attitudes would have changed.” The kirin’s eyes narrowed. “Maybe I should put together a new PT routine as a punishment for those who can only see someone for their species.” Honey was about to say something against the suggestion when Umbra finally spoke up herself. “I don’t hate the changelings. I just… I just don’t feel that I should be around them.” Midnight’s wings began to spread in anger but Honey spoke first. “It’s because you feel guilty about something, correct?” she asked. When Umbra nodded the queen shot the captain a look and the kirin let out a long blast of air out of her nose while giving her a confused look in return. The changeling’s horn glowed sickly green for a second and the captain looked like she realized something. When she turned back to Umbra her expression had further deflated into one of simple annoyance. “To avoid any further confusions and miscommunications, can you please explain to us why you feel that way, private?” Umbra fidgeted and refused to look at either of them. The air in the office became more oppressive and the gazes bore deeper into her. She knew she had to explain herself but the memory of that day… “The day of the invasion, I was doing some last minute shopping as I was already planning to apply to become a guard,” she finally blurted out. “When the changelings broke through the barrier, I only hesitated a second before jumping in to fight them. They went down easier that I thought they would, so I just kept plowing through them.” Here Midnight and Honey shared another look. “It wasn’t until one started to try and crawl away from me with fear in its eyes did I stop and look at the ones I had taken out already. I hadn’t gone at them that hard, or so I thought, I’d just hit them a few times to try and let others get away, but they were all down around me like I’d beaten them senseless. I… I even thought I might have…” she trailed off but neither changeling nor kirin pressed her. When she trusted her voice again she continued. “Since there were no other ponies around that were being attacked, I tried to see if there was any kind of first aid I could do to try and make up for going overboard. That’s when the magical pink wall came through the city. I saw it hit other changelings and either send them flying or hard into walls and I tried to get the ones I was helping into cover but where I was there weren’t that many shadows and it came on so quickly… I… I was still trying to help when the guards came around and sent me away and they brought the changelings I was helping to the castle as prisoners. I hurt them badly and then I failed to protect them.” Honeycomb let out a long sigh. “For what it’s worth, Private Shroud, the invasion of Canterlot was literally a “do or die” attempt and most of the changelings at that point wouldn’t have cared how badly they hurt a pony. You, like many others, were simply defending yourself and your fellow ponies against an unprovoked attack and not even we can hold a grudge against you for that. If we did, we’d have to have one against Captain Storm and quite a few of my changelings hold her in high esteem; some even call her a hero.” It was Midnight’s turn to fidget as Honey smiled at her. “I was just doing what I thought was right,” she mumbled. “The point is that no changeling here feels animosity towards you,” Honey told Umbra. Umbra nodded but still looked downcast. “One of the changelings I ran into earlier said she remembered me from Canterlot. If she did then she must have been one of those I took down and… how do you apologize for doing that? For being responsible for what happened to the friends she was with?” “The same way we changelings did after the invasion,” Honey said kindly, “You start with “I’m sorry” and show you mean it with your future words and actions. It won’t always work but it’s better than letting negative emotions fester when they don’t have to.” Umbra nodded. “Understood ma’am.” “Alright private, we’ve taken up the last of your morning patrol time,” Midnight said, looking at the clock above the office’s doors, “go turn your equipment back in and get some rest. I think Sugarcube Corner is having a brunch special of some kind.” “And, if you would be so kind, please take the changeling outside the office with you,” Honey added, “she can pick up brunch for me while she’s there.” Umbra bowed to Honey, saluted Midnight, then opened the door to the office. Right outside was a changeling who nodded to her timidly. “Hello again, Private Shroud. I hope you don’t mind that it’s me you’re taking.” Umbra recognized her as the changeling that had recognized her that morning, meaning that… “N-No, I don’t mind,” Umbra said meekly as the office door closed behind her. “Something nice and chocolaty should perk her back up,” Honey said once she was gone. “Good thinking. Princess Cadance sent me a paper a Van Hoover professor published about how chocolate can improve one’s mood considerably. She’s interested in seeing what would happen if it and changeling nectar was mixed together.” “Confound that private,” Midnight grunted, “got me all worked up.” “You still let what Bimini and Arbor did get to you,” Honey admonished. “I had multiple Biminis and Arbors in my life, Honey. That’s not something you “just get over”.” She sighed again. “Ponyville’s helped, though. So has Sapphire, Squeaks, Windrunner, you, and everyone else who’s made this town home.” Honey smiled and looked down at the paperwork on her desk. “How’s Norik, by the way? I haven’t seen him around today or yesterday.” “Up in Canterlot with Eden learning about his heritage while his new cottage gets built. Now that I think about it, I’m glad he and Ember are neighbors rather than housemates; makes it feel more like a community.” Honey frowned at the paper she was reading. “I hope that doesn’t mean Windrunner and I need to find new homes ourselves.” “Now who’s being uptight?” Midnight said and they both chuckled. “You don’t mind Eden sometimes living next door?” Honey asked. Norik’s new cottage was located on the opposite side of the original cut into the Everfree Midnight had made, making it the neighbor on the opposite side from the thestrals’ homes and far enough down to be across the road from the changeling embassy instead of the barracks. Seeing the frame of it going up made Midnight realize she really was part of a neighborhood. When she’d first arrived, it had just been her run-down house and the school a ways off. Now she had neighbors on either side, Ember, Spine, and Forest across the road, then barracks and the embassy to the left of them. There was also Shoal camping out behind her just within the forest. “She’s there more for Norik, so I don’t really mind,” Midnight said thoughtfully. “Him being around might even put her off asking about another hybrid ball, for a while anyway. Hey, why don’t we have a block party to welcome him home once it’s done?” “A block party?” Honey asked, looking at the kirin and tilting her head in confusion. “Yeah, they’re these parties where the entire block comes out to have a good time. I remember seeing them back in Manehattan. Maybe I should ask mom if there was more to them.” “You’d have to run it by Pinkie,” Honey told her, going back to her work, “she already promised him a “Welcome to Ponyville” party.” “Right,” the kirin agreed, standing up and stretching. “Well, better to talk with them both sooner than later. Hopefully Sugarcube Corner isn’t too swamped with that sale.” ----------------------------- Midnight blinked, wishing she had made it to Sugarcube Corner. She could have gone for something extra sweet right then as she looked up at Celestia and Luna. That or earplugs so she could beg plausible deniability. “I’m sorry, could you say that again?” “As we can’t find any other way to help you incase another powerful magic user attacks,” Celestia began. “And because she feels guilty about trapping him in stone for another fifteen hundred years,” an obviously unhappy Luna added. “I think it would be best to release Discord and try to convince him to be our friend once again, or, at the very least, an ally we can trust to help,” Celestia finished, her voice just a little bit harder after Luna’s interruption. The two had landed in Midnight’s yard, each with a set of guards, as the kirin was leaving the changeling embassy and had asked to speak to her and the bearers about a very important matter. Once the bearers, and thus the rest of the guards, had been assembled, including a curious Shoal who was laying along the edge of the woods, Celestia had told them why they had come. Squeaks and Ember, who had been playing in the living room when the princesses landed, had been told wait by the side door. Arina was with them, sitting like a second bun on Squeaks’ head. The changelings had also seen the commotion and had come out to watch. Honey had made her pleasantries to the Equestrian royals but stayed with her people. Midnight blinked once again, then turned to Windrunner. “Did I dream the last time he was free? There were dancing buffalo and cotton candy clouds and he stole my wings and tried to turn me to his side, right?” “Yes,” the dust-brown pegasus said simply, a hint of anger in her voice. She turned to Sapphire next, “and he implied threatening you and Squeaks if I didn’t join him, too, right?” “He did indeed,” Sapphire said, giving the princesses and uncharacteristic glower. “I would also like to point out that he and his companion has escaped from his stone prison once already,” Celestia added, “and that there’s a high likely hood they will escape again.” “In fifteen-hundred years,” Midnight said flatly, “and I’d like to think by then the Elements will be passed down properly and that those that have to deal with him next will be ready.” Around them nervous eyes swept back and forth between the two mares. The entirety of the guard was made up of ponies and creatures that had only ever known Celestia as THE princess of Equestria, someone to be shown deference and only the utmost respect. Seeing Midnight talk to her like she was an annoying neighbor was a bit of a shock to them. Besides Sapphire and Windrunner, the bearers and Spike looked on like this was all normal. As the Solar and Lunar guards that had come with the princesses were treating the situation the same as they were, the Bearer guards collectively decided to take their cues from them and sat back and watched the exchange. Shoal had an odd mix of amusement and contemplation on her draconic face. The alabaster alicorn took a deep breath. “As someone who has actually lived longer than that, I can safely tell you that any plan we make today will more than likely be useless when the time comes. How many plans have you made in your life that fell apart?” Midnight made to say something, then only grumbled as she had a point. Still, the very idea of releasing the draconequus and chaos pony made her want to bite something. Luna cleared her throat. “There is also the case to be made that thou would prefer to take care of the situation permanently now rather than simply “passing the bit” on to thine future generations. While no kirin hast yet died of old age,” here she grimaced, “both ponies and wyverns do grow old and pass in time.” She leaned forward to whisper, “even we are not convinced of our own immortality.” That point made Midnight grumble even more. Luna was right; now that the choice had been pointed out to her she’d rather deal with them now than leave it to those in the future who may or may not be ready for them, no matter how much the idea rankled. However, what chance did they really have of making Discord and Screwballs see things their way? “With all due respect, your highnesses,” Twilight said, moving forward, “just how are we supposed to convince them to be allies?” “They both seemed pretty determined to make Equestria the chaos capital of the world,” Rainbow added. A shadow fell over them and Shoal’s enormous head lowered itself into their midst. With her size all were surprised that they hadn’t noticed her move to lean in. “I remember what Firestorm told me about when he first ran amok, something called “Discord’s Folly”; I also am aware of his escape and second try to rule Equestria. I’m curious as to why you would trust him at all.” That caused a good bit of murmuring in the crowd of guards. “Discord wasn’t always trying to take over Equestria; in fact he was a good friend at one point,” Celestia told the looming dragon. ““Discord’s Folly” was something that could have been avoided entirely had myself and the rest of his friends done better by him instead of letting the Queen Platinums treat us the way they did. Now he could be free as he always wanted to be if he agreed to aid us.” “As much as I am loath to agree, I do,” Luna said. “Had Discord been allowed to roam as he wished back then, it is unlikely he would have taken the route he eventually did. I do not agree that his actions would have been so innocent back then as my sister believes, but far more so than they became. Firestorm and I shared this opinion. I also agree with my sister that imprisoning him has and will do nothing to help him. Had I myself been sent back to the moon after my return, I, too, would still have all my bitter feelings, possibly more after being banished twice.” Midnight chewed on what the princesses had said as they talked with Shoal. If they didn’t get through to Discord and Screwball they ran the risk of chaos taking over once more, putting everyone they cared about in danger. However, even a bitter but willing ally with that kind of magical power would make Equestria, as a whole, orders of magnitude safer. It was a high risk, high reward gamble with the odds stacked against them and Shoal was right about wondering if he would even consider agreeing to it. Even if he felt he owed her aunt’s memory something, that hadn’t stopped him last time. As she thought, Midnight looked around at the others who had been around when Discord had gotten free. It was almost a universal look of apprehension that she could see, except for Pinkie and Spike, who looked just happy to be there and downright terrified respectfully. “What makes you think we’ll even have a chance to convince him or that he’ll even stay around to hear us out once he’s free? Actually, how are we even freeing him to begin with?” Midnight finally asked. Celestia turned her attention to the gathered bearers. “You all have your Elements with you I assume?” Six Elements appeared from saddlebags and onto their respective bearer. “When we heard you wanted us, we all figured we’d need’um, your highness,” AJ said. Celestia’s horn lit up and a beam went to each Element. When it struck, the beam first enveloped the Element, then the bearer wearing it. The magic held them for a few seconds before dissipating. “That spell will allow only the bearer to remove their Element. As long as you each are wearing them, Discord or Screwball cannot take them away again. As for how you are to release them, simply focus the Elements on them once again. Discord and Screwball will not want to leave a threat to themselves in our hooves, so there is little chance they will run away while we still have them.” Luna turned to Midnight. “We would also like you, Midnight Storm, to be the one to pass finale judgment on if they have truly turned over a new leaf.” Midnight raised an eyebrow. “Why me? Even if it would be better to get this all resolved now, I’d just as soon fail them the second we release them.” “Because not only will you be honest with both these two and us, but you will also make him work for it,” Luna told her and Midnight couldn’t argue with that. Midnight looked around at everyone assembled. All looked resigned to what was coming next and though she wanted to argue the issue more, she couldn’t think of anything that wasn’t just going around in circles. There really was no getting out of it. “Alright, I guess we can go ahead with it,” she said with a resigned sigh. “Excellent, and thank you,” Celestia said, looking around. “Where is Discord and Screwball, anyway? You have been talking to them like I asked, right?” At the question the kirin had seemed to freeze in place and both Sapphire and Honey began looking at her with disappointed “I told you so” looks. “Yes, I have been talking to them,” Midnight said slowly, turning to look at her marefriend to whom she gave a pleading smile. “Just, uh, could you go grab me some bleach and a bucket of water real quick, Sapphire? It can, um, get a bit messy where I set them up.” Sapphire continued to stare at her with tabled eyes for a few more seconds before turning and heading back into the house with a “give me a minute.” The princesses looked at each other then back at the kirin who looked like a foal trying, and failing, not to get caught doing something they knew they shouldn’t. A few of the bearer guards seemed to know what was going on and either shared Sapphire’s disapproving look or were trying to stifle their chuckling. When Sapphire returned a few minutes later with the bucket and cleaner Midnight once again flashed them the guilty smile, said “I’ll just be a few more minutes,” and slipped into her shed. Luna immediately let out an un-princess bark of laughter that she quickly stifled. It took Celestia a moment to remember what Midnight had the shed for and when she did she adopted a similar look to what Sapphire was wearing. Several others also caught on and more chuckling was quickly silenced. From inside a muffled string of curses could be heard as well as splashing and the sound of wet fabric smacking stone. Several minutes passed like this until the door to the shed opened again and Midnight sheepishly came back out, dragging the stoned Discord and Screwball with several very obvious brown stains all over them. It didn’t get past anyone that their faces in particular were a darker shade of brown than any other part of them, including their shirts with the last jabs at Twilight and Celestia. “I talk to them every time I’m in there,” Midnight told the princesses, the guilty grin seemingly glued onto her face at this point. “I hope those conversations were productive ones,” Celestia said evenly. Midnight only continued to smile while she gulped. The few in the crowd who still didn’t understand what was going on were finally informed by those around them and there was a combination of chuckles and distressed noises. “Well, I suppose we should get this over with,” Twilight said, stepping forward with the other bearers. Midnight silently thanked the makers for the unicorn and she moved to stand with Sapphire and Windrunner as the bearers got into position. She knew better than to find comfort in her marefriend at that moment and added an additional prayer to the makers and the past kirins that what they were about to do wouldn’t end up with them all drowning, literally, in desserts or dancing bovine. Twilight and the others formed a circle around Discord and Screwball, the bearer guards forming up behind them in turn, ready to jump between the chaos creatures and their charges if necessary. Shoal shifted to lean over them all protectively, partly blocking out the sunlight with her bulk. Midnight wondered if she would simply lean forward and squash the two with a claw if they tried anything, then she wondered if that would even work. Sapphire retreated to the side of the house and Midnight could see her ushering the foals inside. A wall wouldn’t be much of a defense against the draconequus and his minion, however keeping them out of sight made Midnight feel a little better. Arina, who had jumped off Squeaks’ head when Sapphire went to them, crawled up her master’s leg and took her usual perch at the base of the kirin’s horn. The little arachnid was determined to stay by the kirin as she had also heard the stories about when Discord and Screwball were last free, even if all she could do was by them all a second by jumping at his face if things went south. “Do we even have a plan about what to do to convince them?” Hazelnut asked. Everyone looked around at one another. “It’s not like they didn’t have friends before,” Scarlet piped up, “but maybe we can remind them what it’s like to have them again? Maybe then they’d be willing to help?” “Yeah, and who’s going to volunteer to get all buddy-buddy with them?” Spread Eagle asked. “Are you?” Mane asked. “Enough,” Midnight called out, cutting off the arguing early, “we’ll all pitch in if we have to. This isn’t just to give the guard a magical boost but to help all of Equestria in the long run.” Midnight saw Celestia give a thankful nod of her head. “We still need a plan,” Night Sky pointed out. She and the other two thestrals had been asleep when the princesses arrived and had been yawning up until they’d been told their task. “Each Element represents an aspect of friendship,” Twilight said. “We can start by trying to teach or remind them of how each one is important and see how that goes. It’ll be tough trying to figure out what they’ll respond to best but…” she shrugged. Midnight returned the gesture. “Unless someone else has an idea it’s the best one we’ve got. Like you said, let’s get this over with.” No-one else offered any alternatives. Once they were ready, Twilight’s horn lit up, activating her Element. This, in turn, activated the other Elements and the six ponies were raised off the ground like the last few times they used their power. A ribbon of rainbow began to emerge from each Element, connecting them together and seeming to make Twilight’s Element grow brighter, then another ribbon of rainbow shot out from it, impacting Discord and Screwball. Almost immediately glowing cracks began to form all over the stone duo and the image held for a second. Then the stone exploded, though the pieces disintegrated before they could reach the ring of onlookers and the two chaos creatures were free. Midnight, who had adopted a combat stance, was ready for them to try some kind of attack or escape, not fully believing the princesses that they would leave a threat alone until they were ready. To her surprise, the rainbow blast dissipated to reveal the two of them stretching as if they’d just gotten out of bed. “Well, it’s about time somebody got us out of that stone block,” Discord said as he twisted himself into a knot then undid himself. “What a relief!” he snapped his lion paw and a dandelion by Celestia’s hoof tried to bite her. “Discord,” Celestia said, ignoring the weed trying to eat her hoof, “we have decided to let you out early on a parole of sorts.” “Yes, yes,” the draconequus said, snapping his eagle claw and turning a bird flying over head into a pie with wings, “I heard the whole thing from inside the shed, even through the new earmuffs Midnight was so thoughtful to get for me. I don’t even care that they’re a half-year early for Hearth’s Warming.” The kirin flinched guiltily but held her ground. “And I have to agree that the very idea Screwball or I would want to help you is simply ridiculous… but also hilarious!” he started guffawing loudly. Screwball blew a whistle and changed in the blink of an eye into a train conductor’s uniform. “All aboard the express line to Regretsville!” “Would thou prefer to spend yet another fifteen hundred years as a pigeon roost?” Luna asked harshly. “A thousand years on the moon would be a nice change of pace,” he said with a smirk. Before the blue alicorn could light up her horn Celestia stepped between them. “This is a one-time deal, Discord. Though there are several reasons to have you free, your previous actions give us every reason not to trust you. You either agree to use your powers for the benefit of Equestria or be sealed back up by the Elements again. As Midnight Storm will effectively be your parole officer, you already have one hoof back in stone, as it were.” He grimaced at the alicorn but shifted his gaze to the kirin. “Ah yes, out resident kirin. Congratulations on finding more, by the way, though there still being no sign of any wyvern clans is disappointing.” A light bulb literally went on over his head. “Oh! Maybe we can make a field trip out of it!” He slid up to Midnight with a cheshire smile which the kirin returned with a disgusted snarl. Arina chirped angrily and raised her two front legs threateningly. “Roughing it in the wilderness, eating s’mores by a campfire, finding the Storm Clan, telling each other juicy secrets…” he shot Celestia another smirk which turned into a frown as a loud snort came from above. “As I understand it, part of the reason you turned on everyone the first time was because you weren’t allowed to leave your home,” Shoal growled. “While I can sympathize, this time you need to prove yourself before going anywhere, especially with Midnight.” Discord eyed the dragon baring her teeth at him while everyone else who wasn’t thought of as immortal backed away. “Well, well, well, it seems the captain of the Bearer Guard has a guardian of her own,” Discord said, “I would certainly like to know why that is.” Shoal merely snorted again. “You’ve been warned,” she growled, raising her head back up. Midnight eyed the dragon herself, curious as well about the sudden protectiveness the dragon was showing. However, she had more pressing concerns to deal with and made a note to ask Shoal about it later. She pushed the draconequus off her. “I take it you know why we’re giving you this chance?” she asked him. Discord beckoned Screwball over, who had now adopted a secretary’s outfit and hoofed him a piece of paper, which he put on broken glasses to read. “I believe it was for, and I quote, “can’t find any other way to help you incase another powerful magic user attacks,” and “she (Tia) feels guilty about trapping him (yours truly) in stone for another fifteen hundred years”. Didn’t stop her last time but I guess we’re letting bygones be bygones.” “For the sake of the greater good, we are certainly going to try,” Midnight said, “and Celestia is right; I’m ready to put you both back into stone right now unless you’re willing to cooperate.” She pointed up at the flying pie circling overhead then at the still snapping weed. “Starting with changing those two back to normal.” Discord looked at the things he’d changed, then back to Midnight, making various thoughtful expressions. She suspected several of them were an attempt to make her laugh but this was one time she was actually grateful for her default grumpy nature. When he finally realized she wasn’t even going to have a lip twitch, Discord let out an unhappy snort and snapped his lion paw. Instantly the dandelion was back to a normal weed and the pie was returned to its original avian self. “Fine, Midnight Storm, I’ll play along with this enterprise of yours. It might actually be entertaining to see what you and the others come up with. Of course, who knows how long it’ll take to convince me to be a mister goody-goody two-sh-” “One week,” Midnight said flatly. Discord blinked. “Excu-” “One. Week,” the kirin repeated, adopting the tone she used as a captain. “If I don’t think you’re taking this seriously after one week, then I’m telling the bearers to stone you and Screwball again. You’ll spend one day each with a bearer, going over what their Element means, then on the last day I’m going to go over everything that has happened and if I don’t like what I see I’ll give you one last chance. If you fail even that last chance then I’ll write an apology note to whoever has to deal with you after fifteen hundred more years. Have I made myself as clearly understood as possible?” Discord and Screwball just stared at her silently. Around them, everyone held their breaths as their captain just told the embodiment of chaos and disharmony what he was going to do like he was a new recruit. To their shock, even Screwball’s, a genuine smile grew on the draconequus’ face. “She definitely inherited her aunt’s fiery command, eh, Celestia?” he said, impressed. “Alright then, Midnight Storm, one week it is.” His smile became a smirk again. “And since you’re my parole officer, I guess I know where I’m staying in the meantime!” Midnight’s eyes went wide. “Wait, no, I never said-!” But Discord had already scooped her up and was giving her a noogie. “Well it only makes sense! I mean, if I was to stay with someone else and was making their life miserable, how would you know?” “By asking them!” Midnight snapped, twisting and trying to bite the claw assaulting her head. Arina also jabbed the claw with her front legs but Midnight’s own attempts to strike back were making her attacks go wide. “And I thought you hated making sense!” “True,” Discord agreed, dropping her, “but for the next week I’m supposed to make sense, aren’t I?” Midnight only growled at him. One way or the other, she was going to get Celestia for this. Maybe after this was finally over with she’d finally get the full story about what happened to the kirins out of her, whether she wanted to tell the story or not. ----------------------------- Midnight groaned internally while externally she simply stared with indifference at the scene before her. As expected, her housemates weren’t too keen on hosting the chaos creatures but understood that it was pretty much unavoidable at this point. Someone needed to keep an eye on the two of them and as Midnight could in theory give the word at any time that they were done, it was best that they were there. Midnight also didn’t like exposing Squeaks to the two of them either, at least while they were still being judged. If, by some miracle, they actually decided to change for the better then she’d consider letting them be around her daughter. For now it would be the one night in the same house and then she’d be staying with her grandmother until it was over one way or the other. Or that was the plan but before Midnight could ask her mother Honey insisted Squeaks stay with her and the other changelings at the embassy. “Not that your mother wouldn’t do everything in her power to protect her, but she’d have more eyes on her at the embassy, not to mention more horns ready to go,” Honey told her. It hadn’t been missed by anyone that all four of Honey’s guards had come over to the house with her when she’d come home for dinner, nor had the other changelings buzzing around outside gone unnoticed. “My, my, Midnight; you wouldn’t happen to have a spare crystal heart in your bedroom, do you?” Discord had asked. “When the changelings all drool just like punch-drunk fools, that’s armoire!” Screwball had sung. Midnight thanked Honey and agreed to that instead. True, Honey and her changelings probably couldn’t do diddly to stop Discord if he was serious but it made her feel better that Squeaks was going to have so many beings watching out for her. In retrospect, it also didn’t put her mom, baby sister, and Orange in harm’s way either. That wasn’t what was bothering her right then. The dancing dinner set that was using the dining room table as a stage was. “I hear that friends like to go out to dinner and a show but an even better friend gives a show at home!” Discord said, clapping as the bowl of peas began doing a jig. Seeing that Midnight was trying to keep herself calm, Sapphire spoke up first. “That’s very thoughtful of you, however having the dinnerware be the show makes it hard to enjoy the dinner,” she explained. “It would also make it easier to get food onto our plates,” Windrunner said, grabbing the bowl of mashed potatoes, which was doing some kind of dance involving fast kicking, and pulling it towards her so she could finally get a scoop. She’d been trying to grab the serving spoon out of it for the past minute. “Potatoes keep dancing or go to gulag,” Screwball said, wearing a black, furry hat with a red star in the center and a steel mustache. “What’s a gulag?” Squeaks asked, unable to get a hold of the container of strawberries for similar reasons. The container became enveloped in a sickly green glow and was yanked back to the filly. “Something that has no place at the dinner table,” Honey said from her place between the thestral and chaos pony, putting some fruit on her own plate after Squeaks got her share. The changeling queen hadn’t taken too kindly to the draconequus and his minion after hearing how he’d threatened them all the last time he was free and his joke about her “cheese legs whistling as she flew” hadn’t helped her opinion of him. Screwball hadn’t helped either when, while waiting for dinner, she’d gone “fishing” for changelings by tying a small figure of Cadance to the end of some string attached to a pole and letting it down near the side door. When Honey had seen the “lure” she’d snapped it off the line and destroyed it. While neither Discord nor Screwball would admit it, both Honey and her housemates assumed it was a dig at the changelings for the invasion. Even Arina wasn’t spared being around the chaos creatures. At one point she’d been climbing a wall to get to one of the few webs Midnight would allow inside the house when out of nowhere all eight of her legs had roller skates on them and she slid down the wall back to the floor. She’d spent the next few minutes trying to cross the living room to the kitchen while her legs constantly went out from under her with Discord and Screwball hiding behind the fireplace, holding back their laughter at the spider’s expense. Only when Midnight had come into the room, wondering what that noise was, which was the clacking of the mini-skates on the wooden floor, did the spider finally get a reprieve. Needless to say, everyone was getting tired of the two of them very quickly. “Discord,” Midnight finally said, her voice calm but with a hint of danger to it no-one failed to miss. “Yes, my dear friend Midnight?” he asked, batting his eyes innocently. “Do you know what the word “hangry” means, by any chance?” “Ooo! Ooo, OOO!” Screwball shouted, leaning so far over the table that she was at risk of falling onto several of the dancing dishware. “It’s when you’re angry because you’re hungry!” “Correct. And do you see any food on my plate?” “Can’t say I do,” Discord said, popping up from under the table next to her with a magnifying glass and a deerstalker hat. “You should hurry and have something.” With that he snapped his eagle claw and all the dancing bowls and plates immediately stopped. “THANK you,” Midnight said, fangs extended as she grabbed the plate of wild turkey. “Of course! Wouldn’t want my best pal going hungry, would we?” He zipped back to his seat and began eating like nothing had happened. Sapphire patted Midnight with a wing as the kirin ripped into her meat like it was the draconequus’ head.