//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Arisen // Story: Rise of the Mavericks // by Quill.Es //------------------------------// Chapter 2: Arisen “Revealing thyself to the enemy could be a very strategic move, or an inane one.” -Queen Thorax. The enigmatic changeling walked up to the fountain located at the center of Ponyville square and used his magic to shoot a bolt of green energy into the sky, catching attention of every citizen. The bolt of energy altered the Pegasus’s beautiful, sunny afternoon into a dark and cloudy one. “Greetings one and all,” the changeling announced amidst the crowd with calm, soothing voice. Every pony stood silent afraid, listening carefully to what the changeling had to say. “You ponies are smart folk, so all of you probably know what I am, but I bet none of you know who I am!” The changeling pointed over to a frightened Golden Harvest. The crowd singled out Golden Harvest to clarify who he was pointing to. “You there Golden Harvest! Or do you prefer Carrot Top.” Golden Harvest stood there, shocked that he knew her name and personal nickname. “Do you know who I am?” Golden Harvest shook her head cowering in fear. “Didn’t think so. And what about you Daisy?” “U-um…n-no…” Daisy stuttered, petrified. “Exactly! None of you know who I am! That means I’ve done my job perfectly. However…I know each and every one of you to the uttermost detail.” Out of impulse, Lily screamed in fear and ran out of the crowd. The changeling only smirked, and faded into smoke. He reappeared in front of Lily and stopped her using his magic. “Now Lily, why are you running away? Is your flower garden wilting since it usually does around this time of year and needs watering? Do your sisters Daisy and Roseluck who, might I add, are in the crowd right now, need you? No, of course not, in fact, I know precisely what it is. It is your deep fear of confrontation, which creates a sense of anti-social traits and distrust for you amongst the rest of the ponies here in Ponyville.” “H-how d-d-do you know that?” “Thank you Lily for being a fine example. I know everything about each and every one of you: your secrets, your lies…your memories.” At that moment Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy caught up to Twilight and Cadence. “Twilight, Ah’ got the girls and came as fast as I could. Who is this joker,” Applejack asked, catching her breath. “He’s a changeling.” Twilight clarified. “A changeling? Like the ones that we beat back at the wedding,” Rainbow Dash asked. “Yes, I thought they were all defeated and scattered across Equestria along with their queen. But this one seems…different. Don’t’ worry though, I have a plan.” The seven mares, bundled together closely so Twilight could explain her plan, taking an eye off of the changeling. “Yes ladies and gentle colts. You may think you have something hidden, or that you are truly safe under your princess’ watch when in reality, you are not, but fortunately I can assure I do not intend to harm any of you. You ponies on the other hoof, I cannot say, for as I speak! Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and the Elements of Harmony are conspiring against me,” The changeling exclaimed, pointing to the alarmed mares, while the crowd followed his direction. “What the- How did he-” Twilight stuttered. “Hm…Pinkie Pie was going to get my attention and distract me using her various thoughts and cakes, while Applejack and Rainbow Dash, flank me with the ‘old one-two.’ Then lastly the unicorns and the princess contain me using their magic, while Fluttershy stays back, If I were to show any resistance. Commendable plan if I were to show resistance yet, futile.” “What are you talking about?” “Go ahead my little ponies, look down.” The seven mares looked down to their hooves and only saw their shadows, bewildering them even more. At first glance, they seemed normal but the shadows immediately came to life and acted on their own accord. “What’s going on,” Rainbow Dash shouted trying to get away from her shadow. The shadows began to rise from the ground, beyond the mares’ reflection, and erupted into the sky, flying towards the changeling. The fierce winds created by their lightning fast speeds stripped them of the mare’s aphotic appearance, revealing them to also be armored and cloaked changelings. They stood together along with the center changeling. “Say I was to resist. In order for that plan to work, it would have to be six against one. I guess you can say…I’ve got eyes and ears everywhere.” The other five changelings chuckled in response. The seven mares ran up to the fountain to confront the changelings. “Every pony stand back. What do you want from us? Where is Shining Armor?” “What…we want? You’re a smart mare Miss Sparkle. As I recall, I specifically said all answers will be revealed. Now please, take a seat and relax, you’ll get your brother back.” Twilight grunted and kept quiet. “As I said earlier, we do not intend to harm any of you pony folk only if you were to give us that same respect. For over millennia we have been lurking in the shadows, claiming to be your family, your loved ones, and your children in every single city of Equestria. We have seen your leader and her monarchy, as well as our “leader” and her tyranny. You claim to have love, compassion and tolerance, but you show none of it, especially to our kind! Are we no different? You scattered our people for what? Trying to gain sustenance to feed our young, to feed ourselves? We stayed amongst the shadows and watched as you defeated our “queen” and disbanded the hive, longing to seek revenge. However, there is a time and place for revenge and now isn’t either of them. You denied us our way of life but not all blame goes toward you, after all we did have an incompetent leader who crafted a moronic plan. We will properly lead both you and changelings to a glorious light that will shine across the land, for we are the tides of change, coming to wash away a past and present of these lands’ systematic downfall. We are revolutionaries, who waited for the perfect moment to help Equestria and our Hivelands so that both changelings and ponies can live together in prosperity and support each other. We are the shadows, who hinder your thoughts and track your every mistake. We are…The Mavericks.” The Mavericks all saluted and launched into the air, scattering in different directions. Their leader shot another beam of magic into the air to clear up the skies, returning the day’s original, lovely afternoon. He smiled to the crowd then faded away, leaving the center of town to a crowd of confused and scared ponies, and a very annoyed Twilight. “Where’s Shining Ar-,” She shouted as her shadow tapped her on the shoulder. “Ah yes, Shining Armor is still missing. If you just wait here I’ll get him for you,” the head Maverick answered. He nodded to the shadow of a wall, which like the mares’ shadows, seemed normal at first. Two Mavericks spawned out of the wall, carrying a disoriented Shining Armor. “Shining Armor,” both Cadence and Twilight cried in unison. The Mavericks dropped him into Cadence’s care gently as Twilight ran to assist her. Shining Armor wasn’t responding. “What did you do to him,” Cadence angrily asked. “We’ve done nothing to him. It’s just a side effect of the shadow melding spell. Do not worry, it’ll wear off momentarily.” Moments later Shining Armor finally regained some conscience. “Er…what, where am I,” Shining Armor muttered. Cadence and Twilight were filled with joy and comforted him. “My apologies Captain for the ‘sucker-kick,’ but we needed your presence for our cause.” “You?” Shining Armor jumped out of Cadence’s care, but tripped, still feeling dizzy. “You know who I am?” “I got a glimpse of you when you hit me.” “Again, our most sincere apologies.” The head Maverick walked up to Cadence and Twilight. “I’m a changeling of my word, you got your brother back and, and you got your husband back.” “Thanks?” “You’re welcome Miss Sparkle, now good day.” “Wait-,” though it was too late for her plea, for the Mavericks were already gone. “Shoot, what do we do now Twilight,” Applejack asked. “We have to go tell Princess Celestia! She’ll know what to do.” “I say we go and find those ‘Mavericks’ and teach them a lesson,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, starting to fly away. “No Rainbow,” twilight shouted, halting Rainbow Dash with her magic. “You saw what happened when we were discussing my plan. Besides we don’t even know what their motives are. I’m not sure what he meant by ‘We are the tides of change,’ He didn’t really explain what the ‘Mavericks’ are trying to achieve.” “Well I’m sure there is something on them in the Canterlot library,” Cadence added on. Twilight could barely hear Cadence due to the crowd of uneasy ponies. She teleported over to the fountain in front of the crowd. “Listen everypony! I know everyone is confused about what happen a little while ago, but don’t worry. We are going to get to the bottom of this,” Twilight declared. Mayor Mare made her way to Twilight and faced the crowd. “Thank you Twilight. Everypony please continue on with your day, I can assure twilight and her friends will fix everything.” Mayor Mare’s words had an effect on the crowd, calming them down and dispersing them back to the streets of Ponyville. “Thank you Mayor. Come on gang we need to get to Canterlot ASAP!” Everyone cheered as the mane six and the royal couple ran off to the Ponyville train station. “Sir,” A Maverick asked, arising from the shadows of the Ponyville clock tower, on the other side of town. “Yes Arachne,” the head Maverick answered, looking out to the main segment of Ponyville. “Why did we show those mares any mercy back at the fountain? Teaching them a lesson would have struck fear into the crowd. The pony kind has never shown us changelings any mercy and clearly they were preparing to be the aggressors.” “I showed them mercy because that’s what we do. We don’t want to cause any more conflict then we need to fulfill our mission. You must remember Arachne; the ponies did love us at some point, even if though they no longer do. Besides we were shown mercy once…” “But at what cost? We were ridiculed and became mere shadows of who we once were because of him!” “Because of him we as a species are still alive, albeit barely. Remember who our real enemy is. We need those mares, you know that. They possess the abilities we need.” “Of course, but Morpheus-,” “No ‘buts’ Arachne. We’ve been planning this for a millennia; we cannot slow down for any reason.” “Of course. It’s just…I’m just nervous about this whole plan.” “Everyone passes through the bog of doubt, but you must trust me Arachne, you must have faith in the group. We will be successful.” “But what if we aren’t successful,” Arachne stepped up to Morpheus. “We will.” “But what if we-” We will be successful.” “Very well sir, I believe you,” Arachne said walking back to the darkness. She looked back to Morpheus, who was still looking toward the Ponyville, lost in deep thought, frowned, and then disappeared.