//------------------------------// // Brothers, Friends, and Music (rewriten) // Story: When Love Falls // by Quantum Solace //------------------------------// Chapter 3 Music, Secrets, and Friends Octavia sat opposite to the faux Rarity, watching her carefully as she sipped her tea. She was not sure if she believed this Changelings story. The idea that she was talking to the Princess of the Changelings seemed a little far fetched. But she did seem a little different from the Changelings that had attacked Canterlot. This one seemed to have a remote idea of right and wrong. A small spark of individuality, one might say. Octavia set her tea down lightly. The Changeling, or rather, Chryselia, as she preferred to be called, studied her carefully. She seemed rather intelligent, and did not look like any other Changeling she had seen, what with the green mane and twisted horn. And she had heard stories about how the Changeling Queen, Chrysalis, did indeed have a twisted horn. The information did seem lean in Chryselia’s favor, however Octavia had to be sure somehow. “So,” Octavia asked carefully, “considering that you just told me everything you know, what is to stop me from telling everyone in ponyville about what you had just said?” She watched the Changeling carefully, looking for the slightest hint of fear. The Changeling, however, merely shrugged. “Nothing I guess.” she said, “But I really don't think you will.” she took a sip of her tea gingerly, then spit it out. “What is in this stuff!? Apples!? I hate apples!” Octavia ignored the last remark and frowned. “How so?” she asked curiously. “Well for starters, apples grow on trees, so they taste like trees. And apples have no emotions, it's like they aren't even alive! Who would eat that?” Octavia rolled her eyes. “I meant,” she said in annoyance,” Why do you think I won’t tell anyone who you are?” Changelings are soooo stupid, she thought. Chryselia placed her tea down on the table carefully. “I guess I don’t.” she responded thoughtfully.. “But sometimes, It’s right to trust others. To know that there's someone sharing your burden out there.” She looked back up at Octavia carefully. “You seem like an honest pony. A pony who doesn't care about what species a creature is. You’ll help them if they're in trouble. And,” she added, “I could just mess with your memories, and make you forget all this if this goes south.” Maybe not so stupid. “Alright,” Octavia said, slightly surprised. “Different question then: What do you want me to do?” She added hastily, “That is, if I believe you.” “Well,” Chryselia began, “First off, I don't want you running off and telling anyone I’m not Rarity.” “Obviously. Next!” “Second, I want you to help maintain my cover. I don’t want anyone to find out.” Octavia looked a little skeptical, but nodded slowly. “And next?” she asked hesitantly. “Well...” Chryselia paused, and looked at her hooves. “I... I want you to be my friend.” Octavia couldn't believe her ears. “You what?” she said, in complete surprise. Chryselia flinched slightly. “Y-yes.” she said, timidly. “ I've only had one Changeling that I could call a friend. And I don't have him anymore, so I want someone new as a friend.” She looked up at Octavia. “And I did save your life right? That's gotta count for something.” Octavia was stunned. Admittedly, she didn't really have friends, other than Vinyl Scratch, who was currently away in Canterlot for a few weeks, but she had just met this mare, who technically, wasn't even a mare, but a Changeling, a common enemy to pony-kind. Becoming friends with such a creature would surely lead to trouble. But Octavia secretly relished trouble. Something that would set her hooves along a path that would lead to an adventure wasn't new to her, even if she had given that life up a long, long, time ago. And besides, she was right about the whole, “helping others of a different species,” thing. This Changeling was alone in the world, and would not last long without somepony to help her. But there was still something nagging at her. Changelings were known to be heartless, and having friends were unheard of. Her curiosity got the better of her. Octavia sighed. “Alright, i’ll be your friend, but first,” she said curiously, “Tell me about this other friend.Who it it? What's his name?” Chryselia immediately gave Octavia an enormous hug. “ohthankyouthankyouthankyou!” she said, then sat back down as a disgruntled Octavia attempted to readjust her bow tie. Chryselia blushed a bit, then changed the topic. “My first friend.... well, I met him after school one day. Some of the other Changelings blindfolded me after class and-,” “Wait,” Octavia interrupted. “You had school?” “Of course! What, do ponies not have school?” Octavia opened her mouth to respond, but just rolled her eyes. “Never mind, continue.” “Well,” Chryselia said, “So these Changelings caught me after school, and blindfolded me. They took me out back, and kicked me to the ground.” She shivered a bit. “Then... they started throwing stuff. I don’t know why, they just didn't like me. They kicked me, spit on me, and they broke my left leg...” she cradled it a bit, but then a smile spread across her lips. “But that when he came. Out of nowhere, I heard this changeling fighting the others. There was a lot of yelling, scuffling around, and screams, but eventually, the others left. Then, I was untied, and my blindfold was removed. There was this changeling there, all beaten up, and bleeding like I was.He had cloudy eyes, like he was blind or something, but he obviously wasn’t. He carried me back to the castle, and gave me too my mother. From then on, he visited me every day. He was the first creature other than my mother, to take any positive interest in me. And when we got back to school, he helped me, and protected my from the bullies. Those two years were really great.” Then Chryselia frowned. “But then, Chrysalis found out.” Octavia blinked. “I would think your mother would have supported such a decision. what was wrong with you having a special-somepo... I mean, Changeling?” she asked. Chryselia laughed, and shook her head, “No, it wasn't like that. first off, we were just friends. Actually, he was more like an older brother to me. Second, I can't be sure that my mother found out, but It sure seemed like it. She pulled me out of school, and started teaching me herself. Then, she put in a special request for him to join our royal palace guards.” She shrugged. “Maybe it was her way of trying to bring us together, but it didn't help. We barely saw each other after that. We were both too busy to go visit each other. And when he left, the guards realized that there was no one protecting me anymore, so they started hurting me, and making my life miserable.” Octavia shook her head in confusion. “I don’t understand. If your mother was Chrysalis, the Queen of the changelings, why didn't she just order them to stop? Chryselia snorted. “She trusted her guards too much. They just reported that I had done it to myself, and she was too busy to care.” Octavia stared at her. “What could make your mother so busy, that she couldn't even see that her own guards were assaulting her own daughter?” Octavia felt sick to her stomach. Maternal instincts forcing her take harsh judgments of the Princess’ mother. Chryselia closed her eyes and sighed. “At first, I really hated my mother for that, but then I understood.” She stared straight at Octavia, eyes a sharp green. “Our race was dying. There was never enough food to go around. That's why Chrysalis invaded Canterlot. And that's why she lost.” Chryselia looked at the sunset in the distance, its soft color illuminating the room. “Our soldiers were so weak, and hungry. An entire regiment was taken out by six ponies, who had probably never been through combat training. Chrysalis had to gather food for our race, or face certain doom. She was neglecting me for the greater good.” She sighed again. “Doesn't mean I have to like it though.” Observing this fake Rarity, she once again say Chryselia as just a lost and confused child, on her first excursion from her home. Octavia opened her mouth to say something, but suddenly, there was a knock from the door. Chryselia and Octavia both jumped. “Who's there?” Chryselia called, eyes returning to Rarity’s original color. “It’s me!” Spike called from the other side of the door. “We were all waiting for you! Fluttershy refused to start the party without you! And Pinkie’s about to explode if you don’t get there. And Luna isn't really the patient type either.” A silent stream of colorful words flowed from Chryselia’s mouth. “Be right there!” she called, moving towards the white door. She glanced at Octavia, a trace of fear in her eyes, before opening the door. Spike waddled in, wearing a small tuxedo tail coat, and a top hat. He grinned proudly as he entered. “What do you think? Pretty snazzy huh-” he stopped mid sentence, his jaw on the floor as he stared at Octavia. Blinking in surprise, she gave him an awkward smile. “Well, um, hello there Mr. Spike.” She said, extending a hoof. “My name is-” “Octavia Phillharmonica II, only the number one best musician in all of Equestria! I was at you last concert, where you performed Wooden Overture by Glaze and Tsylion! It was amazing! But why are here? Are you friends with Rarity? Will you autograph my tuxedo?” The little dragon stared up at Octavia with huge eyes. Although adorable, Octavia tried to avoid her fans, as the last ones attempted to kidnap her. But that was a loooong story. “I'm sorry, but I’m a tad busy at the moment.” The dragon cast his eyes downward in disappointment, and Octavia felt a stab of guilt. “However, I am taking a small vacation in Ponyville, so maybe I could stop by the library some time.” The dragon gave a happy jump of excitement, then turned back to Rarity. “Oh, I almost forgot! Are Luna and Fluttershy’s dresses done?” A look of horror crept up Chryselia’s face. Time to take one for the team, Octavia thought. “Yes.” Octavia answered before Chryselia could reponed. “But she.... left it at my house. How about I get it, and bring it to the party?” Spike grew an enormous grin. “That would be awesome! And then, you could stay for the rest of the party!” “Oh, i'm not so sure about-” “Great! wear something fancy!” he walked towards the door. “I’ll leave you two to do you... mare things.” he giggled a bit, before walking out of the room. Octavia sighed. “Well that was-” she noticed Chrysalis was a bright red. “What's wrong?” She asked. Shaking her head, Chrysalis blushed a darker red. “I should.... I should find something to wear.” she muttered. “Thanks for helping me out.” “No problem.” Octavia said slowly. She was acting odd. Like an overly shy mare who had just been put in the same from with her.... realization hit Octavia, with her crush. “Chryselia,” Octavia asked her, “Do you... like Spike?” Chryselia’s face turned a deeper red. “N-no! I mean, yes! I mean, he really friendly and nice, and kind, and cute and....” Octavia nodded. “A Changeling having a crush on a dragon.” she teased. “Now that is indeed a new one in my book.” Chryselia’s eyes widened. Odd. Octavia pondered. This has to be your first or second time meeting him. Theres no way you could form a crush that quick. “No, I don’t!” she said, face a deep crimson. Octavia could almost hear her heartbeat double. “I’ve got to get ready,” She turned her back to Octavia, head held high, “and so do you.” Octavia left a little snicker escape her lips, before walking to the white porcelain door. “Don’t wait forever! Because I doubt you’ll be here forever!” Octavia walked out the door in time to see Chryselia throw a dress at it in annoyance. Octavia laughed as she walked down the hall. As soon as Octavia left the house, her mind entered a blizzard of thoughts. She struggled to contain the rising tide, the fear of returning to her old life, and the fate of the original Rarity. She ordered her thought process. So, I fall out a window, get saved by a Changeling (the Changeling Princess nonetheless), agree to keep her identity a secret, therefore betraying the Elements of Harmony, then I befriend the changeling... Celestia stick her horn where sun doesn't shine, it’s like my old life is back. She sighed as she walked into a small house next door to the Carousel Boutique. It was a small, quaint place, resembling Fluttershy’s hut more than anything. Octavia pushed open the door, and clopped over the dark, marble floors, the tiles cooling her feet as she crossed them. There was little furnishings in the house, as Octavia was rarely here. A couch lay in a corner next to an armchair facing a window, a small kitchen, a music stand, a cello, and a low table took up the downstairs. But she wasn't in the mood to take anything in. Her mood quickly growing stormy, she trotted solemnly up a flight stairs to her right. Her upstairs bedroom was a pigsty compared to the nice, clean, downstairs. Maps, compasses, various articals of clothing, and music sheets were scattered about the room. Her carpeted floor was barely visible as Octavia waded across the room to a small, walk in closet with a black, ivory, expensive door. Opening it revealed a room that clashed with the bedroom. It was clean, filled to the brim with beautiful dresses, sealed in special plastic coverings, coloring multiple shades of purple and black. Drawers were shut, and coated with a thick layer of dust. In the back of the large closet, was Octavia’s prize dress, displayed on a Pony-kin. I was a black a purple beauty, with a low “V” neck, and a black hem. It was made tighter around the back, as to bring out the flank. This was the dress that was to be given to Princess Luna upon her arrival. However, Octavia did not seemed at all concerned with the dress. Instead, she took her hoof, and pressed it to the ear of the pony-kin. There was a clicking sound, as the blank wall opposite of the dress slid open, revealing a dimly lit room. Lights flickered on washing the her in an eerie, white, light as she walked into the long, stark, room. It’s walls were bare, and completely white, reflecting the light so it hit every angle of Octavia’s body. She closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. A whirling sound buzzed in her ears, as she heard the grinding of gears, and the sound of metal against metal. When she opened her eyes again, the room had transformed. The walls of the room had slid up, revealing hordes of weapons mounted on shelves. Swords, guns, knives; every type of weapon imaginable. It was an arsenal ment to arm hundreds. All for one cellist pony. “Hello old life.”