“A message came from Ersatz,” a young changeling reported, standing before Rose Thorn’s desk. “Scootaloo escaped with the changeling I told you about, Mimic.”
“Good,” Rose said. “Very good. Any word from the queen?”
“No. She still wants you to believe Scootaloo is dead.”
Rose nodded. “And where did they lose their pursuers?”
“The mad lands, just as you predicted. If I may, using Ersatz to direct them was a stroke of brilliance.”
Rose nodded in gratitude of the complement. “All he did was mention them in passing. It was a gamble, hoping Mimic would remember them while they were fleeing. A gamble that paid off quite well.” Rose allowed herself a rare smile as her horn glowed softly. “Just a moment then. That should do it, the last of her memories should be returned.”
“I am worried though, is it really necessary that the queen fall?” the changeling asked nervously.
“I understand your hesitation,” Rose said, “but now that Lirean has had a taste of power, she will never bow before another. If the hive is to survive, there can be only one true ruler, not just for changelings, but for all of us.”
“Of course,” the changeling said. “I should know better than to doubt you. It’s just I am hesitant to put myself beneath a ruler so different, so alien.”
“I know,” Rose said soothingly, “but I promise, it will be for the good of us all. She will lead us to a new age of prosperity, and there will be a special place for us who never wavered in our loyalty, no matter what species they may be.”
The kindness faded from her face, leaving her usual, business-like expression. “Spread the word. The final act will begin when Scootaloo returns to Canterlot. If anypony can escape the Mad Lands, it’ll be Discord’s little pet, and as long as she returns, I have no doubt Celestia and the elements can defeat Lirean once and for all.”
*****
-2 months ago-
“Hello?” Scootaloo asked, opening the door. A red and pink unicorn mare stood on the other side.
“Hello. Scootaloo?”
“Yeah.”
“My name is Rose Thorn. I’m an associate of Star Shine’s.”
Scootaloo tensed up. “What’s this about?”
“I came to warn you. They plan on coming after you tonight. They know you recognized the changeling queen.”
Scootaloo backed away, moving to push the door shut, but Rose caught it. “Scootaloo, please, hear me out. I mean you no harm.”
“I already sent a message to the princess,” Scootaloo said. “You might as well leave me alone.”
“No you didn’t,” Rose said. “You don’t have a dragon here. My guess is you came here because you didn’t want to risk being out this late. Anypony out there could be a changeling. Then, once it was morning and the streets were full of witnesses, you’d make a trip up to the castle and warn the princess.”
Scootaloo gave up on pushing the door shut and backed away, wings flared in an instinctive fight or flight pose. “How could they even know that I’d seen her?”
“The waiter at the shop was a changeling.”
Scootaloo took a moment to breath and nodded. “Then I’ll just go now.”
“I’m afraid it’s too late for that. Many of the royal guards are changelings with orders to intercept you if you try to reach her. Another group is circling the block through the air, ready to stop you from running. Star Shine will be here any minute.”
“Then what can I do? You came here to warn me, you’ve got to have some plan.”
Rose looked out over her shoulder before closing the door behind her. “I do, but I don’t think you’re going to like it. You’re going to have to be captured.”
Scootaloo blinked. “That’s not funny.”
“I wish I was joking, but I don’t think you can get past the changelings. They won’t hurt you though, not yet at least. Star Shine knows he’s under suspicion, so he’s going to let the changelings take you and then help the princess find you, after blocking your memories of tonight from your mind, of course.”
Scootaloo shook her head. “I’m not letting myself get caught just because you think I’ll be safe.”
“I’m sorry Scootaloo, but you don’t have a choice, and I don’t have time to convince you otherwise. There are more important things to discuss, several things you have to know, and I won’t get another chance to talk to you. They’ll be watching me closer now that I’ve disappeared at such a crucial moment.
“The first thing you need to know is that Star Shine is trying to make his own Elements of Disharmony. When you eventually regain your memories, you have to warn Princess Celestia. If she has the Elements of Harmony ready, they’ll cancel each other out, meaning the fight will be between Celestia and the changeling queen with no interference. If she’s not prepared, Canterlot will fall.”
Scootaloo fell back onto her haunches. “Just slow down a second, I—”
“There’s no time to slow down,” Rose snapped. “Just remember, Celestia must keep the elements and their bearers close at hoof at all times. Secondly, there’s a convergence of ley lines that run through Canterlot. The queen is planning on using them to overcome Celestia’s power. If we can block her access to them, it’ll level the playing field.”
“How?”
“There’s a cave at the top of Canterlot Mountain. It’s the most magical place in all of Equestria, with writings from some of the oldest languages in the world. At the very center of the ley lines is a message written in a physical representation of pure thought, a message that reflects what the reader most needs to hear. That’s the point where the power flows freely.
“When Discord first fought the pony sisters, he used his own magic to seal the ley lines so they couldn’t be used against him. The seal was removed after they found the elements, and set somewhere only the princesses could reach, the Mad Lands.
“When you regain your memories, you must ask the princess to retrieve the seal and place it on the stone table beneath that point. If she does that, then she’ll be able to defeat the changeling queen.”
Scootaloo had trouble swallowing for a moment, but finally managed. “Why can’t you tell her all this yourself?”
“I told you already, many of the royal guards are changelings. I’d never make it to see her, and if Star Shine or the queen think I’ve betrayed them, I wouldn’t last a day. Which brings me to my next point. Scootaloo, I need to block this conversation from your memory.”
“What? Why?”
“Star Shine is going to use illegal magic to learn as much about the Elements of Disharmony as he can. If he finds this conversation in your head, he’ll know I’ve betrayed them.”
Scootaloo backed away, wings coming up again.
“Please Scootaloo, if they find out about what I just told you, they will kill me.”
*****
Scootaloo stared silently into the distance as Mimic stretched. They’d had to sleep shortly after landing. Scootaloo had tried to stay up at first, keeping watch while Mimic slept, but eventually her exhaustion caught up to her. The sun was high in the sky before the changeling nudged her awake.
After another few seconds Mimic finished stretching her wings. “We should get moving. I don’t want to be out here after dark.”
“What happens after dark?”
“No clue, and I really don’t want to find out.”
Scootaloo nodded. They’d fallen asleep beneath a large tree at the base of a grassy hill. Other trees dotted the field around them. A hazy fog seemed to encircle them, barely visible in the distance. Scootaloo walked to the top of the hill to survey their surroundings. Other than the haze, nothing seemed out of place.
She pushed off, taking to the air as she’d done hundreds of times before. Her wings pumped, picking up a steady rhythm, and she landed back on her hooves.
Mimic widened an eye, and Scootaloo felt she’d be arching an eyebrow if she had any. “What was that?”
“I guess I wasn’t entirely awake,” Scootaloo said, frowning. She gave herself a little shake and took off once again, landing on her hooves a moment later..
Mimic frowned and tried to take to the air herself, managing to do little more than hop in place, insect wings buzzing uselessly.
“I was afraid of this,” Mimic said. “They say magic doesn’t work right here. Not even the magic that lets us fly. I guess we’re walking.”
Scootaloo sighed and started forward toward the haze. “If magic doesn’t work here, how were we able to get here in the first place? I mean, we landed right there on the hill.”
“I don’t know. Do you really expect something created by Discord to make sense?”
“Good point. So what can you tell me about these Mad Lands?”
“Not much,” Mimic said. “They’re forbidden to the changelings. That’s why they stopped chasing us. Some of us have ventured here, usually when the hive needs extra food. Most of them never come back.”
“And the ones who do?”
“Insane. Muttering nonsense about endless days or wandering in circles. Some of them even insist they saw ghosts or Discord and the princesses.”
“Well, that’s just great,” Scootaloo grumbled.
“It’s better than being back there with the queen,” Mimic said.
“Did any of them ever get better?”
“How should I know?” Mimic asked. Scootaloo shot her a curious glance and she frowned. “Dead weight.”
“Oh,” Scootaloo said, a look of slight revulsion on her face. “I forgot what a nice place to live the hives were.”
“That’s not funny. None of us want to abandon our brothers and sisters, but we do what we have to. No changeling comes before the good of the hive.”
“Except your brother.”
Mimic opened her mouth, but her retort died in her throat. After a moment she nodded.
“So these Mad Lands are where Discord fought the Princesses? I’d always heard it wasn’t much of a fight.”
“Their second fight wasn’t,” Mimic agreed. “But the first time, the Princesses didn’t have the Elements of Harmony. They say the battle raged on for three days. The powers thrown around twisted nature and scarred the earth. Finally Discord won and took control of Equestria.”
“You sure know a lot about pony history,” Scootaloo said.
“The story was one of Queen Chrysalis’s favorites. She liked to imagine your princesses failing, and she was an old friend of Discord. Sort of.”
Scootaloo chuckled. “Is it true he once tried to turn the changeling hive into a kite?”
“So I’ve been told,” Mimic said, smiling. “Anyway, after the battle, the princess quarantined the entire area, and Chrysalis forbade us from entering as well. It’s funny, Ersatz and I were talking about this place just the other day. I wouldn’t have thought then that I’d be visiting so soon.”
Scootaloo hesitated before saying, “The princess won’t be able to keep you and Effigy safe if she’s overthrown and enslaved.”
Mimic stiffened and her pace slowed.
“I know you don’t want to do anything to hurt the hive, but we can’t protect you if we lose. I need to know what Lirean is planning.”
“I don’t know much,” Mimic said. “I’m just a gatherer, not one of the queen’s trusted advisors.”
“Lirean takes advice?”
“Well, no. She got rid of all the trusted advisors when she took over. Anyway, I don’t know what her plan is, but I’ll tell you what I can.” She rounded on Scootaloo, poking a hoof into her chest. “And if you go back on your deal, I swear to the first queen, I’ll make you pay if it’s the last thing I do.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Scootaloo said. “Believe it or not, I actually want to help. You saved my life, even if you had your own reasons.”
“Just so we’re clear,” Mimic said, turning to begin walking again. Scootaloo followed.
The two of them came to the top of a hill and stopped to rest. Scootaloo turned in a quick circle to get her bearings, pausing when as she looked back the way they came. “Mimic, how long have we been walking?”
“I don’t know,” Mimic said. “About... actually, I really don’t know.”
“I don’t feel that tired, and that was a big hill that we landed on. Shouldn’t we still be able to see it?”
Mimic turned to look back at the flat expanse of grass. “I guess we’re making good time.”
“I guess,” Scootaoo agreed, turning to look forward. “It’s just so hard to tell. Everything looks the same. Like we haven’t...” she trailed off.
Mimic looked down, ears flattening against her head as she pawed at the ground. “Don’t be stupid.”
“You’re right,” Scootaloo said, shaking her head. “I just keep expecting something bad to happen. I guess I’m being paranoid. Want to get moving again?”
“Yes,” Mimic agreed, starting down the hill.
“So? How much can you tell me?”
“We’re working with a pony,” Mimic said. “A unicorn mare named Rose Thorn. She’s scary.”
“Scary? How?”
“She came to the hive. Willingly. Unannounced, uninvited. Just trotted in like she owned the place. Went straight into Queen Lirean’s chambers. We all thought for sure she was going to die, but an hour later she just strolls out and leaves. After that, Queen Lirean had us begin preparations to invade Canterlot.”
“I’m starting to wonder if Rose Thorn is actually on Lirean’s side.”
“I’ve always assumed she wasn’t on anyone’s side. Why?”
“She came to warn me before Star Shine foalnapped me. I don’t really trust her, but everything she told me adds up. I just don’t understand why everything is so complicated around her. She wants to get a warning to the princess, so she tells me and then erases my memories? You’d think writing a letter would be easier.”
Mimic laughed and stood up. “You’d think. We should get moving. I don’t want to be out here after dark.”
“What happens after dark?”
“No clue, and I really don’t want to find out.”
The two of them set off down the hill, moving North toward Equestria. After a minute or two, Scootaloo asked, “So what can you tell me about these Mad Lands?”
They both froze. After a moment they turned, eyes wide, and rushed to the top of the hill. The land all around them looked the same as before, nothing but flat grassy plains dotted with trees.
“Alright, third hill that looked exactly the same. Coincidence?” Scootaloo asked hopefully.
“No, Mimic said, touching her hoof to a point on the ground. “Look.” Beneath her hoof was a bare patch of dirt. “I did this the last time we were here. This is the same hill.”
“We did actually leave, right?” Scootaloo asked. “All that walking, that actually happened, right?”
“I think so,” Mimic said. “But, I don’t feel very tired.”
Scootaloo frowned. "Is it possible that we just got turned around? That we just walked in a big circle?”
“I doubt it. I have a good sense of direction. It’s why I’m a gatherer. I would have noticed if we’d been thrown off course.”
“Well then, what do you think?”
Mimic took a moment before standing up. “I think we should get moving. I don’t want to be out here after dark.”
“That’s not funny.”
“Huh? What isn’t?” Mimic asked.
“Really Mimic, stop. This is weird enough already.”
Mimic tilted her head, frowning slightly. “Are you alright, Scootaloo?”
Scootaloo took a deep breath and shook her head. “What just happened? Like, over the past five minutes?”
“I woke you up and you just sort of stared off into space while I stretched.”
“Okay. I think we should go this way,” Scootaloo said, nodding her head right.
“But Equestria is North,” Mimic said, pointing.
“I know. I just don’t think we’re going to get anywhere going that way.”
“That doesn’t make any sense.”
“Exactly,” Scootaloo said. “This place is all messed up because of Discord’s magic, right? You said it wouldn’t make sense.”
“When did I say that?”
“The point is, I don’t think we should be so straightforward about this,” Scootaloo finished. She started down the hill to the East, and after a moment Mimic followed her. They walked in silence for the better part of an hour before something new appeared out of the haze in the distance, like a scar across the flat expanse of grass.
“Ha,” Scootaloo cheered. “I knew going this way was a good idea.”
“That doesn’t look like Equestria,” Mimic commented dryly. “Maybe some kind of canyon or ravine.”
“Yeah, but at least it’s something new.”
“Oh good, what an amazing victory. We managed to walk somewhere new.”
“I know, isn’t it great,” Scootaloo said, ignoring the sarcasm. Mimic sighed. The ravine took another few minutes to reach. The ground dropped away to a river far below. The other side was about sixty feet away.
Mimic gave her wings a quick stretch before stepping up to the edge of the cliff.
“Wait!” Scootaloo shouted before biting down on Mimic’s short black tail and dragging her away from the cliff.
Mimic fell back with a surprised gasp. “What?”
“Well, it’s just that magic doesn’t work here, right?” Scootaloo said.
“Yes, that’s what I’ve heard.” Mimic glanced back at the ravine, ears going flat. “You don’t think that means we can’t fly, do you?”
“I think we should try it before jumping to our deaths.”
Mimic nodded and unfolded her wings again. Scootaloo watched as she hopped in place several times, wings buzzing uselessly.
“I guess we have to go around,” Scootaloo said. Mimic agreed and they turned North. Time crawled forward as they marched. Hours passed, but the ravine still stretched endlessly into the distance.
“Scootaloo, I think something’s wrong.”
“Just one thing?”
“The sun isn’t moving.”
Scootaloo glanced up. Sure enough, the sun was still high above them, barely shifted from when they’d woken up. “Do you think something’s wrong with the princess?”
“I have no idea. Between that and this ravine, I feel like we aren’t moving at all.”
Scootaloo frowned and sat down to rest. Mimic didn’t seem to remember, but they’d already been through a similar situation. They’d been going in circles until they’d chosen a completely different path. “I think we should try to get over the ravine.”
“How? We can’t fly.” Mimic glanced between the cliff nearby and Scootaloo. “Don’t tell me you’re planning on climbing down and then back up.”
“We’ve got to try something different.”
“Or we could just keep walking. No one says we have to go East. Equestria is to the North anyway.”
“I don’t think we can go North,” Scootaloo said. “We’ve been walking for hours and we haven’t made any progress.”
After a bit more convincing, Mimic reluctantly agreed, and the began searching for a more gentle incline to climb down.
“Did you hear that?” Mimic asked after a moment, leaning over the edge and turning an ear out toward the ravine. Scootaloo moved to join her and listened. There was a faint grinding noise barely audible over the running water below.
“What do you think it—” Scootaloo’s question cut of as the ground lurched beneath her. She clung to Mimic as the fell, screaming. The entire canyon wall was collapsing in on itself. The section of ground beneath them twisted, sending them into the air. Scootaloo felt the familiar sensation of weightlessness she got when diving for a few seconds. The next moment, they were in the water.
The water was freezing. She almost screamed as she went under. She tried to swim, but couldn’t tell up from down. Seconds ticked by as her lungs screamed for air and her head began to grow fuzzy. She felt the cold of the water starting to slip away.
Something soft slammed into her from behind. She managed to turn and push against the muddy bottom of the river. With a few powerful strokes of her wings, she broke the water’s surface. Air rushed painfully into her lungs.
Mimic was struggling to stay above water nearby, and with a quick stroke of her wings, Scootaloo managed to get to her. They helped each other get steady as the river whipped them away. Once the initial shock wore off, Scootaloo realized they were being swept upstream, rather than down.
They flowed quickly against the current for almost half an hour, struggling to keep their heads above the water and avoid the rocks that jutted out above the surface. Finally the ravine walls fell away and the river evened out. They were able to swim across to the other side and pull themselves out.
Scootaloo collapsed, shivering and coughing. She felt Mimic settle beside her. She would have fallen asleep there, but another weight settled on her other side. She turned over weakly to see a long, skinny body covered in brown fur.
“It’s about time you got here. I thought you’d never show up,” a familiar voice said.
Scootaloo’s gaze trailed up the long body, past the mismatched wings, coming to rest on his lopsided, one-fanged grin.
“Discord?”