//------------------------------// // Talking to the Princess // Story: Friendly enemy // by Cone of Wonders //------------------------------// A few hours had passed since The Unicorn Twilight had left and 011 was given some peace and quiet at last. The time seemed to pass slowly but that no longer mattered to him. He had a roof over his head which was all that mattered. Even if he was under the watchful eyes of the Pony princess. However, that peace and quiet was suddenly interrupted once more as another three royal guards entered the room and trotted up to the bars of his cell. "Princess Celestia wishes to speak to you Changeling". Spoke the middle guard whose armor was fancier than the other two. "What does she want to see me for"? Asked 011, clearly irritated. "I do not know. Find out for yourself". The gate to the cell opened and 011 was led through the long hall and out the door. The pony he had just spoken to walked in front of him while the other two stood at the changelings sides in case he tried anything. After a long walk though the castle, 011 was now standing in front of the doors that led to the throne room. "The princess is expecting you". Spoke the royal guard once more before leaving. 011 watched him until he and his men turned a corner and looked back at the door. He pushed it gently with his front hoof and the door slowly swung open and 011 saw the princess sitting down on the other side of the large room, she looked quite serious. As 011 walked down the throne room towards Celestia, he noticed the stained windows on his left and right which reached up from his head to the ceiling. What caught his attention the most however was that in one of the stained windows was Fluttershy. She seemed to be... fighting against... Nightmare moon with Twilight, Rainbow Dash and three other ponies, and succeeded. The next stained window he passed was even more incredible. It once again showed all six ponies imprisoning some weird looking creature which had a deer antler, an eagle claw, a bat wing, a snake tail and several other types of animals. There seemed to be something about each window that showed all six ponies. All of them were wearing a different type of necklace apart from Twilight who had some sort of crown. He then turned from the windows and was now in front of the steps that led to Celestia. "Princess Celestia. I believe that the Uberling has been found"? Asked 011 with hope. "I'm afraid not Changeling. I have called you here for a different matter". "What is it you have summoned me here for"? "Do you recall my Student Twilight Sparkle who spoke to you no less than a few hours ago"? 011's face frowned as he knew where this was going. "Yes, I am aware of what happened". "Care to explain about your... sudden outburst towards her and why she was nearly in tears when I saw her"? "I may seem like an ordinary changeling to you Princess. But it doesn't mean that myself, that any of us, would stand by and allow our species to be insulted by anypony. Your student did just that and then dared to say that she only wanted to help afterward as though she wanted to pretend that nothing had just happened". Celestia raised a brow and spoke back. "I do not choose to believe that my faithful student would insult you or your species. And neither would I". 011 just glared at her as though to say "I don't believe you". "Is there a reason why you seem so angry towards us ponies"? Asked Celestia, knowing that he did not trust her. "I would tell you but my words would likely fail me from such pain in my heart". The princess nodded her head, showing that she understood his reasons. 011 changed the subject to the stained windows. "If I may ask you something Princess"? "Of course, what is on your mind"? "The windows of this room contain pictures of the three ponies I met only a few days ago. But unless I am mistaken, one of these pictures show that they, along with others, have managed to stop The mare in the moon. How is this so"? Celestia walked up from her throne up to 011 and paused to look at the picture. "Not long ago, My Dear sister Luna was known as Nightmare Moon. After she had returned from her banishment to Equestria to pledge that she would shroud the land in everlasting night. But before she could succeed, the elements of harmony rose up against her and managed to rid Luna of Nightmare moon therefore freeing her of her evil self". 011 couldn't believe it. Fluttershy, the wimpy pegasus who fears nearly everything, was able to defeat such a dangerous creature such as Nightmare Moon? It was hard to believe but there it was. Staring him right in the face. "And of that one"? Asked 011 as he pointed to the window showing the weird creature made of different animal parts. "This creature is known as Discord. The spirit of chaos who escaped eternal imprisonment in stone only several months ago. He tricked the elements of harmony into becoming the opposite of their true self's and made Ponyville into the new chaos capital of the world". 011 checked out of one of the normal glass windows which showed a good view of Ponyville. It looked normal enough to him. "And I suppose that these same elements of harmony were able to overcome his enchantments and defeat him"? "That is correct Changeling". "Impressive to say the least. Defending their race by standing up against such tyrants. How noble of them". He said while keeping his eyes on Ponyville outside. "Not just Pony kind, but also the Griffon kingdom, the Minotaur cities. Even your species were saved thanks to the elements". 011 looked at the pictures once again and noted the necklace like weapons. Those must be how they are able to fight against these dangerous foes. Perhaps something that may come in useful for another time. "Now changeling, I am glad to tell you that your friend Fluttershy sent me a scroll today asking for you". "I see, and what is it she asks of me"? Celestia managed to teleport the scroll out of nowhere and hovered it over to 011 who took control of it with his own magic and began to read. Dear Princess Celestia I hope you don't mind me asking but a couple of days ago, I told Silver that he needed to make some friends. I never got the chance to introduce him to anypony and would love to give him the chance to meet some of the ponies here in Ponyville so that he can see that we are not the scary mean monsters he thinks we are. If you could, can you please write back to let me know your answer? I mean, if you have the time. P.S. I hope this letter isn't interrupting anything important. If so, I am sorry. "I cannot believe she actually apologized in the letter for doing basically nothing". Complained the changeling as he scrunched the scroll with with magic before letting it fall to the ground. "Well of that is all Princess, I will return to my cell". 011 turned round to leave until he heard Celestia cough to get his attention. "Actually I believe that Fluttershy has a good point on teaching you the values of friendship". 011's jaw hit the ground in disbelief, not the first time that had happened and probably wouldn't be the last. "You can not be serious! Have you forgotten about the Uberling already!? Or my imprisonment"?! Celestia gave a slight chuckle at 011's sudden outburst before answering back. "I will be helping to defend Ponyville from the Uberling as well as my royal guards. And if I and my guards should fail. I know that the elements of harmony will not let Ponyville down. As for your imprisonment, I guess we can now change it to community service". "... Very well. I see you've thought this through quite carefully". 011 grumbled to himself as he now had to be moved from his cell which he was starting to like, to a town of stupid annoying ponies. 011 headed towards the door. "Changeling"? 011 turned his head to Celestia again. "If somepony asks you a few questions about you or your species again. Please try not to yell and insult them again". 011 smirked a bit. "No promises". He then exited the throne room and readied himself for the worst that Ponyville has to offer.