"Hey Bill?"
"Yeah, Jim?"
"Why are we here?"
Bill sighed. He had often pondered this question, but never got a clear answer. He replied. "I don't know man. Sometimes I wonder. What are we accomplishing here? Why are we fighting? I mean, Her Highness doesn't tell tell us anything. It makes you wonder, in whole grand scheme of things, what is the point of it all? Is there a greater purpose for us changelings? Even further, is there an all-powerful being that guides the universe? I mean, we have ponies claiming to have god-like powers, such as Chrysalis, Celestia, and Luna. But... Is there a more powerful being? Is there a God? This stuff keeps me awake at night man."
Jim responded, "No, I mean, why are we here, out on the balcony? They called for dinner like twenty minutes ago. But all that stuff about God and greater purpose... You wanna talk about it? I mean, the invasion of Cantorlot is tomorrow. We'll have to fight our hardest, without any lingering thoughts."
Bill stared at the sunkist horizon as the sun began to set before answering. "Nah." He said. "Let's go eat."
But as they made their way to the cafeteria, Bill couldn't shake off those questions. He hasn't been able too for months now. The most prominent being, 'Why do we fight?' As he reached the cafeteria, he got his food and sat with his 'friends'. Bill calls them friends, but in reality, he despised every single one of them save Jim. First, there was Kalvan. He was a jerk. For no reason. At all. Then, there was Folly. He whined. A lot. Oh, and Ted! Ted constantly tried to hit on the female changelings. He once tried to get a date with Chrysalis. She tortured him for a week. Finally there was Tim. He was... Well...
"Hey guys!" Tim approached the table, breaking Bill's thought pattern. He was carrying an extra tray of some sort of green bread.
Crap. Bill thought.
"Hey Bill," Tim started. "I know you'd rather not eat cafeteria food, so I brought you something!"
"You idiot..." Bill said under his breath. Tim really was a complete moron. One time he made radioactive beer. It hospitalized about six changelings. He was always coming up with nasty concoctions, and Bill was forced to try them all. Now, the cafeteria food was gross, but it was still better than what Tim had to offer. Bill sighed. "... What is it?"
"Jelly-Bread!" Tim smiled.
"Why is it green?" Jim asked.
"I made it with radioactivity!" Tim exclaimed. At this, all the changelings at the table, other than Jim and Bill, fled instantly.
"Uh-huh." Bill said. "Yeah, no. I'm good."
"But..." Tim said, "you're like a brother to me, Bill... I made this for you..."
Bill replied. "Still not gonna eat it."
"Eat it." Tim commanded.
"No." Bill stood firm.
"Eat it!" Tim pushed the tray closer.
"No!" Bill replied.
"Eat it or I'll drop it all on the floor and blame it on you!" Tim held out the tray with one hoof.
"Oh, real mature dude!" Bill retorted.
Tim began to yell. "I MADE THIS FOR YOU!"
Bill sighed, "I still don't quite understand why..."
Tim yelled some more. "I DO IT, BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!"
Bill raised his eyebrow. "That's weird. And I'm still not gonna eat it."
Tim fumed, "I HATE YOU!" He stomped out. Bill rubbed his temples with his hooves and placed his head on the table.
With that, Bill's 'friends' returned to the table. Kalvan started boasting about doing six 1080 no-look back-kicks on a pony in Call of the Elder Gears Solid of Halofront 6: Friendship is Oblivion's Creed for the ZSphere 4, while Folly complained about nothing. Literally, he complained because he didn't like the word, 'nothing'. And Ted bragged about his most recent attempt to pick up a girl. In normal circumstances, this would be okay. However, this was the conversation pattern that occurred every single day. Minus actually saying 'no' to Tim. That was new.
All of these things raked on Bill's brain, until, finally, he couldn't take it anymore. He screamed and ran out of the cafeteria. He even left the Changeling base. He started flying. He didn't know where he was flying, he just flew. He wanted somewhere that he could think in peace and quiet. He had once been told that Late-Night Cantorlot was the most serene and beautiful places ever. So, that's where he decided to go. As he made his way, the sun had fully set behind the mountains.
When he finally landed in the Cantorlot streets, he watched as the last of the ponies go indoors for the night and the street lights flicker on. He looked towards the castle and smiled. The way the lights lit the street, and just the all around serenity was like nothing he'd ever seen. He loved every minute of it.
As he looked upon the castle, a force field encompassed the city. "Interesting." He said aloud. "Must be for the wedding tomorrow. This will make the invasion slightly harder. But I'm sure we'll break through." With that, he flew on top of a building to think.
He sat on the roof of one food restaurant because it seemed like the best place to stargaze. He always was able to think better when stargazing. Plus, this restaurant served pizza and milkshakes. He liked pizza and milkshakes.
Thus, he began his thinking as the stars shone their brightest on that peaceful night. Agh! Those changelings tick me off! Sometimes, I just want to give them all a hoof to the face! And another thing, this invasion confuses me! It's not that I don't know what to do, I know exactly where my position is once we start. It's just that... Why do we fight? I still don't understand... Maybe if I figure out why these questions started popping up in the first place, maybe I can find some answers. But when... THAT'S IT! No... Wait... YES! The human! It must be him! I've heard stories of his endeavors. And how could I forget I was even there disguised when he had swapped bodies with those ponies? I'm so stupid! He hit his head with his hooves.
Alright, something about the human... Thehumanthehumanthehuman... AHA! From the stories that I've heard, he fights with purpose! That must be when I started asking myself those questions! He doesn't fight for kingdoms, glory, or any of that stuff. It's clear in his character. It's something... Greater... But what? He's not fighting because some ruler is telling him to. From what I've gathered, he could leave this world at any time. Why does he stay? Why does he fight? Maybe if I- He yawned. Maybe... I just gotta... He yawned again, this time falling asleep.
___________________________________________
"Hey!" A strange voice woke Bill up. "This roof isn't safe!" Bill turned to look at who was speaking. He seemed to be a waiter of sorts. He was an orange pegasus colt whose body resembled a sunset and a mane that portrayed a starry night sky. The waiter continued, "You gotta-" He froze in fear. He looked as if he was about to shout, 'changeling'.
"Son of a..." Bill whispered. His fighting instinct kicked in as he dashed towards the waiter pony, covered his mouth, and cracked his neck. "Shoot." he said. "Didn't mean to kill him. See, this is why fighting sucks! This colt didn't need to die!" He sighed.
Figuring he needed a disguise, he gently laid the body down and scanned it with his horn. Using his changeling powers he took on the form of the waiter. "Okay. You've got to have a name somewhere... Let's see..." He found the name tag. "Aha! Stardust Night. Fitting. I like it."
With that, he entered the restaurant the way he had seen Stardust come. When he reached the ground floor, customers were waiting. He looked at them, then had to do a double-take. Crap! He thought. Those are humans. THE humans! Just play it cool. They must be here to order food. Just do what they want, and it'll be okay.
The human with the blue sword at his side and gem on his hip spoke. "Yeah, we'll have eleven milkshakes and six pepperoni pizzas."
"Alrighty," Bill said. "They will be ready momentarily." He did as the human asked in order to keep his cover. He wasn't sure what recipes the restaurant used for pizzas, so he made Changeling pizzas, pizzas that use a recipe known only to changelings, and if a non-changeling were to eat it, it would taste like the best pizza ever eaten. Ever.
After everything was finished, Bill brought the food out to the human and his friends, who were having an all-around good time just hanging out together. Bill didn't know the prices of the food, so he didn't charge them. He retreated back into the restaurant, but always watching the human. He saw him laughing and enjoying the company of his friends. "What is it about him that's so special?!?" Bill said aloud. "He doesn't look like a fighter... He seems... What's the word... Compassionate, as if he actually cared for the lives of those around him. Could that be why he fights?"
Before he could finish that thought, the barrier surrounding the city shattered. The humans drew their weapons. "Well," Bill sighed, "that's my cue." He changed back to his changeling skin and flew to the castle. His post was right outside the wedding chamber.
When he arrived, he was greeted by Jim. They were appointed to guard the entry of the wedding, because, in order for the invasion to be a success, Chrysalis had to disguise herself as the bride, Princess Miamoré Cadenza, and sap the life energy of the groom, Shining Armor.
"Dude!" Jim said. "Chrysalis is ticked! Where did you go last night? Wait, shh! Here she comes!" Chrysalis, disguised as the princess, approached them and glared at Bill. "You. I shall deal with you later. Your punishment will be most severe. For now, guard this door with your lives." She burst into the wedding chamber, probably for a wedding rehearsal.
"See." Jim said. "So, where'd you go?"
Bill walked towards the window. "They were living happy lives before we came..."
"Huh?" Jim was confused.
Bill motioned towards the window. "Look." Jim obeyed. "They're all dying... Why? It's not necessary. I watched them laugh and and have a good time. But now... Now, they're fighting and dying for no real reason."
Jim frowned. "Are you still on that? We fight because Chrysalis tells us to!"
Bill yelled, "But WHY? Those ponies did nothing to us! Why should we fight them?"
Jim paused, "I... I don't know..."
"And that's why," Bill said, "I have to stop this... I'm sorry..."
"Wait, wha-" Bill rushed at Jim and knocked him out cold, much like how he killed Stardust. He burst into the chamber and yelled. "CELESTIA! The bride is not who she says she is! She is Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings!" All the ponies just stared at him. "... That's not gonna work, is it?" He sighed. "Oh well." He dashed up to Chrysalis and clamped his jaws on her neck and would not let go. She shrieked in pain as she tried to shake him off. Celestia was too dumbfounded by what just happened to do anything.
Chrysalis growled, "Why, you insolent little piece of- AHHHH!"
For the longest of time, she couldn't throw him off, but she did eventually. As he was pried off, Bill took a chunk of skin off of her neck. Her illusion faded revealing her true form. She tossed him to the ground, and he hit his head. Hard. He was dazed. Just before blacking out, he saw the four humans and a gray pony come through the door. Celestia yelled something at Chrysalis, but Bill blacked out before realizing what she said.
________________________________________________
When he came to, Bill was in a hospital bed surrounded by Celestia and three other ponies. "Where- what- how-?
Celestia spoke first. "Careful. You do not yet have enough strength. Chrysalis threw you with such force, that it should have killed you. But I see that you are confused."
Bill responded. "Uh, yeah, kinda. We're supposed to be enemies!"
Celestia smiled. "But you don't actually believe that, do you?" Bill remained silent. "I see you have learned a lesson that most ponies never learn. I see you are still confused. Hahaha! I'm sure you'll see what I mean soon enough. Now, there is something I wish to give you. Besides my gratitude, of course."
"And that would be...?" Bill asked.
Celestia replied. "Citizenship of Equestria!" Bill's jaw dropped. "If you had not done what you had, I fear Chrysalis would have grown too powerful for even Lucas and his friends."
"So that's the human's name..." Bill said. "But wait, wasn't there eleven of you? I remember the three of you traveling with Lucas, three other humans, and four other ponies. What happened?"
Celestia spoke in a somewhat irritated tone. "The human returned to their world, along with the gray pegasus."
"What about the other three?" Bill asked.
Silence filled the air. The three ponies other than Celestia that were in the room had tears welling up in their eyes. Finally, Celestia solemnly broke the silence. "They gave their lives, so that others might live... They made the ultimate sacrifice..." She paused. "Needless to say, these three could use a new friend. Let me introduce you to them. This is Rainbow Dash."
The cyan mare motioned with her hoof and said, "'Sup."
"Next is Fluttershy."
"Um... Hello there..." The shy pony squeaked.
"And this is Rarity."
"Why, aren't you just the most dashing changeling I've ever seen! Simply fabulous!"
Bill spoke. "Hmm. K thanks, but I don't need friends."
Celestia laughed. "That is funny. You are funny. Now, that you are friends, I expect a letter from you every so often as to what you learned about friendship."
Bill's jaw dropped. "Wha- But- I'm not even- WHY AM I BEING VOLUNTEERED FOR THIS?!?"
Celestia just giggled and walked out. Rainbow Dash walked over and spoke. "You helped save us. Heh, you're alright in my book."
Bill couldn't find the words to express himself. "But- eh- meh- her- she- why- beheba- eh- BULLCRAP!" The ponies just laughed hysterically.
Bill did take a liking to Rainbow Dash eventually, however, and they became good friends. They were chilling on top of Twilight's tree library when Dash asked, "Hey, Bill?"
"Yeah?" He responded.
"Why are we here?"
Bill sighed. "Y'know, I learned quite a bit from that question. In fact... HEY! PURPLE DRAGON THING! Take a letter!"
"Ready!" The dragon replied. "And my name is Spike!"
"Shut up. Just take the letter." Bill started. "Dear Celestia,
Recently, I've often wondered as to why we fight. I think I found my answer. I learned that you don't don't wanna fight someone because you're told to. You don't wanna fight them just because they're an earth pony, or just because they are a pegasus or a unicorn. Those are not good reasons to fight. You wanna fight someone because they're evil, or they're a snob, or a pervert, or because they whine, or they're an idiot. Those are all good reasons to fight someone. You want to fight them because you truly hate them on a personal level, and because they are complete and utter douchebags. And I believe that is why we are here. Signed, Stardust Night, AKA, Bill the Changeling."
"Hmm." Rainbow Dash started. "Interesting. But I meant, why are we here, in the top of this tree? It's too hot. We should go inside."
"Oh." Bill said. "Fair enough."
"Hey, you sure do like that body." Dash commented as they flew to the ground. "What if you meet up with him again?"
"Yeah, um, he, uh..." Bill said nervously. "He died in the invasion. Yeah, that's it. Anyway, I need a disguise so I don't scare anyone, and I have always loved stargazing and the night sky, so it kinda worked. Funny thing is..."
Bill started another story as they walked inside.
THE END