//------------------------------//
// Dungeons, Dummies, and Double!! 
// Story: Cowcolts and Changelings 
// by Grazy Polomare 
//------------------------------//

	Morpheus woke with a groan in his left shoulder, the ache in his wing bringing little spasms of pain. Where am I?The air felt cold, and as his eyes adjusted to the dark, he noticed a stained, grey wall. The room was sparse save for a rusted, black bunk that supported two, moldy, lumpy mattresses. Dotting the wall were various stains that ranged from brown, to beige, to cream, to green, and to mixes in between. The smell itself was musty, and the mattresses, now that he thought about it, were absolutely putrid. A tiny, one hoof by 4 hoof window was situated at the front of the opposite wall. Across from this, was a large, wooden door reinforced with iron welds and nails. It too, had a tiny, iron-bar hole serving as a window. 

Sweet Celestia I'm in jail again. The changeling realized despairingly. This was deja vu. It always started in a library and ended in a dungeon. Or perhaps the events that had transpired in the last month or so had all been some very dreadful, harrowing nightmare. Maybe it had only been a day since the Canterlot invasion, and in fact, he had never escaped the cell in the first place.

Well if it was then not only was I having dreams within dreams; I even got blasted with a party cannon in every single one! Well, dream or not, he was here and if he remembered correctly dungeons were notorious for-

"SPIDERS!" Morpheus shrieked, his arachnophobia kicking in. He began to probe himself, making sure none of those little black balls of terror had managed to leech onto his precious shell. After affirming himself that no such monster inhabited his body, the changeling sighed in relief, plopping back down on his bottom. 

"Ouch!" the changeling hissed, turning around to see that his bottom had been heavily bandaged. Actually, his hooves, carapace, and even the menacing horn on his head were all wrapped in gauze. So it wasn't a dream after all...

"Did someone say something?" a voice groaned, the source being a black lump in the far corner of the room that was just starting to pulsate. Morpheus backed away, fearing that he had been locked in with a giant, changeling-eating, horrific, spider! Immediatley he ran for the other side of the wall, wondering if he could run around and just tire the spider out.

No use, the changeling concluded, I'd be too scared to run anyhow.	 Holding his breath, the changeling accepted his fate that the giant creature would gobble him up and spit whatever remains were left into a disposable waste bin. However, as the figure rose from the shadows, Morpheus saw that it was equine in shape, and had brown hooves. Upon stepping into the light, he could make out a dark brown mane and a chipped moustache. The pony himself had his horn and shoulder covered in milky-white gauze, and winced whenever he moved.

"Wha-what the BUCK!?" The stallion's eyes widened.

Morpheus too stood shocked at his cell-mate. "Spatchcock? Oh you gotta be kidding me!" On cue, both changeling and stallion began to hobble over to each other, waving their hooves like two old mares competing for the last orange. However, both immediately collapsed on their bellies, their limbs too weak and injured to sustain or deal anymore damage. 

For a moment or two, the two simply eyed each other, thinking up the various ways they could inflict more pain then they already gained from their previous scuffle. After inwardly sighing that combat was out of the question, they began to utter various names in a verbal assault.

"Parasite!"

"Hypocrite!"

"Thief!"

"Snob!"

"You know what," Spatchcock got up, "I think you're spying on us! Just like last time, and the time before that!"

"And you know what?" Morpheus stood up, "I think you're just as dumb as you were before you knew changelings existed. At least I use common tongue Mr. Somepony!"

Spatchcock only sneered, "I can use Common Tongue! I have used it in the past during my travels you little piece of spoiled mulberry pie! But you see, I actually am brutally honest with my customers! When was the last time you did an honest thing in your life? Cause judging from what I saw, you decided to steal an Element of Harmony's form in order to gain access to FREE FOOD!"

"At least I enjoy food before I start accusing its chef of poisoning my pie!" Morpheus accused, his eyes as thin as slits. If only he had enough energy to finish this stallion off for good. Then perhaps he could find a guard or Star Wing to release him.

"I wouldn't need to accuse the chef," Spatchcock replied snidely, "if the chef didn't try to poison me the last two times!"

"Well maybe," Morpheus yelled, "you shouldn't try to kick your chef out into the backyard the next time you don't like his cooking!"

"And maybe I should have kicked him harder so he couldn't come back and try to poison me again!" Spatchcock growled.

"And maybe the chef would have cooked better if you weren't such a jerk!"

"You know what," Spatchcock jeered, "I'd eat that stinking cake if it meant I didn't have to spend another stinkin' second with you!"

"IT'S PIE," Morpheus berated, "AND GO AHEAD AND EAT IT! MAKE MY JOB A LOT EASIER!" 

"FINE!" Spatchcock grabbed an invisible slice of cake-I mean pie-, and began to munch on it, moving his cheeks ever so slowly. "Delicious! I wonder what's in it?"

"I spat on it! Cause I love putting a piece of me in my craft!"

Spatchcock instantaneously began to gag and disgorged whatever invisible contents were in that dessert. "You sir are a terrible cook!"

"And-and you sir," Morpheus stuttered, "have terrible taste in cuisine. Something I would expect from a pony who probably hasn't even crossed the border!"

"Lying piece of rubbish!"

"Stupid, ignorant, daughter of a diamond dog!"

Both turned their backs, grumbling to themselves about cake, pie, the border, and various poisons that could be induced in the dessert should any of them wish to try it. Eventually, they turned around, prepared to begin another oral offensive.

"You're a deceitful piece of trash!" Spathcock spat out. Morpheus merely regarded the disheveled stallion with a scowl. "And you're a snobbish spoiled cake!"

"You tried to destroy my capital!"

"And you let him destroy my home!" Morpheus slammed his hoof on the ground, but quickly regretted the decision as he collapsed, cooing his stingy hoof.

Spatchcock himself tried to make a move towards him, but stumbled on his right hoof, he instantly began to grope it, massaging it with his left.	For a minute, both creatures were nursing their wounds, not at all concerned nor satisfied with the outcome of their argument.

"What's wrong with your wing?" Spatchcock asked softly, pointing at the changeling's bent left wing. Morpheus merely, shrugged, ignoring the searing pain he still felt.

"Just took a tumble into that table is all."

Spatchcock nodded, and tried to get up, but once again was brought to his knees when he felt the soreness in his right hoof. Morpheus regarded the stallion with a mildly concerned expression. "What's wrong with your hoof?"

"You tried to bite it remember?" Spatchcock said sarcastically, "Yikes you changelings are like animals when you get into a brawl. And those fangs could slice through dragon scales sweet Celestia."

Morpheus had to grin at the colt's discomfort with his attack. "I should have warned you changelings are notorious for their sharp fangs, but you wouldn't know that would you?"

"I've had my fair share of trouble," Spatchcock replied irritably, "I just didn't expect you to be so vicious."

Morpheus growled, "Well maybe you ought to hold that tongue of yours." 

Spatchcock merely sighed, his eyes regarding Morpheus with an equally pained expression. "I'm not the best at holding my tongue like other ponies. I suppose the anger just got to my head."

"It's instinct," Morpheus concluded, "same as me. We weren't meant to co-exist in the same region."

Spatchcock nodded, "That's probably the smartest thing you've said all day changeling. We aren't meant to live together like this."

"Well maybe if you ponies were just a little more accepting-"

"Accepting?" Spatchcock interrupted, "We've allowed thousands of different species live with us. We haven't kicked out the Buffalo. We kept the zebras, the donkeys, the mules, the minotaurs, and even the dragons are on decent terms with us."

"Yeah right," Morpheus scoffed, "and I'm supposed to believe a stallion whose fuse is as short as the amount of bites it takes to finish a choco-watermelon cupcake?"

"Nobody has proven that it takes only 1 bite!"

"A changeling did!" Morpheus crossed his hooves.

"It doesn't count..." Spatchcock too crossed his hooves.

"Because you're racist?"

"Because that changeling was probably YOU!"

"IT WAS ME!"

Spatchcock deeply desired the chance to smack this changeling in the snout, but his wound still stung. "You know what? The reason we tolerate the others is because they never attempted to attack us and then put the knife behind their back like we were friends all of a sudden. It takes more then the Elements of Harmony to forgive a thousand or so years of having you as enemies."

"What do you want us to do? Throw you a party? Massage your hooves? Transform into your deepest desire?" Morpheus outlined the silhouette of a mare with his hooves.

"You suck you know that!" Spatchcock scolded.

"And you suck harder!" Morpheus yelled in response.

"Well you suck the hardest! I WIN! I can't suck harder then you now."

"You suck infinitely more times then I could ever suck!" Morpheus accused, "Therefore I win for using infinity bug-brain."

Spatchcock held his tongue, holding back the insult he so dearly wanted to spray in front of this fool of a grub. "YOU CAN'T USE THAT! IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE!"

"I SO can use that!" Morpheus grinned. "You just can't admit that you lost."

"I never lose!" Spatchcock bellowed, "why I ought to smack you hard for that!"

"I'd like to see you try!" Morpheus hollered.

Spatchcock struggled to his hooves, "Let's go then. You and me. Round 2. I swear I won't go easy on you like last time!" The stallion strained to move his hooves in fighting position. 

Morpheus also got up, stumbling, but ready to throw a few punches. "Easy? Like Tartarus you were going easy on me!"

Spatchcock held out his hooves, "I'll show you, right here, right now!"

"ARRRGGGGHHHHH!!!"

"AHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

Both creatures released a war cry as they limped towards each other, rather determined as well. Morpheus could feel his hoof swing back and as soon as he made contact with the stallion's gut, he fell back in a spasm of agony."SCAAAATTT! THAT HURTS!" 

Spatchcock, who had attempted a jab for Morpheus' hoof, fell back as well, reeling in pain.  "OWWWWW, oh hayseed the AGONY! BUCK! "

"How can those guard ponies ever get up from a fight if pain is this bad?" Morpheus moaned, "Oh sweet Celestia I'm dying now. This is not at all how I envisioned it would end."

"Why did I have to die in jail...why did I have to die in jail..." Spatchcock repeated again and again, his eyes rolling around like marbles in a bottle.

"MORPHEUS! SPATCHCOCK!" an authoritative voice barked out. Both males slowly got to their legs, "Yes?". The wooden door slowly swung open, revealing a light-grey guard in traditional golden armor. "You're both free to go. Your respective parties have paid the bail." Both creatures sighed in relief, and began to limp their way towards the exit.

"Thank Celestia!"

"Thank Chrysalis!"

The guard groused an inaudible comment about society and criminals before slowly stepping out of the their way. "Next time," he warned, "don't go causing trouble. Goodness gracious, of all the places, you two idiots start a brawl in a book club? I know you were all trying to be noble and heroic but seriously, this is by far the most pathetic situation I've ever had the displeasure of being in."

Morpheus ignored the brutal insult, "What happened to Star Wing?" The guard seemed to be a little taken aback by the changeling's question, but shook it off, "Star Wing left for Canterlot two days ago. And Clyde went on some camping trip with his daughter."

Morpheus felt a tinge of disappointment, but was none the less still hopeful that he could find the receptionist, Mags. Scanning the lobby, he spotted her reading another magazine, oblivious to the outside world. None the less, he managed to say a hello, which was met with the sound of paper shuffling as Mags turned the page. Sighing to himself, the changeling slid through the ruby-red doors that had made this jail seem so happy before.

Morpheus embraced the sun, Freedom, I thought I'd never see you again until tomorrow!. Swiveling his head he casted a look of loathing at Spatchcock, who returned the favor. 

As Morpheus turned back, he flinched at the sight of a stern, jet-black changeling. "Morpheus Bloom," the changeling barked sternly, "what the buck did you get into this time?"

Morpheus merely grinned. The changeling was unfazed at this turn of expression. Letting out an exasperated cry, Morpheus held up his hoof for a hoofbump, "Come on Reflect, stop acting like you're all high and mighty!"

"Buck you," Reflect sneered before letting out a small grin, "but it's good to see you injured."

"Jerk."

"Queer." 

Both changelings began to laugh before hoofbumping each other. Reflect had been Morpheus' friend since they had shared a jail cell together. Being the intelligence drone for the Queen, Reflect explored any and all conspiracy theories within and outside the hive, producing an array of terrible theories that sometimes proved valuable.

"What's up with you?" Morpheus asked as the two made their way down to the Ponyville square.

Reflect gave his friend another playful grin, "Not much, the usual conspiracy, although recently we had an increase in anti-changeling activity."

"Really?" Morpheus was stunned, "where?"

"Fillydelphia, some parts near Manehattan..." Reflect paused, a guilty look plastered on his face, "...actually, all over Equestria really. Mostly just verbal abuse, but we've had some scuffles here and there. Some started by ponies and others started by changelings like yourself."

Morpheus blushed, embarrassed at being called out by his own friend. "Well that sounds bad, but I mean, any good news by chance?"

Reflect let out a yawn, his eyes focused on the sun slowly setting down. Morpheus, just noticing the time of day, began to panic as he realized he had been out for more then 12 hours. However, Reflect sensed his brother's anxiety and reassured him via the telepathic channel.

"Calm down there silly, the doctors had to nurse your wounds and after that, they left you in the cell to rest it off. And speaking of rest, you're gonna need some more of it when we get back to the hive. As for good news, Chrysalis is due for a speech about synthetic changelings anytime now."

"They still don't trust them?" Morpheus was puzzled. He had expected the synthetic changelings to be the first ones to mingle with the Equestrian race. "Well good on her to start making peace." 

"You really got your carapace handed to you on a silver plate last night? Got a few new holes in your legs Morphy?" Morpheus smacked Reflect in the back. "Shut up, I totally won that fight..."

"And then you were totally stunned at the end."a voice chuckled. Morpheus recognized it as Transparence, an elite changeling in charge of super-secret missions, or something along those lines.

"Well you just wait..." Morpheus thought back irritably. As he and Reflect made their way down the road, Morpheus began to think of how he was going to obtain a dummy, when a lightbulb lit up in his head. 

"I GOT IT!" he cried out, swatting the firefly that had been buzzing near his cranium.
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The hive was just as busy as before, with changelings flying from chamber to chamber. Morpheus longed to be with them, but figured he'd have to wait until his bandaged wing healed up. As he trotted along the various corridors, he spotted drones spitting out resin to reinforce the walls, guards lazily talking about their day, and various other workers moving here and there. It was the hustle and bustle of a busy hive. 

"Hey Morphy!"

He looked up to see Transparence upside down, a grin plastered on her face as she flew down to meet him. Morpheus himself was admittedly surprised, but glad to see Transparence hadn't moved out of the hive. 

"Transparence," Morpheus beamed, "about time I saw you, where you've been all this time? Some secret mission or something? Or were you just trying to avoid me on purpose, I know I can be intimidating-HRGHH!"

Transparence grabbed Morpheus in a choke hold, her smile still present, "Keep telling yourself that and I'll show you intimidating." She dropped the changeling to the ground, who gulped for air like it was mana from above.

"Well aren't you a spoiled heart," Morpheus grunted,"and you still didn't answer my question either."

Morpheus wasn't sure if it was only him, but he could have sworn he saw Transparence glow. It was subtle, but the changeling looked absolutely thrilled, as if she had been promoted or something. "I was in Canterlot!"

"Canterlot?" Morpheus wondered what she had to do with the Equestrian capitol, "what were you doing in Canterlot?"

"Well," Transparence mused, "I've alway wanted to play the violin professionally and the Queen gave me permission to go on an exchange-ling trip to the capitol. So I applied for an apprenticeship and now I get to work with these two really cool ponies called Octavia and Vinyl Scratch! We're going to do gigs in both the capitol and Ponyville! Isn't that exciting?"

"Thrilling..." Morpheus muttered bitterly. 

Transparence cocked her head, "What's up with you Morphy?" Her smile was starting to fade as Morpheus trudged past her. Heaving a sigh, she ran after him.

"What's up?"

"Nothing," Morpheus replied cynically.

"Clearly something's on your mind?" Transparence stated, "What's wrong with Canterlot?"

"What's wrong with Canterlot?" Morpheus swiveled his head, a scowl over his face, "That-that...you're leaving us for them! What makes you think they'll treat you nicely?"

The smile broke into a grimace, "Morpheus! I thought you'd be happy to see me trying to reach out to Equestria. And maybe not everypony will be so enthusiastic at my arrival, but at least I'm taking the first step."

Morpheus resumed his marching, Transparence following him from behind. "Hey! What's the matter with you Morphy? You've been acting like a hatchling all day, making rude comments on anything that has the slightest reference to Equestria. Why can't you just accept them?"

Morpheus paused, and turned around to face Transparence, who was fuming. "Maybe because I am having trouble getting use to a former enemy who doesn't seem to like us that much either."

"Most of them are trying though, you just never pay attention to them. Give them time, they're still not use to seeing us well...like this." Both changelings looked over their normal form, with sickly, hole-covered hooves and bug-like wings. 

"Well they ought to get use to us looking like this. I mean, why do we have to hide our forms?"

"And you don't think they have to hide their emotions? Morpheus, two months ago we were trying to consume their capital and now we want to live together? Not exactly the best of circumstances to build a foundation for peace."

Morpheus had to give it to Transparence that it wasn't easy. The events of the invasion and the eventual truce had transpired in less then a month. Within the course of a few weeks, they were already making peace arrangements with Celestia. And here he was, still acting like nothing had ever changed.

Transparence casted a dismal look, a frown replacing the scowl. "Morpheus, what happened? I remember when you use to be the one who reached out to ponies. I recalled from Reflect how you held him back, despite the fact that you had to cooperate with the very same ponies who defeated you. I mean, I understand that our current predicament has changed in the last few weeks but you're an entirely different changeling. And I don't think it's the power that's gotten to your head. I think it's something else."

Morpheus was taken aback by his friend's statement, unable to answer as Transparence continued.

"Morpheus, I know you had the worst experience with ponies," Transparence admitted gloomily,"mostly because of your inability to act out the part when you shape-shifted. But still, despite being chased out of towns and later admonished by our supervisor, you still held a positive demeanor. And now...now you've just grown to be grumpy. This problem isn't just going to go away. Wounds heal over time, and you need to stop thinking of what ponies can do for you and what you can do for them."

"And what would you have me do?" Morpheus asked solemnly.

"Give them a chance." Transparence smiled again once more, before raising her hoof. Morpheus returned it with a hoofbump. 

Then, he did something he didn't expect. He locked his sibling in a firm hug. "Take care of yourself out there Transparence."

"You know me," Transparence chuckled, "now stop acting all emotional like I'm being enlisted in the war."

Morpheus let go, and with a final wave, he watched as Transparence took off. When she had vanished, he continued on his trot, wondering if he had given them a chance. As he reached the hollowed out cavern, several sentires raised their hooves in a salute, something that Morpheus had lied to them about when addressing generals and the Queen. Reaching the small chamber to the side, Morpheus turned to got inside.

His office had been just as he had left it. The hammock was still swinging, and his swivel chair was where he had left it. The old picture displaying the 30 guards who did patrol in the hive hung proudly above his withered desk, where the remnant of a wax candle had melted over the top. A small filing cabinet also was present, its contents composed of several hoof-written documents on each of the changelings in the guard. A small, mahogany book shelf stood next to the cabinet, its contents mainly composed of Daring Do novels. 

"Home sweet home." The changeling plopped onto the hammock, his right hind hoof swaying back and forth as his body relaxed. As he stared blankly at the ceiling, his mind drifted to the words Transparence had said earlier.

Had he really changed? He did recall a time when he accepted other ponies, but he also recalled a time when he was insulting everypony under the moon. He even remembered a time when he learned how to bake from the Element of Harmony, and even when he felt a tinge of remorse for some of the ponies. And yet, he felt he had never genuinely been concerned for them. 

Well all matters laid to rest, I think I deserve a good nap for my trouble. And with that, the room was filled with his snores.

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The sunlight was shining thin beams around the canopy of trees that dotted the Everfree forest. A lone, green colt grunted as he pushed a large, wooden box over the pathway, his mane dripping bits of sweat as he did so. 

"What...hrrghhh...idiot...hrggghh...orders a package...hrghhh...in the woods?"

The colt had received weird requests before, but this was by far the most random spot he had ever been told to deliver. Keeping going down the main path of the Everfree until you spot a white stallion. Maybe he ought to have given his co-worker the job, since she seemed liked to meet mysterious, handsome stallions in deserted places.

As he heaved another groan, he saw the familiar white outline of a pony. "You there!" the shape called out, "you have the fireworks no?"

"Yeah!" the colt grunted back, "what kind of order is this sir? Twenty Red Dragon Rockets in the middle of a forest? Are you trying to wake an Ursa Major or something?"

"No, no," the slightly accented voice replied, "there's a cave here that's been abandoned for years that would make a great testing spot."

"Testing? What are you testing sir?" He had finally moved the immense package in front of the white stallion, who had a dark brown mane and handlebar moustache. 

"Why, the test that will change ponykind dear colt!" The voice sounded like he was from Trottingham, which only added more mystery behind this order. "Well," the green colt rubbed his neck, "I guess good luck with that sir, but I need a tip?"

"Oh," the stallion seemed surprised, before reaching into a brown saddlebag. Upon peeking into the contents, the colt could make out a grey, ugly doll of sorts packaged with several matches and duct tape.

"Uhhh..."

"Here you go." A shiny golden coin landed in the colt's hoof. The colt was flabbergasted for a second, unsure of how to tell this stranger that this was well below his tip. "Uhh sir-"

"Be on your way now," the stallion ordered coldly, his eyes staring directly at the colt's, "or else."

He didn't need to be told twice and with that the green delivery colt ran down the pathway. Waiting until he was out of sight, the stallion chuckled and vanished in a column of bright green flame. The insect-like form of Morpheus now stood in his place, examining the contents of the box.

"Are we ready?" Shift called out from the hidden cave a few trees away, "Cause I don't like the feeling I'm gettin'."

"Relax," Morpheus waltzed over nonchalantly, "this is fool-proof. We need a dummy anyhow for this experiment and Mr. Smartypants is the perfect choice. When we return it, it'll be like nothing ever happend."

"And what if something happens?" Shift asked tensely, his eyes darting in both directions. "Everyone knows Double would kill a changeling on site for touching Mr. Smartypants. And here we are, two thieves going way over our heads."

"Double needs to grow up," Morpheus said as he carried a few bright red tubes decorated with flimsy tissue paper to look like a dragon. "That changeling hasn't stopped playing with that demented doll since she was born. I mean, we all left our toys when we grew up right?"

"Yeah..." Shift chuckled nervously, his thoughts drifting to the toys he and his brother Alter still kept in their chamber. "And what if Double realizes her toy is missing?"

"Relax," Morpheus assured his friend as he began to set the fireworks in positions around the cave, each tied to a thin white line of string, "Alter and Reflect are distracting her with some conspiracy theories on choco-watermelon cupcakes or something. Reflect thinks they have mind-control in those pastries!" 

"Really? I thought they were pretty good if you ask me," Shift mused.

"Same here," Morpheus consented, "but still it makes for a great distraction, giving us plenty of time to run this experiment."

The changeling grunted as he climbed up another short edifice, arranging the fireworks at a fixed angle. Morpheus had to admit it was harder to set traps without his wings. The nurse had left him a note saying that it would take another month or so before they were healed.

Shift seemed to breathe in relief, grateful that his twin would be there in case anything bad happened. "Well then I suppose we should get ready right?"

Morpheus nodded and indicated the metal ball and tripwire laid out in the bag. "Put the doll on that rock, we'll lay out the string over those two stalagmites, then position the metal ball to fall over the match there. When the string ignites, it'll set off a chain reaction of fireworks. If all works out well, my hypothesis guarantees that they will not harm the intruder at all. In fact, it'll probably just stun them. As soon as we prove it non-lethal, we'll use you as the next test subject okay?"

"Alright," Shift replied uncomfortably, "but I'm only doing this because you were good friends to me and Alter."

"I've been your friend since you two hatched out of the same egg," Morpheus admonished his hatchling-mate, "think of all the things I did for you!"

Shift pondered on this for a second, but raised his hooves. "Nope nothing." He placed the doll on the tiny little stone that was marked by a red "x".

Morpheus gave an unamused glare at the changeling before tying up the last firework. "Okay, Shift set the ball, trip over the wire, and run back to the entrance as soon as you're done. You'll have around ten seconds."

Shift nodded and flew over to the top entrance, dropping the metal ball at a natural precipice. Upon placing the ball in careful proximity of the trip wire, Shift immediately rushed to the trip wire, and gently nudged at it with his hoof. Upon nudging the string, he heard the sound of the ball rolling over the stone floor. Darting as fast as he could, the changeling flew to the cave entrance, where Morpheus was already waiting with his hooves over his ears. 

"FIRE IN THE HOLE!"

SWISH! PING! BANG! PEW!

Both changelings removed their hooves from their ears, giving each other perplexed looks.

BOOM!

The explosion shook the entrance as the ground heaved and finally settled. A large column of smoke covered the changeling's faces, causing both to let out raspy coughs. It had all taken place in a few seconds, leaving Morpheus slightly disappointed. 

"I thought it would be more spectacular." Shift complained. It had probably just worked like a smoke bomb, which was utterly useless to stopping a determined intruder.

Morpheus stood up, a scowl over his face,"Well I'm calling for a refund..."

"Hold on," Shift grabbed hold of his partner, "let's make sure Double's doll is still intact."

Morpheus was about to explain that it didn't matter, but decided that he might as well fetch the doll. After all, a little smoke probably was the worst thing he could possibly expect. "Alright Shifty."

As the two made their way down the cave, they could see scorch marks in various places, and cracks in the wall that had not been there before. As they reached the bottom, both changelings coughed as the smoke cleared, revealing the tiny pedestal that Smartypants had been attached to.

"It's..." Morpheus gasped, "...incinerated!"

"WHAT!" Shift ran to check the tiny stone, but saw the doll intact, albeit it was a little darker now. "Morpheus! That was't funny!"

"I can't believe it," Morpheus began to roll over the floor, ignorant of his partner's scowl, "You should have seen the look on your face Shift! Hilarious! Almost as hilarious as that time I fired the party cannon at Mirror when she was making her way to the infirmary!"

"Yeah well," Shift grumbled, "just take it with us so we can start cleaning it in the creek or something. Can't have Double cuddling a bag of soot."

Morpheus trotted over to the stone, and with one hoof tried to scoop up the doll. But it wouldn't budge. He tried again, and yet the doll seemed to be stuck like super glue. "What's wrong with this thing?" 

"You need help there Morphy?" Shift chuckled, positioning his hooves behind Morpheus for support. 

"Yeah, shut up," Morpheus muttered, his hooves straining as he tried to wrench Mr. Smartypants off the pedestal, "it just..hrgghhh...needs...hrghhh...a little...hrghhh...FORCE!"

The sickening sound of cotton being torn caused Morpheus to fall back, the doll flying in the air as Shift gazed up in horror. Little tuffs of hay and cotton seemed to float out from the doll's back like little puffs of smoke. It was then apparent, as the lifeless object fell in slow motion on the stone floor, that Mr. Smartypants literally had no back. The chiseled remains had lost almost all its stuffing. Morpheus lifted the doll, his expression solemn as he pronounced the verdict. "He's gone Shift. Time of death, who gives a rat's cheese? Cause of death, accidentally setting off a lethal trap."

"WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO?" Shift cried out, his eyes wide in fear, "that thing is Double's most prized possession. And now it has no back!"

As if on cue, one the arms sagged and the stitching began to come undone. Morpheus dropped the doll and stood up. Shift only buried his head in his hooves. "Oh Morpheus you resin-secreted piece of scat, you've gone and led us all down the emotionless black hole called DE-COMP-OSITION!"

"Get a hold of yourself," Morpheus barked, shaking his buddy like a bag of chips, "we need to remain cool and collective. All we have to do is buy a new doll-"

"Double could tell the difference!"

"Then we fix it!"

"How?"

"Through magic idiot! There's gotta be someone who could fix this thing as if it was as good as new. You know reverse-spell or something."

"And who did you have in mind?"

Morpheus thought for a second, and suddenly a lightbulb popped in his head before he shooed it away for being yet another annoying firefly. "That's it! We can ask Rarity to help us!"

"How the-"

"Rarity fixes outfits right? She could easily mend Smartypants back together or find somepony who can-"

"Why don't we just tell-"

"NO!" Morpheus muffled his companion with a hoof, "What Double won't know won't anger her. Rarity barely knows Double so it'll be fine and she'll have to keep a code of confidentiality anyhow."

"Okay..." Shift sighed, "okay...but we barely know Rarity either..."

As if on cue, a tentative voice called out. "Hello? Is anypony hurt down there?" Both changelings immediately clambered up the cave, Shift snatching up the doll and any pieces of that had fallen out. Once they reached the top, both changelings were confronted by a familiar yellow pegasus. Fluttershy squeaked in fear at their disheveled appearance, but none the less managed to whisper a good day.

"Fluttershy!" Morpheus hugged the pegasus, leaving ash and soot over her coat, "we were wondering if you could do something for us."

"Okay," Fluttershy responded in her soft, timid voice, "what is it that...you need?"

"We were wondering," Shift began, presenting the burnt remains to the startled pegasus, "if you could take this to Rarity and ask her stitch it back up. Maybe add a few new buttons or some outfit."

"Well..." Fluttershy was unsure of how to deal with this turn of events. I suppose I could but I-"

"Please!" Morpheus bent down on his hooves,  "I will be in your debt if you just take it to Rarity and ask her to fix it, no questions asked okay? We'll pay for it too!" Morpheus pulled out a shiny new bit.

The pegasus had cringed back, hiding her face behind that bright pink mane, but managed to nod in confirmation. She turned and indicated towards the green saddlebag around her back, in which Shift steadily poured out the contents from his hooves. 

"Careful now," Morpheus warned, "we don't want to miss a single piece."

After carefully dumping the doll in the pegasus' saddlebag, Fluttershy did a quick wave and darted off towards Ponyville. When she was gone, both changelings plopped onto the rock, their bodies tired from the current fiasco. "I can't believe we nearly messed that up!" Morpheus finally stated.

Shift guffawed at the changeling's sentence and soon both were howling with tears of joy. As they laughed, two green fireballs suddenly crashed through the trees, creating a tiny crater. As the dust settled, both Shift and Morpheus had their jaws open at the sight of two familiar changelings, one of whom resembled Shift.

"Alter? Reflect?" Shift questioned, "what are you doing here?"

Reflect shot up like a weed, his eyes glaring at Morpheus, "I BUCKING HATE YOU MORPHEUS!". Alter slowly rose to his hooves, panting for air, "We...came as soon as I could...Double...knows." Morpheus sat dumfounded at the latest news. "What?" he and Shift said simultaneously.

"We were keeping Double busy," Reflect explained, "like you said Morpheus, when she decided to visit her chambers. Well, none of us couldn't say no, and sure as royal jelly, she saw it missing. But all she did was give us one of those smiles and well, let's just say me and Alter busted out of there as quick as a wasp chasing a moving target."

"Which is why we came to warn you that she's coming!" Alter blurted.

Morpheus began to shiver."She's...coming?"  

"Yes!" Alter cried out, exasperated. "How many times must I tell you! Double is coming here right now so just give me the doll. I'm sure that if she receives it we will only receive menial punishments as long as-"

"We don't have it..." Shift stated blankly, "it was... served extra crispy..."

"WHAT!" Alter bellowed, his eyes suddenly filled with absolute terror, "How are we going to-"

"Don't worry," Morpheus assured, "Rarity is working on it as we speak, so all we need to do is buy some time to make a hasty retreat to the boutique and-"

"SMARTYPANTS!" A demented, otherworldly voice shouted. All four changelings began to shake uncontrollably. Their eyes fearfully gazed up at the forest canopy, searching for the source.

"What are we gonna do?" Alter cried, "What are we GONNA DO? We're all doomed! Doomed I tell you DOOMED!"

"Keep it together," Reflect jeered, "we just need to-"

"RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!" Morpheus screamed, taking off down the path. Cursing to themselves, all three changelings followed, abandoning the crate full of fireworks.

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"Can you see her?" Shift asked, turning his head around incase the High-General was behind their wings.

"Nope," Reflect shouted back, "I can't see anything behind us, I think we made it out!"

Already, all four were jumping over logs, dodging tree trunks, and ducking under branches. Morpheus hadn't heard nor seen the High General, but he was sure she was only playing with their minds. She's probably just skipping her way over here, confident in her victory.

"I think we lost her," Alter stated, turning back. 

"Alter, alter your position!" Reflect barked.

"What about my position?" Alter asked before a large, bulky tree branch collided with his noggin. The changeling flipped backwards, and landed in front of Shift. Although Shift attempted to brake, he tripped over Alter, sending both of them tumbling into a field of blue flowers.

"Morpheus!" Reflect cried out, "Alter and Shift are down!"

"Better them then us!" Morpheus bellowed, "Their sacrifice will be remembered!" 

And with that, both changelings continued down the Everfree Forest, leaving their companions to sluggishly crawl behind. Alter felt his hind legs shrinking while Shift felt one of his eyes enlarge to about the size of a dinner plate.

"Wait for uzzzzz," the changelings slurred, "we'vvvveee been caught in Poizzzon Joke!"

As they slowly inched their way across the notorious blue field, a shadow suddenly covered the entire forest floor. Both Alter and Shift froze, slowly turning their heads around to see what had blotted the sun out.

"Hi there!" Double giggled.

Both changelings held each other tightly, screaming like banshees at a rock concert.

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The two remaining changelings were galloping over fresh spring grass, the town of Ponyville shining like a glorious beacon of salvation. Morpheus didn't dare look past him, his heart beating a million beats per second. As they passed Fluttershy's cottage, crossing the bridge, Morpheus suddenly bent over, clutching his stomach.

"Cramp!"

Both changelings turned a corner and ran into an alleyway, where Morpheus began to take several gasps of fresh air. Reflect himself was on the ground, panting as his carapace secreted sweat. Getting up, he checked the window to make sure Double wasn't waiting for them outside. "Coast is clear," Reflect turned to face Morpheus. "You just left your foalhood friends to the wrath of Double!" 

"As the diamond dog saying goes, 'I don't have to outrun the manticore, I just have to outrun you.'" 

"Yeah, well let's just get to that boutique. I ain't waiting to become royal jelly or that vivacious residue they use in the tunnels."

Both changelings nodded and, after adopting two inconspicuous forms of a brown earth pony and blue pegasus, they continued down the street. Here and there, they passed various ponies, who only added to their suspicion that Double was following incognito.

"Shouldn't we be able to see her?" Morpheus whispered, his eyes scanning a pair of mares who had passed them a second ago. 

"One," Reflect explained, "she's the High General. So I'm guessing she can probably do stuff. Second, we're being surrounded by so many ponies, and changelings mind you, that it's practically useless to spot one particular changeling.

"Well that's just great," Morpheus hissed, "hopefully she's having the same problem too. I just hope Alter and Shift are alright, they were my hatchling buddies you know."

"You have a funny way of showing your friendship," Reflect admonished, "I can't believe I thought we were going to get away with this! I almost feel like going with Transparence to that stupid exchange-ling thing."

"I don't get it," Morpheus mused," as the shining, castle-like structure of the boutique came into view. "What is an exchange-ling program exactly?"

"It's when changelings get to visit various parts in Equestria," Reflect elucidated, "and you know, get to do things that we couldn't do before unless we were disguised. Some are learning to play instruments, others wanna become better herbalists, some even thought of joining the Wonderbolts Academy. Basically, you just have to clear it between the city and Queen Chrysalis, and poof, you get an I.D. card and you're on your way."

Morpheus was stunned that such a program existed. He had been so busy with his orders and pranks he had never paid attention to the news. "What about work? Surely the Queen isn't letting everyone do this?"

"Actually," Reflect began excitedly, as if he was explaining a conspiracy, "the Queen is letting everyone do it. Especially with her speech underway and all this chaos going on, she wants to ensure changelings are all over the place, representing the hive and all. The main reasoning is that she's trying to show changelings aren't that different from ponies. Of course, there is an exchange program for ponies who want to work in the hive, but well...you can imagine how that is."

"Bah humbug," Morpheus muttered, "it would probably take three of those fools to do what a single changeling can do."

Reflect chuckled, "That's true, but still, I think the Queen wants us to start living here and less in the hive. Let's face it, the Badlands isn't really the kind of place you could call home Morpheus."

Morpheus nodded, "Ain't that the truth, now let's get to that boutique with our carapaces intact." The Carousel Boutique was a magnificent gem in a field of hay-roofed houses. Its light hues of pink, blue, and white blended with the yellow curtains to form an alluring palace of sorts. The two-story store also had a couple of manequins, only adding to the illusion it was a carousel. Trotting across the clean-cut grass path, they began to check around and behind them, not wanting to take a chance someone had followed the disguised duo.

The door itself was a magnificent monolith of purple, with a diamond-shaped window. Tentatively pushing thorough it, both changelings reverted back to their normal form. "Hello?"

Fluttershy, who was just trotting by, jumped into the nearest basket, her eyes watching the two fearfully. Morpheus, taking notice of this, waltzed up to her. "Hey, it's me, Morpheus, from the forest. You took the doll here?"

"Yes." Fluttershy squeaked, causing Morpheus and Reflect to facehoof themselves. 

"Come on out," Reflect motioned to the door, "I'm tired, Morphy here looks like he's going to faint, and you look as scared as a squirrel facing the Acorn Cyclops."

"Acorn-" Fluttershy hid further into the basket, "Cy-cyclops."

Morpheus gave Reflect a reprimanding glare before motioning his hoof to the pile of sheets the pegasus was using as cover. 

"Look," Reflect exasperatedly explained, "just come on out and discuss how much we owe you alright. You're dealing with two of the Queen's best-or second best- or rather, well never mind- just come on out."

Slowly, Fluttershy emerged, and after a few confident gestures to the door, followed the changelings out. The weather team had indeed ensured a wonderful day, with birds singing and the sun shining over the pine-green trees. 

Morpheus was eager to find out the condition of the doll, considering it the very thread that was keeping him alive. So it was to no one's surprise when he asked the question. "So what did she say?" 

"Oh," Fluttershy whispered, "uh, she's still looking into it."

Reflect sighed, "Well I owe you my thanks for covering our flanks back there. The Queen only knows what Double would have done if she found out."

"It's no bother," Fluttershy chirped happily, her expression less scared and more amiable, "I was lucky to have been at the right place at the right time I guess. Always here to help a friend in need!"

Morpheus grinned. "Yep, well how much do we owe you?"

"Nothing," Fluttershy replied joyfully, "Consider it a favor now that we are officially friends."

"I'm good with that," Morpheus turned to Reflect, "Reflect?"

For a second, Reflect just eyed Fluttershy, but eventually held his hoof out, "Reflect Fury at your service miss. I do suppose this favor constitutes at least some form of friendship."

"Pleased to meet you," Fluttershy shook his hoof, "and I'll keep your secret safe."

"Thanks," Morpheus chuckled, "Well Reflect, I think we can all rest assured that my plan was fool-proof!"

"Although I wonder what your High-General would have done if you got caught?" Fluttershy scratched her chin, pondering on the thought.  

"Probably just whine to the Queen," Morpheus answered nonchalantly, "and then land me and Reflect some terrible guard duty in the nursing chambers."

"But what if she actually saw the doll," Fluttershy whispered, a worried look on her face, "I wouldn't like lying to one of my friends if I broke something. I mean, I'd try to tell her."

"Then you don't know our second-in-command!" Reflect rolled his eyes and gestured with his hoof. "She's a wack-job that one!"

"I wouldn't be so sure of that..." Fluttershy replied coldly, her eyes giving a momentary flash of green.

Morpheus and Reflect stood absolutely still, their ears ramrod straight as 'Fluttershy' continued to talk. "You know, I was quite fortunate to catch you in the woods Morphy. I only found out the moment I went into my chambers you know, and then I simply outflew your buddies."

The two changelings were speechless, unable to comprehend what had just happened. Fluttershy gave a sly smile and vanished in a green column of flame, now replaced with the familar pink unicorn form of their commanding officer. 

"Dou-Double..." Morpheus stuttered, his eyes wide.

Reflect was once again sweating from his carapace, his stomach churning whatever contents he had eaten earlier."But how-"

"I'm the High-General," Double droned in a monotone voice, "Did you honestly think you could out-fly me? As for you Morpheus, I didn't expect you to so easily give me-"

Double paused, a tear dripping from her eye, "...So easily give me the-the remains of Smartypants. It-it took some willpower to maintain my composure."

Morpheus couldn't move, his body paralyzed with fear. He had been trying to avoid the High-General all day, and now he just realized he had literally given her the charred remains of her favorite toy. Either Double was incredibly smart, or he was a bigger dummy then the dummy itself.

"So," Double wiped the tear off, her voice once again regaining its emotionless tone, "I want to know exactly what happened."

"It was all Morpheus' fault!" Reflect shot his hoof out faster then a speeding train, his body shaking.

I hate you Reflect, Morpheus telepathically hissed. Double, smiling, turned to Morpheus, her eyes regarding him like a fly she was about to crush. Morpheus only shivered, but maintained his stoic position.

"Well Morphy?" Double cheerfully asked, "what were you and Mr. Smartypants doing that got him all injured like that?"

Her gaze was almost palpable, her eyes burning into the inner recesses of his mind, forcing the truth to come out. He began to sweat, his hooves began to shake, and even his tongue began to hang back like a panting dog.

Morpheus couldn't hold the truth back any longer. "We were using him as a dummy for a firework's display and things got out of hoof. We tore his back and his limb, and all the stuffing and stitching came loose too!"

Double only kept her grin, before letting a giggle escape her fangs. "Oh Morphy! Why didn't you tell me that earlier?"

Morpheus sighed in relief, "I'm sorry High-General, I was scared you'd kill me, but I learned my lesson for sure."

Double nodded her head, like a teacher accepting a student's apology. "I think you did learn a valuable lesson today Morpheus. Perhaps you should write a letter to Queen Chrysalis explaining your latest discovering on the magic of friendship?"

"Of course," Morpheus assured, "I-I'll get right on it-"

"Oh but before you start," Double began, "I'd like to ask you a question."

"Shoot." Morpheus chuckled nervously.

"Have you ever seen an Ursa Minor?"

Morpheus guffawed, grateful that it was just a trivial question. "No Double, thankfully I have not seen an Ursa Minor."

"Well that's great because I did, and I got to meet his mommy too!" Suddenly, her eyes began to glow green, a mischievous smile forming over her lips. Morpheus was starting to back away, his hooves shaking uncontrollably as Double moved only closer. "Why the hurry Morphy? Rarity won't have it ready till later."

"Dou-Double?" Morpheus walked back, his eyes wide, "I-I thought we were friends? Right?"

"Of course silly Morphy," Double giggled, "which is why I think you deserve to see an Ursa MAJOR!"

And with that a large column of green flame erupted, sending Morpheus and Reflect to the ground as they both timorously looked up. A ten-story tall Ursa Major now stood in Double's place. It was pink, which was the only filly-like aspect of it. The beast had large, pale, sickle-shaped claws. Its head was like that of a bear, with enormous fangs and bright, blue eyes that seemed to breathe blue flames. The body itself was transparent, with constellations marked out clearly as if it was night. And with the enormous shadow it produced, it might as well have been evening.

Morpheus slowly took off a set of imaginary shades, saying "I'm afraid I'm in major doo-doo..." Reflect only stared, his jaw ajar and his eyes as wide as two apple pies. Several bystanders looked up, fear clear on their faces as they immediately ran for cover. 

"Don't worry Morphy,"Double assured him telepathically, "you're really funny, so I'll get you last."

Morpheus breathed a sigh of relief before he was scooped up like a pebble about to be tossed into the lake. Squirming to free himself, Morpheus gazed into the Ursa Major's emotionless eyes, "I thought you said you'll get me last?"

"Oh silly Morphy," Double giggled, "I lied!"

The Ursa Major let out a thunderous roar as Morpheus let out a high-pitched squeal!

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Meanwhile, in the second story of the Boutique, Rarity hummed "Art of the Dress" as she began to stitch the new fabric onto Smartypants. She was admittedly shocked to see the High-General, weeping over such a trivial and run-down doll, but her heart went out as if she was addressing a filly. When Double explained what had happened, Rarity only heaved a sighed. "Oh males, they never understand do they?"

Double nodded meekly, "Which is why I'm-"

"Say no more," Rarity hushed Double with her hoof, "I know when a mare is scorned, especially if she's a filly, only absolute revenge will suffice. Tell you what, when those last two buffoons get here, you have my permission to do whatever you deem permissible."

Double smiled, latching Rarity in a hug, "Thank you Rarity!"

Now,as the roar of an Ursa Major filled her room, Rarity only continued to hum, ignorant of the familar screams of two changelings. Getting up from her desk, she moved to the drawer to fetch a batch of new buttons when a black objects smashed against her window. Turning around, she saw that it was a changeling, his face squashed as he mouthed the words 'Help me'. Rarity only shrugged and went back to her desk, the changeling peeling off the glass.

Another few minutes passed, and she swore she saw the same changeling being dragged along the grass, his hooves pawing the ground like a trapped animal. Still humming that little tune in her head, Rarity completed the doll with a minature tuxedo of her own design. 

Coming back down the stairs she passed the other two changelings, whose eyes were still rolling and one of whom had a spotted tongue. It was evident that they had rolled into Poison Joke, which was no surprise to her considering where they were experimenting.

Oh the nerve of them Rarity thought, ignoring the changeling that was banging on her window before he was plucked like a daisy. 

Opening the door, she saw Double standing outside, disguised in her Twilight Wish form. As for the two changelings, they were nowhere in sight. 

"SMARTYPANTS!" A glowing aura engulfed the new doll and in a another minute, he was being cuddled in her hooves. "I'll never leave you out of my sigh again."

Rarity smirked, "Consider it on the house darling." Double looked up, and embraced Rarity in another hug. 

"I'll never forget this Rarity! I promise I'll return the favor."

Rarity turned to look back at the two changelings in her boutique, who were only now beginning to groan. "Umm, Double as for your troops-"

"They'll be fine," Double chirped, "And thanks for letting me vent out my anger. I think they took it rather well."

Rarity didn't want to know what it took to vent out the High-General's fury, but was none the less delighted to see justice done. "Well take care of yourself darling!"

And with that Double waved before taking off. Rarity letting out a sigh, decided to check if the garbage pony had collected her waste yet. As she crossed the path, she turned and did a double-take. On the branch, at the top of the tree, were the remaining two changelings, their dazed expressions accompanied by multiple bruises. 

Morpheus managed to rise to his hooves, "I'm ooookkkaaaaay...AHHHHHHH!" The changeling plummeted down with a dull thud. Suddenly, the other changeling also fell, landing with a softer thud on top of the first. Rarity only went to retrieve the silver trashcan. My how do these changelings get into such pickles?

"I'm still okaaay..." Morpheus mumbled, his knocked-out companion crushing his gut. "...but please call a medic or someone..."