//------------------------------// // Chapter 46 // Story: My Little Pony: Morphing is Magic // by Tricondon //------------------------------// Chapter 46 Her Royal Highness, Princess Celestia “Shore up those supports. This section of the castle will come crashing down without them!” The unicorn guards nodded and immediately reinforced the erected support beams with magic. Around them were unicorn guards moving new ones into place around the damaged walkway, and pegasus guards slid them into their proper spots. It took three new supports and reinforcements added to two of the existing ones, but the castle architect finally signaled that all was well. ‘Celestia! The construction workers know what they are doing! They do not need your constant supervision.’ Luna’s words, if harsh, rang true in my ears as I watched the ponies work at a distance. Perhaps I had been overzealous in my efforts to trick my unseen enemy out of hiding. I gave a slight sigh of embarrassment at my remembered actions; the repairs to the castle were going smoothly without my constant involvement. Even a foal could see that I was unneeded. With a heavy sigh I turned and walked away, pushing the repairs out of my mind for the moment and running through the list of tasks that needed completing. If Chrysalis and her workers can be trusted to complete their task, then perhaps I should make the throne room available as a storage space for all these creatures in stasis. Or perhaps the ballroom would be a better location. It is much bigger. I should see if the guards have any extra ponies to ensure the Changelings do not snoop around. Thinking of the guards made me realize something critical. None of them had been present when Luna and myself had spoken to Chrysalis, so they were so far unaware of the situation. Well, that narrows down the list of highest priorities. Still, though, I should send somepony to watch over Twilight and her friends, and the aliens. So many tasks, so little time — if these aliens were to be believed. I trusted Luna’s word on them, and was indebted to them for the actions they had done to safeguard Equestria; yet, even so, I felt there was something amiss about them. No, do not think that. There are no more enemies waiting in the shadows. A commotion from ahead drew my attention and I quickened my pace, momentarily drawn out of my musings. Two guards, badly injured yet nonetheless staying upright, were holding their weapons at a group of Changelings. The Changelings carried a number of unmoving creatures on their backs; some I deduced were humans, due to their similarity to Prince Jake and his followers. Others were not like anything I had seen before, like these draconic looking beasts with blades protruding from their arms, legs, head and tail. I admit to being somewhat amused that, as old as I am, I still have things left to see and discover. “This is your last warning, land immediately,” one of the guards said. “For last time, we not enemy!” the Changeling on the other end of his spear replied. “Queen tell us round up Yeerks for ponies. For ponies!” A murmur of agreement rose from the crowd of Changelings. The guard looked like he was preparing to strike, so I spoke up. “The Changeling is correct, General.” I stepped into view as I spoke, startling the guards and causing one of them to drop his spear. I smiled warmly at him. “Hauberk, was it? Please guide our guests to the ballroom and see that their cargo is properly taken care of.” The guards didn’t respond at first, instead looking at me with shock and disbelief. The Changelings seemed to take pleasure in my defending them and were grinning smugly at my guards. “Yo-your... Princess...” Hauberk stuttered and stammered in disbelief. I was momentarily confused myself before recalling that my banishment was quite likely seen all over Canterlot. I grimaced inwardly and made a mental note to address that issue with the public when this current crisis was dealt with. “I know, you probably have many questions you want answered, but right now I need you to trust me.” I looked him straight in the eyes. “Are you not Royal Guards, sworn to protect Equestria and its citizens?” “I... yes, your highness.” “Then listen to me, this threat to Equestria has been subdued for the moment, but there is still the risk that it may well return. The Changelings have agreed to help us to deal with the individuals we have so far, but I need you to assist them. You must show them to the castle ballroom so that we may contain these individuals until they can be further dealt with.” “Yes, Princess.” Hauberk saluted me and turned back to the Changelings. “If you’ll follow me, please.” The Changelings exchanged wry looks with one another and followed him off. Once they had left I turned my attention back to the General. “General, I need you to find as many of your fellow guards-ponies as you can. Spread the word that the Changelings are not to be harmed, and that they are here to aid us in the gathering of these creatures and to assist the wounded.” The General cleared his throat. “I will try, princess, but your guards are scattered. It might take a while and,” he paused. “...and they will be very hesitant — both to work with Changelings, and to accept...” “Accept what, General?” The General exhaled. “Forgive me princess, but your... conversation with your sister has many of the guards conflicted.” I steeled my expression, struggling to maintain my composure and keep smiling. “Do not worry. It was just a family matter.” I paused for a brief moment. “Though perhaps it would be prudent to speak to my sister about it.” The guard remained in place a while longer. “You are dismissed, General. Please carry out my orders to the best of your ability.” “Yes Your Highness.” The General saluted me before galloping off, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I resigned myself to seeking out other guards and informing them of our temporary alliance with the Changelings; General Winter could not travel very quickly injured as he was, and it would do my little ponies good to see me returned. Engrossed in my thoughts as I was, I foolishly wasn’t watching where I was going and bumped nose-first into somepony. I was quickly snapped back into reality and prepared myself for the onslaught of ‘I’m sorry, Princess,’ and ‘Please excuse me, Your Highness’. “Sister, are you alright?” I blinked in surprise as Luna came into focus, my confusion giving way to reason. As tall as I was, only Luna or Cadance could hope to easily hit my head unless I was leaning down. I smiled at her. “Yes, I am fine. Forgive me, Luna, I was preoccupied.” “Yes, there is not a moments time to rest and absorb everything,” Luna sighed. “Celestia, about the...” She paused, obviously struggling to form the proper words. “My banishment, you mean?” I supplied; it was not difficult to determine what she was so torn up about. Luna nodded in agreement and I continued, “It needs to be talked about, I agree, but there are more pressing matters at hoof.” I went to walk around her, but Luna kept moving into my path. “Celestia, wait, please,” she persisted. “I... I am so sorry. I acted rash, foolish, and made a mockery of the both of us. I sent you to the fires of the Sun. I forced you to watch helplessly as our subjects were harmed and enslaved. I.. I had to endure pain and hardships I had not felt since... no, worse than those I endured during my own banishment. How is this not a pressing matter?!” She was nearly shrieking with barely-controlled rage by the end, tears streaming down her muzzle. I was momentarily taken aback, shocked at Luna’s emotional outbreak. “Luna, I didn’t...I mean, I never realized,” I stammered and mumbled, all my carefully-crafted responses suddenly sounding wooden and forced. I grunted and finally fell silent, staring at Luna, into those despondent eyes. “Indeed, you never realized,” Luna snapped venomously, tears still dripping off her nose. “Never realized how this might have affected me. Never considered how I might feel!” She huffed, whatever she was about to say further being choked back. For a moment she was silent, simply breathing heavily, then she spoke, “You never considered telling me about your fears. You let your own paranoia consume you and even suspected me.” All I could do was stand there as my sister spoke her mind; my own thoughts felt as if they were swimming through molasses. I made and discarded innumerable counter-arguments, trying to think of the proper thing to say. Yet no matter what, it all seemed to fall apart when I looked into her tear filled eyes. So I did the only other thing that came to mind and tightly embraced her, not caring about the hot tears I felt running down my own face, or even if anypony else saw us. We stood there for some time, just reveling in the warmth it brought us, when all-too-soon a timid voice cut in, “Pony Princess. Message.” I reluctantly broke away from Luna and looked at a Changeling standing nearby. I steeled myself against recoiling away from it defensively; if the Changeling noticed it gave no indication of such. It stood, staring at me with a rather blank look for a long while before I spoke. “Yes? What is it?” “Found something in cave. Queen calls for aid.” It paused for a moment, clearly struggling with the words. “Hoo-muns come too.” I was confused for a moment until Luna answered, “Ah, Prince Jake and his followers? We suppose they would have an interest in whatever the Queen discovered.” “Hoo-mun,” I whispered to myself. “Such an odd term for a species.” I cleared my throat and spoke louder, “Very well. Luna, see to our guests and escort them to the cave. I shall go on ahead to assure the Queen of their arrival.” “I take to Queen,” the Changeling pipped eagerly, quickly spinning around and trotting away. I gave a small smile to Luna. “We’ll...have a proper talk later when this is all said and done. I promise, little sister.” Luna nodded solemnly, “I’ll ensure you keep your promise.” She turned and briskly walked away, seeking out our visiting royalty and vanished from sight. I watched her until she was gone, then continued after the Changeling, following him through the damaged castle and into the crystal caverns beneath. Along the way I allowed myself a smile as I saw my guards and the Changelings working together to collect the creatures that had been frozen by the Elements. Perhaps, I thought, there is a chance for peace between us.