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// Ch 9: Shadows of Betrayal 
// Story: On Wings of Grace 
// by Midnight Solace 
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Celestia had ordered all court petitions to be cancelled for that day, despite the frantic search for Princess Luna currently underway. Celestia was even able to fake concern for her dear traitorous sister, an act which almost made her laugh anytime someone tried to comfort her about her missing sister. She also told the guard to keep their patrols to the outside of the castle and to allow no one in unless allowed by the princess herself. Knowing of her legendary temper and the punishments she doled out to those who did not obey her, the guards more than willingly obeyed. So Zurgis and his group of changelings were the only ones allowed into the castle.

They met their future queen in the throne room, finding her waiting patiently on her throne, her brilliant rainbow mane contrasting deeply with her cold, hard eyes. They all bowed to her, their muzzles practically touching the floor. She appreciated the obedience, despite her still being a pony; for now anyway. “If you are ready, we can begin the conversion process now, my Queen.” said Zurgis, his nose still to the floor. “Yes. I would like to be done with this soon so that I may begin my plans.” said Celestia, stepping down from her throne to stand in the middle of the throne room. Zurgis nodded and motioned for the other changelings to take their places in a circle around their future queen. They all began to hack up the green goop from before, only it was for a different purpose this time and so had different chemical properties. The goop covered Celestia from head to hoof, completely encasing her body. The last thing Zurgis saw before his queen was completely encased was a grim smile on her face. Then he turned to the other changelings, who were now staring at the pod, excitement radiating from them at the prospect of having a powerful new queen. “Now, take up defensive positions around our queen. We must protect her until she awakens.” said Zurgis as the changelings positioned themselves around the throne room. 

Rainbow and Twilight looked at each other, not bothering to hide their worry. They had decided that it was time that Winter met the rest of their friends and Winter had reluctantly agreed. So, with a cloaked Winter in tow, they were headed towards Sugar Cube Corner where the rest of their friends had already agreed to meet them. Winter was looking around the town eagerly, happy to see other ponies after so many years. Yet there was still that sliver of fear as she eyed the ponies that passed her by, giving a warm hello. At last they stepped through the doors of Sugar Cube Corner, the smell of baking sweets greeting their noses. Winter raised her nose and gave a happy sniff, a thin line of drool leaking down her face before she noticed it. Rainbow smiled and gently wiped it away with her hoof, earning an embarrassed smile from Winter.

Before they could take another step, they were assaulted by a pink blur, her mouth moving almost as fast as she was. “OHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSH. You must be that new pony Twilight was talking about. Wow, you’re so tall just like the princesses. Are you a princess? Ooh, do you have wings. What’s your talent? Can I throw a party for you? What’s your naufffmmpph.” stuttered Pinkie Pie as Applejack put a hoof in her mouth and pulled her away. “Easy there, sugar cube. Give her some room to breathe. Howdy there, m’name’s Applejack. It’s nice to meetcha.” said Applejack, extending a hoof. Winter took it and shook it, thankful that Rainbow’s friends were so nice. “Come now darling. This isn’t the place to chat. Let’s take a seat. Besides Twilight, there’s somepony whose been waiting for you to return.” said Rarity as she too shook Winter’s hoof. “YEAHYEAHYEAH. She’s waiting in the kitchen. I’ll go get her and some sweets to snack on.” said Pinkie Pie before disappearing into the kitchen.

As they were sitting around the booth, talking, Rainbow and Twilight managed to introduce Winter among the constant chatting. Fluttershy was especially enthusiastic when Rainbow told her about how Winter takes care of animals in the Everfree. They were just in the middle of a discussion about the hydra incident when Twilight felt her body get lifted up out of her seat and floated over the table, trapped in a light blue aura. “Twilight Sparkle! You dare leave Trixie all alone for several days in a row without even telling her why. How could you?” said Trixie as she turned Twilight around in her magic so that she was facing her. “Well- um- Trixie-I…” stuttered Twilight, but she wasn’t able to finish as the light blue mare stormed out of the bakery, Twilight still wrapped in her magic. “You and Trixie have much to catch up on.” said Trixie as the doors closed behind her.

“What just happened?” asked Winter, puzzled by what she had just seen. “Well. You see Winter, those two are together just like us. And well, they haven’t seen each other since she last left with Rainbow, which we just learned was time she spent with you at your cottage. So i would assume that Trixie has a lot to talk about with Twilight.” said Rainbow, taking a hefty bite of one of the cupcakes Pinkie had left on the table before dashing out of the bakery, mentioning something about going to talk to a certain somepony. She had an odd look on her face when she said it though and it worried Rainbow. “Wait a minute. You mean you and this pony are… special someponies?” asked Applejack, looking at Winter with an expression that was almost… jealous. “Yeah. She’s like… the most awesome mare ever. She can fly just as fast as I can and do awesome stunts, not to mention her magic is super strong. And she’s not a bad kisser either when it comes down to it.” said Rainbow, not aware of Winter’s glowing red face. Rarity and Fluttershy were also blushing, most likely due to the fact that they had their own special someponies. Everyone knew about Fluttershy’s progressing relationship with Discord and Rarity’s very personal business dealings with Fleur De Lis. 

But then Fluttershy realized that Rainbow had said that Winter had flown, although she clearly saw that Winter was a unicorn, albeit a large one. “But… um… Rainbow, Winter… can’t fly. I’m sorry.” said Fluttershy in her naturally soft voice. “Ooh, show them. Show them.” prompted Rainbow, pointing to Winter’s back. Winter realized she hadn’t removed her cloak since entering the bakery and used her magic to slide it off of her. The girls all gasped when Winter spread her wings, one of which pulled Rainbow closer to her side and Rainbow responded by wrapping herself in the soft downy feathers. “S-s-she’s an… alicorn.” muttered Rarity, staring at Winter’s wings. “Y-yes, I was born this way.” said Winter, trying to shrink farther into herself. But at the reassuring touch of Rainbow Dash, she took a deep breath and relaxed. 

But she was surprised when she saw the looks of kindness and understanding on the faces of the ponies. “Well, that is lovely dear. And I so do love the color of your mane. I can think of so many outfits that would suit that color just perfectly.” said Rarity as she quickly sketched Winter’s mane in her idea notebook, taking note of all the different tones in her mane. “Yeah, an’ my grannie taught me that it ain’t right to judge somepony just cause of what they are.” said Applejack, giving a reassuring smile. “And everypony deserves a little kindness.” whispered Fluttershy. Then Applejack looked at Winter’s wings once again, curiosity in her eyes. “So, can ya really fly with them there wings?” asked Applejack, earning a smile from Rainbow as she said it. “You bet. Come on, let’s show em’ Winter.” said Rainbow, flaring her own newly healed wings as she flew out of the bakery, quickly followed by her friends. Winter smiled as she walked out of the bakery behind them, staying at a respectful distance while they talked excitedly. Maybe she could actually have friends once again after so long. 

Zurgis woke with a start as a loud tearing sound filled his sound. His head swiveled as he tried to pinpoint the source of the sound until his eyes locked onto the large green pod in the center of the throne room. A large rip was spreading across the green surface as the occupant went about freeing itself from the cocoon. He quickly sent a thought across the hive-mind, carefully blocking Chrysalis however, telling them to pay attention to the rebirth of the new queen. The other changelings who had been in the room also turned to watch as their new queen stepped out of the cocoon, the green ooze easily sliding off of her new carapace. 

Celestia breathed in a breath of fresh air as she looked around the throne room with her new eyes. She could hear all of the changelings chattering excitedly in her mind and she smiled at the immeasurable quantity that responded to her joyous call. “My queen, you look glorious.” said Zurgis, bowing to his newly changed queen. “Bring me a mirror. Now.” ordered Celestia, eager to see her new appearance. One of the other changelings brought forth a vanity mirror that had been sitting in the corner of the throne room, forgotten. Celestia grinned as she looked at her new body. Her eyes were still the same and her mane was still a rainbow of colors, if a little flat and dim. But the rest of her body had changed. She now had an alabaster white carapace covering her back and black chitin covered the rest of her body. She looked down to see that her hooves also had the holes in them that all changelings did. She even felt long fangs drooping down from her upper lip. She looked amazing and felt even more powerful than she had ever before. 

Before she could continue to admire her new form, a pink blur rushed through the door, inviting a combined hiss from the changelings gathered, even Celestia, although Zurgis just looked pleased. The changelings moved in to capture her, but Zurgis just held up a hoof, stopping them. Celestia looked at him, bewildered, wondering if he had betrayed her trust already. “What is the meaning of this Zurgis? Allowing the element of laughter to see me in this form before I wish to be known.” demanded Celestia, knowing the changelings name from the hive-mind. “She is no enemy of yours my queen. In fact, she is more of an ally than you think. Show your queen your true form.” ordered Zurgis. Pinkie Pie nodded her head and then, to Celestia’s amazement, green fire erupted from her hooves, covering her entire form. When the smoke cleared, a changeling stood where Pinkie Pie had previously been. She looked just like any other changeling drone, only her mane was springy and pink as was her carapace. 

“What is this? How long has this changeling been impersonating the element of laughter?” asked Celestia, still bewildered by the changeling’s appearance. “She has not been impersonating anypony, your highness. She has always been a changeling, ever since birth. She was just able to get inside the traitorous princess Twilight Sparkle’s inner circle easier than any other changeling before her.” said Zurgis. The changeling Pinkie Pie bowed her head, happy to hear words of praise from her superiors. “It is my honor to serve you, your highness.” said Pinkie Pie, her multi-toned voice making her normally energetic and perky voice sound dark and twisted. Celestia smiled once more, although it felt a little awkward to do so with her new fangs. “And it is a pleasure to know that Twilight’s friends aren’t as faithful and true as she would like to believe.” said Celestia smugly. Pinkie Pie just smiled and giggled in response to her queen’s words. “Indeed. She shall be quite heartbroken at the betrayal, my queen.” giggled Pinkie Pie. “Yesss, just like my sister did me.” said Celestia in a voice like death, not minding the hiss in her voice. 

But then she smiled; a look that sent shivers down Zurgis’s spine. “Though I will no longer have to tolerate her… intrusions.” said Celestia. “And why is that, your highness?” asked Zurgis, who was the only one besides Pinkie Pie willing to openly speak to the new queen. “Because I have sealed her away in the Mirror of Nightmare, a terrible place where nopony is able to return from, for they are all consumed by their nightmares. It is ironic really. The mirror was created by Nightmare Moon combining her magic with the remnants of Sombra’s magic, for she planned to trap me inside. But instead I have sealed HER inside of the mirror. No one knows where or even what it is aside from myself and Luna. And nopony will free her. That is a promise.” said Celestia.

“What would you have us do then, your majesty.” asked Pinkie Pie. Celestia once more looked to the mirror as she stepped up to it and placed her hoof on it. “Begin gathering the changeling hordes from all over Equestria. I want them ready for a full scale invasion when I am ready to begin my attack.” said Celestia, putting more pressure on the mirror, feeling it creak under the strain. “Yes, your highness. But how will we feed them all? There is not enough spare love for such a large army.” asked Zurgis. “Who said anything about spare love? I am queen of Equestria and so Equestria is mine to do with as I please. I want you to start taking ponies, any ponies and begin absorbing their love. Take the form of my guards and say that you are arresting them for suspicious activities. If anyone should question your authenticity, I will personally vouch for you.” said Celestia, a crack now spider webbing throughout the mirror. “And what shall we do if the element of magic interferes?” asked Zurgis, a smile spreading across his face at his queen’s ruthlessness. At this Celestia smiled her darkest, most viscous smile, her fangs gleaming in the sunlight. “You leave her to me. If she gets in my way, then I will make sure to…” started Celestia, applying even more pressure to the window, shattering it beneath her hoof. “… break her.” finished Celestia as she began to laugh, a cruel, hateful laugh that was echoed by all of the changelings present, including Pinkie Pie. “This is going to be some party.” thought Pinkie Pie. 

But none of them noticed the bright yellow eyes of one of Luna’s night guard looking through the crack in the door, a shocked expression on his face. Princess Celestia had trapped his princess in that cursed mirror. He had heard of it of course. Luna often threatened to send any guard who failed her there, though she only said it as a joke. He knew of the mirror. It was part of his training to stay in the same room as it for an hour, as it emitted unbelievably powerful dark magic and made you see your worst fears. And if his lady was now trapped in that mirror, than she was in danger. And he knew of only one other princess who could help free her.