//------------------------------// // Exploitation // Story: Keeper of the Crystal Heart // by Cerulean Voice //------------------------------// The tip of the mountain shook as Luna landed with urgency. The unicorn in her care was fading faster than she would have liked, suffering from the worst case of magical exhaustion she'd ever seen. What spell must she have cast to put herself in this state? Floating the unconscious mare into the small niche atop the peak, Luna placed her gently next to the small, clear pool. The unicorn did not stir, even after Luna channeled some more power from her vast magic pool into her target's own. It just didn't seem to stick; the magic bled out of the unicorn almost as fast as Luna could power her up. Her magical dam must be broken. Kindness can only do so much. Making her decision with a heavy heart, Luna redirected her priorities. Weaving a different spell, she focused her energy into a preservation spell instead of a healing spell. It won't help her now, but it'll save her life, she reasoned to herself as she locked the unicorn's vitals into stasis. Levitating her onto the fern bed by the far wall, she closed her eyes and wondered. At least Kindness has eased off on me. There's not much more I can do now. Satisfied that the mare would be safe, Luna turned her gaze to the city below the mountain peak. "Where are you, Celestia? What are you up to?" * * * * * "Where next, Celestia? Is the wretch nearby?" Levitatus asked as he and Portia galloped alongside the alicorn. Celestia steeled her expression and turned to face the king. "I fear it may have picked up our tracing technique. Perhaps that other changeling was able to send a message somehow before we apprehended it. Honesty stopped burning a few moments ago. That suggests only one option to me: the changeling is no longer disguised. I believe that, since it is no longer attempting to delude us with a pony form, Honesty cannot detect any deceit in the vicinity." Celestia smiled for a moment, then her expression dropped. "This should—in theory—make it easier to find, although that says nothing about its actual hiding skills. That is, if it is even alone. I fear I may have alerted other invaders to my presence. If they plan to strike, it will happen very soon." Celestia's grim prediction did little to raise the morale of the still-shaken queen. "You mean, there are more of those monsters? Oh goodness, what do we do?" She looked to her husband. "If there's more of them, we could be in serious trouble, my love. And where are our daughters anyway? Shouldn't we be making sure they're safe first?" The king frowned. "You're absolutely right, dear. Platinum is accounted for, though. We've locked her in her room and placed a shield around her window. We convinced her not to open her door without a password that only Celestia and I could know. You should go and check on her—I'm sure she could use some comfort from her mother. The password is Luna." As confusion crossed Portia's face, Levitatus continued, "I'll explain later. For now, Celestia and I must resume our hunt. Although—" he looked to his sister as Portia fled to Platinum's chamber "—would you mind awfully if I searched for my younger daughter, Aura? I feel absolutely terrible for not thinking of her until now." Celestia nodded. "Of course, brother. Family must come first. I shall investigate the disappearance of our foe alone. Hopefully I can contain the threat before we have a crisis on our hooves." Along with giving Levitatus a farewell wink, Celestia slipped him a cheeky grin. "I will have this critter corralled soon enough for you. Fear not." * * * * * All in position? Yes, My Queen. Reporting in, My Queen. Standing by, My Queen. The changeling leader leered to herself as drone after drone announced their readiness to deploy via their shared hive-mind. The incarceration of one of her children was unfortunate, yet the knowledge she had yielded was most valuable. Not only was there a towering pony sporting wings and a horn aiding the unicorn king, but it wielded some kind of deception-detecting weapon. Some sort of Element. The queen had hurriedly ordered her children to hold off on transforming, and to hide once she had received this information. Now that they were in position, she could finally unveil her grand plan. The thought filled her with glee. After all this time, decades of starving, we shall finally feed! The best part was—if her theory was correct—the tall pony was about to feel the burn. Transform! * * * * * Celestia screamed. The agony was terrible, like nothing she'd ever experienced. Every nerve in her body shrieked in protest. Her harsh whinnies did not reach the ears of anypony who might have cared: Levitatus was on the other side of the castle searching for his daughter, while Portia was no doubt comforting her eldest. Thrashing around on the floor of the entrance hall madly, Celestia vainly fought the terrible pain. Tears poured down the face of the mighty alicorn as the piercing pain invaded every one of her nerves. The fiery power of Honesty coursed through Celestia with every good intention, oblivious to the extreme detriment it inflicted upon its host. "Enough." Celestia opened her eyes in shock as her body ceased its involuntary convulsions. The pain lingered, its intensity diminished but still very present. The voice—simultaneously melodious and harsh—had brought a respite to the searing betrayal of her Element. Casting her gaze upon her saviour, Celestia stiffened. Glaring down at her, a black and green 'alicorn' stood a few paces away, accompanied by several other smaller ilk. Insectoid in appearance, Celestia had not seen the likes of this changeling yet. While the changelings she'd encountered matched the surrounding drones in possessing only wings, the larger one could have been her own corrupted twin. Tattered, translucent wings adorned her back. A crooked horn crowned her aqua-maned head, bent like an old, gnarled tree branch. Her height would have been a match. Yet what drew Celestia's attention were the eyes. Gleaming green eyes, lined with all of the malice and sadistic cruelty that a pair could possibly contain. "I see. So you're the one who very nearly ruined my plan." The changeling's voice grated against Celestia's ears, charming her and torturing her as one. "I must say, I've never seen the likes of you before. Every other morsel I've preyed on hasn't been nearly the same height or wielded nearly the same amount of power." With a sneer, the love parasite paused. "Oh, but where are my manners?" She paced around Celestia, thoroughly examining her body. "I am Mantissia: Queen of the changeling race!" Resuming her pacing, the queen assessed her captive. "Wings. And a horn? Well now, what do I call you? A Unisus? A Pegacorn? Perhaps—" "Alicorn. I am an alicorn." Celestia lifted her head in defiance of the mocking, scratching voice. "My name is Celestia, daughter of Dimiourgia, creator of all things." Preparing to stand, she rose to her knees but found herself promptly surrounded. An unbroken circle of black and blue drones lifted their hooves threateningly. Taking the hint, Celestia lowered herself back to the ground, still retaining her gaze on the larger changeling. Mantissia allowed a look of mock shock to cross her face before resuming her leer. "Whoever and whatever you are, it matters not. I run this city now. My children and I have been plotting this day for too long. Never before have we starved so desperately, withered away so helplessly. Why, even I possess but a shell of the power and glory I could achieve. That accursed winter allowed no room for any feelings of love, joy, or even hope. For almost a year, we languished in despair of it ever ceasing." The changeling paused as the painful memory soured her face. "But the winter was lifted. We felt the love return to the land from afar. And we were hungry. We still are very hungry. Now, as this city and every lover within celebrates the dying hours of Hearts And Hooves Day, we can feel the excessive waves of love spreading through our inner linings. Usually we would have been content to observe this kingdom from afar and take only what we needed." Mantissia licked her fanged teeth in anticipation. "However... did I mention we're all still very hungry? This time, we need more. Much more. You see, food can sustain us, but it cannot satisfy us. We cannot grow, cannot develop. We can never thrive. A remarkable thing, our diet. Even a small drop of love—one that would never be missed by its owner—could lend one of my children the strength to grow and thrive for a day. Powerful and potent, this emotion you ponies produce. Yet you remain ignorant to its true potential." Mantissia giggled at Celestia, who continued to stare, ignoring the residual burn of Honesty. "If you could only harness it like we can," the queen continued, "you would certainly be all-powerful. As it stands, though, the power is mine!" At the final word, every changeling transformed once again into the forms they'd stolen from unsuspecting, off-guard citizens. Celestia—overcome by the return of Honesty's nerve-incinerating power—resumed her uncontrollable seizures and screamed once again. For the longest second of her life, Celestia's existence was agony, until a series of form reverts telegraphed her respite. Panting heavily, she rose her face to stare Mantissia right in the eyes. The queen chuckled. "See? You're now completely at my mercy. It seems those magic jewels you possess lack the capability to know when they should level off the pain cap." Once more, that malicious giggle. "How does it feel to know the very power you wield is completely beyond your control, yet I can switch it on and off remotely at my very whim?" Openly laughing by this time, Mantissia lost herself in her own realisation. Celestia watched the queen, an emotion spreading through her that she feared above all. Hate. Never before had she detested a creature so. It showed no signs of compassion, only ruthlessness, a will to take everything from its victims and leave behind naught but their husks. A creature so vile, its only purpose was to take from the world and give nothing back. Vorjhan's paw is truly at work here. He may have found them entertaining and humorous, but nopony in their right minds would suffer these creatures to live if they knew the repercussions of allowing their existence. Venom laced Celestia's tongue as it lashed out. "You disgust me, Mantissia." The laughter ceased, quick as if Celestia had been rendered immediately deaf. Mantissia jerked back, as though Celestia's verbal slap in the face had actually connected. She fixed her stare on Celestia, her eyes narrowing dangerously. A threatening, emerald glow enveloped her deformed horn. "You ought be quiet and hold that tongue of yours, Princess. I could destroy you even now if I wanted to. Just give me a reason." * * * * * Covered by a chameleon-like illusion spell, Luna gently landed in the city square. Flames and torches flickered in the night, while the moon gleamed down from its unparalleled position as high sentinel. Luna folded her wings and assessed the city. The buildings had been expertly constructed. Perfectly cut stone blocks were inlaid among each other. The buildings flowed into one another seamlessly, with thick walls separating them from their neighbours. The streets were wide and accommodating enough for twenty ponies to walk side by side. Roofs were rounded and adorned with gold and silver linings. The trickle of water that leaked through the mountainside's rocks flowed through the city in gloriously detailed and practically-dug-out canals. We will have to investigate this place later after we have made ourselves known, sister. While Luna searched for a building that might resemble a medical facility, a passing shadow caught her peripheral eye. She turned her head and followed as it vanished around a corner into a nearby alley. Gliding on silent wings, she floated into the alley after the shadow. Hearing the sound of magic, Luna pulled up to check that her cloaking spell remained active. Satisfied that she was still hidden, she proceeded. A very familiar stallion turned to face Luna as her heart jumped. Starshine. Before she could even think about how to process this information, Starshine lowered his horn and spoke first. "Who's there? I can feel you even if I can't see you. Show yourself!" Not wanting to cause any unnecessary trouble or ruckus, Luna lowered her enchantment. Her midnight blue coat, shimmering mane and various regalia commanded Starshine's full attention, causing him to back away slowly. Luna's joy at seeing her nephew gave way to concern as the stallion trembled. "You have nothing to fear, my dear. I am not here to harm you. Do you not remember me?" As the stallion shook his head, Luna sighed. "It is I, Starshine: your Aunt Luna. I know I have been gone a very long time, but I have returned. Celestia, too." A moment passed before Starshine relaxed and lowered his horn. "Luna? You mean, it's really you?" Without warning, he galloped up to Luna and nuzzled her. "How long has it been exactly? I've lost count of the years." Luna smiled as she placed a hoof on his head and regarded him at length. He'd certainly grown into a handsome thing. Only a colt when she'd seen him last, Starshine had often been visited by Luna in his dreams. He tended to have more nightmares than the others. Yet sometimes I was the cause. The memory left a bittersweet taste in her mouth as she remembered the feeling of being manipulated. On rare occasions, she had been as much of an antagonist to him as a saviour. "It has been twenty years, Starshine. Do not ask me where we were; that is a tale for another day. It is true that we have returned, but I personally have done so under dire circumstances. I have a deathly sick unicorn in my care and she requires urgent medical treatment. I found her beyond the northern mountain range in the blizzard-ravaged wilds. Why she was there or how she got there, I cannot say, but I do know that she would already be dead if I had not found her." Luna motioned to the summit of the mountain. "I am keeping her in a safe place, but I had to cast a spell placing her in stasis. She seems to be suffering from an extreme case of magical bleeding. Somehow, the dam that contains her magic pool has burst. The spell will not last for long, though. Is there anypony here who can help with that sort of thing?" Starshine put his hoof to his mouth and thought. A moment passed... "Well, our last qualified medical practitioner died in the fell winter just past. There are only other apprentices who are yet unskilled enough to attempt such a powerful spell. I can think of only two others who might be up to the task: our King and Archmage, Levitatus and his niece, Clover the Clever. They both reside at the castle of course, but I don't think—hey!" Starshine had to shout, for Luna had immediately taken off and flown toward the castle. "Where're you going? You can't just fly to the castle and wake them up! It's the middle of the night!" Luna heard the unicorn yelling but didn't end her flight. I apologise, nephew but I care not whether they be royalty, asleep, or even both. That unicorn needs my help. Besides, I worry after my sister as well... * * * * * Changelings, status report—how goes the hunt for the royal family? My Queen, I am pleased to report that we have apprehended every member of the royals. The stallion proved to be most troublesome, yet we got him in the end. His wife and daughter surrendered with little resistance after we subdued him and threatened his life. We have also subdued the Royal Guard: nopony put up any worthwhile resistance. Excellent news, Veliger. Stow them in the northern tower. My Queen, our units have deployed successfully throughout the city. Our branches in the rural Earth pony areas and the pegasus city of Cloudsdale also report uncontested infiltration. Equestria will soon be under your total control. Your confidence excites me, Zinger. I am pleased with your report. My Queen, I just met another alicorn. She's heading in your direction right now, looking for the king! Mantissia froze. Another alicorn? You mean this one isn't alone? Clearly not, my Queen. She knows not yet of our existence, though, so you could still take her by surprise with an ambush. She appears to not possess the same ability as the one you have in custody, as my disguise completely fooled her. She seeks a way to aid a unicorn on the verge of death. I'm certain she approaches in peace, if only in urgency. Very well. This information is most valuable. As you were. Mantissia turned back to Celestia. "It would seem that you've been hiding something from me, Celestia," she declared with an evil smile. "You're not the only one of your kind, are you?" Celestia stiffened. Oh no. Luna—she knows. A curious sensation chose that moment to manifest around Celestia's throat. The Pendant of Loyalty glowed a deep scarlet as the underside of the golden band pricked into her skin. She gasped at the new feeling even as she comprehended what it must mean. Taking in a deep breath, Celestia bellowed her loudest yell ever. Five seconds later, her world became pain once more as the angered Mantissia ordered her miniature army to transform. Even through the intolerable, unbearable pain, Celestia was able to smile, for her message had not fallen on deaf ears. "Sister, turn back! An ambush awaits at the castle! Alert the kingdom!"