Balanced Books had been present, peripherally, for when Celestia was angry at Chrysalis.
Even that anger paled in comparison to the sheer, unbridled fury he felt being directed at his being right now as the girls and Celestia stared at him in the library's lobby.
“You. Will. Explain. Abel.”
Books sighed and dropped the disguise. “Okay, first, take solace in the fact that your student is NOT harmed, will not be harmed, and in fact may have gained access to a valuable store of information that not all the books of Canterlot could ever grant her. Assuming she can ever open the Archive without suffering a headache.”
While everyone else was stunned, either with the sincerity with which Abel spoke, the fact that he even dared to talk back to Celestia, or the idea of knowledge that not even Canterlot had (guess who was stunned by what), Abel continued. “And second, the full explanation is a bit...involved. I can give you the condensed version, if that would do?”
Celestia nodded and waved a hoof at Abel, granting him consent to continue. Abel sighed and looked at a far wall for a moment, trying to gather his thoughts. After a moment he spoke up again.
“'Begin at the beginning, and when you reach the ending, stop.' A wise sentiment, I think. Very well. A week ago I told the Bearers that I would answer any and all questions they had, so long as your student or Rarity researched a spell to deaden their olfactory sense beforehoof. We had a small question and answer session, the fruits of which I think your student still has.”
Twilight absently pulled out a sheaf of parchments and passed them over to Celestia, who glanced at them before teleporting them somewhere. Her study, probably. “And then?”
Abel nodded and continued after Celestia's prompting. “Then I showed them my 'basement,' also known as my changeling vault. This is why they needed the spell, because that place stinks like you would not believe.”
Abel sighed again and looked to the ceiling. “And after that, I increased the numbers in my Hive, and things went to Tartarus.”
Abel locked eyes with Celestia before continuing, daring to risk the solar mare's fiery gaze. “I am not as talented in the manipulation of energies through a Hive Mind. It is only recently that I have gotten used to having one, much less being in charge. The other changelings of my Hive have more experience than I ever will, so they at least can move energies around through it, which is how I managed to be so powerful during the wedding. I can draw energies out of it and move energy into it, but actually casting spells through it eludes me. I use the Hive Mind as more of a...aiming mechanism.”
Abel waved a hoof around while looking for an appropriate metaphor. “The changelings of the Hive Mind burn like flames admist a wasteland while I look through it. I have never had a problem with raw power, considering what I am. It's control that I need practice in. If I had more control, I might be able to use the Hive Mind as a...conduit, rather than a guideline. What I did today was cast a massive spell, using the real-world locations of the changelings that I needed by gathering them from the Hive Mind. It was a tremendously involved spell, and if you could see heat signatures, you'd see it was Equestria-spanning. But I don't take chances when it comes to spells like this.”
Abel looked at Twilight Sparkle directly. “I pulled as much power as I could, rather than the power that I needed, and your student rushed at me while the energies were dissipating. So the dissipating energies 'remembered' the last spell they'd been formed into, and cast it on her. She technically has access to the Hive Mind.”
Abel sighed. “She rushed me because she was concerned for my well-being, because I over-worked myself. And she could tell, because I was screaming all the while. The first thing I did once I awoke and heard she was unconscious ever since the casting was realize what had happened. And then I rushed to her side to protect her from my creation.”
Celestia tilted her head. “How so?”
Abel put a hoof to his head. “Passive mental blocks to keep her from accidentally wandering in, stop others from talking to her, and make sure her dreams are free of its influence. As is, she can only get in by meditating reaaaaaaaaal hard and focusing on the very idea of the Hive Mind before she can access it. Maybe I'll lower the communication one later.”
Celestia nodded. “Those seem like a wise precaution, but even so...”
Abel sighed and looked at the floor. “Even so, should anything happen to her as a result of this, I take all the blame, as I already blame myself. I know you're angry with me. I'm angry at myself as well.”
And Abel was again surprised, because draping over his back was one of Celestia's wings. He looked up, shocked to see that the mare of the sun had decided to comfort rather than destroy him.
“I'm not angry at you, Abel.”
Abel snorted. “Anymore. For a moment, it felt like you were about to banish me to the sun because you thought I'd besmirched your faithful student's honor.”
Twilight gaped at Abel like a fish for a few moments before blushing and turning away, trying to form a proper response. Celestia's face fell for a few moments, as she realized how angry she must have seemed. The reactions of the others were mixed, ranging from lewd chuckling to astonished sputtering.
Celestia picked up the thread of conversation again. “I was concerned for Twilight's safety, yes. But then I recalled your promise, and I realized that not only did you not willingly harm her, you would not. Still, she should be disconnected.”
Abel shook his head. “My spell isn't like Chryssy's. You can't just up and disconnect from my Hive Mind. And Hive Mind spells have no counterspell, we never needed one. The only way to disconnect from it is for both parties to want to disconnect.”
Abel looked over at Twilight and grinned. “And as long as the very thought of her getting at the Archive is in her head, I don't think she'll want to.”
Once again, Twilight was left sputtering and trying to form a coherent response as she was talked about, not to. A wan smile edged onto Celestia's face.
“You do have a point, Abel. If I know my student, the idea of knowledge on that level is something she would not turn down. Can I make a suggestion for your future studies, then?”
Abel nodded, and Celestia turned to look at Twilight. “You, my student, should, with all the care I take with the sun, begin exploring this connection, and see if you can use it.”
Celestia turned back to Abel. “And you, my erstwhile ally, should learn proper control. So that something like this does not happen again by accident.”
Abel's grin turned slightly maniacal. “Why my dear Princess! It almost sounds like you're suggesting I do it on purpose next time! And are you sure you want me to learn true control? I shudder to think about all that I could accomplish if I manage to.”
Celestia's smile didn't fade as she replied. “If you truly take your lessons in control seriously, then I predict that we'll meet less often under similar circumstances.”
Abel nodded. “Personally, and no offense meant, but I really hope that such a time is long in coming.”
-----
A few days after that meeting, Abel got a most welcome message.
Gilda was coming back to Ponyville.
Abel grinned manically again.
Judging by the speed at which she'd spoken to one of his agents, Gilda wanted to get her business with him over and done with as soon as possible.
And judging by the speed at which she'd departed from his fellow changeling, she'd be here, oh, in a few minutes.
Planning things out really did work out to his advantage sometimes.
Now if only 'here' wasn't so crowded.
Then again, it was the Ponyville market. Near the middle of the day, even.
Such things were going to happen.
Still, Books sat on his bench and waited.
Not for very long, though, as the cry of a griffon keened overhead, and ponies quickly got out of the way.
Natural reflex and all. Made getting a landing spot very easy for the griffon.
Gilda kicked up a small cloud of dust and folded her wings, looking around.
Probably for me, but if she thinks I'll just waltz out in any changeling form, she's more of a moron than I thought. Especially if she starts calling me out...
“Hey, griffon! What're you doing back here?”
A trio of the local 'tough guys' picked themselves up and waltzed over to Gilda. The pegasus was of an orange hue with a red mane, the unicorn was a deep blue with a lime mane, and the earth pony of the bunch was of a yellow coloration with a violet mane.
And all three of them, Abel did not like. Instantly. He didn't even bother looking at their marks, he knew that if he had any more details to identify them with, he'd never stop looking for them, to make this lesson really stick.
Still, he'd done the same to Gilda, once. And that was when he was...less controlled. Ponies were hardly griffons.
Books stretched, jumped down from the bench, and walked over to Gilda's side. “Gentlestallions, a word. I'm not sure you know who I am...”
The unicorn interrupted. “You're the one that Sparkle girl dragged along, cause she thought another hoof at the wedding would be a good idea, especially since your talent is in accounting.”
Books smiled the same sort of smile that a particularly cruel person would use. “Aaaand that's where you're wrong. It's not just accounting, but my talent is useful there. I see systems, places where order is broken, and I also see how to fix it. It works best with numbers, true. But yes, I'm that pony. Do you know all the details of what I did at the invasion, gentlestallions?”
Now he had the undivided attention of the stallions and Gilda. “What could a pansy like you do?”
Books turned to the earth pony and let his smile grow a notch. “Oh, it's simple enough, really. I just placed a Geas upon the bug queen, to make sure she could never return to Canterlot. You know, it wasn't like it was any high-end, over-the-top magic or anything. I just needed to hold my own against her for a few minutes, and it worked.”
Everyone's jaw dropped at that revelation, and Books pressed on. “I've never had any problems with my ability to call forth a massive amount of power. It's controlling it that's been my issue. And I've tried, so hard. But then miss Sparkle gave me a book. A very...detailed...book. One on pony anatomy.”
Books dropped his voice into a sinister whisper. “Did you know the sheer amount of nerves there are in a pegasus' wings? Why, it's almost like anything that happens to the wings is agony to the one possessing them. But they all gather at one point in the back, and if something were to happen to that one bundle, like an errant blast of magic...”
The pegasus, who'd been silent all this time, snapped his wings to his side in fear and looked at Books with eyes widened by the same emotion. Books turned so that he was only looking at the earth pony out of the corner of his vision, and continued. “And earth ponies, my word, the amount of muscle and bone density they possess. It's impressive, really...unless their legs happen to get nicked in just one spot, behind the first joint. Then it becomes, well, rather red...”
The trio were backing up now, slowly. Books advanced on the unicorn and finished his spiel. “But by far, the connection unicorns share with their horns is the most interesting. And while I do have a spell that could stop a unicorn's spellcasting, I could always use another one. One that exploits that little connection you have. Perhaps a little...snip, to kill the nerves, is called for. It'll be an interesting experiment...”
Books grinned at the trio, who were now paralyzed with fear. “Indeed, I will have to experiment on quite a few ponies. Thank you for stepping forward, gentlestallions.”
And then Books leaned forward and spoke in a deeper voice. “This is the part where you run away.”
And run they did. Screaming, all the way out of the market. Books laughed long and hard, and Gilda was flabbergasted. “You...you just threatened your own kind with violence. You stood up for me. Why would you do that?”
Books cast a glance over at Gilda. “Yes, almost makes you think I'm not quite a pony, doesn't it? That was also a rather draining experience, I think I'll need to rest up. Oh, but where are my manners? Balanced Books. Who are you?”
Gilda was smart enough to put two and two together. Books' actions, along with his words, made him stand out in her mind. She instantly knew who he was.
He was the one she came to meet.
“I...I'm Gilda.”
And he was also the one that'd bucking scared the Tartarus out of her on her way out, last time.
Books nodded at her. “Well, I'm off to my place. See you around.”
Gilda followed. “I think we need to have words.”
Books talked at her over his shoulder. “Oh, really? Care to come to my place, then? I'll try not to nap on 'ya while we talk.”
Gilda gulped and recalled the last time the two had spent time alone together...
-----
“Hello, griffon.”
Gilda came to, realizing she couldn't move. Closely following that was the fact that she couldn't see. And then she tried to open her beak, and realized she couldn't do that either.
“I think it's time we had a chat, you and I.”
And then Gilda wished she couldn't see again, as a pair of red, slitted eyes opened in front of her.
“See, I'm a defender of this town. Of these ponies. Of their way of life.”
Gilda took note of the moisture around her entire body, and realized she'd been confined via clouds.
“And you came in today and threatened that about them.”
The eyes moved, Gilda could hear sharp clicking noises. Who or whatever that had captured her was circling her. Her subconscious was telling her to be afraid while her brain was working overtime on trying to figure out what was going on.
“Every so often, the town needs someone like me. A monster in pony skin to blend in and keep the populace safe.”
The binding on her beak was gone, removed with a swift motion that she couldn't quite see. But now Gilda knew the name of what had captured her.
“Changeling.”
There was a sharp laugh. “I should have known your kind would keep tales of mine alive. So tell me, you airborn feline, what do your stories tell of the white changelings, the Albinos?”
Gilda gulped. “Wardens of the land, protectors of the rest, and then there was some sort of schism or battle, and white changelings became near non-existent.”
“And what we feed on?”
Gilda tried to shake her head. “We always thought it was the same as the rest of them.”
“Then you were wrong. We feed on magic itself. All changelings do, they just go about getting it differently. The black ones need to absorb it out of living things feeling positive emotions. Whereas the white ones...”
Gilda felt a sudden drain. It was like someone had filled her entire being with ice colder than it had any right to be. Like someone had told her she could never really feel again, but she would still be alive.
“Us white ones, we can feed on the very magic in the air. Or in another being. Like yourself. And might I say, Griffon is a very...interesting taste. One that I can see several uses for.”
And then she was suffused with warmth again.
“However, I'm pretty sure Rainbow Dash wouldn't like me killing you. So I'm giving you a choice. And you WILL listen.”
Gilda wisely kept her beak shut.
“You will leave Ponyville. You will spend a year out living your life. And you will LEARN to manage your Luna-damned ANGER around ponies!”
There was silence for a moment as the changeling took a deep breath. “After a year, you will check in, either here, or with one of my Hive. They're spread out amongst the various towns of this land, and if you live in one of them, then my fellow changelings will keep tabs on you and keep me informed. If you want to come back to Ponyville or come in early, then I will know. And if you fail to check in at all over the course of a year, then I will find you.”
A crimson glow suffused Gilda's vision, and she knew that it would have to have been some sort of spell to help the changeling find her.
“You will have to apologize to the ponies here who you have wronged, before I will end this punishment. And the apologies will have to be sincere, and the ponies will have to accept them.”
Gilda finally worked her tongue again. “And if I refuse, or manage to hide for a year?”
The eyes were in front of her again. “I will find you. And I will devour all the magic inside you. Including the magic that keeps you alive. You will die a very agonizing death. Your choice.”
-----
Balanced Books led Gilda to his unassuming house, and opened the door. “C'mon in, Gilda.”
Exhibiting a fair bit of fear, it took Gilda a few seconds of deep breathing before she could work up the nerves to follow the changeling. And once she was in, Gilda took note of the dreary interior and noticed how normal it looked.
Oddly enough, the normal-looking interior did not reassure her in the least.
Books' horn flared once, and all the windows were covered, and the door slammed shut behind Gilda with an audible 'click'. With a flash of red, Books dropped his guise and revealed his changeling form to Gilda.
“Right, so, you think you're ready. I was willing to let you have another year cause you at least checked in with one of mine.”
Gilda nodded slowly. “Being on the receiving end of a very effective threat does that to ya.”
Abel laughed. “Oh, please. I wouldn't have actually hurt you. I just needed to give you a reason to come back that was stronger than your reasons to stay away.”
Gilda stood still for a moment, working her jaw back and forth, trying to come to terms with what Abel had said. Finally, she managed to get out a few words. “You're good at this.”
Abel nodded. “Manipulation is the name of the game, and I've done quite a bit of it in my life. Not nearly enough, though. I mean, the Princesses can still out-maneuver me. And the nobles in Canterlot could probably give me a workout. And...okay, I've just realized that outside the ponies here, I haven't actually manipulated too many ponies.”
Gilda stifled a laugh before replying. “Still, you scared me into coming back. Counts for something. Now, let's get this over with.”
Abel nodded, and redonned his disguise. “Okay, plan is, we hit SugarCube Corner, you make up with Pinkie. We go to Fluttershy's and you make up with her then. Afterwards, we can wander around until we find Dash or vice-versa.”
Gilda tilted her head to the right. “Uh, are you sure that we should go for Dash last?”
Books laughed as he opened the door again. “Oh, trust me. While she may be the fastest Pegasus around, she's rather slow to notice things. I wouldn't be surprised if she's napping right now.”
Gilda laughed as well as the duo were exiting the house. “Yeah, that sounds like Dash. She managed to do all the work quickly in Flight School just so she could get extra naps in. She is such a filly.”
Books grinned as the two walked down the road towards the center of Ponyville. “You'll have to share some of these stories with me sometime, you know. I've run out of things to torment her with.”
“Oh that's easy. This one time, at Flight School-”
Gilda's tale was adbruptly cut off by the chiming bell of SugarCube Corner. She'd been unaware that the two had been making good time towards her first trial. Mostly because her mind had been focusing on distracting the magic-eating horror she'd been walking with.
“Welcome to SugarCube Cor-”
Pinkie's head had poked out from the back before her eyes focused on Gilda and narrowed. Her mane started straightening on its own, and Pinkie cast her eyes over to Books. “Bookie, would you care to tell me why you're hanging around such a grumpy griffon?”
Books nodded once. “She's here to apologize, Pinks.”
Pinkie blinked a few times before she found her voice again. “Apologize? Her?”
Books pointed a hoof at Gilda and nodded again. “Yup. She's been working on anger management ever since she left, and she's here to apologize for her misconduct.”
Gilda gulped and took a few steps forward, stopping when Pinkie glared at her. Breathing deeply a few times, and reminding herself that she could do this and needed to do this, along with the fact that Books was actually an Albino who would likely NOT be pleased if she failed, Gilda finally found the words she needed to say.
“Pinkie Pie, I'm sorry.”
There was silence, and Gilda rushed to fill it.
“There are no words that can...excuse my behavior, but I can explain it. I was just so...anxious to be with Dash again, that I failed to look at how my actions would be seen by you. And then the whole being a jerk thing...I needed to blow off some steam. I shouldn't have done it in the town, though. I should never have hurt ponies at all, but I hurt you, and I hurt Dash. And for that, I'm sorry.”
Silence reigned for a minute more, before Gilda sighed and turned towards the door. “I'll be going no-”
“You're forgiven.”
Once again, there was silence, but mostly this was because Pinkie had launched herself over the counter and hugged Gilda so tightly that she couldn't breathe very well.
Books giggled a bit and poked Pinkie. “Pinks, she needs air.”
Pinkie blinked a few times, then nodded and let Gilda loose. Gilda immediately gasped, gulping down air for her lungs. Finally, she coughed a few times and looked at Pinkie. “You're serious about that?”
Pinkie's head could be mistaken for a jackhammer due to how fast she nodded. “Yuppers! You were serious about your apology, and holding a grudge is bad when the other pon- er, person, is sorry for what they did. And for what it's worth, I'm sorry too. I should have checked the party supplies after I put them out. I knew what sort of prankster Dash was. I just didn't think she'd hit everything at YOUR party.”
Gilda nodded a few times, surprised that Pinkie of all ponies was making sense. Books, meanwhile, was softly chuckling at the scene before him. “Remember, Gilda, timeframe. We need to get to Flutter's before Dash finds us.”
Pinkie gave Gilda another hug, one not quite as bone-crushing, and backed off afterwards. “Why are you avoiding Dashie?”
The duo hung out near the door as Books answered. “Well, it's not that we're avoiding her. It's more...putting off the apology that'll hurt most to do until the end.”
And before Pinkie could get another word in, the two were gone on their way to Fluttershy's place near the edge of the Everfree.
“See, that didn't turn out too badly. Yeah, it was tense for a moment, but it ended well.”
Gilda nodded a few times. “Yeah, and it didn't hurt nearly as much as I thought it would.”
Books laughed. “I dunno, Pinks has a chokehold to rival most snakes.”
Gilda barked out a short laugh, before shaking her head. “Not what I meant...”
Books nodded a few times. “Yeah, but remember what I said after you told me indirectly about your difficulties overcoming your pride.”
“'Pride can be a worthwhile part of yourself, but if it's in the way of you becoming better, then suck it up and deal. Ways that prevent you from becoming a better person should be discarded.' Yeah, I remember that. And it's working so far. But if today doesn't work...I might relapse...”
Books nodded. “I know too well about that, believe me. But even if it doesn't go well today, the point will remain that you tried. And that'll stick in their minds more than anything.”
The twosome had arrived at Fluttershy's cottage, and Books knocked twice. Once again, he was greeted by not a pony, but a bunny. Angel looked at Books, then at Gilda, and then back at Books, while making several angry-sounding noises and paw motions at the griffon. Clearly, he recognizes her.
Books held up a hoof at Angel. “Dude. Chill.”
The rabbit fell silent, but continued to glare at the two. Books plowed on. “She's learned some anger management, and she's here to apologize.”
The bunny's glare turned to one of shock.
“Yeah, I know, who'd 'a thought, right? Can you let us in and get Flutters for us?”
The bunny, still stunned, stepped aside, allowing changeling and griffon alike entrance into Fluttershy's hut. Books gently guided Gilda to the living room, and then looked in the kitchen. “Tea? Flutters has a wicked blend, I think Zecora taught her a few things.”
“Maybe later. I don't think I could stomach it just yet.”
Books nodded, but went in anyways. “I'll make some extra, and if you change your mind, it'll be there for you. And if not, more for me.”
Gilda laughed, weakly, and then the sound of hooves on wood made itself known. Flutters must be coming down...
Books put the kettle on, and walked back into the living room. Fluttershy had locked up on the staircase where she'd caught sight of Gilda. Both of them were staring at each other. One in fear, one in uncertainty. Books decided to break the silence.
“Fluttershy, Gilda is here because she wanted to apologize to you.”
Fluttershy squeaked a bit, before asking, very faintly, “Really?”
Fortunately, one had finely-tuned ears, and another had been her friend for some time. “Really. She's learned how to manage her anger. Gilda?”
Gilda nodded a bit and took a deep breath. “Fluttershy, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done a lot of things that day, but what I did to you was probably the worst. Nothing can...excuse my behavior. Nothing can explain it. What I did was wrong, whatever reasons I had for it. I'm just glad...I didn't physically hurt you. And if you choose to not forgive me, then I understand.”
The silence dragged on for a few more moments, and then the kettle whistled. “Pardon me.”
Books quickly turned the kettle off and poured out three cups worth of hot water, adding the teabags carefully. Putting the cups on a tray, and keeping the tray level, Books levitated the tea out to the living room and placed it on the table. Fluttershy, following slowly, sat opposite Gilda and took a cup in her hooves.
“Why...did you do it, Gilda?”
Gilda sighed and moved a cup closer to her with her talons. “I was...angry. I just wanted to hang out with Dash again, since it'd been so long since I'd seen her last. And Pinkie...wasn't getting the hint. I needed to blow some steam off, and I figured acting like a jerk was the fastest way to do it.”
Gilda chuckled a bit. “Guess that blew up, huh?”
Books nodded sagely and moved the last cup of tea towards himself. “I heard something once that probably fits your day here, Gilda. 'We all of us wear a mask in public. It is only when we are alone that we take it off and reveal who we are underneath.' Personally, I disagree. I liken us all more to crystals, where you cannot see every facet at once. You were showing a different facet of yourself that day, one you hoped Dash would never know about. Pinkie may have shown it off to Dash, but methinks the fault does lie with you for having that facet and acting on it in the first place.”
Gilda, surprisingly, nodded. “Yeah, you got me there. But I'm trying to be better now...and that starts by me making up for my mistakes, accepting that they are MY mistakes, and moving past my past.”
Gilda then took a sip of her tea, and her eyes bulged. “You were NOT kidding! What's in this?!”