Apple Bloom futzed briefly against the fabric of her crimson and green gown. “Do I really have to get all dressed up like this?” she asked, frustrated.
“But of course you do!” Rarity exclaimed giddily. “You’re attending the Grand Galloping Gala as an honored guest! You three need to look your absolute best!”
Sweetie Belle stood perfectly still in her pale blue gown, her head at just the right angle as Rarity instructed her. “Rarity…can I move yet?”
Rarity chuckled. “Yes, Sweetie, I’ve finished with your dress. You can move now.”
Sighing in relief, Sweetie relaxed her posture.
“Just don’t step on the gown or tumble, or I’ll have to redo the entire thing.”
Sweetie groaned, barely resisting the urge to facehoof, as that would get makeup on her pristine diamond hoofshoe.
Scootaloo groaned. “Apple Bloom, if it were anyone else, you’d never catch me dead in a dress or at one of these frou-frou parties.” She glanced over at her pale lavender and orange gown, layered like a sunset. “I just wish Rarity hadn’t messed with my hair.”
“Speaking of hair,” Rarity began.
“I have that covered,” Coin interrupted. He pulled out a red ribbon.
Apple Bloom’s eyes widened. “Is that…”
Coin nodded. “We were able to restore your ribbon physically, Apple Bloom. However, the Soma was fully expended when it absorbed that last attack spell.”
“Soma?” all three CMC and Rarity asked in confusion.
“Spirit energy,” Coin explained. “When a pony or other creature owns a specific object for a long time, an imprint of that pony or creature is left on that object long after they have passed on. Changeling magic can interact with Soma, in this case allowing young Apple Bloom to assume a young image of the former owner of this ribbon.”
“Oh,” Apple Bloom said quietly. “So that’s why I looked like Maw…” She had thought it was a sign of Apple Flower’s acceptance of the Apple child she didn’t give birth to.
“However, never before have I seen the Soma in an object actively absorb magic directed at a Changeling that would cause them harm,” Coin continued. “But I have two reported incidents of this happening. The first by our agent who had been impersonating Rainbow Dash. He thought that the ribbon had glowed when Twilight cast her spell to remove Changeling disguises because of an enchantment on the ribbon, but it was the Soma absorbing the spell’s effects that were directed at you, preventing you from being revealed as a Changeling. The second time, I saw with my own eyes an attack spell aimed straight at your chest bend in mid-air to hit the ribbon instead. I don’t know how to explain that.”
Rarity thought for a bit. “If the Soma is an echo of the former owner, is it possible some of Apple Flower’s awareness and feelings were bound up in the energy, and that’s what acted to protect Apple Bloom?”
Coin thought for a time. “I’ve heard of stranger. It’s a distinct possibility.” He stepped back as he finished tying the ribbon in the usual bow in Apple Bloom’s mane. “Unfortunately, without the Soma, the ribbon no longer triggers the normal transformation it had for so long.”
Apple Bloom nodded. “Then I guess I’ll just have to do it myself.” Closing her eyes, she focused her mind on herself. She wasn’t sure if it would work, but it was all she could think of. Just like before, she felt a slight shudder over her body as it reconfigured as she filled her mind with everything she knew of herself. Hearing Sweetie Belle’s gasp, she opened her eyes. “Did it work?” she asked, although hearing her own voice, she realized it didn’t as it still had what she’d come to think of as the ‘Changeling rasp’.
“Umm…sorta?” Scootaloo offered.
Apple Bloom looked down at herself. Her yellow coat had returned, and she felt more like a pony than a Changeling. However, there were still a couple of holes in each of her legs, she still had her fangs, and her horn and gossamer wings were still there. Glancing under her dress, she saw that the apple of her cutie mark also had holes in it, similar to the holes of a Changeling’s limbs. She sighed. “Close enough,” she conceded.
“It’s really…you,” Sweetie Belle pointed out. “It’s like a fusion of you from before you knew your heritage and your Changeling nature. Like all of you together.”
Apple Bloom smiled. “I guess so,” she replied, hugging Sweetie. “Let’s go. We’ve got a party to get to.”
“Don’t forget,” Coin reminded her, “this is also the official signing of the Peace Treaty. It’s important things go smoothly.”
“But that’s not till later, right?” Apple Bloom asked hopefully. “I’ll be able to walk around, see the castle, and try the buffet?”
Coin stared at his youthful queen for a time before sighing. “I suppose.”
“Yay!” all three fillies shouted, jumping up and down in joy.
Coin sighed to himself. Sometimes I can’t tell if I’m supposed to be a Military Commander, a political advisor, or a foalsitter. Shaking his head, he smiled. “Your carriage awaits, my Queen.”
“Coin! I’ve told you to call me Apple Bloom!” The young queen lifted her muzzle disdainfully, unknowingly appearing every inch the offended noble.
Chuckling, Coin guided the three fillies to the waiting carriage – decorated in black, green, and gold as befitting the conveyance of the changeling queen – and the four changelings hitched to it to pull it all the way to Canterlot. Once the three fillies were safely ensconced within, Coin climbed into the driver’s seat. The four soldiers buzzed their wings, lifting the carriage carefully into the sky and marking a heading for Canterlot.
Stepping out of the carriage as they arrived at Canterlot Castle, it was plain that the marvel of attending a grown up party – what had been there to begin with – had been worn down and replaced with nervousness. Simply put, none of them felt like they really belonged there, however excited they might have been in other circumstances, and the other ponies certainly didn’t look happy to see three fillies at the event. Coin, however, had apparently prepared for this as he opened a chest and presented the contents: two tiaras and one larger crown. “The crown of the Changeling Queen, and two tiaras worn by favored Princesses. While not entirely accurate, it should keep anyone from giving any of you problems.”
The two tiaras were simple black circlets with gemstones embedded that glowed with green changeling fire. The crown was several loops of black steel forged to resemble twisted thorny vines. While it didn’t look comfortable, Apple Bloom knew from wearing it before that it was actually quite comfy, if still a little big for her. However, she discovered now that bracing it against her ribbon in her mane helped it sit still and comfortably. Thus marked as important guests, the three fillies made their way into the Grand Galloping Gala.
Although it had been their intention to stick together and help each other, it didn’t take long for the three of them to get separated. Scootaloo found herself completely lost at such a fancy gathering, trying to find some way to just vanish. Unfortunately, stuffing her face off a plate of hors d’oeuvres a stallion passed near her with was the wrong approach. “What?” she said to the plainly offended nobles. “I was hungry!” She thought about what she just ate. “And it didn’t even taste very good.”
A chuckle caught her attention. “Maybe you should have found something better to eat, then.”
She spun around. “Spitfire?” she asked in shock.
Spitfire chuckled. “Come on, kid. Let’s get away from the nobles. We’re bad for their health.”
“Huh?”
Spitfire pointed at how several nobles had turned their noses up at the two of them. “That can’t be good for their necks.”
Laughing, Scootaloo followed Spitfire to where other Wonderbolts were waiting, all of them apparently having heard about her from Rainbow Dash, leaving Scootaloo rather embarrassed but pleased.
Sweetie Belle, on the other hoof, had a bit of a harder time finding her way around the party. She wandered from group to group. Each time she approached a group of nobles, she was quickly invited into the conversation, and then just as quickly ignored. It didn’t take long for her to realize that they had no actual interest in her. They only invited her in so that they could be seen talking with a ‘close friend of the Changeling Queen’. Simply put, they saw her as little more than a piece in the game of power, to be used and ignored. It didn’t take her long after she realized that about each group before she politely excused herself. Eventually, she found herself sitting by the stage, where Octavia Melody and her troupe were performing classical music for the party. She sat down to watch and listen, having lost track of Apple Bloom and Scootaloo and lost interest in politics.
Before long, a white mare with a pale pink mane sat down beside her. “Bored already?” she asked good-naturedly.
Sweetie sighed. “More like disappointed. My sister always talked so glowingly about Canterlot, and how wonderful the ponies here were, and how grand it would be to be part of the in crowd, shaping Equestria. Seeing how shallow they all are is rather…disillusioning.” She glanced up and blushed, realizing how insulting her words must sound. “I meant no offense!”
The mare chuckled. “None taken. The majority of nobles are too full of themselves to remember the noble caste was created to aid Celestia in tending to the country after Moonfall.”
“Moonfall?”
“It’s the historical name for the events leading up to Nightmare Moon’s banishment,” the mare replied. “The noble caste was created to help take up the slack for a grieving Celestia. Not that anyone remembers anymore. I’m not surprised it didn’t take Rarity’s little sister long to see the truth.”
Sweetie Belle’s eyes widened. “You know Rarity?” she asked, surprised.
The mare chuckled. “I met her when she was staying here in Canterlot. My husband and I showed her to quite a few events…the last one actually merging with Twilight’s birthday party.”
At that, Sweetie realized where she knew the mare from. “You’re Fleur de Lis!”
She smiled warmly. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Sweetie Belle. And welcome to the world of politics.”
Sweetie gagged. “You can keep it!” she insisted. “How can you handle it? Talking to all these ponies with false smiles, who are little more than vipers who would stab you in the back without hesitation?”
Fleur chuckled. “Well, there’s two ways one can do it. First, you can find those who actually are genuinely good ponies and laugh with them at the pathetic antics of the bad ones. That makes dealing with them easier.” Sweetie giggles at that notion. “Alternatively, you can achieve a position of such unassailable political importance that you can treat the bad ones however you want and no one can call you on it.”
Sweetie sighed. “That second one sounds pretty good, but the effort it would take-“
“Is minimal for you.”
Sweetie blinked. “Huh?”
“Apple Bloom, as the Queen of the Changelings, is the closest to unassailable political power anypony’s been since the day Celestia first banished Nightmare Moon. The alliance between the Changelings and the Crystal Empire is already formalized, making the swarm all but invincible. If the treaty between the changelings and Equestria falls apart because of the actions of an Equestrian noble, the Crystal Empire would be obligated to aid the Changelings if war came. Simply put, the only reason any of the nobles feel safe in behaving as they have been with you three is because she doesn’t know the strength of her position.”
Sweetie tilted her head. “I…I don’t get it.”
Fleur chuckled. “You don’t need to. Just know that you don’t need to guard your words here. Politics is the last thing you need to worry about.”
Sweetie smiled. “Sounds good. But I’d rather just listen to the music right now.”
Fleur nodded. “Octavia’s quite talented, isn’t she?”
Meanwhile, Apple Bloom was somewhat disoriented. With her Changeling abilities now fully awakened, she could feel the emotional state of everypony around her. The nobles were an interestingly divided group in this case. About a third of them were repulsed by the idea of having to treat with a child Queen, especially a Changeling. Another third were filled with avarice directed at her, apparently seeing her youth as a means of taking advantage of her, using her naiveté against her. The smallest third felt only good-natured curiosity, apparently interested in seeing where these events would go. Apple Bloom did her best to give a friendly smile to everypony, internally shuddering as she feels the revulsion her fanged smile made a good number of ponies feel.
“Ah, Your Majesty!” She turned to see a white unicorn stallion with a blonde mane approaching her. “A pleasure to meet you!”
Apple Bloom briefly tapped the hive mind, identifying the approaching stallion as Blueblood. “Your Highness,” she replies. “A pleasure, I’m certain.”
Blueblood began to speak with her, going on and on about something that was a little over her head. She filtered the words through the hive mind to translate it to a way she could understand, and was informed it was political small talk involving Canterlot fashion.
“I’m sorry,” she interrupted, “but I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She managed a winsome smile. “I’m afraid I’ve had more weighty matters on my mind.”
Blueblood smiled. “Of course, how foolish of me. Certainly a Queen as lovely as yourself would be brilliant as well, keeping her attention only for the most important matters.”
As they were near the buffet, Apple Bloom looked over, wanting to try something. However, she felt her stomach turn, though she knew it wasn’t from the food. As Blueblood continued to talk, she felt the mix of emotions from him: avarice, a desire to use her towards his own ends; overweening pride; a disquieting hunger for power; and most unsettling, a twisted lust. She couldn’t understand the full reason for all of these emotions, but the mix turned her stomach and made her nauseous.
Blueblood smiled as he offered her a selection of morsels on a platter. “Hungry?” he asked.
Apple Bloom stepped back a bit. “Umm…I wasn’t exactly raised to be Queen, so sorry if my words aren’t as polite as they could be, but there’s something I need to say.”
“Certainly,” he replied with an unsettlingly sweet smile. “I hunger for your words.”
Apple Bloom exhaled, inhaled, and began to speak. “As a changeling, I can feel the emotional energies of those around me, and naturally absorb a little from those closest to me in a manner harmless to them. However, each emotion has a taste, and those I’m getting from you are making me physically sick to just be in your presence, to the point I can’t eat anything offered here. So I’m going to have to ask you to get away from me before I call my guards to remove you from my presence.”
Blueblood’s smile turned to a frown. “What? How dare you-“
“She asked you to leave,” a hard voice came from behind him as a dark brown pegasus with a black mane, green eyes, and a golden coin for a cutie mark glared harshly at him.
Blueblood rounded on the pegasus. “And just who do you think you-“
With a flare of green fire, the pegasus’ leg turned into a blade which he held to the prince’s throat. “I’m the one who won’t hesitate to disembowel you and use your corpse as a battle standard if you don’t get away from my queen right this instant.”
Blueblood fainted dead away.
Apple Bloom smiled up at the disguised changeling. “Thanks Coin,” she said, although she still felt a little ill.
Coin gently guided her away from Blueblood’s unconscious form. “Here,” he said, handing her an apple.
She quickly devoured it in just a few bites, feeling it settle her stomach. “A Sweet Apple Acres apple.”
Coin nodded. “As you haven’t yet learned to filter out the emotions of others, I knew you might face an overload induced illness. So I brought a few apples from your home to help settle your stomach should it happen. I thought the familiar taste would help.”
She could feel him shielding her from most of the emotional energy surrounding her. “It’s not just the familiar taste,” she pointed out. “I helped grow these apples, along with my big sis, my big brother, and my granny. I know how much love and care went into carefully growing every single apple…and now I can taste it.”
Coin chuckled. “No wonder you are so powerful, raised as you have been.”
Apple Bloom blinked. “Will…will we get in trouble over what happened with Blueblood? I mean, he is the prince.”
Coin shook his head. “Not at all. In point of fact, you could request a formal apology from Celestia for his behavior.”
“Huh?”
Coin smiled. “The balance of power is still precarious. While we are here to sign a peace treaty, politically you still hold all the cards and the entire world knows it. You could probably ask Celestia to sign the Treaty with a rubber chicken if you wanted.”
Apple Bloom giggled. “While that would be funny, I don’t really want to do that. Celestia’s nice. Though I might ask that Blueblood tender an apology.”
Coin nodded. “Perhaps you should. Although you should know, given the currently charged political environment, that any action you take will likely have long lasting impact.”
Apple Bloom’s eyes widened. “Any action?” Coin nodded. “In that case, should I eat more apples?”
Coin chuckled. “If you so desire.” He handed her another to devour.
After a time, Apple Bloom reunited with her friends, and made her way to the throne. There, she was awaited by Celestia, Luna, and Twilight. Together, under much ceremony and formality – enough, at any rate, to make Scootaloo fall asleep in her chair, to the amusement of many – the Pax Apple treaty was signed, bringing an official end to the state of war between Equestria and the Changelings, and cementing the alliance between the two countries.
Coin sat back as he watched his young queen. She is a real hooffull, he thought to himself, but she’s managed to do more for our people than the past 15 queens. Perhaps having her ascend so young will turn out to be a good thing. Certainly, her youth will give her much more leeway politically than most could expect, and her adorability will win many allies.
He sighed sadly. I dread informing her, however, that she will be able to take advantage of her youth for at least another century…