15-FB-1204
The mission has once again been delayed. The insufferable Professor claims to be too exhausted for the trip and must recuperate. Nopony is happy, but there is little we can do.
There is some silver lining to be found, however. While waiting for Professor to regain his strength, the rest of us have been productive. Shimmer has provided us all a brief but extensive and informative lesson on changelings, namely on how to identify those disguised as ponies. According to her, while changelings are cunning and their disguises are impressive, they lack creativity and can only mimic the form of ponies they have seen. Additionally, most changelings, while in disguise, can only repeat words and phrases they've heard the original say, thus limiting their capability of speech. Shimmer also debunked the rumors of changelings being able to steal the memories of the ponies they mimic. After seeing the way she looked at him afterward, I'm glad it was Sparky who asked about that instead of me.
Princess Mi Amore Cadenza was also there and asked almost as many questions as her husband. I suppose there is nothing wrong with a little curiosity but an entire notebook full of notes for a single, one hour lecture seems a little excessive.
I had hoped to catch Shimmer alone after the lesson, to run by the idea of using pass codes for identification while perhaps inviting her for some crystal corn on the cob for lunch, but she soon occupied herself with teaching the few unicorn guards present spell which would allow us to distinguish pony from changeling. I decided to stay behind and watch, though I understood absolutely nothing. All I could tell was that the spell was extremely complicated as even Guard-Captain Shining Armor struggled with it at first.
Her Majesty was the first pupil to master the magic. Considering her natural abilities, I should not have been surprised but I was. Perhaps I had just thought it unusually that the princess had even bothered learning the spell. But, as I said before, there's nothing wrong with a little curiosity.
A theory: learning about the changeling might be a sort of coping mechanism for the princess. I suspect the memory of being kidnapped and imprisoned by these creatures has yet to fade, and this second threat worries Her Majesty at a personal level far more than she allows it to appear.
On the related note of curiosity, I have learned that Shimmer detests corn, especially on the cob.
*
19-FB-1204
If anypony has been paying attention to the dates of these entries you may note of a three day gap between this writing and the last one. The truth of the matter is that I get motion sickness if I try to read or write while on a moving transport. It is no coincidence it is a three day train ride from the capital of the Crystal Empire to <EXPUNGED>. Thus, to avoid any appearance of nausea in front of my squad, I've neglected in my recording.
Not that there was much time to write. Much to my surprise, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza was traveling with us. According to the Guard-Captain, she was to accompany us only as far as <EXPUNGED>, where she would remain to boost morale among the fearful colonists. Guard-Captain Shining Armor seemed to place a heavy amount of emphasis on the word 'only', to which Her Majesty responded with a terrifying glare at his direction. As such, with a princess in tow, our responsibilities grew much larger and a good portion of my time was split between assigning guard shifts around the princess's private compartment and guarding her myself.
Now that I think about it, it seems like a waste of effort, really. Guard-Captain Shining Armor was by Her Majesty's entire side the whole time and I know he would sooner leave the realm of the living than have a single hair on Her Majesty's head harmed.
The two seem to be arguing about something. I didn't hear what but a lot of shouting could be heard from Her Majesty's private compartment, often followed by a time of silence. I do not know what to make of it. Captain Ironhoof has made several lewd and suggestive jests regarding the sudden silence and is unfortunately very willing to share the stories of his own experiences. He is divorced, and I can't say I'm too surprised.
Very little happened on the train ride and so, many idle guards turned to gossip. I blame Captain Ironhoof if the paparazzi publishes anything along the lines of the princess and her prince-consort having make-up sex on public transportation. I very well couldn't order anypony to run laps but I had secretly hoped for some engine malfunction, forcing us to pull the train ourselves. We could have all used the exercise, I'm sure.
To make matters worse, Professor had brought with him a deck of cards, which made keeping discipline even more difficult. I found Tick playing old maid with Professor and one of the Canterlot guards on the third day. I'm almost positive Tick rigged the game; there's no way I could have ended up with the queen of clubs every freaking time.
Each day, like a gentleman, I would go up to the service compartment, prepare a cup of fresh coffee, and offer it Shimmer. On the first day, she gave it back, saying she could not drink it with sugar. On the second day, she returned the cup without taking a sip, telling me that she did not take her coffee with cream. On the third and final day, she politely declined, saying that she preferred tea to coffee. At least she enjoyed the donuts.
Anyways, today we've arrived and have settled into a hotel. Tomorrow we begin the investigation. I'm too tired to make any notes on the town itself right now. Maybe tomorrow.
*
20-FB-1204
<EXPUNGED> is one of the more recent western settlements. It has all the necessities of a small town and a solid local government and as one of the first colonies to harness the natural orichalcum ore deposits nearby, it has the potential to becoming one of the richest and grandest cities of the Crystal Empire, rivaling even perhaps Equestria's Manehattan.
Or, at least, it had the potential. The recent kidnappings have seemed to halt development completely. Few ponies, besides armed members of the municipal militia, can be found outdoors. Almost all the stores are closed and boarded up, their owners either among the missing or left the colony to safer towns. The partially built structures abandoned in the middle of construction gives the entire town an eerie sense of decay and hopelessness. Most obvious is the cinema that stands right next to the hotel that serves as our temporary headquarters. Beams of wood stick out of the glass, like broken bones stabbing through skin. Having a room with a window and a view has never been more depressing.
Investigation began today, early in the morning. Guard-Captain Shining Armor and his team escorted Princess Mi Amore Cadenza as she met the governor and her council. Ironhoof and his squad took Professor and looked for clues around the last rumored sighting of a changeling. Meanwhile, my team were to protect Shimmer as we questioned the chief of the militia and went over what information they had acquired from the kidnappings. The plan was to later meet up with Ironhoof and then check around the places where the missing settlers were last accounted for.
We could not determine any pattern based on the profiles of the missing ponies. It was a varied mix of stallions, mares, colts, and fillies of every color and every age. Even a few militia members were taken. Shimmer brought up a very good point, noting that every pony that had disappeared had at least one relative, be it parent, spouse, or offspring. Considering the changeling abilities and limitations, this implies that, if there really is a changeling presence, they've been here long enough to gather data to create convincing disguises.
Beyond that, we've learned nothing useful. There's nothing that suggests without a doubt that changeling are indeed responsible for the recent disappearances, nor, equally important, where the missing ponies could have possibly gone. We have very little solid evidence that the disappearances are even connected.
I had hoped that scouring the locations where the ponies were last seen would be more fruitful but we had to postpone our investigation to tomorrow on Professor's account. According to him, today's activities had left him enervated and he required an interlude of relief. I'm pretty sure he was just tired.
Guard-Captain Shining Armor was, understandably, very unhappy with our progress. Ironhoof's efforts yielded as much useful information as mine. We had absolutely no data to either confirm or disconfirm hostile changeling presence in the Crystal Empire, nor did we have any idea where to look. We're all hoping to find something, anything, any clue or lead, tomorrow at the last known locations of the missing ponies. We will have a lot of ground to cover in the morning so, with permission from the Guard-Captain, I sent my guards to an early bed after a light supper. I felt they deserved the break and I took it upon myself to escort Shimmer, who had decided to take a short walk through the hotel.
Seeing as we were both on edge, I tried lightening the mood by mentioning the weather and how much cooler the air was here in the west than at the capital. Shimmer apologized and said she hadn't noticed. I explained that most non-pegasus didn't, since the weather normally went over their heads.
She has a musical laugh. I wish it lasted longer.
It was getting late so we returned to our room. To maximize security, each squad would sleep in the same room as the one they were protecting; Guard-Captain Shining Armor and his guards with Her Majesty, Ironhoof with Professor, and I with Shimmer. As we approached the door I suddenly realized the dangerous implications. And though she hides it well, I'm sure she has considered them too, and the thought of sleeping in such proximity with so many stallions must be nerve-racking.
I wanted to set aside any and all of the young mare's anxieties and was prepared to assure her of my squad-mates' discipline and professionalism, but I was interrupted by the sudden opening of the door to the princess's quarters. Out stepped a very nervous looking Professor. He quickly wiped his brow with a handkerchief, apologized, and hurried to his own room. Guard-Captain Shining Armor stepped out a moment later, wearing a rather smug grin. He had a quick talk with the old intellect, he told us, and expected no more delays. Then, wishing us a good night, he shut the door.
At this point I must admit I lost my nerve, and just as Shimmer was about to open the door I blurted out that if she was uncomfortable, we guards could sleep just outside of the room.
Which is the reason why I am currently writing this entry on the balcony, exposed to the elements and the cold Crystal Empire evening. The others were not happy with this decision but at least Sparky and Tick got carpet to lay on as they protected the door entrance while Private and I defended the window.
I can't wait for my shift to end. Private kicks in his sleep.
*
21-FB-1204
So, apparently I snore. Private's a trooper, I'll give him that.
As a unit, we waited for Shimmer to freshen up and headed down for breakfast. We arrived about the same time Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and her escort. Her guards, with the exception of the Guard-Captain who appeared more relaxed than he ever did since the beginning of the assignment, all seemed a tad nervous and, for some odd reason, would not, or could not, look at Her Majesty or at the Guard-Captain.
Perhaps as equally strange was the behavior of the princess and her husband during breakfast. When she felt certain that nopony was looking, she'd give the Guard-Captain a quick kiss, which Guard-Captain Shining Armor would swiftly return. I must have been staring because Her Majesty began to stare back, and I quickly lowered my head to hide my blush as I ate my oatmeal.
During the short meal I had the opportunity to ask Shimmer if she had slept well. She said she did, though there had been some noise next door, from Her Highness's room. Odd but the princess seemed safe. Seemed.
Well, any worries I had were put to rest after each of us was subjected to the identification spell and a brief questioning and was asked to recite the pass code. Princess Mi Amore Cadenza was indeed Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, and I was almost killed for pointing a blade at Her Majesty. I'm glad the princess was so forgiving and that Guard-Captain Shining Armor mistook my paranoia and panic for vigilance.
We're about to continue the investigation now. I'll report the findings during my lunch break.
-
Lunch consisted of a small cream cheese and tomato sandwich. Could have used a little avocado.
Again, our search provides no proof of Changeling infiltration. The locations that served potential scenes of the crime were, like the identities of the missing ponies themselves, seemingly random and without purpose. The front of the school, the entrance of a cafe, just outside the hotel, in the back alley next to the militia barracks, it seemed that every sort of pony disappeared at every sort of location.
Changeling abductors would explain the situation, but nothing demonstrates their actual existence. We're getting nowhere fast, and it doesn't help that militia members continually get in our way. I understand they want to help, but telling us what they'd do if they ever got their hooves on the kidnappers, whatever they were, does not help. I couldn't bring myself to make them leave so I got Private to do it for me. I wonder if either Ironhoof or Guard-Captain Shining Armor are having better luck than my team. I hope so.
I'm going to take a walk to clear my head. Shimmer wants to see the militia chief to see if she could go over the profiles one more time. Maybe she'll find some sort of connection between the kidnapped ponies and the supposed locations of the kidnappings we can't. While I'm there I'll ask the chief if he could keep his guards from interfering.
-
Some ponies believe in a higher power, beyond that of the celestial sisters, one who reigns and rules over our very destinies and over fate itself. I'm not entire sure how I feel about that idea but if that all-powerful and all-knowing being does exists, then thank you.
The militia headquarters was close by so there wasn't much opportunity for conversation. She did ask me if all the structures in the Crystal Empire were built with crystals. I answered yes, most of them, though I explained that many traditional buildings were created and carved straight out of growing crystals and stones and there was the occasional Equestrian outpost made of their usual fare of plaster and wood.
The barracks were dark and quiet when we arrived. I had thought that perhaps the chief had left for a late meal. Shimmer argued that would not explain the lack of militia or why the lights were out. Then again, most of the militia members were trying to help us in the investigation.
Shimmer went ahead, saying that the chief probably wouldn't mind if they looked around. She headed straight to the chief's office, where we had seen the profiles yesterday. I started to follow but something crinkled beneath my hoof. My broken reflection stared back at me as I looked down. Looking back up, I saw that one of the glass panels for one of the other offices was broken.
I nearly dropped my sword as I heard the scream, a mare's scream. Without a second thought I rushed toward the militia chief's office and flung the door open.
Crouched right above Shimmer was a dark equine shaped creature, barely visible in the dark. To the side sat the chief's motionless body. The creature bared sharp deadly fangs as it snarled at me when I entered and flared the semitransparent wings on its back that buzzed threateningly. It glowered with dull, glass-like eyes that seemed to glow demonically.
Realizing that it had been distracted by my arrival, Shimmer threw her weight up and forward, knocking the creature back into the bookcase standing behind them. As I hurried to her side, a glass paperweight that had been sitting on the edge of the bookcase fell and shattered against the intruder's horned head. We watched the thing sway and stumble before collapsing.
Shimmer and Professor confirmed that what we knocked out was most definitely a changeling. It currently rests in a barrack cell, with four guards inside with it and four guards stationed at the entrance. We now have evidence of changeling activity but not of the extent, nor the location or condition of the missing ponies. Guard-Captain Shining Armor and Ironhoof will begin interrogating our captive later tonight, as soon as it has woken up.
The Guard-Captain and Her Majesty had another argument. I do not know what it was about nor do I dare ask, but Guard-Captain Shining Armor left the princess's room very cross and order me to spare some guards and make sure Her Majesty did not leave the safety of her room. I think Princess Mi Amore Cadenza heard him because I believe I heard something crash against the other side of the door.
While Professor was extremely excited to see a living specimen and spent his time in the barracks, waiting eagerly for the interrogation to begin, Shimmer refused to go near the cell holding the changelimg, and she shivered at the very mention of it.
The hotel kitchen has an old shaved ice machine, and we found some syrup. She prefers ice cream, she told with a small smile. At least she stopped shivering.
We talked as we ate the frozen treats. I learned more about her home, Canterlot, and she learned more about mine. I told her of the best shaved ice anypony could ever find in the world, she told me about a donut shop I had to see if I ever did visit. She told me how beautiful the sunset was as the sun disappeared behind the mountain and how gorgeous the night skies were, I tried to describe the amazing aurora we were graced every winter solace. I told her about the Crystal Fair and all the decorations and the crystal ewes, and she spoke of the royal wedding in Canterlot. She became quiet shortly after.
Seeing her discomfort, I did not pursue the topic but Shimmer just shook her head and sighed. She explained that it was a close encounter with the invaders that day that led to her fascination and her research, but it was also a very frightening experience and today, well, today just brought out a few bad memories.
I wish I could have said something, anything really. Maybe place a hoof on her shoulder, tell her it was alright, I don't know. She found her voice before I found mine, and what she said left me searching for it again:
"You know, when this is all over, I wouldn't mind visiting here again, for a vacation. The Crystal Empire's a nice place. You'll have to show me that aurora next time, okay? I'm holding you to it."
Then she left, leaving me with my mouth stupidly hanging open. She has an amazing smile.
I can see the end of our mission at last. With a prisoner in our possession, it's only a matter of time before we learn just how many changelings we'll be dealing with and where the rest of the vermin are, then this reconnaissance mission becomes a rescue. We've encountered a few bumps along the way but the royal guard always stands strong. Every day I spend with my fellow soldiers I learn something. From every operation, be it successful or not, there's always something to take away.
This time, I have learned to never be discouraged. Even when the chips are down and things look bleak, stand strong and move forward, and never be afraid to hope. We began this mission with delays and dead ends but in the end w-
*