//------------------------------// // Chapter 16: The Changling Priness // Story: The Lost Prince Returns // by Robobrony //------------------------------// Chapter 16: The Changling Princess Dawn Light had finally found the opportunity to gather his family together to introduce them to Crystal, she was currently disguised as the filly Dawn found her as first. His sisters, parents, and nephew were all gathered together in the throne room. The king and queen were confused as to why Dawn wanted this to be so private that not even the guards could be in the room, except for Silver Spark, Night Wing, Skript and Discord. Crystal was staying close to Dawn and was looking a little scared standing before the royal family. Dawn Light had a wing on Crystal’s back to try and comfort her. She was afraid of how the rest of Dawn’s family would react should they find out who she was. “Well Dawn, we are all together, so what is this all about?” Celestia asked. “First, I want to thank you all for meeting with me like this.” Dawn stated. “But this is very important. It has to do with Crystal here.” Crystal seemed to shrink a bit as all eyes turned to her once Dawn mentioned this had to do with her. Solaris looked back to his son. “And what is so important about her that you had to call this meeting?” Dawn started carefully. “Well….she’s…not exactly what she seems to be.” “What do you mean by that?” Luna asked. Dawn first looked over to Crystal with a comforting smile and gave a nod. She couldn’t help but smile back with a nod of her own. Dawn continued. “Before I say, I want you all to promise you won’t freak out over what I have to say.” Solaris gave a wary look. “Dawn, what is going on?” “The last time you asked us to promise something like that, you told us Discord was the one that sent you away.” Cosma stated as she shot a fierce glare at Discord. Discord flinched back a bit and gave a sheepish smile with a twiddle of his claws. Dawn gave a stern look. “I’m not saying until you all promise not to get excited or call the guards.” This got them a bit more concerned. Blue Blood decided to voice his opinion. “Uncle, I must say, this doesn’t sound too good. Why would we call the guards?” Dawn couldn’t help but feel a little happy at Blue Blood calling him uncle. He pushed those feelings aside for now. He had more important things to do, Crystal needed help and his family was the only one that could help. “Like I said, I’m not saying till you all promise me this.” “Well I trust you Dawn, I promise not to act or say anything upon hearing whatever it is you have to say.” Discord stated. “I suppose I do as well.” Blue Blood said. “Dawn, whatever it is, it does sound important, I’m just a little unsure about this.” Solaris said. “But I’ll do this if only to find out what all this is about. I promise not to react too strongly.” “Me too.” Cosma said. “As do I little brother.” Luna said with a smile. “I trust you too Dawn, so I will hear you out.” Celestia stated. Dawn smiled as his family and friend promised to listen to him. “All right, here goes.” He took a deep breath before starting. “Crystal…..is not a pony. She’s a changling.” With that, the room filled with an awkward silence. After a minute, Luna broke the silence. “Little brother, did you say….changling?” Dawn nodded, then looked to Crystal and urged her forward with a head nod. She looked up at him nervously, then forward and removed herself from Dawn. She closed her eyes and dropped her disguise, revealing her changling self. Those not privy to Crystal’s true origins let out a gasp. “She’s…she’s a changling.” Luna stated. Celestia glared at the creature before her. Chrysalis’s attempt at taking over her beloved country started surfacing in her mind. How she was practically powerless to stop that evil queen from hurting her ponies, how she was so easily defeated and left helpless while her subjects cried out in fear and helplessness. “What is that doing here?” Celestia asked angrily. She stood up and started walking towards Crystal. Crystal cringed in fear under Celestia’s angry glare. She backed up to Dawn and hid behind him. “Celestia, you promised to hear me out, remember?” Dawn said, reminding his elder sister of her promise. Celestia tore her gaze from Crystal and to her little brother. She took a deep breath to try and calm herself. Solaris stepped forward as well looking rather cross. “Dawn Light, you better have a good explanation for this.” “No, my baby’s been corrupted by that thing!” Cosma cried out. “N-no…I…I didn’t I….” Crystal tried to defend herself but her words falter in fear. Discord then spoke up. “Dawn Light, get away from it!” He snapped his claw and teleported Dawn away from Crystal and to his waiting paw. “Discord!” Dawn protested. He squirmed to try and free himself from Discord’s hold. “Let me go, she’s not….” “What have you done to my child?” Cosma asked angrily. Crystal was now cowering on the floor covering herself with her holy hooves. “I…I….” She tried to speak but again, fear prevented her from doing so. “BEEEEE STIIIIIIIIIILLLLL!” Dawn shouted in his Canterlot voice. “All of you just be quiet! You promised to hear me out!” The family looked to Dawn. Discord looked at Dawn in his paw with a frown. “Sorry Dawn, but….why is there a changling here?” “Yes son, don’t tell me that thing has corrupted your mind.” Solaris said as he shot a glare at Crystal. Discord set Dawn down and he immediately ran to Crystal and placed himself in front of her to shield her from his family. “Her name is Crystal, and I’m not under some changling influence.” Luna walked up to join Celestia’s side. “Dawn, are you not aware of what the changlings did a while back?” “I am, Crystal told me that her mother, queen Chrysalis, tried to take over.” Dawn stated. “Did you know the attack took place during Cadence’s wedding?” Celestia asked. Dawn was silent. Celestia took that as a no. “Chrysalis somehow managed to kidnap your cousin Cadence and took her place. During the wedding preparations, she slowly took over Shining Armor’s mind. The only one that saw through Chrysalis’s deception was Twilight Sparkle. She tried to warn us, but none of us listened. Not her friends, not her brother, and not me. Because of this, Chrysalis had nearly won. However, Shining Armor and Cadence managed to use the power of their love for one another to drive Chrysalis and her army of changlings out of Canterlot.” Dawn thought a moment. “Well……that was in the past, and she did that out of desperation.” He argued. “Oh? And how do you know this?” Solaris asked. “Crystal told me. She said the changlings are low on food and energy. Chrysalis did what she did out of desperation to help her subjects.” Dawn argued more. “And how do we know this isn’t some changling trick?” Celestia asked. “How do we know you haven’t been influenced by this changling?” “If I may your majesty?” Silver Spark stepped forward and made his way to Dawn’s side to face Celestia. “Princess, I scanned Dawn’s mind for any sign of changling influence, I found none. His words and actions are his own.” “You see?” Dawn stated as he pointed a hoof at Silver. “I’m saying this on my own. No tricks, no lies. Crystal was curious about us and wanted to learn about ponies, so she ran away from home and came here but got lost when she did. She just wants to go home.” He said pleadingly. “And they need help.” “Danw, sweety, you can’t be serious.” Cosma stated. “I am serious. They need help.” Dawn stated again. “Forget it son, they attacked our kingdome and tried to take it over.” Solaris argued back. “What about second chances?” Dawn shot back. “What about giving some pony a second chance to make up for the mistakes they made? You all did that for Luna after the whole Nightmare Moon thing. You gave Discord a second chance after he reformed. Why not give Chrysalis the same thing? Just talk with her and let her know we want to help.” Everyponie’s looks softened after Dawn’s speech. Skript finally spoke after being silent during the whole thing. “Your majesties, if I may?” All eyes fell on him now. “Dawn Light does have a point. I mean, what if we are wrong about the changlings? Sure they tried to attack us, but it may have been an act of desperation. I say we go with Dawn Light on this.” “I suppose…Dawn does make a compelling argument.” Cosma said with a smile as she looked down at her son. Dawn smiled back. Celestia closed her eyes a moment. She thought of Dawn’s words, she could find no fault in them. Yes the changlings attacked, but what if Dawn spoke the truth? Could peace be possible between the changlings and the kingdom of Equestria? She reopened her eyes. “Very well little brother, it seems you have grown wise over time.” Luna smiled. “I believe so, perhaps Dawn will discover his special talent very soon.” The king made his way around Dawn and lowered himself onto his belly. He placed a comforting hoof on Crystals back and spoke gently. “Princess Crystal, as the king of Equestria, I promise to do everything in my power to make sure you get home and try to help your mother’s realm.” Crystal looked up from behind her hooves and into the king’s eyes. “Really?” Solaris responded with a nod. Crystal smiled. “Thank you, I really appreciate it.” Solaris stood back up. “Dawn Light, while she’s here, you will be in charge of taking care of her until we can get her home, is that all right?” “Of course, I’d be more than happy to watch out for her.” Dawn responded. Cosma called for a guard. “Guards, you may enter now!” A few guards reentered the room. “I want you to send for a messenger. Have them come here to the throne room quickly.” The two guards bowed. “Yes your majesty.” They said in unison before taking their leave. Three days had gone by since Chrysalis realized her daughter had run off. Needless to say she was very upset about it. Chrysalis paced back and forth in her dark throne room, still worrying about her beloved daughter’s whereabouts. The walls were black with a few open windows along the walls. There were light blue glowing crystals lining the walls to provide light. Her thrown was an onyx black with three points at the top of the throne. A changling guard entered the room and walked up to Chrysalis before bowing. “My queen, I have come with an update.” Chrysalis ceased her pacing and looked to her changling guard. “Well, did you find her yet? Where is she?” She asked angrily. The guard shook a little in fear of his queen’s wrath. “My apologies your majesty, but still no sign of her, we’ve scoured the kingdom everywhere and still no sign of her.” Chrysalis walked closer to her subject with a glare. “Then what are you doing here? GET OUT THERE AND FIND HER!” The changling quickly stood and ran out. Chrysalis went back to her pacing. “Where could she have gone? Why did she leave? Have I not been a caring mother?” She questioned. Some time passed before another changling entered the room. Just like before, he bowed upon approaching the agitated queen. “Y-your m-m-majesty.” Every changling in the hive was aware of their queen’s bad mood after finding out her daughter had run away. They held their queen in high respect as she cared deeply for her subjects, however, she did have a temper. “What now? If it isn’t about my daughter, I don’t want to hear it.” Chrysalis responded. The changling chose his words carefully so as not to upset his queen any more than she already was. “My queen, there is a messenger here from Equestria. They…” Chrysalis shot a glare at the poor changling before roaring out. “WHAT DO THEY WANT?! I have no interest in what they have to say! Why would that despicable kingdom send a message, especially after our failed invasion of their homeland!?” “Th-th-the m-messenger says they b-b-bring news of…of your d-daughter my queen.” The changling stuttered out. Chrysalis’s eyes widened in surprise. She raised her head up while keeping her eyes on the changling. Her next words were mixed with anger as she spoke seriously. “Bring them.” The changling bowed and left to let the messengers from Equestria in. Within minutes, a group of five ponies entered. Four were guards, one was a simple Pegasus pony with a pair of saddle bags. A few changling guards accompanied the ponies into the room as well. Chrysalis glared at the ponies. “Be quick with your message ponies, what do you know of my daughter’s whereabouts? She had better be safe.” The ponies bowed respectfully to show their respect. The messenger at the middle was the one to address the queen. “Your majesty queen Chrysalis. I bring news of your daughter Crystal. She is currently a guest of the royal family of Equestria in their castle. She is being well taken care of and is in no danger.” All Chrysalis heard was that her daughter was in the company of the royal family. Her mind surged with a mixture of emotions of anger, worry, and fear. To her, her daughter may very well have been taken prisoner and was being held hostage. “Those ponies dare take my DAUGHTER!?” Her voice rose in anger. The changlings that accompanied the ponies readied to attack. The pony guards got their swords ready to defend themselves. The messenger cringed and dropped to his belly as he shook in fear. Chrysalis closed in on them as she glared at the ponies. She was about to say something, but a thought had crossed her mind. Her beloved Crystal was a prisoner, any sign of hostility on her part may very well put her daughter in danger. Not only that, but she was weak in strength as well, as was her subjects. The food shortage in her kingdom was getting worse. If she were to declare war, she and her beloved changlings wouldn’t stand a chance. She sighed in defeat and hung her head. “What…are the demands for her safe return?” She asked quietly. The changlings looked to their queen in worry, the guards looked to Chrysalis with caution. The messenger managed to find his voice. “I….I beg your….p-pardon?” Chrysalis looked the messenger in the eyes and spoke clearly. “I said, what are their demands for my daughter’s safe return?” “F-forgive me your majesty, but….there are no demands. I was sent to ask when and where you would like to meet the king and queen so your daughter may be returned to you.” The messenger spoke shakily. Chrysalis still found it hard to believe this wasn’t what she originally thought it was. “Fine, tell them I wish to meet with them at our borders tomorrow at noon.” Chrysalis spoke with authority. “Very well your majesty.” The ponies gave a bow before departing. Once the ponies were gone, Chrysalis gave out orders. “Guards, make sure to be ready to leave tomorrow at noon for our meeting.” The changling guards gave a bow before leaving the room. “And so once again, the day is saved from the greedy Dr. Cavaleron thanks to the daring heroics of Daring Do.” Cosma finished reading a bedtime story for Dawn and Crystal. “Wow, what a great story Dawn, I like Daring Do.” Crystal said with a smile. “I told you you’d like it.” Dawn stated with a smile. “Okay Crystal, your guest room should be ready for you now.” Cosma said as she removed herself from Dawn’s bed. “Um….actually, would it be all right if I stayed with Dawn tonight?” Crystal asked a bit shaky. “I’m still a little nervous spending the night away from home like this.” Dawn Light was a little surprised by this request. Cosma gave a kind smile as she responded. “Well….I suppose it would be all right if Dawn doesn’t mind.” Dawn Light smiled as he gave his answer. “I don’t mind, my bed is big enough after all.” He pointed out. “All right then, I guess it’s settled.” Cosma tucked the two into bed and gave her son a kiss on the forehead before leaving the room. “Good night you two.” “Good night mom.” Dawn said as he lay his head down on his pillow. Crystal quickly sat up. “Excuse me, queen Cosma.” Cosma stopped short of the door and turned to face Crystal. “Yes, what is it?” Crystal hesitated at first. “Would….would it be all right if I came back and visited to play with Dawn after I’m back with my mom?” Cosma gave a warm smile. “I think that would be nice, and you can just call me Cosma Crystal. My son was right about you, your just like a little filly.” Crystal smiled and giggled at the comment. “Thank you Cosma, goodnight.” “Goodnight Crystal.” Cosma finally left the room and quietly closed the door behind her. Crystal laid her head down and stared up at the ceiling a moment. “Dawn?” She asked quietly. Dawn turned his head to face Crystal. “Yeah?” “This means we’re friends now right?” She asked. Dawn smiled. “Of course it does.” Crystal turned her head to look Dawn in the eyes. “Thank you for helping me like you did, I really appreciate it.” “Don’t mention it, I’m always happy to help out a pony in need. Or in this case….changling.” Dawn gave a small laugh. Crystal giggled in return. “I like you Dawn, you’re so nice.” “I like you too Crystal. I just know we’re going to be great friends.” “Forever?” “Forever.” Dawn sat up and performed the actions of a Pinkie Promise. “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” Crystal sat up and gave Dawn a curious look. Dawn smirked as he explained what it was he did. “And no pony breaks a Pinkie promise.” “Wow, I like that idea.” Crystal stated with a smile once she understood. “Then why don’t we do it together?” Dawn suggested. “Okay, how does it go again?” Dawn taught Crystal the actions of a Pinkie promise. Once he was sure she had it down, they both made the pinkie promise. “I promise to be the best of friends forever and ever. Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” They both said in unison under the soft glow of Luna’s full moon. They laughed once it was done. “Then it’s settled, no matter what, we’ll always be friends.” Dawn stated. “Forever and ever.” Crystal added. The two said their goodnights, laid their heads down, and pulled the covers up to them to drift off to a peaceful sleep.