//------------------------------// // The Meeting // Story: Allies of Equestria // by Shadowlux100 //------------------------------// With fluttering eyes, Chryla woke. Her bruised chest ached as she rolled to get more comfortable on the infirmary bed. The room was dark and cool, which she was not opposed to. Yawning, she noticed an open window and the moonlight shining on the floor. "How long have I been out...?" she whispered. The rest of the infirmary was empty, save for the vacant beds and nightstands. After sitting up and looking at her dark black body, her chest tightened. Usually she casts a long term 'change' before going to sleep, seeing as staying 'CareFree' while conscience was effortless but staying that way without a long term 'change' unconsciously was near impossible. She didn't even think of casting while she was being flown back to Canterlot. She immediately changed back to 'Carefree'. Her mind started to run, worrying over who saw her in her true form. The main door to the infirmary clacked open and swung just enough to let Celestia in. Her hooves clacked along the floor, making her way over to Chryla. "How are you feeling Chryla?" Celesta stood over her bed. "Did...I blow the whole operation?" Chryla's voice shivered in the presence of the alicorn. "No, I can always do some cover up to anyone who happened to see. However, for the most part no one but the few medical staff that fixed you up saw your true form." Celestia's tone was soft and reassuring. "Thank goodness." Chryla breathed out, "What about Rainbow Dash?" "I've called the Element of Harmony wielders to a meeting here tomorrow, though I'm sure Rainbow went straight to Twilight and demanded her to talk to me." Celestia sighed, "Always the troublesome one, that Dash." "Well, are Shield, myself, and/or Shadow going to said meeting?" Chryla asked. "All three of you are invited to the meeting. Shield has already replied saying he will attend, but I have not heard from Miss Luxurious yet. You may attend if you feel ready to leave the infirmary." Chryla nodded. "I'll leave you to rest," Celestia turned to leave. "I'll be ready tomorrow." Chryla replied. "Great." A small smile crossed Celestia's face as she started walking. She was just at the door when Chryla mustered the courage to speak again. "I'm sorry for deceiving you for the time before you 'knew' me." Celestia stopped, but didn't turn to face her. "I was just trying to survive...and I promise to make it up to you, princess." Chryla looked down at the bed sheets as she spoke. It was a few seconds before Celestia responded. "I believe you. Remember it is always harder to gain trust than lose it." Chryla swallowed, reminded of what her past queen had done."Goodnight Chryla." Celestia closed the door behind her. It took moments to fall back asleep. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The next day, Chryla was the last to enter the throne room where the meeting was held, but she was still a little timid as she did so. Being in the presence of all six of the element bearers as a changeling was not the easiest thing to do, at least not after that certain event. The looks on each of their faces didn't help boost her confidence either, especially the look from Rainbow Dash, who was still sore from a couple days ago. Both Shadow and Shield were there too, which made Chryla a little more comfortable. "Ah, Carefree. Care to join us?" Celestia welcomed her. She slowly approached the round table still staring at the mane six, who were in a little shock of her appearance. She made her way to a seat next to Shield as Celestia began to speak. "Now then, I would like to start this meeting off with welcoming our new friend, Chryla, to Equestria." She gestured Chryla. "Although she may have lived behind a facade ever since the wedding, she has done well as a care taker here in the castle and as a loyal citizen to Equestria. And even after revealing her true form to Courageous Shield and to me and my sister." "Hmm...Ah don't know 'bout this..." Applejack narrowed her eyes at Chryla. "Whadda you think, Twi?" "Well, if Celestia says it's alright for Chryla to live in Equestria, I can't really argue with that. I wouldn't put my trust on her, but I put all of my trust on Celestia." Twilight answered as she looked at Chryla, who felt comfortable enough to speak. "I have pledged allegiance to the Land of Equestria. It is now my home." Chryla's voice was unwavering as she stood in front of the 6 element holders and the sister princesses. "I still don't trust her!" Dash flared her nostrils. "Rainbow! You're already on thin ice, stop while you're ahead!" Twilight snorted back at her. "I really like her! Lets throw a 'Sorry for Dashie's Intolerance' party!" Pinkie bounded in place. "Now is not the time Pinkie." Rarity face-hoofed. "Ah'm with Twi on this one Rainbow, Princess Celestia knows what she's doing." Applejack stated. "Hmph! Fine...but I still don't get why they're here." Rainbow gestured Shield and Shadow. "They are here for the second subject of matter we must discuss." Luna started. "Ever since the reveal of Chryla, my sister and I have planned on bringing a task force back together, which involves Chryla, Courageous Shield, Shadow luxurious, and a few more members." "A task force?" Twilight questioned. "OOOH! A secret spy thingy! I love being a spy! It's so much fun!" Pinkie bounced. "Ah! That's what my beautiful suits are for!" Rarity responded. "Why the hay do we need a task force!? We've been doing just fine with the elements!" Rainbow retorted. "There is a difference between each group. The elements are to be used as our defense against the worst that is to come to Equestria, such as Discord and Sombra. The task force, however, is to keep the small evil-doers in tact and to help me and the elements protect Equestria." Celestia stated. Suddenly, questions started to fill the room. Mostly coming from Twilight and her friends. Celestia and Luna both tried to explain everything the best they could without trying to create chaos in the room. As the meeting progressed, the Elements were filled in to about the knowledge level that Shield and Chryla were. Meanwhile, Chryla wasn't looking to satisfied, and Shield started to notice. "You doing okay?" He asked. "I'm fine, but I'm not sure if they are." She pointed to the arguing crowd. "Ah, don't worry, they'll be done soon." Shadow remarked. "How do you know?" "They're the elements of harmony, and they're the royal princesses. If they can't calm down, then who can?" "Well...yeah, I guess that's true. But I'm also worried about what's gonna happen to us...especially me." "I don't know, Chryla. Celestia has a way with keeping things secret." said Shield. "Or she really has no idea." Shadow thought. "But I'm sure that we'll be alright in the end. Besides, you made it this far. The only way to from here is up." Shield comforted. "...I guess." Chryla responded, still not sure. Later, as Shadow said, the ruckus died down. They took it all well (save for Dash, who was a bit slower to accept it) and before too long, the meeting was almost over. "Are we all in agreement?" Luna asked. "Certainly." Rarity answered first. "Ueyup. Sounds good ta me." Applejack said. "Yep! Me too!" Pinkie announced. "Umm...yes." Fluttershy whispered. "......Fine." Rainbow retorted. "I just wish you would have told at least me about this task force princess, instead of this 'crash-landing' of info right in one place." Twilight turned to Celestia. "I apologize Twilight, I was in the works to send you a letter or two about it. More paperwork than I expected landed in my hooves before I could, however." Shadow smiled and rolled her eyes at that. Once the meeting ended, the princesses left first, going back to royal duties. Shield and Chryla were about to leave when a soft voice stopped Chryla. "Um...excuse me...Miss Carefree?" Fluttershy timidly stepped towards Chryla. "Yes. Fluttershy, right?" Chryla turned back to face her. "Could you...tell me a bit about yourself? I like to know all I can about every kind of creature, and the last group of changelings were meanies...if its not a problem..." the yellow pegasus kneaded her hooves against the stone floor of the castle throne room. "Oh, uh...of course." Chryla genuinely smiled, "I'll answer all I can." The yellow pegasus perked up, "Oh gosh! Thank you!" "Ah need to get back to the farm, though ah'd love to hear ya stories." Applejack dipped her hat as she started home. Dash followed her without a word. "I planned some shopping today since I was in Canterlot, but I'll ask Fluttershy about you later. Nice meeting you CareFree." Rarity waved goodbye. "I'll stay." Twilight stepped closer. "Me too! Me too!" Pinkie bounded. "Maybe we should go to a bit more...private area to talk." Chryla fidgeted. "Of course!" Fluttershy exclaimed, "Sorry! We should go to the courtyard to talk." "No need to apologize." Chryla chuckled a tad. "Need me to tag along?" Shield spoke in the slight break of the conversation. "Need? No. I'd like for you to." Chryla grinned. Shield stuck his tongue out at her as they started off to the courtyard as Shadow started to follow. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The lobby of the concert hall was abuzz with all sorts of ponies from Manehatten. Mostly from the upper class, but some 'regular' ponies were also chatting along. The great Octavia was playing her favorite concerto tonight, and she had been practicing relentlessly for weeks. Vinyl would know, living with her and all. Vinyl loved going to Octavia's concerts. It was 180 degrees from her own line of music, but just as passionate, if not more. "One last water break before the show." Vinyl thought as she made her way to the restrooms of the concert hall. She trotted carefully down the empty corridor. People were lining up to get in now, so the restrooms and drinking fountains were Vinyl's for the taking. The crisp water ran down her throat. She closed her eyes to drink. In the middle of swallowing, two hooves pulled her abruptly away from the fountain and to the other wall of the corridor. "-the buck?!" Vinyl coughed as the unsuspected shove backwards made her choke on the water. She looked up to see two buff stallions in suit coats with dark sunglasses towering over her. "Sorry to abruptly disturb you like this, but I'd like to ask a favor of you." A white haired red stallion stepped between the other two. He also was wearing a suit, but no glasses. "Uh...who do you think you are? You can't just do this to ponies and ask something of them. Its shady and rude." Vinyl huffed angrily. "Who I am is unimportant." The stallion waved his hoof in the air as if wafting the subject away. "I'm not here to be polite, furthermore." "What the buck do you want?" Vinyl put on her tough face. "I want you," The stallion (whom Vinyl just realized was a unicorn) lifted a briefcase into Vinyls view, "to deliver this to a pony for me." "Pfft, yeah right." Vinyl rolled her eyes. "So brave in front of total strangers!" The stallion giggled, "Let me fill you in on what's inside this briefcase; enough magic potential energy to make this whole concert hall into a sizable crater." Vinyl's eyes narrowed, showing skepticism. "Don't believe me? Let's test that faith," The Red unicorn's horn hummed a distinct note and one of the three clips on the case popped open. "The only one powerful enough to have that kind of magic is a princess." Vinyl huffed. "Oh really? I'll tell you one last time: Deliver this case to the pony to your right in the theater or I'll open it and blow this place sky high." The red unicorn's glare was menacing. "I...I don't believe you." Vinyl's resolve was weakening, due to his tone and the guards cracking their necks. His horn illuminated, "Really...? I thought you cared more about some particular somepony..." Vinyl's eyes widened. "That's right. Your precious 'Tavi'. We know all about you two Miss Scratch." His tongue became a dagger as he spoke quietly, "Where you live...where you work..." He stepped closer, "Where you sleep." The second clip opened on the case. "W-wait!! I'll do it, just don't hurt me...or Octavia." Vinyl had no choice. If he didn't seem threatening before he sure as buck did now. "Splendid!" The red unicorn smiled like a snake, and dropped the case in front of her, "Oh, don't try closing the clips either, they are enchanted to only be opened by me and my partners." Vinyl nodded, fearful. "Enjoy the show!" The unicorn stepped down the hall, "Better hurry, Vinyl." The thugs left with the menacing unicorn, leaving Vinyl by herself. "Buck...what have I gotten into..?" She timidly picked up the deceptively heavy case and ran to the theater. The ushers directed her to her seat, allowing Vinyl to see her right neighbor for the night. A pegasus was sitting comfortably in his seat, his grey wings tucked into his sides. His unnaturally scraggly dark blue mane covered his face. Vinyl slowly sat down and placed the briefcase next to him. "Ah...zank you, Mizz Scratch." the Pegasus's face was still masked by his mane. "Will you and your thugs leave me alone now?" Vinyl growled angrily. "Zat depends on a few sings." His accent was thick and foreign to Vinyl. "What...?" "Vun, you speak of zis to no one. Not even your precious 'Tavi'." Vinyl shivered at his words, "If ve find out you have, ve vill have you killed. In front of 'Tavi'" Vinyl's ears dropped. "Two..." He turned his head to face her fully. Her breath was sapped from her lungs, the whole right side of his face was burned and scarred along with the grotesque hole of an eye socket. His vile smile was broken and many of his teeth were shattered. Vinyl couldn't look away, His words were burned into her mind as the theater lights dimmed. "Never forget my face."