//------------------------------// // Chrysalis' Story Chapter 19: The Calm pt.1 // Story: Emblem of Harmony: The Blazing Sword // by icebraker //------------------------------// “Hey Gambit! Hey Gambit!” Shouted Marked, climbing onto the table and looking to the orange stallion. “Can we borrow some bits?” Hearing a small flapping noise, Gambit turned his head to see a black pegasus filly with a teal mane bobbing up and down through the air since she was still getting used to flying. With a loud thump, Crystal landed roughly next to Mark. Gambit smiled warmly as he moved the files he was reading aside. “You say borrow, yet I get the feeling I won’t see these bits again.” Marked grinned widely. “Is that a yes?” The orange stallion rolled his eyes, taking the fedora off his head to reveal a small bag of bits. Tilting his head, he let the bag roll down his muzzle and drop onto the table. “What do you need them for?” “We’re going to get some ice cream! It’s gonna be AWESOME!” Marked said, hopping with glee. Gambit let out a snort. “I suppose it can’t hurt,” he said before flicking the small bag of bits to the colt and looking towards his companion. “How are you doing, Crystal? Mark’s not getting you into trouble I hope?” Marked balanced the bag of bits on his head, just behind his horn. He gave the stallion a mischievous grin. “Nope. No trouble here.” Gambit flicked Marked’s horn lightly, causing the colt to drop the bit bag. “You’re a terrible liar.” “Am not!” Marked replied indignantly. Crystal poked Marked in a ticklish spot on his side, causing the colt to jump. “Are too. And he was talking to me.” Gambit snickered as he watched Crystal feint and slip past Marked’s guard, poking him again. “So, you been keeping him on a tight leash?” Crystal ceased her poking and grinned. Using her hoof to brush some of her teal mane out of her face, she took on an air of superiority. “Of course. A princess must have a loyal servant. Even if that servant likes to pick fights with jerks.” Gambit smiled widely and gave a mock bow. “A princess? I’m sorry for my rudeness.” He said, taking Crystal’s hoof and lightly kissing it. The pegasus filly blushed furiously. “I-It’s fine. If only Marked was such a gentlecolt too.” Crystal said, trying to keep up her princess act. Marked rolled his eyes. “Pfft, Princess of my butt.” Crystal returned her attention to him, eyes narrowed, intent on delivering punishment via tickle torture. Before she could enact her childish vengeance however, a hearty and familiar voice called out. “Oh don’t be such a party pooper, Marked. Every filly should get to be treated like a princess.” All heads turned to the newcomer, a purple earth pony looking to be in his late twenties. “Plum!” Marked shouted excitedly. Gambit’s eyes went from his friend to the beautiful pegasus mare accompanying him. “Hey Plum, I see you’re wasting no time again. Nice to see you again, Jen.” The primrose mare fluttered her eyelashes at Gambit and giggled. “Nice to see you too Gambit.” Marked trotted up to the mare. “Hi Ms.Gentletouch. I didn’t know you were Plum’s special somepony again.” The mare gave Marked a couple of soft pats on the head with her wing. “Yes, it’s been awhile since Plum’s called on me for my services. It’s good to see you too, Marked.” “Why’d you and Plum stop dating in the first place?” Mark asked with a tilt of his head. “Well, we weren’t exactly dating sweetheart. He paid me to uh...accompany him. He’s very happy after spending some time with me.”” “Oh, you mentioned that last time. Am I old enough yet to ask you how you make special someponies happy?” Marked asked innocently. Bringing a hoof to her mouth, Gentletouch barely stifled a giggle. “Not quite. You’ll have to wait until you’re older still. I’m sure you’ll be quite the handsome stallion when you do.” “Hey, hey, for the tonight, I believe I’m your stallion.” Plum said, nipping lightly on the end of her wing, eliciting a gasp and a light smack to his chest in response. Marked’s face scrunched into a pout. “I don’t get it. What do you mean?” Gambit facehoofed and shook his head. “Seriously Plum, save it until you’re in a place where you won’t cause any damage.” He said, gesturing to the children. “Sorry.” Plum said through puff of air. Noticing the files on the table, Plum leaned in towards the orange stallion with a serious expression. “Remember, if you’re really serious about that, go to that old guard buddy of mine. He’ll set you up. No questions asked and a clean slate.” Gambit nodded. “I know. Thanks again for that Plum.” A loud gasp of excitement emanated nearby before Marked hopped between the two stallions. “Are you planning another job? Can I help this time, pleeeeeeeaaase! I’ve got lots of cool ideas, first we’ll need some disguises from Flower and then-” “No Mark. I was talking to Plum about getting me another career,” Gambit said with a shake of his head. Marked stopped hopping and tilted his head in confusion. “Really? What are you gonna do?” “Nothing you need to worry about right now since I’m still thinking about it,” Gambit said, picking the fallen bit bag back up and placing it back on the colt’s head. He then turned to Crystal and gave her another grin and mock bow. “Princess, you might want to check your tiara.” “Wha-” Crystal reached up and accidentally knocked off the paper crown Gambit had placed on her head. “How’d you do that?” Both kids asked in amazement. Gambit grinned. “I’ll tell you when you’re older.” Marked pouted and threw his hooves up in frustration. “Awww, come on! First Ms.Gentletouch’s secret and now super magic! Why do older ponies get to know everything?” “Who cares, I wanna get ice cream!” Crystal said, picking up her new crown and dragging Marked with her towards where they last saw the ice cream cart. One chocolate and vanilla scoop later, Marked was gleefully licking his lips while he laid on his pillow fort. “That was yummy!” “Yup,” Crystal said as she lounged on top of her opposing pillow-castle while tossing the bag of spare bits between her hooves. “In fact, from now on I want ice cream every day. For breakfast, lunch, and dinner.” Marked let loose a drawn out groan as he watched his friend taunt him with the bits. “But I want to save up and buy something cool. Like an airship,” he said before crouching like a cat and pouncing towards the pegasus. With a simple roll, Crystal avoided the dive. Watching with amusement as Mark missed and crashed into one of her castle’s fortified pillow walls. “Too bad. Your Princess demands ice cream.” She said, tossing the bit bag into the air again. “Since when are you a princess anyways?” Crystal’s eyes widened and she missed catching the bits bag. “S-Since I was born.” Marked looked at her skeptically as he laid in the ruins of the pillow wall. “Uh huh. Anything else I don’t know about you? Like where you live? We never get to hang out at your house. Only at Gambit’s apartment and here at the secret lair.” Crystal gulped and took a moment to think. “My uh...I live far, far away.” Marked’s eyes widened with alarm and he sprung to his hooves. “What? You’re not going away soon, are you? Are you a runaway?” “No I’m here with my...Uncle?” She said, a little unsure before nodding vigorously. “Yeah, my uncle. I’m staying with him for awhile.” Relieved that his friend wasn’t leaving, Marked went back to his usual self and began invading Crystal’s personal space. “Oh, can I meet him? Can I? Can I?” Crystal giggled before pushing him away. “No, you wouldn’t like him. He’s kind of a stick in the mud.” “Awwwwww…But bestest friends should know everything about each other or else they're not bestest friends.” Crystal’s ears splayed flat and her lower lip began quivering slightly. “So you’re not going to be my friend anymore?” Marked snorted. “Pfft, you kidding? Of course were friends. We’ll always be friends no matter what, he said before wrapping the pegasus in a hug. Crystal’s expression brightened, but still showed signs of worry. “No matter what?” “No matter what.” ********************************** Applejack removed her hat and scratched her head irritably. “Tarnation! Ah can’t believe it. He goes parading around the town, even getting his picture on the newspaper and then he just up and disappears.” After a long walk from Manehatten, she and her friends had finally arrived in Hoofington. It was then a matter of dividing up and finding any evidence or information about Mark’s whereabouts. “But at least we know he was here for sure.,” Twilight reassured. “And Chrysalis too,” Mimzy added. Currently the small changeling was disguised as a hot pink stallion just as he had when he first entered Ponyville. With the exception of Rarity, everypony had returned and shared what they learned. Unfortunately, most ponies in town only knew Mark from the newspaper since he had come and gone quickly. The only relevant information was that he had come to Hoofington, stayed a day, and then left as suddenly as he arrived. “Sorry I’m late everypony. I was distracted by some absolutely stunning gems on sale in the market,” Rarity called out as she approached the group. Though she hadn’t heard what was said, it was easy to tell that they were discussing Mark and his absence in town. “I also learned that Mark has apparently made a couple new friends.” Twilight’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean?” With a smug grin, Rarity began her explanation. “Oho! Well during my investigating-” “Ya mean gossip,” Applejack interjected with a wry look. Rarity gave AJ a brief glare. “-My investigating, somepony said they overheard ‘Deviance’ was heading to Manehatten after stopping somewhere else and that she was accompanied by three ponies and a griffin.” “Do you think they’re changelings too?” Fluttershy asked nervously. Twilight rubbed her head in thought. “I hope not.” Rainbow Dash puffed out her chest, beaming with confidence. “Why so worried Twi? We took on a whole swarm before and kicked their flank back to the badlands!” “Except it was Cadence and Shining’s spell that sent them back and now they could use Mark as a hostage,” Twilight corrected. “Not only that, but if we don’t hurry, I’m sure that Chrysalis will be squeezing as much Equestrian military information out of Mark as she can!" “Oh yeah...” Rainbow said, scratching her head sheepishly. “So what do we do now?” “What we need to do is get to Manehatten before them. We rescue Mark, and then bring Chrysalis and her cronies to justice.,” Twilight responded almost immediately. Rarity squealed with joy. “Yes, yes, yes, we’re going back to Manehatten!” “Rarity. Rescue mission,” Applejack and Rainbow deadpanned in unison. “Of course. But that doesn't mean we can’t keep ourselves occupied with some frivolities while we set up our trap,” Rarity replied coyly. Twilight sighed. “Rarity, let’s wait until after we save Mark. Then we’ll have something to celebrate.” At the mention of celebrations, Pinkie’s mind went wild with thoughts of the spectacular ‘End-Of-Mission’ party she’d throw. The first step to it being how she’d gather the material. “Okie dokie lokie, let’s see how many bits we all have,” the pink pony said, somehow pulling a large piggy bank out of her mane and raising it in the air to smash on the ground. “Pinkie what are you talking about?” Twilight said, lifting the piggy bank out of Pinkie’s hooves with magic before it met its end. “Um...I have two bits,” Mimzy said, showing his meagre amount. He received a few looks of pity from the girls before they looked back to Pinkie. “Well where are we going to stay silly fillies? None of us live in Manehatten,” Pinkie said, before her eyes widened and she gasped. “Unless you do! And you can teleport between two cities like a super ninja alien or maybe it’s a transmogrifyerinator ray that-” “Pinkie!” “Teehee, sorry,” the party pony said through a fit of giggles. Twilight gave a mirthful sigh at her friend’s antics, but soon pursed her lips in thought. “But she does bring up a good point. I didn't think we’d be staying in a city, so I told you all to prepare camping gear instead of bits.” “Umm, Twilight…” Fluttershy said, quietly and politely trying to get the unicorn’s attention. Rainbow shrugged at the mention of needing to stay at a hotel. Sure it would be comfy, but a cloud was fine for her too. “So we’ll sleep outside the city, or on the streets. No big deal.” She said, earning wary looks from her friends and a horrified expression from Rarity. “No, it is a big deal. If we did that we could draw too much attention to ourselves and Chrysalis would spot us.” Twilight stated with a shake of her head. Fluttershy tried again, raising her voice a little more. “Twilight-” “What about here in Hoofington? Couldn’t we stay here and then catch a carriage or something back to the city?” Rainbow asked. Twilight shook her head again. “No. Unfortunately the inns are full from housing the ponies whose homes were burned by the bandits.” “Twilight!” Fluttershy shouted so she could be heard. She eeped once she realized everyone was now looking at her. “Oh, Fluttershy. Do you have an idea?” Twilight asked, feeling a little bad that she couldn’t hear her friend before. “I have an aunt who lives in Manehatten,” the buttercream pegasus said, rubbing her hoof along the ground, nervous of the sudden attention she was receiving. The group looked at Fluttershy in surprise. With the exception of Mimzy, they had been friends with Fluttershy for quite awhile and this was the first that they’d heard of her family. Mainly because it never came up in conversation and they never asked. “That’s perfect! Would she be willing to let us stay with her until we can save Mark?” Twilight asked, excited for the opportunity to save Mark and meet a member of Fluttershy’s family. Fluttershy smiled widely. “Absolutely! She’s really kind and I know she’d let us stay with her,” Fluttershy said with confidence. A rare thing since the shy pegasus usually second guessed herself. “Now that that’s settled, we need to head there on the double…” Twilight said, her voice normal at first but turning quiet with reluctance as she said it out loud. It was a daunting non-stop walk to get to Hoofington in the first place, and now they had to walk back. Twilight’s hooves throbbed painfully at the thought and she’s sure that her friends didn’t fare better. “Ugh, are you serious?” Rainbow said, her volume barely short from a yell. Applejack let out a tired sigh of agreement. “Yah, ah hate to say it since our friend’s at stake, but we’re all pretty tired sugarcube.” A sullen silence hung over the ponies. If they walked back to Manehatten in their current condition, there was no guarantee that they’d make it in time or if they did, that they’d recover enough to stand a chance against the changeling queen. “What about that luxury carriage service?” Mimzy asked, snapping everypony out of their stupor. Following his hoof, they saw a sky blue stallion cleaning a large, modified carriage. The sign on the side of the carriage read, ‘Lulamoon Carriage Services: Fastest, Most Comfortable Travel’. “Good job Mimzy,” Twilight said happily as she walked up to the stallion. The others following in suit. “Sir would you be willing to give us transportation to Manehatten? We need to get there right away.” The stallion looked to Twilight, her friends and the cart full of excess baggage before letting out a sigh of disappointment. “That’ll be two hundred bits. Ten per passenger, thirty for the over-limit luggage, and another hundred for not scheduling an appointment.” “TWO HUNDRED!” The ponies shouted in surprise. “Oh don’t be like that Mr.Trixie,” Pinkie said cheerfully before Rainbow could confront the stallion on his exorbitant price. Twilight facehoofed. “Pinkie don’t be rude just because he looks like-” “You know my daughter?” The stallion asked with his eyebrows raised in surprise. “Yuppers! First she was all, ‘I’m great and powerful!’ and then she was like, ‘I’m super great and super powerful!’, and now we’re all friends,” Pinkie responded, waving her forelegs and standing on her hind hooves to help illustrate her words. “That’s...one way to put it,” Applejack said with a frown as she remembered the trouble Trixie had caused in Ponyville. The stallion let out another sigh, though his expression brightened. “That’s Trixie. So you’re her friends?” He asked more to himself than his seven customers. “In that case, I’ll make an exception this once, since it seems like an emergency. Please schedule an appointment next time.” “Th-thank you.” Twilight said, surprised at his sudden, but not unwelcome, change of heart. Looking back at the cart with Rarity’s luggage, the stallion frowned. “Give me a moment while I hook up your wagon to the-” “HONEY YOU’RE LEAVING ON ANOTHER JOB! I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING OUT TO DINNER TONIGHT!” Called a unicorn mare out from the window of a faraway house before she slammed it shut and ran out the door. In the time it took for her to close the distance to her husband, the stallion had already attached the cart of luggage and was checking the carriages wheels. “Yes dear, Trixie’s friends need a quick ride to Manehatten.” “Manehatten! But what if you get mugged, or get in an accident, or-” “Honey, none of that’s going to happen.” The stallion replied flatly. The mare looked to be on the verge of tears as she began pounding her hooves on her husband’s back.The stallion was unphased as he finished his examination of the wheel. The mare’s hits became softer and she sniffled. “But what if one of those mares of the night tempts you and you-” Before his wife could finish that sentence, he turned and gave his wife a deep kiss, eliciting a moan from her. Breaking the kiss he looked into her eyes. “Dear, I love you. Once I get back I’ll prove it in your favorite way.” “My fav-” It took only a moment to realize what her husband meant as her face turned bright red. “OH MY!” “I’ll be back tomorrow,” the stallion said with a smile. The mare nodded rapidly, her face still red but with an incredibly happy expression. “And I’ll have the whipped cream ready!” She squealed before running back to the house to make preparations for tomorrow night. “Oh boy! Do you think she’s getting him pie or hot cocoa when he gets back? Or maybe he’s giving it to her?” Pinkie asked, looking around at the dumbfounded looks of her friends. “What? Is it something I said?” Applejack pushed the brim of her hat down so that it covered the majority of her face. Despite her efforts though, her blush could still be seen on her cheeks. “Pinkie, ah think it’s better if’n we forget everything we just heard and don’t ask anymore.” ********************************* Mark stopped and let out a low, drawn out whistle as he basked in the feeling of nostalgia. “Manehatten, Equestria’s largest city only rivaled by Canterlot in terms of advancement,” he said, swelling with pride as he gazed at the surrounding skyscrapers. Gilda raised an eyebrow and tapped her sword impatiently. “You’ve been here?” “Was born here. It’s been so long though, I’m just worried that things may have changed too much,” Mark replied, though judging from his tone he sounded more excited than worried at any theoretical changes. “If it’s so great, then why’d you leave?” The griffin asked. Mark’s happy-go-lucky expression slowly shifted into a small, obviously forced, smile. “Personal reasons.” The yellow unicorn’s eyes widened as Trixie got in close with an accusing grin and pressed a hoof to Mark’s snout. “Trixie doesn’t believe you. All the ponies that have come from Manehatten have that awful accent.” Mark pushed Trixie’s hoof aside, and cleared his throat. “Ey! I’m not even gonna take offense ta dat but you better watch ya’self around the other locals ‘cause they might. Yah hear me?” Mark said mimicking the most used accent in the middle class areas of Manehatten. Gilda scoffed as she watched two fancily dressed ponies walk by. “I don’t know, these ponies seem just as wimpy as any other one I’ve met.” The group looked to the griffin, eyebrows raised. “With some exceptions,” Gilda added. Mark chuckled and shook his head as he started walking again, encouraging the others to follow. “Simple Gilda, we are currently in the modern, cosmopolitan, and more importantly, public face of Manehatten,” he said, stopping at the crosswalk and waiting. A ding signaled that it was safe for pedestrians to walk and Mark continued his description like a tour guide. “Here the buildings are shiny, there’s order, everypony’s nice and-” Mark jumped as he was interrupted by sound of a horn and the sight of a pony drawing a small taxi-carriage stopping just short of running him over. “HEY GET OUTTA THA ROAD!” “SHUT UP, WE’RE WALK’IN ERE! LEARN TA DRIVE WHY DON’TCHA!” Mark shouted back at the taxi pony. The two continued to glare at each other even as Mark and the group continued walking on. Once they were on the other side, and the taxi was out of sight, Mark returned to his previous demeanor. “...Where everypony’s nice and relatively happy. It’s the other side of town, the hidden layer, that you’d better watch your back and your bit pouch.” “It’s not that bad. After all, we both survived and prospered,” Crystal said simply. Mark grinned with gratification and kicked a stray pebble with his hoof. “Yeah I guess we did.” “So you’re both from here?” Trixie asked. “Well I am. Crystal’s from…” Mark’s mouth hung open as he realized he forgot. Turning to the pegasus, he decided that he better correct that. “Hey Crissy, where are you from again?” Crystal kept her lips tight as she scrounged her mind for an answer. It was unnecessary however as Edge’s stern voice answered for her. “Saddle Arabia.” Mark and Crystal’s looks of surprise didn’t faze the older pony as he just raised a hoof off the ground to relieve some of the pain from his recent wounds. ‘Saddle Arabia. Independent city-state located in the desert and under Equestrian protection.’ ‘I know, Bastion took me there.’ ‘Just making sure you remember.’ “Wait, Saddle Arabia’s near the Badlands, that’s gotta have something to do with why those changelings were after you!” Mark exclaimed. He hadn’t meant to say that out loud but since it was already out there... “They’re probably looking to conquer it, which would mean you’re somepony important enough to either replace or kill to achieve that. I’m right, aren’t I?” “Y-You could even say I’m royalty,” Crystal replied a bit nervously. Mark looked at her and smirked. “Don’t you mean Princess of the pillow-fort.” Chrysalis half-heartedly glared at Mark, not bothering to hide her wry smile at the memory. “So you don’t believe me? I’m private for a reason.” Mark scratched his head, before nodding. “Yeah I believe you, the less ponies who know, the safer you probably are.” Crystal sighed in relief that her secret was still safe. That is until Edge spoke to her through the hive-mind. ‘You need to talk to him in private,’ he stated, giving Crystal a stern, even stare. ‘Especially if you still want Mark’s help, you’ll need to explain the situation to him. The whole situation.’ Crystal’s eyes widened and she glared angrily but discreetly at the purple pegasus. ‘Edge I can’t-’ Edge met Crystal’s glare, not intimidated in the slightest as he gave his stern reply. ‘Can’t or won’t?’ Crystal’s glare faltered before breaking off entirely. There was no way she’d speak about this further. “Mark lets find somewhere to stay already,” Crystal growled. Getting no response, she looked around and found that instead of being where she last saw him, Mark was further up the road staring at a building. As the group moved closer to the unicorn, they got a better view of the object of his attention. It was an old, green, wooden building, that compared to it’s surrounding architecture seemed like it would be a better fit in a small town. On the almost barren and weed-ridden frontyard, rested a wooden sign that read: ‘Lucky Tykes Retreat.’ A small, dark orange filly with a red mane walked out the door followed by a white filly opening up a window on the second floor and waving. “Bye Babs. C’ya later.” The dark orange filly skipped by Mark and turned around before waving back. “Bye Snowberry. Rememba, our cutie mark crusada meeting’s tomorrow night.” “Okay!” Snowberry responded before closing the window. Babs then turned and went her own way home. “Mark? Mark you okay?” Aurora asked, going up and waving a hoof in front of his face. Mark blinked and snapped out from his daze. He looked to the bat pony realizing that she was talking to him. “Huh? Oh yeah, I’m fine.” “What’s up?” Gilda asked, standing on Mark’s other side. “It’s nothing, just remembered something I haven’t thought about in awhile.” Mark said with a laugh and continued walking. Before they lost sight of the building, Mark managed to take one more glance without anyone noticing. “Anyways we’re almost in the part of town I mentioned before, so we should all stay close to avoid any trouble.” With the exception of Mark, Edge, and Crystal, the group grew increasingly nervous. Block by block, the shining buildings of Manehatten began getting dirtier, shadier, more decrepit. The same could be said about the residents since rather than dressing in the latest fashions, ponies here wore varieties of rags, hand-me-downs, or nothing at all. Trixie gulped and moved a little closer to Gilda as a couple of thug-like ponies briefly paused their shells game to examine them. She quickly avoided eye contact by looking the other way only to see a mare dressed in stockings whisper into some stallion’s ear before both of them walked down a nearby alley. The sky blue unicorn’s heart nearly stopped when she heard the sound of glass shattering in the distance. “Wh-What makes you think they won’t try to cause trouble with us?” Trixie asked nervously. “Because no one fucks with a griffin,” Mark said nonchalantly, gesturing to Gilda who was giving predatory glares to any of the ponies that looked at her the wrong way. “Not if they don’t want to lose anything anyways.” “Hmm, you say something?” Gilda asked, too busy glaring to have heard Mark’s comment. Mark just grinned and shook his head. “Nothing,” The tactician said, allowing Gilda to resume her behavior. Sugar adjusted the quiver on her back. From their luck the past couple of days, she didn’t trust the fact that they’d go through this side of town without a fight. She scanned the surroundings for trouble before giving Mark a look of apprehension. “Mark, are we really going to find a place to stay in this part of town? It doesn’t really seem safe.” At another crosswalk, Mark looked both directions before crossing. “Actually this can be the safest place for anypony if you have the smarts and the right connections. Luckily for us, I know just the pony to ask.” “And who’s that exactly?” Sugar asked. “Plum Crush. He’s an old friend of my brother’s and he’s the only one I know we can find easily enough.” Crystal’s eyes flashed with recognition. “Plum? Do you know where to find him?” “Actually I’m still working on-” Mark stopped himself and he narrowed his eyes at a pony snoring on the side of the road. He then grinned excitedly. “Holy crap! Cups? Old man Cups? You’re still alive?” The old pony startled awake. “Huh? Wazz-who’ya calling old?” “You. It’s me, Marked, remember? I was the kid who gave you any cups I found.” Cups looked closer at Mark, holding up a drinking glass like a telescope as he eyed him. The strange pony’s eyes widened with recognition. “Marked? Little Marked Diarrhea? Always following Gambit around? I haven’t seen you in years. I coulda sworn you were a colt too.” Mark frowned and ignored the snickering from his companions. “Right... Anyways, have you seen Plum? I need his help.” Cups scratched his beard, freeing some dried dirt and a couple of dead bugs. It had been some time since anypony had asked him for information. Even longer that he had gotten a decent meal. With a wolfish grin, Cups held up one of his nearby plastic cups. “I don’t know, my memory’s all fuzzy. I might need some medicine to help jog it up again.” Gilda let out an aggressive snarl but Mark stopped her with his hoof and a shake of his head. His horn aglow, his bit pouch lifted out of a pocket in his cloak and he flipped it over, letting around seven bits tumble into the plastic cup before he stopped. Cups smiled in satisfaction as he shook the cup to hear the clinking noise of money. “Last I saw Plum, he was taking care of troublemakers at the Weary Bray.” “Weary Bray…” Mark mumbled, furrowing his brow. “Isn’t that the bar between Red Light and Shadeview?” Cups nodded. “Also an inn. The owner even let me stay there a couple’a nights for free. Kind pony that ‘un.” Mark couldn’t help but grin. Soon he would see an old friend and he had an idea of where to stay for the night. “Thanks Cups. Sugar, Aurora, take Edge to Manehatten General to get patched up. Aurora, get some blood packets while you’re there. Ask around and meet us at this ‘Weary Bray’ place when you’re through.” “I already know where it is,” Edge said simply. “Then that makes it easier for you guys to find,” Mark said as he turned away and began walking towards the market district, or as nicknamed by locals, Shadeview. Crystal, Gilda, and Trixie naturally followed. Remembering something, Mark turned and started walking backwards before calling out. “We’ll have the rooms and some food ready there, so don’t take too long. Or take as long as you like, just means more food for us.” Aurora blew a raspberry at the yellow unicorn then flew away to catch up with Sugar and Edge who were already on their way to the hospital. Mark’s grin widened and he returned to facing forward and started leading the way to Shadeview. It wasn’t until fifteen minutes later, after the group had walked through the labyrinth of streets and alleys that someone spoke up again. “Mark I gotta tell you something…” Mark let out a dramatic gasp of mock surprise. “Gilda calling me by name? What’s the world coming to?” Gilda shoved the unicorn into a nearby pile of trash and waited until he got back up. “Transves-dork! I’m trying to tell you I gotta go. We’re even now and if I don’t deliver this message in time, I’ll probably get fired.” “Yeah, I know,” Mark replied as he dusted himself off and removed the applecore impaled on his horn. “But it couldn’t hurt to get you a room and meal for the night before you head out. As thanks for your help.” Gilda’s expression softened and she gave a small smile. “Thanks. For a pony, you’re actually a little cool,” she said without her usual belittling tone. “Only a little?” The griffin gave Mark a hard flick to the head. “Don’t push it.” Mark had a wry grin, rubbing the spot she flicked. His attention then turned to the red glow in his peripherals. Turning to his right, he was greeted with carnival-like bright lights of the Red Light District. To his left, a road leading back to the darker Shadeview. This was the only area where the two districts met so they had to be close to the place Cups mentioned. Looking around, he searched for indications of an inn or bar. It took him a moment but he found it. Down the road at the very edge of Red Light was a four story building. Though similar looking to an apartment complex, the building had a more rugged aura to it. It’s ground floor walls made out of stone while every story above made out of a fine wood. Above the entrance to the building was a large sign that read: ‘Weary Bray Inn.’ “This must be the place,” Mark said idly, awestruck at the the size and look of the inn. He had expected something along the lines of a small motel. Somewhere cheap and inexpensive where “Mares of the Night” or other unsavory characters might conduct their business. Taking a look at his companions, he found that it wasn’t what they were expecting either. “This might actually be nice,” Trixie commented. Gilda nodded slowly. “No kidding.” Mark took the view of the building in a little longer before shaking himself out of it and holding the door open for his friends. Upon entering, the group realized that the interior was just as, if not more, surprising than their expectations of the exterior. In the dining area there were waitresses and waiters in blue uniforms going back and forth with meals and drinks. At the bar the bartender, a tall, slender, unicorn mare, balanced mixing drinks, talking to patrons, and eyeing the crowd all at once. Not to mention when Mark looked beyond the busy floor to the stairs, there were maids moving back and forth from the employee only areas with dirty or clean laundry. To put it plainly it was more of a hotel than an inn and it would definitely take time and energy to find Plum in this place. Mark began scanning the crowd. “Alright, look for a purple earth pony he should-” Before Mark finished, the pony he was looking for walked up to them. He looked roughly the same except for the obvious aging and him wearing his mane at shoulder length, just short enough to make him look good without looking too feminine. “Hello there ladies. Welcome to the Weary Bray. You looking for room, food, both?” Plum asked with a smile. “Find us first,” Mark said quietly to finish his previous sentence. He returned the purple stallion’s smile with his own. “Hey Plum.” Plum let out a confused but merry chuckle. “Sorry, I don’t think we’ve met. I always remember a pretty face.” “I know it’s been years but you don’t recognize me even a little?” Mark asked, doing a three-sixty turn to help with the recognition. Plum stared blankly at Mark until suddenly his eyes widened and he facehoofed. “Oh crap! Don’t tell me I’ve got another one.” “Another one?” Plum looked to Mark pleadingly. “Look, your mom and I dated for awhile, but it didn’t work out. I’m not a good dad or-” Mark and the group’s eyes widened, though Gilda quickly brought a talon to her beak to cover her snickering. “WHOA! Plum, slow down. It’s me, Mark.” The purple stallion stared at Mark for a minute, unsure what to think. Raising an eyebrow, Plum then circled Mark and flipped the back of his cloak as well as his tail up to confirm something. Mark let out an indignant squeak in response. “Mark? Marked Defiance? But you’re-” Mark slapped Plum, who didn’t flinch or even react at the slap. “I know. I know. I ran into some poison joke but it’s still me.” Plum’s lips curled upwards into a wide smile and it didn’t take him long to recognize Crystal as well. His eyes glistened a little as he held down tears of nostalgic happiness. “Dammit kid! It’s been forever HAHA! And Crystal! You’ve grown into a fine young mare,” he said, pulling Mark and Crystal into a tight hug. “Both of you, HAHA!” “It’s good to see you too,” Crystal muttered in a mixture of happiness, and annoyance. The stallion released the two from his hug and chuckled. “You doing all right?” Mark waved a hoof dismissively. “Pft, it’s just poison joke. Anyways, do you think you could hook us up with a place to stay?” Plum looked towards the bar and banged his hoof on a nearby table. A few customers looked in his direction, but everypony else seemed either used to it, or didn’t care. Looking to be in her mid or late thirties, the slim, yellow unicorn at the bar glanced over to Plum’s location and the ponies he was gesturing to. Even as she balanced pouring drinks and examining the newcomers, she held a firm expression. Not quite a smile, but not a frown either. The closest description Mark could think of was cool and reserved. Her look only cracked a brief moment when she and Mark made eye contact but it wasn’t long enough for anypony else to notice. Looking to Plum, she gave a slow nod and looked at Mark one more time before she resumed her bartending as if nothing happened. Plum nodded back with a smile before he reached into his jacket’s pocket and pulled out two keys. “Yeah, boss-lady says it’s fine. You’re gonna have to share some of the rooms though since the others are already occupied.” Mark looked towards the bartender and apparently Plum’s boss again. For some reason, he had a feeling about her that he just couldn’t place but then returned his attention to Plum. “That’s fine. Me, Crystal, and-” “I’ll share a room with Edge and Sugar,” Crystal interrupted. Mark looked to his friend in confusion. “But I wanted-” “I’m only going to share a room with them,” Crystal replied, her tone steely and unyielding. Mark opened his mouth to speak but let out a disappointed sigh instead as he thought better of it. Crystal was likely keeping secrets again, but at least he knew more now than before. Plum wrapped a hoof around Mark’s neck and brought him close. “It’s okay Mark, give the girl some space. I’ll set up a private room for you two if that’s where the chips fall,” he said, snickering as Mark’s face flushed red. “Plum, it’s not like that!” Mark whispered loudly. The purple stallion shrugged with wry humor before his ear twitched and his right hoof shot to the side, just in time to catch an empty glass that had seemingly come out of nowhere. Plum set down the glass and glared in the direction of the drunks who threw it before handing Mark the keys. “Alright, I’ve got to get back to work, some of these guys get ornery when they think I’m not watching.” Mark idly watched Plum walk off, cracking his neck along the way. The usual indication that a beatdown would occur. “He seems a lot busier than before.” “Probably because he’s not flirting and sleeping with every mare he meets,” Crystal replied, grinning as the first drunk got what was coming to him. Several more shouts occurred as the drunk’s friends attacked in retaliation only to receive “lessons” of their own. As Plum held one of the drunks against the wall, a waitress walked up to Plum with a tray and a drink on her back. Grinning, Plum accepted the drink and gave the mare a flirty wink. “You sure about that?” Mark asked through a snort. Crystal mirthfully shook her head and she grabbed one of the keys Mark was holding. “I’m going to go get comfortable, you should stay here and wait for the others while you give the griffin her send off.” “Yeah. I wanted to catch up with Plum anyways. Who knows what’s been going on since we’ve been away?” *********************************** Armored Bastion walked up to the throne and saluted. Other than his lack of a helmet, he was currently in full guard uniform with his sword strapped to his side: ready for battle should it be necessary. Over the last couple days he had been waiting word from the Griffin Empire about the changeling situation and from Twilight about Mark’s situation. Overall it didn’t look good, and if he weren’t physically fit, he’d be worried about his blood pressure. “Princess, we’ve still received no word from the griffins about the changeling situation. That’s not a good sign.” Celestia set down the newspaper she was reading, the epitome of calm. “It is worrisome. Is it possible that something happened to the messenger?” “Yes and I think that we should prepare for the worst,” Bastion responded in a grave tone. “What’s the worst case?” Celestia asked solemnly. “We go to war with the griffins while the changelings work behind the scenes. Using them to weaken our military and then launching a sudden surprise strike,” Bastion stated as a matter of fact rather than speculation. “Is there something we can do to bring them out from behind the scenes?” Bastion nodded. “I’ve asked the spymaster to gather as much intelligence on the matter as he can, but he hasn’t found anything new except for a claim of somepony named ‘Trixie’ getting replaced. The claim was then recalled after her mother said that she was rescued.” Celestia’s eyes widened a little and a small smile spread along her face. “Where was this?” “The town of Hoofington.” Celestia’s smile widened further. “I assume that this claim was a couple of days ago?” The burgundy stallion slowly nodded, unsure as to how his Princess knew that information.“Yes, did he already tell you?” “Bastion, you should have read the newspaper recently. Luna and I were quite ecstatic when we first saw the front page,” said the sun diarch as her horn glowed and brought the newspaper she was reading into Bastion’s reach. “I’m not sure I understand,” Bastion said, grabbing the floating paper in his mouth and laying it on the floor. His eyes widened as he saw the sometimes annoying smirk that undoubtedly belonged to his student. Only on a mare. “Mark?” Celestia giggled at her tactician’s reaction. “I believe it is. After what you told Luna and I about his change in appearance, this seemed a bit too coincidental. Twilight already informed me that she and her friends have gone to investigate.” The royal tactician let out a sigh, and facehoofed. A little distraught that the Princess hadn’t told him about this sooner, and disappointed in himself for not staying caught up with current events. “At least he seems to be doing alright.” “Bastion, do you know if Mark has any blood related family?” Celestia asked out of the blue. Bastion shook his head. “No, I’ve already tried finding them. The trail ends at the Lucky Tykes Orphanage. Why the sudden inquiry?” Celestia let out a disappointed sigh. “Well, Luna and I had our suspicions, but given this strange turn of events, we believe that he's descended from a dear friend of ours.” Her expression turned serious as she returned to her most pressing concern. “However, this matter can wait until Equestria’s current crisis is over with.” “I agree. I’ve already sent a messenger to Cloudsdale where we’ll be holding a meeting to plan our troop logistics,” Bastion said, bringing his hoof back up in a salute but stopping halfway as he paused to consider a detail he left out. “I’ve invited General Ironwing.” Celestia’s lips curled downwards into a deep frown. “I wish you and him would get along better,” she said, remembering how the General had challenged Bastion to single combat the last time they had met. Not because of anything like an argument, but because Iron Wing followed pegasi military tradition a little too much. Namely, he was a warrior. A warrior with the desire to test his skill in battle. Bastion’s gaze hardened as he remembered their last encounter as well, his hoof idly touching the spot on his chest where he had gotten a scar from Ironwing’s lance. “I don’t believe that will ever happen, Princess,” the tactician said, shaking his head. “I’ve already arranged a chariot for you and Princess Luna when you two are ready.” “I see. However, I think it would be better to leave Luna here so that Canterlot is not without a princess. Plus she has been complaining that not enough ponies come to the night court. Now they won’t have a choice. “If that’s your wish. When do you plan on leaving?” “I’ll inform Luna when she wakes up and we’ll leave tonight.” ************************************************** Two changelings walked into the throne room. Both were armored, one heavily, for ground combat, and the other lightly, so that she had mobility in the air. In unison they knelt before the Changeling King on the throne. The King in question looked pleased to see them. “Skel. Mewta. You’ve returned. I trust that Chrysalis’ ‘loyal troops’ have been dealt with?” Both rose from their kneeling position and the heavily armored one, Skel, spoke. “Yes, Your Majesty,. And our troops are ready and accounted for.” Morphos grinned and looked towards the large floating sphere above his throne. As if sensing his gaze, the sphere pulsated with a dark green light. “Good. Soon the artifact will be functional, and I will finally be able to begin my conquest.” Mewta, the lighter armored of the two spoke next. “Sir, what about the griffin messenger? Strimm and his unit haven’t reported back, which means they probably failed their mission.” “Idiots! I’m surrounded by idiots!” Morphos fumed before looking towards his two lieutenants. “Except for you two. You two are the only ones truly worthy of serving under me. Since that is the case, both of you will lead our next attack. The one in which we use the artifact to establish our new hive.” Both lieutenants bowed their heads and spoke in unison again. “Do you have a target in mind, My King?” Morphos smiled with wicked anticipation. “Of course. It’s the perfect starting point and it will prove once and for all how superior I am to my sister.” “Oh, so you’re going to invade Canterlot?” Came a raspy voice, resounding along the walls of the throne room. Skel and Mewta set up a defensive stance near their King trying to find the source of the voice. Morphos’ pupils shrunk into slits from anger. He knew exactly where and who it was. “Puppet-Master…” The spider-pony hybrid skittered out of the shadows from the hole in the ceiling Morphos had made after their last encounter. “Don’t mind me. My own master wishes you well in your effort and has even brought an asset in to ensure everything goes accordingly.” “Asset?” As if on queue, one of the changeling guards from the halls came crashing into the room, a large gash across his chest. Not enough to kill him immediately, but enough to leave the possibility of him bleeding out. Following the changeling into the room strode a brown and gray furred diamond dog. “So, this is what a changeling city looks like. I can’t really say I’m that impressed,” he said, his voice surprisingly eloquent. Morphos’ horn glowed as he readied to blast the newcomer into nothingness. That is until the diamond dog suddenly disappeared, only to reappear somehow behind Skel and Mewta and holding his sword to Morphos’ throat. The diamond dog then pursed his lips together to let out a quick, sharp whistle, signalling for three more diamond dogs to enter the room. Morphos’ gaze went from the blade at his throat to a seething glare at Puppet-Master. “And just who is this?” Seeing that the King was willing to at least pretend to be civil, the diamond dog leader sheathed his blade. “Soldiers-for-hire. Quite famous in our region actually.” “You expect me to pay you?” The diamond dog chuckled. “Nonono, someone’s already payed. You get to do whatever you want. My boys and I however, will just be taking any...spoils of war we come across.” Morphos glared at the diamond dog. This was a surprisingly generous deal for his side since all he really needed was the love he and his hive would drain from the ponies. Any other materials he would likely ordered to be burnt for for his own amusement. “You sound more like brigands, but yes, this arrangement could work.” “I’d hope so.,” the diamond dog said, before walking past Skel and Mewta and out of the room. His three underlings followed in kind, one of them kicking the unfortunate, already downed changeling guard on his way out. Looking around, Mewta realized that the hybrid was gone as well. “Your Majesty, you can’t really be thinking to ally with the likes of them?” Morphos’ jaw tightened with anger before an epiphany hit him. “Of course not, but after they take the brunt of the enemies assault, the rest will be better off as food for our troops.” “Brilliant, your majesty,” Skel said, satisfied that they’d have a chance for vengeance at their hurt pride. Meanwhile the diamond dog leader and his entourage continued walking down the now slightly bloodied hall of the changeling hive’s central structure. Any changelings remaining, guards or not, immediately ran and hid when they saw the dogs approach. “That King’s quite the idiot,” the leader said aloud, not surprised in the least as Puppet-Master reappeared out of the shadows. “I find him hilarious,” the hybrid agreed. “So this master of yours...He really just wants us to watch as the idiot dooms himself? I’d think that there would be better uses for an entire hive of changelings,” the leader commented as he tapped his sword’s handle. “There was potential, but the fool-King is too stubborn in his ambition and thus has no more place in my master’s plan other than the obvious.” “Good thing I agreed then.” Puppet-Master’s mandibles shifted revealing his pointed teeth and sinister smile. “Yes, yes it is.” The hybrid then began to cackle and skittered into the shadows of the hallway. Disappearing just as fast as he had appeared. One of the dogs following, shivered as he once again lost track of the hybrid’s movements. “Boss are we really workin’ fer these things?” He muttered in a whisper so that the hybrid might not hear. To encourage his lackey, the leader gave the whimpering fool a smack to the back of his head. “The payout’s better than anything we’ve seen in years. Plus it gives us the chance to recoup our recent loss of resources.” The scared diamond dog rubbed his head. “I don’t know, I still feel really uneasy about this.” The leader stopped in his tracks, slowly turning to his underling. “Let me help,” he said before grabbing the dog’s throat and shoving him against the wall. With his other paw, he then drew his blade, bringing it close to the dog’s face. “Uneasiness is all in the head. Detaching it should fix things, don’t you agree?” The diamond dog shook his head rapidly and struggled to speak. “N-No need boss! I’m good and ready! Yup, all eased up!” Smiling, the leader released his grip, dropping the dog to the floor and patting him on the head like a good puppy. “Glad to hear it. It’s high time that we carve the Barrows name into history.” ************************************************ “So Mark, are you alright?” Plum asked, taking a sip of beer now that he was on break. Mark rolled his eyes. “Plum, you already asked me that. I told you I’m fine. It’s just weird-” He stopped as Plum held up his hoof. Plum looked to Mark with a serious expression, his playfulness from before gone. “I wasn’t talking about that. Mark I know Gambit’s gone and I know what happened between you and Crystal.” Mark dropped the cup of water he was drinking and stared wide-eyed at the purple stallion. “How did you know?” “Fence and Flower.” Mark picked up his fallen cup and stared into it. “I didn’t know they were watching me. I didn’t even know they lived in Canterlot.” “Gambit asked them to watch you and make sure you stayed safe if anything happened to him. They changed their identities to better fit in, but we’ve kept in contact. You come up quite a bit.” “Isn’t that borderline stalking?” Mark muttered, still staring into his cup. “More like reconnaissance. You still haven’t answered my question.” “I’m doing fine,” Mark mumbled. Plum’s expression fell into a stern frown. “Mark.” “I’m fine! It was five years ago and I’m over it!” Mark exclaimed, his volume not quite a shout, but close to it. Plum slammed his hooves on the table in his own irritation. “Stop getting defensive then! I’m only asking because I care.” A tray with a cup and bowl of soup clattered loudly onto the table between the two ponies causing them to both jump in surprise. Looking towards who delivered the tray, they were both surprised to see it was the bartender. Setting the cup and soup in front of Mark, she then spoke in a surprisingly warm tone. “Plum, Marked, you’re being too loud.” Plum chuckled sheepishly. “Sorry boss.” The mare nodded in acknowledgement before lifting the tray with her magic and walking away to attend other business. “Did...I order this?” Mark asked, looking down at the meal. Looking closer he realized that there was also a note underneath the bowl. Picking it up, he began reading out loud. “The drink is the specialty lemonade. The soup, I used Joykill Mushrooms, it will counteract the Poison Joke. Both are on the house.” Plum grinned. “Looks like the boss’s taken a shining to you.” Mark barely heard as he began scarfing the soup as fast as he could. Wiping a stray noodle from his mouth, he gulped and took a moment to breath. “Why?” “Don’t know,” Plum said with a shrug. “She’s the kindest and scariest pony I’ve ever met so I don’t question her.” “Scariest?” Plum shook his head. “You don’t want to know. Anyways, I’m sorry for prying,” Plum said, returning to their topic from before. Mark smiled apologetically. “No, I understand. Sorry I didn’t stay in contact myself.” Plum nodded, allowing Mark to finish his food. He grinned as he watched the soup’s effects already making itself known. Slowly but surely Mark’s mane and tail began shrinking and his muzzle widening out slightly. “So...You and Crystal huh?” Plum asked, breaking the silence between them. Mark slurped down the rest of the soup and nodded. His nodding getting slower and his eyes getting wider as he realized what Plum was insinuating. “Wh-What? No!” Plum’s playful grin returned with a vengeance. “Don’t lie. I saw how you look at her. You were looking at her the same way years ago.” Rather than get flustered, Mark glared in silence at the older pony. Plum sighed a little in disappointment. “I won’t start getting too personal again, but you should tell her how you feel.” “Last time I did that, she disappeared for five years,” Mark mumbled just loud enough to hear while he started turning his cup to make a small lemonade whirlpool. Plum put a hoof to his chin in thought before giving Mark a couple of pats on the back.“I see your point. But I’m sure you’ve found out why by now, and you’ve found a way to make it work.” Mark stared blankly at Plum, making his answer clear. “Seriously Mark?” “What do you expect me to do?” Mark asked in exasperation. Plum waited a moment, letting Mark think about it for himself before he finally answered. “Why don’t you ask? I’m sure there’s somepony you know that’s dealt with many, many, many, mares.” Mark gave the older stallion a sour look but reluctantly conceded. “Hey Plum, how do I get Crystal to like me? As more than a friend I mean.” “Well first-” Plum began, standing up and grabbing Mark so that he did the same. He then straightened Mark’s back and neck. “You need to stand tall. Look proud. Mares respond to confidence.” “I’ve got so much confidence I’m practically crapping it. What’s next?” “Second, you need to impress her. Impress her so much that she forgets this long enough-” Plum said, gesturing to Mark’s body. He ignored the unamused look from the unicorn and continued. “So that she accepts before changing her mind.” “This doesn’t seem like it would work,” Mark noted skeptically. “Says the kid with no experience with the other sex. Unless you count turning into it,” Plum teased. He chuckled as he received Mark’s glare again. Taking a moment to think, his expression then turned serious. “Now listen up Mark. The third and most important is that you-” Before Plum could finish however, the slim bartender from before seemed to appear next to him. “Plum your break’s over.” “Yeah boss can I have-” The mare’s eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at him. “It ended five minutes ago,” she said, her voice stern and slightly demanding. Plum let out a sigh. “Y-Yes ma’am.” He took one last swig of his beer before heading off into the the crowd. Mark would have laughed at the stallion getting scolded like a child if not for the fact that that the third and apparently most important lesson wasn’t learned yet. “Wait! You’ve got to tell me the last one.” “For those first two he was pulling your leg.,” the mare stated bluntly. “Of course I know that. But I also know that he just does that to make sure I’m listening before he hits me with the real advice,” Mark grumbled before taking his seat again and sipping his lemonade. A couple minutes later he realized that the mare hadn’t left so he looked to her thoughtfully. “Hey, um, thanks for the soup and lemonade Miss...” “You may call me Angel,” Angel said, gently touching the heart shaped locket around her neck with a warm smile. “I’m glad you liked it. If there’s anything else you need, I’ll do what I can to get it to you.” “Well I would have liked that last important bit of advice,” Mark voiced a bit more dryly than he intended. However the mare didn’t seem put off at all. Instead, Angel brought her head close so that she could be heard easier and so that Mark was forced to look her in the eye. “Be yourself. There’s no point in a relationship if the other party doesn’t like you for you.” Mark took another sip of his lemonade while considering her words. As sound as that advice was, he wasn’t sure if that was what Plum was going to say, or if it even applied to him. ‘Of course it applies to you. Sometimes you’re daring to the point of idiocy with all the risks you take. This is a risk, so take it like the idiot you are.’ ‘I feel mildly offended by that.’ ‘As well you should.’ Trying to take one more sip, he quickly realized that he had finished his lemonade. “Would you like some more?” Angel asked. Mark heard two loud and familiar voices over the din of the crowd. Looking towards the stairs, he saw that Gilda and Trixie had returned from checking out their room. “Um, yes please. Would you also get two apple ciders and a mango smoothie for my friends? I’ll pay for it and the meal and stuff.” “Don’t worry about it Marked, it’s on the house. Be sure to tell me if you want anything else,” Angel said before turning back towards the bar. ‘She really is nice. I can’t see why she’d be scary,’ Mark thought as he waved Gilda and Trixie over. ‘How about the fact that she somehow knows your real name and consistently uses it.’ Mark’s face scrunched up as he realized that particular fact. ‘That is strange. But I wouldn’t be surprised if Plum explained the situation or has talked about me. Still, Angel's given us free food, drinks, and lodging so I can’t honestly say I dislike her. Actually it’s more of an “I’ve seen her from somewhere” feeling.’ “Hey dweeb, I thought you were setting us some grub for me?” Gilda blurted out rather gruffly, taking an empty spot at the table followed by Trixie. Mark replied with a cocky grin. He could ponder Angel’s strangeness another time if he even cared, but right now it was time for food, drinks, and hanging out with friends. ****************************************** “Ooooh... days on the road and sleeping outside, this is just what I needed.” Chrysalis said as she sank further into the bathtub. To really get relaxed, the Queen had returned to her changeling form and let the warm water loosen her muscles. It was a risk to be in her changeling form, but given the privacy of the room, and that she arranged for only Edge and Sugar to share it with, she was fairly certain she’d be alright. Inhaling deeply through her nostrils, Chrysalis let herself submerge underneath the surface and opened her eyes to gaze through the clear liquid. The quietness underwater gave her a sense of calmness she hadn’t experienced in awhile. The kind of calm that led her mind to thoughts she would rather avoid. ‘Do I tell him?’ Chrysalis pondered. Earlier, Edge had practically ordered her to explain the full situation to Mark. She’d always listened to his advice whenever he gave it, but could she really do this? Tell Mark everything: who she was, what she was trying to do… She pondered the thought until her lungs began burning for air so she rose out of the water to catch her breath. It was time she came to a decision. “No, he can’t ever know, he won’t ever know,” Chrysalis muttered to herself. She layed back down with her head above water this time and stared at the ceiling again. There were several hard knocks coming from the door. Maybe Mark would forgive her if they were still kids, but not only was she considered Equestria’s enemy, but she had lied to him, attacked him, hypnotized him- The thumping at the door got louder and more frequent. -and fed off him. It was too late to tell him. And even if it wasn’t, she didn’t know if she was ready. She closed her eyes having made up her mind. She was tired of thinking about this and needed to start relaxing again. The thumping became a banging at the door. Growling with irritation as she stepped out of the tub and walked to the door, hellbent on sending the offender away. Remembering to change back into her Crystal form, she unlocked it then slammed open the door to glare daggers at the maid outside. Seeing the black pegasus’ anger, the maid froze, terrified. She gulped and gave her best apologetic look. “S-Sorry ma’am, I’m just making sure everything is to your liking. C-Customer satisfaction and all that.” “Everything’s fine,” Crystal sneered, slamming the door just as fast as she had opened. She smiled wickedly as a thought came to her. Using her magic through her disguise, she soaked one of the bathroom towels in the tub, balled it up, then placed it in her hoof. Briefly opening the door again, she tossed it out at an incredible speed. “And bring me a fresh towel!” ************************************************ Mark covered his mouth with a hoof, trembling as he stopped himself from laughing. ‘You are such a dick.’ After pounding on Crystal’s door for awhile and getting no answer, he had politely asked a passing maid to give it a try as he stepped to the side. He honestly felt bad for the fact that she had received Crystal’s fury, but also found it oh so hilarious. Seeing that he might as well explain the misunderstanding, he briefly apologized and let the maid go about her business. He then stood where the maid was and raised his hoof to knock one more time. “And bring me a fresh towel!” He heard his friend. He knew the tone of irritation. He didn’t have time to process what was going to happen until after the wet towel ball hit him in the face, knocking him on his back and soaking his head. ‘You forgot the five D’s of dodgeball.’ ‘Yeah yeah. Laugh it up.’ ‘Oh believe me, I am.’ ‘Two can play at this game.’ Mark thought to himself as he pulled the towel off his face and balled it up again. It lost the majority of it’s liquid from the first impact, however there was still enough for some revenge. Picking himself up, he then slowly opened the now unlocked door, thankful there was no creaking. Peering inside, he saw the perfect opportunity: Crystal muttering to herself and with her back turned. Grinning deviously, Mark slipped inside and prepared to launch the towel ball back, but stopped as something odd happened.With the blinds to the window down, the room had a nice mixture of shadows and light. That is until a brief moment lit up the whole room: his friend suddenly bursting into green flames. A tall bug, almost Celestia’s height, stood where Crystal had been and Mark lost his concentration, causing the wet towel to fall to the floor with a splat. Immediately, the changeling spun to face him, jagged horn glowing green. Mark thought that she’d have blasted him upon discovery, but instead she gasped and her eyes widened. Not wasting this opportunity, Mark forced himself back to the situation at hand and threw the wet towel at the changeling. Using the distraction, he sprinted forward as fast as he could, tackling her to the ground. “WHERE’S CRYSTAL?” Mark shouted, doing his best to put pressure on the changeling’s throat. He almost hesitated when he saw what looked like tears forming in the corners of the changeling’s eyes. He steeled himself however and increased the pressure slightly. “Where is she? Where’s my fri-” Before he could finish or even process what had happened, there was a green flash and he found himself flying across the room. Knowing that there was no way to stop it, Mark curled mid-air, using his forelegs to cover his head before he collided into the door, slamming it closed. He regained his footing but stumbled forward. Despite having protected his head, the impact had left him dazed and with a painful throbbing in his leg. Mark’s horn glowed yellow as he levitated a nearby lamp for improvised weaponry. However, the changeling wasn’t there. Cautiously, Mark limped forward, still carrying the lamp and his eyes scanning the room. Hearing a buzz and wet sound behind him, Mark immediately turned 180 degrees only to find nothing. Gulping, Mark’s breathing began getting heavier. Not only had his friend gotten ponynapped, but now he was trapped in the room with her ‘replacement’. Normally in a situation like this Mark would have run for help, but then this changeling would escape and he’d lose his only way to find Crystal again. Hearing noise from behind him, Mark steeled himself and swung the lamp in that direction. It didn’t do much good as the changeling stood a fair distance away, watching him with...sadness? The changeling took a couple steps forward but stopped as Mark backed up the same distance. She opened her mouth and spoke, her voice sounding almost exactly like Crystal’s except in a distorted echo. “It’s alright, I just want to talk.” “Wh-Where’s Crystal?” Mark asked, doing his best to sound unafraid. After getting a better look at this changeling, he could tell by the small crown on her head she was different from the ones he’d encountered before. She was a queen and probably a close ally, or even lover to Morphos. Whatever the case, she had to be powerful. “Mark, you need to listen to me, I’m-” “NO! You’re the one who needs to listen. Our friends are just downstairs and the moment I signal them, they’ll come bursting through the door! So while I’m still feeling nice you better tell me where Crystal Orchid is.” It was a bluff. A bit of a long shot, but since this changeling didn’t know how he operated, she’d definitely- “As I recall Gilda and Trixie are enjoying drinks, and the others have gone to the hospital.” Mark’s fur bristled. How long had this changeling been with them? ‘Uh oh, Mark!’ How long ago had Crystal been ponynapped? ‘Holy fucktards, Mark pay attention!’ With Morphos after her, was Crystal even alive still? ‘Markmarkmarkmarkmarkmarkmark! SNAP OUT OF IT YOU DUMBASS!’ So caught up in his fear and thoughts, he hadn’t realized that the queen had gotten closer until she was only a few feet away. The moment she lifted a holed hoof towards him, he yelped and jumped back, throwing the lamp at her. However, his hurt leg as well as stepping in something caused him to slip and fall to his side. Lifting his unbruised hoof, he stared at the green, slimey substance that he had fallen in. It looked and felt familiar. Almost like the stuff in a changeling cocoon. His attention immediately returned to the changeling queen as he saw her horn glow, preparing a spell. Mark threw his weight around to roll away but quickly found that the slime had hardened after the queen’s spell. Mark opened his mouth to scream for help but a holed, chitin-covered hoof was shoved in his mouth. “Mark, you need to listen to me. I...I didn’t want it to come to this but I…” The queen bit her lip as she thought about her next words. “I’m not who you think I am, my name is Chrysalis.” Chrysalis paused, taking the moment to look down at the yellow unicorn. He still looked terrified, but at least he had given up trying to bite through her hoof. On the verge of hyperventilating, she did her best to calm her nerves and sound soothing. “I don’t want to hurt you. I never wanted to hurt you. I just…” Chrysalis slowly removed her hoof from Mark’s mouth, ignoring the saliva. Her voice was down to a whisper. “I just want you to understand.” “Un-understand what?” Mark asked, his confusion currently outweighing fear. “What do you want with Crystal?” Chrysalis’ face scrunched up and she inhaled deeply. “There is no Crystal. Only me. It was always me.” The changeling queen jumped away in surprise when Mark shouted and started struggling violently against the hardened slime. “LIAR! WHERE IS SHE?” “I’m telling the truth.” “No you’re a no-good, ugly, stinking, lying changeling!” Mark said through grit teeth. "And if you hurt my friend, you better hope I can't ever get out of this!" "Gah, I should have known you would be like this," she snapped, unable to contain the rise of mixing feelings finally bubbling to the surface. "Get those stupid ideas of your head and listen!" "At least it's not as stupid as claiming to be my best friend! One I've known since I was a kid." Mark retorted. "I'm not the stupid one that can't even see what's right in front of them!" Chrysalis was fuming, she had to turn away and calm down again before she said something she might regret. "Tell me something." Those three words gave Chrysalis pause: though the anger etched in was obvious, there was something else there too. "What?" "Tell me something only Crystal could know." Mark said again, his eyes narrowed into a penetrating glare. Closing her eyes, Chrysalis delved into her memories. Past her brother’s coup. Past her failed invasion. She remembered her time during her rite. When she learned, like every changeling coming of age, what it was to be a changeling: by infiltrating society. The easiest and probably happiest time of her life: when a changeling princess had made her first real friend. “We used to have pillow fights at our hideout,” Chrysalis began with a warm smile. The images becoming vivid in her mind. “Then one time I said I wanted ice cream every day, you began stealing those little cups from the vendor until we both had nasty stomach aches and Gambit had to take us to the dentist.” She giggled weakly. “Gambit was so irritated with you, but he took pity when the dentist had to fill in those cavities.” "You...You were a changeling all along...." Chrysalis snapped back to the present, delighted inside that he was beginning to understand. However, her delight was crushed as she looked towards the tactician. Instead of a look of relief, Mark had a horrified expression. “I’m sorry...I didn’t want you to find out like this,” she said, doing her best to ignore her rising dread. “No, you probably wanted me to find out when it was too late. When I was caught up in one of those cocoons.” Mark stated his voice icy. He looked back at the slime he was stuck in and scowled. “Close enough I guess.” Chrysalis shook her head frantically. “It’s not like that Mark!” “Then what is it like? I was just food. An easy target.,” Mark stated, his voice and gaze devoid of any emotion. “Can you tell me, straight to my face, that you never once fed off me? That you never even thought about using me?” The changeling queen lowered her head so that her teal mane covered her face. “No,” Chrysalis barely choked out. Taking a deep breath, Mark closed his eyes to avoid her gaze and rested his head on the slime-covered floor. “Then stop toying with me and just get it over with. Kill me, eat me, whatever. Just stop pretending to be my friend.” Chrysalis took several shaky steps backwards at Mark’s cold remark. Turning around, she reluctantly took Crystal’s form again and opened the window. “Goodbye Mark. You won’t ever see me again and…I’m sorry.”