Chapter 20: Dawn’s Disaster, A Changeling’s Spite
Hearth’s warming had ended a few days ago and Dawn couldn’t have had a better day with his family and friends. He had gotten so many presents he didn’t know what to do with them all. He as very grateful for so many, but he simply didn’t have room for them, so he took a bunch of the ones he liked the least and donated them to other foals in Canterlot that didn’t get much for Hearth’s Warming. He was still left with a bunch of great toys he was sure to have fun with. It made him smile to see the foals with the toys he gave them as they smiled and gave their thanks to Dawn. It was enough to make the element of generosity proud, as well as his mom and dad and sisters.
Today was the day his changeling friend Crystal was coming over for a visit with Chrysalis and a couple of her guards. Ever since the peace pact was formed, things between the two races were a bit shaky but making progress as the ponies slowly started accepting the race and heard Dawn’s words on the matter, as well as the king and queen. Some ponies and changelings even started trying dating one another, providing given love to the changeling which didn’t leave the pony feeling drained and tired.
Dawn woke up at the crack of dawn and quickly went to Celestia’s room. Swift Wing and Nigh Eye were just outside and followed him up to Celestia’s room where two of her own guards stood watch. They gave a respectful bow to the young prince before he did anything. Hopefully he got there just as Celestia was waking up, as it had been a while since Dawn last saw his big sister raise the sun and wanted to see it. He went up to Celestia’s bedroom door and knocked. “Big sister, are you up?” He asked carefully.
Celestia was just now waking up when she heard a knock on her door and her little brother’s question. She gave a yawn and answered. “*Yawn* I just woke up Dawn, you can come in, what is it?”
Dawn Light opened the door and trotted in. “Good morning Celly, I was wanting to watch you raise the sun this morning since it’s been a while since the last time I saw it.”
Celestia gave a light chuckle with a warm smile. “Hm hm, of course little brother.” Celestia removed herself from her bed and placed a wing on Dawn’s back. “Come, it’s about time I bring it up.” She escorted him to the balcony of her room. Celestia removed her wing and took a few steps forward. She lit up her horn, spread out her wings, and began her ascent. She lowered her head, then slowly lifted it back up. At the same time, the sun began to slowly rise over the horizon, bathing the land in it’s warm glow to bring forth the morning. Once the sun was fully up and set on its path, Celestia floated back down and walked up to Dawn. “So, was it as good as you remember?” She asked with a smile.
Dawn returned the smile with one of his own. “Better than I remember.”
Celestia lowered her head and nuzzled Dawn which elicited a giggle out of him. “I’m glad, now did you wash up before coming here?”
“Uh, no.” Dawn’s smile turned to a sad one with his ears splayed back.
“Well then, go get washed up and we’ll all gather for breakfast in the dining hall.” Celestia didn’t sound disappointed when she spoke.
Dawn perked up. “Okay, see in a few minutes.” He galloped out of the room back to his.
Celestia laughed at his enthusiasm. She began going through her own morning routine to get ready for the day and dawned her royal garbs.
Dawn finished getting ready and exited his room. Once he exited his room, he closed his doors and looked them over with a smile. His cutie mark was now splayed out on the doors, a pair of hills with the sun rising up between them. With a sigh, he turned and trotted onward. Along the way, he came across Blue Blood and the two shared a cheerful greeting. “Good morning nephew.”
“Good morning uncle, I trust you slept well.” Blue Blood asked with a smile.
“I did, how about you?” Dawn asked back.
“Just fine thanks, I take it you’re on your way to the dining hall?”
“Yep, I’m hungry.”
“Then let us make haste, I’m a little pekish myself.”
“Pekish?” Dawn quirked his head to the side at the unfamiliar word.
Blue Blood informed the young prince. “It’s another word for hungry.”
“Oh, okay.” The two continued on side by side with the two guards following him sharing smiles of their own.
Upon arrival at the dining hall, Dawn and Blue Blood were greeted by the king, queen, Skript, and Discord. They shared a good morning before taking a seat. Dawn sat next to Skript and Blue Blood next to Dawn. Dawn Light looked up at Skript with a smile. “So Skript, how was your Hearth’s Warming?”
“It was great, me and my family had a lot of fun thanks for asking.” Skript responded.
“That’s good to hear, I can’t wait to see how my own holiday goes.”
“Ooh, I just know it’s going to be great.” Discord said. “We’re sure to have a lot of fun.”
Celestia and Luna soon entered the room and took their seats at the table after exchanging greetings. Breakfast was served, everypony chatted, and afterwards went about their day. With Dawn’s parents, sisters, Discord, and nephew, Dawn was left to hang out with Skript until Chrysalis and Crystal arrived.
Meanwhile, in the changeling kingdom, Crystal was going about her room packing a few things for her visit with Dawn Light. “Let’s see, a couple games to play, some toys, can’t forget my daring do plushy he gave me.” Next to that was another plushy of Dawn Light. After coming home, Crystal asked her mom if she could get a plushy doll that looked like Dawn Light. Chrysalis couldn’t refuse her daughter and had one of her changelings make one for her. When she came to it, she paused and simply stared at it with a smile. She hugged it closed as she closed her eyes. “Oh Dawn, my young knight in shining armor, if it weren’t for you, I’d probably be dead on Canterlot streets. You are my hero.” She let out a contented sigh. She then opened her eyes with a determined smile. “I swear with mommy as my witness, we will be wed one day.” She had a goal now, a goal she would let no pony or changeling stand in the way of. She was going to marry Dawn Light one day.
Crystal started twirling around with the Dawn plushy in her hooves. “We’ll have such a wonderful wedding and have wonderful children together.”
“Crystal, are you…”
“EEP!” Crystal was cut off from her fantasy as her mother walked in and she yelped in surprise. “Mom, you scared me.”
Chrysalis walked up to Crystal and nuzzled her. “Sorry dear, I just wanted to see if you were ready for your visit with Dawn today.”
Crystal smiled. “I am, I can’t wait to see him again.”
Chrysalis gave a chuckle. “All right then, come along, we’ll be leaving shortly.”
“Okay.” Crystal used her magic to lift the bag she packed and made her way to her mother’s side. They made their way to meet up with the four guards that would be accompanying them to Canterlot. Crystal rode on her mother’s back as she flew off with the guards behind.
Back at Canterlot, Dawn, Skript, Solaris, and Cosma were waiting to welcome Chrysalis and Crystal at the front of the castle. “I can’t wait to see Crystal again.” Dawn said with a smile. He was about ready to burst with joy at getting to see Crystal after so long. “Look, here they come!” Dawn cheered as Chrysalis and Crystal came into view. He hovered up in excitement.
As Chrysalis drew closer, Crystal grew excited herself as she spotted Dawn. “Dawn Light!” She cheered as she flew off her mother’s back straight for Dawn.
Dawn flew off to meet her half way and the two met one another with a hug in mid-air. The two nuzzled each other as Chrysalis came in for a landing in front of Solaris and Cosma. “Greetings Chrysalis, welcome to Canterlot.” Solaris greeted.
“We’re glad you could come, Dawn’s been so anxious to see Crystal again.” Cosma said.
Chrysalis responded with a smile. “Yes, she’s been the same way for a while now. I’m glad to see her happy.” She looked back to see Dawn and Crystal hugging each other.
“I’m so glad to see you again Dawn, I really missed you.” Crystal said.
“Me too, it’s great you could come by today. HEY! Do you think your mom would let you stay for a couple days instead of just visiting today?”
“Oh my gosh! I DIND’T EVEN THINK ABOUT THAT!” Crystal shrieked out in joy. “Come on, let’s go ask her.” Crystal grabbed Dawn’s hoof and flew off to her mom.
“Whoa!” Dawn yelped at suddenly being jerked in the direction of said changeling queen.
“Mom, mom!” Crystal cried out as she neared her mother. “Mom, Dawn just made a great suggestion. I know we came by expecting to visit for a day, but would it be all right if I stayed for a couple of days? Dawn and his family did take good care of me while I was staying here the last time. Pleeeeeeaaaaaase!” Crystal brought out her most dangerous weapon, the puppy dog look. Her eyes went as big as dinner plates, her bottom lip jutted out and quivered, her eyes started watering and she started making a lowly whine.
Both Solaris and Cosma cringed with an, “Ooh.” As they closed one eye, they turned their heads to the side with a raised hoof. “That is hard to resist.” Solaris joked.
“Looks like your daughter is playing dirty.” Cosma added in.
Chrysalis was helpless before the pleading look and caved in. “As long as it’s all right with Cosma and Solaris, you can stay here for a few days. But I will be leaving a few guards here to watch you, understood?”
“It’s fine with us.” Cosma said. “We promise to take good care of your daughter Chrysalis.”
Crystal exploded with joy. “THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!” She gripped her mother in a tight hug with the biggest smile she could give. She then flew over to Dawn and grabbed his hoof with hers. “Come on Dawn, let’s go play.” Before he could respond to that, Crystal dragged him along in the air.
“By mom, by dad!” Was all Dawn had time to say as he was dragged off.
The adults simply giggled at the scene and made their way into the castle. Solaris finally calmed down enough to talk. “So Chrysalis, how is your kingdom doing?”
“Much better thank you for asking. Ever since the peace treaty we made and your ponies actually giving love freely to my children, my kingdom has been flourishing. I can’t thank you enough for the help.”
“Oh don’t thank us, Dawn is the one you should be thanking.” Cosma said. “It was really him and his finding of your daughter that helped all this. He convinced us to give you a chance and help you, so that’s what we did.”
“Indeed, though, there are a few things I should warn you about.” Chrysalis said in a serious tone.
“Oh, and what would that be?” Solaris asked.
Chrysalis began explaining. “It seems there are a few changelings that do not approve of this alliance. They think it is merely some form of trap or way of taking over my kingdom. They are loyal to me, but they do not believe I made the right choice.”
“I see.” Solaris hummed in thought. “Would these changeling pose a threat to us?”
“I doubt it, there are only a few of them. However, do be sure to be careful. If any do step out of line, I’ll be sure to punish them myself.” Chrysalis informed.
“Thank you for the warning Chrysalis.” Cosma said.
Back in Dawn’s room, Crystal was unpacking a few things and brought out a couple toys while thinking of what she and Dawn could play. “I know, how about we play house?”
Dawn tilted his head to the side in confusion. “House?”
“Yeah, it’s a game I heard about back when I was lost in Canterlot. A couple foals were playing a game called house where one pony plays the daddy and one plays the mommy, or mommies if there was more than one filly since you ponies have that whole herd thing. You do have herds right?” Crystal asked as she looked back at Dawn.
“Uh, yeah, but…I think if I got old enough to marry, I’d only want one marefriend.” It felt weird for Dawn to talk about something like that with him being so young still….well, young in mind that is. Being trapped in a void prevented his body from growing, and with no mental stimulation to help his mind grow as well, he might as well have been frozen in time in that void.
“Great, I’d hate to have to share you.” Crystal said.
“Share me? What do you mean?” Dawn asked.
“Nothing.” Crystal quickly responded with a green blush. “So…you wanna try playing house?” “It’ll be perfect practice for the real thing when we’re old enough to marry.” Crystal thought to herself.
“I…guess so, sure, okay.” Dawn slowly grew a smile as he spoke, willing to give this new game a try.
As the game went on, Dawn was having fun with it but blushed a bit at the parts where Crystal insisted he had to kiss her on the cheek. Outside the room were two of Dawn’s guards, Silver Spark and Keen Eye, and two changeling guards. Silver Spark and Keen Eye chuckled a bit at some of the parts of the game Crystal and Dawn were playing while the changeling guards stood stoic and stiff, keeping the traditional intimidating look of a guard. One of the changeling guards turned to Keen Eye. “How can you expect to do your job if you’re laughing like that at a child’s antics?”
Keen stopped laughing and responded. “Trust me, when you’ve been Dawn’s personal guards for as long as we have, you tend to be able to do your job with a smile.”
Silver joined in. “Yeah, the young prince is great at making anypony smile and laugh. It’s his special talent.”
The guard just rolled his eyes and went back to standing at attention.
Lunch time soon rolled around as the royal family of Equestria, Chrysalis, and Crystal gathered in the dining hall for Lunch. Discord and Skript had joined them as well. Dawn took a seat next to his big sister Celestia as it had been a while since he last sat next to her. Luna sat on Dawn’s other side while Crystal sat across from him next to her mother. Crystal looked on at Dawn with a dreamy expression. It was official, she was smitten by the young prince and bitten by the love bug. Dawn hadn’t really caught on yet, but Crystal was not about to give up. If it could be seen, there would be little green hearts floating around Crystal’s head.
Chrysalis looked down at her daughter and couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle to herself. “So my dear, are you and Dawn having fun so far?”
Crystal sighed out. “Yes, we are.”
Dawn gave a sheepish smile to Crystal with the way she was staring at him. He leaned over to Luna and spoke in a whisper so only she could hear. “Luna, do you think you could tell me why Crystal is looking at me like that? She’s been acting kind of funny ever since she got here. We started playing this game she heard about called house and kept insisting I kiss her on the cheek at certain points during the game. Now she’s looking at me funny.”
Luna glanced down at her little brother, then over to Crystal and saw the dreamy look in her eyes as she stared at Dawn. Luna grew a smile as she knew what that look was. “Dear brother, it seems Crystal is smitten with you.”
“Bitten, I didn’t bite her, and she didn’t bite me.” Dawn responded cluelessly.
Luna gave a chuckle. “Not bitten, smitten, as in she’s in love with you.”
“Love?” Dawn’s voice raised a bit.
Celestia looked down at Dawn, wondering what was going on. She looked over at Crystal and saw the look. She grew a smile of her own and looked back to Dawn. “It would seem so little brother. Crystal has grown quit fond of you.”
Dawn looked over to Celestia. “Really?” He looked back at Crystal. She simply waved a hoof at him and continued to stare. Dawn blushed at that, his cheeks gaining a tinge of pink.
Solaris and Cosma overheard the conversation and Cosma couldn’t help herself. “Oooohhh, isn’t that sweet. My little Dawn’s first crush.”
Solaris gave a hearty chuckle. “Hah, I knew it was only a matter of time. He does have my good looks after all.” He joked.
Dawn’s face grew more red now in embarrassment. Discord got in on the fun as well. He appeared over the table with a white sash and a gold bow and arrow with a heard for an arrow head and a big red heart hanging over the table. “How wonderful, Dawn has stolen the heart of the changeling princess.”
Skript just laughed. Poor Dawn found himself growing more embarrassed. Celestia noticed this and spoke up to end this. “All right everypony, I think that’s enough for now.” She gave a smile to Dawn.
Everypony calmed down as Dawn looked up at Celestia with a grateful smile.
While this was going on, off in a corner, two royal guards of Celestia’s branch were whispering to each other. “You sure this is a good idea? What if we get caught?” One of them asked.
“Even if we do, this is about sending a message. That prince and king and queen fooled our queen into this little peace treaty. If something isn’t done, they’ll end up taking our queen’s place as rulers of the changeling kingdom. This poison will be sure to send the message we want.” The second guard stated.
“All right, if you’re sure.” The first relented. The two were changelings that had managed to infiltrate Canterlot Castle and take the place of two guards.
The second guard held up a blow gun in a green aura and loaded it with a dart that had a green liquid on it. He looked around the corner and took careful aim at queen Cosma. The changeling put his lips to the blow gun and fired. The dart flew through the air to its intended target.
Dawn was feeling better after everypony had stopped teasing him about Crystal having a crush on him. He looked over the table and happen to see one of the guards aiming something in his general direction and fire a dart. He gasped and grew fearful. Without thinking, he called out and dove into the path of the dart. “Mom, look out!”
“Huh?” Cosma questioned. She looked up just in time to see Dawn fly in front of her and get hit in the neck by a dart.
“AH!” Dawn cried out in pain and fell to the floor.
Everypony in the room gasped in horror. “DAWN!” Cosma cried out. She and Solaris rushed to Dawn’s side as every other pony gathered around him.
Chrysalis looked on in horror at what happened. She looked back and saw two guards look on in surprise that the young prince took the shot. She narrowed her eyes at the two and lit up her horn.
“Uh oh.” The two said. Before they could act, they were enveloped in the queen’s green aura and levitated over.
Dawn Light lay on the floor curled up into a ball shivering. “Dawn, are you okay? What is it?” Solaris asked worriedly. He saw the dart in Dawn’s neck and used his magic to pull it off. He looked at the tip to see it coated in a green liquid. “Poison.” He said in a low tone. He turned his head and began scanning the room. “WHO DID THIS!” His voice boomed throughout the room in anger.
“It was these two.” Chrysalis approached the group with the two guards in her aura. She used her magic to force the two guards to drop their disguise, revealing a pair of changelings. “It seems these two managed to get past your security and tried to poison Cosma.”
Cosma gently lifted Dawn’s shivering form in her forelegs. “Dawn….my baby, are you allright?”
Dawn’s voice was weak and cracking. “Mom….I…I’m so cold…I can’t…I can’t st-stop shaking.” Tears were starting to well up in his eyes.
“Oh Dawn, my poor baby.” Cosma nuzzled Dawn as she held him close to her chest to try and comfort him.
Solaris stomped toward the two changelings in Chrysalis’s grasp. “HOW DARE YOU TRY TO POISON MY WIFE AND HURT MY SON!” He slipped into his royal Canterlot voice. “WHAT IS THE POISON YOU USED?! TELL ME THE ANTIDOTE NOW!”
The two changelings cringed and were ready to wet themselves as they saw the fury of the very cosmos before them. “It…it….it w-w-was b-basalisk poison.”
Discord looked over to the two from Dawn. “Basalisk poison, where did you get that from? Those things are deadly.”
“From our lands.” Chrysalis informed. “ There are areas in our lands where Basilisks live. I’ve no doubt that’s where these two got the poison from.” She turned to the two changelings. “You two are in serious trouble.” Chrysalis said as she made them face her. “To ensure you can’t get away, I will drain you of your magic.” Her horn grew brighter as she started another spell. Green magical energy began to flow from the two changelings to Chrysalis. She drained them of most of their energy just enough to leave them alive, but weak enough so they couldn’t get away.
“Mommy, is Dawn going to be all right?” Crystal asked with a look of a broken heart.
Chrysalis let the two changelings drop and looked down at her daughter sadly. “I’m sorry Crystal, but it isn’t good. The poison of a Basilisk is very deadly. The victim will suffer greatly for a few days before they succumb to….to….” She couldn’t finish her sentence. The adults knew where she was going with this.
“NO!” Cosma cried out as tears started to fall from her eyes. She held Dawn closer to her form. “It can’t be…there…there has to be a cure! I can’t….I can’t lose my baby boy again!” Luna and Celestia were faring no better either. They both were on the verge of tears. She looked up at Discord with Pleading eyes. “Discord, you can cure him can’t you? Just use that chaotic magic of yours and make him better.” She wore a hopeful tearful smile.
Discord’s face fell at the request. “I’m…sorry your majesty, but…I can’t. Basilisks are one of the few creatures in this world my magic can’t affect, let alone their poison. Besides, my magic is only good for causing chaos, not healing.” Discord hung his head as a few tears escaped.
Comsa’s smiled faded back to a frown. She looked back down at Dawn in her forelegs. His eyes were closed, his body was shivering.
Skript approached Chrysalis. “Chrysalis, your majesty, isn’t there anything we can do? Please, anything at all, there must be a cure.”
Chrysalis thought a moment to try and come up with something, anything at all that would save the young prince from a terrible fate. But what?
Basilisks are large serpent like creatures, they are one of the most deadly of creatures known across all the lands. Just looking one in the eyes could kill you. The venom from a basilisk is torturous. The victim will suffer from a fever, causing their whole body to shake as if they were cold. After a while, their whole body will ache and hurt. Nightmares will haunt them in their sleep. The body will slowly start to grow weaker and weaker till it can’t sustain itself anymore and the victim will succumb to…..death. All this in the period of twenty days. Twenty days of suffering and pain until death takes them.