//------------------------------// // Wedding Day // Story: Acceptance // by Riddle-Me-Think //------------------------------// I do not own My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic The day for Twilight had not been what she would have expected. While she had gone over the wedding preparations her friends have been doing, the suspect infiltrator had met her at every turn. Even know Masquerade acted as her assistant during this, she had also sent him on a few arends to keep up his act. Whenever the fake Cadence showed her face, it almost was right after Catering Will —Mask’s disguise— had gone off to do one of her tasks. Thankfully, both she and the ‘assistant’ had planed for such a thing if it ever happened. So now Twilight was in her room, going over her collected notes of the fake alicorns behavior. From what Twilight understood from Masquerade, this was obviously not a highly trained infiltrator. Though able to fool most of the ponies around herself, this fake Cadence held a more spoiled attitude than the real Cadence. At the same time, this impostor held a stage-four disguise and knew how to trick those that would otherwise know her well. So why do I notice all of these details? It was a question she had asked herself a number of times, with no real defined answer. It was possible she noticed because she was looking. Or it was possible she could see something was off because she remembered Cadence to be otherwise. It doesn't matter, Twilight sighed, writing a few last things into her notepad to share with her coltfriend. What does matter is finding Cadence, freeing my brother, and saving Canterlot! Thinking about it all made Twilight realize just how much was at stake here, not just for her but for pony kind. Cadence was relying on her —and any that knew— to help her escape the mines below. Shinning Armor was in need of somepony to snap him out of his possible hypnotism. As for Canterlot itself— if it fell, then everypony will fall pray to the invading changeling swarm that would no doubt impression them all into those cocoons. The last thought made Twilight shiver in both fear and disgust, not wanting any to fall victim to such a fate. Quickly shaking the thought from her mind, Twilight fixed her sights back to her little notepad, looking throughout each page to be sure she had everything. Unseen by her distracted eyes, the door to her room quietly opened, giving access to the pony that walked in. With a predatory grace, the intruder came in with feather light steps that betrayed nothing. With both eyes locked onto their target, a satisfied smirk worked it’s way onto the pony’s muzzle, making steps to get closer. Twilight remained unaware of the intruder, too busy with going over her notes to even notice the shadow that seemed to loom over her. With a lit horn, the pony carefully closed the door without a sound before saying, “What do you have there, Twilight?” Casting one last spell over the room. Twilight could feel her body seize up at the voice, feeling dread suddenly lace through her body before closing her eyes and trying to relax. Turning around, Twilight felt a small bit of fear leak through her control as the fake Cadence stood in front of her. Both of those once kind and loving eyes now seemed to look down on her, making her feel like a bug being examined by something greater. “C-Cadence, I didn’t hear you come in.” Twilight felt her voice catch for a moment, not expecting the fraud to come to her, “What can I help you with?” Slipping the notepad back into her saddlebag. Seeming not to take much notice in this action, Cadence seemed to give a more softer smile and said, “I just wanted to stop by and see how the preparations are coming along.” Walking past the lavender unicorn to look at her reflection in the nearby mirror, “With the wedding tomorrow, I just want to make sure that everything is…perfect.” Twilight felt the need to gulp, feeling uneasy with how this Cadence had said the last word in such a ominous tone. Eyes darting to her saddlebag, Twilight pulled her notepad, along with it’s pencil back out and flipping through it. Finding a blank page, she started to write as calmly as she could and said, “Things have progressed nicely over the day.” Flicking her eyes up quickly to keep track of where the fake alicorn was, “Applejack was able to bake the requested foods for tomorrow, as you know.” Going through the list she had come to remember well enough. “Rarity is almost finished with the dress, just adding the final touches you asked for.” Finishing her little bit of writing, Twilight flipped back down to some older notes and said, “Pinkie Pie has added a few more party ideas that she thought you would enjoy, saying you would love it.” “I’m sure.” Cadence dryly said, not seeming to be fully interested in what Twilight was telling her. Looking back to the mare that helped plan out the wedding, she asked, “What else?” Gazing at Twilight through the mirror, quickly adding, “Besides the wedding plans, I’ve notice you were writing a lot down.” Stopping Twilight from saying anything. Gulping and looking up, Twilight could see two piercing eyes looking thought the mirror in her temporary room, suspicious of her actions. With a fake smile and another calming breath, Twilight said, “Nothing, just some last second notes about some details.” Trying to evade from truthfully answering. Narrowing her eyes, Cadence only slowly nodded saying, “I see…” Going back to looking at her reflection, “Maybe you can tell me about these ‘details’ you’ve noticed?” Starting to light her horn. With her confiding slowly dwindling, Twilight started to back herself towards the door, doing her best to appear calm while telling, “I would be glad to, I can tell you all bout in in the guardians, I heard Fluttershy—” Grasping the knob with her magic and going a tug…only feel resistance of it being locked. A sudden rush of panic made itself known to Twilight, who once again tried to open her door that seemed to be locked, even if the lock itself was not in use. So caught up in her panic, Twilight missed the green veil of a silencing spell, making all sound become trapped inside the room. “I find this room appropriate enough, Twilight.” Cadence calmly said with a hint of smugness, halting the lavender mare from struggling with the door further, “After all, I think you know something you’re not suppose to.” Slowly turning around, Twilight could now see the faux alicorn stalk closer to her almost frozen form. The way this Cadence carried herself, it was early familiar. The way those eyes looked at her, the way the head was held, even how the alicorn stood before her now reminded her of— Twilight felt her breath catch in her throat when she realized the familiarity of how this impostor held herself. It was familiar to how Masquerade held himself when in his changeling form, a pose that he had learned from his mother who was now the queen. A queen, who she and the others thought would be back with the main invasion force, not in Canterlot itself! When Twilight went to deny anything, Cadence stomped her hoof down, silencing the lavender mare and tell, “Don’t think I haven’t notice how you’ve watched me, or make notes about the ‘wedding’ your helping plan.” Glaring at the unicorn intensely. Eyes now darting down to the notepad still in the unicorns magic and back up to Twilight, a small smile grew on her face as she said, “Why not show me what’s really on that little notepad of yours?” Advancing once more on the mare that had her back to the locked door. Twilight’s eyes darted about, trying to find some sort of way to escape this situation. She really could not risk being caught, even more so with the wedding taking place the next day! Cadence then lit her horn in a green aura of magic, only sending Twilight further into panic at what spell was being cast. Without much thought as to the consequences, Twilight lit her horn just as quickly, getting a mental image for her spell to follow before casting. Her attempt was stopped however, as a rather strong strike from the impostors hoof not only canceled out her spell, but caused Twilight to stager in pain with a yell. Just as quickly, Twilight felt her body lift off the ground, forcefully being slammed and held onto the door. “Oh, you defiantly know something.” Cadence seemed to say with a hint of malice, “Something little ponies like you should not know.” Gaining a little smile on her muzzle as if enjoying Twilight’s discomfort as she brought her face up to the lavender mare. Though her mind was filled with thoughts of how bad the situation was, Twilight took advantage of how close Cadence was. Like what had been done to her, Twilight sent a right hook towards Cadence’s own horn. Seeing this, Cadence went to move her head back, feeling the very tip get clipped and send a shock of pain into her head and gave a yelp. Feeling the magical grip loosen greatly, Twilight struggled free and relit her horn, deciding to go for a different spell this time. It only took a fraction of a moment to cast, and send it to her attacker. By the time she had recovered, Cadence found herself on the receiving end of the spell, hitting her face and blinding her. Shaking her head and rubbing her eyes to regain her sight, the fake alicorn looked about the slightly darker room, trying to find Twilight. The room appeared to be empty, and not show the unicorn that was using it as her temporary home. But Cadence knew Twilight was there, she could taste the panic, the fear and the worry. “Twilight.” Cadence said pleasantly enough, “Where are you hiding, you silly little pony?” Adding a teasing quality to her voice as if she were playing a game, “We have so much more to…discuss.” And started to walk about the room Silence seemed to be the only thing that greeted her ears, and the shadows seemed to deepen slightly at her words. A nicely crafted illusion, almost reminds me of my son’s own little trick, the fraud smiled, knowing this was not a harmful illusion. For a time, silence was her only answer from the lavender unicorn. Seeing as it was not getting her anywhere, a light and slightly cruel thought passed Cadence’s mind as she said, “Fine, if you don’t want to talk, maybe one of your friends will.” Just as those words left her mouth, she could feel Twilight’s worry slightly grow, and continued, “I’m sure they would know something, after all, you talked to them after I turned my back.” Heading back for the door with a deliberately slow pace. “But who to talk to first?” Cadence wondered aloud, slightly tilting her head, “Maybe I should ask that Pinkie Pie, she seems to enjoy talking.” Stopping at the door to tap her chin and say, “Or Rarity, I’m sure she could use some company while making my dress.” Seeing the illusion still had not dropped yet, Cadence went for her trump card and cruelly smirk, “Then there’s that sweet Fluttershy.” Smirking further as she said, “The poor dear seems so delicate in your little group, I wonder how she might handle the conversation to come?” With a sudden idea coming to mind, she then told, “Or I can invite them all over to Shinny’s place!” Sensing a spike of dread in the room, “I’m sure we’ll stay there and talk. All. Night. Long.” Punctuating each word at the end. It was as if a dam burst, the illusion dropped and Twilight’s voice could be heard as she shouted, “I won’t let you hurt my friends or my brother!” Letting her anger and fear take control for a moment and firing off a magic beam. As if expecting the attack, the faux alicorn ducked, letting the magical energy fly harmlessly over her and retaliate with her own spell. It was too late for Twilight to realize she had exposed herself, getting hit by her opponents own attack and feeling the same numbing feeling wash over her being. Twilight feel to the floor, once more under the influence of a changelings paralyzing magic and completely helpless once more. Cadence herself got up from her kneeling position, looking over her shoulder to see where the missed attack went. “My my, are’t we just full of tricks?” The fake smiled, spotting the hoof-sized hole with magical burns. There was no doubt the attack would have done some serious harm, rather surprising, as ponies don’t often do that. The thought made the fake alicorns look at Twilight with some contemplation. Something was amiss here, something that was connected to how there was a shield around Canterlot, or preparations for an attack. Walking up to the immobile Twilight and looking her over carefully, she could only ask, “What do you really know, Twilight?” leaning down to become more eye level with the paralyzed mare. A number of emotions could be seen in the mares eyes, fear and anger being the biggest of them, with a hint of defiance. Smirking, Cadence just turned around and left the pony on the floor and told, “I guess it doesn't matter, you can’t talk in your current state.” Going into thought while saying, “And I don't have time to work on you, I have a wedding to work out in full after all.” With a light shrug, she absently said, “Oh well, looks like I have to put you somewhere until things are done.” And looked bak at Twilight saying, “I hope you enjoy your stay in the crystal caves.” Lighting her horn and casting her spell. Regret seemed to be the last thing that flashed though Twilight before being surrounded by magical fire and sucked into the ground. For some reason that made the changeling-in-alicorn form frown. Why would the mare feel regret at the end, and not fear or rage like what she should have felt? What does it matter? One thought rang out in her mind, she’s down in the caves, no knowledge on how to escape. This alleviated her feelings on the matter, turning around once more to look about the room. She still wanted to know what was on that notepad, but she would have to look around later. She had some other tasks to do before the day was up after all. Undoing her last spell to let sound roam freely and unlocking the door, the faux alicorn left out of the room. Cadence then began to plan how to get rid of her current brides maids so she could replace them with Twilight’s friends. She needed to keep an eye on them, just in case they do know something. Ribbons, why do we need ribbons? The question burned in Masquerades mind as he made his way back to the palace with two bags with ribbons. They were the variations of white, yellow and pink, with a number of sizes so some could be hanged and others thrown. Weddings always seemed like a strange concept to the changeling infiltrator. In changeling society, we don't have weddings. He almost bitterly thought, we find and chose a mate, tell them what we think, consummate it if both agree and your done! Granted, he could see the charm in a party being thrown for the couple to be, but the only time we changelings would do a wedding of any sort is when an heir wishes for one, or two clans are uniting. In either case, it takes up time and resources. Looking back to both bags, Masquerade turned back towards his destination while grunting in thought, still don’t see how ribbons help the newly wed in any way… Taking a few moments to think up a few ideas. He came up with a few ideas but only shook his head with a smirk. Reaching the castles gate’s, Masquerade straightened his back more, adding a more dignified facade while also smoothing his new robin-blue mane. To any pony who didn’t know, Masquerade looked and acted the part of the butler, foregoing both wings and horn to add to his physical looks. Still is a pain to manipulate the world without magic or wings though, an irritating thought crossed his mind while taking his time to reach Twilight’s current residence. During his walk up, he could not stop himself from glancing to the side where the supposed infiltrator was sitting. He knew this was not Cadence in any way, as she felt wrong in some sense. A stage-four changeling was always hard to detect, even for him. If he didn't know how Cadence already felt, he would have not noticed at all. But that was a month back when he first met her, so it was possible he could have still been fooled. But who is it? The question had been bugging him since he could figure out the infiltrator was an heir from his senses. This didn't help much, as he still couldn't tell who it was. The number of heir’s were still small, and not all of them reached stage-four shape shifting yet. Mask already knew it wasn't any of the better infiltrators, they would have put up an extremely convincing act. Even when Cadence was far from sight, Masquerade continued to work over who the supposed changeling was. He did not like having a lack of information on who his opponent might be in the future, made things complicated. When he reached Twilight’s room door, Mask wanted to smile at being able to get out his current disguise and back into his own body. Being all big and muscular didn't feel the same as his smaller and thinner body with magical power. Raising a hoof and knocking on the door, he called out, “I have the supplies your requested madame.” Waiting a free moments for a reply. Strangely, none came, and after a time, Masquerade knocked once more and waited. On his third knock, Mask was feeling a little concerned at the lack of response. He knew Twilight would be here, it was where they were to meet. And Twinkles hates doing things that don’t follow a schedule. Glancing about the halls for anypony that might see, Mask affirmed that none were looking and entered into Twilight’s space. At first glance, everything seemed to be fine and rather untouched. If it were not for the unsightly little hole in the wall, then he would have thought Twilight simply went out for something. Twilight would have left a note if she did that though. An unsettling thought came, and looked about for more clues as what had happened while he was away. The infiltrator scoured the room for clues, going as far as to figure out were the magical damage was shot from and how it tasted. Masquerade, despite all his searching, couldn't find any large clues as to what had happened. He wasn't like Sham where he could see every little detail and know everything that had happened within a day. Nor was he Clip, who despite being an idiot, was a deadly assassin that knew how to track his targets. Where haven’t I looked? He asked himself, scanning the room for anything. He already searched Twilight’s bags, but they held no clue what had happened. Nothing was hidden in or under the bed. The Bathroom had nothing, and neither did the draws in the desk… Where are you Twilight? The changeling-in-pony form wondered with an ever growing concern. Shrugging the saddlebag off his back, Masquerade headed back for the door, setting his first destination to Twilight’s friends. Next would come some of the guard, and after them the few changelings in hiding. If those fail, then he was going straight to Celestia to ask. Masquerade did eventually make his way up to Celestia, only it wasn't because she was the last pony he was going to see. She had asked for him to come to her. To say things had gone even worse would be an understatement. ‘Cadence’ had come to her aunt to let her know Twilight would be unable to attend the wedding. The excuse being that the mare had offered to do some things for her while the wedding was going. What the task was, was unimportant to Mask, as the words made all his worries come to surface. The alicorn impostor had done something to Twilight, and Celestia wanted to know what he knew. Masquerade didn't know much unfortunately, and led to a slightly heated argument as to why he left the unicorns side. True he could have stayed next to Twilight at all times, but that would help blow his cover. He was to act the part of a servant who went about tasks hoofed to him, and Twilight helped him fulfill that part nicely with the tasks she gave him. Celestia was willing to conceded to that line of logic some, seeing that if Masquerade did not follow up on his act, he would be discovered. Regardless of this, she still hounded on how he could have left her for so long after most of his time around Cadence was finished. Masquerade then proceeded to tell her how some items were misplaced/ruined and needed more of said item. These items happen to be the ribbons that were still in Twilight’s room, where he became aware of the situation. All he could tell the sun alicorn was magic was shot, and it had to be Twilight’s, as he could still taste some lingering emotions form it. He then shortly added she was angry when the attack was done, meaning she might have been provoked into attacking. Added to this was another meeting later that night, trying to find a way to fix this even newer problem. The plan they had was holding together still, but with three ponies missing from it, it was going to be a trick to pull off. That was all yesterday, and left for some time to prepare for the invasion to happen. Now, Celestia could only hope all were ready, as there were only a few sparse hours before it all began. Looking about the room she was in, the solar ruler kept her warm smile on, doing her absolute best to keep the ponies all assured nothing was wrong. It didn't seem to take long for everypony to fined their seats and for the wedding to be on its way. Despite her patients and belief this would work, it still felt all too fast and too soon. Breath in, she told herself while calmly taking a breath in, breath out, and let out any worried that were building up with a just as calm exhale. But it seemed to come back when the fake Cadence made her way up the red carpet before her, Shinning Armor standing off to the side, looking off into nothing. The changeling had some surprisingly good control over the captain, who still performed fine despite his loss of magic or being brain dead. It was with another sigh —in mind, as to not show her worry— Celestia began the long rehearsed speech. As she went on to the congregated crowd before her, she could not help but take a little longer to make it. Her eyes scanned about with careful procession, not to let on she was waiting for something to happen. “Stop the wedding!” Celestia felt the need to blink at those words. Words spoken form one Twilight Sparkle, who was standing at the entrance with a determined, if not vengeful gaze. Is that truly Twilight, did she really escape the caves? That was the first thought to cross Celestia’s mind as she stared at the mare in surprise like most of the ponies. But unlike them, it was not from shock of somepony stopping the wedding, but a needed intervention. Cadence wasn't nearly as happy, and nearly shouted in anger, “What are you doing?” Then halted herself from going any further when a few eyes turned towards her, “Don’t you remember all the planning we put into my special day?” Adding in a distressed tone. “Because it’s not your special day—” Called a new voice, just as familiar as the last, “But mine!” As the real Cadence showed herself, if not worse for wear. “What!” The fake alicorn stepped back in newfound shock,“But how did you escape my bridesmaids?” Seemingly unable to understand how that was so. Giving the other a knowing glance, the real Cadence told, “You would be surprised how far a pony would go for a bouquet.” Recalling how the bridesmaids, even under a mind control spell, seemed to still act like the ponies they are. Unsure to be angry at the idiocy of mind-controled ponies, or impressed by such idea working, the fake Cadence went with the later huffing, “Cleaver, but your still are too late!” Feeling self certain she still had the upper hoof. “I think not.” The three lone words seemed to stop any further talking form happening as Celestia stepped up and glared at the fraud that had been acting as her niece. With a glare, she told, “You may think you have fooled me, but I know of what you are.” With some wariness at the older alicorns actions, the fake stepped back some and make some distance between herself and the solar princess. “I was unsure at first, believing you were greatly stressed.” Letting her sight flicker to the real Cadence, “I now have the proof you are the one responsible for the threat on Canterlot.” The last part was true, but her ponies didn’t know what she did. Looking the fake straight in the eye, Celestia challenged, “Show yourself changeling, or are you truly afraid of the light?” Adding a taunt at the end. It did the trick, as the infiltrator started their transformation, the green magical fire all but exploding from the fake alicorn. Even when taken by surprise at this, Celestia still called out, “Twilight, plans have changed, but I ask you to get Cadence and Shinning out now!” Charging her magic up for the fight to come. Twilight seemed ready to argue at the idea of leaving her teacher, but looking to Cadence in her state as well as her brother, she knew what she had to do. Looking to her friends and ignoring the final result of the transformation that had occurred, Twilight told, “Come on girls, let’s get my brother and sister-in-law out of here!” With her transformation complete, the more taller changeling stood before all the ponies from the wedding, watching as Twilight and her frieda began to move both Shinning Armor and Cadence out. Scowling at this, she moved to intercept and went to say something— but Celestia blocked her path telling, “Your fight is with me, changeling.” Putting more magic into her horn. That was the last thing Twilight saw of her teacher as she and the others ran. With the sudden change in plans, Twilight found herself slightly unsure what to do. Thinking quickly, she decided to head to the only one that might be able to tell her what was going on. “Twilight, where are we going?” Cadence —the real Cadence— asked, trying to keep the nearly unresponsive groom moving with the help of Rarity. Stoping a moment to look up and find a black swarm of dots overhead, Twilight told, “We’re going to find professor Intrusive, he’s the only one that might be able to tell us what’s going on.” Resuming her run towards where she hoped to find the elderly changeling. With a worried filled face at Shinning’s blank stare, Cadence asked, “Do you think he would know how to revers what that changeling did to Shinny?” Still guiding the half paying attention stallion. Twilight went to reply, but stopped when a glass shattering sound echoed throughout the area. Above them, the shield that had held for days-on-end had now completely shattered under constant attack. Without its master to tend to it, the shield had failed, and now let in the changeling swarm that descended on all of Canterlot. “Run!” Twilight urged when she saw her brothers shielding spell fail and let in thousands of changelings, eager to sate their hunger and take the pony capital. All around, a number of ponies looked up in both curiosity and concern as the swarm descended down on them. It turned into downright terror when they became green spots, crashing into the ground moments later and causing craters to form. They all panicked, running as quickly as they could to escape their invaders. Guards that were notified of such events to take place went right into action, taking up there weapons or casting spells at the attacking swarm. But it seemed for naught, as they were quickly taken down by overwhelming numbers of drones. Fear filled Twilight’s body as she lead her friends through the raining changeling attackers, hopping her training with her coltfriend would help her during this. The ring of magic began to build as Twilight gathered the necessary magic to preform one of her newest spells, one that had proven effective for fighting. It didn’t take long for a group of drones to take notice of her own group, diving down at what was seen as easy prey. I won't let them hurt my friends. Was the single thought that ran through Twilight’s mind, focusing her feeling straight into her spall. With a flick of her head, a ball of pink fire came to life and launched towards the flying attackers, breaking away in shock of the attack. Twilight didn't let up, pulling back the small ball of pink fire and guiding it back to her side. The passion fire spell she had learned had turned onto a unique spell, being a controllable fire ball. It was not all she could do though. Adding more magic into her current spell, two more passion fire balls took place to either side of her, following her and awaiting orders. They were used not a second after their making, swinging about before the unicorn to deter changelings from attacking head on or blocking their path. Looking back though, Twilight could see the drones amassing behind them and were going in to attack from there. With a snap dissuasion, she called, “Applejack, Rainbow Dash, I need you two to keep them off our backs!” Both Ponies looked back, finding a swarm of the bug-looking-ponies ready to charge them with full force. With a smirk on her muzzle, Dash told, “Don’t worry Twi, we got this!” Speeding up a moment before turning around and charging the swarm with a battle cry. When a ballistic-pony-missile started rushing at them, the swarm panicked in uncertainty, splitting up and letting the speeding pegasus pass through them. Before they could regroup, Dash turned back around and harassed them once more, disorganizing there numbers before speeding back with her group. Applejack wasn't all the idle herself, finding she had to stop now and then to give one strong buck to a changeling that foregone flying and ran after her and her friends. She had to admit, despite being easily beaten back, the sheer number of them made up for being pushovers. “How many of these dreadful cretans are there!” Rarity screeched, finding her practice in self-defense put into use as a changeling drone attacked from an alleyway for a surprise attack. This was only a recipe for failure as the mare who prided herself on being a lady, grappled and tossed the offender over her shoulder. This was followed up by the unexpected appearance of Pinkie’s party canon that fired off it’s confetti payload. “Thousands!” Cadence replied, finding herself less useful than she liked. Her time in the caves had left her body weak and her mind tiered. She was having trouble using any spell greater than levitation, losing focus after a while. She had to back Shinning Armor away when two more changelings showed up to attack them, but were scared back by emerald fire. Taking up a stand in front of the two, Spike used what little courage he had gathered for that moment and took in another breath to blow out more fire. Granted, it was his mailing fire and not his real dragon fire, but it did the task and fended off the changelings. One of them took a chance, jumping at the small dragon who hastily blew out a new gout of fire. being engulfed by the dragons fire, the changeling all but disappeared, leaving nothing but air. Unfortunately for Spike, it only made him a bigger threat to take out sooner and found more and more of the bug-ponies attacking him, Cadence and Shinning. Slowly but assuredly, more and more changeling drones began to converge on their group, slowly wearing them down and overwhelming them through numbers. With how thick they got, Twilight’s group had no choice but to stop and hold their ground. Ground they were quickly losing with the waves of drones being tossed their way. Another blast of the party canon sounded off, tangling up another five changelings in to presents while Pinkie shouted, “Reloading!” Sticking her hoof her mane a few times to throw in the odd-ball-item from her inventory. The pink mare had to suddenly move when Fluttershy called out a warning, moving out of the way in time for a pouncing changeling to miss her. It was quickly removed when Cadence, with what little focus she had, used her magic to toss the changeling away. The favor was returned when Pinkie Pie turned her party canon over Cadence’s head, firing off a round filled with streamers and entangling more changelings. “Ah can’t keep this up Twi!” Applejack called, bucking another drone away before being tackle to the ground. She was saved when a pink fair ball slammed into their side, making the drone screech and run about, trying to remove the magical flames. Twilight sighed in relief, happy she saved her friend in time— “Twilight, look out!” Pinkie’s voice rang out, making the lavender mare spin around to find her attacker. Instead of finding one she found herself being tackled to the ground from where she use to be looking. Craning her head back, Twilight felt her eyes widen as she saw Pinkie on her, with another Pinkie helping to hold her down. They were quickly blasted off by the real Pinkie Pie, but that still didn't stop her sudden worry. Getting up and looking around, Twilight found herself surrounded by her friends, and their dopplegangers. “Don’t let them distract you!” She called out, having trouble figuring out who was who. This was not how she wanted to spend her time at her brothers wedding. After Twilight left, the changeling scoffed at Celestia and watching the ponies get away with her prize. The changeling redirected her attention onto Celestia, remembering what she said before rebuking, “I am no simple changeling, you simpleton.” Holding herself higher and proclaiming, “I am Queen of the changelings, Chrysalis!” And began to charge her own horn, “And you will see my might!” Both backed away form the other, distancing themselves before firing their respective attacks. When both beams of green magic hit the other, they seems evenly matched. The ponies who had not left, watched on as their ruler and the most powerful pony they knew, slowly lose ground. With some added effort, Chrysalis’s attack soon began a steady pace towards Celestia, who looked very much worried for her safety. At the last moment, she twisted out of the way, cutting her magic off and letting the changelings attack go by and cut into the pillar that was behind her. When she looked back up, Celestia found a surprised look on the changeling queens face, beginning it morphed into suspicion. Seemingly looking the alicorn up and down, she said, “When I began to overpower you, I was starting to think I reach a power greater then an alicorns.” Starting to move to her left, seemingly circling into a flaking position, “But now that I’m trying to feel you out, I notice something is…off.” Celestia didn't say anything, only glared back and readied her magic again. Looking up with a quick glance at Celestia’s horn, the queen could only bare her teeth in rage as she yelled, “What are you doing?” And glared hatefully at Celestia, “You have her face, but I can see now you are not Celestia!” A number of gasps went around the still filled room, as ponies watched the confrontation play out, “How you managed to take her form and hide as her is beyond me, but also impressive.” But soon turned her praise into hate while shouting, “You are a changeling who had Celestia’s power at your hooves, why are you getting in my way, our way!” For a moment, Celestia didn't do anything but stand in place. Soon enough though, a smirk worked its way onto her face, a strange thing to see on the ever serene alicorn. “You should know, we did have an argument over this whole fiasco that’s going on.” She said, getting a confused look from the queen of changelings while also saying, “I still think we can work this out peacefully, it’s not impossible.” And smiled sincerely, being only amplified by Celestia’s naturally diplomatic looks. Any rage and hate Chrysalis had seemed to just vanished while she thought over those words. For some reason, the conclusion she was drawing up was making her more fearful who this changeling might be, rather than facing Celestia. With a almost dry gulp, she asked, “Who are you?” Feeling a slight tremble in her legs, dreading the answer. Dropping the smile for a blank look, Celestia repositioned her stance from the almost kind and motherly relaxed state, to a calculating an cold rigid state. Green fire quickly followed that, showing a shorter, but still menacing changeling with two sword sheaths to either side of him. Shock and fear rippled trough the room, as no pony dared to make a sound a the sudden turn of events. Some how, not only was one princess impersonated, but two! Things only seemed to get more distressing when Chrysalis nearly gasped out, “S-Son?” Taking a step back in fear. It wasn't the fear of losing to Masquerade, who stood strong and proudly. What she feared was the possibility her own son was now the enemy. One she would have to fight and eliminate if he had betrayed them. “Mother.” Masquerade returned curtly, bottling up his own fears and pain at having to be his own mothers enemy, “How have you been?” Chrysalis could only stare on in mute shock, trying to understand what had just happened. The day had progressed as planned, and Twilight was taken out of the equation when she got too nosy. But it all seemed to fall apart after that, even if the invasion was in full swing now. With a tense air, The mother of the trained infiltrator could only say, “How have I been?” Looking angrily at her son and shouted, “How’s about worried, after our argument, I was expecting at the very least letters, but you instead stay silent for three months— three months!” As much as she wanted to know what he was doing now, she was still a concerned mother. Rolling his eyes, he told with some measure of patients, “Mother, I’m not a nymph any more.” Doing his best to ignore the stares he was getting from the peanut gallery that still haven't left, “I can take care of myself, I am a fully fledged Infiltration master, there is no need for you to worry too much.” That irked the queen, who stomped her hoof saying, “You still could have done something to let me know you were alright.” Then shook her head and sighed to calm herself. Looking back up, Chrysalis could see her son’s eyes were wary, as if ready for a fight. “Why are you truly here son?” Chrysalis asked more softly, “Why did you let that little brat get away with our ticket to survival.” There was a slightly underlying threat in her tone, as if to warn her son of any tricks. A brief flash of rage showed itself in Masquerade’s eyes, while outwardly he calmly said, “Nothing drastic mother.” Lightly shrugging in his acting of being cool and collected, “Just helping out my Twinkles, her brother and soon-to-be sister.” Chrysalis’s jaw seemed to drop at those words, feeling a old memory come to surface. Twinkles, as in that little filly my son had started to fall for? This was before the full impact of what he said made her eyes widen and shout, “Your courting with that mare!” Once again, the peanut gallery gasped, with one of the mares fainting at the idea. Once more ignoring them, Masquerade nodded with a large grin, “Oh yes, you should have met her on better terms mother, she is just the perfect mare.” Seeming to gain a far off look, “Granted she has her faults, but they only seem to add to her that much more.” The queen of the five clans felt confused. On one hoof, she wanted to congratulate her son for finding a potential mate— be they pony or changeling. On the other, she wanted to swat her son upside the head and scold him for fraternizing with their meal ticket. She had to once more shake her head mentally to get back on track. The invasion was taking place and she was talking with her son over his new love life. She should be getting down to business on what he was thinking rather then this. With a stern gaze, Chrysalis, queen to many, and a mother figure to many in her clan, demanded one thing from her by blood son, “Masquerade of Malek, would you tell your queen, and by extension, your mother— why you are distracting me from our goal.” Like a switch, Masquerade dropped his act, making eye contact with his mother and telling, “I am doing my duty as an infiltrator and trying to get you to see this is not how it should be done.” Just outside the walls around them all, Masquerade could hear the music of battle go on. Screams of panicking ponies acted as the choir, explosions of kamikaze-falls acted as the drums, and clangs of guards armor chimed in time. “This is not how we should have shown ourselves mother, we should have asked for peace, not war!” Stomping his hoof to emphasize his point, “I have lived with them for three months, with Twinkles knowing of what I was for two of them.” Surprise once more filled the room, but Mask didn't stop and continued, “She was scared at first, but Twilight came to accept me of what I am, of what we are.” Spreading his gossamer wings out and holding his head high, “I met Celestia herself, with her sister Luna. They are willing to talk, they are willing for peace.” With little hesitation, Masquerade bowed to his mother, acknowledging her as his queen while saying, “So I plead to you my queen, heed your followers wishes and stop this foolishness before we lose the chance to be recognized as friends, not foes.” Then looked up from his kneeling position adding, “If not by a servant, then listen to me as your fourth son, born to you as your second heir.”