I have heard somewhere that “If you wait to do everything until you’re sure it’s right; you’ll probably won’t do much of anything.” Such advice comes into my mind here on the outskirts of the Crystal Empire. As a spy and a natural master of disguise, the first thing one looks for is for anything weird that happens over and over. And an armored train with a flat crate that comes here to Ponyville and back fits the bill.
In the reports I sent to her Majesty, Queen Chrysalis of the Great Vahlerfish Hive, I along with another spy in Ponyville have noticed that armored train has been coming to and fro quite more frequently with the exact same crate. The contents, to our knowledge, have been left unknown until tonight.
My mission, given as an order from the queen herself, was to infiltrate onto the train car with that mysterious crate to discover what is in it; and to find if the contents could be of any use to us. From the sound of it, the order sounds like the queen is getting incessantly desperate. And after that disaster of the royal wedding and her encounter with then Twilight the unicorn, we could clearly see why. It has been lately one disaster after another and her majesty isn't having the best of luck.
But back to the mission, the first step is to disguise myself, which was done; I blended in with these crystal guards that were marching with this crate. Step two; get me into the same space as the crate.
“I need volunteers,” the one who was leading us said. “I need two of you to be in the car with the package at all times until you get to Ponyville, please step forward.” I did along with another stallion; he nodded and instructed us into the car.
Step three, wait until the door is closed and the train moves for some time for step four: gag and cocoon the other guard to make sure he doesn't tattle the other guards.
And step five, open the crate and see what’s inside. Given the fact that I had very limited tools around, it took me about an hour to take out the nails from the crate. I ended up using the holes in my legs to pry it open, of course, it hurt getting one nail after another but I did it. After an hour’s work, I took out the last nail to open up what was inside.
Laying on a bed of straw was a mirror. I would be lying if I said that I wasn't confused at it. A mirror? This doesn't come close to making any sense, why would the Crystal Empire and Ponyville trade this thing back and forth? I mean, it’s just a mirror… Or, what if it isn't? What if this mirror has some kind of magic that we’re not aware of?
I reached a hoof to my reflection, I expected that I would only touch solid glass but, I didn't feel a thing. My hoof went right though! Quickly pulling it out, I inspected it to see if I was hurt but there was nothing noticeable. I wondered what exactly this thing does so I stuck my leg in along with my head.
I guess one of the wood planks I was balancing on snapped because I ended up falling face first. I can tell you that there was a lot of screaming falling in. And a lot of lights and spinning colors too. Still not sure how long I've tumbled down into who-knows-where, I couldn't tell with all of my limbs flapping in every direction.
What happened next, I confess I’m still not quite sure. I was spat out from what I guess was from a statue and rolled over a few times onto the solid stone. It took me a while for the spinning to stop until I could see once again. I looked around, it was still night time, and I was in front of a building with all the lights were off. I looked around to find myself in a town that I've never seen before. What is this place? Was the mirror some portal, and if so, to where?
I tried getting up, but for a moment I panicked, my limbs bend at odd angles. Did I break them without knowing? I looked down at myself, all of myself at the body I’m in. For one, I was wearing clothes which I have no memory of doing. My limbs were still black and have holes in them, but these were slimmer, longer, and my front hooves were flat with these… Talons? Claws? Short tentacles? I-I have no idea! My clothes were rags, and at the end of my hind legs, my hoof was bent at an angle with what I think might be a shoe attach to it. Oh, and to top it all off, my tail is completely gone!
W-What is this? Where am I? Was the only thought I had.
Then I heard the low hum of a machine followed by a voice, “Worst, movie, ever!” one of them squeaked.
“Tell me about it,” another one said. “I mean really? They had to promise a sequel to this?”
“Ah know, it was awful,” a third one said as I heard those steps getting closer. I hid behind the base of the statue and peaked at where those voices were coming from. There were three of them, about the size of an average pony but… (How do I even describe them?) One of them was orange with a purple mane driving one of those scooters with a motor in the back that was hauling a little wagon with two others. One of them was white with a pink and purple mane while the other was yellow with a red mane and a bow.
“I guess the idea was cool though,” the white one said. “About a monster that could change into anything.”
“Yeah, but actin’ was weird, the writin’ was bad and Ah don’t remember what’ it about.” The yellow one commented. As they drove away, I had a choice, I could either try to figure out how to get back onto that train car or follow them.
So I decided to follow them, if that mirror was transporting something with that much security, they're doing it for a reason. So perhaps I should explore this place to see what those ponies are protecting here. Who knows, perhaps I might find something useful to us, Changelings.