//------------------------------// // A Royal Mission for a Changeling Queen: 9 // Story: A Pink Queen // by Ponyess //------------------------------// There had to be more Changelings out there, Changelings more or less out on their own. Changelings in search for a Hive they could call their own. I want every Pony to be smiling happily, now this is extended to the Changelings, right along with the others in my village. In order to achieve the goal, I ask my friends for help, in this case it is Rainboe Dash. “Dash, I have a special mission for you. I need you to find lost friends. The problem is that I can’t explain exactly how they look, or anything else about them. Yet, they are l9ost, searching for a home, most likely. If they look like Changelings, it would be much easier, but they may be in disguise, either traveling in small groups, or stranded in unfamiliar surroundings. I relay on you to find them. Feel free to ask any Pegasi you trust, if and when you feel the need. Once you find them, make certain they find their way to me. They are most likely to be grateful, once they get here, but before that, I can’t know how they are to react!” I instructed my friend. “Changelings? Now I guess that is a first. Even if I recall you did interact with one in particular Changeling at the wedding at the Canterlot Castle. I take it your new friends here have something to do with this?” she responded. “Yes, Changelings. I believe you are the one most capable to gather them. You were by my side when we encountered Changelings before. I expect you to recognise them. Some may feel content in seeing them whither away in solitude, spread out on the countryside. They would most likely feel better, if we know where they are. Yet, the true reason is that I was chosen to be Queen of a Hive. It is too early to go up against their High Queen, but when the day comes, I need as many loyal Changelings as I can have on my side. This would be the once who see me as their Queen!” I pointed out. “There is an utterly senseless logic that only you could contrive, Pinkie!” she returned. “I know, I have my moments. Even Twilight Sparkle is baffled by how my mind words. I guess I was the first to give up on understanding these things. I am merely happy they work out. Since they chose me, I guess I am happy to see a few more smiling faces. I failed to make your former friend, Gilda the Griffon smile, even with my signature Party!” I continued. “That was her doing, you did everything a Pony could do for her, she still walked out!” she responded with a crooked grin as she thought back at the event. “Yes, she did. Her loss. I hope you are confident and able to help me with this, Dash!” I responded. “At least, I am the Pegasus who can cover the most ground. I can’t promise I will recognise and pick up every Changeling, but who could promise that?” she pointed out. “That makes you the best Pony for the job. Both in your speed and your attention to details, while in flight. You explained this perfectly, crystal clear, when we tried to help you study for the test when you wanted to join the then newly formed Wonderbolt reserves. You aced the test, as I recall, even if it wasn’t my personal performance that cleared the grounds for you!” I put forth. “With your memory, you would easily be the captain of the Wonderbolts, the instant you sprouted wings. You certainly are witty enough, and I doubt they could complain about your speed, or your spirit either!” she responded. “Funny you would put it quite this way. I just may have to match wits with a Changeling Queen, sooner than any Pony, or Changeling may wish for. You had better find all my support troops. Though, there may be more in this deal, than just challenging the Changeling High Queen. At least, I have the bestest of friends on my side, we managed to teach them a lesson, back then!” I pondered. “Then I had better be going. Destiny awaits, as you said!” she responded as she turned around and trotted out of the room on her way out. “Best of luck on your new commission, then I will see you, when you are back!”I exclaimed, before she had managed to leave the room. I was looking at where the Pegsus mare had just trotted out. I knew she was going to make me proud, she always made a good job out of what was put before her. She had proven herself, at many a time, like when she saved not just Rarity, but the entire troop of Wonderbolts. Hoof-steps soon reveled a Pony coming up behind me, it is Twilight Sparkle. She moved with unaccustomed grace and reverence to my person. She had been a good friend, modest to a fault. She is also a warm Princess whom I consider a very close and dear friend. Even if I consider the entire village as my friends. She momentarily stopped just a few steps behind me, waiting, before she finally stepped forth, standing beside me. “Greetings, Pinkie Pie, Queen of Ponyville’s Changeling Hive. That was a very beautiful ceremony. Your Coronation went of flawlessly. I am proud of you, and how your new position may further our goals for Ponyville, Ponyland and Equestria!” Twilight pronounced in her most Royal voice. “Greetings, Princess Twilight Sparkle. Thank you, it was a delightful ceremony, alright. In part, thanks to Zecora, as well as all my friends. You do know I count you as one of these closest friends!” I responded. The etiquette felt strange and unfamiliar, something I couldn’t change. I never had been holding any position of my own, nothing like this. The responsibilities. Yet, I will always keep my friends and my village close to my heart and in my thoughts. I can never abandon them, more than Rainbow Dash could. “Yes, Zecora certainly did perform admirably. Now you will have even greater obligations towards Ponyville, but the rewards could be at least as great. I know you will keep our little village and state happy, even more now, than you ever could before. I foresee a boon in Ponyville. Once the word reach out to Ponies all around Equestria, Ponies are going to move here, just for the joy of see you. The forest and the Changelings are no longer going to scare them, the way they once did!” Twilight conceded. “For that, we are going to honour and reward her as best we can. The question is; what is the best we could do for her? We already welcomed her into the village, most all Ponies recognise her as a friend and enjoy her presence these days. She is no longer confined to her lonely exile, even if she only sees us Ponyfolk. Maybe that is an idea, aside from the official title she probably wouldn’t care all that much about. If you could find out if she has any living friends or next of kin? I foresee a happy rejoining, if you could find them for her!” I suggested. “I could write a message to Princess Celestia and enquire deeper, then I could ask Spike to dig through our archives after any information on her, her tribe and people. I guess this is as good an excuse to read up on the Zebras as any I will ever get. I could as well confess, I am curious about her and her people. Then I could ask Fluttershy to ask her in person. There is bound to be something she left behind. Something we could dig up for her. Finally, I can always ask Whooves to see what he knows, or could find out!” Twilight pondered in a fairly long rant. “Then you certainly do have your hooves full. I can see you digging through these texts, just for the love of learning and the curiosity to see more of what she is. I should wish you the best of luck!” I responded. “Thanks, Pinkie Pie. Yes, I fear I will have my hooves full. I do have a few Princess duties as well to take care of, as much as I would love to dig into these issued!” she responded as she trotted off to deal with the issue I had pointed her towards. “Spike! Owlowiscious!” she exclaimed, just as she was out of sight. --- --- ---