//------------------------------// // Chapter II - The Acquaintance // Story: The War-Maiden's Vengeance // by LilithChangeling //------------------------------// News was spreading across Equestria about a mysterious vigilante. Almost every week, a changeling stronghold is found and all have been found to belong to Queen Chrysalis. What is odd is that in every assault operation, the royal guard battalions encountered a lone equine-like warrior, who has a large black scythe and pouches of kunai. The only part of the warrior that was not covered by the armor was her teal and cyan eyes. She frequently spoke to them prior to the battle and she identified herself as the War-maiden. She was not willing to say more, but the guards accepted any and all help they can find. Both Lunar and Celestial guards described her deadly efficiency with both physical strength and magic. Of course, the princesses were interested to meet her but the rebel never approached them directly. Of course, this anonymous ally gained much praise for her efforts. However, the rebel was not concerned about this. Lilith had more important things to do. She had to meet a very important denizen. For the first time since her escape from Novo, a few months to be more specific, she used her shape-shifting powers. She took the form of a black unicorn with maroon eyes and a gray mane. Then, she used a spell to hide her weapons, so they would be invisible until she needed them. As soon as she was ready, she headed to the nearest train station and took a ride. Her destination was Ponyville. Meanwhile at Ponyville, Twilight Sparkle and her brother Shining Armor were discussing about the war-maiden. "Twilight, this warrior may be a worthy ally, if we can find her. I've seen her abilities myself! She's brutal when it comes to her fighting." Twilight frowned, "I know, brother. I have read the reports myself. But what is making me concerned is the fact that she is able to fly and use magic, yet it's very unlikely she is an alicorn. What could she be and what is her motives?" Shining responded, "I say we take the chance. It is also unlikely that she is a friend of Chrysalis." The princess acknowledged this point, "That is true, but when shall this warrior come out of the shadows?" Hours later, as the sun was setting, the two siblings were browsing through her enormous library to research anything related to a lone wandering entity similar to the war maiden. This was interrupted as they heard a knock on the front door. When Twilight opened it, there was a black mare with maroon eyes at the doorstep, "Princess Twilight, I presume?" She asked and bowed. The alicorn faced her, "Well, yes. Is there something I may help with?" -------- Lilith was nervous, but she kept calm. She faced back at the lavender pony, "Oh, I just wanted to look through your library. I've heard it is very immense." Luckily, the princess believed her and allowed Lilith inside. She looked around the house and stopped as she was looking at the ceiling, "What the..." she muttered as she looked more closely. She saw something barely moving and it seemed to blend in with the ceiling. It looked a bit too familiar. In all her years, she had even known what this was. It was something using an invisibility spell! She looked over to Twilight who was staring at her collection of volumes then back at the invisible figure. She identified the figure to be another changeling - all changelings have an ability they're born with that allows them to see another of their kind. The way it works varies when some can see another changeling through a simple disguise to those who can a changeling no matter how good the illusion is. Fortunately, Lilith was lucky enough to inherit the latter. However, this meant that the figure could probably see her as well. It raised what looked like a small object and glanced at the distracted princess. She had to act fast, "Watch out!" She yelled and pushed Twilight out of the way. Right after that, she heard the whizzing of a dagger pass her by inches and pierced one of the books. "What in Equestria?!" Twilight was clearly flustered and Shining took out his weapon. "We're not alone here." Lilith said and her disguise faded back to her changeling form. She flew up to the ceiling, her scythe unsheathed. On the ground Shining looked up at her, "It can't be..." he trailed off as Lilith swung her blade out toward the assassin. The swing hit the changeling in the lower stomach. Its invisibility wore off and fell down on the main floor, not getting up immediately. Lilith landed next to it and observed the armor it had on, seeing an insignia that was too recognizable. She met its eyes, "Why did she send you?!" The injured changeling snarled, "To hunt you down, traitor!" The war-maiden sighed deeply and raised her scythe, "May you find peace in your eternal rest." In one swift strike, she ended its life, and a black liquid was slowly leaking from the lifeless body. "You," Shining Armor began, "You're the war-maiden." He was shaken up and she had a grim expression, "Yes, I am." She glanced over at Twilight, "I apologize for the mess. I wish we met under better circumstances." Twilight looked back at Lilith who was cleaning her scythe, "So, a changeling fighting other changelings, now I have seen everything." Lilith grunted, "Yes, I suppose it is a very rare thing, but you must understand that I'm only after Chrysalis and her followers, not all changelings. We aren't all like her, it's just that she has a majority of my kind under her control. Perhaps I can explain myself, so you may be able to understand?" Twilight looked over to her brother and he shrugged, "Well, she must have a very good reason to be fighting against the Queen, especially since she saved your life." The three of them sat down and Lilith told her story. From the beginning with her protests against the invasion of Canterlot to her appearance at the home and everything else in between, she said all of it in detail. Twilight and Shining Armor were silent while they listened to the story. As she finished, there was silence for a few minutes. The mare faced directly at Lilith, "So, you were against her attacking Canterlot?" Lilith's expression hardened, "Yes, I was afraid my kind would have been eradicated by her irrational thinking. I was afraid of you and your friends since I feared of the chance of retaliation in response to the unprovoked attack." Shining Armor now looked at her, "I see, but just one question. How did you know about the assassin's symbol?" Lilith sighed, "Well, I suppose I left out one tiny detail. I was her chief adviser and personal bodyguard." The captain raised his eyebrow, "That explains your fighting abilities and your knowledge on the outposts." "Well, yes. Since I was the chief adviser, I organized special units and I'm able to recognize the various symbols they use. Well I did until the attempted siege of Canterlot since I refused to participate. Still, it's the False Queen's loss." Shining said, "That also explains why she didn't kill you immediately when you began criticizing her. You were too valuable for her to lose." "Brother, I think we need to bring her to Princesses Celestia and Luna, soon. They'll make sure she's safe," Twilight stated. Lilith's ears perked up, "We feel the most safe before we meet our demise, princess. However, I would like to meet them." The alicorn nodded and looked to the changeling, "All right, then. We'll meet them soon, but I recommend you to have your identity remain unknown. Most ponies are still wary and uneasy about changelings." "Understood." The war-maiden faced Twilight and Shining Armor, "May fortune smile upon us for our future trials." Afterwards, they disbanded and began to prepare.