Day 14
It’s been two weeks now and my situation is actually starting to improve. When Cadence got back we made up and started acting like the way we use to. One thing is for sure, I’ve become a better actor. Ever since my fight with Flash the Crystal Empire has been on high alert for changeling activity in the area. Cadence told me about the winter solstice and thinks I should go. I didn’t want to at first but after I thought about it I decided to go. It would look strange that I wouldn’t be there when the rest of the royal family would. Maybe I should just tell them after the celebration. I can tell Cadence is still worried and I can’t keep up the charade forever. The solstice is just over a few days away, I just have to last a little longer.
The next day started out like any other. Celestia’s sun saw high in the sky and Shining thought that the worst might be behind him, at least until he told the others his secret. Cadence was tending to some royal business while Shining was in the training yard looking over the new recruits. Flash entered the throne room to seek an audience with the Princess.
“Flash why are you here? Whatever it is can it wait? I’m rather busy at the moment.”
“I assure you this is of the upmost importance your highness.”
“Very well, what is it?”
“It has to do with that changeling I encountered while looking for Prince Shining in the Crystal Mountains when you were away. I’ve been thinking, ever since Shining got back from his imprisonment at the hooves of Chrysalis he’s been acting not himself, at least not until recently.”
“What are you getting at? You don’t think-”
“That he’s been replaced, it’s a possibility, one I think we should explore. He was gone for a week and in that time they could have probed his mind for his life’s story in order to try and make this impostor the perfect infiltrator.”
“I-I can’t believe that. If this is an impostor then why did he even mention that changelings were involved? He could have made up any story he wanted.”
“I’m just saying it’s possible, and probably to make himself look innocent. If we later found evidence to support his story it would make him look like he was telling the truth and this could also explain why he refused to go into details about his captivity. It just seems too convenient that Shining appeared right when the changeling disappeared. What’s for sure is that changeling I faced was not your typical drone. There is a new player on the scene, could be Chrysalis from a husband or he’s from a different hive all together. Any way you slice it it’s not good. We should keep an eye on him just in case.”
Cadence didn’t want to believe what Flash was saying but he did make some valid points.
“Very well, but let’s just keep this to ourselves. I don’t want rumors being spread.”
“Yes your highness.”
Flash left the room and gave Cadence a lot to think about.
As the day passed by Cadence couldn’t help but constantly think about what Flash said. The very idea that Shining had been replaced like she was during the wedding was unsettling to her. She needed to know for sure. She summoned Flash back to the throne room and he entered.
“Something I can help you with your highness.”
“Yes, I’ve been thinking about what you said earlier and as much as I don’t want to believe it I need to know for sure if it’s Shining or not. I’m going to use the spell I learned to reveal a changeling and I want you nearby in case the worst should happen.”
“I understand. I’ll go get him.”
“COME ON YOU MAGGOTS I WANT TO SEE SOME SWEAT!” yelled a drill sergeant.
Shining looked on at the recruits as they were put through the wringer. The sergeant finally let them take five and walked over to Shining.
“Ever think you might be too hard on them Sergeant Iron Will.”
“No of course not, new recruits are all the same. They’re like putty, you got mold them early so they harden up the way you want them to.”
“I suppose that’s true. Keep up the good work.”
“Yes sire.”
Just then Flash strode up to him.
“Sire the Princess wanted to discuss something with you.”
“Alright, I was just wrapping things up here anyway.”
Shining and Flash made their way to the throne room.
“So did Cadence say what she needed to talk to me about?”
“She didn’t, only that it was important.”
Shining entered the room and Flash stood guard outside.
“So Cadence what did you want to talk about?”
“Oh Shining you’re here. Just stand there for a sec. There’s something I need to do.”
Cadence lit her horn and fired a blast of magic at him. Shining was shocked, before he could respond Shining was hit and his disguised failed. Cadence was stunned.
Flash was right. “FLASH!”
“Cadence wait! You don’t understand!”
Flash burst into the room and immediately charged Shining. Shining knew they wouldn’t believe him. He needed time to prove he was telling the truth. So he did the only thing he could think of at the moment, run! Shining ran onto the throne room balcony and took to the air with Flash hot on his tail. Guards on the ground saw Flash chasing a changeling and raised the alarm. Flash again being the more experienced flyer quickly closed the gap and tackled Shining. Both had a sense of déjà vu as they struggled against one another, tumbling toward the ground. Shining managed to shake him off moments before they hit the ground, but before he could gain any altitude he was roped by some guards and yanked to the ground. Shining tried to get up but a couple of guards jumped him and held him down.
“No wait it’s me Sh-”
Was all he could say before a hoof to the back of the head knocked him out.
Shining awoke sometime later in the dungeon with shackles around his legs and neck, wings strapped down, and a suppressor on his horn. There were two guards stationed outside his cell.
“Please let me out. It’s me Shining Armor.”
“Right and I’m Princess Celestia.”
Shining didn’t blame them for not believing him, heck he’d probably be in the same boat as them if the roles were reversed. Then Flash entered the room.
“Good he’s awake. Now who are you and what have you done with the Prince?”
“Flash it’s me Shining. Chrysalis turned me into a changeling when I was captured.”
“A likely story. I don’t suppose you have any way of proving that?” Shining just looked at the ground. “Didn’t think so. The sooner you tell us where he is the easier things will be for you.”
“How can I tell you where he is when I am him! Please just let me talk to Cadence.”
“It seems you need some time to think about your situation, I’ll be back tomorrow and hopefully you’ll be in a more cooperative mood.”
Night time rolled around and Shining’s situation hadn’t improved. Then two guards entered the room.
“You two are relieved. We’ll take things from here.”
The old guards left and the new ones took their spots. After a few minutes they made sure the coast was clear, and then got to work. They opened Shining’s cell and began removing his shackles and suppressor. Shining was confused as to what was happening.
“What are you doing?”
“We’re getting you out of here sire.”
“Then you believe me.”
“We do, now hurry.”
Shining didn’t have time to question things and accepted their help. Shining disguised himself as a guard and the three made their way out the palace and through the city without being detected. Once they made it outside the city Shining was thinking about what his next move should be when he got another hoof to the back of the head, knocking him out and dropping his disguise. The two guards dropped their disguises too revealing themselves to be changelings.
“The Queen wishes to have a word with you Metamorphosis.”