Cicada opened her eyes. She had slept in a little, but the sun was in the sky and she felt wonderful. Lila wasn’t around, so she was probably downstairs. The time was right that she might be finishing up with breakfast, but it was more likely she had already finished.
As she got ready, she remembered that she would need to stop at Rarity’s shop here in Canterlot to get her dress for the party. Hopefully she would get there after the dress was made.
Going downstairs, Cicada found Lila downstairs on a pillow set on one of the chairs. “Hey Lila, what are you up to?”
The phoenix turned her head to look at Cicada. After seeing the changeling, she looked happy and flew over to land on her owner.
I guess we don’t really have anything to do today until the party. I also don’t really want to risk trying to go outside again just yet. Do you have any ideas of what we could do?”
Lila flew over into the kitchen. She took out a box from one of the shelves and put it on the table. As Cicada looked at it, her stomach growled. “That’s right, I should probably have something to eat before I try to do anything else."
The box Lila had gotten out seemed to be a granola cereal with almonds in it. Pouring it in a bowl and taking a few bites, the changeling pushed it away. It was pretty dry and felt rough in her mouth. “It takes good, but I don’t think I could stand a whole bowl of it. Do you have any other ideas?” Cicada asked.
Lila seemed to think a few seconds before flying over to the refrigerator and opening it. She flew in and came out with a small jug of milk. “Oh! What’s this?” Cicada exclaimed as Lila tried to take the cap off.
Seeming the trouble the phoenix was having, Cicada opened it, and after Lila got it through to her that is was for the cereal, the changeling poured some into her bowl. It didn’t take long after that before she finished and asked what they should try next.
Once again, Lila flew off and came back with one of her books. “Ah yeah, I should probably work on that. That’s the whole reason I wanted this place. Let’s see what I can find out about that Crystal Empire place I was reading about last time.
After a while of reading Cicada had finished reading through all the books she had. She tried to grab another book, but when she was met by none, the changeling started to review her notes.
"So far many things have almost matched each other, but none of them match exactly except the names. Even some ponies that exist here don't back home and vice versa." Cicada threw her notes into the air. "I just don't get it! Everything is so different, but there are still things that are the same!”
She started to pace around her room, trying to think of what she could do now to work on her project. When she finally thought she couldn’t come up with an idea Lila flew in to see what she was doing. “Ah! Lila! That’s it!” Cicada grabbed her quill and a scroll and then handed them to Lila. “I’ll talk, you take notes.”
When Lila was ready, Cicada started to talk. “So in the books, there’s a place called the Crystal Empire here. I don’t know if it exists back home, but if it does, we could get ponies to live there. Write that down.” Lila scribbled a note to search for their Crystal Empire. “The princesses here defeated the evil ruler by using the Elements of Harmony, which I found out are our Jewels of Accord. Now please write the following.” Cicada paused to make sure Lila was ready.
“Alright, red equals loyalty equals red. Next line is blue equals laughter equals blue.” Cicada paused until Lila finished that line. “Purple equals generosity equals magenta. Yes, magenta.” She assured Lila when the phoenix looked up. “After that is orange equals honesty equals orange. Then pink equals kindness equals green, and finally is magenta equals magic equals purple.”
When Lila stopped writing, Cicada looked at the paper to make sure it was right. After checking, the queen gave it back and continued. If the the jewels work the same as the elements, we need to find six changelings to activate them, one for each element. We’ll also need to make sure the jewels aren’t away from the tree for too long, but they should be able to last at least a thousand years if not more.”
Cicada and Lila continued until the changeling realized something. “Now somehow Discord exists her but not back home. We might want to find changelings like that. Sort of like… Cadence!”
Cicada quickly started to go through multiple books that mentioned the wedding. Each book gave the same picture of the princess. She quickly grabbed an extra scroll and drew the shape of a normal sized pegasus. Next she drew Cadence’s features before staring at the drawing. The picture looked exactly like one of the ponies she had seen at the castle helping her Twilight.
Cicada quickly started to flip through the books for Cadence’s origin. Only one book gave any sort of hint, but it said she had been found and adopted by an earth pony couple. Other than that, there was nothing in any of the books.
“And yet the ponies of the crystal empire seemed to instantly recognize her…” The changeling mumbled looking at one other book that mentioned the return of the Empire.
Before Cicada could think anymore about it, the timer on the stove went off. “Shoot! I need to go over to the boutique and get my dress from Rarity. Thanks for setting that Lila! Want to come?”
The phoenix seemed unsure at first, turning her head away toward the bed, but it didn’t take long before she agreed and started to follow Cicada. As they left the sheets covering the space under the bed ruffled.
“Rarity! Where are you? I came to pick up the dress you made for me.” Instead of Rarity, Cicada was met by Sassy Saddles.
“I’m sorry dear. Rarity only pops in for a day or two here. But she was able to finish the dress before she left. She actually finished last night since it was a simple, yet beautiful design. If you want, you may come into the back and try it on.”
The queen agreed and went to go try the dress while Lila stayed in the shop area with Sassy. In a few minutes, the changeling waved the two in, to see how it looked.
“I see Rarity has done it again with another wonderful dress. I can’t wait to see you in it again at the gala tonight.”
Cicada smiled at the unicorn. “If you happen to see Rarity again before the party tonight, can you thank her? I’ll still do it myself, but I want her to be thanked as soon as possible.”
“I’ll be sure to do that.” Sassy agreed as Cicada took off the dress and gave it to the unicorn to put safely into a bag until that night.
As Cicada left, she was stopped by a pegasus and her daughter. The filly saw Lila on her way in and said. “Hi again birdy.” Before her mother pulled her away to talk to Sassy.
Cicada was a little confused. Lila was unique enough she couldn't be mistaken for another bird that easily. Looking at Lila, she asked, "Do you know her?"
Lila gave a sheepish nod. "That's fine. Just as long as you're enjoying yourself when you don't come with me. Now come on. If we don't hurry home, we won't have that much time to eat lunch before we need to start heading towards the castle. Besides, it's already going to be a late lunch."
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