Luna tried to skitter away from the group of changelings. The dark but colorful group flowed by, armed with all sorts of tools. Luna tried calming her heart as she stared after the stampede.
"Forgive my children." Luna jumped into flight.
The white changeling in a black and white kimono stood with a pair of young nymphs and a earth filly peering around her flank. Luna almost accused the changeling of pony-napping before she recalled the situation.
The changeling ignored her fright. "They are so eager to repair the outer western tower... Would you join us for tea?"
Luna followed mechanically. The stone gave away to warm woods and plaster walls. The three children raced ahead of the old bug. The hallway reminded her of the home she and her sister had shared before become princesses.
Luna, remembering that she was, asked a question that had been on her tongue. "Why is the Nue not keeping me in a cell?"
The changeling turned, one navy blue eye, one jade on her. Luna resisted the urge to flinch.
"Nue, eh?" The bug laughed to itself. "That question is best given to Uzumaki or Somber, seeing as you fear Nue. Then again, only Nue knows."
The bug's fangs flashed. "Personally, I would have left you in that chamber. So would many of the Coven, filly. You have not endeared your self to us. You're lucky that Nue has a gentle heart."
Luna wanted to protest but the bug gave her the look that only the ancient could muster. Luna's teeth clanked. A tea service was set out with delicious smelling pastries. The children raced by, out the room, and back down the hall, armed with toys.
"Now, I am Ayumi, the Wiseling of Memoria and the Watcher of the Eastern Gate." The changeling reclined in a rocking chair.
"Princess Luna Moonraiser." Luna reluctantly took the seat opposite.
"Have some tea, Princess." Ayumi motioned. "It's quite good. Herbal blend of my own. Mint, clover, and few herbs from Uzumaki's garden. If that colt wasn't such an excellent mage, he'd make a killing in herbs. Has a regular knack for it."
Luna took a tentative sip and nearly lost the cup. It was delicious. Luna also sampled the pastries as well. Both sat in a near companionable silence.
The changeling sipped some tea. "Now, how did you find out about the Coven?"
"A group of ponies in -" Luna slapped a hoof over her mouth and glared.
"Bzz. Bzz. Bzz." The bug laughed. "Don't fight the Truth Bloom, dearie. It'll only upset your stomach."
"You poisoned me!" Luna exclaimed.
The fanged smile creased the bug's muzzle. "Don't be so dramatic."
Luna dropped the tea and fled the room. She crashed into a living wall at an intersection. Nue peered down as Sombra stepped forward. Nue's nose flared for a second.
"Truth Bloom rounds." Luna heard the draconequus rumble with disapproval in the monster's stance.
Sombra's aura lit and lifted her back on her feet. "I told Ayumi to not do anything stupid."
Luna, lost in frustration and anger, tried to strike back at Sombra. The collar roared to life. Magic arched as it was drained into the collar. Her body convulsed. Sombra's aura had quickly been retracted.
Luna panted, her forelegs barely supporting her. Sombra carefully stepped into her line of sight. His horn flashed and she felt a scanning spell wash over her.
"Minor burn. It will heal in a day or so if you don't use magic." Sombra peered from over his glasses before turning to Nue. "I don't think she should be left alone."
"Lexi." Nue stepped up and draped Luna on her back.
"Nue-sama?"
"She is not a child killer." Nue responded.
The monster's gait smoothed out after a moment. Sombra trotted after. Luna could feel ridges of scars on Nue's barrel. The place twisted and turned. Stone faded into plaster and wood and courtyard gardens. A myriad of being went about their business.
Luna couldn't help but stare. All gave the trio a large berth. Memoria's people giving her looks of half-fear made her squirm especially the ponies.
Nue entered into a courtyard. Luna, seeing a sign, couldn't make heads or tail of it. It wasn't the Common Equestrian or even Old Equestrian. The children playing stopped at the sight of the monster.
Luna watched as Nue and Sombra were knee-deep and chest-deep respectively in curious and exited children. Nue had a changeling nymph chittering a mile a minute, hanging off it's nose. Sombra was trotting about with a colt, a cub, and a pup, clinging and laughing.
"Nue-sama, Master Sombra, what brings you to this humble one's Nursery."
Luna recognized the educated Diamond Dog from earlier. The sable dog stood fairly groomed with a newborn pony slung in a pouch.
Nue spoke as Luna was forced off. The children having gone silent peered up at her and whispered.
"Mother Lexi, Luna of Equestria." Nue inclined, its braided mane shifting forward. "Has a run-in with Ayumi."
Lexi rolled her eyes. "Aye, Nue-sama. This one understand."
The dog gave a barking yip and the children surged into the building behind them. A large warm cottage oozing with gentle peace. Once the children left, Lexi turned to Luna.
"This one is named Lexi once of the Garnet Paw, now Den Mother of Memoria and the Caretaker of the Center Gate. Do my children no harm and this one has no complaint of thee. Nue-sama claims thou are not dangerous to the young and I believe."
Luna blinked, unsure if she should be insulted or relieved. Sombra claimed some sort of thing needing his attention and Nue merely rumbled. Both took their leave as Lexi herded her toward the cottage.
Luna wondered briefly before being distracted by ever curious children - what was Nue's intent in all this?