____*Ponyville, one week later, Gwen's house, Skitter's POV, 7:32 AM*___
Skitter yawned as she sat up groggily, a small crack in the windows let the sun shine into the room and onto Skitter's face, she shielded her eyes from the light and stood up, the annoying sound of a rooster had awoken the changeling, Skitter had the unforntunate side effect of using her abilities which was not very common, she had extra sensitive hearing and that usually led to waking up around five o'clock, Skitter's horn flared for a brief moment before her disguise engulfed her.
Carapace was replaced by fur, insectoid wings replaced by Pegasus wings, her horn disappeared and hair started to grow in its place, the holes In her legs disappeared one by one until they were all gone, and soon, Skitter the changeling was gone, and in her place was Star the Pegasus.
Star walked to the stairs and headed down, when she reached the bottom, she quickly headed into the kitchen, more beams of sunlight shone into the house as the sun rose, Star sighed and pulled out a bottle of water from the refrigerator, she popped the cap off and took a long chug of it down.
Once she was done, Star headed into the living room and sat down........it worked like this everyday, Star would wake up, she would put on the disguise and head downstairs, she would then grab a water bottle and chug a quarter of it down.
This was another one of the annoying and unforntunate side effects, Star also had to deal with a massive thirst, thankfully this side effect only lasted for a week. "Last day, then I can finally stop." She muttered.
Star chugged some more water down and set the bottle on a nearby table, she heard some footsteps from the stairs and stood up, she saw the basement door open and Fang walk out.
Fang looked at Star and gave a sleepy two finger wave, Star grumbled and ignored the wolf as he walked to the kitchen, she walked over to one of the windows and looked outside, it was actually a rather bleak day, which was rare in Equestria, but Star preferred it, in fact, she liked all kinds of bleak weather, rain, thunder, clouds, heavy winds, you name it.
Star could only grin when she saw a particular wind pass by, one that bobbed and weaved through the clouds with ease, this was Star's favorite wind, she then walked over to the table and grabbed her water, she then chugged the rest of it down and headed to the door.
"I'll be back later!" She called out.
"Alright!" Fang replied from the kitchen.
Star grinned and opened the door, she walked outside and closed the door, she quickly shot up into the air and flew off in no particular direction. "Time for a joy flight." She told herself quietly.
Star flew at high speeds as a course was formed in her mind, with a challenge set for herself she then began to weave around multiple clouds, she never slowed down, not once, not even as she performed a mid air loop to avoid a cloud, she then continued her flight, as she flew, she noticed that there was a familiar stream of magic headed for the library, Star sighed and continued her flight in a less excited manner.
Star knew that the magic was Celestia's, and if Star's suspicions were right.....it would be a letter stating that Star was to be banished or arrested. "Of course it could just be me overreacting....." She pointed out to herself.
Star quickly and silently finished her pictured track, she landed back at the house and walked inside, she looked around the house and noticed that Firefly and Roxanne were now awake.
Star rolled her eyes as Firefly pestered Fang.....something about bricks?
Roxanne was currently sitting down on one of the chairs reading a book, Star walked to the stairs and walked up. 'This is one messed up house.' She stated mentally.
Star walked up the stairs and towards her room, she could hear some thuds coming from Gwen's room, so she was awake now, Star walked to her room and opened the door, she walked inside and closed the door.
Once inside, Star walked over to her bed and plopped down, she laid back and stared at the ceiling, out of old habits, she searched her mind for the hive mind, but was greeted only by silence.
Star sighed and her disguise disappeared, she was now back to being Skitter, it didn't even take a second for the disguise to disappear, she then stared at the blank ceiling with a thoughtful look, she thought back to the time in Jandoka's temple, and the time that she fought Vulture and the twins with the others, she shivered at the thought of it.
Skitter didn't admit it to anyone, but she had nightmares of that day, in these nightmares, Vulture would either rip out her horn, or he would painfully remove her wings while the twins watched, and sometimes, she would be forced to watch Emerald and everyone else die around her while Vulture laughed.
Either way, Skitter was forced to bare hours upon hours of torment, which made her wonder. 'Doesn't Luna watch over dreams?.....if so, where is she?' She asked herself.
"Unless of course, she either WONT help me, or Celestia has forbidden her from helping me, or it's because I'm a changeling........damn racist ponies." She complained silently.
After a few more minutes, Skitter heard a knock at the door, she sighed and looked over. "Come in." She said.
The door opened to reveal Spark slowly walking in. "Um, dad wanted me to tell you that breakfast is done." He said nervously.
Skitter nodded and sat up as Spark walked out of the room and closed the door, she stood up and walked to the door, she raised a hoof to open it but hesitated. 'Is this what I've lowered myself to?......a pathetic paranoid mare that's afraid of a pony princess and her band of morons?......ugh, what happened to me?' She asked herself.
Skitter sighed and opened the door, she walked out and headed downstairs. 'I DEFINITELY need something to do......even if it's a damn invasion!' She complained.
When Skitter walked into the kitchen, she saw everyone sitting at the table eating, she rolled her eyes and joined them. 'Guess I'm not so lucky.'
_____*the next day,, 2:13 PM, Ponyville train station.*_____
Skitter groaned as she leaned back against the wall of the train station, she was here with Roxanne, Applejack, Fluttershy and Dark, she currently was not in disguise.....if only to piss off the manager and populace.
They were waiting on Twilight to get back from a meeting in Canterlot with Celestia, Skitter could care less what it was about but she needed some excitement, even if it was minimal.
After about twenty more minutes of waiting and the small group talking amongst themselves, the train rolled in.
Skitter sighed in relief as the train slowed down. 'Its about time, it was getting to be an awkward five minutes......Applejack is not very good at conversation anyway.' She mused.
The train slowed to a stop at the station, the group of five waited for Twilight to exit the train and soon the train doors opened.
A good amount of ponies exited the train and soon enough, a familiar unicorn walked out of the train, Applejack walked over and welcomed Twilight back to Ponyville.
Skitter grumbled as Twilight and Applejack walked back over. "Welcome back magic girl, how was your morning?" She said in a teasing voice.
Twilight herself did not look very good, her mane had a good amount of stray hairs, her tail was the same way, her fur seemed to be sticking out, and her eyes showed severe signs of stress and her pupils were noticeably dilated.
"Could have been better Skitter......it's good to see you out and about." She replied calmly.
Skitter shrugged and looked around the platform, she received some nasty glares from new arrivals and the rest. "Yea......although it would be nice if I didn't receive glares of death everywhere I go.......but I guess that it beats getting locked up like an animal." She commented.
Skitter then looked at Twilight. "Twilight......did you get any sleep at all last night?" She asked.
Twilight chuckled and shook her head, she rubbed her eyes and yawned. "No actually......I've been very stressed." She replied.
Skitter nodded and walked away from the wall. "Well, I don't blame you, it's not everyday that Celestia randomly decides to summon you." She said plainly.
Twilight grumbled about something that clearly had to do with Skitter and speech patterns. "Alright.....well, I need to head home, hey uh, Applejack." She said.
The mare in question looked at Twilight. "Yea?"
"Could you get the others to meet up at the library later......I need to get some rest." She replied.
Applejack nodded and Twilight thank her, with that the group split off to go about their business.
As Skitter walked off a thought popped in her head. 'This could be what I've been needing......guess we'll find out.'
____*three hours later, Golden Oaks Library, 5:35 PM*____
Skitter sighed as she waited for Twilight, she looked around the room and at everyone here, there was Fang and Roxanne, Dark and the other five Element of harmony were here as well.
Eventually, Twilight walked down the stairs and into the main room, her horn lit up and the windows and door closed and locked themselves, the curtains and blinds shut and soon the inside of the library was sealed.
Skitter watched as Twilight started to pace, she began to wonder if this is what Gwen had to deal with all the time. "Alright, thank you all for coming." Twilight said hurriedly.
"Now then, the reason we are here." Twilight continued, her horn lit up again and an image projected itself at the middle of the room.
The image was that of a shining crystal city, the city itself was bigger then Manehatten or Las Pegasus easily, Twilight stated that the name of the massive city was the Crystal empire, and then she continued.
"Now, one thousand years ago, the city vanished......but now it has returned, Shining Armor and Cadence have already traveled there to investigate, Princess Celestia has asked us to go there and assist." Twilight finished as the image vanished.
Skitter chuckled and shook her head. "I can tell you this Twilight, I am NOT going if that fanatic is there." She stated firmly.
Twilight raised an eyebrow and thought on it a moment, when she realized who Skitter was referring to, she sighed. "Skitter, I don't blame my brother for what he's done." She countered.
Skitter chuckled. "Fine, but unless i change my mind, you can have this dance." She replied firmly.
After that, the group had a long discussion that lasted about twenty minutes and eventually, the only ones who did not decide were Dark and Skitter.
Twilight talked to Dark for about two minutes, it was decided that Dark would go along.
And then all eyes turned on Skitter, who simply sighed and banged her head against the wall. "Damnit........guess I've got no choice, fine!" She replied with annoyance.
Twilight smiled thankfully and looked back at the group. "Alright, a train will be here tomorrow at noon, so be sure to get ready." She said.
Skitter groaned and banged her head against the wall again. "Something tells me that I'm going to regret this." She mumbled.
____*the next day, Ponyville train station, 11:47 AM*____
Skitter was once again waiting at the train station, the only ones who weren't here was Fang and Roxanne, they were currently back home making sure that Spark and Firefly were going to be fine for a few days.
Twilight was currently discussing something with the conductor of their train, Gwen was talking to Fluttershy and Applejack about something that she couldn't make out.
Dark was leaning against a wall near Skitter in relative silence, Rarity however was left alone with Pinkie, who wanted to talk about new recipes for cupcakes or something.
Eventually however, Fang and Roxanne walked onto the platform and the group soon boarded the train, it was a private train that was occupied only by those going to the Crystal empire.
As everyone got seated, Skitter found an unoccupied area of the train and sat down, she looked out the window and sighed. 'Yep, big mistake.' She told herself.
When the train departed, Skitter was positive that this was possibly one of the biggest mistakes of her life, her solitude however, came to an end when she heard some rustling behind her, she shot up and looked around.
Seeing nothing, she quickly used her ability, she growled and narrowed her search to the train itself, seeing nothing out of the ordinary in the front of the train, she searched the back of the train and soon found two small figures hiding in the back, she slowly made her way to the two figures and soon found them hiding amongst the luggage, her horn lit up and the luggage separated and soon the figures were revealed.
"What the?.....Spark, Firefly!" She said in shock.
The two kids in question quickly shushed Skitter, they quietly walked out of the cubbyhole and they stood on the other side of Skitter. "Please don't tell mom we're here!" Firefly pleaded quietly in Changish.
"Firefly made me." Spark said plainly in the same language.
Firefly shushed Spark and looked at Skitter. "Pleease!?" She pleaded.
Skitter sighed and rubbed her eyes. "Fine, but I'm not taking the blame." She warned.
Firefly seemed to light up after that, she remained quiet however and proceeded to find another place to hide.
Spark sighed and followed Firefly calmly. "This should be interesting." He grumbled.
Skitter blinked. 'The only real difference between that boy and his father is species, if he was a wolf it would be like watching a miniature version of Fang.' She grumbled.
Skitter then took her seat and waited on the train, it was supposed to be a quick train ride but she began to doubt that.
_____*the next day, Crystal empire transit, 12:21 PM*_____
Skitter groaned and opened her eyes, the ride over had been annoying, as the mares in the next cabin fought over who got the window, it was completely stupid but Skitter didn't have the energy to shut them up.
When the train arrived everyone on the train got off and was greeted by a blizzard, Skitter rolled her eyes as some of the others shivered. "How are you guys cold?.....its just a blizzard." She teased.
Twilight gave Skitter an annoyed look but said nothing as she shivered. "How are YOU not cold?" She asked.
Skitter grinned and walked off. "It's a changeling trait, deal with it." She teased.
The group then followed Skitter who calmly walked through the blizzard, Skitter looked behind her and noticed that there was two blurred figures on her back, she returned her attention to the path in front of her. "You guys ok?" She asked quietly in Changish.
"Yea......a little cold but I'm ok." Replied Firefly.
"I could keep you warm but we would be found out." Spark pointed out.
Skitter cleared her throat and got the attention of the two kids. "Just keep quiet, you know that your going to be discovered soon enough anyway." She stated.
"Ok." Spark said.
After a few more minutes walking, the group came across a white unicorn stallion that had strange crystals along his horn, Twilight identified him as Shining Armor.
Twilight walked past Skitter and looked at her. "Let me do the talking." She ordered.
Skitter chuckled and nodded. "Just don't get me shot." She replied.
Twilight and the group walked over to Shining Armor who walked over. "Hey Twilight, it's good to see you." He said in a slightly happy mood.
"Good to see you to BBBFF." Twilight replied happily.
Shining Armor looked behind Twilight and saw the other five mares, along with one mare with cybernetics, and two large creatures that resembled a fox and wolf, but when he saw Skitter his expression instantly turned to one of rage. "Twilight.....what is that.....thing doing here!?" He asked angrily.
"Oh stuff it crystal brain." Skitter responded crudely.
Shining Armor opened his mouth to respond but was cut off as Fang stepped in. "I'd hate to interrupt......but we should probably get out of this blizzard and away from THAT." He said while pointing to a massive wall of shadows.
Shining Armor's eyes widened and he started backing up. "Run......RUN!" He shouted as he ran off.
Skitter ran after Twilight who followed Shining Armor, everyone else then started running, Rarity and Pinkie even went so far as to scream, Rarity because she was scared, and Pinkie because she could.
After a while of running from the massive wall of shadow, Skitter had looked back and saw the front half of a pitch black unicorn stallion with a crown and sharpened teeth, he seemed to be quite angry but Skitter simply chuckled and continued running. "This is fun!" She shouted.
"What!?" All the mares shouted in disbelief.
_____*two minutes later, the Crystal empire.*_____
Skitter and the group soon came in sight of the Crystal empire, they noticed that it was inside a massive magical dome, Shining Armor and Twilight were the first inside, followed by Fang and the rest.
Skitter quickly did a head count and once she was certain that they didn't miss anyone she walked towards the barrier......only to be repelled and sent flying five feet, she could feel Spark and Firefly holding on but she was more concerned with the taunting barrier.
"What the hell Armor!?" She shouted as she stood up and walked to the dome.
"No changelings allowed." Shining Armor stated flatly.
Skitter looked back and saw the wall of shadows closing in rapidly. "Shining.....let me in.......hurry up!" She said in a panicked tone.
Skitter's plea fell on deaf ears as Shining watched the wall come closer, he could faintly hear Twilight and the others words as he watched blankly.
Skitter waited for a few seconds before she sighed, she looked to her back and saw the blurred figures looking at the wall in fear, she shook her head and lit her horn, her magic enveloped the two figures and she levitated them inside, she saw the shocked stares from her friends but her gaze looked onto Shining Armor. "I'll remember this you asshole." She stated calmly as she looked at the enroaching shadows.
It took only a blink......Fang sighed and he blinked as the world slowed down, he then walked over to Twilight and whispered a rushed plan, she had hesitantly agreed, after that, Fang walked out of the dome and grabbed Skitter.
"Don't you dare kick me in the balls....." Fang told the changeling.
Twilight's horn lit up and she fired a small magic stream at the dome and a small hole opened up, Fang used this opening and dove through the barrier, Skitter braced herself to be flung again but it never happened, instead, she felt a thud and she looked at the dome, she saw that the wall of shadows was now on the other side of the dome.
Fang let Skitter go and stood up, Skitter rolled on the ground and sighed in relief. "That was intense." She commented.
Shining Armor blinked and saw that the wall of shadows stopped advancing, he sighed in relief and looked back at the group, he then noticed Skitter laying back on the ground with a grin. "How did you get in here!?" He snapped.
Skitter was soon engulfed in flames and she took Fang's form, she then raised a hand and clinched it into a fist, she then extended her middle finger for a brief second before returning to her original form. "In other words......fuck you Armor." She cursed.
Fang gave Shining Armor a stern glare. "Now that we have a moment, I'm going to tell you this one time, if you ever leave one of my friends out to die again......i will kill you myself." He warned as he picked up Spark and walked towards the empire.
Skitter quickly got back up and followed Fang. "......I'm with him." She said simply.
The rest of the group followed Fang and Skitter, soon it was only Roxanne and Firefly, Twilight, Shining Armor and Gwen. "I thought you were a cool guy Shining, but that was wrong on so many levels." Gwen said coldly as she walked off.
Roxanne grabbed Firefly and followed Gwen. "Who's next?" She wondered.
Shining Armor looked at Twilight and sighed. "Looks like that changeling has a lot of friends huh?" He said blankly.
Twilight nodded. "Give her a chance Shining, she's not so bad......a little annoying now and then but a good friend nonetheless." She said before following everyone else.
Shining looked out to the cold plains of the empire and sighed, he walked away from the barrier and towards the group.
"Looks like I screwed it up big time........typical." He grumbled.