Years ago...
A younger Wizel was entertaining a trio of lovely lady Changelings in his home, glasses of berry juice for each set on a table, as they all sat on his couch together. Ever since Wizel had lost Hazel, he had thought that he would never be able to enjoy the company of another mareling ever again, and even swore to himself that he wouldn't replace Hazel with another mare for as long as he lived...
However, in the many years that followed her death, Wizel found that spending the rest of eternity of never sharing companies with mares was a fate worse than death. So he decided to compromise, and so, he had began having one night stands with several Changeling females throughout the hives. While it took him a bit to get used to mating with random marelings instead of his own wife (their love life was practically divine), Wizel began to feel a rush in doing so. It was wild, racy, and no strings attached. He never failed to convince a mareling to go to bed with him, despite his rather old age, and he never failed to satisfy each and every one of them. In fact, some of the times, he manages to convince several mares to spend the night with him. He had practically become the Hugh Hoofner of the hive, earning the adoration of mares everywhere and the envy and respect of his fellow malelings.
And that was exactly how Wizel liked it. With this lifestyle, he wouldn't have to risk his heart again, and so, he can settle for short relationships with no commitments or obligations. It was just fun, and nothing else.
"I trust you're all having a good time, girls?" He smiled.
"Very good." The first female grinned.
"You sure know how to treat the ladies." The second female chuckled.
"A wonderful bunch of gals like you deserve only the very best." Wizel declared.
"Ooh, Wizel..." The third female giggled.
"Now, what do you say we get... better acquainted?" Wizel grinned.
"With pleasure..." The nurse purred.
Wizel pulled the females closer. But then, the young Sazh entered the room.
"Wizel?" He asked plaintively.
"Y-yes, what is it?" Wizel asked, as he reluctantly pulled away from the girls.
"I had a nightmare." Sazh sniffed.
"Ohh, poor thing." The first female sympathised.
"Um, Wizel...why do you have girls here?" Sazh asked.
"Oh, we're just... talking." Wizel fibbed.
"Hey, aren't you one of the nurses at the hatchery?" Sazh asked the first female.
"Why, yes I am." She nodded.
"Is Wizel trying to get me a little brother or sister?" Sazh asked.
"Not exactly." Wizel cringed. "Now, what's this about a nightmare?"
"I dreamt that I was... drowning." Sazh sniffled.
"Now, now." Wizel comforted him. "Dreams may be scary sometimes, but they can't hurt you. And I will always keep you safe, little one."
"Thanks, Wizel." Sazh smiled.
"My pleasure." Wizel grinned.
"Ohhh!" The second female cooed.
"You're so good with the little mite!" The third female squeed.
"Now, let's get you back to bed." Wizel declared.
"Will you... stay with me?" Sazh asked. "I don't know if I can get back to sleep on my own."
"...Of course." Wizel nodded. He turned to the mares. "My apologies, ladies, but I have to take care of him. Why don't you three wait in my bedroom? I will be you all shortly."
"That's okay." The first female smiled.
"We understand." The second added.
"We'll be waiting." The third grinned, "We hope we can see you again, cutie."
"Thanks." Sazh blushed.
As Wizel led Sazh away, the marelings moved to his bedroom, eagerly awaiting his return.
In Sazh's room, Wizel tucked him into his bed of moss.
"Now, you just lie back and relax." He urged. "I'm right here, and I'll keep you safe."
"Thanks, WIzel." Sazh smiled.
"My pleasure, dear boy." Wizel patted him on the head. "Now, shut those tired eyes, and sleep. And remember, those bad dreams can't hurt you."
"Especially when you're with me." Sazh grinned, as his eyes closed.
"Atta boy." Wizel whispered.
In moments, Sazh had drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
"Sweet dreams, my boy." Wizel whispered, as he tiptoed out of the room. "As for me, my night's not quite over yet..."
Wizel sauntered over to his own bedroom, ready to finish his business with his three lovely guests...
The present...
At the moment, Wizel and Sazh were standing on the balcony of the tower, looking out onto the hive, and enjoying the peace.
"Beautiful day, huh?" Sazh smiled.
"Practically perfect." Wizel nodded. "After everything this hive has been through, it's good to know we can still have days like this."
"No kidding." Sazh nodded. "It's nice to just be able to kick back and relax."
"I couldn't have put it better myself, old friend." Wizel nodded. "Just look at that blue sky..."
As Wizel looked upwards, he saw a local delivery Pegasus making his rounds.
"Oh, is that the time?" He suddenly declared. "I must dash. Have an important matter to attend to."
"What kind of matter?" Sazh asked.
"A... meeting." Wizel answered.
"A 'meeting', huh?" Sazh asked. "With who? Must really be important to make you jangled..."
"I'm afraid that's confidential." Wizel said quickly. "Must dash!"
Wizel rushed off.
"This again?" Sazh sighed. "Where do you keep rushing off to, Wizel? You can't keep your business 'confidential' forever..."
Sazh left the balcony and went to find Char. The soldier was in the training grounds, putting some rookies through his paces.
"That'zzz it!" He yelled, as the rookies jogged around the course. "Pick up the pace! No room for zzzlackerzzz around here!"
Sazh rolled his eyes. Char had a tendency for driving rookies to the brink of exhaustion. He never accepted anything less than one hundred percent.
"Hey, Char." Sazh smiled as he approached. "How's the training coming?"
"It hazzz it'zzz upzzz and downzzz." Char shrugged. "Thezzze kidzzz have potential, but zzzome are lacking in dizzzcipline. Juzzzt thizzz morning, I caught one reading a magazine about thizzz zzzinger who'zzz performing over in Fillydelphia. Zzzapphire zzzomething."
"You can't blame them for having interests." Sazh shrugged. "...Anyway, can you take five? I need to talk with you... alone."
"May azzz well." Char sighed. "The rookiezzz look to be about at their limit." He called to the rookies, who were near exhaustion. "That'll do for today, you wimpzzz!"
"Yay..." The rookies groaned.
"Rezzzt up... becauzzze you'll be working twice azzz hard tomorrow!" Char yelled.
"Aw..." The rookies groaned.
Sazh led Char to an isolated corner of the hive.
"Zzzo, what'zzz the big deal?" Char asked.
"Have you noticed how Wizel's been leaving every so often?" He inquired. "It's been happening for a while now."
"Well, I wazzz in prizzzon until recently..." Char joked. "...But now that you mention it, he hazzz been disappearing a lot lately..."
"Yeah, this happens like every few months. One moment, Wizel is busy doing normal things, another, he just up and leaves, without telling of any of us where he's going." Sazh declared. "He can be gone for anywhere between one day and a whole week, then he just comes back with no explanation for where he's been. He has been doing this for the past five years..."
"Um, it hazzz been longer than five yearzzz." Char declared, "Even before Zzzleight, Wizel hazzz alwayzzz gone off doing zzzomething."
"And you didn't think to ask him where he was going?" Sazh frowned.
"Unlike you, I rezzzpect Wizel's privacy." Char growled, "It'zzz no buzzzinezzzzzz of mine where he goezzz in his free time."
"But what about when he comes back?" Sazh asked. "He wanders around, acting like he doesn't have a care in the world. Almost like some great weight has been lifted."
"That izzz zzztrange..." Char admitted. "But I'm zzzure there'zzz a zzzimple explanation. Perhapzzz he juzzzt wantzzz zzzome alone time."
"Or maybe he's in some kind of trouble." Sazh said worriedly.
"Trouble?" Char repeated.
"Yeah." Sazh nodded. "Like maybe he's being blackmailed, and this disappearing act of his is so he can pay off whoever's doing it."
"You really think zzzo?" Char asked. "I highly doubt Wizel would let himzzzelf be manipulated like that."
"I bet it might have something to do with that mob Wizel and Carapace is a part of." Sazh frowned.
"There's only one way to find out." Sazh declared. "Carapace is visiting his brother for the week. Let's ask him."
Carapace was residing in a small hut over in the west, with his brother, Mandible. Carapace was the one opened the door when Sazh knocked.
"Hello." Carapace declared. "What brings you two here?"
"We need to ask you a little something about your profession." Sazh declared.
"Namely, hazzz Wizel been called in to work for thozzze Napoleonzzz recently?" Char inquired.
"Not really." Carapace declared. "The brothers haven't called Wizel in for months."
"Here he goes, talking about work again..." Mandible sighed.
"Sorry, bro." Carapace apologised.
"You're sure about that?" Sazh urged. "Absolutely sure."
"Yes." Carapace nodded. "Trust me, I'd know if Wizel had been called in. He's the one who helped me get in, remember?"
"...I see." Sazh nodded. "Thanks, anyway."
"No problem." Carapace shrugged.
As they left the dwelling, Sazh was pondering things.
"If it's not work for the Napoleons, then maybe WIzel really is in some kind of trouble." He mused.
"I doubt it." Char declared. "That old fellow'zzz pretty tough, remember? He can deal with any kind of trouble."
"But how can we know for sure?" Sazh asked. "I say we follow him the next he trots away, and find out for ourselves."
"Muzzzt we?" Char asked. "After all, you're zzzaying we zzzhould zzztick our mandiblezzz into Wizel'zzz private buzzzinezzzzzz bazzzed on a hunch."
"But we have to." Sazh declared. "If for nothing else, than for the sake of making sure he's safe. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't be able to live with myself knowing that Wizel was in trouble, and I could have helped him, but didn't. Would you?"
"...Okay, I'm in." Char nodded. "But only becauzzze I care about Wizel."
"Good." Sazh nodded. "Since he's already left, we have to wait until he comes back, then takes off again. It's happened a couple of times before, so we might not have to wait too long."
Sazh was right; Wizel returned the next morning.
"So, how was your... meeting?" Sazh asked.
"It was very... productive." Wizel declared.
"Izzz there anything elzzze you'd like to zzzay about it?" Char inquired.
"Only that it's private." Wizel retorted. "And I'll thank you not to pry."
Wizel went back into the tower.
"You see?" Sazh turned to Char. "Something's not right here."
"Yezzz." Char nodded. "Thizzz doezzz indeed warrant invezzztigation..."
For the next couple of days, Sazh and Char kept a close eye on Wizel, not wanting to miss him slipping away again. On the third day, while they were having lunch together, Wizel took note of the position of the sun.
"I hate to cut this repast short, but I must depart." Wizel declared.
"Another meeting, right?" Sazh asked.
"Correct." Wizel nodded. "I'll be back soon, don't you worry."
"If you zzzay zzzo." Char said nonchalantly.
After Wizel left the room, Sazh and Char waited a few moments, then followed him.
As Wizel marched down the path leaving the hive, he changed form, taking on the shape of a green-coated Unicorn.
"Note the disguise." Sazh whispered. "Wherever he's going, he feels the need to disguise himself."
"Zzzo it would zzzeem." Char nodded. "Maybe hizzz dezzztination izzzn't big on Changelingzzz..."
As Wizel reached a small village, he suddenly changed form again, becoming a Pegasus.
"What the...?" Sazh frowned, confused by the new development.
"Why izzz he changing form again?" Char pondered. "What'zzz the point in that?"
"You don't he knows we're following him, do you?" Sazh frowned. "He may be changing form to throw us off."
"I don't believe that izzz the cazzze." Char declared. "There'd be zzzome kind of tell that zzzuggezzzted he knew. A zzzudden zzztop, or a glance behind him. No, thizzz izzz zzzomething elzzze."
"But what?" Sazh asked.
As they continued following Wizel, they saw him board a tram. Taking to the air they followed the tram to its destination: Fillydelphia.
"The big city..." Sazh mused. "But what's brought Wizel here?"
"Hopefully, we'll find out zzzoon." Char mused.
Not long after disembarking from the tram, Wizel changed form once again, becoming a tawny feathered Griffon.
"Again?" Sazh frowned.
"At leazzzt he'zzz branching out more." Char joked.
Leaving the tram station, Wizel took on the form of a Buffalo. As Sazh and Wizel followed, they passed a poster promoting Sapphire Shores' latest concert.
"Her again..." Char rolled his eyes. "Zzzhe's everywhere thizzz week."
"Come on." Sazh urged. "We don't want to lose him!"
"I'm coming, I'm coming..." Char said irritably.
As they followed Wizel through the streets, they saw a large, fancy hotel, The Bitz.
As Wizel neared the hotel, he changed form once again, becoming a tan, middle-aged Earth Pony stallion with a gray mane and a Cutie Mark of a fox with silver fur.
"A hotel?" Sazh frowned.
"I knew it." Char smirked. "He izzz juzzzt here to relax."
"No harm in making sure, though." Sazh declared. "Come on."
"Fine..." Char sighed. "We've come this far, right?"
Taking on the appearance of two maids, Sazh and Char followed Wizel after he checked in, tracking him up to one of the highest floors. Wizel made his way to a door, and knocked on it. As Sazh and Char watched, the door opened, and he slipped in. Immediately after, he placed a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door.
"Okay, this is it." Sazh declared, "Whatever Wizel is up to, the answer is right behind this door. Let's go in..."
"Hold on a moment..." Char held up a hoof. "Maybe we zzzhouldn't be doing thizzz."
"What are you talking about?" Sazh asked.
"Look around." Char pointed out the high quality decor. "Doezzz it really zzzeem like Wizel is in trouble? If he'zzz being blackmailed, then why izzz he coming here of all placezzz? Perhapzzz he really izzz juzzzt taking zzzome perzzzonal time, and we zzzhouldn't intrude upon him..."
"But what of he's in trouble?" Sazh urged.
"What kind of trouble could happen here?" Char demanded. "I know you feel like zzzomething'zzz wrong, but you need to zzzee that Wizel izzz in no danger! He'zzz juzzzt taking a break, that'zzz all."
"But why wouldn't he tell us?" Sazh asked.
"Probably becauzzze he didn't want to dizzzturbed." Char answered. "If that'zzz true, then we zzzhouldn't defy hizzz wizzzhezzz. We zzzhould juzzzt let him be."
"Maybe you're right..." Sazh admitted, unable to deny the evidence. "Maybe I was just being paranoid, and worrying over nothing..."
"Wouldn't be the firzzzt time." Char rolled his eyes.
"Real funny." Sazh snorted. "Like you've never made a mistake."
"Maybe one or two." Char shrugged.
"Yeah, hundred." Sazh joked.
Suddenly, they heard a mare's scream, coming from behind the door.
"What the buck?!" Sazh gasped. "Wizel must in trouble!"
"Crap! Zzztand back!" Char yelled.
With one swift kick, Char broke down the door, and the pair rushed inside the room. They girded themselves for any manner of horrible sight... but saw something far worse.
The pop star diva, Sapphire Shores, was lying on the bed, shifting back and forth in a most provocative way...which soon stopped when she noticed the two changelings.
"What the-?" She gaped, "Who are you two?!"
The twoCchangelings were just as shocked.
"Sapphire Shores/Zzzapphire Zzzhorezzz?" Sazh and Char gaped at once.
"What the heck are you doing-" Sazh followed up when something shifted in the blanket coveirng Sapphire.
Suddenly, Wizel's stallion form poked out, his face caught in a deep blush.
"Sapphire, what's wrong? You suddenly went-" Wizel stopped... as he then gazed at Sazh and Char, whose faces went from shocked to downright mortified, realizing what they just broke in on.
"AGH! My eyezzz! It burnzzz!" Char cried out as he covered his eyes.
"Oh Faust..." Sazh gasped.
"Sazh, Char, what in the motherbucking Tartarus are you two doing here?!" Wizel suddenly rolled off Sapphire, trying to cover him and her.
"What are we doing here?!" Sazh yelled. "What are you doing here... with international pop sensation and singing legend Sapphire Shores?"
"What does it look like?" Wizel said indignantly, "Did you not see the 'Do Not Disturb' sign?"
"Oh, so that is what that sign is for?" Sazh asked, "I thought it meant you wanted some alone time."
"Exactly." Wizel glared as he gestured Sapphire. "What do you think this is?!"
"It lookzzz like you're zzzcrewing thizzz mare." Char said flatly... as his eyes were now bloodshot.
"That's right." Wizel nodded. "And we'd like a little privacy please..."
"Um, excuse me, but just who are these guys?" Sapphire asked.
"Oh, ah... these are the 'boys' I told you about." Wizel said awkwardly. "Sapphire Shores, meet Sazh and Char. Boys, meet Sapphire. She's my, er... paramour."
"I wish I could say it's a pleasure." Sapphire said huffily.
"Zzzo thizzz izzz the reason you've been zzzneaking away?" Char frowned. "For zzzome booty callzzz?"
"In other words, yes." Wizel nodded.
"But why all the zzzecrecy?" Char asked.
"Why do you think? Sapphire here is quite the famous pony in all of Equestria." Wizel explained, "She's always in the public eye. And as you know, I prefer not to call attention to myself. So we've been meeting in secret, and I've been taking measures to ensure I wasn't followed, even in my disguised forms."
"That explainzzz all the different dizzzguizzzezzz..." Char admitted.
"Exactly." Wizel nodded. "I believed anypony on my tail couldn't follow somepony who practically vanished moments ago... I should've known it wouldn't work on fellow Changelings."
"Zzzorry about thizzz, old friend." Char apologised. "We thought you might be in zzzome kind of trouble."
"Quite the opposite, actually." Wizel put a hoof around Sapphire. "I was just having some fun with a special lady."
"Thanks, Wizzy." Sapphire grinned.
"Well, it'zzz a better reazzzon than being blackmailed." Char shrugged. "Eh, Zzzazh?"
Unlike Char, Sazh wasn't relieved at all. Instead, he was angry.
"Um, Zzzazh?" Char nudged Sazh.
"What the Tartarus?!" Sazh snarled. "How the buck could you keep this from us?! From me?!"
"Excuse me?" Wizel rounded on him. "Who I spend my private time with is no concern of yours. If anything, I should be mad at you both for intruding!"
"Oh, excuse me for caring about your well-being!" Sazh yelled, "Instead, you had been keeping this from both of us, especially me! Why would you not tell me?!"
"Look, Sazh..." Wizel started.
"I don't want to hear it!" Sazh yelled, storming out of the room.
"Sazh, wait!" Wizel rushed after him.
With that, it was just Char and Sapphire, alone in the room.
"Hey." Sapphire nodded.
"Hey." Char said awkwardly.
Sapphire glanced up and down at Char's body and gave a wry grin.
"Well, Wizel was right... you do look like Kalvin Klop." She smirked.
"Who?" Char asked.
"He's a male model." Sapphire explained. "A very attractive one... And you look as well-sculpted as he does."
"Um... thankzzz?" Char cringed.
"In a buggy, hard-shelled kind of way..." Sapphire grinned.
"...Excuzzze me." Char edged out of the room. "I have to make zzzure everything'zzz okay with my friendzzz..."
"You do that..." Sapphire chuckled.
Sazh marched out of the hotel, heedless of the stares from the surprised guests. He pushed the doors open roughly, and stomped down the streets.
"Sazh, stop!" Wizel came out after him.
"What did I just say?" Sazh spat. "Whatever you're going to say, I don't want to hear it."
"I never meant to deceive you." Wizel declared.
"Seriously?" Sazh spat. "You lied to me!"
"I never lied." Wizel insisted. "I just... withheld portions of the truth."
"Which is pretty much the same thing." Sazh said petulantly.
"Hey... hold up!" Char emerged onto the streets, rushing to join them. "Ah, there you are..." He wheezed, exhausted by the running. "Zzzazh, don't you think you're overreacting juzzzt a tiny bit?"
"No, I don't." Sazh snarled. "In fact, I think you're underreacting. We both trusted Wizel, and I thought he trusted us back. Clearly, I was wrong, considering he kept his little liaisons with Ms. Shores under wraps for so long."
"I wasn't aware I had to tell you everything about my personal life." Wizel scowled.
"What'zzz the big deal?" Char asked. "Zzzo Wizel izzz dating a pony. It'zzz not like that'zzz zzzuch zzzhocker nowadays."
"It's not that he's dating Sapphire. He could be porking a skunk and I could care less!" Sazh declared. "It's that he saw fit to keep it from us."
"I'm sorry if you feel betrayed, but I felt it was best to keep it quiet." Wizel remarked.
"But why? Don't you trust us?" Sazh asked.
"...Of course I do." Wizel sighed, "But this secret wasn't just for me... it was more for Sapphire's benefit than anything. The mare values her privacy deeply."
"How did you two even meet, anyway?" Sazh asked. "I mean... for as long as I could remember, you were always happy sleeping around with all the marelings."
"Yeah, you were living the dream, old friend." Char added.
"Yeah...were..." Wizel reflected. "You see, it all started shortly when Sazh was only a young teenager. I will not lie, I did enjoy all the mating and tomfoolery I had with all the other Changelings. Small ones, big ones, ones with male parts (don't want to go into that), and it was as if things were finally going back to normal, just before I met Hazel... but then, I realized, Hazel's absence left a hole so big that no amount of sex would ever fill."
"I guess it would..." Sazh noted.
"She left a hole in my life too." Char admitted.
"As the years went by, I had started to grow tired of all the mating and all the physical pleasuring. I simply wanted what I once had with Hazel: a mare to love and love me in return." Wizel declared. "But after all the laying around I did, I felt that I could never find that kind of special lady ever again... so I fell into a bit of a depression. It wasn't till twenty years ago that I had heard of a concert being held by Sapphire Shores in the next country over. So I figured I could forget my troubles by going there... so, I went in disguise..."
Flashback...
Wizel, disguised as a tangello coated Pegasus with a blue mane and a leaf Cutie Mark, was amongst the crowd of fans who had come to listen to their musical idol.
'So many ponies.' He mused. 'This Sapphire Shores must quite a singer, to have amassed such a legion of fans...'
As the lights on the stage went up, Sapphire, clad in a glittering golden outfit, emerged from behind the curtain.
"Hello, everypony!" She declared, to great applause.
'My, she's quite a looker.' Wizel admitted. 'By pony standards, at least...'
"I'd like to start things off with an old favorite of me." Sapphire announced. "And I hope it's your favorite, too!"
As the lights dimmed, a spotlight fell on Sapphire, and she began singing.
Waves crashing on the shores of love
Driven by the moon above
The waves, they never end
Like my love, my friend
Wizel was entranced. He had never heard such a beautiful, melodious voice before. She was like a siren, ensnaring his heart...
'By the hives of old... I'm in love.' He realised.
As Sapphire sang the last line of her song, the crowd applauded louder than ever, with Wizel among them.
'I must meet her.' He thought. 'I must...'
After the concert was over, Wizel slipped backstage, struck by the urge to meet Sapphire in pony. In order to avoid the security, he posed as one who had just entered the bathroom, slipping past the others. Once that was done, he reverted back to his original disguise. Looking around, he saw a door with a star on it, Sapphire's name written within.
"Okay, here goes nothing..." He said aloud.
Wizel opened the door, finding Sapphire within.
"Um... hello?" Wizel addressed.
Sapphire jolted up when she glanced back to see the stallion.
"What the-who are you?" Sapphire frowned. "And how did you get by security?"
"I'm sorry." Wizel apologised. "I didn't mean to startle you. My name is... Tangerine Twist. And I just wanted to say how incredible I thought you were tonight."
"Oh, really?" Sapphire smiled, "And you just snuck through security just to tell me that?"
"Well, yes." Wizel nodded. "Your voice is more beautiful than anything I've ever heard before. Except possibly your glorious visage..."
"Well, thanks." Sapphire blushed. "You're not so bad yourself, handsome."
"I've never known a lady quite like you before." Wizel declared. "And I knew a very special lady once, but... she died a long time ago."
"Oh, I'm sorry." Sapphire frowned. "But you know something? I bet she was a lucky mare."
"Thank you." Wizel smiled.
"Tell you what, why don't we go and grab a drink together?" Sapphire suggested. "I got some good Tambelon '86 back at my trailer."
"I'd like that." Wizel grinned.
The two made their way to Sapphire's trailer, where Sapphire poured them some drinks.
"So, where are you from?" Sapphire asked.
"Oh, just this little place, out in the country." Wizel told a half-truth. "I came out here to clear my head. I'm kinda stuck in a rut back home."
"I've been there." Sapphire sighed. "A few years back, I sang nothing but R&B for like, six months..."
"I didn't except to meet such a beautiful and engaging mare as you though." Wizel admitted.
"And I didn't expect such a charming and handsome stallion to sneak into my dressing room." Sapphire joked. "But I'm glad you did." He hoof stroked his knee. "Very glad."
"So am I." Wizel chuckled.
"More wine?" Sapphire offered.
"Gladly." Wizel grinned.
Shortly afterwards, the two lay in bed together, exhausted after a marathon bout of lovemaking.
"Wow." Sapphire said breathlessly. "That was incredible."
"You can say that again." Wizel agreed, equally breathless. "Best I've had in a long, long... LONG time..."
Wizel was so exhausted, that he was unaware that his disguise was no longer on, and he was back to his normal form, albeit his beard was a lot shorter.
"What the-?!" Sapphire gasped. "You're a Changeling?!"
"What are you talking about? I'm-" Wizel stopped when he saw his hoof. "Oh... oh, buck."
"So I've been knockin' horseshoes with a Changeling all night?" Sapphire asked.
"Um, look, Sapphire, I do not want any trouble." Wizel slipped out of bed, slowly backing out. "I did not meant to deceive you or use you in any way, I just didn't want to alarm or disgust anyone. I will just leave and you will never have to hear from me ever again-"
"Are you kidding? ...That was the best sex I've ever had." Sapphire declared.
"...It was?" Wizel gaped.
"Yeah." Sapphire nodded. "You were so gentle, yet so powerful. I've never been with a stallion who was half as good as you."
"Why, thank you." Wizel grinned, his fear gone. "I didn't think my lovemaking prowess was that good..."
"Oh, it is." Sapphire grinned. "...In fact, I think I might be interested in doing this again."
"Are you serious?" Wizel asked, "I mean, I am a Changeling, a supposed enemy of Equestria."
"Well, I'm up for living on the dangerous side." Sapphire smirked. "I wouldn't mind if we do this again next time I'm in the area... how about you?"
"I think I'd like that." Wizel smiled. "And I'm sure I could find the time to see you again."
"Good." Sapphire smiled. "Just... try not to let word around around. My career's hit a few bumps lately, and if the press found out I was screwing a Changeling, they would destroy me."
"I understand." Wizel nodded. "Rest assured, my lips are sealed."
"Thanks." Sapphire beamed. "Now, how about one for the road?" She held up the covers.
"With pleasure." Wizel chuckled, joining her back on the bed.
The present...
"So there you have it." Wizel declared. "I only kept our tryst a secret so Sapphire would suffer any unpleasant repercussions associated with bedding a Changeling. I couldn't risk it getting out... to anypony, especially back then."
"So... Sapphire was cool with you bucking her while pretending to be a stallion?" Sazh asked. "Isn't that sexual assault in a sense?"
"Sazh, it was way back when." Wizel deadpanned. "Back then, we could do panty raids, install nude cameras, and sell pie pans with pictures of hot mares on the bottom. Besides, it wasn't like I pretended to be some other pony."
"...I guess that makes sense." Sazh sighed. "And maybe I did overreact just a little bit..."
"A little?" Char snorted.
"Okay, a lot." Sazh admitted. "I just didn't like the idea of you keeping something from me. We've always been so close, y'know?"
"I do." Wizel nodded. "I should have trusted you, but I'd dedicated myself to keeping the secret."
"Well, I'll keep the secret too." Sazh declared. "I swear."
"Azzz do I." Char nodded.
"Thanks, boys." Wizel smiled. "Now, why don't you come back and have a proper introduction with Sapphire?"
"With pleasure." Sazh nodded.
"My thoughtzzz exactly." Char grinned.
They returned to the hotel room, and reunited with Sapphire. Wizel was in his true form again.
"Wizel's told me so much about you guys." Sapphire declared.
"All good, I hope?" Sazh asked.
"More or less." Sapphire shrugged.
"Well, he obviously hasn't told us anything about you, but you must be a great mare, for Wizel to go to all this trouble." Sazh declared.
"Without a doubt." Wizel chuckled.
"Oh, Wizzy." Sapphire giggled.
The two leaned in to kiss... but suddenly, there was a flash of light. The group turned to see a photographer Earth Pony stallion looking through the window, situated in a window washer's perch.
"Hah!" The stallion crowed. "Paydirt! Wait until everypony finds out Sapphire Shores is dating a Changeling!"
Still chuckling, the stallion started to descend.
"Oh no you don't!" Char yelled.
Char and Sazh grabbed the perch's ropes, and pulled it back up. They then grabbed the photographer and pulled him.
"N-now, now!" The photographer gulped. "Let's not do anything hasty."
"Give us that camera." Sazh snarled. "Now!"
"But, but..." The photographer trembled.
"You heard him." Char growled. "Fork it over, or elzzze."
"Stop." Sapphire said suddenly.
"Huh?" Sazh turned.
"Let him go." Sapphire urged.
"Sapphire?" Wizel asked.
"But your zzzecret..." Char started.
"It's okay." Sapphire declared. "I don't want to keep my relationship with Wizel a secret any more."
"You don't?" Wizel asked.
"No." Sapphire shook her head. "I'm tired of hiding it, like it's something to be ashamed of. I want to stand proud, and not care that everypony knows... wouldn't you agree, Wizel?"
"...Indeed." Wizel smiled. "If that is what you really want, then so be it. To be honest, I'm tired of hiding too." He then turned to Sazh and Char. "Boys, let him go."
"Okay, Wiz." Sazh nodded.
"You got lucky, zzzcum." Wizel snarled at the photographer. "Now beat it!"
"Don't have to tell me twice!" The photographer dashed back to the cradle, and lowered himself to the ground.
"You sure about this?" Sazh asked.
"Definitely." Wizel nodded.
"It doesn't matter what others think." Sapphire declared. "As long as Wizzy and I have each other, that's all that matters."
"Well, that'zzz very brave of you both." Char beamed. "And you dezzzerve happinezzzzzz more than anypony, Wizel."
"Without a doubt." Sazh agreed. "You deserve to have somepony who loves and cares for you. After everything you've done for me and Char, that's the least fate owes you."
"Thanks, boys." Wizel smiled. "But you know, I didn't take any of you because I expected a reward. I did it because it was the right thing to do. And watching both you grow, helping you become the Changelings you are today... That is a reward in itself."
"That was beautiful, Wizzy." Sapphire grinned.
"Now, if you boys don't mind, Sapphy and I would like to... get back to work, as it were." Wizel smirked.
"Of course." Sazh nodded. "We'll see you at home."
"Have fun." Char chuckled.
"Oh, we will." Sapphire giggled.
"Always do..." Wizel nodded.
As Sazh and Char left the room, Wizel and Sapphire returned to the bed, and started... enjoying each other's company.
Meanwhile, Sazh and Char left the hotel, and began the trek home.
"You know, I've learned something today." Sazh declared.
"What, that you zzzhould mind your own buzzzinezzzzzz?" Char asked.
"No..." Sazh shook his head.
"That zzzome thingzzz zzzhould be left well enough alone?" Char offered.
"No..." Sazh growled.
"That you zzzhouldn't drag your friend milezzz away from home on an unfounded zzzuzzzpicion?" Char declared.
"I was going to say that I learned to trust the ones I care about." Sazh declared.
"I could've have told you that." Char snorted. "And we wouldn't even have had to travel forty milezzz..."
"Like you have a reputation for being the voice of reason." Sazh sneered.
"I wazzz today." Char smirked.
"As opposed to so many days when you were the opposite." Sazh glared.
"At leazzzt I didn't totally lozzze it over Wizel getting zzzome hot flank." Char snorted.
"I didn't make you come with me." Sazh shot back.
"Didn't you?" Char retorted.
"No, I didn't!" Sazh yelled.
"Did!"
"Diddn't!"
"Did!"
"Didn't!"
Their bickering went on until they were halfway home, only ending when they tired of the argument.
It turned out that revealing their relationship to the world wasn't such a bad thing. A lot of Sapphire's fans actually applauded her for being so open-minded. While there were detractors amongs the media, most weren't that concerned, being willing to live and let live.
One morning, Sleight read a story of their affair in a newspaper while sat in the throne room.
"Yeesh." Sleight gaped. "Wizel's dating Sapphire Shores? She must have a thing for older fellas. Real older..."
"I'm so happy for them." Chrysalis smiled. "Wizel deserves a new love. It's been so long since he lost Hazel."
"Well, he made a good choice for lady #2." Sleight chuckled. "Good luck to them, I say..."
Meanwhile, Wizel, Char and Sazh were standing on the balcony again. Sazh was reading a magazine with the cover story "Changelings: Great Lovers?" Below it was the picture of Sapphire and Wizel kissing.
"Well, what do you know." Sazh chuckled. "You're a celebrity now."
"They're even zzzaying zzztallions zzzhould be like you in the bedroom." Char chuckled.
"I always knew my lovemaking prowess would be renowned one day." Wizel chuckled. "Speaking of which, I must be off. Sapphire's staying in the next town over."
"Say 'hi' to her from me, okay?" Sazh smiled.
"And me." Char added.
"Of course." Wizel nodded.
As Wizel departed, Sazh smiled, content. His faith in his foster parent was renewed, adn he was happy Wizel actually had somepony.
"Now if only I could get zzzome action." Char declared.
"You and me both, Char." Sazh chuckled.
Once again, all was well at the hive. Sazh's trust in Wizel, temporarily shaken, was now stronger than ever. The truth had brought them closer than before. And both Sazh and Char were truly happy their father figure had settled down with a new, true love.
Meanwhile, in the next country over, in an abandoned warehouse...
"Hello?!" A shifty Pegasus with skinny limbs called out, as he carted in three gray barrels. "I got a order of three drums worth of Mithriline! Is there anyone by the name of..." He pulled up a note. "The Forced Fodders?"
"It's Forefathers, you idiot."
The two hooded stallions that were observing the Changeling hive from before stepped out of the shadows, the big one having answered him.
"Oh, sorry..." The pegasus cringed. "Well, I have your shipment ready. It wasn't easy to get, but you find that I had procured three drums of the finest Mithriline. That will be a couple hundred Bits..."
"Of course." The smaller hooded stallion gave him a bag. "Here's the money, and a little extra for your service."
"Now you are certain that this stuff is hundred percent Mithriline right?" The larger stallion asked. "'Cause I don't want to remind you what happened to the other guy who gave us shoddy products."
"I assure you, this is all pure right here." The dealer gulped. "But I have to ask, and I don't mean to pry, but what are you planning to do with all this stuff?"
"Let's just say we have a... problem in terms of 'pest control'. And we need the finest ingredients to properly resolve the situation." The smaller hooded stallion declared.
"Yes. And this time, nothing is going to go wrong." The larger stallion sneered.
"Oookay then." The dealer said awkwardly. "Let me know how that turns out."
"Oh, you'll know, alright." The smaller stallion smirked under his hood. "All of Equestria will know..."
"Well, let me know if you need me again." The Pegasus clapped his hooves as he left the room.
The larger stallion stallion started dragging the drums inside, as the smaller stallion walked aside him.
"Now the real work can begin." The smaller stallion smiled.
"Too much work if you ask me." The larger one snorted.
"True." The smaller one admitted. "Too bad Sterling isn't part of our little project. He always had a knack for this sort of thing..."
"We don't need that loser." The larger stallion snarled. "He failed us, remember? And he's rotting in jail because of it! And unless we want to end up the same way, we'd better not fail too!"
"Okay, relax." The smaller one urged. "We will not fail as Sterling did. We will bring Father the success he craves."
"Ooh, how I'd love to see the look on that failure's face when we finally succeed." The larger stallion snickered.
"Well, for now, let's focus on the present." The smaller stallion declared. "This Mithriline isn't going to mix itself..."
"Yeah, yeah..." The larger one scowled. "Just what I wanted to do with my day: Play chemist."
The two hooded stallions went to work, moving ever closer to the fruition of their mysterious plans...