//------------------------------//
// Chapter 16: Return to Canterlot 
// Story: Converted 
// by Shaded Changeling 
//------------------------------//

	When the train pulled into the ivory and gold city. Sunstreak could definitely tell security was still a big issue, there were spear-wielding guards at the station, probably there in case any trouble was started. But no unicorn was checking every one that walked in, so that was good.
From what Sunstreak could see, many of the buildings were still being repaired, especially the castle, it didn’t even look like it was being repaired…Celestia must be caring for her subjects first. I can respect that.
When they got off at the station, Meadow began looking around for any sign of her mother.
“Here, kiddo.” Sunstreak said bending down to let Meadow climb on his back. “This may help.” Meadow climbed up and began looking around.
“I can’t see her.” Meadow said.
“Well… it is a big city.” Sunstreak replied. “Maybe she’s just somewhere else.”
“Where should we start?” Meadow asked.
“Well…Twilight wrote me a list of possible locations…” He reached into the sheathe belt he had to pull out a scroll. “Here…you handle this. Just tell me where to go.”
They spent a few hours wandering around the city, getting their bearings. They walked to around half the spots Twilight suggested, and were still no closer to finding Candlelight. Sunstreak wasn’t too stressed out over getting captured here as he was in Ponyville and Meadow noticed.
“Why aren’t you worried at all?”
“Well I wouldn’t say ‘at all’ but I’m definitely more certain with who I am.” It was true, the first time he entered Ponyville he had no idea what he was doing, but he had gotten used to his back-story. He was sure that he wouldn’t have to explain himself too much besides “I came from Ponyville where this filly was found,” but he still had Meadow. She was from around here. So these ponies should know her.
“All I’m saying is that as long as I don’t do anything stupid, I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure?” Meadow asked she leaned in so that she was close to Sunstreak’s ear. “What if they use that disillusion spell on you?”
“Well then…I suppose I simply tell them the truth.” Sunstreak replied. “They either believe me or they don’t… that’s all there is.” This is what he was worried about. But if he gave them no reason to think he was a changeling, they would have no reason to check. That was all there was to it.
“Where is the next location, Meadow?” Sunstreak asked turning to look at the filly.
“Ummm…the…Al…chum…i…cull…”
“Alchemical.”
“Yeah that…um…L-Lap-or-i-tories…Laboratory?”
“Alchemical Laboratory?” Sunstreak repeated. “Why would Twilight tell us to go there?”
“I didn’t even know we had an… alchemical place.”
“Laboratory… Okay just cross that one off the list.” For two reasons: One, Sunstreak wasn’t good at making alchemy that didn’t explode and Two, that wasn’t at all what Meadow described her mother’s job was.
“Then next is… ‘Donut Joe’s.’ Hey, I know this place.” Meadow said excitedly.
“Well…I guess we could pick something up, I’m glad I got Tornado to give me some bits for this.”



Sunstreak wasn’t too pleased about going into any crowded places, but the chance to get something he was familiar with and actually considered ‘food’ wasn’t a bad thing. Sure the flower sandwich had been alright…nothing beat what he was used to.
“Hi, Mr. Donut.” Meadow said as the two of them entered the store, it was a small store, but had chairs around so you could sit and eat inside. The stallion that Meadow was talking to was tall, average build, brown and had a short messy mane.
“Well if it isn’t little, Meadow. Where’s your mom?”
“We’re trying to find her. Have you seen her?” Meadow asked.
“Not recently. Come to think of it, last time I saw her was the day after the invasion… Whose your friend?”
“My name is Sunstreak.” Sunstreak replied walking up to the counter. “I’m not from around here. I found Meadow out in Everfree. She was apparently taken by a Changeling.”
“You’re kidding!”
“Not at all. I’m glad that I found her. I’d hate to think what that insect would have done to her if I hadn’t.”
“Well I’m sure that Candlelight will be happy to see her.” Joe replied. “So you wanna buy something?”
“Sure. Meadow?”



When the two of them left the store, Sunstreak had a new idea of where to go next, he had managed to get a street address for Meadow’s house. So he decided the best possible action would be to take her there. After a few hours of getting lost and asking directions, he managed to find the right address.
It was a standard house, the building looked undamaged, so the white stone and golden rooftop looked pristine. The door was light blue and looked to be made out of wood, there were about four windows on the building facing the street.
“Well, Meadow…” Sunstreak said. “Here we are.”
Meadow climbed off his back. She was clearly happy to be back. “What if my mom isn’t there?”
“Then we wait.” Sunstreak said, walking up to the door.
When he knocked, he was surprised to find the door open on it’s own.
“Hello?” He said into the empty house. There didn’t seem to be anyone here. Meadow had walked up to his side. And the two of them walked into the house.
“Mom?” Meadow called into the empty house.
Sunstreak could feel that tingle on his back again. “Something isn’t right…”
“What is it?” Meadow asked.
“I don’t know… I just…feel something…”
The door closed behind them.
“So glad you could finally join us.” Came a voice from the darkness. I know that voice.
“Who are you?” Sunstreak said stepping in front of Meadow.
“You don’t remember us… Then maybe this will help.” A green ball flew out of the darkness into Sunstreak’s chest, launching him back.
“Sunstreak!” Meadow called.
Sunstreak’s eye adjusted to the light, and through it he could see multiple solid blue eyes. “Meadow! Get back!”
A changeling jumped out of the darkness and grabbed Meadow in its hooves. Pulling her back into the shadows.
“Let her g-AH!” Another blast had hit him in his hind leg, knocking him to the ground.
“Hello, Nymph.” Came the same voice.
“Oh god…” Sunstreak lifted his head to look at who had just shot him. It was Spine…he had a crack in his chest, his general armor was dented slightly, and he was indeed pissed.
“You thought you got away didn’t you?” He said walking up and slamming his hoof on Sunstreak’s back leg. “Traitor.”
“You did that to yourself, Spine.” Sunstreak replied. “When the Royal Guard catch you-AH!” Spine had applied all his weight onto Sunstreak’s hind leg.
“I think you mean IF they catch us. We have been here since the invasion failed.” He turned to look over at Meadow. “And it turned out to work perfectly. We didn’t even need to look to find both you and the foal.”
“I swear if you-“ Sunstreak heard a snap.
“I’m sorry…was that your leg? I suppose I can pay you back for what you did to me.”
“Go…Fuck…Yourself.” Sunstreak replied, holding back the pain that had erupted in his leg.
“Hmmm…the other leg it is then.” Shade felt the knife get pulled out of the sheathe, he didn’t need to turn to look at what was going on. He felt the knife plunge into his other hind leg, spilling the crimson blood all over the floor.
Sunstreak screamed from the pain. The combined pain of both his now broken leg and the large knife wound made it very difficult to form any rational thought.
“I don’t think that is enough… What about you?” Sunstreak managed to look towards Meadow, who was crying. “Yes…I think you are quite right. Why not stop him from flying as well?”
He felt the knife remove itself from his leg, the heat now spreading even quicker, he felt his wing being lifted up by some kind of magic, before he heard the unmistakable crack of wings, followed by two more cracks closer to his body. He couldn’t feel either of them, everything was in pain; all he could make out for certain was the blood still flowing from his wound.
“Don’t worry, Nymph.” Spine hissed. “We won’t let you die here. We’ll let the Royal Guard find you. Then they will deal with you.” He leaned in to Sunstreak’s ear. “Thanks for bringing us the foal. She will be wonderful for the hive.”
Sunstreak managed to raise his head to look Spine right in the eye. “I’m…Going…to kill you….”
“If you ever manage to find us.” Spine said, before raising his hoof and slamming onto Sunstreak’s head.