Wicked laughter sounded through the dark and cold chamber of the Changeling hive. Joy couldn't tell who it came from, but she knew that it was, in fact, familiar. Glancing up, the reformed pony spotted the queen and her younger sister.
They had left to attend a meeting, and though it had only taken less than an hour, they were already back. Chrysalis was the one laughing.
"Oh, yes... That was hilarious! I wish you could've seen it yourself." The Changeling ruler hackled.
"Sounds very funny, yes..." Masquerade forced a wide smile, "Mind if I just talk to my sister alone? Please?"
The queen looked at the princess. "Well, I assume that you wouldn't be crazy enough to let her out. I trust you." Her bright green eyes locked on Joy's hazel irises as she said those three words. Turning around and walking back up the stairs on which they came, the mother disappeared.
Masquerade sighed after the queen left. The smile faded as she looked at her older sister. "Hey."
Joy was taken back by this. Hey? "Uhm... Hello, Princess." Standing up, she bowed.
Masquerade sighed again. "You do not have to do that, sister." Her voice was a little higher than Joy's, but more buggier sounding, like their mother's.
"O-oh... Alright." Joy blinked.
Masquerade sat down beside the cell. "I bet you're worried, aren't you?"
Joy's heartbeat increased. What is she doing?
"I won't hurt you." Masquerade added, "In fact, I admire you." Her voice was quieter as she said that last part.
Joy stood up taller. "What do you mean, you adm-"
"Shh," Masquerade's eyes widened, "Quieter, so that nochangeling hears."
"Well..." Joy whispered, "I was going to ask what you meant by that... That you admire me?"
Masquerade nodded. "Yes, I admire your bravery and courage."
Joy lowered her eyebrows in disbelief. "I'm still confused."
Masquerade stood up to be level with her sister. "You think you had a hard time being different, don't you? You think that I didn't? Why do you think I sent Queen Chrysalis away? Do you know what she would do to me if she heard I admired your escape?"
Joy gasped. "Y-you..."
Masquerade nodded slowly. "I wanted to run away and get rid of my fears and doubts. But, I was just too much of a pushover, so I stayed and listened to mother instead. I...I want to know what real love is."
"Real love?" Joy raised an eyebrow. This seems fishy...
The princess smiled. "Changelings don't know what love is, of course. We steal it from others. I want to be a pony... Like you."
"What?"
The Princess Changeling huffed. "I want to be like you, sister," She looked at Joy in the eyes, "I have felt the same pain you have. The sadness, the fears... I haven't felt happy here. We're different, but together, we're the same. Until you became one of... One of them... A pony... I-I want to... Too..."
"Well, it didn't just happen overnight." Joy blinked, "Actually... It did. But you know what I mean! It... Wasn't the easiest process."
"How'd you do it?" Masquerade's muzzle and forehead leaned against the cell bars.
Joy smiled. "I, well, I learned about friendship-"
"Friendship, hmm? You have friends, pony friends?"
"I, uh, yeah. I do have friends, as a matter of fact."
Masquerade gasped. "That's so cool! What're they like?"
"Well, one pony's name is Paradise, she's really sweet. Then there's Tacitus, and he's super smart. There's Frost, a really nice but shy mare, and Galaxy, who goes on crazy adventures with his friend Quillton... Then there's Daffodil, who is really good with fillies and colts, and my friend Mocha that owns a coffee shop..."
Masquerade nodded, taking in all the information. "I see, well, that's a lot of friends."
"Oh, that's just barely scraping the surface!" Joy smiled wider.
The red color-schemed Changeling grinned. "Hey, I bet now that you're an Equestrian citizen, you do their customs and celebrate their holidays, right?"
Joy's eyes widened at the word 'holidays'. "Yes, in fact, my friend Mocha was going to have a huge party for a lot of us at her coffee shop for the Summer Sun Celebration... And I've gotta get back!"
Masquerade's grin widened. "I think I can help with that... When, exactly, is this Summer Sun Celebration?"
"Well, the Eve of The Summer Sun Celebration is tomorrow..."
Masquerade nodded in understanding. "Perfect! Mother wanted me to have a dance soon -- a Masquerade Ball," she giggled, "And I think that when none of the Changelings are looking, we can escape! You can make me into a free pony like yourself, while you go back to your friends! Happy day for everychangeling, am I right?"
"Wow, Masquerade, that... that's amazing!" Joy clapped her hooves.
"I know! This has been so great, uh..." Masquerade's smile left her face, "Forgive my lack of manners! Please, tell me, what's your name, my sister?"
"Joy, my friends named me Joy when I became a pony." The earthling smiled.
"I like that name. Joy... Joy. Such a pretty name." Masquerade began to walk towards the door, "Remember, this is our secret." She winked and trotted up the stairs and out of the prison.
"Yeah... It is." Joy smiled.