//------------------------------// // Just Deserts (Z-978): It's a Fine Name // Story: Awkward Conversations And Other Stories // by No one is home //------------------------------// Retrofit Opening themes, because opening theme music is cool. DON'T JUDGE ME! “There can be no doubt at this point, your majesty,” Stand in spoke plainly, “Her biology and growth cycles are simply too far off for a drone, or even a leader caste changeling.” “I had my suspicions from the beginning,” Fast Change shook her head, “As you’ve said, there are enough physical signs to put the case beyond any doubt, but we should have known from the other Shifts. The way they referred to each other as ‘sisters’.” “It’s true, changelings generally don't have sibling relationships,” the changeling leader nodded, “Given that every drone is technically the sibling of every other drone. Especially free willed or clever drones may develop such relationships over time, but the Shifts are neither of those things.” “Which means that they are following instructions,” Fast Change Concluded, “The question is who’s instructions?” “At this point, it’s safe to say their orders come from Swing Shift herself,” Stand In noted, “Even not knowing what she is, those drones were obviously deliberately bonded to her very early on.” “It’s not the first time we’ve heard of this happening,” Fast Change paced nervously. “There was an active effort to remove proto-queens before they could be discovered by Queen Chrysalis,” Stand In admitted, “Both for their own protection, and in the hopes that one day one might come back and free us from the tyrant’s rule. In it’s own way, the plan was not unsuccessful. After all, you are almost certainly descended from changeling royalty.” “How long has this been going on, then?” Fast Change asked suspiciously. “Bad rulers raise future bad rulers,” the changeling leader shrugged, “It is the bane of monarchy. Chrysalis is not the first tyrant our hive has suffered under, though her misrule may see that she’s the last, if only because there will be no hive left to suffer. We’ve been doing this for generations.” “Why was I not told about this,” a cross edge lined Fast’s voice. “In short, you were,” Stand in said without emotion, “You were made aware of Nicole Foalman before you even ascended into a true queen. I have have kept you up to date on Swing Shift since we became aware she existed. Obviously no records. The birth of a changeling queen is not common. This is not an issue I expect to become commonplace.” “Something is coming, Stand In,” Fast closed her eyes and thought carefully, “Since that damned unicorn in Ponyville set time on it’s ear, Silver has ascended, another human came back from the dead as… whatever Train Wreck is, and now this. The question is, what do we do with her? She needs to be protected, and if we’re honest, equestria needs to be protected from her.” “If I might make a suggestion,” Stand In began, waiting for a nod from her princess to continue, “Fate’s hand is clear for all to see. A second Element of Laughter falls into the world. She brings a human back from the dead who is bonded with our troublesome changeling in ways that transcend time itself. In short, at least she came with her own foal sitters. In the mean-time I would suggest paying this ‘Blind Goat’ a visit and finding out what he knows.” “About that,” Fast Change admitted, “I have been looking into him, and… I don’t think we want to know what he knows.” -=-=-=-=- “Switch Shift has no holes!” Switch pranced around in a little circle in front of her friends, “She is pretty, and clean, and pure as the yellow snow, yes? Maybe?” Train Wreck fought his three jaws to keep from laughing out loud, and Surprise couldn’t suppress a giggle before booping the changeling on the nose, “You’re the cutest changeling in the hive, Pinkie Promise.” “I’m officially a citizen of Equestria, my name is officially Train Wreck, and my tribe is officially tazzle pony. Because tazzle-corn is stupid. It’s a stupid name and a bad idea, I don’t care what Discord thinks,” The disgruntled pony thing stuck out his middle tongue, which in turn stuck out it’s tongue at the invisible Draconequus. “Train wreck is a good name, maybe? Yes,” Switch nodded, “Tomorrow Swing Shift will be clean, also. The changelings say Switch Shift’s sister will be leaving with you?” “We’re right down the street, Switch,” Train Wreck smiled fully, and without reservation, “Me and you and Surprise are pretty much the most exclusive club in Equestria. Even the humans come from somewhere that happened.” “Because Switch shift is dead,” the changeling mare bowed her pretty head, “Because all the bad changelings and all the ponies trapped in the pods don’t exist.” “Because in a lot of ways, none of us are real,” the tazzle pony smiled sadly, “I’m not Ki, not the Ki this world started with anyway. Just like Surprise isn’t Pinkie Pie.” “I think what Train Wreck is trying to say, is that you have a chance to start over now,” Surprise laid a foreleg over the changeling’s withers, “You don’t have to be tied down by who you were anymore.” “Switch Shift would like that,” the changeling smiled brightly, “From now on Switch Shift will be Z-978! That is a good name, yes? Perhaps?” “That’s not actually…” the tazzle pony was interrupted by a very unsubtle hoof to his ribs. “That's a very pretty name Z,” Surprise smiled brightly.