//------------------------------// // The Mechanized Monstrosity // Story: Rhythm and Rhyme // by MyHobby //------------------------------// The heat of the jungle stifled every breath. The trill of an unseen bird was answered by the crackle of an oversized insect. A line of ponies and other creatures disturbed the local wildlife with every whoosh they made against the thick leaves. A steady thwack-thwack-thwack led the group as Martial Paw the griffon cut a path through the undergrowth. Daring Do held a map in front of her face, barely looking where she was going. Her ears swiveled every which way, taking in the sounds of the wilderness. A snapped twig caused her to extend a wing. The procession halted. The smell of sweat hung in the air—sharp as spice—accompanied by decayed greens and overripe fruit. Creatures of every sort reached for their weapons, their eyes attempting to pierce the green of the jungle. Daring glanced at the creature behind her. The white-coated earth pony sniffed the air, licked his lips, and shook his head. He didn’t sense any danger. It was safe to continue. Daring Do touched Martial’s back and gave him a soft shove. He resumed his work with the machete. They carried onward, their nerves on edge. She tapped the map. They were close to one of the landmarks: A boundary pillar made from carved stone blocks. With luck, it would still be solid enough to use it as a reference point. With bad luck, it would have dissolved into mud over two millennia ago. Martial’s next thwack ended with a metallic clang. He pulled his machete back to reveal stone. “Not a natural formation,” he said. “It’s carved. Possibly with iron tools.” He leaned closer and peered through a crack between two blocks. “With how well the tolerances hold after all these years, this is the work of some expert stone carvers—” A swarm of winged spiders crawled from the stonework. He let out an undignified squawk and swatted at them with his wings. They spun threads as they flew, wrapping his head in a coating of web. Daring Do pressed him against the stone and grabbed a flare from her backpack. She lit the signal to wave it at the swarm of tiny assailants. They scattered into the trees, their fuzzy legs dangling from fattened bodies. “Freaking anansi.” Daring Do squelched the flare in the dirt. “You got lucky they tried to catch you before they bit you. Hurts like heck.” “Thanks,” Martial muttered through a mouthful of silk. He clawed at his beak, shuddering all the while. “Charming little creatures, aren’t they?” “Shush.” Daring Do cupped her chin and looked up at the pillar. It rose several meters in the air, and was topped by an insectoid statue at the peak. “Let’s get this thing cleared off. I want somebody in the trees to get a lay of the land. We’re close to the old ruin. I can taste it.” The white-coated earth pony peered through a patch of ferns. “I d-don’t think that’s necessary, Doc.” “What makes you say that, Blank?” Daring Do came alongside him and pulled the soft leaves aside. “Aha. Never mind.” A valley stretched out before them, filled to the brim with ancient trees and gnarled roots. Above the branches, a pyramid stood tall and proud, its stone covered in vines and centuries of erosion. From where she stood, Daring could see a stairway leading to a wide door set into the side of the structure. “Nice.” Daring pulled off her pith helmet and brushed the dampness out of her mane. “Looks like the map was right on the money. Does it feel like home yet?” Blankety Blank shrugged. “C-can’t say I’ve ever been here before, Doc.” “Eh. I expected some sort of cross-cultural déjà vu with you emotion-eaters.” Daring laid a hoof across his back. “Wanna take a closer look?” “Definitely.” Daring Do marched back to the pillar and stood at the center of the group. “Alright, peeps! We’re setting up temporary camp here while a small team enters the ruins. If we aren’t back in, like, two hours, send a search party and shoot a message to the princesses.” She pointed a hoof at a nearby unicorn. “As a matter of fact, let them know we’ve found the city right now. Sparkle’s been on the edge of her seat for news.” “Yes, Doctor.” “Alright.” Daring Do stretched her wings out. The joints popped with a painful twang. Hiding her wince, she waved Blankety Blank and Martial Paw closer. “Marty, grab yourself a decent sword. If we meet something ugly in there, I wanna know you can handle it.” Martial Paw set his machete aside and retrieved his pack from Humphrey the camel. Metal slid against hide as he drew a long rapier from its sheath. He gave the sword a few experimental swings. “Don’t fret, Dr. Do. This sword’s stopped a charging manticore.” Blankety Blank snickered. “W-were you holding it at th-the time?” “Yes.” Martial narrowed his eyes. He clicked his beak at Blank. “What’s that supposed to mean?” “N-nothing.” Blankety Blank shrugged. He peered through a set of tiny binoculars. “How are we getting down there?” “Much as I hate to admit it,” Daring said, “we’re flying.” She massaged her wings at the joint, rubbing her aching muscles and preparing herself for the journey. “Call me hasty, but I don’t relish the idea of another three-mile trek through the jungle.” She raised an eyebrow at Blankety Blank. “Which brings me to you.” Blank pressed his lips together. He let out a sigh and nodded. “Sure. Just hang on a second.” He stood still beside the stone pillar and breathed deep. A spark lit at his forehead. Magic trailed down to his hooves and ignited in green flame. The fire crawled up his legs, charring him to a chitinous black. When the flames extinguished, Blankety Blank had become a small, thin changeling. Blankety glanced around at the other members of the expedition. “You’re sure we can trust these guys? K-kinda don’t want this getting out.” “Relax; they’re too smart to blab.” Daring Do removed her backpack and strapped a canteen over her shoulders. “If they weren’t, they’d already be dead. Treasure hunting’s kinda a rough business to get into, you know?” Blankety Blank’s multifaceted eyes took in the scenery. No one had paid him much attention, save for a brief glance to watch his transformation. As Daring watched, the exoskeletal plates on his back relaxed and spread out. “I t-trust you, at least.” “That’s all I ask.” Daring Do took Martial’s machete in her mouth and gave the greenery a swift thwack. She dropped the blade and gripped her mouth. “Ow! Dangit!” Martial Paw picked up the machete and finished Daring’s cut. He gave her a half-smile. “Sorry, Dr. Do. Swords weren’t made with ponies in mind.” “Wipe that smug smile from your face before I do it for you.” She licked her molars and scowled. “I think I chipped a tooth.” Blankety Blank tapped his scraggly horn. “Th-that’s why I’ve always appreciated magic.” “Both of you can kiss my cutie mark.” Daring Do spread her wings and stepped off the cliff. With her joints locked, she glided towards the ruin. “Come on; we’re burning daylight.” The changeling and the griffon followed her down, Martial’s wings flapping occasionally, Blank’s moving at a constant hum. Daring winced and focused on her destination. She didn’t like being this high up; it was too easy to imagine what would happen if her wings failed her. Again. Martial at least was strong and fast enough to catch her if she fell. Her feet touched down on the stone steps, followed close after by Blank’s cloven hooves and Martial’s paws. Lining the staircase were two carved centipedes, which reached from the base of the pyramid to the doorway. She gave them a long look. “I guess ancient changelings had some sort of bug fixation. Is it still the same way, now?” “N-no.” Blankety’s forked tongue slithered out to taste lingering emotions in the air. If he found anything interesting, he was sure to let Daring know. “Changelings aren’t exactly the m-most ornamental b-builders these days.” Like massive steps, the pyramid towered layer by layer, each step receding towards the center. Carvings could be seen where the weathering had not taken effect; the heads of giant insects accompanied spiraling grooves and hexagonal patterns. At the top, where the ruin had once come to a point, there was only a pile of rubble. Daring Do grinned. “So what are we waiting for?” She scampered up the stairs and struck a pose. “The unknown awaits! Let’s see what’s just beyond the veil.” Martial rested his talon on his hilt. He clicked his beak. “By your word, Dr. Do!” Blankety snapped a quick salute. “After you, Doc.” They came to the entrance in short order. Daring Do pulled a torch from Martial’s back and lit it with a flick of her hoof. She eased herself into the pyramid, step by step. The walls came into view, her light being the first that had touched them for eons. Rats and insects skittered away. Albino lizards crawled along the ceiling. Blind slugs devoured the mold growing on the stone. It wasn’t a long walk to the center of the room. Daring looked over her shoulder to see the entryway sitting open to the sunlight. “Gets dark fast in here, doesn’t it?” “It’s n-not so bad.” Blankety touched a growth of sludge. “I’ll admit that this part does feel like the hives. Unf-fortunately.” Daring stepped forward. “Yeah, it does have that sorta grimy feel to—” Her hoof met empty air. She let out a curse as she tumbled forward into nothingness. She jolted to a halt. Martial Paw’s strong talon hauled her back, even as her torch careened down, down, down a sheer-walled well. “Thanks,” she said, breathless. “Any time.” Martial Paw glanced at Blankety, who lit the area with the green light from his horn. “Do you want to light another torch, or will Blank do?” “I’ll t-take it from here.” Blank came to the edge of the well. The torch could still be seen, winking as the wind from its fall tore at its flames. “What do you think is down there?” “The map said it was a changeling city.” Daring Do rubbed her chest in an effort to slow her racing heart. “And changelings do like to live underground.” Martial Paw gave her a double-take. “You think this entire ruin is just the entrance?” “That or the city’s half aboveground, half below.” Daring Do rubbed her hooves together. “Either way, we’re gonna see the world beneath.” Blankty fluttered up to the ceiling and pointed out a rusted pulley. “L-looks like it used to have an elevator. We’re gonna need to fly down.” Martial Paw shook his head. He spread his wings to their fullest. “The shaft’s only three meters wide. My wingspan’s too broad, and Dr. Do’s wings aren’t reliable enough to carry her down. We need to lower a rope.” Daring nibbled her lip. “Is there anything in this rickety old place we trust to hold our weight?” Martial folded his wings against his back and prowled around the perimeter. He ran his talon along the wall, seeking purchase. “Can you widen your glow, Blank? Maybe there’s something we—” His talon touched something cold and metallic. His voice shifted up an octave. “Both of you, come here. You need to see this.” Daring Do and Blank trotted close. The object was hard to see in the green-tinted light, but a moment of scrutiny made things clear. A curved piece of iron had been embedded into the wall, as shiny as the day it was forged. “It’s a hook,” Daring said. “A new one. Somebody was here. Recently.” A cold chill ran down her spine. Her hackles rose as she spoke a name. “Ahuizotl. Dang. Dang it!” Martial Paw wrinkled his forehead. “We don’t know that it was Ahuizotl…” She threw her pith helmet to the floor. “Who the hay else is looking for changeling cities? Who the hay else would know about the dagger? Riddle me that!” “Either way!” Blankety shouted. The echo of his voice dropped to a whisper before he spoke again. “Either way, we need to keep m-moving forward. We don’t even know if whoever this was actually took anything. We w-won’t know until we get down th-there.” Daring Do blew a hot breath through her lips. She rubbed her eyes and flipped her helmet back to its usual spot. “Get the freaking rope hooked up. We’re going down right the heck now.” *** Martial and Daring climbed swiftly down the rope. Blankety waited below them, having measured out the length they would need. He hovered over the ground, unable to see much around him, since his light couldn’t pierce the hazy darkness. It felt a little like a hive, yes, but there was also a deadness to it all. It was abandoned, empty, all but cursed. A simple taste of the atmosphere told him that no changelings had set foot inside in the two millennia it had lain quiet. There was a fresh hint of ponies, alongside a huge, overbearing presence he suspected was Ahuizotl’s, but otherwise, it was blank. Daring Do’s hooves clanged against a bronze plate at the base of the shaft. She tilted her ears as the noise reverberated. “Sounds like we’re in a big, open chamber. What do you think, Blankety?” “S-same.” Blankety Blank touched down a short distance away, his cloven hooves gripping the stone floor. “Can’t see anything, though. There’s too much dust.” Martial Paw spread his wings and leaped over Daring’s head. “We’re going to have to come back with more powerful lanterns.” Daring Do eased herself along. She tested every step before putting her weight down. “Keep an eye out for traps. Snares, broken pillars, poison darts, explosives… anything. Everything. Don’t let your guard down.” Blankety reached a shoulder-high wall. There was a drop on the other side, leading to a second floor dozens of meters below. Moving along the edge, he found a bridge that extended into the distance. “Mandible.” His muscles tensed beneath his chitin. He flicked a filmy ear towards the others. “Did one of you say something?” “Nah,” Daring said. Martial shook his head, busy examining a carving. “Good,” Blankety muttered. “Best case scenario is that I’m losing my mind.” In a louder voice, he said, “I hear something. Doesn’t feel like anypony’s close, but keep your eyes peeled.” “Mandible.” “Did you hear that?” He glanced between them, his wings buzzing. “Did you hear a voice?” Daring quirked her ears. She ground her teeth together and sighed. “No. I got nothing. Is it your… your freaky emotion-tasting thingy? Are you feeling something somebody left behind?” “It do-doesn’t work like that.” Blankety rubbed the back of his smooth head. “I taste emotions. I don’t hear voices—” “Mandible.” Blankety Blank felt a creepy-crawly feeling tickle his black plating. The word came as a voiceless whisper, just on the edge of his perception. “Blank,” Martial said, “what do you hear?” “A… it’s a name.” Blankety Blank leaned against the wall. The green haze of dust shifted around him with every movement. Daring Do came close and rested a comforting hoof on his shoulder. He felt a small touch of warmth fill his heart. “Th-thanks.” Daring gave him a slack smile. “Do you know whose name it is?” “Y-yeah.” Blankety Blank caught movement out of the corner of his eye. He and Daring were reflected in a bronze plate attached to the shoulder-high divider. He examined his buggish face with a glower. “It’s an old one, but—” “Mandible.” “I… I—” He cleared his throat and projected his voice. “I’m here.” “You’re home.” “I’m home?” Blankety laughed. He pulled away from Daring and touched his reflection. “This thing is getting w-weirder by the sec—” A low rumble rolled throughout the room. Martial Paw drew his sword. “That sounded like a trap.” “Or something worse.” Daring Do spread her wings. “You didn’t touch anything, did y—?” The metal sparked beneath Blankety’s hoof. Pain shot up his leg. He yanked it back and shook it. “Ouch! What the—” The rumble became an electric hum. Flashes lit the darkness all around them. Blankety felt power flowing all around, beneath their feet, over their heads, behind the walls. His heart thundered, though he wasn’t sure if it was from adrenaline or the sheer energy surrounding him. “How fast can we climb that rope?” “Not fast enough!” Daring Do charged for the well. She slid to a halt inches away from the base when lightning arced from its metal lining. Martial Paw took to the air. His wings flapped in a flurry to keep him aloft. He swiveled, brandishing his rapier. “I don’t see anything!” Daring froze. She stared upwards, her mouth hanging open. She reached a limp wing out to pat Blankety’s shoulder. He followed her gaze and felt his own jaw unhinge. Light poured from above. Hexagonal honeycombs covered the ceiling with glistening edges. Power—not electricity, but pure magic—coursed through them. The stone took on an amber hue, as if coated with a thick layer of honey. Magic crackled everywhere there was bronze plating. The room came into view, large enough to hold Canterlot Castle with space to spare. Several bridges spanned the distance between them and the other side, all made from stone with a metal railing. Blankety blinked. “So. Do we assume that the city likes me, o-or what?” Daring coughed dust, her head flicking back and forth. “I don’t trust inanimate objects with a mind of their own.” On the far wall, gears and levers shifted of their own accord. The heavy chook-chook of oversized clockwork struck a chord deep in Blankety’s heart. Daring Do’s ears drooped to either side of her head. “Time Turner would love this place.” “I’m finding a lot to love about it, myself.” Martial Paw slid his sword into its sheath. He ambled over to the bridge and tested it with his claw. “Shall we investigate?” Daring bobbed her head. “Yeah. Yeah, I think so. Lead the way, Marty.” Blankety Blank walked beside Daring, just behind Martial. The three of them trekked across the bridge, their eyes taking in everything they could. The gear-work extended to all four wall of the rectangular room, rumbling and clacking. There was nary a stutter in their revolutions; they linked and turned as smoothly as if they had been expertly maintained. Blankety’s tongue slithered. “There’s n-no way this is a city. It’s go-gotta be something else.” “If the pyramid’s just a giant time-piece—” Daring Do paused for a moment to push aside a cobweb. “—then the ancient changelings definitely went a liiittle overboard.” Blankety Blank turned his attention to the bridge. Every few meters, a short pillar jutted up from the railing, each one etched with the likeness of a changeling. He hopped up and fluttered his wings to look over the edge. The ground below was one large, stone floor, littered with rubble and machine parts. Every once in a while, he caught sight of a larger construct of metal and wood, broken down for countless ages. “They were b-big into mechanical de-devices.” Blank rubbed his chin with a clawed hoof. “Transportation? Or t-tools, maybe?” “We’ll have to take a closer look when we have a full team.” Daring Do sat down in the middle of the bridge and rubbed her knees. “Water break, guys. The professor requires a water break.” She popped the top from her canteen and took a deep swig. “You guys thinking what I’m thinking?” Blank shrugged. “That ancient changelings had too much time on their hooves?” She rolled her eyes. “That this is the single biggest archeological find since the Crystal Empire reappeared! So much of this place is pristine. Pristine! We know absolutely no concrete facts about the First Age, let alone changelings in general. With this city/gearbox thing, we’ve opened up an entire chapter of history.” She chuckled and leaned her back against a pillar. “Ahuizotl or not, I’m willing to call this something close to the best day ever.” Martial Paw sat on his haunches and tapped his talons against the hilt of his sword. “May I just say, Dr. Do, thank you for inviting me on this historic expedition.” “Any time, Marty!” Daring raised her drink. “To discovering ancient treasures!” Martial raised his water bottle, his smile wide. “To discovering ancient treasures!” Blankety fumbled for his own canteen. He found it sitting between his wings, its strap tangled around his neck. He batted it around with his hoof and tried to nudge it into reach. After a fruitless moment had passed, Martial took the canteen between his talons and handed it to the changeling. “Thanks.” Blankety let out a weak laugh and tapped his drink against theirs. “To discovering st-stuff and other stuff.” Martial corked his bottle. “How are we doing on time?” Daring Do pulled a silver pocket watch from her below her collar. “Yeah, it’s probably time to get moving if we wanna get back before they start sending up flares. Shoot. I wanna see what this place is.” She gave him a steely stare. “I wanna find that dagger, Marty.” She stood up and cracked her back. “At the least, I want solid proof that Ahuizotl stole it first.” “Help.” Blankety’s ears flared out; he stretched the webbing tight to catch the most sound, though he knew it wouldn’t help with the decidedly magical communication he was receiving. “I hear a v-voice again.” “Oh joy.” Daring Do gritted her teeth. “What’s it want?” “Help me.” “It’s asking for help…” Blankety’s multifaceted eyes tingled. The words were different; they had an actual voice, like it was the plea of a living pony. Or a dead one. “It sounds different, like it’s not the same sp-speaker as before.” Martial Paw’s eyes trailed upward. He stood up and drew his sword in one smooth motion, lowering himself into a combat-ready stance. “Blank. Be very careful how you move.” Blankety Blank sighed. His wings drooped as his leg muscles tensed. “There’s something right behind me, isn’t there?” “Help me.” Daring Do edged away. Her ears lay back as her wings spread. “You remember how I said a lot of the stuff around here is pristine?” “Uh huh.” “I was super-right.” Daring gave him a devilish grin. “When I say ‘go,’ jump forward as fast as you can. Marty and I’ll handle it. Alright?” “W-whatever you say, Doc.” Blankety swallowed despite his dry throat. “Um. Just say when.” “Help me.” Daring lunged. “Now!” Blankety Blank leaped head-first towards the bridge’s wall, passing both Martial and Daring. He ducked, rolled and came up on all four hooves. He spun around and bared his fangs, hoping to frighten whatever it was. Little chance of that, he decided. It was an automaton; a machine made to move on its own. It was made from a bronze alloy, though silvery components could be seen in its core and its six legs. Each leg ended with a sharpened, curved tip, like a scimitar. Its body was separated into three clockwork-driven segments. Its head held sharp pincers in the place of a mouth, and its eyes were glowing red embers. It chattered and clacked as Martial jabbed at it with his sword. “Help me,” the voice said. “Kill me.” It balanced on three legs and lifted the others into the air. Its blades crossed with Martial’s, clanging and hissing with each swipe. Daring came alongside it and clobbered it with a punch that would have sent a full-grown stallion sprawling. The apparatus wobbled, but stood firm. Martial hopped onto the wall with a flap of his wings. A lung brought his sword tip through the automaton’s head. The machine skittered away, two raised legs shielding its eyes. Sparks flickered between its pincers. Daring Do used the wall to propel herself onto the machine’s back. She rained blow after blow down on its casing. It wriggled and bucked, its limbs flailing. “Kill me.” “There’s something al-alive in there!” Blankety shouted. “Not for long!” Daring snapped. She gripped the automaton’s casing and pulled. A panel came free. “Aha! This looks important!” The rest of the bronze creation’s back opened of its own accord. Daring was thrown away as a long, black cylinder popped out, connected to the automaton’s abdomen. The tip of the cylinder glowed bright purple and aimed straight for Martial. A lance of power leaped forth. Martial threw himself from the bridge just before the stone became a cloud of dust. The automaton swiveled to keep both Blank and Daring in its sights. It brandished its scimitars and angled its cannon, charging for a second shot. Blankety Blank raced past its defenses and clobbered it in the face. It reared up and dragged its blades across his hard chitin, leaving less than a scratch. Blankety continued to push it back, his cloven hooves digging at the soft metal on its head. “Kill me,” the voice whispered. “Help me.” Gears ground. With a mighty shove, the automaton pushed Blankety onto his back. He stared up at the mechanized insect as it lifted a blade to stab him through the heart. Martial’s blade struck first. The point found a chink in the automaton’s armor and dug in, knocking gears and springs out of alignment. The machine’s head spun independently of its body and closed its pincers around the middle of the rapier. There was a jolt of energy, a quick twist, and a metallic snap. Martial gaped at the hilt of his sword. The blade had been cut completely in half. “It ate my sword.” The cannon whirred. Daring Do galloped to grab it by its barrel. “Marty! Watch yourself!” A bolt of energy careened towards the ceiling. It exploded against the hexagonal lights, sending several honeycombs into darkness. Martial dropped his severed hilt. “It ate my favorite sword!” The automaton locked Blankety in a cage made from its six legs. He twisted his torso until something snapped, then slithered his way out of the trap. He stood up, snapped his body back into place, and shivered. Daring Do stuck her tongue out. “You changelings are really gross, you know that?” “Kill me.” More gears ground together as the machine failed to keep up with its motors. It swung two blades, nearly lopping Daring’s wings off. She retaliated with a right hook that sent its head spinning. Blankety followed up with a buck to its chest. The automaton staggered next to the edge of the bridge, magic leaking from every broken gearbox and every dented plate. “Help me.” Blanekty Blank looked at the automaton. He stared into its burning eyes, searching for some sign of life. Aside from the magic powering its movement, all he saw was cold metal. “Save me.” Martial Paw grasped the machine with his talons, hoisted it over the wall, and let it drop to the floor dozens of meters below. It exploded into hundreds of components with a metallic shriek. Daring Do leaned over the edge, her pith helmet at a haphazard angle. “Well that was awesome.” Martial Paw pinched his severed hilt between his index talon and thumb. He sighed and stuffed it into a small sack at his side. “It would have been more fun if it wasn’t trying to kill us.” “You kidding me?” Daring Do’s lips curled into an evil grin. “Risking life and limb is half the fun.” Blankety Blank listened. He listened really, really hard. There wasn’t even a whisper left of the voice. “We killed it. It stopped talking.” Daring Do frowned. “That’s the thing that’s been whispering in your ear?” “One of th-them…” Blankety bit into his lower lip with his sharp fangs. “I’m going down there. I n-need to see what it is.” Daring Do narrowed her eyes. She nodded slowly. “Yeah. Okay. I’m coming down, too.” She pointed a wingtip at both of them. “But you guys get to carry me back up, capisce?” “As always,” Martial said, “I hear and acquiesce.” He spread his wings to their full length and stepped off the bridge. He spiraled downward, descending a meter at a time. Daring followed him down in like manner. Blankety buzzed as fast as his wings could carry him. It was several minutes before they could all safely set foot on the bottom floor of the ruin. Daring kicked a bauble that had spilled from the automaton’s mechanical guts. “Just junk now. Impressive, scientifically-relevant junk, but still junk.” Martial Paw lifted a bladed leg. He wiggled the joint and nodded. “I’ve rarely seen devices this complex, even in Equestria. This thing seemed alive.” He raised an eyebrow at Blank. “Which fits pretty well with what you’ve been saying.” “Y-yeah.” Blankety Blank tiptoed through the debris, headed towards the largest chunk left from the impact. “I h-ha-hate being right.” Blank reached a hoof out and touched the casing. A jolt ran up and down his foreleg, sending a chill of ice through his heart. He choked on his own spit and sat down hard, coughing. “Th-there’s s-something in there. Something… It’s terrified.” Martial Paw and Daring Do met each other’s gaze. Martial strode forward and gripped the bronzed casing between his talons. He twisted as he lifted, pulling the plating away. A small, blue gemstone sat in the center of a silk-lined cavity. Copper wires snaked around it, wrapping themselves around the stone or spreading throughout what was left of the automaton. A jagged crack ran through the center of the gem. The gem faded, shade by shade, from bright blue to black. Blankety Blank brought his nose closer. The icy terror returned, but was weakening. “Wh-what is it?” Daring Do’s mouth dipped open. She pulled the copper wires away, twisting and breaking them, to set the gemstone free. She lifted it in her hooves and held it before her face. “Creator on High…” Martial Paw clasped his talons. “So it’s some sort of idol, then?” “I was cursing, Marty.” She held the stone up. “Look at it. Look at the shape. What does it look like?” Martial clicked his beak. He turned his head to the side so that he could examine the stone straight-on. “It’s a crystal growth. Quartz-like in appearance. Originally blue, as far as we can tell, but changing to a black coloration. Pointed at one end, with two rounds on the other. If I didn’t know better, I’d say it looked like a Hearts-and-Hooves-style heart.” Blankety Blank felt a weight pull at his chest. “Oh no.” Daring Do set her jaw. She shook the gemstone. “A moment ago, this thing was pouring magic into that machine. A second ago, Blankety felt blinding terror pouring out of it. It’s shaped like a heart, Marty.” Martial Paw’s beak parted. “You don’t mean—” The gemstone became completely black. It crumbled into dust and fell from Daring’s hoof. “Ahuizotl found the Spade of Hearts,” she said. “And he’s already started using it.” *** Daring Do ran through the ruins at top speed, searching for some sort of alcove, a side-room, an antechamber… something! There had to be something she missed. There had to be a mistake. She had to have beaten Ahuizotl. She needed to beat him this time. “I’m such an idiot!” She peeked around a corner to find a blank wall. “I should have looked for the dagger by myself! I would have found it first!” “That would be suicide, Dr. Do!” Martial flew behind her—keeping a minimum safe distance, Daring guessed. “You had to get an expedition together! Nopony can survive the jungle alone!” “I could have!” Daring leaped over a mangled and mutilated insectoid automaton that had lain dormant since the city fell. “If I can survive the freaking timeline almost turning inside-freaking-out, I can freaking live in the freaking jungle by my freaking self!” “Doc, it’s okay!” Blankety’s wobbly voice came from a few meters back. Try as he might, he just wasn’t as fast as she was. “W-we still have the entire ruin to st-study and explore! We can r-report back to—” “The whole reason we came,” Daring said, “was to get that horseapple-encrusted dagger!” Her hooves scuffed the dusty ground. She heaved in breaths as her legs ached. She had to sit down. She had to take a drink. She guzzled the rest of her canteen with greedy slurps. Martial landed in front of her and laid his talons on her shoulders. “Doctor… Daring. Please. Think about this. We’ve been in tight situations before, but we’ve always come out on top.” Daring Do scowled. “Maybe you have. Not all of us can be so lucky.” “I…” Martial lowered his forelegs. He stared at the ceiling and let a whoosh of air run out of his chest. “You’re right. I’m sorry. But we can still defeat him. There’s got to be hope, right?” Daring Do dropped the canteen. She took a moment to let her lungs stop burning before speaking. “A pony’s magic comes from the heart, Marty. It’s where we start. It’s the soul of a pony. It’s what makes us who we are.” She pulled her helmet off and let it clatter to the dust. “And now Ahuizotl has the power to take all that away. To use ponies for whatever he wants… like the attack bug back there. We don’t even know who that was, except that it used to be a pony.” Blankety cantered up. He sat down beside her and fidgeted with his wings. “It asked us for help. It said it wanted us to kill it. It said that’s what would save it.” Daring Do shut her eyes. She could feel stinging tears collecting at the corners. “Ahuizotl’s end goal has always been to control the sun. Whatever he wants the dagger for, it’s going to lead towards that.” Martial picked at a stray feather. He held it before his eyes. “He wants hearts for a power source.” Blankety furrowed his brow. He slapped a hoof against his knee. “Then we’re gonna st-stop him. Together.” Daring stood up. She rested her wings against her sides and deliberately set her pith helmet on her head. “Darn right. First things first—finding out where the dagger was. Then, we can start tracing his steps.” Blankety’s ear twitched. He turned his head to the ceiling. “The first voice is back.” Daring Do flicked her hoof at Martial, who took out a pad of paper and a pen. “Alright,” she said. “What’s it telling you?” “It says…” Blankety scrunched his snout. “It says the thing we’re looking for—I guess that’s the Spade of Hearts—is gone, but I can show you guys where it was.” “Good.” Daring Do patted Blankety’s back. “Lead the way.” They moved at a steadier pace through the ruin, much to the relief of Daring’s muscles. Old injuries were catching up with her again; she’d have to take some ambrosia when they got back to camp. That was the problem with an exciting life, she thought. Sometimes, it hurt a lot. She touched the pocket watch hidden beneath her shirt. Sometimes, it hurt in more ways than one. An archway stood out from the wall, quite a ways from the entrance to the ruin. A hallway tunneled beneath the stone, well lit with honeycomb lanterns. Daring took point, her eyes, ears, and nose alert. A podium sat at the end of the hall, topped with an empty scabbard. Daring snarled; it was exactly the right shape for the dagger they were looking for. So close, yet… Words were scrawled across the wall behind it—long, coarse letters cut deep into the stone and then covered in red. It was a message to her personally. A message from her greatest foe. YOU LOSE DARING DO “That’s one I owe you, Ahuizotl,” she growled. “But I’ll make you pay in blood.” *** Canterlot was a whirl of activity. Soldiers stomped through the streets. Shopkeepers locked up their goods. Airships departed from the harbor as fast as their propellers could spin. Pedestrians scrambled for cover. Princess Mi Amore Cadenza peered down from the walls of Canterlot Castle. She pressed her lips tight to hold back the sigh threatening to burst from her chest. “Yep. Great time for a vacation, Shiny. I especially like the mass panic coupled with the inevitable Equestria-wide hysteria.” Her husband stood at attention beside her, in full armor, five javelins strapped to his back. He smirked, never taking his eyes from the road. “It could be worse.” “We might be looking at war.” Shining Armor furrowed his brow. Pegasi descended to take up position beside him. “Are the kids safe?” “Yes.” Cadenza saw a procession of soldiers line both sides of the path to the castle gates. Her wings itched to get airborne. “All three of them are at Twilight’s castle. Your mom’s looking after them with her own personal army.” Shining nodded. “Mom knows how to throw her weight around. Thank you.” “You’ll have to thank her when this is over.” Cadenza winced as the reason for the panic marched into view. The guards kept their distance as they escorted the dark creatures, their spears never wavering from their targets. There had to be twenty of them, all chittering and buzzing, all clawing their way across the pavement: Changelings. “You okay, Cadence?” Her stomach churned as thoughts of the changelings plowed through her memories. A dark cave, a vicious fire, a cackling madcreature. Cadence’s own face, contorted into a wicked leer. Locked in a pit of shadows with no hope of escape. Life ebbing away with every moment… Cadenza anchored herself to her husband’s blue eyes. They were warm, and trusting, and trustworthy. Steady and unyielding. She had backup. She had allies. She didn’t have to fear the changelings. A shade of blue flashed above. Princess Luna flew overhead, bedecked in golden armor and flanked by batponies. Strength overcame Cadence’s unease. She was not alone. Cadence propped her forelegs on the battlements and shouted down. “Changelings! Why have you openly come to Canterlot?” The changeling leading the group was taller than the others. She walked forward on lanky, perforated legs. Her wings fluttered, though not enough to lift her off the ground. She may have wobbled in her walk, but Cadence was too far away to be sure. The changeling’s mane was silky. Spidery. Unkempt, but with an ethereal beauty that caused it to glow with a pinkish hue. Its face was angular, save for a roundness at the tip of the muzzle. In every other respect, it was a smaller match to the crazed laughter that haunted Cadence’s worst nightmares. The changeling queen bent at the knee and lowered her head. She spoke loudly, enough so that all the soldiers could hear her clearly. “I am Queen Chrysalis the Second, ruler of the Changeling Kingdom, Mistress of the Badlands. I have come to seek an audience with the High Princesses of Equestria.” “No horseapples,” Shining Armor said under his breath. Any other time, Cadence might have cracked a grin. She glowered at the changeling queen, who shared a name with her most hated foe. “For what purpose do you seek this audience, Queen Chrysalis?” The changeling swallowed. She spoke again in a warbly voice, a low buzz overlaying her words. “I wish—” Her words hitched. “—I wish to broker peace and friendship with the Kingdom of Equestria.” Cadence considered what to say. “Heck no, sister” was at the top of the list. “Eat buffalo chips” was also considered. Years of training conditioned her to take the more diplomatic route. “What proof do you offer that your wishes are sincere?” “We come to you laid bare, with no weapons, disguises, or pretenses.” Queen Chrysalis II spread her forelegs. She leaned over until her forehead touched the pavement. “I surrender myself into your custody until the negotiations have concluded.” Cadence stared at the changeling. She snapped her mouth shut before she could reveal that she had been gaping. The unease returned to her stomach and made its way through the rest of her digestive system. “Um…” Chrysalis II lifted her head slightly. She glanced to the right and the left before looking up with big, pink eyes. “Please?” That was not an expression she’d ever seen on the first Chrysalis. It was more like the ones her children made when they were caught doing something naughty. And for Chrysalis II, maybe she was doing something wrong. Cadence put some oomph into her command. “Open the gates!” A loud groan accompanied the massive doors. The changelings were led inside at something slightly less than spear-point. The gate slammed shut, sealing the changelings in. Shining Armor nudged his armored shoulder against Cadence’s barding. “You sure that was a good idea?” “What choice do we have after that display?” Cadence hissed. “If there’s any chance of this working, we are morally obligated to take it.” Cadence watched from the wall top as the Captain of the Canterlot Royal Guard appeared to escort the changeling entourage. They’d be taken to rooms, fed as well as they could be, and then summoned when the meetings were to begin. Her flanks itched beneath her armor. Shining grimaced. “The other world leaders are gonna have something to say.” “Oh good. Visitors. Celestia will be thrilled.” He pulled off his helmet and shook his blue mane free. He set his jaw and gave Cadence a sidelong glance. “My gut says there’s something we missed. Something important.” “We’ll give them one chance,” she said. “One chance, because they deserve at least that.” “And if it’s a trick?” Cadence smiled, but it definitely wasn’t genuine. “Then we’ll see just how fast things can go to Hell.”