//------------------------------// // Wedding News and Worries // Story: Imprisonment of a Changeling // by Southern Wing //------------------------------// For 1500 years, there was a war. Well, our kind has seen and observed many wars break out in pony history. Through the ages we watched. Ponies evolved, built great buildings and cities. For us it all started that day when you discovered harmony. The status quo was broken and it led to a war that shattered Changeling kind in Equestria forever. We used to exclusively feed on forcibly taken love. But with the discovery of harmony, it split us now feed on shared love instead. The hives chose their sides. Some continued to feed on love and use its power to the fullest. Those who didn't started to turn away from feeding on forcibly taken love. They now feed on shared love. While we still use love, it's only used for emergency situations. However, a ceasefire was agreed upon twenty eight years ago. Queen Chrysalis, the newly proclaimed ruler of the blue changeling hive, has recently proven to be worrisome. With her banishings of any who question her, we have no idea what is going on there. With the upcoming wedding in Canterlot, it has all of us worried for what Chrysalis has in store. Mother has put all our military forces on alert. If Chrysalis does try anything we'll be ready for her. I can only hope that we are able to notify the princesses, that we and the violets pose and wish no harm to ponykind. --------- Southern Wing leaned back in his chair and looked at what he'd written down. Then he looked in a mirror, seeing the changeling that he was staring back at him. "Damn that Chrysalis!" He slammed his hoof on the table in front of him, shaking the books that laid on top of it. "What's the matter, buddy?" a cyan winged unicorn asked as he walked in. Sev Divine was one of the very few ponies that knew Wing was a changeling and had been the first to find out, making them bond brothers. "It's just Queen Chrysalis. She's got me--tartarus, the entire hive--antsy for fuk'kahs sake," Wing cursed "So why don't you just tell Princess Celestia about her?" Sev suggested. "The hive minds are split on the decision. Not even Mother knows what to do, not even the violet hive know what to do from what we’re hearing," Wing explained "Luna..." "Yeah...apparently there's a wedding coming up in Canterlot. Hopefully we will probably make a decision before or after the wedding." "Hope so... I don't like the idea of anything happening between ponies and the changelings that don't serve Chrysalis." Wing looked at a photo that sat on the desk showing him, Fluttershy and their daughter, who was half changeling half pony, smiling. He then looked to a photo of him and Fluttershy on their wedding day him in his natural form standing with her in front of Queen Chiton. "Me neither, buddy." Sev walked over and set a hoof on his friend's shoulder. "Schkitz, you alright?" a voice rang out inside Wing’s head. "Yes, Mother...I'm just worried about Chrysalis." "We all are. You've been needing a break," replied his queen, Chiton. "And I know just how to help! Twi and the others are going out for a picnic," Sev piped up "I guess I could take a bit of a break," Wing smiled. "Sounds good, go have some fun! And don’t worry it’s alright if you miss the holiday celebrating Queen Zarkesh since it falls on the same day as the wedding." Wing's Queen cut the communication and went back to her duties. Wing looked to his long time friend and transformed into his pegasus persona putting the glasses he always wore while in it on. "Shall we get going, then?" "Come on, buddy. They're waiting for us." Sev and Wing walked out of their home away from home, consisting of a bunker deep in the Everfree Forest. "Fly or teleport?" Wing asked Sev. "Flying sounds good to me." Wing smiled and the two took off and headed for their friends. "I really do hope that we beat Chrysalis to the punch and tell Celestia and Luna what’s up. They should know we’re the friendly ones.” "Me too, but this is suppose to help you relax, bro,” Sev pointed out. "I know...but I just can't help but worry." "You think I’m not worried as well? You're my best friend! The closest thing to a brother that I have! How do you think I'd feel if that happened?!" "I'm sorry..." Wing lowered his head. "It's alright. Just don’t keep doing this." While he was still deep in thought, Wing thought back to when Sev first found out he was a changeling on a camping trip a long time ago. 18 years to be exact… ------- "Come on buddy, we going exploring or what?" Sev asked. "Hang on Sevy! I'm going as fast as I can," Wing replied. "Man, you're slow. No way you're ever gonna beat me in a race!" Sev jested "One day, I’m gonna do it!" "Yeah, sure you will." During the race, they got deep into the forest. . "You sure we should be going this far?" Wing questioned "There's no Manticores or Timber Wolves here. We should be fine!" The howling of a wolf echoed through the forest, as if to respond to that. "You were saying?" "Shut up! It's not close to us or anything." The howl echoed again, sounding louder than before this time. "I...I think we should go back." Wing quipped nervously "Y...yeah, sounds good." The two turned around and ran smack dab into a trio of Timber Wolves. Suddenly, the pegasus leaped forward and transformed into a Manticore, stomping the first Timber Wolf into bits. The other two to fled. The Manticore went back to being a pegasus and turned to his friend and collapsed exhausted. "I'm in trouble now..." "W...w...what happened?" Sev helped his friend up, the pegasus though remained silent, motioning for his friend to follow. They started walking back to the campsite, Sev having to help Wing walk, arriving after dark where Wing's parents were waiting. "Where have you been, young colt?" Wing's mother scolded, before noticing of the look on Wing's face. "Well it was bound to happen sooner or later, dear," Wing's dad commented. He ushered the group into the tent where Wing's sisters were waiting. They took note the look on their parents' faces. The five of them changing into their natural forms after the flap was closed. "Buddy...I...I'm a changeling, and so are my family." "What's a changeling?' "A changeling, young Sev Divine, is a creature that can become whatever they want to be through magic,” Wing’s father explained. “We are shapeshifters, and we've lived among ponykind for thousands of years. And now my "son" has found his bondbrother." "Bondbrother?" "A bondbrother is what we changelings refer to as the one who first finds out that you are a changeling. They become brothers or sisters. To put it simply, they are always connected to each other via a telepathic field." "That’s...actually pretty awesome! I’m a ‘bondbrother’ with a shapeshifter that doesn’t want to hurt me! This could be the coolest thing ever!’ "That is, if they choose to accept. If they don't, then their memory of their friend being a changeling is erased." Sev looked to Wing, then his father, and back again. "I want to do this. I'm Wingy's best friend!" Sev responded. Wing smiled as he walked over next to Sev. His parents and sisters got in a circle and Wing's father started to speak after they got together. "By the divine powers of Queen Zacarlie, the holy word of Queen Faust. The serenity that is our Mother Queen Chitin. I, Thorx of the Infiltration Caste, do hereby proclaim that Schkitz and Sev Divine to be bondbrothers now and forever!" A red orb surrounded Sev and Wing, permeating their bodies before dying down. "Oh...my head..." Sev moaned as he rubbed his forehead. "You'll get used to this, buddy," Sev heard in his mind, looking over to Wing who wasn't moving his mouth. "That's what I'm told at least, you'll learn to do this with time." "That’s also awesome!" Sev exclaimed as Wing’s "parents" and sisters became pegasi again. "This must remain a secret under all circumstances, Sev Divine," Northern Wing said to Sev. "Don't worry, Mr. Wing. It will." Northern smiled and nodded his head. "It’s bedtime now." "Five more minutes?" Wing asked. "No." "Aww man!" Wing pouted, causing everyone else to laugh. ------. As Wing drifted out of his memories, he sighed. "You OK, buddy?" "Hmmm? Oh uh...Yeah I'm alright, bro. Just...remembering when you found out I was a changeling." Sev nodded his head while he remembered the memories himself, and the two flew on to their destination. They arrived soon after at the spot and landed. "Hey guys, what's up?" Wing greeted the Mane 6, finding the group in a nice picnic scene. "Bout time you showed up, Wing! Been waiting for you guys forever!” Rainbow Dash scolded. "Really, Dash? How do you know Wing wasn't in the middle of something?" Sev snapped back. "OK...you guys are busy all the time, so that wouldn’t surprise me,” Dash admitted. "Can we just enjoy ourselves and the beautiful weather?" asked Fluttershy. "I must agree with Miss Fluttershy, it is simply gorgeous. Just gorgeous!” remarked Rarity. “No disagreements there,” Wing added in. He took a seat and had himself a sandwich and some soda to wash it down. "My compliments to the sandwich maker." Wing looked off in the distance and thought he saw Spike running toward the group, but ignored him and took another bite. Spike jumped over a stream, running up to the group all huffing and puffing. "Twi....light, I...have...let me catch my breath." Spike belched up a message from Celestia, and Twilight brought it to her with her magic. "My dear Twilight, I am sure you are as excited with the upcoming wedding as I am," Twilight read aloud. “Wait, what’s this about a wedding?” She read a little more to herself. "I don't understand. Who's getting married?" "Oh, I was probably supposed to give you this one first,” Spike interrupted. He handed Twi a second letter. "Princess Celestia formally invites you to the wedding of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and..." Twilight gasped so loud that Wing stopped in the middle of a sandwich. "My brother?" "Hey, hey! Shiny's getting married!" Wing exclaimed happily "Well, I guess Cady's available now,” Sev remarked. "Not unless he's marrying her!" Wing ribbed. "Don't crush my dreams, buddy. Let a guy dream" Twilight grumbled in the corner, looking over the letter some more. “I know this should be a happy moment, but I wish he just told me instead of sending me this letter. He’s my BBBFF!” There was silence from from the others. "Big Brother Best Friend Forever?" Twilight explained. "Ohhhh,” the rest of the group said in unison. "You know, what Sev and I are?" Wing pipped up, annoyed at this. "Yeah, you ponies really need to work on your acronyms," Sev added in an equally annoyed tone "Before I came here Shining Armor was really the only pony that I really ever accepted as a friend." Twi sighed, as Wing looked off toward Canterlot and taking note of the shield wrapped around it. "Hey, buddy, can I say something?" Wing asked over to Sev. "Yes?" "What do you think that shield around Canterlot is for?" Wing asked in a concerned tone. "I dunno. It must be recent, why?" "Let's just say it worries me." "With the wedding coming up, it must be for protection," Sev reassured. "Yeah, but against what? If we knew what it was I'd be a bit more at ease, but not knowing...it worries me." "Come on Wing, I'm sure it's nothing," Sev stated, patting his friend on the back "Heh, you're probably right." Wing looked away from Canterlot. "Still, I'm contacting Mother just in case," Wing said telepathically to Sev. "If you say so." Wing put a pair of sunglasses on and laid back, looking up towards the sun. "Mother, have you noticed the shield surrounding Canterlot?" he asked. "Yes, needless to say the hivemind is worried. I am as well. We're still getting reports but they're sketchy at best," Queen Chiton answered. "So...something is interfering with telepathic communication?" "Correct. We assume it's the shield but we're not sure.". "Since I'm going there in the first place, good as time as any to find out." "Just be careful, Schkitz, and be on your guard." As the communication ended, Wing sat up and started stretching. "Well we need to get someone to watch Winter and Rain,” he spoke out loud. "Eeyup. That we will, Wingy." Sev nodded "Perhaps the Cakes?" "Yeah, them or Granny Smith." "Yeah, she's good taking care of them." Wing then turned to Applejack. "Hey AJ, Sev and I are gonna be asking Granny Smith to watch Winter and Rain while we're in Canterlot." "Alright Wing, ah think she can take care of 'em." "Well. Sev and I should get going then. See you at home, dear." Wing kissed Fluttershy before he and Sev took off for Sweet Apple Acres. After a relatively short flight, the pair arrived at their destination. Big Mac was walking to the barn with a couple barrels of apples on his back. “Hello, Big Mac! Is Granny Smith here?” “Eeyup.” Big Mac pointed to the farmhouse. “She’s making some cider in the farmhouse.” “Alright, thanks!” Wing started walking to the farmhouse with Sev following behind him. “Hey, Granny Smith? Mind if I ask you something?” “Of course, Wing. What were you wondering?” “I was wondering if you could watch Winter while I was in Canterlot.” “And I was wondering if you could watch Rain as well,” Sev added in. “You’re darn tootin’ we can!” Granny Smith exclaimed. “Good to hear. We’ll bring them over before we leave.” Wing turned to Sev and gave him a smile, having put things in order. “Well, buddy, guess we should go tell our daughters the news.” “Right. See you later when we drop our daughters off.” Wing walked outside and took off for the cottage he shared with his wife, Fluttershy. Winter Shy Wing was in the living room of the cottage playing a racing kart game with her best friend and bondsister, Rain Dash. “You’re not gonna win, Winter! Eat my dust!” “Shut up, Rain! I’m totally gonna beat you!” Wing and Sev arrived at the cottage to witness that scene, following behind the noise of the half changeling and pony filly arguing. The noise was audible from outside. The two entered the living room just as Winter’s racer passed Rain’s, winning the race. “Having fun, kids?” Wing asked. Winter looked over to her father and godfather. “Yeah, just teaching Rain here not to underestimate my racing skills.” “I had you beat fair and square!” Rain complained. “Yeah, but I won in the end, so nyan!” Winter stuck her tongue out at Rain. “Settle down, you two,” Wing spoke in a strict tone. “Yes, Dad…” Winter said. “Yes, Uncle Wing…” “Now, you two are gonna be staying at Sweet Apple Acres for a few days, while your mother’s aunt's, your father, and I are in Canterlot. “Can’t I come?” Rain begged. “Yeah, we never get to go there!” Winter complained. “Not this time, sweetie’” Wing stated. “Maybe next time, though.” “OK…” Wing walked over and put his hoof under Winter’s chin. Winter looked up and gave a small smile. “Are Scoots, Sweetie Belle, and AB going as well?” “Yes, they are.” “Oh, thank Faust we won’t be doing stupid stuff to get our cutie marks!” “Thank Zarkesh…” Winter said relievedly. Wing shook his head. After Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash came over, the group took Rain and Winter to Sweet Apple Acres. Wing and Fluttershy gave their daughter a hug before they left, with Sev and Dash doing the same for Rain. As they boarded the train, none of them knew how much would change over the next few days.