//------------------------------// // Arrival in Canterlot and Suspicions // Story: Imprisonment of a Changeling // by Southern Wing //------------------------------// The train rumbled and chugged as it pulled away from the Ponyville station. Wing looked out the window, the cool breeze flowing through his mane. “A sonic rainboom at a wedding?” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “Can you say best wedding ever?!” “Best wedding ever!” Pinkie Pie shouted. “Did our wedding mean nothing to you, dear?!” Sev said, facehooving. The train entered the first tunnel on the trip. Wing looked back to see Ponyville get smaller. Something was gnawing at him during the trip. He worried about what would happen if Chrysalis made her move first. He looked off at the shielded city. “Wing?” Applejack piped in. “What is it, AJ?“ “How come you’n Sev ain’t been at your jobs this week?” “Our bosses gave us a few days off. Something bout, um…’housecleaning’.” “Alright then…” AJ appeared to be confused. “But I’m gonna host the bachelor party!” Spike interrupted. “Just one question. What’s a bachelor party?” “Hell no! You ain’t gonna host it Spikey, Sev and I are gonna be the ones in charge of the bachelor party!” Wing argued. “Yeah, you’re WAY too young to host it,” Sev agreed. Spike huffed in the middle of Wing and Sev’s laughing. Once that was over, Wing looked over to Twi, who was also watching AJ walk back to her seat. He trotted over to find Twilight upset. “You alright, Twi?” “I’m just upset that Shining Armor didn’t tell me sooner about the wedding.” “Hey come on, Twi, I’m sure he meant to tell you, but he didn’t find the time in the middle of his duties.” “Yeah, perhaps you’re right…” “Just go easy on him when you see him, alright?” Wing extended an arm for a hug. “Thanks, Wing.” Twilight hugged Wing back “I really needed that.” “No problem, Twily,” Wing said with a smile. “You really know how to read a pony. Seriously, what’s your secret?” Twilight asked curiously. “Like I’ve said I’m just good at reading ponies emotions. That’s pretty much it.” Sev was looking over at him, making him a little curious. “Hold on, I need to go check up with him,” he said, motioning over at this friend. “Sure. Thanks for the help again.” Wing got up from his seat and went back over to Sev. “What was that about?” Sev asked. “Just cheering up Twi. Nothing too big.” The train exited the last tunnel and approached the city. Wing stuck his head out of the window just in time to see the shield get bigger. Wing just couldn’t shake off the feeling that something bad was about to happen. “Just my imagination,” he thought. He took out a box of donuts and started eating one, only to have Dash rush to his side. “Are those your jelly donuts with that secret jelly you won’t tell the recipe to?” “Yes, Dashie, yes they are...and yes, you can have one.” “Sweet!” Dash grabbed one of the donuts immediately, as Wing passed the box around to give the rest of the group a snack. He finished his donut and closed the box as the train made the final approach to the city. “We’re here! We’re here!” Pinkie gleamed. The shield came into the car as the train passed through it. It didn’t hurt anypony at all as the shield phased through them. But, it did affect one pony, as Wing soon found himself being pulled towards the last car of the train. “What the…” Wing said in surprise. It dropped him down to the floor as it let him go. Black spots emerged around his coat, as his pony disguise took a hit from the shields. Thank Celestia they went away before Applejack got there with him. “What in tarnation was that?” Applejack asked. She didn’t catch the spots but saw Wing getting dragged around. Twilight ran in to see what was going on. “How the buck should I know?” Wing snapped. “Maybe it was some sort of magical side effect!” “Calm down, you two!” Twilight interjected. “It could be... Um, it’s extremely rare, but some ponies react differently to magic than others.” “Alright then…” Applejack calmed down and went back to her seat. Wing looked over to Sev in response to all this. “Now we know what the shield is for,” he said telepathically to Sev. “Yeah…I hope it keeps Chrysalis out, but knowing her...” The train stopped at the station. When the ponies got out of the train, they were greeted with a large legion of guards. They were at every nook and cranny of the place. “Whoa, what’s with all the guards?” Dash asked aloud. “Security, darling,” Rarity spoke up. “Royal weddings always bring out the strangest in ponies.” Almost as to respond to that, Pinkie Pie sneezed out loud. Confetti shot out of her nose, but given this was Pinkie Pie, nobody seemed to notice. “You should speak to yer brother too, Twilight,” Applejack said. “Maybe it’s best to get to the bottom of things when you can.” “Oh, I’m going to. I’m gonna give him a piece of my mind,” Twilight stormed off. “Twilight, what did I say about going easy on Shining?!” Wing shouted, as he and Sev chased after her. “Kierzack, this is Schkitz. I have news about the shield around Canterlot.” Wing telepathically communicated to the Kierzack. “Go ahead,” came the reply. “I was nearly exposed in our true form. I was able to pass it off for magical side effect on me.” “I see….well, now we know what it’s for. Where are you now?” “Making sure Twilight doesn’t kill her brother for not telling her about the wedding sooner.” “Be careful. I should tell you we haven’t been able to get anywhere near Princess Cadence. All the changeling guards have never been assigned anywhere near her.” “It’s probably nothing to worry about, but I will check it out. Schkitz out.” “Kierzack out.” “Everything alright?” Sev poked in. “I sure hope so, Sev. But I have a bad feeling...” The two continued chasing Twilight throughout Canterlot. They caught up to her just near the castle to find her yelling at Shining Armor in the courtyard. “I’ve got something to say to you!” Twilight snorted. “Do’oh!” Wing facehooved as he watched the scene. The guards readied their weapons and pointed them at Twilight. Shining Armor looked down at his sister. “Twily!” He exclaimed, signaling his men to stay their weapons. He made his way down the stairs with a smile on his face, moving to hug his sister. “Aw, I missed you kid. How was the train ride?” “How dare you not tell me about your getting married!” Twilight accused “Sorry I couldn’t tell you right away. Didn’t you see the guards at the station?” “Yeah, busy planning a wedding that you couldn’t even tell me about!” “Calm down, will you?” Wing interrupted as he and Sev came up. “There’s probably a good reason he didn’t tell you.” “There better be a good reason for that! How couldn’t he tell his own sister he was getting married?” Twilight snorted, almost prepared to rip Wing apart himself. “Twily, it has nothing to do with the wedding. A threat has been made against Canterlot.” “What?” Now Twilight was just confused. “What kind of threat?” Wing asked. “We don’t know who made it or what it’s about, but even then, it sounded pretty serious. We have to be extremely careful. And there is something you have to see.” Shining’s horn glowed and he shot a beam into the sky. It came into contact with the shield and made it glow around Canterlot. Shining cut his magic and the beam went back to his horn, looking to be in pain. “The safekeeping of Canterlot is my top priority.” He brought Twilight to a bridge within the courtyard, with Sev and Wing following behind. “I kinda understand. But why couldn’t you tell me you were getting married?” “Hey, you’re my little sister. I want you safe from whatever’s out there. But I understand if you don’t want to be my best mare,” he answered, giving her a classic case of puppy dog eyes. “Really?” Twilight’s eyes lightened up at the thought. “Well, yeah. Who else is going to be better at being my best mare?” “I’d be honored! Count me in!” They exchanged a hug together. “Really is a sweet moment, eh Sev?” Wing nudged him on the side. “Yeah, Wing. I’m not happy about the threat, though.” “Oh. You’re thinking what I’m thinking, aren’t you?” “Chrysalis,” they said at the same time. That left them with a very uneasy feeling. At least Twilight and Shining looked to be in a happier mood. “But I’m still ticked you’re marrying somepony I don’t know!” Twilight said to interrupt the moment. “Who is this princess Mi Amore Cadenza anyways?” “And...moment ruined,” Wing sighed. “Twily, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza is Cadence. Your old foalsitter?” Shining reminded her. “C...Cadence?” Sev stuttered, before bursting into tears. “Hugs?” Wing asked. What he did not expect was to have Sev latch onto his shoulder. Shining looked to Sev with a smug look on his face. “I win Sev.” “Buck you, Shining Armor!” Sev cried out. “Cadence? As in the number one foalsitter in the history of foalsitters?” Twilight marveled for completely different reasons than Sev. “You tell me,” Shining chuckled. “She was your foalsitter.” “Oh my gosh oh my gosh!” Twilight thought back to when she was a young filly. All those memories of Cadence foalsitting her. While she was going through her little adventure, Wing took a sniff of the air. It smelled like something was off in the air. “She really is excited, isn’t she, bro?” Sev asked Wing telepathically. Wing nodded in response before sniffing again. “You alright? Getting a little worried about you,” Sev spoke out loud. “Yeah, I just think I smelled something weird. It smells like…” “You’re marrying Cadence! You’re marrying Cadence!” Twi shouted jumping around. She stopped in her tracks when she bumped into a pink alicorn with a crystal heart cutie mark. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” Cadence said sternly. “Pheromones…” Wing said telepathically to sev. “Cadence!” Twi shouted. She did a little dance in front of Cadence and clapped her hooves and shook her tail. It was like they used to do in their younger days. “Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!” “What are you doing?” Cadence asked in confusion. “Cadence, it’s me! Twilight.” “Uh huh…” Cadence just shrugged it off and went over to see a smiling Wing. “Hi, Cady!” Wing greeted her. “Oh...hello…” Cadence shrugged again. “And you are?” “Southern Wing, remember?” “Oh yes, I do remember…” That was the most amount of effort she could pretend to muster. “So how have you been Ca… *ahem* I mean Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Say when did you start using your full title by the way?” “Recently,” she chuckled. “I thought it suited me better.” “Maybe it does suit you better.” Wing’s and Cadences grins left Sev, Twilight, and Shining all confused. “You remember me too, right?” Sev asked. “I’m sorry, I don’t remember you at all,” Cadence said rudely. Sev got a look as if he was about to cry again, as Cadence walked to shinings side. “We’re so glad you could make it, Twilight, You two as well, Wing and Sev.” “Yes. we’re just...thrilled that you could make it Wing,” Cadence huffed. The couple made their way off inside the castle. “Something’s not right…” Twilight muttered. “Yeah, it’s not like Cadence to be this way. It could be stress from the wedding,” Wing suggested. “I suppose I better go see how Applejack is doing with the food. You two care to join me?” “We’ll catch up later with everypony else.” Twilight nodded and headed out. Wing waited til she was out of earshot and sight to turn to Sev. “That wasn’t Cadence.” “What do you mean? Oh wait, please don’t tell me that was her.” “Sev...me smelling pheromones can mean only one thing…That was Chrysalis. The violet queen is back in her hive as mother is back in ours. It can only be Chrysalis.” “But that means…” “Whatever she’s planning, she plans to carry it out soon. And with me having been close enough to detect her, I need to report this.” “Go ahead and do it right now. We can’t sit on this.” “Um...Keirzack we have a problem,” Wing signaled out. “What is it, Schkitz?” “I have reason to believe Chrysalis is taking the disguise of Princess Cadence.” “WHAT?!” Came the reply after a few moments of silence. ”You’re absolutely sure?” “Positive. I was close enough proximity to confirm.” “Meet me at my place later tonight. Everyling in the city will be there. You need to be there, we have to move immediately.” “Copy that.” Wing cut the communication and looked to Sev. “May as well catch up with the gang now.” “Sounds good to me,” Sev nodded. The pair rushed off to rejoin Twilight. They later found her sulking in the castle’s kitchen with a list of the wedding preparation on a notepad. She was holding it in her magic. The two sat down next to her while Applejack checked over the items that were on the list. “Ice sculpture, check,” Twilight said as she crossed it off the list. Applejack there with her, rushing over to the oven. “Best darn bite sized apple fritters you’ve ever had?” Applejack shoved one of the fritters into Twilight’s mouth. “Mmm, check!” Twilight smiled as she ate the fritter. Wing looked over to see Spike playing around with the cake toppings. those being replicas of the happy couple. “Do you?” ‘Shining Armor’ asked. “I do!” ‘Cadence’ replied. Spike had some fun with them “kissing” each other. Twilight crashed in on the fun and took them away from the dragon. Suddenly, the doors bursted open and Cadence came in there. She had the snobby kind of regality to her as she walked in. “Hiya, Princess Cadence!” Applejack greeted. “Please call me Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.” Cadence said. “Hiya, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza,” Applejack repeated. “Did you come to check out what’s on the menu for your big day?” “I am,” Cadence replied as she followed Applejack. She shot off some dirty looks as she followed. She played a nice face when Applejack turned to face her with the tray of fritters in her hoof. She took one in her magic and had a bite. “Oh yes, I...love love love them.” She said rather unconvincingly. “Aw, shucks, why don’t you take a few for the road?” Applejack offered. Cadence rolled her eyes backward and took the bag of the fritters with her magic. “I know how you brides are so busy you forget to get something in your belly.” But, Applejack was too busy with everything else to see Cadence throwing that same bag away in the trash. “Did you just see what she.” Twilight started to ask, but Applejack was already busy going off to another room. “I saw the same thing. Just doesn’t sit right with me,” Wing noted. “Yeah, that doesn’t seem like Cadence,” Sev spoke. “And I would know. I spent way too much time getting to know her from way off.” “Well, at least you two notice something is off,” Twilight commented. “Let’s go see how Rarity is getting the dress prepped.” The group trotted off to another room of the castle. Rarity was there getting the dress for the bride and the bridesmaids ready. A few of the bridesmaids were there as well. Naturally, they were happy for an honor such as this. Wing looked at the dresses as Twilight rambled on to Rarity about how much Cadence had changed. “Please call me Princess Mi Amore Cadenza,” she mocked. “Did I hear someone say my name?” Cadence asked, almost on cue. “Your highness!” Rarity exclaimed. “Let me tell you what an honor it is to make your dress for you!” “Uh huh,” Cadence replied snootily. “Is my dress ready?” “Yes it took a while but I think you’ll be pleased with the results.” Rarity grinned as she displayed the fruit of her labor. Cadence scanned the dress for any “faults”, and boy did she find “some”. “I was hoping for some more beading,” she groaned. “Oh...of course.” Rarity scribed a few notes on her notepad. “And those should be a different color,” Cadence commented on the bridesmaids dresses. “I think they’re lovely!” one bridesmaid spoke up. “Me too,” squeaked another. “I love them,” said the last bridesmaid. Cadence responded to their critiques with a hateful stare. “Make them a different color.” she repeated sternly before she shut the doors hard behind her as she left. “Gee, maybe her name should be princess demandy pants,” Twilight said in a snarky tone. Wing and Sev, meanwhile, were still not comfortable. She'd said almost everything they wanted to say already. “I’m gonna go see how my wife is doing. See you later,” Wing said. He flew off to the garden, where Fluttershy was with her songbird choir. As he flew to her side, he couldn’t help but worry. With Chrysalis obviously disguised as Cadence, he was worried about what would happen to him if he was caught. With Chrysalis around, the odds were increasingly for it to happen. He worried, what would happen to his daughter. As well as his brothers and sisters back at the hive and around Equestria. He sighed as he approached Fluttershy. “Oh hello, Wing,” Fluttershy said as she saw Wing touch down. “I was wondering where you went.” “How’s it going, dear?” Wing asked, nuzzling her gently. “It’s okay. I’m getting the birds ready for the wedding, and it’s going well. I hope they’re all rested before the big day.” “Is the music ready yet?” Cadence asked, again like she was on cue. “I need the best music for my wedding.” “Y-Yes, Your M-Majesty,” Fluttershy squeaked out. Something about this Cadence scared her. “Make it quick. I still have other things to see to.” Fluttershy meeped before Wing set a hoof on her shoulder and gave a reassuring smile. Fluttershy returned the smile and cleared her throat. She raised her hoof to signal to the birds it was singing time. “A one, a two, a one two three.” Her birds started singing. They sang in perfect harmony like they’ve done it a million times before. It didn’t take long for one of them to lose the beat and hit the wrong note, though. “WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM BIRD?!” Cadence snapped at the bird. The lone bird stopped singing and cringed at the loud screaming, as did the rest of the birds. “Forgive Maximus. He’s been...having some problems,” Wing said in an apologetic tone. “Yes, I bet. Just make sure he’s ready before my wedding,” Cadence spat out with more venom in her voice. She left in a fit like all the times before. “Well, that could have gone...better,” Wing groaned. “Maximus! I am ashamed of you! Going off key like that!” Fluttershy sighed. Maximus lowered his head in shame. “I know it’s been a difficult time, but you’ve got to pull yourself together. Could you try to do it for me?” Fluttershy asked. Maximus replied with a cheerful chirp. Fluttershy smiled in response. “You alright, dear?” Wing asked as he got close. “Yes, Wingy. I’m alright,” Fluttershy reassured Wing, giving him a kiss on the cheek. “I just want to make sure. I’m just worried about you and all.” “Oh? Is there anything you need to tell me about?” “I don’t want to worry you, but...I just want you to be careful, alright?” “I will. You don’t have to worry about me.” Fluttershy hugged Wing. “I should probably go see what Twi and Sev are up to. Make sure they didn’t get into trouble. You know how Sev is.” “Yeah,” Fluttershy chuckled. “I’m sure they’ll be alright, but it wouldn’t hurt.” Wing smiled at his wife, happy to see she would be safe for now. He took off into the sky soon after. “Where are you, buddy?” Wing asked Sev telepathically. “In the ballroom with Twilight, seeing how Pinkie Pie’s reception plans are going. Cadence hasn’t arrived yet.” “Got it, heading there now.” Wing changed his course to the ballroom, arriving shortly later. Wing was about to open the door when her heard a voice from behind him. “It’s...funny how we keep running into each other..” Wing looked behind him to see Princess Cadence standing there. “I’m sure it is just a coincidence, Your Majesty.” “Yes...I’m sure it is.” Wing opened the door for Cadence, who said nothing and walked in. Sev wasn’t there at the moment; perhaps he left to catch something else. Wing walked in behind her and watched as Pinkie showed Cadence how the reception would go. He kept special notice of Cadence’s reactions this time. Even though he could guess what her reactions would be already. “I think this is gonna go perfect, dontcha think?” Pinkie asked her. “Perfect…” Cadence replied. “If we were planning a six year old's birthday party.” “Thank you!” Pinkie said, gasping in excitement. Cadence walked off in her now-typical ticked off mood. But Wing noticed Twilight hiding behind one of the pillars in there, spying on the group. Sev was with her as well, even though he wasn’t hiding like she was. “Twi...what are you doing?” Wing asked, walking up to her. . “I’m watching Cadence. I don’t know what, but something about her has changed.” “Twilight, just because she’s...being a little...different before her wedding. It doesn’t mean you should just throw accusations like that without proof. Just saying she’s evil without any proof is gonna end badly. Everypony else just thinks she’s stressed out over her wedding.” “Wing! You and Sev know what she’s like...she’s pure evil!” “Hey, what did I say about having some proof? Nopony’s gonna believe you just based on what she’s doing right now. It is a wedding, after all.” “I guess you’re right,” Twilight sighed. “I just hope I’m not being paranoid.” “What about being paranoid?” Pinkie bopped in, having listened in to part of the conversation. “You’re sure it’s not just sugar? Sugar can make you do funny things!” “Nothing Pinks,” Wing smiled to Pinkie. “Nothing to worry about.” “Okey dokey! Seriously, though, sugar can give you silly voices in your head. Or is that just me?” Pinkie Pie started bouncing away, singing to herself. With business taken care of, the gang went over to one of Canterlot’s outdoor cafes. Twilight having herself a juicy drink and having a case of frizzy mane syndrome. “Bet I can tell what you’re all thinking. Cadence is the absolute worst bride to be ever!” Twilight stormed. The rest of the group looked at her in confusion. “Who, me?” Spike mimicked Cadence with the cake topper. “Spike! That goes on the cake!” Applejack scolded. Spike set the cake topper down, laughing nervously. “Twilight, whatever are you talking about? Cadence was an absolute gem!” Rarity praised. “But she was so demanding, Rarity!” Twilight said out of shock. “Well, of course she was! Why shouldn’t she expect the very best on her wedding day? I know I would.” “Applejack, did you know that after she told you how much she just love love LOVED your hourdourbs. She threw them in the trash?” “Aw, she was probably just trying to spare mah feelings,” Applejack brushed off. “No, it was because she was just being rude and totally insincere.” “She did raise her voice at one of my birds during rehearsal,” Fluttershy pipped up. “Yeah, I was there when she did that,” Wing noted, being over at another table for his order with Sev. “She was like that with everypony, I thought.” “See?! Rude!” Twilight said with a smug look. “But he was singing really off key,” Fluttershy held the bird up in her hoof. The bird started to go off key with his singing, causing Twilight to clamp her hooves over her ears. “Pinkie Pie, you had to have noticed how Cadence treated...” Twilight started, only to stop when she saw Spike and Pinkie playing with the cake toppers. “Dammit, Pinkie…” Wing facehooved. “Wing, I know you’ve noticed Cadence acting weirdly, too!” Twilight added. “Like I’ve said Twilight it could be any number of things causing her to act weirdly. But there is a crucial thing we are missing: direct evidence to back anything up.” “Sev?” Twi looked to Sev. “I’m with Wing on this one. Sorry.” “Rainbow Dash, you’re with me right?” Twilight begged. “Sorry Twi, been too busy prepping for my sonic rainboom to notice the bride’s bad attitude.” Dash replied. She extended her wings to give them a good stretching. Twilight took a sip of her drink and growled in frustration. “The princess is about to get married. I’m sure any negative behavior she’s displaying is simply the result of nerves.” Dash added on. “And I’m sure it’s the result of Princess Cadence who doesn’t even deserve to know Shining Armor. Let alone marry him!” Twilight growled. “Think maybe you’re being a mighty possessive of your brother?” Applejack inquired. The other four elements of the harmony nodded their head and made a collective “mmmhmmm.” “I am not being possessive. And I am not taking it out on Cadence. You’re all just too caught up in your wedding planning to realise there shouldn’t even be a wedding!” Twilight slammed her hoof on the table and stormed off, spilling everyone’s drinks. “I gotta go meet a friend of mine. I shouldn’t be gone long,” Wing said, getting up from the table and looking over to Sev. “Keep an eye on Shy, for me would you?” he asked telepathically “Sure thing, buddy,” Sev responded. Wing went over to Fluttershy and kissed her on the forehead. “See you later dear.” Wing was about to take off when he noticed the television in the cafe had Ancient Humans playing. He gave a small smile, finding the show welcome nonsense with such a tense atmosphere. Before he took off into the night sky heading for the meeting. Perhaps this was one of the most important meetings in changeling history. If not the most important.