The occupants of Canterlot Castle couldn’t help but cast wary looks towards the group moving their way through the castle.
The ponies leading them through the halls were familiar enough, both were captains of their respective royal guard regiments, and the pony just behind them was decked out in EUP armor. However behind these three walked five stallions armed with unsettling obsidian hilted swords, these stallions were arranged in a protective circular formation around a very self-conscious lavender mare they all recognised.
Twilight Sparkle had returned.
But of course by this point most of them had heard the rumours, and that certainly didn’t help the mutual feeling of unease among the spectators. And Twilight could hear all too well the murmurs among them.
“Is that Twilight Sparkle?”
“What is a changeling doing here?”
“You don’t actually believe those rumors do you?”
“What if she controls our minds?!”
“There you are!” a new, much happier voice emerged just ahead of them.
Twilight poked her head around the individuals in front of her to try and glimpse the pony who had said that, what she saw was a unicorn mare with a white coat, a dark brown mane, lighter brown eyes, and a cutie mark of an ink pen and inkwell.
“Twilight? Is that you?”
“Hey, Raven,” Twilight said rather meekly.
“Oh my gosh, we have to tell her highness right away!” Raven exclaimed, turning to make a mad dash to where she knew Celestia would be.
“Whoa hold up there, Raven,” Shining Armor moved to intercept her. “We’re on our way there right now so there’s no need for a mad rush, I assume she will be in her study at this time?”
Raven paused in her attempts to scamper away, stood up straight and adjusted her glasses as she calmed herself. “Erm, yes. Her highness entered her study just a few minutes ago.”
“Thanks Raven.”
“Oh, but you are alright aren’t you Twilight dear? I can’t imagine what a horrible experience you must have been put through,” a look of care and concern crossed her face.
“Don’t worry about me, I’m fine. It wasn’t actually as bad as you think it was.”
Raven quirked an eyebrow. “Really? How so?”
“I… don’t want to talk about it here and now, maybe later?”
“Oh that’s fine, I understand. Anyway, as I said her highness is in her personal study; your return will be a tremendous weight off her shoulders. I don’t think I’ve seen her that upset in, well, ever.”
“Thanks for the directions, Raven,” Shining spoke again. “Have a good day now.”
“Thank you captain, it was so good to see you again Twilight!” Raven waved as she departed down the halls, and the group continued towards where Princess Celestia awaited.
The journey didn't take long
A walk down the castle's many hallways later and the group of ponies and changelings stopped just outside of the door leading into Celestia’s private study. To Twilight the door seemed to grow larger and more intimidating as she considered who lay within, the fear she displayed didn’t go unnoticed by the others present, and neither did it go unnoticed those actively monitoring from slightly further away.
“Twilight, I’m here if you need me,” Chrysalis spoke over the hive.
“Thank you…”
“Alright Miss Sparkle,” Vladimir addressed. “We’ll report in first, and then you can talk with the princess.”
“Yeah, sure. Um, could you all stay outside when I speak to her because, well…”
Carduus gave Twilight a sympathetic smile. “If that is your wish, just call if you need us, we’ll be right outside the door.”
The other guards seemed uneasy at the prospect of letting their princess face the princess of the sun alone, but followed their instructions, however reluctantly.
Taking on an air of professionalism, Shining Armor, Vladimir and Longshot gently opened the door and entered the room beyond.
Princess Celestia was sitting behind her desk, a mountain of paperwork sat beside her with one scroll caught within her golden magical aura. With a sigh of disapproval she placed down the piece of paper she was examining, and after signing it with a quill in all of the relevant places she stamped a big red ‘DENIED’ over the form. She then moved to place it on another pile of paperwork along with the rest of the papers marked with denied, only to jerk up slightly as she spotted she had visitors, and saw who those visitors were.
“Your highness,” Vlad moved ahead of the others, saluting to the solar princess. “Mission objective has been completed, ready to report.”
Celestia shook her head to shake off the surprise of their appearance before taking on her normal regal posture. “Go ahead captain, you located the changeling hive?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Very good, I am glad you are safe my little ponies.”
“However, before we go into details, you should know that there were… complications.” Internally, Vladimir was shaking, but his training allowed him to remain stoic.
Celestia raised an eyebrow at the statement. “Complications? How so?”
Before the lunar captain could answer, Longshot cut in. “I think you should see yourself!” he said, ignoring Vladimir’s annoyed glare. “You can come in now!” he called out to the door.
The door opened a crack, and a trembling lavender mare slowly meandered her way into the room. The sight of this mare caused Celestia’s eyes to widen to the size of dinner plates. As Twilight endured the Solar Princess’ gaze, the three stallions decided it prudent to leave them be, and quickly vacated the room, Vlad berating an unrepentant Longshot due to the latter’s interruption seconds earlier.
Now it was just Celestia and Twilight Sparkle left in the study.
“P-Prin-Princess?”
Suddenly Twilight was lifted up into a bone crushing hug backed by the power if the sun itself, Celestia having moved from behind the desk to Twilight in a speed only thought possible by a certain manic pink mare.
“Twilight? It’s really you?”
Twilight’s response was muffled within the alabaster alicorn's fur.
Celestia quickly released Twilight to allow her a chance to breath, giving her an apologetic, and yet joyful smile.
Celestia sucked in a wet sounding breath, her eyes beginning to glisten. “Forgive me my faithful student, but when you were taken from us, I was afraid I lost you.”
“You… you were?”
Celestia nodded in confirmation to her previous statement.
“T-thank you princess, but I’m fine, really!”
“Twilight, it’s just Celestia, please. Besides, from what I have gathered you and I perhaps hold the same title?” Celestia said, if just a bit teasingly.
“Well Princess-“ Celestia resisted the urge to roll her eyes at still being called princess instead of Celestia. “-i-it’s… true.”
“Can I see?”
“See what?”
Celestia poked her chest with a hoof. “You.”
Twilight cringed in hesitation, still unsure of how the solar princess would react.
“Twilight…” Celestia said gently, using a hoof to softly turn Twilight to look her in the eyes. “I promise I won’t be mad… but if you don’t want to show me, that’s fine too.”
Finally Twilight relented, and after backing up slightly allowed green flames to whip around her body, returning Princess Twilight into view.
Celestia examined Twilight’s alien form, and yet her warm smile and loving, caring eyes never faded, or even wavered for a second.
“Thank you Twilight, for trusting me; you should never be ashamed or afraid to show your true self to the world.”
“I don’t think I can show myself even if I wanted to…” Twilight mumbled to the floor.
Celestia jerked upright. “And why ever not?”
Twilight looked up at Celestia in confusion.
“Does your mother want war with Equestria?”
Twilights eye widened. “N-no!”
“Does she intend to continue with hostilities?”
“No!”
A smile settled across her muzzle. “Then I think you can be considered the first dignitary sent by the hive to negotiate a peace between our peoples. Thus, you and any changeling that may have come with you are now under the protection of the Equestrian throne.”
“Wait… what? Accepting you I expected, but this…” Chrysalis communed over the hive.
“I- I don’t know what to say. How am I meant to be an ambassador between us? What if I mess up? What if-“
“Twilight…”
“Oh, sorry,” Twilight blushed, burying the panic as deep as she could.
“Of course I would help you and make sure your position and protection is known to Equestria. As for any potential negotiations, I am confident in your abilities Twilight, I have taught you about politics to the best of my ability having known you yourself would have to deal with it someday, if not quite like this…”
“What… do you mean by that?”
Celestia sighed, “That is a conversation for later. If you still feel uncomfortable doing this alone, I’m sure Queen Chrysalis has diplomats to help out, surely?”
“What do you think mother?”
“This is sudden but… what do we have to lose by this point? I have some Changelings that I usually send to deal with other hives when my presence isn’t required, so I will send them to you. Trot carefully my daughter, some ponies may oppose this.”
“Twilight?”
Twilight snapped out of the hive communication to see Celestia wondering why she had paused in such a way.
“Sorry, mother said she agrees.”
Celestia’s eyebrow attempted to say ‘hi’ to her horn. “Wait, how…”
“Egregore, or hive mind if you prefer.” Research mode Twilight was almost showing through.
“Interesting, there is quite a bit we have to learn about changelings.”
“Changelings have an Egregore, some empathic senses… and if you’re interested I have made detailed notes on changeling biology, physiology, some of their history among other things! By the way can I use the royal library later? There is something I need to look up.”
Celestia chuckled. “Your inquisitive mind is always welcome in the royal library Twilight, as you well know. By the way, your friends are still in the castle.”
“They’re here!?”
Celestia nodded. “I will gather them in the dining hall, they will be eager to meet you.”
Celestia moved away from the changeling princess and opened the door, to find Longshot and all of the changeling guards with the exception of Carduus listening in at the door. Shining, Vlad and Carduus simply facehooved, they had tried to warn them that they would be caught.
Of the five eavesdroppers, Longshot was one that Celestia recognised, but the other four she did not.
“Friends of yours, Twilight?”
“They’re, well… my guards.”
“My my, you have guards now?” Celestia teased.
“Twilight, why aren’t you disguised?” Carduus asked.
“Well, if you were listening in…” Longshot started with a smirk.
Spike sat at the dining room table, surrounded by a rather large group of ponies. The five element bearers were there, as was Princesses Cadance and Luna.
“Why are we here exactly?” Spike asked, munching on a small plate of gems.
“My sister has something she wants to talk to you all about.” Luna said knowingly, having already been informed.
“Yeah but what is that!” Rainbow Dash blurted out, “I don’t like being kept in the dark like this.” She hovered above the group, forelegs crossed and a scowl on her face.
“I’m sure Princess Celestia has a very good reason,” Fluttershy muttered lightly.
Rainbow looked at the timid yellow Pegasus. “And what might… where’s Pinkie gone?”
The group looked around to see that the excitable pink pony had indeed vanished, and yet the door hadn’t been opened, and all the windows couldn’t be opened, neither were they smashed.
“The pink one is going to give me a migraine,” Luna sighed.
“That’s Pinkie Pie for ya. Best you jus’ accept it and let that be that,” Applejack suggested.
Luna’s eye twitched. “Thou may be correct, tis perhaps for the best.”
“Dialect,” Celestia’s voice sounded as she entered the room.
“Tia I will end you!” Luna shouted out in annoyance, turning to glare at her amused sister. “Well since you are here perhaps we can get started.”
“Started with what you highness?” Rarity asked. “Your summons were awfully sudden.”
“Captain Shining Armor, Captain Vladimir Vespertilio and Sergeant Longshot have returned.”
“Shiny’s back?” Cadance brightened up. “Is he alright?”
“He is fine, Cadance,” Celestia answered. “He and the others are just writing up their report.”
“And Twilight?”
Celestia smiled. “See for yourself.”
Celestia stood to the side to show the chitin clad form of Twilight approach sheepishly, five other now undisguised changelings standing back to give their princess some space.
“Welcome back Twilight!” a hyperactive voice exclaimed alongside masses of confetti being fired out of a cannon, the pink mare having emerged from a now broken wall. Somehow in that split second a giant banner reading ‘Welcome back from the hive Twilight’ had been set up and all of Twilight’s guards had been given party hats.
“Laughter! Did you have to break the wall?” Luna seethed as she tried to comprehend what just happened.
Pinkie shrugged. “Hey at least I didn’t break the fourth wall this time! Oh wait…”
Twilight was knocked out of her own attempts at comprehension when she was promptly glomped by a small purple dragon, and then buried under a pile of blue, yellow, orange, white and pink as her friends all tackled her into a relieved hug, none of them seeming to care about the whole changeling thing. Captain Carduus almost had a conniption.
“Hey girls, hey Spike!” Twilight hugged them back.
Reluctantly the seven untangled themselves from the cuddle pile.
“I must say darling, you really make chitin work. Now I simply must make a dress to compliment it! Your old dresses won’t really fit the new look, or your wings, but I’m sure I can make one that is simply looks fabulous on you! Free of charge of course.”
Rainbow snorted. “Of course that’s the first thing on your mind, Rares.”
“So… none of you care that I’m a changeling?” Twilight asked in slight surprise.
“Sugarcube, we wouldn’t care if you were a mish-mashed draconequus, you are our friend, end of.” Twilight could feel the emotions coming from her friends, and it was almost too much for her. Luckily, Rainbow was ready to bring her back in a way only Rainbow could...
“The real question is, do you know how to use those wings?”
“Well, I am learning, but I can’t really fly yet so…”
“WHAT! No friend of mine is being stuck on the ground if I can help it. Egghead don’t you worry, once I’m done you may ‘almost’ be as good as me.”
“Dash that’s not really necessary…”
“Oh no… I insist!” Rainbow said while pressing her face against Twilight’s, making the latter very uncomfortable.
“Simmer down Rainbow," Applejack bit down on Rainbow's tail and dragged her back. "Ah think you can let things calm down first at least.”
The multi-colored mare simply huffed in response, but did as she was told.
Now Cadance approached, seeming very unsure of herself as she looked at Twilight’s true form. Images of her time captive in the caves flashed in her mind.
Twilight saw Cadance react in this way, and her good mood was replaced with a despondent one, her face following suit.
Now that Cadance couldn’t abide.
“Twilight…” Cadance signaled, her nervousness gone. Twilight understood what Cadance was signalling immediately, much to her joy.
“Sunshine sunshine ladybugs awake, clap your hooves and do a little shake!” both mares sang while doing the dance to go with it, at the end both broke down into a fit of giggles.
Celestia smiled as she let the group continue to catch up, Luna moved in beside her.
“I told you so,” Luna said in satisfaction.
“I know Lulu, I worried too much. However, I get the feeling our work is just beginning.”
“Indeed, any trouble on your way here?”
“A few odd looks in the corridor, but my presence kept anything more from potentially happening, I will make another announcement by days end.”
The two alicorns looked to the group again, seeing Rarity now fussing over the five hapless changeling guards, deciding how best to make them smart suits for ‘special occasions’. After she had been dragged away by a reluctant looking Spike, Twilight had managed to introduce Carduus and his squad to her friends.
“They are a curious group, aren’t they? Things were much simpler a thousand years ago.” Luna observed.
“It keeps things interesting.”
“Yes, I heard you used that to your advantage at the gala,” Luna gave her sister a frown.
“If you would attend, perhaps I wouldn’t need to go to such extremes.”
Luna dropped her glare and stuck out her tongue instead. “Not a chance.”
In the background, Cadance broke off from the group and left the dining hall entirely, as the others began to talk, undoubtedly looking for that husband-to-be of hers.
Shining Armor had finished writing his part of the report, Vlad and Longshot had since departed to get some rest and relaxation as reward for a job well done. They needed it after their time in the Badlands. Shining however had gone to his fiancé’s current residence in the castle, she of course wasn’t there. So now he stood on the balcony staring off into the distance.
“Shiny?”
Shining Armor turned around to see a familiar pink alicorn standing there.
“Cadance!” He exclaimed as he ran up to and kissed the alicorn, who kissed passionately back.
“Don’t scare me like that ever again mister!”
Shining chuckled. “You’re way too scary to risk disappointing.”
“Me? Scary?”
“The others don’t know you like I do,” he laughed, but a moment later his face fell again.
“Shiny? What’s wrong?”
"Cadance… I said some things I didn't mean, and lashed out and... I messed up, bad."
“What do you mean? Said things to whom?” She was instantly in her mothering mode.
“Twily, and I’m scared. Scared I may have driven my sister away for good.”
Cadance simply sighed. “Tell me everything.”
The barracks, Canterlot Castle
Longshot opened his provided locker and began to unload his armor and precious crossbow into it for storage.
“Sergeant Longshot?”
Longshot turned around to see a Pegasus with white fur and a blonde mane, his armor signified him as a commander of the Solar Guard.
“Can I help you sir?” he asked as he slammed the locker door shut.
“I’m Commander Broad Sword, second to Captain Shining Armor, you were a part of the mission to the Badlands, correct?”
Longshot nodded, but couldn’t help but feel something was off about this stallion.
“All mission parameters achieved I presume?”
Longshot didn’t respond, instead he stared at the commander suspiciously.
“I’ll take your silence as a yes.”
“I’m pretty sure the details are classified, sorry sir.”
“Oh don’t worry, I don’t need to know the details, all that matters is Twilight Sparkle is in Canterlot safe and sound,” Broad Sword smirked
They stood there for a few more moments. “As you were,” Broad Sword finally concluded.
With that Broad Sword departed.
A great many red flags sounded in Longshots head, and yet he had nothing more to go on than pure gut instinct, no way to prove the Commander was up to anything. It was gut instinct, nothing more, nothing less.
But that gut instinct was rarely wrong.
Ooh, if that changeling bastard even lays one holed hoof on Twilight, he'll get even more holes in his head!
I smell a climax coming.
6863082
That's because you probably did. This story is blatant carbon copy of Mirror's Image, except worse written in every sense. I'm honestly amazed this story even passed moderation. It doesn't even try to hide its obvious plagiarism.
6867555 As far as threats go, that one wasn't bad at all.
i kind of help cadance throw shining though a wall and he end up in area where every one at, they think it an attack and hear cadance yell shine name, and twilight just look over face hoove and say "you told her what happen" and just shake her head,
6867587 I would be the first to admit that Mirror's Image is the better story, and everybody should really go check it out, that story is awesome.
However similarities between this story and Mirror's Image are purely coincidental, and as I've stated in the past I started planning this before I even read Mirror's Image, and even changed things to diverge from that story (Blueblood completely written out, Crudelis, Broad Sword a changeling, all this changed before I released the first chapter), ultimately similarities in a story like this is to be expected, it's hard to avoid given the similar synopsis.
On top of that EvilPresident (the author of Mirror's Image) noted the similarities, but was OK with it.
If you don't like the story that's fine, everyone's entitled and all that. But keep such accusations and harsh comments to yourself, or at least try and be polite.
hehe broad sword is goanna fail
I thought she had a different disguise in the last chapter.
Somehow in that split second a giant banner reading ‘Welcome back from the hive Twilight’ had been set up and all of Twilight’s guard’s had been given party hats. somehow it would have been funny, if she was nervous enough, to jump in fright, and disguise herself in a random Pony combination, with different colours, and all that.
Nice ending for the chapter, I just like nearly every update at the moment.
6867646
Damn, missed opportunity.
And at the end of the last chapter she changed from the random pony disguise to Twilight Sparkle again, the former disguise was just a precaution until they reached the castle.
6867637
One or two similarities is coincidence. Fifty percent of a story? That's just plain not trying. The changed details only highlight the similarities more and don't really change the fact that this is basically a worse version of an already existing story. If you are aware of this yourself, then you really should have possessed the good sense to rework your idea until it could have stood as an original work of its own.
Also, that was me being polite. You'd know the difference if I wasn't. The air hasn't turned blue, for one.
And the plot thickens. And I'm not talking about Celestia and cakes for a change.
Cya
Raziel-chan
6867675
Wow I'm so scared.
I'm not continuing this argument further, you don't like the story, fair enough, I'm continuing for the people who like it, end of, goodbye.
6867675 Let's see... what are the similarities between this story and Mirror's Image...?
Twilight is a changeling: check
Chrysalis is Twilight's mother: check
Chrysalis invaded Canterlot to get Twilight back: check
... and that's it. Every other aspect of the two stories is different in one manner or another.
How Twilight finds out she's a changeling: discovered by accident here, wasn't aware until being taken to the Hive in MI.
How Changelings other than royals act: full personalities here, mostly subservient drones in MI.
How Celestia reacts to seeing Twilight's true form: perfect acceptance here, triggered a backslide to a past personality in MI.
Conspirators against Twilight: Broad Sword and his faction here, Blueblood in MI.
Chrysalis and Celestia's relationship: no prior relationship here, former student/teacher in MI.
Shiny and Twilight's relationship: Shiny drops the ball here, quickly patches things up in MI.
Going by math alone, the similarities only make up 1/3 of the points I listed. Swing and a miss, wlam.
Oh pinkie u so random
(I don't know how to do memes so yeah)
Just like with maccready in fallout 4, if longshot has a bad feeling about something, listen to him..
6867555 I think you'll have to get in line, there are probably lots of people who want to tear him a few new a-holes.
Nice chapter. I wonder how Longshot will deal with his gut instinct. And I can't wait for the flying lessons with Rainbow Dash. I hope Twilight becomes a great flyerflyer. Maybe they eventually perform a Twin Sonic Rainboom. Also if I am lucky then the flying lessons will bring Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash closer together. Especially since that those two are my favorite pairing I My Little Pony. Looking forward to the next chapter.
Very nice chapter. Gotta love Pinkie Pie's randomness. Shining is going to need quite a bit of help...PTSD is no joke. Longshot has a feeling, but no proof. Almost sounds familiar. How come I have the feeling that he will be the one to find the real Broad Sword?
6867741 I don't. I'm mocking it with contempt.
Good to see how everyone reacted, I wasn't sure about a few.
6867915
I had to look up 'stare rape' hoping it wasn't what I thought it was. But it was.
That has to be one of the most moronic things I've ever seen.
Mock it! Mock it at every opportunity.
6868018 It's just that rape is a trigger word and people pay attention to it.
Here's where things get interesting. Looking forward to more.
Keep up the good work. Deus tecum.
nice chapter
Twilight isn't alone in her own mind and can act as a proxy for the queen. That would be a little disturbing.
6867741 No. 'Stare rape' and anyone who uses that term seriously is full of crap.
Sounds like a reference to THIS
I smell TROUBLE ! Now I can not wait to read the next chapter , aramatura shining should learn to think before you speak I hope you apologize to the SISTER , Princess candece not take well to that comrade will tell .
SEE NOT PUT TOO MUCH TIME TO UPDATE !
6868556 Nope, never heard of that until now.
6868578 Recomend it heavily.
people*
I cant wait for the next chapter
Clever line, never heard it put that way before.
You cheeky dick waffle
6868619 In that context it is correct. It classifies two(or more) distinct sets of people. it seems weird, that there is a plural form of a plural word, but it is correct.
6868870 True but then again people is already referring to multiple individuals. Whatever the case that phrasing is wonky.
Twishot ship?
Lol my faveorite part is when pinkie says atleast I didn't break the forth wall . Oh wait . Lol. Next chapter please.
6868883 It's only wonky if you don't read National Geographic or, watch the discovery, or history channels or other similar publications/networks, which I grew up on. Grammatically it's even more wonky to say "People" as it implies that they are already co-rulers of a singular set of citizenry. When in fact there are two distinct groups of people thus peoples is the correct phrase.
Example: A deck refers to multiple cards of a given set. If you have one deck of pokemon cards, and another deck of standard poker cards. You won't say "I have a deck," but "I have two decks." Referring to two different Individual sets of cards.
Love the story so much it's like mirrors image but with a changeling antagonist instead of prince prickblood. Really can't wait to see more, though I hope something like that asshole killing carduus doesn't happen :(
I knew the girls wouldn't let us down.
...of course that makes Shining reaction even worse...
Woah, I sped through this story. Couldn't wait for more
Looks like Longshot knows something's off with Broadsword...
This is probably missing a word. But, since the word story and the word discussion could easily end that sentence, I'm not sure which word its missing.
Good, but I'm sad Fluttershy didn't say/do anything.
im sorry longshot but you will have to be wiped maimed and then shot. because what you just heard was a state secrete.
PINKIE BROKE THE FOURTH FUCKING WALL AGAIN GOD DAMN IT. I AM THE ONE TO REPAIR IT EVERY TIME!!! DAMN
dam it broadsword or in this case that rival ling is going to make a shot at twilight probably not with longshots crossbow but using one of his grunts
7110134
I'm with you on that...
when twilight talked with chrysalis she reminds me of the time she talks with Ruby, in her head
6867852
I wont just tear him A-holes I'll do B' C' D' E' F' G'... I NEED MORE ALPHABET!
7667095 啕 造詞 ...
PS: I have no idea what that says.
7704292 then how did you write it?