Change

by tom117z

8 - Post Wedding Blues

Canterlot, one day before Twilight's awakening.

A somber mood blanketed the pony capital of Canterlot. An increased guard presence patrolled the streets and a tense atmosphere had built up among the civilian population. A sense of paranoia and confusion remained prominent among the population in wake of the recent attack.

Deep within the halls of Canterlot castle, a group sat in the royal dining room, contemplating the revelation that has shaken them all to their very cores.

Twilight Sparkle was a changeling.

“I just find it hard to believe that the egghead was a bug this entire time!” Rainbow groaned.

“Rainbow Dash, we will not devolve into using such derogatory terms about our friend, or her kind!” Rarity glared at the cyan Pegasus in disapproval.

“Well… it’s true!”

As the wonderbolt hopeful and the fashionista bickered, the others sat in an uncomfortable silence. Princess Celestia stared out of the window, a war going on within her own mind.

Princess Luna grew irritated with the nearby bickering and moved in to stop them. “Rarity and Rainbow Dash, your friend has been taken against her will and your bickering isn’t helping.”

“But what if Twilight was in on the plan!?” Rainbow lashed out. “What if she’s been playing us the entire time and-”

“Rainbow Dash that is quite enough,” Luna calmly, but angrily, silenced the Pegasus.

“Just because Twilight is a changeling doesn’t mean we should judge her, she’s been nothing but a friend to us and we shouldn’t abandon her now!” Fluttershy interjected with a rare bout of confidence. “I mean, would it matter if I was?”

Rainbow bowed her head and slunk back into her chair guiltily. “No, Fluttershy’s right, it doesn’t.”

“Do you think Twilight has a different name?” Pinkie pondered out loud.

The others looked at her with raised eyebrows.

“Think about it, her name might have just been part of her cover; I think Amaryllis would be a good name.”

“Ama-what now?” Applejack questioned.

“I don’t know.” Pinkie shrugged. “I just think it would be a good name for a changeling Twilight.”

“Right…” Applejack turned to Shining Armor. “How are ya parents doing?”

Shining sighed. “I don’t know what’s going on with my parents, they just about threw me out of the house when I told them… They told me that they wanted to process everything on their own for a little while.”

Cadance draped a comforting wing over her fiancé, giving him a light nuzzle.

“Well I don’t know about ya’ll, but ah don’t think Twilight had a thing to do with the attack, for her to do so wouldn’t make a lick of sense. For one thing, the Element of Magic chose her; and secondly, ah could’ve told ya if she had been lying about who she was, being the Element of Honesty an’ all, but ah couldn’t sense a scrap of deception on her part.”

“I concur with Applejack,” Cadance spoke up. “I’ve known Twilight for a very long time, since she was just a sweet little filly… or nymph –is it? She would never have taken part in such an attack, or withheld information willingly.”

“Despite the monster her mother is,” Rainbow muttered.

“I’m not sure ‘monster’ would be the word to describe the Queen,” Cadance defended quickly, and rather unexpectedly.

Celestia finally turned away from the window, finally registering the ponies before her. “Cadance? What do you mean?”

“Well, while I was down in those caves she had every opportunity to kill me, or at the very least simply leave me to rot down there. But she didn’t. Instead she made sure I was well fed, and that I remained in overall good health. If it wasn’t for the magic suppressing ring around my horn, and the straps on my wings, I might have been able to escape the caves myself.”

Celestia hummed in contemplation. “During the attack, what was the last thing Chrysalis said to us.”

The others looked at her questioningly, but none of them offered up the answer.

“She said to us, ‘Cadance is in the caves beneath Canterlot; my daughter would never forgive me if I left her to rot’; now what do you all make of that?”

A few awkward looks passed between the group. “It would appear the Queen is genuinely affectionate towards Twilight, and is desperate to get on her good side,” Luna answered.

Shining smacked the table to get everypony’s attention. “Whatever her reasons, she imprisoned my fiancé, invaded our capital and foalnapped my sister!”

Shining’s outburst was met with scowls from all three princesses, cowing him back into his seat.

“Before we make any definitive actions, we must have answers. Those answers however, likely lay with the Queen, and perhaps Twilight herself.”

“So we get the egghead back?”

“Oh oh oh!” Pinkie pulled out a black and white striped shirt, a black mask and a black beanie, all of which she promptly wore. “Jailbreak!” she exclaimed enthusiastically.

Shining looked at the pink mare in confusion. “Where did you get those?”

“Oh I keep different sets hidden around Equestria in case of jailbreak emergencies. Now I might also need a torch, some chewing gum to climb up walls with… huh, I wonder if I could make a chewing gum flavoured cake? Or perhaps a cake flavoured chewing gum?” Pinkie took a sudden intake of breath. “A chewing gum flavored cake with cake flavoured chewing gum!”

“I… well… we… what?”

It took all of Luna’s mental power to stop just short of facehoofing. “While I know you we all want Twilight back, we have to face the possibility that Twilight won't actually want to come back.”

The elements all took a huge breath in, and wore shocked expressions, but Celestia just sighed. “While it might be hard to accept, my sister may be right. Say, hypothetically, that Twilight already knew she was… different, all of her life. She would likely have felt an outcast, afraid to reveal what she truly was - a scenario that would actually go a long way to explain some of her old social anxiety. And now she is among her own kind, she may not want to leave.”

“And if she didn’t know?” Rarity questioned. “All due respect your highness, but we simply can’t know for sure unless we get Twilight back and ask the poor darling ourselves.”

“My sister and I can further discuss our response to these events later, but for now I'm more curious on how you all feel about Twilight; if she returns would you be able to accept her as a changeling, rather than a unicorn?” Luna’s stared steely at the Element Bearers, sweeping across them, and lingering on Shining Armor.

It was Rainbow that spoke up first. “OK, I know what I said five minutes ago, but like you said I was out of line. What kind of Bearer of Loyalty, or friend, would I be if I left the egghead to rot in some bee hive? Twilight’s our friend, ling or not.”

All the other Element Bearers voiced their agreements, nodding heads vigorously.

Shining also agreed with the sentiment. “She is my sister, it’s her… mother that I’ve got issues with, not her. The sins of the parent should never reflect on the child. She is, and always will be, my LSBFF.”

Luna nodded in approval. ‘I know what it is like to be judged for what you are rather than who you are, I pray Twilight doesn’t have to go through the same pain I once did.’

“I would have expected nothing less,” Celestia smiled, moving to give her sister a wing hug. “You five are welcome to stay at the castle for as long as you wish, but for now Luna, Cadance, Captain Armor and I will decide our next course of action.”

The five ponies in question all got up from their seats, and after bidding farewell to the Element Bearers began to leave the dining hall.

“Bring her back safe, won’t you princesses?” Applejack called after them.

Celestia turned to look back at the five still sitting at the table. “I promise, I will bring my student home… if that is her wish.” With that Celestia left the dining room, walking down the castle’s long winding hallways beside her sister. Celestia’s thoughts never strayed from her protégé the whole time, and she worried for her well-being.

‘Please come home to me, Twilight…’

“Captain, gather your Lunar counterpart and both of your executive officers, we will continue this in the throne room.” Shining threw a quick salute, before trotting off as asked.

Luna adopted a sly smirk. “The throne room, Tia? Then I will personally inform the servants that we aren’t eating in the dining hall, and all of that cake you require before you can effectively rule Equestria will be brought to the throne room. Is that okay with you, sister?”

“Luna!”

Author's Note:

Not sure about this chapter, kept writing and re-writing the dialogue. Next chapter out later tonight!

And yes that was a Mirror's Image reference.

Comments

[Orkus]

This entire story is pleasing to my optics.

[Pause]

“Just because Twilight is a changeling doesn’t mean we should judge her, she’s been nothing but a friend to us and we shouldn’t abandon her now!” Fluttershy interjected with a rare bout of confidence. “I mean, would it matter if I was?”

i.imgur.com/PLChY.jpg

[Crystal Static]

“Just because Twilight is a changeling doesn’t mean we should judge her, she’s been nothing but a friend to us and we shouldn’t abandon her now!” Fluttershy interjected with a rare bout of confidence. “I mean, would it matter if I was?”

“Think about it, her name might have just been part of her cover; I think Amaryllis would be a good name.”
“Ama-what now?” Applejack questioned.
“I don’t know” Pinkie shrugged, “I just think it would be a good name for a changeling Twilight.”

I love how you reference other things in this.

~Crystalline Electrostatic~
13:55_11/22/2015

[BigLurker]

The Luna/cake bit at the end seems a little off, but good job otherwise.

[Perteks]

“I mean, would it matter if I was?”

Oh you

[Ralfil]

Fluttershy interjected with a rare bout of confidence. “I mean, would it matter if I was?”

Snrk. Referencing that bandwagon, huh? Good chapter anyways.

[Delta238]

6658415 I must concur.

[Perteks]

6658432
derpicdn.net/img/view/2015/8/13/956888__safe_solo_monochrome_princess+celestia_simple+background_dialogue_cake_white+background_cakelestia_artist-colon-progltanatos.jpeg

[Seeking Dusk]

“Ama-what now?” Applejack questioned.

She read it in a book somewhere or something AJ. Don't worry about it

[Limescale]

This series makes me smile more with each chapter.

[Cracked Egg]

“I mean, would it matter if I was?”

[JFalk]

It is nice to read a "changeling Twilight" story where the Mane 6, the Princesses and Shining actually acts with her brains and not panic

[Ryvaken]

Bad chapter, very disappointing. Changeling fics have a distressing habit of running on some kind of anti-racism, overly permissive agenda in complete disregard of the facts of the specific relationship between these species. This chapter not only goes there but references other works built on the same kind of dumb. Rainbow and Shining are the only ponies willing to look at the hard facts of what's happened and they are derided for doing so.

I strongly recommend rewriting this chapter with a focus on the characters and their personalities instead of the soapbox.

[Sr Face Tear]

“Just because Twilight is a changeling doesn’t mean we should judge her, she’s been nothing but a friend to us and we shouldn’t abandon her now!” Fluttershy interjected with a rare bout of confidence. “I mean, would it matter if I was?”
Rainbow bowed her head and slunk back into her chair guiltily. “No, Fluttershy’s right; it doesn’t.”
“Do you think Twilight has a different name?” Pinkie pondered out load.
The others looked at her with raised eyebrows.
“Think about it, her name might have just been part of her cover; I think Amaryllis would be a good name.”

These two references, they're horrible, it's okay to references other story's in your story, but this felt like you took these two story's and slapped me in the face with them. It took me completely out of the story. It's hard to make a good reference, you have to actually put some work into working them into the story, what you did here is two of the laziest references I've seen, especially the "Would it matter if I was" one, it is extremely unlikely for fluttershy to say this in this situation.

Other than that I'm loving the story, just please, put a bit more work into your references.

[Frankie2]

Fluttershy interjected with a rare bout of confidence. “I mean, would it matter if I was?”

I see what you did there.

[Evilpresident]

I like that name suggestion, it sound oddly familiar

[Asashi - Dark Fist Inari]

Nice, humerus ending there.

[Whitespace Only]

6658523 Gotta agree with this one: that was really jarring. Made more so by having two references in quick succession.

[Stitchwolf]

“Think about it, her name might have just been part of her cover; I think Amaryllis would be a good name.”

Fluttershy interjected with a rare bout of confidence. “I mean, would it matter if I was?”

c1.staticflickr.com/5/4074/4814014643_b2e1da67c5.jpg

[Cross Lament]

6658522 *points at the AU tag*

[Daring Cammie Do]

“Think about it, her name might have just been part of her cover; I think Amaryllis would be a good name.”

Mirrors Image reference. That was actually one of my favourite Twilight-as-a-changeling stories.

[Admiral Q Ponyform]

“Think about it, her name might have just been part of her cover; I think Amaryllis would be a good name.”

Mirror's Image reference YES!

[vladspellbinder]

but for now I more curious on

"I am more"

Loving the fic so far, the two groups really need to have a sit down in some neutral ground and work things out. With Chrysalis maybe paying some reparations for her attack.

[Dinohunter]

“I mean, would it matter if I was?”

You Filthy Meme
10/10

[friday13]

Wow, look at all those references.

[shadowstar618]

I mean, would it matter if I was?

yes good

[Deynarth]

I personnaly think that the reference "combo" was a bit jarring , kind of felt like you were trying too hard to put it in here.
The Mirror's image reference could have came up naturally later (My favorite story on this site ) ..... and the "Would it matter if I was ?" one , well , it's so memetic at this point that it would be jarring either way... unless maybe if used in a "I am Batma - No I am Batman ! " scene where everyone say it...

[nioniosbbbb]

6661082 Please for the love of god... don't do this.

[Iamawesome]

“Just because Twilight is a changeling doesn’t mean we should judge her, she’s been nothing but a friend to us and we shouldn’t abandon her now!” Fluttershy interjected with a rare bout of confidence. “I mean, would it matter if I was?”

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Revan]

“I mean, would it matter if I was?”

I think Amaryllis would be a good name.

Fimfic referencing fimfics...

[Darkus Relling]

“Think about it, her name might have just been part of her cover; I think Amaryllis would be a good name.”
“Ama-what now?” Applejack questioned.
“I don’t know” Pinkie shrugged, “I just think it would be a good name for a changeling Twilight.”

I forgot the name of that fic, but it's a really good reference!
EDIT: I freaking LOVE Mirror's Image!

“Just because Twilight is a changeling doesn’t mean we should judge her, she’s been nothing but a friend to us and we shouldn’t abandon her now!” Fluttershy interjected with a rare bout of confidence. “I mean, would it matter if I was?”

Oh. That one. ...

[TrebleBass]

“I mean, would it matter if I was?”

I thought this meme died

[elonlica]

I thought it was mirror's edge not mirror's image.

[Sleepysandman]

A1 reference with the whole "fluttershy saying "would it matter if I was?"" Unless THAT story was spawned by THAT line, in which case, A1 for creating reference-able material

[Thunder Quill]

“I mean, would it matter if I was?”

Goddamnit...

[Titan Commander Sebaste]

Celestia just got trolled!

[The Great Derpsby]

Shining smacked the table to get everypony’s attention, “Whatever her reasons, she imprisoned my fiancé, invaded our capital and foalnapped my sister!”

Shining’s outburst was met with scowls from all three princesses, cowing him back into his seat.

She also made the poor guy you're all scowling into submission her personal mindslave and made him yell at his baby sister in front her best friends and her mentor.

Oh wait, that's not actually important, is it? My bad.

[Misty Spell]

How I'm sure SA is feeling at the moment:

[Dragonwaz]

Fluttershy interjected with a rare bout of confidence. “I mean, would it matter if I was?”

is that a reference to "Would it Matter if I Was?"

“Think about it, her name might have just been part of her cover; I think Amaryllis would be a good name.”

Lol and then A "Mirror's Image" reference like a one two slap to the head.

[4TheLulz]

Fluttershy interjected with a rare bout of confidence. “I mean, would it matter if I was?”

pinkie.mylittlefacewhen.com/media/f/rsz/mlfw10430_medium.jpg

[Alex Prior]

“Just because Twilight is a changeling doesn’t mean we should judge her, she’s been nothing but a friend to us and we shouldn’t abandon her now!” Fluttershy interjected with a rare bout of confidence. “I mean, would it matter if I was?”

...
NO!

PLEASE! GOD! NO!

NOOOOoooo.... okay I'm calm.

“Think about it, her name might have just been part of her cover; I think Amaryllis would be a good name.”

....
Is this going to be just poking fun at different Chageling stories, and STILL playing into their tropes?

“Oh I keep different sets hidden around Equestria in case of jailbreak emergencies, now I might also need a torch, some chewing gum to climb up walls with… huh, I wonder if I could make a chewing gum flavored cake? Or perhaps a cake flavoured chewing gum?” Pinkie took a sudden intake of breath, “A chewing gum flavored cake with cake flavored chewing gum!”

Pinkie, your metaphor ran away from you again.

[Lauralite]

“Think about it, her name might have just been part of her cover; I think Amaryllis would be a good name.”

That fourth wall break for Mirror's Image.. Damn Pinks.

That also reminded me I need to check up on Mirror's Image, which is originally the story that gave me the love for Changeling Twi stories. Even if this is only the second one I've read now.

[Dragon of Shadows]

all of that cake

derpicdn.net/img/2013/7/18/377755/large.png

[Gizmo Gear]

6806836 BOOM!!! YOU SAID IT BRO!!! And that guy is BADA**!!

[Gizmo Gear]

7179439 YUS!!

[Dragonwaz]

6761630 The yelling scene never happened in this story, the rehearsal went off without a hitch. She did mind control him, but she only made him drop the barrier.

[MLP BRONY 27]

“Think about it, her name might have just been part of her cover; I think Amaryllis would be a good name.”

Fuckn Really nigga?

[Oblivionwalker]

Ah Luna being a prankster as always.

[SolarStreak]

"The four ponies in question" Don't you mean 5 ponies?

[WhoHacksFTW]

7555502 Everypony forgets about Applejack, it's OK.