The Lost Changeling: Rolling Ends

by AizakkuHorooee

Chapter 13: Nightmare Night

Pane walks away from the door, over to Aita, in front of the kitchen.

“Aita, why do you want to spend the night over here? We don’t even know you. Besides, Rusty Flashlight only has one bed in this house.”

“Really? Aw.”

Looks like Aita took that the wrong way.

“Well, that was unexpected.”

“Do you two live here?”

“Um, no. I only visit on a near daily basis. I don’t usually spend the night here.”

“Yeah, I’m the only one that actually lives here. But, I can probably give the top part of my bed to you for the night. Otherwise, you’ll have to roll with Carve’s sleeping nest.”

Aita winces at the offer, prompting my eyes to open.

“What’s wrong?”

“Wouldn’t that hurt?”

“What? Laying on the bottom part of a bed?”

He nods.

“Erm, not really.”

Then, I see him shudder.

“Just the thought of that... yeah, I think I might go with Carve’s nest.”

“O-okay. Suit yourself.”

“Alright, goodnight then.”

My eyes shoot wide open after hearing Aita walk off.

“Wait. You’re turning in now? But it hasn’t even gotten dark yet.”

“Sorry. But after that three hour trip over here, I’m bushed.”

And with that, the door to Carve’s room closes. I turn to Pane.

“Um, Rusty?”

“I know what’s going on. Aita’s definitely a changeling.”

“Why would you think that?”

“DIdn’t you notice what was going on? He refused an offer that you’ve taken whenever you stayed over. He preferred Carve’s nest. AND he’s going to bed at sunset. If I’m right, he’s not going to be waking up before getting up to twelve or more hours of sleep at this time of year.”

“Rusty, no need to pull a leaper. It’s just a young colt. If Aita so chooses this lifestyle he’s showing us, yeah, it would be a little concerning, but colts and fillies need more sleep than ponies our age.”

I sigh at Pane.

“Alright. If any of the foals trick or treating get loud, we’ll tell them that a guest is currently sleeping. Now quick, we have to set up the rest of the decorations. Should we throw away the ones in the barn?”

Pane nods.

“I already see what you’ve done with decorations, so I’ll do the rest of that.”

“Okay then. So, I’ll toss the older ones. See you back inside.”

I proceed to walk over to the back, where the storage barn is. However, I jump, after sliding the door open, to see Queen Chrysalis inside. I slowly land back onto the ground.

“Greta, Lasti.”

“Chrysalis? What’re you doing here? I thought you left to get your hive back.”

“I did. However, plans are unfolding slower than I anticipated. Do you mind?”

“Mind what?”

“Your old decorations?”

“Erm, sure. Why not?”

Chrysalis sighs relief.

“Aro. Thanks. I suppose Aita will sleep in your house?”

“You know about that colt?”

“He’s not just a colt. He’s a nymph. I told him to disguise himself as whatever was of his choosing.”

“Wow. I actually called it. I correctly concluded. But why is Aita sleeping here? Couldn’t he just stay with-”

“Only adult changelings will be able to overthrow King Thorax. While that is happening, I will be watching over Aita. The hive has some leftover nestrooms from before I was overthrown, so you won’t have to worry about Carve.”

I sigh.

“Okay. Say, uh, do you need anything before I give out candy to the trick or treaters?”

Chrysalis shakes her head.

“No. Carry on. I’ll be able to rest in this condition.”

“Okay.”

I slide the door closed and head back inside.

“Well, that was quick. What happened?”

“Change of plans. Uh, do you mind me throwing out the rustier decorations tomorrow?”

“Erm, I guess not. But why?”

“Remember my conclusion on Aita?”

“Yes.”

“I was right.”

“Oh, that he’s a changeling?”

“Yes. I found Chrysalis in the barn, and she confirmed it.”

“Uh, what?!?”

“What is it, Pane?”

“What the hell is Chrysalis doing here?!?”

“She’s spending the night here too. It turns out that her mission to reclaim her position is taking longer than expected.”

“Wait. Where is she going to sleep? The house is already full.”

“Precisely why I’m delaying the discarding of the rusty, old decorations. She’s using those as a nest.”

“Well, I guess you’re on your own then. After everything that happened when Carve first came across us, I am not going to get involved with Chrysalis’ current state.”

“Wait. You’re leaving? But what about the trick or treaters?”

“I guess that's something I’ll-”

Suddenly, the doorbell interrupts Pane, prompting her to open the door.

“Nightmare Night! What a fright! Give us something sweet to bite!”

“Hello everypony. Thanks for coming over. Feel free to grab one piece out of each box.”

The three foals nod, taking turns to take one of each kind of candy that Pane put in when I saw Chrysalis. After that, they all run off with their sacks of candy.

“Well, Rusty, I guess I’ll be heading home now.”

“Oh. Aro. See ya.”

Pane Fall waves goodbye and walks out from the front door.

Throughout the next hour, trick or treaters come off and on. Then, a group of possibly over a dozen fillies are revealed when they sing the Nightmare Night chant, only to be interrupted by Aita, who still has his door closed.

“CAN YOU ALL JUST STOP CHANTING?!? I’M TRYING TO SLEEP!!!”

The lead filly tilts her head slightly to the right.

“Sleeping when we’re all having fun?!? Who does that?”

“Well, at least I set out the candy holders in case the candy goes unattended. Help yourselves to a piece in each holder. I’ll go see what’s going on in the guest room.”

When I walk over the guest room, I knock on the door.

“Yes?”

“Aita? Are you okay in there?”

“Yes, but the only problem is that I can’t get to sleep because of those chanting fillies! Is your friend still here?”

“No, she left.”

“How come? The loud fillies?”

“Nah. Actually, I got the impression that she’s more of a pony that likes fillies.”

“So, why did she leave?”

“She left because I told her what, or who in this case, I saw inside the storage barn.”

“Wait. You went into the shed?”

“Actually, it’s a barn. I decided I would throw out the rusty decorations tomorrow instead of before the trick or treaters came.”

“Good- I-I mean, okay.”

“Don’t worry about correcting yourself, Aita. I know.”

“You know about her?”

“Yes. Remember, this will just be between you and me until you leave tomorrow for the hive.”

“I really hope Mom and Carve get Chrysalis’ hive back.”

I pause, thinking about what to say. After a couple seconds, I smile.

“I... I feel the same way, Aita. See you in the morning.”

“Goodnight.”