Scootaloo walked down the halls of the palace, eyes roving up and down the various banners and windows. The other two crusaders had been moved to suites with their elder sisters, mostly for the sake of comfort and security after the attack. She, on the other hoof, had found herself paired with Fluttershy. When she'd asked about Rainbow Dash, though, the other pegasus had clammed up.
That raised some flags in her head.
So now she was hoping to find Shining Armor and ask him where Rainbow was. Sure, he was Twilight's brother, but more importantly he was a captain of the guard. If anypony knew where Dash was, it had to be him.
Of course, finding the stallion was going to be a bit difficult...
Still, months of crusading with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle had left the pegasus with a mind that could quickly process facts when necessary. One: Shining Armor was in love. Two: His lover had suffered recently by kidnapping. Logical conclusion: Find Cadance, and she'd find Shining Armor.
All she had to do was ask one of the guards where that pretty pink princess was because she love love loved her tiaras! She'd even managed to keep from gagging at the frillyness of her question until she was out of earshot of the guy. Of course the directions he'd given were a bit vague, but 'somewhere in the northeast wing' was a lot better than 'somewhere in Canterlot.' Still, tracking down Cadance and, by extension, captain Armor was proving a lot more tedious than she would have liked; she couldn't even check the rooms systematically, because this part of the palace had hallways and ballrooms and serving quarters all jumbled up as though it had been renovated from a storage area and then renovated again from some sort of restaurant!
No doubt Apple Bloom could find her way in here. She never seemed to get lost in strange buildings...
Scootaloo's ears perked as she rounded the corner. A pair of voices were headed her way, just down the hall. She took a moment to dive under a small table that apparently only existed to hold up a trio of painted plates, listening in as the two ponies trotted unknowingly closer.
"...but I can remember everything I did while I was under her spell. And... I mean, I just can't shake the feeling.... did I propose to her? Or to you?"
"Shining, honey, I was only in that cave for two weeks. Of course you proposed to me."
"No, I know that up here, but...."
The pair stopped right in front of Scootaloo, the pink alicorn turning to her fiancee and wrapping her forelegs around his neck. "Hey. I understand, okay? She lured me into a trap pretending to be you and... I'll admit I felt a bit... betrayed. But if we let ourselves be consumed by doubt, then we'll never be able to have a healthy life."
"I... guess I'm just being silly--"
"No, you were hurt. Deeply. But... I'm here to help you now."
The alicorn smiled gently, leaning in. After a moment, the unicorn glanced up, looking into her eyes. A matching smile, a thankful smile, formed on his own lips. Slowly the distance between them closed, their faces crawling ever closer. Their hearts quickened, muzzles inches from each other--
"OH EW! GAG, ICK!"
The two ponies leapt apart quickly, their eyes snapping to Scootaloo's hiding place with some shock. After a moment, the alicorn chuckled a bit awkwardly. "Well well well! Looks like we have a little peeping tom here, Shiny."
With an aggravated sigh, the unicorn gestured for the filly to step out from under the table. "What are you even doing in this part of the castle?"
Scootaloo emerged, giving the pair a dry glare. "Not looking for kissing ponies. Gross. I'm actually looking for... wait, you're Shining Armor, right?"
"Yes...?"
"Then you know where Rainbow Dash is, right?"
Instantly the stallion tensed up. "Not... at the moment--"
"Do you know when I can see her?"
"Well, actually, no--"
"You know something, don't you."
"Maybe you should head back with your friends and--"
"TELL ME WHERE RAINBOW DASH IS!"
"She's in the hospital!" the alicorn blurted out.
Scootaloo froze, her hooves still gripping on the face of Shining Armor.
"...She is... she was hurt in the battle with the changelings." The princess nodded. "Severely injured, rescuing some ponies... the fact is, because she's an element bearer, we thought it would be better to keep it secret and not let the news ponies bother her."
The filly dropped to the ground, giving her a hurt look. "And... nopony told me?"
"Aside from the bearers and military personnel, the hospital is only letting family members in." The alicorn kneeled down, wrapping the filly in a gentle hug. "She tried to get them to allow you in, but... the doctors are stubborn. So she asked us all to keep an eye on you."
"She didn't want you to be hurt that they weren't letting you see her," Shining Armor added.
Scootaloo shook her head. "Right.... How long until she can...?"
"It's... touch and go," Cadance explained reluctantly. "She's stable but... that only means she's not getting worse. It'll be a while before she gets better, the doctors aren't sure."
Silence filled the hallway. The two adults could only watch as Scootaloo sagged, her eyes shutting tightly to prevent tears from leaking out.
"...she'll be alright." The filly took a deep breath. "She always pulls through." Her eyes snapped open again. "You'll tell me if she gets any better, right?"
"...You have my personal promise as a princess." The alicorn smiled gently, nuzzling Scootaloo for a brief moment.
"Ugh, okay! Okay, I get it!" The pegasus pushed her away. "I'm okay! No more of that mushy junk!"
"What's the problem with mushy junk?" Shining Armor asked in amusment. "You were perfectly happy to be a flower filly."
"That's a wedding. Mushy junk is FINE at a wedding."
"I don't know," Cadance commented slyly, "I think mushy junk has some place outside weddings. Right, schmoopy doo?"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Shining Armor raised an eyebrow at the retreating filly. "...quite a set of lungs on that one."
"Ironically enough, Twilight says she's tone deaf."
***
"Lyra! I came as soon as I heard!"
The mint green unicorn looked up from her meal, grinning warmly at the approaching mare. "Come on, Bonbon. I'm fine! Heck, I've even got free food cause of the whole thing!" She waved her hayburger for emphasis, before chomping half of it down. "Mmm! Shsh ish gunf!"
"Why couldn't Chry--the changeling queen teach you proper manners when you were enthralled?" The mare sighed, shaking her head as she slid into the seat across from Lyra. "Um... seriously. How are you doing?"
"I'm fiunh." The unicorn gulped down her chow, taking a breath. "Sorry. I'm fine, Bonbon, don't worry. It was a bit... well, scary, but I got out alright." She leaned forward, lowering her voice. "Those times you and I linked... they really helped me shake it off."
"I should never have let you come here," the cream mare muttered. "I should have tied you up in Ponyville..."
"Hey. You didn't know who she'd replaced."
"I should have guessed that bitch would go for somepony important."
"What's with all these should haves?" Lyra put a hoof on her marefriend's shoulder. "You can't have known what was going to happen. I know that you did everything you could to help."
Bonbon sighed. "...not everything."
"...nonono, you don't get to do that. You don't even get to THINK of doing that." The unicorn used her magic to tie the other mare's tail to the table. "Not now! Not after--"
"It's my choice to make!"
"Oh, and I suppose I'm supposed to just sit back and let you WALTZ to your death?"
"Do you really think she'd kill me?"
"Oh gee, I dunno, why is it every time I write a paper on humans all of Canterlot gangs up on me to call me a madmare?!" Lyra stomped her hoof. "Anything that fits outside her clearly defined world gets purged!"
Bonbon gave her a flat look.
"...What?"
"Really. You think she killed off humans."
"Nah, that was Discord. She just hid the evidence they ever existed."
"So, by your own admission, she won't commit genocide."
"But she could still execute you!" Lyra glared at her. "You're all so moral and high but you know what? I don't want to lose you again!"
The two mares stared into each other's eyes. The golden set was beginning to fill with tears, the cyan pair already flooded with guilt. Words unsaid, words that needed not to be said, the language of love and care flowed between them.
Bonbon looked away first. "...if... if anything changes. And I'll tell you first."
"...okay."
***
"...and, um, I think that's it."
"...oh. Uh... thanks, Shy."
"...you're, um, welcome I guess..."
Pegasus and Changeling kept their eyes on the ground, one's cheeks a light pink, the other's a lime green color.
"...listen. I know how hard this has to be for you, and... I just want to say, um, thanks." The changeling swished her tail. "For, you know, helping. With... that."
"It's... no trouble, really." Fluttershy took a breath. "I mean... I guess I thought you would know how to... um..."
"Whoever did this did a good job of overwriting my memories," the changeling grumbled. "I don't even know my own body now. I don't even... am I still a mare?!"
"Erm."
Panicked blue eyes locked onto the pegasus. "Fluttershy. Tell me I'm still a mare. Please."
"...ah... from, what I could tell... changelings, um, don't exactly have mares and, um, stallions..." She curled up and squeaked. "You're kind of... both..."
The cell was quiet for a moment.
Eventually, the changeling slumped. "So even that's a lie. Good to know. Good to know I'm a complete joke."
Fluttershy's head shot up. "What?"
"Bearer of the element of loyalty? Ha!" The changeling pointed at her face. "What is this? This is completely not loyal to anything! Not to friends, not to Equestria, not even to the memories in my head! Hooray, that queen has a wicked sense of humor!" She laughed mirthlessly, tears forming in her eyes. "I can't even be loyal to the hive, because I don't remember it. Nope! Just a stupid! BUCKING! JOKE!"
The changeling threw up her hooves and lunged at the ground--
--but Fluttershy was there before her face could hit the cobblestone, holding her in a tight hug. "Don't you dare hurt yourself. Don't you even dare."
"Hah... like it even matters now."
"Now you listen here, young lady!" The pegasus wrenched the changeling's head up. "Even if you aren't who you thought you were the fact is you are still somebody, and that means you're worth something! Would Rainbow Dash ever try something like that?"
"I'm not Rainbow, though."
"Then who are you?"
"I'm a joke! I'm a complete---"
"No."
"Oh come on, Shy, you know it's--"
"No."
The changeling stared at her. "...don't you want Rainbow Dash?"
"Yes... but I don't want her to be responsible for anyone killing themselves."
That got a wry laugh out of the changeling. "Yeah... she's always doing suicide prevention stuff. I... don't think she'd ever tell you this, but... there was this one time in flight camp where she... saw Cloudkicker just sitting alone. Apparently somepony in her family had just lost their lives in the service of the guard. So Rainbow went up and hugged her..."
"That sounds a lot like something she would do. And if she were here... she'd be mad, but I don't think she'd want to kill you."
"...I don't think I want to die."
"I know." Fluttershy nuzzled the changeling. "I... I promise, whoever you turn out to be, you'll always be welcome in my home."
BOUT TIME! MOAR!
FINALLY
Bit of a typo there.
Otherwise, keep it up.
Phew, what a relief!
I might have to reread the Lyra-Bonbon scene...not sure what the subtext is, but it's definately there.
2302430
I believe Bonbon is a changling and Lyra (who I think knows and doesn't seem to care) is scared that Celestia will kill Bonbon if she finds out.
dat lyrabon scene... it reminds me of Mendacity
Rainbowling is best Dash!
2302446
Huh...I wonder if Bonbon is the same changeling who replaced Dash?
Very short,
MOAR!
Bonbon is a changeling, explains why her voice is always different
Yay your back...NOW FASTER! CHURN MORE CHAPTERS OUT FASTER!!!!
Wow. Just, wow. Totally worth the wait.
Wonder how Scootaloo's gonna take it when she finds out that Shining Armor and Cadance lied to her face? My bet is badly.
2302474 She is. The Changeling's number was 802802. I don't know about you, but that looks like Bonbon to me.
Maybe next time this updates, I should hold off reading it until the next update, and read them both together. I'm starting to get that feeling that the author stopped writing before the chapter was finished. There isn't enough time to get into it. When you have a story with this kind of pacing, 2000-2500 words per chapter just doesn't cut it.
Anthropology and Mendacity references? Rocking.
This was a great chapter. Can't wait to see more.
2302474Well that changeling WAS Drone 802-802.
I missed you! no homo
2302624 please reference the other brilliant commentors that got it faster than I did.
2302624
Bon-Bon is changeling 802802 from the prologue. She's thinking of giving herself up to Celestia's guards.
That could lead to a fairly quick resolution of Rainbow's identity crisis, if the two meet face-to-face and Bon-Bon recognizes her. So it's more likely the author will have them miss each other by inches.
Mendax?
All this worry when they've overlooked a quick, simple, and painless test: Bring in the Element of Loyalty to see if it considers Changeling Rainbow Dash its bearer.
If it does, then the absolute latest time she could have been replaced was prior to the return of Luna. Which, besides cutting out a large amount of time for them to review for when the switch happened, means she didn't replace anypony's close friend and is also completely trustworthy. More importantly, it would mean she could continue to live the life she remembers while ponies try to figure out the whole 'where's the real Rainbow Dash' thing; even if she doubts herself the loyal thing to do would be to keep up appearances so ponies don't panic and worry, and Equestria's enemies don't see a time of unrest and weakness.
If it doesn't, then it means the earliest she could have been replaced was after the last time they elements were used, which greatly narrows down the search.
I'd expect Celestia to be preparing that test right now; she's too cunning a chessmaster to overlook a move with such little cost for so much reward.
Oh! My! GOSH! I want MOAR! This is the best story ever!!
2302555 But then what's up with the brief scene "They knew now. Nothing was left to her but vengeance."? That's not BonBon, and if it's not referring to the changeling somehow knowing Dash's cover was blown, what is it? I guess revenge for the failed invasion kind of, sort of makes sense, but it doesn't seem to "fit" to me. I guess if it IS Chrysalis then we'd have a villain.
Dear, sweet Fluttershy... You're the best.
Now, will they ever get around to testing the element of loyalty on changlingdash, or is that never going to happen?
2302555
Whoa. Mind blown.
If you are adding a Lyra/ bonbon changeling into this you should check out http://www.fimfiction.net/user/TheDeinonychus fic: a change if face and its sequel life, lies, and love
Penis
Yes i missed you
WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A TALK YOUNG MAN!
You do not dissapear off the face of the planet for like 3 weeks then expect it to be all fine and dandy...
ooooo you brought me a chapter?
okay its settled your off the hook, for now
Yay another one has arrived
So I got to the end of the chapter and thought:
cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/400x/31056298.jpg
Turns out the chapter didn't get longer, it was a little disheartening but I shall await the next one in hopes of even more psychological torture for Dash. She is like my third favorite pony too, I should not like seeing her tortured...
I think you missed an A
Yay! So glad to see an update on this, just keeps getting better and better. Thankees!
2303311 nonono. He had one A too many.
Because large lungs imply good musical skills, duh!
Wild prediction time! Five bucks says Bonbon is that one changeling from the prologue, and decides to go up to Canterlot leaving Lyra behind. There, she tries to get to RD's cell and explain everything to her, and then quickly gets sent to the dungeon when everybody realizes she's a changeling, thus achieving her goal to contact Rainbow. Lyra notices how long Bonbon's been missing, goes up to the castle, and tries to convince everybody that not all changelings are evil. Another changeling invasion comes along, kidnapping Shining Armor and Cadance before they can pink heart them out of Canterlot, and breaking both RD and Bonbon out. Then our good changelings save Shining Armor and Cadance, they use the MAGIC OF LOVE, and everybody's happy
If there is so much as a single thing I'm right on, I will be extremely happy.
2302936 That's just it, we don't know who it is that thought that. It could be just about anyone and we don't know who they are swearing vengeance upon.
Fluttershy was helping Rainbow Dash with 'Wing Stuff,' I bet.
2303513
No, they don't. However they are very handy in singing. So it is ironic that she can't sing for , despite having voice necessary to do it right. Why have a gift that you cannot utilize properly? Then again, she could make a good Drill Sergeant. There's that!
As for prediction. Well... Bon Bon is a Changeling. Specifically, Changeling Drone No.802802. So... extremely happy Personifire, yay? (a side question. Why is it that this emote is the only one in which the character name is after the adjective/noun? I mean, we have pinkiesmile, rainbowlaugh and all the rest and here is unsuresweetie. I constantly write it the other way around and must correct myself...)
2303621
Judging by the comment about being both a mare and a stallion, I would say it was something else. What, though, I am uncertain. Can't imagine what would be so different 'there'. Aside from the obvious. Did she have problems... relieving herself, or what? I genuinely not get it. And I understand if no one is able/going to explain.
2303892 Going from bird wings to insect wings would be confusing. One goes 'flap' and the other goes 'buzz.' It's crazy.
Watch, Scoots is going to find out but unlike the others, she isn't going to hesitate to say 'Rainbow' is her friend. At least, not after interrogating her enough to confirm her identity.
2303923
And that's why they were both so flustered? I have a hard time buying it, but okay. Different headcanons, I suppose.
Yay!
2303892
Mmmyep.
Bout TIME ur back!!! Ok chapter now give me MOARRRR!!!!! Pls??
2303892
I'm not quite sure that's how that works -- I mean, we all have mouths, ears, and eyes. It's not ironic that mute, deaf, and blind people are born with these, is it?
And yes,
Daawwwww! =)
Argh, this story is great, but when everyone finds out what's really going on, it's going to get so hard to read. Hopefully they can accept that the Rainbow Dash almost all of them have always known (with the exception of Fluttershy) is the changeling before them. It should go a long way for them that she gained the Element of Loyalty long after she was switched with a changeling. Not an easy thing to accept, but it's the truth they'll have to live with. It's going to be the worst for Flutters, she'll probably end up blaming herself for Rainbow's death in some way. Argh, I say.
2304946
...
You know, I don't even know why am I answering you... the first thing you do is to twist my words into presenting me as a cruel bastard, laughing about people with disabilities...
If you cannot understand the irony within it, fine, don't. It's not a must.
But you do not. I REPEAT! DO! NOT! PUT! IN! MY! MOUTH! WORDS! THAT! I! NEVER! SAID!
And don't even try saying that you didn't. By asking that particular question in this particular setting, you were very heavily implying that I mean it in this way. This is one of the questions that would not be used, say, in the courtroom, because they suggest too much. And I loathe people trying to twist words of others.
Ahem... sor... nope, not sorry. I reacted harsh, because that was my intention.
Now, it is possible that you never meant it and it was not your intention. But that was the meaning I caught immediately. I am not really mad. Unless, of course, you intended to do just what I thought you did. Then I am mad.
And yay! You are happy! That's good!(No, really! I am! No sarcasm here! It is just me... I am chaotic like that...)
2304737
Oh... erm... that was just a wild guess... I... aaa... ...okay?
2306648
Yeah, because I used the most similar examples to this "irony," it means I am portraying you as a person who not only fails to understand people with disabilities, but also laughs at every "ironic" situation. This failure to understand is pretty darn spectacular. Not every case of irony is humourous, nor is using a counterexample putting words in some else's mouth. Using an example to disprove what the other person says is clearly at cross purposes with putting words in someone else's mouth. Perhaps if I had agreed with you, and asserted that people born with those disabilities were indeed ironic, and perhaps even laughed a little, then that would be putting words in your mouth. Moreover, irony is not meant to be humourous. Yes, satires use a lot of irony, and verbal irony can be funny. However, Oedipus trying to avenge his wife's previous husband, Romeo drinking poison over Juliet's past and future grave, and Cronos eating his children so as not to be overthrown are all less than hilarious.
2306822
I still don't see that as a counterexample. And you are maybe not putting but twisting. By asking that question, you make my thoughts about the situation seem equal to laughing out about disabilities... which is something I loathe... both laughing and twisting.
Perhaps it's me having... rather unpleasant... yes, let's go with that... experiences with people who twist words and then defend themselves in similar fashion. They do it only to crush their opponent, regardless of whether or not she/he is right or not. They simply attack the person, not their beliefs, because they don't have anything else to say. I might have overreacted.
Still, it's all semantics at some point, I suppose. And I am not verse enough in English to discuss this. As much as I would like to continue, I must admit my lack of experience in this particular field here.
About humor. Well, I have different sense of humor. I am capable of laughing at morbid things. And, oddly enough, it doesn't make them any less serious. Nor do I think any less about them. I simply have this particular reaction. It's not disrespect.
Also, you say that not every case of irony is humorous. So, you do admit it is irony... and yet you say it is not how it works. I think there is some miscommunication here.
And, may I ask, why those examples at the end there? I hardly see how it is comparable. If I understand, those were never meant to be funny... nor they are...
2302467 I just had the weirdest image of Rainbow Dash as a bowling ball