What will happen when the princess of love re-encounters the very creatures that almost ruined her wedding AND eat love? They bow
After the defeat of Queen Chrysalis, the changelings left behind don't know what to do. They eventually decide to seek the one who defeated their queen and make her theirs. What really goes on in a changeling's head? Can Cadence handle the vile creatures without prejudice? What do the crystal ponies think?
Teen due to cursing, only references to sexual stuff, and cursing
All around them, were the agonizing sounds of the dead finding their way into the earth. The soldiers lay in their craters which became their graves. Some were still hanging on the little life they had left. The healthy changelings who stayed behind snapped their necks and saluted them. Gushing, green innards lay about disgustingly due to splattering on hard rocks. In this filthy mess, every living changeling gathered around a single crater. It was the largest one. Queen Chrysalis was dead.
They stared at her corpse for hours until nightfall. That was when a suggestion was made Chrysalis’s royal advisor to bury her and mark her grave. Then, until day break, they argued on how to bury her. Should she lie in her crater or should a new one be dug out? If so, how deep? Also, how will it be dug? With bare hooves, transformed hooves, maybe some makeshift item? What would that makeshift item be? Changeling chitin, rocks, branches? What kind of rocks or branches? How about all three? Or just two methods of excavation? Only one? Or maybe there were more methods waiting to find them. Who would discover these methods? A group or individual? Would these methods work in the provided time frame? What was their provided time frame? Did they have a particular due time at which to bury her? What would happen if they did not reach that time? The changelings telepathically argued and thought of what to do with their former queen.
It took three days to figure out where to bury her (her crater was too undignified so they decided on a twenty foot deep hole), how to dig (It was ‘more heartfelt’ to use their own, transformed hooves), when to dig (they decided to respond to the death as soon as possible),where to dig (The garden where she grew her rare plants), how to transport her (on their backs as dignified as possible while singing the few, traditional changeling hymns), how to lay her down (they weren’t just going to throw her in the hole), what to say after (this one took the longest since every live changeling said a few words; most just saying ‘what the guy before me said’), how to bury her (some changelings still couldn’t believe the suggestion of burying her under her other dead subjects bodies!), how to mark her grave (Someone found a beautiful marble stone and carved ‘Queen Chrysalis’ in it), and how long to grieve (the process itself took three days so everyone was over it pretty soon after). The royal advisor looked around at the other bodies. It was agreed not to bury them, but to say final good byes to those they knew. It took a total of eighty-four hours to finish all this.
The changelings sat about two miles outside the vicinity they called their home. Each telepathically thought to each other not knowing what to do. They were hungry and their rations were emptied; hence the Canterlot Invasion. It was another two hours until the royal advisor thought of something and another three agreeing on whether to do it or not.
Ponies screamed and panicked. They ran out of the streets and locked their homes. Down Mane Street was the entire, living force of changelings. They marched through the street with eager, but patient looks on their faces and anxiety all around. Some civilian unicorns blasted some with magic. When one changeling would fall, another would pick it up and continue on their instinctual march. They walked around poles, carts, and passed out ponies. All had their eyes on the castle.
“Halt! In the name of Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor!” A group of Crystal guards commanded. None were paid attention to. A braver pegasus grabbed one from the pack. Every changeling stopped and turned at the offending pony. They ducked their heads aggressively and vibrated their wings making an unbearable, ground shaking buzz. All glared on the same target. Along with the buzzing, they started hissing which further irritated every pony’s ears. All this sound was directed into one place; the pegasus guard. He neighed in primal agony and dropped the stolen changeling. Every changeling resumed marching like nothing happened.
“Ready? And shield!” A large group of unicorns created a wall of magic. The combined force field was a toxic looking magenta. The changelings didn't seem to care. Two pairs of changelings stood on one another’s backs. Their horns glowed green and plunged into the barrier. They side stepped creating an opening.
“Ready the second shield!” The captain yelled. The guards stood shoulder to shoulder. The changelings didn’t hurt them, but they pushed the living blockade with all their might. “We can’t let’em get to the Crystal Heart!” The captain yelled. “They’ll suck out every drop of love we have!”
The Crystal Heart was the energy source that powered the spring barrier. Thousands of years ago, the harmony between a group of ponies caused a power surge in a magic crystal. This crystal, later called the Crystal Heart, reflected the harmony between the ponies and reflected the warmth in their hearts. The magic created a dome with a permanent spring-like environment. Here, the ponies flourished and the Crystal Kingdom was found. Without it, the harsh arctic cold would reclaim its land.
The changelings pushed on the guards, but with no success. Realizing this, the other changelings jumped on the others’ backs and walked over them.
“No!” The captain yelled as another black hoof stepped on his back. The swarm approached the crystal display and went through it.
“What?” All startled, the other guards were pushed aside. The magic force field lost strength and faded allowing the four changelings to return to their march. They broke through the castle doors easily. Servants and castle guards alike just watched. The pony-like creatures didn’t break a single vase or bump into a single wall. Again, they walked over and around fainted ponies and any other obstacle. As though they knew where to go, the herd trotted upstairs.
“Prince Armor! Princess Cadence! There’s an odd invasion of the castle as we speak!” A pegasus said as he slammed open the chamber door. It was still morning so they’d just gotten dressed for the day.
“What’s the situation? How did they get this far with no pony stopping them?!” Shining yelled. The pegasus guard gulped.
“We tried to stop them. A barrier of magic and soldiers could not stop them. Many attacked them, but they simply picked up the injured and walked along unfazed. I grabbed one and they used their wings and vocals to create this horrible sound wave! I thought my ears were going to blow up!”
“How soon will they be here?” Shining demanded. His question was answered when the doors were thrown open by a massive swarm of changelings. “Damn it!” His wife screamed. Ever since the Canterlot invasion, the princess was absolutely frightened of changelings! She was still getting inconsolable nightmares from the event! “I can handle this!” Shining Armor used the protection spell used to prevent changelings from entering Canterlot. The bubble was smaller making it more powerful. The changelings touched the force field hissing a bit at old memories. The changelings began ramming into the shield with green, physical tackles. They attacked in unison to strengthen their force. “Cadence!” Shining yelled with new sweat dropping and strain in his voice with every hit. “You…have to…help…-” The barrier shattered. Prince Armor was out cold. The swarm surrounded the vulnerable princess. She screamed with tears in her eyes.
She’d only been a princess for a couple days and so many things were going well! Sombra was defeated, the Crystal Empire was hosting the Equestrian Games, and she was married to the love of her life. Her kingdom was stable for the first time in years, Celestia and Luna respected her like a real ruler, and the little arctic country just officially reclaimed their land from the Caribou of Antlerta, Cannonda who took it during their thousand year curse! The creatures surrounded her as she shut her eyes hoping it’d just end soon! Then silence. … Lots of silence … She opened her eyes. Every changeling…was bowing down to her.
“What?” She paused as though breaking the silence would trigger something. Her heart was still racing like a Wonderbolt from the sheer sight of them all. It was like the gemstone caverns all over again. Only difference was she wasn’t being replaced by one of them and getting her husband stolen. A single changeling stood up and cleared its throat.
“Your highness,” Cadence shivered. Its voice was like it had a cheese grater for a tongue.
“We are your devoted and loving subjects. After Queen Chrysalis’s tragic death, we all decided to go to our new successor; Queen Cadence.” Cadence just stared, too petrified to speak. Confused, the royal adviser hummed a single half note.
“Queen Cadence loves us all” Oh god they were chanting. “Queen Cadence will not fall” in Perfect unison “Queen Cadence guides our life For our queen, we sacrifice Queen Cadence knows what to do Queen Cadence we salute Queen Cadence takes a stand Queen Cadence; beauty of the land”
Cadence had no idea what to say to that. She was surrounded by hundreds of changelings worshiping her like…like she was her aunts or something!
“Your most beautiful, we will do anything you command. We are your devoted and loving subjects.” Cadence looked around for just some place to sit and think, but every corner of the room had a changeling in it watching her with creepy, blue eyes. She nudged her husband, but he was snoring hard. She looked at her disgusting followers. They were, technically, her followers. Maybe they’d listen to her; they did say they’d do anything for her. Princess Cadence decided to speak.
“Ch-changelings,” She spoke with nervousness. Every changeling stood to attention. Cadence gulped. They were all looking at her like they expected her to entertain them. She trembled and forced a smile in the face of danger.
“I would like to be alone for…some time.” A changeling in the back raised a hoof. Why would he raise his hoof? This isn’t primary school.
“Um…yes?” She replied still baring that unnatural grin and sweating bullets.
“Your highness, how long shall we wait?” Cadence paused. She asked them to wait and they asked how long? How obedient were these things? Then again, it could still be a trap. Lure her into a false sense of security and control then attack. Then restrain her and suck the love from her body like a parasite! Weren't these things already parasites? Wait, first things first, get these things out of her room.
“Until…I say other wise.” Another hoof rose. Cadence looked around for some kind of intervention. She nudged Shining Armor a little harder. If there were a time she needed him, now would be freaking excellent!
“Your most beautiful, how shall we wait? Shall we remain standing or bowing? Or perhaps neither and we do something else. ” Cadence swallowed.
“Um, just lie down and relax.” Another hoof. How many questions did these things have?! This wasn’t so much as scary now but annoying! Regardless, she kept her guard up.
“Your royalty, where shall we lay?”
“Um, stay…outside my door…please. Anywhere is okay…don’t make a mess!” She said as they all stood to leave. Princess Cadence sighed. The sound of marching hooves stirred Prince Armor’s slumber. He got on his feet as fast as he could. He watched the pony-like monsters file out quietly like ants. Their faces were blank and simple like children.
“Cadence!” He hugged his wife. As soon as it finished, Shining gave his wife a look of deep concern.
“Are you alright?” He asked circling her to check for any injuries or blemishes or things of suspicion.
“I’m fine Shiny, just a little shocked is all.” She laughed uncomfortably.
“Those changelings told me I’m their new queen since Chrysalis died.” Cadence explained with a grimace. She sooo did not want to be the queen of love sucking bug-ponies. Shining threw his forearms around her.
“You can’t let them! I won’t let them! You’re my Love Princess not their…disgusting, bedraggled, and deranged, changeling queen!” Cadence smiled softly and kissed his cheek.
“I know Shiny, but I’m not sure of what to do. There’s just so many of them and one of me.” In response, he kissed her cheek and smiled reassuringly.
“Just watch and learn Cady.” He opened the door. Every pair of blue eyes turned around. With a deep breath, he came up with the stupidest, rage induced face he could think of (imagine Trixie’s when she demanded a magic duel).
“GET OUT OF MY CASTLE, MY KINGDOM, AND MY SIGHT YOU DISGUSTING, MALFORMED MISTAKES OF THE GODDESS HERSELF!! IF EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU IS NOT DEAD OR GONE IN THE NEXT TWO SECONDS I SHALL UNLEASH TARTARUS’S WRATH UPON YOU LESSER MORTALS!!!!!” The changelings stared at him for two seconds then resumed staring blankly and silently obeying. He closed the doors and turned to his wife. “Weird, that works on the cadets all the time.” Cadence face-hoofed. Stallions.
“Changelings aren’t like normal ponies. They’re fearless monsters! You saw them hail down on Canterlot? Hitting the ground like that would seriously injure a normal pony but they went on just fine!” She said as her wings shivered in the thought of a crash landing.
“We need more information about these things. Is there any paper around? We should write a letter to the princesses or maybe Twilight.” Shining offered. Cadence gulped with a look of absolute horror on her face.
“No…we’d need to go to my office,” She shuddered. “It’s…down the hall.”
~~A few minutes later~~
“Are you ready?”
“No…” Cadence trembled behind her husband. Shining smiled arrogantly at the ingenious of his plan. Who needs military advisers anyway? Shining Armor conjured a pink, semi-sphere shield with his cutie mark on it. Cadence squeaked in terror as he flung the doors open with magic. Every pair of blue eyes was on them again. Shining lowered his head, pawed at the ground, and snorted.
“One…” “Hold on, I think we should-” “Two…” “Are you listening?! I said we should-” “THREE!!!” Shining charged through the crowd of changelings with Cadence right behind him. “AAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!! AAAAAHHHH!!! AAAAAAAAHH!!!!!!”
Changelings bounced off his shield like snow off the front of a snow plow as they galloped through the hall. Shining had to keep his ears down to muffle his wife’s screaming. The changelings didn’t move out of the way. They simply accepted being thrown left and right as their queen screamed past them. It was a one hundred yard dash and ninety seconds Cadence would never forget.
Shining threw a door on the left open; hitting a changeling in the face. Cadence ran through it and he soon after. Shining shook his wife as her screams reverberated off the walls.
“Calm down Cadence! We’re here! Stop screaming!” But she continued. Shining Armor tried to remember how to extinguish his baby sister’s horrible cries. He clamped her mouth shut between his hooves and looked her right in the eyes. “Cadence,” He spoke slowly and very quietly.
“Count to five. When you get to five, you’ll get a treat.” Cadence took a deep breath.
“One, two, three, four, five” She counted. Her husband kissed her.
“Are you feeling better?” He asked. Cadence giggled.
“Yeah, thanks Shiny. I just need to do one more thing.” She punched with all the fury a mare could produce.
“Hey!” He rubbed the hoof mark on his cheek. Cadence’s glare silenced him.
“What kind of plan was THAT?! Just plow through the changelings like a psychopath?! Is that your plan for crowd control next time I go out?!” She yelled.
“It worked didn’t it? I explained everything and you were the one screaming like when we went on the Shadow Bolt roller coaster.”
“All you said was stay behind me and get ready to run!”
“Isn’t that what we did?” Shining smiled nervously. Cadence rolled her eyes and walked away. He hoof pumped after victoriously dodging a bullet. Cadence levitated a quill, ink well, and paper on her desk.
“Well, what are we going to write?” She asked. The top already said Dear Princess Celestia and Luna.
“Um, bring the best pest control services you have?”
Luna clapped her hooves together. After adjusting to the modern age and the laws Equestria now abided by, she was ready to rule once more! Celestia was out on vacation for the rest of the month and left Luna in charge. She was so excited she could hardly contain herself! The ponies didn’t seem to dislike the change in ruling since she called for a star shower on her first night.
Now was especially important though. In the royal sisters’ private study, a scroll materialized above her head. Luna saw the Crystal Empire seal.
“Oh, a letter from our niece? Perchance she and her husband need assistance ruling the Crystal Empire. Shan’t be too difficult. If we can be deemed worthy of temporary singular control over Equestria, then we do not see why we cannot help another reign their territory.” She said as her magic broke the seal.
Dear Princess Celestia and Luna,
The Crystal Empire has been overrun by changelings. Not in the way you think though; the changelings claim their queen has died and since I was the one who killed her, they have named me their new queen. I don’t know what to do with them! You know I’m still having nightmares about those things! They stare at us with their giant eyes swearing eternal loyalty! Did you know I even have a song now!? They sang a creepy song about how much they love me! I’m the Princess of Love not the Queen of Changelings! They see me as food! Oh sweet goddess I’m the Princess of their Food!
Hey, Cadence is having a panic attack in the corner. This is Shining Armor. Anyway, the changelings are keeping us confined in her office since she’s too scared to go out. Please help. I fear this may be some kind of trap. Lure us into a false sense of power then attack us. I don’t know what to do.
Signed,
Prince Shining Armor and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza
Luna grimaced. Celestia had warned her of strange and unreasonable problems ponies created. Last week some ponies complained about a few demons escaping Tartarus. How hard is it to read a sign that says “Do not cross: Tartarus Ahead; Keep Magical Gate Shut” and obey said sign? She had to round up the demons herself then scold every townspony for their ignorance. Now there is a mock changeling invasion in her niece’s kingdom? Luna sighed.
She didn’t want to fly all the way to the Crystal Empire just to investigate a possible changeling attack. Other than scaring the living daylights out of them, the changelings have done nothing in particular for the Crystal Empire to require backup. It almost reminded Luna of when she had to capture and release innocent spiders her older sister saw with a similar disgust.
Luna couldn’t just leave Canterlot, but she couldn’t leave her niece alone based on the letter’s urgency. She needed ponies who would work as a middle ground between nothing and international intervention. Some ponies who have experience with changelings before. Ponies who are really awesome.
“And that’s when the princess asked me to jump on the next train to the Crystal Empire and save the day with all my radical friends!” Rainbow Dash explained arrogantly. Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack walked behind her to the train.
“Wow, I didn’t know Princess Luna was in charge for a while.” Fluttershy spoke softly. Pinkie Pie bounced over.
“I didn’t know she thought we were so radical and awesome!” Pinkie Pie pranced happily.
“Are ya’ll sure those were Luna’s exact words? It’s not like her to use modern terms, but it’s just like you to brag about yourself.” Applejack questioned. Rainbow rolled her eyes and flew upside down with her forearms crossed.
“Hey, I mentioned you guys too.” Rainbow said.
“Don’t you mean the princess mentioned us too?” Fluttershy inquired. Rainbow flew head first into a tree realizing her faux pas.
“Oh Dashie! You almost had me there! Good job Fluttershy!” Pinkie Pie offered a raised hoof. The more timid pony nervously hoof bumped it as delicately as possible.
The girls met Rarity and Twilight at the train station. A few of the hairs on Twilight’s mane were out of place.
“What took you so long? Rainbow Dash, I asked you to gather the others because I thought you were fast!” Twilight yelled. Rainbow flew out of the tree and got nose to nose with Twilight.
“Are you calling me slow?!” Rainbow shoved her with her forehead. “I can clear a cloudy day in ten seconds flat!”
“Yet you can’t ask our friends to meet at a train station at exactly ten a.m. now can you?”
“Break it up!” Applejack pushed the two aside. Twilight put a hoof to her chest and inhaled. She exhaled and extended the hoof.
“Sorry,” Twilight said quietly “I’m worried for my BBBFF and BSILAFSBFF.” Everypony tilted their head. She sighed. “My Big Brother Best Friend Forever and Big Sister-In-Law And Foal Sitter Best Friend Forever!”
“Oooohhh,” the ponies replied.
“Come on,” Twilight said as she walked to the train. “Princess Luna asked us to deliver this letter to Shining Armor and Cadence in pony then help fulfill the letter’s instructions.”
“What are the instructions about?” Fluttershy asked quietly.
“I’m not sure what’s in the letter itself; Princess Luna asked us only to open it with Cadence and Shining. But I do know this;” Everypony gathered around the unicorn waiting for this overly dramatic pause to end. “Changelings have invaded the Crystal Empire.” Fluttershy immediately fainted.
“Fluttershy? Fluttershy wake up! Rise and shine sleepy head!” Fluttershy’s eyes fluttered open. She looked up at her friends. Pinkie smiled brightly.
“What happened?”
“You passed out after Twilight said the ‘c’ word, silly! You slept through the whole train ride and briefing!” Fluttershy stood up and looked around. They were still on the train, but the windows indicated the arctic north. “We’re almost there but I can sum it up for you!” Pinkie Pie inhaled a large breath.
“The Crystal Empire has been invaded by changelings who all think Cadence is their new queen. But Cadence is afraid of changelings and the sight of them made her scream and since she doesn’t know how to chuckle at changelings, she sent the princess of Equestria an SOS from her office that’s also her shelter from the changelings! Though I think it’s silly to be afraid! The changelings are wiling to obey her every command but she doesn’t have the guts to do it! Shining tried to take over, feeling lucky with his military and leadership skills, but they’ll only listen to Cadence; the pony who wants nothing to do with them! From what was last said, she’s still in her office panicking in a corner. It’s our job to deliver Luna’s reply and help Cadence with whatever orders the letter has in them.” Pinkie smiled.
“Oh…that makes sense……I suppose.”
“Great! ‘Cause we’re here!” The train halted. “Everypony ready to kick changeling butt like last time?” Pinkie asked getting into her two-legged fighting stance.
“We’re not fighting, Pinkie.” Twilight further explained. “Luna said the changelings will not bother us if we do not bother them. I did a little research on changelings and it turns out they will do anything their leader asks of them and nothing else until otherwise said. It’s part of the ‘hive mind’.”
“Hive mind?” Applejack asked as they got off the train. The Crystal Empire didn’t look like it changed much considering there was a recent changeling invasion. The roads shimmered and the buildings shined. Crystal ponies chatted and walked the streets as usual with their coats enchanting those who saw. Some sold items from little wagons or pulled wagons to start a little stand of their own.
“Yes, I’ll explain on the way.” Twilight said. “Each changeling is connected to each other by some kind of magic. They all share the same thoughts and feelings with each other through this telepathic magic. The queen is the master of this telepathic system and influences it the most. So there are absolutely no miscommunications between the changelings so long as they are connected to this telepathic system of communication.”
“Oh…’kay.” the earth pony said. “I’ll just let you unicorns handle the crazy stuff.”
“Hey, not everything magical is crazy! How you earth ponies can buck every fruit off a tree in one kick or do physical labor for hours on end is crazy!” Rarity added. Applejack had submit to that. She’d never seen a non-earth pony do as much work as she and Macintosh did unless they were part of the royal guard or that weirdo, Snowflake.
“So they all have the same brain?” Rainbow asked.
“Oo! Oooo!” Pinkie Pie bounced to Rainbow’s flying level. “So if one changeling likes chocolate pie do they all like chocolate pie? Or if one changeling stubs his hoof, are all of their hooves sore?”
“Maybe,” Twilight answered “Not much is known about changelings beyond their required sustenance, abilities, and hunting behaviors.”
“Hunting?” Fluttershy started shaking.
“She simply means when they pull the old switcheroo is all.” Rarity patted her shaking friend’s back.
“Right,” Twilight reassured “I’m hoping to study them while we’re here. We could learn a lot from their culture or powers.” Twilight paused. “That means…I’ll be the first pony to study changelings on such an intimate level! I’ll be on the cover of Discovered Monthly!!” The other five ponies coughed on the dust cloud left by Twilight’s excited gallop. Pinkie put a hoof to the side of her face and leaned closer to Fluttershy. She whispered.
“Maybe my brain is connected with Twilight’s ‘cause right before she ran off, I thought of a cake made of strawberries and strawberries are Twilight’s favorite.”
“Cadence?” Twilight asked. Her friends were behind her. After a guard kindly gave them directions, the six ponies weaved between changelings sitting on the floor. Rainbow poked one and it made no indication it could even feel it.
“Twilight? Is that you?” Cadence sounded distressed.
“Yeah!” Like an instinct, both ducked their heads and looked at the door where the other’s eyes would be.
“Sunshine, Sunshine lady bugs awake. Clap your hooves and do a little shake!” They sang. Twilight’s friends had to do a double take. One second Twilight was performing a nursery rhyme and next the door slammed shut and they were out in the changeling hallway minus one unicorn.
“Oh Twilight! I’m so happy you’re here!” Cadence cried while hugging the unicorn with tremendous force.
“Nice…to see…you…too, Cadence!” Twilight stammered. She gasped for air the moment Cadence let go. “Sorry, I was just scared. Those changelings won’t leave me alone!” Her voice was tense and her appearance a bit disheveled. She looked like she hadn’t slept in days.
“Well, my friends and I have come to help you with your changeling problem by order of Princess Luna.” Twilight pulled the letter from her satchel. “She instructed us only to open it in your presence then help you carry out the instructions inside.” Twilight looked around.
“Where’s my brother?” A flush was heard and a door immediately opened.
“Hey Twiley! When did you get here?” He asked nonchalantly. Twilight jumped on her brother.
“BBBFF! I missed you so much since we defeated Sombra! How have you been?” She asked.
“Everything’s been going pretty good so far.”
“Pretty good?!” The two unicorns looked at Cadence. Her face was twisted in anger as locks of her mane curled out of place on their own. “Shining, we’ve been trapped in my office for ten hours with a swarm of those abominations of equine kind and things are pretty good!?” She snorted at her husband. He moved beside her and put a hoof over her shoulders.
“Cady, please calm down-”
“I am calm!” She shouted. “I am the epitome of tranquilty and happiness!” Both ponies outside the door and behind it froze. One could hear changeling nose twitch throughout the whole castle.
“I know!” Shining said as quick as possible. “Just…breathe with me?” He grabbed her hoof and bent it to her chest. “In” They breathed in deeply. He moved her hoof again. “And out” Seeing the coast clear and the alicorn calm, Twilight took Luna’s letter from her saddle bag again. Cadence kissed Shining.
“I’m sorry Shiny, I’m just so stressed! First the wedding was ruined by changelings, then Celestia decides to spring on me the fact I own my own kingdom right as a tyrannical, thousand year old unicorn of hatred has re-emerged, then I have to slowly modernize the crystal ponies and explain to them the new ways of government, and-”
“Cadence?” Twilight poked her with the levitating letter. “Maybe we can help you after we handle the issue at hoof.” She blushed and took the letter.
“Let’s see,” Cadence cleared her throat.
“Dear Princess Cadence, if what you say is true, simply relieve yourself as the changeling queen. If, for whatever reason, that does not bring the results you hoped for, put them to work for the Crystal Empire. You say they are loyal so what is the issue? Give them jobs outside the castle. Also, if their faces make you nervous, ask them to change. I’ve asked the Elements of Harmony to help you in case they are not as loyal as they say they are. Keep in mind if they wanted to eat you, they would have already. Love Aunt Luna. PS Stop being such a foal.” Cadence dropped the letter. “Could it really be this easy?”
The three ponies opened the doors. Pinkie Pie was opening and closing a changeling’s mouth and speaking like the changeling was speaking.
“I’m a changeling! I like eating love and drinking friendship!” The puppet changeling said. The other ponies laughed. “Look at my leg holes! They do nothing!” She waved his limp hoof around. The changeling shook off Pinkie, hissed, and then went to lay with its brethren. “Oops,” The other ponies laughed at this; all except Cadence. She cleared her voice. Every changling stood up and looked at their leader. The princess immediately started shaking. She held the letter over her face. She gulped.
“Could every…changeling,” the word stung her tongue like poison. “Please transform.” A holed hoof raised. Cadence sighed and nodded.
“Your greatness, what should we transform into?” A bead of sweat dropped on the royalty’s head.
“A pony…please.”
Another hoof.
“Your most beautiful, what color should this pony’s coat be?”
“What about the eyes?”
“Eye shape?”
“Natural eyes, slit eyes or something else entirely?”
“Head shape?”
“Muzzle size?”
“Male or Female?”
The onslaught of questions did not cease for a second. Their chatter didn’t seem to end. They continued to question and talk and suggest and-
“SHUT UP!!!” ……
Rainbow’s voice echoed off the walls. Cadence nearly fainted at the sudden outburst. Twilight smiled with an idea alight in her mind.
“Transform into Rainbow Dash!” Their heads audibly swiveled to their leader. Sweat matted Cadence’s pink fur. “Cadence, they only listen to you. You have to give the word.” Twilight said. The princess swallowed once more and nodded with a brave face.
“Changelings!” The hall was silent. “Transform into Rainbow Dash!” Green fire swallowed every changeling. In their places stood a crowd of Rainbow Dashes.
“This is AWESOME!!!” Rainbow yelled. She hit the ground and examined the closest one. “They got my…my everything just right!”
“I have to admit they got Rainbow’s appearance down to the smallest detail!” Rarity inspected the copy with her discerning, designer eye. Cadence sighed in relief. An army of Rainbow Dash would cause less initial anxiety than changelings. It was a first, shaky step, but she was proud of it.
Then she noticed it. If it weren’t for the hundreds of contracts and agreements she’d signed in the last few days, she would have never noticed. In the crowd of Rainbow Dashes was a single black, holed leg. Applejack followed her eyes and also saw the single flaw.
“There!” She pulled out her lasso and threw it. The flawed changeling tried to hide, but the rope already hit. “Easy there!” The other Rainbow Dashes stepped aside. The arrogant smiles they had all transformed with fell to frowns as the flawed changeling was dragged to the main group.
“Looks like some pony didn’t do their homework!” Pinkie Pie announced as the real ponies crowded the partly formed Rainbow Dash.
“What’s the big idea?” Rainbow scolded. The changeling cowered.
“I thought the transformation was perfect!” Rarity said while holding up a confused Rainbow Dash in her magic. “The color patterns are the right hue, their wings are all the same size with the same number of feathers, and this one even has her bed head perfected!”
“Hey! I’m the real deal!” Rainbow yelled while fighting out of Rarity’s levitation. “And my mane is just fine!”
Cadence approached the changeling with caution. Until this point, the changelings had obeyed her order. Why now, when the Elements of Harmony were here, would they attempt to ambush them?
“Maybe it’s a traitor?” Twilight suggested.
“I knew couldn’t trust ‘em!” Applejack said with a stomp of her hoof.
“Is this the only one, or are there others?” Shining Armor asked outloud. The Rainbow Dashes tensed up. Shining galloped into the crowd with determination to find any other defects.
“I’ll help too!” Rainbow said. “They don’t deserve to be me if they aren’t loyal!” She zoomed over the crowd diligently. The failed Rainbow Dash changeling quivered fearfully as all eyes were back on it. All except two, kind blue ones. Fluttershy ran between the accusing glares and the changeling.
“Wait!” She cried. When every pony looked at her, she shrunk and hid behind her mane. “…please?” Fluttershy got back on her feet and gave her attention to the malformed Rainbow Dash. “I don’t think you’re a traitor.” Fluttershy’s voice shifted from adult pony to baby bunny caretaker. The changeling looked pleadingly at his only hope of survival. “I think you’re just misunderstood! Isn’t that right?” Fluttershy hugged it with a compassionate embrace much like a foal. She pet Rainbow’s forelock and smiled as she released. “Why don’t you tell us why you can’t be Rainbow Dash, huh?” The changeling looked to his queen.
“What?” She looked around. “Yes, um, you have permission to speak.”
“My greatest apologizes my queen and friend of queen,” its voice was a perfect replica of Rainbow’s. It was a strange thing to hear it talk so lowly and humble rather than bold and arrogant. “None of us have eaten since Chrysalis executed phase one of the Canterlot Invasion.” Twilight’s eyes moved to the crowd of Rainbows. They were all looking away in shame as their fellow changeling spoke.
“Oh goodness!” Fluttershy hugged it again. “How awful! You must all be starving!” The false Rainbow Dash bit his tongue and pushed away the yellow pony. She shuttered.
“Please do not.” Rainbow said, shivering as though Windigoes were passing through.
“Here are the other ones that don’t change,” Shining announced. Behind him were ten partially transformed changelings all looking fearful and nervous.
“I found this one with this big bag!” The real Rainbow said. Behind her was a sad looking Rainbow Dash imposter with a large bag in her mouth. It dragged on the floor.
Cadence looked at the ten changeling hybrids and Rainbow Dash with the bag. They all expressed fear and a degree of pain to their queen. Being the Princess of Love, she could not allow such sadness to continue. These poor Rainbow Dash hybrids needed her.
“Rainbow Dashes,” Every changeling stood at attention. Cadence froze at all the faces looking at her with the resolution of a soldier. “Please…wait out here,”
“How shall we-?”
“I don’t care!” Cadence yelled. “Just…just relax and don’t cause trouble!” The princess nudged Twilight. “Twilight, I want you and the Elements of Harmony to watch over the rest of the changelings while I talk to the others.”
“Of course,”
Cadence opened the door to her office.
“You ten who could not change and you with the bag, please come in,” They obeyed with low heads. Shining Armor went in next and Cadence soon behind. A purple hoof stopped her.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay?” Twilight asked. The princess herself did not notice, but she was shaking and looking quite pale.
“I’ll be alright. I’m the Princess of the Crystal Empire. I’m more concerned about you and your friends.” They looked over at the herd of Rainbows. They were either napping, standing, sitting, or watching the pink one assault one of their fellow changelings.
“I’m Rainbow Dash!” Pinkie Pie said while holding up a fake Rainbow Dash’s wings. “Watch me do a Sonic Rainboom! Raaaaaaaaaain!” She cried while shaking the poor creature’s tail and blowing on its head to simulate wind. “BOOM!!”
“I don’t think they will be a problem,” Twilight grinned at her friend’s antics. “You’re the queen, they have to listen to what you say.” Cadence shuddered.
“Don’t remind me…” She said sadly and went into her office.
The eleven misfit changelings sat in a neat row in front of the princess’s desk. Cadence sat at said desk with her husband next to her.
“Tell me, what happened after the Changeling Invasion?” Cadence asked. They looked around. She decided to point at one who had a changeling eye on one side and a pony eye on the other.
“After we buried the previous queen and said our good byes to our dead brethren, we trekked from the Badlands to here in the Frozen North to find you.” The fake Rainbow explained.
“How?” Shining asked with furrowed brows. “You would have to go through Equestria to get from the Badlands to the Frozen North.” The changeling looked at his queen. She nodded so it proceeded.
“We went through the forests,” The two royal ponies’ jaws dropped. “Is that an indication more detail is necessary?” They nodded. “We went through all the various forests of Equestria without being seen. The former queen had kept a map of the land so we followed it.”
“A whole herd of changeling ran through Equestria and no pony noticed?!” Shining exclaimed. It nodded.
“We were not noticed by ponies.” It said. Cadence looked at the changeling carefully. It was a soldier’s stance, but its eyes were still those of a being with emotion and a heart. When it said ‘ponies’, its eyes moved for just a moment.
“You said no pony noticed you?”
“Yes, we were not noticed by any ponies,” the same movement occurred. Cadence grimaced.
“If you weren’t noticed by ponies, what were you noticed by on the way here?” The other changelings flinched and looked nervous. A normal pony may not see through the ‘perfect soldier’ façade, but Cadence had learned how to pick up small indications of emotion through body movement. The lead Rainbow gulped.
“We…we were noticed by various…monsters, predators, and demons on our trip.” The changeling tried to act without emotion, but the stress turned its other eye back to a solid, teal green. “There were more of us at the beginning of the trip, your highness,” Cadence’s eyes widened in absolute shock.
“But you must have had the advantage of numbers!” Shining said. Cadence nodded for it to continue.
“Perhaps, but we were brought here on instinct alone. When predators…came, we had no leader to guide us. We had to learn from…mistakes in order to defeat the enemy. More often than not, we ran from them. But…” The changeling finally let its guard down. It turned away and accidentally turned Rainbow’s feathered wings into insect-like changeling wings. “You can’t… you can’t out run a hungry Ursa Major.” Cadence looked at the bag the Rainbow on the far side held. She gulped. Were their fallen comrades…collected?
“My queen,” The Rainbow bowed, “You are looking at my bag, yes? Did you wish to see what was in it?” Cadence didn’t move. She didn’t want corpses of the vile creatures in her office! While the fake pony let the bag out of her mouth, a lump moved. “AAAAAHHHHH!!!” She screamed. The lump continued to move until it was out in the open. It was a miniature changeling but with bigger, childish eyes, no wings, and fewer, smaller holes on its legs. Her pupils enlarged at the sight. The Rainbow Dash responsible for the bag became nervous.
“Please have mercy on this nymph, my queen!” The adult stood in front of the youth. “She did not know you did not wish to see her!”
“But Annie, I’m hungry,” The little changeling whined. The child looked at Cadence. “Are you the new queen? Please, may we have something to eat? I’m so hungry and you have all that love-” The older changeling covered her mouth with her hoof.
“Silence! I told you we must respect our queen!” The fake Rainbow hissed. The nymph nodded and ‘Annie’ released her mouth.
Through changeling eyes…
The nymph stared at her new queen. There was so much love radiating off her it filled the room! The smell was intoxicating him. The older changelings had told stories of the most delicious and savory love called unconditional love. This love she almost seemed to be made of had to be it! However, it took all of her strength not to take a quick sample of the delicacy that sat in the room as it just sat in the air so temptingly.
Cadence could not help but stare at the drool coming off the child’s fangs and the longing desire of food in its eyes. It was pretty gross and the thing would not stop staring. She put on a fake smile.
“Is there something…wrong, little changeling?” Cadence asked through her teeth. The foal looked to ‘Annie’. She nodded. “Can I have some of your love please? Just a little bit?” It asked. Cadence would have screamed in horror at such a request, but it seemed changeling children could effectively use puppy eyes as well.
“Um…” Cadence thought for a moment. She never actually saw love being taken. Chrysalis had her husband under a mind control spell, but she never saw a love stealing spell. A hoof touched her shoulder.
“Don’t do it,” Shining warned, “Don’t forget about all the migraines I got after Chrysalis’s spell,” Cadence moved his hoof.
“But that was the mind control spell. Do you remember what the love stealing spell felt like?” She asked.
“Well…” Shining thought back. After the incident, Cadence told him when she was abducted. His fiancée had been in the shower when Chrysalis stole her from the bathroom window. The fake Cadence cuddled on the couch next to him like nothing was wrong. That was when he felt a tingling sensation. “…it tingled?”
“Permission to speak, my queen?” Annie asked.
“Yes,” Cadence said.
“Unless a pony is low on magic, the process should not be painful at all. As your guard said, victims will only feel a tingle.” She said.
What was she supposed to do? If she denied the child’s request, it would give her awful puppy-dog eyes. If she allowed the child’s request, she risked having all her love and magic taken from her! Cadence looked around nervously. Her husband looked firm on protecting her. The false Rainbow Dashes looked pleadingly at her. Annie seemed to try and assure her nothing bad would happen. And the child had little tears in its eyes.
“Um…okay-”
“Yay!” The child’s horn glowed green. Cadence felt a tingling sensation in her body. It was no more of a disturbance than a fly landing on her. “Thank you, my queen! May she be praised!”
“May she be praised!” The other changelings in the room echoed. They all bowed. Cadence looked at her hooves.
“It just…tingled…” she said to herself. The monsters she feared just ate her love…and almost nothing happened. She quickly looked back over at the bowing changelings. “Is it this easy to feed you?” She pointed to Annie.
“Yes,”
“Are you all hungry?”
“Yes,” Annie answered on behalf of her fellow changelings. “None of us have eaten since our quest to seek the new queen,”
“Not once?” Shining asked. Just as before, Annie waited for her queen to nod.
“Not love, at least. We had to rely on basic foods like grass, hay, leaves, and wild fruits. It is up to the queen to find food for her subjects.”
And as queen of the changelings, it is up to me to find food for my subjects.
Chrysalis’s voice echoed in her head. Cadence was the queen now. Without her, the changelings would starve.
“Can’t you live on physical foods? You did before,” Shining suggested. And again, Cadence signaled her to speak.
“No, not forever. We could gorge ourselves on various meals, but without love, our bodies cannot process the food itself. It will sit in our bodies and do nothing. Cells will no longer be able to create energy and without energy, we will not be able to perform the simplest transformations.” Annie pointed to the misfit Rainbow Dashes. Upon further inspection, their disguises were getting worse. One had holes in his blue furred legs. Another had his fangs showing. “First, the body attempts to make up for the lack of nutrition by absorbing portions of the flesh itself creating holes. Second, the ability to change deteriorates until it is lost completely. Third, the body will purge all materials in the digestive system to further conserve love energy. Finally, often a few days after the purge, the changeling will lie down, become still, and never move again.” The changelings all bowed their heads and lowered their ears. The princess stomped her hoof into her desk catching everyone’s attention.
“I am Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. I am the Princess of Love so as such, I refuse to let any creature go unloved as long as I can help it!”
