> Springtime Nights - Pneuma Flower
>  by nioniosbbbb
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Intro:Let's go outside! Outside is good!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deep within the badlands, the changelings built the center of their empire. A marvelous castle of black marble built inside the stone where the changelings burrowed and built their homes. In its gates stood two statues made from stone combined with changeling magic that made them take the shapes of the current Queen and King. Walls of stone hugged the exterior, teal banners of tattered silver wings adorned the embrasures. The crest of her majesty Queen Chrysalis promised safety to all changelings, as well as food and peace, within its fortified walls.

Too bad Princess Sky wanted out.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



“Come now mother. How much longer are we going to stay inside? It's been like... 4 months? I'm getting sick of this place!" her knee twitched a bit, the crown on her carnation pink mane shaking along with it, as she complained.

"Absolutely not! It's winter and I won't have my only daughter die from the frost the ponies let drift our way! It was only a week ago that we managed to clean up the gorge," Chrysalis replied sharply. She adjusted the sleeves of her teal and black silken dress. She shifted in her teal stone throne, trying to get more comfortable, and glanced to the throne next to her, prompting her husband to help.

"Ao aren't you going to say something?" she inquired. The King's blew a strand of his silver mane, and proceeded to roll his eyes at his wife's request for aid. Sky however took the word once again, keeping the pressure up.

"But look on the bright side, we had snow! I got to play with all my friends, made a snowling too. It was fun! You really should have joined us... I wanted to go skiing too. I want to get some fresh air, see new places!"  Her big pink eyes watered as she puckered her cheeks and pouted her lips. The King chuckled a bit, admiring his daughter's attempts to fool her mother. It was a nice trick, and though the attempt was executed admirably, it wasn't going to work. 

"For the last time, Sky, I told you I cannot let you out until spring comes!" The Queen descended from her throne and, with a low buzz of her wings, glided to her daughter. She sat on her haunches in front of her and extended a hoof to caress her mane. The Princess, with a mix of guilt and frustration, didn't look at her mother directly, but she did nothing to push her soft caress away.

"I know... I'm paranoid, I'm crazy, and sometimes I'm hard to deal with," she sighed. "...But I'm afraid being your mother is an irrevocable position. Not that I'd want to." The King sat up from his throne and trotted on the black and gold carpet, not wanting his crown to slip. He scratched the black V his white and blue uniform made on his chest.

"Come now Sky, it's only a few more weeks before spring comes." The Princess tried to smile at her father's words.

"Yeah, if those ponies don't get lazy again and have snow drifting off here and there..." Chrysalis murmured, huffing afterwards.

"Chryssie, you know as well as I do that we can take care of the weather as well should we wish to. We aren't incompetent..." started Ao.

"...unlike the ponies..." Chrysalis interjected. The Princess lowered her eyes, eliciting to remaining silent at her mother's words.

"... and we certainly don't need to blame everything on them!" Ao's voice rose in frustration. He was glad court had ended, and the guards were excused from the room for the day.

"What? Just stating facts!" came Chrysalis's response.

"Then how do you explain my foster parents?" The King and his brother had been two of several changelings to grow up in pony households to take refuge from a civil war that occurred back home twenty years ago.

"Coincidence, and you know it!" the Queen jerked her head, baring her fangs, as she glared thunders at him "You became strong because of US!" she stomped her hoof down echoing lightly through the room.

"Or maybe I'm just better by having learned from both. Nobody's perfect!" The Queen humphed and turned to her daughter, who was practically cowering . She wasn't just retreating from the Queen, but from the couple itself. She didn't like them arguing, and her movements were instinctive, having witnessed similar arguments previously.

"Maybe we do need to get outside..." said Chrysalis, frowning at what their argument had caused. "Tell you what. I'll humor both of you..." Both princess and king turned their heads towards her, ears perked and all. Satisfied that she had their attention she addressed them both with a smile.

"I'll give you the chance to show me how the ponies made you who you are. One chance only... If I don't get a satisfactory answer you'll admit I'm right. As for you, my daughter, I'll allow one trip wherever you wish. But no complaints if you don't like it, you hear? You choose, you lose."

"Actually, I have an idea how to handle both issues." Ao stroked his chin in thought.

"Oh?"  The Queen cocked a brow curiously "What destination would you choose?"

"Los Pegasus." Chrysalis blinked twice and shook her head. Was she hearing well? He just had proposed his birthplace, wait a minute... Sky gasped as she hugged her father, her mood shifting to excitement in a typical teenage mood shift.

"You... are you sure?" Chrysalis stammered.

"Yep! Calling out your bluff Missy! You got nothing, and this way I'm going to prove it. This trip will seal the deal."

"Challenge accepted," said the Queen, narrowing her eyes while smiling at him. She approached father and daughter, draping a wing over the latter, Sky's radiating emotions affecting the Queen as well. In truth Sky could barely contain her excitement, though the reason eluded the queen. Chrysalis was granted a kiss from her husband as he placed a hoof on his daughter, running it through her mane.

"I swear, I'll make this the best trip you've ever had."
> Moonlight rising
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Princess Sky didn't want her mother to know, but she was excited. She wanted to see the world, she wanted to fly outside, to be free.

She wanted to see and learn about the ponies so badly it was hard for her to keep a straight face. If her mother knew about this, she would no doubt give her a stern lecture about history, healing wounds, and hate, betrayals. She would no doubt be hissing at the princess. Records told of a time, before the Princesses, when the ponies weren't so accepting. A time before the windigos attacked, when everyone looked out only for themselves. The changelings had asked for help, yet their alienating presence did not allow them to receive it. Sky knew her mother had lived those times, being older than the Princesses and all, and if anything she admired her knowledge of the world. As a princess she received special education in addition to what the common changeling had. Chrysalis insisted that she try her best, always push her limits. "The sky is the limit," the queen had said over and over, "and as a leader you must be looked up to". Whether it was learning how to wield a weapon, learning how to behave in front of nobles and other officials, or learning magic she was always left with something to do, something to distract her from her quest to know the rest of the world. The ponies were on the top of her list of cultures to look out for.

Her father was tolerant of the irony of her curiosity, allowing her to deviate from her standard education. He didn't mind answering her questions, telling her about the customs and habits of the Equestrians, or even tales of his own youth as the pegasus Tidal Rider. She loved how patient he was to her babbling, and couldn't help but wonder how he handled her mother's "dislike" towards the ponies, because she was tired of it...

Tired both mentally and physically, the changeling Princess shook her head, getting back into reality.  As the fog in her contemplative mind dispersed she heard a voice.

"Sky, are you alright? Are you tired?" In front of her stood a changeling with a yellow and orange mane, he was looking at her with one brow of his green eyes raised quizzically at her. Passion Blaze, her uncle from her father's side, was a changeling like her, one of the few royal changelings that possessed a mane and eyes with with pupils. Only heroes or royals had these traits; the rest of the changelings had colored fins instead of manes. She sighed a bit before responding.

"Yeah, a little bit. What time is it?" She said, looking around. She was in her study room. It had two libraries at each side, two desks made out of mahogany, one for each changeling there, and a blackboard beneath a wooden clock with a metal pendulum. As she looked at it the pendulum struck twice, signalling the end of her lesson at two o'clock.

"Alright, so before you go, how about you at least pass a quick revision, hmm? We wouldn't like your mom getting angry because you were lazy right?" He cleared his throat, placing a hoof on his mouth, before proceeding to point at the blackboard. It depicted several flowers of different shapes and colors.

“What emotion does the marigold represent?”

“Despair.”

“Correct.”

“What about the red rose?”

“A single one depicts love, a thornless love at first sight, two intertwined are a… proposal?” She rubbed her neck, hoping that she said was correct. Once her tutor nodded she let an inaudible sigh of relief.

“The truth bloom, that’s an easy one, depicts the truth. Hmm… but what about this one? Do you remember its name?”

The flower he was pointing at had seven petals, which were similar to the radiance of a star, five yellow stamens, and two green leaves. Sky had never seen anything like it before, and it intrigued her. Something about flowers and the emotions they represented piqued her curiosity. It was possible to express so many emotions with such trifle things. The concept of conveying a deep meaning into such simple things fascinated her... or it would if she wasn’t tired.

“The spirit… something? I don’t remember the term.”

“Pneuma. P-n-e-u-m-a. It means ‘spirit’ and it’s a symbol of candid hearts and honesty. As your task for our next lesson you need to gather one such flower.” The princess planted her face into the desk, sighing in resignation.

"Why now? Come on! Today is the day, and I'm tired of waiting to go outside! Why does mom have to give me homework during vacation?"  She responded, grimacing. "How will I even do that?! Isn’t it rare?" 

"Actually... it was your father that did this." said Passion Blaze. Sky’s ears perked up.

"The Pneuma flower is what convinced your mother that your father truly loved her."

"Wow... really?"

"Yep! What if I also told you that all these things about flowers I learned from our pony mother, Edem Rose?" The Princess’s face lit up as Blaze expected, knowing of the young changeling’s fascination with the ponies. As an experienced teacher he knew how to motivate his student, but also how to make them smile at the same time. The princess's face lit up in hopes of new fascinating encounters with the unknown, to her, species. This trip was going to be twice as interesting.

“Do you think she could teach me too?” Sky’s face beamed as she spoke.

"You can ask her all you want once we arrive. Now…what do you say we get ready to depart?"


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


The Changeling King laid on his haunches on the edge of the gorge. Overlooking the gates, Ao's mind drifted back to the times he and his brother first encountered this castle. He remembered how Chrysalis had heard their parent's pleas to aid them in their offspring's return. He remembered how he, like many other changelings, was trapped in a false identity among the ponies. The Queen had gone out of her way to bring back all she could. Back then, during the springtime nights, he and his brother made an oath to serve the Queen. To them she was a lifesaver. She had brought them back to their true origins, and with their lives they would reward her. 

He admired her, and her castle. Black marble reflected the rays of the sun, a structure bold and majestic built on a strategic location between the Diarchy of the ponies, and the territory of the dragon emperor. It was fortunate that after five years the fortress still stood there. He didn't fear the ponies as much as he feared the dragons. He could still remember the times when the Kingdom's stability was threatened when a thunder dragon named Balthazar set his eyes on the Queen's crown to add to his hoard. Gravely injured by the dragon’s claws, the Queen had to give it up. Back then, he and Passion Blaze were acting as the Queen's champions. They chased the dragon with their battalion, bringing the mighty, but weary from combat, beast down. Retrieving the crown, they earned both the Kingdom's and the Queen's gratitude.

That was Queen Chrysalis, the "Liberator", the "Monarch of the Black Sanctuary", the one that acted as a proud ruler leading her people to victory and glory, that freed them from the fear of traitors, dragons, and more. But there was a third title, one that wrought fear and terror. The one she was given when she donned the vestments of the battlemage, and became the herald of vengeance singing the doom of her enemies...

The “Dark Siren”.

He knew how the Queen killed her false lovers, how she burned an entire estate all by herself because they betrayed her. Her vengeance was considered unproportional at best, and a sadistic slaughter at worse. But Ao kept a blind eye... because he loved her. He sighed, shaking his head free of the memories. Maybe this trip would bring out the better parts of her, maybe not. As he saw the teal and gold chariot with the armored changelings emerging from the gates, he wondered if there was even a chance for the Queen to change her ways. His brother had reluctantly followed his decisions, but he didn't ever stop calling him a masochist for loving her. Maybe he was. Maybe he was too loyal for his own good. That's what happens to fools, right? They get shut down again and again, but they still hope for the best.

He saw a black spot gleaming in the fading light of the sun as it exited the castle gates and took to the sky. As the carriage approached he saw the moon rise. He looked upon Luna's grace emerging, the first springtime night coming their way. An ever-shifting canvas, the sky was ready to be drawn anew by the night princess. The gentle caress of the wind came his way, the first specks of pollen getting into his flaring nostrils, a scent of what was an invitation for all to a romantic dance in the moonlight. The brilliant, passionate rays of the sun would soon give in to the gentle rays of hope, the herald of truth retreating as a mystical veil enveloped in a loving embrace.

The moon was as magnificent as ever and it lifted the King's mood, gifting his face with a calm brightness. When the carrie landed ge trotted inside it, his silver mane flowing with the wind. Thank you Luna…
> Homecoming
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chrysalis considered herself a good changeling. She did all she could to keep in touch with her subjects. Whether it was fighting in the frontlines with her troops, striking a pose as her battlesong riled the spirits of her brethren, or visiting the nurseries to gift the newborns with a loving embrace, the Queen strived to be present in her people's lives. Many mothers would consider themselves and their offspring blessed just because the Queen happened to grace them with their presence at one of the most important parts of their lives. The soldiers were happy to hear her song, because it meant their Queen was healthy and fighting so they had no reason to fear. Chrysalis acted like a true Queen, worthy of her stature.

Too bad not everyone liked her being a Queen.

“Changeling” was not always the name of their race. In ancient times the first changelings were called Proteans, and from that word came the adjective. Protean meant versatile, mutable, adaptable, capable of assuming many forms. Theirs was the magic of emotions, the greatest expression being the ability to combine their magic with their surroundings, and other creatures:  shapeshifting was one of them. When Equestria was still young it assured their survival in a world riddled with monsters. The word protean, however, became too common, its meaning got skewed. Other racial traits were taken for granted, too. Changeling society became crooked along with them, and it was not long before changelings started abusing their gifts... and wanting more. In Chrysalis' time they wanted the Queen's throne, they wanted to take down their guardian. They spat at her face, insulted her, opposed her with their rebellions!

Was she not right to seek vengeance upon them? To discipline those that sought to wreak havoc? To stifle the coups that threatened the peace of her Kingdom? She had killed a lot, she knew that much. Liars, traitors, betrayers and rebels deserved nothing more than the death penalty. But there was one traitor she just couldn't bear herself to kill...

Inside her carriage, Sky and Ao were sleeping. Sky was resting on Ao's side, the latter having a hoof on her shoulders. Passion Blaze, wearing a pair of reading glasses, was awake and had an open book on his hoof titled "Liquid Skin:The exemplar of transformation - A scientific approach". Not wishing to disturb the studious changeling, Chrysalis looked outside. The sky was turning blue, the dying sun giving its last light. Twilight was passing the baton to the night, the latter shrouding the sky. It was spring, wars would be resumed soon if there were any. During the changeling civil war the springtime nights were painted red, and smoke blotted the beauty of the stars. She hated the ponies, that much was true, but it never stopped her from being sorry when her own battles ruined the night. Above the horizon, the Queen noticed the first steps of the stairway to the heavens presenting themselves. Heaven, otheriwse known as "Elysium" for the changelings... a place where she hoped some day to rest with her husband, looking down upon their daughter as she became a worthy Queen.

Their carriage was concealed in a magical fog as it treaded through the sky.  Chrysalis's horn lit up as she opened the window, letting a bit of fresh air enter. She sniffed the air... hyacinth, willow and... roses?

"Mmm... huh?" Sky fluttered her eyes open by the coming wind. Ao instinctively responded to her daughter's movements, rising up. Then came the voice of the guards leading the chariot.

"We're approaching the outskirts of Los Pegasus, my Queen. Descent will now begin. ETA five minutes."  They were professional as always, and she appreciated it.

"Understood." Their short exchange combined with the descent had awoken Sky and Ao, who rubbed their eyes. Sky's mouth made a cute ‘o’ as she yawned a bit. Even as a teenager she never stopped being cute and happy. It was something that brought joy to her mother no matter how many times she had seen it, that much was evident by the gleam in her green eyes. Waking up, Ao observed both his girls staring at each other as their happiness reflected back and forth in a strange dance that could last for ages. Alas, a final shake of the carriage signalled the finale of their descent. Tapping on her daughter's back, Ao prompted Sky to exit through the door he opened. 

"Ladies first, sweetie." Sky giggled, hopping outside with her head up. The King remained in his position, waiting for the Queen to exit before following her. He was still her champion even after being King, and as such he still felt the need to be courteous with his wife. Flipping the book and closing it, Passion Blaze sighed as he exited the carriage after retrieving a small leather bag. It was one of the few "Bags of holding" in existence, which had an infinite amount of space and always weighed one pound no matter what it had inside. The only restriction, however, was that it could hold up to 100 different items, items of the same kind counting as one. A useful bag for lengthy travels, but hard to craft.

Once they had landed, the magic of the chariot disguised the fog around them as a thorny bush. Passion Blaze, being lead of the science projects of the changelings, had managed to create the "Gap Generator," a device that could create an illusionary field. Outside of it one would see a fog, or a bush, or even an ugly rock. It all depended on the power provided, and the radius it would encompass. It was fueled with mana crystals in which changelings stored all kinds of magic, love being one of those types.

Being inside the barrier, Sky's sight was not obscured. She witnessed the myriad of blinking lights and marvelled at the size of the Megalopolis. This was Los Pegasus, the city that never slept. She'd heard from her father about the countless opportunities that this city had, opportunities to "waste time and money" that was. There was a buzzing noise coming from the city, one unlike what changeling wings made. This was a city to love and hate at the same time. Ao was grateful that his foster parents had built their home in the outskirts. Even now he could hear the incessant sound of music tracks overlapping each other, creating a blur upon his senses, but fortunately due to the distance it was faint. Chrysalis shook her head, wincing, and gave him stern glare, grunting a bit as if to say: See what I mean?. She had the habit of blowing things out of proportion, so he had to distract her.

"Alright... Default disguises everyone, we don't need to attract attention by replacing somepony." His horn lit, and like a chain reaction the rest mimicked him. A wave, his magic spiraled downwards, washing over his form. Each changeling could use a different way to transition between transformation, granting a sense of identity towards the changeling. Thus the loyal to Chrysalis chose her way, the way the first changelings transformed…: to be enveloped in green flames. Passion Blaze's form radiated from his heart, shattering his previous shell to pieces and revealing a unicorn with light grey coat and green eyes, while his niece's form glowed and shattered into butterflies that dispersed in the night.


Once the King’s magic cleared, he spread his wings and observed his body for any inconsistencies.

Blue coat? Check! Black mane? Check! White-Blue wave cutie mark with a wing on top? Check! Identity Tidal Rider ready an...

“E-HEM!” He heard a voice next to him. He was standing next to a metal grey pegasus with a teal mane and a cutie mark of silver wings. She fluttered her forest green eyes as if to say something. Ao looked at her quizzically as she mumbled, frustrated, behind her fangs. She turned towards Passion Blaze, who simply had turned into unicorn with a light grey coat and a cutie mark of a heart covered in flames all the while keeping his fire-colored mane. While Blaze was sending the guards off, and without a warning, the Queen shoved her hoof into his Bag of Holding, taking a mirror out and turning it to Ao’s face. Ao shuddered, bringing a hoof to his face at the sight of his mistake. He still had the same eyes: honey brown, and soft sea green. After focusing and blinking twice he looked again to see both being soft sea-green again. Sky giggled, watching her father make such an amateur mistake. 

“See? Even if your daughter can’t transform to a thousand disguises, the one she does, she does right!” Said Chrysalis, capitalizing on his mistake. She pointed with her hoof at her daughter, who was now a light grey pegasus with a light pink fluffy mane and a cutie mark of a heart with white wings.

“I was just distracted. Don’t bash on me too much, mom!”  Said the King with his tongue out, only to receive a single bat from the Queen with the mirror. 

“Yeah, and when they find us because of you, just make sure to tell them our address as well! Ugh… let’s go!” She turned her back, leaving Ao to rub his head.

“Lighten up mom, we’re on vacation! Please don’t fight right now… please?” Sky put her hooves together, giving her mother a smile so wide Chrysalis could make a dental check right then and there. Chrysalis burst out in laughter whilst shaking her head

“Alright fine…” she said as Ao winked at his daughter, a silent ‘Thank you’ on his lips.

“Gee guys, wanna shout a little louder? I don’t think the city heard you!” said Blaze, poking at the tactless raise of their voices. “Come on, we’re late for dinner. Edem’s gonna kill us if we come late.” Blaze started off ahead, waving a dismissing hoof at the shenanigans of the family. As he exited the field his horn illuminated the way ahead like a flashlight.

As they trotted from one block to another, Sky couldn’t help but notice her surroundings. Before she knew it she was distracted by how different they were. While the changelings built their homes beneath or inside the earth, the structures the ponies made longed to reach the sky, and instead of hexagons pony architecture was riddled with rectangles and squares, whether it was roads or buildings. Otherwise Los Pegasus was, architecturally speaking, a neat and orderly city despite the chaotic lives its denizens chose. The only commonality the ponies had with the changelings were the local town centers, or the playgrounds where children would play, but it was getting dark and the few foals that were there retreated back to the safety of their homes. They feared their loud mothers that would soon come looking for them. With a frown on her face Sky imagined scolded children, and tales of changelings running about snatching them in the night. Should she laugh or cry about it? Was it funny that they were here of all places to have some peaceful vacation?

“Ah! There it is!” The king’s voice was distant to the distracted princess. As Ao quickened his pace she noticed his destination was a two storey building. On the bottom was a shop by the name “Flower Haven”, on top of which Sky assumed the owners built their house. When Ao rang the bell, the princess heard light hoofsteps descending, confirming her guess as the door opened. 

The unicorn mare that answered the door was surprised, as was evident by her wide-eyed expression. She proceeded to hug Ao without a warning, tugging Blaze in her embrace as well. Blaze gave a loving caress at the mare’s white mane while Ao kissed her cheeks, not minding the wrinkles of the azure-coated granny.

“You came! Oooh you came to see me! I’ve been waiting for you.”  She turned her eyes towards Chrysalis’s disguised form, and saw the princess next to her.

“Is that your wife and daughter, Tidal?” She asked with a raspy voice. 

“Right, let me introduce you. My wife Silver Wing, and my daughter Cloud Nine. Silver, Cloud this is my mother Edem Rose.” Following Ao’s introduction, they both bowed kindly to the old mare. Once Chrysalis raised her head, she winced and retracted as the old lady had proceeded to give her a hug and a kiss at both her cheeks. Sky laughed at her mother’s antics.

“I’ve heard so many things about you from my son. He really speaks highly of you!” Said the old mare, shaking Chrysalis’s hoof. 

The latter proceeded to cock an eyebrow. “Really? What kind of things does he say?”

“Well, if it says anything I think Tidal is still head over heels about you!” Edem’s words made Chrysalis blush a bit, though she wondered how much or what she was told. After that, Edem directed her attention to Sky, who had bit her lips, not wanting any stray question about their personal life to slip out of her mouth.

“What do we have here? A beautiful, little, smart mare?” 

Sky smiled at the old mare. “That’s me!” She said, smiling as the old mare plumped her cheeks.

“Tidal, you didn’t tell me you raised a heart-wrecker! Your daughter is going to get my sugar levels off the chart!”  A resounding laugh came from all except Chrysalis, who made a ‘pfft’ sound, rolling her eyes at the joke. Ao rubbed Edem's head and kissed it, the old mare caught his hoof and placed it on her chest, a loving smile adorning her face. 

“Well, what are you waiting for, come in, come in! Shining Heart is waiting inside!” Edem went to the door, seeking to be the one to welcome them in.

“Really mom, you don’t have to tire yourself so much.”  Said Blaze, tapping her back compassionately.

“Nonsense! Everything for my two boys!” She waved her hoof dismissively. Chrysalis tried to warm a smile, to keep at least the pretense of having a good time.

“Can you get any more cramped?”  She said as they went through the shop and took the stairs to their home in the second floor. The fragrant storm that penetrated her nostrils was likely going to get her sneezing soon.

“Hehe, we’re a humble couple in a big city, guess we can’t afford something bigger than this!” Edem sighed a bit, but still kept a warm smile.

“You really should have let me pay for it mom, me and Tidal could have made you live like a Queen!” Blaze exclamated as Edem opened the door. Chrysalis snickered on the inside. As if those ponies could fathom what it meant to be a Queen!

“Oh, I’m just happy to have you here! Welcome to my household! It’s not much, but I’ll be damned if I can’t make you feel like home! Now...” the mare paused for a second, looking at the disguised princess. “Who wants to try some of my new delicacies?” Normally Sky wouldn’t just eat pony food, but she could practically taste the love the mare was radiating, so she smiled and followed her.  She was hungry after all. Though she wouldn’t get much from the cookies themselves, there was the prospect of feeding upon Edem’s love. But it wasn’t the only thing she was looking forward to. She had so many things to ask…

“Do try to enjoy yourself.” Said the King, his eyes darting from Sky to Chrysalis as the princess rushed behind the old mare.

“You’re here to prove I can, honey.” She responded with a sly smile as Blaze rolled his eyes. This was going to be a tough one…
> The Fight, The Couple, The Dream
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The size of Edem’s house didn’t bother Sky. The musky smell of wood from the furniture, and the heat radiating from the stove that kept them warm during the night more than complemented Edem’s home with a heartwarming atmosphere.  Adding to it, the old unicorn was the answer to all her questions. And once she started…

“Do you have almonds here?”

“Do you get snow often? We got some this winter. It was great!”

“Can you tell me where I can get the Pneuma flower?”

Edem had to simultaneously treat her guests, and answer the young mare’s questions, but she felt more than happy to. While the young one shot her inquiries one after the other, she would observe her face. She’d see the glow in it, the twinkle in her eyes, and she could sense the passion coming from her. She sat on a small stool in the kitchen where Sky, disguised as Cloud Nine, had followed her, bombarding her with her questions while Edem cleaned the dishes. Once Edem finished the last plate on the counter she took a deep breath. She looked around, and found a vase with some margaritas. Taking one she took off the petals and put them in Cloud’s hoof.

“The Pneuma flower grows only in the desert oasis during springtime nights. Its bloom is delicate , and the smallest gust of wind can scatter its petal to pieces. Like this…”

She placed her mouth on Cloud’s hoof, blowing the petals away. They danced effortlessly in the wind, swirling as the currents took them, never to be seen again. The princess watched silently as the mare continued.

“To be able to keep such a flower unscathed demands patience, devotion, and determination. It is a flower that proves one’s intentions as honest, and pure. Few actually decide to go after it, even fewer manage to keep it alive long enough for others to see.” Edem paused, letting her words sink in.  The little pegasus sat quietly with her ears perked, taking in everything she said.

“Wow… No wonder uncle says that it made mom realize dad loved her!” Cloud was indeed impressed that her father had managed such a feat. How much time did it take him? How many steps did he take carefully not to spoil it? She was a tad bit jealous… would she find someone like that? Being so romantic to her? Her mom must have felt so lucky to have him…

“Aaaarrahhhh!!” Cloud yawned. She was tired from the journey, and her eyes fluttered as she tried to keep them open.

“Come now Cloud, my dear, you must be really tired. Why don’t you go to sleep? I’ll tell you more first thing in the morning, okay?” Edem rubbed Cloud’s back and kissed her grandchild’s cheek.

“But… I have so many questions…” Edem saw Cloud yawn once again after saying half a sentence.

“There’s always tomorrow, dear,” Edem assured her. Cloud yawned again, but finally complied to the mare’s request. She had to squeeze out the kitchen, its width barely fitting two ponies standing side by side. Edem followed her, but went to the dining room instead.

Chrysalis was there too, disguised as Silver Wing. She scrunched her nose at how little space she had. She’d barely had room to put her hooves on the table between the plates, and if she and Ao were to transform to their original forms they would be sitting with their backs against the wall… literally! Not to mention that despite the shop being downstairs there was no empty space. There were rectangular pots full of “swords”: a plant that, living up to its name, had the shape of a sword. Some had basilisk, and other aromatic herbs for cooking. There were even little bonsai trees in windows, and it was clear that though this house’s maintenance took much of the couple’s time they enjoyed it.

It was so… trivial.

Despite that, her husband and his brother seemed to have fun sharing petty little stories about their childhoods with the stallion sitting across from her. Shining Heart’s wrinkly old face reverberated, his laugh a resounding drum. Silver pretended to clear her ears, not wishing to rudely shove cotton in them.

“So… eeeeh… you’ve been… working? How’s that going?” The grey coated stallion’s speech was slow, and his question to Fire made it evident. As Shining ruffled his black mane she noticed deep stitches below it, though the old stallion tried to hide it, one glance was all it took for her.

“Oh you know me… can’t stay in one place for long! Numerous old recipes to try out, made by griffons, ponies, centaurs!” Passion Blaze, disguised as Fire Heart, spread his hooves out as if to show that the opportunities were everywhere.

“Yea… heh… that’s why you don’t have hot stuff like your brother! AHAHA-cough-HHAHAHAHHA!!!” Even with his old age, his lungs weak, the stallion wasted no opportunity to have a good laugh.

“I suppose you do, eh Shining? Guess you were a great womanizer when you were younger? I’m wondering what happened to that guy... once he tied the knot.” Shining’s laugh steadily died down as Silver’s words hit the mark. Edem let her tongue out, winking as she nudged the stallion and gave him a soft kiss. 

“Yup! He’s all mine! Naughty little Shining fell for my charm!” She giggled, her laugh shared with all. 

“I bet you have more recent embarrassing stories to tell, eh Shining? Like those stitches beneath your hoof? My they must be deep...” Shining gulped for a moment at Silver’s words.Silver Wing smirked, if she had managed to make him uncomfortable perhaps he’d stop talking a bit. Regardless, she was enjoying the way she read the stallion with her observations. Satisfied with her move, she didn’t notice her husband’s mood change. Tidal grabbed Shining’s hoof, who resisted him, but once Tidal saw the stitches he gasped.

“Where did this happen?” He demanded, an eerie silence echoing in the room after he spoke.

“Haven’t I told you… haven’t the doctors told you…” Tidal’s voice trembled, his father shook his hooves, his smile leaving his face. His struggle to take his hoof away was in vain, his son was far too strong.

“You’re just going to tell me.. to sit down, like everyone… I’m sick of it.” The stallion refused to look Tidal in the face. Chrysalis could sense the turmoil of emotions building up as everyone tightened around their positions.

“Now now, Tidal…” Edem tried to calm her son down, putting a hoof on his shoulder to enhance the effect of her words. A jerking shoulder later she was pushed away.

“How many times do you have to injure yourself to understand your condition is not a laughing matter? You can’t just go lifting stuff! You’re old, you need help!” The old stallion stubbornly looked down, refusing to acknowledge the words of his son. Fire Heart was silent as well: torn between interfering or not, he looked away from the fight.

“What’s…” began Silver.

“Paralysis Agitants. Otherwise known as Limp Bones disease,” declared Ao disguised as Tidal Rider. “My father has a neurological disease that slowly progresses, it makes his movements slower. Symptoms include shaking, slower speech. Just know all it takes a small push, and my father acts like a bowling ball. And it’s probably getting worse, because he’s probably been lifting!”

“I told you, I’m fine!” Shining hitched back, raising his voice. He jerked his hoof back, but lost his balance on his chair, and almost fell but for his wife’s support.

“Fire, aren’t you going to say something?” said a flabbergasted Ao.

“You should both calm down…” Fire’s tone was calm, his eyes steady upon Ao’s twitching ones. Silver could just watch, the overload of information having stunned her temporarily.

“If you haven’t noticed I’m trying to save my father, he’s your father too! Do you want him dead?” 

Fire put his hoof down, slamming the table at his brother’s words. The two siblings looked at each other intently, not backing down.

“Easy there, Tidal…” Chrysalis tried to reach for her husband, only to receive a jerking hoof. She felt a sharp pain, his hoof smacking on her lips. She put a hoof to check there was a drop of blood.

“Look at what you did!” she said, gritting her teeth, but Ao was unrelenting.

“Oh I’m sorry you couldn’t read how frustrated I am now! Your wounds are soooo much more important than the health of my father!” he barked back, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

“You know… I can take care of myself,” Shining interjected, trying to speak as fast as his condition allowed.

“EVERYONE! Listen!” Edem shouted, slamming her hooves on the table, and in the second that she did they all heard the clear sound of hooves, followed by a slamming door.

“That’s enough!” Said Edem, the old mare speaking steadily and clearly as she eyed down both her sons and husband.

“There’s a mare in the next room trying to sleep. You’re probably scaring her with your shouting!”

A wall next to them, Cloud was sleeping in a small bed covered in blankets, trying to silence the sound of fighting. She’d risen to get a glass of water, and had watched their fight. This was not going well… but she didn't know what to do! What was she supposed to do to cheer them all up? Could she even do something? For all her worth as a princess… Did her title grant her any influence on her family? Those questions and more troubled the young princess, who would just give anything for her parents to have a good time here. She closed the door and locked it behind her, refusing to answer the knocks that came later. Deep in thought, she didn't hear their voices. The image of the room was distant, the scent of the flowers granted her no joy now, and she was feeling cold despite the windows being locked. She looked at the posters on the walls, old brochures of the Canterlot Guard, and the Wonderbolts. She looked at her father in his pony form on top of a surfboard. This was his old room, but this all seemed so distant. How did the stallion on those posters change? Was he different? Calmer? Should he have stayed there?

A black fog engulfed her as she drifted into the darkness of her mind, tearing her disguise as it did. Red flashes danced around her as she peeked into the small light ahead. The light took the shape of a lock, and she approached it, wanting to peek through it.

“You betrayed me!” one of the voices said to the other. Angry hoofsteps rocked the ground, scaring the princess, whose breath became shallow, her body trembling. She couldn't see much… but she recognized the two changeling forms from where the sound was coming.

“Stop…” Sky pleaded. She tried to open the door but there was no handle. She couldn't stop her parents, they wouldn't listen, her voice was low… distant… too far to reach their ears let alone their minds.

“I didn’t betray you! I did it for your own good!” Ao said.

“You helped the ponies, warned them! Taught them our magic!” Chrysalis exclaimed. She heard the sound of a sword unsheathing. She banged the black door, but no sound was made. Even the metal door refused to hear her pleas.

“The fate of traitors… is death,” declared Chrysalis.

“Stop! Mother, please! No more!” Sky wanted to reach them, to stop them, to scream. But her body refused to respond, her bangs on the door becoming slower as she tired herself out. Did she not have power to stop this? Was there no other way? None at all?

The downed figure of her father gurgled, but his words were calm. “If I’m a traitor… then… I deserve this. Long live the Queen!” The King bowed and Sky finally got a look into his eyes. Those eyes of green and brown staring ahead confidently, directing their full attention, their love, their care, their life to someone who didn't want them. 

He was going to die…

“STOOOP!!” As if obeying an order, the dream froze in place as blue covered everything. Sky felt another presence. She turned around to see the Princess of the night trotting steadily in the darkness with a simple smile upon her face.

“Be at peace, changeling princess. I mean you no harm.” The blue alicorn made no sudden moves, not wishing to disturb the little changeling that stood before her, lest the weak dreamscape be shattered.

“Princess Luna?” Sky responded, staring at the Nightweaver with an expression of wide-eyed awe.

“I am here child, your dreams cannot harm you. I shall stand before you, and we shall face them together. Tell me… what is troubling you?” Luna’s speech was steady and clear. She had taken speech lessons, as well as studied psychology extensively to get up to speed with her subjects. As she progressed she noticed a steadily better reception, and apparently it was working. The changeling before her wasn't running, she didn't yell or scream, and as Luna smiled so did Sky. It didn’t last long though, as Sky lowered her head.

“My parents are fighting. I fear they’re going to kill each other…” Luna waited for her to say something more. A few seconds later it was apparent that there was nothing more the young changeling could say.

“Ao and Chrysalis. A strange couple, are they not? You must be Princess Sky then, correct?” Sky nodded silently, saying nothing more. Luna sat on her haunches, reaching the same height as Sky. She lifted Sky’s chin, meeting her eyes.

“Listen, Sky. I know more than anyone how terrifying it must be to even think of killing your own flesh and blood.” Luna, fortunately, didn't have to explain what she meant to the changeling, the inaudible gasp combined with the shrinking pupils showed that she knew the legend and the truth behind it. Still, the changeling remained silent.

“I can guess by the nightmare that you were dreaming of a time shortly after the Canterlot Wedding failure, no?” Another silent nod by Sky. She gulped as tears streaked down her cheeks. Luna conjured a tissue with her horn and wiped them out.

“I want to see them happy again…” Sky rubbed her eyes and sniffed as Luna tugged her to her barrel, letting Sky’s head rest on her collar.

“I’m here… I’ve sworn to your father to protect you however I can. I never break my oaths.” Luna caressed the changeling’s mane, her motherly instincts kicking in as she closed her eyes. Sky lifted her head up to look at Luna… Had she heard correctly?

“Y-you were sent by my father?” Sky asked, clinging to the lunar monarch’s hoof.

“Yes and no. I always strive to help all those who dream, regardless of species. But you see…” Luna paused. “Five years ago, your father and his brother helped us during Canterlot. They were the ones that warned us. Shhh…” she put a gentle hoof in Sky’s mouth before she could exclaim. “I’ll explain. They taught Cadance and Shining how to combine their magic, resulting in the unexpected blast of love that expelled the changelings. Your father felt guilty because he did few things to stop your mother’s vengeance in the past. He felt guilty his trust towards an individual was abused so.” 

Another pause, Luna closed her eyes “There was evidence that pointed to the idea that Princess Cadance was stealing changeling love. Your uncle suspected it was forged, falsified by remnants of a coup against the changeling nation. But…” Luna stopped and sighed.

“But what?” Sky asked, eager to hear more.

“But honor dictated your mother to not let this pass. The wishes of the changelings, of her people, demanded retribution. Retribution for deeds of oppression old and new. There was insufficient evidence to back your father’s claim… He tried to reach her, to show her the mistake she was making. I remember him saying he fell to his hooves and begged her to not start another war. He did not let her know, how sad he was for not being able to stop this. He couldn’t stop loving her.” Luna shook her head as if disappointed at what had happened.

“Your uncle was proven right in the end. But without your father’s help, without having tempered his wife’s rage, many would have died. Princess Cadance would have been murdered, or starved even. A war was stopped with their help. But you want to know the most important thing? They all did it for you and your mother…” Luna’s face beamed as she tilted her head to the side.

Listening to all this, Sky was at a loss of words. Her father saved a lot of people, it was true he might have done that out of selfish love, but then again did the motivation really matter? He’d done the right thing… 

The right thing… and had almost died for it.

“That doesn’t help one bit…” Sky said, her mane covering her face as she tightened her teeth. “He almost died for it!” She jerked her head back, pulling from Luna. Luna pulled back, eyes wide at the sudden reaction. The young princess’s reactions were spontaneous, and she needed to handle the situation… fast.

“I love the ponies, I want to know them more than anything. I want to meet the heroes that battled Tirek, that destroyed Sombra, that saved the world..” She pushed her hoof down, the dreamscape vibrating as her emotions echoed within it. “I want all of that… but I want my family back as well!” she put a hoof in her eyes, trying to stop their flow of tears. When she received another wipe she knew where to turn to see Luna.

The night princess pondered for a moment. Could she really help? If she directly interfered with the matter what would others say about favoritism? Did she even have time?

“I must find the Pneuma Flower,” the changeling said. Luna’s eyes widened. She knew of the flower and the rumors around it. Sky had a hard task ahead of her. “If what they say about it is true, then if I bring it back maybe…” She fell to her hooves grasping Luna’s collar, eyes pleading as they looked into the Dreamwalker’s.

“Princess Luna. You have to help me… Please!” Sky’s eyes were red and likely she would be the same way in the real world, drenched in tears, back in her bed.

“But… I am in Canterlot and that’s too far. Your parents have gotten over this once, do you really want to take up such a difficult task? It might be impossible. We might not even find the flower!” The night princess really wanted to help, but she needed to calm the changeling down. Sky needed to see that there were other ways, that this problem had more than one solution… But something in her wording pushed Sky back.

“You don’t understand. Nobody understands. I must do it. I CAN do it!” The flash that sparked from within her eyes, the fire of determination, expanded. It engulfed the dream, surrounding Luna in one flash.

“Wait Sky! I can…” Luna opened her eyes, gasping for air as the Dreamscape vanished and she found herself in her royal quarters back in Canterlot. “... help.” She trotted towards the window, looking south-east. There, beyond the horizon, where Los Pegasus was. There was something in Sky’s words that made her worry… She had to stop her from doing something stupid… Lest she perish in her quest for the flower.
> The Quest
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sky woke up in the middle of the night with a burning desire in her heart. She had a wish to fulfill, a quest to complete! Her family was at stake, and she had to save what was precious to her, even if it meant doing something dangerous. She would do it, she was a princess after all, wasn’t she? Trained by the world’s most formidable changelings! She had wits, will, and the power to go through with her decisions no matter how young she was! She saw the moon still in the sky. The clock on the wall said it was three o’clock. Okay… she still had time to look for the flower during the remaining four hours until dawn. She had taken a look at the map of where they were going. Before they came she’d asked her parents about the city of Los Pegasus, and its surroundings. Her mother had even given her a small map of the surrounding desert in case any of them got lost, so she knew the extraction point they landed on, and where to shoot a magical flare that would be seen at maximum distance. She was originally going to do this with her uncle… but this case was an emergency. She couldn’t wait for things to get worse! She had to do something…

She looked around and finally spotted her backpack. Once she grabbed it she started fiddling around, making a mental note of what she had. She spotted the large folded scroll the map had been drawn on, a pair of blue crystal-like shards from the Crystal Empire that the changelings used to store love, and a small notebook with the insignia of the changeling crown on it. The last item was her private notebook, something she used to remind herself of any interesting things she noticed during the day, and it was where she had stored all notes about the Pneuma flower. In the notebook she had also copied a small part from the book Edem Rose had given her about it. “Encyclopedia Fragrant” contained all sorts of information about flowers, trees, and other kinds of flora, and judging by the name it was probably made by some Prench pony. Once she made sure everything was in order she strapped the backpack tight and approached the window, the slats slowly creaking open as she pushed them. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Here… we…”

“... go!” She jumped out and flapped her wings steadily. She was still disguised as Cloud Nine, she didn’t want to be spotted by any late-night passerby. Regardless of species, wings were still wings, a mere change of pace in their flapping couldn’t scare the princess! She flew south and out of the city, aiming to scour the area around the oasis. Though Los Pegasus was a city full of life, it was only one hoofstep away from joining the desert that surrounded it. She remembered being in awe at what the ponies had achieved, simply by using their own hooves. 

She was glad there was nopony in the streets, none to stop her, none to bother her. Earlier that night she remembered hearing the faint voices of her parents pleading outside her door. What would they think of her right now? No… she couldn’t afford to turn back, not now. She shook her head, the soft night breeze blowing her mane away as she flew. She’d made a decision, and that was that. As her mother had taught her, she’d live life with no regrets.

She looked up to see it: the vigilant moon watching the ponies, the guardian of the night, the stone amulet that warded off the nightmares dwelling in the dark. A general, the moon led the stars -its soldiers- into the battlefield that was the sky. But the gaze of the night that encompassed Equestria’s sky would not stop her. Its beauty would not distract her anymore.

It wasn’t long before she was out the city, out of prying eyes that might look at her weirdly for being outside so late. She went off the main road, and found a bush. She checked around it twice, not wishing for her next move to be spied on, and went in. Her body glowed as her form dispersed into a million small butterflies, her disguise being released. Now she could use the full extent of her abilities to her heart’s content. Preserving energy was key to success, and releasing her transformation was a big relief of bound magical energy. She’d taken the words of her tutor to heart and never spent more time in one form than she had to. Blaze had told her about a rare psychological condition called Immersion to which he and Ao had fallen victims when young. It was partially one of the reasons why their parents had called for the queen to help them. Her mother had used her power as a queen and freed their minds. Brand new changelings, with no names or previous records, the two brothers had chosen to bear new names. While Sky’s uncle had simply chosen something close to the original, her father had been different. When Sky had asked him about his name, he’d told her it was after his philosophy of beginnings and endings. Alpha and Omega, Life and Death, Winter and Spring. His name had been his identity, his mark.

Her name was Sky. She was unstoppable, without limit. This quest of hers? It would simply prove it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fire Heart had not been sleeping well. His worries were burning his emotional energy reserves, not to mention dehydrating him very fast. How could he not be worried? Sky had shut herself in her room, refusing to get out. After an hour of pleas it was past midnight, and they all decided to call it a day and talk about it tomorrow, with calmer minds. Tensions had still been high, and the blame game had still been going on, but everyone had decided to put their differences aside, to be discussed the next day in a calmer manner. 

He yawned, still a bit groggy from sleep. In his heart was a wicked vine - his worries were an insatiable parasite. What would happen if they couldn’t fix their problems? He shook his head, no he couldn’t think like that, not now… Not when his niece was suffering. He had to find a way to fix this, to do something. Right now he needed a clear mind. Maybe if he drank a glass of water, or ate some sweet honey, maybe he would calm down.

As he trotted down the hall, his eyes were fluttering, his mind constantly switching between wanting to sleep, and not being able to. There was an annoying little tingling sensation in his stomach that refused to stop and allow him to rest. He felt like this insomnia was going to kill him. At least there was the cool, light breeze to help cool things down.

Wait… breeze?

He made a quick check, and saw all the windows closed. Kitchen? Nothing. Bathroom? Nothing. Front door? Also closed. The hallway remained cool, cooler than the other rooms. The wind was definitely coming from one of the bedrooms, but which one? He didn’t wish to disturb either couple for such a trivial thing, but his gut told him this was important. It was like a sixth sense, a third eye, or… maybe it was just paranoia and worry. Regardless, when he approached Cloud Nine’s room he felt it, it was low - almost unnoticeable, but it was there. Fire knocked a bit.

“Cloud? Are you there? Close the window honey, you’re gonna get cold.” No response. Calling out her name, he knocked once again. When he peeked through the lock, Fire immediately jumped back, gasping at the sight of curtains waving in the wind. Taking a deep breath, in and out, steady and low, Fire tried to calm himself down. But when he peeked through the lock once again, and saw the waving curtains once again. A shiver run up his spine. This was bad…

He had advised Silver Wing and Tidal not to force themselves into Cloud’s room, but now he wondered if his advice was right after all. If Cloud Nine had left there was no telling what might happen, where she was, or what she would do. He shoved his body at the door, the staggering pain he received reminding him to never try this again. He rubbed his shoulder, he had to focus, he had magic after all! Cursing his sleepy head he narrowed his eyes in focus, partly because he was still grunting in pain. A yellow glow appeared around his horn, a telekinetic field manifesting before him as he focused on the shape of the keyhole. It was a simple old lock, unlike the ones in the main doors, and within a minute he managed to form an adequate telekinetic-field key. He willed the delicate piece of magic in, and was glad to hear an approving click from the lock.

His face morphed into wide-eyed terror as he stared at the blank spot in the bed where Cloud Nine, Princess Sky’s disguise form, should have been sleeping, the window shutters swinging left and right at the mercy of the wind. He looked around, under the bed, he ruffled the bed sheets, but nothing responded. Sky wasn’t there. 

Sky wasn’t there…

A siren sounded, a red alert signalled on his mind. SKY’S NOT HERE! His breath quickened. Sky’s not here. His eyes spun in circles, his vision becoming blurry. Sky’s NOT HERE! He started becoming dizzy, his head hurting, he felt like he was going to throw up.

“SKY IS NOT HERE!” he said out loud. Losing his cool, he failed to nice he was saying the real name of the changeling princess. He had to keep it together, keep it together! He heard the sound of hooves rocking the floor, his voice a red alert to the others who jolted awake. It wasn’t that they’d been sleeping well either, and the noise made from searching the room had caused enough commotion to wake the rest.

“What happened?” Fire heard the inquiry, but in his shock he didn’t recognize the voice. When he lifted his head he saw his brother, looking at his gaping jaw while trying to mumble an answer.

Silver Wing came in after him, pushing Tidal to the side, looking around with eyes brimming with a desire to find something, or someone, that wasn’t there. She grabbed him by the neck and shook him. “Where is she? What happened? WHERE’S MY DAUGHTER? ANSWER ME!” 

“Calm down! She’s not going to be found screaming. Let’s sit down, and think. Fire, what happened here?” Tidal Rider spoke with a steady and clear voice, attempting to calm his brother down. More hoofsteps and groggy yawns were heard as Edem Rose and Shining Heart entered the room.

“What’s all the commotion about? You’re going to wake up the entire block!” Tentatively, Edem said, tentatively reminding them they weren’t alone. But Silver was a mother, and as such she couldn’t be stopped.

“I’m not going to rest, not going to sleep until I have my daughter again! NO ONE DOES!” Edem was startled as Silver slammed her hoof down to punctuate her words, an inferno of determination burning in her eyes.

“Fire Heart, wake up! Take a deep breath, brother. What happened, tell us… slowly.” Tidal put his hooves on his brother’s shoulders and waited patiently, ignoring his wife, whose face was turning red with veins popping as her rage built up. Fire Heart took a few deep breaths as everyone entered the room, cramming themselves for a spot in the bedroom. 

“I… I  couldn’t sleep. I woke up to get a glass of water, but then I felt a cold breeze, and went to check if a window was open. But then I felt the cold come from Cloud’s room and I… I… Iopenedthedoorandshewasn’tthere! She wasn’t there!” Once he reached the part where he opened the door, he spoke way too fast for anypony to make out. Still in shock, he just couldn’t say it clearly, it was too… too… inconceivable!

“You went in her room and you didn’t see her. Did you check the other rooms? Mom! Dad! Check the house! There’s still a chance that…” Tidal was interrupted by the eyes of his brother, a small whimper trying to air itself out.

“It’s not here… Her backpack is not here! She took it! I… I looked around and didn’t find it! She’s got her notebook, her map, everything!” Fire Heart shuffled his hooves, chewing on his words as he spoke. Silver Wing had a deep, frustrated frown on her face, deepening as she heard Fire’s explanation. The nervous tapping of her hoof increased in frequency until she couldn’t take it anymore.

“Speak, damn you! Tell us everything you know! Stop mumbling and get to the point! Do you know where she’s gone to? Where is she?” Silver’s tone was commanding, not wishing to waste any more time.

“She… I think she’s gone to find the Pneuma Flower. I… Tidal and I told her about it. How it had brought you two together…” Silver didn’t wait for him to finish his sentence.

“She thinks it’ll bring us back together.” The realization hit Silver Wing immediately. It was their fault, their fault her little angel was far away, their fault that she would be in danger of getting lost, beaten, or even killed in the desert. She cursed herself on the inside, she wasn’t going to cry… No, she was going to do something about it! She was a mare of action, not words! And they wouldn’t say she stood idle while others cared more about her child!

“Well? What are we waiting for? We should be going after her! Not simply standing around!” She jerked her head at the other ponies, her gaze an order that shook them all like lightning through their spines.

“Right! I’ll get a map,” said Tidal.

“I’ll fetch the encyclopedia about the flower,” continued Fire. The eyes of his brother’s bride had shaken him back to reality.

“I’ll see if I can get you some supplies,” spoke Shining.

“Dad…” Tidal started.

“It’s kind of my fault too. You were right… I just didn’t want to be a burden…” Shining lowered his head, Tidal almost lunged at him before he enveloped him in a teary hug.

“Bah! I just care about you! I don’t want you to die… I love you, you old fart!” He bumped a hoof on his shoulder. 

“Don’t you think we got more important stuff to do?!” came Silver’s voice again. She wanted to push them aside, to move, to do something!

“Right!” Tidal stated, the two other stallions following him as he exited the room. As Silver forced her way out, she felt her hoof being jerked back by Edem.

“Wait Chrysalis!” The sound of Silver Wing’s real name made her freeze. She turned around to respond but was stopped with a hoof on her mouth. 

“Yes, I know who you are. In fact, I know everpony’s true identities here. As does my husband. The only reason you are disguised as ponies here is because someone could hear or see you. Listen, I have something to tell you…” Edem looked left and right, ignoring Chrysalis who went from wide-eyed surprise to cocking her brow, grimacing in a dumbfounded expression. Her mouth opened, closed, then opened again, and closed once more. Somehow, this made total sense, but what didn’t was why none feared her, or her daughter. Why was this couple any different from the other ponies? What made them so special that the presence of Queen Chrysalis caused them no fear? She turned around, waiting patiently with her front hooves folded.

“Chrysalis… your daughter, Sky. She… She just wants her family. You ne…” Edem saw Chrysalis instantly furrowing in her disguise, her teeth grunting beneath her mouth.

“I won’t be lectured on parenthood by a measly pony, not even if that pony is my husband’s foster mother. “ Chrysalis moved in closer, her furrow growing deeper as her eyes narrowed.

“Whatever you say to me, I don’t care. I have few years to live, so your words don’t scare me!” The old mare remained there, unmoving, unyielding to Chrysalis’s deathly gaze. Chrysalis, of course, wasn’t going to harm someone so important to her loved ones, but she didn’t have to like them either. Ponies once earned her hate, and they would earn it once again. It was only a matter of time.

“I know you don’t have to do anything I say,” began Edem, “... but if you just listen I will be satisfied.” She put her hoof on Chrysalis’s heart. The disguised changeling next to her didn’t change her expression, but also didn’t push her hoof away. A good sign, she was listening at least.

“Sky wants her parents, both her parents. She’s ready to give up her dreams, change her priorities, risk her life even to save your marriage. Now, would I be right if I said you love my boy? As much as he loves you?” Edem asked her in a calm and steady voice.

“Wh… How...But of course! It takes more than just a simple fight to break our bond apart! What do you think of us? Changeling bonds are deeper than that!” Chrysalis huffed, her snout raised, proud of her husband. She didn’t take such statements like that lightly, her love for those that cared about her was unquestionable! Yet this mare DARED suggest otherwise!

“Then show her,” stated Edem. “Show her your love. Tell her everything about it- well not everything, but you get my point. Make it so clear, that from then on she shall consider it absurd to even think there’s something rotten. I believe you can do it… Queen Chrysalis!” Edem pulled the mare’s hoof to her heart.

I believe you can do it.

“What I truly desire is for you to become a Queen who is loved by everyone, and makes everyone happy. I believe  you can do it… Queen Chrysalis!” When Chrysalis was discouraged, she would always hear Ao’s words echoing in her mind. She shook her head, gulping as she was shaken back into reality. This mare, just like Ao, was a believer. She would encourage even the “enemy” to be a better person, simply out of honest love and care.

The noise of hooves running down the hall made Chrysalis turn once more. It was Passion Blaze in his disguise. “Come on!” he said “You were the one to kickstart this! Don’t stop now! We’re leaving you if you don’t come now!” He immediately rushed downstairs. Chrysalis spared one last look to Edem, who nodded in understanding.

“Go… be with your family,” she said, smiling. Chrysalis nodded back, a silent promise was made to do what’s necessary, what was right, even if that meant taking advice from someone that was likely her enemy…

Because all mothers thought alike.

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Princess Luna was flying, and she was not. Her wings were flapping, that much was true, but her own magic fueled her flight’s speed in her desire to reach the changeling princess in Los Pegasus. She knew the changeling princess was there, it was part of her duties to know the location of the dreamers. Magical disturbances often caused bad dreams, and it wasn’t rare for otherworldly creatures to cross the barriers of worlds through the dreamscape and enter Equestria. Each time she entered a dream she kept a note of the location of the dreamer, storing such notes in organized tomes ready to be researched later. She’d taken in a unicorn student by the name Selune Darkeye to help her document, and organize them. During her return, said unicorn had been the first volunteer to help her project to re-organize all documented Equestrian history. A project that was Luna’s attempt to establish herself with present affairs. Selune’s enthusiasm was something pleasing to Luna, who had a terrible load of work to deal with since her return. Luna knew ponies would be worried of her sudden absence, so she’d left a note to Celestia, Selune, and anyone else that would look for her. The note spoke of her departure, the assured continuation of the night-day cycle, and her return… though she didn’t mention when.

No matter what she wouldn’t stop, she would keep searching for princess Sky. She’d made a promise to the changeling King after all, but she’d also made a promise to herself. Protecting the innocent was a princess’s duty, she knew that much. When she had become Nightmare Moon many had become victims to her jealousy. Her anger and jealousy had put the world’s balance at risk, and almost doomed her subjects. As Nightmare Moon she hadn’t considered the implications of an eternal night on nature, and how it would destroy her subjects. The same subjects whose joy, love, and compassion she wanted. She would not turn her back on the innocent again.

A wise pony once said: “All it takes for evil to flourish is for good ponies to do nothing.” She could very well have left this to the changeling King and his Queen. But she didn’t know when they would discover their daughter’s disappearance. What if, in the meantime, Queen Chrysalis had lashed out at her subjects? She had heard from King Ao about her vindictive nature, the one that earned her the title “Dark Siren”. She had seen the records of old wrongdoings, and knew very well that Queen Chrysalis merely waited for one valid reason, one valid reason to grant her the moral high ground. A mother’s fury for her lost daughter would be all but unjustified. Luna had to get to Sky before the bandits, before the wildlife of San Palomino desert claimed the young changeling’s life. Lest her neglect cause Equestria to be shrouded in a new darkness, one of blood and war that few would survive.

Sky was looking for the Pneuma flower, she knew that much. The Pneuma flower was given many names: the night’s bloom, starflower, and spirit flower. It was one of the few flowers to grace the night, to only grow during the full moon’s light in the spring. To her it was a reminder of her romantic nature, not simply in matters of love though. After the events of her first Nightmare Night, she’d realize that the romanticized nature of ponies was gone, the eras had changed and with this in mind she’d chosen to lose her old speech pattern. For the most part, that was. Regardless, nothing stopped the ponies from crafting stories around Luna’s romantic nature and the flower. They’d say a lot of things, like that it contained the essence of her spirit, a foalish theory of course. She loved the flower because it was rare, it couldn’t be used for alchemy, magic, or anything else. It wasn’t as popular as the roses, it couldn’t easily be bred by florists, and thus it was a flower that could not be abused, only appreciated. Just like she wanted her night to be appreciated.

She felt her wing heating up a bit. She’d done well to fuel her flight with more magic, otherwise her muscles would be burning with pain, and if her flight got disabled she would never reach her destination in time. One of the advantages of being an alicorn was that she could use all types of magic simultaneously, such as using her unicorn magic to propel herself forward, as well as flapping her wings for extra speed. Of course, like everypony she had her own limits, and as an added effect her flight left a small stream of magic. No doubt the unsuspecting ponies below might see this as a bad omen, the smarter ones wondering where the night princess was going in such a hurry. She had no time to wonder about those things now, but she was glad that no paparazzi would follow her where she was going. Plus, if she succeeded the changeling King might be willing to help her back.

She had to find Princess Sky first though.

Like a hawk flying in the night, she scoured the area below for the changeling Princess. Now if the young mare had done her homework, and having received royal education herself Luna didn’t see this as illogical, she’d know that the flower grew only in Oasis. Though her knowledge of Equestria’s landscape was outdated she knew of the moon’s power over bodies of water, and thus with a bit of focus she could triangulate the locations she was looking for. According to her calculations there were three locations to look for, the closest one to the city being around 10 miles south-west of her position. With her speed she’d reach it in a few minutes, but she wasn’t sure…

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!” Luna heard an ear splitting scream echo through the sky, her eyes shrinking in terror, striking her mind like thunder, freezing her in place. The sound of shifting sands came to her ears accompanied with more screams, and she turned her head towards the source to see a scaly worm with a red mane-like structure behind its head. The desert Tatzlwurm, following a flying figure which Luna assumed to be the changeling princess, since the figure was firing weak pink blasts against the creature. Tatzlwurms were known for disguising their heads as rare flowers to attract prey. No doubt Sky went to check it and got chased by it, thought Luna as she dashed to intercept the worm-like creature.

Princess Sky was flying, her wings buzzing as fast as they could as she tried to avoid the black tentacles extending from the worm’s maw. As if that wasn’t enough that… thing had a tripartite jaw, each with a series of serrated blade-edged teeth dripping saliva, eager to make the little changeling a short but satisfying first meal after a whole winter of hibernation. Her flight was disrupted, her body jerked back as her right back hoof was caught by one of the worm’s tentacles. She struggled against its grasp, but all was in vain. Though she was fast, she was getting tired with the few hours of sleep she’d gotten, and she was not as strong as her mother in terms of magic. Fighting to survive, she let out an high-pitched scream of horror as she saw the creature’s teeth, its tripartite jaw opening to swallow her up. Or chew her, she certainly didn’t know which was worse. Cold sweat started dripping all over her, her body quivering in terror at her the thing that would end her life. There was a big light, what she considered to be her life soon to be flashing before her eyes.

And then she heard it.

FFFFFFFFSSSSSST - BOOM! She was released and fell with her face on the sand. FFFFFFFSSST - BOOM! She heard the sound again, as she spat sand flopping her tongue out disgusted at where it managed to reach her. As she regained her balance, she turned around to see sand being expelled outwards in gusts of wind as a winged creature landed next to her with a resounding thud.

“BEGONE FOUL CREATURE! YOU SHALL NOT HARM THIS CHANGELING!” Luna’s voice bellowed at the worm, the creature shaking its head from the magic blasts . The worm roared, bearing its teeth towards the princess of the night, whose nostrils flared, unphased by the roar that rustled her mane.

“Hmph! So be it then! HAVE AT THEE!” The Princess stretched her hooves, taking battle-ready position as the tatzlwurm burrowed in the sand, making a half circle, choosing to avoid the big blue alicorn. Changeling - good, alicorn - bad! Its face knew at least this much. But Luna merely shifted directions as she observed the ground that betrayed the worm’s movements. Once it emerged, lunging at his would-be meal it only received a blast to the face from Luna, resulting in the worm being knocked back.

“Had enough?” Said Luna, pumping her chest, spreading her wings to appear more regal and threatening to the creature that only listened to its instincts. The worm burrowed once again, but this time there was quiet. Luna narrowed her eyes, had the worm been repelled? Her ears were perked in attention, her senses at the ready for another threat.

“I-is it gone?” asked Sky behind her. She merely raised a hoof, not turning to see the young changeling mare who was shaking, her heart a warning drum beating in alert, heightening her senses at the danger. Just as Luna thought the creature was gone, she saw the ground beneath Sky’s hooves moving.

“Watch out!” Lunging, she managed to shove the princess out of the way as the worm erupted vertically on the spot. Luna gritted her teeth and launched another blast, hitting the beast’s neck. Using her pegasus and unicorn magic she charged after it, using her earth pony magic to strike a high-powered hoof at the beast’s neck. 

“BACK TO THE EARTH WITH YOU MONSTER!” The worm’s neck bent too much for comfort, and it shrieked in pain, finally retreating to the embrace of mother earth. Changeling and alicorn stayed silent for a minute, both of them ready for another attack. An attack that never came.

“It’s over… you’re safe now,” said Luna. Sky exhaled in relief, the strength of her hooves leaving her as she fell, taking deep breaths.

“What were you thinking?” Luna scolded her. She didn’t raise her voice, she knew this would solve no trouble now. She had to understand, to make Sky see reason. “You could have died out there! If you’re here for a measly flower, it’s not worth it!”

“My family is worth it!” Said Sky, lashing back at Luna, whose furrow of disappointment still remained. “I thank you for your help princess, but this isn’t just about me! It’s about my family, and I value everyone greatly. If I have a chance to fix their relationship I will do it. I won’t let my father die!”

“Have you ever thought about what would happen if you died instead?” Luna cocked an eyebrow quizzically at Sky. “Ever thought about the diplomatic incident that your death would cause? ‘Today in Pony Times:Changeling Princess dies during her vacation at Los Pegasus. Queen Chrysalis proceeds to slaughter the city in revenge.’” Luna spread her hooves, demonstrating the place the title of the newspaper would take.

“Well, you saved me didn’t you? So it’s no biggie,” said Sky, fixing her mane as if nothing had happened.

“Wh-You could have DIED! Don’t you care at all?” Luna’s face grew red, the flabbergasted princess of the night trying to keep her cool with what she was hearing.

“Listen princess. I’ve made my decision. You feel free to take me back, but I’m going to come back again. And again. And again, until I find this flower,” Sky turned her back to Luna, who let out an exasperated sigh between her teeth. Sky took the first step, only to be jerked back by her shoulder. “Don’t try to stop me,” said Sky. 

“I am not…” said Luna, her voice clear and slow, filled with a calmness that only a conclusion brought. Sky stopped trying to pull herself away from Luna, and waited for her to continue. 

“I am coming with you,” Luna said at last “Somepo-somebody has to watch over you. Besides we’ll find it faster if we look together.

“Don’t thank me just yet…” came Luna’s response as Sky opened her mouth “You’ll still have to face your parents before this is over. They are no doubt hot on your trail. But that’s not something to be concerned with right now. The nearest oasis is just a few miles away, if we trot we’re gonna reach it in ten minutes. I’m not suggesting flying, we’re both tired right now, eh?” Sky nodded in response, and Luna spared a glance behind her, not wishing to be taken by surprise again. If she couldn’t stop Sky from doing this, then at least she could help her do it safely.

Sky checked herself, making sure that the backpack she had taken with her had survived the fall. Fortunately, past a little sand, everything inside was alright, so she let a sigh of relief, wiping her forehead. It had been hard enough travelling in the night desert, being constantly battered by cold winds with sand occasionally blocking her sight. Fortunately, Luna countered this with a small magical bubble of her own. It was invisible but it had the shape of a sphere, the inhospitable winds drifting around them.

“How does the flower even survive in these conditions? I heard it was very fragile!” Said Sky as they walked a steady pace towards a grove of palm trees. She could see a small lake in the distance, about eight miles give or take.  She couldn’t judge the distance clearly, but she could definitely see something big and black hugging the lake on its other side.

“The Half-Moon Oasis is protected by a crescent cliff, a sort of plateau ‘hugging’ it on the eastern side. That’s how it got its name. Though it’s a bit shortest than I remember. I guess a thousand years of erosion can do that to you,” Luna smiled a bit, before resuming her watch of the area. 

As they approached, Sky noticed the wind slowly subsided, allowing her to notice the details of the oasis more clearly. A blessing of blue, the water of the oasis was a haven to a variety of creatures. An ancient wall of legend, the crescent plateau behind it was the stone guardian of the Oasis, standing cross legged with spread stone hooves around it. Mother nature invited changeling, pony, and animal alike to enjoy the shade of her palm trees, and like a kind host she tentatively tried to keep the peace between her guests with her offerings. Whether it was wildcats, snakes, lizards, or even some faerie dragons. The last were few, but their curiosity was peaked as their feathery antennae picked up the presence of the two equine newcomers. 

The pseudo dragons crossed the crystal-clear waters of the oasis and flew over the grass surrounding the lake. Many ‘blinked’ with their inner magic, teleporting playfully from rock to rock, approaching the new guests of the lake, blinking and tilting their heads to the side curiously having seen few like those creatures gracing them with their presence. While most watched from the sidelines, one of them blinked straight in the equines’ faces and spread his wings, his turquoise scales shimmering in the full moon of the spring. The small fey’s moth-like wings shone brilliantly in the colors of bright red, shifting to pink and purple towards the edges. Its beady, black eyes observed the changeling princess as it flew a full circle around her, examining her familiar insect-like wings. The small dragon burrowed its head beneath Sky’s wings, making both her and her alicorn friend laugh as it used Sky’s wing as some sort of cape to cover his head. He - showing off was a characteristic of male Faerie dragons - tried to do the same with the alicorn, but the feathers made him sneeze. Both Sky and Luna laughed as the dragon decided that the former was a preferable choice, as he proceeded to burrow his muzzle upon Sky’s holey mane, tickling her in the process.

“You sure are a funny guy. But I’m busy dear, so… later,” Princess Sky saw the dragon tilt his head to the side, curious at what the big bug in front of him was saying. Sky laughed at her own ridiculous attempts to speak to a creature that probably didn’t understand her. Luna observed the two, a curious smile building on her face as they exchanged, the dragonkin refusing to let go of the the changeling, constantly fighting to gain the attention of his new friend. 

“Ugh! Come on, shoo! Get out of the way,” Sky waved her hoof, trying to shoo away the creature standing before her. Ruffling her mane, using her head as a resting place, and poking at various holes was starting to become annoying. Sky’s patience was beginning to wear thin, but she didn’t want to use force and harm him.

“Be gentle, Sky. These creatures can be quite dangerous if provoked. They can encase themselves in small shields and repel any kind of conventional magic or physical attacks. It tires them, but that’s why they travel in packs,” Luna did her best to warn the changeling princess, who took her advice to heart and stopped the forced movements.

“Look pal…” said Sky, pressing a hoof on his mouth as he flapped his wings, hovering in place.  “I’d looooove to stay and play with you, but I’ve got a quest. Unless you know what the Pneuma flower is and where to find it, I suggest you go look for someone with more time than me,” the dragon tilted his head sideways, curious at what the changeling had said. 

“Pneuma flower? You know? White flower, seven petals, radiance of a star, five yellow stamens, two green leaves?” She sighed and got her notebook out, opening it at the page that contained the picture of the flower. The dragon observed the image, often sniffing while trotting around Sky’s neck and on top of the book. Sky put a hoof on her face, laughing inwardly at her ridiculous attempts when the dragon jolted up, letting out a series of chirps and squeaks as it flew towards the base of the stone hill. Luna gasped as the realization hit her, but before she had time to speak the dragon blinked back and tugged each mare’s manes, making them wince in pain.

“I think we should follow him,” said Luna, and Sky couldn’t have agreed more. If anything she didn’t want her mane pulled again. But Luna had realized something: as she and Sky followed the little dragon, Luna had remembered that faerie dragons were good friends, and allies of the breezies, often aiding each other in the gathering of nectar. Their skins were thick enough to resist bee and wasp stings that often bullied breezies out of their territories, and in exchange for their help a part of the nectar won was shared. The little dragon led them to the other side of their lake.

In a small patch of ground between two small rocks stood the precious, sought-after flower, its buds still closed. As if waiting for their arrival, like a glimmer of hope, the rays of the moonlight reached the bud. Slowly and tentatively the newborn flower spread its buds. How much time were the three of them standing there, just looking at the flower? Seconds? Minutes? An hour? The shy flower finally spread its buds fully and turned its gaze upon the glorious, moonlit mother in the sky. A bell-like twinkling from the flower signalled the finale of the flower’s birth.

They had found it.

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Once Chrysalis, Ao, and Passion Blaze had gotten out of the city they’d taken to the skies. Their eyes were glowing, their manes flowing behind them as they burnt love to turn their flight into overdrive. As changelings they possessed a special kind of eyesight that allowed them to see emotions, and the magic tied to them, on the sky. So it wasn’t long before they’d found Sky’s trail leading towards to one of the oases. Just then, a magic flare was fired into the sky from the Half-Moon oasis. Chrysalis breathed out in relief, she was okay. Her daughter was okay. She knew she was, because Chrysalis had taught Sky how to perform a flare spell herself. She’d been careful to copy the spell from pony spellbooks, adjusting it to have only a few different fluctuations in its intensity. Thus to a normal pony this would look just like any other distress call, but to Chrysalis and the rest it would be a way to discern Sky’s call.

As the trio flew they were spotted by a dark blue figure with an aethereal mane flying towards them.

“Luna…” Chrysalis hissed as she flew towards the princess of the night, teeth gritting in anger. As the two mares landed in front of each other, the world around them lost meaning, its sounds far away.

“Where is my daughter,” demanded Chrysalis, saying each and every word loud and clear as if what she said had no room for misinterpretations. Seeing her grim and determined expression, Luna knew not to provoke the changeling Queen with any jokes. There was a hidden cold in her speech, gale winter winds ready to be unleashed. A mother was a mother no matter what, and Chrysalis was, mentally at least, an unstoppable force.

“Be at peace, Chrysalis. I’ve no quarrel with you. I saw your daughter’s nightmares and suspected she might do something reckless. I came just in time to to tackle a tatzlwurm that was assaulting her,” Luna’s explanation was simple, and to the point.

“A likely story, is it not? Perhaps your aim is to simply avoid my rage? Such excuse is very convenient for you…” She approached Luna, her eyes becoming two burning slits of fury as they examined her, looking for the cracks of lies and deceit she was all so familiar with from all her years of living. Ao went to open his mouth, but Chrysalis paid him no heed “I know what you ponies are, and the price of dealing with you. My husband may have won something out of trusting you, but I know your ponies from times before you princesses even existed. Oh they weren’t so good back then I tell you…” Chrysalis let out a sinister low laugh, a sly grin adorning her face because of the secrets she knew. 

“All it’s going to take is ONE slip up. Just one, and I’ll cut you down from the root like the vermin you are!” As Chrysalis spoke her muzzle approached that of the night princess’s, who kept her cool expertly, refusing to allow Chrysalis’s words to get under her skin.

“Are you done?” said Luna. “Because your daughter is waiting. Trusting me and the truth of my words is irrelevant. Your daughter is safe, and I have not harmed her. The rest you can confirm yourself, Queen of the changelings,” with that out of the way Luna trotted past Chrysalis, not another look spared towards the ungrateful Queen. Luna heard Chrysalis mimic her own actions, the changeling Queen was soon followed by her King, who mumbled something about her nerves, princess Sky, and keeping your cool. Whatever he was saying it didn’t matter enough to Luna for her to stop and turn around.

“Wait…” Passion Blaze extended his left hoof in front of Luna. “Are you leaving so soon? Aren’t you interested in seeing what happens next?”

“I have no interest in seeing another fight,” stated Luna “The changeling princess was wrong to assume that a measly flower could fix their problems. This flower will change nothing,” she started trotting ahead once again, seeking to get enough distance before taking to the skies.

“You’re wrong, and right at the same time. This flower by itself can’t change things, but your night can,” Blaze’s words made Luna’s hoof freeze mid-air.

“What do you mean?” She asked as she put her hoof down.

“It is because of your night that we have this flower. But that’s not simply it,” Blaze paused for a moment to take a breath. “This flower is but a small thread that unravels a chain of memories,” he turned his head up to the night sky, observing the stars, the beautiful gems decorating the night with their discrete glow. A simple, yet elegant, jewel on a marvelous dress of black and purple, the sky was beyond simple words to describe, and the treasures it hid were more than just material.

“To tell you this I have to start at the beginning:… sit down with me. We’re going to be talking for quite some time. I trust you being here means you’ve got some extra time to waste right?” 

Princess Luna was torn between listening to the changeling’s words and returning to her subjects. Did Passion Blaze really have something important to tell her? And how did it concern her night? 

How had her night affected the lives of these changelings? And how important was it to them?

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“Hold still…” said Chrysalis while rubbing Sky’s mane.

“Mom, I’m fine!” Sky tried to escape her mother’s grasp but the changeling Queen refused to stop checking her daughter inch by inch, seeking any wounds that the villainous pony princess had lain on her. There was no poison, no trap, no tracing spell put on her, or any other kind of bug. Chrysalis had to admit that Luna didn’t harm her daughter.

“Your mother’s just worried, Sky. You shouldn’t have gone here all on your own. I can still smell the tatzlwurm’s scent upon you. You’re going to have a good bath once we get back home, missy! And since you decided to go out in the desert you’ll be getting extra training on weapons and magic,” Ao looked deep into Sky’s eyes, who in turn looked the other way with a mix of guilt and regret.

“Why did you do it?” asked Ao, even though he knew the answer.

“You were fighting,” Sky said simply to her parents. She lowered her head as she looked at the Faerie Dragon that was now sleeping on her hooves. Sky smiled as the little dragon huddled closer to her body. He was so cute with his little yawn, his colorful wings and his playful nature.

“That means nothing to our love for you. All couples fight from time to time. The most important thing is to learn from such fights,” Ao spared a glance to Chrysalis, who nodded in agreement.

“But you almost died in one of those fights!” Sky protested “Doesn’t it bother you? It bothers me! I never did know the why, and how! I had to be told by a stranger!” Sky looked in Ao’s eyes, pleading for an answer with teary eyes.

“If I didn't have a reason to betray your mother during the Canterlot events, I would be rightfully deserving of such punishment. Otherwise I would have left altogether. But I loved your mother enough to see this through,” Ao raised a gentle hoof through his daughter’s mane, a loving touch to calm the princess down.

Sky caressed the little dragon in her hooves, she didn’t notice her parents looking at each other. They weren’t talking, just watching their daughter and each other, thinking about the lengths she went to to have a normal family. Protected in a small telekinetic field in front of her was her achievement, her prize: the Pneuma flower. So many memories rushed the King’s mind when he saw it.

“It’s time me and your mother told you the reason why this flower, these nights, mean so much to me,” said Ao as he and Chrysalis shifted into more comfortable positions to begin their tale.

“It was a night just like this one, around 20 years ago that your mother retrieved me from the ponies...” Ao started. Sky’s ears perked up as she shifted in a more comfortable position between her parents. “... I knew there was something special about her. I didn’t know whether it was her alluring eyes, the starry background complimenting her mane, or the fact that just like an omen she’d come under the sign of the fisherpony,” Ao took a deep breath. 

“I thought you were such an airhead. Your eyes were constantly shifting from the sky to my eyes, as if there was something familiar to be seen there,” Chrysalis rubbed Ao’s head as she spoke, the latter shrugging it off with a smile.

“My first memory was looking upon a strange creature’s eyes with the stars blinking all around its face. When I saw you, for a moment I thought that you were that creature. Though I later learned that it was my changeling mother I knew that I’d noticed something special back then,” Ao spoke softly, his voice a soft caress of cool wind that brought a smile upon the changeling Queen’s face. They looked for a moment in one another’s eyes, and Sky held her breath for a bit expecting a kiss that didn’t come.

“But you were too busy,” Ao shook his head, Chrysalis lowering hers in turn. “You were a Queen, and I was but a simple changeling. As time passed you won my respect simply by being a good queen. You were there in our hunger, there in our joy, there in our grief… and I could only watch,” 

“You didn’t just watch: you tried to attract my attention. To be worthy,” Chrysalis’s voice had a hint of hesitation in it, her mouth opening and closing before she spoke once again. “I didn’t look at you. I thought you were just another changeling, just another lying suitor,” Chrysalis’s face was partly covered by her mane, hidden behind it in her shame for that false judgment. 

“When spring came and the thunder dragon Baltazar attacked, you took the initiative. Though it was dark, and the former royal guard captain was dead, you and your brother took your battalion and chased after the dragon that had stolen my crown. Most would have just stood by me flattering me on how I wounded the beast, or sharing hollow words of care as the crown slipped away…”

“I knew how much your kingdom meant to you,” Sky saw her father extend a hoof to her mother, his loving touch calling to Chrysalis. “Me and my brother knew that if you lost the symbol of your power, you wouldn’t be our queen anymore. It didn’t take a genius to know you were worthy, far worthier than all those power hungry mongrels!” Ao pressed a hoof on Chrysalis’s chest to emphasize who he meant, followed by a clenching hoof showing the certainty and strength of his statement. Chrysalis smiled, receiving Ao's appreciation.

“I rewarded you, I thought that was what you wanted. I considered you and your brother warriors, loyalists that shared my will to protect the kingdom, but there was something in your eyes that your brother didn’t have. No, you had something more to ask, but you didn’t dare. Then the next spring you went ahead, and did something extraordinary,” a shy smile crept up Ao’s face as he heard Chrysalis speak. “Night after night you were missing that spring, and I was growing furious. I thought you were hurt dammit! It wasn’t like you to be late or missing!” Chrysalis bumped her hoof on his shoulder angrily, wishing to give him a taste of that same pain she felt that day. 

“You went ahead, and brought me that flower, saying only three words:’I love you’. Father and daughter you’re the same: reckless and stubborn, but I can’t help but love you so,” she brought both of them in her embrace, snuggling lovingly with her family. Chrysalis kissed husband and daughter on their foreheads, wishing to show them how precious they were to her.

As Sky enjoyed the heartwarming hug, she noticed something during the conversation. Something about the times these events took place seemed a wee bit too convenient…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Did all these things really happen at springtime nights?” Asked Luna. To her it seemed like way too much of a coincidence. Passion Blaze noded calmly. They were standing on the top of the hill, watching the three changelings below re-iterate the events. They couldn’t hear them well, but if Blaze knew his brother enough, and since they were from the same flesh and blood this was out of the question, he was no doubt telling the same tale of their lives to his daughter.

“Yes, spring is the season of rebirth, the season in which wars resume, animals wake from their hibernation, and flowers just like the Pneuma flower bloom. Believe it or not, for us, for our family, springtime nights are the meaning of life,” Blaze laid back and looked up at the sky, right where memories upon memories laid floating in an endless blue sea of aether.

“See those stars there? The fisherpony? Me and my brother were born under them. Every time I look up there I remember my foster mother’s face, one of the first things I remember from my life,” Luna followed his look, looking upon her handiwork. Blaze wasn’t flattering her, Luna knew at least that much. He didn’t use fancy words to say how awesome or beautiful her stars were. Nor had he ever said how magnificent or majestic the products of the night were, but that didn’t diminish their enjoyment of the night.

“I remember the smoke that blotted the constellation of the Ursa Major when the changeling civil war resumed during spring. The star of the wanderer that helped us get back home, while also avoiding the icebergs of the eastern sea that had drifted our way,” Luna listened to the tales of the changeling, each piece of her sky bearing meaning, a memory, a part of this family’s life. 

“My niece was also born during spring, luckily for my brother and his queen. For most couples being born during spring is a blessing, the cold of Equestria is able to cause many complications in birth. I remember trotting back and forth, looking nervously at the Ursa Minor stars huddling together, thinking about the health of the newborn,” Blaze lifted his head and looked deep into Luna’s eyes. But Luna was without words. To this family her sky was not merely a nice drawing, and they didn’t just use her moonlight, or her stars for guidance.

Instead, to these changelings the sky was a benchmark. A diary with a myriad of stories in its pages, each to be read around the comfort of the springtime nights. Luna realized that this flower meant more than just beauty, honesty, and love. Remembering and cherishing it meant cherishing the night, as if Luna herself had gifted the King, and given him the chance to fall in love with Queen Chrysalis. Her thoughts were interrupted by a burst of laughter, the trio of changelings playing with the faerie dragon that had woken up again, and had proceeded to mess with their manes. Luna understood: Ao, Passion Blaze, Sky, even Chrysalis… they were all enjoying the night and its offerings as something more than simply material things. They had added meaning to their lives, and that was through the springtime nights. 

“I understand,” stated Luna, a firm smile settling upon her face. “Go. Be with them. I will stay for a while,” she continued. 

“We’ll be staying here for the week. Feel free to drop by! Edem Rose, my foster mother, lives in the suburbs. She makes some killer cookies!” Passion Blaze giggled as he stood, shaking off the sand from his chitin. He bowed in respect and descended with a buzz of his wings towards the family.

Curiously enough, Luna didn’t want to leave anymore. She laid on the side with one hoof keeping her head up and just watched the royal changeling family have a wonderful time. They weren’t loud, there was no gaudy celebration, or any other sort of flaunting behavior. Just four happy changelings, enjoying the night.