The attack on Canterlot by Queen Chrysalis had far more reaching effects than realized. It started anew an old conflict that now threatens to embroil all ponykind.
My name is Southern Wing, well that's what my pony friends call me. My real name is Schkitz and I am a red changeling. Most of my life I've spent in peace, however my hive is in danger from an old adversary. Queen Chrysalis is planning something I don't know what but I am afraid. I'm afraid that she'll take action against us or against ponykind which would be worse. I may have bred to be a soldier, but I can't help but feel like things are going to get worst before they get better. With the rumors of a wedding in the wind, time will tell.
(7/7/15 realized adventure tag was an accidental mistag on my part) coverart by Discourt
For 1500 years, there was a war. Well, our kind has seen and observed many wars break out in pony history. Through the ages we watched. Ponies evolved, built great buildings and cities. For us it all started that day when you discovered harmony. The status quo was broken and it led to a war that shattered Changeling kind in Equestria forever. We used to exclusively feed on forcibly taken love. But with the discovery of harmony, it split us now feed on shared love instead. The hives chose their sides. Some continued to feed on love and use its power to the fullest. Those who didn't started to turn away from feeding on forcibly taken love. They now feed on shared love.
While we still use love, it's only used for emergency situations. However, a ceasefire was agreed upon twenty eight years ago. Queen Chrysalis, the newly proclaimed ruler of the blue changeling hive, has recently proven to be worrisome. With her banishings of any who question her, we have no idea what is going on there. With the upcoming wedding in Canterlot, it has all of us worried for what Chrysalis has in store. Mother has put all our military forces on alert. If Chrysalis does try anything we'll be ready for her. I can only hope that we are able to notify the princesses, that we and the violets pose and wish no harm to ponykind.
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Southern Wing leaned back in his chair and looked at what he'd written down. Then he looked in a mirror, seeing the changeling that he was staring back at him. "Damn that Chrysalis!" He slammed his hoof on the table in front of him, shaking the books that laid on top of it.
"What's the matter, buddy?" a cyan winged unicorn asked as he walked in. Sev Divine was one of the very few ponies that knew Wing was a changeling and had been the first to find out, making them bond brothers.
"It's just Queen Chrysalis. She's got me--tartarus, the entire hive--antsy for fuk'kahs sake," Wing cursed
"So why don't you just tell Princess Celestia about her?" Sev suggested.
"The hive minds are split on the decision. Not even Mother knows what to do, not even the violet hive know what to do from what we’re hearing," Wing explained
"Luna..."
"Yeah...apparently there's a wedding coming up in Canterlot. Hopefully we will probably make a decision before or after the wedding."
"Hope so... I don't like the idea of anything happening between ponies and the changelings that don't serve Chrysalis." Wing looked at a photo that sat on the desk showing him, Fluttershy and their daughter, who was half changeling half pony, smiling. He then looked to a photo of him and Fluttershy on their wedding day him in his natural form standing with her in front of Queen Chiton.
"Me neither, buddy." Sev walked over and set a hoof on his friend's shoulder.
"Schkitz, you alright?" a voice rang out inside Wing’s head.
"Yes, Mother...I'm just worried about Chrysalis."
"We all are. You've been needing a break," replied his queen, Chiton.
"And I know just how to help! Twi and the others are going out for a picnic," Sev piped up
"I guess I could take a bit of a break," Wing smiled.
"Sounds good, go have some fun! And don’t worry it’s alright if you miss the holiday celebrating Queen Zarkesh since it falls on the same day as the wedding." Wing's Queen cut the communication and went back to her duties. Wing looked to his long time friend and transformed into his pegasus persona putting the glasses he always wore while in it on.
"Shall we get going, then?"
"Come on, buddy. They're waiting for us."
Sev and Wing walked out of their home away from home, consisting of a bunker deep in the Everfree Forest.
"Fly or teleport?" Wing asked Sev.
"Flying sounds good to me." Wing smiled and the two took off and headed for their friends.
"I really do hope that we beat Chrysalis to the punch and tell Celestia and Luna what’s up. They should know we’re the friendly ones.”
"Me too, but this is suppose to help you relax, bro,” Sev pointed out.
"I know...but I just can't help but worry."
"You think I’m not worried as well? You're my best friend! The closest thing to a brother that I have! How do you think I'd feel if that happened?!"
"I'm sorry..." Wing lowered his head.
"It's alright. Just don’t keep doing this."
While he was still deep in thought, Wing thought back to when Sev first found out he was a changeling on a camping trip a long time ago. 18 years to be exact…
-------
"Come on buddy, we going exploring or what?" Sev asked.
"Hang on Sevy! I'm going as fast as I can," Wing replied.
"Man, you're slow. No way you're ever gonna beat me in a race!" Sev jested
"One day, I’m gonna do it!"
"Yeah, sure you will." During the race, they got deep into the forest. .
"You sure we should be going this far?" Wing questioned
"There's no Manticores or Timber Wolves here. We should be fine!" The howling of a wolf echoed through the forest, as if to respond to that.
"You were saying?"
"Shut up! It's not close to us or anything." The howl echoed again, sounding louder than before this time.
"I...I think we should go back." Wing quipped nervously
"Y...yeah, sounds good." The two turned around and ran smack dab into a trio of Timber Wolves. Suddenly, the pegasus leaped forward and transformed into a Manticore, stomping the first Timber Wolf into bits. The other two to fled. The Manticore went back to being a pegasus and turned to his friend and collapsed exhausted.
"I'm in trouble now..."
"W...w...what happened?" Sev helped his friend up, the pegasus though remained silent, motioning for his friend to follow. They started walking back to the campsite, Sev having to help Wing walk, arriving after dark where Wing's parents were waiting.
"Where have you been, young colt?" Wing's mother scolded, before noticing of the look on Wing's face.
"Well it was bound to happen sooner or later, dear," Wing's dad commented. He ushered the group into the tent where Wing's sisters were waiting. They took note the look on their parents' faces. The five of them changing into their natural forms after the flap was closed.
"Buddy...I...I'm a changeling, and so are my family."
"What's a changeling?'
"A changeling, young Sev Divine, is a creature that can become whatever they want to be through magic,” Wing’s father explained. “We are shapeshifters, and we've lived among ponykind for thousands of years. And now my "son" has found his bondbrother."
"Bondbrother?"
"A bondbrother is what we changelings refer to as the one who first finds out that you are a changeling. They become brothers or sisters. To put it simply, they are always connected to each other via a telepathic field."
"That’s...actually pretty awesome! I’m a ‘bondbrother’ with a shapeshifter that doesn’t want to hurt me! This could be the coolest thing ever!’
"That is, if they choose to accept. If they don't, then their memory of their friend being a changeling is erased." Sev looked to Wing, then his father, and back again.
"I want to do this. I'm Wingy's best friend!" Sev responded.
Wing smiled as he walked over next to Sev. His parents and sisters got in a circle and Wing's father started to speak after they got together.
"By the divine powers of Queen Zacarlie, the holy word of Queen Faust. The serenity that is our Mother Queen Chitin. I, Thorx of the Infiltration Caste, do hereby proclaim that Schkitz and Sev Divine to be bondbrothers now and forever!" A red orb surrounded Sev and Wing, permeating their bodies before dying down.
"Oh...my head..." Sev moaned as he rubbed his forehead.
"You'll get used to this, buddy," Sev heard in his mind, looking over to Wing who wasn't moving his mouth. "That's what I'm told at least, you'll learn to do this with time."
"That’s also awesome!" Sev exclaimed as Wing’s "parents" and sisters became pegasi again.
"This must remain a secret under all circumstances, Sev Divine," Northern Wing said to Sev.
"Don't worry, Mr. Wing. It will."
Northern smiled and nodded his head. "It’s bedtime now."
"Five more minutes?" Wing asked.
"No."
"Aww man!" Wing pouted, causing everyone else to laugh.
------.
As Wing drifted out of his memories, he sighed.
"You OK, buddy?"
"Hmmm? Oh uh...Yeah I'm alright, bro. Just...remembering when you found out I was a changeling."
Sev nodded his head while he remembered the memories himself, and the two flew on to their destination. They arrived soon after at the spot and landed.
"Hey guys, what's up?" Wing greeted the Mane 6, finding the group in a nice picnic scene.
"Bout time you showed up, Wing! Been waiting for you guys forever!” Rainbow Dash scolded.
"Really, Dash? How do you know Wing wasn't in the middle of something?" Sev snapped back.
"OK...you guys are busy all the time, so that wouldn’t surprise me,” Dash admitted.
"Can we just enjoy ourselves and the beautiful weather?" asked Fluttershy.
"I must agree with Miss Fluttershy, it is simply gorgeous. Just gorgeous!” remarked Rarity.
“No disagreements there,” Wing added in. He took a seat and had himself a sandwich and some soda to wash it down. "My compliments to the sandwich maker." Wing looked off in the distance and thought he saw Spike running toward the group, but ignored him and took another bite.
Spike jumped over a stream, running up to the group all huffing and puffing.
"Twi....light, I...have...let me catch my breath." Spike belched up a message from Celestia, and Twilight brought it to her with her magic.
"My dear Twilight, I am sure you are as excited with the upcoming wedding as I am," Twilight read aloud. “Wait, what’s this about a wedding?” She read a little more to herself. "I don't understand. Who's getting married?"
"Oh, I was probably supposed to give you this one first,” Spike interrupted. He handed Twi a second letter.
"Princess Celestia formally invites you to the wedding of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and..." Twilight gasped so loud that Wing stopped in the middle of a sandwich. "My brother?"
"Well, I guess Cady's available now,” Sev remarked.
"Not unless he's marrying her!" Wing ribbed.
"Don't crush my dreams, buddy. Let a guy dream"
Twilight grumbled in the corner, looking over the letter some more. “I know this should be a happy moment, but I wish he just told me instead of sending me this letter. He’s my BBBFF!”
There was silence from from the others.
"Big Brother Best Friend Forever?" Twilight explained.
"Ohhhh,” the rest of the group said in unison.
"You know, what Sev and I are?" Wing pipped up, annoyed at this.
"Yeah, you ponies really need to work on your acronyms," Sev added in an equally annoyed tone
"Before I came here Shining Armor was really the only pony that I really ever accepted as a friend." Twi sighed, as Wing looked off toward Canterlot and taking note of the shield wrapped around it.
"Hey, buddy, can I say something?" Wing asked over to Sev.
"Yes?"
"What do you think that shield around Canterlot is for?" Wing asked in a concerned tone.
"I dunno. It must be recent, why?"
"Let's just say it worries me."
"With the wedding coming up, it must be for protection," Sev reassured.
"Yeah, but against what? If we knew what it was I'd be a bit more at ease, but not knowing...it worries me."
"Come on Wing, I'm sure it's nothing," Sev stated, patting his friend on the back
"Heh, you're probably right." Wing looked away from Canterlot. "Still, I'm contacting Mother just in case," Wing said telepathically to Sev.
"If you say so." Wing put a pair of sunglasses on and laid back, looking up towards the sun.
"Mother, have you noticed the shield surrounding Canterlot?" he asked.
"Yes, needless to say the hivemind is worried. I am as well. We're still getting reports but they're sketchy at best," Queen Chiton answered.
"So...something is interfering with telepathic communication?"
"Correct. We assume it's the shield but we're not sure.".
"Since I'm going there in the first place, good as time as any to find out."
"Just be careful, Schkitz, and be on your guard."
As the communication ended, Wing sat up and started stretching.
"Well we need to get someone to watch Winter and Rain,” he spoke out loud.
"Eeyup. That we will, Wingy." Sev nodded
"Perhaps the Cakes?"
"Yeah, them or Granny Smith."
"Yeah, she's good taking care of them." Wing then turned to Applejack. "Hey AJ, Sev and I are gonna be asking Granny Smith to watch Winter and Rain while we're in Canterlot."
"Alright Wing, ah think she can take care of 'em."
"Well. Sev and I should get going then. See you at home, dear." Wing kissed Fluttershy before he and Sev took off for Sweet Apple Acres.
After a relatively short flight, the pair arrived at their destination. Big Mac was walking to the barn with a couple barrels of apples on his back. “Hello, Big Mac! Is Granny Smith here?”
“Eeyup.” Big Mac pointed to the farmhouse. “She’s making some cider in the farmhouse.”
“Alright, thanks!” Wing started walking to the farmhouse with Sev following behind him. “Hey, Granny Smith? Mind if I ask you something?”
“Of course, Wing. What were you wondering?”
“I was wondering if you could watch Winter while I was in Canterlot.”
“And I was wondering if you could watch Rain as well,” Sev added in.
“You’re darn tootin’ we can!” Granny Smith exclaimed.
“Good to hear. We’ll bring them over before we leave.” Wing turned to Sev and gave him a smile, having put things in order.
“Well, buddy, guess we should go tell our daughters the news.”
“Right. See you later when we drop our daughters off.” Wing walked outside and took off for the cottage he shared with his wife, Fluttershy.
Winter Shy Wing was in the living room of the cottage playing a racing kart game with her best friend and bondsister, Rain Dash.
“You’re not gonna win, Winter! Eat my dust!”
“Shut up, Rain! I’m totally gonna beat you!”
Wing and Sev arrived at the cottage to witness that scene, following behind the noise of the half changeling and pony filly arguing. The noise was audible from outside. The two entered the living room just as Winter’s racer passed Rain’s, winning the race.
“Having fun, kids?” Wing asked.
Winter looked over to her father and godfather. “Yeah, just teaching Rain here not to underestimate my racing skills.”
“I had you beat fair and square!” Rain complained.
“Yeah, but I won in the end, so nyan!” Winter stuck her tongue out at Rain.
“Settle down, you two,” Wing spoke in a strict tone.
“Yes, Dad…” Winter said.
“Yes, Uncle Wing…”
“Now, you two are gonna be staying at Sweet Apple Acres for a few days, while your mother’s aunt's, your father, and I are in Canterlot.
“Can’t I come?” Rain begged.
“Yeah, we never get to go there!” Winter complained.
“Not this time, sweetie’” Wing stated. “Maybe next time, though.”
“OK…”
Wing walked over and put his hoof under Winter’s chin.
Winter looked up and gave a small smile. “Are Scoots, Sweetie Belle, and AB going as well?”
“Yes, they are.”
“Oh, thank Faust we won’t be doing stupid stuff to get our cutie marks!”
“Thank Zarkesh…” Winter said relievedly. Wing shook his head.
After Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash came over, the group took Rain and Winter to Sweet Apple Acres. Wing and Fluttershy gave their daughter a hug before they left, with Sev and Dash doing the same for Rain. As they boarded the train, none of them knew how much would change over the next few days.
The train rumbled and chugged as it pulled away from the Ponyville station. Wing looked out the window, the cool breeze flowing through his mane.
“A sonic rainboom at a wedding?” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “Can you say best wedding ever?!”
“Best wedding ever!” Pinkie Pie shouted.
“Did our wedding mean nothing to you, dear?!” Sev said, facehooving.
The train entered the first tunnel on the trip. Wing looked back to see Ponyville get smaller. Something was gnawing at him during the trip. He worried about what would happen if Chrysalis made her move first. He looked off at the shielded city.
“Wing?” Applejack piped in.
“What is it, AJ?“
“How come you’n Sev ain’t been at your jobs this week?”
“Our bosses gave us a few days off. Something bout, um…’housecleaning’.”
“Alright then…” AJ appeared to be confused.
“But I’m gonna host the bachelor party!” Spike interrupted. “Just one question. What’s a bachelor party?”
“Hell no! You ain’t gonna host it Spikey, Sev and I are gonna be the ones in charge of the bachelor party!” Wing argued.
“Yeah, you’re WAY too young to host it,” Sev agreed.
Spike huffed in the middle of Wing and Sev’s laughing. Once that was over, Wing looked over to Twi, who was also watching AJ walk back to her seat. He trotted over to find Twilight upset.
“You alright, Twi?”
“I’m just upset that Shining Armor didn’t tell me sooner about the wedding.”
“Hey come on, Twi, I’m sure he meant to tell you, but he didn’t find the time in the middle of his duties.”
“Yeah, perhaps you’re right…”
“Just go easy on him when you see him, alright?” Wing extended an arm for a hug.
“Thanks, Wing.” Twilight hugged Wing back “I really needed that.”
“No problem, Twily,” Wing said with a smile.
“You really know how to read a pony. Seriously, what’s your secret?” Twilight asked curiously.
“Like I’ve said I’m just good at reading ponies emotions. That’s pretty much it.” Sev was looking over at him, making him a little curious. “Hold on, I need to go check up with him,” he said, motioning over at this friend.
“Sure. Thanks for the help again.”
Wing got up from his seat and went back over to Sev.
“What was that about?” Sev asked.
“Just cheering up Twi. Nothing too big.”
The train exited the last tunnel and approached the city. Wing stuck his head out of the window just in time to see the shield get bigger. Wing just couldn’t shake off the feeling that something bad was about to happen. “Just my imagination,” he thought. He took out a box of donuts and started eating one, only to have Dash rush to his side.
“Are those your jelly donuts with that secret jelly you won’t tell the recipe to?”
“Yes, Dashie, yes they are...and yes, you can have one.”
“Sweet!” Dash grabbed one of the donuts immediately, as Wing passed the box around to give the rest of the group a snack. He finished his donut and closed the box as the train made the final approach to the city.
“We’re here! We’re here!” Pinkie gleamed. The shield came into the car as the train passed through it. It didn’t hurt anypony at all as the shield phased through them. But, it did affect one pony, as Wing soon found himself being pulled towards the last car of the train.
“What the…” Wing said in surprise. It dropped him down to the floor as it let him go. Black spots emerged around his coat, as his pony disguise took a hit from the shields. Thank Celestia they went away before Applejack got there with him.
“What in tarnation was that?” Applejack asked. She didn’t catch the spots but saw Wing getting dragged around. Twilight ran in to see what was going on.
“How the buck should I know?” Wing snapped. “Maybe it was some sort of magical side effect!”
“Calm down, you two!” Twilight interjected. “It could be... Um, it’s extremely rare, but some ponies react differently to magic than others.”
“Alright then…” Applejack calmed down and went back to her seat. Wing looked over to Sev in response to all this.
“Now we know what the shield is for,” he said telepathically to Sev.
“Yeah…I hope it keeps Chrysalis out, but knowing her...”
The train stopped at the station. When the ponies got out of the train, they were greeted with a large legion of guards. They were at every nook and cranny of the place.
“Whoa, what’s with all the guards?” Dash asked aloud.
“Security, darling,” Rarity spoke up. “Royal weddings always bring out the strangest in ponies.”
Almost as to respond to that, Pinkie Pie sneezed out loud. Confetti shot out of her nose, but given this was Pinkie Pie, nobody seemed to notice.
“You should speak to yer brother too, Twilight,” Applejack said. “Maybe it’s best to get to the bottom of things when you can.”
“Oh, I’m going to. I’m gonna give him a piece of my mind,” Twilight stormed off.
“Twilight, what did I say about going easy on Shining?!” Wing shouted, as he and Sev chased after her.
“Kierzack, this is Schkitz. I have news about the shield around Canterlot.” Wing telepathically communicated to the Kierzack.
“Go ahead,” came the reply.
“I was nearly exposed in our true form. I was able to pass it off for magical side effect on me.”
“I see….well, now we know what it’s for. Where are you now?”
“Making sure Twilight doesn’t kill her brother for not telling her about the wedding sooner.”
“Be careful. I should tell you we haven’t been able to get anywhere near Princess Cadence. All the changeling guards have never been assigned anywhere near her.”
“It’s probably nothing to worry about, but I will check it out. Schkitz out.”
“Kierzack out.”
“Everything alright?” Sev poked in.
“I sure hope so, Sev. But I have a bad feeling...”
The two continued chasing Twilight throughout Canterlot. They caught up to her just near the castle to find her yelling at Shining Armor in the courtyard.
“I’ve got something to say to you!” Twilight snorted.
“Do’oh!” Wing facehooved as he watched the scene. The guards readied their weapons and pointed them at Twilight. Shining Armor looked down at his sister.
“Twily!” He exclaimed, signaling his men to stay their weapons. He made his way down the stairs with a smile on his face, moving to hug his sister. “Aw, I missed you kid. How was the train ride?”
“How dare you not tell me about your getting married!” Twilight accused
“Sorry I couldn’t tell you right away. Didn’t you see the guards at the station?”
“Yeah, busy planning a wedding that you couldn’t even tell me about!”
“Calm down, will you?” Wing interrupted as he and Sev came up. “There’s probably a good reason he didn’t tell you.”
“There better be a good reason for that! How couldn’t he tell his own sister he was getting married?” Twilight snorted, almost prepared to rip Wing apart himself.
“Twily, it has nothing to do with the wedding. A threat has been made against Canterlot.”
“What?” Now Twilight was just confused.
“What kind of threat?” Wing asked.
“We don’t know who made it or what it’s about, but even then, it sounded pretty serious. We have to be extremely careful. And there is something you have to see.” Shining’s horn glowed and he shot a beam into the sky. It came into contact with the shield and made it glow around Canterlot. Shining cut his magic and the beam went back to his horn, looking to be in pain. “The safekeeping of Canterlot is my top priority.” He brought Twilight to a bridge within the courtyard, with Sev and Wing following behind.
“I kinda understand. But why couldn’t you tell me you were getting married?”
“Hey, you’re my little sister. I want you safe from whatever’s out there. But I understand if you don’t want to be my best mare,” he answered, giving her a classic case of puppy dog eyes.
“Really?” Twilight’s eyes lightened up at the thought.
“Well, yeah. Who else is going to be better at being my best mare?”
“I’d be honored! Count me in!” They exchanged a hug together.
“Really is a sweet moment, eh Sev?” Wing nudged him on the side.
“Yeah, Wing. I’m not happy about the threat, though.”
“Oh. You’re thinking what I’m thinking, aren’t you?”
“Chrysalis,” they said at the same time. That left them with a very uneasy feeling. At least Twilight and Shining looked to be in a happier mood.
“But I’m still ticked you’re marrying somepony I don’t know!” Twilight said to interrupt the moment. “Who is this princess Mi Amore Cadenza anyways?”
“And...moment ruined,” Wing sighed.
“Twily, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza is Cadence. Your old foalsitter?” Shining reminded her.
“C...Cadence?” Sev stuttered, before bursting into tears.
“Hugs?” Wing asked. What he did not expect was to have Sev latch onto his shoulder.
Shining looked to Sev with a smug look on his face. “I win Sev.”
“Buck you, Shining Armor!” Sev cried out.
“Cadence? As in the number one foalsitter in the history of foalsitters?” Twilight marveled for completely different reasons than Sev.
“You tell me,” Shining chuckled. “She was your foalsitter.”
“Oh my gosh oh my gosh!” Twilight thought back to when she was a young filly. All those memories of Cadence foalsitting her.
While she was going through her little adventure, Wing took a sniff of the air. It smelled like something was off in the air.
“She really is excited, isn’t she, bro?” Sev asked Wing telepathically. Wing nodded in response before sniffing again.
“You alright? Getting a little worried about you,” Sev spoke out loud.
“Yeah, I just think I smelled something weird. It smells like…”
“You’re marrying Cadence! You’re marrying Cadence!” Twi shouted jumping around. She stopped in her tracks when she bumped into a pink alicorn with a crystal heart cutie mark.
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” Cadence said sternly.
“Pheromones…” Wing said telepathically to sev.
“Cadence!” Twi shouted. She did a little dance in front of Cadence and clapped her hooves and shook her tail. It was like they used to do in their younger days. “Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!”
“What are you doing?” Cadence asked in confusion.
“Cadence, it’s me! Twilight.”
“Uh huh…” Cadence just shrugged it off and went over to see a smiling Wing.
“Hi, Cady!” Wing greeted her.
“Oh...hello…” Cadence shrugged again. “And you are?”
“Southern Wing, remember?”
“Oh yes, I do remember…” That was the most amount of effort she could pretend to muster.
“So how have you been Ca… *ahem* I mean Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Say when did you start using your full title by the way?”
“Recently,” she chuckled. “I thought it suited me better.”
“Maybe it does suit you better.” Wing’s and Cadences grins left Sev, Twilight, and Shining all confused.
“You remember me too, right?” Sev asked.
“I’m sorry, I don’t remember you at all,” Cadence said rudely. Sev got a look as if he was about to cry again, as Cadence walked to shinings side.
“We’re so glad you could make it, Twilight, You two as well, Wing and Sev.”
“Yes. we’re just...thrilled that you could make it Wing,” Cadence huffed. The couple made their way off inside the castle.
“Something’s not right…” Twilight muttered.
“Yeah, it’s not like Cadence to be this way. It could be stress from the wedding,” Wing suggested.
“I suppose I better go see how Applejack is doing with the food. You two care to join me?”
“We’ll catch up later with everypony else.”
Twilight nodded and headed out. Wing waited til she was out of earshot and sight to turn to Sev. “That wasn’t Cadence.”
“What do you mean? Oh wait, please don’t tell me that was her.”
“Sev...me smelling pheromones can mean only one thing…That was Chrysalis. The violet queen is back in her hive as mother is back in ours. It can only be Chrysalis.”
“But that means…”
“Whatever she’s planning, she plans to carry it out soon. And with me having been close enough to detect her, I need to report this.”
“Go ahead and do it right now. We can’t sit on this.”
“Um...Keirzack we have a problem,” Wing signaled out.
“What is it, Schkitz?”
“I have reason to believe Chrysalis is taking the disguise of Princess Cadence.”
“WHAT?!” Came the reply after a few moments of silence. ”You’re absolutely sure?”
“Positive. I was close enough proximity to confirm.”
“Meet me at my place later tonight. Everyling in the city will be there. You need to be there, we have to move immediately.”
“Copy that.” Wing cut the communication and looked to Sev. “May as well catch up with the gang now.”
“Sounds good to me,” Sev nodded.
The pair rushed off to rejoin Twilight. They later found her sulking in the castle’s kitchen with a list of the wedding preparation on a notepad. She was holding it in her magic. The two sat down next to her while Applejack checked over the items that were on the list.
“Ice sculpture, check,” Twilight said as she crossed it off the list. Applejack there with her, rushing over to the oven. “Best darn bite sized apple fritters you’ve ever had?” Applejack shoved one of the fritters into Twilight’s mouth.
“Mmm, check!” Twilight smiled as she ate the fritter. Wing looked over to see Spike playing around with the cake toppings. those being replicas of the happy couple.
“Do you?” ‘Shining Armor’ asked.
“I do!” ‘Cadence’ replied. Spike had some fun with them “kissing” each other. Twilight crashed in on the fun and took them away from the dragon.
Suddenly, the doors bursted open and Cadence came in there. She had the snobby kind of regality to her as she walked in.
“Hiya, Princess Cadence!” Applejack greeted.
“Please call me Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.” Cadence said.
“Hiya, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza,” Applejack repeated. “Did you come to check out what’s on the menu for your big day?”
“I am,” Cadence replied as she followed Applejack. She shot off some dirty looks as she followed. She played a nice face when Applejack turned to face her with the tray of fritters in her hoof. She took one in her magic and had a bite. “Oh yes, I...love love love them.” She said rather unconvincingly.
“Aw, shucks, why don’t you take a few for the road?” Applejack offered. Cadence rolled her eyes backward and took the bag of the fritters with her magic. “I know how you brides are so busy you forget to get something in your belly.” But, Applejack was too busy with everything else to see Cadence throwing that same bag away in the trash.
“Did you just see what she.” Twilight started to ask, but Applejack was already busy going off to another room.
“I saw the same thing. Just doesn’t sit right with me,” Wing noted.
“Yeah, that doesn’t seem like Cadence,” Sev spoke. “And I would know. I spent way too much time getting to know her from way off.”
“Well, at least you two notice something is off,” Twilight commented. “Let’s go see how Rarity is getting the dress prepped.”
The group trotted off to another room of the castle. Rarity was there getting the dress for the bride and the bridesmaids ready. A few of the bridesmaids were there as well. Naturally, they were happy for an honor such as this. Wing looked at the dresses as Twilight rambled on to Rarity about how much Cadence had changed. “Please call me Princess Mi Amore Cadenza,” she mocked.
“Did I hear someone say my name?” Cadence asked, almost on cue.
“Your highness!” Rarity exclaimed. “Let me tell you what an honor it is to make your dress for you!”
“Uh huh,” Cadence replied snootily. “Is my dress ready?”
“Yes it took a while but I think you’ll be pleased with the results.” Rarity grinned as she displayed the fruit of her labor. Cadence scanned the dress for any “faults”, and boy did she find “some”.
“I was hoping for some more beading,” she groaned.
“Oh...of course.” Rarity scribed a few notes on her notepad.
“And those should be a different color,” Cadence commented on the bridesmaids dresses.
“I think they’re lovely!” one bridesmaid spoke up.
“Me too,” squeaked another.
“I love them,” said the last bridesmaid. Cadence responded to their critiques with a hateful stare.
“Make them a different color.” she repeated sternly before she shut the doors hard behind her as she left.
“Gee, maybe her name should be princess demandy pants,” Twilight said in a snarky tone. Wing and Sev, meanwhile, were still not comfortable. She'd said almost everything they wanted to say already.
“I’m gonna go see how my wife is doing. See you later,” Wing said.
He flew off to the garden, where Fluttershy was with her songbird choir. As he flew to her side, he couldn’t help but worry. With Chrysalis obviously disguised as Cadence, he was worried about what would happen to him if he was caught. With Chrysalis around, the odds were increasingly for it to happen. He worried, what would happen to his daughter. As well as his brothers and sisters back at the hive and around Equestria. He sighed as he approached Fluttershy.
“Oh hello, Wing,” Fluttershy said as she saw Wing touch down. “I was wondering where you went.”
“How’s it going, dear?” Wing asked, nuzzling her gently.
“It’s okay. I’m getting the birds ready for the wedding, and it’s going well. I hope they’re all rested before the big day.”
“Is the music ready yet?” Cadence asked, again like she was on cue. “I need the best music for my wedding.”
“Y-Yes, Your M-Majesty,” Fluttershy squeaked out. Something about this Cadence scared her.
“Make it quick. I still have other things to see to.”
Fluttershy meeped before Wing set a hoof on her shoulder and gave a reassuring smile. Fluttershy returned the smile and cleared her throat. She raised her hoof to signal to the birds it was singing time.
“A one, a two, a one two three.” Her birds started singing. They sang in perfect harmony like they’ve done it a million times before. It didn’t take long for one of them to lose the beat and hit the wrong note, though.
“WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM BIRD?!” Cadence snapped at the bird. The lone bird stopped singing and cringed at the loud screaming, as did the rest of the birds.
“Forgive Maximus. He’s been...having some problems,” Wing said in an apologetic tone.
“Yes, I bet. Just make sure he’s ready before my wedding,” Cadence spat out with more venom in her voice. She left in a fit like all the times before.
“Well, that could have gone...better,” Wing groaned.
“Maximus! I am ashamed of you! Going off key like that!” Fluttershy sighed. Maximus lowered his head in shame. “I know it’s been a difficult time, but you’ve got to pull yourself together. Could you try to do it for me?” Fluttershy asked.
Maximus replied with a cheerful chirp. Fluttershy smiled in response.
“You alright, dear?” Wing asked as he got close.
“Yes, Wingy. I’m alright,” Fluttershy reassured Wing, giving him a kiss on the cheek.
“I just want to make sure. I’m just worried about you and all.”
“Oh? Is there anything you need to tell me about?”
“I don’t want to worry you, but...I just want you to be careful, alright?”
“I will. You don’t have to worry about me.” Fluttershy hugged Wing.
“I should probably go see what Twi and Sev are up to. Make sure they didn’t get into trouble. You know how Sev is.”
“Yeah,” Fluttershy chuckled. “I’m sure they’ll be alright, but it wouldn’t hurt.”
Wing smiled at his wife, happy to see she would be safe for now. He took off into the sky soon after.
“Where are you, buddy?” Wing asked Sev telepathically.
“In the ballroom with Twilight, seeing how Pinkie Pie’s reception plans are going. Cadence hasn’t arrived yet.”
“Got it, heading there now.” Wing changed his course to the ballroom, arriving shortly later. Wing was about to open the door when her heard a voice from behind him.
“It’s...funny how we keep running into each other..” Wing looked behind him to see Princess Cadence standing there.
“I’m sure it is just a coincidence, Your Majesty.”
“Yes...I’m sure it is.”
Wing opened the door for Cadence, who said nothing and walked in. Sev wasn’t there at the moment; perhaps he left to catch something else. Wing walked in behind her and watched as Pinkie showed Cadence how the reception would go. He kept special notice of Cadence’s reactions this time. Even though he could guess what her reactions would be already.
“I think this is gonna go perfect, dontcha think?” Pinkie asked her.
“Perfect…” Cadence replied. “If we were planning a six year old's birthday party.”
“Thank you!” Pinkie said, gasping in excitement. Cadence walked off in her now-typical ticked off mood. But Wing noticed Twilight hiding behind one of the pillars in there, spying on the group. Sev was with her as well, even though he wasn’t hiding like she was.
“Twi...what are you doing?” Wing asked, walking up to her. .
“I’m watching Cadence. I don’t know what, but something about her has changed.”
“Twilight, just because she’s...being a little...different before her wedding. It doesn’t mean you should just throw accusations like that without proof. Just saying she’s evil without any proof is gonna end badly. Everypony else just thinks she’s stressed out over her wedding.”
“Wing! You and Sev know what she’s like...she’s pure evil!”
“Hey, what did I say about having some proof? Nopony’s gonna believe you just based on what she’s doing right now. It is a wedding, after all.”
“I guess you’re right,” Twilight sighed. “I just hope I’m not being paranoid.”
“What about being paranoid?” Pinkie bopped in, having listened in to part of the conversation. “You’re sure it’s not just sugar? Sugar can make you do funny things!”
“Nothing Pinks,” Wing smiled to Pinkie. “Nothing to worry about.”
“Okey dokey! Seriously, though, sugar can give you silly voices in your head. Or is that just me?” Pinkie Pie started bouncing away, singing to herself.
With business taken care of, the gang went over to one of Canterlot’s outdoor cafes. Twilight having herself a juicy drink and having a case of frizzy mane syndrome.
“Bet I can tell what you’re all thinking. Cadence is the absolute worst bride to be ever!” Twilight stormed. The rest of the group looked at her in confusion.
“Who, me?” Spike mimicked Cadence with the cake topper.
“Spike! That goes on the cake!” Applejack scolded. Spike set the cake topper down, laughing nervously.
“Twilight, whatever are you talking about? Cadence was an absolute gem!” Rarity praised.
“But she was so demanding, Rarity!” Twilight said out of shock.
“Well, of course she was! Why shouldn’t she expect the very best on her wedding day? I know I would.”
“Applejack, did you know that after she told you how much she just love love LOVED your hourdourbs. She threw them in the trash?”
“Aw, she was probably just trying to spare mah feelings,” Applejack brushed off.
“No, it was because she was just being rude and totally insincere.”
“She did raise her voice at one of my birds during rehearsal,” Fluttershy pipped up.
“Yeah, I was there when she did that,” Wing noted, being over at another table for his order with Sev. “She was like that with everypony, I thought.”
“See?! Rude!” Twilight said with a smug look.
“But he was singing really off key,” Fluttershy held the bird up in her hoof. The bird started to go off key with his singing, causing Twilight to clamp her hooves over her ears.
“Pinkie Pie, you had to have noticed how Cadence treated...” Twilight started, only to stop when she saw Spike and Pinkie playing with the cake toppers.
“Like I’ve said Twilight it could be any number of things causing her to act weirdly. But there is a crucial thing we are missing: direct evidence to back anything up.”
“Sev?” Twi looked to Sev.
“I’m with Wing on this one. Sorry.”
“Rainbow Dash, you’re with me right?” Twilight begged.
“Sorry Twi, been too busy prepping for my sonic rainboom to notice the bride’s bad attitude.” Dash replied. She extended her wings to give them a good stretching.
Twilight took a sip of her drink and growled in frustration.
“The princess is about to get married. I’m sure any negative behavior she’s displaying is simply the result of nerves.” Dash added on.
“And I’m sure it’s the result of Princess Cadence who doesn’t even deserve to know Shining Armor. Let alone marry him!” Twilight growled.
“Think maybe you’re being a mighty possessive of your brother?” Applejack inquired. The other four elements of the harmony nodded their head and made a collective “mmmhmmm.”
“I am not being possessive. And I am not taking it out on Cadence. You’re all just too caught up in your wedding planning to realise there shouldn’t even be a wedding!” Twilight slammed her hoof on the table and stormed off, spilling everyone’s drinks.
“I gotta go meet a friend of mine. I shouldn’t be gone long,” Wing said, getting up from the table and looking over to Sev. “Keep an eye on Shy, for me would you?” he asked telepathically
“Sure thing, buddy,” Sev responded.
Wing went over to Fluttershy and kissed her on the forehead. “See you later dear.” Wing was about to take off when he noticed the television in the cafe had Ancient Humans playing. He gave a small smile, finding the show welcome nonsense with such a tense atmosphere. Before he took off into the night sky heading for the meeting. Perhaps this was one of the most important meetings in changeling history. If not the most important.
Some time later, Wing arrived at a modest two story house. The curtains were closed to stop anypony from looking inside, even a peek. “Well, this is the place.” He walked up to the door and knocked on it. A few seconds passed, and then a green unicorn mare with a blond mane and hazel eyes cracked the door open a few inches.
“Can I help you?” she asked.
“Yes, I was told to come here. Kierzack’s expecting me,” said Wing.
The mare looked off into the house as if she was looking to someone who was also watching their little conversation. She opened the door as if someone had given confirmation.
“He’s waiting in the kitchen,” she commented.
“Thank you, ma’am.” Wing gave a respectful bow and walked in.
The mare closed the door and locked it tight. Wing switched to his natural form once the coast was clear and headed into the kitchen. Kierzack was there with his daughter, a half pony half nymph hybrid.
“Schkitz, you’re just a bit early,” Kierzack greeted.
“Hello!” the adorable little half pony nymph excitedly shouted. “It’s fun to see you again.”
“Hello there, Sethina. How are you doing?” Wing responded.
“Good, but the ponies at school are mean. I made a few friends, though, so it’s not bad.”
“I know what you mean,” Wing chuckled, thinking back to his foalhood. “It really helps to have friends, trust me.”
“What story do you want me to read you tonight?” Kierzack looked to his daughter.
“A human story!”
“Humans? I know a friend that likes humans. Do you know Lyra Heartstrings, by chance. Or watch the show she’s on?” Wing asked Sethina.
“We occasionally watch Ancient Humans.” Kierzack answered. “How bout you head to the basement while I read to my daughter?”
“Sounds good. I’ll meet you there.”
Wing headed down to the basement and looked on the wall. The smell of sawdust permeated his nostrils as saws and woodworking tools were neatly stored in the corner. Hanging proudly on the wall were two flags one was a red flag with a gold outline of a hearth in the upper left corner, with a spyglass, spear, combination hammer, and pickaxe around the heart. The other was a white flag with a red heart in the center, the flag of home the red changeling hive. On the opposite side, a trophy hung on a display case that contained a blood red flag with a black heart in the middle. He took a book from his bag and started reading the book. The book was entitled ”The Stallion in the High Castle” by Philtrot K Dick. After some time, a few more changelings walked in, with Kierzack himself being the final changeling to enter.
“Sethina always seems to love a good bedtime story about humans,” Kierzack chuckled. “Now then, shall we get to business?” There was murmurs of agreement amongst the group.
“Is it true, Schkitz?” one of the few blue changelings asked Wing. “Are you really sure that you spotted Chrysalis’s presence?”
“Yes, it’s true,” Wing replied.
“And if she’s here, there’s no doubt that she has at least a portion of her troops here as well.” Kierzack rolled out a map of Canterlot for the group. “Now what are we to do?”
“Move all the changelings we have available to the city’s shelters?” a second red changeling replied.
“Yes, but then what?” a violet changeling commented. “We’d still have however many troops Chrysalis brought with her. You know she’s going to hit Canterlot with everything she’s got.”
“We’d have to give what cover we can with covering forces,” Wing suggested. The table went silent at that suggestion.
“Are you mad?!” a second blue changeling shouted.
“Hey! That bitch is gonna be starting up the fighting again! We’ve run out of time to tell the princesses!”
“Gentlelings!” Kierzack screeched in frustration. “This bickering is pointless! Especially when Chrysalis is right on our doorstep.” He sighed defeatedly. “If it comes to covering forces, then I volunteer as the leader of the red changeling infiltration forces in this base.”
“As do I,” a violet changeling stood up and stated.
“Count me in! If it means I get a crack at those damned lovists, I’m for it,” proclaimed another red changeling.
“I’m in, and that probably’s for my bondbrother as well.” Wing said as he stood up.
“I’m in,” said one voice.
“So am I,” answered another.
“If they’re in I’m in!” shouted one more.
All eyes turned to the three blue changelings that volunteered.
“You realize what will happen if Chrysalis’s troops capture you right?” Kierzack stated.
They looked at each other before they turned back to Kierzack. “We do.”
A couple more changelings volunteered, with the rest deciding to get to cover with their families.
“Alright we’re decided. We all know where to arm up?”
“Silver Bullet’s!” the group said in unison.
“And for some more grim news...We have eighteen cargo ships heading for our hive from Japony,” Kierzack spoke grimly. “And since Chrysalis likely has her subs out, they’ll probably end up running smack dab into them before we can get escorts out to them.”
The table went silent, knowing they were liable to lose half the ships when the fighting started, and there was nothing they could do about it. In the civil war. The lovist navy had sunk more cargo tonnage, particularly with their submarines, than Germaney had in both equine wars.
“This situation is worse than when shkizvolt broke out of his stone prison,” One changeling commented. He'd used the word for discord in their language. Several changelings murmured in agreement to the comment.
“Yeah and I faced off with him in a verbal standoff,” Wing said. “It wasn’t a fun experience.”
“We’re all aware and happy he’s back in his stone prison,” Kierzack said as he looked over the map. “Schkitz, you and your bondbrother will be stationed near the chapel. Defend it however you deem fit.”
Wing nodded his head. “We fancied ourselves as the schvoloks of ponykind...and now we’ve failed as shepherds.”
“Yeah…” Kierzack agreed nodding his head. “You have a chance to make up for it here. Don’t forget that.”
“What about everyling else?” one of the blue changelings spoke up.
“Right...now as for everyone else…” Kierzack began giving the others their defensive areas. It was nearly eleven when the meeting finally ended, and all the changelings took up pony form again as they left the building.
Wing walked out of the house and looked up to the night sky. It was best to soak in the quiet air when it was still quiet. After a moment, he took off to meet back up with the others at the castle.
Sev was waiting for his friend, right outside the castle room the gang was staying at. He saw Wing coming up and went out to meet him. “Hey buddy, you are not going to believe what’s going on,” Sev said, rubbing his eyes from his recent experience.
“Oh, geez what is it now?” Wing asked after he landed.
Twilight noticed Wing arriving outside, and she ran out to meet him. “Hey, Wing, where have you been? You were just gone for a second there.”
“Oh hey, Twi. I was just meeting up with a few old friends. I haven’t seen them since I went to J.R. high in Canterlot, so I felt like stopping by and saying hello.”
“Oh. That sounds nice. But I really need your help! Something else is wrong with Cadence!”
“With what?” Wing asked. He came over and opened the door to see what was up.
“This is what I was talking about,” Sev said. He pointed a hoof to the other ponies in the room. As it turned out, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash were all in bridesmaids dresses.
“Seriously, why are you wearing those clothes? Those are for the bridesmaids!” Twilight asked.
“Isn’t it exciting? Princess Cadence asked us to be her new bridesmaids!” Fluttershy elated.
“New bridesmaids?! What happened to her old bridesmaids?” Wing questioned.
“She didn’t say, but she said that she would love love LOVE it if we would be her new ones, seeing as we worked so hard on her wedding,” Applejack happily said. “And you had your doubts about her.”
“Told you she was an absolute gem!” Rarity gleamed.
“Are you sure this will work?” Rainbow Dash asked. She kicked around the back of her dress with a back hoof. “Doesn’t look all that aerodynamic.”
“Hmmm, I’ll see what I can do.” Rarity replied as the two walked off.
Wing walked over to Fluttershy once the room cleared out. “Can we talk in private, dear?”
“Of course. Is there something wrong?”
“Let’s talk about it upstairs.”
Fluttershy and Wing walked to their room where they could have some privacy.
Wing took Fluttershy to their room and shut the door after they were both in “What in Equestria is wrong with you!? Why did you say yes to being one of Cadence’s bridesmaids?!”
“I only wanted to be helpful! She asked me to do it when her original bridesmaids left!” Fluttershy snapped back. “Do you know something I don’t?!”
“Maybe I’m only worried for my wife, who is being the bridesmaid for the wedding of my ex fillyfriends foalsitter! She’s not the same mare I knew back then, and I’m really worried about you.”
Fluttershy relaxed her eyes and sighed. “I know you want me to be careful. I am being careful.”
Wing relaxed his eyes and sighed as well. “I only want to keep you and Winter safe. You two mean more to me than anything. I don’t want to do anything that could make you get hurt.”
“I know.” Fluttershy walked over to Wing, gently nuzzling his snout.
Wing hugged Fluttershy in response, and they cuddled for a while. Until, that is, someone knocked on the door.
“Is everything alright, darlings? We heard shouting in there,” Rarity said out of concern.
Wing walked over and opened the door. “It’s alright, Rarity. I...I just let my emotions get the better of me. I was really concerned for Fluttershy’s safety. I’m sorry,” Wing said.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” Rarity repeated. “You don’t have to lie to me, you know.”
Fluttershy gave Wing a comforting smile and a kiss, before she left with Rarity and the others. That left Wing in the room alone with his thoughts.
Sometime later, Sev came in there to check up on his friend. “You okay, buddy?”
“Yeah, I’m just…”
“Worried about tomorrow?”
“Yeah.”
“Me too.”
“We got a long day ahead of us. We should get some sleep. If Chrysalis makes her move tomorrow, we need to be ready.”
“Yeah. Take care of yourself,” Sev said as he left the room.
“Yeah...you too…”
When Sev left, Wing decided to call it a night. He tucked himself in the blankets and left some room for Fluttershy when she came in. He closed his eyes and soon drifted off to sleep.
After a restless night full of tossing and turning, Wing felt his side being poked by a horn. He woke up to find Sev there, trying to wake up his friend. “Buddy…it’s time to wake up now...” said Sev.
“Mmmm...five more minutes, Mother…” Wing rolled over.
Sev rolled his eyes and used his magic to drop Wing off the bed. “Get up!”
“I’m up! I’m up! Geez!” Wing groaned, getting up on his four hooves.
“C’mon, we have places to go and things to do. We can’t do that with you in bed.”
“I know, I just wanted to get some more sleep first before we did. I barely got any sleep at all last night.”
“I understand, but we have to get going.”
“Hey, where are Shy and the others?”
“At the wedding rehearsal. I have no idea where Twi is, though.”
“Alright, let’s get going.” Wing got out of bed, brushing his hooves through his mane and putting his glasses on.
“We need to find a place to arm up. Chrysalis is probably doing the same with her troops.”
“Yeah, that’s probably a good idea. And I know just the place.”
“Where?”
“Follow me.” Wing walked out of the room and headed outside with Sev following. He spread his wings to fly away, before he noticed his stomach growling. “Might be a good idea to eat before we do something. What sounds good?"
“Hay burgers, fries and hay nuggets?” Sev suggested.
“That does sound good about now.”
The two headed for the closest fast food joint where they could get something to eat. They came across a place called McHays. After a brief stop, they had some food to go around and came out with full stomachs.
“Oh yes, that’s just what I needed,” Sev commented.
“Yep. Always nice to find a place like that around Canterlot.”
The two friends finished their meals on the way to the shop. As time went on, it became clear that they were both nervous.
“So…” Sev trailed off.
“Yes sev?”
“I was just wondering something. What do you think will happen?”
“I dunno. But things are going to change after today.”
“Yeah. They are, I just hope it’s for the best."
After they finished their meals and threw away the trash. They continued their way down the streets of Canterlot into the seedier side of the city. The kind where one could hide a secret of two without problem.
Sev and Wing came to an alleyway, with Wing motioning for Sev to follow him to a specific place. The pair walked to a store where all the blinds were closed. Wing walked over and opened the door, walking in with Sev following behind him. The storeroom smelt of a combination of cleaning oil, gunpowder and oak.
“What can I do for youse?” the owner asked in a manehatten accent walking out from the back. He was a silver unicorn stallion with bullets as his cutie mark. “Name’s Silver Bullet if you’re asking,” he said while looking at Sev.
“My friend and I require some...erm ‘equipment’,” said Wing.
“What kind? I have many types of equipment like that.”
“What do you got?”
“Try me. I got more types of equipment than you can name.”
“Got any AK’s, then?”
Silver Bullet went into the backroom and came back with a AK-47, placing it on the counter. “Now, I don’t know what you’d be doin’ with that beauty, but it’s none of this colt’s business.”
Wing picked it up and examined it. “I assume she’s capable of full auto?”
“Yes, she is. A good reason why I won’t part with my own AK.”
“Excellent.” Wing took a step back and transformed into his changeling form, right then and there.
“Um...buddy, what are you doing?” Sev panicked.
Silver Bullet, however, just smiled at that. “Heh, must feel good to find a place where you can let your true self out that’s not a hive, eh? And this here is your bondbrother?”
“Yep, he’s been my bondbrother for years.”
“He’s stupider than he looks.”
“Hey!” Sev grumbled.
Wing snickered at Sev’s retort, then brought his attention back to the shopkeeper. “Silver Bullet here is one of the trusted ones. He was one of the pony volunteers that fought in our civil war.”
“Really? He fought with other changelings?” marveled Sev.
“Yes, kid, I fought with the harmonists.” Silver looked off as he remembered those days. “They were the best fighters I’ve ever laid eyes on. And now with Chrysalis starting things again... I’ll probably see more of it again. There are going to be interesting times ahead of us.”
“Indeed,” Wing nodded. “Anyways, I’ll take an SVT-40, an AK-47,two Tokarevs, an RPD with bipod, a couple grenades, and an RPG with five reloads.”
“Sure thing, and you got great taste in equipment.” Silver then turned to Sev. “And how about youse?”
Sev approached the counter. “I’ll take an M4 with forward grip, Desert Eagle with extended barrel, a couple grenades, RPG with five reloads and a SAW.”
Silver Bullet went in the back of the store and came back with the entire counter full of the weapons they requested. “Here youse two goes, happy hunting those lovist bastards. Oh, by the way that reminds me.” Silver Bullet went in the back and came out with a sword, giving it to Wing with his magic. “Somepony came by and told me to give this to youse.”
Wing took the sword in his possession. “Thanks. I think I know just how to use it.”
He and Sev looked over their weapons, making sure everything was perfect, and that the sights were zeroed on the range in the back of the store. Wing attached the scabbard containing the sword to his saddle bag. He drew the sword out, looking at the fineness of the blade and examined the inscription on the scabbard. “To my dearest apprentice, may this blade serve you well,” it read. Wing put the sword back to its scabbard, taking those words well. Wing restored himself back to his pony transformation.
“Thanks, Silver. This is going to be a huge help. Time to get going, Sev.”
“Where we headed?”
“The chapel. That’s our assigned defensive area.”
The two headed off for the chapel. Along the way, Wing tried connecting to Twilight. He saw that she was in a cave, and while they were still in an alley he connected with Sev so he could also see what was going on. They didn’t know what this cave was, but it didn’t look too good from the looks of things.
-----
“Where am I?” Twilight asked aloud.
“The caves beneath Canterlot once home to greedy unicorns who sought to claim the treasure as their own. And now your prison,” a creepy, cold voice that resembled Cadence’s voice replied.
Twilight cried out for help, only for ‘Cadence’ to laugh.
“It’s no use. No one can hear you and no one knows where you are. Most ponies have forgotten that these caves even exist. Which is why they’re the perfect place to hold those who try to interfere with my plans,” ‘Cadence’ said with a cackle.
“Don’t you dare try to hurt my brother, y...you monster!” Twilight shouted.
“Only way to stop me is to catch me!” ‘Cadence’ taunted, disappearing from the crystal as Twilight blasted it. The cat and mouse game continued for a while before Twilight blasted yet another crystal, only to reveal another Cadence behind it. Already pumped up from the adrenaline and the endless taunting, Twilight leaped toward her. The figure to shield herself with her hooves.
“Please don’t hurt me,” she pleaded. She looked up to see Twilight glaring back at her. “Twilight, it’s me! The Cadence who brought you here is a fake! I’ve been imprisoned here like you have.”
“Likely story,” Twilight snorted.
“It’s true. She is the real Cadence,” a voice rang out in her head. “Trust her.”
Twilight looked around in confusion. It was almost as if her conscience was speaking to her at that moment. She then focused back on the Cadence figure. Whoever she was, she clapped hooves with Twilight and sang the rhyme the purple unicorn remembered from her fillyhood. “Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves…”
“And do a little shake…” Twilight finished. She gasped when it hit her. “You remember me!” She hugged Cadence as tight as she could.
“Of course I do! How could I forget the filly I loved to sit for the most?" Cadence replied, hugging Twilight back.
Wing briefly cut the connection. “Thank Celestia that ended well. I hope they can get out.”
“Me too. At least it’s a start.”
Wing connected again as he began to hear singing.
“How are we able to hear this?”
“I’m connected with Twilight still, remember? Now where are they going?”
“Wait. There are caves beneath Canterlot?”
“Yep, we’ve known about them since the beginning. It’s been a good hiding spot for us sometimes.”
“So, any idea where Twi and Cadence are going?’
“Ummm...hang on.” Wing went silent for a few moments. “Got it! They’ll be exiting at the entrance just on the next block.”
“Let’s go!”
The two friends rushed over to the block. They found Cadence and Twilight coming out into the daylight, and helped them get out of the caves underneath.
“Wing? Sev? Why are you two so heavily armed?” Twilight asked, noting how they looked armed to the teeth for war.
“Whoever has replaced Cadence has no doubt brought friends to help her, and they’re probably on the way. Now don’t you two have a wedding to crash?” Wing pointed out.
“Right. Cadence, let’s go!” Cadence and Twilight ran off.
“You could have told them you know,” Sev commented. “I’m sure they would have loved to know that there’re changelings out there that want to help.”
“Do we really have the time with all that’s going on right now?”
“Fair point.”
“Now, our assigned defensive point is just ahead. Come on, we got to move.”
The two friends continued moving down the alleys toward the chapel, bracing themselves for the battle that was about to take place.
Wing lead Sev through the alley, and they watched as Twilight and Cadence approached the chapel.
“We gotta know what’s going on. Think you can connect to Twilight again, buddy?” Sev asked.
“Sure thing, Sev. Just give me a moment”
Once again, Wing connected his mind to Twilight’s to see what was going on from her point of view. After getting the view going, he streamed it to the other red changelings in Canterlot.
“And now, Princess Cadence and Shining Armor, it is my great honor to pronounce you…” Princess Celestia began the ceremony. All the other ponies were there. Witnessing what they thought would be a picture perfect pony, with a slightly derping Shining Armor. Only to be interrupted by Twilight.
“Stop!” she shouted.
The ponies in the crowd gasped at that. Several of her friends shook her heads, with Applejack even facehooving.
“Ugh. What must she be so possessive of her brother?” ‘Cadence’ asked aloud. She looked around, realizing what she said. “Why must she ruin my special day?” she cried out.
“Because it’s not your special day. It’s mine!” the real Cadence declared,standing next to Twilight, causing almost all the attendees to gasp.
“What?! But how did you escape my bridesmaids?” ‘Cadence’ asked.
Twilight and Cadence looked at each other and smiled as they explained how. As it turns out, a bouquet can distract even the most brainwashed mares.
“Heh, clever. But you’re still too late!” ‘Cadence’ responded.
“Ah don’t understand. How can there be two of ’em?” Applejack asked.
“She’s a changeling! She takes the form of somepony you love, and then gains power by feeding off your love for them!” Cadence explained.
The fake Cadence finally had enough. She stomped her hoof and her entire body was consumed in a green fire. Right before their eyes, the former pink mare turned into something black, tall, un-ponylike. It looked more like a bug pony than anything else, as she opened her bright green eyes.
“Right you are princess” she cackled. “And as Chrysalis, queen of the changelings, it is my job to find food for my subjects.”
Wing cut the link in an instant, enraged by the sight of Chrysalis alone.
“That...maleficent...BITCH!” Wing shouted.
“So...that’s her plan,” Kierzack said quietly. “Guess you two were right.”
“How dare she claim she’s queen of all changelings? But that just screws us over. If we go in there to help, they’ll think we’re with her,” another red changeling said. He passed the news to the blue and violet changeling standing next to him, the other changelings sending it down.
Wing reconnected to Twilight to find Celestia confronting and fighting Chrysalis. Sev set his hoof on Wing’s shoulder, catching the feed as it happened.
“Alright, Celestia’s gonna take this bug down! Um...no offense.”
“None taken, bro. But there are much bigger problems.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, when a changeling queen is fully fueled on love, like Chrysalis is…”
Sev watched in horror as Queen Chrysalis’s magical beam hit Celestia squarely in the horn, throwing her to the ground. The tip of her horn was blackened.
“...that happens.”
“Well, we’re bucked.” Sev commented.
“In more ways than one.” Wing pointed to the shield to reveal that there were now several hundred helicopters outside. A dozen of them being heavy duty machines that were firing on the shield. The shield continued taking hit after hit Twilight and her friends ran out. When they were only twenty feet from the chapel when the final strike hit the shield. It collapsed into a million pieces in front of them.
Wing watched as the shield surrounding Canterlot collapsed. “Here we go,” he sighed.
He watched as one of the helicopters flew over. He raised his RPG and fired the rocket, zooming to the chopper. It hit in the tail rotor, sending it spinning toward the ground. It sent shrapnel as it crashed while the main rotor blew up completely.
“Cover me, I’m taking another position!” Wing stated
“Got it!.” Sev replied.
Wing rushed over, arriving at the crashed chopper as one of Chrysalis’s soldiers began to emerge from the wreck. He was terribly wounded from the crash. Wing scrambled to “greet” him and bashed him in the face with the stock of his AK. The soldier fell back into the cabin from the blow. Wing climbed over the side into the cabin, emptying his clip on the soldiers inside. Once that was over, he came back to meet up with Sev again. They noticed Twilight and her five friends on the street, watching them right back. “Go get the elements!” Wing growled.
Twilight motioned for the other Element bearers to follow her before they ran off. Panicked citizens ran for their lives from Chrysalis’s troops, as they enveloped the city in a pincer movement.
Wing sent a telepathic message back to his hive. “Alert! Canterlot is under attack by Chrysalis forces! This is not a drill! Repeat this is not a drill!”
“What?! There’s fighting going on in Canterlot as well?” came the reply from Queen Chiton.
“Mother, what do you mean ‘as well’? Canterlot is not the only place under attack by Chrysalis? We have covering forces to get our people to the shelters. We will hold out and survive or fight to the death!”
“Several of our own bases are under attack by Chrysalis. Don’t go wasting your lives unnecessarily!”
“I know. We won’t. Schkitz out.” Wing cut the communication. Queen Chiton began speaking to another of the defending red changelings.
As this was going on, another helicopter carrying Chrysalis’ changeling soldiers roared overhead. Sev lined up his RPG and fired a missile right at it. The missile struck the fuel tank, vaporizing the chopper immediately.
“Good shot, buddy!” Wing shouted.
“Thanks!” Sev replied. “We’re not done yet.”
The two took down eight more choppers with some well aimed missiles, as the fighting was now raging all over the city. Helicopter after helicopter was shot down by both defending changelings and the royal guard, but they kept on coming. A large group of blue changelings began to surround Wing and Sev.
“Take that lovist bastards!” Wing screamed as he fired a burst from his assault rifle, taking down a charging blue changeling. He aimed at another and pulled the trigger, but he heard a click come out of it. Empty clip. Not to worry, he just pulled out his machine gun and mowed down more changelings that way.
“Get some! Come on and get some!” Sev screamed as he fired his machine gun. Changelings fell at his hooves by the bushel as they tried charging at him foolishly. With every ten blue changelings the pair took down, twenty took their place, and the battle was beginning to take it’s toll on the pair.
Wing continued gunning down his enemies with his machine gun. “Get back!” he screamed as they kept coming. The pair was beginning to be surrounded by the blue bastards. But they used their experience with weaponry to stand their own against such massive forces. “Hold them back!”
“What do you think I’m trying to do?” Sev saw a blue changeling just hovering in the air, and aimed his weapon at it. But he just couldn’t bring himself to pull the trigger like that, and he aimed at another blue changeling to feel better instead.
After they exhausted all their clips and rounds, It soon came to hoof combat. Wing switched to his sword and charged at the invading forces. He took several hits along the way, every hit knocking off bits of his pony disguise. Soon after, he took a massive blow to the face, destroying half of the disguise leaving a two face pony/changeling form.
He roared in anger and knocked the blue changeling responsible to the ground, and brought the sword down on the changeling in a deathblow. He then raised one of his pistols and decided to take care of the bug trash the old fashioned way. But the numbers soon overwhelmed the two, and they had no choice but to surrender.
“Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!” Sev cursed under his breath.
“Just keep it together. They’re not going to kill us, so we might have a chance still,” Wing pointed out.
The loyalists took Sev and Wing directly to Queen Chrysalis herself. She looked out the balcony and enjoyed her handiwork, while Shining Armor was still in a trance. Cadence, trapped by green goo on her hooves, was devastated to see the changeling queen bring in two more prisoners.
“Well. What do we have here?” Queen Chrysalis tsked. “A traitor to all thing's changeling and a worthless pony. Quite the acceptable pairing, given you’re beneath the ground I walk on.”
Wing only growled in response.
“Behave yourself, Schkitz. Don’t do anything to antagonize her,” Queen Chiton communicated to Wing telepathically
“Yes, mother.”
“Even for bugs, you’re one ugly mother!” Sev said aloud.
“Charming,” Chrysalis said, before slapping Sev across the face. “How long have you practiced that line? I imagine five seconds, which might be your total attention span given your low intelligence!”
Cadence was still horrified by the sight, glancing to her beloved Shining Armor longingly. Chrysalis quickly caught this and smirked.
“You never knew, did you? What do you think now?" Chrysalis chuckled.
Cadence was unable to find the words to say. She was clearly ticked off at Chrysalis, though.
“Take them away! We’ll deal with them later.” Chrysalis commanded the changelings. They nodded and took Wing and Sev away.
Wing looked to Sev as they were carried off. “On three buddy,” he told him telepathically
Sev looked to Wing with a smile “One...”
“Two...”
“Three!” the two said at the same time, thrusting their heads back to stab the changelings with their horns. The two fell to the floor dead, and Sev and Wing were finally free. They picked the weapons off the dead bugs and ran away from the castle, back into the streets of Canterlot.
“We can’t do anything for them now. Twilight’s got this.” Wing said.
“Sure hope you’re right,” Sev replied, as they went back to work taking care of the blue pests.
Elsewhere, in Canterlot Twilight and the Mane 6 had been captured and were brought before Chrysalis. “You’ll never get away with this! Twilight and her friends will…” Cadence started but stopped when she saw the six mares brought into the room.
“You were saying?” Queen Chrysalis chided. She looked to the troops that brought the Mane 6 in. “You do realize the reception’s been canceled have you? Go! Feed!” she commanded the nearby members of her Changeling army as her children flew out of the room. Which left her alone with the Mane 6, Cadence and Shining Armor. “It’s funny really. Your friend Twilight and that changeling friend of yours were suspicious of me all along.”
“Changeling friend?” Twilight asked.
“What? Oh you mean?” Chrysalis realized as she started cackling. “You never knew! All these years and you never knew!”
“Never knew what?”
“That your friend Southern Wing is a changeling like us!” Chrysalis grinned. “It’s just so delicious!”
“You mean…”
“Oh don’t worry, he’s not one of my changelings. I’d have executed him when I took power if he was.” She walked around in a circle around the Mane 6. Fluttershy, being Fluttershy, tried to hide her emotions, but Chrysalis quickly caught on.
“Well, some of you were aware of the truth.” She said, getting in Fluttershy’s face.
“Don’t listen to her! She’s trying to confuse us!” Rainbow Dash argued.
“Heh, believe what you will then.” Chrysalis said with a smile walking back to Twilight.
“Well it seems like you’re having some troubles taking the city.” Twilight said in reaction to the sound of gunfire echoing across the city.
“Just stragglers, nothing too much to worry about. We’ve cut the city off and are squeezing the remaining pockets ever tighter.”
--------
Meanwhile, Wing and Sev were back in the fighting in an alleyway. “Surprise!” Wing shouted as the pair ambushed a group of blue changeling soldiers.
“Weren’t expecting us now, were ya?” Sev quipped.
Wing and Sev overwhelmed the small group taking the ammunition and left one injured but alive.
“Leave him to me.” Wing said approaching the blue changeling.
“And what do you want?” the injured blue changeling asked.
Wing stuck the barrel of his gun in the blue changeling’s wound. “Wrong answer.”
The blue changeling gritted his teeth and chittered something in response.
Wing smacked the blue changeling across the face. “I’m afraid I didn’t hear that correctly.”
“You got a pony wife. And a halfling daughter.”
Wing’s facial reaction changed to one warning the blue changeling to stop but he kept at it.
“I wonder how much love they have. Perhaps when we’re done here I’ll go see them and drain their love.” the blue changeling smirked and started laughing.
“I will make sure you never do that. I will do whatever it takes to defend those I hold most dear. Even if it means wiping out every single lovist off the face of Equis!” Wing raised his sword and swung it like a baseball bat.
“Ha! You missed!” The blue changeling taunted.
“Did I?” Wing asked.
The blue changeling shifted his eyes upward noticing half of his horn missing. Then looking to Wing in horror screamed as his entire body was cloaked in blue flame.
Wing turned around and trotted away, a cold look on his face as the blue changeling begged for mercy. He motioned for Sev to follow, leaving the blue changeling to his fate. But, unbeknownst to the two, the entire scene had been watch by a unicorn hiding in his home from the windows.
“Sweet Faust…” the pony muttered in disbelief as he watched the blue changeling die horribly before his mind turned to questions. “There are other changelings besides the ones attacking? And they don’t seem to be like the ones attacking now. Wait... that one has a pony family? Do they know he’s a changeling?” the witnessing pony’s mind was racked with questions. But it would take time for them to be answered. More blue changelings charged in. Wing fought them with his sword, weaving and dodging like a master swordspony.
One of the attacking blue changelings drew a sword and pointed it at Wing he was unfazed by the enemy’s intimidation.
“Oh you want some of this?” Wing taunted. The other changeling nodding his head in response. The two charged in and started fighting. The blue changeling brought his sword down, but Wing blocked and kicked his opponent away. Wing swung his sword but again the swords hit each other instead of their opponent. Sev was keeping the other Chrysalis aligned changelings from interfering in the fight.
-------
As this was going on, Kierzack was fighting furiously in his defensive area. Though the two changelings that were fighting alongside him were already dead, leaving him to fight on alone. As he fought he noticed two upperclass unicorns that had been captured by three lovist changelings. He aimed his weapon and fired on the blue changelings holding them killing the three. He rushed over and cut the two unicorns out of the changeling goo who ran off without even saying thank you. He noticed more lovist changelings approaching and fired but to his dismay found he was out of ammunition. As he began to be overrun he sent a telepathic message to Queen Chiton and his wife. “I’m sorry, but i’ve been overrun.” He took one of his grenades and shouted “If I’m going down I’m taking you with me!” he pulled the pin and released the primer the grenade exploded killing Kierzack and the blue changelings that had begun piling on top of him.
------
Wing’s eyes snapped open, glaring at his opponent and began fighting with the rage of a beast. Blow after blow fell the blue changelings, not even getting a chance to breathe. Wing disarmed his opponent and leveled his sword at the blue changeling’s throat. Wing breathed heavily, staring at his opponent while keeping the sword leveled on his opponent’s throat. Wing yelled in changeling then swung his sword. When it was over, Wing’s breathing began to return to normal slowly. but surely.
Sev finished off the last Chrysalis changeling that was attacking him and noting Wing looking walked over. “You ok buddy?”
“I’m fine...Kierzack is dead though.”
“I’m sorry.” Sev set his hoof on Wing’s shoulder.
“Let’s just get back to the job at hoof. There are still a lot of lovist aligned changelings here that we have to deal with.” Wing took note of a Changeling climbing the castle tower with a flag and raised his rifle. After loading a fresh clip, he aimed for the distance and windage, then fired. The bullet hit the changeling,and he lost his grip and fell. Wing lowered his gun and looked to Sev. “Their flag will never fly above Canterlot!”
“Indeed.” Sev agreed. The pair were again confronted by more Chrysalis aligned changelings and started fighting. The fighting was now becoming more desperate as the ring slowly closed around the city. Groups of the defenders became separated from each other, Wing and Sev being in one such pocket. Wing and Sev were trying to fight their way out of the pocket they were trapped. The numbers were too overwhelming.
“Keep fighting, buddy!” Wing yelled.
“What do you think I’m trying to do?!” Sev shouted.
As the fighting went on, one of Chrysalis’s soldiers suddenly pointed toward the chapel. Wing looked in the direction and noticed a glowing magical orb. He instantly realized it for what it was just as it shot out from the balcony. The remaining changelings in the city started flying for their lives. The remaining helicopters pulled one hundred and eighty degree turns and flew as fast as they could away from the city.
“We have to get out of here!” Wing turned and started flying with Sev flying next to him. Wing again looked back and saw the wave getting closer. Wing could hear his own heartbeat as it approached, before it slammed into him sending him flying down several blocks. He ended up slamming into a wall, not only injuring him but completely destroying his pony disguise.
Sev grabbed Wing’s hoof and went flying with him, also getting injured but not as much as Wing was. A group of three royal guards lead by a sergeant rushed over to the area, having seen Wing impact the wall.
“There’s one.” their leader said. They approached Sev getting between them and Wing.
“Back off!” Sev yelled as he stood up to the sergeant.
“Stand down, citizen!” The sergeant snapped.
“I said back off!”
“You’re defending him!? After they attacked Canterlot!?”
“I’m not letting you arrest my friend!”
“He must be under some kind of spell if he’s a friend with one of them.” the second suggested to the leader.
“I’m under no spell!” Sev shouted.
“Sympathizer then.” The third said.
“I won’t repeat myself citizen.” The sergeant warned.
“You want him? You have to get through me first.”
The three guards rushed Sev quickly overwhelming him but he was able to get in a few blows. Wing and Sev were taken to the dungeons and thrown into cells after having magic suppressing rings attached to their horns.
The city of Canterlot had taken some damage and the signs of the battle that had taken place were littered all over the place. Celestia overlooked the city and shed a tear for the lives that she was sure had been lost. Shining Armor and Cadence were hugging each other, while the Mane 6 were just happy that the battle was over. But, Fluttershy was getting worried. She hadn’t heard anything from Wing, and thought that something may have happened to him as a result. The leader of the group approached Shining Armor and whispered something in his ear.
“I have to go. I’ll be back soon.” Shining Armor hugged Cadence then left with the sergeant. After he left the room, he let his true emotions speak through his face. He was angry; angry that Sev of all ponies would stand up for a changeling. A changeling that had probably just finished attacking Canterlot and who had now been captured. He didn’t know what was going on but he was going to find out.
Wing woke up to his new surroundings in the Canterlot dungeon. He heard that someone was talking to him through telepathy. He soon realized it was Sev, but there was much interference with the connection.
“Wing! Are you alright?!” Sev screamed through the telepathic link.
“I think so,” Wing replied.
“I was beginning to get worried. You were out for a while.”
“I need to contact Mother. She’s probably getting worried.”
“Go ahead, bro.”
Wing stopped the communication with Sev and tried contacting Queen Chiton. “Mother? This is Schkitz. Do you read me? Over.” Wing only received silence in response. “Mother...if this is a joke it’s not funny.” Only silence came in reply once again. “MOTHER!” Wing screamed telepathically. Nothing. It was then that he realized he could not only not hear Chiton, but he also couldn’t hear the rest of the hive. The changelings that had raised him and been in his pony persona, his family.
Northern Wing was known by changelings as Thorx. Bon Wing, known by changelings as Silethix. Autumn Wing, known by changelings as Jilethix. Summer Wing, known by changelings as Zilethix. The youngest was Diamond Wing, know by changelings as Cilethix, they were all silent on his end. He began to worry about their safety; once word had gotten out that he was a changeling, they all would be in danger. His thoughts then turned to Fluttershy and Winter, and what would happen to them.
“You hanging in there, buddy?” Sev communicated.
“I...I’ve been cut off from the hive…” Wing answered.
“What?!” Sev exclaimed. “How is that possible?”
“Love overload, spell going wrong… there are many ways for it to happen.”
“Now what are we gonna do?”
“We gotta wait it out somepony is bound to come get us to questions us or something.”
“Guess so…” The sound of hoofsteps got Sev’s attention. As he looked to the cell door, Shining Armorcame into view.
“Sev Divine...never in all my years would I have thought you’d do something that stupid.” Shining signaled the guards to open the door. The guards unlocked and opened the door, then grabbed Sev. They followed Shining to one of the interrogation room. The group entered the room, the two guards forcing Sev to sit in the chair before going to the door and closing it.
“What are you doing?” Sev asked.
“I want to know why you were defending a changeling!” Shining snapped.
“That changeling is Wing, refer to him by his name!”
“Why were you defending him?” Shining pressed on.
“You think I’d leave my best friend like that?”
Shining shook his head when he heard that. “So you admit to defending a changeling that was part of the attack? Do you realize how this sounds?”
“Wing wasn’t part of the attack, you idiot! He was defending Canterlot!”
“Sure he was.”
“But Cadence heard Chrysalis call Wing a traitor to all thing's changeling! Ask her!”
“Cadence is recovering from her experience. I’m not going to force her to relive this now.”
“Shining, you’re being a complete idiot! Can’t you see the big picture?”
“I have. Chrysalis brainwashed me, pretended to be my wife, and used me to invade Canterlot. We were this close to losing everything...”
“Shining Armor, you’re letting Chrysalis get to you. There’s more to this than you know!”
“Stop it, Sev. I know what’s going on…”
“No, you don’t! You don’t know anything about what’s going on! If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re still being brainwashed by Chrysalis!”
Shining had it up to that point. He lunged at Sev and got into a brawl with him. It took the guards inside the room to pull the stallions off each other.
“Take him back to his cell,” Shining Armor ordered, wincing from the blows that Sev landed on him. “And bring that changeling in here!”
“Yes, sir,” the guards said, carrying Sev back to his cell. Once they got there, the guards laid Sev on the floor and locked the door.
“Ow…” Sev muttered.
“You OK, Sev?” Wing asked telepathically.
“Yeah, just got back from the interrogation by Shining.”
“How’d it go?”
“As well as you’d expect.”
“Dammit, Sev! Being hostile isn’t going to help.”
“It helps me. Oh, and be careful. You’re up next.”
“You know, I should start calling you Motormouth. It is a fitting nickname for you.”
“Bite me.”
“You’re next, bug!” The first guard said, unlocking Wing’s cell door.
“You’ll find, I won’t be as combative as my colleague,” Wing responded.
“Come along!” the second guard said. The two led Wing to the interrogation room. They forced him to take a seat with an impatient Shining Armor waiting for him.
“So...Southern Wing, if that really is your name,” Shining Armor said.
“Yes Shiny, it’s me. Though, if you want my birth name, it’s Schkitz.”
“Don’t call me that. It’s...it’s a name I never really liked,” Shining sheepishly admitted. He was looking like an embarrassed schoolfilly before going back to business.
“That’s better. Now then...have you ever been part of Chrysalis’s hive?”
“No. I was part of another hive from day one.”
“Did you replace Southern Wing?”
“No, I am Southern Wing. Like I said, Southern Wing is my pony persona, but my real name among my people it's Schkitz.”
“How many changelings are in Canterlot?”
“I can’t answer that.”
“Can’t...or won’t?”
“Both, Captain Armor.”
“How many know you are a changeling?”
“Few.”
“An exact number, please.”
“Four.”
“Their names?”
“Sev, my wife and I am not going to name the other two.”
“Why not?”
“Because I choose not to. Now, can you let me go?”
“Why would I do that?”
“I’m not a threat! Look, I know I might not be saying much, but trust me, you’re hearing things most ponies never know.”
Shining sighed. “Do you realize what would happen if I did that? For all we know, you still could be one of Chrysalis’s changelings!”
“There’s no evidence that I am one! On top of that, do I even look like I’m one of Chrysalis’s changelings?”
“That may that, but I can’t take any risks after what Chrysalis did! Not to mention, with the sentiment about changelings that Equestria will have now. It’s safer for you here. If you mean what you say, I don’t want to see you get hurt for something that’s not your fault.”
“You do make a fair point. I want to keep my wife and child safe.” The two stared at each other for a few moments in silence. “I understand.”
“If direct evidence comes out that you’re telling the truth other than your appearance... I will do everything in my power to make a case to free you.”
“I understand, Captain Armor.”
“One more thing. Where did you get this?” Shining went to the side and placed Wing’s sword on the table.
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
“Try me. It’s been a crazy month.”
“It was a gift from an alternate universe...from myself. Or rather, the me living in that universe.”
“That’s crazy, even for me.”
“Told you that you wouldn’t believe me.”
“I’ll have to know how you got to an alternate universe one day, but I have a job to do right now. Guards, take the changeling back to his cell.”
Wing got up and followed the guards back to his cell.
“So how’d it go with you? Any better than me?” Sev asked Wing as soon as he felt Wing’s presence.
“I think it went better than yours. He didn’t completely hate my guts.”
“Good to hear. I can’t believe it, but still good to hear.”
“We’re missing the wedding, though.”
“I know. Not fun.”
“Hope they don’t worry too much about us.”
The two friends sat in silence for the rest of the day. They listened to the sounds of the wedding coming from outside. The whole experience reminded Wing of one of his Ogres & Oubliettes campaigns. from the beginning to the invasion to this moment.
A week passed as Wing and Sev sat in their cells, finding ways to pass the time. On one of those days, the two guards approached Sev’s cell and unlocked the door.
“Well looks like you’ve got friends in high places. You’re free to go,” The first one said.
“What about my friend?” Sev asked.
“Your friend is staying in his cell for the time being.”
“Then I’m staying too!”
“Listen, you idiot, you got your freedom back, you should take it while you still can!” the other guard barked.
“And I said I’m staying!”
"Just go, buddy. I’ll be alright. Besides, I need somepony else on the outside to talk for me," Wing told Sev.
“Alright then, just be careful.”
“I always am.”
“This is your last chance out of here,” the guard pressed on.
Sev nodded his head. He proceeded to follow the guards to where he could reclaim his belongings minus the weapons. He walked outside into the blinding sun, seeing the Mane 6 waiting for him out there.
“What did you do this time, Sev?!” Rainbow Dash demanded.
“Calm down, Dash, I’m sure it was a misunderstanding. It’s a misunderstanding, right?” Twilight asked.
“Any of y’all seen Wing lately?” Applejack asked. “Ah ain’t seen him since the night ‘fore the wedding.”
“He’s still in prison,” Sev sighed.
“Oh no!” Fluttershy cried. “What happened?”
“Why wasn’t he released with you too, darling? Surely you did nothing wrong,” Rarity inquired.
“Well, you see--”
“It’s because Wing is actually a changeling. But not one of the changelings that attacked Canterlot. He’s actually from a different hive that’s been a long time enemy of the ones that attacked Canterlot. And that only you, Fluttershy, Zecora and one of your old friends from Cloudsdale high know that he's a changeling.” Pinkie Pie said, then took a deep breath. “Right?”
A few of the Mane 6 blinked their eyes. “How…” Sev started.
“As if!” Rainbow Dash said. “If Wing was a changeling, he’d have told me!”
“Except...he didn’t because he couldn’t.” Sev replied.
“What!?” Dash exclaimed. She acted like she had been shot in the gut.
“Ah knew he was lying ‘bout something! He must be with them changelings that attacked Canterlot!” Applejack snorted.
“Buck you, Applejack! He wouldn’t do anything like that!” Sev retorted.
“What’d ya say, cityslicker?”
“You heard me!”
“I can’t believe you’re defending him! Changelings just attacked Canterlot, and I bet he was with them!” Dash shouted at Sev.
“They weren’t with Wing’s hive though! Why does everypony in Equestria think he’s a bad guy the moment they find out he’s a changeling!” Sev shouted.
“Everypony, calm down!” Rarity interjected.
“She’s right. We don’t need this right now,” Twilight said.
”I...I just want my Wingy back…” Fluttershy muttered
“Wait, you knew Wing was a changeling and you didn’t tell anyone?!” Rainbow shouted at Fluttershy.
“Don’t you dare yell at her!” Sev shouted, getting between Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow Dash went silent for a moment in thought. “Wing must’ve put some kind of spell on her like Chrysalis did with Shining Armor!”
“That’s one of the silliest things I’ve ever heard. That must mean he put one on me too,” Sev stated.
“You know what? I’m outta here!” Rainbow Dash took off like a bullet and flew off.
“Ah’m leavin too!” Applejack also stormed off ,leaving the others there. Fluttershy started crying and hugged, Sev while Pinkie’s mane started to deflate. Twilight and Rarity watched Rainbow and AJ storm off.
“Sev, take me to my husband. I want to see him,” Fluttershy said.
“Alright.” Sev looked to Pinkie, Rarity and Twilight. “You’re free to come with us if you want.” Sev lead Fluttershy inside the prison. The three remaining Elements of Harmony looked at each other for a moments. they then followed Sev inside.
----
Meanwhile, at the red changeling hive Queen Chiton was giving a speech to the entirety of the hive. They gathered in the main square of the government section. “My children, my comrades, Queen Chrysalis has made her move. We were able to blunt her attack on Canterlot and fend off her attacks on the hive. Several of our fellow lings in Canterlot died defending the city. We have word of one confirmed as captured. Those who have been identified, besides the one who was captured have been recalled. The defenders of Canterlot will be awarded with the highest honors! I announce the creation of a new medal to given to them. We will not allow Chrysalis one more victory!” A chorus of cheers filled the area.
“Death to the lovists!” one changeling shouted, gathering many cheers.
Queen Chiton raised her hoof for silence. “We must do what we can to not antagonize ponykind. While peace seems doubtful for the moment,we will do whatever we can to achieve it. The traitorous lovists started this war, but we will end it. We will not rest ‘til we win through to absolute victory! No matter the cost!”
The entire hive applauded and cheered. The red changeling army paraded down the open area between Queen Chiton and the crowd. While above the hive, the aircraft of the red changeling air force roared overhead. They were ready to take on any lovist threat. The hive’s national anthem started playing.
For our great queen may your reign last for twelve thousand years We pledge to honor you til our last dying breath of air
We will protect harmony from all threats to it and us And if you require we will sacrifice ourselves for you
Our own lives are one with the hive Our spirits one with you Under the light of Queen Zarkesh You lead us to harmony
Queen Chiton saluted the troops as she watched them march. She knew the battle to defeat Chrysalis’s lovists would take a while. She also knew many changeling lives would be lost. They would be changelings that she had raised and given birth. During the intervening time after the peace treaty that ended the first war.
Queen Chiton looked to the statue of Queen Zarkesh. She was the founder of harmonism and grandmother. She was also the original leader during the first half of the changeling civil war. As she did, rain clouds drifted into the area. When they hit the statue, it was almost as if the statue itself was crying. No matter the possibilities of achieving peace with ponies was still in question. Chiton hoped that it would happen if she persevered. Perhaps she thought Schkitz could help in achieving that peace. Though, for the moment, dark times were ahead for both changeling and ponykind.
Sev led Fluttershy, Twilight, Rarity and Pinkie Pie to Wing’s cell. The sounds of someone singing being their guide. As the group of five approached, they peered into the darkness of the cell. A pair of red eyes appearing from the dark in the corner.
“Hey guys…” Wing said, ceasing his singing looking toward the group.
“Um...hey honey. How are you?” Fluttershy asked as Wing walked up to the cell door. The pair made an attempt to touch their hooves together through the door. But an embrace wouldn’t be possible.
“I’m alright at the moment.” Wing looked to Twilight. “I assume you're wanting to ask questions of me to see how we are as a society to report to Princess Celestia?”
Twilight was silent for a few moments looking at Wing. “How did you…”
“Didn’t ‘til you just told me.” Wing said with a chuckle. “What do you want to know?”
Twilight realized how outsmarted she just was, but shook her head to ignore it. “Well, what is your government like?”
“We’re kinda like Equestria’s government. Although when you hear what our ruling party is, you may confuse us with another government type.”
“How is that?”
“We call ourselves harmonists.”
“Oh…”
“Yes. Anyways, next question?”
“Right, um where do changelings come from?”
“Oh boy, that’s a story we don’t have time for.”
“Why not?”
“It’s a long story.”
“Ah. But could you give me a run through?”
“Alright. Have you ever heard of flutterponies?”
“Yeah, weren’t they ponies that had butterfly wings? And that defeated the Smooze in the first pony era?”
“Yep, that’s them. Or rather, that’s us changelings.”
“What?!”
“Yeah, the changelings of today were in the first pony era called flutterponies.”
“What happened?”
“Grogar. It was Grogar that gave us this curse when Tambelon appeared in the first pony era.”
“I never knew this.”
“Because most ponies want to forget about Grogar. And we don’t share our history with outsiders. Sev is the exception because as a bond brother he’s an honorary member of the hive.”
“What’s a bond brother?”
“A bond brother or bond sister is the first pony who finds out that you’re a changeling. And after that you have a permanent telepathic bond with said pony. And are honorary members of the hive. Now as I was saying…”
“Right, Grogar. I’ve read about him so I would understand.”
“No kidding,” Sev interjected.
“Um... Wing dear? C...can we change the subject?” Fluttershy meeped.
“No problem, Flutters.”
“So um...what do you think is gonna happen because of the wedding, Wing?”
“Well, Twilight, that all depends on what ponies do.”
“How so?”
“Those ponies who don't have direct knowledge of changelings will believe what Chrysalis claimed. Of that we can sure”
“Yeah…”
“So it’s gonna be a long road.” Wing chuckled “I wonder how those alternate versions of us are dealing with this?"
“Wait...what?” Twilight asked in confusion.
“Oh right, I forgot. You didn’t know Sev and I have had encounters with versions of us from alternate universes.”
“I…” Twilight looked at Wing flabbergasted.
“Some versions are more than a little crazy, but the majority are quite sane.”
“I see…” Twilight said writing it all down. “How do these events occur?”
“Well, sometimes through magical mishap. Sometimes it just happens. But for the most part it’s from external forces.”
“And as for getting back?”
“We have some help in that regard from our alternate versions.”
“And in the ones that are less sane?”
“They wouldn’t dare do anything. The consequences for them would be severe.”
“Ok then…”
“What else do you want to know?”
“What about…”
“Our libraries? Oh those, ah extensive. They cover every period of pony history.”
Twilight’s mouth gaped open. Her mind's eye pictured the sheer the amount of books that the library in Wing’s hive contained. “Could…”
“Not at the moment. Things will have to settle down between ponykind and changelings first.”
“Right.” Twilight wrote a few more things down.
“Darling, what about your fashion?” Rarity asked.
“Well, like ponies we don’t usually wear clothes. But there are some changelings who do well at fashion.”
“I see.”
“Pinkie Pie, you’ve been quiet all this time. I figured you’d ask about what kind of parties we throw.” Wing said then noticing her half flattened mane. “What happened?”
“I don’t feel like talking about it.”
Wing looked to Sev. “Well buddy?”
“Wing, please don’t push it. And don’t you try searching my mind for the answer either!”
“Ok! Ok! I won’t!” Wing exclaimed.
“So how is your particular hive cultural wise?”
“We’re Japoneighse mainly.”
“Intriguing.” Twilight continued to write stuff down. Twilight went on for a couple hours asking Wing about changeling society. Wing answering what questions he could.
“And I think we’re just about finished.” Twilight said.
“For now you mean?” Wing quipped.
“Uh hehe yes.” Twilight said.
“You better get home to take care of Winter, dear.” Wing suggested to Fluttershy.
“Oh um yes I should.” Fluttershy replied.
“I’ll be alright Flutters.”
“Ok...” Fluttershy replied not sounding sure.
“Fluttershy, I need you to put on a brave face, not only for me but for our daughter.”
Fluttershy looked up to Wing and put her bravest face that she could on.
“That’s my girl.” Wing said smiling.
“Wing darling, when you're released. I’m making you the most fabulous suit you’ve ever seen!” Rarity exclaimed.
“Thanks Rarity, but you don’t need to.”
“Pish posh!” Rarity exclaimed. “I insist on making you a suit.”
“Hehe, alright then Rarity. Who am I to argue?”
“Rarity, are you serious? This isn’t the time.” Sev said.
“Hey, come on you two. Don’t start fighting now.”
A guard walked up. “Visiting time’s up.”
“Well, you guys can come visit next week.”
“Yeah… I’d better get home to Winter.” Fluttershy said as she looked to Wing and smiled again before walking out. Twilight and the others besides Sev followed her.
“You tell me if anything happens, ok Wing?”
“Yeah Sev, nothing is going to happen.”
“Better not.”
“Yeah. I just hope Mr. Hooves isn’t too angry at me for hiding the fact I’m a changeling.”
“Derpy will be able to talk him down. Don’t worry about it buddy.” Sev followed the others outside.
“Sure hope so.” Wing said to himself.
-----
Meanwhile Wing’s boss Mr. Hooves the head of the Hooves crime family of the Cloudsdale Mafia was at his home. He had just started to read the newspaper in his study. It was the article on Wing and his capture. The picture was him in his two-face appearance. “I’m gonna kill that mother bucker!” Mr. Hooves roared, slamming the paper onto his desk. Just then, he heard a knock on his door, which averted his attention.
“Who’s there?” Mr. Hooves asked the tension in his voice clear.
Mr. Hooves trotted over to the door and opened it, hugging his daughter. “Good of you to visit, sweetie.”
“Nice to see you too dad, but we have to talk.”
“Can it wait? I need to, uh...take care of some business.”
“You mean Wing?”
Mr. Hooves’ expression turned around once again hearing the question. “How long have you known?”
Derpy sighed. “I was delivering mail to his and Sev’s place when they were roommates some time ago. And I was wanting to get back home to Dinky, I rushed in and saw him in his natural form.”
“Then what?”
“After calming down, with Wing’s help, he explained to me about his hive and its customs.”
“So you decided to keep what he told you a secret?”
“It was that or he would have had to remove that memory from my mind, a prospect I could tell he didn’t want to do.”
Mr. Hooves sighed. “And if I do anything, I jeopardize my relation with you?”
Derpy nodded her head. “He’s been like a brother since flight camp.”
“Alright. I will spare him for you.” Mr Hooves looked to his desk.
“You also shouldn’t worry. He won’t reveal anything about your business. His people have what’s called an oath circle. It means when he swears to something, depending on what it is, they won’t do anything to go against that swear.”
“So if he swears he won’t talk…”
“He will be unable to do so.”
“Good.” Mr. Hooves said.
Derpy smiled. “Should we see what mom’s cooking for dinner?”
Mr. Hooves chuckled. “Yeah, let’s go see.” The two pegasi father and daughter walked off for the kitchen.
---- Red Changeling Hive Queen Chiton’s Chambers
Queen Chiton sighed as her advisers sat at the table they were meeting at to discuss what was to happen. If they were to go to Canterlot to free Schkitz with their special ops troops. “Any suggestions?” Queen Chiton asked.
A semi buff changeling, A high ranking military official, stood up. “I say we go in and break him out!”
“And risk the already fragile relationship we have with ponykind?” Another changeling asked gobsmacked, standing up.
“I agree with the general here. If we’re going to be at war with Chrysalis, we need everyling we can get.”
A third changeling scoffed. “I think you’re forgetting, defense minister, that Schkitz is not in some backwater jail. He’s in Canterlot, which is most likely under heavy guard. Any move there will without a doubt raise tensions even more.”
The group broke into an argument. The subject was on what decision they should or shouldn't go with. A commanding voice shouted over them all ending the squabble.
“Gentlelings!” Queen Chiton shouted silencing the group. “This bickering is pointless! Now I am putting my hoof down on the decision. Schkitz is to stay where he is. To break him out will only cause more tension, tension that we don’t need.” Queen Chiton was quite distraught over the fact, but she kept her voice calm and clear. “We will give it a month or so, then we’ll send someling to check on him. Until then, we can only get what we can from his wife, and we must be careful while doing this as well. Is that understood?”
There were murmurs of agreement and nods from the other changelings.
“Good.” Queen Chiton said. “Now leave. I wish to be alone.” The various ministers got up from the table and left the room. Queen Chiton was alone to her thoughts. She walked over to a map of Canterlot and looked it over and sighed with dismay. “If only he wasn't disconnected like that,” she muttered. She then turned to Ponyville on the map. ”I wish the best for his wife and child. They’re among the few that share my heartache right now.” Queen Chiton walked away from the map and sat back on her throne. She knew it may be sometime before Wing could be re-connected. But she hoped it would be soon. She also hoped things would soon get better between changelings and ponies.
The train ride home for Sev, Rarity, Twilight, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy was a quiet one. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were riding in the car in front of the group, still upset over what recently happened.
Sev was the one to break the ice. “I could answer more questions about Wing’s hive if you want.”
“Like what, Sev?” Twilight asked.
“Well, the oath circle for one. It’s like the unbreakable vow from Harry Trotter, only it doesn’t kill you. It just makes the one taking it unable to say it at all. It has to be broken by the changeling, or in Wing’s case, have their natural form revealed in public.”
“I see.” Twilight scribbled what Sev said down on a notebook.
“Mobius Team won’t be able to do anything, though…”
“What’s Mobius Team?”
“Basically, the red changeling version of the Royal Equestrian Navy’s SEAL Team Six.”
“Ah.” More notes were taken.
“Yeah, they’re the best special forces team of the red changeling hive.”
Fluttershy stared out the window quietly as Ponyville started to come into view. The train slowly came to a stop in front of the station. Rainbow Dash and Applejack walked off the train in a huff, barely speaking to the others.
“Don’t worry, Flutters, it’ll get better soon,” Sev replied.
Fluttershy gave Sev a small smile in reply.
“Now come on, you still need to pick up Winter. Like Wing said, she needs you to be strong while he’s in the dungeon.”
“I know,” Fluttershy replied meekly as she and Sev got off the train.
They made their way to Sweet Apple Acres to pick up Winter as night was falling. Sev had seen Dashie just long enough to see that she was heading there, as well to pick up their children.
Big Mac waited for them with Winter near the entrance, with Sweetie Belle and Applebloom beside him.
“Um...hey, Big Mac,” Fluttershy mumbled.
“Howdy, ma’am,” Big Mac replied.
“Mommy!” Winter cried, as she rushed to Fluttershy and hugged her.
“Um...where’s Applejack?” Fluttershy asked, taking note of AJ’s absence.
Big Mac pointed to a shed on the farm. “Granny’s er...making sure she behaves herself.”
“Oh...well, couldn’t have happened to a nicer pony’, Sev replied.
“Yep. Ma little sis can be stubborn at times, but ah’m surprised she came here talking like she was. Granny wasn’t taking it ait all.”
“I bet,” Sev sighed, knowing exactly what to expect from that.
“I should get Winter home…” Fluttershy squeaked.
Winter remained silent, but the look on her face said the same thing.
“Let get you home then...and then I might go home and...make myself acquainted with the couch...again,” Sev replied.
The three ponies started walking away from Sweet Apple Acres quietly, waving to Big Mac. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle waved back as they departed.
“Hey...we’ll find a way to get him out. I promise you,” Sev consoled the pegasus.
“I know…” Fluttershy replied, looking away.
“That mean ol bitch Chrysalis...I hope she gets what’s comin to her!” Winter shouted.
“Winter, watch your language!” Fluttershy scolded.
“Sorry Mommy…” Winter replied, looking away.
“She has Wing’s attitude toward Chrysalis,” Sev took note of, to which he received a scowl form Fluttershy.
“I want Daddy back.” Winter said, sniffling.
Fluttershy hugged her daughter. “I do too, sweetie...I do too.”
“Yeah. I want him back too, believe me. I’ll do whatever I can to get Wing home to you two.”
“Do not worry, young Winter. We will find a way to get your father released,” Queen Chiton communed telepathically with Winter.
The little filly slowly trotted to her room while her mother and her uncle talked. She looked at a picture of herself with her father on the nightstand. It was taken when she took her first flight with him. She gave a small smile as the memories entered her mind. Winter yawned, curling herself into a ball and falling asleep on her bed.
-----------------
Meanwhile, Wing was laying down on the cot in his cell. He observed a guard pass by his cell. “Hey, can I get something to read here?” Wing asked the guard.
“Fine, guess it’s alright,” the guard grumbled in response. “Not like you’re gonna hurt us by reading.” The guard left for a while and returned with a book. Wing walked over and took the book with his hoof after the guard opened the slot that was normally used for sliding in his meals.
“Thank you, sir.” Wing walked back to his cot and read the title of the book, “The Stallion in the High Castle.” Wing smirked, as he had been reading the book before the wedding. He read the book for a few hours, until the sound of hoof steps interrupted his reading. Wing looked up and watched none other than Princess Celestia walk into view, with two guards accompanying her.
“Southern Wing,” Princess Celestia stated in a very formal tone.
“Your Majesty,” Wing bowed, setting the book down. “May I inquire what this visit is about? But I think I already know the reasoning behind it.”
“You always were a smart figure. Yes, I am here to ask if what I’ve heard from Prince Armor is true.”
“It is, Your Majesty. And I agree that it may be best if I stay here for the time being.”
“Unfortunately, yes. I will make sure the guards know not to do anything to you.”
“Very smart. My people would demand extradition when we become more diplomatically friendly. Any action against our own would call for punishment. The severity would depend on the crime, of course.”
“Indeed. I trust your hive’s military forces would know that?”
“Princess Celestia, the military forces of my hive take matters seriously. I can only hope that there are no misunderstandings between us and ponies. The violet hive wishes the same.”
“So your hive and the violet hive are allies, then?”
“Yes, I just hope that ponies are prepared for a long war. It took nearly fifteen hundred years to get the lovists down to one hive. I pray to Zacherle that it doesn’t take as long to finish them off. But you must know that not all blue changelings follow lovist ways. Several were exiled for wanting to share love like we do.”
“Really?” Celestia asked, surprised at the revelation.
“Yes, we took them in and taught them how to share love, and not act and look as monstrous.”
“I would like to learn more about your hive.”
“I would love to share it...but not now.”
“Why not now? Why not speak when you’re safe with us?”
“You see, we… well, how do I put it? We changelings have to make trust proven from non bond siblings.”
“I see. You mentioned my grandmother, and how do you know of her?”
“That, Princess, is one thing I will divulge. We know her because when she ruled Equestria, we were not ‘bug ponies’. Well, not to the degree that we are now that is.”
“What do you mean?”
“Ever hear of flutterponies?”
“I’ve read about them.” Celestia paused to process it in. “Wait, you don’t mean to say…”
“That we are flutterponies? Yes ,that’s exactly what we are… well, were. Because of Tambelon, that all changed.”
“T… Tambelon?” Celestia asked, the fear of the mere mention of the city clear in her voice.
“Yes. The very same,” Wing spoke softly.
“So how was Luna not able to enter your dreams?” Celestia continued.
“Well, changeling dreams are part of the hive mind. Though, the farther you get, there is less influence, especially to those who live outside the hive like me. But the reason she wasn’t able to is quite simple; the mind of a changeling living outside the hive is difficult to penetrate.”
“I’m beginning to get a view on how your hive’s changelings work,” Celestia thought, making a mental note to write it all down.
“To get back to the topic of your grandmother, we have her to thank for our ability to shapeshift.”
“How so?”
“After Tambelon, we found ourselves slowly become more bug-like. We feared what could happen to us, because we looked like the changelings that attacked Canterlot. It was only because of Zacherle's gifting us shape shifting abilities, that we were able to live among ponykind.”
“So you truly mean us no harm?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. that is correct.”
“Then I hope that we can achieve peace and work together to take Chrysalis and her followers out, so that we can restore harmony to Equestria.”
“Believe me, we want nothing more than that as well. Was there anything else you wanted to know?”
“Not currently. But I will tell the military commanders to not to antagonize your hive or the purple hive.”
Neither Celestia nor Wing spoke for the next few moments. It took some time for the two of them to chew through everything in their minds.
“You should get some rest, Princess. It’s gonna be a long day tomorrow.”
“Yes that sounds like a good idea.” Princess Celestia turned to leave with her two guards. one of them momentarily locked eyes with Wing for a second before walking with Celestia and the other guard.
The two guards met their relief and returned to their quarters. The guard that had made eye contact with Wing took his armor off after he returned to his room, and fell onto his bed. His eyes looked to a photo of himself and another guard, posing in front of a statue of Queen Zacherle. “I will avenge you, my friend,” he said, his voice firm with anger. “I will make those Lovist bastards pay… Kierzach. I failed in my duty as your bond brother, but I will repay my debt in time.”
The sun beat down on the Third Equestrian Tank Platoon as they made their way down the dusty desert road. It had been two weeks since Chrysalis launched her attack on Celestia, and it was time for payback.
“Can’t wait to kill me some changelings,” the commander of the column’s second tank said over comms.
“Lieutenant Ironflank, zip it! I heard a Canterlot guard say the one they captured, he was fighting the attacking changelings,” his commander, Captain Steel Hide in the lead tank, scolded.
“I don’t believe a word of it, sir. If these ‘nice’ changelings are actually on our side, why in Tartarus didn’t they tell us about the attack?” Ironflank scoffed.
“Perhaps they didn’t know until it was too late,” Steel Hide commented. “That could be it.”
“I doubt that.”
“It’s not like--” Steel Hide was cut off by his tank becoming engulfed in flame.
“Take cover!” Ironflank ordered as he took command. The last tank in the column also filled up with fire, as a tank charged the company from the right. It was similar in design to the prototype Germaney tanks at the end of the Second Equine War. “Traverse gun right!”
“Traversing gun right,” his gunner responded, turning the gun to the right to meet the enemy tank.
“Fire!” Ironflank shouted. The cannon fired and the shell struck the tank, destroying it.
“Yes! Direct hit!” he exclaimed.
“Three more tanks coming in, sir!” another tanker in the column shouted over the radio.
“Where from?” Ironflank inquired.
“Two from the right, one from the left. According to thermals, there are at least sixty enemy tanks left. We’re outnumbered and outgunned and trapped here.”
“We’re fighting to the end,” Ironflank ordered.
“Sir?”
“That’s an order! Do what you can for the wounded, but I want everypony else fighting!”
“He’s gonna get us all killed,” one tanker muttered under his breath.
“What was that?”
“Nothing, sir.”
“It better have been nothing. If I…” Ironflank was cut off by all three of the approaching tanks exploding. The bewildered Equestrian soldiers looked around, but none of them had fired at the approaching tanks.
“Look!” A medic pony pointed to an approaching dust cloud. Ahead of the cloud were no less than thirty five tanks. The group was comprised of Strussian, Japoneighse, and Equestrian tanks.
“They don’t look like any of ours. Well, none we’re using now,” Ironflank’s gunner noted, looking through the scope. He then noted flashes from the dust cloud. A rain of shells came in, slamming the tanks attacking the Equestrian vehicles. This had the effect of all the hostile tanks turning to meet the incoming tanks, driving off at max speed.
“Attach the dozer blade,” Ironflank shouted. A group of four unicorn soldiers used their magic to retrieve the bulldozer blade on the rear of his vehicle. The soldiers donned face masks as they started welding the dozer blade to the front of the tank. Meanwhile, the opposing changeling forces duked it out.
“Take them out. We must prevent the ponies from taking any further losses,” the commander of the approaching harmonist tanks ordered.
“Roger that.” The two forces continued, approaching until the mighty clash of changelings and armor began.
“They’re drawing the fire away from us, but why?” Ironflank’s driver noted.
“I bet they want to destroy us. They’re taking out the competition,” Ironflank sneered.
“Sir, that doesn’t make sense!”
“Shut it! I’m in command here!”
“The captain’s right!” Ironflank’s gunner and loader argued at the same time.
“Guess I’m alone in this tank for not firing on our potential allies,” Ironflank’s driver muttered under his breath.
“What was that?”
“Nothing, sir!”
“Better have been nothing.”
“Blade’s attached, sir!” one of the unicorn soldiers shouted.
“Good. Get out of the way!”
“Here we go, I guess.”
“Move forward!” Ironflank drove forward, pushing the tank in front out of the way to make a path. With the path cleared, the Equestrian tanks rushed forward, coming from behind the lovist tanks.
“Take them down!”
“Yes, sir!”
While the medics tended to the wounded, the rest of the Equestrian company began attacking the lovists. The battle turned fierce as tanks started ramming each other, turrets flying off tanks, and all the chaos of an epic battle went down. The smoke from the fires made vision difficult without assistance. The fires, coupled with the sun made the already hot day even hotter. The smell of gunpowder permeated the air.
“Looks like the Equestrians are lending some help. Good to have them by our side,” the harmonist commander noted.
“Yes it is, sir.” The lovist forces realized what was going on too late. The trap closed, and only three of their tanks were able to escape the trap, driving off at full speed.
“Cowards! Why don’t they stand and fight?” Ironflank sneered in contempt. With the lovist tanks no longer an issue, the remaining twenty harmonist tanks began to pull away, Ironflank taking note of the command tank. “Line up a shot at their command tank.”
“But sir! They risked their own tanks to help us. They lost tanks helping us!” Ironflank’s driver protested.
“Gunner, open fire on the lead tank.”
“Yes sir!” The gunner lined up a shot and fired the shell. It smacked into the lead harmonist tank and blew it apart and throwing the commander clear of the tank. The sudden attack caught the harmonist forces off guard. Several were destroyed in the explosions.
“Return fire!” the harmonist’s second in command ordered. The remaining harmonist tanks fired on the Equestrian vehicles at point blank range. The savage fight only lasted a few minutes, but when it was over, several Equestrians and changelings were either dead or wounded.
“Take these damned bugs prisoner and treat the wounded,” Ironflank snarled. “Inform Canterlot of our great success!”
“Yes sir!” his subordinate replied.
As Ironflank got out, he trotted up to a wounded half conscious changeling. “You! I assume you’re in command?”
“I was in command dog,” the harmonist commander shot back.
“Maybe you’re too much trouble, you know that?”
“Sir, we’re on the line to command,” the radio officer called Ironflank.
“Good. I have much good news to give them.”
”If you say so, sir,” the radio officer mumbled under his breath.
“Is Ironflank always like this?” the harmonist commander asked the medic patching him up.
“Forgive him. He lost his brother during the attack on Canterlot.”
“I can understand that. A few of my brothers also died, and one was captured.”
“So you changelings are all related?” the medic quizzed.
“More or less. I was one of the oldest for my brood.”
“I see, that’s interesting.”
“Most ponies think that. I may be only a soldier, but I will say this. If you thought that fight against us was tough, just imagine what invading our hive would be like.”
“Like if we had invaded Japony during the Second Equine War?”
“Bingo. You’re right on the spot.” The harmonist commander winced as the morphine began to take effect.
“I’d hate to take part in that,” the medic commented.
“Also, we’d hate to fight that fight against ponies,” the harmonist commander responded. “If anything, we need to stand together against Chrysalis. Otherwise, we both lose.”
“Choppers incoming for the wounded,” another medic announced as she spotted the first of the helicopters coming for the wounded.
“What’s your name? Maybe when our governments are cooperating, we can get a drink?” the first medic asked.
“Name’s Trestalka,” the harmonist commander said.
“I’m Windy Saddle,” the medic replied as he loaded Trestalka on the first chopper, next to the wounded captain named Steel Hide.
--------
As word of the battle got to Canterlot, Princess Celestia was busy meeting with several of the ponies from the battlefield.
“So this changeling sacrificed himself to save you?” she inquired.
“Yes. I’ve never seen anything like it!” the pony exclaimed. “He fought so furiously; it was almost like watching a Japoneighese samurai fight.”
“Intriguing. What else can you tell me?”
“Well, it seemed like they knew each other.”
“I see. Thank you for the information,” she nodded.
“You’re welcome, Your Majesty.” The soldier, Jet Set, and his wife bowed and left the room.
“Is there anypony else with news to share?” Celestia asked her assistant.
“The head of the Equestria Cruise Line is here to see you.”
“Send him in.”
Slatward Sailor, head of the Equestrian Cruise Line, trotted in and bowed. “Your Majesty,” he said.
“Welcome. What is the news you have on the changeling threat?”
“Yes… I knew that some of the changelings were good, but I was unable to share the information until now.”
“Why is that?” Celestia asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I was under oath not to divulge the information. You understand, right?”
“I do. Are you aware how long this has been going on?”
“A long time, Your Majesty.”
“Being shifty will not help your case.”
Before Slatward could answer, the doors burst open. A Royal Guard rushed over with a piece of paper. “Princess Celestia! News from one of our platoons!” the private said, hoofing the message over to the princess.
Celestia took the message with her magic and looked it over. ”I’m sorry I have to cut this meeting short, Slatward.” She then glanced over to her assistant. “Cancel everything else today.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” she responded, crossing off everything else on the list. The sun princess made her way to the dungeon at once. She knew Wing would want to hear what happened. She only hoped that peace was still possible.
In the meantime, Wing was eating the slop that passed for food in his cell. “Really need to make some… ‘adjustments’ to my current living conditions,” he muttered. He took another bite before he perked his ears up from the sound of hooffalls echoing in the walls. It didn’t take him to guess who his guest was. “Princess Celestia. A pleasure to see you again.”
“I wish I were here under better circumstances,” Celestia admitted.
That didn’t sound good to Wing. “What is it?”
“We got word from one of our platoons that they were engaged by some of Chrysalis’ changelings. They attacked a group of tanks from what we believe to be your hive. That occurred after her troops were beaten off the path by your allies, from what we’ve gathered.”
Wing was silent for a few moments. Suddenly, red magic started crackling in his cell despite the magic suppressing ring on his horn. His eyes turned a fiery red and he flew upwards, rushing at the cell door, red magic crackling all over his body. “WHAT?!” he shouted with absolute rage, his voice almost completely distorted.
“What...” Celestia was unable to finish her sentence before he abruptly cut her off.
“DON’T YOU INTERRUPT ME, PRINCESS! THERE ARE FAR WORSE THINGS YOU CAN ENCOUNTER! BE WARNED WE WILL DEMAND JUSTICE WHEN AND IF WE GAIN PEACEFUL RELATIONS!” Wing panted. The more he breathed, the weaker the crackling became. It finally died completely.
“What was that?!” the alicorn demanded.
“I apologize, Your Majesty. That was… is what happens when we changelings let anger take control of us. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it takes a high level unicorn or an alicorn to take us down if we can’t regain control ourselves.” Wing retreated back into the shadow of his cell.
“And the bit about justice? Is there an explanation for that?”
“That was true; we don’t react well to changeling lives being taken by non-changelings. I do know this: If incidents like this keep up, it will be a long time before ponies unaware of our kind are trusted.”
“Does this happen for all emotions?”
“Only when we lose control. Blue crackling means we’re sad, red crackling is anger, orange crackling is hate, etc.”
“Hmm. That knowledge should be recorded when this war is over.”
“We changelings are very emotional creatures.”
“I only hope peace can be achieved,” Celestia thought as she left the prison.
“As do I.”
-----------
Meanwhile, far off in Wing’s hive, Queen Chiton and her advisors were discussing the latest incident.
“Damn those ponies! The nerve of them attacking us while we came to help them!” the defense minister said.
“Defense Minister, we couldn’t have known what ponykind would do when they first encountered our forces,” a second changeling retorted.
“Hmpf, that’s because you’re not military like myself.”
“General, while I appreciate your loyalty, I couldn’t know what ponies would do when they first encountered us,” Chiton retorted.
“Apologies, Mother,” the general replied.
“Noted. Although, I fear this incident will only serve to further divide the fragile.” Queen Chiton paused and looked toward the ceiling.
“Leave me. I wish to be alone.”
“Yes, Mother.”
The advisors got up from the table and left Queen Chiton alone in her throne room. A few tears fell from her eyes, as a few crackles of blue magic swept across her body. More crackles also came to the changelings whose broodmates were lost on the battlefield. They mourned across the hive for the changelings lost in the tragic, unavoidable event.
The rain started to fall as Winter and Rain walked to school, Winter remaining silent. “So… how are you doing, Winter?” Rain asked with a worried tone. The falling rain seemed to emulate the mood of the town: dreary and depressing.
“Fine…” Winter barely muttered, acting more like her mother than her father, which was very unusual.
“Winter, it’s alright. Things will get back to normal soon.”
“No they won’t! Now everyone in town knows I’m half changeling!” Winter shot back, her tone a mix of sorrow and rage.
“It doesn’t matter!” Rain shouted as she hugged Winter. “I’m still your friend and bond sister!”
“I’m sorry…” The rage was gone from her now, but the sorrow still remained, tears running down her face.
“Hey, come on now. I know you’re hurting but you need to be strong. Don’t let Diamond Tiara see you like this,” Rain said, wiping around the tears.
Winter gave Rain a reassuring smile. “Thanks.”
“No problem.”
“Well, well, look who it is. I see you made friends with a bug,” a rather familiar voice said.
“The buck you want, Diamond Tiara?” Rain snapped as soon as she recognized Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon trotting up to them.
Winter just chittered something, but given the tone and look on her face, it was an insult directed at Diamond Tiara.
“Hey, you take that back!” Diamond Tiara sneered.
“Take what back?” Winter asked, innocently smiling at diamond Tiara.
“You know what you said!” Diamond Tiara shot back. “I know what you’re doing!”
“You gonna say anything, puppet, or do you need your puppetmaster to…” Winter started, only to have Silver Spoon get into her face.
“Shut up! You don’t tell me what to do!”
“Oh, so you do have a voice.”
Silver Spoon gritted her teeth in anger and prepared her comeback, only for Diamond Tiara to cut her off.
“At least I’m better than you, because I’m not part bug!”
“What… did… you… say?” Winter replied. Oh yeah, the anger was returning.
“Ooh! This is gonna be fun!” Rain said. She grabbed a bucket of popcorn for this show.
“What are you going to do about it, bug?” Diamond Tiara chided.
“What am I going to do about it?” Winter said. closing her eyes. When she opened them back up, they had a new, red tint to them. “I’LL SHOW YOU WHAT I’M GOING TO DO ABOUT IT!” She leaped towards Diamond Tiara, pinning her down and punching her right in the muzzle.
“Get off her!” Silver Spoon shouted as she tried to pull Winter off of Diamond Tiara.
“How’s it feel, huh?” Winter roared as she delivered another blow to Diamond Tiara’s nose. As the beatdown continued, a small group of fillies and colts arrived on the scene, all of the cheering for their favored fighter.
“I hope this is just getting started,” Rain said as she nommed on her popcorn. Much to Rain’s dismay, it did not, as the rest of the CMC rushed over to stop the massacre.
“That’s enough!” Applebloom said. She pulled Winter off Diamond Tiara with the help of her friends. It took all their combined strength to finally get the fighters apart.
“Booooo!” Rain objected, throwing her popcorn away. “It was just getting good!” However, the fillies and colts scattered away when Cheerilee came in to see what happened.
“What is going on here?!” she demanded.
“Winter just started attacking me! I have no idea why!” Diamond Tiara begged.
“Don’t you bucking lie like that, or I’ll rip your bucking tongue out!” Winter shouted, threatening to rush Diamond again.
“Diamond Tiara started calling Winter names due to her being part changeling!” Rain explained.
“I’m calling both of your parents, and you’re coming with me!” Cheerilee sternly replied.
The two groups assisted their fighters to get to Cheerilee’s office in one piece. “Just like Dad and Uncle Sev when they were my age,” Winter commented.
The two groups went inside the school and waited outside the office while Winter and Diamond Tiara had an uncomfortable wait for their parents to get here. It only took a few minutes for said parents to arrive, going inside the office for what was going to be an...interesting conversation.
“I’m so sorry, Miss Cheerilee. Winter’s been having a hard time lately,” Fluttershy apologized.
“Perhaps it’s because she’s a filthy half breed.” Spoiled Rich suggested.
“Ahem. What my wife meant to say was it’s because, well, not that she’s a troublemaker, but that she’s expressing her frustration.” Filthy Rich corrected.
Fluttershy said nothing but her slight expression of anger said it all. “I hope it was only that.”
“Well, if they agree to apologize to each other, we may be able to avoid both of them getting detention. But if it happens again, I will have no choice,” Cheerilee explained.
“Apologize?! To that filthy halfling?!” Spoiled Rich shouted.
“You know what? No. You can’t do that anymore!!” Fluttershy roared, taking everyone in the room by surprise. “I may have a hard time standing up for myself, but you WILL NOT talk about my daughter in that way!”
“Ladies, please! Don’t make this situation worse!” Cheerilee cut in.
“Spoiled, please stop!” Filthy Rich pleaded. “Just have Diamond Tiara apologize and we can be done with this! It doesn’t have to go any further!”
Spoiled Rich stopped in her tracks, taking a few deep breaths. “Fine. Fine. Just get this over with.”
“That would be acceptable, if you don’t mind,” Fluttershy replied, cooling off at the same time.
“It’s settled, then.” Cheerilee got up from her desk and opened the door to her office, ushering Winter and Diamond Tiara in. Both fillies felt awkward, knowing what was to come.
“Diamond, dear, do you have something you want to say to Winter?” Filthy Rich asked his daughter.
“Yes, Father,” Diamond replied quietly.
“Winter, do you have something to say to Diamond Tiara?” Fluttershy asked.
“Yes...Mom,” Winter nodded.
“I’m sorry for making fun of you and all,” Diamond forced herself to say.
“And I’m sorry you pushed me too far for making fun of me,” Winter responded, doing her best to get those words out. It was harder than it sounded.
Cheerilee sighed and shook her head. “I hate to say it, but I think this is as close as we’re going to an apology.”
“I knew this was a waste of time anyway,” Spoiled Rich scoffed as she got up and left with Diamond Tiara in tow.
“Do please forgive my wife, Mrs. Wing,” Filthy Rich added. “I have tried to teach Diamond better but her mother is...difficult at times.”
“Not at all, Mr. Rich. Winter’s just been having a hard time since Shining Armor’s and Cadence’s wedding.”
“I can understand why, do please give Wing my best when you visit him next time.”
“I will,” Fluttershy replied as Filthy Rich’s family left out the door, Silver Spoon soon joining them.
“Winter, we’re going home, and we’re not done talking about this,” Fluttershy said sternly.
“Yes, Mom,” Winter replied. She was crushed that this would mean she couldn’t spend time with friends, but on the other hoof, she won the fight with Diamond. This made the glass half full in her eyes.
She walked out of the office with her mother, the other Crusaders joining her out the door. However, she caught Pipsqueak walking down the hallway. Ever since their first Nightmare Night together, she had a crush on him, and those feelings never really went away.
“Alright, everypony, show’s over,” Cheerilee announced, walking outside and getting the large group of school ponies to break up.
“Now, Winter, you know you can’t fight other ponies like that. We’ve been over this,” Fluttershy addressed Winter.
“Mom, she was making fun of me for being part changeling!” Winter grumbled.
“And you decided to beat her up? That only brings you to her level! I know your father and I have taught you to defend yourself, but there is a time and place for that and this wasn’t it!”
Winter went silent, but her eyes gave away what she was feeling. “I’m sorry, Mom.”
“I’m sorry, too,” Fluttershy replied, hugging her daughter. “I just want your father home like you do.”
They eventually went on home. Once they were inside, they noticed an earth pony and unicorn waiting for them at the front door, sitting out the rain underneath their umbrella.
“Excuse me ma’am, do you have a moment to talk about the wonders of Queen Faust?” the earth pony asked with a Manehatten accent.
“Or should we come back another time, Miss?” the unicorn added.
“Of course!” Fluttershy exclaimed, recognizing them. “Just let me unlock the door.” Fluttershy trotted over and unlocked the door, holding it open for the two stallions.
“Thank you ma’am, you won’t regret this,” The earth pony replied, trotting in with the unicorn. Fluttershy locked the door tight behind them.
“Thank Zacherle no one recognized us, but then again,it’s not like there’s a shortage of disguises to use.” The earth pony breathed a sigh of relief, as Fluttershy drew the curtains.
“We’re not done yet. We have to get out of here and back to the hive, so don’t count your chickens before they’ve hatched,” the unicorn scolded.
“But we’ve come so far already, Skerzhan!”
“No buts, Schkoltz!” the two ponies dropped their disguises, revealing themselves to be changelings, but looking more like Wing did in his normal changeling form. “How is Schkitz anyways, Fluttershy?”
“He told me he’s alright, but...I have a feeling he’s not telling the truth.”
Schkoltz dropped to Winter's level, as the little filly hugged him. “Uncle Schkoltz!”
“Hey there, Winter, how you doing?”
“I’m… I’m not really doing that great…”
“Your dad will be home soon. You know that, right?”
“Yeah…” Her ears still dropped down to the side.
“Besides, nothing will ever keep him from you, if I know your dad.”
“Cause he’s so tough?” Winter asked.
“Exactly! Schkitz ain’t gonna let anything keep him from coming home to you and your mom!” Schkoltz declared with a grin.
As Winter and her uncle were talking, Fluttershy and Skerzhan were in the other room talking. They heard Winter booting up a video game soon after.
“Not well, Fluttershy. Half of her advisors want to take action against ponies, and the other half want to try to maintain peaceful relations. Things are going to get worse before they get better.”
“I just wish Chrysalis hadn’t invaded,” Fluttershy remarked, hanging her head.
“None of us could have seen it coming. We should be glad we were able to blunt it.”
“What about Wing? What would he do if he was here?”
“He’d probably be fighting against the Lovist forces right now in the field, since he was bred in the soldier caste. Only reason he transferred to infiltration was the first changeling civil war ending.”
“I see. How long will you be visiting?”
“Only for a few minutes more. Mother wants us back as soon as possible, and she wanted to know how you were handling Schkitz being in the dungeon. I’ll tell her you’re handling it as best as you can.”
“Thank you.” Fluttershy nodded her head in thanks.
“Schkoltz! We’re heading home.” Skerzhan trotted into the living room to see Schkoltz and Winter playing a kart racing game.
“But Skerzhan! I’m winning!” Schkoltz whined . He didn’t notice that winter pulled ahead of his kart due to the distraction.
“I win!” Winter chirped happily as her kart crossed the finish line.
“What?!” Schkoltz looked back to the screen just in time to see his kart cross the finish line, where Winter’s kart was waiting. Schkoltz only gurgled something, as he didn’t want to swear in front of Winter. Anything to avoid a bop on the back of the head.
“Heh heh, come on, speed racer.” Skerzhan took the form of the unicorn again as he trotted to the door, Schkoltz also taking the earth pony form once more.
“Thank you for your time, ma’am.” Schkoltz thanked Fluttershy.
“You’ve made Faust proud by giving us these few minutes of your time,” Skerzhan added. They headed out the door, Fluttershy closing it behind them.
“Think the batponies will come forward with the fact they know about us?” Schkoltz inquired Skerzhan telepathically.
“Believe me, if I know them, they will come forward. But even then, as I told Fluttershy back there, things will only get worse, like our little wargame in the desert. The number of ponies and harmonists that will pay the price will only get bigger before things calm down.” Skerzhan sighed, shaking his head. “Events like that will only strengthen Chrysalis.”
Gilded Shield trotted down the hall of Canterlot General, hiss gilded blonde mane and silver coat shining in the light. He had various feelings of anger, fear, and worry, but most of all, hatred for changelings. The attack on Canterlot infuriated him to his core, as his sister had been injured badly in the attack. He arrived at his sister’s room and walked inside. His sister lay there on her bed, unconscious. Her horn was cracked and her right hind leg was broken. He came to the side of the bed and ran his hoof through her mane. “Hey there sis, it’s me, Gilded. They say that when ponies are out like you are, they’re able to hear things.” The sound of hoofsteps caused him to gaze toward the door.
“Ah, Mr. Shield. Your sister seems to be recovering well from her wounds,” the doctor said, trotting in with a second pony.
“Two doctors? Is her condition that bad?” Gilded asked, surprised upon seeing the two doctors. One was a pegasus with a black mane and tail, with her mane in a large bun. Her coat was ash grey and she had bright blue eyes. Her cutiemark was a medical insignia with a pair of wings. The second doctor was a forest green unicorn/Zebra mix with a snow white mane, tail, and long beard. He had lemon yellow eyes and green stripes, and his cutiemark was a bottle of healing herbs with a bell shaped flower.
“I’m Dr. Blacken Well. She was in worse shape than we thought, so we brought in Dr. Billroot here to assist,” the pegasus explained.
“Your sister is suffering from magical backlash. Was she doing any spells at the time of her injury?” Dr. Billroot asked.
“Yes, she was doing a shield spell while protecting some ponies from those monsters!” Gilded snapped.
“Corporal Shield, you need to calm yourself. I understand you’re frustrated, but it won’t help you sister heal,” Dr. Billroot calmly replied.
“Then what will?!”
“We can’t do much until her horn is fixed. We are using means other than direct magic to heal her,” Dr. Blacken Well added.
“I understand.” Gilded took a deep breath. “Is that everything, Doctors?”
“Unfortunately, yes. We can’t really do much until your sister wakes up. I’m sorry.”
“Alright, then.” Gilded nodded his head, leaving the flowers he’d brought on the table by his sister’s bed. “I’ll be back soon, sis.” He walked out the door and went down the halls. He hung his head glancing upwards to see where he was going.
He’d always been there for his sister, and now he was powerless to do anything. Trotting outside the hospital, he looked to the sky, the mid morning sun beat down on him. “I need a drink.” Since he was off duty, he trotted to the enlisted club for the guard.
“Hey, Gilded,” the bartender greeted. He was a stallion with a cutie mark of a beer tap, going by the name of Humble Tap. It was early in the day, which explained why there were only five members of the guard there.
“Hey Tap, gimme a beer, would you?” Gilded asked.
“Didn’t even need to ask. Your sister alright?” Humble asked as he poured Gilded a nice tall one.
“Doctors say they can’t do anything until she wakes up.” Gilded didn’t waste time chugging his beer after he got it.
“I’m sorry to hear that. I’m sure she’ll wake up soon.”
“Hmpf, what makes you so sure?” the guard asked.
“I just have a feeling. I’ve met her before. She’s a tough mare, so it’s only a matter of time.”
“And if she doesn't?”
“You gotta stop with them negative waves, Gilded. It ain’t gonna help.”
“Ah… b...buck those chan… changelings!” a patron, Longshot shouted, clearly having had on too many.
“Hey don’t be like that, Longshot!” his friend, Sturdy Stone, said, trying to keep his friend calm.
“Ah, shut up!” the other pony in the group, Purple Rain, shouted.
“I… I hear we cap… captured one of th… them changelings!” Longshot rambled.
Gilded perked his ears up, as he’d also heard the same thing. “I say we should go there and kick his dirty bug flank!” he shouted.
“W… who the buck are you?” Longshot asked.
“Gilded Shield. Those damn bugs put my sister in a coma!” He chugged most of his beer in one swing.
“Gilded, I think you need to calm down. Not the best time to be making decisions,” Sturdy said. In the meantime, Purple Rain had already fallen asleep by now.
“Corporal.”
“Pardon?” Sturdy replied.
“That’s Corporal Gilded Shield to you.”
“Do you know who I am? I am Sergeant Sturdy Stone.”
“Oh my apologies, sir. I forgot to salute.” Gilded mocked, raising his hoof in a silly fashion.
“You salute proper! And don’t you think of going near that changeling!” Sturdy scowled.
“Oh, but of course,”Gilded saluted properly before returning to his drink. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Sarcasm isn’t helping your cause, Corporal.” . “Really? Changelings are filthy disgusting creatures. The way they hide in plain sight, how they pretend to be your friends while you spill your guts to them, everything!” Gilded spit in disgust. “If I had my way, we’d go and kill every last one of them.”
“Corporal Gilded!”
“Yes, Sergeant?”
“You should go home.”
“Heh, go home. With changelings everywhere? Including the guard? Please, I had a ‘friend‘. but he turned out to be a changeling! How can we trust them if they take every opportunity to stab us in the back!”
“Yeah!” Longshot shouted in agreement. “What he said!”
“Hey! No fighting in the bar! You fight, I’ll throw you out myself!” Humble shouted, charging his horn.
“Yeah yeah, whatever you say.” Gilded sat back down and had a little more of his beverage.
“Got it, Humble.” Sturdy sat down next to his loudmouth friend.
“I...I tink I knew a...a changelang vance. I dun know if she vas but man she vas fine.”
“Longshot?”
“Ja?”
“Would you mind shutting up?”
“Dun tell me ta shat up! I’m valking.”
“You’ve had too much to drink, Longshot.” Sturdy turned to Humble. “Could you call my friends a cab?”
“Yeah, he’s in no condition to get home by himself.” Humble picked up the phone behind the bar and dialed a cab. Sturdy finished his drink and helped his friend up. “Come on Longshot, let’s get you home.”
“Your a n...nice ssstallion…” Longshot slurred.
“Ew. No. And you need a nice bath...and some breath mints.” Sturdy recoiled when he was ‘treated’ to Longshot’s breath.
“Bucking lightweight,” Gilded thought, looking at Longshot and how drunk his was. He then turned his attention to Humble. “You always the only one keeping bar?”
“No, I usually have another pony here. Haven’t seen him since the wedding.”
“What was his name?”
“Whiskey Well. He specializes in whiskey cocktails.”
“I see. Well, too bad he’s not here. I like those kind of cocktails.”
“Yeah. I’ll make sure to kick his plot when he gets back. Disappearing like that on me, tsk tsk tsk.”
“I’d hate to be him.”
“Ah, that’ll be the cab for you two,” Sturdy noted, hearing trotting outside the bar. “Come on, Sleeping Beauty.” Sturdy shook Purple Rain awake.
“Wha? Time to go?” He asked, looking around and wondering what planet he was on.
“Yes, come on!” Sturdy used his magic to steady his friends as he took them to the cab. He told the driver where to drop them off, and make sure they made it to their front doors. He paid the cabbie more to ensure that.
“Awright let’s get you home,” the cabbie said in a Tottingham accent.
Sturdy reentered the bar after that, taking a seat at the counter. “Another beer, Humble.”
“Yes, sir.” Humble poured another beer and placed it in front of Sturdy.
“Thank you.” Sturdy sipped his beer and turned to Gilded. “I hope you realize that you will be punished if you do anything to that changeling.”
“Pfft, why would I?’ Gilded scoffed.
“Because we don’t abuse prisoners, not anymore. That passed a long time ago.”
“He deserves it.” It turned out that Gilded ordered another round, and he started on it now.
“Why, though?” Sturdy wondered.
“He and his kind put my sister a coma.”
“How do you know he was involved, though? He wasn’t alone,” Sturdy pointed out.
“He’s a changeling and he’s in the dungeon. What more proof do you need?”
“He hasn’t caused any issues, other than bugging the ones guarding him for a book. That’s what his file says. I don’t think he’s a threat.”
“He’s trying to lull you into a false sense of security.” Another gulp of another round.
“The princesses are checking on him as we speak.” Sturdy countered. “If there’s anything else to learn, we should leave it in their hooves.”
“They’re not moving fast enough. For all we know, Chrysalis could be under the guise of one of them. She did take Cadence’s place for who knows how long.”
“I’d watch your next words carefully, Corporal. Saying things like ‘the princesses aren’t moving fast enough’ isn’t particularly wise.” Sturdy finished his drink and set the empty mug on the counter. “Report back to the barracks. I’ll deal with you tomorrow morning. Consider yourself confined to quarters.”
“Yes, sir…” Gilded grumbled. He finished his drink and watched Sturdy pay the tab.
“Have a nice day, Sergeant Stone,” Humble commented, as he put the bits in the register.
“You too, Humble,” said GIlded.
Sturdy and Gilded left and walked down the street to the barracks. As they approached the castle, Gilded took a quick note of where they were.
“So how long is my confinement?” Gilded asked.
“For as long as it is deemed necessary.”
“I see. I do hope it’s not too long. I would like to see my sister again.”
“That all depends on you.”
“Understood, sir.”
Gilded and Sturdy soon came into view of the barracks. However, GIlded was scheming something.. He once again took note of his surroundings, noticing they were in an area where one could be hidden easily, and as a bonus, there were no cameras pointed in their direction.
Seeing his chance, Gilded judo chopped Sturdy across the back of the head, knocking Sturdy out cold. Gilded dragged his unconscious body out of view into a bush. After that business was concluded, he headed towards the dungeon.
“Afternoon, Gilded,” a pegasus guard greeted him.
“Oh! Hey Firebolt, didn’t see you there.” Gilded calmed down as he recognized the guard trotting over to see him.
“How’s your sister?” Firebolt asked.
“Not good, my friend. She’s still unconscious.”
“I hope the best for her. I’ve been praying to Faust every night.”
“Hey, I know you have feelings for her!”
“Heh, what gave it away?” Firebolt chuckled.
“The fact you sent her that card on Hearts and Hooves Day. You’re not subtle at all.”
“You… saw that?” Firebolt’s face turned into a deep red color.
“Yeah, I saw that. I’ll tell her you said hi next time I go see her.”
“...okay…” Firebolt was still too embarrassed to say anything else. He trotted off without another word.
“Now then, let’s go see that changeling.” Gilded walked to the door and opened it, approaching the desk at the front.
“What’s your business here, Corporal Shield?” the guard pony asked at his desk, not bothering to look up from his paperwork. Even then, he knew who it was.
“I’m here to see the changeling,” Gilded announced.
“He’s in cellblock 7, cell 12.” The guard replied. “Hope you know what you’re doing. Changelings are weird.” He pushed a button to open the door for the corporal.
“Thank you.” Gilded walked down the hall towards the cell, his heart racing. However, he didn’t count on hearing singing when he approached the cell, recognizing it as a popular pegasi nursery song. Finally, he got to the cell, finding the changeling sitting in the cell. The foe sat on his bed with his hooves cross legged, and his eyes closed while he was breathing, almost like a meditation. The singing stopped when he saw his visitor.
“I know why you are here, and let me tell you, you don’t want to do this,” Wing calmly stated as he sat up on his bed.
“And why don’t I, bug?” Gilded spat.
“Because this will not end well for you,” Wing replied in a zen like way. “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”
“Enough!” Gilded swung at Wing with his left hoof. The changeling leaned into his swing and pushed it back with his right hoof, causing Gilded to miss him completely. Gilded growled and swung again with his right limb, but Wing dodged it with ease and deflected it with his left hoof.
“You have much anger and hate in you. You think it makes you stronger, but it only makes you blind,” Wing quipped as he deflected yet another punch. “You think by hurting me or even killing me, it’ll make you feel better, but it won’t.”
“Shut up!” Gilded took another swing at Wing. That blow was also deflected.
“Someone you care about was hurt in the attack, I take it? I’m sorry that Chrysalis’s attack has blinded you to the fact that she doesn’t rule over all changelings.”
“Stop!” Gilded raged. He was not going to let this bug tell him how to act.
“I understand how you feel. I’m away from my own family as well.” Wing dodged the next attack. He didn’t even need to deflect that one.
“I… said... SHUT UP!” Gilded delivered a swift kick to Wing’s abdomen, the first strike to make its mark. Wing doubled over on the floor and clutched at the spot, he didn’t show an ounce of pain. Gilded, however, gave Wing a sinister smile and giving a short but ‘sweet’ message: “Die.”
He raised his fore hooves and rained down blow after blow on a defenceless Wing. The changeling could not do a thing as the guard let out all his pent up rage. However, what he did not know is that he wouldn’t be alone for long. Two more ponies were about to come into the dungeon.
“Mr. Hooves, are you sure about this?” a buff pegasus asked.
“He’s been one of my most trusted workers, Batter,” the other pony replied. “My daughter made it clear that I am not to harm him in any way. I don’t plan to go behind her back on this.”
“I understand. Let’s just get this over with. There has to be something more urgent than patrol right now.”
“Where art thou going?” A regal voice asked. Batters and Mr. Hooves turned to see Princess Luna, flanked by two guards.
“Ah, Princess Luna.” Mr. Hooves bowed. Batters followed suit without a word.
“Mr. Hooves, I’ve heard many things of you. Unfortunately, not all of it was good,” Princess Luna spoke.
“I am sorry to hear that, Your Majesty. I am but a simple business stallion.”
“We shall see,” Luna retorted.
“I am only here to see Wing. Surely, that is not a wrong thing to do?”
“No, it is within your rights. Given the urgency of the matter, we will follow you to his cell.
“Your Majesty, this isn’t really necessa--” Batters started to say.
“If Princess Luna wants to accompany us, she is more than welcome to,” Mr. Hooves cut him off.
“Precisely. You don’t have to speak for royalty, although we respect the gesture,” Luna replied.
The princess and the guards followed Mr. Hooves and Batters to the dungeon entrance amidst the busy street. The sight of Mr. Hooves and royalty caught a lot of eyes along the way.
“Princess, are you sure this is wise?” one of Luna’s guards whispered to her.
“We are sure. Are you questioning us?”
“No, of course not, Your Majesty,” the guard bowed apologetically.
“See that thou doesn’t repeat thy mistake.”
“Why are you up this early if you don’t me asking, Your Majesty?” Mr. Hooves noted.
“Our sister requested us to talk with the changeling. There’s important things to discuss.”
“You mean Wing? I can see why.”
“Pray tell, what does thee know about him?”
“Other than he worked at my pizza place in Cloudsdale for years, and I view him like a son? Not much, honestly.”
Princess Luna nodded her head as they headed inside the dungeon doors and walked in. The guard at the desk was still occupied with his paperwork, so Luna’s guard approached him.
“TEN HUT” he shouted.
“Sergeant!” the desk guard stood up, startled by the shouting.
“Have thou not been paying attention to who comes in here?!” Princess Luna demanded.
“Eh… n….no, Your Majesty, I’ve been t...too busy…” the guard stammered.
“Silence!” Princess Luna interrupted. She then turned to Batter and the other guards. “Stay here. In the meantime, Mr. Hooves is to accompany us into the cell.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Mr. Hooves nodded. He followed Luna past the desk into the dungeon’s hallways. “Where is the prisoner, anyways?”
“Cellblock 7, cell 12.” Princess Luna stated.
As they came to the block together, they were caught off guard by the sound of a old fashioned beating.
“Thought you were tough? Fight back!” echoed through the cell block. Luna opened the door just in time to witness Gilded Shield kick the changeling hard in the abdomen.
“Hey, stop what you’re doing!” Mr. Hooves shouted. He rushed into the cell and grabbed Gilded by the hooves, throwing him into the hall outside. Gilded got back up and rushed at Mr. Hooves, but he found himself stuck in place in a magical aura. He felt Luna’s breath on his shoulder and dared to look Luna in the eye. That would be something he’d regret.
"HWÆT TIMBRIAN ÊOW SÊ ÐÂ ÐE WEORÐUNG ÛTWEARD EDSIHÐ ÊOW GLENG MACUNG, DOCGA?!" Princess Luna blasted Gilded down the hall with her Royal Canterlot Voice. It left him in front of another guard on patrol who arrived to see what was going on.
“Throw this dog in a cell. We caught him beating the changeling prisoner,” Luna told the patrol guard. Gilded looked up to see that Princess Luna had already crossed the distance between them.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” The patrol guard picked Gilded up with his unicorn magic and threw a magic suppressing ring on his horn, dragging him away.
“Hey kid, you alright?” Mr. Hooves asked Wing as he checked over the changeling’s injuries.
“I take it I’m out?” Wing chuckled before gritting his teeth and holding his side.
“We will get the doctor, stay here with him,” Luna told Mr. Hooves.
“Right. I’ll make sure nothing else happens.”
She nodded and left the cell to get the nearest doctor. That left the two stallions alone.
“Yeah, he got you good,” Mr. Hooves explained. “Don’t worry, nothing will happen to you. Course, somepony will need to to take your place now.”
“Right,” Wing breathed. “I know who you mean, and he’s loyal.”
“You understand it may not happen, since some will view it as illegitimate?”
“Heh, maybe, but we both know it’s the right choice.”
“Yeah, I know.”
Soon after, the dungeon medical personnel arrived at the cell with a stretcher in tow. Mr. Hooves helped the doctors pick Wing up into the stretcher, and the changeling was strapped in for safety.
“Okay, he’s good. Let’s get him to the OR,” the lead doctor ordered, a black earth pony with a white mane.
“But we don’t even know his physiology! Changelings have to be different from ponies in that way, right?” the second doctor argued.
Wing looked to the lead doctor and smiled. “You can keep me awake and I can help you through the process.”
“We can discuss that later. You need to get out of here ASAP.” They carted Wing off to the dungeon’s OR.
Mr. Hooves smiled and shook his head. “It’s better he gets out of the business anyways.” He trotted back to the entrance, where Batter was waiting for him. “Let’s go home.”
Sev and Rainbow Dash were fighting. They’d fought many times before, but never on this scale. “Sev Divine, when will you pull your head out of your plot and realize changelings are evil!?”
“For bucks sake, Dash. Not all changelings are evil! Winter isn’t!”
“Hmpf, must be the half pony in her,” Dash grumbled.
“Don’t even bucking start with that Rainbow, Spectrum Dash!” Sev snapped.
“Shake off that damn spell Wing put you under already!”
“Wing didn’t put me under any spell!” he corrected.
“Why can’t you see what he’s doing to you? That’s the only way you’re acting this way.”
“Why can’t you see I’m choosing to do this on my own free will?” Sev retorted.
“No, there’s no way that’s possible. I’ve been around enough changelings to know that--”
“I don’t have time for this.” Sev turned and walked to the door.
“And where are you going?” Dash asked.
“Out, I need some air from all the bull you’re spouting.”
“This isn’t over, we’re not finished yet!” Dash shouted as Sev walked outside, slamming the door behind him.
“For now it is…” Sev muttered.
Sev took off flying for Fluttershy and Wing’s cottage. The air smelled of cookies. “Cakes must’ve just pulled a fresh batch from the oven,” he thought. The smell reminded him of when he, Shy, Wing, Derpy and Dash were younger. All the times they’d spend together, hanging out. The thoughts brought a tear to his eye as he sighed. He continued flying over the town, watching the various residents go about their day. Derpy was off doing her mail route, Bon Bon and Lyra were sitting on a park bench, having lunch. Sev also noted the Apple family selling apples in the market.
The flight was short, but when he arrived. he saw something that nearly made his blood boil. Fluttershy was outside with a sponge and a bucket of water, while Harry and his cousin Ivan stood watch.
“CHANGELING LOVER.” “HALF BREED HOUSE.” were among the words spray painted on the cottage. The two bears noted Sev coming in, Harry tapping Fluttershy gently on the shoulder to let her in on who was coming.
“Oh! Um… hi Sev…” Fluttershy meekly mumbled.
“Who… did this?” Sev asked, his rage at the graffitti clear.
“I don’t know… I only found it like this after coming home from shopping.”
“Fluttershy…” Sev trotted over, hugging his friend. Harry joined in on the hug.
“I just want to things to get back like they were!” Fluttershy cried.
“I know, Flutters, I know.” Sev hugged tighter. “Just remember that I’m here if you need to talk.”
“I… I know.” As Fluttershy sighed, Harry wiped the tears from her eyes. “Thanks Harry.” The bear softly growled and nodded his head in response.
“Don’t worry, I’m gonna find whoever did this and give them a piece of my mind. You can count on that.”
“Sev, don’t make me use the st… oh right.”
“Forgot that it doesn’t work on me for a moment there, eh?” Sev chuckled.
“Um, yeah.”
“Don’t worry, I’m not gonna hurt them… much…”
“Sev, I don’t want you getting in anymore trouble. Besides, you promised Wing you’d take care of me.”
“And I am!”
Ivan gave a supportive growl.
“See! Even Ivan agrees with me!”
“Sev…” Fluttershy sighed.
“I know that sigh. I won’t get caught. I never do.”
“Stay for a while?”
“I will keep an eye open while you are cleaning.” Sev started scanning the area, keeping an eye out for trouble.
Harry gave a growl and started helping Fluttershy while Ivan helped Sev keep watch. As Sev kept watch, he heard someone singing. It only took him a moment to recognize the mare seeing it, and he recognized the song as one Wing would sing when he was feeling sad.
♫I call upon a new day ♫ ♫ The warmth pushing back the darkest blight ♫ ♫ I feel the light's wings around me ♫ ♫ At last the light is bright ♫
♫ To dance in dawning light ♫ ♫ Flowers sways in fields of green ♫ ♫ So let, the sun rise upward ♫ ♫ I am safe and sound, upon a new day ♫
♫ Oh, won't you take my hoof, and fly away? ♫ ♫ Our spirits soar from the eyes of blight ♫ ♫ As clouds draw away to clear the blue sky ♫ ♫ Lift our hearts and be free ♫
♫ Though we know strife of life will bring dark ♫ ♫ Shadows below, dark as they may seem ♫ ♫ They show us time, ticks on hours passing, as night comes, ♫ ♫ Now is the time to love, is the time to forgive, is the time to heal ♫
♫ We call upon a new day ♫ ♫ The warmth pushing back the darkest blight ♫ ♫ We feel the light's wings around us ♫ ♫ We are safe and all is right... ♫
♫ Because... this whole world... has healed... ♫
Ivan softly growled something at Sev.
“I’m still angry, Ivan, but I’m keeping my cool for Fluttershy.” Ivan nodded his head as the two continued watching her sing. As they kept watch, Winter and Rain were walking home as they normally did at this time of the day.
“At least Pip and Rumble stood up for us…” Winter murmured.
“Yeah, and the other three idiots,” Rain replied, thinking of the CMC.
“Why do we let them boss us around, again? We have all the smart ideas!”
“Because they’re older than us? Then again, even if they’re older, we’re smarter than them.”
“Got that right!”
“Yeah, stupid Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.”
“‘Hi, I’m Diamond Tiara. I’m rich I can do what I want!’” Winter screeched.
“Heh heh, good one!” Rain high hoofed Winter.
“Thanks!” Winter replied, returning the high hoof.
“Wish she was here to hear that though.”
“Diamond Tiara? You’d have to pull me off of her, since I’d be kicking her flank.”
“Good point, Winter, but she deserves it.”
“Yep.”
“So how are things at home?” Winter asked.
“Mom and Dad are bickering more than usual. I hate that,” Rain grumped.
“Yeah, Mom’s been sad, but she hasn’t showed it.”
“I understand. Like you, I just want things to go back to how they were.”
“Even though it’s impossible?”
“Yeah…” Rain and Winter hugged each other. “Stupid lovists.”
“I agree, but remember, not all lovists are bad.”
“I know that, Winter.” The two friends were silent for the rest of the walk to Winter’s house. Upon arriving, they found Rain’s dad and Fluttershy putting some buckets away.
“Hey, Uncle Sev!” Winter said. She rushed up to hug Sev.
“Hey, Dad!” Rain said.
“Hey, sweetie. Hey, Winter,” Sev greeted them.
“How was your day, sweetie?” Fluttershy asked her daughter.
“Meh,” Winter mumbled. “Same old.”
“Same,” Rain countered.
“Look on the good side, at least it wasn’t horrible. How about you two go play in Winter’s room, Rain? I’ll bring you some milk and cookies.”
“I guess that sounds good,” Winter replied before turning to Rain. “What you got to play with?”
“I know you have a board game or two we can play. Let’s do that!”
“Oh you are so going down!” Winter laughed as the two friends ran off to Winter’s room.
Sev chuckled at the two girls as they ran off. “Seeing those two is like looking in a mirror.”
“Yes, it is,” Fluttershy smiled. “You and Wing were… are still such troublemakers.”
“Indeed,” Queen Chiton chimed telepathically in with a chuckle.
“Heh, we set the record for most times sent to the principal’s office,” Sev chuckled.
The sound of laughter soon filled the house from another room. “Sounds like the girls are having fun.”
“Yeah. I’m happy that despite these trying times, we can still laugh.”
“Me too.”
“I should go get the treats for the girls.” Fluttershy trotted to the kitchen to get the milk and cookies for the girls. “I know things are rough for you and Dash right now…”
“Rough? More like I’m wasting my time talking to a brick wall,” Sev scoffed. “That mare’s so thick headed, it’s frustrating!”
“Yes, Dashie can be… hard at times. But that doesn’t mean she won’t come around. She’s a good pony at heart. We know that better than anypony else.”
“Look, Fluttershy, I know you’re trying to help, but you don’t live with her all the time. Sometimes, she just drives me crazy!”
“She can be stubborn sometimes, yes, but she will never let you down in the end. It’s why she has the Element of Loyalty.”
“I know, Fluttershy. I know.”
“Would you like some tea?”
“That sounds very nice right now.”
--------------------------
As Fluttershy and Sev were talking, Rainbow Dash visited Twilight at the library. “Come on, Twilight!”
“No.”
“Really? You’re really doing this?”
“Rainbow Dash, you might have a good reason to be worried about Fluttershy and Sev. But I have no reason to believe they’re under any kind of spell!”
“You never even checked to see if they were!”
“I…” Twilight was about to say something, but stopped herself. She never actually did check, and knowing Rainbow Dash, she would find somepony else to check if her final answer was no. “Fine, I’ll check,” she forced herself to say after a moment of silence.
“On we go!” Rainbow declared, grabbing Twilight and racing off to Fluttershy and Wing’s cottage.
“I only hope that this is the right choice. If not, it could hurt our friendship with Fluttershy,” Twilight muttered under her breath.
-----------------------------
“How’s your tea?” Fluttershy asked Sev. They were kicking back in the kitchen not long after.
“It’s very lovely, thank you,” Sev replied
“You’re welcome. I find a nice cup of tea very relaxing.”
“I guess it can be nice.”
“Maybe you could talk to Wing about what’s going on?”
“What can he do? He’s in Canterlot and I’m here.”
“I know, I just hope Wing is alright.”
“I’m sure he is. He can take care of himself pretty well.”
“I guess.” Fluttershy hung her head. “Do you think…” A rapping at the door interrupted her thoughts. The door suddenly flew open. Rainbow Dash stood in the doorway, staring at the two.
“Rainbow Spectrum Dash! What the buck are you doing?!” Sev shouted.
“I’m here to make sure you two aren’t under some kind of spell!” Rainbow shouted back.
“Oh, for the love of Faust! We’re not under any spell!” Sev shouted back at Dash.
“Rainbow! You’re not making things any better!” Twilight butted in. “We just need to make sure first.”
“Twi! You’re really buying this?” Sev squaked. “You know Wing! He’d never do this!”
“Sev… I’m sorry. I just need to make sure.”
He scoffed at that. “Make sure of what? That we’re telling the truth like we’ve been saying?”
“Sev, let her do it.” Fluttershy’s voice was barely heard as all eyes turned to her.
“Fluttershy! We can’t just let her do this!”
“If it helps clear Wing’s name sooner, I’m willing to do it.”
Sev was silent for a few moments. “Fine. I’ll do this for Wing.”
“Well, here goes nothing,” said Twilight. She touched her horn to the heads of the two ponies nearby as a vast array of images flashed before her. She saw images of a young Wing and Sev,. the bonds they made, and the challenges they overcame. She also saw the blossoming relationship of a young Fluttershy and Wing. The image almost brought her to tears. They were right, they’d been telling the truth all along. As her horn stopped glowing, she looked to Dash. “They are not lying. Everything they said was true.”
“What do you mean they’re not lying?” Dash gasped in shock.
“Just as she said. We haven’t been lying to you. You know, what we’ve been saying the whole time,” Sev grumbled.
“That’s impossible!” Dash shot back.
Another knock at the door interrupted the argument. Fluttershy trotted over to the door and opened it. She saw two royal guards standing in the doorway. “Mrs Wing?” one of them asked.
“Oh, um, yes?” Fluttershy replied meekly.
“Princess Celestia requests that you and your daughter come to Canterlot.”
“And why is that?” Sev shouted.
“There was an incident in the dungeons with her husband. The princess wants to make sure Mrs. Wing and her daughter are safe.”
“What?” Sev’s eyes went wide with anger. “Did somepony make a threat?”
“The pony responsible is in custody, and the princess has extended her invite to you as well, Mr. Divine.”
“You’re damn right I’m coming along. I’m taking my daughter Rain with me.”
“Our daughter, Sev,” Rainbow Dash snarled.
“Rain’s spend most of her life hanging around with Winter. I’m making sure she’s safe,” he pointed out.
“Fine.” Rainbow Dash seemed to be giving in. “But if anything happens to her…”
“Dash, don’t do this right now.” Sev and Dash butted their together heads in rage.
“Sev! Dash!” Twilight yelled, trying to seperate the two.
“Maybe some time away will do good. Cause you to come to your senses,” Dash snarled.
“I could say the same about your blockheadedness,” Sev retorted.
“You know what, if you wanna go, then go. I’ll be waiting to hear from you that you were wrong.” Rainbow Dash flew past the guards and went on home.
“Sev?” Twilight walked over to her old friend. “Are you going to be alright?”
“I don’t know, Twilight. I just don’t know.” Sev saw that Fluttershy had begun packing, then realized that Rain and Winter had been watching the whole event in the hallway. “I’m sorry you had to see that. We’re both on edge over Wing. We need to go right now.”
“Yes, Dad.” There was a twinge of sadness in Rain’s voice. She hated seeing these events tear her parents apart.
The flight home was silent, as neither had much to say. The two arrived at their place, with Rain and Sev going to their respective rooms to pack. Dash was watching the TV in silence in the living room, trying her best not to lose her cool even more. The sounds of the show Ancient Humans drifted through the cloud house. Sev brought his suitcases into the front room and set them down. He trotted into the living room, Dash barely noticing his presence.
Later on, Scootaloo came to visit Rain. “So you and Dad are going to Canterlot?”
“Yes we are.” Rain replied.
“Can I come? It’s been a while since I’ve been to Canterlot.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. Mom wouldn’t like it.”
“Oh yeah. I saw her coming in, never seen her like that. Is it because of Uncle Wing?”
“Yes, Mom seems to think all changelings are evil now.”
“But that’s just wrong! I wouldn’t say Winter is evil… most of the time.”
“Oh yeah? Remember when you thought Uncle Wing was a spy?”
“Don’t remind me.” Scootaloo got an embarrassed expression on her face. Rain finished packing and hugged her sister.
“Take care Scoots. Dad’s not telling me when we’re coming back.”
“You too, Rain.” Scootaloo returned the hug and helped Rain with her bags to the door.
Sev and Dash were now staring at each other in total silence, over by the front door.
“Dad, I’m ready to go now.” Rain said breaking the silence.
“You two take care of yourself. And Sev, let me remind you. If anything happens to Rain…” Dash started.
“Nothing will. I’ll make sure of it,” Sev cut her off. “Take care of yourself and Scoots.”
Dash only nodded her head in response. Sev and Rain exited the cloud house with their luggage. The two met Winter and Fluttershy at the train station with the guards. The group was quiet as they climbed aboard. In fact, the rest of the trip to Canterlot would be quiet.
The train chugged into Canterlot Station as night fell. Fluttershy, Winter, Sev and Rain gathered their things and exited the train, along with the guards. Four more guards were at the station waiting for them. “This way, please,” the leader of the guards asked.
“So Celestia assigned this many guards for us?” Sev asked inquisitively.
“Yes, the Princess wanted to make sure you got to your destination safely.”
“I see,” Sev replied, unconvinced.
“Mr. Divine, I understand why you may be wary. Gilded may be a friend, but what he did was unacceptable.”
“I’m still keeping an eye on you. I promised Wing that I’d look after Fluttershy and Winter.”
“I can accept that fact.”
The group started walking to the castle. The streets were mainly filled with guards, with a few civilians out. Sev kept a sharp eye out on any potential trouble in any form.
“Keep close, Flutters. That goes double for you, Rain and Winter.”
“Right,” said Fluttershy. She got closer to him.
“Yes, Dad,” Rain and Winter replied in unison.
The smells of Restaurant Row filled the air. All the aromas of fried, grilled, baked and boiled goods permeated their nostrils. Sev noted the lead guard rubbing the back of his head.
“What happened to your head?’
“An incident with a former guard. He cold clocked me as I was escorting him back to the barracks.”
“I see…” Sev replied.
“I should’ve seen it coming.”
“To be honest, you’re not the only one that should’ve seen what could’ve happened. What’s your name?” Sev asked.
“Sturdy Stone.”
“Sev. I appreciate your honesty, Sturdy,” said Sev.
“For what it’s worth. I’m more open minded than the guard that hurt your friend.”
“I get you. I do, but forgive me if I’m still wary.”
“I understand completely.” Sturdy looked to Fluttershy. “She’s been rather quiet since you arrived. Is she going to be alright?”
“Yes, I think so. I know she’ll be better when she’s with Wing again,” Sev replied.
“I will be, don’t worry,” Fluttershy replied meekly.
“Why did that mean guard hurt my dad?” Winter asked.
“Well…” Sturdy was caught off guard by Winter’s question. “You see, little one, those mean changelings hurt him and his sister, not thinking or knowing better. They thought your dad was one of them.”
“I can see why he did it but, it still doesn’t make it right.” Fluttershy replied.
“Yeah, I hate to admit it, but if I were in his horseshoes and Kim was hurt, I’d probably do the same thing.” Sev added.
The group continued walking, Sev knew he’d probably get a visit from his mother and sister while in Canterlot. He wasn’t sure what he’d say to them, though. They made it to their destination without incident.
“Well, we’re here,” Sturdy said, opening the door and holding it for the group. The first few guards walked in first.
“Thank you,” Winter and Rain said as they trotted in after the guards. Fluttershy followed after the two fillies, followed by Sev and Sturdy.
“Take us to Wing,” Fluttershy said. Her tone was commanding, yet not pushy.
“Yes, I was just about to take you there.” Sturdy knew better than to argue with an Element of Harmony. The group walked through the halls, finally coming to a door that had the words ‘INFIRMARY’ printed on them. “Here we are.”
“Thank you, Sturdy.”
“No problem ma’am. I hope things get back to normal soon, too. I’ve got to get back to my rounds, but if any of you need something, call me.”
“I’m sure we’ll consider it,” Sev replied.
Sturdy nodded his head and turned around, walking in the opposite direction. The group walked into the infirmary and saw Wing laying on one of the beds. He had several bruises on his body, one eye swollen shut, and various bandages on his body. He turned his head to see his visitors.
“Well, don’t just stand there. Come on over!” Wing exclaimed. The four wasted no time rushing over to his aid, grateful that he was okay.
“You look horrible, buddy,” Sev commented, trying not to cry.
“Heh, worse than that one time in high school?”
“Okay, maybe not that horrible. But it still didn’t make it a smart idea.”
“Hey, I was trying to cheer you up!”
“By doing an air show and not checking the weather?”
“Fine, you win, but this isn’t the time to bicker. Plus, the doctor said I need to take it easy,” Wing relented.
“Damn straight, you need rest.”
Then Wing noticed his wife standing near him, hugging his body lightly. “Hey dear, how have you been?”
As Wing was talking to his niece, best friend, and family, the royalty of Canterlot was also about to have something to eat after a long day. “Nephew, you’re lucky I still agreed to do this.” Celestia noted. She, Luna, and Blueblood were walking down one of the many corridors of the castle.
“I know, Aunty,” Blueblood said, terrified of the princesses walking with her.
“I still can't believe you thought we would allow you to bully one of our guests, without punishment,” Luna commented. She was far more annoyed than Celestia was.
“I know, but Duke Firestorm had insisted on this dinner,” Blueblood shivered. He was even more terrified now.
“Yes, I did need to talk to him about a few things” Celestia said.
She had decided to dawn a dress for the semi-formal dinner instead of her usual attire. It was a rather slim fitting yellow dress that worked well with her sunny white coat, while her sister had a just as slimming black dress that hugged her frame. It wasn't long until they reached the dining hall. Upon entering they saw both Duke Firestorm sitting in a rather finely crafted seat.
Out of most of the nobility of Canterlot, Firestorm, or Storm as he would prefer to go by, was one of the rather oddest, besides being the only Duke that wasn’t fully pony. He was indeed a dragon pony, with his mother being a storm dragon and his father, Firewand, already being of noble blood. Unlike most ponies, his forelegs were claws and scales rather than hooves and fur, but there were only a few locations on his body that had scales.
One place was his tail, which was long and thick, much like most dragons tails, even ending in a diamond shaped tip to it. His scales were a bright vibrant orange that worked well with his burnt brown mane, which was styled back expect for a swoop of mane that hung between his eyes. His scaled covered horn curved up gently compared the straighten horn of most unicorns. His eyes were just like any other dragons eyes but was a burning bright blue.
Next to him was his wife, Nightling, with a dusk blue coat that worked well with her long grayish-orange mane and tail. Her pale dark purple wings hugged against her body, and Luna could pick up a sense of nervousness as her bright orange eyes turned to see the party as they entered. They bowed as best they could.
“Your highness's,” Firestorm said with a rather smooth baritone voice.
“Hello again, Duke Firestorm,” Celestia commented as they took up a seat across from them. “How is Shafifner?”
“Mother is doing alright, last she wrote to me. She was in the dragon kingdom checking on her hoard there,” he informed with a warming smile.
“Has everything been alright in the dragon kingdom?” Celestia said with a slight worried tone.
“Nothing too big, just a little infighting about whenever or not they’ll agree to the terms we had set them. It's a rather lengthy process.” He waved his claw around, clearly annoyed as he recounted his tale.
“I'm surprised those brutes can even think about anybody but themselves,” Blueblood huffed with an air of annoyance. This got both princesses to eye him, as well as the cocked eyebrow of Firestorm going his way. Then he realized the error of his ways. “Present company excluded.”
“I would suggest be a little more... tactful in the future,” Luna commented, while the servers brought in the first course. Most of them had a nice salad with a few bits of sunflowers tossed in with it.
“Quite. It might just save your life one day,” Storm noted.
“So, Duke Firestorm, how did that business with the Canterlot Hospital go?” Blueblood asked before taking another bite.
“Well, with the newest additions to the prosthetic limbs I had designed, they won't feel so out of place,” the Duke informed with a smile on his face.
“That sounds interesting. Did any of the accountants give you issues?”
“Only a few that couldn't see past the price tag. I mean, after the healing salve patches, you would think those ponies would see the medical benefits over the price tag,” he shrugged.
“You did make most of your fortune through medical advancements. Ever thought of trying your hoof at something more industrious?” Blueblood asked with a grin on his face.
“I'm sorry, Blueblood, but I still have to say no. Between the required traveling that would require me to do, I couldn't bare being that far from my wife.”
“I have offered your wife to come along. I mean, from what I have heard most of the time, she rather stay indoors,” Blueblood countered.
“I like a quiet life.” Nightling said meekly.
“And I wouldn't dare try to push her out of her comfort zone for something trivial like that,” Storm added, punctuating it with a nod.
“I did wonder why your wife had joined you this evening. Most times, she prefers to stay home,” Celestia commented.
“It's because we have a rather good reason for it,” Nightling said nervously before she felt her husband’s claw on her hoof.
“We've heard some rather troubling rumors about a guest here at the castle.” Storm tried to break it easy to them with a smile.
“What rumor would that be?” Celestia inquired.
“After the horrible mess with Princess Cadence and Shining Armor's wedding, rumors had been floating around about a 'changeling' being held in the special dungeons.”
“Then you found the rare rumor to be true,” Luna admitted.
“And what does he have to share with us?” Storm asked, looking rather curious but not intrusively so.
“We've gotten a few things from him about-” Celestia started.
“I don't know why you would listen to that,” Blueblood cut her off. “I bet he replaced the real Southern Wing.”
“Did you say Southern Wing?” Nightling asked worriedly.
“Yes, you heard correctly, my little ponies,” Celestia sighed. “A changeling claims that he is Southern Wing, and he’s on the good side of the changelings, which goes against what Queen Chrysalis said at the wedding,” Celestia commented.
“Has there been any proof to his claims?” Storm asked.
“His 'wife' said that she knew that he was a changeling from the beginning, and so far we haven't found any mental manipulation spells on her,” Luna commented.
“I see. Do you think it is possible for him to speak the truth?”
“So far, he's been very forthcoming with any information we've asked. Little evidence has come forth willingly to say otherwise,” Celestia answered.
“And not many would tempt to do so, especially if-” Blueblood began, before a bright flash blinded him. Then he saw that Nightling had changed in appearance. “They... were... a noble...” He lost his train of thought completely.
The princesses and the prince sat there in shock when they saw the bat pony turn into a changeling before their eyes. However, there was a few subtle differences in Nightling's body from Southern Wing’s. For once, her body was much like her pony form was. Very womanly and lovely, her hooves didn’t have the holes most did. On top of that, her mane was a bright orange hue, along with her eyes and carapace.
“Southern Wing's claims are rather true, Your Highness's,” Storm stated calmly, even with all the guards surrounding them.
“I would like to remind your guards that they can't arrest either one of us, as we both have diplomatic immunity,” Firestorm pointed out. The guards looked at each other nervously, awaiting further comment.
“I want to hear what they have to say. You will stand down until I state otherwise,” Celestia commanded. “You do know what you’re risking by doing this, Firestorm.”
“I’m aware of that, Celestia, but this is a matter of grave importance. It’s worth the risk.”
“Everything Wing told you is the truth. Chrysalis is the queen of the Loveist changelings, but not all of them,” Nightling stated nervously.
“Loveist?” Luna asked.
“Changelings that take love from others. Wing and I are part of the other group, the Harmonists.”
“They are changelings that share love instead of take it. But each changeling can also feed on other emotions. It's just that love is the more common and most filling of the emotions they can feed on,” Firestorm added in.
“And how did we come to this point, where you’re sitting here before me to explain this, and Wing is where he stands?” Celestia inquired.
“It was through my wife,” Storm continued. “Unlike most ponies, she isn’t affected by magic. Scales are naturally resistant to magic, and I was in a morally grey area here in Canterlot. So the Harmonist Queen came to me directly for help. She never comes out directly to anyone, unless it’s an important reason, which this certainly counts as.
“And she wanted us to bridge the gap between them and the rest of Equestria. That plan of hers had some hiccups on the way, unfortunately,” Firestorm groaned.
“Hiccups?” Luna said, eyeing them suspiciously. “Beyond just the wedding invasion?”
“For the last few years, my house staff have been nothing but changelings-”
“That's why I couldn't find that mare again!” Blueblood pointed out.
“Yes, though Velvet Tome was rather smitten with you.” Firestorm said with a smirk. “As I was saying. With the attack from Chrysalis and her Loveists, it put any possible diplomatic relationships in a very tentative spot. So, against Chiton's request, I thought I should put my own nobility at risk to help finally bridge the valley between the Harmonists and Equestrians.” He felt his wife's hoof gently squeeze his claw to reassure him.
“I see...” Celestia trailed off. “If, and this is a rather big if, I agree to this... agreeable diplomatic relationship as you had put it, what are the benefits and deficits that would come with it?”
“The drawbacks will be small as long as the changelings don’t form large numbers in Canterlot directly,” said Firestorm. “As much as I wish it wasn’t the case, the nobility in our kingdom are...rather harsh against non-unicorns. So it might cause a strain at first.
“The benefits? That would be on your side, mostly. Most of us are well rounded when it comes to skills, given we have to wear different hats, or in this case, take different forms to blend in. One could be an accountant one day and a construction worker the next, without losing a beat. So there won’t be any problems when it comes to work, and some can drain the negative emotions from your subjects to make them feel better. Nightling can take fear, and I have willingly given her much to feed from.” He leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
“I've never seen you afraid in the time I've known you, Firestorm. Now I know why,” noted Blueblood.
“My fears are that of failure or over analyzing. As a result, a lot of the advancements when it comes to draining fear might need to be withheld from ponies that need it. In addition, the most advanced chemists we have can help concoct the Heal-Storm Salve most hospitals used. That way, ponies could gain more ways to help their kind rather than hurt them. And if you need to tell us apart, just look at our legs. Harmonists don’t have holes, while Loveists do.” He held up Nightling’s leg to prove his point.
“You make a great case,” Celestia thought. “But this Queen Chiton...how would somepony get a hold of her if I decided to move forward with this course?”
“We would need to use the natural link all Harmonist changelings have, and we can have her here when she’s available,” Nightling said with an air of hope in her voice.
“Then please send word, but know that I will have to detain the both of you till this 'meeting' happen, both for your safety as well as security. We’ll promise to give you comfortable arrangements.”
“We understand, Your Highness, we just wish to stay together. Is that is alright?” Nightling worried.
“Of course. We have had a few of the cells redone for comfort after a small incident with 'Southern Wing', so you will be comfortable,” said Luna.
“Thank you. Word has been sent out to her already,” Firestorm smiled. The guards went around the couple, and they rose up from their seats. They were escorted out of the room soon after.
“That was rather an interesting meal,” Celestia noted. “I learned quite a lot about this situation.”
“Indeed, sister,” Luna agreed. “If there really are more Harmonist changelings connected to royalty, however, they could be very dangerous.”
“That is very true. If provoked, the damage they could cause would be insurmountable. Storm’s mother would be the least of our problems.”
“Indeed, which is why i think we should try to make peace if possible.”
“Agreed.”
“What do you think of this Chiton, Sister?” Luna asked.
“I don’t know yet. I would need to meet her to be certain. Still, we have a lot of planning to do,” Celestia sighed. As much as she wanted to hide it, she was nervous about that meeting. With the Chrysalis encounter fresh in her mind, she thought it was best to be on guard, just in case.
-------------------------
Storm and Nightling were making their way towards their cell. “Could we stop by where Wing is?” Storm asked the guard escorting them.
“Sure. It should be alright.” The guard took them to where Wing was. He was eating and chatting with his family. The group seemed to be sharing some kind of noodle dish. Wing took notice of Storm and Nightling shortly after they entered.
“Storm! Odonata! How are you two doing?” Wing asked as they trotted over.
“We’ve been fine, Schkitz,” Nightling replied. “We’re more worried about you.”
“You look horrible,” Storm noted.
“Heh, yeah. I’m no beauty queen that’s for sure,” Wing grinned. “This is my best buddy in the world, Sev.”
“Good to meet you, Sev,” Storm said, shaking Sev’s hoof.
“Likewise,” said Sev. “And good to meet you as well,” noting Nightling.
“And you must be Mrs. Wing. How are you?” asked Storm.
“I’m doing well. Much better than I was yesterday,” Fluttershy replied. “I was so worried about him.”
“Hi, Mr. Storm!” Winter chirped.
“Hello there. You must be Winter. And you are?”
“My name’s Rain,” Rain cheered.
“That’s a good name, very harmonious with nature.”
“I’m named after my mother, but I’m told I’m not as hot headed as her.”
“That’s true,” Wing chimed in with a chuckle.
“Very true. Your mother has always been a hot head,” Sev remarked, rolling his eyes.
“Yeah, always been a thing as far as we can remember. Like that time I set the ball bouncing record. She couldn’t believe it wasn’t hers anymore. She has an ego like that.”
“Oh, don’t remind me.”
“Or that time I pretended to be a masked hero to show her how a real hero acts,” Wing added.
“You got me going there for a while, but the moment I saw the magic at the dam, I knew it was you, Wing,” Sev chuckled.
“Ah yes, I remember hearing that you were the hero Mare Do Well,” Storm chuckled.
“Yep,” Wing replied. “I sent an anonymous letter to Rarity for her to make the costume,” Wing gave a small smile. “It’s amazing that I had inspired one of the changelings from the hive living in Manehatten to pick up the mantle.”
“I hear they’re doing a fine job.” Nightling remarked with a smile.
“Yeah, so have I. I’m happy to hear it.”
“We were mainly checking to see how you were doing.”
“I appreciate your concern. Nightling, make sure when you call home tell everyling I’m alright.”
“Don’t worry, I will,” Nightling replied. “And I’ll be sure to tell Mother you are doing well.”
“Until next time. Take care of yourself, Wing.” Storm left the infirmary with his wife.
“They seem nice,” Sev commented.
“They are, Storm’s a good guy. Though, when he’s angry, ooh yeah, I wouldn’t want to be the guy he’s angry at.”
“Yeah, don’t want to get on the bad side of someone that powerful.”
“Nope.” Wing took another bite of his food. The meal went on without interruptions for the next half hour.
“For prison food, that’s not half bad,” Sev comment.
“Yeah, I feel like I could sleep. Speaking of which, you guys should get to where you’re staying.”
“I’m not leaving your side, buddy.”
“We just want to make sure you’re going to be okay,” Fluttershy chimed in.
“I’ll be fine, guys. The doctor won’t let any harm come to me.”
“You mean like that one guard didn’t harm you?” Sev rebutted.
“For one, that was a rogue guard. Two, Celestia has screened the guards on duty here now. And three, Luna literally used the Royal Canterlot Voice and spoke Old Ponish. I don’t think anyone will try something like that again.”
“Good point,” Sev admitted.
“Just keep an eye on Flutters, alright?”
“You got it, buddy.”
“See you soon dear.” Fluttershy nuzzled Wing. “I’ll be fine. Will you?”
“You know it.” Wing returned the nuzzle. Sev and the others started walking to their cells, under the watchful eye of a guard.
---------------------
Nightling and Storm reached their spacious cell. “Wow, Princess Celestia wasn't kidding when she said they spruced up the cells in this block,” Storm noted. It had nice furniture, including a comfortable looking bed and a small spread of food and water.
“Yes, it really seems nicer than your standard one,” Nightling replied. She then closed her eyes and made the call to Queen Chiton. “Mother? It’s Odonata. I found out that Schkitz is doing well, despite his injuries.”
“It’s a relief to hear he’s okay. Where are you?’
“I revealed myself to Celestia. Storm and I are in the same cell block Schkitz is.”
“Go on…” Chiton replied after a moment of silence.
“I thought it best that we skip the sha'zah and get to the point of it, bringing peace between harmonists and ponykind. Celestia wants to meet you.”
“You’re almost as stubborn as Schkitz. I will contact Caprica and tell her we have a meeting to plan.”
“Understood, Mother. Odonata signing off.” Nightling ended the call and turned to Storm. “Well, Mother is coming here with Caprica.”
“Good to hear it went well,” Storm replied, laying on the cellbed. “It’ll be a good start to mend relations.”
“Yes, and maybe some ponies will learn from it.”
“Hopefully.”
---------------------
While this was going on, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were having a discussion on the evening’s events. “Sister, I do think we should meet with the Chiton, but I would urge caution,” Luna said.
“While I would agree with your cautious approach, Wing has done nothing that would constitute a threat,” Celestia thought.
“True, his business dealings and practices have mainly targeted criminals. I still would urge a degree of caution. Chiton might have a different agenda than him.”
“I understand what you are saying, Luna, and it is wise. But we need an open mind.”
“I know, but remember, there is a difference between wisdom and naivety.”
“I’m aware of the difference. That is why I want to give them the benefit of the doubt.”
“And that is quite wise. It would be better to not have every changeling against us.”
“Exactly. If what they say about her is true, we might have the opportunity of a lifetime here.”
Celestia and Luna made their way down to Wing’s cell. Wing was laying on his bed, reading a book. His full attention seemed to be on the story, up until he noticed the two monarchs coming in to see him.
“Your Majesties. Apologies for not bowing, but I’m a bit unable to at the moment.” He put his book down to the side.
“That is not necessary. This is purely a social call,” Celestia responded.
“So I hear Nightling revealed herself to you.”
“Indeed, and we were wondering if you could answer our questions,” said Luna.
“Why is she has different color chitin from me?” Wing wondered. “The answer is simple. She’s a descendant from the orange hive, or rather, from survivors of the orange hive.”
“Orange...hive. I would say that’s preposterous, but so was Chrysalis’s invasion, and that was no myth. May we ask about the Changeling Civil War?” Luna continued.
“Of course.”
“How many changelings died in the conflict?”
“Luna!” Celestia retorted. “That could’ve been asked a bit more delicately!”
“Not really… but to answer your question? From my hive alone, it was ninety two million, two hundred thousand,” Wing replied.
“N...ninety two million?” Celestia couldn’t believe what she heard. Her ears parted to the side, a rare sign of sorrow from the princess.
“Yes,” Wing confirmed. “You heard correctly. The green, orange, and yellow hives were near completely wiped out. We took the few survivors and converted them to Harmonist ways. It wasn’t easy, but we managed to do it.”
“What about the surviving hives that weren’t destroyed?” Luna asked with a twinge of fear, as to what the numbers would be.
“Seventy six million for the violet hive, and eighty seven million, five hundred thousand for Chrysalis’s hive. We can grow reinforcements fairly quickly during wartime.”
“That explains the high numbers. What do you think Chrysalis’s next move will be?” Luna asked.
“Probably scattered attacks, possibly kidnappings. Her force that attacked Canterlot took severe damage from what I’ve overheard.”
“So they have no plans for a second major offense. That’s a bit of a relief,” Celestia breathed. “Everypony knows we need time to heal.”
“Don’t underestimate her. A changeling army is a very formidable foe. Even if it seems they’re about to be defeated, you can find yourself snatching defeat from the jaws of victory,” Wing warned them.
“If your queen is coming, how should we prepare for her arrival?” Luna piped in.
“Well, bow since she’s a monarch, like yourselves. She’ll bow before you, too, and just treat her with respect in general.”
“That’s a wonderful start. What about cuisine?”
“I can go on for hours about her favorite food, but generally think Japoneighese.”
--------------
In the meantime, Chiton was making her own preparations for the meeting. “How are things progressing?” she asked some of her subjects.
“We already have it planned, Mother. We will have our top security team protecting the meeting. Alongside them, we have backup consisting of the replacements for those who fell in the battle of Canterlot. They are masquerading as bodyguards for upper class ponies there,” Chiton’s aide stated.
“Excellent, we can get the drop on any Loveist attempts to crash the meeting.”
“Yes, Mother. We’ll be prepared for that.”
“I will also make sure to visit Schkitz while I’m there.”
“It’s good to hear he is alright, despite his injuries.”
“Yes. I hope it’s not too late for peace with ponykind. Chrysalis can’t snatch it away from us this time.”
“I hope the same, Mother, but I think we will be able to pull it off, Zarkesh willing.”
“Agreed. If we do get forced to fight on two fronts, it worries me what Chrysalis will do when we get to her hive.”
“It worries all of us.”
“I want the jet fueled and ready. Make sure it’s the fastest one. I want to make sure we can get away in a hurry if the Loveists attack us while we’re heading there.”
“Will do. Shall I assign the 1st Air Division to the protection detail?”
“Yes, the 5th TAC squadron of them. And I want a protection detail from the queen’s regiment to act as my personal ground detail.”
“It will be done.”
“I want a full status report on what’s going on here in ten minutes. See to it personally.”
“Yes, mother!” Queen Chiton’s aide rushed off to see that everything was being put into place, leaving her alone with her guards.
I hope Schkitz is alright. I can’t imagine what he’s going through, having been disconnected for so long.
-----------------------------
Dash walked down the street, with Scootaloo following her. “I never should’ve let your sister go to Canterlot with your father.”
“But you wanted her to go,” Scootaloo pointed out.
“It was a bad idea. The two of you should stay with me, rather than him.”
“But dad isn't all that bad, is he?”
“He’s collaborating with a changeling! That’s why I’m leaving you with Twi so I can go get your sister.”
Scoots said nothing in reply. She only responded with a worried stare that Dash didn’t seem to notice.
Twilight was busy sorting the books at her place when she heard a knock on the door. She trotted to the door and opened it. “Hi, Rainbow. Hi, Scootaloo,” she greeted. “You two are out rather late.”
“I’m here to drop off Scootaloo with you. I’m heading to Canterlot to get Rain from Sev.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea, Rainbow? Sev won’t take it well.”
“It’s better than Rain being with him.”
“Rainbow Dash…” Twilight started.
“No buts! You keep Scootaloo safe til I get back, or Celestia help me, I don’t know what I’m going to do!” She zoomed out to Canterlot, determined to bring Rain back no matter what. But what she didn’t know was that she was being watched.
“Potential target sighted. Confirming target identification,” a gryphon said, looking through a pair of binoculars.
“Target confirmed,” a pony said, looking through a second pair. “Load the dart and track her.”
“Dart loaded and tracking, sir.” The gryphon moved the rifle just ahead of Dash to ensure maximum accuracy.
“Fire.”
The gryphon fired the dart, traveling through the air and striking Dash in the leg. She felt a sudden sense of dizziness once it hit. The last thing she saw was what appeared to be a gryphon, but the gryphon transformed into a changeling. It greeted her with a smile as she went out cold.
Princess Celestia and Luna were having a tea break after a long morning of meetings. They were anxious for their meeting with Queen Chiton. They had already gotten word that Chiton’s plane and escort had landed. One of the guards entered the throne room. “Your Majesties, may I present her Imperial Majesty, Queen Chiton.” The pony guards held the doors open with their magic. Queen Chiton and a small contingent of changeling guards entered the room. Chiton was about the same height as Chrysalis, but she had stunning red eyes and a long red mane red carapace. She was dressed in a very regal and formal attire.
The two sets of guards had a stare down as neither moved or said anything. “Your Majesty,” Celestia said, breaking the ice as she and Luna bowed.
Chiton bowed in reply. “It is nice to meet you two face to face,” Chiton responded.
“Indeed,” Luna commented. “It was long overdue.”
“Before we begin, I must ask that you take me to my child, Wing,” Chiton asked as politely as one could.
“Of course. We will take you there,” Celestia replied. The three monarchs made their way to the infirmary. As they trotted that way, one of the royal guards struck up a conversation with a changeling guard.
“So what’s your name?” the pony asked.
“Tra’katz,” the changeling replied with a thick accent. “What is yours?”
“Moon Runner,” the pony replied. “Do you mind if I ask a personal question?”
“I guess not. What question did you have?”
“Do you think this’ll work? This meeting?”
“I try not to get mixed in politics. A soldier's duty is to fight to the best of their ability.”
“Yes, I know, but I was just wondering what you thought the chances were.”
“To be honest, I think it’s one in ten.”
“I see.” Moon Runner seemed dismayed by the response.
“But I will say this. If we can put our differences aside, we will have a powerful force that can bring Chrysalis to justice for all she’s done,” Tra’katz added.
“Well said, friend,” Moon Runner replied.
Chiton looked back to the two guards with Celestia before they looked to each other.
While the monarchs and their guards continued to the infirmary, Prince Blueblood and Wing were playing a very engaging game of chess. “It’s still your turn, Blueblood,” Wing said.
“I know. I’m thinking,” replied Blueblood.
“Think all you want, my friend, it still won’t help you win.”
“How about this move, then?” His rook wasn’t too far away from the queen now.
“Oh, that does change things.” Now it was Wing’s turn to pause his next move for a while. “I didn’t see that one coming.”
“Thank you, I know what I’m doing.”
“You been taking smug lessons?”
“Did you forget who you were playing chess with?”
“Okay, fair point.”
“Besides, I’ve improved on being not as smug as I once was.”
“True, you’re not that bad anymore.”
“And besides, I was worse in high school.”
“I know. We had it rough when we were in school together, Bluey,” Wing observed, making his move.
“Yeah… I remember, Wing,” Blueblood replied, making another move. “And please don’t call me Bluey.”
“If you’re gonna date a sister of a guy you gotta get used to it.”
“I...um...uh… she’s from your hive?”
“Yep Velvet Tome is from my hive.”
“Do you have any tips on, you know, dating?”
“Why of course I do, Bluey!”
Blueblood blushed on hearing the nickname again.
“Aw I’m just screwing with you, Blueblood.”
“Oh, okay.” Blueblood gave a sigh of relief.
“But don’t think Mother won’t do it.”
“Oh… It’ll be like living with Auntie Celestia.” Blueblood covered his face with his hooves.
“Won’t be that bad. You’d have plenty of in-laws.”
Blueblood slammed his head on the table on the bed next to Wing.
“I’m not helping am I?”
“No,” Blueblood replied curtly.
“Sorry.”
Blueblood lifted his head from the table, groaning. “So are you older or younger than Velvet?”
“Just a touch older, she hatched right after me.”
“Goodie…” the sarcasm in Blueblood voice rang clear.
“Don’t worry, I won’t go too overboard in being overprotective,” Wing reassured.
“And your siblings?”
“Mother will keep them in line.”
“When will I get a chance to meet her?”
As Blueblood spoke, the three monarchs walked in to see them.
“I’d say now.” Wing said as they walked in. He bowed as well as he could in his position. “Mother.”
Blueblood whirled around, gasping and struggling to say something. He cleared his throat and regained control of his throat before bowing. “Queen Chiton. it is a pleasure to meet you.”
“And it is good to meet you too, Prince Blueblood.” Chiton turned her attention to Wing, trotting along and hugging him. “Are you doing well?”
“Aside from having no connection to the hive, I’ve been better, Mother.”
“I wish I could fully ease the pain of your disconnection. Although, I do have a way of giving some temporary relief.” Queen Chiton’s horn glowed, and she applied it to Wing’s. His eyes snapped wide open, and he felt the presence of all the changelings in the room in his mind.
“Thank you, Mother,” Wing said telepathically to Chiton.
“When you return to the hive, you will be reconnected fully.” She then turned to using her voice once more. “Now that you have a connection to the changelings in the room, you should get better.”
“Yeah, only wish I had some royal jelly right now.”
“Speaking of that, Schkitz...” Queen Chiton motioned to one of her personal guards. The guard brought over a jar that contained a jelly like substance.
“Oooh!” Wing grabbed the jar and held it close to him, like it was his precious.
Queen Chiton chuckled at the sight. “Alright, settle down. I know it’s been a while since you’ve had it.”
Wing blushed in embarrassment and set the jar on the table next to his bed.
“What’s royal jelly?” Blueblood asked curiously.
“The best jelly you’ve ever tasted,” Wing replied. “It’s a perfect mix of flavor that goes well with anything. Mother herself makes it, and each ling gets a jar a month.”
“I see. Would it be alright if I had a taste of it?” Blueblood asked.
“There will be a jar made available for you and your aunts,” Queen Chiton replied to the inquiry.
“I eagerly await it,” Celestia stated.
“It makes an extremely delicious cake.” Wing stated.
“It… does?” Princess Celestia asked. Her thoughts drifted to the taste and how good a cake it’d make.
“Schkitz, that’s enough for now,” Queen Chiton commented
“Yes, Mother.”
The doctor had a few words about the jar as he levitated it over to himself. “I’m sorry to intrude but may I take the jar of jelly for study?”
“To check to see if it’s poisoned, I get it, doctor,” Queen Chiton cleared her throat.
“Please understand, Your Majesty, it’s my job to see to my patient’s well-being.”
“I understand. We changelings are immune to most forms of poison. So it’s rather useless in that regard.”
“Except for baked bads apparently,” Wing added.
“Intriguing,” the doctor replied.
“Now then, where we we? Ah, yes,” Wing pondered, moving his piece on the chess board. “Check.”
Blueblood’s mouth gaped open at the move. “How did I not see it coming?”
“You need to think ten moves ahead, my friend.”
“You two kids have fun,” Princess Celestia said as she, Luna, and the others left.
Blueblood suddenly realized something “Wait… Duke Firestorm’s wife has an orange color to her carapace, not the red you do. Why is that?”
“That is a long and complicated matter. She is from the Orange Hive or rather what is left of it, as it was wiped out long ago. The few survivors took refuge with our and the Violet Hive. They don’t have enough to rebuild so they live with us.”
“Oh…” Blueblood lowered his head.
As they left, a nurse entered the Infirmary, drawing Wing’s attention. “Yes, nurse, what is it?”
“Just checking on your IV. Don’t mind me,” the nurse replied as she trotted over.
“How about this,” Blueblood asked, moving out of the check just enough to break it.
Wing took the piece once again, putting Blueblood’s king in check, but also exposing his own.
Blueblood again moved his king out of check. It was better guarded now.
“Impressive,” Wing replied to the move and moved another, still keeping his king exposed.
“Oh yeah? Well, try this!” Blueblood moved his queen forward. “Check.”
Wing looked at the board before exposing a slight smile, moving a rook that took Blueblood’s queen.
“H...how!?” Blueblood exclaimed.
“Like I said, you need to think ten moves ahead.” Wing then boxed in Blueblood’s king. “And I do believe that is checkmate.”
“That was quite a match,” Blueblood shook his head.
“Yeah it was, but you played well.”
“As did you. Best chess match I’ve had in awhile.”
“So about Velvet Tome, what would you say if you saw her again?”
“I’d say that I love her. That she’s the one I want to spend my life with, and that I wish I had expressed my feelings for her.” Blueblood lowered his head. “But I don’t think she’ll get to hear them for a while.”
Wing looked to the nurse with a smile. “I wouldn’t be so sure, Bluey”
“Huh?”
The nurse was consumed by a flash of red magic and there stood before them a beautiful red female changeling. Her red eyes fell on Blueblood with an expression of passion.
“Velvet?” Blueblood asked. “Is it really you? You’re a changeling, too?”
“It’s Kla’rist, if I must be honest. That means cherry in our language. And yes, I am. We’ve both been hiding something from each other, it seems.”
“Kla’rist, it doesn’t matter to me if you are. I meant everything I said. When I look at you I…” Blueblood began, only to have Kla’rist put her hoof over his mouth.
“I know. And I love you too, Blueblood.” She nuzzled him on the side.
Wing smiled as an older brother would. “Now treat her good, Blueblood, or I’ll have you hanging from the ceiling in a cocoon.”
“Schkitz!” Kla’rist exclaimed, playfulling punching wing in the arm.
“Kidding! Kidding!” Wing chuckled.
“I’ll sic Mother on you if you do that.”
“Is Queen Chiton really that scary when she’s angry?” Blueblood asked.
“Yes, but she doesn’t get angry all that often,” replied Kla’rist
“And it’s really noticeable when she does,” Wing looks to Kla’rist. “I think you two will make it work.”
“I hope so. If Duke Firestorm made it work, we can as well.” Kla’rist gripped Blueblood’s hoof.
“Indeed.” Blueblood returned the gesture, nuzzling her right back.
“Now all I need to do is find Schkoltz a mare of his own. I think Schkerzahn and I can get that done once I’m out and fully reconnected,” Wing thought.
“Indeed. I think that Blueblood and I should get to that lunch and let mother know,” said Kla’rist.
“Well, I do hope I get an invitation to the wedding,” Wing teased.
“Schkitz!” Kla’rist shouted, punching Wing a little harder in the arm.
Wing chortled. “Alright, that's the last one.”
“It better be.” Kla’rist narrowed her eyes at the fellow changeling.
“Velvet, I… I have a question,” Blueblood spoke.
“Yes, Blueblood?”
“D...Do you think you could attend lunch with me in your changeling form?”
Kla’rist smiled warmly. “I would like that very much.”
Blueblood returned the smile with a bit of a blush as the two trotted out of the Infirmary.
Wing gave a smile as the two trotted out. He was so proud of his younger brood sister. “I think those two are gonna be just fine. What do you think, doctor?”
“Yeah. I agree. I’ve seen weirder things in the past year alone. They’ll make it work.”
Rainbow groaned, her vision blurred, as she tried to gain a sense of where she was. It seemed to be a cave with a cell. She got up and tried to rush the door, but was yanked back by the chains that held her to the wall.
‘It’s useless, I’ve already tried to escape.”
Dash turned to see a mare in the cell with her, resting in the darkness. “Who are you?” Dash asked incredulously.
“Shimmering Star,” a bat pony mare with a coal grey coat and midnight blue/dark purple mane replied, leaning into the light.
“How long have you been here?”
“Two weeks,” Shimmering replied. She looked tired and dirty.
“Where are we?” Dash searched around with her eyes to get a better sense of their location.
“A changeling prison. We’re the only ones here so far, but there are a lot of cells. I think they plan on capturing more ponies.”
Dash noted a few bruises but no major injuries on the mare. “Did they do that to you?”
“Yes, damn changelings,” the mare scowled. “Bunch of dumb bugs if you ask me.”
“They’re dangerous, but we didn’t know it was Chrysalis before it was too late. Stupid, stupid…”
There was a flash of recognition in Shimmering’s eyes. “You’re Rainbow Dash! How did they capture you?”
“They tranquilized me while I was flying to Canterlot.”
“Why go there?”
“To see my idiot husband. He’s convinced his friend is a good changeling. I believe he called him a Harmonist.”
“Sounds made up,” Shimmering replied quickly. Almost too quickly.
“Yeah, that’s what I was thinking,” Dash replied with a bit of suspicion in her voice.
“Well, it does! It really sounds like something that changelings would say.”
“It does...but it sounds like you heard it before to me.”
“There’s no point in us arguing if I did or not. We’re both prisoners and aren’t going anywhere.”
“You’re...not wrong…”
The sound of hooffalls interrupted Dash’s train of thought. Two tough looking changelings came into view. “There! That mare’s the one,” the first said, pointing to Shimmering Star.
“Leave her alone!” Dash shouted.
“You’ll get your chance soon.” the second replied as he unlocked the door, shouting to get Shimmering in line.
Two more changelings came into view, dragging another very badly beaten changeling. “What should we do with her?”
“Throw her in with the pony. Maybe she will deal with our problems.”
“Yes sir!” The two threw the badly beaten changeling in the cell with Dash. One of the guards dragged Shimmering out of the cell. The door shut behind him, Shimmering still resisting.
“She’s still as feisty as ever,” the guard laughed.
“Yeah, I do love it when ponies think they can fight.” The guards gave a hearty laugh as they dragged Shimmering behind them, the pony still trying to kick away from them before they all vanished from sight.
Dash stood there, watching the unconscious changeling lying on the floor. A surge of emotions racked her mind. Was this changeling different? Was Wing telling the truth? Was Wing even his actual name? She took a breath to regain control of her thought process. As she did the changeling slowly began to regain consciousness.
“My head…” The changeling mumbled. Her voice was soft. Despite the injuries, she kept whatever resolve she had left.
“Well, you’re awake,” Dash said, announcing her presence in the cell.
“Rainbow Dash?” the changeling questioned, looking up.
“So you recognize me too, huh?” Rainbow replied with a bit of venom in her voice. “Are you here to try to gain sympathy from me?”
“What?!” The changeling leapt, or rather, used the door as a prop to get herself off the floor. “Why would I do that?”
“You’re a changeling, why wouldn’t you?”
“You are being so stubborn, you can’t see how those beasts treated me!”
“Doesn’t mean that you’re trustworthy.”
“I am the sister in law to Duke Firestorm. What makes me so untrustworthy?”
Dash stood there for a moment in silence. “You’re lying.”
“What?”
“You can’t be the sister in law to Duke Firestorm. His wife is a batpony.”
“But I am her sister!”
“That is impossible!”
“It’s the truth.”
“If that’s what you want to believe fine.” Dash scoffed.
“My name is Costa, since you were so rude not to ask.”
“You already know my name.” “Yes, Rainbow Dash. Only living pony capable of performing the legendary Sonic Rainboom.”
“Duh I’m the best!”
“Man, Schkitz wasn’t wrong about you. You are a braggart!”
“Schkitz?”
“Oh that’s right, you only knew him as Southern Wing.”
“So you’re with him aren’t you?”
“Yes, I’m from the same hive as he is. Understand that while I have a different colored chitin than his, we’re still from the same hive.”
“Prove it, then.”
“Hmm?”
“You say you’re from the same hive as he is. Prove it.”
“Okay, Dashie Washie.”
Dash gritted her teeth, making angry noises.
“Not to mention your husband, Sev Divine, and him are bond brothers.”
Dash’s face started to glow with anger.
“Are you mad, or am I misinterpreting your emotions?”
“No, I’m only…” Dash tried to ignore her anger, but found that she couldn’t. “Okay! Yes! I’m angry! Are you happy?!” Dash shouted.
“No… but at least you’re coming around.”
“To what?!”
“Why, to admit to yourself that not all changelings are bad.”
“Argh! I’m not talking to you anymore!” Dash crossed her hooves and sat down, facing away from Costa.
“Alright then.” Costa changed her position so she was against the wall. She thought about the changelings she was closest to. Her mind then turned to the taste of royal jelly. A small smile came across her face at the memory, a comfort when she needed it the most. She gave a sigh as she began to meditate.
-----------------------------------------
As Costa and Dash sat in their cell, Celestia, Luna and Chiton were sitting at a table, having lunch of pasta. The deafening silence carried around the room as the three ate. “So… Wing was telling us about royal jelly?”
“Oh! Yes it’s a delicacy I make it myself. What did you want to know?” Chiton asked.
“How is it made?” Celestia asked.
“Does it have any other uses? I would very much like to know,” Luna added.
“To answer how it’s made, it’s purely natural,” Chiton replied. “As for other uses, it can be taken orally to heal minor injuries. More serious injuries require full submersion in a cocoon with it. It’s also used for cooking and baking, as Schkitz stated.”
“What’s with the different names?” Luna asked.
“Oh well, changelings that live outside the hive, as you’ve figured out, have two identies. One is the changeling, the other is the pony,” Chiton replied as she ate some more of the pasta. “But the majority that live inside the hive have one name, but they do have a pony identity ready if they have to leave the hive.”
“I imagine it can be hard to juggle between the two,” Luna thought.
“Not at all, Princess Luna, at least for adult changelings. Changeling nymphs have it harder since they need the disguise spell cast on them.”
“Because they can’t control it otherwise?” Celestia inquired.
“Exactly,“ Chiton noted. “When a changeling reaches about school age, they are able to control it more. For those who live outside the hive, the spell remains til they return home.”
“By the way, how are you finding your meal?” Celestia asked.
“Oh it’s quite delicious. Almost as good as what we have back at the hive.”
“You got any recipes to give our chefs for your next visit?” Celestia followed up.
“We could find some. I daresay your mother and grandmother would be happy. We are talking.”
“You knew them?” Luna almost spat her wine out from shock.
“Yes, we not only did we know them, but until the changeling civil war started, we had occasional lunches with them.”
“Why did that stop? because of the civil war?” puzzled Celestia.
“It was an internal matter of ours and we treated it as such. To be frank, it was none of your business. Also, we asked your mother to stay out of it, because we didn’t want to drag you into our affairs.”
“Understandable,” Celestia nodded her head. “Equestria had just formed and as such was vulnerable.”
“Precisely. You could scarcely afford to help.”
“But I assume some did help?” Luna butted in.
“Yes, there were ponies that served, but on their own accord.”
“This will make Mother and Grandmother’s next visit interesting,” Luna mumbled quietly to Celestia.
“Indeed, sister.” Celestia replied. “Speaking of the changeling civil war, how did you treat prisoners of war during that time?”
“First off, understand first we have different morals than you, although, we treated them fairly well by your standards.”
“Speaking of prisoners, I have finished the testing on the royal jelly,” the Doctor stated, trotting in. “It’s poison free and…”
“You can stop there, Doctor. Queen Chiton is informing us as we speak,” Luna interrupted.
“Oh…” the doctor looked like he had just had his ego deflated.
“Don’t worry, Doctor. You have a chance to study its effects and the healing abilities on ponies for it,” Chiton replied.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” the Doctor bowed.
“You are welcome,” Chiton replied. The Doctor trotted off, a bit more hopeful.
“Speaking of prisoners, we should really free Duke Firestorm and his wife.”
“Indeed, Princess Celestia. His mother will be quite angry otherwise.”
“Yes, and an angry dragon mother is the last thing we need.” Celestia signaled a pair of guards, and they trotted over to see her. “Send word to the dungeons to free Duke Firestorm and his wife.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” The pair bowed and rushed off.
“So what is your court system like for non POWs?” Luna asked.
While Chiton started her explanation, Duke Firestorm and Nightling sat in their cell. They were having a lovely meal which consisted of sandwiches and chips. “Kind of an unfulfilling meal isn’t it dear?” Nightling asked
“It’s not bad, though I wish it had some ruby dust on it,” Firestorm replied.
“We can get some of that when we get home, which should be soon,” replied Nightling
“Yes, it would be quite wise. Mother would probably fly down herself to express her displeasure.”
“The last thing anyone wants is an angry dragon,” Nightling agreed. Nightling remained silent for a few moments. The sound of rapid hoof steps interrupted the silence. A forest green earth pony in royal guard armor rushed into view.
“I apologize this took so long, Duke Firestorm,” the guard stated, unlocking the door.
“It is quite alright,” Firestorm replied. “I understand you had to be thorough.”
Nightling and Firestorm walked side by side to the door, exiting the cell. Sev, Fluttershy, Rain and Winter were exiting their cell around the same time. “Ah I see they’re releasing you.” Sev commented
“Going to see Wing, I see?” Firestorm asked.
“Yes, and I shouldn’t wait any longer,” Fluttershy replied.
“Mind if we go with you?” Nightling asked.
“No, we don’t mind at all,” Sev replied.
“The guards should leave you alone if you walk with us,” added Nightling.
“That’s true. Plus, I’m sure Wing would like to see that you’ve been freed.” The group walked to the medical wing, chatting about various recent events. Right before they got there, Firestorm got a thoughtful expression on his face.
“It’s weird we haven’t heard from Costa in a while.”
“She does travel a lot for her work,” Fluttershy noted.
“Yes, but she’d have checked in with me. It’s like her communications are being blocked.” Nightling noted.
“Could be you’d know if she’d been disconnected.”
“And I haven’t felt that. That is extremely odd.”
“Perhaps we should inform Queen Chiton?” Fluttershy asked.
“Most definitely. If she’s in trouble, we should find her as quickly as possible,” Sev agreed.
“If somepony or someling took her, may Faust have mercy on them, because I’m not giving it to them,” Firestorm declared.
“They will meet their end… painfully,” Nightling said, closing her eyes. “But this isn’t something we should discuss in front of young ears.” Nightling motioned to Winter and Rain.
“Huh?” Winter and Rain wondered.
“Nothing you two need to worry about. We’re taking care of it,” Fluttershy remarked.
“Okay then,” Rain replied, shrugging.
“Whatever,” Winter thought. The two fillies simply went back to their conversation.
Wing was laying on the hospital bed, reading when he noticed the doctor trot in, looking disappointed. “What’s up doc?”
“Your Queen reminds me of Princess Celestia in many ways.”
“Yes, Mother can beat you to the punch when she wants to. So were all those tests for nothing?”
“Not at all, You did the paperwork and got all the information down. That is still important,” the doctor replied. He brought the jar of jelly over and set it on the table next to Wing. “So are you the only changeling of your… uh, what’s the term?”
“Brood? No, I’m not the only one. In fact, most of my brood is in the hives’ military. But I’m mainly a reservist, not full time.” Wing opened the jar and ate a spoonful of jelly.
“Fascinating. Do you have any pictures of your brood together?”
“There is one in my wallet. I could get it for you if you want to share. You want to learn more, which I’m happy about.”
“I'll be back in a moment.” The doctor left to go get the wallet while Wing continued eating the royal jelly. After a few minutes he returned and levitated the wallet over to Wing.
“Ah, thank you, doctor.” Wing opened the wallet, retrieving a photo of about a hundred changelings. They all sported military uniforms, and they were posed in front of a large ship. The design had two massive guns on the bow, one on the stern with smaller guns on both ends. The smaller gun in the bow was above the second main turret, and the stern one was above the stern turret. In the center was an array of close weapons systems and missiles. The overall design was similar to the design of a ship from Japoneighse history.
“I...is this…” the doctor asked, his eyes widening.
“Yes it is,” Wing spoke softly. “Though we call it the Dra'kak class, after the ancestral homeland of all changelings.”
“My grandfather told me stories about seeing it during the Second Equine War...but to actually see this...”
“Pilot or sailor?” Wing inquired.
“He was a pilot,” the doctor replied. “He still can remember that day vividly.”
“Well, won’t he be surprised when he finds out there are five ships that are basically clones of her sailing around.”
“Indeed, he will be very surprised. I’m surprised, for that matter.”
“Hopefully, it’s not too much of a shock.” Wing took another bite of jelly. “With this jelly and bedrest I should be up and about soon.”
“Don’t rush yourself. I don’t want you to end up back here anytime soon.”
“Yes, yes, get my rest and eat well,” Wing replied, continuing to eat his jelly.
“Don’t eat that too quickly, you’ll get a stomach ache,” Fluttershy said out of motherly concern, trotting into the room with Storm, Nightling, Winter, Rain and Sev.
“Yes, dear,” Wing replied, taking one last bite before putting the lid back on the jar with a smile. “Of course you’d give me tips about my diet when you see him.”
“That’s Fluttershy for you,” Sev chuckled. “How are you feeling, buddy?”
“Better, just need to let the jelly work its magic and I'll be up and about in no time.”
“Indeed, but we do have a question for you, Schkitz,” Nightline brought up.
“Go ahead. I’ll be here all day.”
“Have you heard from Costa? Before the wedding, that is.”
“No, not really. Something wrong?”
“We haven’t heard from her, either. She’s been missing for some time,” Storm informed him.
“That’s not a good sign.” Sev brushed his hoof through his mane.
“Indeed. Have you told Mother?” asked Wing.
“No, we figured that Costa was unusually busy at first,” Nightline replied.
“But now, you think she might have been captured by Chrysalis’s changelings? Certainly possible,” Wing thought.
“Whoever took her will pay dearly.” Storm stated, reverting to his more draconic two legged form, clenching his claws into a fist. The hospital staff, naturally, were a bit freaked out by the ordeal, but Nightling approached them.
“Dragonponies are capable of this form, so it’s nothing to be freaked out over. It’s a bit like our transformation magic in a way. He won’t attack you.”
“Still doesn’t make it any less unsettling.” the doctor replied.
“I’ll fight by your side when we track her down,” Wing replied
“I’ll be right beside you, buddy,” Sev countered.
“I know you two can fight, and I’ll take all the help I can get,” said Firestorm.
“Do be careful, please.” Fluttershy trotted up to Wing besides his bed “I almost lost you once. I don’t want to even think about losing you for good.”
“Don’t worry dear, I will be careful,” Wing comforted her.
“I didn’t realize it worked that fast,” the doctor noted, checking up on Wing’s state. “Everything seems to be fine. Although, we do need to run more tests, so if we can do that now, we should begin right away.”
“I hear you, Doctor,” Wing agreed. “Let's get these tests done. A few hours of all this, and I’ll be fit for combat. Although, it mainly works fast on changelings and halflings. It’s slower for ponies.”
“I see.” The doctor took down several notes. “This’ll make for quite the research paper.”
“We have a rescue operation to plan, too.” Wing followed the doctor along the way to the testing area.
Dash and Costa had spent a few hours in silence, Costa was meditating, while Dash grew more irritated by the second. “Fine! You wanna talk, let’s talk!”
“Oh, I wondered when you’d wanna talk without getting into a shouting match,” Costa quipped. She opened her eyes as her concentration broke.
Dash shot an angry glare at Costa. “Let’s say I believe you for one second about being good. How would we escape?” Her tone still had an air of suspicion, but less intense as earlier.
“Escape? Us? I’m in no condition to escape at the moment. Not to mention, attempting escape from most changeling prisons gets you beaten, not like your pleasant pony prisons.”
“But would it be possible?”
“Yes, but if we got caught, we’re likely to get transferred to the main hive. That would make any escape impossible.”
“How so?”
“For one, the security there is more advanced, and there is more of it.”
“Any idea how many are there?”
“One or two friendly changelings, both of those who have turned their back on Chrysalis. Dunno if there are anymore.”
“Where are they?”
“One of the higher security levels. They look worse than I do from what I’ve seen.”
“So how do we escape?”
“It won’t be easy, we’d need outside help. Not only that, but all non loveist signals are being blocked, so I can’t contact anyone on the outside.”
“Damn, so nopon… I mean changeling is in any condition to escape.”
“Pretty much. But if I know my brother in law, he’s already searching for us as we speak.”
“So you say...I still think you’re full of horse apples, but maybe you’re telling the truth. You might be lying to my face. We’re about to find out.”
“I understand. That is your decision to believe me or not, after all.”
