> Silver Shield
>  by David Silver
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> 1 - Reporting for Duty
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A soft rapping on the door made Silver look up. His magic felt past the door, unseen by most in its silvery haze as he felt who was waiting for him. A pegasus, male, quite large... He knew that shape. Not with intimate familarity, but they'd met a few times. "Gaia?"

"Gaea, but you can just call me Shield," corrected the pegasus as he entered. "Sir. Prince Silver Watch, I'm here as requested."

Silver hopped down from his chair to his hooves smoothly, his wings ruffling on his back. "A pleasure, sorry about the name. No offense intended."

Shield respected Silver, as he did most of royalty. It was hard not to. You didn't become royalty without earning it, unlike the nobles... "I've been briefed."

Silver flushed at that. His weakness with names was famous enough to warrant briefing? He shook off the awkwardness. "Yes, well, you're aware of the changeling situation?"

Shield nodded quickly. "Public opinion is divided and running hot."

Silver let out a little sigh. "They're just ponies."

Shield raised a brow. "Not exactly 'just' ponies."

Silver pointed at Shield. "You're not 'just' a pegasus, but you are a pony, and deserve to be treated fairly. All thinking and reasoning beings do."

Shield wondered a moment, then dared to speak it out loud. Silver was known for being slow to anger. One could even say lenient, but he didn't have to serve under the soft-hearted diplomat. He was a proud servant of Luna. "Is this because of your aborted plans to wed the changeling princess?"

Silver darkened all over again. "It's... I was married to her before she became that. I miss her, she misses me." He turned to the window. "But no, it's not just that. That wouldn't be enough reason to upset things... We're both royalty. The country... has to come first."

Shield smiled internally. It was good to hear royalty acting like proper royalty. "What do you need done, sir?"

Silver turned back to him. "I need someone on the ground, ferreting out the sources of the worst rumors. I don't want anypony jailed or harassed, but gently?" He flashed a sudden smile. "I know the lunar guard isn't specialized in gentle changes."

It was Shield's turn to darken. "I can handle it, sir!" It didn't help that it was accurate. Lunar soldiers are trained how to act decisively first. "If you believe that, sir, why did you call for me?"

Silver pointed a hoof at Shield's flank, where changeling wings were spread behind a shield. "I trust you to handle this with proper respect for the changelings. They are trying to be good citizens, to be good ponies."

Shield glanced back at the mark and then at Silver. "I'll do my best, sir. Do you have any information?"

Silver's magic grabbed a folder and slapped it down on the desk. "Here, take it. The original source is... gone, but where the fire is gone, it all still smoulders, waiting to erupt in a fresh wave of resentment. They deserve better than that."

Shield nodded firmly. "They do, sir." He stepped up and snatched the folder with a dexterous wing. "I'll get on this right away."

Silver gave a gentle smile. "Thank you. If you hit any trouble... don't feel bad telling me."

Soft hearted. Shield nodded at the gentle royal and moved to depart, knowing he wouldn't be censured for doing so without being formally dismissed.

"Good luck," came Silver's voice before the door closed softly.





Night Watch, the lunar pegasus wife of Silver Watch, crept up on the door not far away from where she lived. She eyed that door as if expecting it to explode at any minute. Her body softly pulsed with quickened spiritual energy. Her grandfather was with her, in her in fact. She was ready for a fight.

There were... proprieties to observe. She let out a slow breath as she straightened herself. She couldn't just creep up on a foreign ambassador's room. She strode instead and rapped twice on the door with a clop of her hoof.

The door cracked open, revealing a figure that many might struggle to see, but was quite clear to her eyes. Night rolled her eyes. "Get Nefertari."

The jackal snarled at Night. "Don't think you can order me around!"

Night waved away the spirit's irritation. "We've already tested our mettle. Get her."

The spirit gave a loud grunt, clearly displeased with its status compared to Night. The door closed with a thump.

It was scarcely a moment before Night felt a hand settle on her withers and Nefertari's voice speak. "To what do I owe this pleasure, former student?"

Night backed away from the hand. "I have reason to believe you are in possession of something that belongs in Equestrian hooves. I'm hoping you will surrender it without trouble." The energy within her flared, ready for battle. "Let's remain civil."

Nefertari raised a brow. "My time has not been spent idle, concubine."

Night darkened with fury. "That is not my title!"

Nefertari rolled a hand slowly. "As far as royalty, that's as close as you come. Prince to the left, princesses to the right, and here you are... The question remains."

Night thrust a hoof towards Nefer's closed door. "Yes, will you give it up?"

"And if I do not?" Nefer raised her shoulders. "Will you send me home and threaten that stability over such a little thing, not to say that I do have whatever you are alleging."

Night grunted softly. "Let's not trade insults and threats--"

"That is half the requirement of my task." Nefertari's fingers crooked to display their sharp claws. "Speak what you want clearly."

A spectral figure appears, with fluffy hair and a green tone. "Give back my Charlie!"

Nefertari crooked a wicked smile. "Now it becomes clear. Hmm, he has spoken that name among so much rambling. Why would you want such a thoroughly damaged soul? He's a danger to everyone if he's set free."

Night fought her first impulses. She tried to take a different tack. "That will be our problem. He deserves at least a chance."

Nefer's expression turned to amusement. "Oh?" The jackal licked across her lips as her arms crossed under her human-like breasts. "You're ready to accept that responsibility, should it go into a wild frenzy? It may hurt many, kill some... Are you prepared to handle that?"

The green spirit scowled. "My Charlie wouldn't ever do that! Once you stop holding him, he'll calm  down."

Night glanced between them. Trusting the word of a spirit of another spirit that knew each other in life? Chance... "We'll take that risk. Release him to me, and I will accept all responsibility."

"On your head be it." Nefertari clucked her tongue. "I've examined it as far as I will. He's too shattered and broken for much more." She leaned forward. "But first, a proposal."





Shield walked along with that folder. He pulled it open and began to skim it as he went along. There were mentions of some 'nopony', but it was also thoroughly noted that that pony was deceased. The initial cause of the trouble, it seemed. He had his work ahead of him.

"Gaea Shield," came a stern voice.

Shield snapped the folder shut and tucked it under a wing to see a lunar pony in proper lunar guard attire looking at him. "The Princess requests your presence." Among Lunar guards 'the' princess was always Luna.

He nodded at the fellow guard. "I'm on my way." He always got mildly touchy looks from true lunar ponies. They think they're closest to Luna. Shield rolled his eyes as he went, a wing adjusting his glasses. He was completely loyal, and competent enough to earn some rank. Luna saw his potential, even if the lunars were too busy playing racial purity cards instead of serving the country, and Luna.

Shield strode into the subtly darker corner of the castle that heralded the hallways that belonged to the Princess of the Night. He nodded towards each lunar guard he passed. He knew most of them by sight, even with that armor that made them all seem so similar.

One extended a hoof, barring his way. He knew that one. He smiled at Shield. "Did you really get called to Prince Silver Watch's room?"

Shield nodded. "I'm being sent out."

The guard shook his head. "He can give orders to lunar guards?"

Shield shrugged a bit at that. "He is Luna's husband, and they've yet to argue about it. By all accounts, he does want to make things better."

The guard shrugged. "So long as he remembers Luna is your mistress, not him." He darkened faintly as he realized how what he said could be taken. "Not that he can be, a, uh, mistress, being a... stallion and all."

The guard beside the first burst into laughter at the awkward words and slapped his partner with a hoof. "I wouldn't stress about him very much."

Shield had to nod at that. He doubted he'd get much static from Silver from what he'd seen. "Be that as it may, I plan to do it right. I have to go, Luna's waiting for me."

Both guard snapped to attention and didn't stop him from proceeding. Luna's desires were a high priority.

When he reached her personal room, the guards nodded to him as one turned and tapped gently. "Princess Luna, Gaea Shield has arrived."

The door opened moments later, and he was waved inside. He trotted past the guards into the room gently bathed with silvery light. There was Luna, radiant as always on a cushion, papers spread out about her. Luna nodded to Shield. "I trust my husband hasn't bothered you too greatly."

Shield quickly shook his head. "He gave me an assignment, Your Highness. I assume I should give it my full attention?"

Luna pointed to the folder tucked under Shield's wing. "What is that?"

"Intelligence, Your Highness, concerning the recent changeling activity and public backlash."

She frowned faintly. "Yes, do continue, but keep me appraised. I want to hear all that you hear." Her magic wrapped around the folder. He wasn't trained to see magic, so it was invisible to him, save for the effect of the folder lifting up and moving to her to browse. "I will read this first. Come back in an hour and it will be returned. Thank you, dismissed."

Shield gave a sharp salute at his mistress. "As you command, Princess."

Luna smiled gently. "You will be my eyes and ears in this. Don't let me down." She waved for him to depart, and the meeting was over.

Shield stepped out, minus one folder. He'd have to wait for its return if he wanted a full briefing, but he wasn't sure if he planned to do that. Time was an asset he didn't have infinite supply of, and he intended to do well by Luna and Silver.
> 2 - Around Town
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shield strode through the streets of Canterlot. Unlike most guards, he had no armor shielding him from view. That was not a mistake. He was often called on for non-combative purposes. Perhaps it was partially because he was a solar pegasus instead of a lunar one, but he could approach the citizens more easily, and they took advantage of it.

He went down to the poorer side of town. He wanted honest opinions, and he knew a place to start.

The Belfry. It drew lunar pegasi and those who enjoyed rubbing hooves with them, to say nothing of those that saught out the somewhat infamous fortune teller that lived within. He entered and was greeted with warm smiles from the staff. They knew him. He was, after all, part of the lunar guard, even if he wasn't lunar.

His eyes swept over the dim tavern before settling on his target, an earth pony with tufted ears. Ponies did that at times to fit in better with the lunars. Shield approached and reached with a wing, pulling out a chair. "Mind if I join you?"

"Huh? No..." He was peering at Shield with curiosity and a bit of concern. "Nice dye job."

That wasn't the first time Shield had been asked that. His dark fur was, especially in places like that, taken as a sign that he was one of the lunar imitators. He went with it that time. "Thanks. Nice tufts." He gestured with a hoof at them. "Take long?"

The pony's eyes wandered up towards one of them as it began to twitch. "About an hour each if I want it just right. So, what's up?"

Shield tapped the table. "I was actually curious about an even more reclusive species than the lunars."

The pony blinked softly. "More reclusive? What could even compete?"

"Changelings."

The pony shivered softly. "Oh, uh... What about them?"

He looked clearly nervous. Shield decided to pry a little. "Why so scared? Aren't the ones in the city our friends?"

The pony glanced away and back at Shield. "They say that... but they're designed to lie.  I mean, no offense, really... It really is their nature. They appear as what they aren't, trick people..."

Shield pointed up at the pony's tufted ears. "I know at least one other pony that pretends to be what they aren't."

The earth pony turned a deep red. "It's... different." He shrunk a little.

Shield pressed a little. "And if a lunar was fooled, you wouldn't enjoy savoring their love?"

The blush spread down the poor stallion's neck. "I-I wish..." He seemed to realize what he had said. "Oh..." He sat up suddenly, looking less lost. "Is it really just like that?"

Shield smiled. "They just want to be liked. Who doesn't? Do you know much about them?"

He shrugged a little. "They have a hive not that far from here. Some... of my friends go there." He glanced away. "They say they'll do a great lunar impression, for some bits." He swallowed thickly. "But then there was... the trouble."

"Trouble?"

He nodded quickly. "You haven't heard?"

Shield rolled a hoof. "No, what's going on?"

"Everyone's talking about it... Changelings just bursting into ponies' houses, taking stuff, and just leaving."

Shield frowned a little. That didn't sound right, especially for changelings. Why would they stoop to such obvious burglary even if they did want to steal things? "Did they steal your things?"

"What? No! Thank Luna..." He let out a little breath. "I'm guessing you're fine. Still, we let them in the city, just for them to snatch our stuff. That isn't right..."

Shield rolled a hoof. "Let's not be too hasty. If some pony, not a changeling, broke into your house and stole stuff, would you be angry at all ponies everywhere?"

He tilted his head to the side a little. "I guess not... Still... Look..." He squirmed in place. "Let's let that go. I'm here to chat it up with some lunars." His eyes darted and he broke into a smile. "There's one there." He pointed to an incoming lunar pegasus mare. "She's a smoking hot ember in the night." His tail had started wagging. "I wouldn't mind letting her drink my blood."

Drink blood? "You do know lunars don't do that, right?"

He shook his head. "Not most of them, but a few... I was fed from once." He shivered from bottom to top. "I'd do it again, if they let me. Look, it was nice meeting you, but I'm gonna go say hi." He rose to his hooves and strode off towards the mare, hoping to get lucky in ways most ponies would not consider to be very lucky.

Shield shook his head in kind and rose from his seat. He had gotten something to go off of. Perhaps he should check in with the source of the changelings...





Silver nuzzled into the large form beside him. "Celestia, you were... energetic today."

"Was I?" Celestia rolled to better face him and leaned in, rubbing snouts gently. "It has been some time since I was with a pony attentive enough to notice. Did it bother you?"

Silver shook his head. "Of course not." A sudden smirk spread. "You dance with the sun, you'll be seeing spots."

Celestia rolled her eyes at the humor. "I have decided."

Silver blinked. "Decided what?" He leaned forward a little. "Something good?"

She lifted her shoulders faintly. "It can be taken either way. I do not think I want a foal at this time. I know you would gladly supply one for me, but something... It doesn't feel right."

Silver's mind slid along the hints provided. "Is something coming?"

Celestia kissed him on the cheek. "Sharp stallion. I think so... But don't worry. I feel it is simply the dark before a new dawn. That's not it, I don't think." She tapped him, pressing a hoof to his nose. "When that dark comes, however, let it carry you. If you struggle, I feel... I don't want you hurt."

Silver frowned at that. He was no timid pony! He could fight! But then it hit him. He was royalty. His part was not... that. He would ruin the stories of Equestria if he started bucking its fate and destiny at every turn. "I'll try to be calm."

"Thank you." Her horn glowed, grabbing her tiara from across the room. "I'll retire to my room."

Silver put a leg over her and drew her close. "Just because we finished the first act doesn't mean you have to run away."

Celestia gave a gentle smile. "A stallion that enjoys snuggles?"

Silver pressed against her. "Only a fool wouldn't enjoy snuggling with you, Celestia."

"Be that as it may." She kissed him between the eyes. "You have other wives to tend to, and I, a nation to oversee." She paused suddenly. "Do not take that as an insult. Your work is quite invaluable." She pulled away and rose to her hooves. "We are both devoted to our people. It makes me proud to serve them at your side."

She strode away and Silver shook himself out before hopping up to his own hooves. He had his own affairs to see to.





Night settled down in the dimly-lit room. She was trying to take every precaution. She had spent hours preparing sigils to protect the space even as the green form of the spectre of the mare she had spurned so viciously in life hovered about.

"Surprise?"

"Hmm?" The green ghost leaned in, nose twitching. "Are ya ready?"

Night nodded. "I think we are." She pointed to the jar that rested in the center of it all, shaking once in a while under its own power. "Nefertari wasn't lying. I've never seen a spirit quite this... angry before."

Surprise moved for the jar and ran a hoof over it gently. "It'll be okay... We need to let him out first. Being bottled up is making him all kinds of angry."

Night took a slow breath before she sat down just outside the inner circle of the bottle. "He will still be bottled, but we'll get him in a larger one to start. He'll be able to see us, and talk with us, if he wants to. Do you think you can calm him down?"

Surprise bobbed her head, her floofy mane bouncing wildly. "I'm absolutely positively sure." She made the sacred sign of the Pinkie Promise. "Just give us a chance."

With reservation, Night reached for the bottle with both wings. "Angered spirit, you are not alone. Come." She popped the seal.

The room flooded in red light as the spirit surged outwards, filling the inner circle with a potent fury. "I will tear off your goddamn head!"

Surprise held out a hoof. "We're not the ones that put you in there, promise. We--"

"Diane?" The spirit's energy swirled a confusing mix. "Wait... no." He drove a fist against the side of the magic circle with a bone crunching noise. "What are you?!"

Surprise blinked gently. "I... I'm another flavor of her." She smiled a bit more timidly. "We're here to rescue you."

"Another flavor?!"

"Excuse me." Night tried to get in edgewise between the two spirits. "You are Charlie, right?"

The human spirit wheeled on Night, his spectral hair flowing wildly. "Who the hell are you? Where's that dog bitch lady? I owe her the ass kicking of a lifetime!"

Surprise approached the circle. "Forget about her. We got you away from her. You're safe now."

"There is no such thing!" He slammed the ground with the fist that somehow bled despite being a ghost. "Let me out of this thing right now or you're up first on the pain train."

Night spread her wings. "Spirit, contain yourself. We are not your enemies."

"Oh yeah? Then why are you holdin' me?" He pressed up against the side, staring at Night with an unnerving energy. "Why are you in my way?"

Adjusting her glasses, Night nodded a little. "You've been hurt and are... understandably angry. We--"

"Let me out."

"Only once I am sure that won't end in someone being attacked."

Surprise threw her hooves wide. "Come on, Charlie."

"You don't get to call me that!" The spirit threw himself against the barrier, making it ripple from the impact. "Where's my Diane?"

Night knew little about how the various probabilities came together, but it seemed safe to start, "She isn't here. We are. Can you deal with us?"

Night looked ready for things to get worse. Surprise was smiling, an expression of hope. Charlie brimmed with that furious energy.
> 3 - Things Are Abuzz
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shield approached the hive. He'd been there before a number of other times. Among most other guards, he was rated fairly highly in his tolerance and acceptance of their new neighbors. It was a large part of why he was picked for the mission in the first place.

One of the two guards nodded at him. "Good to see you, Gaea, but the hive's closed right now."

Closed? "I didn't know that was even an option."

The other guard nodded. "Fast's orders. It's nothing against you."

Shield frowned faintly, but forced the expression away. "Can I talk to her directly? Prince Silver Watch sent me."

The two glanced at each other. "He sent you?" asked the first.

"You swear?" asked the second.

Shield nodded firmly. "I'm on his assignment, to investigate your recent troubles and see to its resolution. I'm on your side."

The second turned. "Follow me. We have to screen you first."

Screen? Shield trotted behind the guard evenly. The hive had a nervous air about it. Something was clearly wrong. "Are ponies being that bad?"

"They're... I shouldn't say. This way." He gestured into a small room. "This will take only a moment."

Shield stepped into the room and turned to face the guard that hadn't followed him. "What do you need?"

The guard reached out and pressed in a button that was mostly hidden. A door snapped shut with a little window between them. "Just relax. If you aren't a changeling, nothing should happen. If you are, now is the last time to admit it."

Shield blinked softly. "I was born a pegasus and plan to die one. Why--" His words were cut off as he heard a loud hissing. Were they pumping in a gas?! Panic rose. Sure, they said it wouldn't hurt a non-changeling, but what was it? He didn't smell anything. It could be anything at all! "Let me out of here!" He smacked the window with a hoof, frantic energy building. "I'm not a changeling!"

"If you aren't, you just have to relax." The guard glanced away a moment. "I'm sorry..."

Shield didn't like the sad note of those words. What was he being poisoned with?! He flipped around and lashed out with his hooves in a jarring buck that sent tingles down his legs. That door was strong! Even if it hurt, he kicked again and again, trying desperately to win his freedom.

With a sudden new hiss, and the sound of a party favor, confetti rained down on him.

Shield could but just blink in confusion as a few streamers landed on his head. "What?"

The guard outside pressed the button and the door slid open. "You passed."

Shield staggered out into the hallway. His legs stung a little, but he was otherwise alright, well, besides being rattled. "What was that?"

"Air." The guard turned away. "I really am--"

Shield slapped the guard up against the nearby wall. "I'm not your enemy. You have enough of those, don't go gathering new ones."

The guard squinted a little. "Easy to say... Princess Fast Change will explain it better, this way."

Together they marched deeper into the hive.





Night sat on her haunches. "As Silver would say, we can only move forward. Kai, are you willing to do that?"

"There ain't no any kinda forward to go." The spirit crossed his arms. "I'm dead."

Surprise pointed at herself with a spectral hoof. "So am I, but there is a forward. I saw it. It's not bad. I... came back to finish things." She directed the hoof at Charlie. "I'll take you there, if you're ready."

"Like they'd want me in whatever pony heaven there is?"

She shrugged. "Didn't seem to be pony only. Come on! It's really kind of fun. We both had a good run, but..."

"No!" Energy washed off of him, rippling the barrier. "I have some faces that need some rearranging first. I ain't going quiet..."

Night glanced between the hopeful green spirit and the raging red one. "You could be a force for goodness."

"Bullshit."

Surprise tilted her head. "What do bulls have to do with it?"

Night held up a wing towards Surprise for silence. "I will craft a talisman and put a little shard of you in there. When you are most needed, when we need someone to ride that pain train of yours, we'll call you with it, and you'll visit a terrible wrath on those that would hurt good people."

Surprise slid between them. "Woah woah woah! Hold yer horses! You aren't taking Charlie and making him do bad things." She glared at Night with her own fury. "You get--"

"Wait." Charlie stood straight for a change. "Go on."

"But..."

Night nodded at him. "We'll only call if the need is dire. Until then, go with Surprise."

"Who?"

Surprise pointed at herself, moping.

"Go with her. She cares about you and she'll make sure you get to a nice place. When things get dire, we'll give a call, and you'll get your chance to return a portion of the pain you've suffered. Until then, accept peace."





Luna was bound thick and tight. She tired of such things. Certainly, her sister had warned her such may be coming. It did not make it better. She was no meek sheep. She would rather destroy the invaders and unleash the full fury of the moon on them.

Instead, there she sat. She could do nothing. She was in a small cell with not another pony in sight. She could dimly hear the noises of changelings in the distance, cackling and giggling with glee.

Vermin...

Were these Fast's? Luna perked her ears at the thought, but they settled quickly. If it had been Fast, she would have visited. There was no way Fast would have Luna captive and not take advantage of it. Even should Fast turn against Equestria entirely, her libido was something that was quite reliable. No, this wasn't Fast's doing.

She felt a tugging. A pony was suffering a nightmare severe enough to call upon her and she perked anew. A chance! She could get a message free.

Luna hurled herself into the dream world, struggling against the bonds that held her, both physically and magically. It was a pony she had met before, just a few nights prior. She shouted that the changelings had come even as the binds pulled and tugged mercilessly. She could barely get out that warning before she was sent hurtling through the dreamspace, sent to land in her own body with a jarring thud.

Luna winced from the psychic pain of the rough rebound. At least the message had been sent. She perked an ear. She should have mentioned Fast's changelings were innocent, but she had forgotten in the rush of the moment. "I will have to have faith." Celestia could believe in destiny itself to put all to right. Luna would have to share that.





Silver hissed in pain as a changeling bit roughly into his shoulder. "Is this revenge?"

The changeling giggled softly. "Of course it is. Stupid pony, you tried to wreck our hive."

One beside it nodded before becoming Fast Change in her unicorn form. "You went with the false queen, stealing our friends. You deserve a lot worse."

Another held up a hoof. "Enough. Chrysalis wants him alive."

"Alive doesn't mean whole." One of the other changelings moved for Silver's ear but he wrenched away at the last moment.

"Enough. Your Queen will be very upset if she doesn't get a chance to punish me herself."

The logic seemed to bring some hesitation through the attackers. They grunted and grumbled, then scattered.

Silver settled with a sigh of relief before he looked up at his horn. He couldn't see the ring on it, but he could feel it. Of course, he knew more magic than unicorn magic. But he had been told to let it flow and not get in the way. He glanced around the sparse room. Was this an episode? At least it'd be a cool episode, seeing all the royals all captured.

He rolled his eyes. Who was he kidding? Even if it was an episode, there was no way they'd show them being physically attacked. The worst that'd get was some unkind words, and being shackled in the first place.

He felt a soft ping against his senses just behind his left ear.

A faint voice whispered, "Silver, hi!" It was Samantha. "Don't worry, I'm monitoring the situation. As soon as I calculate the ideal and optimized path, I'll be coming to rescue you and restore order."

On one hoof, yay for Samantha being free, on the other, she could get herself hurt... "No, don't. Look for others that are not replaced. Get friends before you rush."

"Shut up!" screamed a changeling, leaning in the door before he slammed it shut.

The voice whispered softly, "Roger and received, Father. Don't worry, I'll do just as you asked."





About a week earlier, Rough Draft worked on his latest book with scrawls of a quill held in his snout, pressed over a paper as he sighed out. He set the quill down and looked out the window out to his small town. He missed Trixie. Why wouldn't he? What husband wouldn't miss their wife when they were out and about, and Trixie enjoyed traveling far too much.

"One day I'll tame you, my Great and Powerful mate."

A sudden cry caught his attention and he went scampering to the nursery to tend to their foal. He had taken over most foal-watching duties. Not that he didn't love the foal to pieces, but he did wish Trixie would stay home more often, and be a part of the family they had created together.

"I shouldn't complain," he admonished himself as he changed the foal's diaper. "Some stallions never get a wife, or a child." Once the source of the stink was dealt with, he kissed his beloved fuzzball. "We'll just wait for Trixie to get back. I hope she's enjoying her Great and Powerful tour."
> 4 - Lay With Me
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fast looked up as Shield came in. She was wearing her 'default' changeling form, with only one hole present, the one she earned defending the city from Chrysalis. Fatigue pulled at her features, but she forced a little smile. "Gaea Shield. I trust you've been vetted?" The guard beside him nodded. "Good. Leave us."

The guard saluted and trotted back whence he came.

Shield glanced back there before approaching the princess.  "You have the entire hive on lock-down?"

"I have to." Fast tapped the cushion she was laying across. "Join me, and I'll bring you up to speed. Warning, I'm pretty sure you won't like it."

Shield glanced at the cushion. He trusted changelings fine enough, but joining a quee--princess on her mattress seemed a poor idea. It was improper, if nothing else. "I can stand."

Her horn glowed green as she tugged him closer. "I know you can, now sit down and let me talk. I don't feel like looking up at you."

Soon she had him laying beside her as she let out a weary sigh. "Things are bad. First the rogues. They didn't really belong to any hive, at least not any on the books. They really kicked public opinion to a new low, but that couldn't be the end of that, of course not." She leaned in, nose almost touching his nose. "It gets far worse. They must not think you're important enough to snatch."

"Snatch?" Shield's ears went upright in alarm. "Who's snatching what?"

Fast rolled a hoof. "Who else? Chrysalis is back, or at least her changelings are. None of the few of my agents I've let loose have spotted her directly so far. They're attacking, again, and doing it properly this time."

Shield felt ice run through his body, shuddering softly. "How? Tell me everything."

"I plan to." Fast tapped his nose with a hoof. "Just let me. So, they're doing what changelings are built to do. They're infiltrating, and replacing the important ponies one by one. The normal ones they left alone. Near as I can see, they'll have all of Equestria controlled without anypony even knowing it. Then they'll probably get to feasting on the helpless meal they've created." Fast rolled her eyes as her snout twisted in disgust. "Bloody waste if nothing else. If they had a brain they'd handle the ponies like bees and never go hungry again as their content populace made more honey for them."

Shield moved to rise, only to have Fast's magic tug him back down. "We have to warn the others!" he cried. "Luna, Celestia--"

"Already replaced," noted Fast with a raised brow. "You're working for Silver? Also replaced. What was your mission, exactly?"

Shield sagged a bit. He didn't know what to feel. He felt nothing, and yet everything. All of them, replaced? All of them?! "I was..." His voice was a hoarse whisper, struggling to get the words out. "I was to investigate the sour opinion of changelings and help defuse it."

Fast raised a brow. "That's going to get more sour before it ever gets better, if ever. I can't imagine the populace will be happy when they realize what happened, and we're going to take the blame, because reasons." She pressed a hoof to her face. "Ugh, wake me when it's over." Fast rolled onto her back suddenly, looking at the ceiling. "If you want to wait with us for this to blow over, one way or the other, you're welcome to."

"How can you be so calm?!" Shield was on his hooves. He didn't even remember standing on the cushion. "We have to do something. Anything!"

Fast held up a hoof at him. "Celly--" She saw his look of confusion and snorted softly. "Princess Celestia said it'd blow past, if we believe the power of whatever she gets her visions from. She asked me to keep away and keep my changelings away. A few days later, bam, they get her. A few rogues tried to sneak in here, but we've kept them out so far."

Visions? Shield took a step towards the door. "She requested no such thing of me. I can't just stand by--"

"--So you'll just march up to them and let them take you then?" Fast slowly rose to her own hooves. "Think."

He thrust a hoof at the princess. "With all due respect, no! It's time to act. Do you know anypony that wasn't replaced already? Did they get the guards?"

"Some of them." Fast shook her head lightly. "Celestia didn't mention you, so, hey, I won't stop you." She smiled as she approached the frantic-looking guard. "Just know you have friends here, alright? The safeword is 'There's always a Silver Lining.'"

The meaning of it came quickly to Shield. "You two saved them, I mean this hive."

She nodded. "We did. Now it's my job to protect them. I hope Celestia's right. I'm not sure how well another direct battle with Chrysalis would go."  A brow raised. "They say you saved your own changeling before."

He went a little red. "Nothing like a whole hive."

Fast rolled her eyes. "It's not a contest of numbers. Sometimes saving one is just enough to make the difference. Look, you're a good pony. Follow your heart, but try to not be stupid, right?"

He departed, heart heavy, but thoughts steeled. He had to do something.





Silver watched a group of changelings arranging something. They were whispering excitedly about whatever they were doing. Silver could feel trace amounts of magic building.

Then it became something quite visible to all as energy swirled and revealed the face of their Queen.

She grinned with triumph down at the bound form of Silver Watch. "There you are, impudent whelp. To think, last we met you were nothing but a scrawny little unicorn. How did those extra wings work for you, hmm?" She raised a brow. "Is that how it works now, defeat Chrysalis, get wings? I hope you enjoyed it."

The other changelings snickered, earning them a quick glare. "Leave us!" They scampered off in a hurry.

Silver perked his ears at Chrysalis. "I did what I had to."

"As do I," spoke Chrysalis in almost a gentle tone. "I see you understand the weight of that crown. A pity you're an enemy of my people."

"I don't have to be."

She raised a brow. "You're willing to defect, just like that? Do you think I was hatched yesterday?"

"I'm offering no such thing. Ponies are already getting al--"

"--With traitors!" The green magic of the speech portal warbled with her fury. "Nevermind that. We're not here to speak about that pathetic group of wasted changeling flesh. Ambassador, are we? I can see it. Tell me, Ambassador, what deal will you broker when you have not a single card left to play? I already have all the princesses south of the Crystal Empire. I even have their Prince." She sounded like she was gloating, and having quite a good time of it. "Please, tell me."

Silver sat up as tall as he could. "I can offer friendship."

His answer was met with howls of laughter. "I look forward to milking your body free of every drop of that love you seem eager to give over to me. I'll keep a token of you to remember when we move on." The image snapped shut. Chrysalis was gone.

That was enough. Silver had limits. Did Fate have something planned for him? He couldn't know. He also couldn't just wait. He focused inwards, his body growing warm as he mustered his internal magic, encouraging it into a feverish pitch. Unicorn magic was barred to him, but he had two other tribes to call upon.

There was a soft clank of metal on metal as he lifted himself a few precious inches, hitting where the chains refused to go further. They silently demanded he sit down. He did not listen. A thought tickled at him. His people had been shackled before, by far more insidious and well-organized forces. They couldn't tie his people down. His other people had been systematically eradicated, attempted to be expunged from the world. They couldn't be erased.

He had a strange pedigree, of people abused through history, but also people that had built grand things.

"Let my people..." It was a corny line, he knew it. He fricken knew it even as he said it, but it still somehow inspired him. His muscles roared with that gathered energy and he gave a tremendous heave. The metal was tough, but he was tougher. They fell away with a loud clatter. "Go..."

The door swung open violently. "Shut--" The changeling took a half step back from the alicorn prince. 

Silver's wing unfurled wide. "Run," he said in an icy tone.

The changeling took the advice.

Silver raised a hoof to get the ring off his head, but buzzing told him he'd have company. "Looks like I'll be fighting with wing and hoof."

He charged out into the hallway just as a trio of armored changelings burst in. Their eyes met in a moment of stillness before they rushed one another, screaming with readiness for a battle.





Samantha perked her ears as her monitors informed her Silver's temperature was suddenly spiking. Was that good? Ah, it was going back to normal. She did a subtle twitch to tune the auditory sensors over to him.

"Go..."

She heard him breaking free and she smiled. She had been foolish to think he would do nothing at all. With that handled, she mentally crossed it off her considerable list of things needing doing.

"Samantha?"

She looked up to see Prince Silver Watch before her. "I've been looking for you. Come with me."

Samantha nodded placidly, even if she knew there was no way that was Silver. How could it be? She didn't have monitors on the alicorn that began leading her through the castle.

That was clearly a changeling. Had she rated high enough to be replaced? That was flattering in a matter, but would not help in her tasks.

As they passed a window, she stopped and looked out of it. "What's that gathering down there?"

"What?" 'Silver' turned and moved to look through the window.

That was plenty of time for Samantha to leave in a twinkle of magic, engaging her emergency recall.

Nefertari jerked upright as a pony appeared in her room. "Samantha! What?"

"Nefnef! Your assistance is immediately required."

It was time to gather allies and begin moving. She would not fail. Her family needed her. Equestria needed her too, but they could wait in comparison. "I'll explain as we go. Do you trust me?"

Nefertari raised a brow high. "My ancestors would think me a fool--"

"We do," whispered the air.

Nefertari snorted. "Be that as it may, I do, Sammy. You do not take that gravity lightly. Let's go."
> 5 - This is Our City
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night emerged from the room with a heavy sigh. Surprise was gone, as was most of Charlie. They had moved on to where they needed to be, wherever that was. Being a shaman had not told her where that was. It was no business of the living.

She glanced down at the necklace that dangled around her neck. It featured a human face, half of it seemingly caught, frozen in the midst of the best joke it had ever heard. The other half was the deepest scowl. The eyes were haunted with sadness. Anger and mirth. Despite... Truly that had been a conflicted soul, and one she could call on, but not one she intended to. Certainly not any--

"Night Watch?"

She looked up to see Silver approaching her. Silver never called her by her full name. He hated it when people called him by his own full name. 40% chance it wasn't Silver. She decided to test. "Silver love. It's so good to see you."

He returned her fake smile. "Night, love. It's good to see you. We have to go." He pointed down the hallway. "This way."

The chance had risen to 75%. He hadn't blushed at her calling him such a name in public. He hadn't questioned her own unusual method of greeting. He also would have said where they were going. Was it a game of Fast Change? It was far from the first time their old lover had tried to pull one over on them.

She frowned with thought as she fell in behind Silver.  The chances of that were 20%. No, it didn't feel right. "Silver, honeybun, where are we going?"

Again, he didn't question her sugary words. "Important ambassador duties."

Too vague. Night slid the chance to 100%. That was not Silver. It was no longer a chance, but a simple known fact. She felt a soft tremble through her body. Her grandfather could feel her unease.

"I need to use the little fillies' room," excused Night as she turned for the restrooms. "Wait here for me."

"Don't be long," said Silver, his voice more terse than she felt it needed to be.

Not Fast. Fast would be teasing and playing, not getting impatient, not like that. She stepped out of his view and closed the door. Another of Fast's changelings? She didn't rate the odds very high that Fast would send a minion for a prank on them. They rated high enough to take the time for the personal touch.

Something was wrong.

Night gestured to the ground in front of her. Smoke billowed from her ears and nose and quickly formed the spectral form of her grandfather. "Yes, Night?"

She stepped forward and pressed noses gently. "Grandpa, I'm afraid things are getting worse."

"Worse?" He glanced left and right. "I felt you tensing, but I don't know why."

Night pointed to the door leading into the hallway. "That is not Silver. That is almost certainly a changeling, or another unicorn that has a frightening level of mimicry magic."

He frowned, wings half unfurling. "What do you want me to do?"

Night smiled. Seeing her grandfather ready to act eased her. "It's time to go, but I want you to create a distraction." She turned to the window. "I'm going this way. You go make a mess. Remain mobile, and get out. We'll meet outside."

"As you wish, Little Watch." He kissed her cheek, a little whisper of wind against her, then he trotted past her, through the door.

An unearthly roar came through the door, muffled but still loud. She could hear ponies panicking and running. It was her time to fly.

She threw herself free of the window and unfurled her wings. The wind caught them and she was soon speeding away from the compromised castle. 

She would have to make new plans.





Shield scowled at the castle. Both princesses, captured. Prince, also captured. Who wasn't captured?

A muffled noise came from the castle, making his ears perk. He couldn't hear the source properly, but it had to be loud to reach him so well.

A lunar pony came flying away from the castle as if fleeing whatever it was. She wasn't alone, but she was the only one wearing one silver shoe and one silver shoe alone. Silver's wife. Night Watch, he knew the name. Few night guards could avoid hearing of it. Was she a changeling copy, or the real thing?

He spread his wings and took up in a powerful leap. He'd find out.

She recoiled when he approached and looked ready to defend herself at his direct route towards her. "Stay back."

Gaea Shield held up his hooves in a placating motion. "Hold on, I'm not here to attack."

"Oh?" She didn't sound too trusting.

"I'm still on your husband's mission, and I don't mean to fail it." He nodded. "A mission I'm sure you'd know."

She squinted with greater distrust. "And one you should already know."

Great. They both were testing one another. Shield laughed. "You're the real thing."

Night blinked softly. "How can you be sure?"

"The fact that we're having this conversation? If I was a changeling, or you were, it would be different. Let's not waste any more time trying to play guess the changeling."

Night seemed to consider that a moment. "The odds are in your favor. Do you have a staging area we can speak securely?"

Did he? Not really... "Not in the middle of the air." That seemed a safe start. He took for the ground and she followed, both landing lightly on the cobbled street below. He didn't slow, trotting down the road and mixing in with the crowd there. "This way."

He led her towards a bed and breakfast he knew. Not ideal, but it'd have to do.





Silver slammed a changeling up against a wall, and he hated it. He could fight, but that didn't mean he liked it, not one bit. "I'm leaving, get out of my way."

Two more changelings landed on him, trying to swarm him.

He threw his head and back up, sending several of them flying. If he just fought them, they could be there for quite some time, and he could lose. He seemed stronger than any single changeling, but more were coming. He would fail if he didn't move. So he did.

He charged through the hallways in a thunderous clopping. He turned a corner sharply enough that his hooves dragged the poor carpet entirely out of place and he raced for the front doors. Other ponies yelped with surprise at seeing him galloping at full speed through the castle.

Changelings weren't chasing him. Perhaps they didn't want to blow their cover by chasing him where others could see? That only served to his benefit.

A dull roar shook the castle and he perked his ears towards it. What had that been? The ponies were in a full panic, scattering and fretting over whatever dire attack had clearly occurred.

Silver veered for the sound. Whatever was attacking may be of some benefit to him against the changelings, unless it was the changelings, which he doubted.

He burst through double doors to find changelings being thrown about by a familiar specter, though the spirit was looking tired from the effort.

That spirit rushed Silver. "Infernal changeling!"

Silver held up his shoe. "I wear this proudly, a sign of my love."

The spirit came to a crashing halt. "Is that really you?" He glanced left and right. "Get out of here, damn fool."

"Get this off." He pointed up at his horn. "If you can?"

The spirit seemed to consider it a moment. "Don't fight it," he said in a final tone before he rushed forward, passing right into Silver.

Silver shuddered from head to hooves as he felt the spirit possessing him. His internal magic twisted and bucked as it mixed with the spirit's and he began to grow warm as when he gathered his power.

It rushed up towards his horn and he felt the awful congestion that came with trying to do horn magic while blocked, but it didn't abate. It was growing worse and worse. He staggered back towards the front doors even as he heard the changelings recovering. They'd be on him soon. It would be too late.

The power in him grew more and more pointed. The headache was blinding. He staggered and fell.

Something broke.

He could see again. He could see and feel. His magic was pouring out of himself at an incredible rate and filled the hallway. He could feel it all. The headache was slowly ebbing. He fought his way to his hooves just as the first changelings turned the corner in their gallop to catch him.

He froze the magic around them, arresting them. With a mental heave, he lifted them up like little toys and sent them both hurtling out of the nearest window with surprised yelps. They'd probably get their wings working before they hit the ground, but it bought some time.

There were more of them. They had gathered their forces. Half a dozen armored changelings were on either side of him. With a wild cry, they charged, hoping to catch him in a pincer attack.

He pulled his magic back and formed a shield with it, creating the heated geodesic dome rapidly, licking the air with heat and fury. "Let me go or suffer for it." He struck a hoof on the ground with spirit-enhanced fury.

They were on him. The shield met them. They pressed the panels in against their neighbors and the entire thing began to heat dangerously, jets of flame licking out at their scrabbling forms.

"I'm leaving." Silver decided to do just that. The magic was gone, the changelings fell, and the Prince was gone.





Rough awoke with a jerk to the sounds of both his daughter giving an excited coo and something crashing down on the first floor. He scrambled to his hooves and rushed for the stairs, only to find his adopted son slumped up against a wall, panting for breath.

"D-david?! What on Equestria?!" Rough Draft approached with wide eyes. "Are you alright?" Silver looked like a mess. His mane was unkempt and haggard, though his tail was straight and smooth, like his mother's.

Silver gave a weak smile. "I couldn't think of another place to run, so... here I am."

A squeak came from above, drawing the attention of both stallions.

They rushed back up the stairs to find the filly reaching for them with outstretched hooves.

Silver smiled, his wings ruffling. "Adorable..." The expression soured even as Rough moved to see to his child. "My foals..." Who would be watching for them in the middle of the infested castle? What if they took revenge on his escape by hurting them? He trembled with fear. "I can't stay."

Rough tossed his foal up onto his own back easily, walking back to Silver. "Er, son..." He chuckled at himself. "Is it wrong that I still remember you as the man I dreamed up on paper those years ago?"

Silver carefully threw a leg over Rough, avoiding the child, and hugged his adopted father close. "Thank you. You've been an amazing friend, and a great father."

Rough broke out into a big grin. "And now you need to go off on an adventure."

"I do." Silver bobbed his head. "Want to come with?"

Rough actually looked tempted a moment, but a tug of his mane by his child brought him down to earth. "No, go on. Go and save the day. I'll be rooting for you."

Silver smiled gently. "When this emergency is over, we need to go on an adventure, the two of us." He glanced around. "Is mom away? Make her stay and babysit for a change and it'll be us, father and son."

"That'd be nice." Rough pointed to the stairs. "Go on now. Can't have you being late."

"Thanks again, Dad." Silver blinked in a flash of light, appearing just outside the window of the house and orienting himself for the mountain that held Canterlot. "Bye!"

He was off. He had a day to save.
> 6 - Night Shield
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night and Shield settled at a table towards the back. She leaned forward at her new companion. "You're with the Night Guard if I recall properly?"

Shield nodded firmly. "That I am, and you're Night Watch, wife of Prince Silver Watch. Now that introductions are over, we need to act, quickly and decisively."

Night shook her head. "Acting without planning is a good way to lose quickly." Her eyes fell onto his emblazoned flank. "You have a relation with changelings?"

He glanced there himself. "Not like that, if you think I'm with them. I mean..." He put a hoof behind his head. "Fast's changelings aren't involved in this."

Night flashed a toothy smile. "I'm glad we agree. Just wanted to be sure. I put the odds around sixty percent that--"

"Chrysalis," finished Shield.

She nodded. "I can mark that off. Do you know if she's actually here?"

"I've been told she isn't. We just have her changelings to worry about." Shield waved at a passing waitress and ordered a tall fruit drink. "Want anything?"

She wasn't hungry, but acting without fuel hardly seemed the best idea. She nodded lightly and placed her own order before leaning forward. "Do you know where Silver is?"

He blinked. "Replaced, is all I heard."

That didn't sit well with her. How could it? "Well, that means they're in talking range. Maybe he can defuse the situation." She seemed to consider it a moment. "Twenty percent."

They paused as the drinks were delivered. Shield paid without conversation and they were left alone again. He took a sip from the glass. "We have to act."

"We do, but acting badly could mean the ponies we care about get hurt and nothing good comes out of it." She lifted her glass with a wing as she eyed her partner. "How well do you know changelings, how they work?"

"I've... been friends with a few. I know they aren't monsters." He let out a little sigh. "Is it true?"

"Hmm?"

"You and Princess Fast Change?"

Night narrowed her eyes a little. "We are friends, good ones."

Shield felt a touchy topic and gently backed away from it. "You're the mare with the plans. What do you suggest?"

All the options immediately open to her felt like brute-force kludges that would likely result in as much harm as anything good. Night sagged a bit and sipped her sugary drink. "There has to be a way..."





Samantha led Nefertari swiftly to Silver's room. Silver was in it.

Nefertari smiled at him even as Samantha shied back. "Prince Silver Watch, how lovely it is to see you."

Silver pointed at Samantha. "Come here, mare."

Nefertari cocked a brow. "Quite to the point, aren't you?"

"Shut up. You, come here." He grunted at Samantha and took a step closer, wings ruffling.

Nefertari ceased being where she was. The false Silver only knew where she had arrived when he felt a sharp kick in his side that sent him crashing into a wall and sliding down. Green flames revealed a dizzy changeling. "Etiquette is the first step towards domination."

Samantha clopped her fore-hooves even as her magic grabbed a rope hidden behind a dresser and quickly bound the changeling. "It's just this way."

They approached a closet in Silver's own room and Nefertari raised a brow. "Why are we here?"

"Two things." Samantha opened the door and tossed the changeling in. "And..." She tapped the back of the closet and it opened into a dark hallway. "This way, Nefnef."

They pressed into the darkness. The door behind them slid shut on its own, returning the closet to being a simple tomb for their sleeping prisoner. Moving at a brisk pace, they arrived in a room that felt quite large to Nefertari's senses, though it was still dark.

At least until Samantha performed some small magic and everything became light. They were standing in some kind of laboratory with monitors everywhere. "What is this? Your den, Sammy?"

Samantha bobbed her head eagerly. "This is where I can see everything." She trotted over to a bank of monitors and pointed. "See, there's your room."

"Why are you watching my room?" asked Nefertari with clearly building irritation. "Actually, never mind. I was aware of your... eccentricities before now. It is only the extent that continues to amaze me. You've brought me here, now explain what you desire of me."

Samantha pointed back where they had come from. "We have a class two changeling infection that requires immediate action. I was instructed to gather allies." She pointed at Nefertari. "You're a big one!"

Nefertari reached for Samantha's head, stroking an ear with a clawed finger. "You are too innocent at times. Very well, you have your ally. I presume that creature we dispatched on the way in was one of these 'changelings'?"

Samantha nodded as she turned in place. With a glowing horn, a monitor flickered to life, powered by that eldritch appendage. "Look."

There was day court, with Celestia seated in her usual place. Nefertari raised a brow. "Looks like much any other day."

"Look harder, Nefnef." She pointed at Celestia even as the Sun Princess let out a huge yawn. Celestia would never yawn so widely and obviously in front of her courtiers, and both of them knew it. "She's a changeling too."

Nefertari gripped Samantha's skull, holding her still. "By what logic can I be certain you have not been replaced, Samantha?"

Samantha didn't seem upset by it. "You are Nefnef, I am Sammy. Besides, like a changeling would know how to get into my secret place or how to use it." Samantha rolled her eyes as if the idea were simply too absurd to entertain seriously. "We need to get some people to safety."

"Safety?" Neferari released Samantha and stepped up beside her, tail wagging slowly. "Your son, Silver's foals?"

Samantha bobbed her head. "Can..."

Her words died in her throat as she saw Nefertari with two lunar foals under one arm, and a very startled lunar pegasus colt under the other.

"W-what was that?" asked Moonbeam, eyes wide and voice shaking. He tried to squirm free and was let go to flop to the ground. "I was..." He blinked as he looked at Samantha. "And then..." He looked over at Nefertari. "I am very confused right now. Please explain it with no words longer than three syllables."

Samantha approached her son and threw a leg over him, squeezing gently and not saying anything.

His trembling eased away and he smiled. "Good job." He squirmed back. "Seriously, what's going on?"

Nefertari sank to the floor and set the two smaller foals in her lap, both staring at her with sharp eyes. With a snap of her furry fingers, she produced a rattle and shook it at them.

The female lunar earth pony reached for it. The male lunar unicorn snatched at it with magic, making her dance the rattle around.

Samantha let them play as she faced Moonbeam. "You were talking to a changeling, as if I'd ever be angry at you for doing your homework in an unorthodox fashion."

"But... I didn't exactly do the homework."

Samantha shrugged. "You are within the acceptable limits for your course."

"That does sound like you," he agreed as he tilted his head. "So, for real? Changelings? Crazy." He blinked softly. "Are they the same ones?"

"Same ones?"

"The ones you saved me from, remember?"

"Ah, yes." Samantha bobbed her head. "I guess that makes it two times. You need to be instructed in proper changeling protocols."

"Mom!"

"It's true." Samantha poked Moonbeam in the chest. "Do you wish to remain saved or join our efforts?"

Moonbeam ruffled up. "I ain't no little colt. What do we have to do?"

"Yes, you are." She leaned forward and kissed him between the eyes. "I accept your pledge of service."

A little squawk drew their attention to see Nefertari had been shoved over by the lunar earth filly as the unicorn trotted up her fallen form and claimed the rattle. Nefertari burst into laughter at the situation. "What adorably persistent children he has." She sat up, letting Morning Glory slide down into her lap beside his sister. Clear Twilight reached for the rattle and he relinquished it to her mouth where she shook it eagerly. The two reveled in their victory together.

A muffled thump on one of the walls had all eyes turn. It repeated, louder. Nefertari slid to her feet and assumed a battle-ready stance. "I do believe it's time to fight or flee, and I don't prefer the latter."





Silver sailed through the air on powerful beats of his wings. He was ascending towards Canterlot, but not as fast as he'd have like. He could teleport to a few places he knew well enough in Canterlot, but he couldn't know which of them were compromised. Maybe all of them? How bad was it? He didn't know, so he had to go the old-fashioned way.

As he approached the mountain that was Canterlot, a thought struck him. Should he check in with Twilight? No, that would be bad. If she was involved, it would be right in the middle of an episode, probably, and she'd already be doing what she needed to be doing. If not, he'd be dragging her into one, or so he feared. Either way would be a larger breach of destiny than he had already committed by breaking free himself.

No, he wouldn't stop by Ponyville at least until this matter was fully dealt with.

A shape approached from below. Multiple shapes. It seemed his flight had not gone entirely unnoticed. With flickers of green light, the approaching swarm took the forms of ponies he knew.

"You have an eighty percent chance of failure," mocked a not-Night Watch.

They were fake. Of course they were. He'd seen them change. That didn't make it easier for him to physically strike at any pony that looked like somepony he knew and cared for. Why didn't he know the spell that stripped changeling disguises? He shoved the false Night Watch away just for a Samantha to land on his back.

Twilight fluttered closer to him with a coy smile. "Just relax and accept it."

"No!" Silver bucked his legs back without looking, catching some changeling or another. He writhed and jerked, trying to shake 'Samantha' free. "You won't stop me."

Starlight approached from the opposite side of Twilight. "Oh, but we could have so much fun. Stop making a big fuss about it."

"Don't you want to study with me?" asked Twilight with a flutter of her lashes.

With a roar of frustration, Silver projected a shield in a powerful blast of silvery magic, creating a small pocket of space free of changelings. With a sparkle, he teleported past them and started flying frantically. He had to get to the city!
> 7 - Protagonist In Me
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Silver's flight was quickly blocked by the fuzzy forms of Twilight and Night. They didn't fight him, they moved to hug him tight. It would have felt lovely, if it weren't so obviously fake. Silver let out a low growl as a voice whispered in his ear.

"Protagonist in you."

Silver blinked, disarmed. What?

"Look," said the fake Twilight. "He's ready to play."

Silver scowled, rage building in him. "I don't have time for you." As he said the final word, he brought his left forehoof forward. Magic surged on impact in a brilliant flash as vines exploded around the changeling-Twilight and she began to fall to the ground. "I'm leaving." His words left no room for doubt or argument.

The changelings stared after him but did not try again to convince him.

As he flew, the voice returned. "Run as fast as you can or let this begin."

Silver shook his head with growing fury. He was running exactly to make it begin. It was not one or the other.

The voice did not bother him again as he ascended towards Canterlot and the true battle ahead.





Night suddenly stood up, forehooves on the table in front of her. "I have it!"

All eyes in the cafe turned to look at her as she slowly sank back down.

Shield smiled gently. "No, no, I insist. I have this bill."

Night rolled with the excuse and coughed against a hoof. "Oh very well. Handle that and let's get out of here. We have things to do."

They emerged out onto the street as the sun hung high in the sky. That was not normal and Night noticed immediately. She sucked in a rough bit of air. "They're not letting Celestia handle the sun. This ends today, or the damage could grow." She spun on Shield. "Tell me you know some alternative ways into the castle."

"I do!" came a chipper female voice.





Earlier — the wall crashed inwards, stone exploding in dangerous arcs. Nefertari was never standing where the stones flew, dancing from place to place without existing in the places between, or so it seemed, and keeping the foals safe as she did so. "Your last mistake."

Samantha thrust out a hoof. "NefNef! Keep them safe. I'll fight."

Nefertari raised a brow. "Oh, please, let me see you battle." Her voice was thick with mirth even as a small flood of carapaced changeling soldiers flooded into the small area.

The air around Samantha shimmered as needles seemed to unfold from the space itself, each turning to face a different changeling. "Leave now, 321!" She didn't give any real time, as the changelings were charging at them. The cloud exploded, one sliver at each charging drone. They made it forward only a few more paces before they began to stagger and sway.

"She... I think... Dying..." The changeling collapsed with its kin making a pile around it.

Nefertari raised a brow. "No blood? Such a meek death. I would haunt you eternally if you ever visited such on me."

Samantha shook her head. "They are unconscious and will remain so for exactly four minutes, two seconds. I've been trying to make it exactly four minutes but that's trickier than you--"

"Mom!" Moonbeam hopped over a fallen changeling. "Less science, more moving. Where are we going?"

Nefertari approached with sedate steps. "Your son is correct. Do you have a plan, mad prophet?"

Samantha clopped her forehooves. "Of course! Step one and two complete. Step three, we get Night Watch." Her ear twitched softly. "She's talking to someone else that sounds useful." She sprang over one of the fallen forms. "Follow me and keep the foals safe please NefNef. Moonie, stay close."

Moonbeam went red. "I told you I hate that name!"

Samantha kissed his cheek softly. "See, you know it's me. I will not use it unless further verification is required."





Samantha bobbed her head, leading the others to Night. "And that's how we got out of there." She pointed at Night. "You are in peak physical condition, good. Shall we begin the operation?"

Night smiled, more of a grin really that grew by the moment. "That sounds lovely." Her eyes slid to Nefertari. "What will she owe you for this?"

Nefertari shrugged softly. "An ambassador that saves a country while in it? The political fallout should be payment enough, hmm? Now, the way I see it, there's still one missing person."

"That way." Samantha pointed out into the sky. "Coming fast! His vitals are elevated."

Night blinked owlishly at Samantha. "Is he alright?"

Moonbeam frowned a bit. "Night, fill me in on what we're talking about?"

Nefertari lowered a paw to rest on Moonbeam's head, resting a foal on his back along the way. "Your grandfather. It seems we will have at least one of Equestria's royalty at hand for this event. Now that this is in order, the next step?"

Samantha looked to Night, almost bouncing in place. It seemed her plans had completed.

Shield cleared his throat. "Actually, I think I have an idea." All eyes turned on him. He pointed at Samantha. "You know all the undocumented entrances and exits, I presume?"

Samantha bobbed her head. "Some are protected by passwords."

Shield smiled. "Guards know them, but we don't know where they all are. I have the passwords. Get us to day court and we destroy any chance of this being quiet. The longer it remains a battle in the shadows, the more it benefits the changelings."

Nefertari flexed her fingers, showing her claws. "I like the way this one thinks. Yes, never fight on an enemy's battlefield if you can prevent it. Let's drag them screaming from the dark shadows they prefer and we'll clash in the light."

"Light!" squeaked Morning Glory from his perch on Nefertari's head.

Night's ears perked at him. "His first word... Silver is going to be upset he missed it, but what a lovely choice."

"Light!" repeated the youth, bobbing his head at Night.





Silver flew over the city, a streak of brown and silver. He wasn't entirely sure where he needed to be, at least until a familiar voice whispered, "Hello father! Please turn thirty degrees to the left and begin descending."

He didn't know exactly what would make thirty degrees, but he veered to the left and began to come down and saw it. Below on a street was Samantha, waving up at him frantically. There were others with her who followed her sight and seemed happy to see him as well, though none with quite her exuberance except his foals.

He landed before them, folding his wings as he let out a loud sigh. That had been a long and hurried flight. "Night, Samantha... Good to see you both. Do you kn--"

Nefertari rolled her eyes. "Nice to see you."

Silver smiled at her. "Nice to see you."

Shield nodded at Silver. "Sir. Good to see you're intact, but... how can we--"

Samantha prodded him. "He's real. I can validate it."

Silver raised a brow. "Speaking of that, how did you talk to me like that? Was that a spell?"

"Sort of," she said with a shrug. "I monitor you, father. I like knowing you're safe and keeping an eye on you." She suddenly reared up and hugged him tight. "And I know you are not angry at me."

Silver smiled sheepishly. He wasn't angry at her. "Thank you, Samantha."

Night snorted softly. "You are too easy on her."

Nefertari reached up and plucked Morning Glory from her head and tossed him with a squeak through the air.

Silver grabbed with his magic and pulled Morning tight. "Careful, please."

"As if you would let him fall." She had a feline grin. "Now shall we go? We have a battle waiting for us."
> 8 - Attack!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Silver found himself stalking along through dark tunnels. He could barely see, but his magic could feel the old stone around them. Shield was not far ahead of him. "This way," he whispered quietly.

They had split from the others. Different members had different passwords and different tasks. They were a multiple-pronged attack force. Silver nodded as he followed, his body tensed with anticipation. "You know how to fight?"

A snort was the reply, as if a guard wouldn't know how to fight. "Near the top of my class," he defended. "I may not have fought the same things you have, but I can fight."

"Sorry." Silver moved up beside him, a tight fit that pressed their forms together and got a growing frown from the other. "Hold up a second. I want to make you fight better."

"Better?"

Silver bobbed his head as a crystal popped free of his saddlebag with a trailing length of leather. He slipped it around Shield's neck deftly with his magic. "That's yours now." With a crystal there for safety, Silver began to focus on the spell.

Shield tensed as he felt magic flowing through him. "What are--" He paused with a grunt as his muscles began to bulge slightly. Blood was flowing faster and... deeper? He felt like he was ready to run and run and never stop. He could hear his heart thumping in his ears violently.

"I know that feels weird, but I promise it's temporary. I'll be plenty busy, so now's the time for pre-battle buffs." Without explaining what a 'buff' is, Silver strode ahead, but it wasn't far until he ran into the closed door he knew was coming. "Ready?"

"As I'll ever be." Shield shook himself out, trying to get used to the alien sensation of enhanced readiness. "The Sun Glistens." The keyword spoken, the door gave a soft crack and began to swing outwards. Light spilled in almost violently from the hallway beyond.

A surprised hiss came from a guard that happened to be walking along and Silver was upon him. He burst free of the passage and jumped on top of the surprised pony, driving him to the ground. "You can hiss if you want to."

Shield came out moments after to see two other guards approaching. They were fakes, he knew, but it didn't change how it felt when he engaged them. He noticed one of them make a swing that would get one kitchen duty and easily ducked it. He came up under the leg and sent the 'guard' tumbling to the ground.

The second sought to take advantage of the distraction and jumped for Shield, only to be roughly shoved against a wall. "Your specialty is being sneaky, don't quit your day job." He must have hit harder than he thought, as the guard crumpled to the ground, becoming a changeling once more.

Silver waved for them to move. His own guard was just as unconscious and returned to being a changeling. "No casualties. They're just following orders, right?"

"Right," agreed Shield. He had no personal vendetta against changelings as a whole. "Poor bastards are on the wrong side  though."

The one guard left that remained a guard got to his hooves, wobbling as he watched the two make a hasty exit. He hissed softly before he turned and fled the other way.

A muffled explosion made everypony suddenly look around, royalty, guards, Silver, Shield, and anyone else. It had come from deep in the castle, but from who? That wasn't part of the plan, but they had several members in their team that could be behind it. Silver and Shield shared a nod and pressed onward.

The ponies of the castle were starting to panic, and seeing the two rushing through purposefully was not helping. The guards were trying to calm down the nobles and most didn't pay them more than a wary glance. That was fine. It was all working out.

At least until they arrived at the court, the doors shut and visibly barred. Five guards stood before it and brought out spears as Silver and Shield came closer.

Shield let out a little laugh. "We can avoid more injuries. Put'em down." They hissed in reply. "Oh well, tried."

The guards stepped closer to the two, fanning out. Shields erupted around all five of them, the usual green shade of changeling magic. Silver raised a brow, surprised to see competent changeling battle magic outside of a bolt. He decided to give it a quick test and fired a silvery bolt that bounced off the shield with little harm, scorching the wall it landed on.

Shield frowned. "Nice..." He stalked forward, low to the ground and ready to pounce. He'd fought unicorns before... Just as one of them pointed its horn at him, he heaved, suddenly not where he was a moment before. He rebounded with a powerful flap of his wings, coming in against the shield with the full weight of his body and slamming into it hooves first, kicking out with all four. Sure, he bounced off, but he easily landed upright, and the guard was wobbling dangerously from the intense blow he had been forced to absorb from the impact. "I can do this all day."

Three went for Silver directly, deciding on the more dire threat. One fired a bolt, only for a silver shield to spring into existence at the last moment and send it flying away. Silver spread his hooves in a firm stance as his shield turned a slow red, then a brilliant orange, catching to crackling flame. "Last warning."





Celestia looked up from her thoughts as she felt the castle quiver. Was that part of destiny's hoof? Were things about to improve. She smiled faintly, hoping it were so, still there was little she could do to help it along, or even be sure that that was the case.





Luna sat up in the gloom. She had felt that. She could feel familiar presences coming closer. "My stallion." She felt silly saying it, but it was a comfort. Silver had moved. She could feel his magic so close. She was told to sit there and wait, but that was only until things changed. This counted as change! She stood up against the chains.

The door swung open. "Lay down!" shouted the guard.

Words. Empty words. Luna let a smile spread, splitting the darkness of her pelt. "Make me." With a burst of terrible magic from her horn, she neatly cut the chain that held her and the rest fell free of her. "I'm done."

The changeling took an unsure step back, but several others rushed to his side. Bolstered by numbers, they stood ready to defy Luna.

Luna accepted the challenge.





Samantha gaily bounced around the horrified 'Celestia' Around her were a cloud of silvered specks. The few piles of collapsed changelings were hint enough that she had been busy. "Go on, let's see the real you. Are you larger than normal, or changing to be this size? It must be very tiring."

Nefertari shook her head as she kicked a softly moaning figure. "I think she's waiting for me to give her some 'personal' attention."

"No!" The figure of Celestia erupted into green flames, becoming a rather portly changeling that was larger than the others, but not as much as the figure of Celestia had implied. "Don't hurt me!"

Samantha grinned. "I don't like hurting." She spun in place towards the stunned nobles that still lined the amphitheater. "I present Not Princess Celestia!" She gestured grandly at the quivering changeling. "What's your name?"

He blinked softly. "Why does that matter? Aren't you going to banish me, or... worse?"

Nefertari blinked to beside the portly changeling. "Oh, I can think of worse, but I'm just a diplomat..."

"Some diplomat..." The changing swallowed audibly. "S-so--"

"Get rid of it!" demanded a noble stallion near the front, thrusting a hoof at the quivering mass.

Nefertari clucked her tongue. "Look at you, forgetting decorum. Court is still in session, ladies and gentlepeople."

Samantha was looking at the changeling. "Go on. I'm listening, promise." She gave her best smile.

The changeling returned it awkwardly as he glanced around. "Well, um.. My name... M...mandible!" He tapped his forehooves together. "Happy?"

"Ecstatic!" gushed Samantha. "But we're just getting started. So, tell us all about what Queen Chrysalis wanted to do."





Night dropped down from the ceiling lightly. The area looked torn apart, but she kept focused on the task at hoof. She strode purposefully towards the towers. "If I were going to keep a royal guest... 60%." There were guards, but most were rushing towards some other disturbance and barely noticed her, especially not with the subtle shroud her dear spirit was providing. She seemed so unimportant in their eyes, not worth the time. There were so many more important things to worry about.

Night slipped from shadow to shadow. Her fine ears could pick out the sounds of combat. She had predicted that. "Fourty percent," she repeated to herself as she began quickly scaling the stairs.

She crested the top to see Luna struggling under a heaving mass of changelings. She was powerful, but there were countless more of them. They would win with sheer mass and numbers.

But not if Night had a say, and she did. With a sudden cry to draw their attention away from Luna, she was on them. The spirit in her twisted in direction. She was no longer hidden. Suddenly she was the most important thing any of them could see. She could not defeat them, not directly, but a distracted horde was so much easier to battle, and Luna wasted little time.
> 9 - The End of the Longest Hour
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night ran along the walls, wing beating to keep gravity away as she performed the crazy acrobatics to avoid the sudden swarm of changelings that were quite focused on catching her. She glanced over her shoulder to see the angry black cloud and quickly returned her attention forward. She had to focus on moving and nothing else.

"Creatures of deceit, begone!" boomed out Luna. She had risen to her hooves and stood fully with her horn held high. Bright magic flared and began to knock changelings aside in rapid blasts, sending them crashing to the ground with little thuds on the unsympathetic stone.

She was doing well, but Night feared it may not be enough. "Spirits," whispered Night harshly as she ran. "Spirits! Help me... Help me to protect the city."

"You'll owe me, little apprentice." Appearing from nowhere came the spectral form of a jackal, a grin across her face. "But thank you for the chance. I'm itching to battle." Her face deformed into a grotesque display of teeth as she charged at the changeling horde. Even fascinated with Night, they scattered with sudden fright, as many crashing into the wall as being torn into by the battle-lustful spirit.

Luna shook her head at Night. "Tell me that one is allied to us."

Night slowed her retreat, turning to see changelings being tossed to and fro with wild abandon. Teeth and claws pierced chitin with frightening ease. That spirit was hurting them, badly. Some of them could even die from the very un-ponylike slaughtering that was being dispensed. "Enough!" shouted Night. "Enough! We want them subdued, not murdered!"





Shield brought down a hoof that thudded against the guard. With a flicker of green, the guard became a changeling, quite unconscious. He turned to Silver, nodding. "That's the last of them. Excellent fighting, sir."

Silver folded his wings back in and nodded. "If that worked according to plan..."

Shield nodded in kind. "The courtroom should be--" He reached with a wing and drew open the door to see the court was well in hoof. "All according to plan."

Silver smiled, seeing Nefertari and Samantha dealing with the nobles and changelings both smoothly. "Then we did our part, keeping the worst of their defense away." He turned to look towards the window. "Has the sun moved?"

Shield turned quickly to face the same window, then trotted up to it. He leaned out to peer into the sky. "Hard to be sure, but... maybe? Does that mean Celestia is free?"





Celestia perked her ears. Something had changed. She could feel it deep in her bones. It was time to act. She threw her wings wide, bits of metal that held her being dashed against the walls to all sides. She let out a little breath as she rose up to her hooves. Not acting... "It's almost as hard as acting." She shook her head, then launched herself free of the window. She had a place to be, and she felt the urging to get there as quickly as possible.





Luna could feel the same urging. She was in the wrong place. It did not come as surely as it did for her sister, but she obeyed it. "Handle it," she bid Night, then jumped out the nearest window into the sky. Rapidly gaining altitude, she was joined by another, her sister. "Is it time now?"

Celestia nodded at her, and they flew swift and straight. Just as a deafening explosion shattered the mountain they were approaching and sent changeling slime flying, they landed.

It was time to greet a new species, it seemed.





Night shook her head at where Luna once stood before she refocused her mental power on the spirit. "Enough! You're done!"

The jackal spun on her, claws bared. "You finally give me leave to battle to call it off before all are dead before me?"

"Death is not the goal." Night clopped a hoof. "They're routed and defeated. You've completed your favor, now begone!"

"Hmmph. I call in my favor right now then." She floated up to Night, face a terrifying grin of malice. "Select one I can kill. Select one who's blood will calm me."

Night staggered back a step, unable to even fully grasp the magnitude of what had been asked of her. "Don't kill any of them! Damn you straight to Tartarus, leave them alone!"

"You brought me here. You owe me a favor." The spirit sneered. "Pay up, shaman."

Night felt strength fleeing her, then her own grandfather popped free of her.

"Leave her alone!" he commanded, his spectral form flaring with anger. "She's trying to do good. She asked for help protecting, not killing."





Samantha put a hoof on the portly changeling's shoulder. "You realize, you don't have to work for Chrysalis."

"W-what?"

"We have a queen in this city. She's very kind to all the changelings and cares for them all. If you say you're sorry and promise to follow the rules, you could live here."

He blinked with wide eyes. "After I... did that?" He glanced back at the throne. "You..."

Nefer patted the changeling on the head. "Take her offer, the other ponies look a lot less willing to forgive and forget, but she has no less than three royalty that'll back her up."

"Oh! Um... I accept! What are the rules?"

"Glad you asked!" A book appeared beside Samantha. "Let's start going over them."





Celestia and Luna witnessed the new changelings, and found out quickly how they came to be.

Celestia smiled. "Now we can have true peace." Her words were largely missed and ignored, but she had an important bit of information. She turned to Luna. "We must hurry this information to Canterlot. Fast Change doesn't need to be a changeling anymore, not this kind. Her hive can be liberated at last."

Luna inclined an ear, but did not immediately reply. It did not settle with her as easily, but she followed as those taken by the changelings were escorted back to the train line at least, so they could all get rides home safely.

Things were looking up.





Fast Change rose to her hooves as a strange tremble ran through her. Something had happened...

"Queen!" One of the guards rushed in. "I mean Princess! Princess! The other changelings are dispersing."

Fast broke into a relieved smile, a tired laugh escaping her lips. "Finally! What drove them off?"

"We don't know, your highness, but their entire hive seems to have been turned upside down. They're fleeing in all directions." He dipped his head low. "I wish I knew more, but they're leaving, all of them."

Fast took a slow suck of air. "Any word on... the rogues?"

"About that..."





Silver stepped into the courtroom. "You've all been through a lot, but it's over. The changelings are fleeing or surrendering."

Shield walked alongside him. "The guard is resuming its duties as we speak. You can all go now. Court will be resumed shortly."

"Where's the princess?!" shouted out one noble, mane frazzled.

Silver pointed to a window. "As surely as the sun now moves, she is free and able. She will return to us soon, but I know she is safe." He didn't entirely know, but he felt pretty sure about it.

Samantha pointed to the pile of sleeping changelings. "What should we do with those?"

Shield stepped up towards the pile. "They're under arrest. They can either reform, or rot for quite a long time. Changeling or not, they have broken the law, many of them."

Nefertari clucked her tongue. "And how will you mete out this punishment? I would like to see pony law in action, hmm. Will you sunder their hooves perhaps, break their bones, cut their tongues? So many ways to make it clear that crimes will not be tolerated."

Silver shook his head, repulsed at the ideas. "None of that, I freaking hope. Shield, take them away."

Shield saluted sharply and got to moving them with Samantha's help.

Silver looked to Nefertari. "You know ponies aren't like that. Imprisonment is all the physical punishment required."

"It amazes me your country is not overrun by bandits and thugs, if all they have to fear is prison. You probably feed them well and keep their cells nice and clean and dry, pheh." Nefer rolled her eyes. "One punishment is a clear warning to all others considering the same." She swept a paw out at the nobles, most of which were leaving. "Though I suppose these are the laws they like. And you too, warrior of peace?"

Silver shuffled on his hooves lightly. "I don't believe in kicking a man while he's down."

"Then you have only yourself to blame when he stands up and kicks you instead." Nefertari gave a little chuckle as she raised her paws to cup Silver's cheeks. "And yet I can see the fire. You would take that kick, rather than surrender your values. That is a strength of sorts."





"She made the deal." The spirit brimmed with building fury. "She is bound to it. Her desperation at the time is no excuse now. Select who dies."

Night glanced off to the changelings. The ones that were awake were staggering to escape. Others were helping one another get away. Some flew slowly away. There wasn't a single changeling left that wasn't hurt.

She ran the numbers. The spirit had a favor owed to it, that gave it unreasonable leverage against her. It had named its terms and even gave her some allowance. She was too tired to outright banish it. If she fled, the spirit would simply murder all it wished until it was sated.

Her grandfather was a smaller spirit, both in age and experience, and was just as tired. The odds did not favor that direction.

If she selected a changeling, any changeling, she would be forever tainted. She would be a killer. Her grandfather would know. Silver would learn. Both would never completely forgive her for not fighting harder and longer, no matter how useless.

There was only one clean exit...

Night hung her head. "Kill me."

The spirit started. "What? Did you misspeak?"

"Go on!" Night stepped towards the jackal. "Take your kill! Leave the rest of them alone!"

"You are your husband's mate..." The jackal swept in close, claws and teeth felt all over Night in a dangerous caress. "Are you ready to die?"

"No! Leave her alone!" Her grandfather's spirit dashed himself against the jackal, to no real effect.

"I will not order their death," muttered Night with conviction. "Do it."

"You don't order me, pup." The jackal flicked Night across the nose before laughing manically as she faded away, leaving Night there, shivering.

Slowly, she sank to the ground. She couldn't even feel as her spirit hugged her, and soon she passed out, overcome.





The day had been won, but the war had not. One conflict led into the next. Canterlot would not yet know peace.
> 10 - The Sun Rises
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Princess Celestia strode with stately propriety. Her head was held high and her guards marched in proper formation behind her. The crowds that watched were cheering and stomping in roaring celebration of her presence. Equestria had survived another dire threat, and their princess was safe and ready. They needed to see it, and it filled her little ponies with hope and purpose.

She turned off the main road, away from the more wealthy areas. The crowds thinned quickly, and soon she and her escort were alone. They were pressing towards the less reputable portions of town. Not terrible, she wouldn't allow that, but not... as perfect as the others.

It was there that the changeling hive rested, and where she had business to conduct. Ahead, she could see the tall warehouse that was their hive rising as it came closer. She could have ridden her sled or carriage, but it felt right to walk that day. Her entourage knew where she wanted to go, and did not waver in accompanying her towards it.

The changelings that stood at the door were quivering faintly, clearly cowed by her presence. She smiled at them. "I come with good news, for your princess and all your people. Is she available?"

They seemed surprised at her words. The one at the right drew itself tall. "I'll check, um, Your Highness?" It sounded like a he, so she settled on that pronoun. He scurried off into the hive in a rush.

The other one rubbed its cheek lightly. "So... Princess?" This one sounded female.

Celestia nodded. "I am Princess Celestia."

The changeling nodded and gave a fanged smile changelings were good for. "Nice to meet you, Celestia, but you're not my princess." She shook her head. "Princess Fast Change is my princess. You are an honored visitor." She dipped her head a little. "I hope that does not offend you."

Celestia heard her guards start with surprise, but she took it in step. She gave a gentle smile. "That was very brave of you. Brave, and honest. What is your name, good guard?"

"Puce Ruse, honored guest." The changeling settled on her haunches. "Don't take it the wrong way. The princess speaks very highly of you, and your country is... mostly well run."

Mostly? "You have found things amiss, Miss Ruse?"

Puce's smile grew. "Since you asked, yes. This area--" She waved a forehoof at the neighborhood. "It's a slum. There is no kinder word for it. Ponies are not happy here. Most of our clients come from richer parts of the city. Those who live here can't afford our services. Some of them can't even afford food. This is a slum. Right here in your own city."

Celestia tried to keep a straight face, and she was quite good at it. To all but the very alert, she revealed nothing. "Surely you are over-blowing the situation a little, for dramatic effect."

"I am not," assured Puce. "If my words make you take a second look, then it's worth whatever terrible revenge you have planned for my smart mouth."

Celestia smiled, expression softening. "There will be no revenge, certainly not for any pony, or changeling, speaking the truth. Puce Ruse." The name was said with force, and the changeling snapped to attention. "Thank you for speaking to me, where others would not have dared. There is one thing that I know you are wrong about."

Puce frowned faintly, "And what would that be...?"

"This is not my country." Celestia swept a hoof broadly. "This is our country. Let us, together, do what is best for it."

The door to the hive opened and the first guard emerged. "She's waiting for you inside, Princess Celestia." He dipped his head low and scurried aside.

"Thank you." Celestia stepped forward. "The rest of you wait out here. I'm safe here."

Her words seemed to do little to put her guards at ease, but they did not disobey her by following. She vanished through the door and their princess was gone.

Fast cleaned her room in a hurry, other changelings working rapidly to spruce things up. She threw herself onto her couch and rolled to face the door, faking a nonchalance with an equally fake smile. When Celestia's magic glittered on the door, Fast winced faintly before widening that smile. "Celly! Can I call you Celly?"

Celestia gave a soft chuckle as she stepped inside. "That name is fine in private, as we mostly are." She glanced to the other changelings darting about. "Is my timing poor?"

Fast gave a sharp whistle and all changelings stopped to look at her. "Enough." They scattered like the wind, leaving them alone. "What brings you by? Glad you're safe, by the way. What did they do, specifically?"

Celestia shook her head. "Nothing I won't recover from. Let's not talk about that, instead let's talk about you. You and your people. Our people. They've suffered so long and hard, and I have amazing news for them."

Fast sat up, blinking. "What kinda news?"

"The key to the changeling curse," breathed out Celestia. "It wasn't just shapechanging that corrupted them. It was far more... basic. It seems so obvious in retrospect, but what doesn't?"

Fast slid down from the couch, standing upright. Her attention was captured thoroughly. "What? I mean... They can be ponies again?"

"Maybe you... Maybe not." Her eyes darted to Fast's one hole. "Not a pony, not exactly, but something else, something blessed and lovely. Whole of flesh and full of love, always. That hunger, gone."

Fast moved one hoof to cover that hole. "So... how?" It sounded too good to be true. "How do you know it works?"

"Chrysalis' hive." Celestia nodded lightly. "All of them. Every single changeling there turned all at once. It was instant and dramatic and without any room for doubt. The only old changelings left are here in this hive, and those of Chrysalis' hive that were not at home at the time."

Fast felt her jaw moving wordlessly a moment. "You got Chrysalis too?" she asked, full of doubt.

"No." Celestia shook her head and let out a sigh. "She fled, and will likely gather her remaining changelings. But that has little to do with you and your people, here. The answer, the thing that eluded us for so long... All they have to do is give love instead of taking it. Give, and you will gain so much more in return."

Fast reeled, almost toppling onto her haunches. That was beyond her knowing. It... "Is that why I felt so giddy around Silver?"

"You do love him..." She said it almost as if it were an answer to a question. "He still misses you. Give him your love and then join him, and us." She smiled a little. "You do know we are--"

"Wed, yes..." Fast glanced away. "Everypony else grabbed him and pinned him down..."

"Everypony?" Celestia raised a brow. "He's not wed to the world, Fast."

"It feels like it," she spat, then trembled. "I'm sorry... The last... It's been stressful. Tell me it's over."

"It's over. It may be over entirely. Tell your people what awaits them and how to reach it. If they all convert, then they will no longer need a princess, and you are free."

Free? Fast felt numb all over. Was that what freedom felt like? She hadn't tasted freedom in quite some time. "I'll call a meeting..."

"I look forward to seeing the results, and welcome a new people to our city." She turned to leave, but she could see magic on the door, holding it. She looked over her shoulder at Fast's glowing horn. "Yes?"

"Will they be who they were this morning?"

Celestia blinked at the question. "That is a matter for philosophy. Some old, dear, ponies once said that no pony goes to sleep the same pony who had awoken." She turned to look at Fast. "Life is change. To fear change is to fear life itself. This is change, but, for the better, I feel... It is yours to handle. Your people look up to you, as their princess, and I will not besmirch that."

Fast gave an uneven nod. "Right... I'll call that meeting." That numbness was only growing. She watched as Celestia stepped from the room, and collapsed where she had stood.

"Are you alright, my Queen?" A little black snout poked free of a plant, an eavesdropped spotted. "What can I get for you?"

Fast sat up slowly and regarded the changeling that slowly approached her. She smiled gently at him and reached out a hoof. The changeling accepted her offer and was soon curled up close, being hugged tight. "Do you love me?" she asked.

"Of course!" piped the small changeling.

"Do you really?"

The changeling looked confused. "We all love you, my queen. You've been nothing but wonderful for us. Some of us... had less good queens before. They especially love you."

Fast frowned faintly. "Did you hear what Celestia said?"

"She said a lot of things. Which part?"

"The part about... breaking the curse."

"Is that what this is?" The changeling rolled over and sat up. "I don't feel cursed."

Fast perked an ear up at the changeling. They were young, clearly not a grub anymore. Perhaps a mid to late teenager, in human years. "You wouldn't, I suppose... but if you could be something that doesn't scare ponies, would you like that?"

"I can do that already." Bright flames overtook the changeling before they became a handsome stallion. Another rush heralded them becoming a fetching mare. "Do you want company, my queen? I've been paying attention in those classes."

Fast laughed, long and loud. "I did not mean that!" She bonked the changeling on the head. With a fwoosh they became a changeling again. "Silly thing. What if your natural form could be what ponies thought was 'pretty'?"

The changeling shrugged. "That's their opinion. Ponies have silly opinions... Changelings have silly opinions sometimes too." They leaned in and nuzzled Fast's chest. "Everything is ugly to something."

Fast gave a slow nod. "Everything is..." She licked her lips. "Are you brave?"

That made the changeling sit up. "For you? Yes!"

"Before we speak to the others... we should know what we are dealing with. Will you give me your love?" She held up a hoof quickly. "Before you answer! Know that saying no will not make me angry in any way. It is your right, and understandable if--"

"I'll do it, for you." The changeling bounced to its hooves. "I already love you. I didn't know I could 'give' love though. I thought love was taken... How do you do that?"

Fast shrugged at that. "I suppose the same way you take it, just... backwards?"

The changeling twisted its little snout. "Vomiting up love, gross!" It laughed at the image. "My queen is asking me to vomit on her. This was not covered in class at all."

Fast pat the changeling gently. "And you'll get to gloat about it forever. Whatever happens, know that I owe you a great debt for being the first brave changeling to try it."

There was a moment of quiet before the changeling began to glow. Its eyes closed. "I love you," it whispered before that manifested. It seemed impossibly bright, a flare to signal a potential new age.
> 11 - Decisions
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

A creature that was not a changeling stood before Fast. She blinked softly. "Are you...?"

"I'm still me," reported the changed one. He patted himself down. "I feel... strange. I... I'm not hungry, not the same way anymore." He tilted his head at Fast. "I feel like I just want to... I don't know."

Fast rose to her hooves fully. "Can you change?"

"Oh! Let me!" He frowned subtly. "I don't know how. Everything feels just a bit off. Please forgive me, my queen."

Fast held up a hoof. "Fast Change. Princess Fast if you must. Look, you're still one of us."

"Of course I am," he said as if it were obvious. "Just because I changed how I look doesn't make me less of a changeling." He rolled his eyes dramatically. "Changing how we look is part of who we are."

Fast sank to her haunches. "That is... remarkably true. You're very astute. What is your name and rank?"

The reformed changeling glanced away a moment.

"Why won't you tell me?" Fast circled around the changed one. "You have nothing to fear from me. You're a hero, not a villain."

"Stand In," he muttered.

Fast blinked. "Did... wait. She's..."

Stand shrugged softly. "I was playing a he, and I don't know how to change right now."

Fast sank back to her haunches. "You were being clever again, and it worked..."

Stand got a smile. It wasn't nearly as intimidating as the usual changeling smile. "Just keeping you on your toes, princess." He/she glanced back at his changed body. "So, this is what Celestia has in mind? I don't like it..." He spread his new wings. "Bugger it all if I'm going to let change scare me, in the end."

Fast nodded at her loyal second in command. "Stand... I've always trusted you."

Stand gave a soft snort. "You're too trusting... and I love you for it. I suppose pretending I don't would be a big fat obvious lie. You know a lot of us are not going to take this option. We're fine the way we are." She pointed at Fast. "It's your turn, isn't it?"

Fast's ears flipped back. "But, I..."

"--am a changeling." Stand In nodded. "Or did you forget your hole? You aren't going back to being a unicorn."

Fast felt hot moisture around her eyes. It wasn't fair. She wanted her rainbow. "I don't have to accept this."

"You don't," admitted Stand. "You don't... But if you don't change, that will keep most of the others back."

Fast took a step back. "Then... I quit. I quit! I'm leaving! You can take this from here. You know how. Celestia knows and likes you."

Stand In stared at Fast for a pregnant moment before she sighed. "You're going to run to that stallion, aren't you?" Fast said nothing. "The hive will be torn apart if you leave." Fast's lips trembled, but she said nothing. "I can't force you..." Stand In dipped his head slowly. "Thank you, for what you've done..."

Fast returned the gesture, trembling. "T-tell the grubs... I love them. Tell them you're the new princess, and you'll take care of them." She quirked a little smile. "I'll visit."

Stand In heaved a sigh as he trotted towards the couch that had served as their throne. "I had planned for years to eventually control a hive of my own. It was my dream, my aspiration..." He settled on it. "Here I am. It's not the joyous ascension I had hoped it would be. Go on, Fast Change. Go and find your happiness."

Fast hesitated a moment longer before she did just that. With a rush of flames, she became a princess. Her wings unfurled and she flew away, right through the hallways, past startled changelings. She pushed past the shocked guards at the front, and simply flew away, leaving all she had built behind.

Stand In shook his head slowly, frowning at where Fast once stood. "I was ready to call you one of us..." He spat on the ground, then rose to march to a mirror. "I will not be stuck in one form. That is not the changeling way." He flexed and heaved and grunted. He would not give up until he figured out how his new body worked.

A surprised squeak came from the door and he jerked in place. The surprise made something move just right inside of him, and he changed. It wasn't the old way of changing. It was something new, and Stand In was a mare again. She focused on the guard that stood there. "Yes?" She had her voice back.

"Oh! Hello ma'am. Princess Fa--"

"She is not our princess anymore," spoke Stand In with a frown. "She has abdicated to me. Assemble all the drones in the second audience chamber. Just the drones." She marched towards the door. "I have announcements to make. Things are changing around here and there's no time like the present."





Silver was rubbing noses with Night Watch gently. "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. That sounds awful."

"It was," agreed Night as she sat back. "That spirit, Nefertari's awful personal spirit, she was ready to make me be a murderer... I couldn't stop thinking about you, and how you'd feel. I didn't let her win! I..." She reached with her hooves and hugged Silver closer. "Tell me you're proud of me."

"I am," Silver rushed to say. "I am... You did a lot, and saved Luna." He kissed Night on the cheek, then lower on her neck, nibbling her gently just the way she liked it. "You were a brave warrior wife, my brave warrior wife, and I couldn't be much prouder than I am thinking about you. I am so very lucky to have you in my life, and beyond blessed to have you as my wife."

Night suddenly struck, nipping his throat and licking the flesh. "Once First Wife, I'll remind." She rose to her hooves, tail twitching. "I feel terrible. I just want to snuggle forever. Are the others available? A nice big pile might just do the trick right now."

Silver smiled at that. Seeing his wife growing comfortable with the herd was quite a relief. "Come on. We've all earned some time just being with each other. This has been a rough week, to say the least."

Side by side, they made their way towards their room, their sides rubbing softly against one another with relief and simmering joy in the company of the other.

That came to a sudden halt when Silver willed the door open and sobbing came from within the room.

Night's eyes came into focus instantly as she stepped forward. "Who's there? What's wrong?"

"N-Night? Is that you?" came the timid voice of Fast Change. "Come in, please."

Night and Silver both strode in to see Fast Change in her full changeling self, sprawled over the massive bed that had become their standard. "O-oh, both of you?" She sat up and rubbed at her tear-streaked eyes. "I'm messing this up, again... Silver, I've waited long enough. I demand your fucking rainbows. I demand your rainbows and your fucking. Both, kindly. Now before you say anything else, you come here and kiss me, then I want Night to kiss me and I'm going to kiss both of you and we're going to forget this entire month ever happened."

Silver flushed a little. He usually avoided such language, and was not surrounded by many that would use it. "H-hello Fast." He did stride up to her. She pursed her lips and he glanced away before he leaned in. Their lips met, and a kiss happened. Once it started, he fell into it. Some part of him remembered that kiss, and he wanted it. She wanted it. They were silent while they both were getting it, at least until Night put a hoof on either's chest and pushed them back from one another.

"There's a good fifty percent chance something just happened. Tell us what it is, Fast Change."

Fast stuck out her tongue a little. "You couldn't wait until we were done? Spoilsport." She reached for Night and her horn glowed, pulling Night closer. "At least hug me while I talk." Night allowed that, and while Fast rocked with her lunar captive slowly, she looked to Silver. "I did it. I quit... I ran away. I kept running. I didn't know anything but I couldn't be there."

Silver sank to his haunches. "I've felt that before... I just... have to go... You're afraid to look back, you don't know what's ahead, but it can't be worse than what's behind."

"That!" Fast pointed at Silver. "That... Silver... I want us back." She waved a hoof between Silver, Night, and herself. "Can I join your royal herd? I'll be the omega if I have to, I don't care."

Night gently nipped at Fast's shoulder. "You know I won't keep you away. You know he sucks at saying no, especially to you, but what happened? Was it the hive? I predict it's the hive."

"Yes it's the blasted hive," sighed out Fast. She leaned in and kissed the tip of Silver's nose. "Celestia found a way to make changelings into these... other bugs, that don't eat love. She's ecstatic, and I'm terrified. I want to be a unicorn again! I want to be normal, and fuzzy and have legs that don't work. I'd rather be a cripple forever than be a changeling anymore, and being a new kind of changeling just means it's even less likely I'll ever get to be normal!"

Silver reached out a hoof and set it on Fast's leg, the one that had the hole in it. He rubbed slowly over that hole. "I hear you got that saving the city."

"Yes! Yes... This is my big reward, being... not a unicorn anymore." Her eyes began to well with tears. "Please, help me. Conjure your rainbows, or just shove me down and make me forget about it with your studliness, either way, don't care. I just... I'm not their princess anymore."

Night wriggled free of Fast's grip. "This is quite a mess. Who is leading the changelings now then?"

"Stand In." Fast suddenly snorted. "Wow, her name never made so much sense before... She's already become the new kind of changeling. She knows what she's doing and I trust her, so let her at it. That isn't my problem anymore. If the changelings don't eat love, they don't need me there anymore."
> 12 - Start Arc 2 - A visit
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Silver set down the paper with a thoughtful hmm. He looked around his office. To the right were his lovely foals playing with Fast Change. She was much happier looking than the miserable pile she had shown up in. With excited little coos and squeals, she play-wrestled with them, keeping them occupied so Silver could work.

He smiled at the sight. "Booksalot wrote back."

"Did he?" She perked an ear at him. "About that human?"

"That's the one." Silver nodded. "I plan to visit them both, and I think I'll take Night with me."

Fast perked an ear. "Why not me?"

Silver blinked. He hadn't even considered it, and he felt extra foolish for it. "I don't see any reason why not."

A knocking came from the door just a moment before Luna stepped in, Gaea Shield just behind her. "Silver, Fast. I need to speak to him."

Fast waved it off. "I'm just a moving bit of decoration, promise."

Luna flashed a smile. "It involves you, actually..." She gestured to the side and Gaea sat out of the way. "I have considered your request, and before I can give a reply, I do need to know a few things."

"Yeah?" Fast suddenly tipped over, Clear Twilight shoving her over easily. Morning Glory popped into existence on her downed head. "What's up?" Fast asked muffledly from under her foal prison.

Luna smiled a little as the door swung shut behind her. "I am to understand you abdicated the throne, yet you remain a royal changeling."

Fast grimaced before she became a changeling once more. The foals did not seem to mind much and kept climbing on her. "It's not because I want to be anymore."

"I understand that." Luna sank to her haunches. "The hive is recovering nicely, so we cannot say you have left your people in a bad place... But you are left awkwardly. Most changelings who remain have transitioned to the new way, yet here you are, clinging to the old. Why do you not go with them?"

Fast's horn glowed as she plucked the foals free to sit between her legs as she sat on her haunches. "I am not a changeling. I don't want to be whatever that next step is. I want to be a unicorn. A nice, normal, kinda pervy unicorn."

Luna nodded. "Then I cannot accept you." Fast's expression shifted between anger and horror at once, but Luna held up a hoof. "Not as you are. We must address your condition, either by seeing you returned to your original unicorn self, or you must step forward. Life is change, as our husband knows well." Her eyes moved to Silver. "Would you return to being a unicorn?"

Silver blinked and sat up straight. "I don't think that's an option, but... no, I am what I am."

"As am I," agreed Luna. "And as are you." She pointed at Fast. "We will help you. In the end, one or the other, but those are the two choices. Do you understand?"

Gaea cleared his throat and all eyes turned towards him. "I found something, uh, your majesties."

Luna nodded. "That is, in part, why I brought him."

Gaea stepped forward and set down a scroll on the table with an agile wing. "Star Swirl thought he could cure the changelings."

Fast perked her ears, face lighting with hope before it all came crashing down. It was just as that little hellion had told her. "But he didn't, or we wouldn't have changelings."

"You're half-right," agreed Gaea as he tapped the scroll. "Here's the spell he used, and his notes. He was very specific why it just wouldn't work."

Luna nudged him on the back. "And that is?"

"Right, it's because the 'corruption', or what made changelings what they were, ran too deep and too wide. 'A few imperfections I could fix,' he claimed." He pointed at Fast. "You are only partially there, a hoof in the door. This might kick you back out again."

Fast did what she could think to do in the face of such potentially good news. She pounced on Gaea and hugged him tightly. "Thank you!" She breathed out, dragging him to the ground under the force of that embrace.

Silver's horn glowed as he hefted the scroll, but even as he did Luna raised a hoof. "This is your new task, my stallion. Cure her, or escort her to the next step of her life, either way. This is not a personal affair, not entirely. The people need to see Fast transitioned one way or the other, and they will have it. I trust you to see this through."

Her eyes fell at a nudge. The terrible duo had found her. Morning Glory reached up at her and she smiled. "Hello, son in law." She lowered to nuzzle him, then Clear Twilight. "It is good to see you both in such good health."

Luna dipped her head. "Until later." She left quietly.

Shield clambered up to his hooves, smiling awkwardly. "I know you've done right by Equestria, Fast. I hope he can use what I found and fix things, but even if not, you are you."

"I am me," echoed Fast as she sat up. "That seems to be a common thought around here lately. But am I?"

"Yes." Shield poked her right on the nose. "You are. I look forward to getting to meet you all over again, Fast Change, once this is all over."

Silver smiled as Gaea took his leave. "Well, I have something to do now..." He set the scroll down, partially unfurled.

"What about that human?" Fast reminded.

Silver swore. "I forgot all about that! If my head wasn't attached..." He tapped his forehooves together. "You know, this changes things. Maybe it would be better if you came with me."

"Huh, why?" She tilted her head. 

"Night has duties here, you don't at the moment, and I can keep working on this spell with you right there. I can get two birds with one stone."

Fast nodded, but went still a moment. "So... how badly did I fuck it up?"

"Hmm?"

"The hive." Fast rolled a chitinous hoof. "Leaving it behind... running to you, all that... Was I being a big crying foal?"

Silver's horn glowed as he pulled Fast around the desk for a proper hug. "You were, but I've been there. We all have..." He kissed each of her cheeks. "You're human."

"No I'm not."

Silver rolled his eyes. "You're a person. Persons are not perfect. You did so much good for them, for Equestria in general..." He nuzzled slowly along her snout. "I've missed you so much... Let's fix this."

"So we can bang the night away?"

Silver blushed at her blunt words. "That's one way to put it, but I'd settle for being able to proudly proclaim that you are one of the mares that collectively own me."

Fast blinked at that. "Own you? I thought stallions liked to think they owned the mares, all of them, all to himself."

"I'm not that deluded," assured Silver with a smirk. "I am a shared possession of my wives, to be used, loved, and shared. It is their maturity that makes this work. I could cry and pout all day, they'd still own me. Good thing I love them back."

A crash brought both of their eyes quickly to a shattered globe that the twins had managed to knock over. The candies that were held inside were being plundered by the two eagerly.

Fast laughed as she moved to scoop them up. "My bad! Some foalsitter I am." She collected them up carefully as Silver snatched away the candy in his magic. "You two are such little troublemakers." She kissed the forehead of each. "Come on now, Daddy has work to do." She trotted from the room with the foals, leaving Silver alone.

Silver settled before down as he started collecting all the pieces and putting them back on the shelf. He soon had it glued together primitively. It was obvious it had broken, but it was in one piece at least. "I am so lucky," he breathed out with a happy smile. Even if he had things to do and challenges to face, he could not shake the feeling that he was a blessed pony to be filled on all sides with good friends and family. He was sure he could make it through.





Night thrust a hoof at a flinching pink mare with green mane. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Making a summoning circle, teacher?" She gestured at it. "Did I do it wrong?"

"It's perfectly serviceable... if you were trying to call any spirit, which you aren't." Night frowned. "Every circle should be tailored to the specific entity you wish to reach."

The rest of the class made little noises of comprehension. The lectured student nodded a little. "Couldn't you just, you know, spruce it up before you do the call?"

"You could," confessed Night. "If you know the spirit you're calling and exactly what will work with it. Do you know a spirit that well?" The mare shook her head. "Then erase that and do it right from the start." She turned and walked towards the chalkboard. "Today we're focusing on water spirits, and if half of you get one to appear, we're doing great. If no one drowns, extra credit." Her mouth moved silently a moment. "Twenty percent chance I'll be forcing water out of someone's lungs. Kindly beat those odds."

"Little Watch," called a spirit as it walked through the wall. It was Night's grandfather. "He's making plans to go visit a human. He's taking that harlot, Fast Change with him."

Night snorted softly. "That 'harlot' was my first wife and I love her very much. You be nice."

He nodded to her. "Sorry." His ghostly eyes went to the class, half of which was staring at him. "Still teaching them how to be shamans?"

"And still learning," she answered with a hint of a smile. "If Silver wants to go visit a human with Fast, let them. I'm not jealous of her, for Luna's sake."

"As you say..." He trotted past her on silent hooves, approaching one of the students, a scrawny stallion that gaped at him. "First time seeing one of me?"

"No sir!" he squeaked, voice hitching. "Just that first... that was so... pony'sh... If you weren't transparent and everything, I would think you were alive, sir."

He pointed back at Night Watch. "That's because my Little Watch keeps me alive in her heart. Her love gives me form, and life."

"Y-yes sir..." He perked an ear before he looked away.

"What is it?"

The stallion looked up at the ghost, squirming. "Could I talk to my grandmother, like how the teacher does with you?"
> 13 - Just a Ride Away
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night smiled as the last student left and let out a sigh, but that was short-lived as the door swung open just as a figure appeared before her. Nefertari smiled as well, all deadly fangs. "Student, we really must not put off this discussion further."

The Lunar jumped with surprise a few inches that Nefertari easily closed. "You are not my mentor any longer!"

"Am I not?" Nefertari tapped Night on her twitching nose. "Don't say that. We have much to learn from one another, dear future wife. That starts with us putting aside these... games. If I am to join your family, we must become members of the same team, yes?"

Night ran the numbers in her head quickly. "Forty percent chance you're here to ask me for something."

"Guilty," spoke Nefertari. "But that doesn't invalidate what I said. I heard about your... experience with my spirit. Ghastly, I imagine. Dirty trickery, on her part. She has been lectured, but you do owe her despite it. That was your mistake." She placed a paw on her chest. "But I want us to grow closer. If you allow me, I will show you how to be rid of that burden."

Night frowned as she tried to keep up with her calculations. Figuring Nefertari was much more difficult than most ponies. "Why haven't you approached his other wives? I'm not the highest of them, and yet, here you are."

"We've had some history." Nefertari crouched down to be at Night's level. "Not all of it good, I know, but that is precisely why. This bad blood must be purged before we move forward." She cupped Night's cheeks in her soft paws, fingers cradling where the flesh curved. "I do admire you, Night Watch, fresh shaman, yet leader of your field among the ponies. We have so much to discuss, but these games must stop."

Night thrust a hoof at her, shoving her away a few inches in the process. "You started these games!"

"I did, and now I wish to end them. We have played our parts. We have danced and fought and tested our teeth on the other. The posturing is over. I am ready to accept you as a peer, Night Watch." Nefertari rose up. "What would it take to earn your forgiveness?"

Night felt a tingle run down her spine. Her training would not let her ignore something. "Those are dangerous words. You're offering me anything."

"A matter of trust." Nefertari dipped her head, ears spreading wide. "Do not abuse it. What must be done?"

Go away and never come back? Night considered it a brief instant, but tossed it aside. She was better than that, and Silver would be so upset with her to take such a tack. Night licked over her lips as she thought about it. "Swear. Swear on every ancestor that not a single lie will ever leave your lips between us. When you speak to me, you will speak the truth, unvarnished."

"I shouldn't even hide that your mane is unkempt here?" She reached and teased out a tangle in the teacher's mane. "Or that you've put on a few pounds."

Night went red. "You're as bad as any spirit at times."

"As you will be as well, if you continue to grow." Nefertari smiled. "Is this how you bind me?"

"Yes, blast it. Tell me all the ugly truths, but let them be that, truths, alright?"

"I accept this oath." Nefertari dipped her head. "Let there be no further falsehoods between us."

Night smiled, some unseen weight lifted from her shoulders. "Now, about that spirit of yours?"

"You could have asked for that..." Nefer shrugged. "Perhaps this is a better use. You will need to trick her into making a demand. Once fulfilled, then you owe her nothing further. It is as complex and simple as that."

Night nodded softly. "I presume you won't stand in my way?"

"I'll one up you, future wife. If you make a plan, I will play my part to assist. My assistant's head has swollen too large at her trickery. I want this resolved." Nefertari traced one of Night's tufted ears with a claw. "Let us work together."





Another day, Silver trotted along. He had his foals strapped to either side, and Fast was walking alongside him. Both were moving through the city of Canterlot in the bright morning sun. "Fast, I'm still working on that spell. It's... thick."

Fast held up a hoof as she went. "Take your time. I'd rather you get it right than get it fast, in the end."

Clear Twilight squealed as her hoof just missed a balloon passing by.

Silver smiled over at his daughter. "I'll get you something later, promise." He kissed the top of her head. "But not taking other pony's things."

On the other side of him, Morning Glory made an admonishing gesture despite not being able to see Clear at all.

Fast laughed at the entire scene. "You are precious, all three of you."

"You'll be a part, soon."

Fast shuddered softly. "One way or the other... So... love bug... Would you still love me?"

Silver raised a brow high. "One, that's a silly question. Since I met you, you've fluidly gone from one form to the next. What's one more that's going to keep me from loving this amazing pony I know? Two, even if I didn't like that specific form, so what? It's just a set of clothes for you. You'd put on something nicer when you wanted to and we'd move on." He leaned over and bumped his head against hers, cheek to cheek. "No matter which way this goes, you're stuck with me."

Fast nodded softly. "I... guess..." She didn't sound convinced, but Silver let it drop.

"Looking forward to a little trip?"

"Yes, actually." Fast smiled as she trotted. "I've been stuck in Canterlot for what feels like forever. Getting to go out, with you... It's like a dream."

Silver felt a tremble. The last time had been an actual dream. A tidbit of it nagged at him, and he slowly came to a halt. "Fast."

"Huh?" She turned to face him. "What's wrong? The train's this way." She gestured with a toss of her head. "C'mon."

"No." Silver stepped closer, looking at her intently. "How did you leave the hive?"

"I flew?"

"More specific. Were there other changelings you left... in a lurch. Changelings that would be bitter."

Fast cringed and shrank back a step. "M-maybe... why?"

"We're going there."

Fast blinked. "W-what?! No!"

"Yes." Silver reached out and tapped Fast's chest. "Yes. Don't make me use royal privileges on you, but yes. We are going. If you're leaving this part of your life behind, we're doing it right." He turned away from the train he had planned to take and started marching towards the hive. "I know you're probably angry, but I'm doing this because I love you and you know it."

Fast hated it! But she followed along sullenly behind her stallion. In revenge, she pulled in close and nipped at the base of his tail. "You're a big meany face, just so we're clear."

Silver accepted the painful little nip with a nod. "When I have to be. I love you, Fast."

"I love you too, meanie." She kissed him on the cutie mark. "Let's get this over with."





Celestia sipped from her tea gently. She was on a break, a rare treat. She looked across at Luna who sat with her, making the treat even better. "They're heading out today."

Luna wrinkled her nose. "It started with Twilight. Why is it acceptable to send our royalty on such missions? Couldn't anypony else suffice?"

Celestia shook her head. "He is uniquely suited to handle humans, and you know it. Let's have faith in him and look forward to his return."

"Faith is a thing that comes far more easily to you, dear sister." Luna chomped on a large cookie before dipping it in her milk and taking a fresh bite. "Shouldn't we at least keep an eye on him?"

"You think I haven't?"

That caught Luna's attention, perking right up. "Oh? Do tell, sister dear."

Celestia twitched her ear at a very specific angle. "Mother Sun to Genius Daughter, are you present?"

There was a moment of silence, with Luna peering at her sister in confusion.

"Yes, please come here," spoke Celestia to nothing.

About thirty second later, a knocking came from the door to the parlor, opening to reveal Samantha. "Hello Celly, Lulu! You're both looking fit and well. How can I help?"

"Lulu?" Luna frowned faintly even as a smile showed mildly on her lips. "Where did that title come from?"

"We are friends, family even. To show affection, pet names are appropriate," explained Samantha as she closed the door and trotted to the table. "Genius Daughter, reporting for duty."

"How goes operation Watching Silver?" asked Celestia with a confident tone.

Samantha twitched her ears, tuning in to Silver. "He's not in the expected location. He appears to be making a detour. Vitals are nominal and signs of distress are low to non-existent. The children and Fast are with him, vitals also acceptable. Fast seems agitated. Their likely course is the changeling hive."

Luna's cookie fell from her numbed magic. "How do you know all that?! Is this constant?"

"That's a secret, Lulu." Samantha stuck out her tongue before she dipped her head at Celestia. "Anything else, Mother Sun?"

"That will be all. Would you care to join us?"

"May I?" Samantha smiled broadly as she crashed her rump down on an open chair and snagged a sugary treat. "It would be a pleasure, Celly."

Luna shook her head slowly. "That does... put me at ease. At least Silver and the others are being watched, and we can move to assist if things become too dangerous. Is Silver aware of your spying?"

Samantha bobbed her head. "He knows. He says it makes him feel safer. He trusts me to use my knowledge for good and to not talk about it." She winked at Luna in an emphasized gesture. "You're family, so it doesn't count the same."

Luna realized something, breath catching. "Am I watched this way?"

Celestia set down her cup of tea. "A question, first. If you were, would you be upset that Samantha is watching over you?"

Luna's cheeks went red. "There are times I'd rather be alone, sister."

Samantha considered that with a faint frown. "I'll work on that."

That wasn't the answer Luna had been hoping for.
> 14 - Fast Returns
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Silver sped up a little just as the hive came into view, which was just when Fast least wanted to live up to her name. Despite this, she did not let Silver get too far ahead, trailing behind the prince with an uncertain expression.

"Hello," greeted Silver. "Who's the princess these days?" His eyes darted between the guards.

The guard on the left looked past Silver, to Fast in her usual ruddy red form. "She isn't coming to try and take it back, is she?"

Fast winced, but Silver was undeterred. "No, I don't think she is, but there are a lot of things left unsaid. Let's do things right." He gave a little smile. "May I talk to whoever's acting princess?"

The second guard walked past Silver. "Why did you run off like that?" she demanded of Fast. She had not learned subtlety since last she spoke with Celestia.

Fast fumbled a moment, trying to think of something right to say, but in the end sagged. "I was scared. I was scared and I panicked and I did something stupid."

"'Least you're honest." She turned back to the hive. "Follow me."

Following the guard, they were led through the hive, but they did not make it to the princess. Another changeling had much more pressing business with Fast.

“The Fast Change!”  The colorful love-bug nearly tackled the former princess.  “Z-978 knew the Fast Change would not leave without saying good-bye!  The stinky Stand In has told lies about the Fast Change!  She said the Fast Change did not care about the changelings!  She said that Z’s sister had been arrested and could not come back to the hive!  But Z-978 is a loyal soldier to her Princess, and she is not an ugly bug anymore!  She is a pretty changeling and she does not need to hide herself!”

“You were always a pretty changeling, Z.”  A nervous changeling guard moved quickly beside the exuberant mare.  “You didn’t have to change to be pretty.”  He then turned to the couple.  “Greetings your majesties.  We, at least, are happy to so see you both.”

“Z is happy to see Surprise’s friend the Fast Change!”  The mare amended.  “She does not know this pony who was not there when we buried Surprise.”

Silver gave a little laugh. "I've only heard indirectly, but it's nice to meet you all." He looked over the lovebug and glanced around. It seemed some were changelings, the sort he could recognize, and others were the new love bugs. Had they not all changed? "I'm Silver Watch, nice to meet you."

Fast was less certain, reaching a hoof to hug Z gently. "Stand In wasn't totally wrong… I did run off. I was a stupid meanie face and I ran." She leaned in close. "But no matter what mistake you make, it can be fixed, right? I'm back to do things, uh, right. Has Stand In been a good princess?"

“She… insisted on the conversion, your majesty.”  Chitin offered cautiously.  “She means well, but she is bitter.  A lot of changelings are.  After everything that happened… I understand why you closed off the hive like you did.  But with you leaving the way you did… it confirmed the worst of suspicions for some.  They say that you didn’t really care.  They say that we should have fought… like the rogues…”

Fast made quite the face. "And throw away everything? Whatever we look like, we're still… us." She poked the little changeling in the chest but the hoof slid up until it pet over the top of a small head. "You're a changeling and proud of it! That's my problem. I… want to be a unicorn again." She flashed an uneasy smile. "That's what I was to start. You know that, right? I have two unicorn parents and grandparents and cousins and…" She clopped a hoof on the ground. "I did what I had to! For you, for all of you."

The guard nudged Silver aside a little, whispering quietly, "Let them talk."

“The Fast Change has to take care of the Fast Change.”  Z nodded brightly.

“I don’t mean to criticize your majesty, you’ve done so much for us already.  I’m only telling you what ponies and changelings are saying.  There have been so many rumors.  About you… about what actually happened during the invasion.”  The guard stammered.

“The Chitin follows the Fast Change.  So does Z-978.”  The mare interrupted.  “But we do not know what has happened.  The Stand In has said that the Fast Change ran away and that Diane is a traitor, and her sisters turned against Diane, Z-978 has seen this and it is a thing that happened.  The Stand In says that her sister has been arrested.”

Fast pointed a hoof at herself. "I'll explain what happened to me, at least. Chrysalis, lord high buttface, was defeated, again. In the process they found a way for changelings to become sources of love instead of takers of it. Celestia got real happy and rushed to tell me. I tried it, with Stand in… It worked." She put that hoof behind her head, looking awkward. "I got scared. If I went ahead with you all, that would mean there would never be a way back to where I wanted to be, to be a unicorn. It wasn't because I didn't love you all, because I do! I do so much…" Her head hung. "I guess I wasn't that good of a princess…"

“The Fast Change WAS a good princess!” Z stamped a defiant hoof.  “She saved the changelings from the stink-face queen!  She took in Z-978 and her family when the Train Wreck was burned and buried.  She was a good princess and a good changeling and a good pony.  Z is sorry that her sister could not see that.  She is sorry that selfish changeling do not want the Fast Change to take care of the Fast Change.  But the Fast Change IS Z-978’s princess.  She will be happy if Z-978 wants to marry the Chitin.  He is not, maybe, a big stupid stink bug all the time.”

“I… uh… we kind of... “ Chitin stuttered incoherently.

Fast's eyes darted between Z and Chitin before a big grin formed. "You'll invite me to the wedding, I hope right?"

The guard prodded Silver and led him away a little bit down the hallway. "Why did she come back?"

"I told her she couldn't just drop her life here, even if she wants to go another way. You've been family. Family supports each other, even when they change. Especially when they change, ideally."

The guard smirked. "Is that a changeling pun?"

Silver blinked. "Oh god it is. I didn't mean it!"

She laughed and prodded at him. "You're as goofy as the reports implied."

“Has… Is it true Diane has been arrested, your majesty?”  Chitin scuttled nervously.  “It’s been bothering Z a lot.  I know she did some really bad things… is it… how bad was it?”

Fast let out a little sigh. "She has, but…" She lifted a hoof high. "This is Canterlot, Celestia's part of it, specifically." She pointed that same hoof at Silver. "I won't let him let them abuse her. We'll find a way. He's good at that." She smiled a little. "We'll figure it out."

“Z’s sister is not bad pony.  The stupid-faced nopony pushed her…”  Z cried softly for only a moment.  “Z trusts the Fast Change.  She is the Princess of the changelings.  She will be there when Z marries Chitin.  She will be there when… does Fast Change think that we should have a funeral for the Train Wreck?”

Fast winced faintly, considering that heavily. "Well, look… Funerals, they're for living people. Dead ponies aren't gonna say much about it. So if you want one, you have one, end story. I--We'll be there, either way, right?"

The guard glanced between Silver and Fast. "She's writing checks you'll have to cash. Are you alright with that?"

Silver quirked a crooked smile. "I've gotten used to that. She isn't saying anything too unreasonable. I'll do my best."

“She’s trying to come to terms with… he just disappeared, your majesty, and Carrot is still listed as missing after the attack in Baltimare…”  Chitin smiled apologetically.  “I know you and the prince were… friends…  It would really mean a lot to Z, your majesty.  I know you have other changelings to see.  Thank you for your time, and remember, you’ll always be our Princess, no matter what any changeling or any pony says…”

Fast let out a soft sigh. "Don't say that." She rose up to her full height. "I'm sorry for running, that was wrong, but I did, and I'm not the princess anymore. Your friend? I hope. Even family… But that specific title? I gave it up. Give your new princess respect. She's adjusting, just like I had to. It's hard. Help her, please."

The guard glanced sideways at Silver. "Listen to her work them."

"Work them?" Silver blinked softly. "Pretty sure she's saying what she means."

"You think so?" The guard trotted up to Fast. "You're being honest, huh?"

"Huh?" echoed Fast as she turned to look at the guard. "Aren't I usually?"

"So then it was just the cold truth then. Someone came out and said they loved you, and you ran."

Fast looked lost for just a moment before she began to pale. "You!"

With a rush of magic, the guard was no longer there, instead the love bug known as Stand In was left. "Me. Tell me your 'truth', Fast. Tell it straight. We're all listening."

Fast took a timid half-step back. "I can't even say how badly I fouled it all up." Something clicked in her. "Wait! You?" Stand just stared at her evenly. "I guess you did…" Fast hung her head. "I'm the worst. You deserve someone way better than me."

Stand reached up a hoof gently, only to accelerate at the last moment, slapping Fast across the snout. "Damn you! You don't get to tell someone that. Did you even consider me? Was I anything but a convenient…" She snorted ".. Stand in for you?"

Silver wasn't sure what to do, looking between the two rapidly. "Um…" Not his proudest diplomatic moment.

Fast reached up a hoof to her stinging cheek. "I deserved that. Stand In, I'm sorry, and I know even saying that doesn't change a damn thing. All I'm asking is that you take care of them, all of them." She waved a hoof wide. "Because I know you can."

Stand In stepped right up to Fast, bumping their foreheads together with a low clunk. "So you won't have to?" Fast was quiet. "Answer enough." She sank to her haunches, sighing deeply. "Answer enough… When I first met you, I was convinced you were a child playing pretend, but you beat that. You raised a powerful hive full of happy changelings. You were the princess we needed so badly." She quirked half a smile. "I can't be angry at you forever because you couldn't be that image we'd built up."

Fast took a timid step forward and reached out a hoof. The two crashed into one another, hugging tightly as Fast's form flashed, becoming the changeling queen that she truly was. "I'm so sorry."

"Dummy." Stand bonked her on the head. "You made your choice." She pointed to Silver. "He's waiting for you, but you better visit, or you'll make the grubs cry, and I would never forgive that."

“Facehugger will want to see her Auntie the Fast Change!”  Z interjected with unabashed enthusiasm.  “She has her father’s smile, and the Stand In says she is a healthy, pretty grub.”

Silver waved Fast along. "Go and say hello." He let out a little breath of relief. That could have gone much worse. "You can come back again after we see that human."
> 15 - Meeting a Human
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Booksalot was sitting behind the circular desk as he said he would be, his flaming ruby magic was holding various books within its grasp in a grand display of finesse pulling them off the shelf in order checking them, and returning the books to new homes in the library. “Some ponies just don't know how to keep the public areas organized properly.” he mutters aloud to himself after he finished reading the latest letter.

A squeal was the first hint that others approached. The door opened with a silvery glow visible to some and a little foal scurried inside, his eyes taking in everything eagerly. Behind him came a marginally more sedate little filly. Fortunately, the little ones are not alone as their caretakers, Silver Watch and Fast Change, came right after them.

Silver let Fast chase after the little ponies for the moment as his eyes darted to the other pony he saw. "Hello there." He approached swiftly and smoothly. "Are you Book…" The name was lost. "We exchanged letters?"

“Booksalot, you can call me Books for short if you wish.” Booksalot stated with a smile and a flare of his horn and the books all flew back to their shelves. “Could Samantha and her child not make it today?” he asked as he stood from behind the desk and came around to properly greet them all. A smile grew upon his red muzzle anyways as he continued not waiting for a reply, “Anyways, Welcome to the Library, Equestria’s largest source of knowledge and powerful ancient artifacts known to ponykind.”

Silver gave a restrained snort of a chuckle. "Libraries seem to draw intelligent ponies, full of curiosity. Good ponies." He shook his head then. "Afraid I came with three. Fast Change, Clear Twilight and Morning Glory."

As he named them, Fast Change approached. She wore her 'natural' form, ruddy red unicorn mare, with the foals floating in her magic grip. "Hey there. Where's the human hiding? Wait, are you the human?" She squinted at Books. "You could be. Humans have a habit of going native."

“I know how to take a human form but I was born Equestrian. Maybe not this Equestria, but still, you gaze upon my natural form.” Booksalot said with a chuckle of his slightly aged lungs. “This way, it will be faster to get to Foal Mountain using the Warp Gate I set up.” he said as he started to lead the way through the shelves of the Library toward the back. “I know you asked about his name Mr. Watch, but I’ve only been permitted to tell one of his three last names. I also believe you should know that he is at his best and worst in life at the same time.”

Fast Change perked right up, ears going fully erect and her body leaning forward towards the new pony. "You know the spell for human shapes? Show me! You have it written down? Show me!" She was quite focused, almost bouncing in place. "Oh please!"

Silver put a hoof in front of her. "Relax. He heard you the first time and if he wants to share, he will, but we're not here to pressure anypony, just greet a lost human, which is my job."

Morning Glory gave an excited squeal as if understanding somewhat what was going on, or perhaps just enjoying being bounced around in Fast's grip.

Booksalot chuckled lightly as they came to an open area in the shelves with runes inscribed upon the floor and the wall in what looked like an archway, “Maybe later dear Changeling Princess.” he stated as his horn flared to life with flame and caused the runes to light as well. “Have you ever used one of these before?”

Fast suddenly looked awkward. Her voice dropped to barely a whisper, "I'm not a…" She looked away.

Silver leaned over and kissed her cheek. "You're a princess to me, no matter which way this goes." He looked back to Books, shaking his head. "Afraid I don't know what we're doing, but we'll follow you."

Booksalot took a small mental note about Fast’s reaction to his words as the portal opened in a gust of roaring flames that held at the edges of the doorway that now existed. On the other side were trees and music could be heard coming from the other side. “Everypony through first, it’ll close after I’m through.” Booksalot said as he waited.

Silver's magic felt outwards, near invisible to even his own eyes with the diffuse nature of his feeling, exploring the edges of the portal as he took the foals from Fast and tucked them close. "Ready?" The two nodded in reply and he chuckled. "Still gets me how foals do that." And on he went, trotting through with Fast just behind.

Booksalot followed after and let it close behind himself, “Toward the music, a song I believe he thinks you’ll recognize Silver.” He then took the lead and headed toward the whimsical windmill like music. As they got closer the music got louder and a clearing came into sight. To one side was a hammock and a tarp with a footlocker near it, near the middle was a decent camp fire with various ceramic bowls around the edge of it. Sitting upon a stump wearing green cargo pants, a tan button up shirt, and a navy blue bomber jacket was the man they had come to see. 

His eyes were closed as he bobbed his head to and fro with the music, letting his hands move as if he was conducting a symphony. The song was coming from a small speaker that was on the stump next to him then ended and with that the man reached down, turned the speaker off and opened his eyes to look upon his guests with his pain filled green eyes. “There seems to be a lot of the family missing.” he stated more curious than anything.

"Zelda music?" Silver mused as he approached the human. "Oh, yes, apologies. Did you hear of them from someone or another?" He twitched his left ear before he lifted each foal in his magic. "This is Clear Twilight, and this, Morning Glory. Beside me, Fast Change. Lastly, I am Silver Watch, and it's nice to meet you…?"

Fast had her eyes more on Books than the human. "So, about that spell…?"

“It’s a mite complicated child.” Booksalot replied with a kind hearted smile.

“Horton, That’s the only name I wish to go by anymore,” said the man with a soft smile, “I was hoping you would bring Night Watch, Samantha, and Moonbeam as well, I cooked a lot of sausage to share with you all.” he then reached over and grabbed one of the larger ceramic bowls and brought it closer to them all.

Fast Change stuck out her tongue even as warm green flames rushed over her, leaving a lunar mare behind. "One, I can enjoy a bit of meat as well as anyone else. Two, shapeshifting spells are my specialty. Tell me you have it written somewhere?"

Silver shook his head as he approached. "Thank you for that, Horton. Please forgive me in advance if I forget that. Names, not my strength. How has Equestria been treating you, and welcome to it!"

“Anything can be found in my Library if you look hard enough.” Booksalot said smiling.

“You can’t really tell me welcome now when I’ve been here for a little over a year.” Horton said raising an eyebrow, “And the land itself has been wonderful, about three other humans were giving me some trouble until about a month ago.” Horton then turned and picked up some of the long grass beside himself and he started to work them together, beginning to create something.

“Anyways, to answer your previous question I've read about you all. You've been through a lot Mr.  Watch. I hope that we can become close acquaintances as season seven starts.”

Silver shook his head. "You've been here that long?" Wait, what? "Read about me? I didn't know any ponies had started writing about me." He looked quite perplexed. But then there was more. "We're up to season seven?"

"Season what now?" asked Fast, blinking at the exchange even as she took the foals from Silver's limp magic grip. "By the way, you invited me, so I'll be plundering that library of yours when we get back until I find that spell."

“Zilla should be able to help you find it.” Booksalot said calmly.

“Yes sir, season seven had already aired before I arrived and the movie came out after I left. Anywho, I've read about you from Fimfiction.net. I probably even know somethings about your adventures that you weren't aware of.” Horton said in response.

Silver blinked dumbly at the person a moment. Bits of his past, almost entirely forgotten, were forced to the front. "They made a … I suppose that doesn't matter." He glanced left and right. "I hope you're not planning to throw things any more off-course than they might be? I can't see the show to know."

"Seriously, what are you talking about?" Fast sat on her haunches and set down the two foals. "You two stay in sight, got it?"

“I am referring to something from the human world that we are from.” Horton said as he held up the freshly created grass rose and turned it in his grasp to inspect it. “I don’t plan on changing anything to much, but I do wish to venture across the country side and I think I should take care of one place before the next major thing happens around Twilight and her friends.” Horton then set the rose aside and started working with more grass as he spoke.

"Neat trick," complemented Silver as he approached. "I never got into oragami, more of a writer, back in the human days." His ears fanned forward. "What are the odds? I just got a mission relating to that, but that's beside the point. What brought you… to me?" he asked with building uncertainty. "Was… I mean… What did you see?"

Horton stopped his work and stared at Silver raising an eyebrow, “One, it’s weaving. Two, I’m making you all a gift for coming. Three, I’m a craftsman, I don’t have a mission for you.” He then returned his attention back to the work in his hands, “I have a request to borrow Gaea Shield, the Solar Pegasus in the Lunar Guard.”

Booksalot smiled at Morning Glory and Clear Twilight as he conjured up a fire imp to dance around them and keep them occupied. While it amused them, Fast was responsible enough to make sure that fire wouldn't harm her wards.

Silver's attention was on Horton. "Shield isn't technically mine to give away, temporarily or otherwise. That would be up to Luna. What's up? If it's straight forward, it shouldn't be an issue. Also, you kinda didn't say what you saw?"

“When did I ever say I saw anything?” Horton asked curiously, “I know I said I saw season seven, but I’ve simply read about you and some of the other humans that have found themselves here because of the Text. Most of what I know is current with the timeline now, therefore I can’t spoil anything. Well, unless you wanna know where a one Mr. John Smith ran off to.”

The little imp then leapt up into Fast’s mane and nestled down, surprisingly not catching her on fire. Fast let out a yelp of surprise, drawing the giggles of the foals.

Silver glanced back at her. "That's what I meant, reading, seeing, experiencing, let's not get bogged in terms." He shuffled from foreleg to foreleg. "Am I in a book?"

“Timeline wise we are currently in the fourth story about you and your adventures David.” Horton said with a chuckle, “I’m sorry I just haven’t talked to anyone in a long time, the most recent I’ve been this close to someone was a month ago. Right now those men are all taking a dirt nap about three miles that way.” Horton lifted a hand from his work and gestured to his left before picking up the rose and adding it to the bowl that had been created.

That made Silver recoil quite abruptly. "W-what?!" His ears pinned back against his head. "What happened?" Why did Horton seem so unbothered by it? Silver didn't like it, and his magic began to reach out preemptively, feeling the area and preparing for an attack.

“They tried to kill me, I defended myself.” Horton said bluntly. “I left a knife in one, and my sword has a few purple spots on it now.” He then gestured to the black footlocker. “You’re using your magic so I know you can probably tell that I locked all my knives and my sword in the chest for now.”

Silver took a slow step back, wings fluttering fitfully on his sides. "If you know so much about me, why don't you know this sounds like the wrong kind of thing on basically every level? What were you before you came here, a soldier?"

“Scout,” Horton said pulling back the edge of his jacket to show the Boy Scouts of America sewn into his shirt. “Summer camp had just ended and I was ready to go home when the Text got me.” He then looked up at stared at Silver, “And I am aware of how it sounds, because those men did die at my hands. I won’t sugar coat anything. Men are dead, I killed them, now I have to live with that until the end of my days.”

Silver glanced away and back quickly, as if uncertain to let the man out of his sights even a moment. "How many others have there been, before those three?"

Even Fast could feel the edge around Silver and she quickly gathered up the foals, tucking them under wings she didn't have moments prior.
> 16 - Rescuing a Human
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“None, I had only ever killed fish and the occasional squirrel or rabbit for food.” Horton said as he released a sigh, “When I first arrived I was thinking about starting a camp that ponies could come to to learn various crafts and survival skills. Once, I killed those men I knew I couldn’t do that, mostly due to how you and your wives would react to the news. That’s why I want to go on a little trip around the country instead, I want to start by looking in the Everfree Forest for a certain hut that won’t want to be found.”

One of those ears inched upwards. "Look, if they… attacked you like that, you have the right to defend yourself, but…" He frowned a little. "What happened? Start at the start and walk me through, if you can?"

“Do you really want your foals to hear something like this?” Horton asked as he pointed to Fast and the foals. “I know this wouldn’t bother Booksalot because he’s been in a few fights in his own travels, and you had that dream world that you died in. Am I wrong Prince Silver Watch?”

The hairs on his withers stood up as the tension grew. "Just a dream, as you said. Some of it… nevermind that. We're here for you, one way or the other. Stick to the facts. Neither of us… should… be interested in gory details."

“I’ll tell you the short version then,” Horton said as he closed his eyes, “It was calm night, I was sitting in this spot as the fire had just gone to embers. I was starting to fall asleep when one of my perimeter traps went off making a lot of noise telling me that they were coming. I assumed it was them because they had kept trying to steal some of my things to help their lives be better.” Horton then crossed his legs and opened his eyes before continuing. “I had been carrying the sword with me to use as a machete, a tool to help me gather things or to act in self defence if a wild animal tried attacking me. I walked toward the trap that had gone off…”

"--Stop there," cut in Silver. "If they were bothering you already, why didn't you do… anything? Go to a local town, report them, move away, just about anything more than… nothing? You knew they were there and it escalated to this, if I'm not misunderstanding."

“The closest town are Canterlot and Ponyville, they are both two or three days away by walking.” Horton replied, “So I made the traps, I flintknapped some arrowheads tied them to sticks and buried those so that if you walked in some areas it would be painful and annoying but not kill anyone. I also attempted a bear trap like one but that one never worked right so I threw it into the bottom of the river. I chose not to leave because I didn’t really want to carry the two-hundred and fifty pounds that is all my stuff and the foot locker.”

"So you made a choice, just to be clear. You decided your stuff was important, important enough to kill for, in the end." His wings spread wide. "That was, in the end, the decision. You didn't know what the intruders were capable of in either direction. They could have shot you dead just as easily. You valued your things more than their lives or your own. Was it… Was it that valuable?" His magic reached to see, slipping into cracks and corners to feel at what might be there.

“When I went out to confront them one of them jumped me and got me in the side with a small swiss army knife. They were going for my life to get my stuff so that’s when I defended myself.” Horton stated. Silver could feel many things within the foot locker, ranging from clothing, to a few what seemed like trinkets without being able to see them, to a collection of pocket knives and the sword, all locked within. “If you want I’ll work on rewriting my journal so that it’s more legible and send it to you so you can see my whole life while I’ve been here.”

"When I look my wives in the eye and tell them that humanity is, by and large, friendly and empathetic souls that would rather avoid conflict, am I a liar?" He rose to his full standing height. "If you know me, then you know I started on two legs, just like you. I thought most people preferred that, peace. Good neighbors over bad. Cooperation over violence. That's just… It's not even natural. Wild animals don't like violence, too dangerous." He laughed at that. "Ironic in a way, isn't it?"

Horton crossed his arms and watched Silver with a mostly unamused expression. “I agree.” He finally said cutting some of the tension in the air, “You aren’t a liar Mr. Watch, I personally would rather find a peaceful solution to a problem than go right to violence. But why dwell on the past? What’s happened has happened and we can’t change that. I wish to better myself and try to avoid such a situation from happening again.” Horton then removed his jacket and set it to the side as he stood up and gave the scout sign, “I promise on my honor as a scout, for that is all I have left.”

Fast came up beside Silver, looking between him and the human curiously. "That's kind of a big deal, I mean killing anything that can ask you not to, right?" She perked an ear. "Never did that myself."

"I have…" confessed Silver. "Not on purpose… Not even while awake… I never want to even be that close again." He stomped a hoof. "So here's a stupid question." He thrust a hoof at the footlocker. "Why did you come prepared for this?"

“I had been camping, I was working staff and had recently bought my solar charger for my phone and my water purification system.” Horton said lowering his hand and sitting back down with a slight wince. “The knives are all my pocket knives, the scout motto is Be Prepared, and every one of those knives were originally intended to be tools for survival, not weapons. And the sword was in my footlocker because I was showing it to the other staff, with it being my very first of what was going to be a collection. When the Text asked what I wanted to bring I said my foot locker because I had just packed it up to go home.”

"Then he got you." Silver slumped a little. "You took something dangerous, and he got you. The Text got rid of someone else he didn't like, and got the blood all over your hands. They came because… He killed them, with you. You were his sword."

Fast blinked softly, trying to parse that. "Want to try that one more time?"

“The Force that brought you your husband Miss Fast Change.” Horton says with a soft smile, “The Text is its name, and it also brought those other humans to Equestria, and since it didn’t like them or they had just asked for a bad path. I became a tool to get rid of them.”

"Does that make you happy?" asked Silver. "What does it make you feel? Be honest."

“What is there to feel? Regret at killing something sapient? Anger at being used? Frustration toward not having peace?” Horton asked then shook his head, “I’ve already been through the emotions, I like what Morrie had to say on the subject. Did you ever read that book, ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’?”

Silver shook his head. "Afraid not, but that's beside the point. You're a Scout, or so I thought? You act like a soldier that's put it all behind them, and that's a little… unsettling, if you don't mind my saying."

Fast nodded at that even as Clear Twilight broke free and flopped to the ground. "Come back here, you," called out Fast as she wandered off after the lunar earth filly.

“I don’t mind at all.” Horton said as he watched Clear and Fast for a moment. “A lot of people always told me I seemed older than I really am because of that attitude.” Horton then paused for a moment before continuing, “So, about me going looking for a hut in the Everfree Forest, yea or neigh?”

Silver blinked softly. "Look, you are either dangerous, or hurt, possibly both. You need help, and I'm willing to help you get it, but I'm not here to force it. You've been through a terrible thing, and you're burying it under a mountain of machismo. It might feel right… but it isn't. You were used, hurt, physically, mentally. May I help you?"

“You’re the first to notice.” Horton said with a chuckle, “Yeah, I’m hurt, I never had any friends, wasn’t really close to my family even though I still miss them to heaven above, and I just don’t fit into social norms. Being out here by myself with limited interaction has both helped and hurt me. And of course I’m dangerous, if you made me choose one thing about myself that I’m scared of the most I would say my patience. So, if you wanna help me I’ll gladly accept it.”

Silver's face unfolded into a smile, a hopeful smile. "Do you need help carrying your things? It would be awful to lose them after all that." He didn't move to snatch the foot locker. It was obviously precious to the human. "We'll bring you to Canterlot. You'll be cared for. Once you start to feel again, I swear to help you get wherever you want to go, though I would caution against the Everfree, still, your life in the end."

“I think that teaching me a new skill would help me get better.” Horton said with a smile, “Give me to the blacksmiths and let me learn. Books pack up the camp!” he said as he pulled the key to his locker from his hip and threw it to the aged unicorn who grabbed it in his flaming aura along with the foot locker, the hammock and its gear.

Silver glanced at the unicorn curiously. "No harm in learning a trade, but how did you two get in contact?" He snatched the fleeing Morning Glory from the ground with his magic, to Fast's relief. She had the other giggling foal. "I never learned how to smith, but I guess you know that?"

“The Goat from the Belfry told me I should come look for him after he asked me to come answer a question for him.” Booksalot said simply as everything was gathered and he started trotting back the way they came.

“And Booksalot was my OC so I was fine with him showing up every once in awhile like he did.” Horton stated as he picked up his jacket and the woven grass bowl he had made during their talk.

That made Silver relax a little. "My own OC was quite a help when I first arrived. I thought I was the only one, but I guess that was just me thinking I was special." He turned back to where the portal was, bumping into Fast along the way. "Let's get back. We can chat along the way."

Horton took one last look around the camp before he started to sing as he kicked out the fire and followed.

“On a hill
Above the river
In amongst the trees
Flies the flag of Arrowhead
Waving in the breeze.

Hail, to Arrowhead 
Hail, to Arrowhead
A place to work and play
Where a scout learns better scouting
All the live long day.”

Booksalot listened and joined in with humming the same tune when Horton did as they continued their walk.

> 17 - A New Spell
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The ride home was uneventful. Fast kept her nose in a book, which made Silver confused. "What are you reading?" She refused to say, mumbling something about nothing interesting.

Clearly it was interesting! As sensitive as his telekinesis was, it couldn't read ink off a paper. Even if he worked extra hard to feel the indents, it became like braile, refusing to gel in his mind into actual letters. That would not work. "What is it?" he asked again. "You know you can trust me."

"I know if I ask you, as your future and past wife, to let me have this secret, you will, because you are a good pony." She gave a firm nod and turned back to her book, devouring whatever was inside.

Silver let out an annoyed grunt. He didn't like being called out on being a nice person, but it wasn't a lie. He didn't feel right prying too hard if Fast wanted to keep it to herself. "Just tell me it's safe, and mean it."

Fast looked up at him. "Oh, it's safe, mostly. It might not be safe for your mind, but you'll enjoy it, promise. Now lemme alone." She stuck out her tongue in a loud raspberry before continuing her reading.

Silver decided to try and busy himself with some writing of his own that needed doing. He put quill to paper and got to work. The trip went by smoothly with the two sitting in companionable silence.

When they arrived at the castle, Fast seemed eager and excited. "Where can we be private?"

Silver shrugged at that. "I'm never all the way private these days. Are you listening, Sammy?"

"Affirmative," came a small voice in his ear. "Welcome back."

"She can watch if she wants." Fast frowned a little. "Just don't want anyone walking in and getting in the way of things. It's been too long. Way too long. I'm going to show you a thousand ways I love you more than anything."

Silver felt his heart quicken as he gave an awkward smile. He was not a stranger to any of his wives demanding time, but the blush never went away. "Fast... we're not official yet."

Fast clopped a hoof on the ground. "I had you first! Come on... None of them will be that mad, so long as we keep working on the whole changeling thing too. Please... I want to spend a night with a stallion that I know loves me completely and I want to show him how much I return that feeling."

Silver glanced around nervously. Fortunately, none of the other ponies around seemed to notice their conversation. They were all busy with their own affairs. He may have been royalty, but he was the least of them all. In some ways, he was the male adornment of the royal mares. That thought made his blush worsen before he shook his head. "If we're in the castle, there's a chance someone will turn up. That's just life there."

Fast suddenly stopped. "Then we don't go there."

Silver pointed at the foals still strapped to Fast's sides that were being quiet and good. "They say otherwise."

"Right right..." Fast sighed. "Let's drop them off first at least."

Silver had no argument about that, so he proceeded directly to the castle. Just as he stepped past the guards at the door, he felt a soft furry finger caressing his snout.

"Welcome back," purred his jackal stalker. "I trust your trip was productive?"

Silver took a quick step back. "I brought the human to where he could get some help, and friends. He needs both."

Fast blinked at the she-jackal. "Nefertari, right?"

"Correct," agreed Nefer with a toothy smile. "And you are... Fast Change, former changeling queen, are you not?"

Fast's ears fell a little. "That's princess, but yes."

"Princess, queen, it matters little. The changelings are no more, hmm."

Fast blinked at that. "They changed, but they're still there. Who told you otherwise?"

"Is that so?" Nefertari folded her arms under her chest. "Getting information on it has proven most trying. And you are no longer with them."

"I'm with him." She nudged up against Silver. "And we're putting the foals away."

"Got it." She vanished. The foals were also gone.

Silver grunted softly. "She really should ask first... they're fine though. She can be strange, but I don't think she'd ever hurt them."

"I think she likes you." Fast leered a little before licking Silver's closer ear. "You awful stud you. Now that she's gone though, and no foals are weighing us down..."

Silver leaned over and nuzzled Fast a little. "I want to ask Night first. You'll allow that, I hope?"

"Nnnnooo, I guess not." She sighed softly. "For Night, I can wait. Let's find her." She leaned in and whispered in Silver's ear, "Hey, Samantha, still listening? Where is Night?"

A voice replied, but not in Silver's ear, but Fast's instead, "She's in her classroom, grading papers."

Fast's ears twitched wildly. "What?! You got me too?!"

"Does this bother you?"

"Dirty girl! Dirty dirty girl!" shouted Fast, but she was grinning, not frowning. "When did you do that? Oh, um, Silver, she says Night's in her classroom. Lead the way."

Silver did just that, trotting through the hallways of the castle towards the classroom. They ran into another pony, and not one he expected. Samantha stood before them, smiling. "Hello, father, maybe future mother!" She pointed at Fast. "Her measurements are odd. I think she's excited about something, or maybe she caught something. I'm not sure which."

Fast blinked at Samantha's greeting. "Huh, well, so you're the one that... bugged me?"

"Bugged you," Samantha said, giggling. "Shouldn't you bug other ponies?"

Fast got the joke and rolled her eyes. "Don't repeat that around changelings, it bothers most."

Silver cleared his throat softly. "Is something wrong? What brings you here?"

Samantha bobbed her head quickly. "Sunny wants to talk to you. So does Lulu. You're very popular today."

Silver quirked an ear. "I'll be sure to see them both, but you could have told me that remotely, right?"

"Could, but I also wanted to see you, and to give you something."

"What?"

She grabbed him in a hug and squeezed. "Welcome back, father."

Silver smiled with building joy, hugging with his magic his manic daughter. "It's nice to see you too."

Samantha hopped back, then looked at Fast pointedly. "You better treat Father well!"

Fast blinked at the stern warning. "I plan to treat him very well, and you'll be watching, because you're a dirty dirty mare."

Samantha tilted her head a little. "I wash daily." She turned and trotted off without waiting for a correction.

"She is a fascinating mix of youthful innocence and energy and a mind sharp enough to be frightening. My daughter is amazing, and I love her very much." He had a feeling she may be listening, but he meant every word. "Let's go see Night, then it's off to the royal sisters."

They were close to Night's domain and entered it to find the lunar pony scribbling with a quill held firmly with a wing. "Is that you, Silver?" she asked without looking up. "Welcome back."

Silver smiled. "How did you know it was me so fast?" He trotted quickly to her side, and they met in a fond embrace.

"Your one metal shoe is a dead giveaway to anypony listening." She looked over to Fast. "Any breakthroughs?"

"Just one." Fast trotted towards them. "One I need your permission for. I want to spend an evening showing Silver how much I love every inch of his body, and he said I had to ask you."

"Ask me?" She hiked a brow. "He kicked me out of being First Wife."

Silver smooched her snout. "And yet you remain my lovely compass and I wish to follow your direction."

Night set her quill down gently. "At least you haven't completely lost your senses. To think, a male that wants to lead a herd..." She looked Fast up and down carefully. "You know I'm alright with Fast Change, but you were right to ask. She isn't part of us formally. People could talk and whisper." Fast winced, but Night grinned. "However... You have a reputation for courting exotic mares, and Fast is that. You spending time with the former changeling queen shouldn't be too surprising. I'd check with Celestia and Luna, just to be sure, then you're set."

"Let's go!" Fast's horn glowed as she spun Silver in place towards the door and got to trotting. "We have a royal duo to chat with."

Silver chuckled faintly as he followed the energetic Fast, wondering what she had in mind. It had to be something... Was it just playing?

They found Luna. She was just waking up and preparing for the evening. The guards let Silver and  Fast go past with a friendly nod each.

"Silver," stated Luna as she brushed her mane with a magically held brush. "Welcome back. Did Samantha speak to you? Celestia has a rather sizable task for you she would like you to start."

Silver blinked at that. "I just finished..." The complaint died in his throat. He was a prince. That meant he had to do things. He got to live like royalty, so being busy was a small price to pay. He was a thousand times blessed. With his emotions put in check, he nodded. "What does she need?"

"She wants the poor portions of Canterlot catalogued, documented, then addressed. She wants all of her precious city to gleam with the smiles of its content citizenry. It seems she has become keenly aware of the less reputable portions of the jewel of her kingdom." She set the brush aside and turned. "Good evening, Fast Change. Any progress with your recovery?"

Fast winced faintly. "Nothing concrete yet, but there is a question." She waved at Silver. "Can I borrow him? I'll be gentle and bring him back good as new, I swear. I miss him... Please, one night."

"You've grown." Luna sat tall. "If I were to guess, you would have not asked me, not long ago. You were his, and he yours, before I came into the picture as one of the runners. It was only your selfless act that pulled you away from him..." She raised a hoof. "Once, if only because I want you to focus on curing yourself, one way or the other. Be rid of this impediment so we may greet you properly as family."

Fast knew better than to mention it wasn't her idea to ask Luna. She hugged the princess of the night tightly. "I will, promise."

Silver nodded softly. "That just leaves talking to Celestia."

Luna waved it off. "She will be heading to bed shortly. You've heard what she wants. I'll tell her you're on the case when we exchange heavenly bodies." Her eyes darted to Fast. "I'll also inform her of my decision. Do as you wish with her this evening. I trust you are not receptive?"

Fast quickly shook her head. "No ma'am. I'm not ready for motherhood yet. Tonight is not for that."

"See that it isn't. That would complicate things." Luna rose over Fast. "I must attend my own duties. Good evening."
> 18 - Pillow Talk
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Silver sat on the bed beside a trembling Fast. He had a wing out across her, holding her with the softness that only feathers could provide. "I know you don't feel that way right now, but you are still an amazing mare, inside and out. You've just gotten as colorful on the surface as you've been on the inside."

She quirked a curious bit of a smile. "You're just saying that. You love me, dummy, you'd say that if my eyes fell out and half my teeth followed. I'm not a moron."

Silver leaned in and smooched her cheek. "Love or not, I'm still a male. I have physical needs and inclinations. You haven't stopped being a lovely mare."

"You hate bugs," she spat.

"You can bug me any day."

She rolled her eyes. "That was terrible and you should feel bad."

Silver nipped at one of her changed ears. "Make me."

She lashed out at him and they fell to wrestling, which became laughing as they tussled for dominance a moment before they flopped.

Fast looked up at the ceiling. "After all that, I just... did it."

"You did," agreed Silver. "And I get a feeling Celestia saw it coming."

Fast snorted softly. "Figured, probably sent her sister to pull the trigger, indirectly too, subtle." She sat up. "Does this mean I'm a princess again?"

Silver sat up with her, ears perked. "It doesn't have to be, and I don't think that's where you need to be right now. You just said your goodbyes. Let's stop playing yo-yo with a friend of mine." He wrapped his magic around Fast and drew her across the sheets. "I'm keeping you this time."

They sat in companionable silence a moment before Fast slipped to the floor and spread her new wings, looking them over. "Huh... Like a beetle..." She looked up at her horn and smiled faintly. "Least I have my horn." She reached up and tapped it. "It has the right spiral... I saw some of the others, all smooth. I thought I'd get that..."

"You are still you," declared Silver firmly as he hopped down beside her. "You are Fast Change, my second wife, soon to be proper member of this herd, if you will share ownership of such a silly stallion with other mares that each deserve a stallion of their own. I don't know fully in the end why they put up with me. I'm not enough for them all by far."

Fast tapped Silver on the nose. "Now who's being self-defeating?" She shimmered softly and became her old self, the ruddy red unicorn. "It's odd..." She stepped slowly and carefully. "My leg, it feels better."

Silver blinked, something clicking in his head. "Your lame legs, where you got the hole..."

Fast squinting at him. "Are you saying fixing that fixed my legs?" She hopped from one leg to the other in an athletic display. "I'm not doing this, I swear. They're just... good..."

Silver smooched her cheek. "You've put a dark part of your past behind you. You've grown."

Fast smirked at that. "Like it or not. But isn't that life?" She sat down suddenly. "Well, alright then. If you insist I'm not a hideous freak, I guess I'll take your word for it." She raised a brow. "I'll prefer this form, if you don't mind. I like being a pony, not a bug, pretty bug or not." She pointed back at her flank. "Cutie mark included."

Silver glanced at the bicolored pony that graced her flank before a thought came to him. "So, that spell, you got it from our trip to the human, right?"

"More his friend. He had a spell, useless. It was complicated enough for a pony to need years to get it right with exotic ingredients to boot. On the other hoof, the book it came in also had tons of anatomical notes and sketches and everything I needed." She clopped her forehooves together. "Armed with that knowledge, bridging the gap went from impossible to manageable. Hay, I bet with that, Celestia could turn you back into a human... if you wanted that."

Silver winced faintly. "That would be running into the past, like you were trying to do. I'm not a human anymore. I'm a pony. I love humans, and I'll never forget being one. I want to help them, but I'm not one." He stepped towards the door.

Fast suddenly darted between him and the door. "Hold your horses, stud. You never told me how you liked it."

"Liked what?"

She rolled her eyes. "My being human, duh. Did I knock your world out of orbit or not?"

Silver colored faintly. "You were... incredible."

She approached him daintily, almost dancing on her hooves. "Then we'll have to do it again, for special occasions." She bounced back and her horn lit up, opening the door. "For now, it's time for both of us to get back to living."

Silver could think of little argument to that, so he went with her back into the castle proper.

It wasn't long before they ran into Luna. She looked to Silver directly. "Silver, Fast. Good to see you both. Any prog--"

"I'm all good," squeaked out Fast defensively.

Luna looked uncertain. "Which way was it resolved?"

Silver slid in front of her. "It's resolved."

"Which way?" asked Luna again. "It is not an untoward question."

Fast huffed a sigh as she let the magic go and became the colorful love bug that she had become. "Happy?"

"We shall announce this." Luna nodded. "Ponies need to hear, and see, that you have moved along with the other changelings towards their reformed state."

"Cram them," hissed out Fast. "We have other business first." She pointed at Silver. "I had dibs on him!"

Luna placed a hoof at her chest. "Technically I had dibs on him before even his technical First Wife." She looked back to Silver. "Have you forgotten when I laid claim to your innocence?"

Silver went a bright red, remembering the time spent with Luna's younger reflection. "B-be that as it may, she is asking to join the herd. Are there other issues?"

Luna pointed the same hoof at Fast. "There is. A herd is a family unit. I do not feel you are willing to accept the rest of us as eagerly as you chase our stallion. Even now you glare at me as an obstacle in your way. This level of trust and sharing does not come easily, and spiteful feelings such as that will only weaken what we have built.

Fast blinked with wide eyes. "Luna, with all due respect, but I'd cover you any day of the week if you'd stop giving me that look."

It was Luna's turn to darken. "So you say--"

Fast roughly nudged Silver. "Tell her! I've said it before, plenty of times."

Silver looked around as if he could escape the situation somehow short of teleportation or a dead sprint. "She has..."

"I have!" she repeated. "You're a hot piece of pony. I'm only mad right now because I'm so close to putting everything in place. I just want this to be over, then I'll be glad to show just each and every one of my new wives how undeniably sexy they are, one by one." She cocked a chitinous brow. "Or all together, if that's your speed."

Luna's coloration grew worse. "That is not required! My sister and I have agreed to not... share in that way. The improprieties are too many. That is no example we wish to be for our ponies." She raised a hoof to cough into it softly. "You will want to approach every wife. Celestia is finishing court. Night is grading assignments. Speak to them." Without waiting for reply, she vanished in a sparkle of magic.

"Somehow it's fair when my wives do it, but I tried that once," sighed out Silver.

Fast grinned at that. "You are such a whipped stallion."

Silver nuzzled her gently. "At least I'm owned by the best in Equestria. I can think of worse fates."

Together they sought Celestia. She wasn't hard to find, relaxing after a day's work with a slice of cake on her plate and a cup of tea beside that. "Silver, Fast. It's nice to see you both." She was smiling in her usual way.

Fast bounced forward as she resumed her new form. "Look, all fixed."

Celestia startled at first but quickly recovered. "You've stepped forward."

"I was dragged forward, screaming. Silver was there. Tell her I screamed." Silver was too busy being red. "He saw it. But I did it. May I begin worshipping the sun?"

Celestia blinked softly. "Sun worship has grown a bit antiquated has it--" She cut off as Fast danced around her and planted a smooch right on her cutie mark. Celestia turned to watch Fast paying proper oblations to her royal flank. She cleared her throat softly. "I appreciate your dedication, but such attention could be considered... improper."

"Between herd-mates?" asked Fast with a grin. "You know that's what I want to be."

Celestia's ears lifted. "Your wishes have not changed then?"

"Not even a little, minus not becoming this." She waved at her cyan-green shell. "That happened, no backsies, so I'm ready to move forward now. Princess Celestia, will you marry me?"

Celestia turned to face her and sat up fully. "Why should I? This herd has but one stallion, and he is challenged as it is."

"I'm glad you asked that." Fast was grinning ever so widely. "Act now and you get two for one." She shimmered with change, becoming different in a subtle and yet obviously male way. She spoke with a deepened voice. "I will gladly show you the love of a stallion or a mare. You deserve both."

Silver nodded at this. "I do not for an instant doubt she's telling the truth about that, even if she prefers female of the two."

Fast shrugged. "Call me a switch. Speaking of that, it goes all the way. Want to be bottom, or top? Either has its perks." She became her ruddy red unicorn mare self. "Bottom line, I want to love this herd, all of it in all ways. May I?"

Celestia reached out and rest a hoof on Fast's nose. "How do we know you won't run when things become painful? You've already fled one family of those who loved you very much."

Fast cringed, struck well and true. Her lusty flirtations were brought to a sudden and complete halt.
> 19 - Gaea Shield
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not forgotten by Silver, Gaea marched through the streets of Decanter. It wasn't that he hadn't even seen the slums before, but he thought everyone else knew about it. To be told Celestia wanted it ended, yesterday, was a bit of a surprise.

But where to even begin? He had been tasked with surveying the area, seeing what could be used to start the process. That seemed a task as large as the mountain the city was perched on. "Where to start," he grumbled to himself, wings giving a lone flap with building agitation.

There was one place he knew. It was a place a dark-colored pegasus like him didn't stand out quite so much. He found himself before the Belfry. Lunar ponies strode past him. Some knew him, most eyed him with a faint wariness. None of them prevented him from walking inside. The proprieties were full of smiles, but his business was not with them. There was one source of answers there.

Most didn't like it if they were serious. If they weren't serious... They learned from their mistake. "Is the goat in?" Shield asked cautiously. "I'm hoping to have a chat."

“Gaea Shield, as I live and breathe.”  a soft brown older earth pony mare smiled at the approaching stallion.  “Come in, come in.  There’s no cover charge for the lunar guard.  Find yourself a seat, my children will see to you directly, dear.”

"Thanks, Miss Apple," accepted Shield with a dip of his head. "Not sure what I am these days. Luna has me working for Prince Silver." He lifted a hoof to wave it around. "And he sent me right down here."

“Hmmm, nothing good ever comes of Royals meddling in Decanter, but I imagine it was inevitable with the recent troubles.”  Caramel Apple shook her head sadly.  “Michelle!  Go fetch Candy and tell her Gaea Shield is here to see William.  Well find yourself a seat, Michelle will get you a drink.  My son will see you in his own time of course.  I’m sorry to make you wait, dear, but William keeps his own time…”

Shield seemed far from bothered by that. "I'm not trying to hurry him." He didn't dare to. "Thanks again." He ambled off to settle at a clear table and pulled the menu over before quickly deciding what it was he wanted to wet his whistle in the wait.

“Never thought I’d see you down here calling on Billy.”  A burgundy lunar mare sidled up to the table.  “Mom says you’re here on business, are you being reimbursed, or do I get to run a tab to the crown?  Michelle!  Bring me two ciders, one tart, one sweet, and a bitter ale in an ice bucket for Billy.  So what brings the high and mighty Silver Flank’s attention to this side of the mountain?”

Shield brightened at the sight of the lunar. "Nice to see you too. You know I wouldn't be knocking if I didn't think it was important." He pushed his menu away, trusting in the taste of the mare that had joined him. "Seems eyes have just opened and noticed things are wrong in this part of the city, and they want to fix it."

“Well isn’t that just the most special thing ever?”  Candy Apple smirked.  “Will we finally be getting those stars that bring in the good clientelle?”  The mischievous mare suddenly raised her voice, “‘Cause all we get down here are bugs, bat ponies, and rabble!”

"New bugs," noted Shield. "How's that going on? I hear they're getting along alright?" He sat up suddenly. "Actually, let's stay focused. What's causing trouble this week?"

“Meet the new bugs.  Same as the old bugs.” Candy shrugged.  “You want to know what’s causing trouble?  There ain’t nopony this side of the mountain know’s who’s in charge anymore.  Fast Change is out, at least what they’re saying.  Nopony knows this Stand In.  She say’s she’s the new Changeling Princess.  The hive is basically starting over… Fast Change was unofficially our royal down here.  She’s up and ditched.  Power hates a vacuum.  Hell, politics is the problem down here, Shield.  Same as it always was.”

He let out a slow sigh, but then the drinks arrived. Just in time! He plucked one up with a hoof and gave a deep pull. "Same as always." He looked to Candy with a raised brow. "It doesn't have to be though. We used to be less well off, then Celestia came, and she wants to clean up around here. That's good, right?"

“Maybe it depends on what the ponies on the hill want to clean up, Shield.”  Candy rolled her eyes, looking up as their orange waitress arrived, carrying a trio of bottles in her agile tendrils.  “Thank you Michelle!  Have you met Gaea Shield?  He doesn’t get down this way as much since he got promoted up to the hill.  Gaea, say hello to Michelle, former human refugee.  She doesn’t talk much.  Not sure if she can honestly, but she’s got the sweetest smile, and she’s the best waitress we’ve got.”

The mare was mostly a pony… mostly.  Her lower jaw bisected and split open to make room for the three tongue-like appendages she used to carry out her duties.  Even so she might have passed for an especially broad jawed earth pony, were it not for the thick, salamander like tail swaying from her flanks.

Unaware of the specifics of his employer's history, Shield nodded at the once-human. "I hear as many of them end up not being human as keep their original race." He put a hoof behind his head. "Welcome to Equestria, either way. You're not in a bad place, here."

The misshapen mare drew her tendrils into her mouth and nodded with a shy smile, before retreating back behind the bar.  Candy gave a small snort of amusement.  “Somepony is sweet on you Shield.  But let’s be real here, you didn’t come down here to talk to Billy about local politics, I know.  Half the drunks in this place talk your ear off and not charge half your soul for it.”

Shield's ears flipped back. "I don't know where to start. Fighting a bad pony or monster, that I know. Upholding the law, gladly, any day of the week. Suddenly Silver just claps me on the back and talks like I'm a big shot that knows what to do, telling me to go looking for answers." His lips quirked in a smile. "Funny thing is I think he really does have faith in me."

“Look, Gaea, all I’m saying is, are you sure you’re gonna pay that kind of price?  You better make sure you’ve got the question right, s’all I’m saying”  Candy sighed and shrugged.  “You DO know the rules?  Right?”

"Mind your manners and do what he says," suggested Shield with a fresh smile. "More than half do, from what I hear. Look, this is my job, my duty. It's important. I don't want to drop that ball."

"And it’s my job to make sure, firstly, that nopony is wasting any other pony’s time.”  Candy paused as she moved toward a previously unnoticed door. “And secondly, that you do understand, that you understand whoever sent you down here, and however many bits we charge them for that, and it’s going to be a lot, in the end, there’s still going to be price to pay.  Just for you.  Go down the stairs, take the ice bucket, and knock three times on the last door on the left.”

Shield got a little smirk as he pressed through the concealed door. "You're just saying that because you know there's a royal tab waiting to be exploited." He closed the door behind himself and took a slow calming breath. "The mythical future-seer," he said to himself as he began to walk down the hallway towards his fate. "What will you tell me?" He raised his hoof to that door, the last on the left.

The goat looked up in annoyance at the sound of the third knock.  His face was young, but worn, his coat was the color of dirty cream.  His pale, salmon-colored eyes failed to focus at the offending passageway.  “It’s unlocked.”

A deft twist of a wing had the door open quickly and Shield stepped in. "Good day, sir. Sorry to bother you, but I'm not sure where else to start." He was truthful at least as he stepped up towards the desk.

“The place to start would be, ‘what do you want?’”  The goat gestured towards the bucket.  “But failing that, you could start with my ale.  I’m fairly certain Prince Watch doesn’t know I exist.  And I don’t see the sisters sending another pony to pay my price on their behalf.  And yet here you are.”

Shield's ears pricked at the man. "Look, this… I don't want to mess up. I'm being trusted to do something that could make a lot of lives happier, or mess it up big time. I want to do it right." He sat down lightly. "Where is your drink?"

The goat smoothly tipped back his bottle in his nimble cloven hoof.  Giving no sign when or how he had removed it from the ice bucket.  “My drink is before me.  The same place it always was.  Just as your path lies before you.  And you have yet to answer my question if you want to even take the first step.  What do you want?  You.  Personally.”

Shield blinked at the changed placement of things, but didn't speak of it, just wondering quietly. "I want to help this city. It's my city. Our city. If we can help it, and the ponies in it, we should. What do I have to do?"

“Is it… your city I mean?  Still, you have asked a question.”  A card was flipped face down from a purple satin bag.  It’s back was a simple faded dark aqua, bearing an axe and a rainbow with a worn red-orange border.  “Your answer is behind that thin paper door.  Turn the card and open the door, or don’t.”

He frowned a little before he could ease the expression away. "Thank you." He reached for the card. "Whatever it is." He flipped it right over in place, his eyes locked on what the hint might be. Before him was an older pony with a vicious expression. She stood in a copse of thin tall trees. The whole thing was framed with bronze. It seemed potent with imagery, but it was not a language Shield knew. "What does it mean?"

“The Ace of Order.  The Law Giver has escaped, her path leads to defeat, but also healing.”  The goat studied the card with dull, nearly sightless eyes.  “Reconciliation must prevail, if harmony is to refill the void left by chaos departure.  This card is associated with changelings, oddly enough.  A truly ordered tribe, they thrive in structure.  How much, I wonder, of the revival of the old tribal caste values do you think is a function of changeling culture?  They have learned how to live like ponies, but the ponies of Decanter have also learned to live like changelings, for both good and bad.  Order and chaos bear no morality on their own, after all.”

Shield's tongue touched his lips as he sat back. "Ponies and changelings both live here. We are neighbors.. This is a start." A smile spread over his face. "I think I know how to go from here. Thank you again." He rose to his hooves. "I'll do my best."

“You never asked what it’s going to cost, Gaea Shield.”  The goat noted absently.  “There is a price.  There is always a price.  For your part, you will be tasked to send a broken changeling filly into the shadows.  When you take her to that train station, everypony will believe she is going to a good place.  And everypony will believe you were given a simple escort duty.  But you are going to know better.  And you’re going to walk that little filly to the train yard.  You are going to put her on that train.  And then do you know what you have to do Mister Shield?  You’re going to look that little filly in the eyes, and you’re going to lie to her face and you're going to tell her she’s going to a good place, and that she’s going to be alright.  And nopony will ever think bad of you, because nopony will ever know it was a lie… except for you.”

That did not parse correctly in Shield's head. "If it's a bad place, I'm not sending a filly there. The Princesses would never do that knowingly, and if they didn't know, I would tell them." He huffed softly. "I will do my job, and that means protecting Equestria, even from bad decisions." He turned for the door. "I'll be watching though…"
> 20 - Paint the Town Pink
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Silver walked towards his room. He was tired after a day's excitement and ready to collapse with loved ones and call it a day.

Suddenly he was not facing the hallway. A furry shape was in the way, a familiar one. Nefertari approached him, grabbing his cheeks and hissing, "You have an intruder."

Silver went tense. "Where are the children?"

"Inside," replied Nefertari, gesturing with a light inclination of her head. 

"You left them!" Silver's wings sprung loose.

Nefertari held up a hand. "Your intruder poses no threat to them. She seeks your meat, not theirs."

She? Silver deflated a little, wings going limp but not folding properly. "Is she a suitor?"

"She could be." Nefertari's shoulders lifted. "I cannot be certain. She has wings and a horn as is the way with pony royalty."

A princess? Wait... "I safely presume it's none of the princesses you already know."

"Not Celestia or Luna or little Twilight," agreed Nefertari. "Pink and purple."

Silver sagged and began to laugh softly. "Cadance. She's harmless. Was Shining Armor with her?"

"Who? She was alone." Nefertari moved to his side. "You know this female then? Is she a suitor?"

"N-no. She's married already." Silver shook his head firmly as he resumed his walk towards his room. "Only in my dreams, literally."

Nefertari's nose wrinkled. "You fancy her then?"

"I didn't mean it that way." Silver shook his head a little. "She's lovely and nice and not mine and that's entirely fine. She's busy making another geek sublimely happy, and I wouldn't get in his way. He deserves his own rainbows."

Nefertari walked alongside him as if they were close friends, which perhaps they were on some level. "Not every being deserves the happy ending you enjoy alluding to. Have you received your 'rainbows'?"

"How can you say I haven't?" Silver glanced aside at her. "I'm married to women I love fiercely. I'm challenged mentally. I'm needed and important. God... I can't ever let myself forget how fortunate I am." He nodded firmly. "My rainbow has spread wide across the sky and I'm thankful for it every day."

Nefertari reached out and tapped his nose. "Even with others trying to reach you?"

"She--" Silver cut off, realizing Nefertari was not hinting at Fast. "Ah, right... Are you..." He rolled a hoof slowly. "Do you really want this?"

"I do not surrender easily, my future husband. Unless you tell me in clear terms that I have already lost, then I will find other ways." She took a step into him, bumping. "I will be a lovely wife for you, when you let me."

"Nefer... seriously, I'm taken, and taken, and taken again and again! Why settle for a husband with so many distractions?" Silver's nostrils flared with a snort. "You can do so much better."

"There are countless reasons."

"Give me three."

"Mmm." Nefertari raised a brow. "To start, your spirit is strange, familiar... You have a warrior's spirit, though you put in much effort to never express it. A lion guarding sheep, who prefers his sheep skin costume."

"That's one," counted Silver even as he sounded unsure of it. "Look, we're here."

"We are." Nefertari ran a hand down Silver's back, making him twitch as she tickled the right places. "We will continue this later." She was gone, simply removed from the world.

Silver's tail twitched as if to banish the fading presence. "Nefer..." he sighed out with uncertainty, then focused on the door in front of him. That he knew. He wrapped his magic around it and willed it open to find Cadance with three foals floating in her magic, all of them giggling and reaching for one another. 

When she saw him, she got a sudden grin. "Think fast!" The foals were abruptly flying at him.

He ensnared the precious foals in his magic and brought them to a smooth halt, except Flurry Heart who adorned his face. The filly giggled and squealed with delight. "Um, hello Cadance."

"Hello Silver," she replied as she stood up and walked towards him. "I was catching up with your foals. They're both lovely."

"Yours is too," he replied with a smirk. All he could see of her was her belly fur. He gently slipped his magic around her and put all three to the side to play. "What brings you here?"

"It's not obvious?" Cadance leaned forward, her eyes half-lidded. "I am the Princess of Love. Twilight barely knows what romance is outside a book. You, on the other hoof, have snatched both of my aunts in wedlock. You should be surprised it took me this long to visit, but things were busy up north." She cocked a brow. "Not sad to see me, I hope?"

"No, never." Silver felt a real smile coming to him. "You have always been a source of friendship without catches. I've never been sad to see you, Cadance."

Cadance suddenly looked guilty. "Look... It's been a while, but I feel some sins should be confessed to. When you were just a foal and Luna was falling for you, I tried to... help her. It didn't quite go to plan." She let out a little sigh. "Luna can be a hoof full, as I'm sure you noticed. I tried to censure her, but I never ratted out what she was doing to Auntie, and maybe I should have. So, there, it's out in the open."

Silver's ears twitched gently as he thought back to what seemed like such a long time ago. How long ago was it? Time in Equestria was odd... Still, "No." She perked. "I'm not angry at you. You really tried. You always tried. You were a friend from the start." He smiled gently. "I  hope you're still a friend."

"Of course," she quickly assured, her own face relaxing into a smile. "It's a great relief to know there are no secrets lurking between us. So, tell me, truthfully now, what are your intentions?" She sat on her haunches. "You control the sun and moon, as much as any stallion can. Many others would give quite a bit for what you have. Surely you have... plans?"

"Plans, there's a thing I'm not good at," easily confessed Silver as his eyes gravitated towards the foals. They were playing eagerly with one another. It seemed to be some kind of game like tag, and all three were heavily invested. Silver could only smile at the sight. "Right now I plan to be as good a husband as I can, as good a prince as I can, and as good a friend as I can. Three things, but all related, I think. As a prince, I should greet you warmly, but as a friend, why would I do any differently? Husband and prince both agree that I should tell my dirty mind to shut up."

Cadance let out a musical but brief laugh. "So you do have those thoughts? I wondered at times... You can be delightfully ignorant of exactly that sort of thing." She shook her head then. "Your husband and prince are correct, I should note. I love my Shining Armor. Even were he not involved, being in a relationship with my Auntie? That would feel strange at best. I may be the Princess of Love, but I prefer the classic variety. One mare, one stallion, eternal love." She sighed out slowly. "Do you think that's wrong?"

"What? No!" Silver sat up straight. "Heck, you make me feel guilty, but I've already gone down this path. There's no way back that wouldn't be littered with pain and hurting."

"I'm glad you see that." She reached up a hoof and tapped the crown on Silver's head. "It's easy to assume this is a fashion accessory."

"Anything but." Silver moved it with strong motions of his ears, adjusting it on his head. "Is Shining taking care of the Crystal Empire?"

"For now." She sighed gently. "I really want to spend more time with you and your family, but my visit can't last for too long." Her face turned to a grin. "That doesn't mean I won't pry where I can. Celestia may be my aunt, but I like to think I'm yours. Do you mind that?"

Silver hadn't thought of it before. He looked over the mare before him before her grin slowly infected him with a freshening smile. "I... think I like that idea."

"Fantastic. You will henceforth regard me as Aunt Cadie."

Silver blinked at being given a new name to use. "I can't promise I'll use that. Names are my weakness."

"Oh really, not mares? You could have fooled me," she said in a soft, teasing tone. She looked down at the foals. "I'm told they were literally the foals of your dreams. That's a special thing. They say all ponies dream of their young, but few remember it more than enough to come up with a name."

Silver rolled his eyes at that. "Don't tease like that. I don't go looking for them, and they could be making moves at me and I'm as likely to not even notice."

"I've seen it." Cadance tapped her own horn. "I'm told your cutie mark led you to some interesting magic. Do you want to share?"

Silver blinked. Rare were the ponies he could talk to about magic. Sure, he swapped letters with Twilight, but that wasn't the same. "Do you know magic?"

Cadance snorted softly. "I'm going to assume that question should have been 'How much magic do you know?' instead. I know some. I'm not Twilight level, but who is?"

"Starlight," posited Silver.

Cadance blinked softly. "Point. Either way, I'm moderate. I can read a spell and cast it if I have it in front of me, but don't expect me to memorize one easily." She pointed a hoof back at her wings. "I'm a pegasus born, you know. Flying, that I can do." A soft sigh escaped her. "Guess how much of that comes up as princess?"

"As if princes get a lot of call for magic." He smiled gently. "But I try to find time, and it comes in handy at times."

"Handy." She licked her lips. "I forget once in awhile where you came from, Silver. What was your name, when you had two legs?"

Silver felt a blush coming on. It wasn't that he was ashamed of his past, but he thought of it less. "D-david," he stammered out. The name almost felt alien on his tongue. "God, I don't use that name often."

"God," echoed Cadance. "Is that a human expletive? You use it like one. What tawdry act does it refer to?"
> 21 - Scrapped Chapter
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Silver perked an ear towards the door to his office. He hadn't been expecting any visitors just then. Was it one of his wives? Most of them would just charge in, so he decided it wasn't them. Maybe Samantha? Whoever it was, he was being rude. "Hello! Come in."

The door nudged open with a hoof, not magic. "Hey Dave."

Silver started at the voice, and the brown/grey shape that stepped in, a small foal attached. It was Rough Draft, his adopted father and once his OC. "Dad?!"

Rough smiled, but there was something wrong with it. "Hey kiddo." A pained snort of a laugh escaped him. "It still feels weird to call you that. Can... I need David right now, if that's alright?"

Silver tapped the top of his desk. "Of course it is. Rough, please, what's wrong?" He hopped free  of his chair and rushed for Rough, his wings half-extended. "Are you alright?"

"No," replied Rough flatly, and the room fell to uneasy silence as he looked around.

Silver could guess what was going on. He used to do it a lot, as a human. Being a pony prince had grilled a lot of it out of him, but he couldn't forget, not in that moment. Rough was trying to think of what to say. He was lost. Silver leaned in and touched nose to nose with Rough. "Whatever happened, I'm here."

Rough smiled, tears freeing from his eyes. "Thanks... She left."

"She?" Silver quirked up an ear. "Who?"

Rough went quiet again.

There were not many females in Rough's life that Silver knew. "Trixie?" Rough winced. "She left?!" Silver exclaimed, recoiling half a step.

"Don't... be angry at her..." Rough's head sank. "It was a bad match."

"Don't even start giving me that line! You were... You loved her completely!" Silver sank to his haunches. "What went wrong?"

Rough flinched back. "Nothing... specific. It was... Look, sometimes everypony can do the right thing and still lose, alright? I'm... not mad with her, and she's not mad with me."

"That's still not an answer. Rough, please... from the start?"

"I... was what she thought she wanted... until she realized what I cost. I was... a life of obscurity. I was a life without magic. I was a quiet and peaceful life. I... was everything she didn't want." He trembled softly. "I could not help her grow... She didn't understand what I was writing. We lived so far apart we may as well be on different worlds." He licked over his dry lips. His eyes refused to stay in one place for long as he fidgeted from hoof to hoof. "I tried to cross that divide, to join her in her performances, but that isn't me... I wasn't very good at it, or enjoyed it, and... someone had to watch our foal..."

Silver leaned off a bit to get a peek at that foal. He smiled just a little at the sleeping bundle of fur. "Are they alright?"

Rough heaved out a mighty sigh, his sides swelling a moment. "I've been their parent more often than not... I'm... not sure what I will even tell them when they're old enough to ask questions. Silver... I chased a rainbow, and this is what I got." He raised a hoof to his chest. "It hurts... It hurts really bad and I just want to cry and fuss and make a lot of noise, but I know that won't fix a damn thing and that makes me even more angry and--"

Silver set a hoof on Rough's shoulder as he rambled. "Let's get your bundle somewhere safe, then we can go talk some more. Right now, I'm all yours." He threw that same hoof over Rough, squeezing his 'elder', even if both were technically the same approximate age. "Come on."

The door suddenly swung wide open. Samantha was standing there. "Please excuse my lack of decorum. That is the right word for that, right?" She flashed a big grin. "I heard. I can foalsit."

Rough blinked at Samantha. "You're that crazy doctor."

Silver nodded. "Now my adopted daughter. You can trust her."

Rough chuckled softly. "What strange webs you've woven... If you trust her, then I will."

Samantha's horn glowed as she carefully extracted the foal and wandered off, cooing in gentle nonsense that only infants and mothers understand.

Silver nudged against Rough. "You get used to her showing up when she's most needed. Now... What about your house?"

"Sold it."

That was not the answer Silver was expecting. "Sold it?!"

Rough hung his head. "It might have been hasty, but I couldn't stand to even look at it... I had to get away. I ran."

"Without anywhere to go," breathed out Silver. He had been there before. "I'm... glad you trusted me enough to come to me."

Rough quirked a smile. "Not even one told you so?"

Silver blinked. "I don't think I told you so."

"You should have." Rough stuck out his tongue a moment before trotting for the door. "Come on."

Silver moved to keep pace with his pony father/friend. "Where are we headed?"

"Your favorite place, wherever that is. I'm sure you know the local spots better than me."

"Two." Nefertari appeared before them, looking between Rough and Silver. "You are linked in a way I have not seen before."

Rough looked Nefertari up and down. "Huh, you look like you came right out of one of my books. She even has the mammaries in the wrong place like I thought."

Nefertari bore a grin of gleaming teeth. "I am certain you are important to Silver, so I will give him a chance to explain your words before I begin assuming."

Silver edged a little in front of Rough, to shield him from Nefertari's wrath. "Nefertari, this is Rough Draft, my adopted father."

Her eyes went wide a moment before they narrowed. "Did you adopt him, or did he adopt you? I have not heard of a son adopting a father, but I put nothing past you ponies."

Rough laughed at that. "I'm sorry, ma'am. I'm his father, and adopted him, and I didn't mean to offend, really. Actually, you're every bit as lovely as I hoped a biped would be."

Nefertari's expression softened. "How curious. Most ponies prefer their paramours have as many legs as them."

Rough began to color quickly. Silver shook his head. "Don't tease him. He's had quite enough to deal with. We were just going to get something to eat and maybe drink some of it away with some conversation."

"A lovely idea. Where are we headed?"

We? Silver blinked. "I meant for it to be just the two of us, Nefer."

Nefer tapped Silver on the snout. "Your father is not subtle. I will make him happier being there. Don't dampen the mood."

Rough coughed softly into a hoof. "I don't mind making a new friend..."

Silver let out a sigh, his eyes rolling before he resumed his walk towards the exit of the castle. "Come on."





Meanwhile, across the city, Gaea Shield sat on a pillow, facing a colorful reformed changeling. "So," he explained, "I want to help things around here. I'm really hoping you can help."

"That's easy," said Stand In with a smile. "First we have to get rid of some dead weight. We need to unify Decanter, which means removing those who would eagerly see it pulled down further, or wallow in its current state."

That seemed reasonable at first glance to Shield and he nodded at the leader of the changelings. "Right, but how? I can't just go around arresting ponies if they aren't breaking a law."

Stand In perked a brow at that, realizing Shield did not even start to think of the darker ways her words could be taken. "Of course not! We can get them help too, while getting rid of them. The important part is them not being here, so we can begin rebuilding in earnest."

Shield hopped up to his hooves. "How do we start?"

Stand clucked her tongue. "Let's start small, literally. There are those who attempted to overthrow this hive. Some of them repented and rejoined us, and that's fantastic, but others still harbor feelings, bitter poisonous ones. I can provide names and addresses... And I even know a fine place to bring them. They'll be safe, and out of the way."

Shield's heart soared. He was finally making progress. Suddenly, he remembered the price for this progress. "Wait, what place is this you want me to bring them?"

Stand In shook her head. "It's a place you ponies invented. Like I said, it's a safe place. They can leave it when they've learned how to be harmonious, and they'll be quite secure until then."

Shield felt his mouth go dry. "W-where is this?"

Stand In met his gaze. "You don't need to know, just that they will be safe, I swear on that."

"Where," he repeated firmly.

"Where all bad ponies go when they are a true danger to others." She drew out a sheaf of paper and slapped it down. "Murderers, arsonists, and more. These are not good ponies. You will bring them to Tartarus, and they will learn, eventually."

"Tartarus!" exclaimed Shield in almost a squeak. "We can't send them there!"

"Why not?" Stand in shook her head slowly as she began to gesture around the room. "May I remind you that Tartarus is owned and run by ponies, not changelings. This isn't my creation. If they learn their lessons, they will be set free, simple as that. Feel free to look through the papers." She shoved the bunch of them towards Shield. "Nopony on that list is anypony worth sympathy."

Shield could hear his past words ringing in his ears. He could say no! He could just say no and walk away and not do it. He could...

But then he wouldn't get what he asked for. He wouldn't make progress fixing Decanter. He would be a failure.

"Think on it," came Stand In's voice, gentle and caring. "But think quickly. These ponies are dangerous, to everyone. Even the youngest of them is mentally unbalanced and capable of grave violence. It's as much for their protection as anyone else's."

Shield picked up the papers with his wings. He gave a stiff nod and turned as if his bones were partially welded together. He felt like he was made of wood and awkwardly made his way to the exit. He had a choice to make, and he hated it.

Stand In watched him go quietly before she gave a soft whistle. With flashes of flame, two changelings appeared where potted plants had been. "You two, follow him. Make sure he doesn't do anything... foalish." They saluted and trotted away.
> 22 - The Next Adventure
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The food was placed before them. Silver nodded in thanks to the waitress. "Rough, have you tried anything this... carnivorous before?"

Rough waved it off. "'Course I have. I felt obligated to, writing about the humanoids so much. If they can enjoy being omnivorous, why not me?"

Nefer skewered a finely sliced bit of beef. "A bold enough sentiment, but there are... more practical concerns."

"I was careful," Rough insisted as he picked up his plate and tore into some of the food there, meat and vegetable alike. "Did you die when you tried some pony food, Dave?"

Silver blinked. He was not called that often, but if anyone would, Rough Draft was that pony. "I avoided things I knew wouldn't work out, like most flowers. Besides that, there are tons of veggies that are completely fine."

Nefertari licked some of the juice of her meal free of her lips. "And now you are one."

"Sorry," muttered Rough, sounding sullen suddenly.

Silver reached out a wing, brushing Rough's shoulder. "What are you sorry for?"

Rough gave an awkward smirk. "I get my OC hoofed to me, right in my lap, and I can't even keep him safe the first trip we make. In the end... he's gone."

"I'm right here," protested Silver. "You didn't do anything wrong."

Nefertari steepled her fingers. "But you are not what you once were." A sharp smile spread. "Of course, who is?"

Rough gave a light nod at Nefer's words. "You have a point there. I'm not... who I was either." He suddenly smiled, flat teeth displayed. "We've come a long way."

Silver suddenly hugged Rough. Not physically, but with his magic, compressing the earth pony all around firmly. "And we have so much more to go. I'm sorry, about Trixie."

"You say that as if it were your fault." Rough snorted softly at the idea as he hefted up his glass of pungent wine and took a heavy draw.

"Isn't it?" Silver sat up a bit more. "If I hadn't gone pony, Trixie wouldn't have been assigned to be with us, to help raise me."

Rough put down the glass a bit more roughly than he intended, dark red fluid sloshing about. "Give me some credit! I made my decisions!"

Nefertari looked nothing but pleased. "That works both ways. If he is to accept your agency, then too must you accept his."

Rough glanced between Nefertari and Silver a moment before he let out a thunderous sigh. "I never could win an argument with a mare."

Nefertari was nothing but pleased in appearance, sampling a finely spiced potato that dangled from her sharp claws. "I am not a mare."

Silver burst into laughter. "She's a bitch," he explained, wondering if anyone on the planet knew the other context of the word.

"Precisely," agreed Nefertari. "Your compliment is accepted in the tone given, however."

They enjoyed their dinner, talking in friendly tones. When it came time to pay, Silver set his coin bag on the table and covered it. "Once you get so much of the stuff, you stop worrying about it. It's a nice feeling."

Nefertari arched a brow. "If I did not know you better, I would claim you were gloating."

Silver pinkened at the words. "No! Please. I mean it. It's just a nice thing to not have to really worry about."

Rough punched Silver's closest shoulder with a hoof. "Not all of us are that wealthy. So, you won?"

"Won?"

He swirled the same hoof. "Life. You won it."

Silver flashed a smile at that. "In a matter of speaking." He knocked around a bit of food with his magic as he considered. "It's not over yet, we've been over that. I'm on a good road, but there's plenty more to go. I get asked to do things I'm not sure how to do, and I just do my best."

Rough smacked his lips together. "I'm still doing what I always did, just with a foal attached. She watches me write sometimes, you know? I wonder if she'll get into roleplaying..." His ears fell to either side in his contemplations, his eyes losing their focus, at least until Nefertari prodded him with a claw.

"Focus on the present," she said. "Your son cares for you, this much is clear. It is an honor, to hold such respect for one's elders, and to be respected by one's progeny. While it would be ideal to assume this is the default, it often is not the case."

Silver grew curious. He popped the little tomato he had been playing with into his mouth before asking, "what about your parents?"

Nefertari winced faintly. "Dead. They died as they lived, as warriors. I was a disappointment to them, being born marked for priesthood. Being a spirit-speaker is an honorable position, venerated by many, but that is little comfort to parents eager to raise a warrior at their feet."

Rough grew rapidly confused. "You're not a warrio--"

His words were ended as he felt sharp claws pressing against his throat. Nefertari was behind him, ready to end him. "Consider your words carefully. This would be a displeasurable way to end a fine meal."

Silver acted without thought, panic surging through his form and his magic. The magic that he had begun to leave leaking out snapped into rigidity, exploding in a shell around Rough and repelling back the claws that threatened him a few precious inches. Panting from the sudden effort of it, Silver shuddered with fear and surprise.

Rough cleared his spared throat. "I didn't mean any offense by it. My apologies for fumbling my Friendship roll."

Nefertari flexed her claws as she settled back into her chair. "Apology accepted. All of us but the very lowest are warriors, but it is one thing to be a warrior, in ability, and a warrior, in purpose and caste. I am a spirit-speaker, often leader of our people, but we are not... warriors by purpose. Still, to not be a warrior by ability is to scarcely be an Anubian."

Rough pulled out a quill and a pad. "I have so many questions! Um... would you be upset if your people became a racial option in Humanway?"

"You will need to explain what that is before I can properly reply."





Fast sat up at the knocking. "Who is it?"

"It's me." The door opened with a glow, revealing a reformed changeling.

Fast did not recognize them. "Um, hi?"

"Hi..." He rubbed one leg with the other forehoof. "So... already forgot me?"

Fast blinked. The voice was ringing a... "Oh."

"Yeah..." He stepped forward a few paces. "I... guess I understand. I mean... I mean... No. I really don't... I thought we were..."

Fast bit her lower lip a moment before she stood up. "I'm so sorry!"

"You say that, but words are cheap." He looked down and away. "Did you really have no feelings for me, or any of us?"

"That isn't true!" She almost hopped in place, slapping down a hoof. "I miss the hive! I've already visited a few times. Don't say that!"

"But not me... and you avoid your own grubs."

Fast shrank at that. "I..."

"You need your happy ending."

"I..."

"One without changelings being married to you, or having changeling children."

Fast trembled. "I..."

"Tell me you hate me."

"What?!" Fast was shaken out of her stupor with a start.

"Tell me you hate me and you never want to see me again, so I can just... go." His voice hitched as he spoke, silent tears coming from his eyes. "Just tell me, then I won't bother you again. Go on!"

Fast sank to her haunches, deflating. "I don't want to hurt you, or anypony," she barely breathed out, shaking like a leaf.

"Tell me I was a bad husband."

"No!" She recoiled. "I won't lie."

"Tell me you're happier here, with him."

Fast bit her bottom lip, lost. "I don't want to hurt you..."

"What do you want?"

Fast sank slowly to her belly. "I... want what I can't ever have."

He smiled, a sad little smile. "You should fix that." He turned for the door. "I'll tell the grubs you're alright at least. Mirage was asking about you."

"Little Mir mir..." she drew in a phlegmy sniffle. "W-wait... I..."

"You've said that a lot." He looked back at her. "Maybe you should think about other people more."

Fast felt her jaw tense as anger suddenly flared. "That's not fair! I'm only in this whole thing because I tried to help all of you. I didn't want to be a changeling princess! I didn't want to rule a hive! I just wanted to learn magic and get a husband and do incredibly kinky things with him forever!"

He quirked his lips into a smile. "I never was quite... kinky enough."

Fast let out an explosive sigh. "Silver isn't really either. He has an imagination, but once you're in front of him, he just wants what most stallions want. Don't get me wrong, he's full of love, but..."

"So he isn't perfect either?" asked the changeling.

Fast blinked. "Who is?"

"Will you abandon him the moment you see someone better?"

Fast scrambled to her hooves. "H-How... Nnng, no!" She clopped the floor roughly. "I will not!"

"Why should anyone trust you?" He arched a brow. "We were married, after all. I never did wrong by you, at least that I know of, yet here you are..."

Fast cringed, thinking of Celestia's words. "Then I have to... stop running. I have to stand my ground and be... strong, even if things are bad."

He smiled, hope glimmering. "You'll come back?"

Fast put a hoof on her chest. "If I said yes, I would be running, again. You deserve better than me."

His eyes fell towards the floor. "Oh..."

"I know it never sounds good at the time, ever... but... I do want us to be friends..."

He laughed softly. "No, it really never does." He suddenly darted in and kissed her on the nose. "But I believe you... Please, stop hiding from your children... They deserve to have a mother."

Fast threw her legs around the male and hugged him tight and close. "You deserve a wife, so please find one that's better than me. I'll try to at least be a decent friend, and I'll visit them, I swear. No more running."

They embraced quietly. There was no love between them, only longing for the past, hope for the future, and a burning need for companionship between them.
> 23 - The End
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shield looked into the eyes of the child he had led, the foal that he held responsibility for. He was sending her to a bad place. A dark place... He hated it. He hated it with every fibre of his being, but he had to. For Equestria. For Celestia. For Canterlot. For so many good things.

He told her it was a good place she was going, and set her on her way, knowing it was a lie the entire time. When she left his sight, he slumped down to his belly. He felt empty inside. He had done a terrible thing, even with the kindest of end games in mind. He was a villain.

Ponies wandered past him, peering at the guard that lay in such a strange place. It took several long minutes before he climbed back to his hooves and began the slow walk back to the castle, hoping feverishly that he had done the right thing. "I paid the price," he muttered to himself. That meant fate owed him what he had asked, right? 

Decanter would be set to right, and everypony there would live happily, like Canterlot should...

He might never be known for the good turn of events. That was fine. He didn't feel like he deserved even the slightest bit of accolades. He would have to comfort himself.

"Gaea Shield."

It was Celestia. He started, realizing he was standing inside the castle. He hadn't been paying attention to where he was going. He fell to a knee reflexively. "Princess." She wasn't his pledged princess, but one of those she certainly was.

"Rise and speak." Her voice was stern but kind. "You have the face of a haunted pony... We should speak."

"At... your earliest convenience," he allowed, hoping that would be a long time away.

"Now is good." She pointed to one of many sitting rooms. "We'll retire to here, and you can tell me what weighs so heavily."

Gaea tried to keep his face impassive, to be half as stoic as Celestia could be. He didn't have a prayer. He felt naked and exposed before her as he followed her direction to sit beside the table. Every twitch was read by the princess, and he knew it. That didn't mean he had to say more than needed.

"You should not be so guarded." She smiled gently. "I am your mistress' sister, after all, and we love each other dearly. Has she sent you on a troublesome task? It would not be the first. I will not speak of it to her, if you wish to confide."

That would be breaking a few rules, but it wasn't Luna's order, not directly. "She placed me in the command of your husband, the prince."

"Oh, and has he given you something to do that feels outside your comfort zone?"

No! "Yes." No! Why did he say that? Before Celestia, he felt helpless. She was the kindly grandmother that knew all his tricks. She loved him, and she knew his thoughts. He sagged. "Yes..."

"Tell me about it?" She reached a wing to brush against the pegasus before her. "You are not in my command, but you are no stranger. One of the largest pegasi in the royal guard, how could I not know? You are not one given to dour moods. What troubles you?"

He took a slow breath, as much for time as any other reason. "He wanted me to fix Decanter."

"The district?" She raised a brow. "Ah, I had asked him to look into that... And he delegated it to you."

Shield nodded stiffly.

"And you are having trouble with it."

He considered that a moment. "Not... exactly."

Celestia gave him a pointed but patient look.

He wasn't made for politics. The dance of subtlety was not his strength. He broke almost without effort. "I consulted a seer."

Celestia blinked at that. "A seer? And what did this seer tell you? You would be well advised to be cautious. Many wear the title with no talent behind it."

Shield knew she would get it all, so he decided to face it bravely. He sat up fully. "The goat is usually accurate."

"Goat?" Celestia frowned faintly. "I had heard... No, I would ask that you simply tell me. Are the rumors true then?"

Shield licked over his lips. Had Celestia really not heard? "They say every reading he does comes true, and I asked him how to fix Decanter."

"Are you scared of doing what he suggested?"

Shield winced faintly. "I've already done it."

"And what have you gotten for it?"

Shield considered that. So far... nothing. "I..."

A soft feather brushed against his face, against the tear that had started to fall. "What did you lose?" she asked firmly.

"I misled a... I... I sent a foal... to Tartarus."

Her wings shot out to either side. "What?!"

The door to the sitting room burst open. Two guards had their head poked in, looking ready to leap into action.

Celestia raised a hoof even as her chest heaved with haggard breath. "I am fine. Leave us." Her tone had a harsh edge. Neither dared defy her. Her eyes went to Shield. "What crimes have this foal committed that would lead one to even consider such an action?"

"Murder," croaked out Shield, his voice gone under the waves of fury Celestia was putting out. He deserved it... "I am ready to face your sentence."

"This stops, now." Celestia rose to her hooves. "You should not have been handling this to start. You are relieved of duty for one week, not as punishment, but as a well-deserved moment to recover yourself. You will report to Luna when it is complete. If you'll excuse me... I have business to tend to that only I can."

She marched from the room with hoofsteps that echoed even on carpet. Her anger was roused, and though rare, there were still stories of how terrible it could be. Just as she reached the door, she stopped and looked over her shoulder. "Was the goat the one that gave you this idea?"

"N-no." Shield shook his head quickly. "He warned that it would happen, but it was Stand In, the changeling princess, who gave the order... and I followed it." He licked his dry lips. "I followed it."

"An order is not to be followed blindly," spoke Celestia with a sad expression. "Think on this during your time away, and return stronger for it." She stepped out and it felt like the room grew dimmer for her passing.

Shield slumped, his will to hold himself erect spent. He had been chastised by the princess, and he deserved far worse. He would take the week given to him. "Never again." He would meet fate on his terms, not any other's.





Silver was laughing. He was returning to the castle with his father and Nefertari. All three of them were in good spirits. Good food, good company, and good conversation. It was a perfect evening that nothing could destroy.

So why was Celestia approaching, her mane shimmering with heat and eyes burning with a fire that put it to shame?

"Silver, Ambassador." She nodded to each. "I require his presence." She gestured a hoof at Silver, then walked past the group.

Rough gave a low whistle. "I do not envy you right now. Good luck, David."

Nefertari hiked a thumb inside. "I will show you to the guest quarters."

They departed, leaving Silver to follow after Celestia. "What's wrong?" he asked he went. He had only seen her in such a state of irritation in his dreams, and they were not the pleasant parts. "Can I help?"

"You can... walk with me, and prevent me from doing anything foolish." She stopped and turned to him. "It is time I took this matter into my own hooves. It was a mistake giving it away, as you have." A smile touched her lips, even if it was drowned quickly. "I was angry, at first, but I have committed that sin far too many times to chastise others for it. I want my ponies to grow... I let them handle what I think they can... I was wrong." She turned back for the city. "It is time for me to correct it."

She walked pointedly down the roads towards that diseased part of the city she had allowed to fester so close to home. "No more." She glanced over her shoulder. "Remind me that I am watched, not just by my ponies, but by human foals as well."

"Um, you are," he confessed. "That shouldn't weigh on you. I'm not sure what we... experience is that. I really don't know."

"Enough to think it may be true." She licked over her lips. Her mane was starting to settle, as if the walk was expending her energy. Her tranquility was returning. "I will act as I should. Anger does... not suit me."

Silver smiled at that. "I'm glad to hear that. So what are you planning to do?"

"Borrow a page from your book, Ambassador." She gave a light wink before they arrived at the new changeling hive. The guards stood in front, reformed changelings both. She looked to the one on the right. "Stand In."

The guard erupted in green flames, becoming her usual self. "I suppose I could only fool you once, Celestia."

"A pleasure to see you." Celestia dipped her head. "I have astounding news for you and your people."

Stand In's brow raised in unison. "Really? Did something happen that far under the radar?"

"On the contrary." Celestia gave a warm smile. "Everypony's heard it. The changelings are reformed, as you are aware. What you may not know is that they have formed a kingdom of their own, of and for changelings."

Stand In's brows came down in a furrow. "Yeah?"

"You must be so excited," spoke Celestia as if she were simply the bearer of good news. "Your place in Canterlot was an emergency situation, but that emergency has passed. Your people can now live with their own."

Stand In grunted. "Just like that? You're kicking everychangeling out?"

"What? Of course not." Celestia waved the idea away. "They are more than welcome to come and visit, and, on the individual level, immigrate and become part of the city. But there is no need for an emergency hive. I know you've suffered, all of you, living beside us in forced quarters. Your brothers and sisters need your help, besides, building their kingdom."

Stand In was quiet. There were few words she could use to fight the idea without immediately sounding like the unreasonable one. "Changelings have put down roots here, they have friends. You can't just kick them out."

"Any changeling that wishes to remain, on their own, may come to the castle as any other immigrant, but they must do it on their own."

The message was crystal clear. The hive was to be no more.