Idol Hooves during a Canterlot Wedding
I tightened the straps on my armour making sure each piece was in the proper place, and free of any blemishes. Today was an important day, and I could not afford for anything to go wrong. Today, Cadance and Shining are to be married, and I had been routed back to Canterlot for additional security. I was looking forward to seeing Cadance and Shining Armour again, the letters we had been sending to each other are not enough. With all the parts of my armour polished and presentable I was ready for the day. I climbed the stairs to see Topaz Showers leaning on her work table pinning yet another one of her insects onto a mounting board. I walked over to check her work.
“Northern Wood cricket?” I asked looking down at the dark brown insect.
“Southern Wood cricket.” answered Topaz as she lifted her head slightly and perked her ears up.
“Good luck with your work, I am going to the castle now.” I said, nodding to her.
“Hmm.” she responded as she careful prodded one of the wings on the cricket.
Making my way to the castle, I gazed up at the pink shield surrounding the city. It had been erected a few days after I had arrived and hadn’t disappeared since. All I had been told was that there was a threat to the kingdom and all leave had been cancelled. There were guards on every rooftop all wearing combat armour and carrying long spears.
When I arrived at the guard house the lieutenant was standing in front of a table covered with a city map. He was moving tiny models of guards around while muttering under his breath. Standing in a loose circle around the table were other royal guards.
I saluted “Corporal Hooves reporting for duty sir.”
Spearhead almost jumped out of his armour and spun around glaring at me. “ How many times have I told you to stop doing that! Either make some more noise when you walk around or tie a bell around your neck. You almost gave me a heart attack.”
“Ninety-three times sir.” I respond, maintaining my gaze and salute.
“I can’t believe you actually keep track.” muttered Spearhead “You can put your hoof down Corporal. Come over to the map I want your opinion on the logistics” He said louder while waving me over.
“Yes Sir.” I walked over and looked at the map for a few moments “Guards should be taken off the rooftops and shifted into the secondary pathways. More guards should be placed at the transport hubs and start random secondary inspections. High Value Targets should be given an officer from the Royal Protection Squad to ensure their safety. Place a member of the Equestria Intelligence Service at the entrance to the castle to inspect anypony entering or exiting. Rotate the guards every few hours, and keep a third of our available forces on standby as a quick response force just in case. Place a blanket ban on all flying within one mile of Canterlot city borders, any pony caught flying over the city should to detained for questioning.
Spearhead raised his eyebrows “You sure we should go to that level? We are protecting a wedding not creating a military state.”
“No level of security is too far to protect the princesses.”
Spearhead turned to the other guards “Implement Corporal Hooves plans except for the detaining of fliers, instead have a pegasus guard escort the onto the ground and question them.” The guards nodded and quickly left for their posts. Spearhead turns to me “Corporeal I want you to perform a roving inspection of Canterlot and the castle, no specific route just wander around and keep your eyes open”. I saluted and left.
As I walk around town, I felt a strange aura coming from the citizens. This was not the first time the city had been in an elevated security, nor was it the first time I had been on guard duty during a wedding. This was however the first time in as long as I could remember when there was no sense of wonder, excitement, or joy coming from anypony. All I could feel was a sense of worry and fear. This was a feeling that reminded me of a prey that realized it was being stalked but could not see its stalker.
The day was largely uneventful, a small scuffle at Restaurant Row about over-salted hay fries; a couple fighting outside of the Canterlot opera house about money; colts graffitiing the side of the castle with chalk, but nothing report worthy. When I returned to the guardhouse after my shift I was stopped by Spearhead. “Where have you been all day? Shining and Cadance were wanting to meet you but you never showed up.”
“I don't understand, I was assigned to patrol the city and castle, if I was supposed to guard Captain Shining and Princess Cadance I was not told.” I said, tilting my head in confusion.
Spearhead sighed. “I said you could go anywhere why didn't you visit them during your guard shift? Nopony would have stopped you.”
Shaking my head, I reply. “No Sir, I will not abandon my duty, I was needed more in the city.”
Spearhead dropped his head and sighed. “You are dismissed for your break Corporal, go get some dinner and then start patrolling the grounds again, I strongly suggest you take some of the time in your shift to personally visit the princess and the captain.”
I saluted and walked out of the guard house to my favourite Tea and Cake Shop. I had just finished ordering my dinner when my attention was drawn by a commotion at one of the tables. I looked to see the Elements of Harmony arguing. I walked up the group of mares sitting around the table. Twilight Sparkle was talking to her friends
“And I'm sure it's the result of being an awful pony who doesn't deserve to even know Shining Armor, let alone marry him!” shouted Twilight.
I tilted my head “Excuse Dame Twilight Sparkle but whatever do you mean? Princess Cadance is one of the kindest most amazing ponies I have ever known. Captain Armor has been working for years to be worthy of marrying her.”
Twilight scoffed. “Over the last day I have seen your kindest most amazing pony ever, throw Applejack’s food in the garbage, insult Rarity’s wedding dress, say Pinkie had the mind of a six year old, yell at Fluttershy’s birds and insist everypony call her ‘Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.”
I twisted my head “That does not sound like Princess Cadance at all, she always gets so frustrated when I call her Princess and she dislikes her full name, always insisting on Cadance. I can’t ever think of a time she was not been polite and courteous to everypony she met.”
Rarity gently cut in. “The princess is about to get married. I'm sure any negative behaviour she might be displaying is simply the result of nerves.”
I shook my head. “I have known Princess Cadance for years, Dame Rarity, when nerves get to her she becomes stuttery and unsure of herself, not angry and cruel.”
Rarity blushed while Twilight pointed. “You see, I told you Cadance is the absolute worst bride-to-be ever.”
Applejack shook her head. “Think maybe you're bein' just a tiny bit possessive of your brother? “ while the rest of the mares nodded.
Twilight got up angrily. “I am not being possessive, and I am not taking it out on Cadance! You're all just too caught up in your wedding planning to notice that maybe there shouldn't even be a wedding! Come on sir, if my friends aren't going to listen to me, maybe you can help.”
I nodded. “ I will be glad to help as much as I can Dame Sparkle, but I am needed back on duty soon.”
Twilight huffed and walked away. I quickly trotted next to her. “What is your name sir?” she asked.
“I am Corporal Idol Hooves, one of Captain Shining Armor’s friends, and a pony Princess Cadance has deemed worthy of being in her presence.”
“Great then you know how they are supposed to act, let's go meet them right now and you can see that I am right.” said Twilight as she rushed down the streets.
When we arrived at Shining Armor’s house Twilight knocked on the door while I stood silently. Shining opened it with a smile “Twily! Your big brother's looking pretty good, don't you think? Uh, everything okay?”
Twilight snorted. “You tell me, your bride-”
Princess Cadance walked into the room and cleared her throat. “Could I speak to you for a moment, dear?”
Shining Armor turned “I better see what she wants”
Cadance nudged Shining into a side room and mostly closed the door. While Twilight snuck closer to the door, I sharpened my hearing.
“ I thought I made it perfectly clear I didn't want you to wear that.”
“This was my favourite uncle's.”
...“And?”
“And I think I should wear it.”
“Are you disagreeing with me?” hissed Cadance angrily.
That can’t be right, Cadance was excited to see Captain Morning Velvets’ sash. I thought. Mulling over this change in Cadance’s personality, I felt a magic I hadn’t felt in years, mind control magic. I gulped and was about to grab Twilight and slip away when the bedroom door flew open and Cadance marched into the room. I straightened up at the angry scowl that marred her face.
“What are you doing?” asked Cadance as she stared down Twilight.
“Your not just unpleasant and rude. Your downright evil!” shouted Twilight as she glared at Cadance.
Cadance turned to me “Well what are you waiting for guard?. This mare just called me evil, I demand that you arrest her.”
“Princess it is not against the law to-” I started.
“Are you disobeying an order from your princess?” hissed Cadance once again.
I paused for a moment and shook my head “No Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.”
“Then you will arrest the mare and put her in the dungeon.” she demanded.
“Yes, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, at once.” I nodded.
“”And you will tell nopony what you saw.”
“Yes, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.” I responded with a brisk salute.
“What are you waiting for then?” said Cadance as she turned around.
I quickly grabbed Twilight’s tail in my teeth and dragged the struggling and shouting mare out of the house and the door slammed shut. I didn’t let go of her until the two of us were safely in an alleyway.
“What are you doing? we have to stop her!” shouted Twilight
“I don’t know who that is,” I say, letting go of Twilight. “but that is not Princes Cadance. She never would have done any of those things. I’m going to do some investigating, I want you to do the same, don’t draw attention to yourself, just silently observe. We will confront her at the rehearsal.” Twilight tries to argue but I raise a hoof stopping her. “If we don't have proof, then it will just be our word against hers.” Twilight nodded and trotted away.
I started to patrol the city trying to figure out who this false Princess Cadance could be. At first glance she was perfect. The resemblance was perfect; her mane was styled correctly; her voice was pitch perfect; even her iris was a perfect reproduction. As much as I wanted to dismiss there was only one creature I knew of that could possibly create a copy that perfect. A Changeling.
I need to find some way to force the truth out of the imposter without revealing himself. With being cut off from the hive for so long, I couldn’t sense who the changeling was or what its plans were, but I couldn’t allow Shining or Cadance to fall prey to it. I had to stop it even if it meant revealing myself.
As I was brooding on how I was going to trap the imposter into revealing itself, it dawned on me that what I really should be worrying about is where the real Princess Cadance was. She couldn’t have left, security was too tight; she couldn’t anywhere in the castle, there was too much security. With all of the checkpoints around town, no one could stay hidden for long. So she has to be someplace in the area that wasn’t the town or castle. That left only one possible place, Cadance was somewhere underneath the town.
Unfortunately I had no idea where underground Cadance would have been hidden. There were too many caverns, cellars, and shelters underneath the Canterlot to search them all. The only option is to capture the imposter Cadance and force it to tell me where the princess was being kept. And the only way I could do that would be to reveal the imposter for what is really was.
After thinking for a moment I had an idea, a secret Shining had told me. I hope that Cadance and Shining would not be mad with me afterwards, but it’s the only thing I could think of that would prove that the imposter was real. I just had to make a stop at the market before it closed.
I met up with Twilight in front of the castle with my saddlebag loaded and a look of determination on my face. “I’m ready to confront her. Have you collected any more evidence?”
“I know I can prove that this Cadance is evil.” affirmed Twilight.
I nodded “OK get ready, she is going to use every trick in the book to try and deflect us. We must not lose our emotions, if we just keep a straight face and speak calmly we will be able to beat her.”
I followed Twilight as we slowly marched down the corridors and towards the main foyer. As we approached the doors, we could her and Shining Armor speaking.
“Hey, has anypony seen Twilight?”
Twilight push the doors open and marched into the throne room “I'm right here! I'm not gonna stand next to her! And neither should you! “
Shining Armor sighed “I'm sorry, I... I don't know why she's acting like this.”
“I thought I ordered you to arrest her.” The imposter hissed, glaring at me.
“That order was unjust I could not follow it.” I replied.
“You have to listen to us, we've got something to say. That’s not Princess Cadance!” Twilight Sparkle shouted.
I placed my hoof on her shoulder and spoke quietly “Keep your emotions under control.”
The mare next to Shining began to cry and rub her hooves in her eyes. “Why are you doing this to me?! This is supposed to be the most important day of my life, its has to be perfect. Why do you hate me so much?!”
I shook my head and stepped forward. “This is not how the real Princess Cadance is supposed to act, I don’t care how badly her mind may be twisted up by planning for the wedding, breaking down like this is directly contrary to the nature of her magic.”
“She's been horrible to my friends, she's obviously done something to her bridesmaids, and I saw her put a spell on my brother that has similarities to compulsion magic”
“She decided to replace her bridesmaids because she found out the only reason they wanted to be in the wedding was so that they could meet Canterlot royalty! And if she hasn't been on her best behaviour with your friends, it's because with me being so busy, she's had to make all the decisions about the wedding!” Shining Armor responded.
I answered “ Captain, when you wrote me inviting me to the wedding, you stated that all the major decisions for the wedding were made months ago. All Cadance had to do was give the last confirmations. Why would she change everything the day before the wedding? Also as I recall, all of her bridesmaids are mares she formerly foalsat, as well as graduates from Celesta's school, They have all met royalty many times.”
Twilight smiled and spoke up “I have known Cadance since I was a little foal, I became very familiar with her mannerisms. I even helped her design her first plan for her wedding. What I see before me is not what the Cadance I know and love would be doing. Even if the stress was getting to her she would not react with callousness and lying. She would react with stuttering and mild panic attacks.”
While Twilight was talking I looked carefully at the assembled ponies. The imposter was getting angrier with each world and Shining had not reacted at all, but the rest of them were getting contemplative. I slowly walked to the side of the imposter and took the item I had bought, and after taking careful aim, hurled it has hard as I could into the imposter.
The ripe passion fruit splattered against her side, covering her with juices.
The imposter spun around and shouted “Why would you do that you stupid guard!?”
I stared at her. “The real Cadance is allergic to passion fruit, she would be scratching uncontrollably within seconds of it’s juices touching her, but it seems all you are doing is yelling at me. Can you explain that?”
The imposter had a look of confusion on her face then fear as she looked around “Well you see..”
I interrupted her. “And no Cadance did not find a way to protect herself from its juices. If you don't believe me ask Princess Celesta. She knows about the Cadence’s allergy and how Cadance gave up trying to find a way to protect herself from it.”
All the ponies in the room turned to Celesta who had been watching silently since Twilight and I had enter the room “That is correct Corporal Hooves. Cadance would have broken out in a rash that instant you threw that fruit at her.” She turned to the imposter Cadance “You are not Princess Cadance”
The imposter Cadance began to sweat slightly and her eyes darted around the room. Celestas horn began to glow a soft yellow. I readied myself for an attack. Suddenly the imposter began to laugh and green flames erupted from her body.
“Right you are, I am no mere princess, I am a Queen!, and as queen of the changelings, it is up to me to find food for my subjects. Equestria has more love than any place I've ever encountered. My fellow changelings will be able to devour so much of it that we will gain more power than we have ever dreamed of!”
I almost lost my form with the reveal and began to sweat deeply. I had thought I was going to have to deal with a drone who was trying to collect some love. Maybe a infiltrator to pass information along. In my wildest dreams I had never even considered that I would be confronting my old queen herself. This was really bad, I had no chance, and if she ever suspected who I was she would kill me on the spot.
Celesta stepped forwards “There will be no chance of that happening Chrysalis, the protection spell around the city will keep them from entering. Now that you have so foolishly revealed your true self, I can protect my subjects from you!”
A beam of bright light erupted from Princess Celesta’s horn while a darker beam erupted from Queen Chrysalis. As the beams fought for control I crept next to Twilight.
“Twilight you must get to your brother. The queen is currently feeding off his love in order to match power with the Princess. If you can arouse him for his stupor, the queen will have no chance of defeating the Princess.”
Twilight nodded and quickly crept over to Shining Armour while I slipped in front of the rest of the mares “Do not worry ladies, I will make sure no harm comes to you.”
Rarity swooned “Thank you” Rainbow Dash and Applejack defensive stances next to me. I didn't bother trying to stop them.
As Twilight reached her brother she nuzzled him with her horn a few times before lighting it up and touching his forehead with it. Flashes of white light lit up Shining Armor's head before he shook his head “Wha. what happened?”
“No time right now, Chrysalis has been draining you power to weaken our defense. Reinforce the shield!” shouted Twilight “I’ll loan you some of my magic”
Shining and Twilight horn touched tips and a purple light shone out, I could feel that magic coursing through me but it passed. With the source of her power cut off Queen Chrysalis magic beam began to lose its strength and Celesta focused more of her power.
Right before the beam hit her in the face Chrysalis screamed “NOOOOO!! I will not fail. You will all fall!” Her eye began to glow and with last burst of strength she blasted magic in all directions. Everypony was blasted into the wall around the room. As I began to lose consciousness I saw the queen collapse on the palace floor and ponies trying to get back up. Right before the darkness overtook me I felt my disguise fall and heard several gasps.
When I regained consciousness I looked around to see myself in one of the palaces guard cells. I was in my natural form and an inhibitor ring had been slipping down my horn. Across me was the still sleeping body of the queen.
“Is there any guard out there who is willing to speak to me?” I asked as I pressed face against the bars to look around.
A guard in full armour walked in from the side “Be quiet criminal!”
“Private Red Iron it is good to see you, is everything alright? Is Canterlot okay? Has Princess Cadance been found? What happened after I was rendered unconscious?” I asked as fast as I could.
Red Iron glared at me “Don’t speak to me so casually prisoner! We will find out what you did with Corporal Hooves.”
“I am Corporal Iron Hooves”
“Do not spread your lies! Your army has fled. Your queen is captured, and our princesses are still here”
“So Princess Cadance was found? Where was she? Is she alright?” I asked hurriedly
Red snorted “Your schemes has failed criminal! Princess Cadance was has been freed the lower crystal caverns. Twilight Sparkle was able to locate her and a team was dispatched. Despite being sore and malnourished she will survive.”
I sighed out in relief “That is such a relief to my mind, I was worried she would never be found. I am so glad Dame Sparkle was able to save her.”
Red Iron let out a huff before turning away and marching down the hallway. I started to pace back and forth worrying about the city. I could only hope that none of the citizens were injured during the attempted invasion. I knew that my role as a guard was over now. The crown would never let me stay now that my secret had been revealed. It was a short while later that I was escorted out of the cell by two guards and into the throne room where Princesses Celestia, Luna, and Cadance, sat on their rostrum next to Shining Armor, and the element bearers. I could feel the emotions swirling around the room, anger; confusion; fear; regret; hope; and even excitement.
I bowed “Greeting your highness, how may I be of service?” then stood their patiently waiting for their interrogation.
Princess Celesta stood “State your name and occupation”
I nodded “I am Idol Hooves, corporal of the royal guard 4th legion, 2nd squad”
Princess Cadance glared down at me “I fear I must question that statement, tell me, what is a secret you hold between myself and Captain Shining Armour that nopony else knows about?”
“Princess I cannot expose your secrets it would not be proper-” I stammered
“I want you to answer the question.” she demanded.
I thought for a moment “There was the the time you became Emerald Glen and failed to draw Captain Armor’s affection at the bar.”
Cadance nodded “It’s him”.
“Or it might have been the time you i discovered you inspecting Captain Armor’s loins in the barracks while the rest of the guard was on patrol.” I continued, noticing that Shining Armor was frantically waving his hoof under his neck.
Cadence’s fur was turning a very bright shade of red and she looked down “Thank you that is enough.” she said quietly.
“It could have also been the incident with the marzipan, goose feathers and the fluffy pink-”
“THANK YOU IDOL HOOVES YOU HAVE SAID ENOUGH!” shouted Cadance and she turned red down to her barrel..
Princess Celesta leaned over and appeared mouthed the words “goose feathers?”. Cadance just looked down, her fur the bright shade of red I had ever seen. I stood silently and waited.
Celesta turned to me “When did you suspect Queen Chrysalis was impersonating Princess Cadance?”
“I suspected that a changeling had replaced Princess Cadance soon after seeing her treat Dame Sparkle and myself poorly. I only discovered Chrysalis was the one when her disguise was peeled away.”
“Why did you not report this to your commanding officer?” asked Luna.
“All I had was a suspicion, I needed proof that she was an imposter before I could make a formal accusation since a member of the royal family is protected by crown immunity. Chrysalis was manipulating everypony very well and seems to have used magic to enhance her cover. I would not have been able to use my word alone to stop her.”
“HEY I GOT A QUESTION! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? ARE YOU A SPY?!” shouted Rainbow Dash and she flew up to my face.
“I have not been trained in Equestrian espionage. I wish only to serve the princesses.” I responded.
“You expect me to believe that?” replied Rainbow Dash as she hovered.
“Yes” I answered.
“Rainbow Dash please refrain from addressing Idol Hooves, we are the leading this integration.” said Celesta as she turned to the pegasus.
Rainbow Dash was pulled down by the tail by Applejack and huffed a little.
“When Chrysalis revealed her plans for Equestria what were your feelings?” asked Luna.
“A mixture of confusion and worry.” I responded.
A moment passed before Celesta cleared her throat “Why did you feel these emotions?”
“Chrysalis plan for Canterlot made no sense for the changeling race. There is no benefit to imprisoning a pony, they wont feel love if they are trapped. All the invasion would have accomplished is harming a lot of changelings and ponies without acquiring much love” I said.
Celesta and Luna looked and nodded at each other before turning to face me “I believe that is all Corporal Hooves you are dismissed”
“I lowered by head “yes your majesty. I will return to my cell”
“Why would you go to your cell?, your not under arrest” asked Celesta.
A wave of shock pass over me as the mares to my right and myself were surprised with this statement “But I’m a changeling and I lied to everypony, I dishonoured the royal guard and deceived my commanding officer and I’m a changeling.” I stammered out.
Celesta smiled and shook her head “I believe you have greatly honoured the royal guard on several occasions. Your commanding officer has been in here since you were discovered praising Idol Hooves, and It’s not illegal to be a changeling”
“If you wish to leave, the royal guard will be worse for it. I would gladly fight by your side” said Shining Armor while all the guards in the room nodded.
I saluted “Yes sir I will report back to duty immediately”
Celesta shook her head “No, I want you rest and recover until the wedding is over. The is to be no guard service of anykind.That is an order”
I bowed “Yes your majesty”
I turned and walked back down the hall putting my pony form back on. My first thought was to return home so I could place my armour back on its stand. On my way out of the castle Shining Armor rushed up behind me.
“How come you never told me you were a changeling?” Shining Armor asked mournfully.
I cocked my head “You never asked me if I was a changeling.”
Shining coughed and let out a little snort “Of course I didn’t ask you I didn't even know a changeling was a thing until I joined the guard, how was I supposed to know that you were a changeling when I didn't even know it was an possibility?”
I stared at him “I do not know, How would you?”
Shining sighed “That’s what I’m asking.”
While I was trying to understand why Shining Armor was looking at me with his hoof to his horn Twilight Sparkle trotted up beside him
“Thank you Idol Hooves for helping me expose Queen Chrysalis.”
“One is glad to be of service.” I said with a short bow.
“It was more than being a service, you believed in me when nopony else did, you listened and agreed to help when you didn’t have to, and you kept me grounded so that I didn’t act foalishly. It was because of you that Princess Cadance was saved. You are a hero.”
I lowered my head “I only did what I swore to do when I joined the guard, you are the real hero Dame Sparkle, you save Equestria, I am only serving the crown”
With a final nod and walked back to my home to find Topaz Showers still leaning over her table mounting another insect on her board “Idol your back, did anything interesting happen during your shift?”
“I got to met the Elements of Harmony, talked to Captain Armor and Princess Cadance , fought and defeated the Changeling Queen, and had my true identity revealed.” I said while walking down into my room.
Topaz nodded “That’s good’ then she leapt from her table an ran to Idol’s room ‘WAIT WHAT?!!”