> Too Young To Change
>  by dicerollball
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1: Consequences of a Filly
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My name is Ginseng. I'm a young changeling from Thorax's pack. Like most changelings I was born within the hive from an egg and assigned a caretaker who raised and loved me. At some point my parental guardian, Panax, decided to move to Canterlot where she had found more opportunities in music and fame. Due to this I left the safety of my hive to join her. Well as safe as it was for a changeling like myself. While yes I did get along with every changeling from the hive I wasn't too welcomed there either. There was something wrong with me... something they didn't completely understand. In fact as I packed my things and joined Panax on the train to Canterlot they almost seemed relieved that I was leaving, but also frighteningly concerned. Would I really be okay out there? Would I need their help?

I assured them that I didn't want their help and that maybe this is just what I needed. It wasn't the fact that they were worried about what the ponies would think about me exactly... After all, I looked like any other colorful changeling of the pack. I suppose it was about how I would take it. Would I be able to live joyfully in a town that barely knew me? A town that barely loved me? Maybe. We'll have to see.

Though there's a lot more to me than what most would notice at first glance. So far in my time living in Canterlot no other creature seemed to really take notice. Who would, after all, if they couldn't understand it? That was until one day I was approached by my future partner in crime...





"You're a changeling, right?"

I perked up in surprise and turned to see a young filly unicorn possibly around my age. She had a light orange pelt and a curly bright red autumn mane. Her wide olive eyes seemed to stare into my soul with only her glasses acting as the invisible barrier between us.

We were both really young when we first met. I had moved to Canterlot along with Panax several weeks ago previously. My wings would usually take me to the Shimmering Lake Park where families of ponies would spend their time together in the shade of trees or on checkered blankets with picnic baskets. Maybe their love had attracted me to it... maybe I just liked the pristine lake itself. Either way I was here and so was she. In fact she was here multiple times. I'd see her daily on a bench with a notepad. Sometimes she would give me a curious glance and sometimes she'd just leave me alone. Today however the young filly finally decided to approach.

I nodded to the other, "Yeah, I'm a changeling... My name is Ginseng. What's yours?"

She readjusted her glasses with green magic, "Little Gimmick. Just call me Gimmick. Come with me for a second." The small pony then made her way through some bushes and disappeared within them.

I gave a confused stare towards the bushes she disappeared in. Was... Was this normal for ponies? I didn't even get a chance to consider what to do before some of the pony's magic wrapped around my tail and dragged me into the shrubs along with this Little Gimmick character.

I soon found myself in a small woodland clearing empty of pony or creature except us. "Welcome to my temporary office of today." Gimmick hummed in a professional manner after dropping my tail from her magical hold, "Please, take a seat." She gestured to a tree stump nearby.

I gave the pony a glare before rolling my eyes. I hopped up onto the stump and decided to just play along for now. Gotta make friends somehow, right? Though I'm not sensing a lot of love from this pony... In fact she had a lot less than others actually.

Gimmick sat down on a pile of stones across from me and cleared her throat, "So. As a changeling you can transform and become whatever you want, correct?"

"Well. There's some training to it, actually."

"Mhm. But! There is a form of yourself. Your original self. One that does not require the use of your magic, right?" She leaned close with a raised brow.

I stiffened. What was this pony going on about? "Um. Yes... There is."

"Then why are you using up your magic?" The little filly smirked as she fixed her glasses once again, "What do you have to hide?"

I blinked in surprise and found myself looking over my body. I was confused. I had every detail a reformed changeling would need. I was colorful, blue, and there were three tear-drop shaped gemstones on my head. There was no hint that I wasn't myself at all. "I have no idea what you're talking about." I automatically droned out with a conveyed voice of both annoyance and frustration, "I'm not using any of my magic right now."

The little pony's eyes suddenly widened, "Oh... You're good."

"Huh?"

"Say that last bit again." The filly urged.

"I'm not using any of my magic right now." I repeated in a steel voice with a stern face to match.

"Oh! Wow! It's so subtle but a normal pony wouldn't even be able to notice! Oh come on, you don't want to be like another Cozy Glow do you?" Gimmick playfully asked.

That was the first time I heard that phrase. Like another Cozy Glow. I have heard stories of the princesses turning three villains to stone, one of those villains I clearly remember being Chrysalis who was the previous queen of our hive before Thorax took over. Every changeling knew about that fact but not a lot of them really cared to learn who the other two villains were. Though there have been rumors that a little pony filly was amongst the villains and punished to be a statue for the rest of her life. That felt outlandish to me. Well... until today.
"Like another Cozy Glow..?"

"A lying, manipulative, misleading young creature. Every tiny pony or creature who lies around here is warned of Cozy Glow's fate. Lying gets you no where after all. It gets you turned to stone!"

I perked up at that, "I don't believe that. Isn't that a bit extreme?"

"Not for the princesses it's not! Come on, I'll show you it myself!" The young unicorn insisted with a gesture of her hoof for me to follow once again.

This time either out of curiosity or out of the kindness for my poor tail I trailed after the filly and found myself going through the entirety of Canterlot until we both ended up at the royal public gardens. It seems we were allowed to go in and see the statues ourselves for educational purposes.

With a smile Gimmick lead me through the maze of varying statues that signified different symbols like justice, harmony, and might. There were others that replicated challenges that Equestria have faced during their most darkest moments or images of well-known ponies that have helped build up to some of the most peaceful eras of pony history. It all went ignored however as my eyes landed instead on the one statue we both came here for. The statue of the three villains.

They were reduced to nothing more but cold, bitter stone. Sure, as "friends" but possibly not by choice. There was an old looking centaur of some sort who cowered behind the others with a frustrated scowl. There was an unreformed Queen Chrysalis lunging forward with the snap of her fangs to whoever was the one that cursed her with this meek infinite punishment. Then, there was Cozy Glow. Cozy Glow was a young pegasus filly with wide eyes and a shocked frown. Compared to the other two villains she stood out the most. She didn't look monstrous or frightening just average and innocent. She looked like a child... because that's what she was. A child. An evil kid who lied and manipulated her way to the top and took it too far.
As I stared at this little filly however something didn't sit right with me. This didn't sit right with me...

"They actually did it." I muttered out in realization, "They actually put a little filly in a stone statue."

"And whose to say they wouldn't put us in one too?" Gimmick inquired.

"Us..?" I turned to the little unicorn.

Her smug expression faltered as she abruptly whipped her head towards me, "I didn't- I mean you not-... Ugh. Fine. Listen. Let me tell you something about my talent. Look at my cutiemark," She gestured to her flank where a picture of a strange square device now sat. It looked like a weird calculator... "Do you want to know how I got it?"

"Well I wasn't interested at first but I guess since you mentioned it now I suppose it wouldn't hurt to know."

The unicorn huffed in annoyance, "It was during a chess tournament. To everyone, I had gained my cutiemark by catching a cheater and winning the games. To me however? I was the one who cheated." She looked at the statue once again to gaze up at Cozy Glow, "With my magic I made my way through the finales. When ponies got suspicious I turned it on somepony else. I made others believe he was the liar and I was the one who caught him in the act. When I won and got away with it this appeared. It's a lie detector. It tells people who is lying and who is telling the truth."
Gimmick smirked as she turned to me and happily clapped her hooves together, "I always know who's a liar and who isn't. Doesn't mean anyone else around me knows however. Though because many ponies see my cutiemark is a lie detector they instantly believe I'm completely honest. I know who is lying and who is telling the truth! That means I'll tell them, right? It's the perfect disguise. The perfect image to represent me... A Cozy Glow. Kinda like you and how your metamorphosis is the perfect deception. Which compliments you well. You know how I asked you to repeat what you said earlier? I was looking for the little changes a creature's face makes while they lie. Your change? It's so small that I didn't even notice it at first! When you tell the truth and when you lie there was no difference... except for the way you flicked your tongue while you talked. I probably wouldn't have noticed it if you didn't lie again! You're the perfect con and the best at it, even! Which comes to my other point. You're a changeling, right? But you're not one of them, are you?"

I hesitated and swiftly scanned that area with my near reflection-less blue eyes. When I felt the gardens were clear enough I let out a sigh and allowed myself to transform back into my real original changeling self. My true form in actuality was a dark nymph with sharp fangs and hole-filled legs. I wasn't as sparkly or as colorful as the ones now roaming Equestria today. I was what most considered evil; a monster among the good. Something that apparently couldn't hide from Gimmick, "This is my true self." I hissed out with my tongue lashing in front of me, "I'm a starving changeling who'd rather take love than share it. I find no joy in sharing it like others do. It's selfish and it's greedy I know... but it feels nicer receiving it than giving it all away. In fact, I find it difficult to trust most with it... just like I find it difficult trusting you with this." I growled as my transparent wings buzzed behind me.

Now that Equestrian ponies were more used to mingling creatures of varying kinds among their cities or towns we changelings can now flourish along with them. That is however if we have gone through a metamorphosis that drastically changes not only our appearances but our entire being. From one bleak stage of love-sucking starvation to the more colorful and lovable one that never seems to get hungry it's no surprise that every creature seemed to prefer the latter.

I never went through this change. No one could figure it out. I was born quieter than most but grew to get along with the others later on. I learned the ways of friendship, I learned about love, and I learned all I could about caring and accepting others as much as any creature yet no one could understand why I never changed. They all questioned and wondered why I out of so many of them stayed the same.

Imagine how it feels for changelings from a pony's perspective. Our metamorphosis is kind of like a cutiemark. If you see a pony with no cutiemark it is seen as strange and off-putting. An outlier from the rest but nothing too alarming. That's how it feels for changelings. Meanwhile for ponies it's not the same. If they see a changeling still in a stage that could be considered... evil... then most would not be comfortable with it. They would be afraid of it.

So I made my own metamorphosis. I made myself a blue and purple gradient of colors that flowed down my equine pelt. My wings became a dark purple while my underbelly a light blue. I looked like any other colorful fully reformed changeling- well except for the fact I took my own liberties and placed three small stones to surround my horn instead of around my neck just to make things creative. It's not fooling other changelings but it's enough to fool ponies, griffins, and other creatures. They don't understand the magic behind our transformations. At least, that's how it went for a while until a young unicorn named Little Gimmick called me out... because the truth was I chose not to be reformed at all.

The filly smiled in ecstatic victory as she hopped up next to me with a new spring in her step, "Ahah! I knew you couldn't keep this a secret from me forever! Don't worry, it's safe with me. I'm good at keeping them... as long as you keep mine to yourself as well."

"Oh don't worry," I transformed back into my more flashy disguise, "I have no reason to tell any creature about that tournament."

"Good. Because Cozy Glows gotta stick together! Right, Ginny?"

"Ginny?" I questioned with another stare.

"Ah, you'll get used to it." Gimmick waved her hoof playfully, "But wanting to know your true self wasn't the only reason I brought you here today, actually."

"Oh really?" I tilted my head towards the other, "What're you looking for from me, then?"

"I'm looking for an alliance." Gimmick offered as she raised her hoof towards me, "Or a friendship I guess. I have a lot of big plans in store and with a changeling by my side it would make things a lot easier. Pretty much what I'm saying is... I could really use your help Ginseng."

I considered the hoof for a moment, "And what's in it for me?"

"You're hungry, aren't you?" Gimmick asked, "I could help you feed... and maybe along the line I can help you get stronger too! More powerful! Together we could shape everything around us to how we want it to be. Come on. We're standing in front of the three most well-known villains in Canterlot. Don't embarrass me in front of them." The little filly joked as she awaited my answer.

Now after everything I heard I didn't really consider myself a Cozy Glow... at first. The more Gimmick talked however the more I was starting to see just how similar we both were. We were lying and manipulating the world around us not just through what we said but with our appearance as well. It was frightening how Cozy Glow's story complemented ours. Yet as I looked at the statue I felt this pit in my stomach that wouldn't go away. In fact it would get worst the more I stared. This was the moment I go into some speech about change and how different we'll be years later from now, right? Wrong. Whose to say that Gimmick and me would change? Definitely not the princesses. If every creature here was certain that a filly like Cozy Glow would never be able to change and remain villainous forever... then what's convincing me that I could become something better? What's convincing Gimmick? After all this I decided I had a new goal in mind. I wanted to fix this. I wanted to change the world around me so I wouldn't be compared to such a villain. I wanted to be powerful enough to erase history.

I bumped my hoof against Gimmick's and from then on a new blooming but dastardly friendship was born.





Gimmick's plans began to take action. We were disastrous children on the loose going from one special event to the other and sneakily crushing them all underhoof. It started with a few pranks at first... A welcoming party for Princess Cadence and Shining Armor had their confetti canons filled with dirt, mulch, bugs, and glitter glue. A concoction invented by Little Gimmick to create the perfect confusion. Then their punch was replaced with stolen vials of liquid "coocoo magic" I liked to call them that would give the guests a random emotion after five minutes of consumption. One moment you'd be laughing your heart out and then the next you'd be a crying mess on the floor. I found this as a good opportunity to suck up some love from distracted coocooed ponies who suddenly turned lovesick for no reason. Their cakes were filled with termites and their presents were ripped apart and stolen only to be found later on hanging from the trees or floating in the pond just outside. We both ran from the party laughing with joy as the both of us managed to escape that royal disaster. They never caught us either! With my changeling magic many saw others doing different things and the blame game was on.
Through several weeks- or months- we continued to sabotage as many parties and holidays we could before meeting up together once again under the statue of the three villains. From there we would talk about the day and just laugh and joke. It was so much fun! I was actually feeling genuinely happy for once and could sense the caring friendship Gimmick had for me drifting out from her. It wasn't entirely genuine but it was there... even if I was just a tool for her plans it was nice to know she cared a little bit.
What I didn't know about these plans however was the bigger picture behind it. Gimmick loved to keep her secrets even from me so she didn't tell me exactly what was the end goal, only that we should do it. So I did. I didn't question it and I didn't question who she really wanted to attract to our little pact. I soon later found out. After all, chaos attracts chaos...

"I'll see you tomorrow Ginny." Gimmick winked towards me, "The Festival of The Two Sisters is tomorrow. It's going to be big! Let's have some fun, okay?"

I snickered, "Yeah! Sure! I'll see you around Gimmick."

The filly nodded before trotting away with her head held high, leaving me on my own next to the statue we'd always seem to gravitate to. I let out a sigh and turned to it with my head resting on my colored hooves. I studied the three villains towering over me with this feeling in my gut. I felt like I had to say something... they were all once alive and conscious after all.

"What is it like being turned into a statue? Are you asleep in there?" I found myself asking, "Or are you awake? It must suck if you're awake."

"Oh believe me they are all definitely conscious in there. I would know," A strange red reptilian tail came across my vision with its white fluffy tip brushing up against my snout as it passed. I let out a sneeze which surprisingly produced a variety of different colored butterflies; some mostly brown. As I watched them they soon gathered together to form the lord of chaos himself.
"I've been in one myself for a millennium or two."

"Discord?" I quickly pulled myself up, "The Discord??"

"The one and only!" The draconequus bowed towards me and with a roll of his wrist summoned a top hat in his paw, "And lately I've been noticing some very creative little troublemakers having a bit too much fun causing a littttle bit of chaos. I have to say, it looks like you two have taken over the mantle haven't you?" He questioned as he placed the hat over my head. It was much too big so it easily fell over my face.

"What do you mean?" I questioned as I pushed the hat back in order to see Discord.

"I mean it's been so long since I've purposefully caused any chaos around here. I suppose you both got bored and decided to just go and do it yourselves! Awww I applaud you for continuing my legacy!" He clapped his talon and paw together while summoning several other hands to clap along with him before making them all vanish in a white flash along with his own, "Though I will admit it's not looking well for me. Everyone's blaming me for what you two do. I told them I didn't do it so now they want me to look for proof! Proof! Can you believe that? I mean sure I guess I could just take the both of you and present you in front of Twilight and say: Here they are! Here's the REAL troublemakers! But that would be no fun, you know? Nothing about that would be fun for you or me. That'd be too easy."
He seemed to visibly droop as he tapped his chin in thought with his... foot.

"Well, I don't know what you're talking about. We haven't done anything chaotic lately." I shrugged as I made myself comfortable on the garden grass.

"Oh really? Then who was the one in this flashback who clearly replaced the party's gummy worms with slugworms and red beetles?" The draconequus questioned as he snapped his non-existent fingers and transported both of us to a party I remember crashing recently. Discord was see-through... I was see-through! It was really strange and disorienting.

Just then, I spotted myself. I was sneaking under tables with Gimmick. With playful smirks we both tried our best to contain our laughter as I transformed into the party planner Pinkie Pie and nabbed several plastic bags of gummy worms. Just as Discord had said I replaced all of the gummy worms with insects and gave the real deals to Gimmick.
A brown unicorn with a dark mane and a twister for a cutiemark spotted us while we weren't looking. He gave off a smirk and turned to the see-through versions of me and Discord as he spoke in a hushed but familiar voice, "Looks like I caught you~"
In another flash of light we were right back at the gardens.

I blinked from the aftermath, "Was that you as a pony?"

"Yeah, handsome fellow ain't he? You weren't as sneaky this time around~!" Discord chuckled playfully.

I looked up at him and shrugged in response, "I thought they looked a bit more lively, you know? The place was getting really boring and they needed something to spice things up! Also we... we were a bit hungry." I smiled sheepishly up at the draconequus.

Discord seemed to pause at this and smile. He slithered up right next to me with pure joy in his eyes, "Say, what's your name kid? As you already know I'm THE Discord. THE LORD OF CHAOS!"  Thunder and lightning flashed in the sky behind him.

"My name's Ginseng." I smiled, "It's nice to meet you!"

"Oh and you too little changeling!" Discord patted my head with a chuckle before flying off to slump atop the petrified figures of Chrysalis and Tirek, "Say, since you know nothing about the destroyed parties that you and your friend obviously wrecked do you mind at least telling me why you always seem to hang out around this boring old statue all the time? I swear you both are the only ones who ever come up here!" He playfully pinched Cozy Glow's cheek making my stomach writhe with discomfort.

"We're interested in the villains and their story," I find myself saying, "We want to know why they became evil, how they escaped Tartarus, and how they did it. What goes on in the minds of Chyrsalis or Tirek or a little filly like Cozy Glow that makes them want to conquer worlds? It's so strange and scary but so cool to Gimmick and me. We're hoping to figure them out to see what went wrong but there's not a lot of books about them." I walked up to the statue and tapped my chin in thought just to make my act even more convincing.

"Oh! You want to know more about these three knuckleheads, huh?" Discord couldn't help but laugh as he tapped on Chrysalis' head, "Well this is perfect! Tell you what... since I REALLY enjoyed your harmless pranks on the royals and their snooty guests I won't tattle on you two if you stop and instead listen to what I have to say! A tale of some sort if you'd like~!"

I perked with interest, "Huh? Wait- you're going to tell us a story if we stop destroying parties?"

"I don't see what the harm is in that~! Besides, maybe it'll do you and your friend some good! Maybe you two could do with a history lesson and learn some friendship or whatever yadda yadda peace and harmony.  I doubt you two would become little villains like them but you hearing their failures might just convince you to turn over a new leaf and join me in reformation!" With a snap of his claw his draconequus body would transform into something that looked similar to a reformed changeling; colorful, cute, and trusted, "You might just be pranksters now but who knows, what if you try to become conquerors? Hahaha that would just be hilarious...! Right?" His head abruptly appeared really close to my face as his neck stretched out to meet me.

I chuckled, "Yeah. That would be weird to think about. I don't want to be any different years later from what I am now. Besides, imagine me as a villain?? Look out! It's Ginseng the evil-doer!" I hopped up and hovered above the ground with my wings fluttering behind me.

Discord transformed back into his usual draconequus self and let out a booming laugh, "Ahahah! Oh no! It's the tiny and cuddly changeling come to take my love! Not my precious love! I need that! NOOOooOOoo! She's going to conquer EquestriaaaAAaaaa!" He dramatically fell back with a paw against his head as I made my way closer and threateningly raised my hooves.

"When I'm done with you I'll take over and start changing all the laws! First things first! Homework is ILLEGAL!" I firmly announced before laughing as well. My hooves clutched my stomach as I fell back onto the ground beside Discord.

"Ahahah! You really are a HOOT! Much better than that Little Gimmick the other me was just interrogating! She's the brains, I get it. She's a real professional prankster but you're much more fun to talk to!"

I wiped a tear from my eye as I began to calm down, "Hah... Really?"

"Yeah! You know, maybe I can take you under my wing!" He dropped his blue wing in my hooves effectively traumatizing me for life, "I can show you how to cause a little bit of fun and chaos without being too damaging! Creatures like fun and actual harmless pranks after all! It could be like a friendship lesson of some sort! And I can be your wise mentor! Like Starlight is nowdays~ Besides, I don't trust your other friend leading the way. Something tells me she's going to need a bit more work than you."
He turned his body so his back was facing me. Where his wing was there was some sort of three-holed thing. An outlet?

I looked down at the wing which now had three prongs sticking out from it. After connecting the dots I flew up and plugged it right back into place. I was really glad to part from it, "What do you mean by that Discord?"

"Well you see you seem much more innocent than she is. You're like some lackey that got wrapped into some evil no-good shenanigans! Your friend reminds me so much of that little pink villain it's not even funny! Too many red flags, really." He summoned a red flag and began to wave it back and forth in front of me.

Ignoring the lackey comment I spoke, "So..." With a hoof I gently moved Discord's paw out of the way, "She's like another Cozy Glow?"

He clapped his claws together over the red flag to transform it into a book of fairytales. "Exactly like another Cozy Glow~! I'll have to remedy this before she decides to put her brains into world domination instead. Now how about this, we all get together in whatever clubhouse you two have and through the power of storytelling we can get you going as happy reformed little campers!"

Snap! A green tent suddenly appeared on top of me. It dragged me back down to the floor and toppled over. After regaining my senses from my clear confusion I poked my head out through the flaps to see Discord flipping through the pages of his book.

"Of course however I'm willing to make friends. Or get a student! Twilight and everyone else have students nowadays, I think it would be fitting if I did too! So how about it Ginseng? Want to learn how to become a chaotic do-gooder?" He showed off a page of the book which had a colorful drawing of my reformed self with Discord. He was using chaos magic to laugh and dance and from the looks of the image was showing me how to party as well. With a smile the real Discord offered a paw towards me.

My eyes went wide before I started beaming with joy. I shot right out of the tent in a zip! "Yeah!! I would love that!" I took his paw with my hooves and happily shook it, "Though...! There's one problem. We don't have a clubhouse." I hovered back as a nervous chuckle escaped me.

"Don't have a- You two DON'T have a clubhouse??? Well that's not right... AND that's not good for sales! We're going to have to MAKE YOU ONE then! A base of operations if you will for your little definitely harmless fun! Now what would make a good clubhouse for the two of you? Lets see... you both like pranks and chaos and laughter- what if we make it a large bouncy house? No wait, your friend is a unicorn. She'd just pop it. Hmmm... Maybe we could make it underwater? Or create some secret passage? Or-"

"Or we could make a tree house." I suggested with sheepish smile.

"Or we could make a tree house! Perfect! Oh you're going to be the best student of mine ever!" Discord plucked me up and playfully held me up in the air, "But first, I should probably ask Princess Twilight. I'm sure there's some rules or regulations or whatever boring stuff there needs to be for this to work out. Who knows? Maybe you'll get wings just like she did."

"I already have wings." A buzz sounded out to make their presence known.

"Oh you know what I mean! The equivalent of that!" He placed me back down onto the ground and considered me, "Now building a tree house will take a while so until then I'll just tell stories here by this statue until we get it up and running. I'm sure these three would just love to hear their defeat all over again~! But! I will only do that... and I regret saying this... IF you DON'T mess with the festival tomorrow!"

I couldn't help but laugh at that, "Awwww! Discord! You had to ruin the fun!"

"I mean it young changeling! No disastrous pranks! Promise?"

I sighed, "Promise."

"Good! And make sure your friend 100% understands that too! She said she wouldn't but I SAW that shift in her eyes. I can already feel it in her trouble-making bones! She definitely still would!" He suddenly tore a hole into reality and stepped through it, "Now I'm going to go talk to Princess Twilight. I will be seeing the two of you tomorrow, okay? Don't do anything I wouldn't do~!"

"Wow uh okay- I'll see you tomorrow Discord! I'll talk to Gimmick!" I assured with the wave of my hoof before Discord grabbed the top of this hole and pulled it down to close it and restore the space time continuum.
Afterwards I found myself silently sitting there and staring at the spot the draconequus was just at. Did that really just happen? Did he not see through my lies? My playful deceit? Was Gimmick right? Was I a better con than I originally thought? Still, my lies got me somewhere I didn't expect. The Lord of Chaos himself asking to be my mentor? Mentor of what exactly? Chaos itself?
"Am... Am I going to become a chaos lord?" I wondered out loud to the three villains nearby before shaking my head, "Guess I have to go find Gimmick now. We really need to talk..."

With one glance at the three petrified villains I turned and left. What I learned later came as a shock.





Tomorrow had appeared. While the festival itself wouldn't be until later on tonight ponies and creatures of varying kinds were still getting ready for the upcoming event. For now however it was just your usual sunny day. For me it was a lot more.
I found her at the Shimmering Lake Park, "Gimmick! You won't believe what happened last night!" I raced up to the young unicorn who now sat on a bench with an open book by her side.

She smirked in response, "Oh I think I can believe it." With her magic she flipped to the next page.

"Discord came to me last night! He interrogated me a bit but- I think I got him to like me!" I placed a hoof over my chest as I felt the edges of a genuine smile perk up.

"Perfect. I knew you would be able to get the job done." Gimmick shut her book before hopping off the bench.

"Huh? What do you mean by that?"

"I mean I knew you and Discord would get along. You read people well... really well. You make friends easily even when you don't love them back! You adapt. It's in your nature, it seems. You're great at deception and you're great at hiding the truth. I just didn't think it'd go so perfectly well, but it still works for my real plan." She stashed the book away into her saddlebags and instead pulled out a notepad, "The events and the parties were just a kickstart. We needed to create enough chaos to attract him to us and it came together quite well don't you think? He talked to me last night but it was clear he had no interest in me. In fact, he kept talking about how his double was having more fun with you! I think he enjoys your presence a bit more than me so... We'll use that."

"Wait- so... What's the full plan? Can't you tell me it now?" I felt very unnerved but also very intrigued. What was this pony's end goal?

"Well first, let me tell you a part of it. You see, I needed a way to test Discord's abilities. He didn't know about your true form, did he?" 

I tapped my chin in thought, "No. He never took notice really. Called me innocent even. In fact- he pulled up a memory of some sort earlier. He was there during one of our parties but as a pony. He had to see us for himself doing our pranks..."

"So it's true. Discord may be powerful but he doesn't know everything. If he knew everything he'd have known you were lying from the very start." Gimmick's joy was clear in her sparkling eyes, "This is BIG Ginny! I needed to see what he could or could not possibly know. With your help I was able to lure him in and catch him with the truth! That truth is he isn't as impressive as we think~! But we still gotta be careful around him..."
She placed the notes in front of me and gestured to it, "So. This is the plan."





I would be lying if I said I didn't feel used. For some reason I even felt betrayed. I don't know why but that genuine moment of possible friendship between me and Discord was now ruined by Gimmick's little notepad. It was all planned. It was all a con made by her and me. It was just... just a building stone to the next step! I know what it was for but some part of me wished it wasn't.
Still, I had to move on. There was a greater goal that the both of us now reached for. I could see it in her eye every time she looked at that statue in the gardens. Together, if we get this right, we could learn how to change history. Either the past, the present, or the future.

For now however I found myself staring wide-eyed at Discord himself. Just besides me was Gimmick who quirked a curious brow in his direction. We did what he asked and kept our pranks far from the festivities. When we weren't sure what to do for the day we had both just decided to sit and wait at the statue with some snacks, videogames, and a good book. Only when the sun began to set did he appear before us.

"Geez! Twilight has been getting a lot more stern lately! It's such a bore! She has this face that's just like; Discord! Don't influence young creatures! Well EXCUSE me for trying to be a responsible draconequus for once in my life!" After reshaping his Twilight face back into his usual Discord face he let out a grumble and crossed his arms in annoyance, "BUT! Thankfully, Fluttershy had appeared to come to my rescue! She managed to convince that snoot of a princess to give me a chance at teaching you two friendship. So, lesson one! Don't call the princess a snoot. It's rude I've heard."

"Duly noted." Gimmick commented as she lowered her book.

"So you've told the princess about us?" I bit my lip in anticipation.

"Oh! No, not just yet! I told her I found the troublemakers BUT! I didn't want her to deal with them. I wanted to be the one to help you little tots grow into big responsible tots! So I refused to give her your name and told her I would only share IF I get to do some friendship lessons, reform you myself, and THEN introduce you to Princess Twilight! By then you'll both be brainwashed into friendship society!" He gently patted my head with his paw.

"... Brainwashed?" I questioned with concern.

"Eh, he's the lord of chaos. He's just kidding around... Maybe." Gimmick assured me before pulling out a blank notepad, "So what's first on the agenda?"

"FIRST!" Discord plucked up Gimmick's notepad and tossed it into the sky where it vanished into a twinkling speck high above, "We are not taking notes for these types of friendship lessons. Instead, I'll be telling you some stories!"
In a flash of light a campfire appeared in between us. Discord happily summoned a counselor's cap for himself and donned us with what looked like girl scout outfits. 

"Are you going to pay for that notepad?" Gimmick questioned from the log we now sat on that came with this camp set-up.

I stuck my tongue out and instantly chewed on the fabric of my sash. What is this??? Get it off!

Discord pointed a talon at me, “Young changeling stop chomping at your sash!” 

I ripped a piece off and was surprised to find that it tasted sweet. Was this cotton candy? “But I’m hungry.” I simply say as I chew away at the deliciously sugary cloth.

“Oh please! Changelings can’t get hungry! You put that down this instant!” He sternly voiced but with a pout that looked less than serious.

Gimmick gave me a look, “Ginny why are you eating your sash?”

I pulled my head back up and licked my maw, “I don’t know. Maybe because I don’t like wearing it! It’s itchy.”

“So you eat it?”

“.... Yes.”

“Well at least they didn’t entirely go to waste,” Discord snapped his fingers once again to make the campsite and outfits disappear in a blink. In their place was a bowl of popcorn for Gimmick and a stick of cotton candy for me.
“Why don’t we just skip the theatrics and get on with the stories, eh?”

I nodded enthusiastically. Gimmick meanwhile shrugged in response and contently chewed away at some popcorn.

“Now,” He leaned back to sit his body on some invisible non-existent chair, “Let’s start with something they don’t tell you in the history books. Do you two know who Grogar is?”

We shook our head no.

“Of course you wouldn’t. No one really talks about him nowadays! Just his bell.” The draconequus snapped his talon to summon an image of a cracked blue bell pulsing with unknown properties, “The bell that could take magic and deposit it to someone else~”

“Oh!” Gimmick perked up, “Yes I’ve learned about Grogar’s bell recently! It was destroyed soon after the three villains were defeated... but we didn’t learn much about Grogar himself.”

“That’s because Grogar is old news little one!” Discord crushed the apparition with his claws, “He’s been around since before Celestia and Luna were even born! He’s some old goat who ruled with an iron hoof and plagued Equestria in a realm full of monsters and demons. One of those being yours truly~”

I found myself processing what Discord had said... “So you’re like Grogar’s son..?” I hesitantly asked.

“Oh good heavens no! At the time I was just a pulsing abomination trying to take a form that’d be better suited for myself! I never considered Grogar my dad just my creator... But let’s not get into the details of my cruel upcoming. Instead let me tell you about the time King Sombra came back.”

"King Sombra?" Gimmick wondered out loud, "That unicorn that attacked the Crystal Empire? What does he have to do with the villains, Grogar, and the bell? Did Grogar also create him?"

"Nope! King Sombra is just a sad pony with royal frills up his nose and dark magic~! But have you ever wondered how he returned to Equestria a second time?"

Both me and Gimmick perked up at this and turned to one another.

"Well you see it all started when I heard that the former Princesses Celestia and Luna were going to entrust Equestria in the hooves of Twilight Sparkle~!"

The rest of the night continued on like this. We both listened intently as Discord continued to tell his tale of of the villains all jam-packed together and forming an unlikely alliance. He told us how Grogar summoned all of them to his lair and how his plan was for them to make friends so they'd all be able to defeat their greatest enemies together. The way Discord told the story had this tension and severity to it that made me interested for more. However his portrayal of King Sombra was comedic, to say the least. I don't actually believe Discord's interpretation of the dark ruler who enslaved hundreds was some prissy, over-confident showpony, but I still intently listened. What did the villains plan to do? Why was Sombra going out alone? Would Grogar really hold up his end of the deal? And if so... does that mean King Sombra is still out there?

Honestly I felt Discord was making it all too long on purpose just to waste our time away until the sun came up during the celebration. Still, I kinda found myself enjoying the story and how Discord pretended to be hurt in order to get his friends to defeat Sombra by themselves. It was an interesting retelling of events. The moment he said "The end" however was the moment me and Gimmick couldn't stand it any longer. We were exhausted and were glad to depart for the night.

As Gimmick left she gave me this look. A look that definitely said "Hey... Let's talk later." Then she hurried off to who knows where.

I stayed a bit longer to say goodbye to Discord. He responded with a light chuckle, "Aw are you already missing me? You're just adorable! Also I just want you to know~! I asked Princess Twilight if we could use a tree in the park to build our- I mean your treehouse! She's going to be sending supplies and once its all built up we'll get this whole thing going again!"

"Why don't you just use your magic to make one?" I asked with a tilt of my head.

"Well you see that's the thing about chaos magic. It might be able to form many wonderfully silly things," He summoned several black and red cards to shift from palm to palm as he said this, "But it's not stable... or permanent I'm afraid! It changes constantly and if I don't have my complete focus on what I've summoned then it eventually turns well... chaotic~!"
To show an example he let go of the cards in his hands and allowed them to explode into this pulsing pink and purple substance that dribbled along the floor. As it did the grass was suddenly patterned with white and blue swirls. Discord soon snapped his fingers to make the odd goop go away.

"Oh so- if you made a club house but stayed away for too long it'd just... Fall apart?"

"Precisely!"

"... Was that cotton candy I just ate dangerous?" I bit my lip in concern.

"Oh- Ohohoho! No! Don't worry about that Ginseng! It's nothing to worry about!" He waved his hands absentmindedly.

"Are you sure..?"

"Don't worry about it~!"

I stared up at Discord with narrowed eyes, "Are you... Are you going to explain how it's alright to eat?"

"Ahahahah.... Don't worry about it."

"But-"

"Dooooon't worry about it~!"

" Well I still want to know..! After all don't I as your student get chaos magic someday?" I asked almost a bit too eagerly.

"Ahahah! Little one you are just too much! Not every creature can handle chaos magic, especially a changeling, and as much as I like the idea of another chaos user we're... going to have to check first to make sure you can even handle such a power. Oh- and ask for Twilight's permission to test on a child I GUESS... One bit at a time, Ginseng!" He patted my head once again, "Now I think it's about time you get going! Your guardian must be very worried! Don't worry, I'll be able to tell you more of the story once we get that tree house built! I'm sure it'll be soon! Maybe..."

I find myself glancing over at the statue, "Hmm... I dunno. It does take a while to build a whole tree fort... Can't we still have stories here until its built?"

Discord considered this thought as he scrutinized the three villains nearby, "Eh... Are you sure you want to have these stories here of all places?"

I shrugged with a small sheepish smile, "Me and Gimmick find it fitting. Plus no one else really comes up here too."

"Well... I suppose it wouldn't hurt. And who knows? Maybe my good old pals could do with a friendship lesson or two as well! Fine..! After we check out what Princess Twilight has given us for your treehouse tomorrow then we can have more stories here."

My wings buzzed behind me with excitement as I leaped up into the air, "Oh thank you Discord!" I cheered before throwing my hooves around him.

"Ahah- geez. Kids these days! You can't just go hugging the lord of chaos!" He hesitated to hug me back but gently pet the top of my head.

"Well I just did." I smirked before pulling away, "Bye Discord! Thanks for coming when you did."

"Aww! You're too sweet! Bye now!" He waved before his body collected in on itself as he disappeared in a swirly vortex until he was nothing more but a spot of dust.

I laughed and began to make my way out of the gardens with my mind racing of today's story... but as the quiet morning dragged on my steps grew slower. My smile slowly fell and my already blank eyes became even blanker. What was that I just said? Thanks for coming when you did? What's that supposed to mean?? Why did I say that? And why did I hug him?? Was I really happy to be his... friend? No. I couldn't be. I was never happy to be anyone's friend before. I'm not even happy with Panax or Gimmick! Discord isn't my friend...
but I felt he cared about me. It wasn't love, definitely not yet, but it was the start of something. He wanted to be my friend... I could feel it inside him... but did I want to be his friend? Or am I just getting on his good side for the plan??
I... I wasn't sure. I really wasn't sure right now.
So for now I just shook that thought away. I couldn't get distracted. Not right now. No, right now I needed to find Gimmick. I was sleepy, sure, but she looked like she wanted to tell me something...

I might as well get it all out of the way while I'm still young.
> Chapter 2: Can We Be Friends?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Ginseng!”

“WAH!” I shouted out in surprise as Gimmick popped right out of a bush, nabbed me, and pulled me right in, "Is this normal for ponies???" I shielded my eyes as the leaves pricked at my face.

"Shut up." The unicorn placed a hoof over my snout, "Listen. Discord isn't being completely honest with us."

I pushed her hoof away, "What? What do you mean by that?"

"I mean his story isn't entirely true."

"Is it the King Sombra voice?" I suggested, "Because to be honest his impression is really bad-"

"Eh well... I'm on the fence about that one. It sounds like a lie but it could be true... But to be honest everything about how Discord talks about King Sombra is sounding like a lie- That isn't it though! It's every time he says Grogar that I'm completely certain about. His eyes close, his tail twitches, and he flexes his claw for some reason like as if he's about to snap his talons but he doesn't. He's keeping something from us about this story... which makes sense. How does he know about all this?"

I considered that thought, "And where is Grogar now?"

"If he were banished recently wouldn't my history lessons have covered that?" Gimmick tapped her chin in thought.

“Could this mean he’s still out there? Still roaming all of Equestria today just waiting to strike?”

“There is still more to this story we haven’t heard,” The unicorn chimed in after readjusting her glasses, “Maybe there’s more to this than we think. After all, if Grogar was still around wouldn’t every creature be more alert? Wouldn’t we know who he is?”

I looked down at nothing, “What do you think we should do now?”

“We keep listening to his stories,” Gimmick urged, “And you keep being Discord's friend. The more we know and the more he trusts us... the sooner we can uncover the truth.”

"... Do you think Grogar actually brought King Sombra back like he promised?" I asked as I slowly pulled myself out of the thorny bush.

"Not a chance." Gimmick hopped on out as well, "Grogar's a villain. Villains never keep their word..."





After a long night my hooves automatically guided me to the place I now call home.

I paused at the front steps of Panax’s rental. It was a simple two story townhouse wedged in between several others. The blue details magnificently clashed with the white paint and among the windowsills there were flowers of various kinds cascading from the earthly pots they grew in. I could hear birds singing and chimes ringing as the wind gently danced throughout the street.

What a nice home, some would probably think. How peaceful and welcoming... Surely I must love coming home every day, right?

Maybe. Maybe once upon a time I would’ve loved a place such as this. However as I went to unlock the door I prepared myself for what lay on the other side.

I opened it with the hope that the sound of beautifully woven music would greet me. I opened it almost eagerly expecting to hear my caretaker break out into song or welcome me back with the comedic tune of a piano or flute. I opened it with the search for love and joy.

What I found however was the opposite of all that. The door creaked open to reveal that on the other side there lay nothing. No music or voice to greet me. No love, hugs, or worried concerns for why I was late. No proper dinner for me to fill my starving stomach... Instead there was just silence. Absolute silence.

I walked in, shut the door behind me, and allowed my magic to rest. I transformed back into my original love-sucking self and called out for the older changeling, “Panax! I’m home!”

No response. Why would there be? If she were here I’d be hearing Panax playing her instrument of the day or singing out to her heart's desire as she prepared for whatever concert came tomorrow.

Instead of Panax however there were empty rooms and a blue box of cinnamon rolls on the kitchen counter. On top of this box was a sticky note from my caretaker.

[“Sorry I’ll be late again! Me and my friends are practicing at the studio tonight. I got you some apology cinnarolls and you have some leftovers, right? I’ll probably be back later! Love you! -Panax]

I plucked up the note with my magic, crumbled it, and tossed it into the nearest trash can. Solid foods were nice, I guess, but it wasn’t as filling as love. The only reason she isn’t around me is because she doesn’t want her love being taken from me!

I stuffed the cinnamon rolls in the fridge, slammed it shut, and hurriedly made my way upstairs to my bedroom. My aggravation became more evident with each step.

Great Twilight! Maybe I shouldn’t have come to Canterlot. I had plenty of love in the hive but I had taken it all for granted. I thought that Panax would be enough! I thought she cared and loved me enough that her presence alone would be able to sustain my hunger. Instead I found myself in pain almost constantly. Panax left the home more often nowadays to stay away from me. I found myself alone and unloved with no creature but myself to blame.

Frustrated, I shoved the door to my bedroom open. The shadows all flitted to the sides as light traveled in from the hallway behind me. Within this room was a mess of green slime and changeling goo that helped create not only foundations but cocoons as well. Within those cocoons were small animals of various kinds that I’ve managed to catch and drain previously. Frightened birds, slithering snakes, and worried squirrels.
This is what my life has resorted to before Gimmick’s help. Being unable to take whoever I want I found myself instead going after woodland critters and draining them of every ounce of love they once had. I’d steal them away and keep them stashed all over my room in case I found myself starving like I did now... I could come back for “leftovers” as my caretaker Panax usually called them.
It wasn’t accepted but it’s what I had to do.
After choosing from my limited selection I made my way up to two cocooned squirrels and hungrily licked my lips, “Looks like you will have to do for tonight.”
Leaving out the excruciating details I, in short, fed and had my fill. It wasn’t much- nor did it taste good- but my stomach wasn’t hurting anymore, at least.

I threw myself on my bed and stared at the ceiling above. My thoughts began to wonder. What if this was an attempt to reform me? Was Panax planning to just starve me out and hope that somehow I would give in and take the easy route? That I would suddenly change? I could surrender my love and never go hungry again! Wouldn’t that be great..?
It was a tempting thought but it also scared me as well. Everything about the metamorphosis scared me. To change into one thing and to never go back just like that? could I really just give it all up?
I didn’t understand it. All I understood was the power of friendship but...
If this was about friendship then why did everything feel so... wrong? So forced and so fake? Did Panax really love me? Or was she just tolerating me?
Was she just trying to get rid of me?

Stressed from these thoughts I allowed the silence of the musician’s home to take over. I tried to muffle my troubles as I slowly closed my eyes and allowed the comforting darkness to take hold. All I needed now was some rest. I was anxious and exhausted but all I wanted to focus on was getting some sleep. The moment I relaxed into my sheets everything around me seemed to vanish. Even then it felt like no time went by at all. 

Knock knock knock.

My eyes blinked open at the sound of a knock. It was gentle but firm and still somehow managed to wake me. I abruptly sat up and rubbed my eyes awake. From the clock nearby I noticed it was now the afternoon. Sweet Twilight I must've been very tired.

Knock knock knock.

Now I knew better than just to open the door for any creature... especially with my problem. Panax was very insistent that I don't open the door for any creature no matter what. However I found myself getting curious. It wasn't everyday somepony came to our little home. Plus... I was getting hungry again.
I found myself transforming back into my "reformed" state and quickly checking over myself in the mirror I had set up stuck to some slime next to the door. Once I was certain everything was in place I left my chaotic mess of a room and hurriedly made my way down the steps to the front door.
Another knock rang out.

Knock knock knock.

I went up to it and peeked through the door's peephole. There I saw somepony I definitely didn't expect. I saw a yellow pegasus mare with a pink mane all tied up in whimsical loop of some sort. I couldn't see her cutiemark but I could already guess who she was. It was one of the protectors of Equestria! Was I in trouble? Did they find me? Were they going to send me to Tartarus??? I gulped and slowly stepped away from the door. Maybe I should just go to my room and wait it out until she left?

"Hellloooo~?" A familiar deep voice rang out from behind the door, "Ugh. I was sure we had the right address! This is the only recent changeling family who've moved to Canterlot!"

"Maybe they're not here today?" The pegasus calmly responded back, "I'm sure they'll be back later..."

"Well that's just great! And I had all this set up for when she opened the door!" The other huffed in annoyance, "What a shame..."

I blinked in surprise, made my way over to the door, and opened it to reveal a draconequus on the other side. He had his back towards me and was starting to leave with his mare friend when I suddenly spoke up,
"Discord?"

Discord whipped his head around so fast that even an owl would flinch, "Ginseng! Hah! I told you I got the right place!" He beamed towards his friend

"What're you doing here? How'd you find out where I lived? Is that- Fluttershy?"

"The one and only!" Discord chirped as he happily showed off his mare friend. The element of kindness.

"Pleased to meet you, Ginseng." The pegasus happily offered a hoof, "Wow. I've never seen a changeling with gemstones on their head before... That's so unique!"

I shyly shook her hoof, "Oh- yeah. Really weird, huh? I know, but it's just how I turned out!" I chuckled and pulled my hoof back to touch the gemstones circling my horn, "Isn't it neat?"

The draconequus laughed, "Ahahah! It's definitely different! You see, this is why I have a good feeling about her! She's already an oddity among oddities!"

Fluttershy giggled into her hoof, "Is it okay if we come inside?"

As she spoke I had to stop my mouth from watering. I had only just met Fluttershy but I could sense the love coming off of her. She cares even without knowing me. It was very tempting but I had to refrain, "O-Oh um... I guess not. Just don't go into my room, okay? It's a mess and I didn't really expect any creature today."

"Thank you!" The older pony quietly walked into the home and took it all in, "Wow. This is a very nice place you have here! It's full of instruments... Do you play?"

"No, my caretaker does." I explain as I flutter up next to the other, "She's out right now practicing for a concert. Maybe."

"Maybe?" The yellow pegasus quietly asked with a look of concern.

Discord popped in besides us with a brown and green box in his hands, "Well I'm sure your caretaker wouldn't mind if we all had a little get-together for a tea party now would they? Here! I even got Ginsing tea! It's tea... but it sings!" He opened the box to reveal several packets of ginseng with mouths singing a merry tune.

🎶 "La la la la! Lalalalala la! La la la la! Lalalalala la!" 🎶

I couldn't help but laugh out at this, "Ginseng tea, huh?"

Fluttershy grinned, "Oh it was one of our favorite teas to drink back then!"

"I think it's only fair that Ginseng takes the first cup!" Discord chuckled as he scooped one of the packets up and playfully tickled it with a paw. This effectively made it go off into hysterical laughter until tears fell from its non-existent eyeballs.

What surprised me was that the packet's tears were made entirely of burning hot tea. I could even see the steam rising from each droplet! Fluttershy soon flew over with a cup in hoof and raised it underneath the laughing teabag. A whole river of joyful tears fell into the mug before the pegasus handed it over to me.

"Careful, it's hot." She beamed at me.

"Wow... Thanks! But I still want to know how you found my address." I quietly blew at the cup in an attempt to cool it down. Surprisingly it had completely frozen over and transformed itself into a solid block of ice, "Huh?" I turned the mug upside down and shook it. Nothing fell out.

"Oh I should've told you, chaotic magic can be unpredictably predictable with others sometimes. Which is my next lesson actually, but that'll be important later! For now, let me answer your questions little one! You see, Twilight, Fluttershy, and the rest of her friends all have access to the archives of everything that goes on in Canterlot! That includes who moves in and who moves out!"
He snapped his fingers to reveal a scene of Fluttershy and himself in some narrow room full of cabinets and papers. Discord was frantically looking through it all while Fluttershy calmly picked one paper up after another. It wasn't long before she perked up with a smile and showed off a document she found to her draconequus friend.
"When we were finally able to find information of the recent arrivals, one being a changeling family of two, I just had to see if I had found my little student! Now I can come visit all the time!"
He snapped his fingers and the image soon vanished.

I blinked at this, "Hah... That's not concerning at all. This isn't a breach of privacy, is it?"

"Oh don't worry! We won't tell any other creature of your home! It'll be our little secret!" Discord assured.

"I'm really sorry for coming in like this without writing first," Fluttershy sheepishly apologized, "It's just Discord spoke fondly of you and when I said I wanted to meet he did everything he could to find you again. Even went to the statue in hope that you and your other friend Little Gimmick would be there."

I stiffened at this, "I thought you said you wouldn't tell anypony our names..."

"Oh! No! Just Princess Twilight! Don't worry, Fluttershy is a dear friend of mine. She won't tell a single soul about your little... misdemeanor. But your troublemaking past isn't the reason why I brought her here! Nope! This is going to be part of your chaos lesson!"
He plucked up my mug and sat it down on the round dinner table which he happily spun. After it came to a stop I looked down to see that he had melted away the ice and converted it back to it's original hot state.

I looked up at Discord, "Chaos lesson?"

"Yeup! A tutoring session full of fun and magnificent uncontrollable magic! That- I'm afraid- must be approved and overseen by the elements of harmony. Hence why my friend Fluttershy is with us here today." The draconequus gracefully gestured to the yellow pegasus.

"And why I suggested we make this a tea party! There's always never a dull moment in tea parties." She smiled towards me, "We have most of the food and beverages. All we need now is a place to set up. Will this table do?"

I narrowed my eyes at the table and tapped my chin in thought, "For this party? No way. Lets go outside in the backyard gardens instead!" I suggested before going up to my fridge. I carried out a blue box of cinnamon rolls and happily showed them off, "Here! I have this to go with it as well."

"Awww how perfect!" Fluttershy cooed.

"Oh! That's just so delightfully sweet of you Ginseng! Are you sure you didn't expect us~?" Discord hummed playfully as he snaked his way over to the box.

"Hah, definitely didn't. It's just a.... happy coincidence." I almost grit my teeth as I made my way to the back door with the box and mug in my magical hold, "Well, what're we waiting for? Let me show you around!"

The trio walked out onto a balcony that lead to a small fenced-up garden. Despite being in such a tiny space there was clearly a lot of care and love put into it. A stone path curled towards the center where a round circle made of rock with brick-like patterns currently sat. Surrounding this center was lush green grass, bountiful flowers of different colors, one standing oak tree, and a corner full of tended-to produce like tomatoes or carrots.

Fluttershy happily trotted down the stone path, "Oh my! Did you do all this Ginseng?"

"Nah not really," I admitted, "It was like this when we moved in. It's a rental, after all... but Panax is usually the one who tends to it and keeps it pretty and stuff! We don't really have much use for the produce but she still helps grow it. Maybe we could sell them someday?" I shrugged as I walked up besides the older mare.

POOF!
Discord appeared with a swirling round table and his flying singing tea packets circling the very center of this garden, "Well I think this is just perfect! We could practice all we want back here!"

I placed my mug on the table even as it started to spin and hop. Surprisingly, the contents stayed on top despite the abrupt and jerky movements, "You're actually going to teach me chaos magic??" I beamed up at the chaos lord.

"Wellllllll~ if allowed of course." He smiled to his mare friend nearby.

I gave Fluttershy a pleading look before turning my attention back to my teacher, "So where do we start??"

"Ohoho! Patience young one! Let's start... with a tea party!" Discord snapped his talons and summoned a white and blue tablecloth to place over the spinning table before lowering it back onto the ground. Several platters, saucers, a teapot, and other such needed items appeared along the cloth. However I was confused to find my cup still underneath the tablecloth with its form poking right out of it.
"First, before we start anything too serious, we need to know if you're even capable of it. To use chaos the user must have the best body and mind for it~ But in this case we're starting small so all you have to focus on right now is this: Comedy and stageplay!"

"Comedy and stageplay?" I blinked at this.

"Yes! There's something about my magic that makes it unlimited! As in it's not only connected to me, you see. Any creature outside of it could interact with any chaotic magic I summon! That is if you can make it work! Look at what you got that's made entirely of chaos and just... mess with it!" He took hold of his eyeballs and pulled them out to make them spring off his face like as if he were wearing one of those silly glasses you get at clown parties as a childish souvenir, "It doesn't have to make sense but it has to be with what you have! Play with the environment and create something! Anything! One time Fluttershy made a staircase to nothing using a clock, an end table, a chair, and a rug. It's inspiring! So be creative! Show me what you got, kid!"
He pushed his eyes back into place and grinned hopefully at me.

I looked back down at the table before me and tapped my chin in thought, "So I can do anything that comes to mind with all this you summoned and it can... happen?" A smile quirked at the edge of my lips.

"Precisely! Though I understand if you have trouble figuring out how to-" Before Discord could finish I was already in action.

My first thought was to get my cup of tea back. Sure there were several easy ways to do this but I had a better idea. I just grabbed the tablecloth with my hooves, spun the table, and pulled as fast as I could. Everything went twirling around in a blur. The items jumped as if they were about to go soaring into the sky but as I dropped the sheet I'd find that everything landed right where they were a moment ago. From there I was able to find my mug and happily take a sip from it, "How was that?" I cheerfully asked.

Fluttershy cheerfully clapped her hooves together in encouragement.

"Ooh! Impressive! But there's still a lot more you could do, young nymph!" The draconequus chuckled.

"There is?" I blinked before turning my attention to every available chaotic item in my vicinity. Then, with another spirited smirk I chugged down the rest of my tea and hopped up onto the table. The items scattered and began to hover around me as I gestured for the ginsing tea to join my side. Then with the now empty cup I placed it over my head and began to tap my hooves against saucers and plates. I guided forks and spoons to continuously beat against anything they could. The table, each other, the tea pot or the sugar cubes! Anything worked, really.


🎶 🎶 🎶


Discord seemed to perk up at this and smiled with glee. He couldn't resist and snapped his fingers. The instruments within the house then burst out through the windows and doorway. I could see the piano sticking out of the home like a playful dog while its keys danced across its face. All the horns blared out from the windows like excited foals yelling out into the heavens as the music continued. I eagerly tapped my hooves against the table and readied myself. It was time to sing~!



🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺🎺
🎷🎷🎷🎷
🎹



🎵A-tisket a-tasket
A brown and yellow basket
I send a letter to my carer
On the way I dropped it🎵


Spotting the cinnamon rolls I plucked them right up and flew off the table. With the box in hoof I began to playfully circle around Fluttershy.


🎵I dropped it
I dropped it
Yes on the way I dropped it🎵


I placed the box on top of Fluttershy's head. She giggled and gently took the thing of rolls in her hooves.


🎵A little filly picked it up
and put it in her pocket!🎵


A cinnamon roll from the box came rolling right out with the help of my magic taking hold and with it I hovered right back over to the table.


🎵She was trucking on down the avenue!
With not a single thing to do!
She went-🎵


I suddenly transformed into a bird and began to peck at the cinnamon roll as I sang,


🎵a-peck pecking all around~
When she spied it on the ground🎵


Suddenly I shifted back into my colorful changeling self and threw myself face-to-face with Discord as the partly-eaten cinnamon roll hovered beside me.


🎵She took it
She took it
My little yellow basket🎵


I hand Discord the cinnamon roll and turned back to the tablecloth I had left on the ground.


🎵And if she doesn't bring it back I think that I will cry!🎵


I plucked up the cloth and swung it around. It blew against the wind as I draped it over myself and spun about in its fabric. Then, with a hop, I bounced right on out of this flurry of white and blue and went back to Fluttershy. I joyfully circled her until the fabric all came together and transformed... A dress! A chaotically swirly dress that beautifully came together along with the blue box of cinnamon rolls.
She looked up in surprise and couldn't help but bashfully giggle, "Oh my!"
With a quick wink I went and trotted back on over to the center of the garden.


🎵A-tisket A-tasket
I lost my yellow basket
And if that filly don't return it 
Don't know what I'll do!🎵


I bounced right back on top of the table and gestured to the ginsing packets with my butterfly-like wings.


🎵Oh gee~ I wonder where my basket could be!🎵


🎶 So do we! So do we! So do we! So do we! So do we! 🎶


The tea bags happily chimed in behind me.


🎺🎺🎺


"Oh dear~ I wish that little foal I could see!


🎶 So do we! So do we! So do we! So do we! So do we! 🎶


I raised my hooves above my head and then suddenly made a reach for my mug and a nearby plate.


🎵Oh why was I so careless with that basket of mine?🎵


Smushing the plate and mug together I created a makeshift hat to tip over my head all the while spinning in a circle. This made the other dishes around me start chaotically spiraling around my dance.


🎵That itty bitty basket was a joy of mine!🎵


With each abrupt pause in the song I playfully posed.


🎵Tisket!🎵
🎵Tasket!🎵
🎵Lost my yellow basket~!🎵


I then took off the plate and mug hat and swung it behind me.


🎵Won't someone help me find my basket?
Make me happy again, again?🎵



🎶 Was it green? 🎶



🎵No no no no!🎵



🎶 Was it red? 🎶



🎵No no no no!🎵



🎶 Was it blue? 🎶



🎵NO no no no~!🎵
🎵Just a little yellow basket!🎵


Fluttershy and Discord were ecstatically dancing on either end of the table as the trumpets boomed and the dishes banged on.
Excitement fluttered in my chest as a new feeling encompassed me. I felt so much joy that I've never experienced before. It was a thrill! Though the song was about to end. So with a shining smirk and a new confidence I haven't felt in a while I ended it all once the music abruptly stopped to collect up once again as I sang.


🎵A little yellow basket!!🎵


Then it all went quiet...

CLAP CLAP CLAP!

"That was BRILLIANT!!"

I looked over to see Discord clapping as loud as he could with a mouthful of the cinnamon treat he just ate. His mare friend quickly joined him and looked on at me with pride.

"What did I say Fluttershy?? Isn't she..." SNIFF! "So perfect?" The draconequus took his wing and blew into it like a tissue.

"Aw Discord..!" I giggled and set my hoof over my chest. What was this... feeling?

"That was beautiful, Ginseng." Fluttershy chirped as she walked up to me, "I think this was one successful tea party... even if we haven't started drinking any tea yet."

"That was amazing!" Discord went on to say, "You used more than just things I summoned! You used the cinnamon rolls, the mug, and even your own magic! Though I will admit, maybe I did pull some strings~" The draconequus chuckled as several curious instruments from the house suddenly perked up and slowly inched their way back inside. Probably to go back to their original positions.

"And I like what you did with the tablecloth! The dress is so pretty!" The yellow pegasus spun around to show off the outfit I had managed to create.

"Yeah well, I wanted to do something with that tablecloth! At first I was thinking of putting it on myself but... hah. I don't like dresses that much, honestly." I smiled sheepishly over at the pony, "I'm glad you like it!"

"I love it! Thank you so much!"

"Sooo~!" Discord slid on over to Fluttershy with a ditsy little grin, "What do you think? Is she alright to use some of my... magic?"

"Hmm..." Fluttershy tapped her chin in thought, "How about this? We enjoy our tea party together, I learn a bit more about Ginseng, and then later I can talk to Twilight and the others about this. I'll see what they have to say. But in all honesty, you have my vote. I think you would do great things with magic like this, Ginseng. You definitely seem to fit most of the qualifications of a chaos user."

"Not ALL of them though young lady! You still have a way to go!" The draconequus booped my snout with his paw.

I chuckled and rubbed my nose, "That sounds good. I'd like to get to know you too!"

"Great! Then we can- ooh..." Fluttershy seemed to wobble for a moment, "Oh I feel... tired."

"Ah, are you alright Fluttershy?" Discord asked with a hint of worry in his voice as he made his way over to his friend.

"Mm... Don't worry, it's fine. I think I'm just a little exhausted from all the excitement today. Lets just enjoy our tea party, okay?"

I gave Fluttershy a concerned look and had to halt myself from licking my own teeth, "Sure... If you're okay with that."

From there we tried to continue, we really did.
We each got a poured cup of ginsing tea with sandwiches and cinnamon rolls to the side. As I filled my uncaring stomach however the food only reminded me of how hungry I really was. I looked to Fluttershy who always seemed to radiate this unconditional love for both me and Discord. I tried not to... I really did... but sometimes I can't control what my magic does to creatures. I could just be sitting next to somepony and my changeling magic would slowly drain their love without them noticing. I couldn't resist this meal.

As Fluttershy tried to converse with me she would start feeling more light headed. Aches appeared out of nowhere and she started to get more faint. She placed a hoof over her forehead and groaned, "Ugh... I'm sorry but- I'm not feeling too good right now..."

I set down my cup, "Fluttershy..?"

"Oh my dear you're definitely not looking too hot right now. Maybe you should take a break." Discord sighed as he patted the top of her head, "I can take you home if you want. Then you can rest your little head for as long as you need to!"

"Hmm... That'd be nice..." She drowsily leaned against Discord's paw, "I'm sorry for having to cut this short... I'm just afraid that I might faint any second now. Huh... it doesn't usually come this fast though."

My eyes blinked. What? Was this normal? I mean  It's great that there was an excuse for why she felt faint but... I didn't like that excuse.

Discord sighed, "Alright. Let's take you home. Sorry Ginseng, I'll be back in a moment but I'm afraid this is the end of our session today."

"Oh no it's fine! Don't worry. Your friend needs her rest, I completely understand." I assured before giving Fluttershy a glance, "It was nice meeting you."

"You too..." The pegasus smiled before curling up in her friend's arms.

The draconequus cradled the older mare in his arms before vanishing in a flash of white light. The table and tea set disappeared along with him. The only thing that didn't follow behind was a blue box now mostly empty.

I sat there staring at the spot they were both at. Guilt clawed at me but at the same time... I felt a little relieved. Relieved that they finally left. I don't know why. I was having so much fun, wasn't I? I had two visitors who loved and cared about me. Shouldn't I have wished they stayed a bit longer?
Maybe it was Gimmick's plan that was getting to me again. I'm not sure. However I was starting to see that she was right. I could adapt to any situation put in front of me. Even a test to see if I was a chaotic enough to hold chaos magic. Honestly I wasn't sure if I could handle it. I wasn't too confident about that, really... but the idea of being Discord's personal student? That was a chance I couldn't let go. I had to get him to like me. Then the elements of harmony could like me... Then I could get away with anything!
Could I keep my true self a secret though..? Could I hide it forever?
Again, I wasn't too sure.

With a sigh I plucked up the blue box with my magic and headed back inside. I went into the kitchen and quietly stuffed the cinnamon rolls back into the fridge. I was just thinking about letting go the disguise when Discord popped up once again, "Ah!"

"Oh- sorry! Did I scare you~?" The draconequus sadly chuckled before visibly deflating, "Well... Today was fun, little one. You definitely impressed me, and Fluttershy too! But I'm afraid that with old age things tend to be... more difficult than usual. Heh." He uncomfortably glanced to the side.

I regarded the draconequus and walked up to him, "Are you alright?"

"Huh? Why're you asking me that?" Discord guffawed, "Of COURSE I'm alright! I'm the Lord of Chaos! Nothing's wrong with me. I got unlimited power! I can do anything! Hah... Hahah..." He soon grew quiet...

"... You don't seem alright." I pointed out, "Is this about Fluttershy?"

"Well- it's- I just..." The draconequus sighed, "She was my first friend, Ginseng. The one who showed me there was more to Equestria than just chocolate rain or soap roads. But I'm afraid she's... not well." He shook his head.

I placed a hoof on his paw, "Discord? Can I ask a question?"

"Hm? What is it?"

"Why do you want a student, all of a sudden? Why do you want another chaos user?"

He stared down at me with wide eyes, "Well... It might get boring sometimes, you know? Being the only one and all... and- you reminded me a lot of me when I was younger so I just thought- you know- I could take what I learned from Fluttershy and pass it down to little ones like... yourself. Little ones who are still growing." Discord then contemplated something before speaking again, "And plus maybe then I wouldn't be so... lonely afterwards."

"Afterwards." I found myself repeating, "I think I get it... I understand. I'm sorry, this must be really hard for you but I can tell you're a great friend to her. You make her smile. Keep doing that okay Discord? Keep making her happy. From the sounds of it, she deserves it."

"Heh." Discord chuckled, "You know kid, I think I'm really going to like you. I'm glad to call you my friend." He happily patted the top of my head.

"Friend?" I perked at this, "I'm your... friend?"

"Yeup! I hereby decree from this day forward that you, Ginseng, from here on out will forever be my friend!" He plucked me up and pulled me into a hug, "Isn't that just great? Friends with the Lord of Chaos himself!"

I laughed and pulled away, "Just you wait! Soon I'll be a chaos lord too!"

"Ohohoho~! Really? You still have a journey and a half to make before you can get there I'm afraid! I still need to know if changelings are even capable of such an ability. It's one thing for a mass of pure energy to take such power... but a bug-like creature? We're going to have to wait and see, I'm afraid!"

"Then I'll wait as long as possible." I insisted while holding my head high.

"Well it definitely seems like you will have to for now! Until then, Ginseng! Thanks for the exciting performance you made earlier! Now I must be off! I have a Fluttershy to tend to!"

I nodded and waved goodbye, "Alright! Seeya Discord! Bye!"

"So long my newly made friend~!" And just like that, Discord disappeared once again.

I stared at the spot he was standing in. Again, the guilt crept over me but this time it was worst than before. I let out a shaky breath before turning away. A green glow washed over my body as my blue equine pelt transformed back into a darker color. I didn't... I didn't deserve this. This all felt wrong. I managed to get to the next step of the plan. Could I keep doing this..? Could I keep playing this act?

Was it an act? I had so much fun. Especially during my lesson! I... I enjoyed all this. Could I maybe... Could I maybe change, too?
Just as I was contemplating these life-changing thoughts however I suddenly heard a click from the front door. I perked up in surprise as it swung open to reveal a light green changeling on the other side. Panax!

A strange sense of comfort washed over me the moment she came through the door, "Panax..! Hi!"

Panax looked up at me with round reddish eyes and spoke in a bug-like voice, "Ginseng?" She dropped a bag she was carrying and looked down at me in confused concern as I bounded right up to her.

"I've been wondering where you went! A lot just happened, I have so much to tell you and-"

"Ginseng? What're you still doing here?"

"Huh?" I blinked in stunned confusion.

"I uh... half didn't expect to see you today. At all." Panax glanced to the side with discomfort.

The delighted feelings from before during Discord and Fluttershy's visit melted away faster than expected as I stared up at my caretaker with a blank expression, "Oh. You weren't? Right... Hah. I was just leaving, actually."

"Oh, is that so?"

"Yeah. I got friends and... stuff... to learn from. Get myself reformed and- you know. Woo." I forced a grin and quietly transformed back into my metamorphosis, "See? Getting ready to go out now. Hahah... To become... you! Hah."

"Well... Um..." Panax shifted to the side and went to walk by me, "I guess I'll see you around then?"

"Yeah. Sure." I grumbled out with fake glee, "See you... Panax..."

The changeling came to a stop and turned to me as I went to leave. She bit her lip and spoke, "Hey- um. Are you hungry at all? I could feed you real quick if you need me to."

I came to a pause and considered this thought, "...Oh, no, it's fine." I grunted without turning towards her, "I'm good. Maybe this is a sign that I'm almost as reformed as you are. Hah. Thanks anyways."

"Oh... No problem." My caretaker gave me a shaky smile before heading into the kitchen.

I stared at the door in front of me with my eyes narrowed. I didn't really have anywhere to go today... not at all... but anywhere was better than this. Better than her. So I took step outside and quietly left the musician's home behind me. She didn't need me. She didn't want me. Panax despised me... She might care and love me but she also didn't want to be around me. Maybe I wouldn't have cared if it didn't hurt so much. What's worst about all this? I can't blame her. I did this. I did this to her and I did this to myself! I'm the one at fault here. I'm the one to blame.
Maybe I could try to figure out what went wrong with me...

Or maybe I could try and find Gimmick again instead.
> Chapter 3: Lost Her Way
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I swiftly ran through the streets of Canterlot. My blue hooves continuously tapped against the pavement beneath me as I set my focus for the royal gardens. I had already checked the park and... while I did spot some of the materials Discord had promised last night being loaded up by a tree I found no sign of Gimmick. After searching high and low I made the decision to go straight for the statue. I passed ponies and creatures of various kinds without a care. I even nearly knocked a young hippogriff off their claws! Someone yelled after me but I was still running. It wasn't even that serious but... I didn't feel good. I really didn't feel good right about now. For some reason I wanted to find a place where no one else could find me. I wanted to get away from every creature as fast as possible.

So I threw myself into the gardens. The guards I passed looked up in surprise but I was already too far away for them to question immediately. I let my hooves guide me to the very spot me and Gimmick would usually go when finally I made it. My pace began to slow down as I looked up in surprise to see the very filly I was looking for.
"Gimmick..?"

Gimmick sat at the base of the statue with a book on one side of her and a notepad on the other. She looked exhausted.
"Oh... hey Ginny." The unicorn waved towards me with a hoof, "I was wondering when you'd come around. I didn't get any sleep."

"You didn't?" I raised a brow and made my way over to her side.

"Nope. I was just thinking... Discord said they were conscious, right?"

"Yeah. He did..."

"Wow! That's... That's really messed up." The filly took off her glasses and tiredly rubbed her eyes.

I shifted next to her, "Are you alright?" I quietly asked.

"Are you alright?" Gimmick turned the question back on me, "You're holding something back."

"How would you know?" My wings buzzed behind me.

The unicorn looked at me with a stare, "The way you ran in here. The way you look now. Oh... and the way you got your metamorphosis wrong." She casually tapped at my forehead.

I perked up in surprise and felt around my horn. The gemstones! I had completely forgot about them on my way out! "Oh sweet Twilight-!" I yelped before quickly adding the missing gemstones to my disguise.
I sat there in disturbed shock as I stared at the ground in front of me. A silence seemed to come over the both of us...
Then, I finally seemed to give in to my troubles.
A whimper escaped me as I lowered my head towards Gimmick.

“Shhh... it’s alright.” She gently patted my shoulder, “Let it all out.”

Held back tears fell down my cheeks and blurred my vision. I tried to hide it but Gimmick had already seen and now watched me with an expectant gaze. It was then that I decided to spill, “It’s my fault no changeling likes me,” I began, “It’s my fault that I can’t change. That I can’t be like them. I want them to like me... but what is there to like? I was having such a good day in my disguise that I forgot. I forgot how others would react to my true self.”
A familiar green glow wrapped around my body. It started from my tail and made its way across my face as my eyes locked on the green grass beneath me. Gimmick hardly gave the transformation much of a reaction this time around. Of course she wouldn’t. She was completely used to it by now.

With a serious gaze the other provided some consideration, "Sometimes... Friendship isn't enough. Sometimes things are more complicated than how every creature thinks they are. Even the princess herself. Don't you see that, Ginseng? All they want you to do is change. Well how can we change what we are? Who we are? How do they expect us just to forget everything that's happened?" Gimmick allowed me to sit down next to her, "It's not fair that they're all pushing you to do something you're not comfortable with."

"But maybe I should..." I began, "I don't feel good. Everything hurts. I could make it all stop hurting whenever I want. I could make them all like me again."

"And do what? Prove them right? Prove to them that your old self can just be forgotten and change how you are? Entirely? You don't want to give love out freely, do you?"

I glanced up at the orange filly and shook my head, "No. I don't. I don't trust anyone with it. It's... It's not something that should be thrown around all willy nilly! It's... serious. It's serious to me. I don't want to give it all away because... what if someone takes advantage of that? What if I can't get it back?"

"I say you should trust your gut on that one." Gimmick huffed with certainty, "Forget about the other changelings and their reformation. Just stick with me. Together, and maybe with some other friends, we could change everything. We can make the world better for those like me and you."

"Really?"

"Really."

I wiped my tears dry and looked about the garden, "... What about for those like them?" I asked as I gestured to the statue behind us.

"Hm. If we want." The filly smiled at me before relaxing against the statue's base once again, "I actually do have a plan for them though it's going to take a lot of work... and a lot of traveling."

"Oh? What's the plan?" I curiously asked with my ears now perking with interest.

Gimmick yawned in response, "I'll tell you some other time..."

I blinked at this and narrowed my eyes, "Okay... Now how about you tell me what's wrong?"

"Huh?" The unicorn sat up at my accusatory tone.

"Instead of getting some sleep, which would be the smart thing to do, you didn't. You stayed here by the these three instead of getting some rest! Why? What're you stressing out over?" My tongue lashed out as I hissed in her direction.

"Stressing out over??" Gimmick gawked at this, "I'm not- I mean- Listen! It's just... I've been trying to gather... stories... lately. Lessons. Friendship lessons. And I'm just- I don't know how I feel about this." She admitted as she rubbed a tired eye.

"About what?"

"This! About Princess Twilight and Lord Discord and friendship! Why does Starlight Glimmer get to be spared from punishment but Cozy Glow didn't??? That filly was sent to Tartarus and then turned to stone! This old mare name Starlight? She became a principle! Of a friendship school!" The pony turned and slammed her hoof against the statue, "It completely unravels their message for friendship. This statue? It destroys everything. Nopony else seems to realize it but I do. I look at it and I see that they gave up. They saw an issue and instead of properly fixing it they gave up on it. Whose to say that they wouldn't give up on us too..?"

I looked up in surprise to see tears starting to fall from Gimmick's cheeks, "Gimmick?" The filly's ear twitched towards me, "... There's something more to this, isn't there? This isn't just about the statue."

"..." Gimmick silently lowered her head.

"What happened?"

"I don't want to talk about it..." The filly muttered, "I really don't."

"... Okay. You don't have to." I patted the other's shoulder, "I think you need some rest."

"I don't want to go home..."

I sighed, "Well we don't really have a guest room at my place..."

"Then I'm staying here by these three." She angrily grumbled as she laid down in the grass.

"Gimmick..."

"If they were here they'd understand me." Gimmick went on to say, "I could be more than this. More than just some unicorn. At least you have something interesting about yourself. I don't. You could probably do a lot more than I ever could... but what I want is to be above it all so no pony or creature could hurt me ever again! Isn't that what you want too Ginseng? To make sure no creature ever hurts you either?"

I blinked at this and hesitated to answer. What a strange question to ask me after everything today. It almost felt... wrong. Even then I just let out a sigh and joined her on the grassy floor, "I just don't want to be taken advantage of."

Gimmick considered me with a meaningful gaze, "... There's more to you too, isn't there? Something happened to you that made you this way."

"And from the sounds of it, something happened to you too." I tilted my head towards my accomplice.

"Hm. Looks like we're more alike than we thought, huh?"

"I guess so." I grunted as I lowered my head in my holey hooves.

Despite us not clarifying it to each other we both seemed to come to this silent agreement. Something happened to us but... we both didn't want to share it. Gimmick kept her story to herself and I kept mine. Whether we share it to one another or not was yet to be known. For now however, we just sat there in the hum of the afternoon. My partner finally decided to get some sleep as I hushedly kept watch by the statue. Not a lot of creatures usually come or go in this area of the gardens but I continued to remain alert.
I stayed by Gimmick’s side for several hours before the sky above us started to become darker. Once it did I nudged my little accomplice awake. After transforming back into my metamorphosis we left the gardens together and headed down the streets of Canterlot. When it was time to go our separate ways we only gave one another a tired nod of understanding before leaving for our place of residence.

Another day came along where instead of a story Discord opted to help build our tree house at the park. We got to work, and I won’t lie, I was having some fun with it. While Gimmick seemed rather irritated and visibly annoyed I was playing a game alongside with Discord. We raced to find who could produce the most music through nailing down the most planks.
Though we had a planned blueprint I would always try to add something new every once in a while. I wanted a napping area full of cushions, a study area for Gimmick, and a place to have tea parties and lunch for future chaotic visits. With my new list of wants there was now a lot more we had to deal with. In the end we were unable to finish everything. The sun went down as the small club house stood half finished under the dark black sky.

The next day Discord met us by the statue and told us a story of how the three villains tried to collect Grogar’s bell from the top of a dangerous peak called Mount Everhoof. He doesn’t know all the finer details but the three definitely managed to work together during their endeavor. Sadly they all came back empty-handed and Grogar was left displeased. However this was not entirely the case. What Grogar didn’t know was that the villains had lied to him and actually had the bell in their possession. It seems his plan to make them work together went better than he originally thought. Sadly that very plan might just be the emperor’s downfall.

“And then what? What happened next?” Gimmick hurriedly asked.

“Now that... that is a story for another time little ones. It’s a lengthy one so you both better prepare yourselves because it’s going to be a doozy!” Discord laughed as he twirled and twisted in the air.

“But the day isn’t even over yet!” The unicorn whined, “That story took only twenty minutes!”

I gave Discord a glance and spotted his knowing smirk, “Oh well.” I shrugged, “Looks like we gotta wait another day. I’ll see you later Gimmick!”

The filly blinked, “And where are you going?”

“Home!” I called as I made my way towards the garden exit leaving a confused filly behind me. I can already tell even from far away that she was having difficulty telling whether I was lying or not.
Well, I wasn’t entirely lying. I did make my way home but I did so eagerly. I couldn’t wait for today’s chaos lesson and I couldn’t wait to meet the next elemental bearer. If they all carried as much love as Fluttershy then I no longer have to rely on Panax’s anymore! A horrible thought but something I could look forward to.

However as I unlocked the door and hurried into the once silent home I was surprised to find a familiar song greeting me on the other side. One I didn’t expect to hear at all today.


🎵Welcome back Ginseng~!
Let me be a pal and say-
Welcome back my dear!
I’m so glad to see you here!🎵


“Panax?” I gasped in surprise.

“That’s me!” The green changeling at the piano beamed as she played away to her heart’s content. The melody reminded me of carnival music that was refined to be more modern and upbeat. It was a tune I recognized when I was younger but one I thought she long forgotten.


🎵Welcome back hoooome~!
I’m so glad you’re here!
It’s no fun alooooone~!
But don’t you go shed a tear!🎵



🎵You’re here and I love you!
I’m here with you too!
Come on and sing!
Sing just like a changeling!🎵


“Panax..?” I began as I made my way up to the piano.

“Hah, that surprised to see me?” She’d ask before turning her attention back to the piano.


🎵A lot has happened today!
Sometimes we don’t get our way!
But don’t have any fear~
I’m just so glad you’re here~!🎵


“Panax...” I stare at my caretaker with uncertainty.

“Geez kid you’re sounding like a broken record! Come on, sing with me!”


🎵Got a lot on our plates~
Got a lot to face!
But even as I go too
I’m still missing you!🎵


“Panax!” I shouted as loud as I could.

“Ah-! Wha??” With Panax’s flow interrupted her hooves stumbled in on themselves to create a symphony of broken notes and harsh noises. She sat up straight and turned towards me, “Aw Ginseng what’s wrong? You usually love the welcome song!”

“Well it’s just-“ I hesitated and turned towards the front door, “.... I didn’t expect to see you today. At all.”

Panax seemed to tense at those words. The same words she said to me a while back. Ah awkward memories... “Oh. Oh... uh... Wow. I um. I’ve been thinking, is all, that I should um... talk to you more. I haven’t really been around too often and-“

“Yeah. Because you’re always too busy.” I growled.

“Well of course I am! Every creature in Canterlot wants to hear my music. I have to go out and perform for them. For us! So I can get more bits for us to stay here.”

“You could practice here too but you always insist on going out with your friends instead!” I argued, “All you talk about is your job! Your music, your talent, you you you! I’m done talking about you!”
I turned away but still stayed in the living room. Despite my anger there was still something keeping me there. Something that attracted me to this spot in the first place...

“Ginseng...” Panax sighed as she walked up to me, “You know I love you, don’t you? Can’t you sense it? I have a lot to give because I care about you. I care about what happens to you, I do... but it’s just...” She turned her head away.

I glanced back at her, “Just what?” I questioned, fearing what she was going to say.

“... I stay away from you because your hunger hinders me, Ginseng. You’re taking more than giving.”
No...
“And I know I shouldn’t but I was hoping that if you go out and look for friends instead of depend on me, you would learn to give love too. You would learn what it means to share it with others...”
No this can’t be real.
“I mean... you definitely don’t share any with me.”
It’s my fault.

I barely processed anything Panax had said. My mind was whirling and my vision was starting to blur. Was I crying..? Why was I crying?

“Oh Ginseng...” Panax sighed and made her way up to me. She reached out but visibly flinched away. There was clear hesitation in her eyes. She treated me like a ticking time-bomb about to go off. Like a scared wild animal trapped in a corner. She didn’t see me as another changeling... she saw me as how a pony would. A monster. I was a monster in her eyes.
Even then she took me and pulled me into a hug, “Ginseng... I’m sorry I left you alone like that. I thought you were making friends and sharing your love but... it looks like your wings haven’t even changed yet.”

I suddenly stiffened at this, “You were planning to starve me, weren’t you..?”

“Ginseng-“

“You were hoping I would starve!” I pushed Panax away, “That I would run out of leftovers and give in to you! To your reformation! This- you-“

“Ginseng please,” Panax begged, “Please calm down.”

“I can’t believe this...”

“I did what I thought would help!” My caretaker insisted.

“You hate me!” I hissed.

“No! Don’t be ridiculous, you know I love you!” She argued, “You know I’m doing what I can for you!”

“Well maybe after this you won’t.” I growled as I stalked closer to the older changeling.

“Ginseng...?” Panax gaped in shock as I transformed back into my real form, “Ginseng what’re you doing?” She began to slowly take several steps back as I got closer.

“I’m hungry,” I go on to say, “And your love is the perfect meal for a changeling like me.” Then before my caretaker could retaliate I had already took hold of the other. I opened my jaws and did not hesitate to drain her of her love. A pink trail of flowing magic spewed from her chest only to be ravenously eaten by a starving youngling like myself. I sucked it all up and happily licked my jaw as Panax collapsed onto the floor beneath my hooves. I sighed in content and quietly glared down at the struggling changeling.

She heaved and tried to sit up, “Ginseng...”

“What?” I questioned with a hiss.

Panax stared at me with wide red eyes full of distressed sorrow. Then, she pulled herself up and slowly went to grab her bags, “I’m going out.” She muttered in a hoarse voice, “I don’t know when I’ll be back. Take care of yourself, okay?”

I growled in response before turning away. Panax didn’t even look at me as she made her leave. Once the door shut I found myself alone once again. The silence of the house that I found to be a welcoming thought was now more unbearable than before.
I quietly turned my attention towards a mirror nearby and made my way over to it. There it was. A dark version of every other changeling around me. An evil bug-like creature with a lashing tongue, blank blue eyes, and sharp fangs. A part of me despised it... and another part of me knew what it was. It was me.
I couldn't change me.
As I stared at my reflection in contemplation I heard a knock at the door.

"GINSENG!" A muffled but booming voice rang out, "GINSEEEEEENGG!"

I let out a frustrated sigh and transformed back into my metamorphosis. I double checked to make sure I had all three gemstones on my forehead before calling out to my visitors, "COMING!"
All I could do now was look for distractions and hope that this chaos lesson would help me forget all the damage I just caused. Who knows how Panax would react to what I've done after today?





This lesson went by... fast. Too fast. Discord had introduced me to the element of generosity. Charity I think..? I don't know. I wasn't paying too much attention. She was an old white unicorn with a lustrous purple mane that was starting to gray. She carried around this large coat that draped over her shoulders and covered her entire body. Interesting choice of fashion, really, but nothing that I cared too much about.

The lesson was about turning one thing into another using already-made chaotic magic. It was simple and easy. There really was nothing to it... I just turned a green emerald that Discord gave me into a blue diamond using ordinary magic-show tricks. Simple and boring. I think my chaotic mentor could tell I wasn't in the mood because he asked me if I needed a break.

I shrugged, "I don't know. I don't want to stop I just don't feel good right now."

"Well you were excited before at the statue." Discord hummed in thought.

"Yeah but that was before..." My ears lowered as I grumbled into my teeth.

"What statue might that be, darling?" The unicorn, Varity I think, curiously asked.

"Oh just... something me and my friend Gimmick usually go to. It's about some villains. We go there all the time and hear stories from Discord about them. It's nice I guess." I sighed and lowered my head against Discord's table.

"Aw, sounds divine sweetie."

"Hm... I think we should cut this short." Discord mused.

I perked at this, "But-"

"Ah ah ah! No buts! You're obviously not having a good day today. You need to go relax and do something you enjoy!"

"But I enjoy doing this! I do! I just... I'm not... in a good mood right now..." I shook my head and gave in, "You know, maybe you're right. I think I need a day off."

So it was decided right then and there. We said our goodbyes and Parity assured me that if I have any troubles or stress she could take me to get a spa treatment on her dime. I thanked her and waited until the two left... I wanted so badly to call Discord back but at the same time I wasn't in the mood for it. I wasn't in the mood for trying to make friends or for trying out chaos. I was in the mood to... sleep.
Not here though. Anywhere but here.

I locked the front door behind me as I stepped out into the cool evening air. The setting sun made its way to the horizon as I raised my fake butterfly-like wings behind me. Unhappy with my colorful form I took flight and transformed into a black crow. My feathery black wings flapped against the soft breeze as I soared higher into the air before making my way through Canterlot to get to the public gardens. There I'd find Gimmick once again at the base of the statue with a book.

I checked the area around her for any creature or guard before landing by her side and dropping the disguise. That includes the metamorphosis itself. I stood by her with my head lowered and my expression blank. She said nothing and only gestured for me to sit next to her.

I did and we both sat there in comfortable silence until I lowered my head and fell asleep.

Everything was quiet and peaceful. There was nothing but darkness on my end. No dreams or nightmares to be had. It was a calm moment that I really needed.
However apparently the both of us had stayed far longer than we should've. It wasn't long before a colorful pair caught our attention later in the night.
Gimmick swiftly nudged my sleeping body awake and we both scrambled up in surprise at the sigh of a light heading in our direction. We dashed behind the statue and cowered underneath its shadow. You see while we were allowed to freely walk through the public gardens there was still a closing time. Curfew was up and now the guards were searching the gardens for any last visitors. I gave one upcoming guard a glance before Gimmick abruptly pulled me back. Her green eyes were wide with shock as she hurriedly gestured to my body. Oh right! I wasn't disguised!

"Do you think that's every creature?" A stallion huffed as he flashed a light towards a serpent-like statue.

"I don't know... Maybe there's a changeling still around here somewhere? You never know with them." A mare pegasus hovered over to a statue depicting another villain of the past.

"Eh. If there was a changeling they probably left as a bug or bird at some point." Her partner shrugged but continued his search for stragglers.

"Hm. I'm not sure. We should probably look behind some statues just in case."

I placed my hooves over my mouth as I began to panic. I can't have anypony seeing my like this! Gimmick understood this and gestured with her hooves for me to calm down. She made a breathing motion and I copied. Breath in... Breath out... It's going to be okay. It's going to be fine. We got this!
With a smile the young unicorn gestured for me to stay right where I was before hurriedly making her way out from behind the statue. I wanted to pull her back but she was already in the stallion's light.

"Hi! Sorry, I fell asleep." Gimmick sheepishly smiled before joining the guards, "I didn't know how late it got..."

The mare chuckled, "Aw, that's alright filly. The gardens are closing for today though. Was there any other creature napping here with you?"

"Nope. It was just me. Let me grab my things though, I left them by that statue."

"What's a filly like you sleeping in this section of the gardens for anyways?" The older unicorn asked as Gimmick went to pluck up her book and notepad.

She shrugged, "I'm trying to learn about Equestrian's history! These three are part of it. Can you help me, sir? I don't know how to cast a light spell yet."

"Oh. Sure. It's really easy though, I can tell you how to do it if you want." He suggested as he began to lead Gimmick away from the statue.

"Oh that'd be really nice mister!"

Their voices began to fade out as the group of three went further away. I sat there as quiet as possible until I was absolutely certain I was alone. The moment it felt safe I looked out from behind the statue, swiftly transformed back into my "metamorphosis," and took off into the night sky. Whew! What a rush! I could've been in serious trouble just about then! Good thing I avoided that disaster... and ran into another one...

I was just flying over the hedge walls of the gardens and into an unknown stone path off to the side when I suddenly bumped right into a tall figure. I let out a yelp and stumbled back in surprise. Though it was dark I was able to see who I was unfortunate enough to run into. Standing just before me in all her glory was a tall lavender alicorn. Her flowing dark mane twinkled with peppered-in stars and her crown glimmered underneath the soft moonlight. I instantly recognized who she was, "P-Princess Twilight Sparkle!"

"Oh. Hello there? What're you doing at the gardens so late?" She peered at me with a questioning look, "Wait a second..."

I gulped and gave the princess a sheepish smile, "Y-Yes?"

"Are you that changeling that hangs out with the young unicorn by that statue? The one with the three villains on it?"

I felt my body grow cold, "No."

"Hm. Could you come with me for a moment?" Princess Twilight kindly asked.

"Hah. No." I then shook my head after realizing how rude that must've sounded, "I-I mean I can't! It's really late and my caretaker might be a little bit worried about me... ahah. Being late and all. I should go home."

"Oh I can send a message to them. Or bring you home myself later. Please, it'll only take a few moments." She raised a wing and gently draped it over my shoulders. I stiffened but allowed her to guide me away. Was I in trouble?? Was I going to be turned to stone? I couldn't tell! She didn't look mad but I was really scared of her. She was the princess of Equestria! I couldn't just run away and hope for no repercussions later, could I? However going with her could end up making the situation even worst! Though I found myself instead cooperating for now I didn't trust her one bit so I made some mental notes for myself. How would I escape? What could I do to counter alicorn magic? Etc. Etc. I just needed a plan!

I was so busy trying to make escape routes for myself that I didn't even notice how far we both traveled. We went right through the very royal gardens itself and I didn't notice until a fiery pheonix flew by and effectively caught my attention. I looked out from Twilight's wings and saw the beautiful flora that surrounded us. On a large shimmering blue and green tree the flaming bird perched itself on its glittering branch. Wow... If I wasn't about to be sent to Tartarus this would be a sight to behold. There were flowers of every color, plants I've never heard of before, and animals of variety all scattered among the trees and bushes. Large fountains had water cascading from the top and into the bowls beneath them. I had to stop and stare.

Princess Twilight let out a giggle and turned to me, "Like it? I love it here too. Though I don't come out here as often, honestly, my friend Fluttershy always tries to find the time to care for the animals while she can. It's nice of her to do that. She doesn't have to but she insists."

I perked up at the familiar name and the princess seemed to take notice. She didn't say anything about it though and only smiled before gesturing for me to follow once again. I obliged and watched as the personal royal gardens disappeared behind me. Soon I found myself being lead through a large doorway guarded by a griffin and a stallion. The princess easily lead me through and I found my hooves tapping against the marble flooring as we entered a part of the castle itself. I gawked at this and couldn't believe where I was.

Purple and gold surrounded the hallways as flags with various symbolic depictions hung from the walls. Royal red carpets rolled through the middle of the checkered floors and while known for being the castle of friendship a strange vast emptiness seemed to surround the two of us. This place was so big I probably wouldn't be able to fly to the ceiling without getting tired! As we continued to walk however I realized this place wasn't as lonely as I first thought it to be. There would be guards and servants coming in and out of doorways we passed. They'd greet me and the princess while also greeting one another before hurrying on to their own duties. Instead of a salute, I realized, the guards we passed would acknowledge Princess Twilight with a kind smile or a nod. I found it a bit odd but interesting.

Together we both soon climbed up several flights of stairs, turned into another corridor, and reached a large intricate door. It had three gemstones on either side of it, an image of an alicorn above, and the depiction of the sun and moon. I stared up at this door and perked up in realization, "The throne room? Why're you taking me to the throne room?"

"Because there's some one there we need to talk with." Twilight hummed before opening the door to reveal a small group within.
The first creature I recognized who stuck up like a sore hoof was none other than the chaotic draconequus himself.

"Discord??"

"Aw well that's just greaaat!" Discord facepalmed, "I wasn't surprised when they found you, Gimmick, but I was hoping Ginseng would at least get a fighting chance!"

I looked over to spot Gimmick sitting nearby with the stallion guard from the public gardens earlier. We both blinked at one another in obvious surprise.

"Ah. So I got the right changeling then, huh Discord?" Twilight questioned with narrowed eyes and a strained smile.

"Oh- Oh you didn't know- AHAH! Ahahahahah! Aw that's funny. Whoooooops." Discord slowly melted where he was and shrunk down behind a familiar pegasus. Fluttershy.

"Well actually I did. The gemstones on her head gives it away." The alicorn smiled down at me.

"Am... Am I in trouble?" I found myself asking as I considered the guards nearby.

"Well, there is something I'd like to talk to you two about... but at this point it's Discord who needs to explain himself." The princess huffed as she made her way into the throne room with me by her side.

A tall purple and green dragon walked up to me as Twilight left my side to make her way in front of the group she had gathered, "Hey. Is there any creature I could send a letter for you? This might take a while..."

I jumped at his voice and paused at his suggestion. Would Panax even care if I was gone for a few more hours? After considering this thought I finally shook my head no, "It's fine. I'll just talk to her later."
With a nod the dragon left my side. I meanwhile decided to take in who else was here with us tonight.

By my side was Discord, Fluttershy, and Gimmick. There was another familiar face here too. I think her name was Clarity or something like that. Along the rest of the throne room were several guards, a pink hippogriff, and a blue reformed changeling. What in Equestria was all this?

Princess Twilight let out a sigh and regarded all of us, "Now there are a few reasons why I've gathered you here tonight and well- there were a lot of problems regarding each party but I found a way to fix all of them. Let me start off with your issue," She gestured to the other changeling and hippogriff nearby, "Silverstream, Ocellus, you both came here to find more students for the school... Well I think I just found some likely candidates for it."

Me and Gimmick both seemed to perk at that, "What??"

Discord meanwhile had crossed his arms and began grumbling to himself in annoyance.

Twilight considered me and Gimmick, "If I'm right, you two have been the very troublemakers I sent Discord to find. You both have caused a lot of trouble for attendees of royal parties and events. I'm afraid I can't just let this slide. While Discord says he can offer advice and friendship lessons to the both of you I think it would be better if you both instead were enrolled to a school that could provide just that."

"But-" I nervously glanced up at the chaos lord nearby.

"And as for you Discord," Twilight continued, "You've known about these two for days and haven't even told me about them. I had to figure it all out myself."

"Well if I just tell you that ruins the fun!" Discord groaned, "See Fluttershy? She really doesn't get it!"

"Discord..." The agitated alicorn flapped her wings towards him.

A small voice chimed in before the princess could go off even more on the draconequus, "No offense your majesty but that school is all the way in Ponyville..! You don't expect us to just move there overnight, do you?" Gimmick bit her lip at the thought.

"No. I don't."

The two of us sighed in relief.

With a smile Twilight finished her thought, "I expect you to move there in a couple weeks."

"What?!"

"It's really not that bad!" The pink hippogriff named Silverstream hopped up to the two of us, "We have a dormitory for you to move into. You can share a room if you two want! And you'll be able to learn a lot about friendship and magic. We've been students there ourselves!" She happily gestured to her changeling friend nearby.

Ocellus flew over to us, "Yeah! And we've gained a lot from our experience there! Even became the future element bearers of harmony. I think it'll really do you two some good." She assured. It seems she wanted to say more but there was this pause as her eyes landed on me. There was this strange consideration in her gaze as she looked me up and down.

"Now listen," Twilight began as she stepped up to the two of us, "I understand Discord promised to teach you the ways of friendship... but I'm afraid he might not be the best option for this task. You both need qualified teachers for something like this, I'm afraid. You can also consider this is your punishment for destroying all of Pinkie Pie's hard work and ruining my brother and sister-in-law's visit."

"Excuse YOU? I'm not qualified enough? I've lived through friendship!" Discord fumed, "This little one agreed to be my student! And you agreed to our chaos lessons! Aslongasthere'soneofyouaround but still!"

"You can still visit her in Ponyville, Discord." Twilight added in, "And just because you caused a lot of friendship problems does not mean you can help teach friendship lessons."

"Okay fine! But will we even have time for our own lessons??"

"Maybe. Don't worry, the other's, though retired, are still in Ponyville. I'll have to ask them but until then you need to hold off on chaos lessons for the time being."

"Awww..! Darn!" Discord snapped his fingers in annoyance. A pink raincloud appeared and began to storm over his head.

A quiet voice piped up besides the draconequus, "Aw Discord don't worry. I'll probably be back in Ponyville by the time Ginseng is at the School of Friendship. I can be there for your chaos lessons if need be."

"Oh Fluttershy that's really sweet of you..." The draconequus couldn't help but coo.

"... I don't think I'll be able to go!" I suddenly found myself blurting out.

Every creature seemed to turn to me.

"What? Why not?" Twilight asked.

"I..." I hesitated and tapped my hooves together, "I have a very serious condition."

"You have a what now?" Discord questioned with a raised brow.

"Oh my..." Fluttershy looked to me with concern.

"Well darling what ever could you mean?" Smarity or something shared the same worry her kinder friend did.

"... I'll have to talk to Panax." I admitted as I slowly stepped away. Surprisingly I found myself inching behind Discord.

"Panax?" The princess questioned.

"Ah, her caretaker." The white unicorn hummed, "She's a musician around here. She has quite the voice and the talent for it. Oh you should've seen her home!"

I gave the mare a questioning look. What was she even doing here anyways?

"Oh then... please talk with your guardians. If you're unable to make the travel then... they need to let me know. As much as a school would better benefit you I don't want to risk your health." The alicorn sighed, "But this doesn't excuse you, Gimmick."

"But she's my friend!" The young filly suddenly spouted out, "You can't just separate us like that!"

Twilight gave her unicorn friend Verity a glance before letting out a sigh, "I'm sorry. After I discuss this with your parents you are being enrolled into the School of Friendship."

Gimmick silently fumed and glared daggers at the floor. She was visibly upset by this news.

Meanwhile the princess turned to Discord, "Now I still want to talk with you but I think it's getting late. We should send these two home and get some rest. There's a lot we need to discuss tomorrow."

"Well yeah, sure, whatever you say miss sparkly- there's just one thing I don't get." Discord abruptly threw himself in front of Twilight's face, "How did you find out about these two? I covered my tracks as best as possible!"

"Ah... that would be my fault." A nervous chuckle escape the white unicorn nearby, "I uh... might've let it slip about your two students to Twilight. Ahah..."

"Rarity!" Discord dramatically gasped, "How could you??"

Rarity! That's what she was called! Geez that stretched on for longer than it should've.

"Oh darling when I get talking... I don't stop."

"Alright you two that's enough." Twilight sighed, "I'm afraid we're running out of time. If I wasn't so busy, and if I had heard of these two sooner, we wouldn't be having this meeting so late at night. I apologize for having to make this quick but I've said my piece. Now we all know what's happening we can better figure this out. Ocellus, Silverstream, you are both free to stay at the castle as guests for as long as need be. Discord, I want you to take these two back home. Please."

The draconequus rolled his eyes, "Well at least she said please... Alright, but I'm going to have a stern talking with you young alicorn! Come on you whippersnappers. Time to take you home."

"Um- wait." The older changeling, Ocellus, went up to me, "Is it okay if I talk with Ginseng for a moment?"

The princess looked between Fluttershy and Rarity, "Well... sure. I guess that's alright."

"Eh. I don't see why not," Discord eyed her suspiciously, "I'll be back in a moment to get her. Let's go Gimmick!"

"But-" The unicorn barely even got a word in before she was abruptly transported away along with the lord of chaos.

From there I found myself being lead out of the throne room along with the other changeling. We went off to the side into an empty corridor where Ocellus had to wave her friend away. It seems she just wanted to talk with me alone.
"Ginseng... Your condition..."

"Yeah?" I had the feeling I already knew what she wanted to discuss.

"I'm sorry if I'm assuming but it's hard to tell really and I just want to know. Not a lot of changelings have three gemstones on their head but the more I look at you the more I see... something. It's not entirely visible but it's there. Are you... Are you not reformed, yet?"

I let out a sigh, "Please don't tell the others. I need time."

She seemed to perk at this, "Oh- I uh... I won't. Don't worry. If you want to tell them at your own pace then okay. Just as long as it doesn't hurt any creature else."

"Swear?"

"Pinkie Swear." Ocellus insisted, "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." She placed a hoof over one of her blue eyes.

I looked her up and down and then relaxed. A Pinkie Swear was a serious one, "Okay. I trust you."

"And I understand why you can't leave. Not yet. You need your caretaker with you... but you need to make friends and share love with them. Haven't you done that with Gimmick yet?"

I bit my lip and glanced away, "It's a bit complicated right now."

"Oh. Well... You should still at least try. Don't worry, you'll get there soon." The older changeling assured me right before Discord suddenly appeared at the doorway with Fluttershy by his heels.

"Alright then! Ready to head off, little one?" He'd ask as he snaked his way over to me.

"Yeah... Ready..." I lowered my gaze to the floor.

"Aw, what's wrong Ginseng?"

"Well it's just- I kinda don't want to go home." I admitted.

"Why not? It's a very lovely place!" Discord twisted around me and tried to catch my attention.

"But I-" I stared at him and just let out a sigh, "But... But the treehouse we made. What if we go to Panax and they say it's okay for me to move? The treehouse will just be left behind."

"Well..." Fluttershy began as she stepped up to the two of us, "Maybe you won't be able to play on it like you hoped, but some creature else could in the future. We can make it a community treehouse! Then it'll be taken care of while you're gone... and you can come back to it whenever you want."

I tapped my hooves together, "That sounds nice I guess." Though the idea didn't make me relieved. After all, that's not the real reason why I was a bit stressed about seeing Panax again.

"Hey... Don't worry." Fluttershy patted my shoulder, "If you're concerned about Gimmick I'm sure the two of you can still at least write to one another. And you'll have Discord for company! He'll check up on you from time to time."

"That's right! And not just because your my student! You're also my friend." He patted my changeling head, "Now come on. Let's get you home."

I gave the draconequus a nod and waved goodbye to the others in the hallway. The moment I blinked we were both suddenly transported to the dark streets of Canterlot. Even with the lampposts it took a moment for my eyes to adjust and spot the familiar townhouse nearby.

"Well... Thank you for taking me home." I smiled up at Discord.

"Heh, and thank you for being you!" He chuckled, "Despite everything I'll be sure to check up on you every once in a while! Especially if you go to that school! They might try to take our friendship lessons away but they won't take our chaos lessons!"

"Hah. No way! I wouldn't want to miss those for anything!"

"Alright, well. You go on then. Talk to your guardian about all this. And your serious condition... Which you never told me about by the way!" Discord lowered himself to my level, "That was a really dangerous thing to do! What if our chaos lessons hurt you at some point?"

"Oh. No. It's a different kind of condition." I slowly pushed his head away, "Don't worry. Chaos magic doesn't affect it."

"What kind is it then..?" He bit his lip in concern.

"I'll... I'll tell you about it some other time. It's a bit personal."

Discord sighed, "Alright then. I understand kid, but still. Tell me when you can. I'll be around!" Wink! He was gone in a burst of sparkles and glitter.

I stared down at the glitter, shook my head, and smiled. Despite how crummy a day this had been I was glad to have Discord around. He always seemed to make me a bit happy... even when he doesn't mean to. However as I turned my attention back to the townhouse before me I seemed to freeze. I really didn't want to go back to Panax, especially after what I had done to her. The guilt I tried to suppress would creep back up on me once again.
Still, something compelled me to go up to the house. Something told me that tonight wasn't normal. I had to get it over with and I had to figure out what was wrong. I had to understand why I had this feeling of dread and fear.
I opened the door but held back from calling out to my caretaker as I usually would've done. Instead, I slowly sneaked through the quiet home. My intuition lead me straight to the back door which hung open by a crack to reveal the bountiful garden just on the other side. On the dimly lit porch there was Panax. She was whimpering and crying into her hooves as she spoke to a much taller creature besides her. This green creature had a similar changeling build and large orange antlers.
It was then I realized what was going on.

"I can't take it anymore Thorax..." Panax painfully admitted, "I can't care for Ginseng."
> Chapter 4: Care To Share
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Several Years Ago


"Come on Ginseng, you coward!" My older brother yelled from above, "You can't just sit in there forever!"

My broodmates, both small nymphs with black chitin just like me, were staring down with wide arctic blue eyes. I couldn't move a muscle. I looked longingly towards the exit of the burrow I managed to crawl myself into where my siblings sat waiting for me on the other end. No matter how much they tried to convince me to move I just couldn't get up for the life of me.

"Give her some time..." My younger sister urged, "It's okay Ginseng..! It looks safe."

"O-Oh that's VERY reassuring!" I whimpered as I covered my head underneath my hole riddled hooves.

I was just a tiny youngling from the hive. I was unreformed but so were my brother and sister. Though from the notable glimmering on my sister's transparent wings it wouldn't be long before she joined the others. Her name is Sage. She's shy but sweet and loves to make otherlings smile. Often times she would do everything in her power to make me and my brother happy. For this we both agreed on an oath to protect Sage and her innocence for as long as the sun itself. My brother's name is Chamomile by the way. He's a bit of a brute and really rude, except towards our little sister, but I'm used to that by now. In fact you can say insulting each other is our favorite past time. He's very protective of me but wouldn't hesitate to push me off a waterfall if given the chance. Despite our differences though we always seemed to manage to compromise and find ways to hang out with one another (Mostly due to Sage being our mediator). Today we were explorers and we were on the hunt for all the nooks and crannies the lustrous, growing hive could offer us. Being small we were able to get into places no grown changeling would usually find. Sadly that includes rabbit holes...
We never meant to get into a situation like this. In fact I was usually known as the daring one alongside my brother. However once I managed to squeeze my way through the burrow I found myself freezing up as I sat in the narrow tunnel. Oh geez... What if it fell on me?? What if it all collapsed? Were the walls closing in on me? Great Thorax I think I'm hyperventilating!

"Just transform into a rabbit, it's not that hard!" Chamomile impatiently huffed.

"What do rabbits look like again???" I questioned as my body curled in on itself.

"They're white, fluffy, small, and-" Sage began before our brother interrupted.

"Ugh! Looks like we're forced to get the big guns! He'll know what to do!" He rolled his eyes (though it was really hard to tell if he did) and marched off in a huff.

Sage's shimmering blue wings hummed behind her as she looked back down at me, "Don't worry! He'll be back soon... Maybe. Are you okay?"

"No!" I admitted as my body shook in fear.

As we waited for Chamomile my little sister continued to try and coax me out of the hole I had gotten myself stuck in. I still refused. After a while our brother soon appeared again but with someone else alongside him. I was sniffling into my hole-riddled hooves when the burrow became darker. I looked to see a colorful purple changeling with wide blue eyes staring down at me. His name was Charoite.

The caretaker chuckled, “Haha... Ginseng you little grub, what’re you doing down there?” He backed away so sunlight could pour back down into the hole.

“Sightseeing...” I whimpered out.

“Scared and still making jokes?” The other smiled.

“Weirdo!” My brother stuck his lashing tongue out at me.

“Now Chamomile don’t be rude.” Charoite lightly nudged the small nymph away.

“Is she going to be alright?” Sage’s small voice gently asked.

“Well this is something she has to do on her own Sage... so get comfortable, this might take a moment.” Chaorite laid down besides the burrow’s entrance, “Now Ginseng I want you to know I’m looking at where you are right now. It’s not going to fall, okay?”

“How do you know it won’t??” I questioned as my eyes peered up at the dirt ceiling.

“Experience. Now stop staring at the dirt and just focus on me instead. Focus on my voice.”

I tried to, but my mind still went to the narrow tunnel I was trapped in, “The- The walls are closing in on me!”

“No they aren’t.” Chaorite assured, “It just feels like that. Would it help if I joined you?”

“M-Maybe? I don't know! Just don’t move too much!”

“Okay. I’ll be there in a second.” From down below I could hear the sound a changeling makes when they transformed. Though it was always quick and quiet I can’t help but be reminded of scurrying beetle legs every time some changeling shifts into another creature. It was enough to calm me down a bit but Chaorite’s new form by itself had entirely caught me for a loop. I couldn’t help but smile and giggle as he crawled into the small space as a tiny grey kitten with a purple bow around its neck.

“You’re a cat!” I beamed as he curled up my side.

“And now I can better convince you from here. Ahem,” He cleared his throat, prepped himself, and opened his wide blue eyes with the most cutest face I’ve ever seen, “Ginseng, can you please leave the burrow? Pretty pleaaaaase???” Chaorite begged as he pawed at my face.

I let out a surprised laugh and covered my snout, “Okay okay! Just stop! It’s too much!” I fell into hysterics as I slowly made my way out of the rabbit’s hole. I was laughing so much that my fears were long forgotten.

Chamomile and Sage looked down in surprise before they both fell to the floor laughing once Chaorite had crawled out of the small space along with me. We were unable to get back up as the kitten began to make up the most derpiest cat faces he could manage.
Despite being stuck in a rabbit’s burrow most of the time, I was having one of the best moments in my life.
Chaorite soon joined us and shifted back into his original form. He was laughing and clutching his stomach as he laid down besides his three brood.

“Ahah... aw. You’re all adorable.” He chuckled as he wrapped his hooves around the little nymphs.

Sage let out a giggle, “We love you too, Chaorite!” She piped in as she snuggled up against their caretaker.

“Bleugh...” Chamomile stuck his tongue out in disgust, “Yeah... I guess we do.”

I muffled my laugh in my hole-riddled hooves and nuzzled Chaorite, "Thank you for saving me!"

"It... It was no problem, my little grub." He shakily smiled. I perked at this and thought I could catch a hint of hesitance in the other's expression.

"Chaorite? Are you alright?" I asked, almost nervously.

"Yeah. Everything's fine." The changeling assured, "Especially since I'm with the ones I love."

Then, he pulled away...






Present Day


My gaze was glued to the tiled kitchen floor beneath me. I was quietly leaning against the back door that separated me from my caretaker and our king. Words remained caught in my throat as I tried to find some way to approach. For the time being, I couldn’t. No matter how much I pushed myself to stand up and act I found myself instead frozen in place. All I could do now was listen. I really shouldn’t, especially since the conversation I was eavesdropping on involved King Thorax himself, but I didn’t know what else to do. Right now, my own presence here felt wrong but necessary, I needed to be here.

“Take deep breaths...” Thorax comforted the smaller changeling by his side, “I’m sure you don’t mean that-“

My caretaker cried out, “I do! I can’t do this anymore. She’s draining me of my love every second we’re together and sooner or later she’s going to try to take all of it! Earlier today she didn’t even ask! She just took most of it because she was hungry.”

“Okay, that is serious.” The king admitted, “But why would she be hungry enough to do something like that? In your reports you’ve told me she’s made friends.”

“Well that’s what she always says...” Panax grumbled, “But I’ve never even seen them! And from the looks of it she isn’t sharing her love for them either.”

“And what about the love you provide her? If you care about her enough wouldn’t your presence alone be enough to sustain her? She doesn’t always have to drain love like that if there’s enough of it around her.”

The other stiffened at Thorax’s question, “W-Well it’s just... it’s tiring. I needed a break from her. I have a lot of work to do-“

A hint of concern escaped the king, “Panax...”

“She- Ginseng needed to learn somehow! I thought this would be the best way to do that...”

“So you didn’t feed her?”

“.... I uh.” Panax hesitated.

“Panax. I understand how draining this all is. I understand if you want Ginseng to reform faster, but she’s still a youngling. We have to feed her while she figures everything out. You can’t just starve her like that!”

“I-I didn’t starve her!” Panax lied, “I just needed a break and I thought her friend’s love would be enough-“

It was then I found my strained but bitter voice, “Liar!” I dropped my disguise to reveal my true form before jumping up from behind the door to come face to face with a surprised Panax and King Thorax, “You did starve me! You told me that I was hindering you and your work! You kept away in hopes that I’d make enough friends with randos on the streets so my wings would change and sparkle! Well guess what. They didn’t!” I gestured to my plain transparent blue wings just before they started angrily buzzing behind me.
“And I’m no closer to figuring out friendship as much as I’m figuring out how you’re planning to abandon me just like Charoite did!”

Thorax’s rosey eyes looked down at me with worry, “Ginseng...”

“I- Ginseng sweetie, how much did you hear?” Panax turned to me with a look of shock still plastered on her face.

“Drop the act! I heard you already, you don’t care for me anymore. Geez, I know I took your love but I didn’t take all of it!”

“Ginseng that’s enough!” Thorax commanded, “Panax... can you please wait for us in the living room?”

“Me?” She asked before looking back and forth between me and the king.

“There’s still a lot we need to discuss but right now I’d like to talk to Ginseng. Alone.” The taller changeling turned his head towards me.

After a pause Panax finally gave him a nod, “A-Alright...” Then quietly slipped away. With one more concerned glance she disappeared into the home. From there it was just the two of us. I was out in a cold evening on a dimly lit porch with none other than King Thorax himself by my side. Most would feel honored... I didn't. His gaze was leveled and cool but it was clear that he had a lot to say. Who wouldn’t after a fiasco like that?

“Ginseng, come sit by me.” He insisted with a hoof gesturing to a spot besides him.

After some hesitation I soon made my way to King Thorax’s side to sit on the porch’s hard wooden floor. Up above us the stars were beginning to twinkle into existence as the night sky darkened in color. Chimes rang out as a gentle breeze brushed through the neighborhood while crickets began to chirp within the wet grass they all loved to hide in. What a peaceful night it looked to be... but the current changeling household knew better. It felt like one word could set this lovely home ablaze at any moment if spoken wrong. I could tell that Thorax, too, knew he had to tread carefully for what he wanted to say next.

“Ginseng... What you did today was really bad. I had come to Canterlot to visit and this is the first thing I hear? You can’t do that to any creature, especially your own caretaker!”

I bowed my head in shame, “I know. I’m sorry Thorax.”

“It’s Panax you should be saying sorry to.” The older changeling sighed, “She shouldn’t have done what she did either but both of you are at fault for this.”

“I didn’t take all her love..!” I argued.

He seemed to tense at this, “That doesn’t make it any better!” Then with a small breath the king managed to relax, “Listen... We need to figure something out. While some younglings take time reforming you are still the only one who hasn’t yet. Your broodmates have all reformed, what’s keeping you from sharing love too?”

“...” I didn’t seem to have a response for that.

A silence seemed to trickle in between the both of us. The king let out a sigh and turned his gaze to the rising crescent moon above, “... You know, you kinda remind me of my brother in a way.” Thorax decided to add in.

“Pharynx?” I questioned, “How?”

“He refused to change.” The king smiled, “He hated the reformation process at first. In fact back then he preferred all of us to look and act like how we did in the ‘good old days’ he liked to call them. He was so stubborn about the time when we were all love-sucking parasites that he remained one of the last changelings to reform for a long while.”

“He doesn’t sound like me.”

“Well of course not exactly like you but... he had a lot of love for the pack. You have a lot of love too, don’t you? It’s in there somewhere, just waiting to be let out.” Thorax gently placed a hoof over where my heart would be, “Pharynx soon figured out that his love can be shared. He cared for the hive and he wanted to show it. It wasn’t just about reformation, it was about him. It was about his own emotions... and he chose to let it out.”

I blinked at this and looked down at where my heart would be. My hoof rested against my chest as I smiled at a certain thought, but that smile soon fell. I exhaled and just shook my head, “I can’t...”

Thorax pulled his hoof away and calmly considered me. There was this strangely comfortable pause that seem to ripple between the both of us. He kept quiet to let the sounds of the chirping night and the smell of lingering mildew fill our senses. It was soothing and peaceful. Something I felt I really needed, “Is this about your last caretaker? Chaorite?” He asked after a fair pause.

I stiffened at this.

The king took notice, “I understand why you don’t trust others because of what he did, but you shouldn’t let his mistakes affect you.”

A daunting feeling re-emerged from Thorax’s words. The mention of Charoite made my heart twist and churn with this familiarly pained feeling of stabbing sorrow and hate, “... Can I go now?” I felt absolutely deflated. My burning anger from before had long diminished to make way for exhaustion and drowsiness. I wanted nothing more but to turn away and find a place to sleep. Preferably far away from this house that may not be my home by tomorrow. Just looking at it now made me bitter.

“No... not just yet,” Thorax sighed, “I want to talk about what might happen afterwards if Panax doesn’t change her mind.”

I froze on my way to the door and stared at the changeling leader.

He stared back, “I’m sorry, but we have to talk about it.”

I whirled around, “But the next caretaker will just leave me too. What’s the point?”

“The point is I’m not leaving a youngling on her own.” Thorax insisted, “Especially one who needs love and care!”

“Princess Twilight thinks I’ll do fine on my own.” I found myself grumbling.

The older changeling blinked, confused, “Huh? What do you mean by that?”

“I mean she wants me to enroll in her Friendship School... and she wants me to stay there.”

“What??” Thorax perked up at this, “I mean- the school could be good for you sure but... I don’t think you’re ready for that yet. Why does she want you enrolled into it all of a sudden? Is it because you’re not reformed yet??? I can understand the concern but-“

“No no no. It’s not because of that. I... I played a few pranks along with my new friend. Princess Twilight thought sending me to the friendship school would be a fair punishment.”

“And she was just okay with that?” Thorax blinked in surprised disbelief.

“Well, she did want me to ask Panax first. If you or her don’t want me to go because of my condition you could always... tell...” I paused as a thought crossed my mind. If Thorax were to tell Twilight about the truth behind my disguise who’d know how she’d react??? Who’d know what she’d do?? Who'd know what Thorax would do??? I wasn't scared of Thorax as much as Twilight but... My mouth firmly closed shut as I stared wide-eyed at the somber garden before me. The darkness seemed welcoming with the promise of hidden safety while the light only revealed the looming changeling standing before me. Instead of cowering however I swallowed my anxiousness and did what I did best, adapt, “But... but I think it’s fine, really. I have a friend going the same time I’m supposed to.”

“Well. It’s nice to hear you’re making friends at least... but this is still serious. Is their love enough for you? Are you sharing love back? That’s part of the process, you know. By giving love to one another... things will get better for you. For the both of you.” The king assured, “Friendship is a slow process too. And if you don’t start showing visible signs of change other creatures might not have the best first Impression of the changeling you are. The changeling you could be. I don’t think you’re ready for the School of Friendship, but do you think you are?”

“...” I sighed, “I don’t want another caretaker.” I found myself saying, “I want to be with my friends.”

“Then... then if you're confident this is what you need I guess that’s the best place for you to start.” Thorax hesitantly agreed, “It’s either the school or the hive, really... and you didn’t seem to do too well in the hive. But if I can convince Panax to care for you a bit longer, you have to stay here in Canterlot with her, okay?”

I flinched but begrudgingly agreed, “Okay...”

Finally we both left the brisk porch and entered the small home. Making my way in I felt this strange dullness. Lanterns were lit in the corners of the house but most were snuffed out and turned into faint wisps of smoke. Though there was the soft blue glow of luminous stones we've collected from the hive sitting in a basket on the kitchen counter everything still felt lackluster and faded. The whole home was dim even with the fireplace attempting to light its embers through the dark. It seems that for tonight nothing could make this place bright enough again. Even then me and the king headed into the small living room where we heard the soft plucks of a lyre as Panax quietly played to herself. She sat on the divan playing the most beautiful music she'd usually produced with only the candelight around her to make her figure known. With eyes closed she didn’t even take notice of us at first until Thorax had cleared his throat.

“Oh! You two are done...” She slowly lowered the instrument and placed it off to the side.

“That’s right. Now I know you both must be tired so let’s try and make this quick, okay?” The king warmly smiled before seating himself in the ottoman nearby.

I went to sit on the couch next to Panax but it was clear by the way she shifted in her seat that she did not want to be anywhere near me. I gave her a glance and edged myself closer to the armrest on my side. I know I hurt her. I know what I did was wrong. However I felt it was deserved. What Panax did was horrible, plain and simple. You don't starve a youngling.

Thorax seemed to take notice of the tension between us and decided to try and cut through it, "Ginseng, don't you have something to say?"

I perked at this, "But-"

"Ginseng..."

I grunted and turned towards my... possibly soon-to-be ex-caretaker, "I'm sorry for taking your love without asking first." I wanted to grumble and groan but I had to make it sound genuine. We'd be here forever if I didn't at least try to sound apologetic enough.

Panax seemed to relax and gave me a sad smile, "Ah... Thank you for the apology, Ginseng. I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have left you like that... but I don't think this is going to work out."

I felt my gaze burn into the other as I gestured for to her elaborate some more with the wave of my hole-riddled hoof.

"It's just... I heard your story and I wanted to fix what happened to you. I wanted to help you and your brother Chamomile! I did all I could. Chamomile was able to reform but... you never did. And he didn't even reform with my help! He got someone else... I just feel like-like as if I was just making things worst," Panax continued, "Maybe... Maybe you don't need me. I don't want to give up on you, Ginseng. I really don't. But I can't do this anymore. I can't juggle my love for you, my friends, and my work. I'm sorry."

A part of me would've wanted to scream. I would've wanted to cry and shout and sob. I would've been heartbroken... but instead, I was just reminded of something else. Instead of feeling my heart crack; there was this bitter barrier that wrapped itself around my soul and froze it from the inside out. I felt it grow colder and harsher. Instead of bawling my eyes out as I once expected I just stared. I intently listened to what she said but my mind whirled with other thoughts. One of those thoughts quietly whispered that I could've done much worst if I wanted to...
I lowered my head and rested my chin against the arm rest. My blank blue eyes looked to Thorax expectantly.

"... I was hoping you wouldn't say that, Panax. I don't want to do this but from the sounds of it you both need it." He then turned towards me with a concerned gaze, "I'm either going to have to arrange responsibility to another changeling... or put you in the hooves of Twilight Sparkle and her school of friendship in Ponyville."

"Princess Twilight?" Panax questioned, "What does she have to do with all this?"

"Apparently Ginseng has been causing a lot of trouble." Thorax narrowed his eyes in disapproval, "Enough trouble to get Princess Twilight's attention. She wants Ginseng to enroll in the school of friendship. I'm a bit concerned about the idea though but... if Twilight thinks she can help Ginseng's case and believes that this school could reform her then I guess I can trust her on that."

Both me and Panax suddenly perked our ears. We gave each other an uncertain glance (Out of spite or out of chance?) before our king continued with a sigh, "I still feel like I should talk to her first before we make any decisions. Personally, I think you should come back to the hive." The taller changeling insisted, “It’s safer for you there.”

“But I’m not happy there...” My voice solemnly sounded, “And I definitely won’t be happy later. That place... every time I walk through it... all it reminds me of is... him.” I had to hold back a giggle that threatened to escape me.

“Ah...” Thorax shifted in his seat, “Then maybe the hive is not the best option...” After that a soft lull seemed to drift through the home. Silence hushed us and made way for this uncomfortable silence that followed the leader’s words. There was understanding in what he said, but now the choices he grasped for had felt even more heavy than before. So heavy that those around him could feel his uncertain hesitance.

Then, among the quiet my ex-caretaker finally broke through the tension, “... I think we should get some shut eye.” Panax announced as she got up from the divan, “King Thorax, you can have my room for tonight if you want. I’ll take the couch.”

He shook a hoof in the air, “No no, it’s fine. I’ll take the couch.”

As the two went back and forth on who gets what I quietly slipped away and went to climb the stairs to my room. It's not my room anymore. As much as I didn't want to stay in this house any longer I admittedly needed some rest. It was too late to go running off elsewhere. However I wasn't able to go far before Thorax called my name.

"Ginseng, wait. I've decided to stick around a bit longer so in the morning I'll be going up to the castle. I want you two to talk first though. Panax, if you're still certain about..." He paused and gave me a concerned glance, "About leaving Ginseng in someone else's care then... then send her to the Canterlot castle. I'll watch over her. We'll collect her stuff depending on where she goes afterwards. Are you both alright with that?"

"Right. Of course." Panax muttered as she stared down at the floor.

Why talk? It's useless. "... Yeah." I flicked an ear towards the two reformed changelings, "I'm going to bed now."

Panax gave me a concerned glance while Thorax calmly smiled, "Goodnight Ginseng."

"Goodnight... Thorax." I replied but made sure not to give my ex-caretaker much thought. I headed to my bedroom and considered the green mucus that were stuck to the walls. I tried to imagine this place empty. A room without me and without the goo. I saw it after we moved in, so I definitely can recall the image. However at the time when I first saw this room so barren I was excited to get to work on it and to make it look like me. I could do anything with it! Panax at that moment, though hesitant, didn't really mind what I did. Now however? Now the thought of it being empty made something bubble up inside me. Something... resentful.
After shutting the door behind me I inhaled, raised a hoof, and abruptly smashed through one of the old, empty cocoons. I was working on this raging autopilot that began to destroy the nest around me. I tore down lines of slime that covered the room and ripped the curtains to pieces. I pulled glued-in items out from the ceiling and tossed them to the floor. I broke open several other cocoons containing animals and let them all escape into the night through my window. I did everything to try and destroy what made me a changeling in this home. Only when I tugged the mirror out from the emerald gunk, lit my horn to meet my reflection with its eerie glow, and smashed the reflective glass into little broken pieces did I finally stop. My breathing was heavy and my dazed, teary eyes stared down at the broken image of myself underneath me. After a pause that felt longer than it really was I slowly made my way up to my bed and cautiously climbed into it. I heard one of the changelings rushing up the steps but didn't bother to raise my head from my pillow as they entered.

"Ginseng?! What're you doing up here?" Panax questioned as she made her way into the room while carefully avoiding the glass shards, "Did you break your mirror by throwing it off the wall??"

"Hah. No, I did that myself." I sadly chuckled.

I could tell by her scornful look that she didn't entirely believe me, "Ginseng! I can't believe you're acting like this! Especially with King Thorax visiting us!"

"Is it really that much of a surprise..?" I muttered and buried my face in my cushions. I really wanted her to just shut up.

"You're not really convincing me to keep caring for you, you know that right?" She fluttered up to my bedside and frowned down at me.

"Well maybe I don't want to convince you." I sat up and returned the glare, "Maybe I want to be as far away from you as possible. But you know, at least there's something good out of all this."

Panax gave an astonished blink, "What could be good about any of this?"

I stared at my ex-caretaker, smirked, and stood up in my bed so we were both eye level, "Let me tell you." Though difficult from the distance I still was able to use my magic to shut the door nearby, "You're cornered. And you know it. No matter what, you're not going to have a good reputation after all this, are you? Not just from the hive but... maybe from the audience as well?"

The older changeling perked up at this and nervously took a step back, "... Listen this behavior is uncalled for but- I was actually hoping to talk to you about something like that, Ginseng. Not about my reputation but about what happens afterwards. But why is that a good thing? Nothing about that sounds good."

"It's good for me." I chuckled, "Not for you."

She looked taken aback, "Ginseng-"

"I saw that look you gave me after Thorax said he wanted to talk to Twilight about my reformation." I began as my wings buzzed behind me and plucked me up into the air, "Granted I didn't like that at first... I wouldn't want to talk to anypony, especially the princess, about something like that. However... it gave me an idea. I could use it against you. I could make you care for me. It would've been so easy."
My wings would help me circle around the older changeling as my eyes blankly stared back at her frightened gaze.
"King Thorax would hate to have been lied to, wouldn't he~? The hive and creatures of Canterlot? How dare you hide something like that from them?"

Panax seemed to get the picture, "Ginseng we don't have to do that. He doesn't have to know- if... I guess if you still want me to care for you here in Canterlot I could but..."

"Oh. No. I don't want that anymore." I growled as I stopped just behind Panax, "I don't want your love. I don't want your care. I don't want anything from you anymore... All I want now is revenge. I want to leave. But I'm afraid someling is going to have to take the blame for what comes next~"

My ex-caretaker whirled around to face me, "But the fake metamorphosis wasn't my idea! It was yours!"

"Was it?" I leered before hovering back over to the door, "Maybe I'll hold back from telling the rest of Canterlot about your failure and your lies if you get the dustpan and help me clean this up."

"Wha- but... you- You can't-" The older changeling looked about in distress.

I showed off my fangs and spoke in a surprisingly polite tone, "I'm so sorry for the mess, Panax. I won't do it again. Promise." I smiled innocently as I opened the door and gestured her towards it. Just like another Cozy Glow.

Panax was stunned. I could tell from her expression that when she came up here to scold me she didn't expect anything like this. She didn't expect for me to act in such a way when she first came up here. All the more reason for her to jump ship I suppose. If she didn't want to tend to me before she definitely didn't want to now. I didn't care. I was entirely done with Panax. I wanted to move on. Now I just had to wait for her to as well.

After a silent pause that flickered between the both of us we suddenly heard King Thorax calling from down below, "Is everything alright up there Panax?"

She hesitated and looked down at the glass, "... Yeah. Yeah! Everything is fine. Liar. Ginseng accidentally bumped into her mirror! I'm going to help her clean it up!" Panax assured as she flew out of the room to find what she needed. Her eyes refused to look at me as she instead focused on getting the task done.

I glared at the hallway outside and hovered back over to my bed. Now that I stopped to look at it my room had become a disastrous mess of what it once was. Not only had I broken through cocoons and tore down goo, I also knocked several things to the ground from the walls and shelves. Anything I could find that wasn't heavy or firmly stuck against the slime was inevitably thrown to the floor. An old participation trophy, several framed photos, books, and etc. I didn't give much of these items any thought except when I looked over and noticed that one framed photo that usually sat on my drawer next to my bed had gone missing. Panicked, I tossed my blankets and frantically searched the floor. It wasn't until I looked under the bedstead that I found it. An image of me, Sage, and Chamomile all smiling together as we celebrated our 13th birthday within the hive. Or at least- 13th in changeling years. I was the only one unreformed compared to the other two. Sage was a green and pink changeling with no tail or horn but still as cheery without them. Chamomile meanwhile now had blue colors along his exoskeleton with fiery orange eyes. He was attempting to noogie me in this photo with one of his hooves as I tried to stuff cake against his face. I held the photo in my hole-riddled grasp, sighed, and placed it inside what was meant to be my Canterlot schoolbag.
How nice the reformation must've felt for them. Maybe someday I'll join them.
But at this point I don't think I even deserve something like that.





Morning had come. Thorax had already left to the castle the moment the sun began to rise over the horizon. I woke up much later and didn't bother to try and find Panax. I packed as much as I could carry and left through the window in my metamorphosis to avoid seeing her again. If she understood my threat she'd know that I wanted to leave. I didn't want to be a part of her life at all.
Instead of heading to the castle my wings automatically took me back to the public gardens. I gave the guards a small glance of recognition before passing them and following the usual path to the more horrifying section of the gardens. I lead myself right up to the same statue me and Gimmick would usually go to. The three villains... Her back was towards me so she didn't even seem to notice my approach.

"So you see, it doesn't make sense." Gimmick rattled on towards the statue as she buried her nose in a book, "My history class goes on about how the bell was smashed- but from what I heard from Discord the long lost legend says the bell was unbreakable! That's why Gusty the Great hid it away! Maybe if I could just figure out where its new location is... If I could just get my hooves on an artifact like that... I would- I would..."

"What would you do?" I found myself asking in a surprisingly monotone voice.

"Ah!" Gimmick jumped in surprised and pressed her book against her chest, "I wasn't talking to a statue!"

"I don't think you're crazy." I quickly assured her, "Remember? I know they're conscious in there."

"Oh Ginseng... it's just you..." The filly sighed in relief, "Don't scare me like that!"

"Interested in the bell?" I asked as I went to sit next to her.

"Of course. I think it's still out there... If Grogar wanted it, it must've been very powerful. If the three almost conquered the world with it then clearly they did something with it. Something that made even Cozy Glow a threat! I want to find it. But to find it we need information. Which means we need to start searching, now! Before the princess takes us away from here! The Canterlot Castle could be a good place to start. I heard there might be a restriction section hidden somewhere within it... or in the city itself." She grasped her notepad in her magical hold and began to scribble something down, "We could start in the public library I guess but I think our chances are better in the castle... Now if only we could find a way in without raising too much suspicion..."

I stared at Gimmick for a silent moment as she scrawled something down on the yellowish pages, "... I found a way in."

She suddenly dropped her notepad, "You did??"

"Yeah. King Thorax visited. I'm to stay with him until he decides what to do with me. And guess where he's staying?" Without breaking eye contact I raised a hoof and pointed it towards the castle.

Gimmick blinked at me in surprise, "You're- you're going to stay in the castle?!" A bright smile then appeared on her face, "GINNY THIS IS PERFECT!!" She pressed her hooves against my cheeks and happily squealed.

"Ah- okay. Get off me." I grunted (Should I smile?) and pushed my accomplice's forelegs away.

"Oh my gosh- and the princess won't even suspect a thing! HaHA!" She laughed out as she clapped her hooves together.

"If you keep laughing like a maniac some creature is definitely going to notice." I huffed.

"Okay. Listen." Gimmick hopped up in front of my face and pulled out her notepad, "I have a plan. It's so simple but it might. Just. Work. Are you ready? Okay. Here it goes... You invite me to a sleepover."

"A sleepover..." I hummed in consideration.

"Yes. A sleepover in the castle." She smirked with wide, sparkling green eyes. Eugh since when can ponies do THAT?

"That could work."

"Yeah! And no creature will ever expect something like this from us! What with me being an honest little filly and you being a love-bug then maybe we could explore the castle with no trouble and-"

"Ooh... Actually. There's one problem to that plan." I chuckled.

Gimmick's smile fell and her voice spat out through gritted teeth, "What problem?"

"Careful. Your Cozy Glow side is showing." I giggled into my hooves before walking up to the statue, "I'm not keeping this disguise for much longer. I'm afraid everyone is going to know what I am very soon." I explained as I stopped just underneath Chrysalis's lunging form.

"What?!" Gimmick jumped up at that, "What do you mean by that?"

"I mean that unlike some changelings and those from the hive, King Thorax doesn't know the whole truth. I faked my own metamorphosis during my time in Canterlot with Panax and if I want to stay in the castle with him and Princess Twilight for the couple of weeks we have left... then I can't hide this anymore." I smiled as I relinquished my disguise. The metamorphosis fell apart before Gimmick in a more surreal way then usual. It looked to be like it was melting right off of my body. I began to destroy it. I crumbled it up and scattered the pieces into bits of flaky, unnecessary changeling magic. Leftovers they will now become and broken pieces they will forever be. I now wore my darker self with pride and shredded the old disguise in my mind. This was who I was. This was who I will be. Two caretakers had made it so. The only thing that didn't disappear however were the three gemstones still on my head. Not a permanent part of me... but a part of the disguise I decided to keep. My long tongue flicked against my fangs and my transparent wings buzzed behind me.
"I will tell him the truth... and string up a new lie for him later~"
> Chapter 5: Fallen Fame
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The confusion was evident on every creature's faces. As expected, they gawked and stared as they watched me, young but still a renegade, walk through the streets with my more innocent-looking companion Gimmick who walked around with saddlebags and all, excited for the upcoming royal sleepover. I feel like if it weren't for her, the creatures around me would be in a bigger state of panic than they currently were now.

Changelings we passed would give me a curious glance but nothing more, ponies retreated out of sight as subtly as they could manage, griffons nearby considered me with a stare that was less than friendly, hippogriffs seemed interested but just as cautious as well, and kirin were hurriedly whispering and chattering to one another as I went by. I kept my eyes focused on the path ahead of me, ignoring their looks and their distrust.

As we approached the entrance to the castle it was clear the guards were on edge from my appearance. At first they didn't entirely believe us when we told them I was Ginseng. I probably looked completely different than what they originally expected. Not only that but it was clear I was a renegade. Either way, they were given a description from Thorax himself and knew I was part of his pack despite the strange gemstones that were found, so they escorted both me and Gimmick through the winding halls of the castle to drop me off by my king’s room. Surely he’d know how to handle me. Though, as we headed down the vast building I could see Gimmick curiously looking down each and every hallway in some hopeful attempt that she’ll be able to find what she was looking for just around the corner. I gave her a somewhat annoyed sideways glance and noticed something. Now that we were walking side-by-side I realized that I was a bit taller than her. I couldn't help but smirk. My “reformation” I had created had made me look more innocent and cutesy. Not that I had entirely minded, the size I had taken previously was designed to be young and less intimidating. It was strange feeling naturally tall now but it made me feel more... confident. More in control. Gimmick was more of a child compared to me now. It made me feel satisfied knowing that I had at least one thing over her. My height.

“Why are you so tiny?” I jokingly grinned.

Gimmick’s olive eyes blinked back, “Why are you so tall??” She questioned.

“Aww, is the pipsqueak getting jealous?” I patted her head with a hole-riddled hoof.

“To you? Never in a thousand years!” She then stuck her horn through a hole in my leg and pulled back. I toppled over in response and nearly crashed into a maid pony passing us. The concerned guards swiftly came to our sides to make sure no one was hurt.

“Ah! Sorry!” I quickly apologized before snapping my attention back to Gimmick as she continued ahead of me, “Hey! You don’t just do that!”

“Do what~?” Gimmick smirked.

“Stick your horn through my leg! Do you know how rude that is? And how uncomfortable it feels??”

“You have a point, definitely looks weird. Some creature might take it the wrong way.”

“Yeah! I- ...huh?” I gave Gimmick a confused stare.

“If you two are done causing enough of a ruckus, we’re here.” A guard pegasus announced as he gestured to a large, intricate guest room door. There were many just like it but this one had one big difference. King Thorax was in there, and it was time to approach him. We both had settled down but I could see Gimmick nervously twiddling at the tips of her mane with her soft green magic. It was clear from her expression that she had not entirely expected another royal encounter. Similar to our impending doom from Princess Twilight's meeting, we were both pretty anxious to see what would happen next.
Well, myself less-so as Thorax does already know about me and my dilemma... but he didn't know about my disguise. Won't this be fun to explain?

I gave Gimmick a small smile, "Well. Ready to meet the king of changelings?" I chuckled as I raised a chitin hoof, "Don't worry, I think you'll be the perfect offering for the love-sucking ruler."
She stared back at me as I knocked on the door with a grin.

There was a series of loud thuds on the other side of the door as if several items had been abruptly dropped all at once, "C-Coming!" Thorax announced before it became eerily silent.

I looked to Gimmick and gave her a shrug before the door to the King's guest room finally opened, "Hey King Thorax." I politely nodded, "I hope you don't mind I brought a friend with me."

"Oh! Not at all Ginseng," He turned to the guards with a smile, "Thank you for getting her to me," Then with a wave of his hooves he gestured for the two younger creatures in front of him, "Come on in! We can talk more in my room. It's a bit of a mess though. I'll explain in a bit... but first we need to discuss some things."

"Yeah, I have a lot to talk to you about too." I obliged and followed King Thorax into the guest room. It was expansive and open. Not too grand but not too simple either. Like almost all other rooms, this room had a checkered patterned floor and a dark purplish wall that almost looked grey. There were pillars encircling the three of us and a soft white round rug planted in the middle. I pawed at it with my hoof and found it to be the softest material I ever touched. If this was how a plain carpet was like, I could only imagine how the luxurious king-sized bed felt. There was a chandelier hanging above us with flickering candlelight that strangely produced a different color than you'd expect. It gave off this purplish glow that would sometimes flicker back to white and yellows. I looked down and noticed there was a small wardrobe laying on it's side, neighboring a toppled-over desk with what was once a cute little lamp now fallen and mangled. There were several books, pillows, and other items scattered about on the floor all tossed and thrown this way and that. Among them I spotted a box of chocolates that looked like a gift from Princess Twilight herself from the loose tag that clung onto it's side. It was open halfway with several treats bitten into and left discarded on the floor like everything else. King Thorax was right, this place was a mess.
"What happened here?" I questioned. This didn't look like something my king, the most respectful out of all creatures I knew, would do in his spare time.

"Well... Discord decided to visit." Thorax sighed, "He was curious why I was here. It felt like an interrogation in a way. While he was asking questions he'd mess with my room. Then you knocked. Everything dropped to the floor and he just... vanished! I'm not sure what that was all about but... Ahah... I'll clean this all up when I can." Thorax softly chuckled before picking up the box of half-eaten chocolates with his turquoise magic.

Gimmick and I blinked at one another. Well that can't be good either. I'm going to have to explain to Discord as well at some point. I can already imagine the kind of questions he'd ask. What happened to you? Why do you look like that? Is this some kind of sick, demented joke??? The worst prank ever, I could imagine. Except it wasn't a prank. It was real. I hated it, but I'm going to have to start being honest with everyone now... Well, as honest as I want to be.

"Now... I'm guessing since you're here, Panax is still set on what she's said?" Thorax gently asked as he cleared an area on the carpet for us three.

I sighed and got comfortable on the white rug, "... Yeah. Yeah she is."

Thorax's ears fell back as he reached up and set a hoof on my shoulder, "Hey... It's not your fault. We can still figure something out, okay? There's still places to go after this. Creatures or changelings to get along with... Oh- what's this on your forehead? Gemstones?" He'd curiously tap at one of them.

"Yeah. There's something I need to tell you, King Thorax. In fact I need to talk to a lot of creatures after this... I- I faked my metamorphosis." I cringed and waited for his reaction.

"You did what-?" Thorax sternly questioned as he reeled back in surprise, "Ginseng what do you mean by that?"

"I mean when I approached several creatures... I was disguised. I was never in my original form, until now. They all thought that I had reformed like you and the rest of the hive, but I didn't." I looked guilty and averted my gaze.

Gimmick awkwardly sat nearby as she watched the exchange, looking back and forth between us.

"These gemstones on my forehead? They're the only part of the disguise I decided to keep. The only thing I refuse to let go... but they're not a part of me. I still haven't changed like I should." I admitted as I ducked my head in preparation for Thorax's scolding. After all, I wasn't entirely sure how he'd react.

Thorax was silent at first before he soon shook his head with a sigh, "Ginseng, I understand you're afraid of how others will react when they see your true form but... You have to be honest about it. You have to show them who you really are and what you're really like. That's the only way you'll be able to find those who care about you even despite how you look. All they really need to worry about is the actions you take but- I'm afraid you've acted brashly already. Now, you have to face the consequences. You shouldn't have faked a form like that."

I feigned guilt, "I know..." Then with gritted teeth I felt this sudden surge of anger, "But Panax told me to do it!"

King Thorax looked taken aback, "She did?!"

I nodded, "She said my true form would only make the creatures and ponies of Canterlot uncomfortable."

My king's ears fell back, "Does any other ling know about this?"

I almost said yes, but I had to keep my mouth shut. My broodmates. They both knew. I had told Sage and Chamomile before I had left. I trusted they wouldn't share, well Sage more than Chamomile, and it seems that they haven't told a single soul just yet. Good, that means I can rely on them in the future as well.
I mostly told them about it just to see what their opinions would be on the fake metamorphosis. Sage wasn't too keen on the idea but Chamomile could care less. However he did make some interesting points that had caught my attention. Why do we look so different from our original form in the first place if not to make more friends? He agreed that my disguise might just help me settle and get a good start than my true form really would. After all, a renegade changeling would stand out more than the vibrant ones surrounding me. Sage was still against the idea but knew she couldn't stop me from doing it anyways. All she did was wish me safe and happy.

"No. This was my caretaker's idea right before we settled into Canterlot." I explained.

"I can't believe this. I'm going to have to talk to her later too." King Thorax shook his head, "Ginseng. I'm disappointed, but I see you at least managed to make a friend during all this." He nodded towards Gimmick.

I looked to her and gave her a small smile, "Yeah actually. She's the best. I had a lot of fun talking and hanging out with her."

"You're just saying that." Gimmick playfully rolled her eyes.

"I'm serious. You accepted my true form and didn't look at me like other ponies do. I can't share my love with you but I'm glad to call you a friend." I nodded before turning back to Thorax, "I promise though, I won't fake my metamorphosis ever again after today. I've got a lot of explaining to do..."

King Thorax sighed, "You definitely do. I'm not sure how Twilight or the rest of the Council of Friendship will react but it's better to tell them than to try to keep this secret any longer. Which reminds me, we still need to discuss what happens to you next."

I perked at this and glanced over at Gimmick. Did I want her here during this? Well, it's not that big of a deal really if she did stick around but... something about this felt very personal. It seems, in her eyes, she even realized this and took a step back.

"I don't think I'm needed during this conversation." She calmly explained, "All I will say is that I still want to hang out with Ginseng after whatever you two decide. Just know I will be heading to Ponyville to attend the Friendship School there, as Princess Twilight assigned. I guess I could still send letters, but it would be nice to have my friend with me as well."

King Thorax nodded, "Alright, I'll keep that in mind... um... what was your name again?" He sheepishly chuckled.

Gimmick blinked at this, "Oh! Right! My name is Little Gimmick. It was nice to meet you King Thorax."

"And you too, young one."

"I'll be exploring, just shout if you need me! Be back later, Ginseng." She nodded before heading off, going to venture throughout the castle's halls. Hopefully to find something of use.

As the door closed I turned my attention back to King Thorax, "I don't want another caretaker."

"Ginseng-"

"Your majesty I'm sorry but I'm done with caretakers. I'm done with being passed onto a changeling who won't really care about me."

"Well the issue is Ginseng they do care about you, but you're refusing to change." King Thorax cut in, "Staying like this is hurting others. You have to understand that."

"I.. I get it! I know. But... I can't do it." I shook my head and sat on my haunches.

"Sure you can. You can do it one of these days, I know it. You don't have to share love with another changeling if that's what you're worried about, it can be any creature! It could be Gimmick or maybe... Discord?"

"Huh?"

"Well, he sounded very concerned about you. He probably cares about you, don't you care about him?"

I don't know why, but in that moment something felt wrong. I had this dizzy feeling in my head. I really didn't like what King Thorax had said, but I couldn't explain why to myself until it suddenly hit me while I was fumbling with my words. It was familiar. Too familiar.

Chaorite...

"After he sees me in this form, he's going to think I don't care. He's going to run away too." I found myself saying, "I can't. I can't get hurt again."

"... I'm sure he won't- well okay... mmmmmm it is Discord." King Thorax tried to quietly mumble to himself, "Fluttershy then? Fluttershy definitely cares about any creature and she'll definitely love you. She befriended even the lord of chaos."

"Can we talk about something else?" I suddenly piped up, "Like I don't know- where I'm going after this??"

"Right. Well. You could return to the hive." The other suggested, "Your family is still there, they could share plenty of love with you."

"... I want to go to the school of friendship."

"What? Why?" King Thorax questioned, still obviously against the idea, "I mean, maybe you could learn something important from there but it could still be very risky for you and others. I'm not sure if I can allow you while you're in this phase-"

"I-It's not a phase!" I shouted in exasperation.

"Right sorry!!" King Thorax apologetically waved his hooves in front of him, "I'm just saying! You could get really hungry out there. Your hunger could take over. You could end up hurting somecreature... We shouldn't risk that."

"I'll have Gimmick with me." I pushed on, "And... and- and I'll be willing to learn, too!"

There was a pause as the king stared at me, surprised, "You'd be willing to learn friendship? Love and compassion?"

I bit my lip, "Y... Yes?"

King Thorax looked unconvinced.

"Yes." I said more firmly, "I'd be willing to... I guess... change one day. Just let me go with Gimmick to the friendship school." I almost wanted to stick my tongue out in disgust. Friendship school. Who'd invent something like that? It was kinda sad, having to go to a place to learn friendship. Guess it was mostly made for outcasts like me though. So, in a way, it made sense.

"... Do you care about Gimmick?" King Thorax asked.

"Yeah, I do. As a friend." I nodded.

"No I mean, do you really care about her? Would you try and save her from a maulwurf? Help her out through the end of the world? Save her from a big bad villain?"

I stared, "Why are you asking me this?"

"Because I want to be sure you'll be okay there with only her as your friend at first. I need to know you two will be, well, safe. That you'll both get through anything together."

"..." I looked back at the door Gimmick had left through then back to my king, "... Yeah. I'd beat up a super evil villain for her."

"Alright," King Thorax seemed to relax, "Good. But... I still think we should talk to Princess Twilight first."

"Aw antennas more politiiiiics?" I groaned. I wanted to go explore with Gimmick already! I had enough talking with big important or known figures of Equestria.

Luckily for me it seems the older changeling knew what I was thinking. King Thorax seemed to chuckle, "Alright, I can talk with her first but we still need to introduce your true form to her, so she can get used to it."

"I guess that's fair."

"You can go hang out with Gimmick for a while, if you want. I'll let the others know to get a room for you, we're probably going to be here for a bit anyways."

"Thank you Thorax."

"Of course." The king patted my head in a brotherly manner, "I'm willing to let you do what you feel is right if you're willing to give love and friendship a chance. I know it's hard, but don't let past mistakes get to you. There are others around you who will do what they can to make things right."

"Right." I smiled before he pulled away, "I'm going to go look for Gimmick now. I'll see you later."

"See you Ginseng!"

I trotted on out the messy room, leaving behind a concerned king.





"Did you hear the Busy Bees will be playing at the plaza?"

"Really? Not many new bands are able to get that spot. They're really climbing up in Canterlot, aren't they?"

"Their vocalist is the real star of the show. No one can beat her talent."

I had grunted when I heard the guards and their idle conversation. The name of the band, Busy Bees, made me want to cringe. Let's just say, personally, I really didn't like or care for that particular band. I walked by the group with a grumble, trying to tune them out.

"Hm, maybe they shouldn't have asked to play at the plaza though. I'm telling you, that place is bad luck."

"Just because a few incidents happened there doesn't necessarily mean that."

"How exactly is it bad luck anyways?"

My ear couldn't help but twitch. I was a little curious myself.

"Well first there was the affair controversy that happened right in the middle of the show. Then there was the weather schedule screw up, and then some unicorn performer tried a spell that inverted every creature's colors instead of whatever it was they were trying to do-"

"Okay but the plaza itself isn't bad luck, those were just... bad timing or bad bands. Busy Bees isn't that bad and the weather team has a better scheduler this time around."

"It's a very diverse band as well! It has a changeling, a griffin, a hippogriff, and a kirin!"

I halted in my tracks.

"They also got a pegasus but I think he's more of a... photographer?"

"Well, if nothing crazy happens then it should be fine really. I've heard their music before, it's very relaxing."

The group began to move away, heading elsewhere within the castle. I remained where I was, lost in thought. Busy Bees was a band with one particular member that I knew well. Panax. That was the group she left me for. The friends she spent all her time with. Hearing their successes only made me... more bitter. Come to think of it though, I've never really knew who was part of her group... until now.

With this plan starting to form I raised my head and cantered away. There was somepony I needed to find.





"Gimmick?"

BUMP! A loud groan was heard as Gimmick pulled herself out from underneath an old looking desk. She rubbed her head and mumbled something in annoyance.

After asking around I had managed to pinpoint the room Little Gimmick could've ended up at. Each guard, maid, or butler gave me directions, albeit hesitantly, until I ran into the one door that lead to an old abandoned room. Apparently many have said it was an old study of Celestia's, possibly over a hundred or a thousand years old. Walking in it was clear that half of it had to be rebuilt and renovated, maybe from some villain attack that happened years ago. While it had this new and bright shine to it there were some relatively old and ancient designs still left behind along the pillars and curled around the windows. There was a clear, distinct difference in the flooring where one side of the room was a bit more dull than that other that was more pristine and remade. A half modern, half old-fashioned version of what it once was. Like as if it refused to cut away the last bit of itself from a past long forgotten. All the shelves were definitely replaced along with the bedding and cushions in the center. However the books, paintings, furniture, and a rusting birdcage seemed to stand strong throughout the years. Either that or they were just left behind entirely, possibly thought to be destroyed or turned to dust by now.

Gimmick was just rummaging through something underneath the desk. How odd... "Yeah? Hey Ginseng what's up? Done talking with King Thorax?" She asked as she stood tall and dusted off her pelt.

"Yeup. I think I convinced him to go with you after all this is over, but we're staying for a few days in the castle. Probably."

"Good. Should be plenty of time then." Gimmick ignited her horn and pulled out several old scrolls that were hidden just within the shadows underneath. Time did not do well for these parchments. They looked about ready to fall apart at the smallest tug.

"What were you doing under there?" I asked.

"Looking for secret passages. Or secrets in general." Gimmick hummed as she raised a rolled up scroll to my snout, "Instead I found these. Looks like a whole bunch of letters. Letters full of lessons and stories. All signed by 'your dearest student, Twilight Sparkle'"

I gingerly plucked up one of the parchments with my own magic, "Back when Princess Twilight wasn't a princess..?"

"Correct. Don't know what they're doing here of all places..." Gimmick hummed as she opened another, her eyes reading through them at a rapid pace, "Yeup. We are glimpsing into the far past of one of the first friendship students. Further than the Journal of Friendship. All her adventures and lessons she's learned along with her friends. Spike, Applejack, Rarity, PinkiePie, RainbowDash, and Fluttershy. When they were... young, I'm assuming."

"This isn't what you were looking for though, was it?" I wondered.

"No, not really. I was hoping to learn more about Luna. Especially when it comes to her magic and Nightmare Moon. Who knows how she managed to gain so much power? Even while she was full of jealousy and hate, a very common emotion to have-"

I seemed to perk at this, "You're not suggesting dark magic, are you?"

"I'm not looking for dark magic. That's too risky." Gimmick shook her head, "No, I don't need something that messes with my mind. I need an artifact or whatever. Maybe something as strong as the elements? That would do nicely."

"Then why are you focused on Luna?"

"On the off chance that she could've been like us, I guess." Gimmick shrugged, "... Cozy Glow and Queen Chrysalis are probably more relatable though. More reason to let them go! We can understand them and they can understand us. Maybe we could like, bond over that or something."

"Right. Hm." I tapped my chin in thought, "Should we go through with the plan, though?"

"Well, probably not should... but we could." Gimmick hummed as she began to stuff several scrolls into her saddlebags to get ready to leave.

As she moved towards the door I used my magic on her tail to stop her in her tracks, "I'm... serious. I'm kinda having second thoughts. What if they hurt Discord?"

Gimmick seemed to tense. She whipped around with her tail nearly slapping me in the face, "ExCUSE me?"

"What-?"

"What if they hurt Discord. Since when did you care about Discord?"

"Fine, what if they hurt US?" I sat back and pressed my hooves to my chest, "Like you said, they're villains."

"Why are we even having this conversation? They're like us, they won't hurt us. Especially if we free them. Plus why did you decide to talk to me about this now? In some old, dusty study?"

"Because I didn't want the statue to listen in." I admitted as I plucked up a scroll that had fallen behind, "What if we did let them out? I don't want them to know I had doubts beforehoof..."

"Nuh uh, you have something else on your mind as well. There's another reason why you decided to bring it up now." Gimmick glared.

"... Fine. I need your help." I tossed the scroll over to Gimmick who easily caught it in her own magical hold, "You're going to have to pause in your search though."

"But we need this time to get what we can! Before we lose this chance again." Gimmick argued.

"And I need your time as well, for something else. Something petty. I need your help taking down the Busy Bees, Panax especially, at the plaza tonight."

"I can't do that right now. I have to keep searching!"

I stomped a hoof on the ground, "Then I won't help you free them!"

Gimmick paused at this, "You what?"

"If you don't help me sabotage this concert... I will get King Thorax and the guards to kick you out of this castle, I will not help you in your search for power or in freeing Cozy Glow, Tirek, or Chrysalis from the statue. But if you do this with me, I'm with you! For the rest of the way. I'll help you through Tartarus and back... But think of it like this, it'll be like one of our old pranks," I smirked, "It'll be fun, I promise. Just do this with me one more time, please."

The both of us seemed to go silent. With a calculative gaze Gimmick looked me up and down. Maybe trying to figure out if I was bluffing or not. With a surprised giggle she finally spoke, "Hah, oh Ginseng... I love how you say you refuse to change, but you've changed a lot. You're not as innocent as others make you out to be, are you?" She nodded her head, "Alright. It could be fun doing this with you again. Come on, let's go ruin a concert. After all," She casually bumped her rump against mine, "Us Cozy Glows gotta stick together, right?"

"... Right." I smiled back as Gimmick started to leave. Without stopping her this time I gave the study one more last look before quickly trailing behind.





"So what's the plan?" Gimmick hurriedly whispered.

"Light everything on fire with the kirin." I bluntly responded back.

"... That's a terrible plan."

I had to muffle my shout as I responded, "What makes it so terrible?? Kirins light on fire when they get angry, it won't be our fault and everything turns into a disaster. It's foolproof."

The two of us were currently hiding together under the plaza stage. There was a lot of movement up above but we still wanted to be absolutely certain we wouldn't get caught... so we stayed quiet. As quiet as we could be. There was so much equipment hidden away under here that we had to actually cram ourselves together. Oh well, a price to pay to sabotage another day.

"Well one-" Gimmick raised a hoof and nearly bopped me across the snout, "We don't know anything about this kirin. We don't know what makes them angry and how angry they can get. They could be the calmest creature for all we know..!"

"Shhhh shut up-" I quickly pressed a hoof over her mouth as the sound of hoofsteps echoed from above.

"And secondly-" Gimmick gently pushed my hole-ridden hoof away, "How would we make them angry in the first place?"

"I dunno, still trying to figure that out." I admitted as I decided to peak out from underneath the stage. The bottom of the stage was covered with fabric curtains to hide all the equipment just underneath. It was the perfect hiding spot for the two of us and, supposedly, there was a lot we could see or hear from just under the stage. The problem was though, we weren't entirely sure where to start.

"Fine we can work with it. If you can figure out whatever triggers the kirin we can use that plan. However I think it'd be better to come up with a back-up." Gimmick muttered out as she made her way to another side of the stage, thinking she could hear voices.

"What kind of back-up do you have in mind?" I asked as I pulled away from my side. There wasn't much going on over there except the plaza itself. Ponies and creatures were eagerly awaiting for the band to start kicking up just in front of it.

"Shh." Gimmick hushed me as I came close and pointed just outside our hiding spot.

My ears perked as I caught the voice of an unknown stallion, "-all have such amazing talent but you know, I think I have some talent too. Maybe I could try playing guitar again? Or... singing?"

I heard the exasperation in another stranger's voice, "Listen Dream, you do have a special talent... and that's taking photos. You make the best photos out of all of us so- I think you should sit this one out and get some good ones for tonight. We could really use those to better grow our fanbase!"

"But... I... I'll be honest Misty, I don't really like just taking photos. I think I'd be more help to the band creating music! Can't you all just give me a chance?"

"Erm, I'm not really the one to talk to about that. Maybe you should be asking Pan or Leo. I can't make big changes."

"Well- I mean... it's hardly really a big change since I've been in this band when it was first made-"

"Yeah. I'm still not the one in charge though. Go ask the other two. I'll be with Spirit if you need me." The creature walked by and I noted their blue-ish claws and back hooves. A hippogriff, if I had to guess.

Another sigh and the yellow hooves of a pony came into view with his wings visibly drooping by his sides. The pegasus photographer... "Pan and Leo never listen to me though..." He mumbled to himself before raising his wings and taking off.

Gimmick and I looked at one another; on her face was a knowing smirk, "Alright. Your pawn is the kirin, mine is the pegasus."

"Is this a competition now?" I asked.

"Hm, no I still need your help of course... but I have a plan with the pegasus."

"And what about the kirin?"

"If we find out more we'll work with them too."

"Alright then, lay it on me."

"I'm going to need you to use several disguises..."





I had to keep myself from screaming. I was in a disguise. A disguise I did not like. I had to walk through the backstage area and repeat several phrases. Keep calm. Be confident. She might be mean to you but she's kind to others. She's kind. She's kind. Oh sweet Thorax I don't like this.

I was Panax.

She was late. I can only imagine why. So out of all the band members, she was the only one currently absent. Until now. Until I came around. As Panax. Which, and I will repeat, I do not like. Until I find a new disguise, I was stuck like this for the time being.

Great. Okay. This is fine. I can do this. I approached the stage area and no one questioned why I was there. No one even bat an eye. They fell for my disguise already, and I just had to be sure to keep up the act.

My first mission was to try and find the pegasus and learn more of the band members. The pegasus, if we both recalled correctly, was named Dream. The hippogriff was Misty, Pan is obviously Panax, but Leo could be either the kirin or the griffin. If I had to guess though, could be the griffin. They weren't my objective right now though.

I scanned the area for the pegasus photographer. The best place to start was him after all. It shouldn't be too hard to find him, the stage was big but it wasn't too fancy. It only had a few creatures roaming along it. One of those creatures was a griffin with black and orange robin-like feathers. Assuming they were either Leo or Spirit I'd pass by them was a small nod. They returned it while somehow keeping their focus on the guitar they were fiddling with, "Leo is at the sound booth if you're looking for him." The griffin chirped as he played a small verse. 

The music was soft and mellow. Listening to it I could've sworn it had some magic infused within those strings. The melody was calming and melted all my worries away. It was so relaxing I almost didn't fully process what he had said. Leo was at the sound booth. So, if I'm correct, this should be Spirit then. I guess I was wrong about Leo being a griffin. To test my theory, I decided to do something bold.

"Thanks Spirit."

"Anytime Pan." The griffin continued strumming away at his guitar while I turned to continue my search.

That was when the familiar blue of a hippogriff danced across my vision, "Pannnn! Dream's complaining againnnn!" Misty whined, making my ears flinch, "He's with Leo right now, it looks like he's about to go into another boring speech. Something about talent and the soul of the band or whatever."

I gave an annoyed sigh, but not towards Dream, "Alright. I'll talk to him."

Misty beamed, "Thanks Panny! I just never know how to handle him sometimes, you know?"

Spirit looked irritated, "Uh, I don't know maybe just tell him you don't like him and get it over with."

"It's not that easy Spirit...!"

I gave Spirit a curious glance before turning back to the blue nuisance, "I know what you mean Misty, I'll talk to you later."

"Alrighty! Don't take too long~" Misty playfully sung before turning to a disgruntled-looking Spirit who she eagerly chattered to. He seemed to tolerate her presence, but was more interested in his instrument than whatever she was talking about.

I headed to the sound booth where three creatures soon greeted me. A dark kirin with orange hair framed like a lion's mane, a lavender changeling wearing a silver coat and headphones, and Dream himself. They were going back and forth with each other when I walked over.

"I'm just saying, I haven't played with you guys since high school! Can't you give me just one more chance?" Dream pleaded.

I turned to Leo, the kirin, who let out an exasperated sigh, "For the last time Dream, just sit this one out too. You have talent but not the kind we need on stage right now. You can take pictures and try out that new camera you have. This version can also record videos! It's important for our future showcasing so just do this for us today, alright?"

"But- but... Pan! Hey, Pan. Hear me out for one moment, will you?" Dream turned towards me, his round brown eyes begging for my attention. Panax's attention.

Looking at him I felt this tug of sympathy. He was only a pawn to our operation but I felt we shared a common want. Poor Dream was excluded out of a life he wanted. Just like I was. As I opened my mouth to respond the kirin then spoke up.

"Panny!" In that moment I felt this rush of love hit me. I turned to Leo and saw the way he beamed at the sight of me. At Panax. His eyes were full of this tender fondness and his warm smile flashed in endearment. Oh yeah, this creature had one big crush on the leading singer, "Thank Rain Shine! Help me out, will you? You have a better time convincing him than I do."

Dream looked hurt by what Leo had said but still gave me a hopeful stare. Somehow, in someway, Panax was going to help him. It's just something he apparently felt.

I looked between the two and sighed, "What's going on today, Dream?"

"I..." He seemed to deflate, "I was hoping I could somehow help with the performance. It's amazingly lucky we got the plaza spot, isn't there any other way I can provide for the audience than just photos..?"

"Photos and videos, Dream." I quickly said.

"Right- but still! I used to play a lot back then. Can't I play again?"

I turned my gaze to Leo who rolled his eyes and shook his head towards me. The answer should be obvious to me, and I hated that. I hated that Panax and her friends treated this pony like... like me. I felt this anger boil up inside me as I turned towards Dream.

"Dream. Can I talk to you in private for a moment? I think we need to talk." I set my hoof on his shoulder, hoping he would know it was secretly a comforting gesture.

Even then, he started to look hopeless, "Oh... Okay. Sure."

I nodded and turned to Leo, "I'll meet up with you later, then?" I smiled towards him.

"Of course! Thanks Panny. When we get up on that stage let's do our-" The abrupt sound of feedback suddenly hit our ears. I flinched in surprise, but it didn't bother me as much as it did to Leo. He hissed at the noise and placed a hoof over one of his ears, "Ow ow ow! Maxilla! What did I tell you about that??" He growled, a spark of flame coming off his mane.

The lavender changeling nearby jumped and took off her headphones, "Sorry about that! I was just testing something out."

"Well be careful! This performance has to be perfect, I can't have any issues with the audio! None at all!" He stomped a hoof and gritted his teeth in frustration.

I blinked and quickly set a hoof on his shoulder, "Leo."

He paused and stared at me. His love for Panax only seemed to grow, "Y... Yeah?"

I placed a hoof under his chin, "Calm down."

"Right..." He relaxed and smiled. It looked like he was about to melt in my hold. Ew. 

I quickly, and discretely, took some of his love as a snack before pulling away. I still needed to talk to Dream after all, but at least I found out what made the kirin tick, "I'll be back."

"Right~ Right! I'll be... I'll be with the others." Leo blushed before quickly turning away.

I only rolled my eyes and went to leave with Dream, "Come on."

Dream hesitantly waved goodbye to Maxilla and followed behind me. His pace was slow at first but seeing me a little further away made him hurriedly catch up, "Pan..?" He began, "Just... Just give it to me straight. You're not going to let me perform either, are you?"

I lead him to a patch of shade just underneath a lone tree and sighed. I gestured to a spot where he could sit and got comfortable on the soft green grass, "Dream. There's something I need to tell you."

"What's that?" Dream asked as he sat down in front of me.

I allowed myself to lean back and stare up at the leaves hanging in the branches above us, "Sometimes, not every creature is going to understand you. Sometimes it's going to be very difficult to get yourself out there. To get the attention you need. Or seek. What you're trying to do isn't going to be easy. Especially in Busy Bees."

"What are you saying?"

I shook my head, "Are we your friends, Dream?"

"What? Yes- Of course you are."

"All of us?"

"Y... Yes."

"Are you telling me the truth? Or are you lying because you're afraid you'll get kicked out?"

Dream stuttered and looked taken aback. I stared directly at him.

"... There's something I want to tell you. I'm about to lose someone after today. Someone I cared about. I'm not sure if I ever told you about her. She's a young unreformed changeling that I moved with. Someone who still needs help and time to improve. I was supposed to teach her the value of love. Now she's moving away somewhere else."

The other looked confused, "I... You're right, I don't think you ever mentioned this to me before."

I huffed in annoyance, "Her name is Ginseng... She was like you in a way. Hopeful. Always wanting my attention. Anyone's attention. But she'll be going away soon. And you want to know something she always wanted to do..?"

Dream looked me up and down, "What's that..?"

I decided then and there to drop my disguise, "She always wanted to help the performance be the best it can be!" I announced as I fluttered my wings.

The photographer jumped in surprise and backed off. His mouth opened and closed as he tried to figure out what to say.

"Ahah! I knew you weren't Panax!" Another voice made my head spin towards the new creature. A lavender changeling with a silver coat.

"Maxilla??" Dream whipped his head back and forth at the two of us.

"Hi there..." I sheepishly waved a hoof towards her. Oh boy... I did not expect this.

Maxilla huffed and made her way up to me, "Alright kid, what were you doing backstage disguised as Panax?"

"Wait, you knew she wasn't Panax?" Dream asked as he pulled himself up, "How??"

"Her eyes." Maxilla explained, "Changelings can tell if someone is disguised by the sheen of their eyes. Especially if its a different color from their original ones. Panax has red eyes but this one has blue ones."

"Good eye." I snrked only to get an annoyed stare in response, "I can explain. Panax is... or was... my caretaker. I'll be leaving soon and taken elsewhere. I know it looks desperate but- I wanted to see if there was anyway I could help out her concert as one last goodbye. And I wanted it to be a surprise! Somehow. Honestly though? There isn't really much to fix... Except maybe how they treat you, Dream."

Dream placed a hoof on his chest, "Me?"

I nodded, "You're their friend, aren't you? So why aren't they listening to you? Why do they treat you so differently..?"

Maxilla paused and looked over at Dream, raising a brow in curiosity.

Dream hesitated, "Um... It's just... You know- my talent is... a bit too extreme is all... I just... I don't know. I'll get my chance again in the future. That's what they promised."

"Friends don't make broken promises like that though!" Everyone whipped their head over to see Gimmick making her way towards the small group, "Hi. Little Gimmick. I'm Ginseng's friend. I promised her I'd help her out with her little helper surprise. So. What did I miss?" She asked as she settled next to me.

"Well..." I gave a glance towards Maxilla, "I disguised myself as Panax to see how everything was backstage. My first plan was to see if I could fix anything more... technical or design-wise, but then I ran into everyone and, well, I didn't like what they kept saying about Dream."

Dream's ears fell back, "What else did they say about me..?"

"One of them said they didn't know how to handle you..."

Maxilla turned to Dream, "... They have been rather rude to you."

"So you want us to try and fix their friendship?" Gimmick questioned with narrowed eyes. She wasn't really happy with that plan... yet.

I nodded, "We need to give Dream a chance to shine and a chance to have the others realize he's like them!"

Maxilla interrupted, "Why should we trust you though? You're not reformed."

I flinched at this and for a good moment I wasn't sure how to defend myself. I actually felt my words get caught in my throat.

"Well, she is young." Dream piped in, "She could still be learning, couldn't she? Plus with everything she said... everything she plans to do... who knows? Maybe this will help her reform or- whatever you changelings do to do it?"

"Plus look at her forehead! She has gemstones. Maybe that's a sign she's going to reform really soon!" Gimmick chirped.

Maxilla looked between us and sighed, "I've never seen gemstones on a changeling's forehead before... but you know what? Every creature is different. Your reformation is unique to you, after all. And you're right, Busy Bees has been treating one of their own members poorly. I did not like how they kept talking about you, Dream." She turned towards the pegasus, "Leo and Misty? They push you away... I can't imagine what Panax would say about you, if they believe she can handle you. So, you know what? I want to help too. I want them to understand that you're a member as well. The performance doesn't have to be perfect, no matter what Leo demands. I think it would be ten times better if you were all instead happy with each other."

"That's-" Dream looked like he was about to cry, "Thank you. All three of you. I barely know you but I'm grateful that you want to help me."

"Of course! First we have to figure out how we're going to get this to work though..." Gimmick muttered as she tapped her chin.

"I have a small idea." I piped in, "Maxilla, that's your name right? Would you be willing to teach me what to do for the sound-booth? I think it would be better if we traded positions for a bit."

"Traded positions..? Why?"

"Well, while I'm handling your job, you have something just as important to be doing. The rest of the technical staff, they need someone to convince them to be part of this as well."

Gimmick's ears perked, "The more creatures involved the more we can get a handle of this situation-"

Dream seemed to smile, "I can convince Spirit to help us out! He and I have a similar want when it comes to music. He'll be all for it, trust me."

"That'd be great!" I smirked, "So.... Here's the plan."





While Dream went off to speak with Spirit, Maxilla quickly taught me how to work the sound-booth. She told me the gist of it and simplified it for me to what I just needed to do. She also explained feedback and how to avoid it real quick before hurrying off to do her part. While me and Gimmick were alone in the sound-booth I quickly explained to her what the true plan was.

Sabotage.

Gimmick was all for it. When we broke apart that was it. Everything was now set in motion. I quickly disguised as Maxilla and let her headphones rest around my neck. Now all we had to do was wait and get everything ready.

The first part of the plan was simple. After Spirit was convinced by Dream he would start playing a more extreme melody on his guitar every once in a while in the song, slowly introducing a genre that would start seeping into the concert. This would give Dream an opportunity to slide in with his own guitar, ready to play alongside with his pal.

Meanwhile the technical support will be setting up lights and effects in real-time to also help introduce the change as well. All the while I will be at the sound-booth making sure everything ran as smoothly as it could while Gimmick would be in the audience, making the crowd was cheerful and happy in case they started reacting negatively somehow.

Hopefully with this act Busy Bees would find nothing wrong with a little rock in their music and see that even the audience loved it. They'll start being more welcoming with Dream while Spirit would help convince them even more. That is the plan everyone expected... but not the one we were truly going for~

The band appeared on stage. Panax was there, clutching her microphone close to her chest. The music was calm, serene... and country? I stuck my tongue out but I continued to watch and wait. Misty lightly tapped at her drums while Panax hummed along. Soon she began singing, then Leo joined in. Their voices matched in harmony as they inched closer to one another and looked into each others eyes.

I let some feedback go off before quickly reverting it back to normal.

Leo's ears seemed to twitch and he shot a glance towards the sound-booth, I only mouthed 'got it' and continued looking like I was busy.

It was then Spirit put in a few notes that definitely weren't there before. It was subtle but different enough that Leo once again noticed it. He shot a glare towards Spirit who only shrugged with a smile before continuing like usual.

While me and Spirit occasionally did our thing, Gimmick was busy gathering Dream's camera and setting up a microphone that also gave off a little bit of feedback when plugged in. Not only that, but sometimes she would make subtle noises from time to time with it, just to put more salt into the wounds.

Leo whipped his head towards me, uncaring if he wasn't being subtle anymore. I only gave a small shrug in response like as if I wasn't sure where it came from. He turned back to Panax and tried to keep his eyes on her loving gaze, but even she was getting annoyed with the feedback and the random melody from Spirit that was seeping into the song.

It was then I spotted Dream on the other side of the stage. He was excitedly waiting his turn and I had to smile. I actually couldn't wait to see him perform.

Leo was starting to look calm again, I messed with the feedback.

Sparks appeared on his mane and Panax was now desperately trying to keep his attention on her. They kept going, I'll give them that... but now it was time to really shine.

There was a part of the song that had no lyrics. A part of the song that was just music and humming. Now was the time for Dream and Spirit to truly step in.

Spirit suddenly started up first. He ripped into his guitar as he began his own solo, making Misty and the rest of the band pause in surprise. Then, when it all went silent... Dream slid in with his own guitar. Old and unused but still shining with character Dream eagerly kicked it off for the very first time in a long while.

Leo backed up in surprise and turned towards me, as if begging for help. I only shrugged and smiled. This was happening now. Another spark of flame went off, but this time Panax was distracted by the performance. She hadn't realized what was happening.

I guess the worst thing about this, from what Leo might've realized, was that this performance was going perfectly. No feedback, no interruptions, even the lights and effects were going swimmingly so far. It was the perfect act and the audience were eating it up. Leo had enough.

As Spirit and Dream were back to back shredding their guitars, Leo suddenly burst into flames nearby, becoming a Nirik. Panax and Misty freaked out, causing him to panic and rush across the stage. The two guitarists were distracted with their music that they hadn't realized the burning wall of blue and pink flames that rose up behind them until the song finally ended. They heard cheering, but they also heard panic and screaming. They looked back to see the flames now growing along the stage.

"FIRE!" Someone shouted as many quickly worked to try and extinguish it. Pegasi rushed to the skies in search of rain clouds but it was a clear, perfect day. There were no clouds anywhere to use. Fire extinguishers were quickly found and put to work while others began to douse it with their own magic.

Gimmick began recording and taking in all the destruction.

I was ready to leave, I did what I had to anyways, but then I saw her. Panax. She had tossed her microphone away and whipped her head towards me. Her eyes burned with fury. I took a weary step back as she charged up to me.

"Maxilla. What. In. Tartarus?!"

"I- what?" I stumbled.

"I KNOW what you were doing! You were messing with the feedback! Leo would've been surprised by this performance, not angry! He's only angry because of YOU!"

I shrunk back while Gimmick made her way over to us, "I'm sorry- I was just trying my best I don't-"

"I can't believe we hired you. You're no longer allowed to work with us any longer! The agreement is over. Is there anything you have to say for yourself?!"

I hesitated... and then dropped my disguise.

A tense silence washed between us.

"Hey Panax..." I sheepishly smiled.

"You."

"Y-Yeah... Me... Don't blame Maxilla for this I just-"

"YOU!" Panax stomped her hoof on the floor, "I should've KNOWN! You're nothing but a troublemaker! A mistake! I should've never taken you in. I should've just left you behind like Chaorite left you for that hippogriff you little... you little abomination!"

Her voice echoed throughout the entire plaza...

She stopped and slowly turned her head towards Gimmick. In Gimmick's magical hold was a microphone. That microphone was connected to several speakers that had went off all at once...

"I... I-" Panax began and slowly backed out of the sound-booth... and into someone else. She whipped around to be faced with Dream, Spirit, Maxilla, and several others from the technical staff. The fire had been hastily put out and the eyes of every creature there, including the audience, were now all on her.

As she tried to explain herself to an angry crowd, my eyes were glued to the floor. This might've been one victory, but it didn't feel right to me. I was numb. I was cold. I couldn't react... I couldn't move! Why couldn't I move?! I tried to move... but I just couldn't. There was this ringing in my ears. This memory wouldn't go away. What was happening to me??

"Ginseng?"

I finally perked up and saw Gimmick. My cheeks were wet from crying, "... I want to go home." I suddenly said.

"I'll take you to King Thorax." Gimmick suggested as she offered a hoof towards me. I gently took it.

After leaving the headphones behind we began walking away from the disaster, Maxilla, Dream, and Spirit soon flew up to us. Maxilla placed her coat over my shoulders and Dream gave me a small smile.

"Hey, wait... I want to thank you."

"For what? I ruined everything." I tiredly muttered.

"You changed a lot for us." Dream explained, "We're not part of Busy Bees anymore, or working for them anymore. Spirit and I? We're going places together."

"Heck yeah we are." Spirit grinned as he fist bumped Dream with his talons.

"And I'll be working with these two instead!" Maxilla added in, "You made us realize something today. We don't have to put up with this. We don't have to be part of that anymore. So... Thank you Ginseng."

"I'm... I'm still sorry. I split you all up-"

"It's fine." Dream interrupted, "Sometimes it's good to just... split up. Not all of us can stay friends forever, and it might even be healthier if we went our separate ways. Don't worry about us Ginseng. You just focus on yourself and stay safe, okay? Wherever you're headed off to next."

"Yeah, don't let what Pan say to you get to you!" Spirit hovered over to me, "Just live life! Be daring! Be bold!"

"Do what you can in the moment." Maxilla chuckled, "We're going to miss you."

I looked between them and grinned, "And I'm going to miss you too."

Maxilla and Dream gave me a hug, "Keep the coat." Maxilla hummed, "But look out for it will you?"

"Thank you Maxilla."

"Stay safe."

We parted and said our goodbyes. While Gimmick and I headed towards the castle she kept one hoof on me at all times, as if afraid I would drift away. There was a peaceful silence between us... and then with a laugh Gimmick interrupted it.

"Your old caretakers suck."

"I know."
> Chapter 6: A New Kind of Lesson
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Several years ago


There were so many creatures here, all mostly changeling. They moved about, mingled, and chatted among each other as they welcomed the new visitor. It was all noisy and colorful. It kind of hurt to look at for too long. I sat in the corner of the get-together. I was more focused on some round stones on the floor than whatever was going on with everyling else. It wasn't packed but I felt like an outlier here. Everyone was all chipper and happy while I was just... confused. We were in an open space with trees shading us from the sun above and old rock formations of the former hive curling almost protectively around us. Vines and flowers hung along the walls besides anything else that decided to grow here. My younger broodmate, Sage, was decorating flower crowns with a group of young nymphs. The older, Chamomile, was playfighting with wooden sticks. Sage was a reformed green changeling with no wings and no horn. Meanwhile Chamomile was just like me. Still young and still learning to share love. I could tag with him and playfight, but something was on my mind today.

I looked over at where my caretaker Chaorite was. He was hanging around the new visitor. A hippogriff with white feathers speckled with dusts of green. Her wide hazel eyes would lovingly look into his and her entire demeanor always seemed to change whenever he was around. More cutesy, more giggly, and more... high-pitched. I stuck my tongue out in disgust. She was so love-struck for him. I wouldn't have minded, I guess, if I had met her before. I've never seen her until today. Though I have heard of her.

Diahna. That was her name. She's mostly a seapony underwater or whatever and isn't at all used to walking or flying on ground. Born and raised they all said. There was also a chance she was somehow related to royalty? Though I think those were just silly rumors. Either way, Chaorite and her somehow met. That might seem impossible but they could've met at that one villain attack that happened a long time ago in Seaquestria, before I was even hatched. It was a place next to Mount Aris ruled by Queen Novo. A lot of political stuff but pretty much this large reptilian creature or something tried to make off with the pearl and several powerful creatures that were later saved by six young heroes. During that, many Seaquestrians escaped and sought shelter elsewhere while several creatures got together to form a support group to help the hippogriffs and temporarily house them. Chaorite was one of them. That's why I knew so much about it, he loved telling his stories of when he traveled and tried to help where he could in Equestria before he decided to settle as a caretaker. So he surprisingly knew a lot of creatures.

Again I wouldn't have minded meeting her... but something about her rubbed me the wrong way.

"Ginseng, what're you doing all by yourself?" Chaorite pulled me right out of my thoughts, "Come on, the party's that way!"

"Sorry Chaorite... I'm just not feeling it right now." I explained as I kicked one of my stones away.

"Aw, what's wrong? Want to talk about it?" Chaorite settled next to me and tilted his head.

"... Um." I hesitated and dug a hoof into the ground, "Well. It's- I don't... I don't know your friend very well."

"Is that all?" He chuckled and patted my head, "Here, I'll introduce you two real quick! In fact, let's get Sage and Chamomile too!"

"Well we don't have to-"

"It's fine Ginseng. Just trust me, you're going to like her. I'm sure she'll like you too!" He assured before getting up to go grab Diahna.

I groaned and curled in on myself. A part of me really didn't want to meet her...

It was already too late to try and back out. Before I know it, Chaorite, Sage, Chamomile, and Diahna were right in front of me.

"And this is Ginseng! She's also part of the litter I was assigned to." Chaorite smiled as he helped me up on my hooves.

"Ahah... Wow." Diahna gave an uneasy chuckle, "Three? That's a lot..."

"Hah, you should see my broodmate Tanzanite. She takes care of five. She plans to take care of even more after them too."

"Wait, so you just keep raising litters?" She tilted her head and looked down at me. I inched back at her hard stare.

"Well, yeah! That's pretty much the job of being a caretaker. I raise these three and then I raise the next batch. But you three will always be my favorites." Chaorite pulled Sage and me into an embrace while Chamomile mimicked a barf nearby.

"Eugh, no thanks. Go choose favorites somewhere else."

"Get in here Chamomiiiile!" Sage insisted.

"Get your little green hooves off of me-"

Before he knew it, he was pulled into a hug by Sage and I. Sage did it out of love, I did it to be a nuisance.

"Why do those two look like that..?" Diahna asked, "Are they injured? Cursed?"

"Cursed??" Chamomile hissed.

"No no, they haven't gone through the metamorphosis stage yet. When they learn how to share love, or who to share love with, then they will transform." Chaorite quickly explained, "So please don't call them cursed. They're perfectly fine!"

"So they... don't love anyone right now? And do they always act like he does?"

"Um. No-" I flinched at that, "I mean I'm saving my love for someling special. I'll share it when I want to!"

"Same!" Chamomile growled before burying himself against Sage's chest. I knew he secretly appreciated her hugs.

"Let them grow first Diahna, but how they are right now is normal. Just let them take their time." Chaorite assured, "And don't mind how Chamomile acts. He's just snappy because he didn't get a honey-covered delight today."

"Am not." He growled.

"Would you like one after this party?"

Chamomile narrowed his eyes, "... Maybe."

Diahna looked uncertain... but she gave a small smile, "Sorry, they're part of your family. Your... uh... evergrowing family. Hah. So, I'll try to be their family too. It's nice to meet you all! I'm Diahna. I hope we can all get along while I'm living here with you!"

The three of us seemed to freeze at that.

I was the first to speak, "Wait, what's going on?"

"Well..." Chaorite blushed, "I have something to admit. Diahna is... more than a friend. You three might be getting a second caretaker!"

Sage seemed to beam at this, "What?? No way!"

"Yes way girl!" Diahna laughed, "I want to be part of your family."

"Ewwww, you love each otherrrrr!" Chamomile stuck out his tongue.

"Of course I do! I love her and she loves me," Chaorite placed a hoof in her claw, "I hope you all can learn to love her too."

"Sage already does." I chirped as my younger broodmate excitedly hopped around Diahna.

"You're going to love it here! I have so much to show you! And a lot to talk about- oh! Oh! The holidays! They're the best! I'll show you everything! I won't leave a single stone unturned!

"The only good thing about this place is the rock formations." Chamomile rolled his eyes, "It's not that interesting here."

"Ahah, alright alright. I can't wait to see more of your home, but can we calm down? We still have a party going on here after all." Diahna sheepishly chuckled.

"Right! Right! But I really need to show you my favorite spot in the whole hive! It's so high up you can see everything!!"

As Sage zipped over to Chaorite to talk about the amazing places she could show Diahna, I saw something. That hippogriff... She shot Sage a glare. A glare?
Who in their right mind would get angry at Sage..? Chamomile I can understand, he was always a jerk, but Sage?

I decided to try something. While everyone was distracted with each other, I went up to Diahna's side. I breathed in to sense the love flowing from her. There was this rich, clear sense of love for Chaorite radiating off of her, but when it came to my siblings and I? There was none. In fact, it felt very hollow.

I couldn't believe what was coming off of her.

Diahna hated us.





Everything was still buzzing. As I let Gimmick guide me throughout the castle I felt this constant ringing in my head. The words that Panax said couldn't seem to leave me. Mistake. Abomination. How she should've left me like Chaorite left me for that... that hippogriff! The thought of Diahna made my blood boil, but I couldn't stay angry for too long. I was drained from today. However my mind couldn't stop wondering off to certain thoughts. Wouldn't it have been easier if I had just reformed? Wouldn't I be happier? Wouldn't they?
Isn't that what I truly wanted?

Escorted by a guard, we began making our way to my assigned guest room. There we could settle down, talk, and have a sleepover while we plan our next move. In all honesty though? I just want to sleep. I wanted to get my mind off of everything.
unbeknownst to me, several familiar voices ere hurriedly chattering among themselves. I was so washed up in my thoughts that I hadn't even caught it until it was way too late.

"Wait, Ginny-" Gimmick tried to stop me but I had already rounded the corner into a more crowded hallway. A group of familiar colorful ponies and creatures waited there. Princess Twilight, her advisor Spike, Fluttershy, Rarity, and even the other three elements were there. King Thorax was speaking with Ocellus and Silverstream while one draconequus anxiously hovered nearby. Discord.
I froze as all eyes turned towards us.

"D-Discord..."

He did not hesitate. The moment he saw me his arms stretched out in my direction. I yelped as he plucked me up off the ground and pulled me towards the council, "Fluttershy! Emergency hug time, STAT!" Discord insisted before tossing me towards her. She easily caught me, settled back down, and cuddled the top of my head. I felt this overwhelming amount of love hit me as several more decided to join in on the hug pile.

"Ah! Stop! You're suffocating me!!" I gasped before quickly holding my breath, trying to stop myself from eating the overflowing love that now surrounded me.

"Oh my gosh!" A new, chipper voice of an older pink mare hit my ears, "I can't believe you just went through that! No pony-"

"Creature." Another orange mare piped in.

"-creature should ever have to have a meanie like that say something so rude!" Pinkie Pie, I remembered, the element of laughter.

"Um... Hey, can I have my friend back?" Gimmick asked as she tried to push through only to get snagged by Silverstream's sudden embrace, "AH OKAY! This is happening."

"I don't understand..." I tried to keep my mouth covered, "I messed up. Aren't you all upset with me? I haven't shared any of my love yet. I'm not even reformed." Weren't they supposed to turn me into stone, too?

"Ginseng." Discord firmly pulled me away from the rest of the council, "Look at me! I'm the lord of chaos. A draconequus with limbs all over the place that was once thought to only love chaos and no creature else! Do you think I care that you look like this? That you haven't reformed yet? Besides, what is there to even reform? The dastardly child who pulled a bunch of pranks? I don't care about that. You think they do too?" He gestured to his group of friends nearby.

I looked to the rest of the group and only saw gentle smiles on their faces, "But I'm... I could hurt you. I could hurt every creature-"

"Pffft. A little thing like you? Nonsense! Who would tell you a ridiculous thing like that?" Discord chuckled while King Thorax awkwardly ducked his head behind Spike.

I blinked, my eyes were starting to tear.

"Don't listen to that Panax creature either. A mistake? Really? She's lucky I'm so nice now, or else I'd throw her straight into orbit for the things she's said!"

"Discord." Twilight sighed, "But he's right. Don't let her words get to you. I'm sorry you had to hear something like that to begin with. If you want, I can get her up here and have her apologize right now."

"No thank you princess, that's alright. I... I just don't want to see her anytime soon right now." I squirmed out of Discord's hold and hovered back down to Gimmick's side after she had escaped SilverStream and Ocellus.

A stream of rainbow colors passed by my vision, "Karma's definitely gonna to hit her hard after a performance like that!" Rainbow Dash, the element of loyalty herself, hopped up into the air and fluttered back down to the ground besides us.

"Your darn tootin. At least she showed a more honest version of herself after that. Now everybody knows who they're really supportin' out there." The element of honesty, Applejack, casually adjusted her hat.

"Ginseng, darling, you have nothing to worry about from us. To everycreature here you're doing your best. You're a small star waiting to shine as bright as you can!" Rarity chirped.

I took a small step back, "But I'm still an abomination."

Discord appeared in front of me, "And so am I! So what??"

Fluttershy tilted her head in concern, "Discord..?"

"No no, hear me out. Ginseng. You are my very first student. The one I've chosen to be my student. Under me you'll get to learn everything chaos and fun! On a reasonable level, of course... but as chaos users we'll be seen as abominations. Ever since I was formed after all, I was just that. So what though? That's what we are. We're unnatural, but unique! We can be whatever we want to be, any shape or size!" As if to prove his point he would shift his body to look more like different creatures, "We will change constantly. Like you will change constantly. Not just with the help of your magic but with you as well. With my help, you will become the best and the most unique little abomination ever."

As his body shifted so would his voice. One moment it was high-pitched, the next it was very deep.

"We're anomalies, or going to become anomalies. So what? You'll become something new one day. Isn't that the best kind of chaos? Discovering something completely out of your control?" He reshaped his body so he was now more changeling-like, "As a chaos user there's no such thing as normal. We will always be considered like this, but in a way that matters. To us and to you. You're going to be my star pupil. One day you'll be shaping yourself as your own special creature! And that will be yours to figure out. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

I looked him up and down before he transformed back into Discord, "Trust me. Work with the name. You're a special little abomination," He sternly said with his claws at his hips before I abruptly ran up to him and crashed against his chest.

I heard the others nearby as they happily cheered while I buried my face in Discord's hug. It all didn't make sense, but that was the best part about it I guess. I was once more suffocating under an overbearing amount of love, but this wave was more relaxed and comforting because I was accepting it. I had no fear I was going to harm them because they had an overflowing amount they were willing to give on their own. I could trust this group. I could possibly trust Discord...

Then I spotted Gimmick nearby.

She looked between us and took a shaky step back. The group was so distracted with me and Discord that they didn't even notice her nearby. Looking at her, I understood. I knew exactly what she was concerned with. She couldn't care less about being part of the group. No, her eyes landed on me and I knew what she was thinking. 
In that moment, I made a decision and pulled away from Discord.

I walked up to my friend. My accomplice. She looked back at me with a hard stare, glanced back at the others behind me, and then outstretched her hoof. My thoughts went back to the statue in the royal gardens.

I stared down at it, then back to her. Her eyes were pleading me. Begging me. This wasn't a simple hoof bump. This was something else. An assurance. An agreement.

I smiled and bumped mine against hers. I was still with her like agreed.

Let's change everything.





I'll just cut to the chase. I was re-introduced to Princess Twilight, the rest of the council, those from the friendship school, and Discord. I am Ginseng, one of the rare few changelings at this age who refused to reform. While King Thorax was talking to Silverstream and Ocellus about my condition, Princess Twilight insisted on knowing more about me. I was not too keen on sharing my life too much with her so instead I would turn to Discord and stick to his side.

As for why the rest of the council was here? Well, apparently they met every once a moon and I was unlucky enough to run into that very day they got together. Actually, they might've been in the audience of that plaza concert since they just kept bringing it up. Either that or the recordings Gimmick got spread like wildfire already.

Again though, I wasn't all for pony politics or whatever. I wanted to go to my room and just settle down for a while. So I told them I was tired and needed some time to relax. I wanted to enjoy a nice sleepover with Gimmick after all.

That was when Discord suggested something. A story. The continuation of the big three villains. Gimmick quickly agreed and I found myself interested as well, so we three headed off to my room where we could finally hear the rest of the tale. The last part of the story, apparently.

As we entered the room it was surprisingly as big as King Thorax's. Spacious and fancy. The moment my hooves landed on that soft carpet again I just collapsed where I was.

"Ooh so comfy." I purred as I rolled in the soft material.

"... Are- Are you actually purring? Like a cat?" Gimmick questioned.

I stopped, "Shut up."

"Changelings can purr?!"

"I said shut up!" I sat up, grabbed a pillow with my magic, and tossed it at Gimmick.

Gimmick let out a laugh as she clutched the pillow to her stomach, "Oh sweet Sparkles, that's adorable!"

"Oh sweet Sparkles? That's a new one." Discord chuckled as he draped himself over the chandelier, "I'll definitely have to add that to my vocabulary."

I plucked another pillow off of the ginormous bed nearby, "Can I have some more cotton candy, Discord? I'm hungry." I asked as I settled on the carpet.

"Well, I guess that's very true now." Discord smirked, "But you shouldn't be eating just cotton candy young lady! That isn't very healthy for you, and you're still growing."

"Pleaaaaaaase?" I begged with wide changeling eyes.

"... Oh fdjksgnsiughns fine!" Discord snapped his talons and a bowl of cotton candy sprinkled with some strange pink dust appeared in front of me, "But I'm not always going to do this for you, youngling!"

"How did you do that with your mouth?" Gimmick asked him as I sniffed the bowl. It... felt like love? Even had a strong smell of love to it? What? How?

"What is this?" I questioned as I gave it another curious sniff.

Discord appeared at the bowl as a tiny version of himself, "Oh I made it myself! With sugar, flavoring, and a dash of love!" He squeed before falling back to disappear within the soft white carpets like as if it were a cloud.

I tasted it and it was... really good! I licked my maw and chowed down.

"Now... Onto the story. I'm going to be letting you two on something very serious that happened. Not a lot of creatures talk about this, not even Princess Twilight, but there's something I need to be truthful about. Grogar never did really come back."

Gimmick jumped at this, "That's why we've never heard of him before! Only his bell!" She then covered her mouth.

Discord let out a sad laugh, "That's right. In fact, this is what really happened..."

He started telling his tale of the three villains. Cozy Glow, Chrysalis, and Tirek. It was on Twilight's coronation day and the three had been creating tension among the ponies. They trampled crops from earth pony farmers, they freaked out the pegasi to the point they stopped offering rain, they used rumors to anger the unicorns, and they created this strain throughout Equestria. When they were satisfied they turned to the bell. Somehow they had found a spell that could activate its true powers and with it they became something more. They became absolutely powerful.

When Grogar met with the three he was shocked to find their betrayal. Before he could even react all of his magic was taken by the bell... but that was when it was truly revealed who he actually was. With his magic drained his disguise fell apart and this entire time he was actually...

"You?!" Gimmick perked at this.

"You were Grogar this entire time?" I asked while while Gimmick's mouth sat open in shock. If she was reacting like that... does that mean he was telling the truth?

Discord nervously averted his gaze and nodded, "Yes, I have to confess I was the one that caused all those disasters. King Sombra, Cozy Glow, Chrysalis, and Tirek. I was the one who brought them all back."

"Why is this not covered in our history classes??" Gimmick interrogated as she marched her way up to Discord.

"Well you see- The council decided that after everything it would be best not to make that public. They didn't want to share too much about Grogar and they didn't want Equestria blaming me. It's still my fault of course and over the years I've done my best to make up for it. However I can't keep this a secret for long. You two aren't the first I've told about this after all! So, whatever you both think of me after this I completely understand. I'm sorry for what I did. Even today, I still am."

I looked down at the floor and then hovered up off the ground. I made my way over to Discord and smiled, "Eh, you're the lord of chaos. Of course you'd be starting chaos." I shrugged, "Well what're you waiting for? Continue! I want to know what happens next!"

"But they lied to an entire nation-" Gimmick began only to be shut up by my hoof.

"Listen. Gimmick. They didn't lie they just haven't told everycreature yet. Plus, I don't care. From what we heard he got what he deserved by losing all of his magic. So let's hear the rest of it!" I fell back onto the carpet and tugged my bowl of cotton candy back towards me.

"I- but- ugh." She huffed and angrily settled down next to me. Gimmick didn't look too pleased but again, I didn't care. I just wanted to know what happened next.

Discord gave us a small smile, "Listen, you two can go off on me all you want after this story is done, alright? It's only fair after all. Ahem, anyways where was I?"

He continued, telling his story of how he traveled far across Equestria on just his two feet. It was agonizing, it was painful, it was EXERCISE! He absolutely hated it. However he pushed on and continued through the harsh elements to get to Canterlot as fast as he could for one reason. Fluttershy! Oh, and his friends of course. He had to warn them before any of them got hurt! So he did just that. He got to Canterlot and confessed everything. A lot of them were upset with him, rightfully so of course, and he urged them to hurry. The three were going to attack at any moment!
Twilight Sparkle fell into a fit of anxiety but was soon convinced by her friends and teacher. She got into action and set out a plan to try and save Equestria.

"Now this part I know." Gimmick hummed, "She sent The Pillars to protect the borders of Canterlot, then warned headmare Starlight at the School of Friendship because-"

"-Queen Chrysalis had a personal vendetta on Starlight!" I finished before sheepishly smiling, "Sorry, continue."

"And then the... Crystal Empire was set up as the final line of defense, back when Flurry Heart was still a baby." Gimmick hissed, looking frustrated.

I tilted my head towards her curiously but Discord had caught my attention again, "That's right! So I'm guessing a lot of your classes has also shared what happens next. The Pillars were easily defeated by Tirek, Queen Chrysalis managed to capture Starlight, and Canterlot Castle? Well, let's just say it definitely didn't last long."

"Before Canterlot Castle was destroyed though, Princess Luna and Princess Celestia had their magic taken from them!" Gimmick noted.

"Rendering them completely useless, as usual." Discord snickered, "Princess Twilight managed to escape and the rest, including myself sadly, were imprisoned in the caverns underneath Canterlot. I had no magic so they could easily wrap me up in chains, but everyone else? They were in these goo cages with pieces of Chrysalis' throne stuck to them, to suck up any magic in the closest vicinity."

"Right! Chyrsalis' throne is made of a special stone infused with changeling magic. The throne then can suck up foreign magic just like we suck up love." I hummed, "Nowadays it's completely shattered so, the bigger the shard is, the bigger the radius. To get the full throne again though would be impossible without a queen."

"Ooh, there's some changeling lore for you. Anyways! After some bickering they did over who gets to use my chaos magic or not, I decided to use that against them," Discord continued, "Tirek shot at me, but I used a stone to calculate and expertly deflect the shot and have it instead hit the magic-sucking stone that was just above Starlight! Definitely on purpose, of course. She used the opportunity to escape and free everypony else! The rest of the elements and little Spikey were able to race away and make it to Twilight while the rest of us stayed behind to fight. Let me say though, fighting with no magic is much more boring than with... but man! That battle? Let me tell you something about that battle. It sucked!" He laughed.

"I- hm..." Gimmick tapped her chin, "Everypony knows what happens after the elements of harmony and Spike escaped, but we never did learn what happened to those still imprisoned during that time. Like you."

"Eh, nothing much really." Discord shrugged, "But I could just show you real quick, just to get it out of the way." He then raised his lion's paw... and snapped.





"That... was a pretty epic make-up." A much younger RainbowDash hovered by Discord's head as she looked out at the battle nearby. The rest of the group, just as young, quickly joined by their side. Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkiepie, and Spike.

"Just save Equestria!" Discord urged before they all turned to run, "And keep Fluttershy safe!" He added and began plucking up some rocks off the ground.

"Wow. The elements sure look a LOT different than they do now." A ghost-like Gimmick commented.

"Was that SPIKE?!" I asked, "Oh my King Thorax he was so small and tiny back then!"

"He was so cute at the time I just couldn't help pinching his little cheek whenever I got the chance." Present Discord admitted before turning his attention to the battle as a firey orange beam went slicing right through his transparent body.

That was when Gimmick and I finally saw the three in action for the very first time.

The first one I noticed was Lord Tirek. He was a large black and red centaur with powerful red muscles. His horns curled above his head and fired balls of pure, magical energy towards his opponents. He was the biggest out of the three and did not look anything like the miserable elder that I remember seeing on the statue. He looked so cold and frightened in the royal gardens... Here however he looked more menacing and unstoppable. He was an angry brute ready to tear down civilizations himself if he had to. He would be the one striking fear into others.

The second one was Queen Chrysalis. Spotting her made my heart stop. It wasn't because she was frightening to me, but seeing her move around like a spider or a buzzing fly just felt so uncanny. After all, I've only seen her in one frozen state for so long... She looked slightly different, but still the same. She was still horrifying but she looked more regal and armored. She wore a natural green coating as her protection and a shining crown that sat on her head made from similar material. When she hissed it was terrifying but when she managed to knock away two alicorns it made me shake with excitement. I don't know what it was, but I was definitely drawn to her in a way. I shook my head and instead tried to find Cozy Glow.

Gimmick's eyes were already on her. A little pink filly with curly blue hair, a chess-piece cutiemark, wings... and a horn. I opened my mouth at that and watched as Cozy Glow shot a bright beam of pink-ish colors right at a purplish unicorn who attempted to counter with blue magic. Their beams collided but Cozy's own alicorn magic easily outmatched the other's and the unicorn went crashing down into the former Princess Luna's hooves. The Princess quickly flew away to drag them just out of reach of Tirek's own lazer as he tried to take advantage of the battle.

"Are you alright, Starlight?" Luna asked as she placed the mare away from the fight while Discord went running past, throwing rocks at the big bad three.

"I'm fine..!" Starlight assured as she pushed herself up and cracked her neck, "I can still fight."

Princess Celestia meanwhile was ducking and weaving inbetween Cozy Glow and Lord Tirek. She easily evaded them while The Pillars soon made their entrance.

An orange pegasus was one of the first to dive towards the three by gliding from his cage.

"That's Flash Magnus," Gimmick explained, "The Element of Bravery."

"Yeah he was really brave here, but he forgot one thing." Discord hummed, "He had no pegasus magic or strength thanks to Tirek over there."

As he said that, Flash was instantly smacked away by one of Lord Tirek's hands. The pegasus went crash landing nearby, but forced himself to stand on shaky hooves. It seems he decided that if he couldn't attack, he'd at least try and be a nuisance. He aimlessly charged forward and began kicking and batting at Tirek's hindquarters.

While Tirek was trying to shoo away Flash, Gimmick turned my attention over to two unicorns nearby, "That over there is Star Swirl the Bearded. The Element of Sorcery and one of the most powerful unicorns in history. Over there joining him is MistMane. The Element of Beauty. She sacrificed her own beauty to save her friend and her home. She continues to do so for Equestria and shares herself in everything she loves."

I blinked and held this small appreciation for MistMane.

Star Swirl meanwhile was on the cave floors the moment he got out of his own cage. He started digging his hoof against the ground and began drawing strange symbols along it as his horn sparked in response. MistMane soon joined his side to help him.

"I thought you said Tirek drained their power?" I asked, confused why StarSwirl still had some.

"Oh he did, but Star Swirl does have some ancient magic up his sleeves. And I don't mean the kind he naturally has." Discord chuckled.

After he said this, Star Swirl dug into his cloak and pulled out a round stone on a silver pendant. It was a silver crystal that gave off this soft, white glow. Equipping it, his horn went alight again and he casted a spell on the circle of symbols while Mistmane stood in the middle. Soon, her own horn would activate as well as she regained a morsel of magic herself. She gave a grateful nod and charged into battle while another pegasus helped down a small colt to the circle.

"That one right there is Somnambula. The Element of Hope. She saved this king or something from a giant sphinx by answering their riddle and traversing over a lava pit with a blindfold."

"I'm pretty sure it was an acid pit?" Discord questioned as he tapped his chin.

"Anyways, the stallion in her hooves is... um..." Gimmick hesitated and narrowed her eyes.

"Rockhoof! Without his magic he gets shrunk into a more little pint-sized version of himself. Aw, ain't it adorable?" Discord chuckled as he squished his talon while an explosion happened somewhere behind him.

"Right. He's the Element of Strength."

"Doesn't look like it right now." I commented while an exhausted Somnabula placed Rockhoof in the center of the circle so Star Swirl could offer some magic to him as well.

I heard another loud noise behind me and turned to see Mistmane protecting Flash with a large wall made of crystals. Her eyes furiously glared at Queen Chrysalis who angrily flew around and attempted to shoot at them again only for Flash to quickly shove his friend out of the way.

"We need Stygian for a battle like this." Another of the Pillars, a blue mare with a large mask, came running up to Star Swirl's side.

"MeadowBrook." Gimmick quickly explained, "The Element of Healing. With that mask she managed to save her entire home from a deadly infection."

"I rather think it's good he's not involved at all." Star Swirl sighed, "We are bound to lose, Mage. We can put up a fight, but we are only a distraction. The others have escaped thankfully, but we might not be so lucky." He then turned to Rockhoof and offered more magic to him. The stallion grew, but only to the size of an average grown stallion. If I had to guess from the look on his face, that's probably not his normal size.

Star Swirl let out a grunt and nearly collapsed. The glow from the crystal was starting to fade, "It's not enough. I can't give everypony back their magic."

MeadowBrook hovered next to him, "And you don't have to! Don't worry about that. Don't push yourself to get us all some magic. We just have to-"

Discord, well, Past Discord, went flying on in and nearly crashed right into the two. Star Swirl had acted quickly and pulled MeadowBrook out of the way.

Discord dizzily raised his head, one of his teeth was missing, "Are... Are ya winning, son?" He then collapsed back into a heap of pain and suffering.

I stared, "That... looked like it hurt."

Present Discord nodded, "It did."

The noise of stomping hooves then caught everypony's attention. We all turned to see Lord Tirek himself making his way to the group by the rune circle, "Trying to regain the magic I've taken from you, I see?" He chuckled, "I'm afraid that will only empower me more."

Rockhoof did not hesitate. He grasped one of the closest, biggest rocks he could find with his front hooves and angrily tossed in it Tirek's direction. The centaur clenched his fists and punched right through the hurtling stone, making it crumble and fall apart around him.

Queen Chrysalis let out a shout as one of the broken stones hit her, "Hey! Watch it!"

Tirek chose to ignore her and instead went charging for Rockhoof. Somnambula swiftly acted and threw herself towards one of Tirek's horns. She grasped at it and actually managed to somehow STEER him away from Rockhoof to have him crash into the wall nearby. Somnambula went tumbling to the floor in pain while Rockhoof hurriedly kicked into Tirek's side.

Tirek let out an aching groan before yanking himself out of the wall, sending several rocks showering down upon the two of them. Rockhoof had been blinded long enough that he didn't see the hand grasping for the back of his neck until it was too late. Tirek took the stallion in his hold and then abruptly threw them into another pile of rocks, which made debris go flying everywhere.

Somnambula shakily stood, but suddenly felt a hand grab one of her hind legs. She yelped as she was hoisted in the air and tossed into one of the nearest cages.

"Chyrsalis! Start locking them up again!"

"A bit BUSY!" Chrysalis hissed as another crystal wall suddenly appeared in front of her, "NUISANCE!"

Mistmane let out a shaky sigh but held her ground. Just as she was about to cast another spell however, she heard a yell of warning from her friend Starswirl. She turned to find Tirek suddenly charging for them.

Flash was the first to react and he hurriedly shoved Mistmane out of the way before he was caught in the crossfire. He went flying into the nearest wall and fell to the ground, almost knocked unconscious.

With Mistmane's attention now on Tirek, Chrysalis hurriedly fluttered away towards the rest of the Pillars. Meadowbrook had started to climb up to Somnambula who still hadn't moved, while Starswirl hurriedly tried to help Rockhoof with the little magic he had left. He was surprisingly still kicking, but buried under the broken debris.

A shout rang out from MeadowBrook as Chrysalis shot a beam at her, making her fall off the cavern walls and back onto the floor. Chrysalis then replaced the Somnabula's cage with a green webbing, trapping her where she was.

She then turned to MeadowBrook but was interrupted by a small rock that she narrowly avoided. Rockhoof was on his hooves again ready to fight.

"How is it that they were easily captured with magic but without they seem much more capable?" Discord randomly asked as he ate away at some popcorn.

"Desperation?" Gimmick suggested as she plucked up some popcorn from Discord's bag and contently chewed at it.

"Maybe. How's Cozy and Starlight doing?" I asked as I turned my attention towards them.

"Starlight tried to sneak attack but Tirek threw a large rock at her when she reappeared behind Cozy." Gimmick hummed.

"Oh buck, did she get knocked out??"

"Ginseng, language!"

"Shhh! I'm trying to watch!" Gimmick waved a hoof at the two of them.

The fight continued on. With a lucky shot from Cozy, Mistmane was distracted enough for Tirek to lunge in and suck up the rest of her magic. After she was tossed back into a cage, Chrysalis decided to lead Rockhoof straight into Tirek's grasp in order for the rest of his magic to be drained as well. From there it was easy to begin caging the rest of the pillars.

Celestia and Luna had been preoccupied with taking turns flying Starlight out of the way of danger and attacks. They were her wings and she was their magic.

When Tirek managed to strike Celestia down, Luna and Starlight found themselves pinned by Chrysalis and Cozy Glow.

Discord, at the time, tried one more attack and jumped onto Chyrsalis. He tried clawing at her and curling his body around her only for Cozy to blast his face. He stopped, stunned and coughing up smoke, before Chyrsalis yanked him off and shoved him into a hole in the wall. Cozy swiftly distracted Starlight while Tirek lunged forward to collect even more magic from the powerful mare.

Then just like that, they were all recaptured.

The memory ended there.





"Told you it sucked." Discord chuckled.

"That was so cool!" I chirped, "Well except for you getting thrown around like that, but there was so much action! I really liked Mistmane!"

"I'm sure she'd like to hear that! Maybe you can meet her someday."

"I'd love to!! Ahem... if she doesn't mind, ahah."

"Those villains sure know how to work together, even though they clearly hate each other too." Gimmick muttered in thought.

"Three best friends forever together," Discord hummed, "At least, that's what their statue is like."

"You know, I'm curious about something..." Gimmick tilted her head, "So, since the Pillars were six ponies transferring their magic into the tree of harmony, does that mean every group of elements is six creatures?"

I nodded, "Like the younger six elements after the Friendship Council! Right? What did they call themselves again?"

"I don't think they have a group name... Anyways, you think it's possible another six will appear in our generation?"

"Huh," Discord tapped his chin in thought, "You know, maybe! Though there are already so many elemental bearers running around now. Still, it is a possibility."

"Oh right! The rest of the story!" I sat back down on a soft carpet, "Continue continue!"

"Well, I feel like many have already heard the rest," Discord chuckled.

Gimmick nodded, "It's true. Afterwards the rest found Twilight at the Empire. They got together and made one final stand against the three. Meanwhile their students from the Friendship School shared their knowledge among the many creatures and ponies in Equestria and beyond. Thus bringing them all together for the last battle."

Discord swam about above us, "After using another friendship of harmony rainbow blast on the three and draining them of their power from the bell, the princesses and myself regained our magical ability and before you know it, the three were locked away in stone. A fitting punishment if I do say so myself, and I do! Because I was the one who suggested it."

I seemed to freeze. My body went cold, "Oh. You..? You suggested it?"

"Correct! I thought it was more than fitting, seeing as I myself was punished in a similar way for my own crimes once."

"Wait but-" I looked on in shock, "But... but-

"You were the one who... brought them all together, though?" Gimmick questioned.

Discord looked confused, "Yes?"

"Well it's just-" I began but wasn't sure how to put it into words. Looking at Discord I suddenly felt this spike of fear. This anxious feeling that wasn't there before. I wouldn't have been surprised if it was Princess Luna or Princess Celestia's idea at the time, but Discord..?

So it wasn't Twilight. It wasn't the elements. They weren't the ones I should be fearing. They weren't the ones who would turn me to stone. It was Discord. Discord was the one I should stay away from.

"Oh, nothing." I sheepishly smiled, "I had gotten confused about something for a moment. I figured it out. So, let me guess. Afterwards every creature rebuilt everything and then the coronation happened and it was a big celebration?"

"Right! And we all learned something from it. I especially did. I messed up, and I want to right it. They may forgive me now but I still haven't forgiven myself. As for the three? They especially learned a big lesson. Never mess with Equestria!"

I had to stop myself from gritting my teeth, "Hah, right! You know what I learned Discord? Friends can make mistakes. Not every creature is perfect. I understand that now, from you. Gimmick and I made a lot of mistakes before we met you and the others. I hope we can make it up to you too."

"Aw Ginseng! You already have!" He patted my head, "Now! I think it's about time you two get settled! Next two weeks are coming up and we have a long road ahead of us! You'll be going to the School of Friendship soon!"

"And we'll learn more lessons that way." Gimmick hummed, "We'll get ready. I feel much better now knowing Ginny is coming with me! Oh, but can we have some privacy? We want a girls only castle sleepover!"

I smirked, "Yeah! No million-year old draconeques boy allowed!"

"ExCUSE you? Million year old? Why thank you! I didn't know I looked so young!" Discord jokingly chuckled as he summoned a mirror and brushed back his hair.

"Discooord!"

"Alright alright, fine! I'll leave! But if you need anything, give me a call alright? Fair warning though, on my way home my banana services can be very weak when I'm heading through gelatin tunnels."

I giggled, "Alright. We'll talk to you later Discord. Thanks for the story."

"And thank you for listening! Now enjoy your sleepover, tata!" And just like that, he was gone in a flash.

I stared at where he was. My mind was racing and my thoughts were all over the place. Gimmick sighed and looked over with concern.

"Ginseng-?"

"Huh? Yeah?" I looked up at Gimmick.

Gimmick couldn't help but playfully smirk, "You didn't actually learn any valuable friendship lesson from that, did you?"

"You caught me lying, huh?"

"Yeup."

"Well. Yeah. I learned something else." I admitted, "And I don't like it."

"I don't blame you~" Gimmick hummed as she began digging through her saddlebags, "Discord was the one who got them all together and then got them turned into a stone. After everything he did, he got no other punishment except his magic taken away. And that punishment wasn't even made by the Princesses."

"You know, at least the princesses aren't so, well, scary anymore."

"Hm?"

"Well it's just-" I began to explain, "I don't know why, but this whole time I thought Twilight was that harsh when it came to punishments. But it looks like that's just... Discord."

"And Princess Celestia and Luna." Gimmick shrugged.

"Oh. Yeah, but they're retired so who cares?"

Gimmick began taking out several old scrolls. The same ones we had gathered from Celestia's study.

I hopped up on the guest bed, laid down, and pressed my chin on my hole-riddled hoof, "Really? More studying?"

"What?"

"I mean it's a royal sleepover. Why don't we, I don't know, enjoy it for a bit?" I giggled, "It's not everyday somecreature can spend a few nights in the Canterlot castle."

"And how would you like to enjoy it?" Gimmick hummed as she readjusted her glasses.

"Hmm... By sleeping." I yanked a nearby pillow over to myself and stuffed my face against the soft cushion.

"Then sleep! I'm not stopping you. You sleep, I read these notes. I think that's only fair." My friend smiled.

"But I want to stay up with yoooooooooou" I whined.

Gimmick stood and began picking up several pillows with her magic.

"What are you-" Then suddenly, I was buried under a mountain of soft, comfortable, cloud-like pillows.

"Sleep." I heard Gimmick demand, "After the concert, I think you need it.

"Noooo..." I complained but sank even deeper into the comfy palace that was my new pillow fort, "I don't wannnaaaaa...."

"Too bad so sad~"

"Mmm..." I began to give in. I was exhausted, mentally, and the bed called to me. My eyes started to close and I found myself drifting off. It was such a perfect spot to sleep in, I had to.

Gimmick let out a satisfied hum nearby before turning back to continue her search.





I woke up the next morning to soft rays of sun and the soft chirping of birds.

Digging myself out of the pile of cushions, I spotted Gimmick sleeping on a pillow atop the soft white rug with letters all strewn about. Quietly, I snuck by her and questioned if I should clean up the mess.

Probably not. It may look chaotic but it was possibly Gimmick's own organized chaos. Maybe it would be best not to mess with them and have her figure them out herself.

I decided to just leave her to it and instead made my way back out into the large, expansive hallways. I wanted to go on a walk and get my mind off some things. Maybe even find the dining room, even though I don't need physical food.

However, as my thoughts went back to the story Discord told, I instead decided to venture out and look for Princess Twilight. I don't know why, but a part of me felt guilty. Guilty for being so scared of her or blaming her for something she didn't directly do. Maybe I should take this time to just talk with the princess.

Maybe I could learn something new from her, for once.
> Chapter 7: Long Road Ahead
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The castle library. That's where the trail lead to finding Princess Twilight. All the guards, maids, and butlers that I ran into would give me the same answer. The library.

So that's how I found myself there, standing just outside of it. It wasn't too fancy. It was the usual Canterlot entry but with the carving of an open book etched into the double doors. Staring at it, I wasn't really sure how to approach at first. Should I knock? Enter? Call out my name? Maybe announce my title, if I had one?

What kind of title would I have? Oh Princess Twilight! The young and rebellious renegade changeling, student of Discord, Ginseng, has arrived! Please please, don't be alarmed. She will not take your love or your country! Yes that's right, I was smiling at my at own jokes.

I shook my head and told myself it was not that complicated. It was just a door. It was just the Princess of all of Equestria. No big deal, right? She wasn't going to do anything like banish me to Tartarus or something. The only ones who would do that would have been the old Princesses and Discord, right?

I breathed in, readied myself to knock, but still found myself hesitant. When I moved my hole-ridden hoof forward I end up gently pushing the door open instead of thumping against the wood. It hardly creaked as it revealed a sliver of the vast library just on the other side.

"-I'm so relieved she's actually doing alright out there." I heard Twilight sigh, "And to think I was so worried about her not being able to make any friends."

"Well you know Twilight," Her royal advisor, Spike, let out a chuckle, "She does seem a lot like you. Of course she'd be fine. Especially in Ponyville!"

"From Starlight's letters, she's already becoming a promising student at the school," The princess hummed, "Maybe I could have Luster show the two new students around? I'm sure they'd love a tour."

Spike agreed, "Yeah, and Luster could introduce them to her friends too!"

"That's a wonderful idea! I just hope they'll be welcoming to Ginseng, like you once were with Thorax."

"I'm sure they'll be fiiine! Not of a lot of creatures, especially those in the Friendship School, are scared of changelings anymore. Right?"

Twilight hesitated, "I suppose so..."

It was then I decided to make myself known, "Princess Twilight?"

The two perked up as I carefully entered the castle library.

Spike let out a surprised laugh and crossed his arms, "Well speak of the devil."

"Oh! Ginseng, what a surprise!" Twilight smiled as she lowered her mug of coffee, "Is there something you need?"

I nodded and made my way over to the two. They both sat comfortably on cushions and sofas in a small section of the library that sat right smack in the middle of the large room. It was like a lounging area complete with a coffee table and a few potted plants to liven up the area. There were a couple of other chairs and divans scattered about in several corners as well. Made me wonder if Gimmick would love a place like this.

"Yeah, I just wanted to talk for a bit..." I glanced over at Spike who was loudly munching on a crispy croissant, "... but maybe alone?"

As Spike sat up, dumbfounded, Twilight gave me a concerned stare, "Is something wrong?"

"It's kind of personal..."

"Oh. Uh-" Spike quickly scrambled up, "Don't mind me then! Twi, I'll be around with Thorax if you need me."

Twilight nodded, "We'll talk later."

Spike ran off with his snacks and scrolls before closing the door behind him. Once he did I found myself there alone. With Twilight. Princess Twilight.

I gulped and tried to push down my bubbling anxiety, "Do you mind if I..?" I gestured to one of the comforters.

"Not at all. So, what did you want to talk about?" Twilight warmly asked as I sat just across from her.

"Uh... Well, I don't really know exactly how to start." I admitted, "I guess after yesterday, I just wanted to talk to you. I feel a little bad, for avoiding you so much. I guess I was just scared of y-" I stopped myself and quickly recovered, "Um, that you would think of me differently now because of... this." I pointed at myself. My unreformed changeling self.

"Oh Ginseng... I know you're still young. Still learning," Twilight assured, "I understand that you're afraid of what others will think of you in this form, but trust me, I'm a very patient and welcoming pony. I won't judge you too hard for it." She plucked up a small bagel from a plate nearby and offered it to me.

I gingerly took it in my hooves, "Thank you..." Then took a small bite.

"Of course." Twilight smiled before taking another sip from her coffee. A calm silence trickled between us. I wasn't really sure what to say from here and it seems she was waiting for something.
When she realized that I had grown quiet, she plucked up a book from nearby with her magic and passed it over to me.

I curiously took it in my own magic, "Ruby Stone and The Grand Jewel?"

The princess nodded, "It's a new addition to the library. Spike and Gallus love this series. It's about a young detective dragon named Ruby Stone who goes on all sorts of adventures to save a more modern looking Dragon Lands. I think it's called Dralandia in this story? Something like that."

I opened the book to the first page to see a very vibrant illustration showing off a crimson dragon with a long snout and narrow eyes wearing a grey trench coat and a hat. I couldn't help but chuckle, "Hah. Sounds more simple."

Twilight raised a brow, "Hm?"

"I mean, just being a dragon? And a detective going on mystery adventures? That sounds so simple. More simple than what I got going on." I closed the book and set it to the side, "I'll check it out later."

"If you don't mind me asking," Twilight pondered, "Why does that sound more simple to you? To me it sounds pretty dangerous. And you'd have to be really perceptive to be able to solve all those mysteries."

"But that path is so much more straight forward," I explained, "More straight forward than what I have. I'm going to a Friendship school to learn about friendship so I can do the metamorphosis or something. On top of that, I'm being taught by Discord to be a chaos lord one day. And who knows if I'll actually stay his student? But... it's so confusing and complicated. There's more stuff going on than just that. Like- with my caretakers and with every creature around me being as confused as I am about what I am. I'm a... mess with a messier title. Dragon detective sounds much more simple than... that. I'd rather be some creature like Ruby Stone at this point."

Twilight responded with a shake of her head, "Oh Ginseng... You're unique and special in your own way, like Discord had said. You might be strange to others, but don't let their views get to you. You create what you are, even if you have no control of it at the start."

I let out a quiet sigh, "Everything is just so... complicated though. Who knows if I can handle chaos magic? Who knows if I should even have it..? I'm kind of... scared of it now. I wasn't before, but I've been thinking a lot about it. What if I'm not suited to be Discord's student? What if I just... ruin everything?"

A considerate look flashed in the princess' eyes, "... Do you mind walking with me for a moment? I feel like I have something that could help."

I stared at her with a curious gaze.





The Canterlot archives. I've never really heard of them before, or was very interested in whatever they were. It must have been some sort of big deal, because it seemed heavily guarded. There were security measures to get through, I could tell, but it was all bypassed easily by Princess Twilight herself. All she had to do was walk on through and that was it... and I guess, since I wasn't disguised, they weren't too alarmed about me either.

Especially since I was next to the Princess of all Equestria herself.

I stuck close to her side as a particular blue griffin guard eyed me. I returned his stare with a sheepish smile, "So... Uh. Why are we here again?"

As a kirin guard unlocked the gated doorway into the archives, Princess Twilight turned to me with a grin, "Well, as the personal student of Discord... I suppose it'd be fair if you learn a thing or two about chaos lord history."

"Personal student of Discord..?" I heard the blue griffin mumble nearby.

"Chaos lord history??" Ignoring him, I flew up to Twilight's eye level, "You have a book about that?"

"Possibly several." She chuckled as she lead me within the room of old books and tomes. In the center was a large hourglass of some sort that was nearly emptied out from the top. With a flick of her magic, Twilight easily rotated it so it would start all over again, "In my first years ruling Equestria and taking residence in Canterlot, I decided to read all the books in the archive that I could whenever I was available to. In the process, I remember finding books about chaos magic and chaos lords like Discord. Eons ago, there were more that have existed even before Discord himself was formed by Grogar. I'm sure your history classes don't cover Grogar that much, but he was once a powerful creature that created various monsters in his prime. Chaos lords being one of them."

I blinked up at her, "There... were more? What happened to them?"

Twilight paused at the question and went over to one section of the archives. There, she easily dusted away some webs with a wave of her magic and plucked out a book that had caught her interest. From the symbol on the book, it represented a strange creature with an angry monkey-like bearded face, antlers, wings, and large talons as it stood on four legs. I stared at it, confused, "What... is that?"

"A piasa, the book explains. This is titled Lords of Chaos Volume I, Creation And Purpose. It details various chaos lords and the forms they took, like the draconequus you know, Discord. Then there's Volume II. Harmony Vs Chaos. This was the time when they... began to disappear. Love and Harmony throughout Equestria was too much for them to the point it nearly drove them completely extinct."

I perked up in alarm, "Love and Harmony?? What- Then how is Discord still around? And, would it be safe for me to even BE a chaos lord in Equestria?"

"Chaos magic at the time had been much different," Princess Twilight explained, "Nowadays, there is an easier way to let out chaos magic without harming those around us and to still be able to use it. In fact, using chaos magic can help also create harmony in itself. I personally have a theory to why Discord is still around. His chaos magic was much more new, since he was the last chaos lord to be formed by Grogar. He was able to create a new form of chaos magic entirely in his time, one that was more silly than... catastrophic as the ones you will see here."

She passed me the book and I gingerly took it in my own magic, "... You think I can really learn something from this?"

"Possibly. I'm sure there's another book around here about chaos magic itself, but not how to use it since that in itself is a... pretty big mystery. Just- what it entails. The abilities and the consequences. Etc. Etc. I heard, actually, that many were able to harness past chaos magic and managed to use it before one day relinquishing it by... confusing means. If you want, I can have those stories sent to your room once I find them around here. Along with anything else chaos related."

"Princess, I'm not sure what to say..." I muttered out as I clutched the book close to my chest.

"Oh don't worry about it Ginseng. This path you're going through is different and intriguing. Besides those harnessing power temporarily, nothing more permanent like this has ever happened before. After all, chaos lords were known to be formed from a powerful being, but never taught before. It is possible to hold chaos magic, but not many know how to control it or wield it as Discord. I hope that, after learning about previous chaos lords and the abilities you can hold, you might gain a better understanding of it. And that, honestly, is probably the best I can offer you. But don't worry, I'm sure you will become a great chaotic user one day. But please, be on our side when you are?" She joked with a giggle.

"Hah. Of course!" I chuckled but felt this nervous twist in my stomach, "Where's... Volume II?"

"Ah, right over here-" As we began to scan through the shelves for anything chaos related, Twilight had easily gathered up three books for myself.
Volume I, Volume II, and a bookmarked page on ancient legends and myths. That page lead to a short story of a mare who had managed to gain the powers of a demonic chaos lord who claimed to devour souls. I left the archives with a small smile... but I entered my guest room with this strange feeling in my gut.

A chaos lord...

Would I be ready for that?

"Hey Ginny!"

"Ah!" I jumped in surprise and whirled around to see Gimmick holding a tray of food in her magic.

"I got us some lunch!" She announced with a smile.

"Lunch?? But isn't it still morning-?" I glanced over to a nearby clock. Huh. I guess I really lost track of time, didn't I? It seems Twilight and I were in the archives longer than I thought...

"Nah, it's way past 12 now," She set the tray down and casually readjusted her glasses, "Anyways. After we eat we have to start searching the castle. I've got some information and... sugary nonsense from the scrolls but I don't think it's enough. I need to find something that we can easily access and I need it now. And fast. If only we knew where Canterlot's restricted section was... or the Canterlot Archives. Heh. Like as if we could get into the Archives. Even if we find it there's no way we could get in thanks to the amount of guards they stationed there thanks to the knowledge-eating villain that attacked a bit ago. So maybe that one's a total bust."

"..." I stared at Gimmick, "I... I found a way in."

Gimmick paused, "You what?"

I went to repeat, "I found a way into The Canterlot Archives-"

"HOW DO YOU KEEP DOING THIS GINSENG?!"