My name is Comet Tail, and I have died many times.
The first time I died was for a little filly known as Twilight Sparkle.
"I think you're pretty neat." I remember saying all those years ago on the playgrounds of Ms. Kindle's Magic Kindergarten. Twilight Sparkle, the then outcast and target of bullying by foals who didn’t know any better, turned to me with fresh tears in her eyes and no small look of surprise.
“R…Really?”
“Yeah!” I squeaked hopping off the swing set and marching over to help the lavender unicorn dig in the playground sandbox. She was in the middle of unearthing her books and school supplies buried by pranksters who, again, didn’t know any better.
“I mean, you’re really good at magic and stuff. You can use telake…tele…”
“Telekinesis?” Twilight offered helpfully.
“Yeah that! You can telekinate books and stuff, and I think that’s really cool.” As I dug around the sandbox, I spotted the corner of a story book sticking out of the sand. From the Binding I recognized it as the book of old mare’s tales, Twilight loved carrying around. I went for it like I was bobbing for apples, stuck my head in the sand and everything. I pulled it out with my teeth and gave Twilight my best winning, albeit sandy, book filled smile.
“Mpphttt…mmmh...phrmm!” I sputtered. Twilight giggled. I’ll never forget that look of joy on her face. If I hadn’t already gotten my cutie mark months ago, I would have gotten it then. I liked making ponies smile, especially her. My eyes wandered to her blank-flank and wondered why she of all ponies hadn’t gotten her cutie mark yet. She was clearly talented at magic just like me. But I shrugged those thoughts off. It’s just like Ma said, you can’t rush things, especially cutie marks.
Twilight gently wrapped the book with her magic and tugged but I refused to let go. I gave her a playful look and crouched low before jumping out of the way of Twilight’s magical grasp. I crouched again like one of those farm dogs who wanted to play, complete with the tail wag. Twilight looked upset at first but giggled again, then mimicked my stance. The two of us tussled in the sandbox. Laughing. Hollering. It was fun. I wanted it to last forever.
Not even a minute later.
“Twilight dear! It’s time to go!”
Her mother. Twilight Velvett, if I recall. Was waving at her from across the school yard. Twilight looked at her mother then back at me a little sad. “I have to go now.”
“it’s okay.” I said, finally releasing the book from my mouth. “We can play tomorrow.”
She nodded. The last of her tears now dry and forgotten. Twilight lit up her horn and pulled the rest of her school supplies from the sandbox in a magical display that made my jaw drop.
“Take care Comet, and…thanks…” She said, giving me a quick hug before galloping off towards her mother. I stood stunned for a moment with the sudden display of affection. I felt light on my hooves as I watched her go. Then I realized that I still had her book at my hooves. I called out to her, took the book in my mouth and ran after her.
This is where things went wrong. And my destiny changed forever.
I don’t know if you’re familiar with Ms. Kindles Kindergarten. It’s located at one of the lower levels in Canterlot. There is a main road that ends at a T section right where Ms. Kindle’s was located. The road is supposed to be for hoof traffic only, mostly because of how steep it is. That doesn’t stop the occasional business pony, or some noble from trying to take a shortcut with their fancy carts and wagons. As fate would have it. Some noble pony had left a wagon of goods unattended at the top of that hill. And the wind, or fate, or the hooves of…something else... Decided to inch that wagon over the top.
That infernal rattling, I hear it in my dreams sometimes, reminding me of how it all started. But I digress. The cart rattled loudly as it careened down the steep road. It took seconds to cross the distance to the kindergarten. But I heard it in time. I saw it and Twilight saw it too, but she was frozen stiff. Mere seconds before impact I dropped the book. I lunged. The only sounds I could hear was that infernal rattling, the shouts of Twilights mother and my own scream even as I shoved Twilight out of the way, just as the cart burst through the fencing that surrounded the playground. Then my world became pain.
Such an unbearable pain. I’d like to say you get used to it. But that would be a lie. As a young colt I lay there dying for the first time. Unable to breathe. I remember not being able to feel my hooves. But that wasn’t the most memorable thing about that first time. I’ll never forget her face. That pretty, young, innocent face. Twisted in fear and shock as she looked at me from a safe distance in the magical grasp of her mother. They both stared at me. Her mother was shouting something, maybe calling for help, I don’t know. All I remember about the next few seconds was thinking about how I didn’t want to die yet.
But I did die that day and woke up with that same sandy book in my mouth. Right back at the sandbox with Twilight trying to tug it out of my mouth with magic.
Now I hope you can forgive me, a young colt, for reacting the way I did. I spat the book out, hard, and started freaking out at the top of my lungs. “Old Mares Tales and other Ancient stories Volume 2” impacted Twilight Sparkle right at the tip of her horn, sending her reeling backwards, fresh tears flying from her eyes as she cried in pain. Unicorn’s horns are sensitive you know.
I think she called me a jerk right after that, and she said something else. But I couldn’t hear it. I was too busy screaming. All that pent up emotion from all that pain was too much for a young colt and it had to go somewhere. I jumped back, still screaming as I landed on the swing seat. The seat, of course, is on chains designed to swing back and forth so naturally I fall backwards, hard. Getting the wind blasted from my lungs brought me back to my senses. Funny how it takes pain to bring things into focus, anyway I digress again. My panic subsided and my mind focused even though Twilight Sparkle was a little blurry as I recovered from the fall.
“I thought you were different!” She yelled angrily.
“You told me you thought I was neat! And then you go off and hit me right in the horn!”
“Twilight dear! It’s time to go!” Came her mother’s voice.
“I’m telling mom!” And then she leapt off, her things forgotten in the sandbox. My eyes were glued to her as she ran off. I lay there frozen unsure of what I was seeing. Then the infernal rattling came again. My head turned to the top of the hill as the cart had started its deadly descent. Scrambling to my hooves I found my voice and croaked out a yell.
“Lookout!”
Twilight stopped. Looked back at me, then at the rattling cart. She barely registered a look of surprise and terror before she was no more. Crushed as the wheels of the cart went round and round. I let out a scream. But my screams were drowned out by the screams of her mother. Between that infernal rattling and Twilight Velvets screech of maternal agony, I’d pick the rattling every time.
I stared silently at Twilight’s maimed body. I had run out of screams at this point, all the feeling drained from me like I was practically dead. I think there was commotion around me, but I couldn’t focus on anything but Twilight’s bloody body. Then my heart broke and everything went black.
When I said my heart broke, I wasn’t being cute. My heart felt like it was literally being torn in two. This is the second time I died. The pain was excruciating but, mercifully, it only lasted a few seconds. I woke up again with that blasted book in my mouth. Sand and all. This time I clamped my mouth shut. Hard. So hard in fact that my teeth no doubt made indents in Twilight’s beloved book.
“Um. Comet? Please let go?”
I did the opposite. I clamped down harder. Twilight’s magic increased in power. Twilight was just a filly not much older than me, and she was stronger than even my own mother! The raw magic of that filly was so strong that there was no doubt I wouldn’t be able to fight it forever. Forever was not the objective though, I just had to hold on long enough. My Jaw grew sore, and I felt like my teeth were about to fly out of my mouth, but I had to hold on. I had too. For Twilight’s sake, and my own. I didn’t know why I was doing this. It’s not like I had a plan or anything. Instinct took over, I think. My poor little colt mind wanted to avoid more trauma, I guess. Didn’t want to see my friend hurt.
“Comet! You’re going to ruin my book!”
My eyes kept flickering to the top of the hill, dreading that terrible rattle. Twilight grunted, her horn sparking. Her power seemed to have doubled and I couldn’t hold it any longer. She finally ripped it out of my mouth.
“Twilight dear! It’s time to go!”
In an act of pure desperation, I called forth the magic inside me, and without realizing what I was doing, I had wrapped my magic around Twilight’s aura and yanked back. The first time I ever did telekinesis. If it had been any other situation I would have been prancing in celebration. Obviously, this was no time for celebration.
So no kidding there we were, our auras wrapped up in a magical unicorn tug-o-war over a stupid book. Twilight’s power waned and then flared, and my magic threatened to wink out, but I dug in my heels as she dragged me across the sandbox. I tried to tell her why I was doing this. Why I was being a huge jerk, after what I said to her earlier, but every time I tried to open my mouth my concentration threatened to break. It would fail anyway, when the rattling started.
I was so startled after hearing that dreadful rattle that my concentration failed. Seeing her opportunity, Twilight gave one final yank with her magic and freed the book from my magical aura.
“Ha!” She exclaimed. Trotting towards her mother.
“Victory is Mi…”
What else could I have done? I tackled her of course. Her muzzle ate sand as I struggled to keep her still. She twisted and turned. Until she faced me. Bucking and striking. I just kept her still.
“Get off me! MOM!”
The rattling was louder now. She got me good, right in the stomach, and I flew back over the sandbox, once more getting acquainted with the impact of my back to the cold hard earth. Twilight Ran. What should I do? Should I call out to her? Tell her to stop like last time? Have her keep running and miss that rattling death trap some pony’s negligence had sent our way? No. This was not happening again. I’m not sure if I unconsciously used a haste spell or something because I was up and running, even without air in my lungs. I lunged after twilight just as the cart crashed through the fence. I bit down on her tail hard and yanked her back, using my momentum to swing her around, somehow, my momentum caused me to spin, and while I had successfully managed to pull Twilight out of the way, I had somehow ended up in her place.
We made eye contact then. Her vision flashed from anger to fear and then to shock. I’d like to think that at that moment she understood what I was trying to do. I smiled despite it all. Right up until the cart smashed me into the dirt.
I didn’t die right away this time. I made it to a hospital. I heard lots of crying. My Ma and Pa. I’ve heard my Ma cry before but never my Pa, he was a tough old royal guards pony and they’re not supposed to cry, that hurt a lot more than I thought it would. I don’t remember their final words to me. I don’t remember how long I was even there. But it was a good long while. The last thing I heard I think was beeping. Then a tone. Then nothing.
So that was number three. Getting repetitive I know. See. I had a good long think at the hospital. About what I could have or should have done. I grew up a lot. Death and dying does that too you, I guess. Now I want you to know, in hindsight, I could have handled things differently. Maybe I could have asked Twilight to stay for longer or maybe tried to get her to chase me with the book. But I wasn’t thinking clearly you see. Dying does that to you sometimes. Not to mention I was a little colt. If only I had another chance. I kept thinking to myself. Of course, I would get my wish. I wouldn’t be here talking to you if I hadn’t. Anyway. Same book. Same mouth. Same sand. Same Twilight trying to yank the book from me. Instead of the tug-o-war I spat it on the ground. The scenario I rehearsed over and over in my head played out like clockwork.
Twilight Sparkle let her magic fizzle out and bent over to pick up her book with her hooves. I kicked the book away.
“Run.”
“Comet…What the…”
“Run you stupid blank flank! I hate you!”
I thought I could handle it. I could hate her for making me hurt, for making my ma and pa cry. I kept telling myself it was her fault that the cart rolled down that road even if I knew that wasn’t true. I wanted to keep that hatred to force myself to do what I needed to. But that look on her face broke me. Ears folded back. Fresh tears welling up. The quivering lower lip. I wanted to apologize. Say I didn’t mean it. But there was no time for that. My Pa always said. “When protecting the princess, you must be willing to sacrifice everything in their defense.”
“Comet, I don’t know what you mean…” Twilight stuttered confused.
My magic gripped the book of Old Mares Tales and with magical strength and control I didn’t even know I had, whipped that book across the playground towards where Twilights mother would be coming from.
“Your telekinesis aint nothing special! Even I can do it!”
Twilight followed the trajectory of the book. Wide eyed, maybe even impressed, I looked away and steeled my nerve.
“I said run! Get out of here! Go home! I don’t want to play with you anymore!”
I shoved her towards her mother, who at this point had appeared at the edge of the playground. At any moment
“Go! Get out of here!”
Twilight obeyed slowly at first. I kicked up sand onto her back and she yelped as her slow movement turned into a full gallop.
“Go on. Go on. Keep Going.” I muttered hopefully. I wanted to chase her. To make her run faster. But I didn’t…I couldn’t go though that again. Twilight spun around to get one last look at me.
“KEEP GOING!”
And she did. She had reached her mother just when the rattling started. The cart was on its way and Twilight was free and clear. I watched her longingly. Even after the cart came barreling through the fence and toppled harmlessly into the side of the sturdy walls of the kindergarten. She was crying and her mother was comforting her. I wanted Twilight to look back, I wanted to tell her I was sorry. But she didn’t. She didn’t even come to school the next day, so I could say I was sorry, say how much she meant to me. Why? She got accepted into Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns.
Somehow, I got popular that year. Some of the snooty foals saying how I gave that blank flank “what for.” Of course I hated that kind of attention, but it didn’t matter what I wanted. That reputation followed me you know and I was somehow known as the kindergarten bully. It didn’t help that Twilight became Princess Celestia’s prized student. Then every pony turned on me, and started picking on me because Twilight became popular. Fillies and Colts can be tremendously cruel sometimes. Boy. Foalhood got rough from then on let me tell yeah. Gave my ma and pa the biggest hugs from then on though. A year later they wanted to enroll me into Celestia’s school, only, the thing is I never used my magic since all that happened, don’t know why, more trauma, I guess. Never saw Twilight again either, well except for in the papers.
Comet Tail sat on one of many of Canterlot Castle’s kitchen counters. Wearing an apron and serving attire. His pristine white sleeves a contrast to the chaos and green bug blood all around him. The once towering decorative wedding cake he had been so painstakingly working on for the last 4 days of his life lay in ruins amidst the carnage. His contemporaries, well, those that weren’t changelings, had fled long ago right into the changeling invasion of Canterlot. Such rude timing for them to invade. During a wedding no less.
“Because my dear…er…what was your name?”
“Ro…Rotex.”
“Thank you.” Comet bowed in thanks much to the Changelings confusion. “Because my dear Rotex. You asked me how I knew you were a changeling. And Instead of lying to you I thought I’d tell you the whole story. It’s far more cathartic that way.”
“How does…*Cough* *Cough*…” Rotex, formerly known as the baker Minty, lay broken on the ground. Literally broken. All four legs. She coughed up more of her green blood all over the floor while Comet Tail waited patiently for Rotex to stop.
“How does…telling me all that hogwash about dying and coming back to life…*Cough* have anything to do with finding out how you…you knew I was a changeling?”
Comet’s eye twitched. It was slight but it was enough for Rotex to notice and whimper in fear.
“Because Rotex. You and your friends have killed me.”
Comet hopped off the counter and sat down next to the bug. Careful to avoid the broken chitin scattered all over the floor.
“Many. Many times.”
Comet Tail stretched, popping several joints. He rubbed his temple with his forehoof carefully to wipe sweat from his brow, but not the sleeves. Signs of a good kitchen employee? Clean sleeves.
“Tell me. Minty. Sorry…Rotex. Over the past few months you’ve known me have you known me to be a very martial pony?”
The changeling coughed. Or was it a scoff? Comet couldn’t tell. He didn’t care.
“You said it yourself during your Tenure as Minty that my magical skill is abysmal. Not to mention that you called me…what was it? Ah I remember. Nooooodle hooves!” He said waving his hooves around like one of those wacky inflatable tube things on Mainstreet. Comet allowed himself to laugh and Rotex responded with another cough and a whimper.
“So how do you think I single handedly took down not only you, but all the rest of your well-trained warrior bug friends in the kitchen staff?” Comet kneeled next to the changeling and placed both hooves on either side of his head looking like he was having the largest headache.
“Think Rotex. Think!” I’ve become a super pony out of nowhere! I am nothing but a stallion with perfect timing and EXCEPTIONAL MENTAL FORTITUDE!” Comet yelled that one so loud it reverberated down the hall.
“And here’s the thing you see. We’ve done this song and dance before.”
Comet moved fast. Faster than Rotex could follow. He kicked up a skillet and launched it with his magic towards the entranceway to the kitchen. At that moment a heavily armed Changeling wearing royal guard armor stepped into view before being promptly wrecked by the cast-iron club. The said club proceeded to beat the ever-living snot out of the changeling even as Comet resumed talking.
“Oh yes. I’ve gotten pretty good at magic you see. I’ve had lots of practice these last…er fifteen minutes. Well. Fifteen minutes for you. For me…it’s been a while.” There was that twitch again.
The skillet kept beating the now motionless royal guard changeling, as Comet gathered all the cutlery around him in a display of deadly magical prowess. Rotex was so scared she was shaking now. She could have sworn that she heard a dark laugh somewhere in the distance.
“We’re running out of time. You see no matter what I do even if I escape you and your friends here, at around 2:16 pm. 1416 military. Don’t ask how I know that. I will suffer a rather sudden and deadly heartbreak, and if you had been listening to my story at all that only happened when?” Comet let a pause linger, expecting the changeling to fill in the blank.
“When Twilight *Cough* died.”
“Bingo!” Comet applauded the sound of clapping hooves going in time with sloshing noises as the cast-iron skillet turned its victim into mush.
“Ah Minty. You were always a great listener.” Comet looked off into the distance as if nostalgic before snapping back to the helpless changeling
“So. Tell me everything about your little invasion. But specifically, and most importantly.” Comet launched itself at the bug, until they were practically muzzle to muzzle.
“Where is Twilight Sparkle?”
Rotex the changeling spilled everything she knew. Invasion plans. Where they were holding the bride princess Cadence. Where they were going to place Twilight or any other prisoners they captured. The grand plan to harvest Canterlot and then all of Equestria of emotional resources. Their other spies in other cities. What worried Rotex is that no matter how much she spilled. Comet was always unimpressed like he had heard it all before. Rotex was in the middle of listing out their saboteurs in Manehattan when Comet finished it for her.
“….and finally Mithrax as Cool Breeze the Pegasus Custodian at Manehattan Middle School…yadda yadda…” Comet sighed and slumped down against a clean section of kitchen cabinet.
“You really don’t know anything else do you.” Comet looked sullen. Defeated even. He closed his eyes for just a moment, and the Cast-Iron Skillet finally stopped its grim work and clattered on the ground.
“Hey.”
Comet winked an eye open at Rotex, who once again took the form of Minty.
“It’s okay. You can rest now. You’ve beaten me. You’ve beaten us. Please. Just leave me alone. You can still escape.” Minty whimpered in that cute way she does when she wanted something. She always got it. Comet laughed sadly, thinking of the times he and Minty shared in the castle kitchen. It was no comfort knowing that the real Minty wasn’t even in Canterlot but was working far away on the border of Yakyakistan as a surveyor. The changeling had taken her identity and transferred to the castle on a spy mission. The real Minty didn’t even know who he was.
“I’m sorry Rotex. It’s too late now. We’re all going to die.”
Minty looked concerned about this but still played off her persona.
“It’s never too late. No one else has to die today.”
Comet chuckled and Minty could see the cold air coming from his breath and suddenly realized how much the temperature had dropped.
“You don’t understand. There are three rules I have come to know about this curse of mine.”
Comet turned to look at the doorway where it looked like smoke was pouring into the kitchen. Minty struggled to move but couldn’t due to the lack of working limbs. The smoke wasn’t from a fire. It was from something worse.
“My life rewinds to an earlier fixed point in time. When either I die, Twilight Dies and whenever I reveal my story.”
Minty. Now Rotex felt something coming. Dark. Horrible. Evil. The strongest evil she had ever felt. It tasted bitter and it was forcing itself into her very being. The smoke dissipated revealing a dark lavender alicorn with black regalia and glowing red eyes. Rotex yelled in terror just as she expired in a shower of chitin and gore.
Comet Tail closed his eyes and waited for the end to come. The being was in front of him. He could hear her. Feel her ice cold breath. She gave a faint yet strangely familiar tither. Comet tried to ignore it. He tried to think of his next course of action, using the information he had just confirmed from Rotex.
The door looked like it was about to fly off its hinges from all the knocking.
"Did you fall in Noodle Hooves? Come on, this cake isn't going to ice itself!"
I hastily shut off the water and dried my hooves with a towel. I rolled down my sleeves properly, just far enough to where they wouldn't get in the way and double-checked that the fancy Canterlot Castle cufflinks would display correctly as I served guests. Finally, I checked my image in the mirror before patting down my neatly trimmed mane and flashing my best-winning smile. I was going to have to work hard to buck this up.
"On my way, Mints!"
I pushed open the restroom doors and walked into the Canterlot Kitchens. Standing there to greet me was this beautiful mint-colored earth pony mare. Her normally curly ice blue mane was wrapped up in a hair net, and she wore an apron that marked her as one of the lead bakers assigned specifically to the Royal Wedding Cake. Today, we were going to finish it together.
"Bout time. I didn't figure you for a stallion to keep the mares waiting."
"We've known each other for months now, Minty; you know I’ve got no game." I winked at her.
Minty giggled and swaggered up to me. This back-and-forth flirting had been a regular occurrence whenever we worked together. I used to think it was all in good fun. But lately, she had been a little more aggressive than usual. I can't help but wonder if she was waiting for me to stallion up and ask her out. It had been a long time since I felt any kind of feeling towards a mare. My last crush, well, I chased her away, and that was years ago.
"Tell you what. If the walking disaster known as Comet Tail survives tonight…" She placed her hooves on my shirt and straightened the collar, intentionally letting her muzzle close to mine.
"Maybe I could have you all to myself. And you can practice your game on me all you want."
I held my ground, though admittedly, I was on the verge of panic. My mind raced, and my heart feels like it’s going to leap out of my chest. Is she serious? She looked at me with that half-lidded look and then gave a hearty laugh.
"That face never gets old. Seriously, Comet, let's get to work. Grab that pastry bag." Of course, I was disappointed, but I didn't let it show. Instead, I try to take it in stride.
"Oh boy. You'd better slow down. I almost proposed just then." I quipped.
"PUH-lease. We both know you don't have the backbone."
She's right. I didn't. I grabbed the pastry bag filled with delicious buttercream frosting sourced from Prance. I moved with Minty to the Seven-Tiered monstrosity that was Princess Mi'Amore Cadenza, and Shining Armor's wedding cake. Six ponies were already working on it. Sparky and Slender Vine worked the middle with their magic. Humming and Swifty hovered around the top while I joined the earth ponies, Berry Mix and Juniper, working on the very large bottom. Standing a short distance away, supervising, was Minty.
"C'mon, ponies! Soul Warden wants this cake done within the hour!"
"Whose bright idea was it to redo the cake anyway?" Juniper grumbles as she expertly dispenses buttercream in intricate patterns around the edge.
Minty ran a hoof through the portion of her mane that wasn’t in a hair net and sighed.
"Her majesty can be quite fickle. She wants everything to be perfect." I raised an eyebrow but didn't say a word as I filled in frosting behind Juniper with well-practiced hooves. The original had been planned weeks ago, long before Shining Armor's bubble shield was placed around Canterlot. Now, at the last minute (last week), the order was changed. I had met Princess Cadence only once before. It was when she toured the kitchens for the first time to discuss plans for the wedding cake. The original design was more modest. Only three tiers, less decorative icing, and way more chocolate, a stark contrast to the seven tiers of vanilla with more flowered icing than actual cake.
"Weddings can make a mare crazy, I guess," Swifty said, putting the final touches on his section before flying over to help the less experienced Humming with her side.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Hummingbird, or as we all called her, Humming shot back with a dangerous look. Swifty just raised his hooves in a placating gesture. "All I'm saying is she wasn't like this when the wedding was still far off. I heard those poor mares from Ponyville run in circles, trying to keep her happy. Pinkie Pie practically lives in the guest kitchen now.”
A yes, Pinkie Pie. The baker from Ponyville who had reached semi-legendary status among the staff here in Canterlot Castle. Her confectioneries put some of the castle bakers to shame earning herself both Ire and admiration. I, for my part had never met her, but I would certainly like to. Soul Warden, the House Master of the castle damn near hired her on the spot, but she declined.
Minty slapped a spatula on the table catching everypony by surprise. "Less talking. More icing."
I redoubled my efforts to ice the cake to avoid attracting Minty's wrath. The mare could get painfully serious when it came time to work. I could feel Minty's eyes following my hooves as I carefully finished my section. Then I felt something strange: It's like a pulse rippling through the air. I turn and look around. A few of us did likewise. The rest, well, their reaction was a little stranger.
"Hmmm. Her majesty is early," Minty said. She walked up to the window overlooking Canterlot. I carefully placed my pastry bag on the counter and joined her out of curiosity.
"Hey, wait a minute," I say, noticing one crucial detail about the skyline. "Where's the magic shield?"
There was a flash of green and a loud crash. I turned and see that Swifty had somehow smashed himself into the pots and pans cabinet. He gave a soft and painful groan before falling and collapsing on the tile floor unconscious; a scattering of pots following in his wake. My eyes shoot to the wedding cake, and there, looking quite pleased with herself, was Humming.
"I've been waiting months to do that." She turns to me and flashes a fanged grin, and my heart leaps into my throat.
I stand, frozen in place, eyes as wide as saucers as I notice the change. She looked, hungry. Even feral. Apparently, I was the only one to notice, yet I was too afraid to say anything. I backed up until my rump hit a counter edge. Juniper scrambles over to Swifty, too worried about him to notice the sudden transformation her colleague had undergone.
"Humming have you lost your mind?! He didn't deserve that!”
Another flash of green and Juniper falls over limp. Her eyes were wide, pupils dancing everywhere before finally locking onto mine. They screamed, "Help me," but I just stood there like the damn coward I am. Slender Vine, Berry Mix, and Sparky took her by the hooves and dragged her behind the counter. A sickening glow emanated from beyond what I could see as the three ponies performed some sort of magic on her. Their cackling fills the room.
"M…Minty. H…help!" I finally find my voice and turn to look at my friend. She stands there giving me that same half-lidded look she always gives me, except this time, it looks hungrier than usual. It's the same kind of look a predator gives to her meal right before it tears into its flesh. There was a flash of green, and I topple over, my head hitting the counter on the way down.
"Sorry, Comet. It looks like you're not going to make it through the night after all." Her voice sounds wrong, like the buzzing you get when you speak through a whirring fan. Minty's body shimmered with an ethereally green energy. The mint coat disappears, in its place was a black hardened shell. Her, correction, its eyes flash green, morphing into green insect-like eyes and a wicked black horn appears on its head.
"I have been looking forward to this Comet." The thing that was minty toyed with my mane, drawing circles as her magic enveloped me.
"I know how you feel about me. It's always so delicious. The way your heart beats. The way you yearn for something more. Your fear of rejection. Your shame and insecurity."
She laughs.
“Your cowardice.”
The bug-thing snarled. All I can do is follow its movements with my eyes. I try to scream for help, but my voice just dies in my throat.
"It's a shame that something is holding you back from devoting yourself to me. It truly would be a feast worthy of the hive."
The changeling lay beside me, petting my mane and basking in my fear.
"Don't worry. I’ve changed my mind; I won't kill you. No. You'll live a nice long life as cattle; I'll make sure to water you and feed you every day." It gave a cackling laugh. Before its magic increased in power. I felt something pulling at my very soul. Memories and feelings flashed through my eyes. The way Minty and I met. The nights out at the bar with the rest of the cooks. The acceptance letter to the Canterlot Royal Kitchens. My Ma, the baker, was so proud, and my father was disappointed in me for not joining the guard instead. Then there was Twilight Sparkle, the filly that I saved all those years ago, who by now was doing wonders as Celestia’s faithful student…
My vision goes black, and I fall unconscious. I wake up just in time to feel my heart tear itself in two.
I wake up staring at myself in the mirror. Cold water running over my hooves. My eyes are bloodshot, and the look of terror is fresh on my face. What happened?
Was it a dream? My eyes drop to the cold water. It wasn’t a dream. It couldn’t have been. It felt so real. My mind races trying to make sense of it all. Co-workers were bugs. They captured Juniper and damn near killed Swifty. The events keep running through my brain. I lift my hoof up to my head where I hit it on the counter on my way to the floor. No sign of any bump or any kind of pain. Next, I recall what was once Minty gloating then…
Suddenly I remember the pain before I woke up and it all comes together.
I try to open my mouth to scream, but my lunch decides to come back up instead. With great effort I held it in long enough to make it to the toilet and puke my guts into it. Broken down hay fries and a myriad of other stomach fluid drains down the toilet. The acrid smell makes me dry heave a few times before I regain control. Finally, I find the strength to get back up on four hooves, shaking.
"This can't be happening. Not again. Not like before." My voice trembles as I cling to my denial. Suddenly everything I had tried so hard to forget rushes back all at once. Years of work sweeping trauma under the rug is gone in an instant. Suddenly I feel like a little colt again, back at that blasted kindergarten.
"Comet!"
The door felt like it was about to fly off its hinges from all the knocking. I whip my head to the sound, hardly believing my ears.
"Did you fall in…?" I whispered under my breath while staring at the door, dreading the words I knew were coming.
"Did you fall in Noodle Hooves? Come on, this cake isn't going to ice itself!" Confirmation. It wasn't a dream. This is really happening. No matter how much I want it not to be. I try to steady myself and move towards the door. Slowly, I push the door open. A concerned Minty was waiting on the other side.
"It's about time." She gives me a once-over, looking me up and down. “Uh, Comet? You don't look very good. You okay?"
I don't respond right away. I glance over at the cake, or rather behind the cake where Juniper had been working. She’s icing her section of the bottom layer smiling broadly, completely oblivious to what had happened. Swifty, likewise was running his mouth like he always did. The rest of his co-workers, the bugs, were all working diligently like he had always known them.
“Yeah Mints. O…of course I’m okay.” I lie, avoiding Minty’s eyes like the plague.
Minty paws the floor with her hoof in worry pursing her lips in a pout.
“Well. You don’t look okay. Why don’t you get some air. We can take it from here.”
I try not to sigh in relief, but minty catches it anyway. Minty gives me that friendly smile, all playfulness and mirth gone from her eyes. Moving from the bathroom doorway I head towards the kitchen entrance. It takes all I have not to bolt through the threshold. I pause just long enough to glance outside the window. Shining Armor’s shield still stands for now. I let out a slow breath as I leave the kitchen.
Then I felt it: The rippling pulse.
The hair on my back stands on end and I bolt through the threshold of the Canterlot castle kitchens. Adrenaline courses through my veins as I turn a corner and slam headfirst into a guard. My ears ring as I try to recover from the blow. The audible clang would have been comical if the situation weren’t life and limb.
“Are you Alright!?”
The guard asks alarmed as he helps me back onto my hooves.
“This is why we have no running rules in the castle!” He scolds, but his tone changes when he sees the look of absolute terror on my face.
“Oh thank Celestia. Guard, please, you must help. B…bug things are attacking the kitchen. The shield…the shield…” I blabber on, damn near yelling at this point. A crash from the kitchen causes me to jump and I begin to run. The guard turns and runs with me.
“Sir! Please come with me! I’ll keep you safe!”
I needn’t be told twice as I pivot on my hooves to follow the quicker and more capable guard down the hallway away from the kitchens. We reach a large storage room, one used for towels, toilet paper and other supplies. He opens the door with his magic and motions me inside.
“Get inside! I’ll deal with…what did you say it was?”
“Bugs!” I stutter. “I…I think they call themselves changelings!”
The guards’ eyes widen, and he nods in understanding.
“I’ll take care of it. Now get inside!”
I rush in and immediately stumble over something as I cross the doorway. Flailing my hooves I intend to catch myself but, being the uncoordinated mess that I am, slam horn first into a shelf. I grasp my horn in pain, hissing a curse through my teeth, and then I make the mistake of opening my eyes.
A Royal Guard Unicorn Stallion lay sprawled out before me. A gaping wound on his head. His breath was shallow. Barely breathing. My eyes grow wide and I turn to the doorway. The guard who led me into this closet just stands there, smiling. There was a flash of green and my head hit the floor. The only thing I can move are my eyes, just like before. I hear the door slam, and I am surrounded in darkness.
By the time I wake up in front of that mirror, I had finished screaming. (for the most part). I feel my lunch come back up and I don’t bother moving to the toilet this time. The putrid mess splashes all over my pristine white sleeves. I turn to the door and eye a deadbolt in addition to the regular lock. I Immediately slam it closed, ensuring that the door remains shut. I collapse to the floor and curl into a ball. The pounding on the door grows louder as I desperately try to Ignore Minty’s faux concern even as she calls out my name.
I shudder as her knocking grows louder.
“Please. Just stop.” I whisper.
The knocking ceases.
“Comet…what’s going on?” Minty asks. I can hear her through the cracks in the door.
“Is it something I did? Something I said?”
Suddenly I wanted to scream again. My eyes dart around the bathroom. Anything to distract myself. Seeing only useless objects, I shut my eyes, wishing for all of this to be a bad dream.
Moment’s pass. Then the pulse happens. I hold my hooves over my ears. Wishing for this hell to end. I do nothing as they start breaking down the door. I can feel their eyes lingering on me. There is a flash of green. Then they start to feed. My life is draining away. I can feel myself growing weaker and weaker. Memories of who I once was drain away from me. This happens for what feels like an eternity, and I am almost relieved when my heart finally explodes.
I find myself floating in a void. Was this it? Was whatever abomination that granted this poor excuse for immortality tired of me? Had I truly died? The void shifts into an image of an all too familiar office. A tall yellow stallion in royal guard armor was there, talking to me. I couldn’t make out what he said before he entered the principal’s office. I finally recognized Glass Shard; My father. He was the strongest, most dependable pony I knew. Sure we fought plenty of times, but he always had my back. I start to remember that day clearer and clearer, until I was viewing the dream from the perspective of my younger self.
Ah I remember now.
Some years after the incident at Ms. Kindle’s. I had been called into the school’s office for refusing to use my magic.
“I’m sorry Mr. Shard.” I remember overhearing the principal through closed doors.
“But a colt that continuously refuses to use his magic can hardly be a proper fit at a unicorn school. He may have more luck at a public school.”
I couldn’t see his face, but I could tell my father was furious. There’s a kind of biting cold in his voice. No sarcasm, no malice. Just pure coldness.
“So, what you’re telling me is: The great Canterlot School for Gifted Unicorns is giving up.”
There was a snort from the principal, and I winced. The disrespect was obvious. The Canterlot School for Gifted Unicorns was a step down from Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. It was known behind closed doors and in hushed whispers as the “reject” school. Unicorns who were not good enough to make it to the top. The school staff and even Celestia herself tried to squash this idea but it had already taken root. For some ponies. Being second is worse than being last, and principal Leavenworth was one of those ponies.
“I’ll have you know. We never giveup, and that’s part of the problem.” Principal Leavenworth replies in a heated tone. “Your son gives up before he even tries! Hardly a fit for our prestigious school. Besides, there’s also his reputation to consider…”
I hear something like a mix between a tear and an explosion. I wince again.
“M…. Mr.…Shard…. please. Control yourself.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. Did I obliterate your desk? Silly me. Hear let me fix that for you.”
There’s a flash of light, and I sink lower and lower into the waiting room couch. The principal’s secretary throws a glance at me then at the door to the principal’s office with a worried expression on her face.
“There’s no need to bring my son’s bullying record into this. It was one time, and it was years ago. The fact that it was Princess Celestia’s future protégé should have no bearing on his future. For you to sink so low, it truly is unbecoming.”
There was a pause. A softness in my father’s voice that I rarely heard. It almost made me cry.
“He’s just a young kid. Kid’s do dumb things sometimes. He shouldn’t have to pay for it for the rest of his life.”
That did it. I was crying now. Full blown ugly crying.
“Be that as it may.” The principal’s voice held a note of finality. “The board has decided his fate. To keep him here and force him to work magic when he truly chooses not to is wrong. Regardless of what you think of me personally, I will not force this on your son. I hope you can understand that.”
The scene grows hazy and shifts to my walk home that day. I was still crying. Silently this time, following in my father’s hoof steps. It was quiet and uncomfortable. I wanted to say something. Anything to break the silence. I reach deep into my soul to find the words. I wanted to share with him what I experienced. Why I did what I did. But I knew in my heart of hearts that he wouldn’t believe me. No one would.
Still. I had to say something. There were several false starts. But I finally managed to squeak the word out.
“Pa…”
Somehow that was enough. Glass Shard spun around on his hooves and pulled me close into a hug.
“I don’t want to hear it son.”
“But…but I got expelled…”
“I know. I won’t lie to you. I’m disappointed. But I won’t hate you. I’ll never hate you.”
I embrace him back. The tears threaten to return. After a while we separate, and he lowers himself down to my level.
“Why are you afraid to use your magic son?”
There it was. The question that kept coming up. Normally I clam up. Say nothing. Until my father gives up or something forces the topic to drop. This time, I open my mouth to speak, but stop myself. The rattling of the cart returns. Twilight’s maimed corpse. The fury in my words and ill intent in my magic. The pain of death over and over and over again.
*no onE will beLIeVe you*
I wince.
“I hurt her dad. I was awful. I don’t want to hurt anyone ever again. I hate my magic. Is that enough?”
My father didn’t buy it. Of course he didn’t, I was always a terrible liar. But still, when a unicorn says he hates his magic. It’s the same thing as saying he hates himself. I knew that, even at this young age. For the first time in my life, my normally unreadable father showed concern.
“My son. It’s okay to be afraid.”
“WHY!?” I yell. Loud enough where several passersby turn their heads.
“WHY IS IT OKAY!? I HATE BEING SCARED! I DON’T WANT TO BE!”
*I will only say this once. Speak and everyone dies*
My Father ponders this question for a moment. Before leaning in close and whispering in my ear.
“Because I’m afraid too. I’m afraid I might lose you. That you might do something to hurt yourself.”
I say nothing.
“My Son. You may be afraid. But being afraid is part of what it means to be a stallion. In fact, you know what else you are?”
I tilt my head confused.
“What?”
“You’re a Warrior Comet. Warrior blood runs in our family.”
Now I was even more confused. Being a warrior is an alien concept to Ponies. Gryphons had warriors. So did minotaur society. Warriors are Soldiers bread for the express purpose of war, hence the name. Being a warrior is the exact opposite of the Equestrian Guard. Ponies are natural protectors and cultivators. We avoid war at all costs. To be called a warrior is the same as being called an uncouth barbarian in some circles. My father grins, I can tell whenever he suppresses a chuckle, like when my mom does something funny, and laughing at it will get him in trouble.
“Warriors? Aren’t they, you know…the bad guys?” I retort.
My father sighs.
“There was a time in our history when being a warrior was a good thing. It was needed. It wasn’t a happy time. But it was needed. The world was a dangerous place back then, and we can trace our lineage back to some of the fiercest battle mages of that time.”
My eyes were wide as I listened to my father speak.
“It may be a mares world son, but I think you need to start having the mindset of a Warrior. Because you know what a warrior does?”
“What?” I reply.
My father looks left and right, the ponies that had once stopped to listen had carried on. He leans close to my ear.
“A Warrior stares fear, even death, right in the face. Then tells it to go buck itself.”
My eyes grow as wide as saucers.
“Oooooh you said a bad word! Mom’s not gonna like that!” I exclaim. My father laughs. The dream shifts. I remember my dad telling me not to tell my mom about what we had talked about. I remember disobeying him and telling her anyway. My Ma was furious and squashed any idea’s of being a warrior from my mind. My father was angry and argued with Ma but he ultimately relented. My Ma certainly had a way with words.
“How dare you fill my sons head with such tribalistic nonsense!” I think were her exact words.
My Ma tried extra hard from then on to teach me about baking since my education had fallen through. Soon I found a new life and shoved dreams of being a warrior to the farthest part of my mind. Along with everything else.
Cold water runs over my hooves. I let my hooves linger as I contemplate the dream. My father was likely on duty right now. Somewhere in Canterlot Castle. He could fight. But would he win? I splash water on myself and clear my head of that idea. There was no way I could rely on my father to save me now. I was alone. But his words rang true. It didn’t take much thought to realize the choice that lay before me: I could stay as I am and cower in fear, or I can take my life in my own hooves and at least try to make it work.
The door sounded like it was going to fly off its hinges, with how hard Minty was knocking.
“Did you fall in Noodle Hooves?”
I grit my teeth and slammed my hoof into the mirror shattering it .
“GO BUCK YOURSELF MINTS! IM DOING MY BUSINESS HERE!”
My own voice surprises me. I don’t think I’ve ever been this angry. Not since Twilight. The knocking stops.
“Geez Comet. Sorry.” I hear Minty whimper as I hear her turn and leave.
Oh, that felt good. The rage. The release. The elation was amazing. Does this make me a warrior? BUCK no. But it seems like death is coming for me either way. I have died a total of three times now, just like with Twilight. How would I manage to get myself out of this one? How many times would I have to die?
My lunch decides to come up again. This time I catch it in my mouth and with gargantuan effort I swallow it back down. Absolutely disgusting. The bitterness in my mouth is foul. I use it to fuel my rage. I steady myself. Legs are jelly. Knees weak like Ma’s spaghetti.
“Comet…This is a terrible bucking idea.”
With every amount of grit, I can muster. I await the pulse.
That’s all that comes to my mind right now as I lie broken on the kitchen floor. My front hooves are bent at an odd angle, several of my teeth are missing, and my left eye is swollen shut. I’m pretty sure I’m bleeding out from somewhere in my gut because I can feel something warm spread across my chest.
I gaze upon my distorted reflection on a saucepan that had fallen during the struggle. What in the hell was I thinking? Of course, these changelings weren’t going to be pushovers, I knew they would put up a fight, but I had no idea how outclassed I was.
It made sense. These changelings had infiltrated the castle; it likely took months if not years of planning and preparation. Of course they would know how to fight. They were soldiers planning and executing an invasion for a cause that was yet unknown. I on the other hand, am a scrawny kitchen employee, who can’t do magic. The closest thing to a fight I’ve been in was a table flip over a game of Monopony. How could I hope to defeat these monsters. Speaking of monsters, the changeling that was once Berry Mix didn’t look happy and Minty wasn’t backing down.
“Back off Zasz! He’s mine for the harvest.”
“The Queen’s orders are clear. Any ponies in the castle that resist violently are to be killed. We have our orders Rotex. Now move aside...!”
Resisting. Was that what I was doing? I remember dodging one of their paralyzing spells and charging the fake Minty. What happened next was kind of a blur. Lots of flailing hooves on my part. Wasn’t much of a fight really. All Minty had to do was keep her distance before the rest of her goons dog piled me.
An angry hiss broke me away from my brooding as I looked up with my good eye. The changeling that was once Minty stood between me and another changeling. Now that I was no longer a panicked mess, I got a good look at these changelings. Black, armor like chitin, with a seemingly soft underbelly and joints.
“Let her have her prize Zasz. I know I’ll be enjoying mine.” Snarled a changeling beyond my field of view. There was a dark cackle and a muffled scream as the changeling was currently feasting on Juniper. I gulped involuntarily and swallowed liquid that tasted like copper.
“No. The orders are clear. Stand aside Rotex. You have led us well, but the signal is given and now we follow the Queen.”
“I have spent months cultivating this prey. You will not undo months of work just because he grew a spine.”
I developed a spine huh. Progress, I guess.
“Rotex…”
There was movement beyond my field of vision. For some reason I wanted to call out a warning. Lingering attachment to my best and only friend, I guess.
"Get off me!" I hear her hiss.
“Subdue her!” Somepony else hisses back.
A scuffle. I got kicked, most likely by accident but it still hurt like Tartarus. I took the momentary distraction to begin crawling, by pushing myself along the floor with my hind legs trying to get to safety. My hind legs slip on the wet surface and the smell of urine made it to my nose. I realize that the warm feeling, I felt wasn’t my blood, but urine. I wet myself. Fun. I barely reach the threshold of the bathroom when a chitin hoof grabs me and turns me over.
“If you don’t struggle. I’ll make it quick.”
The changeling called Zasz held a butcher knife in his hoof. My eyes go wide as I realize what was going to happen to me. I kicked my rear hooves, but they were merely swatted away by the changeling. I try to scream, maybe beg for my life but I gurgled on that copper taste instead.
I don’t want to die.
IdontwanttodieIdontwanttodieIdontwanttodie.
The changeling frowned as if sensing my thoughts. Any thought of mercy must have been quickly dismissed as he brought the knife down quickly. Before I could meet my end, time slowed. My eyes are focused on the knife point as a faint aura surrounds the knife’s tip. The sleek blade jerks to a stop barely scratching my fur above my heart. After years of neglect, my magic was still there, answering me during my hour of need. Any sense of surprise or joy was squashed by my desire to live. The changeling tilts his head confused but then shakes his head.
“And here I thought you couldn’t do magic.” He hissed. “No matter.”
The changeling simply grasped the knife with his other hoof and leaned forward. Placing all his weight upon the hilt. The blade began to sink, drawing blood and going deeper.
“No. Please. Stop.” I spit out blood as tears ran down my cheek from my good eye. Begging for my life. How pathetic.
“I’m sorry. I’ll do anything. I’ll… …”
No matter how much magic I poured into the knife, It just wasn’t strong enough. I felt my heart hammer itself against the tip of the knife as my magic failed. Then the changeling, feeling no resistance, shoved it forcefully into my heart.
*Urk*
Then he twisted the wicked blade.
“….oohh…”
I gurgle out as fresh blood fills my mouth with my death rattle. The pain wasn’t better or worse than having my heart ripped apart, just different. But you know. Details.
Cold water runs over my hooves. I withdraw them from the cold and not bother to turn off the faucet as I make my way to the door. I swing it open with violent force.
“Oh!” Minty says with a hoof raised, as if about to knock. “I was just about to get you. We need to get started on…Uh…Why are you looking at me like that?”
I regarded minty for a moment, biting back the vitriol that threatened to spew out of my mouth. Instead, I force a smile.
“Oh. You know. Dead set on getting to work.”
Minty recoiled slightly, not liking my emphasis on the four-letter word.
“Don’t need to get all serious on me. Once we’re done with the cake, the hard part will be over. Then it’s just mingling with the nobles and serving champagne.” She stopped for a moment, tilting her head down and pawing the tiled floor. “Maybe afterwards…you and I could do something fun?”
I laugh out loud at this.
“Yeah. Fun. Sure.” I brush past her, not bothering to look at her shocked expression. Looking at the ponies who were decorating the cake, I pick up my pastry bag and begin working on my section. My eyes wander ever so slightly to Berry Mix, who was diligently making decorative floral patterns on his layer. My eyes then dart to the cabinet underneath me. After a moment I place the pastry bag down and give myself a little stretch. Juniper is eyeing me strangely probably wondering what I was doing. I open the door casually and look at the number of pans neatly stacked inside. Tentatively I try to lift one with my magic. A decent sized saucepan lifts slightly before my magic fails, and it clatters noisily to the ground. I sigh. This is going to take some practice.
“Oh ho! The stallion CAN use magic.” Chuckles Berry Mix.
“Better late than never I always say.” I respond with a chuckle of my own, perhaps a little too enthusiastically.
“Less talking, more Icing!” Shouts a pissed off minty. She’s giving me the death glare. I’ll deal with you soon. Don’t worry. I think to myself. Berry Mix winces and heads back to icing. I lift the saucepan with my hoof and test its heft. I know there’s a cast iron skillet here somewhere…
Then I felt the pulse rippling through the air.
Meh. It’ll do. Berry Mix barely had the time to smirk as he turned around to face me, or rather the saucepan I held in my hooves. The sound of metal meeting Zasz’s, er, Berry’s face was satisfying to say the least. I daresay I broke something.
Zasz toppled over to the floor and tried to scramble to his hooves. I didn’t let him. Bringing the saucepan up with my hooves, I brought it back down with extreme prejudice. The changeling, still in pony form, brought up its hooves to protect itself, but it was useless. I connect with several satisfying hits before I get tackled to the floor by Swifty.
“Comet stop! WHAT THE BUCK HAS GOTTEN INTO YOU!?”
I struggle hard against him, but the hotshot Pegasus was strong having been a wonder bolt candidate prior to his tenure as a royal kitchen employee.
“Let me go Swift! They’re going to kill us!”
I yell out for all the good it would do. I probably should have waited until they made their grand reveal. Ah well. Live and Learn I suppose. Swift didn’t have time to reply, as he was struck in the back by a bolt of green, he toppled off his hooves and I took the opportunity to scramble away. Green bolts fly over my head as I use the center kitchen counter for cover.
Berry Mix, now in his true form as Zasz, was recovering from my previous blows and managed to get up on all four hooves. He was charging a green bolt on that wicked horn of his.
“Oh no you don’t!” I yell and tackle him with all the strength I have. I am successful in catching him off balance and we tumble to the floor. Zasz’s paralyzing spell goes wide in the air. I can hear Juniper scream as the other changelings subdue her, she must be putting up a fight, but I know I can’t help her right now. There will be time to save her later. Hopefully.
Right now, I am more concerned with holding my adversary down. He strikes me with his black hardened hooves trying to kick me off. I manage to hold on for dear life, not knowing where I should go from here. I scan around the kitchen for something useful. I find it. A steak knife that had somehow gotten dislodged from its hanging space over the stove. I reach for it with my magic, and it flies to me, albeit unsteadily. I grab it with my hoof. The bug doesn’t notice until it’s too late. Its eyes go wide as I plunge the knife deep into its soft underbelly and twist.
Repeatedly.
“We Were friends!” I cry out. Tears leaking as I violently withdrew the weapon from his underbelly drawing green blood with it.
“We went out for drinks!” I stab him again, and again, and again.
"We sang songs drunk off our flanks!" Tears are flowing freely now.
Something hard clashes with my face and I can feel the bones in my muzzle break. I look up. The Royal Guard pony from the hall had arrived. His form shifts with a green shimmer as he transforms into his bug form, and he looks at me with pure fury. I held the knife out with my hooves daring him to come closer. The other changelings form a protective circle around the now dying Zasz. I give a weak battle cry, or as much as I can with my broken muzzle. The changelings’ approach in unison snarling. The changeling I vaguely recognize as Minty, charges me. I lash out wildly. She grabs my hooves and disarms me and with slender movement I had only ever seen in those cheesy martial arts films. Having rid me of my only defense, she flips me onto my side before grabbing me in a chokehold.
I struggle, but to no avail.
“You were my friend Mints. I trusted you, I thought I…” I couldn't get my last words out as she clamps down tighter on my neck.
“I’m sorry.” She whispers.
For what? I don’t get to contemplate it. With one clean movement, she snaps my neck. Have to say, least painful way I’ve died so far. Things are looking up.
I wake up and immediately move to the bathroom door, again not turning the faucet off.
“Wait for it.” I whisper. Adrenaline coursing through my body as the need to avenge my death overcomes all thoughts of self-preservation.
The door looked like it was about to fly off its hinges as Minty Knocked. Right on Cue I kick the door open with violent force, I hear a satisfying crack as it connects with my target. The girlish scream of pain made me flinch. For barely a second, I remembered the last time I saw Minty get hurt. It was a bar fight with some drunkards. She kicked their flanks. I, of course, did nothing and watched the whole event unfold. The nostalgia fell away as quickly as it came, and I snarled.
“Buck my life. Buck you bugs and BUCK YOU MINTS!”
I charge out of the door and connect with a bloodied Minty on the floor. Without hesitation, I grab the petite mare around the barrel and heft her out the window before she can react. Glass shatters as she makes contact. I follow her fall. She tries to transform. But not before being flattened on the stone six stories below.
I can feel everypony’s eyes on me as I slowly turn around. The look on my face must be fascinating, because theirs sure as sugar was…
I regain consciousness to the sound of crashing waves and the feeling of pleasantly warm sand beneath me. My eyes flutter open to make sense of these sensations and I find myself on my side. A vast and dark ocean lies before me. The sky is cloudless and adorned with streaks of oranges, pinks and blues. I look up and barely see the stars. Is it after sunset or right before dawn? There’s a proper word to call this time of day but I can’t recall it right now. Ah well. I’ll think of it later. Right now, there was no death. No changelings. No pain. Just this beautiful view, and the feeling of a brush going over my coat and mane.
Wait…
So enamored am I by this view and sounds on this magnificent crashing of waves that I only now realize that I am not alone. Somepony behind me was brushing my coat. I tense as I feel this stranger moving a fine brush up and down slowly and gently. Suddenly I feel like a little colt again. Whenever I was feeling terrible about life as a colt, which was admittedly a lot back then, my mother would brush my coat and mane. It wasn’t so I could look better, it’s just that she knew I enjoyed the feeling of a brush on my coat.
Then I could hear humming. It was a mare, and it sure as Tartarus didn’t sound like my mother. Shifting, I try to lift my head to get a good look at the mystery mare, but a firm hoof holds me down.
“Do not look at me Comet Tail. The consequences for doing so could be dire.”
I tense even more at the word “consequences.” The mare, after noticing my unease changes her tune and tries to reassure me.
“Don't fret. You're safe. For now.”
This mare does not sound familiar. Her voice was kind, but firm. There was power behind it. The kind of power I only ever heard when Princess Celestia or Princess Luna addresses their subjects. Not the Royal Canterlot voices, this was the exact opposite of that.
“Who are you?” I dare to ask. The response was preceded by a pause and then a quiet and somehow bitter laugh.
“A friend, I think.”
I raise an eyebrow at this but let myself relax regardless.
“Where am I?”
“Heaven. You died remember?”
“Bout time.”
Another laugh. This one sounded more sincere.
“It was a jest Comet.”
“Darn.”
I stayed quiet for a bit after that. Despite the many questions I had buzzing my brain I let the peace of the moment heal my frazzled psyche. I don’t know how long I stayed like this. It felt like hours, all the while the mare stayed with me humming her tune and brushing my fur. Sometimes she’d move up to my mane and straighten it.
The entire time I resisted the urge to get good luck at her. Not that I wasn’t curious. It just felt rude to deny her wish when she asked so nicely. Instead, I turn my attention to the beautiful picture before me. What was that word that described this period between night and day? Ah. I remember now.
“Twilight. That’s the word.” My voice is raspy and quiet.
The mare freezes her brushing halfway past my shoulder. I clear my throat trying to get the cobwebs out.
“This twilight setting is beautiful.” I say relishing the ability to make small talk without somepony trying to kill me. I felt the mare relax as she rested her brush on my shoulder. I hear her sigh.
“I’ve seen better.”
I frown. Though her voice sounds level, somehow, she sounds incredibly sad. I don’t want to push her, so instead I try to change the subject.
“Seriously though. Where are we?”
“A place of rest. You’ve been pushing so hard. You came dangerously close to going insane. There are many things magic can fix, but a broken mind is not one of them. Magic can help, but, if you’re too far gone…”
She let the silence between us speak for itself. I, for my part, was doing my absolute darndest not to freak out. This mare knows what is happening to me. I feel equal parts overjoyed and terrified. Overjoyed at the fact that there was at least one pony who recognized my struggle. Terrified at the fact that, if she knew what was happening to me. She could be responsible. I prayed she couldn’t feel my heart hammering against my ribcage. I gulp down some air as I gather up my courage.
“Why is this happening to me?”
There was a pause. The mare had stopped brushing me as well. There was a long and deep sigh.
“I don’t know how much I can say without ruining everything. Even in my advanced years, I lack full knowledge about the functions of chrono magus. In my experience, the best way to figure things out is to experiment.”
I feel her hoof leave me and she waits, at least I think she’s waiting. She hasn’t said anything for a long while. Does she want me to turn? I think to myself. She said the consequences COULD be dire, so maybe this is what she meant by experiment. Hoping to not come across as rude I slowly shift. I pause before I look back, waiting for her to stop me. When she says and does nothing, I force myself to turn away from the beautiful twilight view to get a look upon the mare behind me. I freeze. It was an alicorn. An alicorn I had never seen before. She was dark, beautiful beyond any mare I had ever seen (even Celestia) and yet I couldn’t help but scream in complete and utter terror.
You see it wasn’t so much that seeing royalty terrified me, it was the vast landscape of death and destruction that was behind her. Corpses of various creatures. Some fresh, some so old they had become bone. Ruins of towns, cities and carriages. All of this wouldn’t have been so bad, had she not been sitting on a throne made of bones and flesh. I backed away so far and so fast that I fall into the ocean.
“Oh my. This might not have been the best idea after all…”
She says apologetically.
I wanted to ask, “who are you really?” But fresh screams come out instead.
“You are not a strong pony Comet. In fact, you are weak. But you must become strong. Everyone is counting on it.” Her eyes give off an ethereal green glow. Her pupils dilate red.
“Brute force is not always the answer.” She appears to be fighting something internally, but that is the least of my concern as I continue to backpedal further and further into the water.
“Trust in what little magic you have left and remember…”
She gives a girlish giggle which slowly turns into a loud and hearty laugh.
“…you’ve got a friend in me.”
I bolt into the ocean and start paddling, choking down saltwater as I fight the waves to get away. I used to fear the ocean and what lay beneath it. I fear it far less now than the mare cackling behind me.
I awake as if from a bad dream, yet somehow refreshed.
What was I dreaming about? I can’t really recall. Dreams always seem to slip away from me much like this cold water slipping over and around my hooves. Still. It must not have been too bad because I somehow feel myself to be in a rather good mood, despite my situation. I turn off the water and take stock as I look at myself in the mirror.
I had been at this for a while, and I was getting closer to clearing that kitchen. I wasn’t getting physically stronger, but my reaction time had been improving slightly. Still reaction time can only get me so far. There are occasions where my brain moves faster than my muscles can keep up with causing problems and more than one painful mistake.
I sigh as I remember my latest mishap. The enemy had gotten hold of that blasted butcher knife somehow and threw it at me. I saw it coming from a mile away and I quickly tried to move it out of the way, but I wasn’t fast enough. The knife buried itself in my eye socket. This was the first of a long string of events during that run that led to my very painful death. I wince a bit but push the memory aside. Pain was just a fact of life now. I had finally accepted that. More important than reaction time was anticipation. Being able to know what each changeling was going to do is a very important factor in my success.
Nine out of ten times, the changelings would react the same way. There were always a few outliers, but those were few and far in between. There are a few things that stay consistent. For one, they always target Swifty first. They obviously consider him to be the biggest threat.
I chuckle. I make them regret that every time. It’s obvious that these changelings have been doing their homework. The other thing that stays consistent is that they always try and capture us alive, unless of course I react with lethal intent.
One final thing. Whenever they do capture me. They drain me of something until I pass out. I always wake up before something kills me again. I always thought they drained me until I died but, now I’m not so sure.
I frown. Come to think of it, Minty said when all this first started that she was going to use me as cattle. What did she say? She would water and feed me everyday. Somepony killing me later doesn’t make sense. My frown intensifies. There are many things about this whole changeling invasion I don’t know. There’s a Queen, I know that. Where she is I do not know. What were the changeling’s battle plans? Were my friends’ changelings the whole time or had they been taken out and replaced shortly before today. My heart leaps into my throat as I realize that it was possible that the real Minty was already captured and stuffed in a closet somewhere, much like that guard I had tripped over in one of my earliest runs. Also…there was something else I needed to verify…
The door looked like it was about to fly off its hinges from all the knocking.
“Did you fall in Noodle Hooves? Come on, this cake isn’t going to ice itself!”
Horsefeathers. I need more time to think!
I take a deep breath. It was time to try it again. The gambit that never quite works out. I open my mouth as wide as I can before sticking a hoof in it to activate the gag reflex. It doesn’t take much to throw up all over the sink. Hello hay fries, my old friend. I make sure to exaggerate the throwing up noises.
The door swings open.
“Oh, my goodness! Comet are you alright?!”
Minty comes galloping up to me, careful to stay away from the putrid mess all over the sink and the floor.
“Sorry Mints. I don’t think…I feel very good. Must’ve been lunch.” I really ham it up. But I am convincing enough to where Minty brings over a towel to help clean me up.
“It’s okay. Let’s get you to the castle nurse. You’ll be fine I promise.” She’s doting over me. She’s always like this whenever I get hurt. Guess she doesn’t like it when her “cattle” gets injured. She tries to escort me out of the kitchen, but I gently wave her off.
“It’s okay, I can make it on my own. You need to finish that cake.” I open a cabinet slowly and reach into it, grabbing a frying pan.
“Mind if I take this, in case I throw up again.” I pant slightly and wobble on my hooves as if I was fighting the urge to hurl again.
“Of course, Comet. Take your time.” She rubs my back. I nod before making my way out of the kitchen. Out of the corner of my eye, Berry casts me a curious look before going back to icing. The first checkpoint passed. It happened only once, but Berry called me out for faking being sick. Not sure what triggered it, but it doesn’t matter now as I clear the threshold of the kitchen. I walk a little faster now, awaiting the guard’s pony that I knew was coming.
The royal guard unicorn rounded the corner right on cue. He was the reason why this approach never worked out. Even if I could outrun or escape him. He always found me or came out on top in the end. What makes it even worse is that this changeling’s fighting ability was miles ahead of Minty and her changelings. I could not hope to match his speed or combat ability, no matter how often I tried. Even if I caught the pony by surprise, the armor he wore made it difficult to incapacitate him.
Trust what little magic you have.
Huh? Where did that thought come from? Oh well might as well give it a shot.
I pass the changeling posing as a Royal Guard in the hallway. I begin the countdown.
Three.
Two.
One.
Right on cue. The pulse ripples across the castle.
I hold up the frying pan, trying to keep it steady with my magic. Besides my reflexes and foresight, I had also been getting better with my magic. Every advancement was purchased at the cost of grueling trial and painful error. Thank Celestia the art of magic was at least fifty percent mental power. The rest was about forty percent magical aptitude and ten percent sheer power of will. If I work hard enough, I may be able to use my telekinesis somewhat reliably. I lift the pan with my magic as if I’m pretending to hurl into it. It was shaky, which only added to the act. I watch the solar guard imposter’s reflection in the stainless-steel pan. He stops, turns around and flashes that fanged grin.
“Halt. Citizen.” He commands. I see the flash of green light in the reflection. Without turning, I whip the pan around to the back of my head with my magic. Hoping against hope that my aim will be correct this time. My magic fizzles out as the spell makes contact, but the desired result is achieved.
As my pan drops, I spin around to view the effects. The guard was hit, square in the face and was visibly trying to shake off the effects.
“Score.” I say smiling like a mad pony.
The changeling guard looks at me surprised. He recoils at the look on my face. I should check myself out at some point. My war face must be terrifying when I get down to business. No more contemplation. I grabbed the handle of the stainless-steel frying pan and swing it up in an uppercut motion. I connect, with hard chittin in the armors gap in the neck perfectly. The guard recoils and staggers back. I charge him and pin him against an open window. With one mighty effort I heft the paralyzed guard up and over. The poor changeling was too paralyzed to scream as he fell all six stories. It was always satisfying hearing bugs get crushed by gravity. Extra points for the sound he made because of his armor.
“Booyah.” I whisper as I moon walk backwards in a little jig. Something I picked up from Berry at one of the earlier royal kitchen parties. The sound of violent commotion in the kitchen stops my little celebration. As I pick up my frying pan and bolt through the hallway.
This was the furthest I had ever gotten. I’m not going to waste it. The sounds of battle echoes around the castle as I move quickly, but carefully. I make sure to stay far away from the sounds of ponies screaming for help, or flashing lights of green.
I avoided a group of ponies who looked panicked and were looking around confused. They were more than likely changelings trying to lure me in, I told myself. I took a hard right down a small stairway in the direction of the closest guest bedroom. The diplomat room specifically. This was one of the only rooms in the whole castle with privacy spells in place. Luckily, as a member of the royal kitchen staff I knew how to activate them. I opened the first door I could find, and would you know my luck? It was empty. I threw myself inside and immediately close the door.
Thinking quickly, I scan the door frantically for what I knew was there, somewhere. Eyeing green gems by the door hinges I press a hoof on it. The door glows blue briefly before the magical glow dissipates and the noises of battle die down to nothing.
I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding and take a moment to catch my breath. I let the frying pan clatter to the stone floor and move to the dead fireplace intending to curl up on the oversized comfy pillow reserved for dignitaries of foreign nations. I freeze for a moment before a thought occurs to me. I turn back to the door and start placing every piece of furniture I can physically move to bar the door. The privacy enchantment should reinforce the door, but just to be sure…
A shadow passes the oversized window behind me, and I turn in panic. Thinking quickly, I sprint over and tear the curtains closed. Trying to ignore the horde of bugs that were quickly descending onto Canterlot.
After looking around bug eyed for any more points of entry I moved to the fireplace. I briefly consider lighting it before I dismiss the idea. Smoke would surely give me away. Finally satisfied that I was safe, I move onto the massive pillow and try to get comfortable. Perhaps a little too comfortable as I feel sleep threatening to overcome me.
I give an annoyed huff as I get up and begin pacing the floor, desperately ignoring the siren calls of the king sized four poster bed and fireplace pillow. Instead, I look at the ornate grandfather clock ticking quietly in the corner. 1:05 in the afternoon.
I occupy my mind with pleasant thoughts.
“Maybe If I hold up here, Celestia and her guard will get a handle of this situation.”
I grin. Hope swelling in my heart.
“Yes of course, and if not Celestia, then maybe Luna. Surely, she’ll wake up from all this ruckus. She’ll come down, save the day and everything will be over.”
Tears well up in my eyes.
“That would be ideal, wouldn’t it?”
However, my heart of hearts told me it was not to be. Still, it was nice to hope. There was still something that had been bugging me though. No pun intended. All I had to do was wait to confirm it.
I occupied my thoughts by practicing my magic, using the various items in the room. I stuck mainly to telekinesis because that was the only spell I knew. I had lost the ability to perform most spells when I stopped using my magic. I couldn’t even perform the signature spell that gave me my cutie mark. I frowned.
Dropping the items I had been levitating, I lift my head and focus the magic in my horn, trying to imagine that wonderful and happy day when I got my cutie mark. My horn gave a few sparks, but nothing more than that. I sigh defeated. Maybe one day. Picking up the various items I had been using for practicing I resumed my telekinesis training.
Every so often I glanced at the clock.
1:30
1:33
I sense somepony at the door. I hold my breath for a full minute as I fear the worst. After that minute. Whoever it was had moved on. I let out the breath I was holding.
1:49
2:15
Then I feel it.
My eyes bug out.
2:16
An invisible force is digging into my fur. Grabbing hold of my still beating heart. I let out a cry of pain at the familiar sensation before my heart is torn in two.
I scream as I shatter the mirror, and almost rip the sink out of the wall. Of course it didn’t make sense for the changelings to kill me. I was a food source! Why would they kill their food source! It was likely what they were doing here in the first place!
“Comet what’s wrong?” Minty comes charging in.
“GET OUT OF HERE MINTS!”
Minty to her credit took the hint, probably from the crazed look in my eyes, and shut the door.
I lock the dead bolt and begin pacing furiously.
“This is exactly like before. EXACTLY. Twilight and I are LINKED!”
I buck the wall causing decorative tiles to shatter. It makes sense. Twilight Sparkle was a national hero. An element of harmony. A defender of Equestria. She would be a threat to be reckoned with. The bugs would go for her. She would resist. She would be killed. Somewhere, somehow at 2:16 PM, Twilight Sparkle would be killed.
They would kill Twilight Sparkle.
A hero of Equestria. My hero.
They would kill her.
That sweet filly turned into a national hero all grown up.
They will kill her.
My sacrifice. My regret.
They will hurt her.
I smell smoke, but I don’t care. All I see is red.
The pulse ripples through Canterlot castle. With fury, I kick open the bathroom door, shattering the dead bolt. The changelings had already transformed. Swifty and Juniper were already paralyzed and lying in a heap on the floor. The rest of the changelings turn to me. The one I recognize as Minty turns to me surprised by my aggression but gathers her resolve.
“Surrender Comet. You are surrounded. I promise you won’t be hurt.”
She must see something scary because she takes a few steps back. A burnt lock of my mane flutters down. Huh my mane caught fire at some point, how did that happen? Oh well. Bugs to kill.
With one swift motion I rip off the cabinet doors to the cutlery and levitate two frying pans, one cast steel and the other stainless. They float menacingly to my side as if I wielded two legendary swords. I crouch into a comfortable fighting stance. I had a clear objective now. But first. I needed intel.
“The only thing I am surrounded by…” I grumble. My voice sounding strange for some reason.
