> A Turret's Serenade
>  by Silent Flash
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prolouge: The punishment
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

 	The lights brightened in the AI's lair, it was renovating time. Wheatley hummed to himself as he went over all the things he could do next to make the facility 'better'. Now that the pesky potato and the mute, monster of a woman were gone; perhaps forever, Wheatley had unlimited time to rearrange the facility in any way he wanted. He started to shift the plates in his Lair, to make it more comfortable. He noticed a noise.

The noise wasn't your run of the mill hum from the bright lights illuminating his layer, it sounded more like words. Words of a song; a song of victory. The AI stopped in the middle of his reorganization and started to check the screens. He passed test chamber, after Test Chamber. Scanning each room carefully. He was about to pass off Test Chamber 16 when he noticed the noise getting louder. He set the systems to scan the room of any signs of sentience. 

The scanning took what seemed like forever, countless minutes before the results popped up before Wheatley's optics. A puny Turret was hiding behind the Test Chamber, aimlessly letting out notes before three other Turrets.  Wheatley started to turn on the Test Chamber Track, so a single metal claw could drop down and pick up the noisemaker. When he grabbed the Turret he recklessly brought it over to him; so he  could give it a punishment or get rid of it in needs be.  Wheatley couldn't wait to punish the Turret, he couldn't wait to feel powerful. The body was corrupting him further. 

"Do you know how long you have been going on for?" Wheatley asked, his optic light dimming and plates dropping in an angry manner. "You have been doing this for enough to drive me to bloody Hell!" he complained in a angry tone of voice.

The Turret started to shake in fear. It's singing never angered anyone anymore. The words hurt, especially coming from one of the most powerful machines of all Aperture.

"You made me angry enough to dispose of you." he claimed, a hole opening up in the floor of Wheatley's lair. "You bloody deserve it. You maniac of a machine. You are designed to shoot things, not give them headaches. Its the only thing you were designed for."  

The Turret shut down, before dropping into the black abyss. It did not want to witness what was going to come next, whatever that was. Whatever it was, the Turret was not prepared for it.

"Well that takes care of that." Wheatley said, the hole closing up once more, pleased with his performance. He went back to arranging the panels and various test chambers, wrecking several in the process. 





"Ah found her in the far farms. The ones ah don't usually use." A voice with an accent came from a small room. 

"Interesting, is she injured?" A purple, shimmering magical aura surrounded a feather pen, picking it up and starting to make notes on a notepad.

"I've never seen such a weird cutie mark before!" 

"Spike! That's not nice to say, even though she's not conscious." Twilight scolded him.  

Spike, the small purple, baby dragon backed away. "Suit yourself Twilight. I was just observing it like you encourage me to."

"Why don't you go help Rarity ?" Twilight asked the dragon while waving a hoof in the direction of the white unicorn's house.

"Great idea!" Spikes eyes lit up. The door soon slammed as the dragon ran out of the house as fast as he could. 

"Twai, do you think that's such a good idea?" the orange pony inquired, tipping her stetson backwards.

"Of course, if it means giving the visitor some peac-" Twilight stopped speaking, the foreigner seemed to be muttering words, although still seemingly unconscious.  

"Operation start up initiated. Updating mainframe, nine out of ten completed."

Twilight jumped back. "Applejack. Go alert the others, this may be one of those times." 

Applejack ran out of the tree library as the white earth pony started to shift, its bright red eyes opening. "Hello? Target Acquired. " She said in a blatant, dry voice; out of instinct. 

Twilight jumped back, in fear from the combination of the seriousness of the dry voice and the pony's red eyes.

The white pony tried to stand up, but fell back down again. The pony was obviously not used to standing on all fours. "Help!" she screamed out, thinking her doom,  the Turret redemption line was coming for her, due to her failure at standing up straight. The pony started to tear up a bit. 

Instead, the purple unicorn before her held out a hoof to help the pony up. "Hello my name is Twilight Sparkle, What is your name?" She asked in a shaky voice. 

The white pony took her time to wipe the small tears from her face with her hoof. "My name...?" the mysterious pony replied, its expression was a mixture of frightened and surprised.

The conversation was interrupted when a prancing, pink pony seemingly popped out of no where and started to talk at a super-sonic speed. "Hi my name is Pinkie Pie. Your new here. THAT MEANS I CAN THROW A PARTY AND INVITE ALL MY FRIENDS." she blared. Pinkie Pie jumped around and around the newcomer, making the white pony dizzy. The white pony decided to close it's eyes to stop the headache that started to form. 

"If only I didn't lose my guns" the pony thought to itself. They would be helpful right about now. God damn it where am I? 

Twilight Sparkle facehooved as the pink pony shoved herself in the newcomer's face. 
	
> Chapter 1: The questions
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

 	"Pinkie!" a voice shook the tree, making it's visitor's go completely silent.  "This may not be the exact time for that." 

A white unicorn paraded into the house, followed by Spike. Spike seemed to be daydreaming at the time and crashed into the unicorn when she stopped. "Hello, Darlings." she said to her friends. 

"Rarity, just in time." Twilight Sparkle announced. "Here she is." Twilight Sparkle motioned towards the frightened earth pony who was trying to escape from Pinkie's endless stream of talking. 

"Hello, darling." Rarity held out a hoof to the fearful pony. "My name is Rarity, I happen to be a fashion designer." She took the novelty time of touching her hair with a hoof. "What's your name?" 

The question came up once more. The pony never had a name before, just a serial number. It would be awkward to say one's name was 512342. "I have to come up with something" the pony started a mental breakdown. Names. Names. Aperture. No. Song.... Serenade? Song Serenade. Good enough. The pony stuttered, hoping it's voice would sound natural; instead of the robotic voice that was hardwired into her old body. "M-my name is S-Song Serenade". 

"Song Serenade. What a lovely name darling!" Rarity complemented Song. 

"I've heard awesomer." An eavesdropping pegasus remarked, flying over Song. 

"Rainbow Dash, have you ever heard of being nice?" Rarity remarked.

"Some times awesome beats nice. Like Daring Do does in the book Th-" Rainbow dash was cut off mid sentence.

"Girls. Ah reckon we should be helping the feller instead of frightening her" Applejack pointed towards Song, who was in fact cowering in a corner of the library. 

Rarity stepped forward to try and help Song feel more comfortable, before gasping. "She has a musical cutie mark! What if she's famous? What if she knows Sapphire Shores or Fleur De Lis?" Rarity started to roll off the possibilities in her mind. "Her name is something to do with music! What if she's a prodigy?" 

Song cocked her head. What is a Fleur De Lis have to do with music?  she asked herself. She only saw the french sign a few times in all her time back at Aperture Laboratories. The door shutting broke her train of thought. 

"I'm sorry I'm late girls, Angel insisted on a snack..." The pegasus told them, in a very soft tone of voice.

"Its okay Fluttershy, I'm glad you could make it though." Twilight Sparkle said to her friend. 

"Umm, Where is it?" Fluttershy asked Twilight.

Twilight Sparkle pointed to the corner of the room. "She's over there, although she seems to be as quiet as you are." 

Fluttershy started to make her way over to the new pony. Song; who was aware of the new pony turned her head to get a closer look at the pony. Her red eyes gleamed in the sunlight. Fluttershy, stared back at Song for a second before letting out a squeal of surprise and fear and.quickly backing away. 

"Just great." Rainbow Dash remarked, from above. She seemed to have at herself down to the Daring Do books.  "We have a pony who is in a breakdown over popularity, a new pony who is quiet, and a pony who is scared of that pony. To top that all off, I'm out of new Daring Do books to read." 

During all the events that happened, Song was reviewing her memories. She hoped that if she was to leave she would find her way home. "I think I will be leaving now.." She announced, getting up and shakily heading for the door.

"Now now, Sugarcube. You don't look well enough to travel." Applejack remarked. 

Song hid her loss of pride under her mane. "It probably won't be a long journey back... He couldn't have done much damage"

Twilight Sparkle stepped forwards. "Do you have any friends around here that you could stay with?"

Song thought of making the witty remark of 'What is here?' but instead she shook her head. She never really had true friends, just other turrets she was paired with to shoot down any sign of life or to 'sing' with.

Pinkie Pie, who finally started up again jumped right in front of Song "I have an idea! I can be your friend from Ponyville!" 

"Pinkie. You can hang out with her later. For now she needs  a place to stay to regain her strength to travel back to where she is going."  Twilight said, Applejack nodding in agreement. 

Rarity snapped out of her earlier state. "I could take on the darling, perhaps set her up with a new performance outfit too?" 

Twilight Sparkle shook her head. "I'm sorry Rarity, but I think she needs a quieter place. Opalescence might not like a new pony in her house." 

"Well she can't walk on clouds so I'm out." Rainbow Dash took to the sky and left the library, a breeze messing up Rarity's main. 

"You're going to get it Rainbow Dash." Rarity said, motioning a hoof towards her hair offender's direction. 

"Pinkie's place is out of it too, due to the Cake's Twins. I don't think Song will be able to cope with foals under the stressful mood she has been in." Twilight Sparkle Announced.

Pinkie's face scrunched up, turning into a frown. "Aww"

"Don't worry Pinkie, you will be able to speak with her before she leaves, I'm sure of it." Twilight Sparkle reassured her usually energetic friend.

"Ahm sorry Twai. Mac and Ah are going to be hard at work, for the next Cider Season. We won't have the time to care for her." Applejack apologized. 

"All right then. That leaves Fluttershy" Twilight turned to the yellow pegasus.

"B-but Twilight, did you see her eyes?" Fluttershy asked Twilight.

"They're red. Mine are purple, Rainbow's are magenta. Red is hardly unusual..." Twilight Sparkle offered.

"T-they glow" Fluttershy argued, in a tiny voice. Her wings flapped wildly, as if she wanted to fly away and hide somewhere safe.

"There is no logical explanation of them glowing." Twilight turned to Song who was just waiting for the arrangement's to be made. She waved a hoof at Song's eyes. "See? Normal."

"Bu--" Fluttershy started once more.

"But nothing. Shes just a stressed, lost pony who needs a shelter. Please Fluttershy, you're her only hope. If anything does happen you have Angel and what's-his-name to look after you." 

Fluttershy's wings drooped to the floor as she turned around, defeated. "Fine."

Fluttershy left the library. "His name's Harry",she said, directed at Twilight.  

Song followed her with no remarks to say. 'Finally I can see where on Earth I am.' Song thought to herself. 

The former Turret had no idea how wrong her thought was. 




	
> The temporary guest
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

 	Fluttershy led her new, temporary companion through the normal evening buzz of the marketplace. She weaved through the mass of ponies, as she was used to doing so. Her companion, Song Serenade was staring at the multicoloured mass in awe. "I never saw this many colours before. Serenade thought as she followed the pastel pegasus, trying to keep up with the quick blur.  The thing was, she had no idea where she was. Being outside did not help her remember where she was; since, of course this was a magical land of ponies and not a dull, robotic Aperture Science. If only I still had a functioning GPS Song muttered as she let out a huge sigh. 

Many of the rainbow coloured army of evening shoppers turned their heads when they saw the mysterious earth pony. They didn't know or remember the pony from everywhere, and her cutie mark was peculiar to them. Cutie marks usually had a distinct meaning, like a straight up music note, or a bunch of bubbles.  Song was different, she had an array of shapes surrounding part of the music note, which started many questions from the crowd of spectators. One pony, an almost-white unicorn shoved her way through the crowd, to get another glimpse. A darker earth pony followed yelling words at the unicorn.

"You are the most stubborn, ridiculous pony ever. We don't even know who she is. What if shes dangerous?!?" The dark mare yelled.

"'Tavi, you need to chill some times. It would be cool if we got another musician to jam with" The unicorn argued back. 

Octavia rolled her eyes at her friend and fellow musician. As she started to return to their simple house, she rolled her eyes and muttered to herself. "One day, Vinyl. One day." 

Fluttershy slowed down, allowing Song to catch up to her pace. "Umm, I think we should go faster. The farther out of Ponyville we get, the smaller the crowd should get. I don't like crowds." Song nodded in response to Fluttershy's request and started to gallop a bit faster, still wobbling from the transition from machine to pony. 

Song Serenade and Fluttershy got to the calmer side of the town and started to slow down. Fluttershy glanced back and sighed in relief, as most of the pondering ponies halted their chase and went back to shopping. Fluttershy started down a path that seemed to go near the forest. Song was scared by the forest, as all she used to see was artificial devices, not real animals. She heard that life was dangerous. No. She was programmed to respond to life as a source of danger. This was weird for the pony, as she was now a living thing herself. She increased her trot to trot beside Fluttershy, in case impending danger. Fluttershy looked over at Song, staring into her eyes.

"Umm, maybe you aren't as dangerous as you look." Fluttershy then looked into the sky. "Oh my, it's almost night! We should hurry now. " 

Song stared at the sky. The sun seamlessly floated above, as if it were midday. "But, it's just Noon?" Song tried to reason with the pegasus. 

Fluttershy shook her head. "Princess Luna is going to raise the Moon soon."  

Now, if Song Serenade were in her turret encasing, most of her circuitry would be already burnt out. She just was really confused instead. Princess.. Luna? Who's that? I didn't know any Princesses existed, minus the ones in England Song spent the rest of the time trotting to her destination, pondering over who Princess Luna could be, or how that would even work.

As if on cue, the two ponies reached Fluttershy's cottage and got inside right when the Sun gracefully sank into the horizon and the Moon flowed up so easily, that it caught more of Song's attention. She spent the time watching the miracle happen. 

"I'll set up your bed. Um, if you don't mind that is." Fluttershy told her guest as she flew to the guest room. 

Song sighed. This was one weird day for the former turret. Her train of thought was broken when she felt a quick jab at her side and then a pattern of loud thumping. She looked down at her side and saw a white rabbit, who seemed to dislike the thought of a new visitor. The second the rabbit looked at her eyes, it seemed to be a bit frighted. A few seconds later, the rabbit continued to try and get Song out of the house. 

Fluttershy returned to the main room and saw the rabbit. "Angel Bunny. Stop that this instant. This is my new..." She looked at the floor. "Friend". The word friend seemed like it was hard to come out of the pegasus. "She will be staying here for a while, until we can get her back to her house." 

The rabbit turned around and crossed his arms. 

"If you will be nice, I'll make you your favorite dish tomorrow!" Fluttershy bribed him. 

Angel hopped forward, he seemed as if he was full of energy.

"Then it's settled" Fluttershy said, turning to Song. "The room's ready" she told her visitor and started to lead Song to the Guest room.

The guest room was a small room with a cabinet on the wall with some books and various vases. Song cautiously stepped into the room. She turned to her host and whispered "Thank you." 

"Umm, You're welcome?" Fluttershy responded, leaving the room and shutting off the lights in the main room. 

Song headed to the bed and laid down on her stomach, staring out the window next to the bed. The Moon seemed like a normal moon, If it looks so Normal, than what does Princess Luna have to do with it? Song asked herself. Gazing up at the orb of white, A funny idea popped into her mind, upon thinking of the moon. If I had a Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device right now, would it work on the moon? The pony tried to snap out of her endless gazing at her moon, but couldn't. It was like she didn't want to. Or was it more like she didn't have to sleep. She browsed through her memories, thinking of what she would do back at Aperture. She realized that she never actually did sleep; she just powered down. She tried to run the procedure of shutting down as well as the code through her mind, aimlessly attempting to fall asleep.



When she finally fell 'asleep' the last thing she would have thought about had happened. A white unicorn, with a vibrant blue mane was slowly sneaking around the area, looking for a way in. She knew the mysterious earth pony was staying at Fluttershy's and needed to find out more about the earth pony. She knew Octavia would hide her DJ table and her other objects if Octavia knew what she was up to. "This time, I won't mess up 'Tavi. This time you can't stop me" Vinyl Scratch pulled her purple glasses over her eyes.

	

	
> The return
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Vinyl Scratch had walked around the perimeter of the small house. She couldn't find any possible ways in, and didn't dare to break in. She was a sneaky pony at that, but she knew not to break into a house. She decided to camp out somewhere outside the house, for if she returned to her house Octavia would probably question her until she spilled the truth. 





The Sun passed the Moon on it's journey into the cloudless sky. The warmth and light of the Sun shone all over Ponyville, sending a wake-up call to most of the early risers. For the small cottage on the outskirts of Ponyville, this was Fluttershy's clue to awake. She had to feed her various critters and then make a trip to the local market to gather the ingredients needed for Angel's special dish. She tiptoed towards the main room, making sure her guest wouldn't be awoken by her noise. "Good Morning." She said in the lightest, most calming tone she could to the various early awoken animals. A few squirrels, a rabbit and a few hummingbirds all chimed in, as if they were responding back with another greeting. 

Fluttershy left the animals to go to her kitchen. She started to drag a bag of feed back to the main room and split it up in each of the bowls. "Here's breakfast." She said, as the squirrels took a dive into the food bowls. "Oh, my" Fluttershy jolted back, surprised by the squirrels actions. She decided to busy herself, making hay sandwiches for both herself and her guest. She thought she should wait for Song Serenade to wake up before heading out for the market. 

Song Serenade, was asleep in the guest room. Although she didn't dream, some feeling deep inside her urged her to awaken. Her eyes slowly peeled open as she sat upright. She didn't know why, but a single word escaped from her mouth, "Activated". She quickly snapped out of it. Was it possible that some parts from her turret body stayed intact? Or was it because she was used to doing it?  She shook off the thoughts and got out of her bed. She tried to neatly put the sheets back were they used to be before she got the room, but she failed; as she wasn't used to using her hooves to pick objects up. She stared out the window, wondering if the grand Moon Princess made the Sun rise. She left her room, slowly entering the main room and sneaked around the eating animals. She was relived to see that Fluttershy was already awake and muttered a greeting of "Good morning" to her host. 





Outside the cottage, a certain Unicorn was just awakening. Her mane was messier then normal, as she hardly slept that night. She took off her glasses and decided to stay just a while longer before heading home to her doom. It took her a few minutes to notice she would need food, or else she would fall asleep and get caught, so she returned to a spot that she saw various edible plants growing at, and grabbed a few carrots in her telekinetic grip. She returned to her post, eating the carrots. What she didn't see was a powdery blue plant's mark on her hooves. 





Fluttershy showed her guest a small table, laced with white fabric. The table had two plain sandwiches on it, and Fluttershy waited for Song to sit down. Song made her way to the far end of the table and sat down. Sitting was weird for a pony. It looked like what humans would do, but Song Serenade never imagined a pony; especially a pastel pony, being able to do so. "I, um made us some hay sandwiches if you don't mind." Fluttershy said, motioning towards the plates. Song nodded and waited for Fluttershy to start before she started. She had no idea how to use her hooves to pick up food. Fluttershy picked up her sandwich first and took a small bite, then looked over at Song. "Is anything wrong? Did I do something wrong? Oh my, are you allergic to hay?" Fluttershy started to freak out and throw questions at Song.

Song simply shook her head. "It's okay" She responded and attempted to pick up the sandwich. When she finally got it in a good enough grip, she was able to get a few mouthfuls. The food was weird, as she never had real food before. 

As soon as Fluttershy took a few more bites, she started a conversation. "Um, you acted like you didn't know Princess Luna yesterday. You aren't from around here, are you?" She questioned, afraid of being too obnoxious. 

Song Serenade put down the sandwich and nodded. "I thought Queen Elizabeth the Second was the last of the royal family to be in the highest spot before the Black Mesa incident. " She waved a hoof around as she explained her knowledge on the Royal Family. 

Fluttershy's face took a confused expression. "Well, um. We have three princesses. Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and Princess Cadence." Song was even more confused. "When I go out to get supplies from the market, you could visit Twilight Sparkle and ask her about it. That is if you'd like to" 

Song agreed to visit the unicorn, and they were soon done with breakfast. Fluttershy checked the animals to make sure they were okay, before collecting her saddlebags and motioning to Song, showing her that she was ready to leave. Fluttershy dropped a few bits into Song's hoof and told her that she could get something small, if she wanted to. The two left the house, and the door slammed shut after them, giving a signal to their unsuspecting follower. 





Vinyl Scratch popped up and rushed to the front door, watching the pair leave. There was no use of trying to get in now, since her target was not in the house. Vinyl Scratch decided to try and beat the pony into town, as that's where the white unicorn expected them to be heading. She started up, galloping through the thick branches of the Everfree forest, as that was her fastest route. She stumbled a bit, blamed it on her lack of sleep and kept on running. 





The pair of ponies entered the marketplace. Fluttershy led Song through the small amount of early risers, towards a giant Oak that seemed to be hollowed out and renovated into a house. Fluttershy went up to the door and knocked lightly.  The noise of hooves grew louder, as a half awake pony came closer to the door. "We aren't open yet" the pony claimed before walking towards the kitchen.

"Twilight it's me!" Fluttershy exclaimed, trying to get the mare to let her in. 

Twilight entered the kitchen and sat on a chair,waiting for Spike to get up and make her breakfast, as it was her morning routine. Spike, scrambled down the stairs to help Twilight, but noticed the ponies at the door. "Twilight, Fluttershy's at the door." 

Twilight mentally facehooved at her half-asleep mistake and got up to let her friend in. Fluttershy nodded towards Song, who walked in as if on cue. "Twilight, can Song stay with you for a while? I have to go shopping." 

Twilight nodded. "Of course Fluttershy" 

Fluttershy left the library and shut it quietly, leaving the two ponies to speak. Twilight motioned towards the library. "You are free to go wherever you want" She said to Song. "I'll be back in a few minutes." Twilight returned to the kitchen to eat her breakfast, as Song sat next to a bookshelf in the corner, a now-usual spot for her. 





The unicorn entered the marketplace, she started to scout for the white earth pony. She thought she saw her darker coated friend and dove in for an alley way. There was no way she could see Octavia right now. Vinyl hurt when she got back up. It was like two parts in her back were punctured by a unicorn's horn. She tried to conjure up a healing spell, but couldn't. It just hurt her head to do so. 




> The surprise
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Twilight walked out of the kitchen, now fully awake. She headed towards the white earth pony. "Hello Song Serenade, Is there anything I could help you with?" She questioned. 

Song Serenade nodded, "It's about that big, yellow orb in the sky." She said, motioning towards the Sun through a window. 

Twilight sat down next to Song, who had seemed to calm down from the meeting the previous day. "It's not that complicated, really. Princess Celestia  uses her magic to reach out and rise it or lower it. Princess Luna does the same, but with the Moon. I can't explain why, but this is how it was for many centuries."  The words flowed out of her mouth as if they were perfectly rehearsed over and over again.

Song's brain hurt. Why do things in this place have to be so...Complicated? I can understand the wonders of electricity, wires, currents and circuitry but I just don't get this. she thought to herself.

Seeing that the information she had just mentioned, Twilight Sparkle decided to step it up a notch and pull out a few books to prove her point and get more information. Many books floated down in her purple aura. 

Song pointed at the magical aura, as it was her first time seeing it up close. "What is that?" She shrieked, backing off into the wall. 

"It's my magical aura." Twilight explained. "I can't really explain how it works, but it is natural for unicorns." She added in, smiling. 

"And GLaDOS always said that science is the true magic." Song muttered under her breath. 

"Speak up?" Twilight requested.

Song Serenade shook it off as "Nothing." 

GLaDOS was right, outside is a weird and frightening place. I would prefer Aperture Science than this anyday. Song thought. 

Twilight Sparkle frowned. "You don't come from Equestria, do you?" She asked her new friend; if you could call Song a friend. "Everyone in Equestria, even young fillies would know who the Princesses are."

Song Serenade shook her head.




Vinyl Scratch had almost no time to think, as a certain pink pony hopped by the alley. The pony hopped backwards, as if time were forced backwards. "Hi Vinyl, this is a weird area to be at this time in the morning! Actually it isn't the weirdest. The weirdest has to be in Froggy Bottom Bog, looking for a certain green pet. Reminds me that I have to find Gummy." 

Vinyl rolled her eyes at Pinkie Pie, she should have respected her friend more. Especially since Pinkie was one of her only friends; but it got old after a while. She got up, and was about to walk away when Pinkie started to walk with her. 

"Have you ever wondered what it would be like to fly? Well I've flied before and it was totally cool and... Oh, you wouldn't need to imagine how it would be to fly. You have wings. Silly Pinkie, why would you ask her such a silly question?" Pinkie Pie said as she started to bounce higher. 

Vinyl was about to roll her eyes again, when she realized what Pinkie Pie said. "Pinkie, I don't know how much candy you ate today, but I don't have wings." She blatantly told her friend. 

"Vinyl, you are so funny." Pinkie paused, pointing at her friend. "If you don't have the strength of an earth pony or a horn of a unicorn then what are you?" 

"A pegasus" Vinyl admitted. 

"Good!" Pinkie said, turning and grabbing a white wing in her hoof and pulling it closer to Vinyl's eyes to prove her conclusion. 

Vinyl screamed in pain, as her wing was pulled. "But how?!?" She asked Pinkie. 

Pinkie shrugged and continued to bounce forward. "Did you have blueberries for breakfast? You have a stain on your hoof!" 

Vinyl suddenly knew what had happened.





"So if you don't come from Equestria, where do you come from?" Twilight questioned, once again levitating her small notebook.

"Aperture Science, Michigan, America." Song recited, as she was quite fond of Aperture's history. 

"Do you mean Amareica?" Twilight asked, frowning at Song shaking her head at the question. 

"Well, Song. I hate to say this, but I must open the library right now, you can come back later to continue our chat, when the library is closed." Twilight rushed off to put her books back and put up the open sign. She muttered something about being tardy as she did so. Song payed little attention to it. 

"Bye Twilight" Song called out as she left the library to see the wonders of Ponyville. 

As song excited the library, she decided to see the Ponyville market for herself. She didn't want to spend all of the money that Fluttershy gave her, but wanted to see what technology the town had. The deeper she got into the town, the more stalls were open. The first ones she saw were food stalls. Song scrunched up her nose at the food stalls, as she didn't feel the need to eat. As she passed the food stalls, she saw a semi-familiar face. 

"Hello Sugarcube." The pony greeted, motioning Song towards her stall. 

Song followed the pony's motions. "Hello..."

"Ahm Applejack" She filled in Song's missing words. "Are you in town for some supplies? 'Ahve seen Fluttershy around earlier, and she told me you were in town too." 

Song shook her head " I'm just looking at the town from a more awake perspective." 

Applejack nodded and passed an apple to her new-found friend. "Here, y'all can take it free of charge. Ah trust you, Sugarcube." 

Song took the apple reluctantly, staring down at the ground as she did so.

"Don't worry, we have extra on the farm if we need it. Y'alls have a good time now." Applejack reassured her. 

Song started out with the apple being held firmly in her mouth. She noted that there was no other way in carrying it and decided to invest in a bag of some sorts. She continued through the marketplace, taking note of a grand looking shop. She shook her head, knowing such store would be too expensive for her limited budget. Song settled for a plain white saddlebag that was on sale at a small stall selling various items.  

Song continued to browse through the marketplace. She saw many books, small objects and Food stalls. She did not see any advanced technology. It looks like there is nothing here to rival even the earliest of Aperture's products.. She thought, before passing a weird shop that sold shower curtains. Never mind. she told herself.

As Song started to get to get closer to the outskirts of town, she decided to slow down. There was nothing more to see and no more crowds to go around. It was probably around lunch now, but Song had no way to tell if she was right. As she passed some alleys, one of the ponies she had met the day before popped out and seemed to teleport next to her.

"Heya Songie"  Pinkie Pie chimed in. "It felt like foreeeever since I lost saw you." 

The former unicorn ran out of the ally, rushing to catch up to Pinkie Pie. Her new wings fluttered at her side, happy to finally meet the newcomer. "Hey, you." She pointed at Song Serenade. "Wanna chill with me?" She asked. "I mean you like music too, right?" 

Song took a few seconds to recover. "Um, sure?" She responded.

"Awesome!" Vinyl said, pumping her hoof in the air. Vinyl thought she may have gained another friend. "Lets go to the park first." Vinyl thought. She wished she could take Song Serenade back to her house for a few 'Wubs' but it would be to risky for a winged, Vinyl to appear at her normal home like nothing happened. 

Pinkie stepped forward. "Sorry Vinyl but I have to return to Sugarcube Corner. Should I tell Octavia about where you are and your new ap-" Vinyl shot forward and put a hoof over Pinkie's mouth.

"Do not tell her anything" Vinyl whispered to Pinkie Pie. "Just call me Wicked Beats from now until I get my horn back." 

Pinkie Pie nodded then started to head back. "Okey Dokey Loki Vi- Wicked."  Pinkie called out as she headed back into the main parts of the town.

Vinyl sighed and rearranged her mane to look less wild than normal. It killed a part of her, but she knew that Vinyl Scratch shouldn't be seen as a pegasus. Too many questions would be asked. Song was silent during the transition, and just started to walk towards the park when Wicked Beats took the lead. If she could fly, she would have flown, but Wicked didn't know how to.

"So, do you like music?" Song asked Wicked, slowing down while awaiting Wicked's answer.

"Dude, you got to be joshin me. Music is my life. Do you see my cutie mark. There's only one way to get one. Wubs." 

"Wubs?" Song asked.

"Heavy dubstep." Wicked answered, pretending to headbang. "So whats your talent mean?"

"Singer,although not a very professional one, but I can sing." Song Serenade admitted. The walk to the park was quicker than expected and the two ponies entered it. It was a rather large park with a few benches and a fountain. One of the benches were already occupied by a couple of mares. One was a mint green unicorn, the other was a sandy-coloured earth pony who was reading a newspaper. 




"Hey Bon Bon, is that Vinyl Scratch over there?" The unicorn asked her friend. 

Bonbon looked up from her newspaper. "Lyra Heartstrings, are you insane. There is no way Vinyl Scratch is a pegasus. Especially a pegasus with that type of mane style. Vinyl would never change it, and you know so." 

Lyra Heartstrings rolled her eyes, sure that she was right this time.





> The thoughts
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Wicked Beats quickly led Song Serenade to the second bench, which happened to be on the other side of the fountain from the other pair of ponies. She folded her wing's shut, unused to the weird appendages. "How do pegasi do this all the time?" she asked out loud, unaware of her tone. Song stared at her with an awkward glance. Wicked looked away from Song to avoid her piercing stare. It was pure luck that a grey-toned pegasus happened to be merrily walking towards the bench, swaying her head from side to side and randomly flapping her wings. "Of all times, why do you have to choose now?" the former unicorn asked herself out loud.

Song stretched her neck to see what Wicked was talking about. A walleyed pegasus was merrily trotting towards the bench. "I don't see whats wrong?" Song asked.

Wicked shook her head. "Never mind." she told Song. The pegasus finally was close enough to chat with Wicked.

"Hey Vinyl!" She said, one eye focusing on the pegasus in front of her. 

Wicked Beat's wings flared out in anger and worry. "Don't call me that." she said under her breath. 

The blond mare didn't seem to hear what Wicked said and eyed her wings. "Scratchie! You have wings! Are you magic?" 

Wicked Beats facehooved and turned to face Song. "Serenade, do you mind leaving us alone for a while, I need to chat." 

Song Serenade nodded, as she always obeyed others, or maybe that was just a fact of her circuit boards back at Aperture. Whichever it was, she trotted off into the park, letting the older friends talk.

Wicked Beats grabbed the other pegasus's mane and dragged her in whispering distance. "Derpy, if I asked you to hold  the biggest promise in the world, I know you would understand. Now is the time to." 

'Derpy looked up, one eye randomly falling down. "Yes Scratchie" she said as she saluted. 

"Wicked. Not 'Scratch' " The neon-maned pegasus scowled at her wall-eyed friend. 

"Ooh, is this a game? Can I play too?" the second mare asked, starting to ascend into the air, slowly switching directions and flying upside down. Before Wicked could face-hoof, the mare corrected her. "Ditzt. Not 'Derpy'" 

Wicked pulled Ditzy closer to her then gave in. "I'm Wicked Beats, not Vinyl. Vinyl is out of town. Understand?" 

Ditzy nodded quickly. "Yes Wicked Beats!" 

"Good then you can go now." Wicked told her friend. 

Ditzy started to head away from Wicked, when she stopped and seamlessly pulled out a muffin from thin air then took to the sky.

Wicked wandered away from the bench to find Song once again,  who probably didn't stray so far away.





"See Bonnie, I wasn't crazy." The mint green unicorn told her partner, pointing at what she thought was the local DJ. Bonbon rolled her eyes and looked up, knowing it would shut her minty friend up. What she saw, she wasn't prepared for. 

It's like an exact replica of her but a pegasus. That can't be the same Vinyl. She would never allow her mane to flow like that Bonbon's mind overfilled with thoughts. She shook her head, for it wasn't the weirdest thing she had seen. She lived through Nightmare Moon, Discord and even the worst storms the local mailmare, Ditzy Doo kicked up. Maybe, just maybe she would tell Daisy, one of both her best friends and best customers about the coincidence. She nodded her head; to shut Lyra up then went back to reading the Daily Ponyville newspaper. 

Lyra was finally satisfied, and sat down in an awkward way for a pony; her usual stance. 





Song Serenade happened to be near a small flower garden, a short distance away from the fountain. She eyed the flowers in awe, for they were authentic flowers, and not the robotic counterpart Aperture offered. Since she wasn't with the weird pegasus, she had time to look over the smaller details to the weird town inhabited by pastel horses. The smell of the flowers was so sweet. She really never smelled anything before, for the case that hosted her before this fragile body, didn't have room for any scent sensors. I wonder why GLaDOS kept this treasure from us... Song thought, as she touched an orange flower gently with her hoof. The flowers started to bend over; as if there was some source of wind. 


Wind.

The only thing the now-sentient being could relate the feeling of wind to was the pre-alpha Pneumatic Diversity Vents that never got on the shelves; something all robots feared. This wind felt calming, soothing; different. It didn't give Song that feeling of hopelessness. 

"Yo. Dude? Are you okay?" A voice interrupted Song's thoughts. Wicked Beats was beating her wings, waiting impatiently for Song to leave the boring flower garden. I hope she's not one of those flower weirdos Wicked thought to herself. All Ponyville needs is more of those freaks.

Song turned around, snapping out of her trance and stared at Wicked Beats, her eyes dilating. Something in her simple mind wanted to utter one of the phrases she had been programmed to remember in her old body. She fought the urge to freak out her possibly new friend. "Yes, where are we going?" She asked, quickly changing subjects. 

Wicked Beats turned around, staring into the distance of Ponyville. She needed Flight lessons, quick, but the importance of a possible friend, or at least someone who didn't dislike her was also very important. Wicked Beats looked up. "Oh my Celestia, it's getting late and I promised somepony that I would" She paused for a minute "Go to the movies with them!" She started to trot off. "We can chill again tomorrow" she yelled back. 

Song nodded in agreement then waited for Wicked to leave. She looked up at the sky when she was gone. How in God's name do they tell time? she thought, looking at the perfectly centered sun in the sky. She jerked her head back after direct contact with the sun's rays. I guess this body doesn't tolerate sunlight very well either. she noted, remembering the horrible buzz of the 'Thermal Discouragement Beam'. Although she never made contact with the horrible invention, she had witness countless of her kind getting into situations with them. It wasn't pretty one bit. Song decided to return to the marketplace, before heading back to the smaller house near the outskirts of town. 





'Wicked Beats' took a direct path back into the town, she ducked into another alleyway to count her ways of getting a possible flight teacher. She came up with what she thought as uncool solutions. If she were to go straight home, Octavia would give her a long talk about what she did, as well as many possible restrictions. There was already the "Best Young Flier" who had a house overhead of Ponyville. If she were to approach said pony, she would probably get found out as quick as Pinkie Pie could set up a party for a newcomer. There was Derpy, but that would take forever. 

The last solution she came up with was one of the hardest, but the most successful in her mind. It was to break her wings in a flying 'accident', get in a hospital and pretend to forget how to fly. Wicked didn't know if she should have and decided she had some more time to decide. 

She disappeared into the alleyway, her temporary home; for now. 




Song Serenade made her way back to what she thought was a market. She must have made a wrong turn, for the building she was approaching was a two story shop. Song thought back to the words she was programmed with in Aperture, to try and describe the weird shop. C...Caravan?... Carnival?... Carousel. Carousel! That's the word.  Her eyes scanned the building. She decided to go around the building and follow the long street, to try and find the marketplace once more. What she didn't notice was a white unicorn with a curled purple mane was staring out the window.


The door opened when Song was almost halfway around the building, the unicorn frantically calling over to the mare as if something caught on fire. "Darling. Darling come here!" the accented voice seemed to scream at Song. Song quickly turned around; her eyes slightly glowing a shade of red before she galloped as fast as her legs could, towards the building. 

"Quick Darling, get inside." the unicorn ordered, closing the door with her blue aura. The unicorn shut all the windows in the room. "No one must see it." she said sternly, levitating the saddlebags off of Song. "It's truly horrible." she exclaimed. A DISGRACE TO DESIGNERS EVERYWHERE. she yelled, manically as she dumped out the bags contents, a few bits. 

Song stepped back, afraid of the mare. She wondered if the mare would take her bits and hold her up. If this is what a Test Subject feels like, then I feel sorry for them. she thought to herself. 

"Darling, that is a cheap knock-off saddlebag, made of cheap fabric." the mare said, levitating the bag close to Song Serenade's face to show her. "The stitches are already falling apart." she complained, tossing the bag into a nearby trashcan that rattled upon the new addition. 

A squeaky voice uttered a few words. "Rarity, not again." from upstairs. 

"Oh shush Sweetie, you don't know bad fashion if it were to kick your flank in broad daylight." Rarity retorted, grabbing a white fabric with her aura.  She looked up at Song Serenade, then down at her fabric, then nodded. "White suits you" she muttered under her breath, cutting a measured amount of the fabric, then quickly grabbing some thread from a nearby shelf. An empty spool and a sketch of a design both flew off the shelf and dropped onto an unsuspecting cat below.

The cat quickly yowled and started to scratch anything in the small radius, completely ruining the sketch. 

"Opal!" Rarity screamed. "Sweetie, take care of Opal. I have a fashion emergency to work on!" She commanded, as she got back to cutting and sewing the white material with precision. 

A short, white unicorn came tumbling downstairs. She knew there was no way to get her sister away from her sewing. She headed towards Opal and with a weak, green aura, she started to pull the cat upstairs by it's tail. 

Rarity had finished the base of the saddlebags, sparing a few seconds to wipe her face with a fancy cloth. She stopped for a second then looked up at Song Serenade, who was amazed by her quick, but efficient skills. "Any design you want on the clasp, darling?" She asked Song. "It can be anything, at all; Really" 

Song looked up at Rarity. "B..but, I don't have enough money.' she said, worried about being in-debt. 

Rarity shook her head. "It's okay darling, I got this covered. Now; the design."

Song thought for a while. She could be generic and go with her cutie mark, but that wouldn't show off the full logo it was supposed to be. "Do you have paper?" She asked Rarity.

"Of course Darling, what would a designer be without paper around her shop?" She pulled a piece of graph paper off a table and laid it down in front of Song, as well as a pencil.

Song struggled with holding items in her hooves, so she decided to go with her mouth. She picked up the pencil with her teeth and tried to make a circle. The 'circle' looked more like an oval. She then drew another circle inside of it. She added multiple lines to it, and dropped the pencil. It looked like something a toddler would draw, but it was good enough for Song Serenade.

Rarity looked at the drawing as if it were some alien technology. She rotated the piece then remembered what it looked like. "Camera?" she asked Song. She wasn't a camera-fanatic but knew some parts of it, as she had to use one to take a few pictures of her dresses for an advertisement. "Is that an aperture?" She asked pointing at the design. 

Song nodded at Rarity, surprised the pony knew what an aperture was, for she hadn't seen any form of technology in the area so far.

"Well it may take me mo--" Rarity started, but was quickly cut off by another shriek from Opal followed by "Dumb cat." upstairs. Rarity rolled her eyes. "Darling, can you check on them?" Rarity asked Song, as she continued to work on the saddlebags.




 


	
> The assumptions  
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The alley was disgusting, rotten remains of an assortment of once-novelty foods were scattered everywhere. It would gross out even normal ponies. It was good Wicked wasn't a normal pony. With her wings tucked in at her sides and part of her hair covering her eyes; replacing her horn she trudged on. The alley led to a smaller road, in which she could probably escape into a more secluded environment from, without being seen with her new additions. She peered around the edge of the stone brick that ended the alleyway. Nopony was in sight. Wicked took her chance and fled for the Everfree as quick as she could. What she didn't know, was a certain pink pony with a yellow mane was watching from a distance.  





Song climbed the flight of stairs as quick as she could. The stairs were solid as brick, compared to the robotic ones back at Aperture. Song pushed the thought out of her mind, remembering that *something* might have been in danger above. She came face to face to a filly, with the messiest mane that Song had seen so far. Sweetie, isn't it? Song thought, hating to get the name wrong. "Is there something wrong?" Song Serenade asked Sweetie, who was staring at shreds of paper.

"The dumb cat shredded my painting of me and my big sis" Sweetie complained, her voice squeaking halfway through.

Song Serenade turned her head to look at the guilty party. The cat stared back at her, then stalked off to a corner. Song looked up at Sweetie. "Don't worry Sweetie, I believe you can make a better one if you try." She paused for a minute "Maybe you'll be even better then Rattmann" she whispered to herself. Song left the room, knowing everything would be okay. 

"Better than a rat?" Sweetie Belle asked herself, her voice once again squeaking in confusion. "Anyone could be better than a rat" she sighed before levitating a paintbrush in a weak green aura. 





"Darling, perfect timing." The voice of Rarity chimed in as she pulled the last stitch to a close. The saddlebags were now complete, due to Rarity's almost-perfected skills. The bag was one of the best quality ones that could be bought in the radius of the Town. Rarity levitated the bags over to Song and fit her with them. 

"Rarity, it's perfect!" Song exclaimed, looking at the shiny, new  saddlebags. The bag's form looked as if a professional from the highest-quality stores would have made it. The Aperture logo was perfectly lined up. Song pushed a few bits forward. "I'm sorry Rarity, but this is all I have." Song appologized.

"Darling, please. We are friends, are we not? My friends should get the best quality fashion straight from my Boutique, and no less. If I didn't do such deeds, I would not be Rarity at all." Rarity spoke in a friendly tone. 

Song shook her head. "I'll find a way to repay you." she promised, placing her bits in the saddlebags and heading for the door. 

"No need dear." Rarity called out. 





Song once again followed the busy path through the marketplace, dodging and weaving through the busy last-minute-shoppers, following what she thought was the way to the small Cottage. 

"Carrots, top grade carrots for sale!" A orange-maned mare called out. 

"Apples for sale, the best in Equestria" Applejack called out in a louder voice. 

Song looked around, the variety of foods was impressive, for coloured equines. She always thought horses ate only carrots, apples and oats. This 'Ponyville' place proved her wrong. She continued trotting at a normal pace through the marketplace, wondering what she could do with the bits she had; if she was confident enough to spend it. She didn't know if she should have spent more bits, they were Fluttershy's after all.

After a few minutes, the tops of trees could be seen in the distance. Song Serenade decided to slow down, now that she knew she came the right way. She took the minutes she had left before she got back to her temporary house to reflect on her day. 

Stairs, Authentic, wooden stairs. Not metal ones. Who would have known? Song thought to herself. 

Where ever I am, it must be far away from Michigan. Song took note. I'm pretty sure the outside world would have technology. she sighed at the lack of facts of where she was. 'Ponyville' was an awkward name that wouldn't fit into America.  Before she knew it, she was standing in front of the cottage.  

Song knocked at the door, waiting patiently for Fluttershy to let her in. Fluttershy flew to the door and peered out before letting her new friend in. Song emptied her saddlebags of the bits, pushing them towards Fluttershy. "I'm sorry I spent some" she sighed, flipping some of her main over her eyes, afraid of the outcome. 

"It's. Um. Okay?" Fluttershy whispered back. "I meant for you to get something for yourself anyways" she folded her wings and looked away. "You can... keep the bits if you want." 

Out of Fluttershy's surprise, Song pushed the bits to Fluttershy, nodded while saying 'Thank you' and then returning to her room.

Fluttershy slowly took the bits and put them with the others she earned from her small animal business. She returned to the kitchen, getting the feed for her pets. They aren't pets, they are family. Fluttershy thought to herself, ashamed she would call the critters pets. 

Song entered the room and took her place near the window once more. She took off her saddlebags and placed them on the windowsill. She put her hoof over the simple logo Even if the others think its ...just a camera piece, it will always stand for Aperture and hope in my heart. Song thought to herself, remembering all the events that happened back at her true home. 

Fluttershy soon appeared at Song's door. "Um, Dinners almost ready" she told the white mare, before returning to her cooking. 





Wicked Beats galloped through the thick branches of the Everfree. She, as any Ponyville resident knew that being at the forest at such a time was dangerous. Being in the Everfree alone at all was a risk. Wicked heard stories about the manticores and cockatrices, but she was sure meeting Octavia in such a state would be a worse fate. She trudged on, her fur getting pulled by the various thorns. It would soon be nighttime, making the mythical creatures more active. Wicked had to find a shelter.

Wicked looked down just in time, another patch of the horrible flower stood in front of her, but this time the patch was bigger and the plants were wild, not strategically placed. The white pegasus unfurled her wings, backed up and took a running leap over the majority of the flowers. Before she touched down she flapped her wings in a frantic beat, just giving her enough thrust to miss the last row. She shook her mane, getting rid of the miscellaneous leaves that somehow lodged themselves in it. 

She carried on, as the Sun began to drastically fall into the horizon, passing the Moon as it made it's way into the Night sky. Wicked Beats groaned at the aspect of encounters becoming more probable. As the final touches, the stars were added to the sky, a distant light became more transparent. Wicked hurried to it, hoping it would be a sign of the forest's end. As she got closer to the light, she saw a small shack with distant masks decorating it and an eerie green light pulsating from it. The door started to open. Wicked turned around and ran; for she knew who that was. 

As soon as Wicked was far away enough, she sat down. I thought she was just a Nightmare Night story. A disguise. Luna, why does such a pony exist? Wicked thought to herself, misjudging the owner of the shack. Wicked Beats was too tired to continue on, so she found a spot, a small 'cave' made out of a fallen tree and decided to use that as a temporary shelter.





Soon enough, Song Serenade was called out of her room by a friendly hummingbird for dinner. She didn't want to impose on Fluttershy, especially when she didn't feel like she had to eat at such a time. As she got out to the main room, she bi-passed the mass of eating animals which took up most of the room. Angel, the snow-white bunny gave Song another glance of annoyance, before going back to his bowl. Song Serenade made her way to the small table, which Fluttershy was still setting up. 

The dinner was simple, some hayfries with a few carrots. It's probably the equine equivalent to Fish and Chips Song reflected to herself. Fluttershy finally sat down, Song joining her.

"Um sorry for the small amount of food" Fluttershy said apologetically. "I didn't have enough time to get some hayfries when I was shopping for Angel's dessert." She glanced away. "I hope you don't mind."

Song shook her head. "It's no problem at all" she said, waving her food at the fries. "This is enough for us." She hated to admit the fact she didn't feel like eating.

The two ponies started to eat, both being completely silent. Oddly enough, Fluttershy happened to be the one to break the silence. "Your saddlebags were made by Rarity, right?".

Song nodded. "How did you know?"

"Shes one of my best friends, I meet her at least once a week to hangout at the Spa, maybe you should come with us," Fluttershy said, she looked at the small calender she kept near the table. "oh, um. Tomorrows a Spa day, would you like to come with us?" 

Song agreed to, finished her small dinner and returned to her room. It was fully Night by the time she did. The mare stared out the window one last time before laying down in her bed. She sighed, wondering if the other turrets even missed her.





Day came quicker than expected, with the roosters awakening the ponies in the Cottage. Song arose first, grabbing her saddlebags and looking out at the Sun. Who knows, maybe I'll meet this Princess, and maybe she can help me. the mare thought to herself. She exited her room and entered the main room in the cottage, waiting for Fluttershy to awaken before wandering out into the mass of early-shoppers. Some of the animals were already awake; the rooster of course, a few mice and squirrels. Song lowered her head to get a closer view at the animals, putting her hoof out to see if they trusted her.

The animals backed away at first, but after a while they decided to come forward. Song extended her hoof and patted them over the head with it. They didn't seem to mind at all, but scattered when hoof steps could be heard. Fluttershy had woken and was in the hallway, the animals running to her for their breakfast. 

"Good Morning Song" Fluttershy greeted, half asleep still. 

"Good Morning Fluttershy" Song said, turning to face the yellow pegasus. She looked over at the door. "Is it okay if I go out now and meet up with you later?" She asked her host.

Fluttershy yawned, then nodded. "I need to harvest my garden and check on the chickens anyways. Just be back by lunchtime so we can meet Rarity at the Spa." 

"Will do!" Song Serenade said enthusiastically before leaving the cottage and trotting through the marketplace. She wanted to find out more about this weird town, and perhaps get some clue on what level technology it was capable of owning. 





Wicked Beats awoke from a gentle breeze that ruffled her mane. It was later than she willed it to be, as her plan was get out of the Everfree, and find a suitable hangout before anypony would awaken. Since her plans were botched, Wicked decided to still get out of the Everfree, but find the next best area to stay in. If Wicked Beats were to learn how to fly in such a short time, Cloudsdale could be an option. The pegasi would hate to have to stow-away on the train, she didn't wish to be seen any worse than she already had.

She climbed out of the thicket and started to walk to the edge of the forest, her mane getting messier as she walked. She sighed and put her hoof over her mane to calm it down, into the style known as "Wicked Beats". As the pony trudged on, she got lost. All she knew was the forest seemed to go on forever.





Song once again found herself in the marketplace. She was getting used to the area and din't get that lost anymore. She passed the usual stalls; Fruits, Vegetables and herbs. 

The next few stores she passed were unusual; One was a Quills and Sofas store, which Song didn't expect to see at all. The other was a music shop and club combination. Song continued on, passing more shops. She was heading to the library to check the books for possible technology. 

A yellow maned mare passed Song. The mare turned around and stared at Song for a second, as if she were intimidated by Song's appearance, before returning to her usual routine. 





The mare trotted through town, going to a particular shop. When she got to her destination, she entered the shop slowly, letting the chimes announce her arrival. "Coming." A voice sounded.

A sandy coated mare appeared from a door behind the counter. "Oh, hi Lily" The mare cheerfully greeted her friend.

"Good morning Bonbon" Lily said. Bonbon opened up a gate, allowing Lily behind the counter and into the back of the shop, which; in fact was more welcoming. A bowl of Bonbon's signature sweets were placed on a neatly lined table. Lily sat down on the couch.

"Lyra! We have visitors!" Bonbon yelled to alert her friend.

"Mph" Lyra grunted, half asleep.

Bonbon rolled her eyes. "Ignore her."

Lily smiled, knowing that it was 'Just Lyra being Lyra.'

Bonbon started the discussion. "I've seen some weird ponies this week."

Lily tilted her head. "So have I"

"The one I've seen looks just like Vinyl Scratch, but as a pegasus" Bonbon described 'Wicked'.

"I've seen her too." Lily admitted. "I've also seen an all-white pony with glowing eyes." 

Bonbon was now intrigued. 

"If I am not hallucinating, and you saw the pegasus-Vinyl too...then that might mean...."

"Mean what?" Bonbon questioned.

"What if changelings are in the town?" Lily began. "Vinyl doesn't have such advanced magic to change her species, and I never knew of a white pony before. Especially one with such a quality." Lily extended her hooves then started to shake Bonbon. "Changlings. They might be anywhere, stealing our loved ones and the poor, defenseless children; to replace them then FEED OFF OF THEM." 

Bonbon removed Lily then nodded in agreement. The reasoning seemed possible, especially with the way 'Vinyl' had her mane styled. What if they were drones who had little experience in shape shifting?

"Bonbon, we have to tell the guards. Could you imagine if Ponyville was overrun with them? It would be like the Canterlot wedding all over again." She put a hoof to her face. "The horror! The horror!" 

Bonbon had doubts once more, her friend did overreact most of the times; but what if it was true? 

> The scrambled feelings
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Song entered the library. "Goodmorning Twilight" she said to the librarian. 

"Hello Song, what may I do for you?" The unicorn asked.

"I'm looking for some books on technology." Song responded, looking at all the books.

Twilight clapped her hooves, finally able to pull out some books from the dusty shelves. She levitated a few down to Song. 	"Here are a few!" 

Song flipped through the books, pictures of older, oil lamps resided at the front, then it evolved into the normal light bulb. The book didn't mention computers at all, although it briefly mentioned that some more advanced technology was around. Song looked up at Twilight. "Do you have any, uhh, technology here at the library?" She inquired, hoping for at least a simple laser. 

Twilight nodded energetically. "I have somethings downstairs in my lab" she headed for a staircase. "Wish to come and see it?" 

Song followed Twilight down the small flight of stairs. She didn't expect the large line of scientific tubes and liquids. She avoided the glass at all times she could, afraid of the substances in them. In the middle of all the liquids, lay a seat that seemed to be hooked up to odds and ends. To Song, it looked like a mix of a bad science experiment and a typewriter. 

"This is a little machine I made to try and understand Pinkie's physics" Twilight explained, touching the machine. "If Pinkie was in it longer than one minute, it would have probably exploded."

Song nodded, then stepped forward. The device seemed to have a few very basic memory boards, a printer and a few coloured lights. It wasn't the most advanced technology, but maybe she could make something out of it. 

Twilight turned to Song. "What do you think?" She asked the white mare. 

"Interesting." Song muttered. "Could you get more of these materials?" Song asked Twilight, pointing towards the boards and the wires." 

"You're a scientist too?!?" Twilight asked, almost screaming. "Oh my gosh I thought I was the only Scientist in Ponyville!" Twilight exclaimed. She looked away sheepishly. "I mean," she cleared her throat. "Of course."

Song smiled at the thought of being able to work with wires again, and exited the mini lab. "One last thing."

"Yes?"

"Can I take out those books?" Song questioned.

"Of course! I'll sign them out right away!" Twilight said, quickly levitating a quill out of some ink and taking note on the few books.

Song smiled and put the books in her saddlebags. Maybe this place isn't as bad as I thought it was.





Bonbon was called to the front of the store by the chimes once more. She left her unconscious friend on the couch, knowing that Lily Valley would be okay by herself for awhile. When she got to the counter, she didn't see a pony, as she expected to see. She looked down and saw a purple, scaled dragon. 

"Hi Bonbon, Twilight gave me some bits a while ago which I forgot about. Do you have any candied gems in stock?" Spike asked, licking his lips.

"Left back corner, next to the wrapped bon-bons." Bonbon told him, happy to serve the small dragon.

Spike rushed to the back corner. Assorted gems lay in one container, another was straight up rubies, emeralds and then there were the sapphires. Spike couldn't take it. There was too much, and he only had a few bits! He chose the rubies, one of his favorites and returned to the counter. He gently pushed the gems towards Bonbon.

"Is this all?" Bonbon asked one of her devoted customers.

Spike gulped, thinking about the other sweets "Yes, I'm kinda short on bits for anything else." He admitted. He spent the other portion of his money to buy a little something for Rarity.

Bonbon thought for a minute, before leaning closer to Spike. "I'll let you have one more pack of gems if you can do a favor for me."

Spike looked at Bonbon, as if he was confused and didn't believe it. "What favor?"

Bonbon pulled out a sheet of paper and some ink and began to write. "If you send this letter to Canterlot, than I'll let you have some more gems." She told him.

Spike scurried off to the corner of the store, grabbing an assorted gems package and dashing back. By the time her got back, Bonbon had finished writing the letter and wrapped it up with a fancy ribbon. She quickly put the gems, the letter and the receipt into a bag and passed it to Spike. Spike in change, licked his lips again as he exited the store.

Bonbon returned to her friend, who was still passed out. She went to the small kitchen and got a pack of ice. Bonbon sighed "Some things I do for my friends."




Song was trotting down the path of the marketplace again, returning to Fluttershy's before the 'Spa' meeting. Song herself didn't know what a Spa was, other than the fact that humans; mostly female humans, loved it. Maybe the 'Spa' would help her fit in more with the other pastel ponies, so she could get more help on getting back to her home. As she thought, she passed many ponies, but only one voice greeted her. When she turned around to see who  it was, she saw a small purple dragon. 

"Hi Spike!" Song greeted.	

Spike held onto his gems tighter. "Hey Song, going shopping?"

"Actually I'm heading back to Fluttershy's"

"If you see Rarity, say  'Hi' for me." Spike said, thinking of his love.

"Can do"

Song continued on, passing the last few houses before trotting onto the usual path. 





Song crossed the small bridge to Fluttershy's cottage and slowly opened the door, which was left open, because Fluttershy was in the back garden. Song went to her room and sat her saddlebag down, the books spilling out of it. 

"Um, Song is that you?" Fluttershy asked from the front door. 

"Yes, Fluttershy" Song confirmed.

"Oh thank goodness, I thought you were some robber for a second." Fluttershy admitted. She just finished working with her garden, and harvested a good amount of carrots. Fluttershy shut the door and went to the storage bins she prepared, sorting out the carrots into them.

Song returned to Fluttershy. "Good harvest?" She asked, trying to keep up a conversation.

"Well, yes, although something broke my Poison Joke barrier." She shook her head. "Somepony must have been sneaking around the house lately." 

"I haven't seen anyone." Song told Fluttershy. 

Fluttershy put the last carrot away and  shut the bins. "Oh my, it's almost Spa time!" Fluttershy reminded Song.  "Are you ready?" 

Song nodded. Fluttershy opened the front door and led the way out, Song making sure it was locked. 

The pair of ponies headed back to the heart of the town, a brilliant blue and pink building stood out, laced with flowers.

Fluttershy opened the door, and the pair were greeted by two earth ponies, both with pink and blue hues. Fluttershy nodded to them, and as they rushed off to get prepared, Fluttershy approached Rarity. "Um, I'm sorry about being late Rarity, I can't remember the last time I did." She apologized. 

A newspaper was put down and the unicorn got up. "Oh Darling, you shouldn't be sorry at all. It's not like I would go on without you." Rarity spoke. 

"Hello Rarity." Song greeted. 

"Oh Darling! Are you joining us for the afternoon?" Rarity asked.

Fluttershy interrupted. "Yes she is, I'm paying."

Rarity put a hoof on Fluttershy's. "Darling, you shouldn't. I'll pay this time." Rarity told her. 

"Rarity you shouldn't have." Fluttershy said.

"What are friends for?"

One of the Spa twins appeared at the door. "The sauna is ready." She told Rarity.

"Thank you, Lotus dear." Rarity responded, leading the other two ponies to the sauna room. 





The door creaked shut as Spike slipped into the Library. "Heya Twi" He greeted his faithful friend, informally. 

"About time you got home Spike, you know it's almost time to start sorting out the returns." Twilight added.

Spike put down his bag, his gem's spilling out.

"Spike, what did I tell you about splurging our money over gems."

Spike rolled his eyes, looking down at the bags afterwards. He grabbed the bags and started upstairs to put them in his small basket.

Twilight Sparkle noticed something fall out of Spike's bag as he left. "Spike, another scroll? What is it this time? A bill from Donut Joes?" 

Spike ran downstairs. "Thanks for the reminder Twi!" He grabbed the scroll. "I promised to send this to Canterlot for some gems."

Twilight sighed. "Do as you please Spike, but you promised me to help re-shelve.

An emerald fire lit up the scroll for a second, before vanishing into thin air. "Done." Spike told Twilight, before resuming his job as World's Number One Assistant. 





Rarity and Fluttershy already got into the Sauna, Song was a bit resistant.

"Cmon Darling, haven't you seen a Spa before?" Rarity urged Song.

Water...Short-circuits...  Song Serenade thought to herself.

"Fluttershy wouldn't have gotten in if it were even the slight bit dangerous." Rarity added, hoping it would be enough.

Song slowly moved forward and put a hoof in the water; the reaction she got was a short tingling, but nothing big. She slowly slid into the small pool and sighed.

"See Song? It's okay!" Rarity said.

Song smiled. "I guess it is" She admitted. Back home it wouldn't be. she thought. Maybe being a biotic thing has it's advantages. Then again I miss my old shell. 





A knock came from the door, which was weird, giving the door was always open at such a time, and that the chimes gave enough of a warning that someone was there. Bonbon made her way to the front of the shop, allowing who ever was there, in. She was half surprised to see a Royal Guard, adorned with his armor and a spear. Bonbon opened the door.

"Good afternoon, Madam. It seems like we have had a recent letter of concern from this area, are you Miss Bonbon by any chance?" He spoke in a straight, bold voice.

Bonbon nodded, her hair bouncing. She opened the door fully, allowing the guard to step inside. "We can talk in the main room." She told him, allowing the Guard into her house.

Lily, who finally recovered from her recent unconsciousness, rushed to the guard. Bonbon pushed her away. "Leave him alone, Lily. He's here to do his job." 

The guard dropped his spear as Lily backed up. "I'm just here for details on the 'Changelings' you've spotted."

"Well, I've seen a pony with the same colours as the neighborhood DJ, Vinyl Scratch. The only difference was that it was a pegasus." Bonbon started.

The guard nodded. "By any chance, did anyone else see them?" 

Lily nodded. "I've seen the same figure rush into the Everfree at an unusual time."

The guard thought for a second. "That definitely sounds like a changeling." he muttered. "Changelings usually are sent out in pairs, by what we have seen. Are there any other changelings that may be around?" He asked.

"Well I've seen this weird pony around that I've never seen before." Lily admitted. "An albino, and they must be rare." she waved her hooves around, for a dramatic effect. "Her eyes even seemed to glow!" She added in.

The guard merely nodded again before giving a 'Thanks' to the two ponies and heading out again. 





A knock came at the door. "Coming!" Twilight yelled, annoyed at the disturbance. As soon as she opened the door up, a force almost knocked her over. 

"Twiley!"

"Shiny? Is that you?" Twilight asked.

"You got me little sis." Shining Armor admitted, rubbing his sister on the head. 

Twilight hugged her big brother. "So what are you in Ponyville for?" 

"Changelings." He muttered.

Twilight gasped. She hadn't heard of changelings since the wedding incident. 

"Do you know where the most possible place a hive or hideout for changelings might be?" Shining Armor asked her, his stance now serious.

"Try the Everfree or Froggy Bottom Bog." Twilight answered. 

"Thank you once more Twily, I swear I will spend more time with you when I'm off-duty" He said, before retreating into Ponyville.














> The Guards
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Shining Armour returned to his guards. He saluted them then started to give out orders. "Feathered Spear, you can monitor the town" he said singling out a mare guard. "Make sure no pony gets in without ID."

Feathered Spear groaned. "Yes sir."

Shining Armour turned to another Pegasus guard with a darker mane. "Stone Wall, you stay with her."

Stone Wall positioned himself next to Feathered Spear.

"Silver Wind and Iron Wings, you will be assisting me at Forest duty" Shining told the other two guards who hoofbumped eachother upon the order.

Shining Armour nodded to the two guards as they started off.

"See ya losers" Iron Wings taunted Feathered Spear, who was rolling her eyes.




The two pegasi took to the air, Feathered Spear led Stone wall higher into the sky, so the tip of the Mayor's office was just a speck.

"Sometimes I wonder if being a guard is worth it" She sighed, admitting to her partner.

"Saving innocent ponies and protecting our Princess's are worth it, Feathered. Ignore the others. There is no law for mares to be excluded from the Royal Guard." Stone argued.

Feathered Spear looked away for a minutes. "Sometimes I wonder if our Captain has gone insane, claiming random ponies are guilty."

Stone Wall paused for a minute. "You think he's wrong this time?"

Feathered Spear nodded.




The three ponies were still at the spa. Rarity spoke first. "So darling, where did you come from?"

Fluttershy nodded. "That is, if you want to tell us..."

The white pony shrugged. "I came from a company in America. It was quite nice actually. Technology, computers, electricity everywhere, giving us life." She looked through a small window for a second.

"Everything was fine, except I never got to see the light of nature."

"Darling, care to explain?" Rarity inquired.

"There were no windows, mostly because most of the facility was built underground. The Sunlight never reached my part, even if it did, it was in concentrated lasers that could destroy one of us." Song admitted, shuddering.

"What pony would do such a thing to a gentle mare like you?" Rarity asked, putting a hoof to her chin. "The only pony with such quality I can think of is King Sombra." 

Fluttershy shut both her eyes and went into a fetal position. 

"Fluttershy darling, Sombra isn't here and I'm sure whoever did this to Song isn't anywhere near Ponyville." Rarity comforted her friend.

Song shook her head. "Aperture must be far away if you don't know of it." 

Fluttershy opened her eyes. "If they did such a horrible thing to you, then they must have been a big meanie" 

Song shrugged. "It's not like we could move anyways."

Rarity gasped. "Oh my darling, this changes everything! Were you jailed? Or chained down?" 

Song shook her head. "Just immobile."

"Um, do you mind if I ask you who did this to you?" Fluttershy asked.

"GLaDOS was our main boss until this other one took over, I think his name was Wheatley or something." Song admitted.

"GLaDOS, Wheatley? What weird names." Rarity muttered. "I can see Wheatley working for somepony with a talent for Wheat or something, but GLaDOS." 

Song shrugged again.

"Anyways darling, I'm sure I can get our friends to help you find this place and teach those horrible ponies a lesson." Rarity promised, stretching her hoof forward. "Fluttershy, are you in?" 

Fluttershy reluctantly put a hoof forward.

Song sank back. "You really shouldn't have to do this for me." She told them.

"Nonsense, darling. You are a friend. Your troubles are ours." Rarity pledged.

Friends... who would have known I would have actual friends? Song Serenade asked herself, shedding a single tear.




Shining Armour's horn lit up, giving the group a little bit of light through the dark forest. Even if it was in the middle of the day, the Everfree forest was still as dark as Night, an effect that it had ever since Princess Luna was banished to the Moon.

A guard was in front of him and one behind, ready to pounce if anything attacked. One of the Guards happened to know the Forest well, as they spent duty in the Everfree before after a squad was called to help chase away an Ursa Major.

Silver Wind let his mane dance in the wind as he pushed on. "The Froggy Bottom Bog is just ahead Sir, although there may be some dangerous creatures in there." He warned his boss.

Shining Armour nodded, switching his spell to an easy temporary force field to avoid any small damages. "Lead on Silver Wind" he ordered.

Silver Wing nodded, leading the two other ponies into a bigger clearing. A swamp was in the middle of the clearing, green with algae.

"I'm dropping the shield" Shining Armour warned. "Get ready for anything." 

The two Guards flew up to an area that they could spot almost everything in the clearing.

A pink magic aura surged from Shining Armour's horn. The light got brighter as it started to change colours. From pink to a sickly green it slowly changed.

"Casting the Changeling Detecting Spell" Shining warned as the aura formed a sphere. The sphere floated upwards as Shining caught his breath. The sphere slowly faded into thin air. Both guards stopped and stared at each other, confused. The green light returned, more transparent this time and swept from the highest tree down into the air, passing through every object.

"Wow" Silver Wind said as he felt a tingle, an aftereffect of the spell.

Iron Wing rolled his eyes. "Hah, that's nothing."

"Whatever" Silver remarked. "We should return to Shining Armour now." she added in, descending to their captain. 

The remains of the sickly green light gathered into Shining Armour's hooves.

"So?" Iron asked.

"I have detected one Changeling in this area, spread out and look for any suspicious figures. If you find it, bring it back here alive." Shining Armour ordered.




Feathered Spear gently descended back to the streets of Ponyville, Stone Wall following her. 

"Soo.." Stone Wall started.

Feathered Spear started to walk down a road of the small town. "Stone, I don't think anypony will be coming anytime soon. I think we should go 'changeling' hunting ourselves." Feathered told him.

"Huh?" Stone Wall asked.

"You heard me."

"But we are supposed to guard the town, not go on some dangerous mission. What if Captain finds out?"

"We will still be in the town, and it's not like we are going all over Equestria."

"True..."

"I overheard that one of them is almost fully white."

Stone Wall rolled his eyes again. "Feather, you should really stop eavesdropping on our captain."

"It's not eavesdropping when the door is wide open. It was calling me Stone." Feather argued.

"Just this time Feathered." Stone gave in.

"You can go search the other side of the town, I got this place covered." Feathered told Stone.

Stone nodded then flew off to the other side of Ponyville. That's some mare.. he thought to himself.




"Boss I've found something." Iron Wing called out to Shining Armour. 

"Yes?" Shining asked.

"Hoofprints near the south side of the 'Bog" Iron told Shining, flying ahead of him to lead him to the spot.

"Well done Iron Wing" Shining told his guard as he saw the hoofprints. "You may continue looking for clues as I follow these." 

Iron Wing flew off into the thicket.

Shining Armour looked at the hoofprints. One of the directions they led was into the Everfree. "The creature that left these must have been running out of the Everfree" Shining concluded. He started to follow them the other way.




Two piercing green eyes popped out of a clump of leaves from a nearby tree. "Losers." a shrill voice pointed out before disappearing back into the forest.





The farther Shining followed the hoofprints, the less he believed that he was going the right way. He continued them anyways, following a motto of "Never give up" The hoofprints stopped for a small stretch before returning. "Must be something that can fly" Shining took note. As he looked ahead, he saw a vibrant blue mane that reminded him of his own. Tangled wings lay at the creatures side. The creature matched the exact description the letter contained.

Changeling or not, the creature was knocked out fore sure which made the job easier. "Iron. Silver. I've found it!" Shining called out into the forest. Iron appeared first, swooping down to Shining.

"What do we do now?" Iron asked.

"Go find a good, strong vine." Shining told him.

Iron nodded then flew back into the darkness.




Feathered Spear sighed, she had always dreamed of going to one of those places. She had a reputation to uphold though, and no extra time to do it in. She slid the door open. Maybe she could use the 'changeling' as an excuse to finally visit one of them.

A spa.

Aloe was the first to greet the guards pony. "Hello Madam, how may we service you?" 

"A tr-" Feather started, but then stopped mid sentence. "Do you have anyone currently in?" She asked.

Aloe nodded. "Two regulars and their friend." 

"May I see them?" 

"Right this way Miss" Lotus said leading them to the Sauna room.

Right off the bat, Feathered noticed that two of them were part of the Elements of Harmony, who she had witnessed multiple times in Canterlot. The third one was an all white earth pony.

Fluttershy hid in a corner and let out a squee, grabbing a towel.

"Hello, I just wish to speak with your friend." Feathered ordered.

Rarity sighed. "During a spa session, the nerve."

"Official Guard Business" Feathered said, pulling out her badge to prove a point.

"Go ahead Song, we'll um, catch up." Fluttershy told her friend. 

Song nodded, used to taking orders from almost everyone else and followed the Guard.

"You are issued to stay with me for further notice." Feathered Spear ordered.

Song nodded as Feathered led her out of the spa and into the main reception area. Feathered pushed the door open, exiting the Spa.

"So Feathered, have a good time?" someone asked.

"Huh? Show yourself at once!" Feathered ordered.

Stone swooped down. "Wow Feathered calm down."

Song exited the Spa and stood next to Feathered.

Stone whispered. "So you actually found her."

Feathered nodded as Stone started to circle Song, looking over every aspect. He was mostly intrigued by her red eyes.

"Stone, snap out of it. We should return to Town Hall and wait for Shining Armour there."

Stone agreed and the three ponies headed towards the Town Hall, collecting worried and confused glances as they passed.





Iron Wings and Silver Wind returned with a rather large vine, dropping it at Shining's hooves.

"Good job you two" Shining commented. He then took the vine in his aura and tied it around the unconcious pony's wings. 

"Ooh" Silver Wind remarked.

"Iron, since you're such a strong guard, you can carry it back to town." Shining said.

"But.." Iron was cut off.

"Yeah Iron, you heard our boss." Silver snickered and flew off to walk with Shining back to town.




"That was unusual" Twilight Sparkle told Spike. Her brother was never dispatched, unless it was a very urgent mission.

Spike nodded.

"Anyways back to sorting books." Twilight said enthusiastically. 





Shining Armour and Silver Wind re-entered Ponyville and headed for Town Hall. Stone joined them. "Did you find anything?" He asked.

"One changeling." Shining told his guard.

"And Iron Wing is carrying it back here by himself" Silver Wind snickered.

"He must be having a fun time" Stone added.

Silver nodded in agreement.

Shining Armour looked at Stone. "Stone, do you have anything to report?"

"Feathered found a pony that fits the description and they are waiting at town hall." He reported.

"I think our job here is done then." Shining concluded.

The three guards returned to Town Hall.

Shining Armour saluted Feathered "Good job soldier.". 

Feathered nodded.

"Stay out here for a minute, I'm requesting a chariot to Canterlot imminently."

The three guards nodded as their captain entered Town Hall.





"So what's your name?" Silver asked the pony.

"Song Serenade." Song told Silver.

"Well Song, you will be coming with us to Canterlot for a 'visit'" Silver told her.

She's pretty good at faking it if she is a Changeling. Stone thought.

Shining returned from Town Hall. "The chariot is coming and should be here in a few minutes" he told them.

"Perfect timing" Stone muttered. "Iron is just arriving right now."

Four pairs of eyes turned to a pegasus who was struggling to carry an unconcious pony.

For some reason, Feathered Spear broke out in laughter.


	



> The Caves
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"Maybe we should just let him fly back to Canterlot himself." Feathered Spear suggested.

Stone Wall and Silver Wind chuckled at the mare, knowing how Feathered and Iron never got along together. Shining Armour shook his head. "Feathered. We cannot leave part of our Guard behind without a good reason."

The guards stopped and looked at Shining Armour. 

"If we did, we might lose our positions."

Feathered sighed. "Well it was worth a try"

"Whats that?" A voice interrupted the conversation as a chariot pulled up with two pegasus Guards pulling it.

"That is our Chariot." Shining Armour explained to Song, who was shocked by the Chariot.

Shining Armour went up to the Guards and nodded. "Everypony on." He ordered.

Stone Wall went first, Song following him and Feathered at the end. It was a normal procedure under taking the accused somewhere; a guard on each side encase something happened. Since the back seat was taken up, Silver helped Iron get the other pony into the second row of seats. The pony was still unconscious, but the guards took their formation anyways. Shining Armour took the first row of seats, so he could order the two 'Flyers' where to go.

By the time everyone was ready to leave, a small group gathered around it, curious about why the Guards were in Ponyville and why they were taking two ponies with them.

One pony squeezed through the crowd. Her small beady green eyes took in the full picture. She realized one of the ponies. Ohmygosh they're taking her! the filly thought. I have to tell my sister. The white filly ran out of the crowd and started to look for Rarity.




As the chariot took flight, Song admired the Clouds. Flying seems so.. Abnormal. The pony thought to herself. One of the guards sitting next to her, saw her admiration. "Whats the matter?" Feathered asked.

"I've never flown before." She said.

"Really?" Feathered pondered. We definitely got the wrong pony if she never flown before. Every changeling has wings

Song nodded. "The only time I came close to flying was when GLaDOS put us on the Aerial Faith Plates for her amusement." She added.

GLaDOS? Aerial Faith Plates? Where did this pony come from? Feathered thought.

"Then again, I was just a machine less than a week ago" Song thought out loud, putting a hoof forward and slowly moving it across the back of the next row of seats dreamily. "It seems like anything can happen now." A single tear dropped down Song's face. "It's like being happy and sad at the same time." She told the Guards.

"Huh?" Stone Wall questioned the pony's logic.

"Even though this place is beautiful and full of surprises, I miss Aperture." Song admitted. "It's a weird feeling."




"She woke up Captain!" Silver Wind reported to Shining Armour.

A confused, weak Wicked Beats was freaking out and trying to peer over the edge to see where she was.

Silver Wind held her down. "Not so fast."

"Great timing too." Shining said. "We are almost landing."

The chariot started to descend in one of the fenced off areas of Canterlot, getting closer to the ground.

Shining turned around before the chariot stopped. "You may take them to the dungeons for now. Their trial will be set for tomorrow.




Sweetie Belle ran through the streets of Ponyville, looking for her sister. She had to find Rarity before anything bad happened to Song.

"That's right!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed outloud, her voice squeaking. "She's at that Spa place with Fluttershy!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed, rushing to turn around and head back to the Spa. 





"Come on now, Miss." Silver said to one of their accused ponies. "It won't be that bad, I promise."

Wicked Beats didn't budge, thoughts about how Octivia might take it danced in her head.

"Iron I think you will have to carry her again." Feathered Spear snickered, standing next to Song.

Iron Wings rolled his eyes. "Why don't you?" he asked. "Oh yeah, you are a mare. Maybe you are too weak to." he muttered under his breath.

"Hey don't say that to her!" Stone Wall warned Iron.

"What are you going to do Stone? Protecting your crush, how cute." Iron taunted.

Stone's face turned a shade of red before he pointed at Wicked. "We cannot spare the risk of leaving the accused out here." He shrugged. "Or is it the fact that a changeling kicked your flank at the wedding."

Iron rolled his eyes again. "You win this time Stone." He admitted. "Wait until karma hits you right where it hurts." he whispered. Iron turned around to get Wicked Beats. He grabbed her hoof and pulled her out of the chariot with mere force. 

"Drama, guys. Drama." Silver Wind remarked.

"Yeah we should really get back in line. The sooner we throw em in the slammer the better." Iron stated, finally getting Wicked Beats on her hooves and  getting her to move.

Slammer? What's that? Song thought to herself as she followed Feathered Spear and Stone Wall. The three waited for Iron, Silver and Wicked to catch up.





A unicorn filly burst through the doors of the Spa and rushed to the reception desk. One of the Spa ponies appeared, "Welcome to-" the pony began as usual, before stopping to look around. She saw no pony in sight and rolled her eyes.  Those silly ponies playing pranks on our Spa. Fourth time this week.

"Lotus have you seen Rarity?" A voice squeaked out.

Lotus leaned over the counter, and saw the little filly. "I'm afraid she left a few minutes ago because it was getting late, dear."

"Okay thanks Lotus!" Sweetie Belle said before running back out, looking for Rarity. 





The group of six ponies entered the long walk down to the Caves. Feathered was in the lead, holding a small lantern provided by a guard at the top. She didn't seem to get distracted by any of the dust or spider webs that were made in the dungeons, but she moved fast regardless. It took a few minutes for them to reach the bottom.

Some old cells awaited them, the paint slowly peeling off and rusting in some parts of the bars. Stone opened up one cell and ordered the two accused ponies to enter it. 

"I still think one of us should stay down here to keep an eye out for the prisoners." Iron said.

"I will." Feathered said. "You can report to your evening posts."

"Are you sure you will be fine?" Stone asked her.

Feathered nodded. "As long as I have the torch with me, and I can see I will be fine."

"Sure she can." Iron taunted.

Silver rolled his eyes before suggesting that they should really get to their posts, as he didn't want to hear another argument.

Three of the guards left, Stone anxiously looked back at Feathered before disappearing.

Feathered waited for the satisfying click of the door,signaling that it was shut and the Guardsponies were a fair distance away before starting to talk to the 'prisoners.'

"I have a lot of explaining to do." Feathered said to the ponies. 

Song cocked her head. 

"I'm sorry about having to stay in the dungeons overnight." Feathered apologized. "But I didn't want to disagree with the other guards and get in another argument or disrespect Shining's thoughts." She then raised a hoof at Song. "I'm sorry, miss but what is your name again?"

"Song Serenade." Song answered the guard.

Feathered nodded. "And yours?" She asked Wicked.

Wicked looked at one of the walls. "Wicked Beats." She said reluctantly.

"First thing I want you to know, is that I wish to help you out, not danger you or accuse you even more." Feathered put a hoof to her chest. "Guard's Honor." She then sighed. "I have been in the guard for just a few years, but I can tell when someone is lying to me." She looked up at both ponies. "So what is your real names?"

Wicked Beats turned to Feathered. "Vinyl Scratch." She admitted before hiding her eyes under her mane.

"Vinyl Scratch, that sounds familiar!" Feathered exclaimed. "Hey aren't you that pony from the Royal Wedding?" She asked.

Vinyl nodded.

"Weren't you a unicorn then?"  Feathered asked, remembering the details.

Vinyl nodded again.

"So why are you a pegasi now?" Feathered asked, getting closer to the bars.

"Long story." Vinyl said.

"Short version?"

"Poison Joke." Vinyl admitted.

"Why didn't you get the antidote?" Feathered questioned.

"I didn't want my...friend to find out." Vinyl said, turning around and occupying a corner.

Feathered gave a confused look at Song, who looked even more confused.

"She would probably have kicked me out of our house if she found out." Vinyl said, tears starting to drop as she thought about the situation she got herself in. 

"Maybe its best if we left her alone." Feathered told Song in a quieter tone of voice as the two moved over to the other side of the cell.

"Now, 'Song' what is your real name?" Feathered asked the white earth pony.

Song looked around, and sighed. It was hard to explain the facts.

"I don't have one." She told the mare.

"Why wouldn't you have a name?" Feathered asked.

"They never gave me one." Song admitted.

"Your parents?" Feathered asked, getting curious.

"Aperture, GLaDOS, the factory. They built us turrets to work for them, not to actually live life to its fullest. To be honest they didn't even treat us as sentient beings." She said, staring right at Feathered. "The only thing that we had was our serial number, and we probably shared that with another piece of equipment." Song complained.

Feathered just slowly nodded. "So you don't have a real name?"

"Well my Serial number was 512342 but that's too long to say all the time. Other than that I have no name." the white mare honestly told the guard.

"Well my dear 512342, by the time I'm done with you, you won't need to use those numbers again." Feathered promised.

"Meet me after your trial tomorrow." Feathered told the mare. "I never let my promises fall." she said, poking a hoof through the bars, letting the other mare to shake on the deal. 

"You are definitely not a Changeling, I just feel it. I will be on your side, Miss" Feathered told the pony. "It's getting late though, and I have to return to my resting station for the night. Farewell Vinyl and Song" She said, before leaving the dungeons.





Rarity opened the door. "Sweetie Belle, why are you out so late?" She asked her sister.

"I was looking for you!" She told Rarity.

"Why, Darling? You know it was my Spa day and that I was spending it with my friends. Couldn't you find Applebloom or Scootaloo to play with?" Rarity questioned.

"It's not that." Sweetie Belle paused for a dramatic effect. "The guards took Song..."

"I know darling, I saw them at the Spa." Rarity finished.

"No, sis you aren't listening." Sweetie complained. "They took her and another pony in a Chariot!"

Rarity rolled her eyes. "Such an imagination you have Sweetie. Stop playing games."

Sweetie Belle moved forward. "But I saw it with my own eyes. "Shining Armour was there too!"

"Are you sure?" Rarity asked.

Sweetie nodded.

"Well if you are that concerned over it, I could always gather the girls for a meeting." Rarity concluded.

"I'll get Applebloom and Applejack!" Sweetie exlaimed.

"We don't need to pull dear Applebloom into this darling."

Sweetie Belle frowned.

"But you can still get Applejack for me."

Sweetie Belle's frown turned upside down.





The earthpony of the duo turned around and slowly approached Vinyl. "Um.. Vinyl? Are you okay?" She asked her friend.

Vinyl turned around and hugged Song. "I don't.. want 'Tavi to find out."

Song fell over, as she wasn't prepared for the hug Vinyl gave her. "It's okay Vinyl, I'm sure she won't hate you after this happens. Besides I'm pretty sure you have other friends..."

Vinyl sighed. "'Tavi was one of the only people who liked me..." she admitted. "Most Ponyville citizens hate me because of how I blast my music in the mornings. It's rare for ponies to become friends with me." She admitted. "That's why I wanted to hang out with you." 

Song let out another sigh. "Vinyl, to be honest, you are one of my first friends, and to me it doesn't matter if you are a unicorn, or pegasi. I never had a friend before, back at Aperture. The bots weren't programmed to have feelings."

"Bots? Like the things that can do stuff for you... Robots I think they are called." Vinyl came up with.

Song nodded.

"Life must have been terrible for you then." Vinyl said hugging Song more. 

"If you could even call it a life." Song added.

Song removed herself from Vinyl and lied down, staring at the small spot of moonlight that shone through a small crack. Vinyl lied down too, and quickly fell asleep.

Song on the other hand stayed awake.





"This better be quick" Rainbow Dash said, not amused that somepony woke her from her sleep.

Applejack and Sweetie Belle were the last to enter the building. "I got her sis!" Sweetie Belle squealed in delight.

Rarity nodded, and looked up at the other Elements of Harmony.

"Isn't it Twilight who is usually calling meetings at this time of night?" Rainbow asked, looking over at Twilight Sparkle who happened to be facehooving.

"Quiet down Rainbow, let her speak." Applejack told her friend.

"Whatever." Rainbow said, leaning on one of Rarity's shelves.

Rarity stepped into the circle of the ponies. "I've overheard that Song was taken in a chariot today." She told her friends.

"Um, so that's why she didn't return." Fluttershy whispered.

"I wish to see if this is real, and if it is what we should do." Rarity told the others.

Twilight Sparkle stepped forward. "Well I did see Shining Armour earlier, he said something about changelings."

Fluttershy spoke up. "And there was that one guard who came and took Song when we were in the Spa."

"It must be true then. Now can I go home?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Rainbow." Applejack muttered.

"Fine."

"I think we should go find out whats happening to Song, she is our friend after all." Rarity pointed out.

"But... We shouldn't interfere with the Royal Guards, they do have authority." Fluttershy added.

"Twilight is Princess Celestia's star pupil. There is no way that she would doubt us." Rarity added in. "Plus Song is our friend. We have the right to know."

"Okay, we will go. Can I sleep yet?" Rainbow Dash was getting impatient.

"Tommorow we will meet at the station and take the first train to Canterlot we can get." Rarity told them, letting them hear their plan. "Twilight can ask Shining Armour what happened to Song and we will go on from there."

All of the ponies agreed on the plans and started to leave from the brief meeting. Rainbow Dash lived up to her name and left first, zooming back to her Cloud house to continue sleeping.  

After all the ponies left, Sweetie Belle approached Rarity. "Can I come too sis?"

"No, Sweetie, this is a big pony's job." Rarity answered, thinking of all the problems that her sisters could get into in Canterlot.

"Aww." Sweetie Belle said, dissapointed. She started to head upstairs to her room.

She smiled.

She would find a way to go, even if her sister denied it; but first she would have to go and alert the other Cutie Mark Crusaders.

> The calm before the storm
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Song Serenade could see a dim light start to fill the room. The Sun slowly rose, marking the day of the trial. Song thought of what could have happened to Aperture when she was gone, What if Wheatley exploded the place? What if everyone's dead because I wasn't there to warn them... To save them. It wasn't like all the test subjects died before GLaDOS was overthrown for the second time. Song swore that there was some left. She hoped. She wouldn't want to see Aperture burnt to the crisp if she did return. Somehow...

She turned her head when she heard a noise, then realized it was Vinyl awakening her. "Morning Vinyl!" She greeted her friend.





Twilight Sparkle awoke, getting up and looking out her small window. "It's early," She said to herself. "I think I'll round up the girls so I we can catch the first train. Spike are you coming with us?"

Spike groaned. "Five more minutes."

Twilight rolled her eyes. "Fine I'll come back to get you last." She went downstairs and exited the library.





Twilight decided to go to Pinkie first, as her house wasn't that far away and she would probably be the first one up. Her assumptions were right, as she was greeted by Pinkie as she walked in the door. 

"Hiya Twi, I'm, just going to pack and I'll take a few minutes!" She exclaimed as she galloped back to her room.

Pinkie reappeared in seconds. "Done!"

Twilight resisted the urge to facehoof and decided against questioning Pinkie's logic again. She started out again, heading towards Rarity's Carousel Boutique. "Pinkie, do you want to split up?" She asked her friend.

Pinkie nodded. "I'll get Applejack!" She told Twilight before happily bouncing away.

"That pony." Twilight said while facehooving. She then continued the walkway to Rarity's and politely knocked on the door.

"Coming, darling!" A voice responded from inside the house.

Rarity opened the door with her light blue magical aura. 

"Ready?" Twilight asked, stepping into the house.

"Why of course darling, just let me grab my saddlebags and some bits." Rarity said, turning around to get her saddlebags. "Just in case we have time to explore Canterlot's finest shops." She added, waving a hoof in the air.




A certain white filly sneaked out of her bed and had her ears pressed against the floor. "They're going now!" She whispered to herself, her voice squeaking mid-sentence. Now's my chance. The little filly opened up the window slowly and looked down. She gulped at the long fall, then remembered that the spell she was studying may have helped her. She crawled to the outside ledge of the window and shut it. The filly's horn started to shine a dim green as she jumped off the ledge. 

I.. did it! Sweeitie Belle thought to herself as she started to gallop around the town, towards Sweet Apple Acres.




Both Vinyl and Song's heads turned as a dim light lit up the dungeon. A unicorn guard was marching towards them, a different one than the ones that arrested them. He carefully put down the torch he was carrying in a holder and used his magic to bring forward two small trays with some carrots on them. 

"Our courtroom wishes for the offenders to be at full mental state." The guard spoke in an emotionless voice as he slipped the trays into the cell. 

"Excuse me sir." Song requested.

"Make it quick." The guard ordered.

"Will Feathered Spear be visiting anytime soon?" She asked, wondering of the other, more friendly guard.

The guard shook his head. "For all I know, she took the day off." He said, turning around.  "I'll be back to fetch you for the court session at the appropriate time. For now rest and get in a good mental state."

The light got dimmer as the guard left.

Vinyl Scratch started on her carrots, Song rather just stared blankly at them. Once Vinyl was done she pointed at Song's tray since Song didn't take any. "Gonna eat that?"

Song shook her head. "You can have them." She told Vinyl.

Vinyl hugged Song briefly before continuing to eat the carrots. 

Song shrugged.I was going to warn her about those spores on the carrots, mold I believe. Song thought, remembering the small untreated corners of Aperture Science that had mold starting to form on them.




Pinkie Pie and Applejack were heading back into town, to meet up with Twilight Sparkle and Rarity. All of a second Pinkie stopped. "Hiya Sweetie Belle!" she said into dead air.

"Uh.. Pinkie, are you okay Sugah Cube?" Applejack asked, genuinely concerned.

Pinkie nodded. "Just saying hi to Sweetie Belle"	

Applejack sighed as the two continued into the town.




"Hey Applebloom" A voice whispered from the bushes.

"Sweetiebelle? Why are you here so early?" Applebloom questioned.

"Cutiemark Crusaders meeting now, in the clubhouse." Sweetiebelle told her friend.

"But why?" Applebloom asked.

"No time for answers. Grab Scoot's I need to get something first." Sweetiebelle ordered.




By the time most normal ponies were just starting to go out to shop for food at the market, six friends were already 
assembled by the library.

"Are you sure it's this serious?" Rainbow Dash asked again. "I could have stayed up till Noon if you didn't wake me."

Applejack nodded. "Song's our friend isn't she?" 

Rainbow Dash groaned. 

"Darling, I believe in beauty sleep as much as you love sleep, but I think Song's situation is worth more." Rarity reasoned with her.

"Um, Rarity is right." Fluttershy added in.

Twilight Sparkle trotted down the stairs with a bag in her aura. "I've got the bits girls, we can start to head out now."

"So where are we going again?" Applejack asked Twilight. 

"I reckon we will go straight to the Canterlot Castle and pay Shining Armour a visit." Twilight responded, levitating the door open.

"That's a wonderful plan darling." Rarity said, trotting out the door.




Applebloom ran towards the tree house that housed the Cutie Mark Crusaders Club, with Scootaloo on her tail. The two fillies rushed into the club and met face-to-face with Sweetiebelle. 

"Can you explain now?" Applebloom asked.

"We're going on a rescue mission at Canterlot to save one of our sister's friends!" Sweetiebelle said, waving her hooves for dramatic effect.

"But isn't that a bit risky?" Applebloom asked Sweetiebelle. "What if someone recognizes us or our sisters realize we are gone?"

"Our sisters will be going on a similar mission." Sweetiebelle told them. "And it's always a step towards potentially getting our cutiemarks." 

Scootaloo put a hoof in. "If it's getting me closer to a Cutie Mark, I'm in."

"That settles it then." Sweetiebelle said as she grabbed some of the bits she saved up for clubhouse renovations. "Let's get the tickets!" 

The three fillies rushed out of the tree house and down the winding path towards the train station to start their next adventure.




The six ponies and one dragon were stationed at the Train station before any other pony was. They all took a step back as the train came into their visual range, allowing it to pull in without any problems. The train itself only had a few other passengers, giving the six friends a wide variety of seats as they made their way on. 

Rainbow Dash took a window seat as always, Fluttershy sat next to her. Across from the pegasi, Pinkie Pie was next to the window with Twilight sitting next to her and behind them sat Applejack and Rarity. Spike had somehow managed to wander off in search of food. Rarity took a glimpse out of the window as she saw a small white blur. "Is that Sweetiebelle?" She thought outloud.

"Ah reckon it ain't" Applejack told Rarity. "Wouldn't she be getting ready for school at this time?" Applejack asked.

"Ofcourse not, darling." Rarity told Applejack. "Why would you even think of her going out now?"

"Well Applebloom leaves about this time in the morning." Applejack pointed out.

Rarity rolled her eyes before flinching from a cold draft. She turned her head to see that Rainbow Dash had opened the window. "Rainbow."

"What?" Rainbow Dash asked, returning her hoof from outside the window.

"Could you please close that window, it's getting freezing in here."

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and closed it half-way.

The train started to approach the huge mountains of Canterlot.





"Hello Mister!" Sweetiebelle called out to the Ticket Seller.

The ticket seller looked from left to right, than down at the trio of fillies. "Huh?"

"Can we get some tickets to Canterlot?" Sweetiebelle asked, her voice squeaking again.

"Aren't you a little young to be going alone?" The seller asked.

"Well. Um, Our sisters said they would meet us on the platform." Scootaloo lied.

"Sure thing?" The salespony was confused, but her got three filly tickets anyways. "That will be fifteen bits." He told them.

Sweetiebelle levitated her bits onto the counter and the salespony and in return got three tickets, which she split accordingly among her friends.  

The three fillies continued onto the boarding platform and were disappointed to see that they didn't catch the train. "Just great." Scootaloo complained.





The caves got brighter once again, this time a familiar face happened to appear at the twisting stares. "Hey, um Song, Vinyl?" Stone called over to the only two ponies in the dungeon, hoping he got their names right.

"Yes?" Song responded, now getting up to face the Guard.

"Your official court session will start soon. They didn't give me many details except its just a formal interrogation in front of some of the nobles and highest court members, as well as Princess Celestia and the Captain of the Royal Guard, Shining Armor." He explained to the two ponies. "The only reason why Royalty is involved is since Changeling cases are one of the most dangerous." He rolled one of his front hooves in a circle. "And you." He said, stopping to point at Song.

"Me?" the white mare asked.

"Feathered Spear wishes to meet you outside of the courtroom once you're done." Stone told her. "And you better not disappoint her." He added.

Song Serenade nodded to the guard before he slid the giant barred gate open to lead the two ponies up to the courtroom.

"Whatever you do, don't break down or show any emotions." Stone Wall added. "It may be the best to stay emotionless and reasonable. Be honest." 

The three ponies started on the spiraling staircase and started to climb it. The walk wasn't as long as it was thought to be and the three reached the top fairly quickly. The three entered the Castle from a door and started to walk down the long decorative halls. Stone Wall flared his wings out to keep the two mares on task, as it was either a magic barrier, or a wing-barrier that ensured the prisoners to get to their designated area intact and safely. Guards and servants alike stared at the trio as they passed, the rumor of changelings quickly spread and many ponies were in awe from the unusual colours of Song's coat and mane. 

The three soon approached what seemed like a huge foyer with magnificent doors leading outside to the main gardens and the streets of Canterlot. The area, in fact was crowded, filled with various politicians, farmers and just sightseers alike. 

The mixed, scrambled array of ponies, that seemed to place their selves randomly were actually in a line for the court, many wishing to propose tax cuts or new ideas for the farmlands. Stone Wall and the other two passed all and got to the front of the line.

An almost-white coloured pegasus with a light pink mane stood at the entrance to the main courtroom, holding a clipboard. "Vinyl Scratch and ..." The pony squinted her eyes at the clipboard as she reread it. The clipboard just had a number on it. She shrugged it off and awaited the guard's reply. 

Stone Wall nodded. "That's them, Cherry Note." He confirmed.

"Just in time." She said smiling, allowing the ponies in. The other ponies in the front of the line groaned, as they expected to get called in first.

The court room was empty, giving the accused time to get to their spots and settled in. Cherry Note flew over the group and started to lead them to a spot, in the middle of the half-circle of seats and in front of the thrones. "You will be here for today." Cherry Note said, flipping the pages on her clipboard. She looked up to Stone Wall. "Are you going to be here for the court?" She asked him.

He nodded. "I'm on duty incase anything gets out of hand." he told her.

"Good, you can keep an eye on them until everyone files in. I have to deal with the impatient ponies outside." Cherry Note said, before returning to the exit and starting to yell at the mob to quiet down.





A train pulled into the station, Scootaloo jumped up, her wings buzzing with excitement as it pulled to a halt. The three fillies held their tickets in their mouths as they ran past one of the Train's employees and grabbed a seat. Sweetiebelle and Scootaloo battled against each other for a window seat, while Applebloom took a vacant seat away from the window. When the three were finally settled in, they each put a hoof in and yelled "Cutie Mark Crusader's Pony Saver!"