> Adaptation - A Changeling's Story
>  by CoAlFire
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Echoes and Rebounds
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The rain fell in saturating sheets, hammering the forest’s canopy with all the untamed fury that nature could muster. Every raindrop hit the ground with a quiet pop, each one singing in a choir with its siblings. With a thunderous crack, part of the canopy gave way to a black missile which struck the freshly watered ground with a dull thud and a sickening splat. Leaves settled slowly from the trees’ wounds onto the forest floor, blanketing the crash site. The faint rattle of the rain returned as the reverberations from the crash died down.





A low, painful moan came from the crater, and the leaves rustled as Echo staggered to her hooves. She was covered in dried, caked on mud from head to toe, and bits of foliage had lodged themselves in the holes of her hooves and mane. She shook her head as she recovered from the shock of the fall. What happened? She wondered to herself. The last thing I remember, I was chasing some brown pony through Canterlot. She remembered feeling like she had gotten hit by a train, followed by the sight of clouds whizzing by her. Well, she mused, I guess the invasion didn’t go as planned.

She knew that she needed to get her bearings, and figure out where she was. She buzzed her wings and jumped up in an attempt to fly above the canopy, but fell back to the ground with a shout as pain shot through her right wing into her back. Looking over her shoulder, she saw that her right wing had been torn slightly at the spot where it connected to her back. It would heal eventually, but she wasn’t going to be flying any time soon. Great. She looked around, and her eyes caught a tall tree nearby. I hate climbing.

The tree’s leaves parted as the mud-soaked, flightless changeling drone worked her way to the top. She hugged the branch with all the strength her legs could muster as she looked around nervously for some signs of population. If I want to have any chance of survival, I need to find some ponies. I won’t last long without any food. As she scanned the horizon, smoke caught her eyes, and she could just make out some rooftops and chimneys in the distance. That’ll do.

There was a loud crack as the branch Echo was hugging gave way under her weight. With a shout of surprise, the changeling once again found herself colliding with the ground. The branch landed heavily a short distance from her. I really hate climbing.

She slowly got back onto her hooves, shaking off what foliage she could, and began her trek toward the town she had spotted from above. Her hunger gnawed at her stomach, telling her that she had probably been unconscious for at least a day or two. As she walked, her horn glowed with a faint green magic. She was trying to see if there were any other changelings nearby, but the spell also had the effect of giving her some light by which to walk. She couldn’t find any signs of changeling activity near her. After a few hours of walking, she found an untrimmed path, at the end of which she could just make out the silhouettes of the town’s buildings. She considered heading into town tonight, but quickly realized that she was far too tired to trust herself with a disguise. Looking around, she saw a bough in a tree on the edge of the forest that seemed just the right size to hold her in relative comfort through the night. Great. More climbing.

A few minutes later, and Echo hung helplessly from a branch about 20 feet off the ground, her face radiating pure frustration. A gnarled branch had become lodged in one of the larger holes in her hooves, and now she was stuck, helpless, only a stone’s throw from the bough she thought would be her lodging for the night. I swear, I’m the butt of some cosmic joke.

As she pondered the existential implications of her predicament, her ears caught the sound of voices. Listening in, she could make out what sounded like three fillies.

“Scoot, I don’t think this is such a good idea.” one of them said.
“Applebloom’s right, Scoot. It’s getting dark, and the Everfree is dangerous enough during the day.” another said.
“Come on you guys, don’t be such scaredy-cats. ‘Cutie Mark Crusaders Monster Hunters’ is a great idea.”

The voices were getting closer. Echo knew that she was in trouble, since she didn’t have much energy to change. There was no time to debate it, though, as she enveloped herself in green flame, choosing the first form that came to her mind, a unicorn pony from Canterlot called “Candlelight”. As the flames died down, three fillies came through the brush into the clearing below her. This could work. She thought. As the fillies nervously walked through the clearing, Echo cleared her throat.

“Excuse me, help?” she said, before clasping her free hoof over her mouth. Her voice had come out with a dull buzz under the words, characteristic of a changeling’s natural speaking voice. All three of the fillies whipped around to look at her, and she watched as expressions of terror crossed all of their faces before they screamed at the top of their lungs. The surprise caused her muscles to tense up, and the sudden shift in weight caused the branch to break. She crashed face first into the ground for the third time today, the screams of the fillies still stabbing at her ears. She looked up in time to see them run out of the forest screaming.

When she recovered, she mumbled something about hating trees and burning the whole forest down before limping slowly over to a large puddle at the base of the tree. When she saw her reflection, she almost screamed herself. Staring back at her was a pony with a normal alabaster Equestrian coat, a normal half-changeling and red half-pony mane, one changeling foreleg, changeling fangs, and her natural changeling eyes, one of which was blue like every other changeling, and the other a deep shade of red.

“Way to go, Echo.” she said aloud as she reverted to her true form with a flash. “What else could go wrong?” she knew that she would have to leave this area, since those fillies might bring back somepony to investigate. First, though, she should fix her disguise. She focused with all of her might, and her head and foreleg were again enveloped in green flames. When they cleared, the puddle reflected a normal unicorn mare, though she kept one of her eyes blue and one of them red. She had always prized her red eye, since it made her stand out from her siblings, and she just couldn’t bring herself to change that unless she had to.

She began to walk along the edge of the forest as the moon slowly peeked over the horizon. After some time, she discovered a tree that was about two ponies thick which had a knothole in it low enough to the ground that she could step in with little trouble. Casting a simple spell, an orb of dim green light stuck to the roof of the tiny cavern. “It’ll do.” Echo muttered. Stepping outside, she grabbed a large strip of bark from the side of the tree. As she entered the hole again, she used her magic to pull the bark against the entrance, making a door of sorts that would conceal her location should anyone wander by, although she doubted if it would stand up to any real scrutiny. With a flash of green flame, she returned to her natural state and curled up for the night.



*    *    *



“Squad 58, move to the north end of the courtyard. I need you to head off the group of guards amassing in that area, and distract them while squad 38 moves in from behind.” Echo stood on top of a spire in Canterlot, handing out orders through the short-range telepathic network that was one of the changelings’ natural abilities. “Squad 87 is in need of assistance. I need squad 62 to rendezvous with them. Medical team, there’s a collection of wounded in the southwest corner of the courtyard, I need you to retrieve them after squad 49 eliminates the guards covering them.”

As a changeling of superior intelligence, she had been hoof-picked by Queen Chrysalis from the time that she was a hatchling to become a leader in the swarm. In actuality, she was a mutant. Her red eye possessed uncanny visual acuity, which meant that she would be able to make out fine details at a much greater distance than her siblings. When this was coupled with her affinity for combat strategy, her teachers did not hesitate to recommend her for special duty. The queen, as it turned out, agreed with their recommendation, and placed her in direct command over the 8th battalion of the changeling strike brigade. It was an honor to say the least, and Echo had every intention of living up to her queen’s expectations.

From her right, Echo caught a flash of magic just in time to dodge it. In just a thought, the unicorn stallion who had attacked her was engulfed by changelings. Everything was going according to plan. The Elements of Harmony had been defeated by her battalion, and when all was said and done, she was sure to receive a personal commendation from the queen herself. Through her red eye, she saw a brown mare dive into one of the shops. Things seem well in hoof, she considered. I might as well enjoy myself a little. “Colonel Shift,” she called out. “Take command for a moment. I’m going to go have a little fun.” The Colonel laughed as he saluted and took her place. She fluttered over to the building where the mare had disappeared, and with a blast from her horn threw the door from its hinges. Stepping inside, she made eye contact with a white mare who quickly dealt out a blast of yellow magic to Echo’s chest. She shrugged it off quickly and blasted the unicorn with a stun spell.

“CANDLELIGHT!” A voice came from the back of the building. The brown mare spent just enough time to shoot Echo an expression of absolute terror before turning tail and running out the back into an alley. As Echo gave chase, she found her dream slowly dissolving around her, and she returned to consciousness.



*    *    *


Sunlight crept around the edges of Echo’s makeshift door like a snake. A ray caught her in the eye, rousing her from her rest. As she awoke, she was made immediately aware of her growing hunger. If she didn’t eat today, she wouldn’t have enough strength to transform by the time tomorrow came around. There was no choice; she had to go into the town. Changing into Candlelight with considerable effort, she walked toward town, resolving to find a suitable model as quickly as possible.

Only a few short minutes of walking later she found herself crossing a bridge into the town. A sign read “Ponyville”. That name sounds familiar. After a moment, she remembered. Ponyville. Home of the Elements of Harmony. This is not the best place for a changeling to find herself. She quickly composed herself and decided to get down to business. Now, any stallion here have a loving mare? A quick survey of her surroundings showed mostly mares, but a few were standing in close proximity to some stallion or another. Two particularly loving ponies were standing next to an apple cart. The stallion was robust, a bright red color with a large green half-apple for a cutie mark. The mare was a purple-ish pink color and had hair that reminded Echo of salt water taffy. Her cutie mark was a set of three flowers. The couple positively reeked of love. She sat on a bench and waited for the big one to go on his way. Eventually, he hitched himself up to the cart and began to pull it toward the market. Echo glanced around and made sure that nopony was able to see before she surrounded herself again in green flames and became the mare of this pony’s affections. Recalling the conversation she had eavesdropped on, she called out to him in a sing-song voice. “Oh cutie-patootie lovie-dovie honey-bunny!” She fought the urge to retch. The stallion turned around.

“Shmoopy-doo?” he said quizzically. Immediately, Echo absorbed the love which poured forth from the stallion.

“What the hay?” a shocked voice said from behind her. Echo whipped her head around. Oh, for the love of Chrysalis. The mare she was impersonating stood dumbstruck, staring right at her. Turning around again, she found the red stallion equally flabbergasted. Only one thing to do now. Echo thought with grim determination. With that, she turned toward the nearest alleyway and ran as fast as her hooves could carry her. As she turned a corner, she used her freshly acquired energy to quickly change back into Candlelight and assume a prone position on the ground. After a few seconds, the stallion came rushing around the corner. She tried her best to look stunned.

“Did anyone get the license off of that train?” she tried to sound as disoriented as possible.

“Are you alright, miss...?” the stallion said.

“Candlelight.” she pretended to regain her ground. “Yes, thank you, mister...?”

“McIntosh. Most call me Big Mac.”

“Mister McIntosh. Thank you.”

The stallion looked around and, satisfied that his lover’s doppelganger was nowhere to be seen, nodded in acknowledgment before heading back up the alleyway. That was much too close, Echo thought. and much too careless. Hunger affects my judgment more than I thought. At least I’m full, now. Echo turned around to head back to her tree, and found herself immediately face-to-face with a smiling pink pony.

“You’re new around here, aren’t you?” Pinkie Pie said. Echo could only stutter. An Element of Harmony. Could this get any worse? “I know you’re new because I haven’t seen you around before, and I know everyone in Ponyville.”

“Okay? Well, I need to get going, so I’ll just -”

“NO!” the Element of Laughter interrupted. “I have to throw you a party first.”

“Now?” Echo groaned. “Really?”

“Well duh, otherwise it wouldn’t be a welcome party, it’d be a welcome-back party!”

Echo stared on in horror as the pink party pony pulled a full sized cannon out of thin air. “How did you -” she was cut off by a sudden explosion of streamers and miniature fireworks. Terrified and unsure of what to do next, she did the only thing she could, she ran. Her escape took her around the corner of the building and through the street. She glanced behind her and saw nopony chasing her. She turned another corner into an alleyway, where she collapsed against the side of a building. “I hate that pony,” she muttered as she caught her breath. A quick bit of magic flared on her horn as she pulled a streamer out from behind her ear. “and I hate parties.”

“That’s silly!”

“Oh, sweet merciful -”

“Nopony hates parties, and especially not a Pinkie Pie party!”

Echo turned her head, and painfully asked, “What in Equestria is a Pinkie Pie party?”

“Well, I’m a Pinkie Pie,” a Cheshire grin consumed her visage as she continued. “and I’m Ponyville’s Pink Party Pony, so any parties I throw are Pinkie Pie parties! Since you’re new, I have to throw you a welcoming party, but you ran away so I didn’t get to ask your name, and I really need to know your name if I’m going to throw you a party, because otherwise nopony will be able to greet you, and you’d have to spend the whole night saying your name over and over and over and that wouldn’t be any fun for you!” Pinkie Pie said in one breath.

“Well, I appreciate the offer, but I really don’t think that’s nece -”

“So, what’s your name?”

Echo sighed. “I’m Candlelight.”

“That’s a super-awesome name! What’s your special talent?” Pinkie Pie gestured to Candlelight’s cutie mark.

“Umm...” I should have thought this through... what can I do well? “Sight. Metaphorically. The candle flame represents my artistic vision. I can organize things very well, and I have a remarkable ability to bring order to chaos.” This wasn’t actually a lie. If anything came up that required Echo to demonstrate Candlelight’s talent, there would be no need to fake it. Chrysalis had chosen her to be a leader for a reason, after all.

“That’s so cool! So do you, like, paint or something?”

Damn. A vocation... “No, I … make … clothes.” Clothes, really? Echo, what are you doing? “I can work miracles with fabric!” Outwardly, she smiled brightly while she kicked herself mentally.

“Oh, boy do I have a friend for you, you’re going to LOVE Rarity and she’s going to love you and OH MY GOSH I HAVE TO PLAN THE PARTY! It’ll be tomorrow at 6, okay? Bye!” With this, the pony disappeared in a puff of smoke and streamers.

“What?” Echo stood in the middle of the street, struggling to catch her breath. A few minutes went by, and she remained firmly rooted to the spot.

“Hi there,” a voice came from behind. Oh, Chrysalis, another one? “You’re new, right?” Echo didn’t turn to look at the new pony, and didn’t say a word. “So, I guess you’ve already met Pinkie Pie, huh?” Echo only nodded slightly. “Are you okay?” Echo finally managed to turn her head, and found herself face to face with the Element of Magic and Princess Celestia’s personal student, Twilight Sparkle. Echo tried to say something, but the stress of the day was too much, and as she opened her mouth, all that came out was a scream before the edges of her vision began to fade to black, and she fainted.
> Revelation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The musky smell of old books filled Echo’s nostrils. Opening her eyes, she saw that bookshelves had been carved into the walls of the room. On the opposite end of the room was a desk with quills, ink, and parchment strewn around. Sitting at the desk was Twilight Sparkle, grasping a quill in the glow of her magic, scrawling something. Hurriedly, Echo glanced at her hooves. Her disguise had held through her loss of consciousness. Maybe the universe doesn’t hate me so much after all.

“Oh, you’re awake!” Twilight said.

“Uh... yeah.” Echo replied. “You scared me...”

“I can tell. I’m sorry!” Twilight didn’t even turn around from her desk. “I know that Pinkie has that effect on some ponies. She can be a little confusing at times. Take my advice and don’t try too hard to understand her; just accept it and move on. It’ll only cause problems if you try to figure her out.” Echo saw Twilight shake her head. Finally, Twilight set the quill down, got up from her seat, and turned around to face Echo. “I’m -”

“Twilight Sparkle.” Echo interrupted. “Element of Magic, personal protégé of Princess Celestia, and sister to Shining Armor of the Royal Guard.”

“Well... yes. How did you know?”

Smooth move, Echo. “I’m … kind of a fan of yours.” That almost hurt her to say. “I’ve never been to great with magic, but I always wanted to be, and you’ve been something of a household name in Equestria ever since Luna’s return.” That’s the idea. Don’t tell her that you personally received her dossier from the Changelings that had been spying on her for months prior to Canterlot.

Twilight blushed. “I... don’t really know what to say. Do you want something to drink? Eat, maybe?”

“No, thank you.” Echo returned. “I’m quite alright.” Just let me out!

“Alright. So what are you doing here in Ponyville?”

Out! “I’m just a wanderer, passing through.”

“Where did you come from?”

OUT! “Manehattan.” The conversation came to a halt for a few awkward seconds. Twilight chuckled.

“I’m sorry,” she croaked. “I’ve never been great with starting conversations.”

“I can see that,” NO, BAD ECHO. “I mean, since you’re such a brilliant unicorn, your studies must take up a great deal of time.” Nice save, Echo. Twilight gave echo an awkward stare. Okay, maybe not that nice. “Sorry. I’ve never been too great with carrying on conversations.” LET ME OUT!

“Boy, now there’s something I can relate to. Let me share some of my lessons with you!” the unicorn turned to a shelf and pulled down a box big enough to fit a pony inside, full of scrolls. Oh, Chrysalis, what have I done?



*    *    *



Four hours had gone by, and Twilight Sparkle was still talking. Echo was beginning to wish for death.

“... 'a good friend always has your best interests at heart. Your Faithful Student, Twilight Sparkle.' So Pinkie Pie taught us all the value of trusting your friends, even when things seem wrong."

“That’s great Twilight.”

“Do you really think so, Candlelight?”

“Yeah, totally. Great lessons about Friendship, Twilight. Please, tell me more.” I’m going to die here.

"So you can really understand my lessons?”

Does she... no. No way. “What do you mean, Twilight? Of course I understand.” Twilight looked at Echo with concern. “Look, I’ve got to get going, Twilight, so it’s been great and all.”

“Oh?” Twilight said. Oh no. That look is never good. “Where are you staying?”

“Just out in the forest a little.”

“THE EVERFREE?” Twilight belted, knocking Echo back a pace or two. “That’s crazy, it’s dangerous out there!”

“I’ve been just fine up until now...”

“Well, then you’ve been really lucky up until now. I’ve got an idea. What did you say your special talent was?”

She expected me to listen to four hours of her lectures but can’t remember my talent? “I make clothes.” 

“Right. Come with me, I’ll introduce you to my friend Rarity. You two are going to get along so great!”

“Sure! What could go wrong.” Anywhere but here is okay by me.



*    *    *



There are sentences from which I should stay far away. Rarity bounced around Echo, taking measurements and tightening various strips of fabric. Every inch that Rarity tightened the dress made Echo feel like she was going to faint, and she really didn't want that to happen, since she might lose control of her illusion spell if she did.

“Rarity?” she croaked. “I can’t breathe!”

“I know, darling, isn’t it FABULOUS? I can scarcely breathe myself.”

“No, Rarity, I think she actually can’t breathe.” Twilight interjected.

“What? Oh my!” Rarity relinquished her hold on Echo’s midsection, and Echo gasped. “Well... I suppose that’s enough dressmaking for tonight, isn’t it darling?” Echo nodded in agreement.

“Candlelight needs a place to stay, Rarity. She’s been staying in the Everfree.” she said the last word like it was dirty.

“Oh, gracious!” the white unicorn said. “We can’t have that, now can we? I have a spare bedroom at the top of the Boutique. It’s yours for now, Candlelight. We’ll work out a rent arrangement tomorrow sometime.”

“No, really, I just want to go back to my tree and -”

“Nonsense. I will not have a fine mare such as yourself sleeping in the Everfree. The room is yours. Don’t worry, you have complete privacy. I won’t come in without your permission.”

“I appreciate it, but I -”

“No. I won’t hear another word. Now off you go, darling.”

Defeated, Echo slinked off up the stairs to her new room as Twilight said something to Rarity. When she reached her door, she took another deep breath. This is insane, Echo. Ignoring herself, she pushed the door open to reveal a small space with an ornate bed, simple kitchen space, and a restroom. Echo had to admit that for such limited space, Rarity’s decorating skills were remarkable, although there wasn’t enough green for her tastes. Climbing onto the bed, she considered her surroundings. I suppose this is better than a hollowed out tree. She concluded as she slowly drifted off to sleep. 



*    *    *



Backed by the night’s sky, the thunder clouds boiled in a purple froth. The moon bathed everything in a soft ivory glow, sending down pillars of light through the holes in the cloud formations. On the ground below, Echo was walking through the streets of Ponyville. Everyone was bustling around and going about their business, completely defiant of the night’s cold embrace. Everypony gasped and recoiled when they made eye contact with her, but she just kept walking. Glancing down, she realized that her disguise was not in place. This is suicide, what am I doing?

“Run it through with a spear!” somepony shouted from the crowd. She turned to him and gave an evil hiss. By this point, the ponies had congealed along the sides of the street like plaque in an artery, some bearing fury in their eyes, others bearing fear. Echo kept walking, holding her head high despite the fluttering terror in her heart. At the end of the road, she could just make out the silhouette of a unicorn. Coming closer, she realized it was Twilight Sparkle.

The studious unicorn’s eyes were firmly closed. Twilight’s eyes shot open, glowing white as Echo stopped just a few hooves’ distance from her.

“I knew it.” Twilight shouted matter-of-factly. Her gaze distorted into an accusing glare. “You’re a changeling! Explain yourself!”

Echo stared forward, her eyes narrowing. She lowered her front end to present the point of her horn to Twilight. Her temper flared, and she lost control.

“You all think that we changelings are monsters.” she began. “You think that we are insincere, incapable of appreciating love, but you don't know how wrong you are.” although her eyes still burned brightly, Twilight’s gaze became quizzical. “What is more genuine than a creature that literally cannot survive without love? Who would better know the joys it brings, and who would possess more respect for its bounty? Changelings are deeply sincere. We love that we may live, and we live in the hope that we may be loved. Ponies do not need love to survive. You can subsist on nothing but bread and water.” Echo turned to address the crowd gathering behind her.

“I am Echo. I am a changeling. I am proud of myself, of my race, and of my Queen. I have loved many, and been loved by none,” Full of fury, she drew herself higher, and her horn glowed bright with magic. “and I will not suffer this inquisition any longer!” A bright orb of green emanated from the spot where she stood, blinding her. As it began to clear, her world dissolved once more.



*    *    *



Echo’s eyes opened. Raising her head to look down at herself, she saw the form of Candlelight. A dream. Another awful dream. Rousing herself, she trotted downstairs to the parlor of the Boutique. As she was about to turn the corner, she heard two voices. One was Rarity, and the other was... Oh, no.

As she glanced hesitantly around the corner, her suspicions were confirmed. Twilight Sparkle was sitting at the table, laughing with Rarity. Echo composed herself, and trotted into the room. “Good morning, everypony.” She said groggily.

“Oh, good morning, darling!” Rarity chimed.

“Good morning, Candlelight.” Twilight spoke without blinking. You're a creepy unicorn, aren't you? Echo took a seat at the table, and Rarity poured her a cup of tea.

“Oh, darn it.” Rarity hushed herself. “I’m sorry dear, I’ll be back in a moment, I have to start another kettle.” The fashionista gracefully pranced off to the kitchen. As the door closed, Twilight spoke again.

“Or, should I say ‘good morning, Echo?’”

Oh, Chrysalis, I’m going to die. “I - I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She stated rather unconvincingly. 

“I’m sorry, that must be a little confusing for you." Twilight glanced around the room for a moment. "We heard you shouting in your sleep this morning. You were saying that your name was Echo, but that’s all we were able to make out. If you prefer Candlelight, I can use that name.”

“Yes, please.” Echo was not convinced. This was the Element of Magic and Celestia’s personal student, there was no way she was this thick. 

“Okay, Candlelight. Sorry. What were you dreaming about?” Twilight still hadn't blinked. Together with her unerring grin, this was beginning to be more than a little disturbing.

“I’d rather not talk about it.” 

“I understand. Just know that if you need a friend, you can talk to me about anything. I mean anything.” 

As Echo prepared a vitriol retort, she was interrupted by the sounds of a great commotion outside. In a moment, Rarity came running back into the parlor. 

“Twilight, come quickly! There's a changeling in Ponyville!” 

“What?” Echo’s blood ran cold.

“Where?” Twilight asked, glancing quickly in Echo's direction. 

“Outside. They’ve just found out that Time Turner was being impersonated. They’ve got the changeling locked up in a jail cart, but they want you to put a spell on it so that the changeling can’t break through.”

“Alright. Tell them I’m on my way.” Rarity ran outside. “Looks like our talk will have to wait, Ec - I’m sorry. Candlelight.”

This is bad. Echo thought as she followed Twilight outside. Just a short trot from the Boutique was a wooden wagon with bars made of iron. Inside was a buzzing changeling, frantically trying to break his way out. He looked like a housefly bumping into a window.

“You’re killing me!” he was shouting. “There is no more Empire! We aren’t a threat anymore! You’ve got to listen to me!”

Echo gasped. The Empire is gone? Looking around nervously, she decided that she had to form a link with this changeling. It was a little risky in public, but this was not an ordinary situation.

“Soldier!” she spoke directly to his mind. “State your designation.” the changeling immediately snapped to attention, ceasing his struggles.

“Why did it stop fighting?” one of the guards muttered.

The changeling looked around the crowd quizzically for a moment, his eyes scanning for irregularity. “Nexus, Ma’am. 8th battalion, changeling strike brigade, squad 56, unit 8 of 10. Request officer designation.”

“I’m your commanding officer, Nexus, that’s all you need to know. You’re saying the Empire is gone. What do you mean?”

“Just that, ma’am. Gone. After the invasion failed, the hive mind was split in two directions, the loyalists and the insurrectionists.” The guards were pointing at the stoic changeling and murmuring between themselves, and Twilight was casting a spell around the changeling and his cell. The prisoner stood completely motionless - save for his eyes, which darted around the crowd, trying to pinpoint the other changeling. “It didn’t end well. Those of us who split from the queen have been forsaken. Without the swarm, without our queen, we have no hope. The Empire is weak, and should no longer be recognized. I don’t even have to answer to you, come to think of it. Shut up and help me!”

“I can’t do that, Nexus.”

“DAMN YOU, HELP ME!” The changeling shouted out loud, his eyes darting around the crowd. “DON’T JUST STAND THERE AND GAWK, HELP ME! TRAITOR!”

“Well, it’s back to shouting.” one guard said. “Shut up, thing.” the guards moved back to the front of the carriage and hooked themselves in.

The changeling continued to shout as they began to walk toward Canterlot. “I KNOW YOU’RE IN THE CROWD! I KNOW IT! HELP ME DAMN YOU!” His voice faded into the distance, and Echo felt herself break as she realized was no longer able to hear it at all. She lost her composure and sobbed. I'm alone.
> A Violent Readjustment
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back inside the boutique, Rarity was pouring more tea into all of their cups.

“Dreadful, simply dreadful!” Rarity said to Twilight.

Twilight just nodded, staring at Echo from the corner of her eye. “Yeah, Rarity. It’s pretty bad stuff. Are you okay, Candlelight? You got pretty emotional back there.”

No, I'm not okay. He was one of my soldiers. It was my responsibility to protect him, and I didn't. I just let them take him. After a pause, Echo asked, “Twilight, what are they going to do to him?”

“Him?” she said quizzically. “How do you know it was a him?”

“You mean you couldn’t tell?”

“No, it was just another changeling.”

“Just another changeling?” She said indignantly. “That was a living creature scared for his life. Just tell me what is going to happen to him.”

Twilight's eyes widened in shock at Echo's outburst before her gaze softened. She nodded succinctly. “You're right, Candlelight, I'm sorry. He’s going to be taken to see Celestia. She’ll decide what happens then. Are you alright?”

“No.” She got up from her seat and stormed past Twilight, heading into town. “I need a walk.” as she was walking out, she heard them talking.

“Dear,” Rarity said to Twilight. “I think maybe you should make sure she's okay.”

“Yes,” Twilight agreed. “I probably should.”

Echo walked silently through the streets, and ponies on all sides were going about their daily business. As she walked forward, a few ponies gasped when they made eye contact. Remembering her dream, she glanced down at her hooves. She was relieved to find the leg of a normal unicorn pony, but as she stared at the sole of her hoof, a single droplet landed in its center. She was crying.

Eager to escape the gaze of the ponies in the street, Echo ducked into an alley. There, she sat on the ground, leaning against the wall and staring intently at the ground while she sobbed. After a short time, she heard hoofsteps coming toward her. She didn’t bother to look up.

“Hey, you.” A gruff male voice spoke. “Got any bits?”

“No. Go away.” She snipped.

“I wasn’t asking.” Echo looked up into the face of a robust earth pony stallion. He held out his hoof expectantly. A snarl crossed his face. “Now, got any bits?”

“You want my bits?” She said, rising to her hooves. She felt her voice quiver as her rage began to rise. “Why should I give you my bits?” Echo closed her eyes, straining to control herself.

“For starters, if you don’t, I’m gonna turn your face inside out.”

“Oh, I’m SHAKING WITH FEAR!” Her eyes shot open, the pure eyes of a changeling. She lost control, and her eyes began to glow in her rage.

“What the h-”

“I've just had a very bad day. I'm alone, I'm frightened, and I'm really, really angry. If you think you can persuade me to give you my bits, you’ve got another thing coming, pal,” as she stared into the stallion's terror-stricken face, she had a lucrative idea. “in fact, I think you’re going to give me your bits, aren’t you?”

“No way, lady. You’re gonna regret this!” He swung a hoof at her. In a swift motion, she raised a foreleg, caught his hoof, and twisted it around with a sickening crack. With her other foreleg, she muted his scream. She pushed him back and pinned him against the wall.

“You picked the wrong day, and the wrong changeling, you sorry, sick, disgusting pile of -”

“Echo!” Twilight Sparkle’s voice rang in her ears. “Stop! What is this?”

“This,” she charged a blast of magic to her horn. “is an ex-theif.” In a blinding green flash, the stallion collapsed to the ground. “When he comes to, he’ll be sure that he just had his flank kicked by a filly.” She turned her gaze to Twilight, when it hit her. She just saw everything that happened.

“Good.” Twilight said. “I was worried you were going to kill him.”

“I was going to kill him. I still might kill him.” She shot a glare at the unconscious stallion. “What about you, Ms. Sparkle? I can’t very well have you running off to tell everypony about me, can I? I may not be the best with maintaining my disguise, or stealing love, but combat is something I know very well. I don’t think even you could defeat me in a one-on-one fight.” Echo’s horn began to glow again. She was bluffing, but she hoped that Twilight wouldn't know that.

“I – I'm not here to fight you!” Twilight said, backing up. Her face showed panic. Perfect.

“Well, that's convenient of you to say, now that you're face-to-face with an emotionally unstable changeling.”

The Element of Magic held her head high as she sighed. “I knew you were a changeling before now,” she said, “and you know it.”

Echo laughed, and stepped closer to Twilight. “Just how and why would I know that?”

Twilight suddenly became very serious. “Because I was there in your dream. You told me yourself.”

Echo’s magic dimmed, and her eyes widened. That was actually her in my dream? What kind of power this is, to be able to infiltrate the dreams of somepony else! “What do you want from me?” Echo said begrudgingly, not allowing her voice to betray an ounce of the terror she felt. “Are you going to cart me off to be judged by your precious princess, too?”

“Well, Echo, I've spent all day thinking about that. I looked through the library and I couldn't find even one reliable book about changelings. Ponies hardly know anything about you, and our only experience has been,” she hesitated, choosing her words carefully, “unpleasant.”

Echo nodded. Twilight was right, after all – their only real exposure to changelings had been during one of their military campaigns. “So, if you aren't going to have me hauled off, what do you propose?”

“Well, I want you to be my research subject.” Twilight began. Echo snarled in disgust. “It won't be anything invasive.” Twilight was quick to add, “I just want you to come to the library for a few hours each week and answer some of my questions, maybe have you demonstrate some of your magic. In return, I’ll help you stay hidden. The only other thing is that you can’t hurt anypony, and I mean anypony.” Twilight gestured to the unconscious stallion. Echo scoffed.

“He was mugging me. I was justified.”

“Not anypony,” Twilight reiterated sternly.

She’s got me in a bind, but maybe a little good old fashioned intimidation can do the trick. “What's to stop me from just killing you and go on hiding like this never happened?” Echo said with a lighthearted giggle.

“You said it yourself when we first met. I'm the princess' personal student. If you killed me, you'd have the entire royal guard on your heels for the rest of your life, so why do that when I'm offering you an easier solution?” Twilight smiled confidently.

Damn. That dossier didn't lie, she's good. “Fine.” Echo conceded. “I'll do it.”

“Good. Tonight, though, I think you have a party to go to.” Twilight smiled gently at Echo. “Try to have fun. I have a hunch that things aren’t as bad here as you believe they are.”

I think you're right, they're ten times worse. Echo thought as Twilight walked away. With a quick flash of green, her eyes returned to their disguised state. Another thought crossed Echo's mind, and she trotted up beside Twilight. A quick moment of deft hoofwork put a halt to the Element of Magic’s escape. “It might mean that I get chased for the rest of my life if I kill you,” she reignited her horn. “but you’d still be dead, and I doubt you want that.”

Twilight stuttered, trying poorly to hide the fear on her face. After a moment, she chuckled nervously. “Perhaps we can come to a mutually beneficial arrangement?” She coughed unconvincingly.

“Indeed. For starters,” Echo injected as much venom into her voice as she could, “get me out of this party.” Tables've turned, now haven't they? 

“I can’t do that!” Twilight sputtered desperately. “It’s Pinkie Pie, no force in Equestria or in Tartarus could change anything that mare does! She’s a physical impossibility!”

“It’s true, I am!” Pinkie’s head popped out of a barrel next to them. Echo screamed, jumped, and nearly lost control of her magic. “I was just stopping by this barrel to get the apples for your party, Candlelight!” She held out an apple in her hoof. “Bye!” Pinkie descended into the barrel again, taking the lid with her.

Twilight remained unimpressed. “Told you.”

“Point taken.” Echo coughed. “How much did she hear?”

“Probably nothing.” Twilight murmured. “Pinkie really only hears what she wants to hear,”

Relieved but exhausted, Echo groaned. “Could you at least help me out if things get out of hoof at the party?”

Twilight smiled warmly. “Of course. You know, aside from your inclinations toward violence, you changelings don’t seem nearly as bad as I thought you were.”

“Shut up,” Echo said dismissively. “I don’t trust you, but I have to work with you. Don’t delude yourself into thinking we’re friends or anything.”

Twilight’s smile faded slightly. “Of course not, Echo. It's a professional relationship.”

“Don’t call me Echo. You're supposed to call me Candlelight. I’m not Echo, remember?” She motioned toward herself.

“Right. Sorry. I’ll see you at the party tonight!”

“Sure.” Twilight turned the corner and walked back onto the street, quickly dissolving into the crowd. Oh, Chrysalis, why me? 

Echo walked back to Carousel Boutique in a state of utter dejection. Certain she had ruined any chance of a life in Ponyville, she contemplated her options. I could always make a new disguise, but that would require Candlelight to disappear. Plus, since Twilight already knows about me, she’d be on the lookout for anything even slightly suspicious. I could just run, but then Twilight will turn me in to the guards. Besides, where would I run? I don’t know any places that I could get to without any food to sustain me on the way. No, I have to stick this out. Echo turned the handle on the Boutique’s door sullenly, ready to just head upstairs and pass out on her bed. Hey, that’s right. She thought. I have a bed. I have a life. The swarm doesn’t exist anymore, this is the only home I have. Well, this or the dungeons of Canterlot, and I much prefer this. Maybe I can eke an existence out of this after all. She slowly opened the door. Raising her head, Echo stepped inside to find it completely dark.

The lights came on suddenly, blinding her. “SURPRISE!” came a chorus of voices.

“DIE!” she shouted, dropping instinctively into a defensive stance.

“Silly Candie!” With frightening rapidity, Pinkie Pie erupted from the crowd of ponies and pulled the nerve-racked changeling into a hug. “If anypony dies, the party will be totally ruined!”

“Candie? What’s that mean,” She coughed through the mare's death-grip. “and why were you all hiding in the dark?”

“It’s your name, Silly. Well, not your whole name. Candie is short for Candlelight, just like Pinkie is short for Pinkamena, and we were hiding in the dark because it’s a surprise party and we needed to surprise you, or else it would just be a regular party!”

“SURPRISE!” A white pegasus mare shouted, sporting an enormous grin and floating above the crowd for a moment. She looked deceptively like Pinkie Pie, if she had a blonde mane.

“I don’t get it.” Echo said. In the hive, the only time that a surprise gathering was organized was when somepony was going to get killed.

“Nevermind. The point is that this is your ‘Welcome to Ponyville’ party, so WELCOME TO PONYVILLE!” She made a snapping noise with her hooves, the mechanics of which eluded Echo, and then motioned to a DJ’s booth. “HIT IT!” At that, a white mare with a frazzled blue mane appeared from underneath the table. With great dramatic flair and the push of a button, the music started. “Try bobbing for apples, it’s really fun!”

“Yeah!” An orange mare that Echo recognized as Applejack said through a thick drawl. “They’re the finest in Equestria. Grew ‘em myself!”

“I thought the party was supposed to be at at 6.”

“I changed it.” Pinkie beamed, seeming proud of herself.

“So, what do you think?” A familiar voice came from Echo’s left. She turned to face Twilight Sparkle.

“How the hay did you get here so quickly?” Echo asked, astonished.

“Teleportation. It’s the only way to fly. Erm, so to speak.”

Echo couldn’t say anything. Instead, she just nodded quickly to Twilight, turned around, and headed for her bedroom.

“Where are you going?” Pinkie Pie’s look-alike said. “The party just started!”

“Okay. Why do you need me for it?”

“Well, duh! You’re the one we’re throwing the party for!”

Echo paused, giving a deadpan expression. “I don’t get it.” 

The pegasus flew up to meet her. “Just get back down there!” She said with a shove. “Go on, move it!”

“Are you related to Pinkie Pie, you crazy mare?” Echo was losing her patience.

“No, but we’ve been best friends since, like, forever! That’s not the point though. You need to stay down here and party with us! I’m Surprise, and I’ll chase you down if I have to, okay? Stay.” She gave Echo a sage nod, then trotted off to rejoin the party.

Echo started to whine, but Surprise was already gone. Great.

The hours passed, and everypony and their mother tried to talk to her. She did everything in her power to avoid telling her backstory, since she didn't really have one yet. After she was sure that nopony else was going to try to introduce themselves, she went to stand next to the refreshments table, where she stood awkwardly while levitating a glass of punch. Behind her on the table sat a wall-eyed, toothless alligator, slowly swinging its tail to the beat of the music.

“What. The. Hay.” she said aloud. A few more minutes passed, and then a tan earth pony stallion sauntered up to the refreshments table. His mane was black with some light gray highlights. He grabbed glass of punch and stood awkwardly a few hooves away from her. Echo avoided his gaze. through the peripheral vision of her red eye, she saw the slightest bit of movement from the stallion. He was inching closer to her. Maybe I’ll have a little love tonight, after all. She thought. Turning her gaze to him slightly, she made eye contact. He smiled slyly and scooted closer, his eyes darting side to side. That’s weird, I’m not feeling any affection from him. Suddenly, it clicked. Oh. I get it. Sheesh, he doesn’t even like me. She shot him a glare, and averted her gaze dramatically. He continued to scoot closer.

“Hey,” He said.

“Buzz off,” She curtly replied.

“Hey, come on, I need to talk to you,”

“Well, I don’t want to talk to you. Buzz off,” she reiterated.

The unicorn took another scoot closer, and reached out his foreleg as though he were going to pull her closer. ENOUGH. In one swift motion, she grabbed his foreleg, whipped him around, and gave him a solid thump on the back of his head, sending him tumbling to the ground. “I TOLD YOU TO BUZZ OFF, CREEP. I SAID I’M NOT INTERESTED, GET IT?” With that, she huffed off, leaving the unicorn disoriented on the floor, in a cloud of slowly settling dust. As she trotted away, she passed Twilight and whispered with smug self-satisfaction, “Not even a single broken bone, happy?” Without another word, she stormed off loudly to her room, closing the door a little more sharply than was probably necessary.

Echo couldn’t figure out why the unicorn’s attentions had bothered her so much. It wasn’t the first time somepony had tried to make a move on her, and she’d never beaten the snot out of anyone just for that before. Was she actually starting to feel a connection to these ponies? Did she seriously care if they genuinely liked her?

No. She corrected herself. That’s impossible. There’s no way. They'd all hate me, and I hate them.

Even as she tried to convince herself that she had no feelings for any of the ponies around her, she felt a deep depression creeping up on her. In a fit of self-pity, she flung herself onto her bed and began to sob into her pillow. She could hear the muffled sounds of the party continuing below her. She had to question just who she was trying to convince. Suddenly, a knock came on the door.

“Candie?” Pinkie Pie’s voice rang with concern.

“Are you okay?” Surprise chimed in.

“Can we come in, Candlelight?” Twilight’s voice rang out.

“Sugarcube,” Applejack joined the chorus. “I don’t know quite what just happened, but we all put two and two together. Let us talk to you.”

“Darling, I know what it’s like to be treated so poorly,” Rarity admitted. “but hiding from the party and from your friends won’t help!”

'Friends'? Did they just call me their friend? “I don’t have any friends.” Echo shouted into her pillow. Apparently, it was loud enough for her visitors to hear.

“Nonsense!” Rarity shouted.

“Yeah!” Echo could hear a fluttering sound as Surprise undoubtedly began to hover. “There’s five of us right here. That’s at least five friends!”

“Let us in, please.” Twilight pleaded.

“Fine.” Echo lifted her head from the pillow, but turned her body to face away from the door. “Come on in. It can’t get any worse.”

The door clicked as it opened, and the floorboards creaked as the five ponies quietly came into the room. “Come on, sugarcube.” Applejack said. “I don’t think I ever introduced myself. I’m Applejack.” The mare tipped her hat.

“Charmed,” Echo rolled her eyes. I know more about you than you do. With a frightening speed, Surprise’s face appeared upside down in Echo’s field of vision, causing the changeling to yelp in shock. “I think I see where you get your name!” she puffed, clutching at her chest.

Surprise grinned and giggled at that before righting herself and coming to rest on the ground in front of Echo. “Look, Candie,” Echo grimaced at her nickname. Surprise paused, her face reflecting concern. “Sorry. Candlelight. What that creep did wasn’t okay,” Surprise laid a hoof on Echo’s shoulder. “but you can’t let it get to you! There’s a room full of ponies downstairs that are really worried about you. There’s also one unicorn sitting outside with a headache that will probably last him a lifetime.”

Echo couldn’t help but laugh. “I did give him a good thwack, didn’t I?” She smiled.

“Yeah, and he needed it.” Twilight said reassuringly.

“Do you guys really mean it?” Echo asked, unsure. “That you’re my friends?”

“But of course!” Rarity shouted.

“Absolutely!” Twilight stated with a solemn stare.

“You can bank on it, sugarcube.”

“Abso-positive-a-lutely!” Pinkie and Surprise chimed in perfect unison.

Echo felt tears wellling up in her eyes again, but she wasn’t sad anymore. Why am I crying? She wondered. Looking around the room, she saw concern on all of her friends’ faces.

My friends. I have friends. Me, friends! A smell wafted through Echo’s nostrils. Is that... love? No, it smells different, it isn’t love. Wait a minute, is this... friendship? She allowed herself to absorb some of the energy, and she found that it was both filling and satisfying. The tears welled up further, and she saw all of her friends glance at each other and share a nod. When they turned their gaze back on Echo, she could see the glare of a huntress in each of their eyes.

“What are you -” She never got to finish her sentence before all five mares jumped on her, causing the bed to creak and groan under the strain. The surprise elicited a quick scream from Echo, who for the briefest of moments was sure they had only pretended to be friends that they might catch her off guard. As she prepared to defend herself, though, her ears caught the sound of laughter. “I don’t get it,” She said once more from under the pile of giddy ponies. “but I don’t hate it either.”

> The Crusaders
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Echo’s eyes shot open as a searing pain shot through her temples and down her spine. She groaned as she rolled off her bed and onto her hooves. Those ponies really hit me hard, she thought, and the volume of that music didn’t help either. Unsteadily, she made her way over to her bathroom mirror. The sullen eyes and tangled mane of Candlelight looked back at her.

“Ugh.” she groaned to herself. A flash of green flames later and she stared into the sullen eyes and unkempt mane of her natural form. “Much better.” She said, half-seriously. Another flash of green flames returned her to Candlelight’s form, now pristine after being dismantled and reassembled. She looked fantastic, but she still felt awful. “Now, what manner of unpleasantry must I deal with today?” she asked herself. “Ah yes, I have to go and be Twilight Sparkle’s little lab rat. How could I forget? What else...”

As Echo pondered the myriad of misfortunes she would find herself fighting through the day, Rarity’s voice called from downstairs, “Breakfast, Candlelight!” Echo didn’t need to eat, but it certainly helped to keep up appearances. She opened her door and started down the stairs.

“Good morning, Rarity.” She said as happily as she could.

“My goodness,” Rarity cooed. “You look fantastic, considering how rough last night was on everypony. How ever do you manage to stay so pristine?”

Unable to provide a sufficient answer, Echo decided to play spin-doctor. “I could ask you the same question, Rarity. Your mane seems to be immaculately preserved.”

“What, this old nest of tangles?” Rarity giggled. “It's nothing special, I spend about 2 hours each morning cleaning and styling it, then I apply a spell that Twilight taught me, and - ” She cut herself off and glanced at Echo with embarrassment on her face, “I mean, thank you darling,” Rarity smiled awkwardly.

Echo let a small grin cross her own face as she sat down at the table. In front of her was a bowl of collard greens and a blueberry muffin. “This looks fantastic,” she said gleefully. It did, too. Just because she didn't need to eat food didn't mean that she couldn't appreciate it.

“Actually,” Rarity glanced over her shoulder. “That was Sweetie Belle's cooking! She's improved a great deal since her first attempts.” Behind Rarity stood a young filly that Echo realized as being one of the fillies she had nearly scared to death in the Everfree after crashing. The little white unicorn was beaming from ear to ear as she trotted forward.

“Good morning miss Candlelight,” she said enthusiastically, without opening her eyes.

“Thank you Sweetie Belle.” Echo grinned. After a few moments, Sweetie Belle opened her eyes to meet Echo's. Her grin quickly contorted into an expression of fear.

“It's you,” she screamed, “save me!” She ran out the door as fast as her little legs could carry her.

That could have gone better.

“Sweetie Belle?” Rarity called after her sister. “I'm so sorry, Candlelight. I don't know what got into her.”

I do. “Why don't you let me go find her?” Echo asked reassuringly.

Rarity's face reflected concern for a moment before she softened her gaze, "Okay, darling. Please try to get her back in time for school?" Echo gave her word and trotted out the door. Time to make the most out of this eye.

A quick survey of her surroundings showed her that there was an almost imperceptible trail of slowly settling dust leading off to the north. Seems promising. She galloped forward, following the trail. Every so often she could make out a hoofprint in the street that matched a filly of Sweetie Belle's size. Small variations in the prints told Echo that Sweetie's speed was diminishing quickly. There is no escape! She thought with a little bit of glee in the back of her mind.

“Sweetie Belle,” she called out, “I'm sorry I scared you! Come out, I only want to talk.” She saw a white figure peek around a corner a couple buildings ahead. She pretended she didn't see it and continued to call out. Making sure that Sweetie could hear, she turned to a passing stallion. “Excuse me, sir,” she asked, “have you seen a little white unicorn filly go running past?”

“No ma'am, sorry.” The stallion said.

Echo feigned dejection and called out with as much desperation as she could mimic, “Sweetie Belle, please! I'm sorry! Don't run away!” She looked around again, pretending she didn't know where Sweetie was. When nopony came out, she hung her head in a slightly exaggerated show of her grief, and began to walk slowly back toward the Boutique.

“Miss Candlelight?” a sheepish voice came from behind her. Careful not to let the unicorn filly see, Echo grinned.

“Hmm?” she said, pretending she didn't recognize Sweetie's voice.

“It's me, Sweetie Belle.”

Echo shot around dramatically. “Oh, thank Celestia, I'm so glad I found you! I'm sorry if I frightened you back there!”

“No,” Sweetie said solemnly, “you didn't scare me. I just… you reminded me of something scary that happened to me a couple days ago. I overreacted, I'm sorry.”

“Don't worry about it,” Echo said, “come on, Rarity wanted you back in time to get ready for School.”

Sweetie groaned, “It's Sunday. I don't have to go to school.”

Echo laughed, “I didn't think so, but come on anyway, I don't want to upset her. Do you?”

A few minutes later, the changeling and the filly came sauntering into the Boutique, each wearing a stupid grin and laughing jubilantly. This little filly is a lot of fun! Echo thought.

Fun? She asked herself. Am I actually enjoying being in the company of a filly? I always hated the young changelings at the hive. Though, to be fair, Echo knew that changeling children tended to be of an exceptionally difficult nature.

“Welcome back, Candlelight!” Rarity chimed. “Sweetie Belle, I hope you apologized for running away from our guest.”

“Yes, Rarity.” Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes and trotted off to some other part of the Boutique.

“I'm terribly sorry.” Rarity apologized.


“It's no trouble.” Echo said. “She's actually pretty fun to be around.” Sweet Chrysalis, I'm not lying.

“Oh, would you like to keep her?” Rarity laughed.

Echo stopped and her jaw dropped. "I - I don't think - I shouldn't - that is to say that I … what?”

Rarity stared at Echo in confusion for a moment before she spoke. “Darling, I was only joking. I'm not trying to give Sweetie Belle to you.”

“I wish you would,” came a voice from the other room. Rarity shot a glare at the wall in the direction the voice came from.

“Dear,” she continued, turning her gaze back to Echo. “you don't have much experience talking with other ponies, do you?”

Echo considered her past experience. Chasing, kicking, biting, dive-bombing, but not much talking. “No, not really.” She admitted.

“Well, I'll soon change that. We'll turn you into a lady yet, Candlelight! First, though, I believe you had something to do with Twilight today, didn't you?”

Oh, ponyfeathers! I almost forgot. “Yes, you're right! I should get going. I'll talk to you later, Rarity!” She walked out of the Boutique with a spring in her step and a grin on her face. I'm happy. I'm actually happy. I have friends, they care about me, and I'm happy! “This is the most wonderful day EVER!” She shouted joyfully as she stepped into Ponyville. 





This is the worst day ever. Echo thought as she entered her 3rd hour of questioning. “No, Twilight. Changelings aren’t all born from the Queen like insects. We’re insectoid, yes, but we have our own society and complex social rules. It’s not just 'Queen Chrysalis says do this, so we’re going to do this,' even if it does usually work out that way.” Echo was in her natural form in a private room in Twilight's library, reclining on a couch.

“Fascinating,” the unicorn scribbled onto a long piece of parchment. “so you could have foals if you found a mate?”

Echo was pretty sure that if blushing were possible through chitin, she'd be doing it right about now. “Yes. I could be a mother.”

“Absolutely fascinating,” Twilight scribbled further, “I assume that would take place through normal biolo -”

“YES,” Echo interrupted, “please do not finish that sentence.” She averted her gaze.

“Of course, sorry,” Twilight scribbled some more. “so, tell me about your diets. You said that you don't need love to survive?”

“No, not in the strictest sense,” Echo said, recovering from her embarrassment, “our bodies can subsist on regular food alone, but if our diet were not supplemented by love energies, our minds would eventually deteriorate until we were little more than beasts.”

“Hmm. I see. What about your language? Do changelings have a language all their own?”

“Yes. We have a couple ways of communicating with each other. We can communicate telepathically if we want to, or we can speak our own language.” Echo demonstrated the changeling tongue. To anyone but a changeling, it was just a chittering, clacking noise with the occasional buzz of the wings. As Echo uttered these strange sounds and gestures, her facial expressions contorted as they would have during any other conversation.

“Intriguing! The wings are a part of the language?”

“Yes. In fact, they're essential. You cannot speak Changeling without wings.” Echo stated proudly.

“Astounding. Tomorrow, I'd like very much to see them in action!” Twilight beamed.

“A little thing about that,” Echo murmured. “My right wing was damaged when I crashed, and it still hasn't healed all the way.” Echo turned to face the wing toward Twilight, who looked at it with a concerned eye. “It's healed enough that I can fly if I have to, but it would be extremely painful.”

“That's okay, you can show me when it heals. I think that's enough study for today, Echo. You can come back in a couple of days. If something comes up, let me know and we can reschedule. Thank you!” Leaving Echo with that, Twilight's attention turned irrevocably to the massive sheet of parchment that was strewn about half the room. Sighing, Echo rose to her hooves.

“Goodbye, Twilight,” she said as she covered herself in flames and once again took on Candlelight's form.

The unicorn muttered something affirmative as Echo left. Friendship is really weird. Echo noted.

Echo's mind raced as she walked through Ponyville's crowded streets. Everypony was eager to say hello and give her a friendly wave. This kind of thing never happened in the hive. There, a changeling would sooner rip your throat out than stop doing whatever they were doing for a single second. As she was walking, she caught sight of a familiar face – it was the red stallion whose marefriend she had impersonated on her first day in Ponyville. What's he doing standing next to Applejack? She wondered with a grimace. He must be cheating on his marefriend! What's worse; he's going to drag my friend into all this! Knowing that no self-respecting friend would allow such a travesty, she resolved herself to not permit this to continue.

“Hey, buddy,” she spat, “what the hay's your problem?”

“Huh?” The stallion muttered as he turned around slowly.

“I said, 'what the hay's your problem?' Don't you have a marefriend?”

The stallion paused and chewed on his toothpick for a moment before he said, “eeyup.”

“So what are you doing flirting with my friend, Applejack?” She gestured to her friend, whose eyes grew wide as the color drained from her face. She's shocked by his behavior. I don't blame her!

“I ain't flirtin' with her.”

“Then what were you doing?” she asked with an accusatory tone.

“Talkin',” he gave her a deadpan face.

“Yeah, talking about weird, freaky -”

“Nope.”

“I'm not buying it, buddy! You're no better than that good-for-nothing that tried to make a move on me at my welcome party! You stay away from Applejack, do you hear?” the stallion didn't flinch.

“Sugar cube?” Applejack squeaked. “This is Big Mac, my brother.”

Oh, damn it all to Tartarus. She stared into Mac's eyes, and he stared right back. Her voice cracked as she outstretched a hoof. “Charmed?”

He rose one eyebrow before extending his own arm to meet hers. Echo was lifted up into the air with the force of the stallion's hoofshake.

“So, now that the introductions are out of the way,” Applejack said, “have you ever been to Sweet Apple Acres, Candlelight?”

“Nope,” she mimicked Mac, eliciting a small chuckle from the workhorse.

“Well,” Applejack croaked, obviously still nervous, “let's go take a look at the best apple orchard in Equestria! Far, far away from here. Come on, let's go!” at that, Mac and Applejack took off toward the hills, Echo in tow.

The trio walked together in silence for a while before Echo worked up the courage to speak, “I'm sorry, you two. You know, about the whole -” 

“Don't worry about it, sugar cube. You're new, we get it. Just... don't jump to conclusions like that in the future, okay?”

“Yeah, sure thing, AJ,” Echo looked at the ground meekly as they walked on to Sweet Apple Acres.

“Get a look at those apples,” Applejack said proudly, “we've got hundreds of these trees. Each one of those apples is guaranteed to be the best one you ever had! Here, try one,” she kicked a tree and a single apple fell out into her waiting hoof. She passed it over to Echo and watched expectantly.

Echo looked at the apple and then at the mare who gave it to her before taking a bite hesitantly. Her eyes filled with delight as she chewed. “Wow,” she sputtered through the apple, “this is incredible!”

Applejack visibly swelled with pride as she nudged her brother, “hear that, Mac? Best in Equestria.” Echo mumbled something that sounded vaguely affirmative as she shoved the rest of the apple into her mouth. I may not need food to live, but if I did, this is what I'd want to eat. 

“Why don't you come and join us for lunch, Candlelight?”

“Please,” Echo said, “call me Candie. So much easier.” Wait, am I using the nickname that Pinkie Pie gave me? I've lost it. I've completely lost it.

“Alright, Candie. Would you like to join us?”

“Oh, yes'm. I'd like that very much,” she found herself mimicking Applejack's accent slightly. Oops.

“Now you're gettin' the idea,” Applejack laughed heartily. Echo joined in, reassured by the fact that her friend was not perturbed. Together, the three walked up to the farmhouse. Big Mac opened the door and stepped in first.

“Granny,” he spoke loudly, though not yelling, “we're home. Got a guest.” Without another word, he trotted off toward what Echo could only assume was the dining room.

“C'mon,” Applejack motioned for Echo to follow. They entered a room with a big round table, piled high with all different types of apple-based confections. At the far side of the table sat an elderly green mare. “Granny, this is Candie. Candie, Granny Smith.”

“Nice ta' meet'cha,” the old mare said gleefully. Despite her age, Echo could still hear happiness in the mare's voice. Echo was not used to seeing elders; in the hive, when a changeling became too old to provide for him or herself, that changeling was expected to die soon. To changelings, it wasn't heartless. In fact, the elders usually were eager to die, so that they wouldn't burden their family. These ponies, though, seemed to enjoy helping their elders with mundane tasks such as cutting a slice of apple pie, or getting up from a seat. It mystified Echo slightly, but she found herself charmed by their undying devotion to their family.

As the table was set, Echo heard rapid, light hoofsteps coming down the stairs. “AJ? Mac? You're home!” A filly's voice called.

I've heard that voice before... oh, no. Not again. Echo grimaced as a small gold yellow pony came around the corner. Echo looked at her plate, pretending to be very interested in the construction of the assorted apple treats.

“Oh, a guest. Hi,” the voice called, “I'm Apple Bloom. What's your name?”

Echo turned to face Apple Bloom, “I'm Candlelight, but you can call me Candie.”

Apple Bloom's eyes widened as they met Echo's. Bracing herself for another runaway filly, Echo fought a grimace. 

“Well, hi, Candie,” came a cheerful call, “sorry about that, you looked familiar. Especially that red eye. How'd you get that?”

“Apple Bloom!” Applejack reprimanded.

Echo was actually flattered by Apple Bloom's question. “No, AJ, it's okay,” she assured her friend, “I was born with it, Apple Bloom. It actually sees better than my other eye, too.”

Apple Bloom sat down next to her sister. “Whoa, neat!” 

As the night wore on, Apple Bloom asked more and more questions. Echo answered all of them happily. I never thought I'd enjoy being around children, she thought to herself, but these pony children are delightful! Gathered around the table, all of the ponies and the changeling laughed heartily and ate their fill of the best apples in Equestria. When they were all finished, Applejack turned to Echo.

“Alright, Candie. You're our guest, and we invited you, so you don't have to do this if you don't want... but if you'd like to come outside and help us buck a few apple trees, we'd think of it as a mighty big kindness.” Farm labor? Echo considered it. Sure, why not.

“Alright,” she chimed with cheer, “how bad could it be?”





Echo moaned as she leaned forward on her front legs and shot her back ones out, sending them into the apple tree with all the force her body could muster. “Why can't I just use magic?” she groaned.

“Sugar cube, we just don't do things that way here. I let Twilight use magic once, but Mac was out of commission that season. You've done 20 trees, you can stop now,” the farm pony said reassuringly, “why don't you head over that way and play with Apple Bloom?” Applejack motioned to a treehouse about a hundred yards away, “she's been wanting to see you again.”

“Sure,” Echo resigned, “I'd love to go and play with her.” With a nod of thanks, Echo limped toward the treehouse. Her back hooves ached every time they came to meet the ground. I never want to see another apple tree again. A minute of painful walking later, she came up to the treehouse and called out, “Apple Bloom? Are you there? AJ said you wanted me to hang out with you.”

“There she is,” a muffled voice came from inside the treehouse. The shutters opened and Apple Bloom's head poked out, “come on up, Candie!” Echo started to trot up the ramp, overhearing a conversation as she did.

“There's candy?” came another familiar voice. Oh, no. Another one?

“No, Scoots. That's her nickname.”

“Who's Candie?” Sweetie Belle's voice rang out.

Echo stepped through the door.

“Miss Candlelight!” Sweetie chimed gleefully. She and Apple Bloom jumped forward to hug her.

“Guys, don't you notice something a little... familiar about her?” Scootaloo said, seeming unnerved.

“Yeah, but does she REALLY look like that scary monster thing we saw in the forest?” Sweetie defended.

“I don't know, guys. Rainbow Dash told me about the Changelings that they fought in Canterlot. They can take the shape of anypony!” Oh, Chrysalis, this is bad!

“Yeah, but the changelings are mean, and they only eat love anyway. Miss Candlelight is nice, and she doesn't have a very special somepony.”

“She doesn't?” Scootaloo said with a grin. Oh no. No, no no no.

“Nope!” Echo said for herself. “I don't have one because I don't need one. I don't need to feed on love because I'm not a changeling. Also, I'm not really interested in any colts.”

“That's okay!” Scoot said with a grin. “You can have a mare as your special somepony!”

NO, NO, NO, NO! “Scootaloo, I don't want a special somepony. Thank you.” She tried to stay calm, and cracked a nervous grin.

“Yeah,” Sweetie piped in with a crack in her voice, “besides, don't you remember what happened last time?” At that, all three of the fillies made a “yuck” sound and pointed their hooves at their open mouths.

“Point taken,” Scootaloo said, “but that still leaves the question of what we're going to do today.”

“Same thing we do every day, Scoots!” Apple Bloom said. “Try to get our cutie marks!”
> Bonding
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Sweetie Belle, no,” Echo shouted in desperation, “you can't get a cutie mark like this!” The three Cutie Mark Crusaders were sitting in the bucket of a rickety, homemade catapult. Sweetie belle was holding a small knife and preparing to cut the rope to send themselves flying.

“Candie, we're fine,” Scootaloo insisted, “we've all got helmets!” With that, she thumped herself on the head.

“I don't know,” Apple Bloom chimed, “what does a living cannonball cutie mark look like, anyway?”

“Hey, wait,” Sweetie Belle said, “how can we be living cannonballs if we're not in a cannon?”

“That's a good point,” Echo eagerly chimed, “you can't get your living cannonball cutie marks doing this because it isn't a cannon. Now get down before one of your sisters kills me.”

“Same difference. PULL!” Scootaloo shouted, holding her foreleg out in a grand gesture of bravery. With one deft motion, Sweetie Belle cut the rope. The contraption creaked for a second before the tension relieved itself, sending three small missiles flying through the air with a trailing scream.

“DAMN IT, DAMN IT, DAMN IT!” Echo looked around quickly. Seeing nopony, she shifted into Rainbow Dash's form. “This is going to hurt.” She took off as quickly as she could. Even though her wing had healed enough that she could fly, it was incredibly painful. The muscles in her back burned as she flew. As quickly as she could, she flew underneath the flying fillies, scooped them up, and deposited them on the ground.

“Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo chimed, excited.

“Sorry, gotta fly! Don't do that again!” Echo quipped before she darted off a short distance into the Everfree. A quick flash later and she was back to being Candlelight.

“Wait, Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo's voice came faintly. No time to rest!

Echo shot through the forest and hid in a bush. She watched woefully as Scootaloo come running to chase after her idol. Don't do this, Scootaloo, just go back and play with your friends so I can come and 'find' you. Despite Echo's silent pleading, Scootaloo kept charging forward into the forest. When Scootaloo was out of earshot, Echo covered her hooves in green flames, transforming them into the paws of a lion. With her new-found stealth, she followed the excited filly, hoping to keep them both out of trouble. Twenty minutes later, Scootaloo stopped in her tracks, and began to look around nervously.

“Rainbow Dash?” She called out with fear in her voice. Echo stepped on a branch, making a loud snapping sound. The filly shot around and looked in the direction from which the sound had come. Echo stooped low to the ground, not even breathing. The filly's motions became quicker and more hectic. Without warning, she took off running. No, Scootaloo, that's the wrong way! Echo cursed the fact that Scootaloo could not be contacted through normal, telepathic changeling means. Watching the fall of her paws very carefully, Echo bounded after the flightless pegasus.

Ten minutes of running later, the filly was exhausted. Echo took this as her chance and shifted her hooves back to her normal disguise. She bounded through the brush, feigning exhaustion. “Scootaloo?” She huffed.

“Candie?” Scootaloo turned around, her eyes red. She's crying? “Oh, thank Celestia you found me! I … I don't know where I am. I came chasing Rainbow Dash, but she's gone, and I got so scared and turned around that I just don't...” With a sob, Scootaloo lurched forward and grabbed Echo's leg with all the force of a vice grip. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” She started to bawl.

“Oh, Scoot...” Echo cooed softly. “You're okay. It's going to be fine, I promise.”

The two stayed like that for a moment in the darkness of the forest before Scootaloo finally spoke up. “We... should go home, shouldn't we?”

“Yeah, I think we should.” Come on, let's go.

As a changeling, Echo had a naturally great sense of direction. Her years of military training had served to make that sense of direction an instinct for her rather than a conscious decision. The two trotted off through the woods back towards Ponyville, side by side.

Suddenly, Echo's eye caught movement in the brush on either side of the path ahead.

“Scootaloo, stop.”

“What is it, Candie?”

Echo peered into the bushes, seeing small movements every few seconds. She could hear something enormous shifting its weight. A foul, rotten stench met her nostrils. “Scootaloo, listen to me very carefully. Do not run. Back up slowly, and stay behind me. Do you understand?”

“What is it?” The filly's voice quivered with fear.”

“Do you understand me?” Echo used her most commanding tone.

“Y- yes, Candie.”

“Good. Let's start stepping back, okay? Here we go.”

The two moved backwards at a crawling pace. Echo kept her eyes fixated on the bushes. As they moved backwards, the motion in the bushes followed them, maintaining the distance between predator and prey. This couldn't keep up forever.

“Okay, Scoot. Change of plan. Hop on my back, and hold on tight, okay? This is going to be quick, so you have to do whatever I say, as soon as I say it. Don't ask me questions. Now, jump!”

Scootaloo obeyed. As soon as the filly made her movement, the foliage tore apart. Three timber wolves came barreling down on the pair at full speed. Echo turned tail and ran with all the speed her body could manage. She jumped over roots, rocks, and holes. Small creatures skittered out of her way as she ran. The filly was latched around her neck, biting at the nape out of fear. The barking and howling of the timber wolves' pursuit pierced Echo's ears like a hot needle. 

Careening around a corner in a cloud of dust, Echo saw the same tree where she had spent her first night. “Scootaloo. Listen. That tree ahead has a hole in it. Do you see the big piece of bark? If you move it to the side, you can squeeze in there, okay? I know it's scary, but I need you to get in there as quickly as you can, okay?” Echo felt the filly nod. She slid to a halt a few yards from the tree, and turned to face the direction from which she had just come. “Now, GO!” She screamed. Scootaloo jumped off of Echo's back and scurried over to the tree. She found her way inside the knothole just as the timber wolves came lurching around the corner. Their eyes met hers, and the forest was permeated by the guttural utterances of the predators.

The wolves spread out on three different sides of Echo, pinning her back to the tree. Her eyes darted back and forth, scanning them for weaknesses. I can't do it. Not in this form. I can try, but they'll tear me to pieces. Glancing behind her, she saw one of Scootaloo's eyes peeking around the bark. “I'm sorry.” Echo said as she closed her eyes. 

Her entire body was cloaked in flames, startling the wolves for a moment. When they cleared, her true form was standing in front of the tree, legs splayed out to offer her greater stability. Her horn glowed a fiery green, and her face was contorted into an expression of pure rage. “You will NOT harm me or the child!” Her insectoid voice boomed through the forest.

Snarling, one of the wolves took a step forward. She gave it a full-force blast of magic to the face, and the wolf shattered into its constituent pieces with a thunderous crack. As she was recharging her magic for another blast, the wolf to her right took a lunge. She ducked down low and slid underneath the beast. She fired another blast directly into the side of the wolf that had previously been to her left, causing it to catch fire. The flaming timber wolf pounced at Echo. Her pure, compound eyes widened for a moment before she was pinned under the weight of the beast's body. It snapped at her with its jaws, and Echo struggled to move her head out of the way of the repeated attacks. The wolf's claws began to dig into her chitin. My armor will only hold for so long. I need to do something. She delivered a full force kick with her hind legs to the burning wolf's chest, giving her just enough time to slip out from under its grasp. 

Her wings fluttered as she righted herself, and she groaned in pain at the exertion. Spreading her legs, she steadied herself and charged another blast of magic. The wolves turned their gaze to her and launched themselves toward her with all the speed their bodies could generate. As they were about to make contact, a blinding white flash of light came from Echo's horn, and the two wolves collapsed in a pile on top of one another. 

Echo had managed to blind the wolves long enough to propel herself into a branch above them. Looking down at the confused pile of firewood, she began to pummel them with volley after volley of her magic, until the ground beneath her was nothing but a charred crater. At the bottom of the crater was something resembling a leviathan green camp fire. Black smoke rose into the sky, choking Echo slightly. Enduring the pain, she buzzed her wings to clear her vision, and flew down to the ground. She walked over to the tree where Scootaloo was hiding, and changed back to her disguise.

“Scootaloo?” she asked, sounding fearful.

“Y-you're a changeling?” squeaked the young filly.

Echo hung her head. “I'm sorry.”

“You saved my life,” the bark that covered the knothole shattered as the weight of the filly hit it. Scootaloo knocked Echo onto her back, hugging her around the neck, almost choking her, “I don't care if you're a changeling, Candie. You saved me! I love you!”

Echo felt her eyes water as she hugged the filly back. “I'm glad to hear that, Scoots, but this has to be a secret, you know that, right?” she felt Scootaloo nod vigorously before burying her head in Echo's chest. They stayed like that for a few minutes before Echo spoke up. “Okay, now we REALLY should get back home, shouldn't we?”

“Yeah,” the filly sniffled, wiping the tears from her eyes, “we should. Can you do me a favor? Don't tell anyone I cried.”

“Of course not, Scootaloo,” Echo cooed.

“Thanks. By the way, nice moves, bug-mare.” Scootaloo looked up with a snide grin, before she bounded out towards the edge of the forest.

Echo stared at the running pegasus in shock for a moment before giving chase. “I am NOT a BUG, bird-brain,” she laughed.

As they chased each other through the field, they heard Sweetie Belle's voice call out, “Scootaloo! There you are! We were worried!” Echo looked over to see Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Rarity, and Applejack all galloping toward them.

“Are you alright?” Applejack asked.

“Yeah,” Echo and Scootaloo chimed in unison. They shared a quick laugh before Echo finished.

“We're just fine.”





The next day, Echo was on her way to the Boutique carrying a large – and delicate – load of silk fabric on one of Rarity's assignments when a little orange blur careened into her, sending them both tumbling to the ground. 

Echo looked up at her payload of expensive fabric as it fell, and reached out with her magic just in time to stop it from being ruined. Carefully, she began to fold it and replace it on her back. “Scootaloo,” she began, “would you please watch where you're going?”

“Sorry, Candie,” Scootaloo said with mock concern. “so how's it going?”

I think I know why Rainbow Dash sleeps on the clouds, now. “It's busy, that's how it's going.”

“Oh. I know how you feel,” No, you don't. “I have so much homework to do. The only problem is that I can't figure it out. I wish I had some help.” 

Echo rolled her eyes and sighed. “Okay, follow me. Just don't knock me over again, this fabric was expensive. When I finish what I have to do, I'll come and help you with your homework. How's that?”

“Awesome,” Scootaloo cheered, “thanks, Candie.”

Echo didn't know why she was willing to help Scootaloo. She was certain she wouldn't extend herself like this for any other ponies, much less any other fillies. “Sure thing, Scoot.”

They walked in silence together back to the Boutique, the grin never falling from Scootaloo's face. When they finally arrived at their destination, Rarity eagerly took the silk from Echo's back. 

“Thank you, Candlelight! You're such a help,” Rarity encouraged. As she placed the silk down on her work table, she noticed Scootaloo. “Oh, you brought back a model! I've got an order in for a filly about your age, Scoot. Would you mind coming over here for a few minutes?"

Scootaloo shifted behind Echo. “No, thanks, Rarity. I've got homework to do with Candie.”

“Oh,” Rarity said, disappointed, “I suppose I shall just have to steal Sweetie Belle from my parents. You're such a darling for helping poor Scootaloo, Candlelight. Have fun!” With that, Rarity turned back to her work and ignited her horn. The changeling and the pegasus went upstairs to Echo's apartment. 

“That was close.” Scootaloo sighed.

“Yeah, I know. I've spent too many hours being that mare's mannequin. If she ever finds out I can change my shape, there's no way that I'll ever get off that pedestal.” Echo moved to sit at a desk on one side of her room, “There's room over here. Let's see that homework.” 

Scootaloo jumped up on a chair next to Echo and pulled out a large book from her saddlebag. She dropped it on the desk with a loud thud and pulled it open to a bookmarked page. 

“Mathematics?” Echo groaned. Mathematics had never been her strong suit, but this seemed easy enough. “Well, I spent years undergoing the toughest training that Queen Chrysalis could throw at me, this shouldn't take too much effort.”

After a few hours of groaning, Echo had to concede that her training had never involved calculating the times at which two trains would collide after leaving from stations on opposite ends of the continent, and that such problems were both remarkably difficult and entirely useless. If one knows that both trains are on a collision course, wouldn't one simply attempt to stop them rather than determine to what location the coroner should be sent? “I don't understand the point of this,” she moaned, slamming her head against the desk. Scootaloo followed suit. 

“Me neither,” the filly squeaked, “who cares about this junk?” The two sat like that for a few minutes before Scootaloo spoke again. “So, can I ask you a question?”

“As long as it isn't math,” Came the response, muted by the desk.

“How does changing your shape work?”

Me and my big mouth. “It's magic.” She stated plainly.

“I know that, Candie,” Scootaloo chided, “I mean how do you control it?”

“It's just natural for us. We don't have to think about how we do it, we just do it. It takes a lot more effort when we haven't had any food in a while, though.”

“You mean love?” Scootaloo was starting to remind Echo of Twilight. 

“Yes, I mean love.” 

“Changelings... steal love, don't they?” Oh, Chrysalis, here we go.

“Yes and no, Scoot. In order to get somepony's affection, we will take the shape of somepony they love. We don't magically sap them of their love, we just absorb the love they already had for that somepony.” 

“Why don't you just try to get somepony to love you like normal?”

“Sometimes that takes years, Scoot. We'd starve.”

“Oh,” Scootaloo conceded, “I guess you're right.” There was a long period of silence as the two sat in the attic room of the Boutique. Finally, Scoot spoke up again. “So, you can change shape to anypony you want?”

“Yes, Scootaloo.” came Echo's tired response. 

“So... could you be one of the Princesses?”

Echo stood up and walked wordlessly to the center of the room. Her horn flared for a moment before her body was surrounded in that familiar green aura. When it dissipated, a dark purple alicorn stood stoically in the center of the room. “Yes, Scootaloo.” Came Luna's voice. “I can be one of the Princesses.”

“That is so cool,” Scootaloo bounced in place, her little wings fluttering as she hopped, “do Celestia!”

Echo sighed, cloaked herself in flame again, and shifted into the elder sister's form. Her multi-colored mane flowed in a phantom breeze. “Anypony else, Scootaloo?” Echo asked rhetorically. 

“Yeah,” came the eager response, “Rainbow Dash?” I need to learn to keep this trap shut. 

Another flash and she was again in Rainbow Dash's body. “Fastest flier in all of Equestria!” Echo mimicked Dash as best as she could. 

“It's perfect,” Scootaloo admired, “Can I...” the filly trailed off. 

“What was that?” Echo asked.

“Can I see you in your normal form again?” she said so quickly it almost sounded like one word. Echo's eyes widened in surprise. 

“Are you sure?” she inquired. The filly nodded vigorously, and Echo flashed bright green once more, and her body became ebony, her hooves filled with holes, and her eyes became solid color. 

“So... cool!” came the whispered response of the filly. “You're cooler than Rainbow Dash! I didn't even think that was possible!”

She seems to be having an identity crisis. Echo thought. An evil idea entered her mind, and she resolved herself to make the filly truly understand what it was like to face an identity crisis. 

Another flash filled the room. When the flames were once again gone, Scootaloo found herself staring into her own eyes. “Hey,” both orange fillies said at the same time, “stop that! No, you stop that! I'm talking to you! Stop saying everything I say! Candieeeee, this is mean! Stop it!” Echo matched the filly's words flawlessly. 

She laughed to herself as she shifted back into Candlelight's body. “Gotcha.”

“You're mean,” Scootaloo grumbled, staring at the ground.

“I know,” Echo stated matter-of-factly, “and you're annoying.”

“Not as annoying as you.”

“I'll give you that one,” Echo laughed enthusiastically. “any more homework today, Scoots?”

“No, Candie,” Scootaloo still stared at the ground. 

“Alright, then,” Echo started, “I'll see you next time you decide to crash into me.”

“Yeah, whatever,” The filly said unenthusiastically as she walked for the door.

Wow, she really seems upset. As Scoot was walking to the door, Echo got an idea. She trotted up next to Scootaloo and brought her close in another hug. “Hey, bird-brain. Be safe, okay?” Looking down, she saw a grin creep across Scootaloo's face. 

“I will, bug-mare. Thanks. I'll crash into you tomorrow, okay?” 

Echo laughed and pushed Scootaloo out of her door. “Try to do it a little more gently next time, okay?” 

I really don't hate that filly. Echo thought to herself. She's surprisingly fun, even if she's annoying as all get-out. She walked over to her desk and sat down again. A quick glance told her that Scootaloo had left one of her papers behind. She picked it up and noticed that there was a drawing on its back side. She gasped as she saw what the filly had drawn. 

Though it was crudely drawn, Echo could make out the shapes. It was a pegasus filly, which Echo assumed was a self-portrait, standing next to a changeling. The holes in the hooves, the short mane, the fangs, and the eyes proved it. There was no doubt. What struck her the most though was that the pegasus and the changeling were both smiling. They were happy together.

Echo carefully opened a drawer in her desk and deposited the paper gently. As she closed the drawer, she felt a twinge of sadness creep over her. It's not just that I don't hate that filly, she realized, I actually really like her. 

As the months passed, Echo and Scootaloo found themselves spending more and more time together. Something would happen while Echo was running errands, and the two would end up spending the day together in one way or another. Their meetings became more frequent, to the point where Echo eventually gave Scootaloo permission to come visit her whenever she wanted to. They would sit up in her room and laugh. The little pegasus usually didn't even mention the fact that Echo was a changeling. She didn't seem to care, and that made Echo happier than she had ever been before. She realized that this was more than just liking the filly. She loved this filly dearly. 





An owl sat in a windowsill on the second story of the library, eyes darting between a unicorn and a changeling. Every so often, he would stoop to preen his wings.

“So,” Twilight asked, her quill hovering excitedly atop the parchment, “one thing I've really been wondering. What are the holes in your hooves for?”

Echo hummed for a second. “I never really thought about it. Our armor is dense, especially on our legs. My guess is that if it weren't for the holes in our hooves, we'd be too heavy to do much of anything.”

“Amazing. What about the fangs?”

“They make us look scary,” Echo said with a toothy grin. Twilight stared into Echo's eyes for a second before jotting more notes down on the roll, “that was a joke, Twilight. They're kind of like a Unicorn's horn, except for changeling magic. If a changeling's fangs break off, we lose our natural ability to shapeshift. We can still learn the spells with traditional magic, but it's advanced stuff that most changelings wouldn't ever be able to master.”

“Oh. Why didn't you just say so?” Twilight crossed something out, then went back to her scribblings. A few moments passed in awkward silence.

“Hey, Twilight?” Echo said.

“Yes, Echo?” the unicorn glanced up for a split second to acknowledge the inquiry.

“Do you know Scootaloo?”

Twilight looked up again, then sighed as she set down her quill. “Yes. Why do you ask?”

“Well, a while ago, I was with them while they were doing some 'crusading', apparently.”

“Oh, no,” Twilight had obviously been familiarized with the Crusaders' contrived schemes to get their cutie marks.

“Yes. To make a really long, exciting, scary story short, I like that filly.”

“Yeah, Scootaloo's a sweetheart. I'm glad you – WHAT?” Twilight roared. “You LIKE her? I didn't think that changelings could feel emotion towards ponies!”

“Well, of course we can!” Echo said, feeling slightly offended. “We aren't monsters, Twilight. We can't help it if we need love to survive. Most ponies wouldn't be too willing to love a changeling, and I only recently found out that friendship is an energy that can sustain us just like love. Just because we are forced to steal love to survive doesn't mean that we're all sociopaths.” Echo felt her anger start to rise.

Twilight was quick to try to quench the flames, “you're right, I'm sorry. Ponies know so little about your race, and the impression we got at Canterlot wasn't exactly a good one,” Echo had to regretfully nod in agreement at that, “but I shouldn't have assumed, though, so I'm sorry. Anyway, what did you want to know about Scootaloo?”

“I don't know, I just wanted to know a little bit about her. I've met the other two crusaders, and I've met each of their sisters. Apple Bloom even has that whole big family to keep her company. I've never even seen Scootaloo with anyone except her friends and Rainbow Dash.”

Twilight nodded a silent affirmation, “she doesn't have a family, Echo.” Echo felt her blood run cold as Twilight continued, “she's an orphan. Applejack and Big Mac helped Apple Bloom build that clubhouse so that Scootaloo would have some shelter. Scoot refuses to take charity from anypony, and she won't say where she came from. By saying that they were building the clubhouse to give the girls a place to hang out, they were able to give Scoot a place to stay without telling her that's what it was for.”

“That's awful. To not even have any family - I mean, I grew up alone, too, but at least I had the hive to make sure I was well taken care of.”

“Yeah,” Twilight paused a moment, “so what happened to make you like foals?”

“I may have saved Scootaloo from a few timber wolves a couple months ago.”

“A few– few what?” Twilight sputtered, “How are you alive?”

“Well, it all started when the Crusaders decided they wanted to be living cannonballs...” she spent the next few minutes detailing her story. Twilight gasped every so often and asked questions, causing Echo to struggle to keep the story on track. “... but she wasn't even scared. In fact, she said that she loved me. So, I escorted her out of the forest, and she walked away with AJ and AB.”

“Wow.” Twilight murmured. “That's... quite the story.”

“So,” Echo looked down and away, unsure of herself. “What does that mean?”

“I don't know, Echo.” The unicorn paused, deep thought apparent on her features. “I mean… well, how much do you like Scoots?”

“That little filly drives me insane in every way possible,” Echo sported an annoyed glare, “and I love every damn minute of it with all of my being.” She turned to give Twilight another toothy grin, “Plus, her love tastes like chocolate!” 

Twilight recoiled, and a chuckle escaped Echo's lips as she watched the unicorn's reaction.

“Okay then, ignoring that totally creepy little detail, I just have one more question,”

“Shoot.”

“Remember when you said you could be a mother?”
> A Promise Made
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Twilight Sparkle, this is NOT what I meant,” Echo whispered in a hurried tone as they walked to the town hall, “when I said that I could be a mother. I meant physically. Not the figurative 'I want to be a mother', but the literal 'I am physically capable of bearing children'. This is not something I'm sure about!”

“Well, Scootaloo needs a home, and she obviously trusts you more than anypony. As the Princess' personal student, I have a few perks that I can call upon if I am so inclined,” Twilight said with a smug expression.

Echo winced at the thought of Scootaloo being alone. Plus, she did like that little filly an awful lot, and the sentiment seemed to be mutual. No, this is insane, I can't be someone's mother! I don't know the first thing about raising children, let alone a pony's foal! “Twilight,” She whined, “I really don't think this is a good idea.”

“Do you want to be a part of Pony society or not?” Twilight stared at Echo. “Silence is as good as affirmation. This is the perfect way to get you integrated fully. How better to learn about our culture than to watch and help a filly grow up in it?”

Echo hated to admit it, but Twilight did have a point. Also, the more Echo thought about it, the more she found the idea of having a daughter appealing. A stupid grin crawled over her face while she daydreamed. She would have a child who looked up to her. Somepony to care for, to teach. Somepony who looked to her for guidance during tough times. She would work to put food on the table for both of them, she would take Scootaloo to school each morning and pick her up each afternoon. Her daughter would come home and – Home? What home?

“Twilight? There isn't enough room for two in the little apartment Rarity gave me.”

The Element of Magic hummed in agreement, “Princess' personal student, remember? I'm going to pull a few strings for you. In fact, why don't you go get Scootaloo and tell her the great news. You'll have to bring her back here anyway so that the judge can make sure she wants to do this.  Be back here at 4, okay?”

Echo started to protest, but Twilight was gone before she could finish a sentence. Okay then. I'm glad we got that settled, Ms. Sparkle. Turning, Echo started to walk toward the schoolhouse. This should be interesting.

Echo arrived at the schoolhouse after about five minutes of walking. Five minutes of drumming her hooves against the ground, thinking about every option she had. Five minutes to think about a decision that would change her life and the life of a young pegasus forever. Five minutes to realize that she genuinely loved that little filly. If you had told me a month ago that I would be adopting a pegasus filly today, I might have killed you. She thought, kicking at the dirt while she waited for school to let out.

The bell rang suddenly, startling Echo and causing her disguise to flicker briefly as she jumped in her spot. Immediately, fillies and colts poured out of the small building, separating out in all different directions. Echo's eyes searched, and her keen vision picked up on a purple lock of hair amidst the crowd. Immediately, her mood lifted. “Scoot-Scootaloo,” she chimed.

The little pegasus whipped her head around to meet Echo's gaze, “Candie!” In a full gallop, Scootaloo jumped up to meet Echo, who reared up on her haunches to hug the young filly. “What are you doing here?” she asked, confused.

“Well, why don't you come with me? We can grab some ice cream.”

Scootaloo beamed, “Sure, that sounds great!” At that, the two trotted off in the general direction of the town hall. A few minutes later, the filly chimed in again, “So, Candie... what's it like being... you know?”

Echo nodded as she took a moment to collect her thoughts. “It's a lot different than the way you're growing up, I can promise you that, but I can't answer that question any better than you could explain to me what it's like to be a pegasus.”

“Except you know what it's like to be a pegasus, don't you?” She's a sharp one.

“Well... yes, I suppose. Except I'm not actually a pegasus, and I always know that. I know what I am even when I don't look like it.” Echo was being very careful to avoid use of the word “changeling”, since pony society as a whole was still on high alert.

“I never thought of that.” Scoot said. Her face distorted, and she opened her mouth as though she had a question she wanted to ask, but she quickly closed it, apparently deciding better.

“What is it, Scoot? You can ask whatever you want.”

Scootaloo looked at Echo through the corner of her eye. “It's just … you were so brave back in the forest. I don't know if I could ever be that brave.”

Echo saw the glimmer of a tear slide down the pegasus' cheek, though it was quickly wiped away. “Scootaloo, bravery doesn't come to us on demand. Bravery is something that is demonstrated when it has to be. It comes to us when we need it the most. You were very brave in the forest. You were able to listen to what I said and think clearly even though we were in great danger,” Echo turned and stooped down to meet Scootaloo, “so don't think for a moment that you can't be brave.” The two came to a stop just outside of the ice cream shop.

Scootaloo began to cry again. Through the tears, she sputtered, “... but how can I be as brave as you? You fought off three timber wolves to protect me. I want to be that brave. I want to be like you!”

“Scootaloo,” Echo tried to be as soothing as possible, “You can't be like me. We aren't the same, and that's a good thing. You get to be your own pony. You'll find your own ways to be brave, and someday you will have something or somepony that you'll be just as ready to protect. When you need the power, it will come to you,” she hugged the young pony close, “now let's go get that ice cream, huh?” she made a motion with her hoof, and opened the door to let Scootaloo walk inside.

Scootaloo asked for a chocolate milkshake, and Echo chose strawberry. They sat at the table and talked about everything Scootaloo had done that day. They talked about her friends, and about learning fractions. They discussed the process through which clouds were made, and pontificated on the nature of their universe. The application of mathematics in science was something that Scootaloo was having great difficulty with, but she said that she found it fascinating. After a while, Echo felt like she had made Scootaloo comfortable enough to start asking some more difficult questions.

“So, Scoot,” she began, “why don't you tell me a little bit about yourself? I don't really know much about where you came from.”

Scootaloo's smile evaporated. “I don't like to talk about that.”

Echo nodded lightly. “I understand, and you don't have to. I just want to know more about you.”

“Why,” Scootaloo demanded, “why do you want to know more about me? Do you want to know so that you have some dirt to give to someone? Do you want to try to rescue me and take me back home?” The filly became more agitated, “Why are you so interested in my past, Candie? I don't know anything about you, either, but I don't ask. I don't need to know.”

Echo sighed, “If I tell you a little about how I grew up, would you consider telling me your story too?” Scootaloo's expression softened just a little, and the filly nodded. Echo glanced around. Seeing that they were alone, she continued, “Okay. Where to start? A changeling infant can hear, think, and move while still in the egg. This ensures that when a changeling hatches, they can walk and talk. I can remember everything from moments after I was born...”





The changeling infant looked around the room, surveying her surroundings. The walls had veins of a pulsing, green fluid running through them. The fluid was luminescent, and bathed the entire room in a soft green glow. Looking behind herself, she saw the gelatinous remnants of her egg. Around it were about a dozen other such remnants. She surmised that she must have been the last to hatch. She heard two familiar voices coming toward the room where she was. Eagerly, she stared at the enormous black door at the end of the room, hearing hoofsteps growing closer. The door opened with an organic squelching noise, and a changeling drone walked in. The infant's eyes met the drone's.

“Father?” she squeaked her first word.

“Maybe. Probably not.” The drone said emotionlessly. Turning around, he called out the door, “my queen, the last one has hatched. She is a mutant.”

“A mutant?” Came a regal voice from the doorway. A changeling more than double the size of the drone entered the room, towering above the infant changeling. The latter instinctively dropped low to the ground and averted her eyes. “Look at me, child,” the voice called soothingly. Looking up, her compound eyes met the eyes of her Queen. “Intriguing,” the changeling queen's eyes looked deeply into the infant's red right eye, “this is a rare mutation. Cluster!” she called.

“Your highness?” the drone appeared next to her, standing at attention.

“This one is special. I want you to get her situated in advanced tactics training immediately. I think she will make a fine addition to our military force.” The queen turned and started to walk out of the room. Stopping at the door, she added, “oh, by the way, her name is now 'Echo'. It suits her, don't you think? Very … changeling.” At that, the queen left.





“You were named by the queen?” Scootaloo squealed, “Does that mean she's your mother?”

“No, Scoot. I never got to meet my parents. At least, not that I know of. I probably met them in passing, but I never knew. That kind of thing just wasn't important where I grew up.”

“Wow. You never knew your parents, huh? That means that the queen might be your mom, and you don't even know it! Maybe you're a princess! Why else would she have wanted you to take that training as a filly?”

Echo stopped. That's actually a good question. The queen almost never oversees births, and I've never heard of her naming an infant. I wonder if … no, it doesn't matter. “I guess it might be possible, Scootaloo, but changeling society just doesn't work that way. I am what I am, and nothing can change that.”

“Don't you want to know, though?” Scootaloo was pleading with her eyes.

“Yes, I suppose I do,” Echo admitted, “but it's in my past, and it doesn't matter now. There are more important things to me than who my mother is,” Echo poked Scoot's nose with her hoof, “now, I believe you owe me a back story, young lady.” She chided.

“Yeah, about that,” Scootaloo held a hoof up to the side of her head and averted her gaze, “I can't actually tell you my story. I don't really remember much. All I remember is feeling really cold, and really lonely. Sorry.”

Echo felt a small twinge of anger, but it quickly subsided. “Scoot, if you wanted to know my story, all you had to do was ask. You don't have to make up stories to learn about me.”

Scootaloo nodded. “Candie, why are you so nice to me?”

“Well,” Echo replied, “You're smart, you're cute, and you've got a real thirst for adventure. Those are three ways to get yourself in a lot of trouble. I just want to help.”

“I wasn't lying, you know. When I said that I loved you for saving me.”

“I know, Scootaloo.” The clock tower outside chimed, and Echo counted the rings. One, two, three, four. It's four o'clock! It's time to meet with Twilight. She swallowed the lump in her throat and croaked, “Hey, bird-brain. I've got a surprise for you.”

“What is it?” Scootaloo chirped excitedly.

“Just come with me.” Echo stood up and opened the door for Scootaloo. The filly stepped outside, and together they started to walk toward the town hall. They laughed together as they each sipped the last bits of their milkshakes. Together, walking in the bright midday sun, they called each other names and told exaggerated stories of their exploits over the years. Echo became the high-general of the changeling military, and Scootaloo maintained a 20 minute unpowered flight using only the power of Pinkie Pie's party cannon. Ahead, the town hall came into view. The courtyard was dolled up with tents and refreshments, candles and other decorations were everywhere. Ponies were strewn about the area, all chatting loudly and laughing joyfully. From the terraces of the hall, there were two enormous banners. One said “Congratulations Candie” and the other, directly below the first, said “and Scootaloo!”

“Candie? What is this?” Scootaloo asked, sounding extremely confused.

“I have no idea.” Echo looked around. The two walked through the party and up to the steps of the hall. At the pinnacle stood Twilight Sparkle. Next to her was a stallion in a flowing black gown. Echo recognized that as the judge.

“Are we ready?” the judge asked.

“Candie, tell me what's happening.” Scootaloo was visibly concerned.

“Well, Scootaloo...” The crowd fell silent as she paused before kneeling down to the pegasus' eye level. “I've been thinking a lot about you over the past few days, and I made a decision. I want to adopt you. Would you be okay with that?”

Scootaloo's mouth dropped open, her eyes were wide. She tried to cough out a few words, but ultimately said nothing. Her eyes began to water, and she shut them quickly and turned her head.

After a long moment, neither changeling nor filly had said a word. The awkwardness was too much to bear. “I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked, I went about this all wrong. I'll leave you alone, Scootaloo,” she turned to walk away, complete silence in her wake.

“Candie,” That sweet little voice rang through the silence like a bell in the cold morning air. Echo turned back around, tears streaming down her own cheeks, “don't go.” Echo picked Scootaloo up with her magic and held her close. They didn't say another word; no more were needed.

Somepony in the crowd started to stomp his hooves, then another two joined in, and another four, and so on until the entire ground shook with the force of Ponyville's collective celebration.

Through the roar, the judge walked up next to Echo. “Miss Candlelight,” he said gently, “I hate to interrupt, but if you could sign this, I can officially declare young Scootaloo your adopted daughter.”

Echo looked at Scootaloo for reassurance. The latter smiled and hugged Echo around the neck, which she took as confirmation that this was, in fact, something the pegasus wanted to do. She reached out with her magic and took the quill from the judge. With a quick wave and a scratch, she signed the parchment.

“It's settled, then,” the judge said. He turned to the crowd, “everypony, let's give another hoof to Miss Candlelight and her daughter, Scootaloo!” The crowd erupted again, whistles and cheers mixed in with the roar of hooves pounding on the ground.

As the applause waned, Pinkie pie jumped out of the crowd and landed a few yards from Echo and Scootaloo. At the same time, Surprise fell from a cloud above them, landing with a soft thud next to Pinkie. The two shared a knowing glance, nodded, and turned back to the guests of honor. In unison, they shouted, “Let's get this party started!” A team of pegasi flew over the courtyard, busting all the clouds as they went by. Each cloud released a load of confetti as it was dispersed, and the music started up.

The rumbles of the bass mixed in with the applause from the crowd as the happy family shared a tear-filled hug. “Scootaloo, I'm never going to let you go. Do you understand that?” Echo stated with great firmness, “Never.”
> Settling In
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Echo awoke with a groan. Months had passed since she had adopted her daughter, and they were both still in the process of settling into their new lives. Their home, provided courtesy of Twilight Sparkle's connections with Canterlot Royalty, was comfortable enough. It had two spacious bedrooms, a nice living room, and a kitchen large enough to accommodate the energy-rich diet of a growing filly. Echo's biggest adjustment was to the responsibilities of parenthood. As Scootaloo's mother, she was now responsible for all of the young pegasus' needs, which were numerous.

Upon hearing the news of Scootaloo's adoption, Rarity had immediately offered Echo a job in the Boutique as a dressmaker. It was actually a very pleasant job, since there was not much in the way of talking that had to be done through the course of her duties. She could just sit quietly in her corner and sew away. Rarity was reaping the benefits of this arrangement as well. Since Echo's employ began, Rarity's clientele had doubled. Echo's hours were whatever she pleased, as long as she was able to fill her half of the orders.

Scootaloo had grown accustomed to the fact that her mother was a changeling, and Echo didn't even feel the need to disguise herself anymore while she was in the privacy of her own home. It was pleasant to be herself around her daughter. Scootaloo had even said that she looked “cool”, which filled Echo with pride. I'm cool. She would say to herself every morning while she prepared Scoot's breakfast. I'm a cool mom.

“Scoot-Scootaloo!” Echo called up. In the months she had spent disguised, she had missed the buzz that her natural voice made, and she was very happy to be able to hear it again. “Breakfast is ready!”

Scootaloo came out of her room and down the stairs, mumbling and rubbing the back of her head. “Thanks, mom,” she said groggily, “here's yours.” Scoot stumbled over to Echo and hugged her, still half-asleep.

“Mmmm,” Echo hummed, “still tastes like chocolate.” She smiled her big toothy grin. Her daughter smiled back, still in the haze of sleep.

“Moooom,” she groaned as she sat down to eat.

“Scoooooot,” Echo mimicked as she sat down on the opposite side of their table. “So what are you going to be up to today, bird-brain?”

“Sweetie and Apple Bloom had the idea that we might get our cutie marks in being party-planners, so we're going to spend the day with Pinkie Pie,” the filly mumbled through her cereal.

“Oh?” Echo raised an eyebrow, “See if you can figure out some of her secrets. I'd very much like to know them.” Echo still got a stupid grin whenever she looked at her daughter.

“I will,” came the rehearsed reply, “I just hope that Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon leave us alone today.”

Echo thought back to two days earlier, when Scootaloo had come home crying after being teased by those two little brats. Their days had ended with a very angry Candlelight dragging them by their tails back to their respective parents. With the scare that they had received and the scolding she had given their parents, she felt reasonably assured that Scootaloo, at the least, would be left alone.

“If either of those two bother you,” Echo started, “just remind them who your mother is. Make sure they know that Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom are under her protection too,” she finished sternly.

Scootaloo smiled out of the corner of her mouth, “you're an evil bug-mare, aren't you, Mom?”

“I am not a bug,” she stated flatly, “though 'evil' is still up in the air, I think.” She laughed, “I'm going to have to go to work here in a minute, Scoots, so make sure to clean your bowl before you go to play with Pinkie Pie, okay?”

Scootaloo mumbled something through her cereal that sounded like “Yes, mom” before scooping up another bite.

Echo clothed herself in flames as she trotted to the door. Once her disguise was in place, she stepped outside. She called back to wish her daughter a happy day before she closed the door behind her and began her walk next door, to the Boutique.





Echo's head ached from her prolonged use of magic. She would describe the fine attention to detail necessary in the creation of a wedding dress as mind-numbing, were it not for the fact that her headache was actually quite pronounced. At any rate, it was time again for another one of Twilight Sparkle's changeling research studies. Echo doubted if Twilight would ever have asked enough questions to complete her research, but had long since decided that these sessions were harmless enough, if perhaps boring to endure. She levitated the needle and thread to Rarity, who took over the work with a gentle smile and a nod. Strapping on her saddle bag, she began the walk to the Library.

The questions on changeling biology were particularly unpleasant. When Echo wasn't being forced to explain in great detail the process through which changelings reproduced, she was being asked to explain through what biological processes love enabled them to sustain sentience. The latter was a question to which she actually had no answer, and Twilight's studies had thenceforth taken a very intense interest in unraveling that particular mystery. Echo had to admit that she was actually interested to know the answer herself.

Twilight had installed a new addition to the library just for their studies. It was a basement full of various different magic-monitoring instruments and sensors. In the center of the room was a rather comfortable red couch, on which Echo would sit through the duration of their experiments. About 4 yards away from it was a chair where Twilight would deposit herself at the beginning of each session. Echo would answer questions, Twilight would jot down notes, and at the end of every session, Echo would have a snack while Twilight monitored all the different types of magic that were involved. The last time, the unicorn had drawn Echo's blood before, during, and after her snack. Echo hoped that today might bring some interesting answers. She knocked on the door.

“I'll get it!” a young but obviously male voice called out from inside. The door opened. “Oh, Candlelight! Come in, ma'am.” he said with a bow.

“Spike,” she said, “We've known each other for a while now, you don't have to call me ma'am, or Candlelight. Call me Echo.”

“Sure thing, ma- Echo.” He smiled before he continued, “Twilight! Echo's here!”

“Oh, she is?” Twilight's voice rang down the stairs, “just a moment.”

A moment passed while Twilight's voice settled on the pair's ears. “So,” Spike asked, “how have things been with Scootaloo?”

“Fantastic,” Echo bubbled, “that little bird-brain makes me so happy. Not to mention she positively SATURATES the air with love. It tastes like chocolate, you know.” Echo giggled at the dragon's visible discomfort.

“Oh, look, here comes Twilight,” he said awkwardly, “have fun you two!” The dragon promptly made himself scarce.

“You scared him, didn't you?” Twilight asked. They began walking downstairs.

“I couldn't resist. Creepiness is in my nature,” Echo said as she let her disguise drop. She bared her fangs for a moment in an obviously mock display of aggression, at which her friend gave an awkward giggle.

“He's a fun little dragon," she hesitated for a moment before continuing. “um... if it's not too strange to ask, what does the energy you get from him taste like?”

“Honestly,” Echo said, raising her brow, “it tastes like salt. Very mineral-esque.”

“I guess that makes sense,” Twilight said with a nod, “What - what about me?”

“You're really asking that question?” Echo said flatly. Twilight paused for a moment, then nodded. “Peaches. Your energy tastes like peaches.”

“Really?” She started to giggle, “I wonder why.”

“Beats me,” Echo said with a shrug.

A minute of awkward silence later, Twilight spoke again. “Well, let's get started, shall we? Tell me a little bit more about changeling law.”






Twenty Years Earlier


The changeling soldier who had captured the running guard dropped his quarry at Echo's hooves. The young changeling's eyes met those of the terrified pegasus.

“What is this,” he stammered, “you're feeding me to your young?”

Echo scoffed, “shut up. You were attempting to spread word of our attack. Correct?”

“I'm not saying a word to you,” he sternly replied. Echo's eyes narrowed. Her horn burned with green flames as she advanced on the stallion. He was enveloped in a green aura and he slammed into the ground.

“That's okay, I'll just keep trying different ways to convince you,” she smiled, baring her fangs. She stooped her head next to the immobilized guard and traced the sharp edge of her horn down his side, leaving a thin cut through his hide. The guard's face contorted in pain, but he didn't cry out. “It only gets worse,” she cooed sweetly, “are you sure you don't want to tell me more?”

The guard said nothing, but looked straight ahead and locked his jaw. Echo sighed, “Very well,” she brought her face next to his ear, “but you will tell me what I want to know. Every time you fail to explain, the punishment will be worse.” At that, she drove a fang through his ear and pulled away, tearing a great chunk off. The guard screamed, and she spit the piece away.

“Okay,” he sobbed, “just don't hurt me anymore!” His ear was spreading a trail of blood down the side of his head. “I answered a knock on our guardhouse door. There was some brown stallion there, he looked really beat up, and he said there were monsters waiting to attack our village. That's all, honestly!”

Echo turned to Cluster, who stared at the broken pegasus with loathing in his eyes. “General Cluster,” she began, “you did not include mention of any conflict in your report. Am I to assume you omitted such crucial information?” She snarled as she finished her sentence, and a hint of blood on her fang gleamed in the moonlight.

“Of course not, Ma'am,” Cluster responded with certainty.

“Then I will assume that you were negligent in your duties, since you failed to notice that you had been spotted and eliminate the witness.”

“Ma'am,” he stated, “I would not have overlooked such a thing.”

“There could be only one other explanation, then,” she snarled. She blasted him in the chest with a green bolt of magic, encircling him with flames. She had used a spell that was taught to her by Chrysalis herself, designed to force a changeling from his natural state into that of his most recent disguise. When the flames cleared, a battered, shocked brown stallion stood before her.

“Now, guard,” she said with loathing in her voice, “do you recognize this stallion?”

“Yes,” the guard said, shocked. As he paused, another explosion ripped through the night. “That's the stallion who warned me.”





“That was awful,” Twilight stammered, shocked.

“I know. He betrayed us all,” Echo stated matter-of-factly.

“No, I mean what you did to that guard!”

Echo stopped. Her eyes widened and her ears flattened. “Oh. That.”

“What happened to him?”

“He was executed after his testimony was no longer required,” seeing Twilight's expression of concern, she interjected one last detail, “I executed him myself. It was quick and painless,” she said emotionlessly.

There was a long period of silence before Twilight croaked her next question, “what about Cluster?”

“He was exiled, and his horn was severed halfway from the base. This cut off his connection to our telepathic link, but allowed him to maintain enough control of his magic to survive. None of us have ever heard from him again.”

Another few minutes passed in silence as Twilight scribbled. After what felt like ages, she finally spoke, her voice tinny. “Thank you, Echo. You may go now.”

Without a word, Echo stood up, nodded to the unicorn, and donned her disguise. I hope she understands. I'm not the same anymore. She came to the summit of the stairs, walked through the library, and started out of the door. Am I? She felt reasonably certain that this would be the last research session for a while.

What was I? She asked herself. If I could do things that make ponies react like that and not feel sorry about it, what does that make me? Walking through the streets of Ponyville, she looked at a mare who was the color of red wine. She was sitting on a bench with her foal, and they were laughing together over a couple of ice cream cones. What kind of mother will I be to Scootaloo if I can torture a pony and not feel any remorse?

As she continued on her walk back to the Boutique, every mare, stallion, filly, and colt she passed only served to remind her that despite how much she cared for Scootaloo, she wasn't the filly's mother, and couldn't hope to be a substitute. Will she learn to hate me? Echo wondered. Will she wake up one day and see who I really am? What I really am? Can I really go on living a lie like this? Can I tell her to be herself and to be proud of who she is if I can't even show my real face in public? 

She hung her head and walked over to an empty bench. She sat there for another few moments before she started to cry. I'm a horrible mother.

She stared, sobbing into her own hooves. She had no idea how long she stayed like that before somepony laid a hoof on her shoulder. She whipped her head up to glare at whomever it was, her eyes bloodshot from her prolonged misery. Her eyes met the concerned gaze of Miss Twilight Sparkle, whose own eyes glistened in the waning day's light. Looking around, she saw that a small crowd had gathered around her. Everypony seemed concerned. They're concerned for Candlelight, not for me. If it were me sitting on this bench, they'd be terrified, and they should be. 

Twilight broke the silence. “Candie? What's wrong?” 

Echo stared into her eyes with hatred for a brief moment before her gaze softened. She collapsed into Twilight's shoulder and whispered into her ear, “Twilight, how could Scootaloo ever love me? If I can do such horrible things and not even care, how could I hope to be a good mother to her?” 

“You seem to care an awful lot to me,” Twilight started, “but let me ask you another question. Do you love Scootaloo?” 

“More than the world.” 

“Would you do anything to help her?”

"Without hesitation."

“Then you'll be a great mom, Candie, and don't doubt it for a second.”

Twilight held Echo close, patting her back reassuringly. If I had shown this kind of weakness in the hive, I would have been stripped of command on the spot. As Twilight hugged her, Echo felt the warmth of her friendship energizing her. She finally worked up the energy to smile.

“Mmmm,” she hummed, “peaches.” Twilight immediately let go and scooted back a short distance. 

“I'm glad you're feeling better,” she said awkwardly. 

“Yeah, Twilight. I am,” she giggled. The crowd began to disperse, seeing that Candlelight was no longer distressed. “Thank you.” 

“Any time,” Twilight waved a hoof casually as she got up and started back toward the library, "and I'm sorry about how I reacted back there."

Echo sat on the bench and looked up at the sky as it slowly darkened. The stars began to come out one by one, heralding the moon's arrival. She felt a strange connection with the stars. They were always there, but only showed themselves when nopony was around to see. They were a hidden beauty, appreciated by so very few. She knew she would do anything to give Scootaloo a better life, even if she had to stay hidden for the rest of her own. 

As Princess Luna started the moon's slow journey across the heavens, Echo exhaled deeply, and felt herself beginning calm down. I'll be strong for her. I'll always be strong for her.

Echo began the walk home, taking her time to ensure that her eyes would clear by the time she arrived. She didn't want to have to explain why she'd been crying to Scootaloo. As she approached her home, she felt that something was wrong - it was quiet. Usually her daughter was doing something loud and obnoxious to pass the time until Echo got home.

Echo walked in the door to her home to find it wrecked. Objects were strewn about the floor, drawers were open, and a picture of Scootaloo and Echo had fallen off of the wall. The frame had shattered. The cabinets in the kitchen were all open - some off of their hinges - and the wallpaper had been largely torn down in the living room. 

A wave of horror came over her as she thought about her daughter. Unable to focus, she dropped her disguise. “Scootaloo! Where are you?” Echo ran upstairs to her room and found it destroyed as well. Still calling for her daughter, she started to look under her bed, in her closet, and anywhere else she could think. Not finding the filly, she continued to Scootaloo's room. She tried the knob, but the door didn't budge. “Scoot, are you in there?”

“Mom?” came a worried response. Echo didn't hesitate another moment. She reeled around and gave the door a full-force buck, sending it crashing in. Echo jumped into the room, horn aglow, ready to end the existence of whomever may threaten her daughter. 

As her hooves hit the floorboards, she heard two familiar, ear-piercing screams. A glance around the room showed Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle huddled in the corner next to a bucket of paint. A collection of different tools were sitting around them. Scootaloo sat in the middle of the room with her jaw hanging open. 

She glared at Scootaloo before she asked, “what the hay happened in this house?” 

The filly squeaked as she spoke, “Cutie Mark Crusaders Home Decorators,” she looked back at her friends, still huddled in the corner, “yay?”
> Separation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Changeling! It's a changeling!” The two fillies screamed, pointing their hooves. “Scootaloo, stay back, it'll eat you!” 

“Scootaloo,” Echo buried her face in her hoof, “shut them up, please. We don't need the whole neighborhood hearing this.”

“Don't you tell us to shut up!” Apple Bloom stood up and walked straight up to Echo, poking her in the chest with her hoof, “I may be little, but I bet I could buck a big crack in that shell of yours!” 

A lot of spirit in this one. Echo thought as Scootaloo pushed Apple Bloom back. 

“Apple Bloom, Sweetie, calm down.” Scootaloo said.

“How can you tell us to calm down,” Sweetie Belle screamed, “when there's a changeling right behind you, with the wings, and the horn, and the fangs, and it's going to eat you!”

“No, I'm not,” Echo raised an eyebrow, “changelings don't eat ponies,” she stated simply. 

“She's not going to hurt you two,” Scootaloo pleaded, “stop screaming, please.”

“I'll explain everything,” Echo chimed. 

“I don't want to hear none of what you've got to say!” Apple Bloom spat. 

Well, isn't this going wonderfully. Time for a little of the old changeling assertiveness. “Tough. You're going to,” she said flippantly as she clamped their mouths shut with an aura of green magic. “I am still the same mare you know as Candlelight. I am not here to hurt you or anypony else.” 

A muffled voice came from Apple Bloom for a second, before the filly gestured at her muzzle in annoyance. 

Echo sighed, “If I release you, will you promise not to scream?” Apple Bloom murmured something in an affirmative tone, and Echo released her magic. 

“If you want us to believe you, then you have to tell everypony the truth.” 

“You're kidding,” she looked at her daughter, “They're kidding, right?” Then again, what choice do I have? “Look, let's just talk about this, okay? Because I don't think that's a smart idea,” Echo begged. 

Sweetie mumbled through the magic, and Apple Bloom nodded her head 'yes' with an expression of grim determination. As Echo let them go, the two fillies walked up to her inquisitively. 

“Well, she didn't kill us, Apple Bloom.” Sweetie said.

“That's true, she didn't.” Apple Bloom thought as she looked at Echo's carapace uncertainly. “You knew about this the whole time and didn't tell us?” she asked Scootaloo. 

“Yeah, well, you didn't have the greatest reactions, did you?” 

“I guess you're right,” Apple Bloom conceded.

“Well, I'm not okay with this,” Sweetie Belle said, “I think you should at least tell our sisters. They're the elements of harmony, they have to at least try to be friends with you.”

“I don't think Rainbow Dash would get mad at you,” Scootaloo rubbed her chin. Ever since Scootaloo's adoption, Rainbow Dash had been spending a lot of time visiting Echo's home. While Echo wouldn't go so far as to say that she and Rainbow Dash were friends, they certainly weren't on bad terms. “I think telling her is as good a place to start as any!”

Echo sighed and closed her eyes. “I suppose.” This is not going to end well. I'll end up in the Canterlot dungeons for sure. “She's supposed to come by tomorrow morning to pick up Scootaloo for the day. I'll tell her then, okay girls?” 

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle shared a glance and nodded to each other before they turned back to Echo. “You got it,” Apple Bloom said, extending a hoof for a shake. She definitely takes after her sister. Echo grabbed the little yellow filly's hoof and shook it vigorously.

“Now don't tell a soul until I do, okay?” Echo made each filly – including her daughter – promise. “Good. Now get home, you two. I don't want your sisters to come looking for you right now.”

“Sure thing, Miss Candlelight,” Sweetie Belle said in a sing-song voice as she trotted out. 

“G'night, Miss Candlelight,” Apple Bloom said respectfully as she curtsied before walking after Sweetie Belle.

“Well, I'm gonna go to bed. Good night, Mom!” Scootaloo said impetuously. 

“Not so fast,” Echo called in her best 'mom' voice, “Before you go to bed, you're going to try 'Cutie Mark Crusader Housecleaner' for a few hours.”

“I was afraid you would say that,” Scootaloo admitted.

Several hours later, the changeling and the pegasus had made some small headway in cleaning the mess in the kitchen. The cabinet doors that had been pulled from their hinges had been replaced, and the wallpaper that had been strewn about the floor was left.

“I suppose you can go to bed now, bird-brain,” she chided playfully.

“Thank Celestia,” Scootaloo yawned, “g'night, Mom.”

“Good night, sweetheart.” Her eyes took on a wistful haze as she watched her daughter stumble up the stairs and heard the floorboards in her room creak. She turned back to the still considerable mess in the living room and spent a few more minutes sweeping up the bits of glass and sawdust that littered the floor. After a while, she heard her daughter's voice. 

“Mom?” Scootaloo sounded surprised, “when did you come up here? What are you doing? Mom?” 

Oh, sweet Chrysalis. “Scootaloo,” she shouted as she started up the stairs, “run!” As she said this, though, she heard her daughter scream. No, please, no! 

She charged into her daughter's room to find a mirror image of herself staring at her with a wicked grin. Behind her doppelganger, Scootaloo was lying unconscious, a small trickle of blood running from the corner of her mouth.

“She's got some fight in her, doesn't she,” her double said. 

“I'LL KILL YOU,” she screamed as she leaped forward. The imposter stepped to the side quickly and pinned her to the ground in a green aura. Echo struggled with all of her might, but couldn't break free. 

“Now, now,” the intruder chastised, “is that any way to treat a guest, Echo? You little bitch.” Her mirror image snarled at the last word before flashing green, blinding Echo for a short moment. As her sight returned, she saw a large changeling male standing in the center of the room. One of his wings was torn badly, and Echo could tell it was an irreparable injury. His horn had been severed halfway from the base. It took her less than a second to realize who it was. 

“Cluster? You traitor!” 

“Oh, I'm a traitor, am I? I knew that you were an inept leader. You didn't deserve the command you received, you don't have what it takes to lead a single squad of changelings, let alone an entire battalion. You got lucky because you've got connections. Then you turned me in to Chrysalis, and she mutilated me. From my point of view, I feel pretty betrayed,” he held one hoof to his chest, his face radiating mock offense, “but now I've got you right where I want you.”

“I'll do worse than what Chrysalis did to you, if you lay so much as another hoof on that filly.”

“What, you mean you actually care about this feather duster?” Cluster huffed, “This little chicken can't even fly. She should have been culled from the herd years ago.” 

“What,” Echo sneered, “you mean like you were?”

Cluster's face contorted into a visage of pure, unbridled rage as he stepped closer. “Listen to me, you conceited little bitch, I'm going to show you pain. I'm going to make you understand what it's like to be tortured, and to have everything you live for taken away from you – and I'm going to make her,” he gestured to Scootaloo, whose eyes were beginning to crack open again, “watch.”

Echo looked up into the eyes of her captor and pleaded quietly, “no, please...”

He laughed as he stepped closer, and whispered into her left ear, “how about we try an old classic on for size?” At that, he bit one fang through her ear and pulled a chunk away. Echo clenched her jaw and closed her eyes, determined not to scream with her daughter so near.

“I swear, Cluster, I'm going to kill you. I'll ram my horn into your throat, I'll smash your skull in with my bare hooves.”

“That's pretty big talk for someone in your position. What else can we try, do you think?” He looked her over with an inquisitive gaze before his eyes settled on her wings. “Oh, you don't need this, do you?” He chuckled as he grabbed her right wing with his magic, and began to slowly twist it. As it reached the end of its range of motion, he paused. “This is going to hurt you a lot more than it's going to hurt me.” Without another moment's hesitation, he twisted her wing another 90 degrees. Echo felt the muscles in her back tear, but seeing her daughter in the corner of her eye gave her the strength not to cry out. 

“Impressive,” Cluster admitted, “I guess that training you got gave you more strength than I figured. Regardless, I'm going to have to get going soon, and I'm going to have to bring chicken little here along with me; and I can't have you following me,” he brought his head in close again, “can I?” Echo spit in his eye, and Cluster cursed for a moment as he wiped his face with his hoof. “I was only going to knock you out, but now I think I'll break your leg.” 

He pulled one of her hooves out from her body and stretched the leg out straight. He raised his hoof up over his head and brought it down on her knee. Echo heard a sickening crack as pain shot up her foreleg. She let a muffled cry escape from her clenched jaw. Cluster let her go, and she fell limp to the ground. 

Roughly, he picked Scootaloo up and placed her on his back. He changed in another flash to Candlelight, and wiped the small trail of blood from Scootaloo's mouth. “It's been a pleasure catching up with you, Echo.” His horn flared for a moment before he and Scootaloo disappeared in a blinding green flash. 

Echo stayed there in silence for a moment as silence settled over the room. When she was sure that she was alone again, she felt tears escape her eyes. I failed. I promised her I would keep her safe, but I just sat here and took it while he tortured me right in front of her. 

She didn't know how long she stayed there before she heard her front door open. Rainbow Dash's voice trailed up the stairs. “Echo,” the pegasus called, “are you here? Scootaloo?” 

Echo swallowed the lump in her throat before she managed to croak, “up here!” 

She heard hoofsteps coming up the stairs, and in a moment Rainbow Dash stood in the doorway. She gasped quickly before staring at the scene with a curiously flat affect.

Rainbow Dash stared vacantly for another moment before she asked, “what happened to you, Echo?” 

“No time,” she said, “Scootaloo's in trouble.” Echo hobbled to her hooves but fell flat on her face as soon as she tried to take a step. Rainbow Dash zoomed forward to catch her.

“Jeeze,” Rainbow Dash said, “you really took a beating, didn't you? I'm sorry I didn't show up sooner to help.”

Echo began to mumble something, but she didn't really know what. Her eyes started to droop closed.

“Oh, no,” Rainbow Dash started as if she were giving a pep-talk, “don't you give up on me yet, stay with me, Echo - come on, stay with me.” Rainbow Dash started to pat Echo on either side of her face. “Come on, wake up.”

“I need help,” she managed to stammer.

Rainbow Dash paused for a second and looked Echo over with concern. “Can you change shape?”

“Yes,” Echo groaned as she leaned some of her weight on the pegasus, and switched into her disguise, “I can change. Where do we go, though?”

“Twilight probably knows some spell that could help you,” Rainbow Dash sputtered. 

“No, not for me. I need help getting Scootaloo back safely.” 

“You have to come first. If you can't hold your own weight, you wouldn't be much help to Scootaloo, would you?” 

Echo was silently agreeing when she suddenly realized something. How does Rainbow Dash know my name? More than that, why didn't she freak out to see me as a changeling? The two began to walk out the door and toward the library. It was very late, so nopony was out on the streets. When they were on the library's doorstep, Echo finally worked up the courage to ask what was on her mind. “Rainbow Dash,” she started, “how do you know who I am?”

“Echo, please,” Dash looked down at Echo wistfully, “just trust me.”





Echo laid in a stupor on the couch in Twilight's basement. The unicorn came rushing down the stairs levitating a book, which she hurriedly placed on a desk in front of her. As she read, she asked, “Rainbow Dash, did she tell you anything? Do you know what happened?” 

“No, Twi,” Dash said. “I don't have any idea.” 

The two continued to talk while Echo remained prostrate on the couch. After a few minutes of discussion, Twilight walked over next to Echo and whispered, “this is probably going to hurt, Echo, but it should get you back on your hooves.” Nothing could hurt me more than knowing Scootaloo is in danger.

Twilight stepped back a few paces and her horn ignited. Her eyes were closed in focus. Dash, a few steps behind Twilight, looked at Echo with great concern in her eyes as the purple light of the healing spell encircled her. The bones in her foreleg screamed in pain as they were set by the spell, and the muscles in her back burned as they reattached themselves to her skeleton. She didn't utter a word, but remained still and suffered quietly. I'm dead. She thought. I'm dead and this is hell. As the aura around her faded, Echo's vision fell, too, and she lost consciousness. 





She awoke some time later, alone. She could hear voices above her, Rainbow Dash's and Twilight's. She hobbled to her hooves and found that, while painful, her broken leg could support her weight, now. She buzzed her wings and found that they, too, could support her. The noise she made as she flew must have been enough to alert the two ponies upstairs, since Rainbow Dash quickly came flying down the stairs, and barreled straight into Echo. 

“Oh my gosh, Echo! I'm so glad you're okay.” Dash had tears in her eyes. What the hay is going on here? Rainbow Dash doesn't cry.

“I'm glad too,” Twilight chimed as she rounded the bottom of the stairs, too, “but maybe we should be a little more gentle with Echo right now?”

“Yes," Dash stood up and brushed herself off, "you're probably right, Twilight.”

Echo's temper flared though her substantial pain, and she snapped, “Just what the hay is going on here? She isn't even concerned that I'm a changeling? She knows my real name? Did you tell her, Twilight? Is that what happened?” Twilight and Rainbow Dash looked at each other blankly. “Well, say something!” 

“Echo,” Twilight said calmly, “let's just take a moment to relax while I explain, okay?” 

“No,” Echo shouted, “I won't take a moment to relax, because my daughter is out there somewhere in the hooves of a mad changeling with a serious grudge against me. I'm not going to sit down here and listen to you two explain some stupid pony drama to me.”

“Echo!” Rainbow Dash's voice boomed with a sudden authority, “you will sit down, and you will listen.” As Echo looked into Rainbow Dash's eyes, a familiar glimmer crossed over them. It would have been imperceptible to a pony, but to a changeling, it was a dead giveaway.

“You're a changeling.” Echo stated in disbelief. 

“Not just any changeling, Echo,” Rainbow Dash's silhouette was shrouded in a tower of green flame that licked the ceiling. As it dispersed, the tall, slender figure of queen Chrysalis stood in Twilight's basement. “I'm your queen.” 
> Broken
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Pardon my language, Twilight, but what the BUCK,” Echo said in disbelief.

“A completely reasonable reaction, really,” Chrysalis said, raising one eyebrow slightly, “if a bit crude.”

“Yes,” Twilight agreed, “it is. Let me explain a little bit. Chrysalis came to me a few days ago out of concern for you -”

“Me,” Echo repeated, “she's concerned for me?”

“Yes, Echo. She came to me a few days ago because she was concerned for you. I had Rainbow Dash give her a place to stay – since not many ponies go to her house – and Dash gave Chrysalis permission to use her shape as a disguise. I actually forgot about that for a minute there when you first arrived,” she chuckled, “but after you passed out, I kind of came back to my senses.”

“Okay,” Echo mumbled, rubbing the back of her head. “but I still don't understand why she's so concerned about me.”

Twilight began to speak, but Chrysalis interrupted her, “Twilight, maybe it would be best if I were to explain this part?” Twilight nodded, and Chrysalis turned back to Echo. “It was about twenty five years ago. I had just finished overseeing the latest batch of hatchlings, and I was about to get back to my royal duties, when Cluster called me back to the hatchery. He told me that the last one had hatched, and that she was a mutant. Mutants, as you know, are rare in our race, and so I came back to see this young one personally. I asked for you to look at me, and you did. I saw your red eye, and I recognized the mutation. Echo,” she paused, “the gene for that mutation is only carried by the royal bloodline.”

“Wait, do you mean that -” Echo stammered. Chrysalis waited for her to finish her sentence, but no more words would come.

“Changeling law prohibits us from seeking out our offspring,” Chrysalis explained quickly to Twilight before continuing, “you don't know how hard it is, Echo, to know a changeling is your own flesh and blood, but not to be able to express it to them,” the changeling queen's eyes remained stoic and regal, but her words betrayed her emotions. “The only thing I could do, as queen, was to give you your name. Things have changed though, since the failure of my invasion. My status as queen is,” she looked idly to the side, “disputed. This gives me a little bit more flexibility when it comes to legal matters. Which means that I can now take a personal interest in the well being of my daughter, and - apparently - my granddaughter.”

A long few minutes of silence followed. Echo realized that the situation must be very strange for Twilight – she was watching a rather profound family drama unfold and had nothing to include. On top of that, one of the changelings in the room was impersonating her sister in law recently, in an effort to take over Equestria. Come to think of it, it's a wonder that Twilight isn't trying to murder Chrysalis.

“Well, where do we start?” Echo huffed as she buzzed her wings again and hovered a yard or so off the ground. Flying was considerably less painful than trying to stand on the leg that had only just been properly set.

“Let's start by getting all of your friends together, Echo. If my studies have taught me anything, it's that you'll need their help to get Scootaloo back,” Twilight stated plainly.

“Here's two of them!” Pinkie Pie shouted, having seemingly appeared out of thin air. Surprise had materialized next to her, and the two were wearing the same enormous grin.

Chrysalis screamed. “Where did you come from?”

“Well,” Pinkie began pensively, “I was born on a rock farm, and Surprise -”

“That isn't what I meant,” Chrysalis was obviously displeased with Pinkie's unintended insult to her intelligence.

“Maybe we should move on,” Twilight said, stepping between the ponies and the queen, “before somepony does something stupid.” Echo couldn't tell who Twilight was talking about, but had a feeling that she was right.

“So,” Echo interjected, “that leaves Rarity and Applejack. Twi, if you can go get AJ, I'll head back to the Boutique and get Rarity. Your Higness,” Echo paused, “No offense, but it might be best if you wait here.”

“I wholeheartedly agree.” The changeling queen stated dismissively.

“Okay, Echo. Meet back here in half an hour, okay?” Twilight teleported out of the basement.

Echo turned and flew toward the staircase. Chrysalis stopped her just a yard short of the stairs, “Wait, Echo. You and I will have to talk later, I think. There is a great deal that we should catch up on.”

Echo didn't say a word. She turned back and flew up the staircase as fast as her wings would carry her. As she approached the library's door, she changed into an orange pegasus, to avoid starting a panic, and rocketed back to the boutique. As she flew, her mind raced. Why did this all have to happen now? Things were going so well for me. I had a simple, pleasant life and a loving daughter. Then it all comes crashing down in the span of a few minutes. Now Chrysalis is trying to be my mom, Cluster has kidnapped Scootaloo, and Twilight – somehow – is unfazed by all of this. What in the hell is going on?

She landed in front of the Boutique and knocked on the door. “Rarity,” she pleaded, “Open up, please, it's me, Candlelight!”

“One moment,” came a muffled voice from upstairs. Echo heard hoofsteps on the other side of the door. The latch clicked as the door opened. “What?” Rarity's face showed pure confusion, “you aren't Candlelight? Who are you and what do you want?” Her night mask was sitting on her head above her horn, and her mane was remarkably unkempt. Echo surmised that she had woken Rarity up, but couldn't stop to apologize.

“It's me, I promise, Twilight will explain. We need to get going, we have to meet her back at the Library. It's important.”

“I suppose... if Twilight says it's important, it must be. I do hope that she explains what is happening, though.”

Rarity started off in a gallop toward the library, and Echo fluttered overhead. She cursed her pegasus wings as she flew. Changeling wings are so much easier to fly with.

“I'm still confused,” Rarity huffed as she galloped, “about what is happening. Is there anything you can tell me?”

“It would really be better if Twilight explained.”

“Oh my,” Rarity's pace slowed for a moment, “something awful has happened, hasn't it?”

Echo flew ahead of Rarity and turned around, giving the unicorn a pleading gaze. With a nod, Rarity returned to a full gallop. A few minutes later, they arrived back at the library. Echo nearly broke the door from its hinges as she flew inside and down the stairs. Rarity huffed something about making a mess as she followed.

As the two of them rounded the bottom of the staircase, they were greeted to a room full of ponies. There was Twilight, Surprise, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and two iterations of Rainbow Dash.

“Excuse me,” Rarity stared at the two blue pegasi, “I … dare say that I'm missing something. Would one of you care to fill me in?”

The Rainbow Dash on the left looked at Rarity quizzically for a moment before her eyes widened in realization. “Oh, yes, my apologies,” she said before igniting a tower of green flame, revealing her true form as Chrysalis. Nopony in the room flinched, save for Rarity.

The fashionista recoiled in horror. “It's queen Chrysalis, oh Celestia help us, it's queen Chrysalis,” she shouted. Hearing no affirmations of her terror, she looked around the room at the faces of all the ponies whose expressions betrayed no surprise at all. “Let me get this straight,” she said, unsure, “that's queen Chrysalis – the changeling queen – who has been impersonating Rainbow Dash – who tried to take over Equestria – who nearly ruined your brother's wedding, Twilight – and everyone is okay with this?”

“That isn't all,” Chrysalis mentioned, nodding to Echo.

“Oh yes, that's another question, isn't it,” Rarity began to sound a little angry, “you said you're Candlelight, but you quite obviously are not – though you do have her eyes. How do you explain that?”

Echo stared expressionlessly into Rarity's eyes as she changed in a flash to her natural form. The insect-like buzz of her wings filled the room. Everyone else but Chrysalis, Pinkie, Surprise, and Twilight gasped, and Rarity promptly fainted. “Huh,” Echo said, “well that went beautifully.”

“She'll be back on her feet in a few minutes,” Twilight reassured.

Chrysalis looked down passively at the unconscious unicorn and stuck her bottom lip out just slightly, as she asked “she does this regularly?” Twilight nodded succinctly in response.

“Can we please get back to the matter at hand,” Echo pleaded, feeling exhausted from constantly flying, “you know, kidnapped daughter, insane changeling in need of my horn through his throat and my hooves in his skull.” She said the last part with a growl under her voice. Everypony in the room, save for Chrysalis, recoiled slightly at the changeling's outburst of anger.

“Attagirl,” Chrysalis smirked.

“Well,” Twilight intervened, “Let me introduce Echo. To those of you who have never seen her like this – which is, well, all of you – you probably know her as Candlelight, Scootaloo's new mom.”

“No way,” Rainbow Dash took into the air and began to fly in Echo's face, “you're telling me that Candlelight,” Oh, here it comes, she's going to hate me! “can FLY?” An enormous grin came over Dash's face as she flew around behind Echo, examining her wings. “How fast can you go with these things?” Okay, that was unexpected.

“I'm sorry if this is rude in pony culture, but can we get back to SAVING MY DAUGHTER, PLEASE?”

“Oh, yeah, sorry,” Dash looked away, embarrassed, “but how do we find this crazy changeling?”

“I've got an idea,” Echo said, “it's insane, but it's just about the only thing that I can do. Twilight, can you talk to the mayor and arrange for me to have the town square tomorrow?”

Twilight nodded. “Absolutely. I'll go talk to her now,” she said as she bolted off.

"Surprise and Pinkie, I want you to spread the word. Tell everyone that Candlelight is having a party tomorrow, and invite everyone you meet. Okay?” The two party ponies nodded before giving each other a hoof-bump and bouncing off up the stairs. As they were leaving, Rarity began to regain consciousness.

“Applejack, can you get some candy apples made for the party? I know it's short notice, but -”

“Say no more, sugar cube. You can count on me,” Applejack said as she, too, bounded away from the library.

“Rarity, do you think you could stay with me, you know, as moral support? You were the first pony to show me true kindness, and having you by my side tomorrow would be very important to me.”

Still disoriented, Rarity managed to nod at Echo and smile gently.

“Rainbow Dash, I'm counting on you to be my eyes in the sky. If you see an opportunity to end the confrontation, take it.”

“Speed's my game, Candlelight! I've got your back.”

“Your Highness,” Echo turned to Chrysalis, “your role is the most important in my plan.”





The Next Morning

The sun broke through the clouds on the horizon as it rose. Tendrils of soft orange morning light worked their way between the buildings of Ponyville, bathing the town in a warm glow. The town square was alive with ponies, and a party was already in full swing. Some ponies were asking each other if they knew what the celebration was for, but most were simply enjoying the festivities. Atop the steps of the town hall, Candlelight stood next to Rainbow Dash and Rarity.

Rarity turned to Echo with uncertainty in her eyes, “darling, are you sure this is a good idea?”

“Yes. Cluster thinks he knows what I will do. He built his whole plan around predicting my behavior. Up until now, he's been right. In order to beat him, I have to act in a way that he wouldn't predict. He knows about this party, and he's here now. There's no doubt in my mind. He couldn't resist. This party is just too unexpected.”

“Are you sure you don't want me to beat the snot out of him when I see him?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Yes, Dash, I'm sure.”

The sun peeked up over the top of the buildings, and Echo took a deep breath. “It's time,” she said, turning to her friends. “Here goes nothing.”

She walked up to the podium that rested at the top of the stairs, and began to speak, “Mares and gentlecolts, let me thank you first of all for coming to this celebration today. Many of you are probably asking yourselves why I asked you all to come here,” she turned away from the podium for a second and exhaled deeply before continuing, “I have a confession to make. My name is not Candlelight. My name is Echo, and I,” she paused again, looking at the confused faces of Ponyville's residents, “am a changeling.”

The stage erupted in a flash of green fire as Echo shed her disguise. Her white coat melted away to reveal the hard black chitin, her legs filled with holes, and her eyes became one solid color. Her fangs glimmered in the early morning sunshine. Some ponies in the crowd gasped, and others stifled screams. One, however, had no reaction to her change. It was a light green unicorn with white stripes in her hair, and a lyre for her cutie mark.

“I'm still the same mare you know as Candlelight. I'm the same mare who adopted Scootaloo – which leads me to why we're here today. I called you all here because last night, my daughter was kidnapped by another changeling. He's here today,” she stared at the green unicorn, whose eyes began to widen in fear, “and I intend to rescue my daughter from him, no matter the cost.”

The unicorn's face twisted to show a smile, and her eyes closed half way. She began to walk slowly up to the stage. Ponies stepped out of the way, and the unicorn and spoke as she went, “very well done, Echo. I really didn't expect this. You found me. What exactly do you plan to do now?” Cluster took a few steps onto the stage as he dropped his disguise. “You can plainly see that I don't have your little chicken with me, so you can't kill me. So what's the next step in your brilliant plan?”

As Cluster mocked Echo, an unassuming pegasus took a step out of the crowd and walked up behind him without a sound. Slowly and silently, the pegasus' fur melted away, exposing the holes in her hooves and the black of her armor. Her eyes radiated the rage of a mother whose child was threatened. Without a word, she wrapped Cluster in a green aura of magic and slammed him forcefully into the stage. “You fell for the oldest trick in the book, Cluster. Who's the incompetent changeling now?”

“What?” Cluster's eyes widened in fear as he gazed into the fury of Echo's stare, “how is this possible? You can't be in two places at once!”

“No,” the other Echo said, “but she had help from her mother,” she said as she dropped her disguise, revealing once again the slender shape of the changeling queen, “whom you have thoroughly enraged.”

“Let's not be too hasty now,” Cluster stammered, “after all, if you kill me, you'll never find out where Scootaloo is, and it's going to take you a good, long time to get that information from me.” He grinned up at the two changelings, baring his fangs in self-assurance.

“Oh, don't worry,” Chrysalis said flippantly, “I'm the changeling queen, remember? I have ways of extracting information from my subjects,” she began to charge her horn with magic. She brought her head close to Cluster's ear. “Normally, this spell is painless, but I'm going to throw in a special gift just for you.”As Cluster tried to persuade her that he was willing to give up the information without any kind of magic influencing him, she touched the tip of her horn to the point where his had been severed. Green electrical sparks covered his body for a few seconds, and he grimaced in pain. The spell dissipated quickly, and Chrysalis looked down at him with shock in her eyes. “You bastard. You indomitable bastard. I'm going to kill you, do you understand me?”

Echo saw Chrysalis' eyes begin to water. “Chrysalis, what is it?”

“I'm going to kill you for what you've done. YOU DON'T DESERVE TO LIVE!”

“Chrysalis, where is Scootaloo?”

“I'LL KILL YOU, JUST LIKE YOU KILLED HER!” At this, she took Cluster from Echo's grasp and levitated him in front of her for a brief moment before she bowed her head and ran her horn through his gut.

He coughed twice, a small amount of blood escaping his lips. He inhaled once deeply before he croaked, “I win.” Chrysalis withdrew her horn from his abdomen and let his body fall limp to the stage. She stared in hatred at the corpse, which lay on the ground with a subtle grin plastered to its face.

“Chrysalis,” Echo managed to say, “where is my daughter?”

The changeling queen shifted her gaze to meet her daughter's, and Echo saw tears running down the monarch's cheeks. “She's in the Crusaders' clubhouse. I'm so sorry, Echo.”

Suddenly, there was an explosion. When Echo looked up, she saw a full-spectrum shockwave and a rainbow colored contrail leading off towards Sweet Apple acres. Echo took off, following the trail as quickly as she could. Her wings beat so quickly that they roared in her ears. The muscles in her back burned from the strain, and tears streamed from her eyes as she flew. It was only a few minutes until she reached her destination, but to her, it felt like hours. As she approached the clubhouse, she saw that the door had already been broken in. Landing inside, she saw Rainbow Dash hunched over in the corner, her back heaving as she sobbed. In her arms, she was cradling Scootaloo's limp body.

“No,” Dash cried, “No, don't die, please, don't be dead! Scootaloo, please!”

Echo stared at the scene in shock for a moment before she felt her legs give way underneath her. She sat with her belly resting on the floor of the clubhouse, watching as Dash tried desperately to revive Scootaloo.

“Please, Scoot, don't do this! You're stronger than this! Don't give up!” Rainbow Dash continued to plead. As Echo began to sob, she heard a small cough. Dash immediately began to shout, “She's alive! Oh, thank Celestia, she's alive!”

“We have to get her to the hospital, NOW,” Echo screamed through her tears. She reached out and grabbed her daughter before bolting toward the hospital as quickly as her wings would allow. She felt like her back was going to break from the strain that her wingbeats put on her, but she kept pushing. She's alive, thank Chrysalis, she's still alive!

She landed in front of the hospital and began to scream for a doctor as she walked inside. A few ponies gasped and recoiled in horror at seeing a changeling, but the hospital staff was far more concerned with the wellbeing of the young pegasus. A doctor quickly came over and called for a gurney. He placed her on it and a team of doctors began to wheel her out of the lobby. As the doors closed, Echo was able to catch a glimpse of one of Scootaloo's wings hanging limply over the edge of the gurney. Please, be strong for me, Scootaloo. She thought to herself as her strength once again faded, and she collapsed in a heap in the middle of the hospital's lobby.
> With Greatest Sympathies
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

When Echo awoke, she found herself laying in an extremely uncomfortable position on a floor of cold, hard stone. There was one window in the back of the room, very thin with bars. Looking around, she saw that the door to the room was also made of iron bars. Through it, she could see another cell across a small hallway. Damn it. 

“You're awake,” Chrysalis' voice called out from the cell opposite hers, “are you okay?”

“Yeah, I think so,” Echo mumbled, “what happened? Why are we in jail?”

“Well, it probably has something to do with that invasion we tried a few months ago,” Chrysalis said sarcastically.

“Right, dumb question,” she grumbled. As she regained her cognitive functions, a burning question came to her. “Chrysalis, what about Scootaloo? What do you know about Scootaloo?”

“The last I heard, she was in critical condition, but stable. You've been unconscious for a couple of days, you should really drink something, Echo,” 

“I don't care about me,” Echo roared, “I want to see my daughter!”

“Well it isn't going to happen any time soon,” Chrysalis retorted.

Echo considered roaring something else back at Chrysalis, but realized that her mother was right. “What about my friends? Why aren't they here to help?” 

“Did you really think that ponies would be that receptive to having a changeling living among them? Do you remember how Rarity reacted to me? That's how they should all react to a changeling.”

“No,” Echo said, “you're wrong, my friends didn't care when they found out.”

“Because of me,” Chrysalis huffed, exasperated, “they were all under the influence of one of my spells. It just so happens that when I lost my cool with Cluster, I also lost control over the spell. After you passed out, and Scootaloo was safe, all of your 'friends' came back to their senses, and the town had you thrown in here with me. So now you and I get to sit here all nice and cozy and wait to be executed. What a charming mother-daughter experience, wouldn't you agree?”

Echo didn't bother with a sarcastic response. She was too busy trying to accept that her friends didn't like her anymore. “What about Twilight,” Echo realized, “She knew about me for months before you showed up.” 

Chrysalis' eyes widened for a moment, and she looked back at Echo. “Did she really?”

Echo nodded, and a small smile crept over her lips, “yes! She came across me while I was … well, while I was beating the snot out of somepony who was trying to mug me.”

“You're definitely my daughter,” Chrysalis said with pride. 

Echo felt that if blushing were possible through her chitin, she'd be beet red. Ignoring the embarrassment, she continued, “I'm sure she'll be coming by. She can help us!”

“Maybe she can help you,” Chrysalis mused, “but I'm probably out of luck.”

Echo was about to try to console her mother when she heard a heavy iron door opening from somewhere down the hall. 

One voice, a gruff sounding male, asked, “are you sure about this?”

“Yes,” Twilight's voice called out, “I want to hoof-deliver this.”

“Speak of the devil,” Chrysalis sneered as Twilight came into view. The purple mare ignored Chrysalis' snide remark and turned to Echo. 

“I'm pretty sure I've exhausted my 'Princess' Personal Student' favors for the rest of my life in getting this done,” she said,  “but I got you out of here. This is a copy of the order,” she levitated a scroll through the bars to Echo. As soon as it slipped through the bars, it dropped to the ground. “Sorry, it's a magic dampening field to keep prisoners from using their magic while imprisoned.”

Echo grumbled as she bent over to pick up the scroll. She fumbled with her hooves and teeth, trying to unroll the scroll, but eventually settled on rolling it out on the ground and stepping on either end of it to keep it from rolling back up. Once she had it unrolled, she began to read aloud,

To whom it may concern,

It has come to the esteemed attention of the royal court that there are two changelings being held in custody in Ponyville's jail. One of them goes by the name of Echo, and the other is the changeling queen Chrysalis. It is hereby ordered that Echo be released forthwith and that all charges against her be dropped. She is to be placed on a period of probation until a formal record of her reformation can be established. With regards to Chrysalis, after much debate, the court has elected to release her as well, under the conditions that she submit to the close supervision of Miss Twilight Sparkle, and that a magic dampening spell is to be applied to Chrysalis to prevent her from using any manner of mind control magic. Rest assured that my faithful student Twilight Sparkle possesses the skills necessary to apply this spell.

Regards, 
Princess Celestia,
Princess Luna present

Looking up, Echo saw Chrysalis' face contorted into a decidedly not regal expression of shock. She turned her gaze to Twilight, who was smiling very gently back. The guard behind her moved to unlock her cell door, and pointed his spear at her as he did.

“Prisoner,” he called, “step to the back of the cell. Turn around and face the wall. Do not move until you hear the order.” 

“I thought I was getting released,” Echo grumbled as she obeyed.

“It's just part of the procedure, Echo,” Twilight assured. The cell door unlocked and clanked open.

“Prisoner, step backwards. Do not use your wings. Do not turn around.”

“Buddy,” she said calmly, “I'm being released, can you cool your jets?”

“Prisoner,” he repeated, “step backwards. Do not use your wings -”

“Do not turn around. Yeah, I know,” she interrupted as she obeyed. Honestly, I was the same way when I was still an officer. Gotta admire his dedication.

As she exited the cell, the guard took his spear point away from her. “Stand with Miss Sparkle,” he said simply. She obeyed, and the guard turned to Chrysalis' cell, “Prisoner, step to the back of the cell. Turn around and face the wall. Do not move until you hear the order.”

Chrysalis looked at the guard with an absolutely unblinking, incredulous stare. She raised one eyebrow slowly. “Foal, I'm a queen. Treat me with a little respect, and then maybe I'll listen to you.”

“Prisoner,” the guard repeated, “step to the back of the cell. Turn around and face the wall. Do not move until you hear the order.” 

“Yes,” Chrysalis stated, “we've established that. I've also told you that I will not do as you ask until you treat me with the respect my title deserves.”

“Prisoner,” the guard was beginning to sound like a broken record, “step to the back of the cell. Turn around and face the wall. Do not move until you hear the order.”

“Chrysalis,” Twilight pleaded, “just do what he says, please.” 

Chryaslis looked at Twilight, then at Echo, and finally back at the guard. She closed her eyes defiantly and said, “no.”

“Mother,” Echo groaned, “let it go.”

“Let it go, you say?” Chrysalis grinned maliciously, “as you wish.” In an instant, she had lowered her head and charged toward the cell door, blowing it from its hinges. Free from the cell's magic dampening effect, she grabbed the guard's spear from him and laid its point on his throat. The normally unflappable guard was now laying on his back with terror in his eyes as the changeling queen grinned smugly over him. “Relax,” she said, tossing the spear behind her, “if I had wanted to kill you, I would have. Now perhaps I could have a little respect? Henceforth, you will refer to me as 'queen Chrysalis', or 'Your Highness'. 'Your Majesty' is also acceptable.”

“Y-yes, Y-Your M-Majesty. Apologies, Y-Your M-Majesty,” the guard stammered. 

“Much better,” Chrysalis cooed. She patted the guard on the head lightly with her hoof as she turned and walked toward Twilight. “At your leisure, Miss Sparkle.” 

With that, Twilight charged a spell to her horn, and Chrysalis was momentarily enveloped in a purple glow. The guard had managed to stammer to his feet and had stepped in front of them. “If you w-would, Y-Your Majesty, p-please f-follow me,” he said as he led them out of the cell block. They spent a minute or two going over paperwork before they were finally allowed to leave the jail. 

As they walked, Echo felt a nagging question tugging at the back of her mind. “So, Twilight,” she started, “How exactly did you manage this?”

Twilight groaned, “It wasn't easy, Echo, believe me. As soon as you were both arrested, I got on the first train to Canterlot,”


A Day Earlier


“The royal court calls to attendance Miss Twilight Sparkle,” called the gold-glad royal guard standing at Celestia's side. The throne room was vacant aside from a hoofful of guards and the two royal sisters presiding over this special engagement. “The matter is the incarceration of the changelings Echo and Chrysalis in Ponyville's jail.”

Twilight bowed as she approached the throne. Both princesses appeared stoic and regal. Just because she was their friend did not mean that they would give her any special treatment in an official setting like this. 

“Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia began, “you have requested an audience with the court today to discuss the incarceration of two changelings that had been hiding in Ponyville. One of the changelings in question orchestrated the largest military engagement against Equestria that anypony alive today has ever seen, save for me or my sister. The idea of petitioning for their release is an audacious one, to say the least. In the interest of not getting ahead of ourselves, however, I ask that you state your case now.”

Twilight swallowed the lump in her throat.“Your Majesties,” she began, “if it pleases the court, I will first address Echo. I would like to offer myself as a personal reference to her character. While she was at one time a part of the force which attacked Canterlot – a fact that she does not deny – she has changed. Through her time in Ponyville, she has made genuine friends, and even developed such genuine affection for a young filly named Scootaloo that she decided to adopt her. That filly is currently in hospital in critical condition because of the actions of an insane changeling. Echo is genuine in her concern for her daughter, and since they met, she has done nothing of a questionably moral nature. I argue that rather than incarceration, a period of probation is in order for Echo, to establish in a formal record that she has reformed.”

The two sisters shared a few whispers before Celestia turned back to face Twilight. “The court believes that, given the circumstances, Echo can be released under the conditions you have laid forth.” 

“Thank you, Your Majesties. This brings me to the question of queen Chrysalis.”

“Indeed,” Luna said, “while the release of a single former changeling officer is not, under these circumstances, altogether unreasonable, the release of the Changeling queen from custody is a much less easy concept to condone.” 

“I understand, Your Highness. It is my opinion, from my contact with Chrysalis and my observation of her behavior, that she possesses immense potential for reformation, and that at such a time as she is deemed by your Majesties to be reformed, she – and by extension the changelings who still follow her – would be an invaluable asset to Equestria as a whole. I also understand that she possesses magic of a mostly unknown and exceptionally powerful nature. However, in the months that I have known Echo, she has allowed me to study her magic and has answered all the questions I have posed regarding changeling magic and biology to the best of her abilities. I believe that I understand their magic well enough that I could be Chrysalis' custodian through the course of her reformation, and that I would be able to place her under a spell which would prevent the use of any offensive magics.” 

“Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia began, “are you absolutely certain that you understand the implications of what you are saying? Queen Chrysalis is phenomenally powerful, and I believe she has not fully revealed her power to us yet. I cannot, in good faith, release her into your custody unless I know that you can truly restrain such immense power.” 

“Your Highness,” Twilight bowed, “with all due respect, how would you propose we gauge my abilities?” 

“Through a demonstration,” Celestia said as she stood up and walked to the center of the room, “I will attempt to cast a spell at you – don't worry, it's harmless. Before I do so, I would like you to attempt to restrain my magic. If you succeed, then the court will consider – consider, nothing more is promised – your request.” With that, Princess Celestia stepped down from her throne and took up a position in front of Twilight. “You may cast your spell now.”

Twilight exhaled before she began to charge the spell. The air around her began to swirl and glow with the aura of her exertion, before a bright purple beam shot from her horn and surrounded the princess. 

After Twilight's spell had been cast, a bright glow like the sun itself began to creep up Celestia's horn. Farther and farther it went, until it had nearly reached the tip. Twilight thought for a moment that her spell had failed. As the princess prepared to release the spell, though, her head was surrounded in sparks, and she found that Twilight's spell had, in fact, worked. Twilight sighed in relief. 

“Impressive, Twilight. I'm very proud of you for managing a spell this difficult. Now that we have established your ability,” she retook her place on the throne, “we can discuss the logistics of this matter.”

“Thank you, Your Highness. Echo already has a home,” Twilight said, “and I have enough space for Chrysalis to live with me in the library.”

The royal sisters shared another glance and a few whispers before Luna turned to Twilight, “Miss Sparkle, we will need to take some time to debate this.”

Twilight nodded and sat on her haunches while she waited. The two alicorns talked and gestured to each other, at times seeming hopeful, at times seeming angry, and at times seeming sad. Finally, after some unknown number of agonizing minutes, Celestia regarded Twilight. 

“Miss Sparkle,” she said, “the court has considered your request, and we must deny it.”

Twilight's heart dropped in her chest. “Princess,” she pleaded, “You sent me to live in Ponyville so that I could study the magic of friendship. At first, I believed that was a waste of time, but through the time I've spent there, I know that there's nothing more important to a pony's well being than her friends. The lessons I've learned have taught me that anypony can change for the better, if they have good friends there to guide them.” Twilight fought back a tear, “I implore you, Your Highnesses, to reconsider. My studies of Friendship compel me to believe that Chrysalis can change.”

Celestia looked down at her student with a stern eye. Slowly, her gaze softened, and she turned again to her sister. The two shared nothing more than a nod before the elder again turned to Twilight. As their gazes met, Twilight bowed.

“Very well, Twilight -” 

Twilight had to restrain a shout of joy at those words. “Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you, Princess!”

“- on one condition. I'm going to teach you something to add to that magic dampening spell of yours.”


The Present Day


“Wait a minute,” Chrysalis shouted, “you mean that if I try to use any offensive magics, I'll be knocked unconscious?” 

“It was a condition of your release,” Twilight said simply, backing away from the changeling queen slightly. 

“Why you little,” Chrysalis began to growl before a green glow began to creep up her horn. 

“Chrysalis, no!”

As the aura was about to reach the tip of her horn, a shower of purple sparks materialized, and the changeling queen fell limp to the ground, unconscious. 

“Well, honestly, I think she brought that one on herself,” Echo mumbled, looking at her prostrate monarch. “If you'll excuse me, Twilight, I think I'm going to go visit my daughter." As Twilight began to attempt to revive the queen, Echo flew off in the direction of Ponyville Urgent Care. Since everypony already knew about her, she didn't bother to take on a disguise. Ponies would just have to deal with it if they didn't like the way she looked. 

She landed in front of the hospital, and the memories came back to her in a rush. Memories of just a couple days ago, when she had landed in this same spot with her unconscious, dying daughter on her back. The filly's mane had been stringy and unkempt, her fur matted with her own blood and the tears of both her mother and surrogate sister. 

Echo stepped through the doors, and a few ponies gasped at her, just as they had done the last time she had stepped through these doors. The nurse behind the desk at the head of the lobby stifled a gasp by clasping a hoof over her mouth. 

Unfazed, Echo approached, and stated simply, “I want to see my daughter.”

“Yes, of course, miss Candleli – ”

“Echo. My name is Echo.” 

“Of course, miss Echo. Right this way,” the nurse said as she led Echo through the corridors of the hospital. They passed a dozen rooms, all their doors identical except for the number nailed into them, and then a dozen more. Finally, they turned a corner, and at the end of the hallway was door number 126. Unlike the others, though, it was plastered with trinkets and “get well soon” cards. Several bouquets of flowers had been left outside.

Confused about why these were outside her daughter's room, she asked, “have you not been allowing visitors?” 

“No, that's not it,” the nurse said as she opened the door, revealing a room full of balloons, bouquets, cards, and other decorations. All of her close friends were sitting in the corner of the room around a fold-up card table, sharing their breakfasts. On the bed in the center of the room, Scootaloo was still unconscious, but her mane had been primped with the trademarked style of Rarity, and her fur was so clean that it was shining. Through her mane, a bow just like Apple Bloom's had been tied. On either side of the bed sat Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, talking to each other over their unconscious friend. “There's just not enough room left in here for the rest of the gifts.”

> Recovery and Epilogue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The room went silent as Echo walked in. Everypony's head turned to look at her. Feeling ashamed, she made it a point to avoid all eye contact, opting instead to walk over to her daughter's side and quietly take a seat.

She stared at her daughter for a few long minutes, and the sounds of the medical equipment beeping, whirring, and buzzing filled the room with an almost deafening business. Finally, Applejack spoke up from behind. 

“I bet you think we're all downright awful for lettin' them take y'all to jail,” she surmised. 

“As a matter of fact,” Echo managed to squeak, “yeah, kind of.”

“I get it,” Rainbow Dash said with a flutter as she flew to stand next to Echo. The changeling didn't look up. “We all feel awful about it, Echo, but we were scared. We didn't know what to do. I mean, it was a changeling that did this to Scootaloo, so -”

Echo had stopped Dash dead in her tracks when she whipped her head around and stared intently into the pegasus' eyes. 

“Okay, that came out wrong,” she conceded, “what I mean is that we just wanted to make sure everypony was safe.”

“By throwing the mother of a recently kidnapped and nearly murdered filly in jail? Yeah, smart move, guys,” she waved a hoof dismissively over her shoulder.

“Chrysalis was pretending to be you, and we didn't even know it,” Applejack interjected, “we didn't know if that was really you, or another weird changeling trick.”

“Would some other changeling have nearly broken her wings flying to get Scootaloo here?”

“In our defense, y'all are pretty good at deception.” While Echo had to concede this point, she did not do so openly. 

Long minutes of silence passed again before Surprise flew over to join Rainbow Dash. Hoofsteps resounded across the floor as Pinkie, Rarity, and Applejack made their way next to Echo as well. 

“We're really sorry, Sugar cube,” Applejack motioned to everypony in the room, “we all are.” Heads began to nod in agreement. Echo turned back to look at her daughter, determined not to betray an ounce of emotion regarding the subject. Chrysalis was back now, and she couldn't afford to display weakness in the presence of her queen. Wait, she's my mom. Does that change things at all? Ugh, this is why we were never supposed to know these things! 

As she stared at her daughter, she felt a hoof tap on her leg. Looking down, her eyes met the gazes of Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. The former spoke first, “Miss Candle- erm, Miss Ech- uh... Scoot's mom?”

She tried not to seem too upset with the fillies when she said,“call me Echo, what do you want?”

“Well,” Apple Bloom said, “we have something we want to give you.”

“What would that be?” Echo said plainly. As she finished asking, both fillies launched themselves at Echo, each latching on to her with surprising strength.

“We love you,” they said in unison, “please don't be mad.”

Echo felt herself melting under the affections of the fillies, and while she elected not to remark on the exquisite flavor of those energies, she did decide to return the hug. She looked at the rest of her friends, and said, “who could say no to that? Besides, you're my friends. Forgiving is a part of friendship. Uh... right?”

General affirmations filled the room, and Twilight Sparkle's voice joined in from the doorway. She groaned a little as she included her praise. Everypony turned to see what was weighing her down, and they restrained a laugh at the sight that greeted them. Twilight Sparkle was dragging the limp changeling queen behind her with her magic. As Twilight finally managed to bring the massive changeling into the room, she levitated the monarch and plopped her down on a sofa in the corner of the room like a doll. The queen's mouth dropped open and a small puddle of drool began to form on the arm of the couch.

“My mother is quite the dignified changeling,” Echo said with an obviously false air of superiority before adding the qualifier, “usually.”

Again, everypony in the room shared a bout of hearty laughter. When it died down, Echo turned again to face her daughter, and watched with melancholy as the pegasus' chest slowly rose and fell in a rhythmic pattern. As if on cue, a nurse walked in, levitating a clipboard. 

“Miss... Echo?” The nurse looked around the room for a second as if she were oblivious to the changeling standing next to the bed. “Oh, yes, there you are. I have the results from your daughter's most recent CBC test.”

“What's that?” Rainbow Dash asked. 

“It's a test we ran, in Scootaloo's case, to see how her hemoglobin levels are. What we found isn't great. She lost a lot of blood, and her hemoglobin is at about 5 grams per deciliter.” 

“Stop talking like an egghead!”

“For a filly Scootaloo's age, she should have hemoglobin levels that are from 11 to 16 g/dl. Normally, in her condition, that wouldn't be an issue – she'd just stay here until her body recovered – but the reason this is so alarming is that her hemoglobin levels dropped 3 g/dl from the last time we checked, just this morning. Would you mind letting me through, quickly?” 

Everyone moved out of the nurse's way. She walked over to the bed and pulled the covers down. Scootaloo's belly had pronounced stitches in it from when the doctors had closed the wound Cluster's horn had caused, but what was most striking was that she seemed bloated. The nurse pressed a hoof gently against Scootaloo's belly, and hummed something to herself. She turned around again and continued, “her abdomen is severely distended, as you can see, and it's very firm to the touch. The doctor thinks that he might have missed an artery when he closed. If that's the case, then she's probably bleeding pretty heavily internally. The doctor is going to need to perform another surgery, and she's going to need a transfusion. The only problem is that we don't have enough of her blood type in storage to do that for her. We also don't have enough time to test all of your blood types and see if there's a match.” 

“I think you're forgetting something,” came a drowsy voice from the back of the room. Everypony turned their head, having forgotten about the changeling queen that had been unconscious in the background. The nurse let out a yelp as she realized what she was seeing. “You see,” the queen continued, “there are two changelings in this room. If anypony in here is going to be a universal donor, it's one of us.”

Applejack interjected, “but y'all ain't even ponies. How d'ya suppose that'll work?”

“By that logic,” Chrysalis sneered, “an earth pony and a pegasus shouldn't be able to share blood. Nor should any of the races. Be it a pegasus, a unicorn, an earth pony, or a changeling, we are all ponies at our core.”

“I can answer this one,” Twilight beamed, “I can answer this one! Oh my gosh, I can answer this one! I've done tests on Echo through the past months, including blood draws while she's in a transformed state. Her blood type when she was disguised as Rainbow Dash was the same as the actual Rainbow Dash's blood type, and her blood type when she was disguised as me was the same as mine! This will work!” Twilight hopped up and down in place excitedly. 

“Wait,” Dash said, “how do you know my blood type?” 

“Uh,” Twilight paused and looked at the ground sheepishly, “I may have taken a sample from you while you were asleep in the library. It was part of my research on pegasi.”

Rainbow Dash stared incredulously at the unicorn for a moment before she threw a hoof up in the air and shouted, “eggheads, man, I swear. Weird.”

“Girls,” Rarity called, “this still leaves us with a problem. We don't know anypony that Echo could disguise herself as who shares Scootaloo's blood type!” 

“I can think of one,” Echo said before she was cloaked in flames. When they cleared, a perfect representation of Scootaloo stood in Echo's place. “Let's get this thing done.”





“Are you sure you want to be awake for this, ma'am?” The doctor continued, “I'll be performing an open surgery. While I'll do my best, it's not a pretty sight even when it's going well.”

“It's not really a matter of whether I want to do it,” the precise replica of Scootaloo said simply, “if I lose consciousness, I might shift back to my natural form, and I doubt that my real blood would be much good for her.”

“Wait a minute,” Dash interjected, “how do we know that her blood won't go back to changeling blood as soon as she shifts back anyway?” 

“Rainbow,” Twilight reassured, “I've spent months studying Echo. Her blood didn't change when she did after it had left her body. I can't pretend to know exactly how it works, but it works.”

“So let's shut the hell up and do this, then. My daughter needs blood,” Echo said. It was somewhat strange to hear such adult language from the mouth of a filly, but the circumstances made it acceptable, discomfort notwithstanding.

“Very well, then, ma'am. If you'll kindly lay back on this bed, I can start the IV, and we'll get you to the OR.” 

The ponies each walked by Echo and gave her some word of encouragement. Everypony wore a somber face, except for the last two to leave – Pinkie Pie and Surprise. These two really look like twins, Echo remarked. 

“Hey, Candie – I'm still gonna call you Candie – you'll be fine, and so will Scootaloo.” Pinkie Pie said with a wide grin. 

“You're the first changeling I ever met, Candie – I'm still gonna call you Candie, too – and if you're any indication, I think changelings are pretty cool ponies.” Surprise flared her wings for a moment as she beamed at Echo. 

After the two had said their piece, they turned and left the room. 

“Ma'am,” the doctor said, “I'm going to begin the procedure now. You may want to look away. The things you will hear, see, and smell will not be pleasant.”

“I will do absolutely anything it takes, doctor,” she said adamantly, “to save the life of my daughter.” 

As the IV needle entered her arm and blood began to flow from her to her daughter, she was struck with a series of memories in rapid succession.





“Excuse me, help?” She had said, with the voice of a changeling. The crusaders had turned to look at her for only a moment before they had run in absolute horror. She had ended up face first in a puddle of mud, screams stabbing at her ears. 

Her daughter's first encounter with her had been running in fear.

Sweetie Belle had just made Echo's breakfast, and had come out to greet the new guest. 

“Thank you Sweetie Belle,” Echo grinned. A short moment or two later, Sweetie Belle had opened her eyes and seen Echo. The filly's grin had quickly been swept away and replaced by horror.

“It's you,” She had screamed, “Save me!” Immediately after her breakdown, she had booked it as far away as her hooves could carry her. 

Her daughter's friend had had the same reaction. What about Apple Bloom? She considered. 

The yellow filly had just come down stairs to join the rest of the Apple family and their guest for dinner. 
“Oh, a guest. Hi,” The young one had called, “I'm Apple Bloom. What's your name?”

Echo turned to face Apple Bloom. “I'm Candlelight, but you can call me Candie.”

Apple Bloom's eyes had widened as they met Echo's. 

“Well, hi, Candie!” Came a cheerful call. “Sorry about that, you looked familiar. Especially that red eye. How'd you get that?”

That one had certainly gone better than expected. 





It seemed that the ponies in this town had actually been warming up to her, slowly. Here she was, next to her daughter, giving her own life force to sustain the life of a filly to whom she had no blood relation. As far as Echo was concerned, it didn't matter. Scootaloo was as much her daughter as if she had been a changeling hatched from an egg Echo had laid. This, however, was a brand new challenge. The ponies in Ponyville knew that she was a changeling, now. While her friends might be supportive of her, would the rest of the town's resident's be so accepting? Echo recalled Twilight's story about the zebra from the Everfree. If they treat a zebra like that, they can't be happy to see a changeling living among them. 

While her thoughts swam in her head, the doctor had begun the operation. An orderly stood by, levitating a drainage hose in the cavity to remove the blood that had worked its way into the filly's abdomen. The doctor searched for the artery or vein that had been cut, and after a short while, found it. 

“She's very lucky,” the doctor said, “the damage only slightly nicked the vein. Her bleed is steady, but not severe in the short term. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to fix her right up.” He gave a nod to Echo, whose eyes maintained a constant stare at the ceiling. The sounds of the operation happening next to her were nauseating. The squelching sounds of Scootaloo's organs being moved to provide a field of view to the blood vessel in question were pushing Echo to the brink. The smell of blood permeated the air, and the doctor's forelegs were crimson with the blood of her daughter. She supposed, though, that some of that blood was her own. Several times through the procedure, she nearly fainted. She resolved herself to stare at the ceiling and focus on that. After some great length of time – Echo didn't know how long – the doctor walked over next to her to speak.

“Miss Echo,” he said, “are you all right?” 

“Yes,” she stated.

“The surgery is over, ma'am. I'm going to remove the IV now.” 

As the doctor was removing the IV catheter, Echo asked, “is she okay?”

“She seems to be,” the doctor said, “if you would like to spend a moment with her before we return her to her room, you're more than welcome to. This is off the record, though.” The doctor smiled at those last words and made a shush sound before he stepped outside the OR door.

Echo stood up and returned to her normal shape. She stood next to her daughter's still-unconscious form and ran her hoof through the filly's hair. “You're going to be okay, bird-brain. The doctor fixed you up, so you're going to be okay.”

She stared at Scootaloo for a moment longer before the doctor re-entered the room, this time with a full entourage of orderlies. “Miss Echo,” he said gently, “we're going to move her back to her room now, okay?” 

Echo stepped out of the way wordlessly and watched as they hooked her back up to all of the IV bags and other equipment, and followed in silence as she was wheeled back to her room. The soft clip-clop of her hooves on the hospital's tile floor was like a drumbeat against her head. Boom, boom, boom, boom, her head felt like it was going to explode. 

They re-entered room 126, and Scootaloo was replaced on her bed, as though nothing had ever happened.

Chrysalis was sitting in the corner cradling her head and groaning every so often.

“Are you okay, mother?” Echo asked. 

“Yes, just light headed. I will be fine.” 

“Scootaloo will be fine as well, as I am quite pleased to announce,” called the doctor to all of the other ponies in the room, “the problem was relatively easy to fix, and her recovery should just be a matter of time now, if everything goes according to plan. Oh, by the way, Miss Echo,” he moved next to the changeling and put a hoof over her shoulder. She didn't appreciate the gesture, but hadn't enough energy to protest, “you should probably drink something. Your blood was instrumental in Scootaloo's survival, but it was like syrup.”

He cast back general well wishes to the ponies in the room as he went back to his rounds. 

“Echo,” Rainbow Dash called, “are you alright? You look kind of -”

Once again, Echo's vision went black.





When vision returned to Echo, she was laying in a hospital bed right next to her daughter's. An IV had been put in through the only soft spot available to the hospital staff – a small point behind her ear where the chitin was more like skin. There was a half-empty two liter bag of saline on the IV stand, putting in about one drip every five seconds. The same doctor that had operated on Scootaloo was in the room, and noticed from the corner of his eye that Echo was awake. 

“In retrospect,” he admitted, rubbing the back of his head with his hoof, “you were not in any shape to be a donor. You were severely dehydrated to begin with. I hope you don't hold it against me that I let you do so anyway, but it seemed the only option.” 

“Relax,” Echo coughed, “I wouldn't have let you tell me not to.”

The doctor smiled. “I expect that Scootaloo will probably be awake some time soon, when the anesthesia wears off completely. Once that bag is empty, a nurse will remove the IV, and you're free to walk around. Carefully, though.” He tipped his imaginary hat at Echo, who smiled weakly and superficially. After he had left, she glanced around the room at the concerned faces of all of her friends.

“Guys, I'm all right, really.”

Chrysalis walked up toward Echo's bedside. As she reached it, she turned to the other ponies in the room. “If you tell anypony about this, I'll beat you with my bare hooves until you'll swear you don't have any bones left.”

With that, she turned back to Echo, moved her forelegs around her, and pulled her tight in a hug. She whispered in her ear, “I was afraid I'd lost you, Echo.”

Chrysalis held Echo in this way for a few moments before releasing her and returning to her normal, unflappable, royal self. Everypony was turning their gaze, pretending they didn't just see what happened.

“Mom,” a young voice called weakly, “why is queen Chrysalis here?” 

Echo's head whipped around so quickly that she nearly lost consciousness again. “Scootaloo!” she said, “I'm so glad you're okay!” 

“What happened? Why am I in the hospital? Why are you in the hospital, too? I don't understand what's going -” Chrysalis had moved next to Scootaloo's bed and enveloped her in the same hug she had given Echo. Sounds of nervousness and uncertainty were abundant from the little pegasus, but the changeling queen didn't relent until she was good and ready. 

“I'm confused.” Scootaloo squeaked. 

“I'll explain everything later, Scoot,” Echo said, “for now, I'm just glad you're alright."






EPILOGUE






After a few days of observation, the doctor had finally given Scootaloo the okay to go home. Over the past couple of days, Echo hadn't left her daughter's side. She had insisted that rather than a wheelchair, Scootaloo ride out on her back. The doctors had – out of fear, Echo presumed – bowed to her wishes. 

“So I get to go home now,” Scootaloo was reiterating, “and go back to school, and get back to life?”

“Yes, bird-brain, life goes on.” 

“You still get to be my mom, even though everypony knows you're a changeling?” 

“Yep. Don't expect everypony to like me, though.”

“That's okay. You can handle anypony that tries to give you trouble, 'cause you're tough. Right, bug-mare?”

“You betcha, chicken-feather.” 

“Hey!” Scootaloo protested, “I'm not a chicken.”

“You're right,” Echo cooed, “you're a turkey.”

“I am not a turkey either,” Scootaloo stood on her mother's back in a dramatic pose, “I'm a hawk!”

“Whoa there, hawkeye,” Echo said as her daughter nearly fell, “let's hold off on the dramatic metaphor until we get home, what do you say?” 

As she said that, their home came in to view. They stepped inside, and were surprised to find that everything had been fully repaired. Arguably, it looked better than before. Much of the decoration had Rarity's touch written all over it, and the organization screamed “Twilight Sparkle”. As Echo took Scootaloo up to her room, the myriad of posters and pictures on the wall filled the air with the attitude of a certain rainbow-maned pegasus. This is something that Scootaloo picked up on, as well, and resulted in great excitement from the filly. 

“Rainbow Dash decorated my room!” Scootaloo jumped up and down on her bed, “Rainbow Dash was up here and decorated my room!” 

“Alright,” Echo laughed, “I want you to get some rest, okay Scoot? Just because the doctor let you come home doesn't mean you're fully recovered yet.” 

“Awwww, Mom!” Scootaloo crowed, “Please let me stay up.” 

“Nope, you stay in that bed little miss feather duster.”

Scootaloo let out a few more disappointed cries, but didn't protest beyond that. Echo went back downstairs to the kitchen, and found several envelopes, each with her name on the front. She opened the first, and read,

Dear Echo,

I knew you as Candlelight until just a couple days ago, and to be honest, that's still how I see you. Your name and your appearance may have changed, but your heart is still the same. You're a good pony, even if you aren't a pony at all. I don't pretend to know such things, but I do know that if anypony had to be Scootaloo's mom, you're as good a choice as any. I left a few apple treats around your kitchen. I hope you enjoy them. They are the best apples in Equestria, after all.

Yours,
Applejack

She opened the second, 

Hi, Echo!

We're both writing you at the same time, I hope you don't mind. That's Surprise talking. This is Pinkie talking! Pinkie, maybe we should just write like we were one pony and then sign it from both of us? Sure, that sounds good. Why are we talking to each other by writing it down? Because we can, and it'll make Echo smile. Oh right!

We both really hope that you and Scootaloo get well super quick. We wanted to throw you a “welcome home” party, but Twilight said that you'd probably want to be left alone for a little while when you got home. When you feel better, let us know, because we want to give you that party some time soon, okay? 

Sincerely, 
Pinkie Pie 
Surprise!

Echo wondered for a moment why Surprise had signed her name with an exclamation point, but shrugged it off as one of the pegasus' quirks and moved on to the next letter.

Dearest Echo,

Through the months that you and I have been acquainted, I have come to know you as somepony entirely different than who you are, and yet entirely the same in every way but your appearance. I have worked with you, and I have talked with you. I've been with you while you were happy and while you were depressed, and I wouldn't trade those moments away for anything. I hope you do not feel that I am overextending myself by believing that you are one of my very best friends. 

I took the liberty of overseeing the decoration of your home personally, and it is my sincerest hope that you will enjoy the look I've chosen for your abode. By the way, you still have a job at the Boutique, and you always will.

With greatest sympathies and the best well wishes,
Rarity

A smile began to creep over Echo's lips as she moved to the next letter,

Hey there, Echo! 

It's me, Rainbow Dash. I'm not much of the writing type, so I'm just gonna tell you that you and Scootaloo are the most awesome couple of ponies I've ever met. Even more awesome than the Wonderbolts! Don't tell them I said that though, okay? 

I hope Scoot likes her room!

Rainbow dash always liked to get right to the point, and that showed in her letter. She looked at the last envelope, which was purple and had Twilight's cutie mark as the seal. She opened it carefully and read,

Dear Echo, 

Before I met you, I was convinced that changelings were monsters. I believed that you were soulless creatures whose lives were dedicated to the theft of love from innocent ponies. When I first discovered you, I gave great consideration to turning you in to the princesses on the spot. 

I am immensely glad that I chose otherwise. You have turned out to be the best friend that a unicorn could ask for. Your loyalty is rivaled only by Rainbow Dash, and I hope that you do not take offense to the fact that I consider you a friend. 

Your mother, queen Chrysalis, is still with me. Her reaction to my attempts at changeling research were much less amicable than your own, and so I hope that you will recover quickly, that I may continue my research unabated. 

All my regards to Scootaloo. 

Sincerely yours,
Twilight Sparkle 

Echo folded each letter up and replaced it in its envelope. She fought the tears back as she put the letters carefully into a drawer. From the same drawer, she drew an envelope, a blank piece of paper, and a quill. She sat at a desk in the corner of her living room and dipped the tip of the quill in her inkwell. After a deep breath, she began to write.

My dearest friends,

I hope that you will share this letter among yourselves, as it addresses each of you in its own way. 

For months at a time, I was not Echo, but Candlelight – a unicorn mare from Canterlot. Spending that much time as somepony else, it becomes very easy to see yourself as that pony rather than the changeling you really are. Perhaps it was my time living as a pony that persuaded me to change, or maybe it was my nature as a changeling. Perhaps we, as a species, are just inclined to adapt to our surroundings. The apple treats that you left us, Applejack, are going to be enjoyed with great enthusiasm. 

Pinkie and Surprise, I know what it's like to have two voices talking in the same body. You seem to have trouble reconciling with it. If you want to talk to me, I can give you some tips for how to sort out your thoughts and make sense of them through the noise. I'm only kidding, of course – I don't think any amount of help could fix whatever's wrong with you two. I wouldn't want to anyway. Whatever it is that's wrong with you is what makes you two special. I think that we should be ready for a party in a week or so, but I would like to personally request that it be a Pinkie Pie party, and not a Surprise party. No offense, Surprise, but I tend to prefer the planned-out approach.

Rarity, through the months that you and I have been acquainted, I have come to know you for exactly the pony you are – the Element of Generosity. When I arrived in Ponyville, you were the first pony to extend real, true, exceptional kindness to me. You didn't hesitate to give me lodging, and I was slow to pay you back. Even now, you pay me rather than me repaying you for your generosity. You really are the embodiment of your Element. Thank you so much.

Rainbow Dash, you are succinct and to the point as always. I will do the same, and just say that your wishes are appreciated, and Scootaloo loves her room.

Twilight Sparkle. Before I met you, I was convinced that ponies were useless. I believed that you were stupid creatures whose lives were dedicated to the pointless pursuit of trivial goals. When I was first discovered by you, I gave great consideration to killing you on the spot. 

I am immensely glad that I chose otherwise. You have turned out to be the best friend that a changeling could ask for. Your kindness is rivaled only by Fluttershy, and I do not take offense to the fact that you consider me a friend. 

I will be more than happy to assist with your research after all returns to normal.

All my regards to Mother, 

Sincerely yours,
Echo.

She sealed the envelope and walked it out to the mailbox. She turned up the flag as she put the letter in, and walked back to her front door. She sat on her front porch for a moment before going in and regarded the town's street. Ponies were bustling to and from, going about their busy lives. She looked at a mare who was the color of red wine. She was sitting on a bench with her foal, and they were laughing together over a couple of ice cream cones, just like they had been doing a couple of days ago. Every mare, stallion, filly, and colt that passed by served to remind her that despite how frightened she had been and how monstrously she had behaved, Scootaloo cared for her. She was the filly's mother, and nopony could ever hope to substitute.