An Equestrian Lifestream Corrupted and Manipulated

In the warm summer breeze, Twilight looked up to the sun and smiled. Today was going to be a great day. It was one of the few she had gotten to herself since assuming the role and responsibility of an alicorn. Taking a walk around Ponyville, she waved at everypony much like Pinkie Pie does on a daily basis. The ponies were happy, the birds were chirping, and the sun shined its grace from above. One could only assume this day was perfect in every meaning of the word. Twilight was in such high spirits she couldn’t resist visiting her friends.

Twilight first visited Rarity in her boutique. Working furiously at making a dress for a high profile client, she didn’t find the time to look up from her work.

“Yes, I will be with you in just a moment. First I just need to fold this, double that, stitch these…together. Done!” Rarity looked up from the dress which shone brilliantly in its own light. “Twilight! Darling! Come in! Come in! What can I do for you?”

“Oh, nothing Rarity. I’m just stopping by to say hello as it is such a beautiful day,” Twilight said this turning her head to the door she came in.

“It is! Oh, but I have to finish this dress for a very important client. One must be prompt and professional in their mannerisms to succeed in business, darling.”

“It’s ok, Rarity. I’ll take my leave now.” Twilight waved bye to her friend and exited the boutique. She decided to visit the Sugarcube corner next. Barely making it into the entrance, Pinkie Pie grabbed her and pulled her behind the counter so as to not make a scene in front of the customers.

“Twilight! We have an emergency on our hooves!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed pointing to an empty shelf.

“What emergency, Pinkie? I only see an empty shelf.”

“That’s just it – it’s empty! It shouldn’t be empty! There were cakes on that shelf and now they’re gone!”

Twilight sighed. “Maybe you sold them.”

“I didn’t! They just disappeared like my tail!” She looked behind her. “Well, that’s one mystery solved!”

Mr. Cake poked his head in from the back. “Pinkie, we’re selling cupcakes today not cakes as we’re running low on flour.”
Pinkie Pie facehooved herself. “Ah, I forgot. Sorry Mr. Cake.”

“It’s okay. Just remember to remind the customers so there’s no confusion.” Mr. Cake promptly went back to what he was previously doing.

“Well, Twilight, crisis averted!” Pinkie opened her arms wide in her own way of shrugging things off.

“Pinkie Pie, you really need to concentrate on the day ahead. If you were to know about the cakes ahead of time you…what now?” As Twilight spoke, Pinkie Pie started to shake all over uncontrollably. Spike ran into the bakery with a letter held high calling out for Twilight. Twilight then understood that Pinkie Pie’s shaking was foretelling a doozy. Considering the magnitude of her shaking, this was the biggest one seen so far.

*****

As requested by Cadance, Twilight Sparkle and her five friends ventured out to the Crystal Empire. Apparently, after holding the Equestria Games, word got around that the changelings were gaining an interest in the empire. Specifically, their aim was for the Crystal Heart. Nopony knew why as only those who exhibited love or the polar opposite affected it. Nonetheless, they needed to keep it safe.

It didn’t take much more than two steps off the train before Cadance hurriedly approached the ponies and ushered Twilight and her friends to the palace. On their way through Empire’s streets, they immediately recognized the familiar barrier surrounding the empire. Cadance wasn’t taking any chances for the safety of her people.

After nearing the palace, Cadance began telling Twilight how the changelings presented subtle threats to the empire by feeding off of those on its outskirts. It didn’t take long before the telltale signs of changeling presence was felt. Cadance immediately set up the barrier while Shining Armor went out to scout the surroundings for a possible invasion.

“I don’t get it. What could the changelings want with the Crystal Heart?” Twilight asked.

“We don’t know. Their constant need to feed probably signifies that the heart can provide something worth attacking the empire,” Cadance replied.

“If the heart absorbs love, can it dispel it?”

“It might be possible. I’ve been testing out different types of love on it lately and it seems to react slightly different to each one.”

“Different types of love?”

“Yes, Twilight. There are four types to be exact. There is an affectionate love such as found through familiarity with another. It is this established common ground, such as family bonds, that naturally ties two souls together. A second love is found in friendships.”

Twilight pondered this, “Friendship is a type of love?”

“It is. Being a special bond between friends, it is also found in finding common grounds or interests. However, it is very special in that it is freely chosen. One does not need to have friends though they lose the benefit.”

“What’s the third type of love?” Twilight asked.

“You may be a little too young to understand that type of love, Twilight. It is a romantic love when two ponies love each other. More specifically, these two ponies are consumed with the idea of being in love such like a school crush or young love infatuation. I’d rather avoid the topic of where foals come from, but understand that you don’t need to be in love to make a foal.”

“I guess I don’t understand. What’s the fourth love?” Twilight inquired as curiosity was getting the best of her.

“The fourth is considered unconditional love. Some argue it is the greatest of the four in that it is a charitable love regardless of circumstance. You and your friends portray this to one another no matter how dangerous a situation gets or what changes this life throws at you. Your friends are there for you and you are there for your friends. No questions asked.”

“Wow, Cadance! I knew about your magical abilities but didn’t realize how deep love could be.”

“Thank you. Maybe when you’re older I can tell you more,” Cadance smiled gratuitously as a guard approached to announce the approach of Princess Celestia outside the barrier.

This was unexpected as Princess Celestia would have sent a formal letter ahead of time - most of the time. Cadance didn't want to keep the princess waiting so she asked Twilight and her friends to accompany her.

Cadance thanked the guard for the message and, with Twilight and her friends in tow, made the trek to the barrier to greet Princess Celestia. The closer they got to the figure standing outside the barrier, they knew something was off. It looked like Princess Celestia and even called their names in the same manner. However, the smile it wore made them feel uneasy.
Let me in it asked. Lower the barrier it requested. They knew not to do it. And, when the thing outside realized this, it laughed hysterically. Hundreds upon hundreds of changelings came out of the ground and attacked the barrier in full force.