Fallen (Original)

Twilight’s eyes widened fearfully, even with seeing Big Mac, she was still on edge. Adrenaline and a natural instinct to protect the life growing in her. “Twilight, it’s alright!” Big Mac said slowly, though he still remained back a fair distance, fearful of what she might do.

“H-how can I trust that you’re Big Ma-”

“Ah had a crush on yah, and spent nearly a month tryin to hit on yah when yah first came ta Ponyville.” Big Mac stated calmly.

Twilight calmed down very slowly, “What was your first attempt?”

Big Mac sighed, “Ah put a note in one of yer books… Rarity was the one that found it.” He glanced away.

“Oh thank gods… It is you…” Twilight’s magic died down. Big Mac approached her.

“What happened to yah?” Big Mac asked quietly, helping the hurt mare stand.

“I barely managed to escape a c-changeling king…” Twilight cringed. “Arkantos… i-is alive but I don’t know where he is… The king attacked me…”

“We’ll get yah some help…” Big Mac slowly helped her walk out. As they did she saw a cloaked, tall figure walk further into the Everfree, vanishing from sight.

“Who… who was that?” Twilight muttered quietly.

“A close friend of the family. Applejack and I can both vouch for him. Dontcha worry, if he can offer help, he will.” Big Mac assured.

“Alright…” Twilight sighed quietly, the two making their way to Ponyville.

Meanwhile:

Discord was already on edge, now with the sudden surge of magic that just… vanished… he went straight to Celestia himself.

“Oh! It’s good to see you Disco-”

“Did Twilight talk to you yet?” Discord cut the solar princess off.

“N… no. I was… expecting her in the throne room…” Celestia began slowly.

“Damn it!” Discord cringed. “Damn it… that means she’s in danger… She should have…”

“What do yo…” Celestia trailed off.

“Arkantos was attacked by a changeling king. He’s… no longer near the castle. I don’t know where he is… and now Twilight’s been kidnapped too.” Discord explained. “Damn it all… I shouldn’t have let her go off alone, once whoever it was found out… they’d go right after her.”

Celestia slowly stood up, “Captain Nightstick, get in here now!” Her voice boomed magically. Within moments the stallion was in the room.

“Yes, Ma’am!” He saluted.

“Put ALL of the guards on high alert! Begin searching every INCH of this city and the nearby towns for any sign of Princess Twilight, and Arkantos! Be on alert for anything suspicious.” Celestia ordered, Captain Nightstick stiffened up and nodded, immediately running out of the room.

Both Celestia and Discord froze as they felt a burst of energy that was so… so familiar. They both knew it could only mean one single thing.

“The Tree… it’s…”

“Reacting to something...”

“Alert the Ponyville Guard immediately. This… can’t be good.” Discord vanished, going on his own hunt for the friend he failed to protect.

Back in Ponyville An Hour Later:

Big Mac had managed to get Twilight to the hospital, thankfully they were able to quickly confirm it was actually her. Seeing as changelings could only mimic a pony’s form and voice, not something growing inside of them.

The Ponyville Guard were swarming the hospital, making sure every single pony or creature in it could be Id’d and properly screened. Celestia had gotten there as quickly as she could, Discord teleporting in right behind her.

“Thank the gods!” Celestia hugged Twilight close, nearly in tears. Discord was equally as distraught, hugging the two as quickly as he could.

Twilight hugged the two back.

“How badly did you get hurt?” Celestia pulled back.

“Just a few bruises… my foals are safe, and so am I now.” Twilight smiled slightly. “Is… is there any word on Arkantos?”

Celestia glanced down. “We… found blood stains on the floor of the bedroom… and with you getting kidnapped… we fear the very worst.” She muttered.

Twilight was quiet for a few seconds. “I… I know he’s still alive… I just… know it.” She stated. “T… The changeling that kidnapped me, he didn’t have Ark’s body… a-apparently they were betrayed by another changeling.”

“Who were they with?” Celestia asked.

“He didn’t say… it’s just… they needed my foals alive, for… for whatever they had planned. They weren’t with Chrysalis though… the king sounded like he despised her… He said, ‘Too bad she didn’t decide to work with us… she could have had all of Equestria to herself. But her ‘hive’ was far more important to her… pathetic really.’” Twilight explained.

“What about the changelings, what did they naturally look like?” Discord asked quickly, causing both Celestia and Twilight to focus on him.

“They… they had a sickly green aura. The two others I saw were looked more like pure insects. Nothing… nothing like the changelings Chrysalis has.”

“I’ll alert the guard, until Chrysalis proves otherwise… she’ll at least be considered friendly.” Celestia stood up slowly.

“Why such a… specific question?”

“Becuase. I know who that king is… those aren’t his drones… they’re abducted and forcefully mutated so they can’t go back. They can’t transform. It’ll make spotting them out that much easier.” Discord said.

“Who is he?”

“A changeling drone that was given an incredible amount of power by Lord Tirek… and if he’s making moves now…” Discord nearly growled.

“We need to get in contact with Tatarus. If Tirek is attempting to break out… it could get so much worse.” Celestia breathed out, cringing horribly at the thought of Tirek.

“Who… who’s Tirek?”

Celestia and Discord looked to each other.

“You’d better explain it.” Discord stated. “I’ll go make sure Luna’s aware of this…” He snapped his fingers and was gone.

“Twilight… now, just isn’t the time. You’re already under enough stress as is… and it’d be…”

“No. I need to know who we’re going up against.” Twilight cut her off.

Celestia sighed. “Alright… alright. This… this big of a threat… you do deserve to know.” She began to explain to Twilight exactly who Tirek was.