Ancestral Cycle #1: Freedom

        Song Tune woke up with a start, his hoof resting on his pounding chest. He had the same nightmare, but of course he couldn’t remember it, but he still knew the feeling. The sun was higher than usual, and Song rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. He swung his hooves over the side of the bed, trying to recall the dream, then remembered why the sun was further out than usual.

        Song sprang out of his bed in his small room-cluttered with music sheets, drawings of strange creatures, and other assortments- and danced around the papers to reach his wardrobe. He opened it and grabbed his favorite(and uniform) black cloak and threw it on. He then danced back around his stuff, grabbed his satchel, and skittered into the seemingly-empty halls of Canterlot Castle.

        He sprinted down the hallway, and took a left down another long corridor. At the end of the corridor were two golden grand doors-the entrance to Celestia’s Throne Room. The guards, who were standing guard, didn’t bat an eye at him as he slowed down, took a deep breath, and entered the room.

        Inside the grand and ornate room, Celestia was sitting on the far side of the room, reading from a small stack of scrolls she had. She hadn’t noticed Song’s entrance, so he silently began to hurriedly approach her. Suddenly, an overwhelming sensation came over him from off to his right, nearly causing him to keel over. He looked to his right, but all he saw was a stained-glass picture of a familiar creature.

        It occurred to Song that he read about this creature-a head of a pony and it’s body comprising of every other animal. The Celestial Sisters were circling around him, trapping him in his stone prison for all of eternity. As Song neared the stained glass, a deep laugh rumbled from it. Song’s spine shivered, unsure what was happening.

Then a voice echoed from the stained glass: “Your time of triumph has not yet come, little one. You will soon act as my anchor in years to come, just as your ancestors have.” Then the laughter echoed inside his head, making him back up quickly.

As soon as he backed up, he hit something hard, then fell forward and did a faceplant. Stars were in his eyes as he looked up to see what he hit. As his eyes re-focused, Song saw Celestia standing there-he guessed he must have hit that thick necklace of hers- who looked at him, then at the stained glass, then back at him.

“Are you alright Song? I’m sorry if I hurt you.” Celestia asked. Song nodded, got to his hooves, and dusted himself off. “That’s excellent. What is it that you need?”

Song bowed his head and said, “Princess, I am terribly sorry for not arriving on time. I-uh-overslept.”

Celestia stared at him blankly, then with a quizzical expression on her face, she said, “I told you that there was no lessons today, don’t you remember? I told you yesterday.” She was trying to hold back a chuckle, and gestured with her wing for him to follow her. She walked to her throne, and as she sat down, she asked, “Have you forgotten already?” Song sat in front of her with a quizzical expression on his face.

With her magic, she pulled out a wrapped package from next to her throne and set it down in front of him. He stared blankly, going from Celestia, then back to the box for a couple of minutes, then everything clicked. He slapped his hoof on his face and said, “Oh! Duh!” He laughed, and Celestia managed a chuckle as well. “Today is my birthday! I guess I was so buried in my studies, I forgot it was today.” Celestia nodded at him, and Song began to unwrap the box.

When he opened the package, there was a thick, old, leather-bound book. There wasn’t any title on the front, so Song asked, “What’s this?” He opened the book, only to find that there wasn’t anything written on the pages. “Uh….Celestia? T-this book is…..blank.”

As Song examined the book, Celestia swallowed, as if not sure to explain the things she needs to tell him. “That’s…because it’s bound by Magic. At least I think it is.”

“Well, where’d you find it?” Song asked, and examined it carefully, hoping to find any clues.

Celestia swallowed yet again, and calmly said, “I...um, well….Song,” He looked at her and stopped examining it. “Y….you weren’t really born in Canterlot. Much less Equestria.”

His heart thudded as he looked at her. “W-what do you….mean?” He set the book down.

Celestia calmly gave him the answer. “You were brought here by a pony from another land.” Song looked at the ground, not saying a word. Celestia looked out a window, and watched dark clouds gather. She cleared her throat, and said, “It began on a cloudy, stormy, night….”

Thunder rang outside the throne room, but Celestia paid no heed to it’s threats. She had a stack of scrolls next to her, reading the intel that her guards sent her- they basically said the same thing over and over again; Crimson Guard, and Thunder Gale. Of course, Celestia thought. Thunder Gale was pronounced dead. So, why are they worried about it? Maybe the “Crimson Guard” has some sort of connection to him?

Many ponies in each of the towns were frantic over the random, but small, raids that the Crimson Guard were commencing on each of the towns. They questioned, and Celestia had an excuse.

“The raids have no connection whatsoever to the sky tyrant known as Thunder Gale,” Celestia had said, referring to the pegasus that had been rejected by Cloudsdale, the Wonderbolts, and the Celestial Guard, who had left and became a rogue. “There will be guards stationed in every town.”

Celestia tried to think of what the townspeople called them.Sky….Pirates? Yes, that must’ve been it. She clearly didn’t know if Thunder Gale wasrelated to the Sky Pirates in any way.

A guard cleared his throat, bringing the Princess back into the present. When she had his attention, he said, “Your Highness….somepony is here to speak with you. He says it’s urgent, and he happens to look like a Royal Guard from another Kingdom.”

Celestia stared blankly at him, trying to recall if she was expecting a meeting. She slowly nodded and said, “Yes, I-uh- bring him in, please.” As the soldier went and retrieved the visitor, Celestia wondered who the pony was. She wasn’t expecting any Royalty, and especially not in the middle of the night.

The grand doors opened, and a soldier dressed in silver armor came in, carrying a basket with his magic. The Princess looked puzzled, but the soldier set down the basket and said, “I am terribly sorry for disturbing you at such an hour, Princess of Equestria.”

“Princess Celestia is fine,” She said. “Why have you visited me, and where do you come from?”

The soldier bowed and said, “My name is Lone Star, but I have come with an important explanation: Our Kingdom is falling apart, and it is too dangerous for this Colt to live there. Our Queen instructed us to bring him south to the Land of Light, and talk with the Princess of the Sun.”

The Princess was silent. “Which Kingdom?”

The soldier shook his head. “I am forbidden to speak of it’s name, for our Queen fears your Kingdom might get caught up in our war.”

She looked inside the basket, and nearly gasped. A colt with blue fur laid in the basket, and he had white and gray hair. But the most shocking thing were the eyes(which were half-open, showing the colt was half-asleep); a pure gold color. Where have I seen those colors from….? She wondered, then began to say, “I don’t know if I can-” And then the weirdest sensation came over her. It was a strong aura, and she realized it was coming from the basket. As soon as it came, it was gone. Celestia stood there pondering, then said, “I will take this colt in, but he will be under the watch of the guards when I am busy.”

The soldier nodded, bowed his head, and said, “Our Kingdom gives you many thanks, Princess Celestia. i will take my leave.” The Princess nodded, and the guards escorted him out. Celestia picked the colt up with her magic, and saw a thick, leather-bound book underneath the blanket he was wrapped in. She picked it up, and opened it-but nothing was written on any of the pages.

She shrugged, and took the colt out of the Throne Room to a smaller room, and called one of the guards-a bat-pony mare who was on guard duty named Midnight Dusk- to watch the colt. She instructed that she watch the colt until he grew to the proper age.

Song stared at the decorative floor. “So, Midnight Dusk was my….guardian?” Celestia nodded, and Song remained quiet. The clinking sound of coins was heard, and Song looked up to see Celestia holding a medium-sized bag of coins. “What’s that for?”

Celestia smiled and said, “I think it’s time for you to start on your new assignment.” Song looked puzzled, then Celestia began to explain some more. “I’m assigning you to a local town known as Ponyville. Will you accept?”

Song didn’t even give it a second thought. “Yes, Princess! I accept!”

Celestia looked surprised. “But, you didn’t even give yourself time to think!”

Song laughed, and rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, being cooped up in a castle for thirteen years does wear on one’s mind.”

She tried not to laugh, but said, “Very well. Then here’s what you need to do; once you reach the town, find the location of Mayor Mare. I will send her a letter about your arrival, and then she will tell you what house is yours. After that is finished, I will have a package sent to you. Are you sure you still want this?”

Song didn’t even give it a second thought, “Yes, I am! When do I leave?”

Celestia sighed, “Two hours before noon. I hope you are prepared.”

He stood up and said, “Okay! I’ll go get ready then! I’ll always be prepared!” He turned around and trotted out the door.

Celestia looked longingly after him, as if he were somepony dear to her. “Good,” She breathed. “Ones who are delivered from Chaos should always be.”

* * *

The train whistled, and it lurched forward, leaving behind Canterlot, and heading towards a new destination. Song walked past the carts to the one marked on his ticket: C5-3. He went to the fifth cart-the one two behind the engine- and  looked for the third compartment. When he found it he opened it up, and stopped when he saw the pony sitting inside.

The pony looked up at him, and he knew there was no mistake. “O-Octavia?!” She looked confused for a moment, but then her eyes went wide.

She jumped up and exclaimed, “Song! I hardly recognized you!” She hugged him, and Song froze-his heartbeat increased, and he thought, Wha-? What’s this feeling?

She looked him up and down and said, “You look fantastic! You’ve grown...” She had to look up a bit in order to see him, then finished her sentence. “...tall…”

He laughed and said, “Yeah! I’ve been training since-” His smile faded when he remembered the memory, and Octavia just nodded.

“Don’t fret, Song. She’s proud of you. I just know it. What brings you on the express to Ponyville?” She asked settling back down. Song sat across from her.

“Well, Celestia sent me to Ponyville on a new assignment. I don’t know what it is, but all my training will help.” He said, and shrugged. “But I am glad to finally get out of that Castle.” Octavia chuckled.

For the rest of the train ride, they talked with each other to do some catching-up business. Song didn’t even realize they were almost to Ponyville, until the crack of lightning echoed through the sky. His muscles tensed, and he looked out the window, and watch another lightning bolt hit the ground. And when it did, he shrank back.

“Are you alright, Song?” Octavia asked.

Song gulped, and nodded. “Y-yeah, I am.” He lied.

When they arrived at the station, Song quickly hurried to the back, with Octavia following, and grabbed his stuff. When they got outside, a light drizzle began, but the black thunderclouds could be seen in the distance. “Song!” Octavia called, managing to get his attention. He looked at her, and she said, “Just come over to my house until the storm passes.” Too scared to object, Song nodded, and followed Octavia to her house.

When they got in, Octavia pointed to a closet be the hallway and said, “You can set your stuff there, Song.” He nodded and set his stuff there. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go find my roommate.” She said, and trotted towards the kitchen.

Song looked around the room, and realized that Octavia’s living room looked fairly nice. “Song!” Octavia called from the kitchen. “Could you make a fire, please?!” He nodded, and went to the fire place. he took the matches on the mantle and began to light the fire place. When the fire was lit, a sudden echo of thunder shook the house. Song jumped and turned around, just making sure nopony saw.

He exhaled, and walked to the kitchen. “Hey Octavia.” She turned around. “The fire’s lit.”

Her eyes went wide. “Song! So is your tail!” Song looked down at his tail and realized it was on fire. He panicked  and began running around, trying to get it out. “Song! Song!Stop! You’ll catch the whole place on fire!” She chased him trying to get him to stop so she could take the fire out.

Using a last resort, Octavia tackled Song, and managed to get the fire out. Both of them sat there, panting like crazy, when a voice said, “Okay, okay, I don’t even what to know what’s going on right now.” The two of them realized their position was awkward, and quickly got up. The pony that talked was staring at them; she had a light blue and dark blue mane and tail, and her cutie mark was backward sixteenth notes. “Octavia, I’ll be waiting in the room for a good explanation.” The white unicorn said, and trotted up the stairs.

“W-wait! Vinyl!” Octavia said as she tried going after her. She looked back at Song and said, “Wait here, okay? And tried to go back upstairs. Song looked back around the living room, shrugged, and sat down-wondering what kind of trouble he had gotten Octavia into.

The next day, Octavia and Song went to see the Mayor. As they walked, Octavia said that she explained everything to her roommate, Vinyl Scratch-who had been out shopping when Octavia and Song reached her home- and Vinyl seemed okay with it. They did reach Mayor Mare’s office. She gave Song the keys to his new home, and Octavia helped him  move his stuff into his house. Octavia was now showing him around Ponyville-making sure he knew the terrain.

“And that over there,” Octavia said, pointing to a warehouse-like building. “Is the Musicians’ Guild. It’s where the Musicians in our Guild gather to practice and talk with one another.”

Song halted. “Wait, our?” He looked at her and she nodded.

“Yes, when I first moved to Ponyville, I got all of the musician’s together and we now own a warehouse. I’ll have to take you there sometime.” She continued trotting- with Song following- then pointed in the direction they were heading. “I’m gonna show you a special place. It’s usually where most of the musicians hang out when they’re not at the Guild. It’s a small little cafe called ‘Snowy Cafe.’ It’s a great place to get drinks.”

Song’s stomach then rumbled, and he lightly blushed. “Uhhh...yeah. Let’s go there.” He chuckled, and Octavia shook her head and muttered, “Stallions.”

The cafe was a small little white building, with white and blue paint decorating the outside. There was a sign outside saying something about an offer, but Octavia had pulled Song inside before he could read it. She then called out, “Snowwy! I’m here for my order!”

A white pegasus with a blue mane trotted out from the back and stammered, “O-oh! O-octavia-a! I-I have y-your order almost-t r-ready! A-alto is packing-g it up.” She looked at Song and asked “W-who have you b-brought here with y-you?”

Octavia stepped back so Song could get a better look at the pony. She had light blue eyes, and a snowflake-type cutie mark. Octavia said, “Snowwy, this is Song Tune. Song Tune, this is Snowwy Skysong.” She smiled and another white pegasus came from the back-she looked like Snowwy’s twin.

“Octavia Melody? Here’s your order; one dozen bagels, one dozen glazed doughnuts, and a two-liter of fresh coffee. Careful, it’s hot.” She said, and set the package on the counter.

Octavia nodded, then turned to Song. “That’s Alto Lovestrings, Sowwy’s sister.” She turned to Allie and said, “This is Song Tune. He’s from Canterlot.” The two mares looked at Song in awe. Octavia turned to Song and asked, “Could you give me with a hoof with these bags? We’re taking them to the Guild.” Song nodded, and put some of them on his back, with Snowwy helping, and Alto helped Octavia put some bags on her.

“Thanks girls!” Octavia said as they walked out. “We’ll come back later!”

Both of the mares said, “Thank you! Come again!” They waved at them as they walked out.

“They seem nice,” Song commented as they walked towards the Guild’s building.

Octavia nodded and said, “They are a cool bunch. Really fun when you get to know them.” They walked in silence until they reached the building. Octavia banged on the door and joked, “Hello? Room service?”

There was somepony laughing on the inside, and the door opened. A stallion-probably older than them- opened the door. He had a light brown coat with dark brown wavy hair. His cutie mark was notes on a staff, and he was wearing a bowtie. “So, brought us some breakfast, eh, mate?” He then saw Song and asked, “Who’s this bloke?”

Octavia nodded her head in the direction of Song and said, “This is Song Tune, Solo.” Then to Song; “This is Solo Beat, Song Tune. Welcome to the Guild.” She walked inside, and Song followed quietly. When they entered, there was a dining table next to what Song had guessed the living room- four ponies sat there, quietly talking to each other. Octavia nudged Song and said, “Follow me, we’ll get this stuff in the kitchen..”

They walked through the dining room, and the three ponies looked up. “Is that our breakfast, Octavia?” A unicorn mare asked. She had purple eyes, a light blue coat color,  with blue and white spiked mane. Octavia nodded, then the unicorn asked, “Who’s the stallion?” She looked him up and down.

“We’ll save the introductions for later. For now, let’s set up breakfast.” Song and Octavia began unpacking the food, and the unicorn helped as well. When all of the food was set out, Octavia nodded to the unicorn, who raised a drum and banged on it three times yelling, “Breakfast is ready!”

Five other ponies came from the stairs and other rooms on the ground floor. They sat at the table in a formal manner, and the bagels and doughnuts were being passed out. When everypony sat down and was eating, the same unicorn asked Octavia, “Well… introductions?” She laughed, and Octavia just sighed.

Octavia got Song’s attention, then pointed to the unicorn and said, “Song Tune, this is Melody Star. She’s not really into playing instruments, but she can sing fairly well.” She then pointed to an earth pony stallion who had wavy gray hair and a light tan coat. “This is Duet. He’s good with the piano.” She then pointed to Solo Strings and said, “You’ve already met Solo Strings, who plays the harp.” She pointed to another mare unicorn and said, “This is Lyra Heartstrings, and she plays the lyre.”

Octavia then pointed to a purple pegasus with a blue and white mane. “This is Star Dusk, she plays the ukulele….” As Octavia continued to introduce the other musicians, Song felt overwhelmed with all of the names, but he knew he’d get them all. Octavia then finally said, “Guild, this is Song Tune. He plays the violin in a special way.”

Solo leaned forward and asked, “What kind of way? There’s not really a special way to play the violin. No offense, Sunshine Melody.” He said to a yellow unicorn with yellow-orange hair. She nodded.

Octavia looked at Song, and he nodded. She breathed, and then said, “Well, first of all, he plays it with his left hoof instead of his right, and….” She looked at Song to make sure and he nodded again. “He dances while he plays.”

The other members stared at Song, as if he were an outcast. He slowly nodded and said, “I could play and dance ever since I was young,”

Solo was the first to speak. “Ah, so he talks.” Octavia hit him on the shoulder.

“Don’t be rude! I was just introducing him to everypony!” She looked at Song, then remembered. “Song, wasn’t there supposed to be a package for you at your home?” Song nodded, suddenly remembering himself.

“You’re right the pr-messenger was delivering something for me.”  He stood up and said, “It was nice meeting you all, but I have to go get something rather important. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

He began to move his chair so he could leave, when a voice said, “Song? Is that really you?” The voice sounded familiar, and when Song turned around, he saw a blue pegasus with black and red mane.

There was an incredibly long moment of silence, then Song managed two words: “Frost...Sound?”

Frost laughed,a dnt the two of them rushed at each other. Song hugged him then said, “I had heard you moved to a different town...but I didn’t know it was this one!”

Frost nodded and was about to respond, but then Solo coughed and said, “You know Frost Sound? He’s our guitarist.”

Song nodded, then Frost said, “Of course! Song and I have been friends ever since I met him in Celestia’s Castle.”

Song closed his eyes and lightly sighed, knowing that they were staring at him. Octavia managed to save him. “But,” She intervened, “I’m from Canterlot as well, so there isn’t much of a difference.” She looked at Song and asked, “Isn’t there someplace you need to be?”

Song remembered, and said, “Oh, yes! That’s right! Thank you!” He looked at Frost and said, “I’ll catch up with you later, Frost.” And he hurriedly trotted out of the house.

****

        Half a year passed since Song moved to Ponyville. Within that frame of time, he had completed his “objectives” from Celestia: Being an assassin to protect Ponyville from outside threats. He didn’t mind it, but apparently the creatures did. He reflected back on the day he got the package

Song trotted into his house, exhausted from being all over town. He trotted into his living room and saw a box casually sitting on his couch. He looked around-in case he saw somepony- and trotted up to it. On the top was the Royal Sisters’ Seal, so he guessed it was from Celestia.

He picked up the thick box and shook it. Something could be heard inside, so he set the box on his coffee table, and sat down on the couch. He opened it up, and inside was a scroll with the same Seal resting on top of cloth. Song picked it up, and unrolled it to read the scroll.

“Song,

        Now that you have accepted your New Assignment, I will go further in depth of what it is. As I am trying to take care of the Sky Pirates, I did not realize of the problems in the small towns; a race of shape-shifting, love-consuming ponies known as Changelings-you are probably aware of their capabilities. Your Assignment is to eliminate any threat that the guards send message about. Inside this box is an outfit available to keep your identity hidden as you complete these tasks. You have Seventy-Two Hours to prepare for your first objective.

Your Tutor and Friend,

~Celestia”

Song set the scroll aside, and lifted the cloth out. It unfolded, and Song had to stand up on his hind hooves to see what it was. When he looked at it, he nearly dropped it in surprise: It was an outfit used by Olden Ages in Legends and Tales-otherwise known as an assassin’s outfit, used to complete assassinations in secrecy.

“Wow,” Song said to himself. “Celestia really wants me to do this assignment.” He set the cloak over the back of a chair and picks up the heavy book full of species. There was a paper inside it, and so Song opened up to that page.

Inside was the pages full of information and diagrams on Changelings. He looked at the sheet, and realized it was an information sheet of what to prepare for, and the items needed. He sighed, put everything inside the box-except the paper- and put it under his bed.

Song walked over to his desk, and opened the drawer up, only to find a sack of coins and a note on top of it. Song picked up the note and read it- all it really said was to use the coins to gather the supplies needed for his assignment. Song sighed, and grabbed his cloak. He slipped the journal in one pocket, the coins in the other, and went outside to do some shopping.

Suddenly, a letter flashed before him, and he came back to the present out of his memories. He picked the letter up, opened it, and saw a picture of a unicorn stallion with information under him. The stallion had a sky blue mane and tail, a blue coat, purple eyes, and two diamonds that looked exactly alike for his cutie mark. Above the picture, it was titled, “Gemni Hide.” Below the information was Celestia’s handwriting, and it said,

“Song,

This stallion is your next objective. Some of the guards already confirmed that he is a changeling, so I need you to eliminate him tonight. He is dangerous, on the account of information that we have received- he is a slave dealer. He kidnaps ponies from all over Equestria and sells them to the Changeling territory. He must be eliminated tonight at the latest.

~CelestiaAlso, always, always, have a contingency plan.”

Song’s eyes widened as he read this information. He knew Gemni Hide fairly well- he was an excellent smith and a good weapons dealer. Killing him might be hard. Who knows what trick he’s got under his hooves. Song thought to himself. He grabbed his cloak, and went to go find out Gemni Hide’s pattern.

        By the time the Sun was setting, Song had uncovered a decent amount of information-except for the one small problem he found. When Gemni Hide went to lunch, Song snuck into his office, and recovered a binder(but he didn’t take it). Inside it were what looked like weapons deal, but after reading so much, Song realized it wasn’t a weapons deal- it was a hit list. He began to put the binder up, but then a photograph fell out,  and curiously, Song picked it up. It was a photograph that was circled, and it said, “Free to feed on.”  Song’s eyes widened, and he ran out of the building. The picture was Octavia.

        Song stopped to take a breath. He was on top of a building, and the moonlight casted his shadow down. He scanned the ground in search of Gemni Hide, but it was hard to spot him through the many ponies that were walking around. He ducked down, hoping he wasn’t seen, and trekked along the roof top. Song then spotted a telescope resting on top of a balcony of a tree-like building. That can help me spot her! He thought, and ran across the rooftops towards it. The streets began to thin out, probably because the parties were starting, but Song didn’t pay attention to it.

        When Song reached the edge of the roof, he took a gigantic leap across the huge clearing towards the house. He managed to grab the railing, and hoisted himself up. He quietly walked over to the telescope, and looked through it to find Octavia. He barely caught her walking around a corner into an alleyway, but he saw the glimpse of her tail. He started to go, but hear noise from within the house, and sidled on the wall right next to the balcony door.

        Inside, a male voice, probably a colts, said, “C’mon, Twilight! Everypony’s having fun out here.”

        Song began to wonder where he had heard the name “Twilight” from, when a mares voice responded, “Well, I’m sorry, Spike! But some ponies are trying to get some sleep for the Sunrise Festival!”

Song was thinking, then suddenly remembered Octavia. He went over to the edge, place one hof on the balcony rail, and vaulted off of the balcony. when he landed, he bent his legs, causing him to roll, then sprung off his hind hooves and began to run towards the alley.

When he reached the alley, he didn’t think ahead of time, and slid into the space before the alley. In the alley, Song saw Octavia unconscious, and roped to a wall. A changeling was before her, with it’s horn glowing, but it stopped when he looked at Song. Song ran forward, but it then hissed, shot a green bolt at him-which caught him in the throat- and Song fell down.

When Song got back up, he realized that he wasn’t hurt- as did the changeling saw- and the changeling began to run away. Song reached into his cloak, pulled out a knife, and threw it at the changeling, hoping for some luck. Miraculously, the knife impaled the changeling in the leg, and it tumbled across the ground. Song raced after it, but it spread it’s wings and took to the sky, trying to escape from Song.

You may be fast in the air, Song thought as he scaled a building. But I’m faster on the ground! He jumped on top of the building and sprinted after the changeling- but he was running out of roof tops, for the Changeling was heading to the Everfree Forest. As the edge of the last building neared, Song calculated the amount of force he needed. “Don’t do anything reckless, Song.” Celestia’s last words before he came to Ponyville echoed in his head.

Oh well, Celestia,  Song thought, and took a massive leap towards the Changeling. He caught the changeling in it’s hind leg- the same one that happened to be impaled with the knife- and the Changeling howled with pain and fury. It didn’t dare land, but it attempted to kick Song in the face, but continually missed. Song brought out his hidden blade and tried to stab the changeling, but nearly fell due to the fact that the changeling was thrashing around.

This continued for a while, and the changeling finally tucked it’s wings and plummeted to the ground. They crashed to the ground, and Song rolled along the ground until he eventually hit a rock. Dazed, Song watch the changeling fly over a huge chasm, and gave chase. The only way across the chasm was a suspended bridge that didn’t look very stable.

 Song didn’t hesitate to cross the bridge. He galloped straight onto it and ran through the fog that was covering the first quarter of the bridge and the bridge shook. But he stopped halfway, and watched the changeling land on the other side. It turned and glared at him, then pulled out a knife from it’s own mane.

Song continued to run across the bridge, but the changeling had finished cutting the one side, and was cutting the other. Song closed his eyes, counted to three, then jumped as hard as he could-and he calculated the time just right, for the bridge broke, and it fell from under him as he jumped.

As the bridge fell away, Song sailed miraculously across the deep chasm. He smiled, but his victory was short lived- the cliff wall was approaching him, and fast. Thing quick, Song managed to shift his body to a vertical position, and unsheathed his hidden blades. The cliff advanced, and Song stuck his hooves out as if he were bracing for a fall.

He collided into the cliff-his snout slamming into the side of it- and dangled there, a bit dazed. He shook the feeling off and started to climb using the hidden blades. When he reached the top, he rolled over onto the edge of the cliff and sat there, huffing. He turned his head sideways in the direction of the castle, and saw the changeling near the grand door. Song shakily got up and sprinted towards the changeling.

The great entrance door slammed shut just as Song ran to it. He pounded on the door a couple of times, then sat down. Damnit! He thought. If that stupid changeling hadn’t cut that bridge, I’d have him by now! Suddenly, a voice came in his head, and said, The voice sounded like a mare’s and Song wondered if it was his conscience or something. But, the voice was right. Song quickly got to his hooves and looked to see if there was another entrance. About eight feet off the ground, on the right side of the doors, was a window. Oh, joy. Song thought.

Song backed up several feet away. He then sprinted towards the window, and when he was just five feet away, he sprung up with all of his might. He flew towards the window, and with wide eyes, Song thought, Shit! I miscalculated! He braced himself, crashed through the window rather hard, rolled onto the floor, then came to a complete stop. He got up, and brushed himself off.

So much for a quiet entry like I had planned… He thought, and heard something crash from the direction of what looked like to be a library. He quietly sneaked to the entrance, and cautiously walked in, very alert. He saw little blood drops leading a trail, so he quietly followed it. He walked past many rows of books before seeing the trails lead down an aisle, so he followed it.

He went down until about halfway and saw the knife laying on the floor. There were no more blood trails, so Song sniffed to see where he had gone. He then heard something shuffling above him, and he quickly looked up to see something big falling towards him. Song instinctively jumped back to dodge the falling debris, and then felt his back hoof get wrapped by something, pulling upwards.

The momentum of Song jumping backwards caught on and as Song went up, he also swung backwards. He hit the edge of a bookshelf on the back of his neck, and white dots danced across his vision. The changeling was seen walking towards Song, and as his world faded around him, Song heard the changeling say,

“So, this is where you have been hiding, eh?” Song’s world went completely black.

***

Song woke up with a start, and then realized he couldn’t move. He tried to lift his head, but all he could feel was numbness. He heard the door open, and he looked in the direction of the sound. A nurse with red hair walked in with a clipboard, saw that he was awake, and before Song could say anything, she was back out. Song sighed and closed his eyes.

Many minutes later, the door opened, and Song looked in the direction of the door with his eyes to see the Princess Celestia walk in with…...Princess Luna?! Song looked back at the ceiling, his mind reeling. Duh!  He remembered; last Night(he hoped the Summer Sunrise Festival was last night) was the night that Nightmare Moon returned. He was glad to see that Luna had returned normally.

Celestia and Luna walked next to his bed, and Celestia asked, “How are you, Song?”

Song opened his mouth to answer, but realized it was hard to speak. “What……. happened?” He asked.

Celestia hesitated, then began to explain. “Apparently, you were knocked out by the Changeling, and nearly died- if it were not for a pony who saved you.”

“Wh….o?” He asked.

She dismissed the question. “A pony brought you here, and the Nurses soon found that-not only you were wounded from several cuts and a concussion- but that you’ve been injected with the bad side of bat-pony poison. It’s a wonder that you haven’t died.”

Song smiled, but Celestia continued. “There’s somepony I would like you to meet,” She gestured to Luna. “My sister returned three days ago. Say hello to Princess Luna.”

Song’s eyes widened. “Three….days?!”

Celestia nodded. “You were out for three days, and on the verge of….death…” She obviously did not want to say the word, but she had to.

Luna trotted up next to Song and said, “Greetings, Song! my sister hast told us all about thee! We wanted to welcome thee properly!”

Song tried to nod, and said, “Well...I…...thank…...you…”

Celestia said to Luna, “We should let him rest. He needs to heal.” Luna nodded, and left the room. Celestia followed, but stopped and turned around. “Song,” She sighed. “I have cancelled your assignment. A new pony will be in charge of the assignment, until you are released. I just wanted to inform you.”

She left the room, and it fell quiet again. Song closed his eyes, and a tear trickled out.