Of Villainy and Vectors

Trixie was not the first obstacle I had decided to set up for our perfect princess, and would not be the last. Probably the biggest obstacle though, required a little more finesse than hiring a rival to mess with her. I remember when I got sick of hearing my mentor go on about her perfect pupil. I remember when I was almost responsible for the downfall of our entire society. It was Twilight's fault, if she wasn't such a goody two shoes I wouldn't have had to try so hard to test her. This is probably what I consider my biggest mistake though, inviting changelings into our beautiful city.

As I've mentioned we've done a lot of traveling. It was during this time that I discovered a creature called a changeling. I never once imagined I would be unleashing these creatures on Equestria proper, but it was fascinating to discover their effect. The pony on which they were using their manipulative powers seemed to have no clue that this being was not in fact her loving and devoted husband. It took some time before the effects came through but after having her love preyed upon for many months she began to have less of it. Bags appeared under her eyes and she began to lose weight. It became noticeable pretty quickly after that and she became more and more bitter. She snapped at her daughter and became hostile to all around her. After a while her husband seemed to vanish, although I know that he had simply bled her dry and gone to find someone else. A bitter husk of a pony without love... sounded like the perfect fate for the one I despised.

Had I known the changeling I had seen was in fact their queen I would have never approached her, but being as changelings take the form of other creatures I did not know. It took some time to track her down, but eventually after following this cranky stallion around I managed to corner his 'wife'. "I know what you are. I don't know what it's called, but I know you can change shape and drain the love from ponies. Don't worry, I'm not going to tell anyone." I sat, putting her at ease. "I need a favour."

I launched into a detailed description of Twilight, which I'd learned from being the only one she really talked to. I told her about her life as a filly, being filly-sat by bloody royalty, and finally about her brother. I told her about how much Twilight loved him, and regretted not seeing him in the academy. I told her about how the two had been virtually inseparable and I told her about where he lived in Canterlot. As captain of the royal guard.You don't get to be captain of the royal guard without earning the respect and adoration of the other guards. No, Shining Armour was a well loved stallion I told her, and watched the wheels turn in her head.

Two short weeks later I was sneaking her into Canterlot, she borrowed the appearance of Moondancer so as not to raise suspicions and I showed her Shining Armour's flat. I had walked Twilight there once so I knew exactly where it was. Watching her slip quietly inside I fought the urge to rub my hooves together maniacally. That is, after all, something villains do; and I am not a villain.

It was a long time later that I found out what had come to pass from my escapades. I reported changelings in the city right away though, I wasted no time doing that. After all if the changeling failed in draining Twilight of all love, including that she felt for her precious new friends, then maybe I could get some glory for saving Canterlot from this evil being. After I found out what happened I felt quite ill, but luckily it was never traced back to me. What happened was this:

As I said the changeling I invited into our fair city was in fact Queen Chrysalis, their leader. She assessed Shining Armour, and would have taken his form, if not for the fact that Shining Armour was soon to be wed to Princess Cadance. What is the love for a captain compared to the love for a princess? Surely Princess Cadance would make a much better candidate. Add to that the fact that this Twilight I had told her, also felt a good deal of love for Cadence and... well I should have seen it coming. Queen Chrysalis disguised herself as Princess Cadance and Twilight was of course the only one who knew that it wasn't her. So of course Twilight was this big hero of the whole damn ordeal. What else is new? Even though it was her brother that actually saved the day, Twilight was the hero. Figures.

I know that it sounds pretty awful, bringing things like that into my home city but you have to understand that I'm not the only one at fault.