Unlikely but Possible

"Have you finished your report?" Armor asked the guard.

"Yes sir." The guard answered, reading off a long list. "Although there is several hundreds to thousands of bits worth of damage, and countless injured, there are no fatalities."

"That's good." Armor sighed in relief. "And what have you found about the afflicted?"

"Our medical scans shows that the victims' comatose state is temporarily." Ocean answered, with two nurses by his side. "Whatever these Changeling, these Misshapen, as Ruby called them, they only fed on the ponies' emotions and consciousness. They'll wake up in a few days, with minor cuts and scraps."

"That's a relief." Cadance said, sitting in her throne. "Are there any long term effects of these Misshapen."

"As far as we can hypothesis, there are no long term effects." Ocean explained, adjusting his scarf. "The loss of color seems to be a visual indication that the Misshapen fed."

"Have we found their nest?" Armor asked.

"No but there might be a way to track them." Ocean said.

"How?" Armor asked.

"It has to do with this." Ocean pulled out the crystal fragment. "This fragment that was found by Crescent seems to resonate slightly in a direct every couple hours. It's minute and faint, but traceable. Given some time, I can track down the fragments Stone stole."

"What does it matter about Stone." Armor snapped. "I want those Changelings found!"

"That's my point Shining Armor." Ocean answered, remaining calm. "According to Crescent's report on the matter, Stone seemed to be greatly ignored by the Misshapen, so it is reason to believe Stone and the Misshapen may be connected."

"So we find Stone, we find the Changelings?" Armor inquired.

"My thoughts exactly." Ocean answered. "Give me time, a day at most and I should be able to track a direction."

"Fine, but one day." Armor said. "The longer we wait, the farther those creatures flee."

"Captain!" A guard ran in shouting as if in a panic.

"Report!" Armor ordered.

"It's..uh well... I don't know how else to report this sir, but" The guard was nervous and a little scared.

"Speak up, what is it?!" Armor was losing patience.

"Queen Chrysalis and a small envoy of Changelings are here sir." The guard finally reported.

"WHAT!!??" Armor's head almost exploded with rage. "What is that THING doing here?!"

"I believe I can answer that my dear Shining Armor." Chrysalis said, walking into the room.

"What are you doing here?!" Armor was almost in a battle stance.

"Why to help of course." Chrysalis answered in a calm manner. "As you obviously know. The Crystal Empire supplies some of its love to my Hive. But it seemed one of the transporters were destroyed." Chrysalis could see Armor not caring. "Given how much you hate my kind, I suspected you've cheated us on our arrangement. But when my spies reported back, it seems you were attacked by the Misshapen."

"Cut the crap!" Armor snapped. "I know you sent those things to attack us!"

"Now Shining Armor. I can humor your hatred for my kind, and even your rude behavior." Chrysalis's expression started becoming cold, as if her stare was aimed to pierce through Armor's head. "But I will NOT tolerate you saying the Misshapen are mine! Those creatures are failures, rejects, abominations cast out of my Hive for their imperfections. What they do has NOTHING to do with me!"

Before Armor could respond, not that it would help as he was slightly backing down. Thankfully Cadance interrupted. "I am sorry for that Chrysalis. We were unaware that there were many types of Changelings out there. And we greatly appreciate whatever help you can give. And any knowledge you can give us would be greatly beneficial."

"Now that is a proper way of asking." Chrysalis calmed down, turning her gaze to Cadance. "Luckily for you, I happen to know where the Misshapen nest."

"Then let's just go there and burn those creatures away!" Armor demanded action.

"As much as I enjoy the idea of ridding Equestria of those failures, there is no rush." Chrysalis explained. "I've noticed that many of your citizens have been afflicted by the Misshapen, it would be better to treat your injured before attacking the Misshapen. They are stupid and barbaric creatures, so they won't move from their nest anytime soon."

Armor could only cringe in frustration before storming out of the room in anger. Leaving the others in the room to finish the discussion. Ocean remained and kept his eye on everything that occurred.

'I knew Shining Armor had a lot of issues with the Changelings after his wedding, but I never expected it to be this severe.' Ocean thought. "Your highness, I'll leave to continue my research."

"I know you can succeed." Cadance smiled, letting Ocean leave the room. She then turned to Chrysalis. "I'm sorry for Armor, he still hasn't put the wedding incident behind him."

"Clearly." Chrysalis answered. "So long as my Hive receives their love shipments, he can have whatever opinion of my kind as he wants."

Back at the medical center, Ruby continued to help Crescent recover. She was even going so far as to peel an apple for him. The only other pony in the room was Ocean, finishing what he discussed with Cadance, Armor, and Chrysalis.

"So that's it." Ocean finished. "Chrysalis and her changelings are helping the afflicted ponies recover."

"I don't trust her." Ruby said aloud. 'Why would she be here so soon after the Misshapen attacked. I don't like this.'

"Either way, we'll find that nest." Crescent said, thinking back to his fight with Stone Cold. "And you're sure that pony with the crystal arms will be there?"

"I'm sure, roughly ninety percent." Ocean answered, before turning to leave. "I'll look into Fusion's lab, there may be something there."

"How is he nurse?" Azer asked the nurse looking after Butch.

"Your brother is one of the lucky ones who will make a speedy recovery." The nurse explained. "He's already regained consciousness and his complexion is returning."

"Good." Azer sighed in relief, then looked over to his brother. "How do you feel Butch?"

"I had a great nap." Butch yawned, stretching his arms.

"Oh good." Azer sighed again. "At least you're fine."

"Yeah, thank Celestia." Talon said. "I was worried you weren't going to get up."

"You should still stay in bed fro a while longer." The nurse suggested.

"Sure, I can do that." Butch said, laying back.

"Just don't rest too long." Azer said. "We still need to clean up the shop."

"Ugh." Butch groaned a little. "Is my napping spot okay?"

"I'm not even going to answer that." Azer laughed a little, happy his brother recovered. "What about you Talon, have you been able to find those ponies?"

"Not yet." Talon sighed in dissatisfaction. "I saw one of them, Crescent his name is run after this large stallion carrying another pony."

"Was this stallion wearing any saddle bags?" Azer asked.

"Maybe. I couldn't really tell." Talon said.

"Well I found this saddle bag outside the shop." Azer showed Talon the small saddle bag full of the small crystals.

"Hmm, I wonder what these are?" Talon asked aloud.

"If they're worth anything, I plan to see what I can do with them." Azer said, with a small chuckle. "Fixing a shop isn't cheap."

"It doesn't make sense." Ocean stressed himself, looking around Fusion's half destroyed lab. "I understand that Stone ponynapped Fusion and the crystals, but was destroying the lab REALLY NECESSARY!!!?"

Looking around, Ocean couldn't find a single shard of the crystals. Reluctantly, Ocean placed the one he recovered from Crescent on the table, and sat down, his hooves on his forehead.

"This is ridiculous." Ocean said, with a sigh of annoyance. "I've known Fusion for years now, it's got to have something to help. Something it kept hidden, away in case of anypony trying to steal their research."

It was by luck or fortune that the crystal illuminated slightly and giggled a bit. Looking at it, Ocean's eyes almost twinkled with a bit of excitement. "What's this?" Ocean said aloud, watching the crystal vibrate and jitter at a faster pace; one end of it slowly turned towards a certain direction. "That's it!" Ocean quickly grabbed the crystal and galloped out of the room as fast as he could move.

A slice to the left, a hoof to the right, and a small blast of red hued magic to the center; the training dummy fell in three pieces. Crescent was sweating from his workout, his body still sore from his beating at the hoof of Stone, but he continued on.

"Set up the next dummy." Crescent asked a guard.

"Sir. You have gone through over a dozen test dummies." The guard replied. "I think that's enough for today."

"He's right." Ruby said, trying to talk Crescent out of training. "You're body is still recovering. You'll get your chance but not like this."

"Ugh alright." Crescent submitted, sending his swords away and relaxing himself. "I just hope Ocean finishes soon."

It was by Celestia or Luna's good graces that a guard came galloping up to Ruby and Crescent. "Ruby Wing and Crescent Blade. Princess Cadance and Shining Armor are requesting you both in the throne room immediately."

"By name?" Crescent raised an eyebrow. "Armor requested us by name."

"Yes sir." The guard replied. "I was told by Shining Armor that your associate Ocean Stardust finished his research and is ready to brief. Princess Cadance believes you all should be present before beginning."

"Well that makes more sense." Ruby mumbled a little.

"Well, at least I didn't have to wait long." Crescent hated being near Armor but he'd deal with it if it meant he had a shot at Stone. "Let's get this over with."

As the guard escorted the two to the throne room, they both noticed the rise in normal Changelings around. It made Ruby feel a little uncomfortable to see them. Crescent saw this and without speaking, tapped Ruby on the shoulder, assuring her everything would be fine. But once the throne room door was opened, a new sensation struck Ruby. The moment Ruby looked into the room and saw Queen Chrysalis smiling, almost in an arrogant fashion, Ruby almost either fled the room as fast as her wings could carry or wanted to take a large object and squish the changeling queen.

"Relax." Crescent said, putting his hoof on Ruby's shoulder, reassuring her again.

"Ah you've arrived." Cadance greeted, then turned to Ocean. "Now we can begin."

"One moment m dear Cadance." Chrysalis interrupted, walking to Crescent and Ruby, her eyes more fixed on Crescent. "I hear you are the stallion who killed many Misshapen."

"Yes..." Crescent couldn't tell is Chrysalis was angry or happy, or whatever; her expression was impossible to place.

"Well then..." Chrysalis raised a hoof to Crescent's shoulder."Very good." Crescent maintained a focused expression but he was confused. "It's so delightful that you gave those failed things what they deserve...a swift and effective death."

"We didn't take pleasure in killing Changelings." Ruby interrupted, if her stare was any more intense, it would melt Chrysalis's head off.

Chrysalis, completely unfazed by Ruby's comments, faced the mare. "And why you feel anything for those things my dear? It's no different than taking out trash or simply preforming some other menial task. You simply do it."

Before Ruby could respond to this, Ocean cleared his throat to get the crowd's attention. "Sorry but I would like to begin."

"Oh please do." Chrysalis smiled kindly, turning slightly away from Ruby. She wasn't sure, but Ruby could almost see some twinkle in Chrysalis's eye and an angry sneer on her lips for merely an instant, too fast to be caught.

"Now as you all know, these Misshapen come from a nest somewhere close to the Crystal Empire. That is the only way they could've gotten here and out with such speed and effectiveness means that either they received help from somepony, most likely a Changeling from your Hive, Queen Chrysalis. Or their nest is close within the borders." Ocean explained his findings. "But as you yourself have stated and shown Queen Chrysalis, neither you, nor any Changelings from your Hive seem to like the Misshapen long enough to assist them and would sooner kill them. So we have to go with the latter; so where would their nest be?"

"Well there are numerous caves around our borders." Armor answered, using his magic to illuminate an ethereal map of the Crystal Empire territories. Large "X" marks hung over all the caves within the borders. "But we've never had the time or resources to fully explore the caves."

"Well that is a possible place for them." Chrysalis stepped towards the map. "But despite how different we are, the Misshapen are still Changelings...to a degree. The cold is not something they enjoy." Chrysalis's own horn ignited and pointed at a cave more towards the edges of the borders. "This cave is the most ideal, as it's close enough the border to avoid both the cold nights and detection, but close enough where if needed or desperate, the Misshapen would go towards the Crystal Empire."

"I would have to agree." Ocean said, levitating out the strange crystal. The crystal shivered slightly, and then leaned forward, pointing in the direction towards the cave Chrysalis pointed to. "This crystal is pointing towards the bulk Stone stole. And seeing as how the Misshapen ignored him. It is possible he may have been the one that made some form of deal with the Misshapen. Or at the very least, the organization he claims to be working for."

"Interesting." Chrysalis raised an eyebrow. "The Misshapen actually forming deals, bargains, and connections. The very thought is disgusting enough."

"We have the location." Armor was all too excited to get to the cave. "We'll depart immediately!"

"No." Chrysalis disagreed. "As much as i know you'd love slaughtering the Misshapen, I feel you are better suited here."

"What?!" Armor snapped. "They attacked my citizens, I should be the first in those caves to kill them all."

"I have no doubt you would." Chrysalis stated. "But as Ocean here explained, this is the Misshapen Nest. And a strong pony working for some unknown group is leading them. You cannot find answers simply by hacking and hewing everything in the cave. I recommend a smaller team."

"In that case." Cadance said, making sure Armor didn't get a chance to respond. "I would recommend Ocean Stardust, Ruby Wing, and Crescent Blade for this."

"Ruby Wing?" Chrysalis said, looking at Ruby. Her expression was almost smug for some reason. "Such a cute name. I agree Cadance. Crescent seems capable enough to handle the Misshapen in a subtle and swift manner."

"Then it's decided." Cadance nodded, ending the briefing. "Ocean, Ruby, and Crescent. You three will go to the Misshapen cave, and find out what you know. You are only to fight if you need to. Engaging an enemy is the secondary objective. Only fight if there's no other option."

"Understood." Ocean answered, as Ruby and Crescent simply nodded in response. 'I understand myself and maybe Ruby, but Crescent is the opposite of subtle. Could this factor into how he and Ruby can't be away from each other for too long?'

Back at the Azer and Butch's music shop, the brothers were nearing completion of the clean up of broken glass and busted instruments.

"Well this sucks." Butch complained.

"I know. This shop meant a lot." Azer sighed. "It might cost more than that crystal to pay for the repairs."

"Not that Azer." butch said, moving the basses and cellos out of the way, revealing his sleeping spot was under rubble. "My napping zone is ruined bro!"

"Uhh just get back to cleaning." Azer sighed.

"Speaking of, where's Talon." Butch asked.

Just then, Talon all but burst into the room. "I got it, I got it! I know how to help!"

"He's right there." Azer chuckled a bit as the door almost knocked Butch in the face. "What did you find out?"

"Well I saw Crescent and Ruby being escorted by guards to the palace. So I still couldn't get in, but because the guards are too distracted with the Changelings and other injured, I was able to fly up to the throne room window and eavesdrop everything." Talon explained, a joyous look in his eye at the chance of repaying his debt. "Turns out that saddle bag you found with the crystals is what they've been looking for. We can return it to them,"

"Not a bad idea." Azer nodded. "We'll turn it into the guards and they can bring to-"

"No!" Talon objected, grabbing the saddle bag of crystals. "If I'm to return these. It has to be face to face."

"This is it." Ocean told his companions as they saw he entrance to the cave.

Thankfully the weather was favorable. The trip to the cave was little over an hour trot, and on the way, there were no signs of the Misshapen. It was odd but, in this case, the group was okay with this absence. The entrance of the cave was large and showed no signs of anything living there. Probably was the reason the Misshapen lived here. Looking at the crystal, that he was now wearing around his neck, under the scarf, Ocean saw the crystal tip and point in the direction towards the cave; so this had to be it.

"Just remember." Ocean reminded his friends as they entered the cave, his voice more as a whisper. "No fighting unless they attack first."

"Fine." Crescent, who was now wearing a bit of his guard armor. A simple dark red and silver chest piece with his cutie mark on the upper right and a couple small spikes on the shoulder guards.

As the three continued in the cave, oddly enough, luminescent mushrooms and moss illuminated the cave tunnels. As much as Ocean wanted to save a couple samples for research, he had no time. There was no talking, though it didn't seem to matter. The cave was oddly empty, there were no Misshapen anywhere. Where could they have all gone? As the group neared what could be the center of the cave, a voice seemed to softly echo down the tunnels.

"It's almost done." A male voice, that was immediately recognized as Stone Cold's, seemed to be talking to a cloaked pony figure.

"Good, I was getting tired of these caves." The cloaked pony, who was most likely a mare due to the sound of her voice, as pacing back and forth in a bored manner.

"We shall spend as long as need be for our Master." Stone said calmly. "The next big surge shall be the last needed for the pillar."

"That's what that pony said?" The mare giggled a little in a sick manner. "Shame that pony's forehead gem was what we needed. Oh the sound it made when I took the gem out. I've never seen a body contort like that, and all the blood. Ohhhh....it still sends a shiver through me."

'Fusion...dead...' Ocean's mind raced, he wanted to charge in but had to think of the mission. He would avenge his old friend later.

"I did not take pleasure in Fusion's death." Stone said calmly, with small bits of regret. "I am sorry Fusion had to die for our cause. But I do hope that burial I gave it will suffice."

"Oh Stone, such a softie." The mare teased. "Though if you didn't waste time on that grave, then we'd be out of here faster. The pheromone I made that blocks those weird Changelings can only last for so long."

"The surge is almost here. Just a little lo-" Stone then looked in the direction of Ocean's group. "We have company. Come out now, we will not harm you if you surrender."

Ocean quickly thought of every possible way to get through this, but ultimately knew the answer. He gestured Ruby and Crescent to stay hidden as he walked into the open.

"Ocean Stardust." Stone was a tad surprised by this arrival. "I should have known you were able to find us. I do hope me strike to your head has not caused any damage."

"A small headache but all together fine thank you." Ocean remained calm. "My...friend sends his regards."

"That threshal I fought?" Stone asked. "He's alive...good, I didn't want to fight him but gave me no choice."

"He's alive and fine. Recovering soundly back at the Empire." Ocean said, tapping his back off slightly, signalling Crescent and Ruby to sneak around the two. "But tell me, did Fusion suffer?"

"You heard that?" Stone said sadly. "I wish Fusion's death could've been avoided, or at least painless. But it wasn't. Fusion's life suit was powered by the gem. The removal of it cause it a painful death."

"I see." Ocean controlled his emotions. "I heard you gave Fusion a proper burial." Ocean then looked at the crystals Stone stole, but this time it was not a collection of small stones, and shards, but three large chunks. "But what are these crystals?"

"Something older than Equestria and my master wants them." Stone said. "I;m sorry but that's all I can say."

"Yeah and it's a shame that your friends suck at hiding." The mare teased, throwing a small vial out from her cloak.

The vial broke against the wall, shattering and the chemicals inside erupted in a flash of bright light illuminating the room, and revealing Crescent and Ruby. The flash seemed to be a bit more effective on Crescent, due to his light sensitive eyes, the flash was more painful than it was blinding. Without a second thought, or any real vision, Crescent charged at Stone's direction. with his horn ready for battle. Stone stood solid, unmoving, but his mare companion threw three more vials, each cracking at Ocean, Ruby, and Crescent's hooves, becoming a paste that stuck them to the ground. The paste was white and cold, and oddly enough, it felt as if their bodies were draining.

"This is!" Ocean realized to late what the paste was.

"Extract from the saliva of a cockatrice." The mare answered. "When exposed to oxygen, it wraps around a target, sticking them in place."

"Cleaver." Ocean had to compliment this mare's attack. "What do you plan to do now?"

"Oh you'll see." The mare removed the cloak's hood and moved the rest of her cloak to the side of her body, revealing herself. The mare's body was light blue in color. Her mane was long and wavy, dark blue in color with white streaks through it. Her pinkish purple eyes looked over the stuck group with the same eyes a predator has on prey. "Maybe I'll see how many toxins I can shove down your throats before you explode. Oh maybe you'll gush from the mouth. Ohhhhh the things I could do."

"Ishtar!" Stone raised his voice. "The Master said nopony needs to die if it can be avoided. Just leave the solvent here." Stone gestured to a rock nearby. "The next surge is about to begin, when it's over, we leave."

"Oh Stone, are you really gonna kill my fun now." Ishtar groaned. "I'm sure they can live without a few organs."

"Ishtar...: Stone lifted up a large clever-like axe, it had a small pink cloth tied close to the blade, and the blade was crusted in dried blood. "Don't make me repeat myself."

"Ugh fair enough." Ishtar sighed, looking at Ocean in disappointment. Just then, a small glint caught her eye. "Oh well look at this." Reaching towards Ocean's neck, Ishtar ripped the crystal off Ocean's neck. "Hey Stone, looks like this one brought us a gift." Ishtar tossed the crystal at Stone, who in tern caught it and added it to the others.

"This is just what we needed. Thank you Ocean." Stone said as the crystals began glowing and vibrated back and forth, drawing closer to each other. Soon enough the crystals merged together, forming not another shard, or chunk, but a solid purple pillar of crystal. "Finally, the next pillar."

"So these crystals become that?" Ocean asked, trying to find a way to keep Stone longer, to draw out some answers. "For what reason? What are these pillars?"

"I am sorry Ocean." Stone said, not falling for Ocean's stalling. "But I cannot answer that question." Picking up the pillar and his axe, Stone gestured Ishtar it was time to leave. "All I can say is to go back the the Crystal Empire. I promise that all we wanted were these crystals. There will be no more attacks on the Crystal Empire."

"Oh sure." Ruby finally spoke up. "And what, you leave us here for the Misshapen to get us!"

"Misshapen? That's what they're called." Ishtar laughed. "They're not even here. After feeding on love, or whatever they did, they're apparently flying to the main Changeling Hive. Something about trying to buy their way into the Hive."

"That would never work." Ruby mumbled.

"All I know is Changelings hate those messed up bugs." Ishtar laughed sadistically. "I bet the Changelings will cut up those bugs before they'll get a chance to do anything. Oh that would be fun to watch." Ishtar was clearly enjoying herself too much. "But that's not what's going to happen to you. I'll leave this vial of the solvent here and hopefully if you're strong enough to get it, it'll melt away that paste."

Without any other word, Stone and Ishtar left the three ponies. Because the paste has been draining Crescent's and Ocean's magic, it was hard but Ocean was able to get his horn powered up enough to just barely grab the vial.

"I got it." Ocean said, floating the vial to his, carefully opening it and pouring a few drops on the paste.

Not instantly but relatively quickly, the paste melted away, as if it was never there to start with. Finally able to free himself, Ocean walked forward, and turned around to free his companions. But instead, he corked the vial.

"What are you doing Ocean?" Crescent asked.

"I'm sorry Crescent, but I can't let you or Ruby go until you answer my questions." Ocean said sternly.

"What are you talking about?" Crescent asked, getting annoyed.

"Your friend Ruby Wing." Ocean looked at Ruby. "She's not a pegasus is she? First I thought it was weird that Princess Luna herself would make sure Ruby couldn't leave your side for too long. This meant she must be either dangerous or needed protection. Secondly, she had information on the Misshapen before any of us even considered the idea that they weren't normal Changelings. Third, the Misshapen found near her had severe burn marks and chunks missing due to a magic blast. A style I know you don't use." Ocean then looked back at Ruby, who was panting in the same manner as Crescent. "And finally, this paste you are in seems to drain magic power found in unicorns or other magic users. So why is it Ruby is suffering the same effects as us. So I'll free you both, when you tell me who Ruby Wing really is."

Crescent could only cringe in frustration. He clearly didn't want to answer, but he knew the answer. Ruby, on the other had realized she had no choice. "Okay, I'll tell you. Or better, I'll show you."

Taking a deep breath, from her legs going up, Ruby's body became covered in a pinkish red fire that spread throughout her body. When it cleared, her body was a darker shade of grey, she had no cutie mark, she had holes and chunks out of her legs, she had bug-like wings, a crooked horn, and finally her eyes were a singular color of amber.

'I expected something, but not this remarkable.' Ocean thought with a little excitement that he was right.

"My name isn't Ruby Wing." Ruby said. "My name is Blood Steel, I'm a Changeling formally from Chrysalis's hive."